Adam had seemed reasonably out of sorts since their encounter with Klaus, so Bran had left him to the business of reporting their incident and Klaus’s whereabouts to the local constable. Luckily, the magistrate was on hand attending to a recent arrest, which meant men would probably be mobilized quickly. Bran didn’t feel sorry for Klaus or his men at all, though he did worry about how embarrassed and ashamed Adam had been regarding his family. It made sense, yet Bran wished he could put his lover’s mind at ease for good.
Bran halted as he came in sight of the mill, and he hid behind a tree so he wouldn’t be observed. There was a man dressed all in black standing with three other men, and Bran could only hope it was Garrick. It was possible he’d had enough time to get away, but perhaps he’d been lulled into lowering his guard or was biding his time to avoid arousing suspicion. Bran drew his knife and palmed it in his hand as he made his way off the road and down the hill. When he was close enough to draw attention, two of the men looked at him, causing the man in black to turn.
It was Garrick.
“I’m a soldier in the service of Vane Godwin,” Bran said quickly to the other men. “I’ve been charged with escorting this man back to his home after his release from prison.”
The three men crowded around Garrick, one of them grabbing him by the arm while another reached for a pitch fork leaning on the wall of a nearby building.
“I’m a free man. Godwin didn’t send you after me. You’re here because of my little brother,” Garrick said.
“You were released into his care on the condition he get you out of the city and the region. You chose to assault a guard and escape.”
Garrick held up both hands. “All right. No need for any trouble. I’ll come quietly.”
Bran braced himself, knowing Garrick was lying.
But the man holding Garrick’s arm didn’t let go of him.
Garrick turned his head and scowled at the man. “I’m unarmed. I said I’d go with him.”
The man shook his head. “I didn’t trust you from first glance. We’ll help him get you back to town. The magistrate is staying the rest of the week. He’ll deal with you.”
“But I haven’t done anything!” Garrick said, starting to struggle.
“Then he’ll let you go, won’t he?” the man said.
Garrick began to struggle more, and he managed to get loose. He threw a punch, which made the first man fall back. Bran circled him, his knife at the ready. Garrick’s head whipped back and forth as he tried to keep an eye on all four men. He plowed toward Bran, who dodged out of the way and tripped him, not wanting to stab him for Adam’s sake. Garrick rolled over and smirked up at him, as if he knew he’d just been spared because of Adam. But before he could rise, two of the men pinned him to the ground, and the third went inside a building and soon came back with rope.
“Thank you,” Bran said, sheathing his knife again and wiping at his brow.
“You’re welcome,” the first man said. He extended his hand. “I’m Harry.”
Bran shook his hand. “I’m Bran.”
“What troop are you with? I left service recently.”
“I’m with Traylowe’s men. We’re stationed in Castile. At least as of a few days ago when I set out after this bastard.”
“Knocked my little brother up yet?” Garrick spat. “Can’t believe you’d let him lead you off like this without him giving you a little—”
Bran smacked Garrick across the face. “The way you all treat Adam is appalling.” He shifted positions. “And Klaus sold you out for nothing practically. Just so you know.”
The man’s jaw clenched, as if perhaps he had expected Klaus to show some loyalty. His tone rang false as he said, “Oh, I’m not surprised. He wanted me to pay for his silence.” Garrick fumed a few moments before he rolled his eyes, but then he narrowed them at Bran. “You think you’re so great. I know I’m right. You’re helping Adam in exchange—”
Garrick had the good sense to shut up when Bran raised his hand again. “I almost wish I could take you back to Viktor. Hold you down for him.” He looked at Harry and the other men. “Watch him. He’s a bear shifter.”
Garrick turned slightly and showed his hands bound behind his back. “Shifting isn’t magic. I’d hurt my arms if I tried to shift like this.”
“I choose not to believe that,” Bran said.
Garrick scowled just enough to assure Bran that he’d been trying to trick them. Turning back to Harry, he asked, “Who were you with?”
