At last, after a frustrating and even humiliating few hours spent in the village, Alexei headed back. He rode past their home and took the same path he’d used the day before. This time, the woods didn’t seem so gloomy and unwelcoming. In fact, they looked magical and mysterious, and Alexei entered them with excitement and nervousness.
Alexei did his best to recall the way he’d gone to get to the grove, but he’d told his mother the truth about “just wandering.” He did have a general clue on how to reach to his destination, and his sense of orientation did help. Even so, it took him far too long to find the grove with the four standing stones.
At first, Alexei thought the men weren’t there. He sighed and rubbed his eyes, weary after the trip through the cold. When he looked up again, he gaped, realizing his four dream lovers had appeared. “Well, well,” Ohsyn said, “if it isn’t young Alexei again. What is it now?”
Alexei got off the horse and greeted the men with a shy wave. “Uh… Strawberries. Eva wants strawberries.”
“It is not the season for such fruit,” Zimah pointed out with a frown.
Lyetah wrapped an arm around Zimah’s shoulder. “But no worries, we can get you your strawberries. Isn’t that right, Zimah?”
Zimah sighed and nodded. Lyetah grinned, his amber gaze sweeping over Alexei like a physical caress. “But we want our reward.”
Alexei leaned against his horse, his legs unsteady. “Kissing again?” he asked.
“Just one this time,” Lyetah answered. “For me.”
Of course, Alexei agreed. Just like the day before, Zimah blew into the air and the snow in the grove vanished. When Zimah finished his task, Lyetah stepped forward. He extended his arms wide. Light emanated from his fingertips, turning Alexei’s entire world into gold. When the blinding rays began to dim, Alexei realized the grove had turned blood red with beautiful, ripe strawberries.
“Go ahead and pick them,” Lyetah said. Alexei obeyed, picking a reasonable quantity of berries. He didn’t want to be greedy either, so he didn’t take much. Eva’s whim would soon be gone anyway, and it would be a pity if they spoiled.
“Now, for my reward,” Lyetah said. Alexei licked his lips. He’d dreamed about this, wanted it since yesterday. He ached for a real kiss with Lyetah. It might have been wrong, but Alexei couldn’t deny his desire.
He stepped forward toward the blond, gulping. Lyetah picked a ripe berry and held it to Alexei. The gesture felt so undeniably intimate Alexei’s head spun. He bit into the red fruit, letting out a soft moan as fresh flavors hit his taste buds. Lyetah chuckled, squeezing the remaining berry against Alexei’s skin and wrapping Alexei in a warm embrace. Sweet juice dropped onto Alexei’s cheeks, making a sticky and delicious line from Alexei’s lips to his neck.
Lyetah lapped at the red liquid, nipping Alexei’s neck as he went. Alexei clung to Lyetah, holding on to the other man’s clothing for dear life. The tiny bites of naughty pain sent shocks of pleasure through him. He couldn’t help but push closer to Lyetah and rub against the other man. Feeling Lyetah’s hard-on against his own nearly drove him out of his mind with lust.
And then, Lyetah abandoned his game and, at last, took his kiss. It wasn’t relentless like Zimah’s or gentle like Visnah’s. Instead, it exploded over Alexei like a burst of fire, familiar, yet not, calling out the blaze Alexei always felt inside him. He seemed engulfed in liquid heat, melting, falling, losing all sense of space and humanity into this one kiss. Lyetah’s tongue danced with his, and energy crackled between them, hot and intense.
When they broke apart, Alexei truly did stumble, and his clumsiness made him fall back, startling his horse. Visnah calmed the animal down with a few light pats. “Careful now. We really do want to send you home in one piece.”
“And I still don’t have my kiss,” Ohsyn pointed out. He took Alexei’s hand and pressed a light peck to his knuckles.
Visnah hugged Alexei, and Alexei accepted the embrace without question. “Go on,” the other man said. “You’re tired.”
Zimah caressed Alexei’s nape, the touch light and cool, sending shivers of pleasure through Alexei. “We won’t keep you further.”
Alexei wanted to be kept. In fact, as delicious as the berries looked, he wanted to return them. It seemed wrong somehow to exchange these kisses for material goods. He felt as if he were losing something special in doing so, perhaps a piece of his own soul.
