by Josie Dennis
Grayson gave a small shake of his head in an effort to dislodge the erotic images of Ivy. “I have no way of knowing, my lord.”
Lord Heatherton placed a hand on Grayson’s sleeve. “But you would know, wouldn’t you? A servant as highly placed as yourself?”
“Who Ivy rides is not my—” Grayson gasped at what he said. “I mean to say, I don’t know about her predilections, my lord.”
The viscount patted his arm, then took his hand from him. “Please don’t concern yourself, Grayson. I was merely asking if you knew of anyone else enamored of the girl.”
“Yes, my lord.” He certainly wasn’t going to admit he craved Ivy himself.
Lord Heatherton narrowed those dark Hawk eyes on him and Grayson fought to keep his features fixed.
“That will be all, I wager,” the viscount said.
Grayson nodded and hurried from the room. Once safely in the corridor, he let out a breath. The viscount wanted Ivy? True, he couldn’t have her himself. He wouldn’t risk his position for a dalliance. Yet the thought of the girl being used by a Hawk for his pleasure made his blood boil. He thought once more about the handsome viscount and his very fit body. He’d cared for the earl long enough to know full well what a Hawk looked like out of his clothes. He saw enough to guess what Ivy looked like out of hers. For the most part. Once again he pictured her pussy and his mouth watered.
He closed his eyes and indulged himself for a moment, envisioning the viscount and Ivy in that large bed in the blue room. His cock grew hard as he pictured the big man driving hard into Ivy’s soft body.
“Bullocks,” he grumbled to himself.
There was nothing else for it. The viscount would inevitably fuck Ivy and she would be ruined. Ruined for herself. Ruined for him. And ruined for her position.
Despite the connections other Hawks had made in the manor over the past months, he had no illusions of this one. Lord Heatheron was charm and sex and more tempting than anyone Grayson had ever encountered. He would simply bury the desire burning within him. Desire for Ivy, of course. But desire for Lord Heatherton as well.
He dragged his feet as he made his way to his lonely attic room.
Chapter 4
Ivy tossed in her bed, certain she was hearing things. She could make out Grayson’s voice, low and moaning from across the hall. The clock on the night table read two o’clock. She blinked. Nothing good ever happened at this hour of the night.
She climbed out of bed, remembering at the last moment to don her robe. Her hair was a messy braid, but there was nothing to be done about that at present. The hall was dark and quiet, and she held her breath for a beat. No. No one else seemed to be awake or about. That low moan she’d heard came again. From directly behind the door to Grayson’s room.
Raising her hand, she scratched softly on the wood panel. “Grayson?” she asked as she had two nights past.
There was a shuffling within, then Grayson pulled open the door. His beautiful gray eyes were round, his mouth agape.
“Ivy!” he said as he had that night.
Before she could think better of it, she entered his room and turned to face him. “Do close the door,” she whispered.
He did so, blinking. “What is this about?”
What was this about? She nibbled her lower lip as she considered the question. She could tell him she heard something that frightened her. She could put the blame on some nameless servant down the hall. Then she made the mistake of looking at him.
He’d come to the door in just his drawers. Oh, he was beautifully built. Her fingers itched and she longed to touch his sculpted chest. Her gaze traveled down to his manhood outlined through the thin linen.
“Grayson,” she breathed.
“Ivy, you shouldn’t be here.” His voice sounded strained. “Think of your position.”
Her eyes snapped back up to his face. “Oh, I hadn’t even considered…” She rushed past him. “I’m sorry, Grayson. Good night.”
He caught her wrist with one hand and held her still for a moment. “I didn’t mean to scold you.”
She licked her lips and stared up at him. His cheeks were a bit pink and his hair was mussed. His fingers were strong on her arm though he wasn’t hurting her. She couldn’t help but think about the viscount’s touch to that same sliver of skin so close to her hand.
“He touched me, too.”
He sucked in a breath. “The viscount?”
She nodded. “He grabbed my wrist and asked me my name.”
Grayson’s thumb grazed her pulse before he released his hold. “He told me he wants you.”
