“My duties sometimes involve helping a damsel in distress, miss.” His voice caressed her every nerve, making her flush hot and cold.
Her breath caught. “Cabot…”
His mouth came close to hers, his full lips so near she could smell his minty breath. She parted her lips and rose up on her tiptoes to press her mouth to his. Electricity shot through her, the sensation so like her reaction to Victor’s kiss her eyes drifted closed. As she opened her mouth she felt his tongue probe inside. He was delicious.
A soft moan escaped her and he echoed the sound. Then he jerked away from her. “Forgive me, miss,” he rushed out, his voice low.
She opened her eyes to see his cheeks had gone pink. Taken with his dilated pupils, the effect on her was remarkable despite the space he put between them. He looked good enough to eat and, despite the delectable meal served by the manor to its guests, she was suddenly ravenous.
“There is nothing to forgive,” she breathed, pressing so close to him he backed up against the door.
He placed his hands on her shoulders and held her from him. “I could lose my position.”
She felt a rush of power course through her. Not the power to make this man lose his job but the power to tempt him to put everything at risk to kiss her. She had to taste him again.
“Kiss me, Cabot.”
He licked his lips and her body flushed again. With a soft sound of defeat, he crushed his mouth to hers. She reached up to grab onto his shoulders. His tongue drove into her mouth again and she couldn’t help but rub hers against it. He pulled back just a hairsbreadth and cursed softly. Then his tongue trailed over her throat and she leaned her head back. He licked the hollow of her throat and she shivered as her nipples grew tight in her corset.
“You smell incredible,” he rasped as he cupped her bottom. His teeth nipped at her bosom. “Like sweet wildflowers.”
She could feel the length of his shaft against her, and the memory of being held this close by Victor crashed over her. Her woman’s flesh swelled and she felt her drawers go damp.
“Oh, Cabot!” She pressed closer to him still. “Touch me.”
He brought one shaking hand to her breast and gently squeezed. Sharp pleasure stabbed through her as her nipples grew even harder.
“You’re a package, Miss Ralston.”
“Violet,” she said on a breath. “My name is violet.”
He stilled, then laughed softly. “Fitting.”
She tried to reason through his words but she couldn’t. “What?”
He brought his brow to hers. “You smell like violets.”
She laughed. “Cabot.”
He smiled, then straightened his livery. His jacket was crumpled and his tie askew. “I must get back downstairs, miss.”
“You just had your hands on my bottom, Cabot. You may call me Violet.”
He flushed again, all signs of the smooth flirt gone. He wore a look of hunger in his beautiful blue eyes yet his lips were set in a tight determined line. Oh, how many times had she seen that very combination etched on Victor’s beloved face?
“Go,” she said, hoping she sounded calm and worldly. “We’ll talk again.”
He bowed his head and opened the door, then hurried down the hall with smooth strides. She watched him for a long moment, then closed the door. Sagging against the wood panel, she squeezed her eyes shut. Shame washed over her.
How could she give herself to a man she’d just met? True, he was very pretty and affected her much like Victor did. As amazing as that should be, she wanted him as much as she did Victor.
“Victor,” she sobbed, her eyes stinging with tears.
She’d never been more confused in her life. And she was staying here at Hawksfell Manor until Christmas! How was she going to withstand the chill of Victor’s indifference and the heat of Cabot’s interest?
“Happy Christmas to me,” she murmured.
* * * *
“What the hell was I thinking?” Cabot muttered as he ascended the stairs to his attic room.
“About what?” Ivy asked.
Cabot froze and took a calming breath. He turned his head and saw that Ivy leaned against the wall beside his door with an expectant look on her face. He didn’t need her teasing and flirtation at the moment. He was still at sixes and sevens over his wild attraction to Miss Violet Ralston.
“Good evening, Ivy,” he said, his voice cool.
Ivy toyed with her hair, which was now in a loose twist set over her shoulder. “I’ve been waiting for you.”
He knew in that instant he could pull her into his room and fuck her like mad if he wanted to. She wouldn’t put up one bit of protest. He was still semi-hard from kissing the lovely Violet, yet he didn’t have the slightest desire for this hungry girl, no matter the circumstances or her willingness.
