My Regelence Rake

by J. L. Langley

  Nate leaned against the railing. “Just a difference of opinion. I suspect they’ll work it out. Unless I miss my guess, Colton is headed back to Wentworth Park now.”

  “Rourke will take him. Rourke’s been shadowing Colton all night. Sadly, I don’t think Colton has even noticed.” Aiden gripped the rail and hopped up, sitting on it next to where Nate stood.

  Steven glanced out at the garden. Rather plain compared to most, but quite pretty. The snow too was a sight to behold. It brought back happy memories. He and Raleigh used to have snowball fights every winter when they first married. Oh how he wanted that sort of fun, loving relationship for his boys. He hoped Aiden and Nate were correct about Colton and Sebastian working things out. “I hate to see them fighting already. They haven’t even been married a week. Perhaps I should send them on a wedding trip.” That might be just the thing to push them closer together.

  “Wentworth won’t go. Not right now while things are so…” Aiden waved his hand, trying to find the word. “You know how serious he takes guarding all of us.”

  “He’d have a problem with us being out here, no doubt,” Nate agreed. “Although I daresay I’m quite capable of taking care of us,” he grumbled.

  The music blared for a moment then silenced. Footsteps clicked across the porch, coming closer.

  Nate grinned and rolled his eyes upward.

  Aiden sighed and whispered, “We’re in trouble now.”

  Turning around was not necessary. Steven knew without a doubt who had joined them. And Aiden was right, they were about to get a lecture.

  “Would you like to explain to me why the three of you are out here in the cold? Without a guard, I might add.” Raleigh set his hand on Steven’s shoulder to get his attention. Which was ridiculous since he had Steven’s undivided attention the moment he’d opened the door.

  “We were talking to Colton.” Nate perched himself on the rail he’d been leaning against.

  “Yes, well, Colton has gone home, and Knighton has accompanied him.” Raleigh slid his hand casually down Steven’s back, raising goose bumps, before he settled it at Steven’s waist.

  “Ah, so His Grace tattled on us,” Steven grumbled. He was going to have to have a word with Rourke about that.

  Raleigh rubbed soft, sensual circles on Steven’s back, contradicting the annoyed tone in his words. “Yes, he did. He’s an excellent bodyguard, and furthermore…”

  Steven grinned and tuned the sermon out. It was quite easy to do with Raleigh so near. Steven may have even leaned closer. The slight hint of cedar, bergamot and mint in Raleigh’s soap teased Steven’s senses. Mmmm… Perhaps they should all take Colton’s lead and retire back to the castle.

  The low dulcet tones of Raleigh’s voice made Steven’s heart race. He closed his eyes for a moment then stared out into the garden. It was so quiet. Like they were the only people in the city tonight. But they weren’t…

  An odd sense assailed Steven. They were no longer alone here in the garden. He peered around, wondering where the strange feeling came from. He tuned Raleigh out completely and closed his eyes. There was a crack, like the break of a stick, and a crunch of snow. Steven snapped his eyes open.

  At the far corner of the garden a man strolled toward the house. He seemed oblivious to them. Why wasn’t he dressed in evening finery? Oh! It was him. The man who’d been spying on him.

  In his peripheral, Steven caught Nate staring at him.

  Abruptly, Nate turned and searched the area, spotting the man too.

  “Ho there!” Lifting his arm to flag the man down, Steven hurried to the steps.

  Aiden and Raleigh, who’d been conversing, quieted.

  Nate stood, reaching inside his evening coat.

  The man, now close enough the light from the veranda touched his face, froze. His eyes widened, and he took off toward the back of the garden and the brick wall with his frock coat flapping behind him.

  “Bloody hell.” Steven leapt down the stairs and gave chase. His boots sank in the snow with a crunch.

  The man vaulted the wall in one smooth, graceful leap. His feet hit the ground on the other side with a slapping sound, and the staccato of footfalls followed.

  “Steven!” Raleigh yelled.

  No way was Steven stopping. It was time to get some answers, damn it.

  Only seconds behind the man, Steven jumped and gripped the top of the wall. He heaved himself up and caught a brick with the toe of his left boot. He used the foothold to propel himself over the wall and hit the ground running.

