Devon Morgan [Seven Brothers for McBride 5] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic ManLove) (15 page)

Out the corner of his eye, McBride saw Caleb stop in his doorway. He seemed to be tracking McBride’s progress across the street. As McBride came upon the stocks, he slowed down and reached out, stroking his hand over the top part of the device. The wood was perfectly smooth by decades of blowing grit. Tossing a man in there wouldn’t be too terribly cruel. At least his neck and wrists wouldn’t get filled with splinters. Just as he went past the stocks, he looked up, caught Caleb’s gaze for a bare second, then looked away. Without looking back, McBride continued on to Devon’s house. Once he reached the porch, he peered in the living room window. The couch and chair were empty. From his vantage point, everything looked tidy. He imagined if they were slowly dying of some dread disease, the house would reflect it. But maybe not.

Without looking around, McBride knew Caleb was watching him. The urge to go and try to convince him they belonged together was strong, but he resisted. Caleb had made his choice, and McBride was going to respect it even if he thought it was the worst decision he’d ever made. It was at that precise moment McBride remembered something he’d heard but never understood until now. It was a saying about setting what he loved free and if it loved him back, it would return to him. He’d thought that was ridiculous when he heard it but not now. To his absolute shock, McBride realized he loved Caleb enough to let him go.

Devon woke with Karsten in his arms. There was a part of Devon that kept waking him during the night to assure himself Karsten was there and not just a dream. Each time he discovered Karsten was real and they were still twined together, he kissed his head and went back to sleep, smiling.

“Good morning.”

“Good morning.” Karsten stretched then blinked his bright blue eyes. “Care to scallywag me, Captain?”

“How about I shiver your timbers?”

“I don’t know what that is, but I’m all yours.”

The rising sun lit up the blue curtains, enhancing Karsten’s already-stunning eyes. He didn’t want to be someone else when, for the first time he ever remembered, Devon was thrilled to be himself. Devon tossed the game playing out the window. He retrieved the bottle of greasers and slipped one inside Karsten. Concerned that he might be tender from what they’d done last night, he watched Karsten’s face as he eased the pellet inside. Karsten sighed and his eyelids fluttered, indicating he wasn’t in pain at all.

Kissing his way from Karsten’s ear to his nose and then to his mouth, Devon then worked his way down Karsten’s body. By the time he reached his cock, Karsten was hard. Placing soft, openmouthed kisses along his shaft caused Karsten to moan and sigh. Flicking his tongue under where the shaft met the head made him arch up, straining to get more of his cock into Devon’s mouth. As much as he wanted to taste him, he had other ideas this morning.

Easing his legs apart, Devon centered himself over his mate, balancing his weight on his arms. He kissed his way to Karsten’s ear. “Do you have any idea how beautiful you look in this light?”

“I do now.” Karsten grinned and gripped Devon’s shoulders.

“You really are amazing.”

“I feel the same way about you.”

Keeping their eye contact, Devon slipped his cock inside Karsten’s ass. He wanted to make sure he wasn’t in any pain, but also, he loved the way Karsten’s lips parted and he sighed blissfully when Devon filled him. There was a moment of resistance, where Karsten’s body was tight and almost fighting him, but then he relaxed and welcomed Devon within. It was a stunning moment when that switch occurred. The first time, when Karsten had been on top, Devon had witnessed the event and marveled at the sudden change. Now, each time they had sex, he wanted to watch his features and enjoy that particular moment. Devon had a feeling that no matter how many times he saw it, he would always find it enchanting.

“Does my face change when I enter you?” Devon realized that Karsten had not been privy to his inner thoughts and the question probably wouldn’t make sense to him.

“Oh, yes.” Karsten left off Devon’s shoulder and cupped his face. “There’s this look of determination in your eyes, like you have to be inside me as soon as possible, and then when you succeed, you look stunned. Just for a moment, but the look is so clear.”

“Stunned?”