“Then I’m afraid you’re going to be disappointed,” he said.
She pouted then. “Oh, Cabot! You’re cruel.”
He opened his door and pushed past her into his room. “I don’t know what you mean.”
He went to the mirror set atop his chest of drawers and saw that he didn’t quite look like the impeccable servant Mr. Carstairs liked to present to staff and guests. No, his hair was mussed and his jacket a mess of creases. Lovely. Now he’d have to change before going upstairs to see to Baron Ralston. He had to see to the baron’s fire as well as ready his clothes for tomorrow, all the while trying not to think about his indulgence with the man’s cousin.
He shrugged out of his jacket and heard Ivy gasp. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw she’d entered and was now staring at his groin. He guessed she could see that his cock tented his trousers from this angle.
“If you’ll be so kind as to leave my room,” he stated.
At last the girl seemed to remember herself. “Oh, I’m sorry!”
Her cheeks were red as she backed out of his room. She closed the door with a bang and he winced. At least he could count on Mr. Carstairs and Mrs. Holmes being down in the servants’ hall at this hour. He’d fucked half the staff over the past two years and knew just when the time was right for a romp without risk of discovery.
He shook out his jacket and decided it wasn’t too worse for wear. No doubt the baron would send for him soon, but Cabot wanted to anticipate his needs. Serving guests well would put him in good stead at the manor, and there was something about this particular Hawk guest that left him feeling unsettled.
Lord Ralston was a handsome devil, as all the Hawks were. He might be third cousin to the lovely Violet but there was no resemblance that Cabot could see. He had a graceful way of moving though. And those lovely dark Hawk eyes. His demeanor seemed quite different from the last few to visit the manor, however. He was quiet and removed, despite the longing looks his cousin gave him. No, Cabot hadn’t missed that woman’s hunger either. Ivy’s coquettish expressions paled by comparison. It was like nothing he’d seen before, and when she’d turned that wanting gaze up at him like that in her room he’d simply had to kiss her.
“Rutting fool,” he chided himself.
Once more put together, he left his room and went down toward the bachelor wing. As he neared the room given to this latest visitor, he heard a groaning from within. It was low and deep, almost sensual, and sent awareness over his body.
He rapped and pushed open the door, stunned to find Baron Ralston stripped to the waist. He was beautifully built, so strong and broad and sculpted. His shoulders were tense and he was holding himself stiff.
“My lord?” Cabot asked softly, closing the door behind him.
Lord Ralston jerked, then turned slightly. Cabot’s breath caught. His chest was lovely as well but it was what was in one of his large hands that sent Cabot’s pulse pounding. Lord Ralston was holding his long, thick Hawk cock, and Cabot had never seen a more impressive one in his life.
Chapter 5
Victor stared at the footman now closed in his room with him. His pretty blue eyes were fastened on his cock. There
was no denying his interest, and his shaft grew longer.
“Cabot?” he asked, his voice rough to his own ears.
“Y–yes, my lord.” Cabot raised his gaze from his cock to his face. “Are you all right?”
Victor hissed out a breath as he tried to stuff his cock back into his trousers. Every movement was excruciating now. “I’m fine,” he bit out.
For a split second he thought the footman was going to take him at his word. Then he stepped closer, an expression of sympathy on his face.
“Forgive me, but you are not fine.” Cabot touched his bare shoulder, the gesture comforting and sensual at the same time. “You are in a bad way.”
Victor released his cock and fisted his hands at his sides. “You’ve worked here for some time, I take it?”
Cabot nodded. “Two years.”
He met Cabot’s eyes. “You served the earl?”
Cabot blinked long lashes before recognition filled his gaze. Heat flared in those blue eyes. God, he reminded Victor of Violet in that moment.
“I have,” Cabot said, his voice low. He reached out and grasped Victor’s cock, stroking gently. “I can serve you.”
Victor shook his head. “That’s not required. I didn’t mean to make any such demand.”
