Page 2 of Loved to Death

“Oh yes, sir. Absolutely,” she agreed.

“Shall I teach him some patience?”

“Yes, please.”

“Very well.” Thomas nodded toward the bed. “Get naked and lie down while I deal with our boy.”

She giggled and pulled off her low-cut red dress as quickly as possible before scrambling onto the bed.

Thomas turned and advanced on Jeffrey.

The slighter man gulped, but stood his ground and tilted his chin up a fraction. “I’m no boy. We’re the same age.”

Grinning, Thomas grabbed a handful of Jeffrey’s shoulder-length hair, and tilted the slighter man’s head back. Thomas put his five-inch height advantage to good use and loomed over the other man. “That’s simply not true. I’ll be twenty next month, and Sarah’s already twenty. You’re still eighteen.”

Thomas pulled even harder on Jeffrey’s hair until the smaller man was forced to his knees. “But even if you were thirty, you’d still beour boy.” He leaned down, staring into Jeffrey’s eyes. “Wouldn’t you?”

Jeffrey’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed. He licked his lips and whispered, “Yes, sir.”

“And you’re going to follow my orders tonight, aren’t you?”

“Yes, sir.”

Thomas loosened his grip and gave the younger man the same gentle kiss he’d given Sarah. “Good boy,” he whispered before letting go, stepping back, and straightening the cuffs of his shirt.

“I think it’s time to put that impertinent tongue of yours to good use. You’ll strip, kneel on the bed, keep your hands behind your back, and then use that tongue to make Sarah come at least twice. If you do a good job, I’ll let you watch while I have my way with her. And if you do anexceptionaljob, I’ll let you come while I’m having my way with you.”

With a small moan, Jeffrey stood up and tugged his shirt over his head so quickly a button popped off.

Thomas chuckled darkly and sat in the wobbly chair to watch.

***

Thomas awoke to bright summer sunlight streaming in the window. A warm body pressed up against his front and another against his back. Memories of the night before danced across his consciousness but before he could enjoy them, he tensed. His gaze darted to the sunlight, and his stomach clenched with dread. Daylight meant there was no hiding the fact that he’d been out all night. Daylight meant a whipping from his father, tears of disappointment from his mother, and smug disapproval from his sanctimonious older brother.

Thomas focused on Sarah’s sleeping face. Her auburn hair splayed over the pillow catching the sun. Jeffrey’s warm breath came out in puffs against his back. Thomas closed his eyes for just a second to lock this perfect moment away in his head for later. If he wasn’t such a coward, he’d leave home and never look back. He’d meant what he’d said the night before; his father would never come looking. William would have one of his men do it for him. But there would be no need. Thomas would always go crawling back because his father owned half the town. There was a certain level of wealth and power that couldn’t be gained through hard work alone, and the thought of poverty gave Thomas chills.

He gently squeezed Sarah’s naked hip and whispered, “I have to go, darling.”

She nestled closer to him and whimpered in protest.

He kissed the top of her head before pulling the covers back and pushing himself up.

Jeffrey stirred and mumbled, “You’re leaving?”

Thomas climbed over Sarah and stood up. “Yes. But I’ll see you soon.”

“Tonight?” Jeffrey asked hopefully.

Smiling, Thomas walked to the other side of the bed, leaned down, and kissed Jeffrey’s forehead. “Probably not tonight.”

Jeffrey pouted.

“None of that now.” He kissed Jeffrey’s downturned lips and then gathered up his clothes to get dressed. “You know as well as I do that I have to placate my father. I couldn’t pay to spend time with you if I didn’t.”

“You could marry her and hire me,” Jeffrey said with just a hint of accusation in his voice.

Sarah gasped.

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