by Josie Dennis
Hugh let his gaze run over Stefan’s fit body, lingering on his groin. He could plainly see that the man was half-hard. “You would wait, then?”
Stefan let out a soft growl. “Stop staring at my cock, Hugh. I can just as easily take you first.”
Hugh sucked in a breath. “While she watches.”
Stefan’s dark eyes glinted. “I imagine she would be intrigued by the idea.”
Hugh nodded. “Tonight can’t come soon enough.”
Stefan’s grin widened.
* * * *
Stefan waited in his room after Hugh left, trying to summon a bit of control over his Hawk beast. Hugh had smelled so damn good there beside him. His blue eyes had been so hot on him he’d felt it like a caress along his shaft. But after Hugh divulged what his life had been, what kind of man could suggest he suck him off in his room?
He shifted and pulled at the front of his trousers. He had to learn to control his damn lusts if he had any hope of having a peaceful life going forward. He was the brother of the goddamn Earl of Hawksfell, for God’s sake! Matthew, his brother from the other side of the blanket, was married and living happily on the bloody estate after all. And if his wife had been a maid, who the hell cared? Apparently not Gabriel and not the countess, if their demeanor with Posy were any indication.
Now he was dressed for dinner, well tended to by Hugh after that revealing conversation. It was astounding he’d found himself pouring out the pitiful story about his absentee mother. Hugh’s story, however? Of selling himself in London after having no other way to survive? He sensed a nobility in Hugh but after hearing what he’d had to do his admiration spread beyond the pleasure of gazing on his lovely face and figure, beyond the thought of the beautiful man loving the delectable Maddie.
He had no need to dawdle any longer, however. No doubt the family was in the parlor already. He would have to learn to get used to having all these connections. He’d admitted as much to Hugh that he longed for such.
He didn’t plan to stay on at Hawksfell. No. He’d stay until he got the slightest feeling the earl wanted him gone. Then he would return to Constantine Abbey and his life there. Attentive staff. Plenty of money. Not a care in the world now that he finally knew the truth of his parentage. Perhaps it was better that way.
He thought of the way he’d felt after coming inside Maddie. The connection. The utter completion he’d never felt before. And after, as they’d both pleasured Hugh? That forged a connection as well.
Shaking his head, he went down to the parlor. After greeting Gabriel he walked over to where Matthew and his wife stood. He watched Posy, seeing a bit of spunk beneath her pretty polish. She was bright and beautiful and obviously besotted with her husband. As for Matthew, he was a man who knew his place in the world and who he wanted in it. Envy like Stefan had never known speared him. He had no idea what the hell he even wanted his life to be like, let alone any way to effect that condition. But loneliness at Constantine Abbey? That sure as hell wasn’t it.
“How are you, brother?” Matthew Hawk said.
Stefan felt a jolt at the familiar address, then smiled as warmth filled him. “Very well, thank you. And you, Matthew? Posy?”
Posy smiled as she held fast to her husband’s arm. “Quite fine, Stefan. Are you getting on well?”
“Getting on?”
“What dear Posy is dancing around is the pointed subject of just how well you’re adjusting to your new family.” He smiled. “Believe me, I know full well how disconcerting it can be.”
Relief swamped him. Matthew knew. He’d been through the very same thing less than a year ago.
“It is,” Stefan admitted. “But Gabriel has been very welcoming.”
“I daresay he’s used to Hawks popping up out of nowhere.” Matthew leaned closer. “But he was just as kind to me when I showed up here, claiming his dead father as my own.”
Stefan thought for a moment, then forged ahead. “What do you know of the late earl, Matthew?” Stefan couldn’t contain his interest and didn’t want to try. “My mother was never about, and when she was she never spoke of him.”
Matthew shrugged. “He was a reprobate of the first order. Reveled in our particular condition. Delighted in it, actually.” Dark eyes like his own slid to his wife, who nodded encouragement. Matthew looked evenly at Stefan now. “Compared to my uncle, however? I don’t believe the late earl ever raised a hand to Gabriel.”