Cabot smiled, his full lips curving in a way that made Victor long to kiss him. He’d never kissed a man. Hell, he’d never kissed anyone but Violet.
“You didn’t demand anything, my lord.”
His hand moved faster now and Victor leaned back against the dressing table. “God, that feels so damn good.”
“How long has it been?” Cabot asked.
“I’m not like my other Hawk relatives, Cabot. I try not to fuck that often.”
Cabot stilled, then shook his head. “That is a shame.”
“I find release.” Victor moaned as Cabot’s thumb teased the slit on his cock’s head. “In a maid’s mouth. Sometimes with a groom.”
“But you can’t use your own hand.” It wasn’t a question. Cabot must know quite a bit about the Hawk’s curse.
Victor shook his head. “No, I can’t. The last time I came was with…”
He all but bit his tongue. Couldn’t speak of Violet and ruin her reputation. God, her release had been remarkable and the memory of her enthusiasm when she stroked his cock was what had him so damn hard tonight.
“The last time you came was with her?” Cabot asked.
Victor opened his eyes and saw knowledge stamped on Cabot’s features. The man somehow knew he meant Violet.
Victor bit his lip, then nodded. “I didn’t fuck her,” he said. “I wanted to but I didn’t.”
“She’s gorgeous. It’s no wonder you’re hard for her.”
“That is plain speaking, Cabot.” He let his gaze trail over the handsome footman. His cock was clearly hard in his pants. “And who is that cock hard for, may I ask?”
Cabot continued to stroke him. “For her,” he admitted on a whisper.
“For her?” he asked, his mind trying to make sense of things. “Miss Ralston?”
Cabot nodded. “She’s beautiful. I…kissed her.”
Victor pictured Cabot holding Violet close and lust washed over him. “You kissed her?”
“Yes. She was upset and…” He shrugged.
“I know why she was upset,” Victor muttered.
“She wants you, I believe,” Cabot said. “I completely understand why.”
It was Victor’s turn to blink his confusion. “What?”
“I admitted that my cock is hard for her, Lord Ralston.” His eyes sparkled as he leaned closer. “But it’s also hard for you.”
Then he brought his lips to Victor’s. Victor’s shock gave way to pleasure as Cabot kissed him. His taste was fresh and hot and he cupped his head and drove his tongue into his mouth. Cabot moaned, returning his kiss expertly as his hand continued to work him. Victor thrust against his hand and closed his eyes again.
Victor pulled away slightly, his breath coming fast. “Please. I have to come.”
“Do you want to fuck me, my lord?” Cabot asked, his voice laced with desire.
Victor gave a shaky nod. “I do.”
Cabot smiled against his lips and stepped back to strip out of his livery. The man was beautiful, all lithe muscles and golden skin. As he stripped off his trousers Victor sucked in a breath. The man’s cock was long and thick, nearly as large as his damned Hawk cock.
“You’re very pretty, Cabot,” he managed to say.
Cabot shrugged a graceful shoulder, obviously fully aware of just how handsome he was in and out of clothes. For the first time in his life, Victor was seized with the urge to touch another besides Violet. He wanted to stroke and pet Cabot and then fuck his ass until they both came.
“Turn around,” he growled.
Cabot grinned and turned, bracing his hands on the dressing table. Victor allowed himself to feel as he ran his hands over Cabot’s hot skin. He was smoothly muscled and built like a Roman statue. Cupping his ass, he felt Cabot tense and then let out a sigh.
“I want to fuck you,” Victor said, bemused.
Cabot glanced at him over his shoulder. “I realize that,” he teased.
Victor shook his head. “No, Cabot. I want this, not just need this.”
Cabot nodded solemnly. “Then take me, my lord.”
“Call me Victor, Cabot.” As he fingered Cabot’s hole, they both shuddered. “You’re not serving me.”
“Mmm,” Cabot murmured. “Victor, then.”
Victor looked down at his cock as he thrust between Cabot’s cheeks. “I’m afraid I’ll hurt you.”
Cabot arched toward him. “There is a jar of cream in the top drawer,” he said on a moan.
