Sebastian thoroughlyenjoyed dinner, especially seeing Earnest pick away at Maurice’s defences.He could imagine his three friends and himself having dinner here with Maurice, and the Duke finally learning to relax and smile.What a dangerous, dangerous dream.
“I think I’ll have a nightcap and leave you two alone.”Earnest leaped up from the table—he was like a sprightly yearling colt, all legs and energy—and bowed low before waltzing out of the room.Maurice sent a footman after Earnest to guide him to his room, and he dismissed the rest of them for the evening.Now it was just the two of them and a lovely silence descended on the room.Sebastian leaned back in his chair.He’d eaten and drunk just the right amount and was nicely satisfied.
“Your friend is...”Maurice paused.
“Intense.He lives life to its fullest and has boundless energy.”
“Boundless.Yes.I can’t imagine living with such freedom to just say things without thought of the consequences.How does he dare it?”
Sebastian grinned.“From the day I met him, he’s been like that.As if every bad thing that happens to him becomes another reason to find joy in the smallest things.”
“How delightful.”
“In small doses.”
Maurice sighed.“Yes.Yes, I can see how that would be the case.”After another long pause, Maurice stood up.“I’m not certain I have the right to ask this, but will you do the honour of coming to my bed tonight?”
“Yes.Why the doubt?”
“Sir Pashley said that I should—”
Sebastian shook his head.“I’ve known you a long time, Maurice, and you are as good as your word.If you say you will set out to achieve something, I know you will.That’s enough promise for me.”Besides, it’d been six long weeks since he’d kissed Maurice, and if anything, Earnest’s visit had reminded him that life was short and chances should be taken.He was the one to push Maurice away and now he’d be the one to pull him back.
“Thank you.”
“Take me to your bed.”He needed the reminder; was this as good as he remembered?Maurice grabbed him by the hand and together they walked as fast as they could to Maurice’s rooms.Sebastian wouldn’t normally allow himself to be commanded like this, not in this realm, but there was something special about knowing Maurice couldn’t wait to be with him.As soon as the heavy oak door to Maurice’s rooms closed, Sebastian took charge.He grabbed Maurice by the shoulders and slammed him up against the wall and kissed him.The first touch of their lips was heaven.Home.Damn it, it was better than he’d remembered, and oh God, he wanted so much.He gave everything to the kiss, cradling Maurice’s head and using his body to push against him as their tongues danced and Maurice’s moans vibrated through him.
“It’s been so long.”
“I never want to be apart from you again.”Maurice’s plea sent heat rushing through him, crackling like wood on a fire, all sparks and noise and intensity.
“Do you want me to fuck you like before?”
Maurice groaned and thrust his cock hard against Sebastian’s.Hell.“I want everything.”
“Now?”
“Every night, every morning.I want to wake up beside you.”
Sebastian’s instinct was to tense and leave, but he stayed because maybe, just maybe, this could work.“Is that the benefit of being a Duke?”
“What?”
“Announcing what will happen, no matter how unlikely and knowing that the world will move to make it happen.”
“Yes.”Maurice kissed him again, and Sebastian’s mouth was too busy to say anything.Not that there was much to say when Maurice was so confident.Oh to be a Duke.He kissed like a Duke too—not that Sebastian had kissed any other Dukes—except Maurice kissed with that certainty that he was all powerful.Incredulously, Maurice behaved as if he thought Sebastian was his equal.Laughter bubbled up from low in his chest, threatening to overwhelm their kiss.Look how far he’d come; from being dumped on the doorstep of an orphanage as a toddler to kissing a Duke.He held Maurice by the waist and walked backwards until his own spine hit the post of the bed.
“Get on your knees for me, your Grace.”
Maurice’s guttural moan sent shivers up and down Sebastian’s spine, and then the slow way he sank to his knees dragging his hands and mouth over Sebastian, undoing Sebastian’s shirt buttons as he slid down his body was heavenly.Together they fumbled over Sebastian’s clothes, until Maurice knelt on the floor and lifted Sebastian’s feet one at the time to tug off his trousers.He stood there, leaning against the bedpost, naked with Maurice—fully clothed—gazing up at him.
“Look at how beautiful you are.”Maurice licked his lips, then drew soft circles around Sebastian’s ankles with his fingers.
“Don’t be silly.Men can’t be beautiful.”
“Anything can be beautiful.Beauty doesn’t have a gender or a face or a name.It is that indescribable, pulchritudinous view that attracts attention and holds it.And you, my Sebastian, have all my attention.”
Sebastian gulped.“One day with a poet—” But then Maurice slipped his lips over the end of Sebastian’s cock and all he could do was gasp.The tight wet heat of Maurice’s mouth, and oh god, his tongue, as he licked and sucked Sebastian’s cock stole every word from him.All he had left was sensation and moans.Maurice cupped his balls, and holy fucking mother of goodness, Sebastian thrust hard, unable to stop himself.He almost apologised, but Maurice groaned around his cock.He couldn’t look away, at Maurice’s brown hair flopping as his head bobbed enthusiastically and skilfully on Sebastian’s cock.Pressure built and built and he clutched Maurice’s hair, pulling him up.