“Lornus was my commanding officer. Until he retired. I took that as a time for change. Come back home.”
“I can understand.” He paused. “Been considering a change myself, but…” He let that thought trail off, looking to the spot on the road he’d come from. “I let some men know I was coming here, and I sent a lad after this one’s brother. He should be along soon and—” The sound of hoof beats from a different direction cut him off.
They all turned and saw lots of men riding up, Adam among them. One man, who sported a black eye, pointed to Garrick. “That’s him. Check his bag.”
Adam dismounted and came over to Bran. “You all right?”
“Yes. No trouble at all, thanks to these men.” He watched as two men searched Garrick’s bag, one of them drawing out what seemed to be jewelry.
“Garrick robbed the pawnbroker. Knocked him out and locked him up. But of course he didn’t know the man’s son was due to arrive just minutes later.”
Bran took a deep breath and let it out slowly as he watched Garrick struggle in vain as more men gathered around him and more jewelry, some silver cups, and a gold plate were drawn from his bag. “Guess we aren’t going to be able to take him back to your mother then.”
“Nope. But that’s his fault.”
“Certainly is.” Bran watched Garrick being thrown over a horse, two armed men flanking him. “Why didn’t he run right after robbing the guy? I’m glad he didn’t, but I don’t get it.”
“Probably tired of walking. Easier to rob someone in a shop than to steal a horse.” In a lower voice, he said, “And I’d bet he wasn’t in a hurry because he thought that, if we did see Klaus, Klaus wouldn’t let on to me that he’d seen him. He’s always admired Klaus, but the feeling isn’t mutual.”
“Nothing like you and Viktor?”
Adam actually snorted and then chuckled at that. “Not even close.”
“He did seem put out when I said something about Klaus selling him out easily.”
Adam cocked one eyebrow. “You mentioned that?”
“Yeah. That all right?” He hoped he hadn’t overstepped in some way.
A little too quickly, Adam said, “Sure.” He looked over at his brother. “Probably hurt his feelings a bit, though.” He paused again before adding, “Honestly, I think he’d join Klaus if only Klaus was nicer to him.” Adam sighed, looking pensive a moment. He shook himself and said, “What next?”
Bran looked around as the men began to head back. “I guess we should stick around to tell them about his past charges.” He cleared his throat. “Sorry if I shouldn’t have said anything. I was pissed about some things Garrick said. About you.”
“About me?”
“Rather … rude things.”
Adam huffed his breath out and shrugged. “It’s fine. Don’t worry about it.”
Choosing not to argue, he said, “All right.”
Adam crossed his arms, watching the other men. “Giving our report won’t take long, I don’t think. Then we can head back to Castile.”
Bran looked down at him, happy but not wanting to jump to a false conclusion. “We? You’re coming back with me?”
“Of course.” He looked up into Bran’s eyes, a spark of mischief there. “Pretty sure you promised to stick around until I got tired of you.”
“Hmmm. Sounds about right.”
Adam watched as his brother was taken away. “I’ll write to Mom before we set off. Seems like a disappointing end to this story.”
/> “Disappointing? This story wasn’t about Garrick. Not to me.” He grinned as he took Adam’s arm and moved toward Beast. “But if you’re worried about life getting boring, we could go after Klaus. I’d like to get a few more punches in, honestly. I didn’t like the way those men looked at you.”
“Get used to it. I’m still young, so I’m going to be this good looking for a long time.” Adam swung up onto Beast.
Bran laughed as he got up behind him, pressing as close against him as he could. “Get used to it? Seems far more logical to just make it very obvious who you belong to.”
“Hmmm,” was the only reply Bran got.
The ride back took far longer than Bran would’ve liked, as did all the legalities with the authorities. The magistrate had headed off with the constable after Klaus already, but his deputies had dozens of questions. By the time they got themselves into a room at the small inn, Bran ached with the need to touch Adam.
“I need to prepare you real good, but I’m not sure I have the patience right now,” Bran said as he pressed against Adam’s back and bent to kiss his neck.