Victor reached around him to pull the drawer open. A jar did sit inside, and he grabbed it. “It seems the last Hawk to visit used this room?”
“The last several, Victor.”
“You didn’t…”
Cabot shook his head, his thick blond hair falling over his forehead. “No.”
Victor opened the jar and dipped two fingers inside. The cream smelled like soap and flowers, a pleasant combination. He set the jar back down on the dressing table and put his hands on Cabot once again. Easing two fingers inside him, he felt the tightness and couldn’t wait to feel it around his cock. He’d never craved a man before and the sensation was heady indeed.
“Cabot,” he said on a whisper, bringing his lips to the other man’s ear. “Take all of me.”
“God, yes,” Cabot groaned. “Fuck me, Victor.”
It was all the permission Victor needed. He positioned himself at his hole and sank slowly inside. Cabot was stock still and Victor was trembling, then they both began to move.
Holding on to Cabot’s narrow hips, Victor thrust in and out. They were both moaning now and Victor knew he wouldn’t last long. Cabot gripped the table in front of him, throwing his head back to rest on Victor’s shoulder.
Victor moved to capture Cabot’s lips as he continued to drive into him. He could feel his orgasm start, his balls tightening until he lost his control.
“I’m coming,” he groaned, wrapping an arm around Cabot’s chest and holding him closer.
Cabot let out a breath as he arched, wrapping a hand around his own cock as Victor came hard inside him. His heart was pounding, his blood rushing in his ears, but he managed to reach around and cover Cabot’s fingers with his own. Together they stroked until Cabot shuddered against him and climaxed.
Their breathing was harsh and Victor had to brace his feet apart to keep from collapsing over Cabot on the dressing table. He’d never felt such pleasure except from Violet’s hand, and certainly never felt the connection he inexplicably felt with Cabot tonight. For the first time, crushing guilt didn’t choke him after fucking. No, he was released from his beast and could breathe again.
“Cabot,” he said softly, kissing his fevered cheek. “That was remarkable.”
Cabot nodded, licking hi
s lips as his breathing slowed. “You know how to ride, my lord.”
Victor withdrew from Cabot and tucked his sated cock back into his trousers. “Victor, Cabot. You agreed.”
Cabot withdrew a handkerchief and wiped the table and then himself before turning to face Victor. “In this room, I’ll call you Victor.”
Relief washed over him. “I don’t want to lose this connection, Cabot.”
Cabot dressed quickly, then faced him. “What are you saying?”
Victor brushed a hand through his hair and shrugged. “I want to have you again.”
Cabot smiled, all smooth charm, and Victor felt the impact of the man’s attraction. “I’m pleased.” His expression sobered and Victor once more saw the man behind the charm. “But what are you going to do about her?”
Victor thought about Violet and knew his need for her was still burning inside of him. He’d surrendered and taken Cabot but he still wanted Violet.
Victor let out a sigh. “I have no idea.”
Cabot put a hand on his bare shoulder. “You want her.”
Victor nodded.
“And you want me?” Cabot asked.
Victor met his blue eyes so like Violet’s. “Yes.”
Cabot grinned now. “Then you shall have us both.”
Amazingly, Victor felt a laugh bubble up inside him. “How?”
“You’re not the only one who wants two here, Victor.”
Victor’s mouth dropped open. “She wants you, too?”
“Of course.”
Victor did laugh then. And he felt lighter than he ever had before.
* * * *
Violet walked about the frozen grounds of Hawksfell Manor, her nerves in a tangle. Last night had been astonishing on several levels. When the Hawks all spoke of the coming holiday with such warm anticipation, she’d so wanted to fit in and celebrate with them. The long year caring for Victor’s mother hadn’t left time or energy for celebrating and Victor’s prickly demeanor made any notion of bringing up the subject to him ridiculous. She’d seen the longing in his eyes, however. It nearly broke her heart that he kept himself as removed from these people as much as he always had from her.
Victor's Vow [Lords of Hawksfell Manor 6] (Siren Publishing Menage Amour) Page 4