This startled her. “He told you?” Heat flared in her cheeks. “And what did you tell him? That you cannot stand the sight of me?”
“I would never say such a thing.”
She couldn’t say where, precisely, this anger came from but she didn’t care. She was so tired of his prickly nature.
“Of course not. The earl’s man would never lower himself to admit that he had any feelings at all, let alone disdain for a mere maid.”
He placed his hand on his bare chest, then looked down as he seemed to remember his state of undress. “I… I would never tell him that because it is simply not true.”
That made her freeze. “What do you mean?”
He leaned toward her, then shook his head and withdrew. “I mean nothing, Ivy. Only that I do not dislike you.” A tiny smile lifted a corner of his mouth. “And I can very easily stand the sight of you.”
She felt her body heat like it had in the corridor with Lord Heatherton. Her woman’s flesh pulsed and her nipples tightened. Did Grayson want her?
“Oh, no,” she murmured. “I won’t fall prey again.”
“Prey? To what?”
“Urges, Grayson.” She swallowed thickly. “Weakness.”
Her throat burned with unshed tears as she recalled the heated nights with Paul before the housekeeper learned of it. He’d so easily dismissed it as just sex. He’d also very easily retained his position after she lost hers.
She couldn’t stand here in Grayson’s room any longer. He was just staring at her, an unreadable expression on his face. What must he think of her? She tried to pass him again and he grasped her upper arms. Pulling her close, he brought his face to hers.
“I have them, too, Ivy.” His lips were so close to hers she could almost taste his freshness. “Urges.”
“Oh, my,” she sighed.
His tongue darted out and brushed over her lower lip. “I want you.”
Going up on her toes, she met his lips fully. He growled and drove his tongue into her mouth. His taste! Moaning softly, she reached up and grabbed onto his shoulders and kissed him back.
She could feel him hard against her belly. Hard and hot and huge. Bigger than Paul had been, to be sure. Her knees felt weak and she leaned against him.
He broke off the kiss in the next moment. “What am I doing?”
She couldn’t answer if she tried. Attempting to recover, she breathed slowly in and out as she finally lifted her eyes to his. Anguish stabbed her as she saw regret clear on his face. It was too much.
Holding her breath, she fled his room at last and buried herself under the quilt on her bed. Grayson wanted her. That was evident by his hungry kisses and his ready cock. And she wanted him. Her body ached for what he’d started in his room. She was doomed to repeat her past mistake. She would fall into Grayson’s bed and lose everything. Her position. Her livelihood. Her self-respect.
She thought about Lord Heatherton and his thinly veiled proposition. She’d felt her reaction then, too. The heat of desire washing over her. Oh, was she destined to give herself to that man as well?
Covering her mouth with her hand, she let the tears come.
* * * *
Trevor returned to his room after shooting with Michael Crowley and Matthew Hawk, feeling vaguely out of sorts. True, Gabriel’s brother was a boon companion and looked so much like the earl his parentage must have been undeniab
le when the man showed up at Hawksfell Manor all those months ago. He was married now, too. And quite happily, if the quips Michael threw at him were any indication. Trevor suspected that was the root of his unease this afternoon. Perhaps he would gracefully extricate himself from Hawksfell and return to Heatherton House. At least there his life was predictable, if dull.
Grayson appeared in his doorway as if he’d sensed Trevor had returned. He smiled at the starchy valet.
“Good afternoon, Grayson.”
Grayson bowed his head. “My lord.”
Trevor shrugged out of his jacket, letting Grayson see to it. “How has your day been thus far?”
“Well, my lord.”
He hadn’t missed the chill in Grayson’s tone. Trevor turned to look at him over his shoulder. “Is something troubling you?”
Grayson’s brows knit over his very fine gray eyes. “It is nothing to concern yourself with.”
Trevor drew himself up. “Ah. Because I’m a visitor or because I’m a Hawk?”
Grayson’s mouth dropped open, then he seemed to recover. “Neither, my lord! My problems are my own.”
Trevor dipped his head. “As are mine.”
“As you say.”