“Don’t be saddened,” Ohsyn said. “I’m sure we’ll see each other soon.”
Lyetah grinned. “If nothing else, your sister is bound to have some other unreasonable demand.”
“Come to us directly, radost moia,” Visnah finished. “There’s no point in exhausting yourself with a useless trip to the market.”
Alexei gaped at Visnah, focusing on Visnah’s piece of advice and not on the endearment. “How did you know about that?” He shook his head, guessing the men would give him another enigmatic reply. “No, never mind. It doesn’t matter. Thank you.”
Once again, Alexei rode off. He tried to stop himself from looking behind, but didn’t manage to win the battle. Unsurprisingly, the men had vanished and all that remained were the four standing stones.
Sighing to himself, Alexei directed his horse home. What was this sudden heaviness in his heart? Could he be falling for these four men? No. He couldn’t think such a thing. He knew nothing about them. They acted like the seasons incarnate and their peculiar powers should make Alexei run for the hills screaming. He had no business getting emotional over inhuman folk. As if that weren’t enough, they were all male. And loving four people at the same time couldn’t be, especially not after two days of knowing them.
Lost in his thoughts, he made his way home. He didn’t even feel the chill, too busy musing over his erratic emotions. Once he reached their house, he led his horse into the stable then went inside. Eva met him in the hallway and gave him an expectant look. “Well? Did you get them?”
Alexei’s fatigue prevented him from even replying. He didn’t have the energy to focus on her nonsense. He just handed her the bag with the berries and went past her. He aimed to head straight for his room, crash into his bed, and think about his men. Unsurprisingly, Eva stopped him. “You’re so rude, Alexei,” she said, blocking his path. She squinted at him. “Oh, and your lips are swollen again. And why is your neck like that?”
Alexei cursed to himself. Lyetah must have left marks when he’d bit him. Just great. He did his best to look calm. “Must be bug bites,” he said.
Their father came into the hallway before Eva could say anything else. “Alexei, you’re back. Excellent.”
“He got me strawberries, Papa,” Eva piped in. “I told you he could do it.”
She sounded like she’d been the one to do all the effort, but Alexei ignored her. The burning fire echoed his thoughts. “Your sister is a fool,” it said.
Almost chuckling at his own fancies, Alexei turned toward his father. “Sorry for taking so long,” he said.
Igor’s large hand landed on Alexei’s shoulder. “Don’t be silly, boy. Run along and get changed now. Dinner will be ready soon.”
As he headed out, Alexei ran straight into Elga. She gave him a cool look but didn’t say anything. When Alexei reached his room, his mind oscillated between two questions. When had his mother become a stranger? What was he going to do about his four dream lovers?
Chapter Three
The next day brought with it yet another request from Eva. As soon as Alexei entered the kitchen in hope of getting breakfast, she pounced on him. “The strawberries spoiled overnight,” she cried. “I didn’t even manage to eat too many.”
Alexei mentally groaned. “So now I have to go get more?” he asked, exasperated. This game of Eva’s started to wear on him.
To Alexei’s surprise, Eva shook her head. “No. I’m sick of strawberries,” she said, contradicting her own apparent dismay. “But I’d love some apples. Would you be a dear and fetch me some?”
Apples? No
w she wanted apples? Alexei wanted to shake the stupidity out of her. “Fine,” he said, “but this is the last thing I’m getting for you.”
It made him uncomfortable to ask for things from the four men over and over. Strangely, he felt that by doing so, he disappointed them. He didn’t know why or how, but they’d treated him with such affection and generosity. They’d saved his life and granted him marvelous gifts. They’d shown him magic and passion. How could he continue to take advantage of their good will? As much as they claimed a few kisses were enough as payment, Alexei didn’t think it would ever be true.
Elga didn’t look surprised when, at breakfast, Eva bragged about the promise she’d extracted from Alexei. She did, however, frown when Eva complained about Alexei’s threat. “I don’t see why you would refuse your sister. It’s clearly no hardship for you to go and get the things she requires.”
“I’m sorry, Mama, but I can’t agree with you,” he replied. “This is the last time I’m going there, and I won’t be swayed.”
Elga’s eyes widened. Alexei had never talked back to her, but he’d never felt so strongly about something either. She looked like she wanted to say something, but Igor stopped her. “Good for you, son. I truly don’t want you scampering around the forest for flowers and whatnot.”