  The peeping Tom’s shadow stretched across the buildings backed up to the alley. He turned the corner, and Steven pushed himself faster.

  The loud rattle of metal clanked and echoed through the passageway.

  A garbage can rolled in front of Steven. A couple of rats scattered across the way. The rancid odor of rotten food permeated the air.

  The man looked back over his shoulder.

  Shouting came from behind Steven, but he ignored it. He could not lose the man this time. Steven jumped the turned-over can but slipped on some of the garbage and had to throw his arms out and slow down to regain his balance. Damn it! Catching his footing, he rounded the corner in pursuit.

  The lane was empty. Dust, navigating around that trash can had cost him precious time. Where the hell had the man gone? Steven slowed again and listened.

  The pounding of feet on pavement came from behind him and…to his left.

  Ignoring the burning in his lungs, he took off again down the left alleyway. He ran to the end of the lane where it opened up on to Grosvenor Street and looked both ways.

  To the right, the street was practically empty, only a lone lift at the end. To the left, streetlamps illuminated the fluttering snow. At the edge of the streetlamps’ light, a silhouette disappeared.

  “Stop.” Raleigh grabbed Steven’s arm. “Steven, we can’t catch him now. Stop.” Raleigh breathed heavily.

  Reluctantly, Steven gave in as he watched the figure emerge in the next lamp glow some twenty yards away. He inhaled deeply, fogging the air around them.

  Footfalls pounded behind them, and Aiden zipped past them.

  Nate drew to a stop next to them. He dropped his hands on his knees. One hand held a fragger.

  “Aiden!” Raleigh shouted.

  Aiden continued to follow the man at breakneck speed. He’d gained ground and was closing in on him. In another few moments, he could probably catch him. And then what?

  An icy chill swept over Steven’s body, and it had nothing to do with the weather. What if the man hurt Aiden? Oh no. The man was much bigger than Aiden. “Aiden, stop!”

  Raleigh dashed after their son only a split second before Steven.

  Nate was right with them.

  “Aiden,” Steven yelled, but it came out as a hoarse cry. He didn’t have enough lung capacity to yell and run at the same time. He stopped and cupped his hands over his mouth. “Aiden.”

  Still Aiden ran. He was close to the man now.

  Raleigh was too far behind to be of assistance if Aiden should catch the man.

  “Boy! Freeze!” Nate’s voice boomed beside Steven.

  Aiden skidded to a halt, whirling to face them. He put his hands on his hips.

  Steven strode forward. The terror that had gripped him slowly began to recede. His chest hurt, but his child was no longer in danger. Thank galaxy.

  Raleigh stopped next to Aiden. Something shiny gleamed in the hand he held by his side. His boot knife.

  Aiden’s posture shouted irritation, but Raleigh grabbed him by the shoulders and shook him, then hugged him. No doubt the lecture would start in a moment. And if Raleigh didn’t give it, Steven would. The boy had scared ten years off his life with that stunt.

  Putting a hand to his burning chest, Steven tried to slow his breathing. To Nate who was walking beside him, Steven said, “That’s the man who’s been following me. Now that he knows I’m not going to take being spied on, we may never know who he is
or what he wants.”

  “I know him,” Nate croaked out. “That was Lieutenant Robert Jenkins. Admiral Jenkins’s son.”

  Chapter Twenty

  Wentworth Park’s stables.

  He’d done a lot of thinking in the last few hours, and he’d made some decisions. Unfortunately, putting them into practice was easier said than done. He was procrastinating. Sebastian was hanging out in the barn with the horses instead of going inside and seeing his consort.

  Cowardice, thy name is Sebastian.

  He sighed and petted Apollonia’s nose where it rested on his shoulder. He loved horse noses. So soft and velvety.

  In the last forty-five minutes he’d gained a new appreciation for Colton’s baby pain in the arse. She’d gotten so excited when she saw Sebastian, he couldn’t help but go to her. One thing led to another, and she’d coaxed him into letting her out like Colton always did. “Come on, pest. Let’s put you back in your stall. I’ve got to go grovel to your human daddy. Maybe you can put in a good word for me tomorrow?”