“Then just bend me over something and fuck me,” Adam said, turning in his arms and pulling him down into a heated kiss.
The kiss continued as they stripped each other naked, stumbling around and knocking into furniture, laughing as they both tried to touch each other as much as they could. When Bran noticed a bottle of oil on the dresser, he made a grab for it and did exactly as Adam had asked. He bent him over the bed and got down on his knees. Bran spread Adam’s cheeks and rimmed him greedily, loving the excited cries Adam gave. By the time he started with the oil, Adam was moaning loudly.
“They’re gonna kick us out for indecency,” Bran said as he slid two fingers into Adam.
“Let them try.” Adam tightened around Bran’s fingers. “Inside me. Please.”
Bran slid his fingers in and out slowly. “I am,” he said with a soft, teasing laugh.
Adam groaned. “You know … what I mean.”
Bran withdrew and slapped both ass cheeks. “Just you wait,” he whispered as he slicked his cock and got into position. He slid in slowly, but feeling Adam tighten and tremble destroyed his patience. He pushed deep and gave Adam his entire length.
“Oh yes. Yes, please,” Adam said as he gripped the blanket beneath his body.
Bran moved slowly, throwing his head back and trying to steady his breathing. He feared he’d come too soon—that was just how perfect Adam felt wrapped around him.
* * * *
Adam moaned. “More, please,” he whispered as Bran took him far too slowly.
Bran slapped his ass again. “You’ll take my cock the way I give it to you.”
Adam dug his fingers into the blanket. “Now who’s the scoundrel?”
“That’s … still you,” Bran said, panting as he slowed his pace even more.
Adam moaned again, wanting to say more but unable to as that long, thick cock spread him wide and made him tremble. And when Bran withdrew, Adam nearly slid to the floor. He scrambled to find his footing, only to be lifted off his feet as Bran flipped him to his back and pushed his knees to his shoulders.
Bran filled him again and said, “Needed to see your face.”
Adam reached up and wrapped his arms and legs around the big, strong soldier, tilting his head for a kiss as the man fucked him slowly. “More, please,” he whispered against Bran’s lips.
“Come for me. If I go faster, I’ll lose it.”
“I don’t care. I’ll get you hard again.”
Bran pushed him into the mattress, capturing his mouth in a rough kiss as he quickened his pace. Adam sighed and dug his nails into Bran’s back as the man nearly fucked him through the bed. He was actually pretty sure he heard some boards start to give just before he pulled from the kiss to cry out his orgasm.
Bran held deep and pounded into him as he came. The sensation of being full of cock as he came was unlike any other pleasure he’d ever experienced. It hurt, yet felt so good at the same time. Feeling his body convulse around Bran’s hard length took his breath away. And then he felt Bran spilling into him. The man captured his mouth once more as he came, his entire body shaking.
Bran withdrew and kissed down his body, licking the cum off him. Soon, Adam was hard again, and he pushed Bran down onto the bed and held his cock before his mouth. Bran sucked him, and then Adam slicked his cock with oil and pressed his fingers to Bran’s hole, opening him up. He took Bran hard and fast this time, holding the man by his wrists and pounding him into the mattress as their eyes locked. Bran tried to kiss him, but Adam denied him, until the moment they both came. Then and only then did he let their lips meet, and the sensation went all the way to his heart.
They lay tangled in each other’s arms afterwards, Bran running one finger up and down Adam’s spine.
“Will you stay with me? If I go back to my troop?”
Adam moved to his side to look at Bran. “If you want me, yes. I will.”
“But what would you do if you hadn’t met me?”
Adam couldn’t help frowning, as he felt he’d just made it clear he was committing to Bran. “I did meet you, though. Nothing else matters.”
Bran ran one hand up and down Adam’s arm. “Would you go home?”
“Probably, but it’s past time I set out to make my own life.”
“Which should include more than just following—”
Adam stopped Bran with a kiss. When it ended, he said, “More than following the man I’m crazy about? Don’t backtrack on me now.”