Eva’s eyes shone with unshed tears, but this time, she didn’t cry like before. Alexei guessed she thought she could change his mind eventually, manipulate him into complying like she always did. Alexei let her believe what he wanted. He’d made his decision.
After breakfast, Alexei took the road to the forest once again. He almost feared to see the four men again. Three times, Eva had asked him for something absurd, and three times, Alexei had appealed to them for help. There were so many things Alexei wanted to ask them, and yet, he always ended up demanding items instead.
The horse unerringly led him to the forest, and this time found the grove with reasonable ease. When they reached the familiar spot, the men once more appeared out of the blue. “Well, well,” Lyetah said. “If it isn’t our dear Alexei. What does your sister want now?”
Alexei couldn’t look at him. “Apples,” he murmured. He dismounted, keeping his eyes on the ground at all times.
Silence fell over the grove at his less than enthusiastic answer. Alexei felt Lyetah approach, and then the blond placed a finger under Alexei’s chin, gently forcing their gazes to meet. “What is it, solnyshko moyo? Why do you look so down?”
“I don’t know,” Alexei murmured. “No, that’s not right. I do know. It’s just not right to just come here and take advantage of your kindness like this.”
Lyetah smirked at him. “It’s not like we don’t get anything out of it.”
Alexei broke away from Lyetah, disheartened. He couldn’t expect them to understand. He didn’t understand it himself.
Ohsyn wrapped his arms around him, and his warmth cast away some of the shadows in Alexei’s mind. “It’s all right, Alexei. If our little exchanges bother you, we don’t have to do it.”
Zimah nodded. Silently, he once again made the snow vanish. Ohsyn briefly stepped away from Alexei and made an elaborate gesture in the air and toward the ground. The trees flourished once again, the branches heavy and laden with fruit. “There you go. Take as many as you want. We don’t want you upset.”
Alexei stared at the apple trees, then at Ohsyn’s earnest face. “I don’t want to take them,” he replied. “I just…”
He didn’t know how to explain himself. He felt so confused and out of his depth. He shouldn’t be feeling such things in the first place, especially not for men so out of his reach.
“Oh, Alexei,” Visnah continued in a soft voice. “Don’t be afraid. I promise you all will be well.”
Visnah’s soothing voice acted like a balm on Alexei’s soul. When Ohsyn swooped in to steal a kiss, Alexei melted, all doubts vanishing in an instant. Ohsyn smelled intoxicating, and his taste reminded Alexei of well-aged wine. He took and gave in equal measure, generous, yet demanding, decadent, yet kind. Their bodies molded against each other perfectly, and for a little while, Alexei just lost himself in the dance of their tongues, in the rocking of their bodies and the musk of male arousal.
When they broke apart, Ohsyn grinned at Alexei. “There you go—my reward for the apples,” he said. Alexei almost thought Ohsyn had missed the point entirely, but then the other man pressed his lips to Alexei’s once again. This time, when the kiss ended, Ohsyn murmured, “And this one is because I want to, because you want to.”
It was a statement, but Alexei felt the question behind it. He nodded, his face hot with desire and embarrassment.
“Now that this little problem is settled, come here and sit by our side.”
Alexei allowed Lyetah to lead him next to the four large stones. Uncertain anticipation coursed through him. Lyetah knelt in the soft grass and pulled Alexei down. Their bodies collided and sparks flew between them, just like the day before.
As if of their own accord, Alexei’s hands slipped between their bodies to unbutton Lyetah’s shirt. Alexei idly noted the yellow material matched Lyetah’s hair and tried to focus on the bland fact to give himself the courage to finish his self-appointed task. He failed, nervousness making his body tremble and his heart thunder. “Don’t worry, solnyshko moyo,” Lyetah said soothingly. “I’ll take care of it.”
And so, Lyetah did. Under Alexei’s amazed eyes, the shirt melted, as did the bright red breeches. Alexei found himself seated in the lap of a very naked Lyetah. He froze, not knowing what to do. Sure, he’d dreamed about touching and being touched by these men, but acting out his fantasies was a different matter entirely.
“Relax, miliy moi,” Ohsyn whispered in his ear, startling him. Ohsyn sat next to them, facing Alexei. “This is all about what we all want, remember?”