  He gave Max one last pat and shrugged Apollonia’s head off his shoulder. He turned, caught her halter and led her to the empty space next to Apollo. She seemed to be doing fine away from her mother. Unlike a lot of foals, she’d really bonded with her father and he with her. Sebastian opened the stall for her.

  She went inside, turned around and licked his hand as he was shutting the gate.

  “I can’t believe you did that. At least you didn’t try to eat my hair today, I suppose.” Sebastian headed out of the stables and into the cold night air. The snow whipped around, blowing furiously. The ground would be covered by morning. Brrr… Huddled in his coat, he hurried to the mansion.

  The door opened for him, and Berkley greeted him. “Good evening, my lord.”

  “Good evening, Berkley. Don’t disturb me unless it involves fire or death.”

  “Very well, my lord. Have a good evening.”

  Sebastian put away his coat and gloves and headed up the stairs. Admittedly, he took each step a little slower than normal. He had no idea what to say to Colton. An apology was definitely in order. He should’ve never stormed off like he had. But how did you go about imparting information that could ruin you and the person you were telling?

  Making it to his door, he hesitated. Would Colton be asleep? Would he be furious if he was awake? Sebastian cracked the door open, unsure of what he’d find.

  Colton sat on the edge of the bed staring out the window at the blizzard. “Hi,” he said without looking at Sebastian.

  Sebastian relaxed a little. “Hi. How was your evening?”

  “It would’ve been better if you’d come with me. I missed you.”

  Oh thank galaxy, Colton wasn’t mad. Sebastian closed the door and crossed the room. “I’m sorry I left.”

  “About that…” Colton didn’t turn away from the window. “I’m sorry too. I shouldn’t have read your correspondence. It was none of my business.”

  Sebastian breathed a sigh of relief. He could do this. “I agree. You shouldn’t have, but you aren’t the only one at fault. I should’ve told you my suspicions about Plume and about my meeting with Leith.” Wanting—no, needing—the physical contact with Colton, Sebastian toed off his boots, shrugged out of his evening coat and crawled onto the bed.

  Colton’s posture relaxed. He glanced over his shoulder. A slow, hesitant grin eased onto his face. “Thank you.”

  Sitting down on the bed, Sebastian put his legs on either side of Colton’s and wrapped his arms around him. Colton’s warmth bled into him, dispelling Sebastian’s fears even more. “What for?” He closed his eyes and inhaled the scent of his consort. Resting his chin on Colton’s shoulder, Sebastian enjoyed the warm hard body in his arms. He wanted to keep this for eternity.

  “For being understanding. For forgiving me. I don’t want a typical ton marriage, Sebastian.” Colton stood and turned to face him, the distance between them like a chasm at the moment.

  Colton had given him the perfect opening. All he had to do was reach out and take it. He plunged in with both feet. “Me either.”

  Giving no indication of hearing, Colton paced in front of the bed. “If that’s all you’re interested in, then we should call it quits now because I can’t— What did you say?”

  “I said me either. I’ve had that, and it did nothing but make me miserable.” Sebastian couldn’t go through it again. Which meant he needed to get his secrets out in the open and deal with them. It wasn’t fair to Colton, especially when it was something Sebastian himself wouldn’t tolerate. He would not abide secrets in their relationship. Not significant ones that could impact both of them anyway.

  Stopping a few feet away, just out of reach, Colton smiled and shoved Sebastian.

  Gasping, Sebastian fell onto the bed. What the—?

  Colton came down on top of him and plastered his lips to Sebastian’s. He was wild, his hands everywhere, stripping Sebastian of clothes.

  Oh yes. Oh no. They needed to talk, not fuck.

  Sucking on Sebastian’s tongue, Colton skimmed a hand down Sebastian’s chest to his groin. His lips red and moist, Colton rose and stared down at Sebastian. The look sent Sebastian’s heart pounding and blood rushing to all the right places.

  Sebastian was a goner. He did some tugging on clothes of his own. He got Colton’s shirt over his head as Colton removed his. It took some effort, but they helped one another until they were both naked to the waist down. They were on fire. When Colton grabbed the falls of Sebastian’s pants, Sebastian caught his hands. “Slow down.” Sebastian panted. He needed to stop this and tell Colton about his past.

