5. Chapter 5
Milo
Milo woke up gradually. Heat radiating against his back was his first impression, followed by a soft mattress and an arm thrown over his waist. Whazzit?
Oh. Right. The inn.
As awareness filtered back in, his mind chose to remind him of everything that had gone on last night.
Rowan had not been kidding when he’d said he’d fuck Milo until he couldn’t walk.
And gods, how amazing, having his fat cock just fucking in and out of him.
For hours. The man’s stamina should come with warning signs.
Note that Milo was not complaining. Even if his ass was sore and he felt chafed in places. There were potions for that.
Rowan was a sexy, sexy beast who, again, had proven to be a considerate lover. He’d been gentle and thorough while cleaning them up after and then had tucked Milo into bed. Milo tried to think of the last time he’d been this cared for and came up blank. Since Great-Aunt Anabelle died, maybe?
Honestly, Milo was used to seizing the moment with people because those moments tended to be short lived. His relationships generally lasted days, sometimes weeks, and no longer. His time with Andrew had been the exception.
But Rowan? The idea of having Rowan for such a short time broke his heart.
No way did he want that. He’d never dated a man so thoughtful and sweet before.
Rowan gave so much to Milo without even asking for anything in return, as if being able to give to Milo was a pleasure all by itself.
His actions floored Milo, they really did, because he didn’t know what it was about himself that had charmed Rowan into agreeing to date.
Milo dearly wished he could pinpoint it because he would absolutely capitalize on whatever it was.
When Rowan had given him the cloak, hat, and gloves, Milo had almost burst out crying. Andrew hadn’t gotten him a single present except a bouquet of roses here and there when he’d massively screwed up. Never had he looked out for Milo’s welfare without expecting something in return.
But Rowan observed, put the pieces together, and silently moved so Milo was cared for and comfortable. He gave without expecting some kind of reward in return, simply satisfied with Milo’s reaction.
Some cruel part of Milo’s insecurities whispered Rowan was mostly with him for the sex, but Milo tried not to believe that. Rowan did seem to enjoy talking with him. And look, cuddles! He wouldn’t cuddle Milo if he didn’t really like him, right? Right. Milo was going with this theory.
And to think, multiple people had broken up with Rowan. Were they insane? Seriously, Milo asked with all due seriousness: Were those people insane? Because how could you have Rowan and not want to keep him?
Milo sure as hell wouldn’t let him go. You could chop both hands off and he still wouldn’t let go. He liked this man far, far too much.
Rowan stirred behind him, making I’m-waking-up noises, one thigh pushing closer to the backs of Milo’s legs.
“Morning,” Milo greeted softly.
“Mm, morning.” Rowan leaned in to drop a kiss against the side of his neck. “Feeling all right?”
“I’m a little sore in spots but otherwise splendid. In other words, feel free to fuck me just as hard later tonight.”
A jerk of the chest under a silent laugh. “Noted. Let’s wash and get on the road.”
It was, sadly, the responsible thing. Milo would rather stay in bed all day, but needs must, as an important task awaited him in Gravegarde.
He did see why Rowan liked this inn, though. It was quaint, probably a family house at some point in its life, but now it had comfortable rooms for guests and a wonderful cook. Dinner last night had been amazing, the best pot roast he’d ever eaten.
This morning proved to be more of the same treatment—a hearty breakfast of poached eggs, biscuits, and a farmhouse hash with potatoes, onions, and bacon, all accompanied by excellent barley tea. Milo ate everything, made sad eyes to get another serving, then finished off Rowan’s plate to boot.
Ahh, nothing more satisfying than a full belly. Milo patted his, feeling pleased.
“I’m curious.” Rowan sipped his tea while his eyes did a visual sweep. “Where does all of the food go?”
“I’m hollow,” Milo said brightly. “Wait, why are you just agreeing with me? I’m clearly kidding!”
Rowan, who’d been nodding along, shrugged and said, “No, hollow body makes perfect sense.”
“It does not. I just burn through food fast. People do that, y’know.”
“Uh-huh.”
“That was not agreement. Don’t think I didn’t catch that.”
They continued this light banter as they carted their many bags out of the inn, threw said bags back into the cart, got saddled up, and hit the road once more.
Milo simply loved their banter. He loved being able to tease and get teased back.
He loved the almost-smile Rowan shot him from time to time, a twitch of lips beneath his beard.
