Brothers of the Wild North Sea (50 page)

What is it you want, my lord?

It was a fair question. Wes wished he knew its answer. From Vallant, he had no idea. Certainly he wouldn’t confess the answers that rose in his mind: it had been some time since his last congress, which had been rough and hurried. Also he was lonely, and Vallant was achingly pretty. But because he was enjoying pretending he was witty and clever, and seeing such reflected in another’s eyes, he pretended to misunderstand.

An orchid no man has yet discovered and the power of speech enough to describe it to my peers.

Vallant only gave him a withering—but reluctantly amused—glance and handed the notepad back. “From me, my lord,” he whispered.

Oh, devil take it. Wes wrote again.

Well, if I am wishing for the moon, I should long for a kiss, but rest assured I don’t expect one.

His nerves fluttered this time as he handed it back. He’d hoped Vallant would laugh, but he didn’t. Neither did he recoil, however.

As your reward?

Wes shook his head, not meeting Vallant’s gaze. He felt foolish now for his confession. Yes, what was he playing at with Vallant? Did he imagine he would charm the man? Did he think this would bring the man to his bed? Vallant had made it plain that money would. Still, even as he chided himself, part of him yearned for one more exchange, one more flirtation. Because no, he didn’t even want a kiss, much as he wouldn’t refuse one. He only wanted to extend this strange, beautiful moment—handwritten exchanges with a male whore beneath a bedsheet while his assailant snored beside them—as long as he possibly could.

Which, he decided, was a destination he had reached.

Motioning with his head, he slipped quietly out from beneath the sheet. Vallant glanced worriedly toward Sir Joshua, but the baronet slept on. Wes extended his hand and helped Vallant rise, and together they moved in silence across the room to the door. It creaked when opened, and Sir Joshua stirred enough to murmur incoherently and release more wind, but that was all. They passed safely into the adjoining room, and Wes closed the door without a sound.

Pocketing the notepad and pencil, Wes turned to Vallant with a smile he hoped appeared wry and not full of the ridiculous sad longing he felt. But his half smile slid away as he took in the strange look on Vallant’s face. He waited, but Vallant only continued looking at him carefully. At last, Wes could take it no longer.

“W-w-what—?” he began, though he stopped as Vallant lifted a hand and pressed two warm fingers against his lips.

“Hush,” he whispered. His eyes fell to his fingers at Wes’s lips, and when they rose again, they were enticingly soft and open. Now it was he who offered a half smile, though his was laced with quiet uncertainty. “No more stammerer nor whore—not just yet.”

Wes shook his head. “I c-c-can’t s-s-s-stop it.”

“I can,” Vallant replied, the words tickling Wes’s ear and leaving gooseflesh on his skin. Vallant leaned forward and pressed his lips to the place where his fingers had been.

Before you find your prince, you have to kiss your share of rakes.

My Regelence Rake

© 2012 J.L. Langley

Sci-Regency, Book 3

With his days occupied with duties as Captain of the Guard, and nights consumed with upholding his reputation as a rake, Lord Sebastian Hastings’s schedule is filled. There’s no extra time to be anyone’s bodyguard, but the royal family’s safety is a task he sees to personally.

Prince Colton Townsend has loved Sebastian for as long as he can remember, but he’s done pining for a man who has vowed never to remarry. So he consoles himself with the second love of his life—horses. Stable building and horse racing consume his every thought, at least until he’s stuck with Sebastian dogging his every step.

While looking over the prospects at an auction, Colton is trying to ignore his sexy, pesky bodyguard when he feels compelled to take on a bully to protect an abused horse. Sebastian is dragged into the fray, and their good deed sparks a string of nasty rumors.

There’s only one way to quell the political storm: marry. But instead of solving everything, Colton realizes his new husband is a bundle of secrets, none of which he’ll give up easily. Unless Colton makes one, last-ditch effort that could break his heart for good.

Warning: Contains an obnoxious filly, a love-struck prince, a meddling king, a matchmaking duke, vicious rumors and hunky ex Special Forces soldiers.

Enjoy the following excerpt for
My Regelence Rake:

Sebastian closed his eyes for a second and tried to calm his racing heart. Colton was almost at Wentworth Park. Anything could’ve happened to the young man this far out.

Standing on the flat section of land that bordered the wood on the left, Colton hammered a stake into the ground and tied a white piece of cloth around it. He glanced up, spotting Sebastian. Completely ignoring him and without even a flicker of hesitation, Colton mounted Apollo, who had been grazing nearby.

This was the second time within the hour Colton had dismissed him, and Sebastian was beginning to think the incident outside the breakfast room wasn’t a fluke. “Your Highness!”

As Sebastian drew to a halt, Colton turned toward him with a look of annoyance on his handsome face.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

“It’s nothing for you to be concerned about. I’m not leaving the grounds.” Colton heeled Apollo and began walking away. Something above his ear sparkled in the sunlight.

“Your safety is my—” Sebastian frowned. What was—? “Is that my earpiece?” He urged Max into stride next to Colton.

One of Colton’s ebony brows rose in a perfect imitation of his sire. “You don’t have to shout. I’m right beside you.”

The superior expression irked Sebastian even further. Not only was Colton planning high-risk ventures and disobeying direct orders when it came to his safety, but now he was stealing? Who the hell was this nearly hostile man, and what had he done with the charming, smiling kid who hung on Sebastian’s every word?

Taking a deep breath, Sebastian lowered his voice. “Answer my question.”

“I need it to speak with Jeffers. We’re taking measurements. Now what do you want, my lord?”

