Page 67 of The Beast of Ashwood Manor

My face reddened.

He came up beside me and held me close, and that’s when I realized he was still hard. I went to return the favor, but he moved instead until he was on his knees near my head, and I took his cock into my mouth, humming in my throat as I savored the taste of his skin.

“That’s it,” Gil breathed. “Just like that.”

I squeezed his backside, digging my fingers in to find his sensitive spot, but then I realized what I was doing and looked up at him, my face flushing.

He only nodded at me. “I don’t mind. I like it, too.”

Something leaped in my chest, and as I surrounded his cock with my wet mouth again, I dug my fingers back in until I felt his hole. I circled it before pushing in slightly, and his hand tightened in my hair.

Gil thrusted against me, pulling me to him until I choked and had to pull off for a moment. Then I was back on him again, consuming him as if the only thing that could satisfy him was my mouth, my body,me.

“Cale,” he got out. “I’m going to spill.”

I pulled back, opening my mouth as the warm liquid spurted out against my face, some of it getting on my tongue, and I admit, at first, I couldn’t help but gag a bit, but I swallowed what had landed there, trying to make sense of it as the last few drops out of him landed on my chin.

It was bitter, but I licked my lips and realized there was a slight sweetness to it. A part of me enjoyed taking him in, even if it wasn’t necessarily pleasant to taste. The exhilaration it brought him showed on his face, and that made it all the more worth it.

His thumb moved against my bottom lip, parting it, and I kissed it before he withdrew. He bent down and kissed my temple before moving away. Coming back with a wet rag, he stood before me as I still sat on my knees on the bed and cleaned my face. Then he took my chin in his hand to kiss me.

Puffing, he moved away and pulled his trousers on, and I realized, despite the snow outside, that there was still work to be done today.

I hung my head and groaned, and he looked over at me with raised brows. “I should have been up already,” I told him, “helping Royce in the kitchen. He still has bouts of dizziness, and he just hasn’t been feeling well at all.”

Gil looked away, as if he wanted to say something, and I wondered if he’d mention the Shade. Instead, he said, “Get on down there, then.” He pulled his shirt on, then his boots.

It was hard to leave the warmth of his bed, but I did so and dressed quickly, bending down to pet Dyna as I tugged my boots on.

“I’ll come to your room tonight,” Gil said, pulling on a thicker cloak than he usually wore. “It’s much warmer down there.”

I grew excited at the idea of him already planning ahead, but I only nodded. Fully dressed, I made my way to the door, but Gil was right behind me and shut it forcefully.

“No.” He turned me around, and I looked up at him, blinking. “I get a kiss first.”

I leaned up on my toes and caught his lips against mine, and for a moment, we held each other, lost in the warm embrace. I pulled away and searched for the knob with my hand, twisting it open.

“I have to go, or no one will get breakfast,” I whispered.

He sighed. “And I have to go, or there’ll be no breakfast to cook.” He kissed my cheek one last time before we opened the door and made our way out.

As we walked down the stairs together, I reached for his hand, but he pulled away, and the cold refusal made my shoulders sink. He said nothing to me, nor did he glance back, as he left out the front door.

If anyone was around, he didn’t show affection, and right now, Mary and Natalie were making their way into the dining area.

He doesn’t want to show me affection at all when we’re not alone.

“Royce is still under the weather?” Natalie started.

“Annie said he barely spoke two words to her all day yesterday,” Mary replied.

I stopped as I came into the kitchen. “Is he getting worse?” I asked.

Mary and Natalie turned to me, and something in their faces told me that whatever it was, it wasn’t good.

“I’ve never seen him so sick before. It’s making me nervous.” Natalie’s demeanor was much more serious than usual, and that, in turn, worried me.

Mary sighed and drew out a basket of eggs from the cabinet. “He needs help that we can’t give him. Annie has given him tea, different medicines. None of them are working. He won’t eat and will barely drink.”

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