This man was so incredibly good. And kind.
If Milo wasn’t careful, he’d fall for him completely. Frankly, he could feel himself diving headfirst already.
Milo had always been the type to fall quickly into love.
His great-aunt used to despair of him. But he’d also been the type to swiftly realize when he was with a bad partner and had gotten himself out of it.
Hence most of his boyfriends not lasting more than three dates.
Andrew would make passive aggressive comments, then “apologize” for them, so Milo had stayed.
But toward the end of their relationship, when Andrew had been the most verbally cruel, Milo’s great-aunt’s health had been on the decline, and Milo had desperately wanted something permanent, someone by his side.
Even he wasn’t sure now why he’d stuck it out when his gut had told him to leave.
Learning of Andrew’s infidelity had been the wake-up call he’d needed, though, to tell him this man was no good and staying was a shit decision.
Dating Rowan was literally a night and day difference.
Which meant if he wanted to keep this man, he had to find a way to be permanently stationed in Gravegarde.
It was the only way. Not that he thought it would be hard, considering how much trouble they’d had keeping a mage to begin with.
If he petitioned the Magic Council for a permanent duty station in Gravegarde, they’d sign off on it immediately.
It was a headache solved for them, after all.
Fortunately, with this wide empty road stretching ahead of him and few travelers at this early hour, he had all the time in the world to talk this over. “Hey, Rowan? I know your family runs the duchy, but do you have a specific role?”
“Captain of the guard.”
“Whoa, really? Actually, I can see how you’d be good at the position.”
From atop Stan’s saddle, Rowan looked at him askance. “You haven’t seen me fight.”
Honestly, Milo didn’t need to. His man oozed lethal grace.
Like a large predator cat on the prowl. Riding along on a warhorse, greatsword strapped to his waist, he was clearly combat ready and looked incredibly impressive to boot.
“I’m not talking about just fighting prowess.
You’re observant. You see problems and present solutions without talking them to death first. I bet you’re really good at keeping the soldiers under you in line.
At moving fast when the situation calls for it. ”
“Well, yes,” Rowan admitted. Was he blushing? “Part of why I assumed the duty. My father felt I’d be a good fit and asked. I agreed to take on the role.”
“Makes sense, makes sense. So, uh, I have to ask, is there, like, a permanent position for a mage?”
“There is. If we can convince someone to stay.” Rowan almost smiled again, a slight uplift at the corners. “Planning ahead, are we?”
“Uh, yeah. Duh.”
There was his warm look again, the one that sent shivers through Milo’s heart, like the man had a finger directly on his heartstrings. “No one will stop you if you want to stay.”
“Good! ’Cause I’m not planning on returning to the capital. Not unless something goes super wrong.”
“Do you have a house or anything to take care of?”
“Down in Goldguard, you mean? Eh, not really. I shared a house with Ray. After I broke up with Andrew, I didn’t have a place I could go.
Not in a hurry, anyway. Ray offered me a room, and I took it.
It was so easy to live with him, I just never moved out.
Ray encouraged this because he liked having a roommate.
So I do have things I’ve left behind, and I’d like to eventually have them, but I’m in no rush to go back and get everything.
The only real concern I have is Ethel, but she’s in a good place for the elderly and has lots of grandchildren nearby who visit her, so I think she’ll be all right.
I can always talk to her through mirror, but I want to visit her occasionally, y’know? Make sure things stay fine.”
If he was still in Gravegarde by fall, he’d consider a trip down to get everything then. Milo sincerely hoped he still wanted to live there by the end of the year, that he and Rowan would survive this initial honeymoon phase.
Rowan accepted his words with a nod. “As a warning, my siblings will likely tease you.”
“Because I’m dating you?”
“Yes.”
“I mean, I don’t have siblings, but from what I’ve seen, isn’t teasing normal?”
Rowan let out this put-upon groan, and for a moment, he didn’t look his age, but like a youth vexed by siblings. “They take it to extremes, though.”
“I promise I can handle teasing. I’ll dish out my own, for that matter.”
Rowan nodded, expression serious. “Good. Do it. They won’t back down otherwise.”
Personally, having people to tease and laugh with sounded delightful. Milo prayed Rowan’s family liked him enough to tolerate his quirks, at least. But if they had Rowan’s patience and sense of humor, Milo might be all right.