Trevor decided to put aside Grayson’s odd demeanor and let him strip him out of his shooting tweeds. His hands were strong and sure on his body and Trevor felt a whisper of desire. It wasn’t the least bit unpleasant. Grayson was a fine figure of a man and Trevor could well imagine him out of his pristine black uniform.
“I’ve been feeling a bit…distracted since coming here, Grayson. I need a bit of sport.”
That got a touch of a smile out of the valet. “I believe you went shooting just this day, Lord Heatherton.”
Trevor grinned in the glass, catching Grayson’s eye at last. “Trevor, please. If we’re to be on such intimate terms you must address me as such.”
Grayson’s hands stilled, then he took them from Trevor’s body. “Intimate terms, my lord?”
“Why yes, Grayson.” He turned to face him. He was as tall as Trevor but not quite as broad. Still, Trevor could stare right into those gorgeous eyes of his. “Have you not already seen me naked or near to it?”
Grayson’s cheeks turned a touch pink and Trevor felt a rush of blood to his cock.
“You know, you’re a very handsome man,” he told Grayson. He deliberately ran his gaze slowly over the other man’s very fit body. “Surely you’ve dallied with some of the maids here at the manor.”
“Are you asking about Ivy again, my lord?”
“Trevor,” he corrected, meeting his eyes again. “Not precisely, no. Although I find it quite telling that you brought up her name.”
Grayson blinked and stepped back. “I only did so because just last evening you—”
“Asked if any other Hawks had fucked her, yes,” Trevor finished for him. “I want to fuck her, you see. Although she isn’t the only one drawing my attention.”
Grayson’s fine full lips thinned to a line. “It is not my concern whom you desire, Trevor.”
Even with Grayson’s anger piqued, Trevor liked the sound of his name on the man’s lips. “You’re irritated with me, I take it?”
“It is not my place.”
Trevor reached up and touched Grayson’s shoulder. “What isn’t your place? Being angry with me or wanting Ivy for yourself?”
Heat flared in the valet’s eyes and Trevor knew he’d struck a nerve.
“Ha, it’s true! You’ve fucked Ivy and don’t want anyone else to have her.”
“That is not true.”
“Which, Grayson?” Trevor strolled his way around him, delighting in the moment. He was teasing the man and it was fun to see him lose a bit of his starch. “You haven’t fucked Ivy or you don’t care if anyone else does?”
“You are toying with me, my lord.”
“Trevor. And yes, I am. I think you need to be toyed with.”
Grayson gave a shiver and Trevor couldn’t help but glance down at his groin. The man was tenting his trousers.
“You’re hard for her, aren’t you?” he asked Grayson.
Grayson closed his eyes, his head falling back in apparent surrender. “Yes. I am always hard for her.”
“It’s not a crime to admit it.” Trevor reached out to cup Grayson’s very impressive cock. “Does she want you?”
Grayson groaned as Trevor stroked him. “I do not know. She kissed me last night.”
Trevor licked his lips. “I wager she’s as sweet as she smells. All warm vanilla icing.”
Grayson gave a shaky nod. “Yes. Sweet.”
Trevor stroked him again. He’d never taken the initiative with a man before, although he’d taken his fair share of men. There was something about Grayson. A need he had to make the man lose control. He unbuttoned his trousers and grasped him through his drawers.
“Trevor!”
“Ah, my name.” Trevor drew out Grayson’s long, thick cock and gave a grunt of approval. “My God, you’re hung.” He grinned at him. “And I’m speaking as a Hawk.”
Grayson nodded. “The earl is quite large.”
“Good to know it runs in the family.” Grayson actually chuckled and Trevor laughed out loud. “You do have a sense of humor within all that starch. Are you thinking about Ivy as I stroke you?”
Grayson leaned against the dressing table. “I can hardly think at all with your hand on me.”
Trevor was seized with another delightful notion. He’d never done this before either, but he supposed he could attempt it. He wanted to make Grayson come, as remarkable as that fact should be. And what better way than with his mouth?