Stefan knew then that Matthew hadn’t had a carefree childhood either.
“What the hell is it with Hawk men?”
“What was it,” Posy corrected. “All the Hawks I’ve met are gentlemen who love those who love them.”
It was an odd way to phrase it, but he supposed she spoke of marriage. “Yes,” he said for lack of anything more to say.
They both seemed like they wanted to say more, but they each shifted as the scent of hothouse roses filled his head. God. Madeline.
“Good evening, Lord Constantine,” she said.
He turned toward her, fighting to keep desire from revealing itself. “Miss Crowley.”
She gazed up him, those blue eyes sparkling, and then did a peculiar thing. She stepped back as a coolness settled over her features. “How are you this evening?”
Another inquiry after his wellbeing? Out of the corner of his eye he saw Matthew and Posy slip away from them. He leaned down closer to Madeline’s face. “So formal this evening, Maddie? Why only last evening you were—”
“Hush,” she hissed.
Where was the charming little flirt he’d come to care for over the past few days, the pretty package he took such delight in.
“What is on your mind, sweet?”
He watched her flinch at the endearment.
“I won’t be caught, Stefan.”
“Caught? What are you talking about?”
She opened her mouth, then closed it tight. “This is over.”
A chill settled on him. Over? What the hell did she mean by that? Their conversation or their liaison? The hell with that. The three of them had a lot more to share before this was over.
He pulled back and as if on cue Hugh entered the room to announce the dinner hour would commence. He met the man’s eyes and knew tonight they would both be with her again. He wouldn’t let her odd behavior at the moment change that. Maybe she was simply hungry.
He’d been certain that after dinner he would once again see the girl he’d come to know. Yet she was still prickly and managed to keep herself out of his close company. When she made a move toward the door, he smoothly stepped in front of her to block her exit.
“Are you retiring so early?” he asked.
She stared up at him for a beat, then slid her gaze from his. “I have a headache.”
He knew she was lying. “This isn’t over,” he said, turning her words around.
Her lower lip trembled, then she shook her head. “It has to be.”
Before he could chase after her, and scandalize her, himself and everyone in attendance, she was gone.
“Like hell, this is over,” he muttered.
“What is that, Stefan?” Michael Crowley called. “I daresay you look quite put out.”
Stefan gaped at Maddie’s brother, then recovered. “Never that. I was merely talking to myself, I’m afraid.”
Michael tilted his head, looking very much like his sister in that moment. “Truly? Seems every Hawk possesses that particular affectation.”
Gabriel stepped over to Stefan, then smiled in Michael’s direction. “Do not tease my brother, Michael.”
The two of them looked at Stefan, who felt a genuine smile curve his lips. There was clear affection here, and yet Gabriel had made a show of welcoming him into the fold. Once again warmth filled him as it had when he’d spoken with Matthew.
“Don’t trouble yourself, Gabriel,” Stefan said. “I can take anything Michael might send my way.”
Michael barked out a laugh. “Ah, you’re a perfect match then.”
> “A match? What do you mean?” Stefan asked.
Michael just shook his head. “You fit, Stefan. Let me just leave it at that.”
Stefan suspected there was more to the man’s words. Had they seen his close conversation with Madeline? He couldn’t press Michael at the moment, not with Gabriel and the rest of them watching him so closely.
His opportunity to make his own exit came not much after that. The countess claimed fatigue and, since the earl and Michael left with her, Matthew and Posy bade him good night and returned to the dower house. Setting from his mind the people who seemed to think of him as family, he headed downstairs to the servants’ common rooms to find Hugh.
“Did you need something, Lord Constantine?”
He started, then looked into the kind yet sharp eyes of Mrs. Holmes. “I was looking for Hugh.”
She nodded. “He should be down from seeing to Mr. Crowley momentarily. I can send him up to you when he returns.”
She eyed him and Stefan kept his features even. She was cut out of the same cloth as Mrs. Patton, though she’d seen much more than his own housekeeper had. No doubt she’d be able to see right through him to his wants and desires where Hugh, and ultimately Madeline, were concerned.
