Tea with Austen (Romance Café Collection #38)

Chapter 9

CHAPTER 9

Kenneth

As I floated back to earth after the best orgasm I’d ever enjoyed, my heart squeezed. As much as I’d appreciated Dennis, George, and any other man whom I’d ordered to pleasure me over the years, Walter was…different. The color of his skin, obviously, although that meant nothing to me. No, he showed a defiance toward me, rather than a deference.

Tonight, when he acquiesced to my wishes, I’d known my life would never be the same. Desire continued to pump through me as my breathing and heart slowed. That had been, without question, the best climax of my life.

Walter crawled up my body, and without asking permission, stuck his tongue into my mouth.

I perceived a salty substance and, to my shock, realized that was my seed. I’d never tasted myself before. But I had taken Walter’s spend, and the taste was…similar. And yet also different.

He grasped my curls and tugged me closer, deepening the kiss.

My first kiss. My cock, completely spent, attempted to rouse again. Wanting this man came as easily as breathing. Perhaps even more so, as desire I’d believed sated roared through me again. I pulled away from the sealing of our lips and gazed into his eyes. “I want you to fuck me.”

He blinked. Several times. “My Lord?”

“Kenneth.”

“My Lord,” he repeated. “That…”

“Is illegal.” I rolled my eyes. “So is the rest of what we do. But we do it behind closed doors. You’re my valet. You sleep in my closet. You are expected to be near me at all times. So… be near me. ” Hopefully he’d take my meaning. Although, to be fair, I’d been pretty blunt.

“I…don’t know if I can.”

I cocked an eyebrow. “You’ve never been with a man?”

He snorted as he rolled off of me and onto his back. “I’ve been with men, my Lord. Quite a few. But never…”

“A nobleman.”

Without looking at me, he nodded.

I positioned myself beside him, then guided his chin so his gaze met mine. “You said I was a good lord today.”

He snickered.

“Then reward me.”

“Well…” He winced. “Since it is your first time…” He cocked his head.

I nodded. Although I’d enjoyed men’s mouths on me, I’d never allowed them entrance. Nor had I ever taken that pleasure.

“Right. We require…something…”

Grinning, I pulled a small bottle of oil from under my pillow. “Is this what we require?”

He blinked, then a slow, lazy grin appeared on his beautiful face. “Yes, my Lord, that would be exactly what we require.”

I guided my hand down his chest, across his belly, and lower still. His cock strained as I stroked it. “This?”

He growled and eased my hand away. “Too soon. Now, on your knees.”

Obediently, I got on my knees and stuck my ass in the air. I knew enough about animals to understand this was how many species reproduced. Knowing that made me think of debauchery and just how much I would enjoy this. Something Robert, John, Lawrence, and all my other friends would never enjoy. Thinking of their wives—some quite attractive—left me cold. I never desired women.

Only strong men who could put me in my place. Well, I had not known that before I met Walter. I’d believed I needed to tell my servants what to do. Now I understood I was the one who wanted to be ordered about.

Slowly, he ran his hands up and down my back. His callused fingers made my skin tingle as he added more pressure.

“Does my Lord enjoy this?”

“More, Walter. I want your cock.”

He chuckled.

Then a cold liquid dribbled on my arse. I sucked in a breath.

Within moments, his fingers applied pressure as he worked inside me.

I gasped—at first with pain, but then with pleasure as he did wonderful things to me.

“This is going to hurt, my Lord.”

I didn’t bother to correct him. Instead, I prepared for the pain. “Just…” I stilled as he pressed against me. Then into me.

He’d been right—it did hurt. Almost unbearably. But I’d heard enough discussion to know this would feel good.

“You’re doing so well, my Lord. Taking my cock. So tight. Breathe.”

I did—not having realized I’d stopped. Slowly, I became accustomed to the pain. Slowly, ever so slowly, I felt something wonderful happening. As he moved inside me, pleasure began to sing through my body.

“That’s it, my Lord. Take me. Take all of me.” He thrust, causing me to rock forward.

I grunted.

He chuckled. “Liked that? ”

“Yes.” The word sounded light. Not like the tone I normally commanded with.

“It will only get better.”

And so it did. As he increased his thrusts, so my pleasure increased. A feeling of euphoria unlike anything that had come before engulfed me. All the words of the poets were on the tip of my tongue.

