Page 2 of Forever Midnight

Lord Arden is going on about the estate and his standing in society, but Yves seems only partially interested. He brushes his nose against my arm, inhaling deeply, and his eyes flutter.

“Where did you find this lovely creature?” Yves asks, interrupting Lord Arden’s babbling.

“Greece,” Lord Arden answers. “I went on an archaeological tour and there he was selling fruit in the market. I couldn’t allow such beauty to be unadmired, so I lured him to my estate.”

He conveniently leaves out the part about how he seduced me with money and luxury, promising to be my lover, only to relegate me to the servant quarters once the novelty wore off.

“I see,” Yves says, gazing up at me. “And is he available for relocation?”

My heart rate speeds up. Yves wants to take me away?

Lord Arden chuckles. “I could never give up Leander. Look at him. Would you release such a prize?”

Yves smiles, but his intense gaze is still on my face. “Not easily, no, but surely there’s something I could do to tempt you.”

“He is yours while you enjoy your time in London, but no more.” Lord Arden’s voice is tense now, his smile tight. Losing me would handicap his ability to lure in London’s closeted gay community. He won’t let me go.

You are not an object to be sold, traded, and mistreated.

The words are as clear as day, and sound like Yves, yet his lips do not move. Am I imagining things?

Trust me, Leander.

I study Yves’s face as he simply winks at me.

“You are tenacious, Lord Arden,” Yves says aloud. “But I understand your desire to keep this stunning man in your grasp. I am happy to entertain him during my time in London.”

Lord Arden smiles, his shoulders relaxing. “Wonderful. Now, on to business…”

I block out everything after that, focusing all my attention on Yves. For once, it’s not a hardship or an act. Yves is handsome, sophisticated, and respectful. He doesn’t paw me or grab my private parts, even though he could.

Every so often he glances at me, smiling, before returning his attention to Lord Arden. After an hour of talking, my master stands.

“Leander, pack a bag to go with Yves.”

“Yes, sir.”

I slide off Yves’s lap, and as I pass Lord Arden, he grips my arm, whispering in my ear, “I expect your return, or I will make your life hell.”

Nodding, I gently pull my arm away. There’s no way he’ll ever let me go willingly. Not unless he finds someone he thinks is prettier than me to replace me.

Twenty minutes later, as I sit in the carriage next to Yves, he wraps his hand around mine.

“You are not willingly with Lord Arden, are you?” he asks.

Something in his eyes draws the answer from my lips. “I was at first, but it wasn’t what he said it would be.”

“You are a slave to him.”

I nod, pulling my eyes away, but Yves puts his fingers under my chin to lift my face to him.

“Do not be ashamed, Leander. It’s not your fault.” He smiles, searching my eyes. “Besides, I’m here now, and you will never do anything you don’t want to do again.”

“Until you have to return me.”

“I told you earlier to trust me.” He drags his hand through my hair, gently scratching my scalp. “Can you do that?”

I don’t know why or how, but I find myself nodding. “Yes.”

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