She glanced down at him. He was watching her, concern on his face. Aiden was too. Her two protectors. Except what could they do to keep her safe except wreck themselves? In some ways it was no different than it had been when they were younger. Oh, they both had more resources now, more power. But it wouldn’t be enough when faced with her husband.
“Please don’t look so forlorn,” Aiden said, leaning up to kiss her. “Let us have the pleasure of what we just did for a while longer, at least. Now, Wren, why don’t you and I go prepare a bath for our fair lady? Rest, Emilia. Rest at last and don’t fret over the future.”
She nodded and watched as they got up, dressed themselves, helping each other here and there, sharing smiles, their connection plain. She ached as she watched it, a lovely, happy ache that she hadn’t felt in so long. And as they left her, she sighed and closed her eyes. Perhaps the future wasn’t certain, but for now she was safe.
So she slept for the first time in weeks and knew that the two men who had just loved her so well would keep her from harm. She just hoped she could do the same for them.
* * *
Aiden
Even though Aiden and Wren had both spent their passions less than half an hour before, the tension between them was still thick as they walked together to the kitchen in the cottage. There was already a big pot there, bubbling with hot water.
“You were preparing,” Wren said softly.
Aiden nodded. “I put it on when I made the tea we abandoned in the other room. I thought she’d need something to relax. She’s been ragged from fear for weeks.”
Wren shut his eyes and his expression tightened. Aiden caught his breath, for he knew that look well. Wren working to fix a problem. For the first time since he’d received Emilia’s plea for help, he believed they might be able to save the day. Together.
“Come, there’s a pump behind the cottage,” Aiden said. “We’ll get more water first and then take that pot up to the tub.”
Wren followed him and they exited through the servants’ entrance at the back of the kitchen. There were two buckets already at the pump and Aiden began working at it first to fill one. Wren watched a slight smile on his face.
“You look absolutely gorgeous doing that, you know,” he said.
Aiden laughed, though the compliment made him very aware that his body was still throbbing with need despite the powerful experience earlier.
“I’m sure you will, as well.” He wiped his brow and then continued at the pump. “So why did Emilia’s husband call on you to find us?”
Wren stiffened. “Still worried about my motives?”
Aiden stopped pumping and stepped around to him. He caught Wren’s arms and pulled him in for a kiss. He’d meant it as a quick moment of comfort, but Wren had other ideas. He dragged Aiden closer, their bodies molding together as the kiss deepened, their tongues warring and then slowing until it was a gentle, erotic exploration of each other.
When they parted, they were both panting with the power of it. Aiden managed to gather himself and step back. “I’m sorry about what I asked earlier,” he said. “We were running for two days. Your arrival was so unexpected, but I know you, Wren. No matter how long we’ve been apart, I know you wouldneverbe party to harming either Emilia or me.”
Wren’s expression softened slightly and he nodded. “Good. I can’t imagine how difficult this has been for you. For her.”
“For her it’s been so much worse,” Aiden whispered. “Her nightmares…”
He trailed off and bent his head. Wren reached out and touched his hand. “You saved her. As for me…” He sighed. “Well, I believe the viscount believes he can manipulate me. He knows we have a past, the three of us. But he thinks you and I were rivals for her.”
Aiden had bent his head to return to the water but now he wrenched his gaze up to Wren. For a moment they stared at each other and then Wren started to laugh. Aiden couldn’t help but join in at the ridiculousness of that belief.
“Oh yes, rivals,” Aiden said when he could finally breathe past his humor. “That’s exactly what it felt like less than an hour ago.”
“An intense rivalry to be certain,” Wren said, though his tone was becoming more seductive. “Who will break first and lose control?”
“We should wager on it next time.”
Wren’s expression went darker with desire. “As long as Emilia wins the race, I’m happy to try to break you after.”
“A bargain,” Aiden said, and extended his hand. Wren’s fingers stroked over his and then he released him.
“Since I don’t think it would be appropriate to do all the things I’d like to do to you out here, why don’t you let me fill the second bucket with water so we can go inside and get back to the very fair lady in our bed?”
Aiden moved the full bucket of water and stepped aside so Wren could work on the second one. He watched him move for a while, appreciating his form as much as his own had been appreciated a few moments before.
“I have my own questions, you know,” Wren said and glanced up at him.