“Thank you,” he said before taking his leave faster than Maddie had left the parlor.
He gained his room and didn’t have long to wait before Hugh joined him.
“Ah, Hugh.” He raked a hand through his own hair. “We have to talk about Maddie.”
“What about her?”
“She says this is over.”
Hugh gaped at him, his face going pale. “Why? What happened?”
“I don’t know. You have to get her here, though. We have to change her mind.”
Hugh’s face took on a determined expression. “Right.”
And before Stefan could say anything more he was gone to fetch their girl.
Chapter 9
Madeline sat on the pretty little chair in her guest chamber, her chin held in her hands. She’d done it. She’d told Stefan that the foolishness was over. No more would she taste his kisses. Hugh’s kisses. Feel their hands on her. Their mouths…
“Stop it,” she chided herself, pulling her robe tighter around herself. “You can’t continue as you have without consequences.”
Whether or not a child resulted, there was the disgrace associated with her selfishness, the shame she would bring her brother and dear Millicent. She wouldn’t think about how fortunate her cousin was to have both men love her so completely. She wasn’t, and never would be, as blessed as Millicent. The letter from her mother was testament to that fact.
She’d happily burned it in the small fireplace that afternoon but she couldn’t erase the words etched on her brain. Her mother demanded she leave Hawksfell Manor and return to Crowley Park, right away. She alluded to the evils at the manor, to Millicent and Michael’s descent into the bowels of hell at the earl’s malignant hands. Well, she hadn’t dignified her mother’s missive with a response. What would she say? There was no evil to be found at Hawksfell. Not under the fine rugs nor behind the many lovely pieces of art. There was no way her mother would believe her. And who was she to profess her own innocence at this point? She’d been taken by two men and loved every moment of it!
A soft rapping at the door startled a gasp out of her.
“Come,” she called.
She was stunned when Hugh let himself in.
“Hugh, what is the meaning of this?”
“This can’t be over, Madeline.”
She clasped her hands tightly in her lap. “You spoke with Stefan.”
“What happened? He looked completely flummoxed.”
She stared into the flames, telling herself that the sting in her eyes was from the heat of the embers. “Nothing happened, Hugh. I simply came to the realization that I cannot indulge myself as if I am the only one to consider.”
“Do you mean myself? Stefan? We are grown men.”
“No. I can’t hurt my family should something untoward happen.”
Hugh cursed softly and she met his gaze again. The concern on his face spoke of more than a ready piece of pleasure, but that couldn’t be right.
“You told Stefan you were safe,” he said, his voice low.
“And I am.” Her cheeks heated but she pressed on. “It’s not just a child I’m worried over, Hugh. I have no future here at Hawksfell. On so many levels. I have to return to Crowley Park.”
“When?”
There, he had her. “I don’t know, precisely. I know I must go back, and soon. My mother has plans for my future but I’m ruined for that, aren’t I?”
His mouth turned down. “Because of what we did?”
“No!” She jumped to her feet. “I mean I can never give myself to anyone who isn’t either of you.”
Hugh looked stunned by her words. “Never say you care for us.”
That piqued her a bit. “Do you think I would do what I did with anyone I didn’t care for?”
To her astonishment he laughed. “Come, Madeline. You have to speak to Stefan.”
With that, he grabbed her hand and hurried her out of the room toward Stefan’s room.
“This won’t change my mind,” she said. Her heart raced, whether from their quick pace or the thought of what just might be awaiting her, she wouldn’t guess. “Neither of you will talk me into this.”
She was propelled into Stefan’s room to find him smirking at her.
“Talk you into what, precisely?” he asked.
She stared into his eyes and her mouth went dry. “Into…”
“Fucking us both?”
She sucked in a breath. “Stefan!”
He just shrugged a lazy shoulder. She took note of his dress then. Another luxurious dressing gown draped from his broad shoulders and, from the deep V showing his magnificent chest, she guessed he wore little else.
