Page 9 of Hallowed Tree
Harry blinked several times in a row like he’d gotten something in his eyes. “You enjoy spending time with me? You said I’m grumpy and boring and—”
I pressed a finger to his lips. “I never said you’re boring. I only push you to leave the house or binge a TV show with me because I want you to relax. You work too hard. These are better than our golden years. We live in a beautiful place, surrounded by wonderful people who adore you, and I want you to enjoy it.”
He clutched my wrist, pulling my hand down. “No one adores me. And you…why would you want to be around me? You’re all sunshine and rainbows. I always think the cup is half-empty and you’re just happy that there’s a cup. We’re nothing alike. Complete opposites in every way.”
Feeling braver by the minute, I slid my arms around his waist, breathing a sigh of relief when he didn’t pull away. “Jetty, Chance, Chance’s parents, Kingston, and Sky all think of you as family. I’ve heard them chatting about how glad they were that you’d stayed on instead of passing into your great reward yearsago, or they’d never have had the opportunity to know and adore you.
“As for me? Iama happy-go-lucky guy. I’ve always been that way, I suppose. But the only reason I greet each sunrise with such joy is because I know I’ll see you. You arethe cup for me, Harry.”
His pale skin flushed scarlet again. “Well…”
Chapter Four
Harry
What did I even say to that? I’d never had anyone speak such things to me before. After my parents abandoned me, I’d kept my emotions hidden away, never wanting to be hurt like that again. And then there was the fear. I’d been so scared to put myself out there, expose my wants, and have someone reject me or hurt me physically.
Instead, I’d gone into a life of service. Being a butler had been a rewarding career for me, and with Willowhope Manor, I’d found my home. A place that made my soul sing. I’d thought that was enough. That protecting the innocent from the evil that had tried taking over, and then getting the opportunity to be here with the current owners was enough.
But had I been wrong? Did I want a chance at more? An opportunity to have a real relationship? Someone to take walks around the property with or take a relaxing day off? I’d never really done that before. Even when I was alive.
Is that why I’d let Buck stay? Funny, insolent, unruly Buck. This man who’d followed me around like…well, like I’d hung the moon since the minute he’d come into the house. I’d thought he was just kissing up to me so that I wouldn’t make him leave, but maybe I’d been lying to myself.
All the occupants of the B&B had embraced and accepted him just as much as he thought they cared for me. And I knew they did, didn’t I? It was one of the reasons I’d stayed when Mr. Chance freed the others to cross over. It felt good to be useful and like part of something again.
Buck’s arms tightened around me. “Harry?”
Looking up into his concerned gaze, it hit me like a bolt of lightning. Of course, I liked Buck. More than liked, honestly. I’d let him stay because the thought of eternity without him near me felt dark and gloomy. I hadn’t allowed myself to see it because I’d never found my own person in life, so why would I ever expect to in death?
“Will you kiss me?” I blurted.
Buck smiled, slow and sweet. “I can’t think of anything I’d rather do.”
He lowered his head slowly, brushing his mouth against mine. I’d worked out how to be as human as possible decades ago, even being able to touch, but I’d had limited experience in how that would work with another apparition. If anything, it was better. I’d been kissed a time or two, had one-offs in the still of the night during my years as a mortal, but they’d been nameless men who were as nervous as me.
Not Buck. His lips moved tenderly on mine without hesitation or fear. The limitations of flesh weren’t present as we melded together. I felt the pressure, the way his tongue tangled with mine, but it was more. He pulled me closer as he licked into my mouth, and it was as if the fragments of our soul combined.
Buck’s hands slipped down, snaking under my bottom, and he clutched my cheeks. Feeling free, I jumped up, wrapping my legs around his waist. He pulled back a fraction of an inch. “I can feel the pressure of holding you, like you’re solidly in my arms, yet weightless,” he said, sounding awed.
“I know. It’s…”
“Everything,” he growled, fusing us back together with a hunger I’d never known.
Everything I’d experienced in the past was about two men wanting to get off, to satiate a need. But this was desire like I’d only witnessed before. Since the minute Chance and Jetty started giving into their carnal pleasures, I’d thought them ridiculous with how they couldn’t keep their hands off each other. I understood it now.
Knowing that Buck wanted me, feeling his arousal brushing mine, the heat of his body setting me a flame, even though we were never hot nor cold, but just existing, it was intoxicating.Magical. I wanted more. “Buck, please.”
He held me securely, bumping and rubbing against me like he held me against a wall. But there was nothing there. Only air, and yet he rutted into me, and I felt secure, safe. How was this happening? He couldn’t even change his clothes without doing it like he did as a human, and yet—he slammed against me, and I cried out. His cock was as thick and meaty as his butt, and I was here for it. I wanted it in me—whether my mouth or my ass, I didn’t care.
He trailed kisses up the side of my jaw and nipped at my ear. “If you’ll allow me, Harry, I’m going to take you to bed tonight and make such sweet love to you. But right now, I want to make you come. Can I do that, love? Please.”
Love? My eyes prickled with tears. In all my years on Earth, no one had ever made me feel special in this way. “Yes. Yes to that. Both of those.”
Buck growled, moving me up and down so that our dicks rubbed against each other through our clothes. With a blink, we were naked from the waist down, and his hardness pulsed against mine. “Wh-what?” I stammered.
“Ah. That feels good. I hoped we were connected enough right now that I’d be able to—”
I slammed my mouth to his, shutting him up. We’d be having a long conversation later about how he’d managed to disrobe us, seemingly without thought, when he’d deliberately and consistently ignored my wardrobe suggestions for a butler at the manor. There wasn’t a doubt in my mind that he’d been tricking me.