Walter worked his hand under me and seized my solid shaft. To my shock, he grasped me and tugged me in the rhythm he set. Frantic. Frenetic.

Overwhelming.

“Now, my Lord. Come now.”

I did. Flying high above the earth, like the birds I loved to watch as a child, I soared. Seed spurted from me, coating my knees, chest, and the sheets.

Walter continued thrusting until he held himself still.

Warmth from within me seeped into my bones as he flopped to my side and dragged me against him. He sheltered my body with his, even as he pressed kisses to my shoulder.

My mind raced with the vastness of what we’d just done.

And narrowed as I acknowledged my feelings. “I love you, Walter.”

He chuckled. “All men think that after making love.”

Struggling, I pushed against the bed.

He relented and eased back as I turned to face him. In the candlelight, his face was shadowed.

“I know how I feel, Walter.” I said his name with emphasis.

He cleared his throat. “I can’t…we can’t…”

I pushed myself up. “Why not? Do you not enjoy being with me?”

“Of course.”

“Well, you can remain my valet.” I regretted I couldn’t offer him more, such as a position in society, but this would be the next best thing. “We shall share our nights and grow old together?—”

“My Lord?—”

“Kenneth. ”

I held his gaze.

Slowly, he nodded. “Kenneth.” He cleared his throat again. “My darling Kenneth.”

I didn’t leap from the bed to dance in victory.

But it was a near thing.

And three days later, I sat in my father’s office, facing him.

“You wish to move out.”

“Yes, Father.”

“You wish to take a house of your own.”

“Yes, Father.”

“What brought this on? Have you met a woman? Your mother will be thrilled to find you are finally taking a wife?—”

“No wife, Father, sorry.” I wasn’t…but I could pretend.

“Then why?” He eyed me. “Is this because Robert Ferrars has moved into his own home? The man is a coxcomb, Kenneth. He is running up debts in town. I’ve heard?—”

“His mother will cover his debts.” Truthfully, Carrington had mentioned something to me the last time we’d seen each other without our friends.

“His mother should not have to cover his debts.” My father shifted in his chair. “The man has a substantial income.”

“But his mother still controls his money.”

“You believe you will do better?” My father’s brow furrowed.

I deserve this. “Yes, Father, I do. I have…come to see the error of my ways. I am not snobbish, foppish, or profligate. I shall be responsible with my fortune. I will live modestly.”

He arched an imperious eyebrow.

In the past, I would’ve cowered. But not today. Today I thought of the home I could acquire where Kenneth and I would be happy. “I intend to only keep a small household. I have need for nothing more. I shall remain close to Park Street—to you and Mama.”

“You will entertain?”

“I shall. But only close friends.”

“How will you meet a suitable wife? ”

I don’t intend to . “I shall still attend assemblies and balls.” Finally, I tilted my chin up. “James has a son.”

My father’s eyebrows shot up. “You are the heir.”

“And if I do not have a son, the family lineage is secure.”

“This is…” He flapped his hand. “Unorthodox.”

“And yet, it’s what I want. Perhaps I will find a wife, Father.”

He held my gaze. In that moment, I wondered if he knew. If he understood.

“I shall arrange for you to see my banker. You need to invest carefully.” He gestured to the house. “You have a good income, but preparing for the future is not a bad thing.”

“I will not spend my income every year, Father, I promise.” Because Walter won’t let you spend it on foolish things . Over the past three nights, I’d learned much about my beloved. That he’d had a master who arranged for him to be educated in the evenings—why he was so well-spoken. That another man had taught him about money. A female friend had shared her knowledge of the gentry and how households operated. Truly, he was better off as a household manager rather than a valet.

But if I kept him as my valet, then he would always be at hand to please me.

And for me to please him.

“Your mother will visit you frequently. And without warning.”

“I understand, Father. I promise to always be out of bed by midmorning.”

He laughed. “Ah, you know her well.” He rose.

I did the same.

He offered his hand.

I shook it.

“I’d hoped you would mature, my boy. With friends such as Robert, I wondered.”

“Yes, well…” I considered. “I need neither a barouche nor a cottage. I need a small staff, responsible friends, and family close at hand. ”

He smiled, and I was assured I had said the right thing.

A week later, Walter and I moved out.