Bran laughed. “I wasn’t. I’m just trying to be sure.”
Adam let that comment hang there a moment before he asked, “Something wrong?”
“No. But … I thought I was in love before. I wouldn’t stop being a soldier for him, so he left. It hurt, but it made me see I wanted to be in love more than I actually wanted him.”
“I want to be with you. That enough for now?”
“Of course.” Bran sighed and smiled. “Sorry to get so serious.”
Adam shook his head slowly. “No. Don’t be. I like it.”
“You do?”
Adam nodded and snuggled closer. “Yeah. I’m serious about you. I’ve never let a man fuck me before.”
Now Bran smiled. “You seemed to enjoy it.”
“Enjoy it?” He climbed on top of Bran and straddled him. “I’ve never felt anything like it. I want you to fill me every damn night from now on.”
“I think we could arrange that.”
Their lips met, and the discussion ended in another bout of slow lovemaking. But later as Adam lay against Bran listening to his steady breathing and the gentle rhythm of his heart beating, he whispered, “I love you.” He tightened his grip on his soldier and closed his eyes, sleep taking him into sweet dreams.
Chapter Five
Bran woke with a clear memory of Adam’s whispered words, and he rolled a little to squeeze the younger man close. He kissed Adam’s forehead, causing him to stir a bit. After a lot of blinking and a little stretching and wiggling, Adam looked up into Bran’s eyes.
“Morning,” Bran said.
“Morning,” Adam said. He yawned and rubbed one eye before pushing himself into a sitting position.
Bran simply watched him, wondering if something would be different today. Even if he thought he hadn’t been heard, making that declaration had been a big step for Adam. A smile touched Bran’s lips as he watched Adam get out of bed and stretch some more.
Their eyes met when Adam turned around, and he paused with his arms stretched over his head. After a few seconds, he let them drop to his sides. “What?” Adam asked, reaching one hand around to rub the small of his back.
“You’re beautiful.”
Adam laughed and then winked. “Oh, I know I am. How else do you think I wrapped such a fine specimen as yourself right around my little finger?” He wiggled said finger and then turned away with a smug smile.
There he is.
That bold, cocky man I met on the road that first day. Bran licked his lips as he sat up in bed and watched Adam pull his trousers on. “You sleep well?”
“Great. I was well and truly worn out.” Another flashy smile came Bran’s way.
“You talk in your sleep, you know.”
The smile faded a bit, but after a few seconds Adam resumed getting dressed. “I’ve been told that.”
Bran didn’t elaborate, wondering if Adam would ask about what he’d said. When he didn’t, Bran stood up and went down to the water closet. He took his time, washing up and running his fingers through his hair, which had gotten pretty tangled as he and Adam made love repeatedly.
Do I love him? I could, I think. But do I? How many days has it even been? Barely a week? He found himself wondering if that part mattered. If he could instantly dislike someone like Garrick and trust that instinct, why couldn’t something like love be trusted in the same way? Love involved more work, but it also included far more rewards.
Opening the door to the hallway, he checked around, realizing he’d been so caught up in making Adam sweat a bit that he’d simply strolled down the hallway naked. When he went back to their room, he found Adam reclining in a chair, one hand rubbing his chin as he stared out the window. He looked far away until Bran closed the door. Adam blinked and looked him up and down. “Have you scandalized the place?” he asked jokingly.
“It’s deserted out there.”
“Everyone else’s loss,” Adam said as he reached for his boots and slid them on.
Bran began to get dressed, and after a while, he asked, “Should we find out what’s going on with your brother before we leave?”
Adam sat back in his chair. “Things should move pretty quickly with such clear evidence, given his record. Plus, I’d bet they’ll want to get him somewhere more secure quickly since he escaped last time.”
“Hmmm.”
Adam tilted his head. “What?”
“Perhaps they’d like a little extra muscle along.”
One eyebrow raised, Adam asked, “We’re extra muscle?”
TheSoldiersScoundrel Page 6