Sebastian gritted his teeth, leaned over in the saddle and grabbed Apollo’s bridle, making Colton pull back on the reins. “I’m out here because
you
disobeyed me.” Once Apollo halted, Sebastian stopped Max. “
Did
the front door guard or
did he not
tell you I said
no one
was allowed out without an escort? And why did you think it was acceptable to filch my earpiece from my office?”

Colton sighed and rolled his eyes upward. “He did, but since Jeffers can see me…” he pointed to the com-con, “…and hear me, it doesn’t signify. And I didn’t
steal
your earpiece. I couldn’t find my father’s or Cony’s, and I didn’t think you were going to use yours today because you’ve been at the castle for over an hour now without retrieving it.” Colton swatted at Sebastian’s hand, making him release the bridle. “Now if you’re finished—”

“I am
not
finished. Do you have any idea how dangerous it is for you to be out here by yourself?”

Colton opened his mouth to speak, but Sebastian cut him off.

“Do
not
give me that nonsense about Jeffers knowing where you are. No one could get to you in time to help you if you were in danger. You’ll turn that horse around right now and head back to the castle.”

“I’m not a child, and I don’t need—”

“Now!” Sebastian’s stomach rolled, and his ears rang. He hadn’t felt this way since Aiden had been kidnapped two years ago. If the feeling was more intense this time, it could only be because he was now aware of their enemies.

Colton gaped at him for about two seconds before glaring. “Who do you think you’re talking to?”

“Don’t mess with me. I’m in charge of your safety, and your parents will stand behind me on this. Get your ars— self back to the castle immediately.”

Screwing his face up in anger, Colton turned Apollo, clucked his tongue and leaned over the horse’s neck.

The stallion took off in a canter toward home.

Sebastian followed at a gallop until he caught up to Colton. He could be angry all he wanted as long as he listened.

When the horses were neck and neck, Sebastian slowed Max to match Apollo’s gait. The wind whipped through his hair and over his face. Despite his mood, it actually felt great. The weather was beautiful for riding, and if he didn’t have things to do, he’d love to stay out here all day.

Instead of detouring to the gate, Colton urged Apollo faster toward the fence. The way his trousers pulled tight over his arse as he raised in his stirrups to take the jump was quite fetching. As one, horse and rider cleared the obstacle with such grace it made the feat look effortless.

Pulling himself out of his musing, Sebastian put his heels to Max and sailed over a few seconds after Colton.

Colton could lose him if he wanted—Sebastian didn’t delude himself about which of them was the better rider—but Colton kept pace with him. It was a pleasure to watch Colton ride. He had a magnificent seat and would’ve made a hell of a jockey if he wasn’t so bloody big. Then again, his wide shoulders and lean hips were quite lovely. Much nicer to look at than a jockey’s juvenile physique.

That definitely wasn’t the form of a child. And the way he controlled his mount with such confidence… Sebastian’s cock perked up. He wanted to groan. This attraction he’d been fighting since Colton turned sixteen could amount to nothing. It was clearly time to find a new paramour. And that man could
not
be Colton Townsend.

As they slowed to a walk, Sebastian got his libido under control. He still needed to talk to Colton about locating a place for his stables, but Sebastian would find some time tomorrow to fit it in.

Denny jogged out of the stables.

Colton swung his leg over and dropped to the ground, handing the boy his reins. “Thank you, Denny.”

“My pleasure, Your Highness.”

Dismounting, Sebastian gave Denny his reins. “Thank you, Denny.” Without waiting for a response, he followed. “Colton.”

Colton stopped but did not turn.

“I want your word you will not go riding again without a guard.”

With a dip of his head, Colton continued toward the castle.

A twitch started at the corner of Sebastian’s right eye. “Turn around,” he gritted out between clenched teeth. He was damned sick of this easy dismissal and near hostility.

With his hands balled into fists by his side, Colton swung to face him. Red tinged his cheeks. He stepped right up to Sebastian, stopping less than a foot away until they were eye to eye. When had he gotten so tall?

“What?” Colton demanded.

No one had challenged Sebastian in a long, long time. The action should inspire disdain, but it didn’t. Sebastian’s erection returned full force despite his fury. Before he’d given it thought, he had Colton by the face.

Prince Pain-in-the-Arse flinched but didn’t back down. His sherry eyes blazed as his hands came up between them, seizing Sebastian’s lapels.

Galaxy help me.
Slamming his mouth down across Colton’s pinched lips, Sebastian swept inside with his tongue.

Brothers of the Wild North Sea

Harper Fox

His deadliest enemy will become his heart’s desire.

Caius doesn’t feel like much of a Christian. He loves his life of learning as a monk in the far-flung stronghold of Fara, but the hot warrior blood of his chieftain father flows in his veins. Heat soothed only in the arms of his sweet-natured friend and lover, Leof.

When Leof is killed during a Viking raid, Cai’s grieving heart thirsts for vengeance—and he has his chance with Fenrir, a wounded young Viking warrior left for dead. But instead of reaching for a weapon, Cai finds himself defying his abbot’s orders and using his healing skills to save Fen’s life.

At first, Fen repays Cai’s kindness by attacking every Christian within reach. But as time passes, Cai’s persistent goodness touches his heart. And Cai, who had thought he would never love again, feels the stirring of a profound new attraction.

Yet old loyalties call Fen back to his tribe and a relentless quest to find the ancient secret of Fara—a powerful talisman that could render the Vikings indestructible, and tear the two lovers’ bonds beyond healing.

Warning: Contains battles, bloodshed, explicit M/M sex, and the proper Latin term for what lies beneath those cassocks.

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This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale or organizations is entirely coincidental.