Page 4 of Natural-Born Cullers

“Out for a little morning walk, are we?” Jack eased away from Jan and went over. “C’mon, assume the position.”

Gray eyed Jack up.

Jack eyeballed him back. “Don’t make me go mukka tipping this early in the morning.” Arms held out, he called Gray in, allC’mere, I know you need one, boss.

Gray snorted a smile and folded his arms. “You woke me up, asshole.”

“Because you love me.” Jack went in close, slipping his hands to Gray’s hips, then running with a quieter touch down to his ass and that fine cut of trouser covering such slim curves as Gray unfolded his arms. Gray wore no suit jacket yet, sleeves to his shirt were folded up, and a hunting cap that carried the same subtle colour tone of his trousers hid most of the look in his eyes, but then this was Saturday. On the rare few times Gray stayed away from MI5 doors, Saturdays were occasionally less… formal, usually reserved for hunting… all tight white jodhpurs, black paddock boots, matching black jacket—a horse whip held expertly in leather-clad hands, a horse between his thighs. And sometimes, just sometimes, afterwards, in the stables, Gray would pin Jack down over a hay bale and that classy Dom would turn whore, all rough, dirty, and—

“Where’s that head of yours going, Jack?”

Jack laughed and buried his head a little in Gray’s shoulder. “You really, really don’t want to know, mukka.” Giving a sigh as Gray’s Amberwood scent of cologne hit his senses, Jack pulled him in a little closer, waggling his eyebrows at theaccidentalsnug fit of cock against cock.

“A little… focusing. Because a session of Master still in training here, it is, mukka,” Jack said gently. “Today’s lesson: always, and I mean always show your sub some lovin’ before shifting your hunter’s muzzle outside.” And Jack in no way meant fox- or clay-pigeon shooting muzzle this time either.

Gray maybe saw it and gave a long sigh, but as Jack eased a brush of nose against his cheek, Gray instantly calmed. In the quiet talk, Gray shifted a little, allowing Jack in to nip at his throat, then as he shivered and slipped a hand to rest on Jack’s back, a discrete return kiss brushed Jack’s jaw. Jack gently hunted Gray’s kiss a second later, and he pretty much forgot about anything else going on in the kitchen as Gray returned it, signed, sealed, and branded it in… such a damn gentle touch of nip on lip.

“Hmmm,” mumbled Jack, not shifting too far away from Gray’s lips as Jan broke the tender kiss with a cough, making Gray look his way. “Better,” Jack added quietly. “BypassI’ve Fucked Upand move directly to the head of the class, or just move down to Jack’s head if you prefer? I’m easy either way.”

Gray snorted a smile, and a look finally came Jack’s way before Gray rested his head against Jack’s.

“Morning, stunner.”

Jack briefly closed his eyes. “Now that’s… that’s just playing damn dirty.”

“Hm?” Gray sounded as lost in the moment and another kiss touched down, just briefly, before Gray shifted over for Jan. Something was whispered in Jan’s ear, then as Jan eased onto the unit, close to the hob, he leaned in and kissed Gray.

“What are your plans for today?” asked Jack as he went and tugged out some plates.

Jan winked at Gray, then scratched at his own head. “Gray’s got a meeting at twelve, and I’ve got some MC accounts to work through—”

Jack glanced back. “Yeah. Boring fuckers. And get medicine for that‘Hey, don’t leave me out of the lovin’cough of yours.”

“Annnnd then,” said Jan, deliberately ignoring him with a grin, “I’m overseeing stock for the manor with Ray and your old man, Jack. So, if you want any goodies ordering in, now’s a good time to come out with the bribes, lads.”

“Oooh.” Jack raised a hand as he worked. “Blowjob for a boneless beef sirloin this end, gotta be tied—the beef, not the cock—though, also some black peppercorns, no garlic because of Light, but plenty of watercress.” Jack thought it over some more as the plates went on a tray. “Also Dijon mustard, banana shallots, and Gruyère.”

Jan pulled a face. “Who the hell are you killing at the garage with all that? Sam?”

Jack laughed as he watched Gray head for the backdoor. “Just tell Ray ingredients for roast beef sirloin and béarnaise dauphinoise. It’s the grub for tonight.”

Jan grinned. “Ooh, say that again, go on, Jack.”

“What? Grub?”

“Béarnaise dauphinoise.”

“Yeah,” said Jack. “Grub.”

Jan laughed as Gray shook his head.

“Get some decent whiskey for Jack’s old man, Jan.” Gray tugged the backdoor open. “Two of. My thanks for helping out since….”

It was there, how Gray almost saidsince Ed’s death, but even near ten months after the café explosion, coming up to Light’s nineteenth birthday in a few weeks, his grandfather’s death was still too close for him, and his slight frown called it out. With the echo of burned brick and chloroform that still seemed to haunt the manor, Jack knew it was still too close for everyone, otherwise his own old man wouldn’t still be stopping by every few days to talk with Ray and Jan over helping to sort out the basic goings-on with the manor, something Ed used to handle. Bless his heart, his old man tried to make up for all the anger he’d aimed Gray’s way over the years, for not stepping back long enough to notice how Jack always chose to lay down with Gray no matter the anger ruling everyone’s surface, Ed’s included in that somewhere. Gray saw it too, and where Jack loved his old man’s way of trying to build bridges, Jack loved Gray more for allowing it.

So Jack? He just made sure they all damn well ate something in the backdrop of missing the ghosts who should still be walking here. “If you see him before I do, tell my old man to be here for about seven for tea as well. Extend the call to grub to your mum, Jan.”

“Mum’s tied up with babysitting, and I draw the line at toddler drool on the dining table.”

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