“Like you didn’t think you’d make it or maybe I would stop you.” Karsten lifted his head to kiss Devon softly. “I wouldn’t stop you, you know. I was nervous at first, but now…it’s so good I want more and more.”

“Music to my ears.” Devon pressed his forehead to Karsten’s. “I’m glad I found you.”

“I am, too.”

Devon held to his leisurely pace until the drive to climax became unbearable. Working their bodies together, they tried to reach release together, but Karsten went off first, propelling Devon to follow him over the edge. After such a long buildup, the finale was powerful.

“I want to wake up like this every day.”

Karsten nodded and they yawned. “Sorry.”

“Don’t be.”

After making a lazy kind of love to Karsten, Devon rolled so they were both on their sides, and then they dozed. The only reason they got up at all was they were sticky and hungry. Rather than take another bath, which would get out of hand very quickly, they showered together, with the ducks, then entered the kitchen. After a bit of debate, they settled on a meal, ate, and then went right back to the secret bedroom.

“Are you sure you’re not sore?” Devon had loved the snug heat of his mate, but he didn’t want to hurt him.

“A bit.”

“Then we’ll have to find something else to do.”

“You could tell me a story.”

Devon’s heart practically swelled. He was up off the bed and retrieving a book from his closet so fast he practically dried his shower-damp hair. “This is one of my favorites.”

From late morning to midafternoon, Devon read while Karsten listened. He was active in doing so by making faces that conveyed his reactions. He booed at the villain and cheered on the hero. All in all it was even better than what Devon imagined it would be. When he reached the end, Karsten uttered a long, content sigh.

“Did you like it?”

“Absolutely!” Karsten snuggled against Devon’s chest. “The hero got the guy and the villain got his comeuppance.”

“That’s always the best.”

“Not all books end like that?”

“Not always. Sometimes the hero fails, but he still learns something. And sometimes the villain gets away.” Devon closed the book and set it aside. “Which reminds me.” He got up after a bit of fussing by Karsten, who wanted him to stay right where he was, and retrieved the pirate book. “Okay, scallywag isn’t in here.”

“It’s not?”

“Nope.” Devon frowned as he tried to remember which book that word was in and what it meant. He’d always wanted to get a dictionary, but they were hard to find. The two he had gotten a hold of were hopelessly out of date but fascinating nonetheless. There were literally millions of words that were no longer used by anyone. “I wonder what ‘scallywag’ means?”

“Well, we can make it mean whatever we want. Or we can make up our own word.”

“Now you’re thinking.”

“We can call it ‘wagging.’ Or ‘I want to scally your wag.’ ‘Wag my scally’? No, the other way works better.” Karsten grinned. “Come back to bed, Captain, and scally my wag.”

“Aye.” Devon put the book away.

“Why do you hide them in there?”

“My brothers teased me.”

“So?”

Devon considered. “You’re right. If I like books, I should be proud.”

“I say we put them in the parlor where they belong.” Karsten got out of bed and joined Devon near the closet. “Wow. Maybe we should go see if there’s room!”

“Yeah, I have a lot.”

“We can build a shelf.”

“Or two.”

“And what’s all this?” Karsten stroked his hand over the tidy row of costumes and fabrics.

“Clothes for us to play dress up. And fabric to make new outfits.”

A knock at the front door startled Devon. He was beginning to feel like he and Karsten were all alone in the world and he wanted to keep it that way for a bit longer. “Stay here.”

“Why?”

“I just—I’ll deal with this.”

Devon grabbed his workpants and pulled them on, zipping them up as he moved toward the front of the house. McBride was standing near the big window. He looked so much better than he had yesterday.

When McBride saw him, he waved. “How are you feeling?” His voice carried through the glass. It was muffled, but still his words were clear.

Devon hesitated because he thought about saying he wasn’t feeling all that well just so he could have more time with Karsten, but that wasn’t a good idea when they were being quarantined. In the end, he told the truth. “We’re both fine.”

