Page 21 of A Rake’s Gamble

Theo picked up his fob watch and held it near one of the many candles lighting the room. “Technically it’s already Christmas Day.”

“Then let me give you your present.” Adam was oddly nervous, despite being in Theo’s bed every night this week, and he hoped the tremble in his voice sounded like keenness. Today’s wedding had changed everything. It was a commitment between the four of them to always love and protect each other, and it required a huge amount of trust from everyone involved. Was this how all the women he’d helped felt when they made the difficult decision to escape?

“Is it kissing?” Theo put down his watch and stepped closer, and suddenly Adam’s nerves disappeared. He stretched up on his toes to kiss Theo. The world made sense again as their lips touched, so he wrapped his arms around Theo, holding him tight, then walked towards the bed, pushing Theo backwards.

“I know the answer now.”

“To what?” Theo’s nose wrinkled up and Adam wanted to stroke his finger over the creases, but his hands were spread over Theo’s shoulder blades and he kept holding him close.

“I know why I can’t resist you.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m in love with you. From the moment I crashed into you on the Peerless Pond and you stared at me with shock and arousal, I’ve wanted you, craved you, and now I love you.” Words came easily to Adam, and now it was time to show Theo what he meant.

“Goodness.”

Adam shivered. “Do you love me back?” The vulnerability of the question sucked all the air from his lungs as he waited. Theo leaned closer, kissing him softly on the lips.

“I married someone for you. Never doubt my commitment and love for you.”

Fuck. When it was said like that, Adam’s chest swelled and there was only one thing to do. He shoved Theo onto the bed, rolling on top of him, kissing him with the same desperation they always had together, as if they belonged like this.

“I belong here with you.”

Theo’s moan was the only answer he needed, and he made quick work of wrapping his hand around Theo’s cock and stroking slowly.

“More.”

“Like this?” Adam brushed his lips over Theo’s ear, lightly biting his lobe, and drinking in the sounds of his lover. His love.

“No. Like this.” Theo rolled them both so he was on top, and then slipped down Adam’s body, using his lips to trail kisses over Adam’s skin until his mouth covered Adam’s cock. Adam’s eyes rolled back in his head and he threaded his hands through Theo’s hair. Theo’s skill soon had Adam right at the edge, faster than any of time they’d been together. It must be love because the attention Theo was giving him felt different. Special. More intense and simply wonderful. He clutched onto Theo’s head harder until he was about to come.

“Stop, please.” He didn’t want to come first. “Come up here to me.”

Theo obeyed—oh god, of course he did—sending another rush of heat through Adam’s body. It used to be a thrill that an Earl, his better in society, would submit, but now none of that mattered and it was only because it was his Theo that it sent Adam’s heart into conniptions. He wrapped his hands around both of their cocks, all the while kissing Theo’s mouth, tasting a little bit of himself there, but mostly Theo’s own perfect taste. His forever. His love.

“Theo, my God.”

“It’s only my Lord, Adam.” The little glint in Theo’s eyes and the way he said Adam’s name was the final blush of heat that sent him spiralling into heaven. He came hard—before Theo—and was barely aware of Theo following him but simultaneously gratified that he was close beside him.

“Forever, Theo. Forever.” And with that, Adam cuddled against Theo and closed his eyes. Theo kissed him on the forehead.

“My beautiful Adam, always here for the cuddles afterwards.”

“Always.” He pulled Theo’s head down onto his shoulder and nuzzled against his neck. He could do this every night for the rest of his life. Theo belonged here on him, with him, against him. They fit together perfectly.

Epilogue

Two years later, Adam stepped back onto English soil with Theo beside him. Emily and Carlynne followed them, heads together as they whispered. The trip to New South Wales had been a resounding success, and Adam was more in love with Theo than he’d ever been. The colony had been perfect for him; he’d taken his wartime experiences and skills and used them to do all the things that Adam’s charm couldn’t achieve. They really were the perfect partnership.

“Edenwick.” Theo stepped forward and bowed to the Duke who nodded back.

“How were the antipodes?”

“Fantastic. You should visit?”

The Duke of Edenwick shook his head. “No. I couldn’t be separated from ... my farm for that long.”