“You can hardly think with my hand on you?” Trevor laughed again. “Then stop thinking altogether.”
He dropped to his knees and took Grayson’s cock in his mouth. The moans Grayson made caused his own cock to throb. He licked and sucked at the head, drawing his fingers over the thick length again and again. When Grayson bucked, moaning low and deep, he stood and kissed him. He continued to stroke him and when Grayson came hard in his hand, Trevor held him close.
“You needed that release, didn’t you?” Trevor asked, reluctantly stepping away. “You’ve been half hard all day, haven’t you?”
Grayson’s gaze stayed rooted to the floor. “Yes.”
“It’s nothing to be ashamed of, you know. I certainly am not.”
Grayson finally looked at him. “You’re not?”
“Hell, no. I’m a Hawk, Grayson. I fuck where I want. I gave you pleasure and that was enough for now.”
“But what about you, Trevor? You’re hard.”
Trevor winced as he adjusted himself in his own trousers. “Noticed that, did you? Well, I’ve never put off my own gratification before.” He shrugged. “Perhaps it will do me a bit of good to let the beast growl for a while.”
Grayson’s eyes stayed rooted to Trevor’s cock and he couldn’t help but grow harder. “Let me finish dressing myself.”
“Are you certain?”
No, Trevor wasn’t certain. What he wanted at the moment was a good hard fuck. In Grayson’s ass or Ivy’s pussy, he didn’t care. But he wasn’t going to force something on Grayson that the man wasn’t ready for. He never forced anyone and he wasn’t going to start now.
“Quite certain, Grayson. It’s enough for me that I eased you.”
“Eased me?” Grayson straightened his uniform. “You made me shatter.”
That made Trevor grin. “Then you can return the favor some time.”
“It will be my pleasure.” Grayson seemed to hear what he’d just said and a small smile lifted his lips. “I shall see you to dress for dinner.”
Trevor nodded and watched him go. He didn’t bother finishing his dress right away. Instead he donned his dressing gown and sat in the upholstered chair beside the hearth. The room was quite comfortable, as he’d fully expect in the earl’s home. His encounter with Grayson had been unexpected, however. He’d given pleasure to anothe
r without any for himself. It was novel, and a sensation he didn’t believe he’d make into a habit.
“Hardly.”
He snorted as he shifted on the chair, letting his robe fall open to reveal his cock. The thing was throbbing in time to his heartbeat. He needed release. And soon.
He stood and wrapped his robe tightly, cinching the belt. Opening his door, he saw the hallway was empty. He smelled vanilla, though. Ivy had passed this way, but the question was had she been on her way to Lady Hawksfell’s room or on her way to her own? He had to know. Just the scent of her was driving him toward compulsion.
Closing his door to a crack, he waited for what felt like forever. He felt the fool, too. He could admit that to himself. But if he had the chance to taste Ivy’s sweetness he wasn’t going to pass it up. Perhaps he’d talk up Grayson’s virtues to the girl. The valet was certainly enamored of her. Did she want Grayson, too?
The thought of the two of them together made his erection grow harder still. Damn, it was almost painful. He should just ring for any maid and have her suck him dry. Then he could think and, maybe, deal with his attraction for the two of them.
The next moment he heard her voice from the direction of the countess’s room. He would recognize it anywhere, as strange as that should be. He couldn’t hear her footsteps on the carpeting, however. He couldn’t peer through the crack in the door like a child, either. Grasping the knob, he opened the door and stepped into her path.
“Hello, Ivy.”
She gasped as she had that first night. Her gaze ran over him and he realized how he must look to her. A privileged guest in his robe addressing a servant in the corridor. Throw in a leering glance and the rubbing together of his hands and the image of a letch would be complete.
“Forgive my appearance,” he rushed out.
She glanced up at him. “In your robe or in the hallway?”
He laughed. “You’re a delightful package, love. Do you know that?”
She bit her lip and he wanted to devour her mouth in that instant. “I’ve been told I can be irreverent. I’ve made every attempt to curb that tendency since coming to the manor, however.”
“That is a pity. Grayson could use a touch of levity.”
