Page 16 of Sacred Virtues
Ethan swallows and blinks, his expression like a death sentence has been lifted.
“It’ll be tight, but if we have help and work shifts, then yes, I think we can manage it. I know a couple of these buildings.There’ll be enough stone to make more cottages, almost a village if you want.”
“Well I’ll be damned,” Evan says, rubbing the back of his neck.
“We’ll all be damned if the king gets wind of this,” Theobald says grimly.
After a few more minutes of discussion, they leave, as they have a lot to arrange. I receive thanks from the Brookes brothers and from Brother Matthew, which makes my insides glow. I stand looking at the map.
“So, if I ride the rest of the boundary to check it, I might even be able to make a few more changes if it’ll help.”
Theobald grabs my shoulders and spins me to face him. He smiles at me like I’ve lit up his world, and I duck my head slightly at the intensity of his gaze. He reaches out and takes my chin, lifting my head so I have to look at him.
“Who are you? You’re sent to destroy us and yet you might just be our saviour.”
“I said I would help, you just needed to give me a chance,” I whisper. He looks at me with tenderness, and something else much deeper and truer, and I want him to look at me like that forever. Goosebumps form on my skin and I bite my bottom lip as time stands still. Very gently, he leans forward and kisses me. It’s exactly how I imagined. Soft and sensuous. I groan a little as he deepens it, and I want to melt into his arms.
A scuffle sounds in the hallway beyond the door, and Abel’s voice is loud enough for us to hear.
“Brother Kennard, you can’t just?—”
Theobald springs back, his eyes wide in panic and a curse on his lips. By his reaction, I understand it would be very bad if I were discovered in here by this monk. I dive under the desk, the only possible hiding place, and hope the heavy linen cloth covering it is enough to hide me.
“Ah, Brother Kennard. What can I help you with this time?” I hear the snap of the maps being rolled back up quickly. I guess Theobald doesn’t want him to know of the plan.
I don’t pay attention to what they talk about, as in the next moment Theobald sits at his desk, and his legs are just there, his lap within reach. I silently shuffle closer, wanting to touch him. I start off lifting his long tunic. His leg twitches as if to brush me off, but I ignore him as I’ve caught a glimpse of his cock. In his hurry this morning to leave, he’d forgotten to put on his drawers. I push up his tunic so I can fully see him. I block out any noise of their voices as I’m drawn by his delicious and beautiful cock, framed by hair that’s still dark, despite there being grey mixed into the ring of hair on his head. The temptation to have it in my mouth is too great, and I adjust my position to lean against his leg and wrap my lips around it. He jerks and I hear him cough, covering his reaction with some excuse. I smile to myself as I latch on, sucking gently. I wanted him to fill my arse, but having him in my mouth is just as good. He doesn’t get hard, and I lean my head contentedly against his thigh. After a while I feel his hand rest gently on my head, and his thumb idly strokes my hair as I drift into a blissful state.
CHAPTER 13
THEOBALD
Istruggle to listen to what Brother Kennard is saying. All I can feel is the wet warmth of Emmett’s mouth round my cock and the soft tickling of his breath on my thigh. It feels special and I can’t help reaching for him, needing to touch and stroke him.
“I’ll be leaving tomorrow.” Brother Kennard’s words cut through my enjoyment. I have no idea what he’s talking about and realise I might have needed to pay more attention.
“Tomorrow?” I enquire, hoping I don’t sound too stupid.
“I know it’s short notice, but it can’t be helped. The Bishop wants me there as soon as possible. I know it’s going to be hard to manage without me, but I’m sure you’ll find a way. After all, it won’t be for long, will it?”
I didn’t think I could dislike the man any more than I already do, but his derisory sneer at the end of his speech proves me wrong.
“Well, we will have to bear the loss as best we can,” I say, heavy with sarcasm. But of course Brother Kennard doesn’t notice.
“I do feel some guilt at leaving you in the lurch, but you must understand that I can’t pass up an opportunity like this under the circumstances.”
“Indeed,” I reply, having nothing more I want to say to him. But even though he is odious, it doesn’t mean I need to be the same. “Thank you for your service. I wish you well, and may God go with you.”
He bows his head low before taking his leave. I blow out a breath as soon as the door is shut but I don’t move for a minute, partly because I want to make sure he doesn’t reappear, but mostly as I want to enjoy Emmett suckling me for as long as possible. Eventually, though, I lift the cloth gathered in my lap and look at him. He looks so serene and happy for the brief second before he opens his eyes and blinks in the light.
“Hello, little dove,” I whisper, and he slowly pops off my dick, giving me a quizzical look.
“Dove?”
“The peace bringer,” I explain, and he breaks out into the widest smile I’ve ever seen.
“Does that mean you won’t send me away?” he asks. I hold out my hand to help him off the floor, and as he stands, I pull him onto my lap. I smooth his hair away from his face and wipe my thumb across his lips, all plump, glistening, and very inviting. In a minute I’m going to continue the kiss that was interrupted by Brother Kennard’s intrusion. But first I want to reassure him.
“No, I’m not going to push you away again. I have no idea what the next couple of weeks will bring, and I certainly can’t guarantee what will happen after that. But I can’t stand the thought of you not being here with me.”