Yes, Alexei remembered. In a sense, it had been his idea to begin with. He’d wanted their kisses to be genuine—not that he considered the ones before false, but this felt different somehow.
“Just enjoy,” Visnah said behind him. Alexei turned, only to watch Visnah and Zimah approach as well.
He didn’t know what to say, how to act. This entire thing felt surreal, as if it couldn’t possibly be happening to him. He was just Alexei. Four hot men couldn’t want him, shouldn’t want him.
“Don’t worry,” Lyetah answered. “We won’t do anything you’re uncomfortable with.”
Lyetah had summoned his clothing back and even if Alexei could still feel the man’s hard-on beneath him, he almost wept at his own stupidity.
“How about we just take things slow?” Visnah suggested.
Lyetah nodded toward Visnah and placed Alexei on the grass. “Lay down, solnyshko moyo,” he whispered. “We’ll take care of you.”
Alexei obeyed. The grass felt soft, welcoming him in its green embrace. Above him, the tree branches laden with fruit sent tantalizing aromas toward him. Alexei closed his eyes. So many scents surrounded him—apples, wine, fresh flowers, and even the scent of sunlight and snow. He didn’t know how he could differentiate each and every one, but he did.
Warm lips landed on his own, gentle and comforting. Visnah caressed his hair, murmuring endearments between kisses. Meanwhile, strong hands worked at his breeches. When a fist enclosed Alexei’s shaft in a tight hold, Alexei tensed and opened his eyes.
Zimah’s heavy hand held him down. “Don’t worry. You’re safe with us.”
The white-haired man took position to Alexei’s left, slowly unbuttoning his shirt. His cool hands sent pleasant goose bumps over Alexei’s skin. While Zimah explored Alexei’s torso, Ohsyn and Lyetah took off his boots and pants. Before he knew it, he ended up nearly bare under the eyes of the four men.
It was strangely arousing to be naked when all of them still wore their clothes. Still, Alexei felt a bit self-conscious. He’d never actually shown his body to anyone, not since he’d grown into an adult, at least. A lingering pang of inadequacy prodded at his mind. What if th
ey didn’t like the way he looked?
“Alexei?” Visnah said. “Everything all right? Are we going too fast? Zimah, let him go.”
Zimah began to move away, but Alexei caught him. He didn’t want to lose contact with any of his men. It suddenly seemed as if this moment defined his very life, as if he’d been born to be theirs. At least once, he’d allow himself to experience their passion without doubting or fearing. He’d worry about the outcome later.
“No,” he said. “I want this. I want you.”
He met Zimah’s eyes, and in those unfathomable blue depths, he saw a deep blaze emerge. Somehow, he knew it was the flame of his own heart. He didn’t have time to contemplate this because Zimah took Visnah’s place. He ravished Alexei’s mouth with his own. Impossibly, the kiss seemed even more intense than the day before.
Visnah’s mouth enclosed around Alexei’s right nipple, lapping and nipping at the small bud. The teasing sensations molded with Zimah’s sensual assault, the energies of winter and spring flowing over him at the same time.
Wet heat surrounded his cock as Lyetah began sucking his dick in earnest. Alexei had fantasized about this exact thing just a few days back, but his daydream paled in comparison with reality. Just when he thought it couldn’t get any better, Ohsyn’s hands began to caress Alexei’s legs. Ohsyn’s tongue explored Alexei’s thighs and up to his knees, even going down to suck on his toes. Alexei never realized those areas of his body could be so sensitive, but Ohsyn’s every touch seemed to awaken nerves he hadn’t even known existed.
It seemed to Alexei no inch of him went unexplored. His cock throbbed in Lyetah’s mouth, demanding release, the heat the other man radiated pooling into his testes. At the same time, Zimah’s kiss told him to be patient, to make things last, to take his pleasure without rushing. Wordlessly, Zimah disciplined him when Alexei would have just burst forward, too greedy for their touch to even consider waiting. The kisses they shared tempered him, and yet, fueled the blaze swallowing Alexei whole.
Visnah alternated between gentle laps and teasing bites, just like spring occasionally reverted to colder, harsher weather. In spite of the delicious ecstasy, Alexei found their measured strokes kept him close to coming, without allowing him to do so.
Hyacinth, Scarlet - Fire of the Four Seasons (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour ManLove) Page 3