“Close the door, Hugh. And strip.”
Her mouth watered now as she pictured Hugh’s lean, muscular form in her mind. “Strip,” she repeated dully.
Hugh removed his clothing, and before she could do more than stare she heard the whisper of fabric as Stefan disrobed as well. Spinning on her heel, she looked at him from head to toe. The two of them were built differently but equally to her liking. Oh, she was indeed in a pickle. She hadn’t lied when she’d told Hugh she was ruined. Not by losing her virtue. No. By having two such incredible men give her passion she knew she wouldn’t want anyone else to touch her.
“This is over, Maddie? You might have said so earlier tonight.” Stefan came close enough for her to smell his spicy scent. “The look in your eyes, sweet. The way your breath quickens, tells a different tale.”
“Like one of your novels, perhaps?” Hugh put in, stepping as close to her as Stefan was.
She breathed in deeply. She couldn’t resist. The mixture of their scents nearly overwhelmed her.
“It is over,” she squeaked. She fisted her hands at her sides to keep from touching them. “Over, Stefan. For good.”
He smiled at her, smiled a wicked grin, and slowly shook his head. “Ah, sweet. We haven’t even begun.”
She squeezed out from between them and crossed her arms. “I’m standing firm.”
Hugh coughed a laugh and she gazed down at his groin. Oh, standing firm indeed. He was as ready as he’d been last night when she and Stefan had taken their tongues to him.
“Then we must show her,” Stefan said to Hugh. “Sit, Maddie. We won’t touch you.”
Hugh looked as if he would protest, then some sort of silent communication passed between them. To her astonishment they came together and kissed. Stunned, and eager to see just what they would do, she sank down on the bed to watch them.
They were beautiful together. Dark and light and so perfect. Her body began to tingle and she shifted to ease the ache between her thighs. Their taut bellies touched and each grabbed the other’s buttocks. She bit her lip to keep in the moan that tri
ed to escape. Fisting her hands, she fought the urge to stroke her own palms over their firm bodies.
“Do you like watching us kiss, Maddie?” Stefan’s mouth ran over Hugh’s throat and she almost felt the salt there. “Watching us touch?”
She could only nod, her breath coming so fast she couldn’t form a word.
Stefan smiled as he reached between their bodies. By Hugh’s low moan she knew he stroked Hugh’s cock. She tucked her hands beneath her and came up on her knees to get a better look.
They kissed again and to her astonishment Stefan spun Hugh and held him tightly against his chest. His hand now stroked Hugh, long and slow. Hugh groaned and reached an arm up behind Stefan’s neck, arching as he thrust ever so slightly into Stefan’s palm.
She couldn’t tear her eyes from the sight before her. Parting her legs, she tried to cool her pussy. She throbbed now, wet heat all but dripping down her thighs.
“How does that feel, Hugh?” she asked.
Hugh caught her gaze, his blue eyes burning bright. “There are no words.” He sucked in a breath. “Ah, Stefan!”
Stefan flashed a grin and moved behind him. “Your ass is tight, Hugh.” He did something else behind Hugh, who let out another moan. “I can’t wait to get inside of you.”
“Inside?” she asked aloud. “Oh! You’re going to make love to Hugh!”
“Damn right,” Stefan said, his own voice rough now. “In the dressing table, Maddie. You’ll find a little jar of cream. Bring it to me.”
She climbed off the bed and looked through the drawers of the dressing table, finding the jar in the second one. She opened it and was rewarded with the fresh scent of citrus. Unable to resist, she dipped a finger in the cream and rubbed it between her forefinger and thumb.
“It’s thick and soft,” she said. It struck her then, what Stefan planned to do with the cream. “To ease your way?”
“Yes,” he answered. “Here, sweet. Spread this on me.”
She came closer, unable to resist dropping a kiss on Hugh’s chest. His skin was dewy, his heart beating rapidly beneath her lips. She grasped his shaft in one hand, her fingers inadequately covering Stefan’s as they both teased and pleased Hugh.
