Page 41 of Over the Emerald Valley
If he thought Solon couldn’t get any heavier, he was wrong. Solon melted against his chest, collapsing onto him as he heaved desperate breaths against Temaj’s neck, ruffling the loose hair around his shoulders.
Temaj liked the weight of him, the laxness in his body, spent and relaxed.
One by one, he unclenched his legs from Solon’s waist and let them fall to the bed, still shaky. He flexed and relaxed his toes as the last waves of pleasure receded. Slowly, he ran his hands over Solon’s back, tracing the ridges of his spine.
Solon rallied, lifted himself from Temaj, and rolled onto his side. Breathing came easier this way, but Temaj missed the crushing weight already. He flopped over to press himself against Solon’s chest.
They tangled their legs, and though things were still messy and needed to be cleaned up, they were content to lie together, holding each other while their heart rates returned to normal.
Temaj closed his eyes to get a better sense of his body. He loved the well-used feeling in his ass, the all-over warmth after a fantastic release, the serene, soul-deep contentment he found while resting in Solon’s arms.
He matched his breath to Solon’s so their chests would expand and contract at the same time. The mesmerizing effect soothed him, and his thoughts drifted.
Would Solon really like to be fucked? Temaj knew he could make the experience good, but some men would never allow it. Temaj rarely cared one way or the other, but as he ran his palm over the enticing curve of Solon’s rump, he knew he’d like to have a go.
With a sigh, Temaj pulled back enough to study Solon’s face. His lips were pink and wet from kissing, eyes dark and sparkling with flecks of sable. A content expression sat charmingly on his face. Temaj wanted to kiss him everywhere.
He started by pressing his lips to the man’s thick, finely shaped eyebrows, then lower until Solon was forced to close his lids to be kissed there as well.
Solon nuzzled his nose against Temaj’s cheek. Returned the gentle kisses to any place he could reach. Chin, jaw, mouth. Until they finished as they’d started—with more and more sweet kisses.
CHAPTER13
Solon
Sunrise foundthem in a warm tangle of limbs. Solon couldn’t remember a time he’d slept so well than these last few nights with Temaj at his side.Onhis side, really, as the man used him as a full-body pillow.
Even with one arm gone entirely numb, Solon wouldn’t change a thing. Not when Temaj’s steady breathing and gently thumping heartbeat threatened to lull him straight back to sleep.
But the pressing reasons for Solon’s presence here trickled in one unwelcome thought at a time—an embezzling viceroy, missing emeralds, traitorous guards, the pharaoh’s orders. A sigh accompanied the reality shattering his dreamlike morning. There was so much to do.
He swept a lock of blond hair off Temaj’s cheek, careful not to wake him. A list of questions Temaj might be able to offer answers or insight to ticked through his mind.
What rumors spread through the harem? What of underground tunnels, hidden chambers, tales of blood demons, and stolen jewels? Where did the viceroy spend his days, and why did he only venture out at night?
Most importantly, if Solon could offer freedom, would Temaj leave with him? Travel up the Red Sea, request an audience with Horemheb, and perhaps be granted his life to do with as he pleased?
And if they made it that far, would Temaj choose Solon as a companion?
Retirement didn’t sound half as bad with a partner like Temaj at his side, but Solon had trouble envisioning the concubine tending to crops and milking goats. Would he enjoy a simple life? Would Solon?
Next to him, Temaj huffed and stretched. “I can hear you thinking,” he mumbled sleepily.
“How? I’ve made no sound.”
“You didn’t have to. Your chest has tightened, and your breath comes faster. What’s bothering you? How can I fix it?” Temaj reached for Solon’s cock and cupped the limp organ in his palm.
Interest flared. How could it not? But sex wasn’t the answer to everything, to most things, or to this thing in particular. “You don’t have to do anything, plucky. I’m just glad you’re here. Did you sleep well?”
“Mm-hmm.” Temaj made no effort to rouse him further but left his hand resting on Solon’s cock anyway. “You?”
“Better than I deserve.”
“Why would you say something like that? Everyone deserves a good night’s sleep.”
“Is that so?” Solon ran fingers through Temaj’s soft hair. “I’ve made so little progress during my time here. Horemheb will expect an update soon, and I have naught to offer.”
“What is it you’re here to do, exactly?”