  “Yes.” Colton didn’t slow down in the least. In his haste to open Sebastian’s trousers, a button flew off.

  Sebastian rolled them until he lay on top. “Colton, I have to tell you—”

  Colton bit his neck.

  “Ahhh…” A current of pleasure arced through Sebastian. They could talk afterward. He ground his hard prick into Colton’s hip. Sebastian felt like a green boy with his first lover every time with Colton, fumbling, grunting and uncoordinated. Not entirely a bad thing but a little disconcerting.

  He rolled to Colton’s side. Both their trouser-encased legs hung off the side of the bed. Colton still had his boots on.

  Sebastian opened Colton’s trousers. Colton reached for them too. When Sebastian chuckled and batted Colton’s hands out of the way, Colton tried to help by lifting into the touch. Groaning, Sebastian gave in and ripped at the fabric. Colton’s cock came free already moist at the tip.

  Was there anything more exciting than being wanted so desperately? It was empowering and inspiring. Sebastian’s cock was so hard he ached, and his heart raced. His hands were shaky and his breath uneven. He shoved Colton’s pants down his hips. Colton was so beautiful, his muscles almost as firm as his prick.

  Sebastian slid off the bed and shimmied out of his trousers. Naked, he climbed back on the mattress and got some lube from the dispenser. He couldn’t wait.

  “Roll onto your stomach.” Coating his cock with the warm slick liquid, he stared at the luscious backside Colton presented. Sebastian couldn’t help himself. Bending, he sank his teeth into one round cheek.

  Colton started and groaned. He scooted backward until his boots hit the floor, and he lay across the bed with his pants around his knees.

  Nuzzling the base of his spine and stroking his cock, Sebastian slipped two fingers into Colton’s tight hole.

  Colton’s muscles rippled as he pushed back, impaling himself further. “Yes.”

  Sebastian worked his fingers in, watching them glide in Colton and out. Sebastian had to squeeze his cock to keep from coming. Throwing his head back and staring at the ceiling, he composed himself. He counted to ten until the need to climax subsided. When he got himself under control, he pressed the tip of his cock into that tiny rosy hole, using his fingers to stretch as he entered.

  Colton stiffened and clamped down on his cock and f
ingers.

  “Shh… Easy, sweeting.”

  Colton nodded and pushed back.

  “Oh bugger.” The grip around Sebastian’s dick sent shivers up his spine. He pressed his groin to his consort’s arse and draped his body over Colton’s. Bracing his hands next to Colton’s sides, Sebastian kissed Colton’s shoulder blades while taking little stabs with his hips.

  Sebastian rocked, sawing in and out until Colton grunted and bucked beneath Sebastian. It was too much. Sebastian tried to hold back, but there was no use. He stood up and thrust into Colton’s willing body as fast as he could and came so hard he grew dizzy.

  He braced himself to keep from falling on Colton. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—”

  Colton stood and turned around. Pressing his lips against Sebastian’s, Colton urged Sebastian to the bed. They kissed for several long moments.

  Breaking the kiss, Colton tipped his head toward the lube. “Get me some.”

  Bonelessly, Sebastian tried to reach the dispenser. Blasted thing was too far away. Colton’s hands landed on Sebastian’s thighs and shoved him up the bed until he got several dollops of lube on his palm.

  Colton pulled Sebastian back to him and scooped the lube from Sebastian’s hand. Sebastian should help, but it was like the energy had been sucked right out of him.

  Fortunately, Colton didn’t seem to mind. He slicked up his dick. And galaxy, what a sight. The engorged head of his cock poked out of his fist on each stroke. Sebastian pulled his feet onto the bed. Oh bugger, he still had his stockings on.

  Colton needed no other cooperation. He sank into Sebastian’s arse with one smooth stroke. He gripped Sebastian’s hips and threw his head back. The corded muscles in Colton’s neck strained as he fucked Sebastian, racing toward his own orgasm.

  The hot brand in Sebastian’s arse was both exciting and overwhelming. If he hadn’t just climaxed, he’d have gotten hard again. The pleasure was mind-numbing regardless. And watching Colton’s face contort in pleasure was even more rewarding. “That’s it.”