“Good.” McBride disappeared from view and then reappeared at the door. He unlocked it and then opened it. “I think you two can come out. From all that I’ve heard, only gentrymen are getting the blood madness.”

“That’s what Karsten said.” Devon considered McBride’s bright eyes and much more robust features. “Are you feeling better?”

“I am. Thank you for asking.” McBride smiled, but it didn’t come close to touching his eyes. Sadness seemed to change his features, making him look much older than he was. Or maybe he just hadn’t healed all the way from whatever ailed him yesterday. “Can I meet your thrall?”

“Karsten?” Devon called, and for a split second he feared that McBride was going to take him away. It was crazy, especially since McBride would never be interested in a thrall when he had Jonas as his mate. Gentrymen selected others of their kind. Still, Devon was nervous that somehow getting what he most wanted ensured it would be taken away. It was at that precise moment Devon realized that he was no longer falling into love. He’d hit and was drenched. The very idea of Karsten being removed from his custody had him ready to fight to the death.

Karsten had been peeking around the corner, watching Devon and his master. McBride was a giant. Karsten had thought Devon’s brother Caleb was the biggest man he’d ever seen, but he hadn’t seen McBride then. What interested Karsten was that McBride didn’t seem mean. His face was open, his eyes kind, but there was a weary sadness to his features. Karsten couldn’t pinpoint what gave him that appearance, only that it was there.

When Devon called for him, Karsten entered with his head down but his gaze up. It was a submissive posture to show that he was no threat to anyone. He didn’t want McBride to think he was diseased or inferior and thus take him away from Devon. Karsten loved his whimsical, passionate mate, and he didn’t want to be cast out or given to another.

“It’s okay.” Devon offered out his hand.

Once he got close enough, Karsten accepted and clung to him. He was terrified that McBride would get one look at his neck and send him away. To delay that moment, Karsten kept his head down.

“Welcome to my farm, Karsten. I’m Dillion McBride, but everyone calls me McBride.” He leaned down a bit so that he could look Karsten more directly in the eye. “Well, it’s pretty clear what’s been going on here.”

Karsten instantly reached for his neck, trying to hide his shame.

Devon took a half step forward. “Please don’t take him away from me. I love him.”

A simultaneous burst of joy and sadness caused Karsten to tighten his grip on Devon’s hand. To hear Devon admit he loved him practically made his heart do flips, but the idea of the master taking him away filled him with dread.

“Take him away? No, no.” McBride laughed lightly. “I meant that it was pretty obvious you two spent your quarantine time falling in love.”

Karsten and Devon looked to one another and then nodded.

“I think that’s wonderful.” McBride sighed, and that pain was back in his eyes. “Do you want to do the ceremony?”

“No. I mean I don’t since we already did something last night. Do you?”

“I don’t need to if you don’t.” Karsten met his gaze. “I’m yours forever.”

Devon’s pleasure was visible. “Oh, unless you want to give him to me. I guess we left that part out.”

By law, only a gentryman could buy a thrall and give him to his slammer. Technically, since Karsten hadn’t been bought by McBride, he really couldn’t give him to Devon.

“I hereby officially give Karsten to you.” McBride nodded. “And I’d love to give you the rest of the day to enjoy your mating, but there’s so much that needs to be done.”

“Of course.” Devon grinned at Karsten. “We’ll get dressed then join the others in the field.”

McBride left them then, and Karsten practically threw himself into Devon’s arms.

“Happy?” Devon asked.

“More than!” Karsten kissed him quick and then more slowly when Devon carried him back to the bedroom. “So what will we wear?”

“Depends.” Devon settled Karsten’s feet on the floor and then flung open the closet. “What do we want to be today?”

“Oh, but all of these are too fine to wear while we work.” Karsten didn’t want to spoil Devon’s beautiful clothing. “We should save these for when we get home and play.”