Prologue

Late afternoon sunshine filtered in thorough the loft window and glittering dust motes swam in front of Gareth Belmain's eyes. The scents and sounds of the barn went on around them, leaving them cocooned in the safety of their own little world. Gideon lay stretched out on the straw in front of him, mouth soft and puffed from kissing, eyes sparkling with happiness. They'd come up here before going back into the house after their ride because once inside with his family they'd be unable to touch. Touching was so new to them, Gareth hated giving it up. He wanted more of this time together. "I don't want to go back to Town this weekend."

Gideon smiled up at him, and Gareth's heart skipped a beat. "You don't have to. My parents are expecting me, but I can tell them you had to stay in the country on business."

Startled, Gareth glared. Did Gideon really not understand that he wanted the time with him, not the time at home? The grin on his lover's face relieved him. Rolling, Gareth launched himself at Gideon, who caught him easily.

Warmth and hardness seeped through their clothes, and Gareth felt clearly the evidence of Gideon's arousal against his own. He groaned. Their lips rubbed together in a searing kiss. His mouth parted eagerly, and with a hungry moan, he sucked in Gideon's tongue. The hard bands of Gideon's arms encircled him in a tight embrace. Gareth broke away from the kiss gasping for breath, needing more than kisses to assuage his desire.

"Gideon!" But it was all right, because Gideon was pulling his shirt out of his riding breeches and adjusting his trousers. Gareth licked suddenly dry lips. His pulse leaped and he shuddered with need. "Gideon." This time it was a whisper.

"You said no one would come here." The husky voice sent ripples of sensation streaking right down his spine to pool in his groin.

"They won't. I've hidden here for years. No one has ever interrupted."

"Then we can..." Gideon's eyebrows jiggled comically, and he wriggled his hips enticingly.

"If there's noise, someone might come." Gareth warned as he tugged his own shirt out of his trousers and opened them. His cock fell heavy and hard into his hand, and he crawled up Gareth's body to align their organs. He hissed in pleasure as smooth flesh met smooth flesh. Gideon's prick was hot and hard against his own, and slick liquid seeped from him, lubricating their movements as they rocked softly.

Muffling a whimper, Gareth leaned down, rucking up his shirt so that his bare chest rested against Gideon's more solid build. The crisp brown hair that grew all over Gideon's body tickled, enhancing the build of sensation. Inhaling the intoxicating scents of horse and man, Gareth nibbled across Gideon's jaw down his neck to the soft skin at its base. Gideon tangled his fingers through Gareth's hair and cradled his head. Gareth rolled against his touch threading through his hair, enjoying the strength that held him in place as he thrust upward a little harder, a bit faster

The slick fluid was flowing more thickly, their pricks gliding together more easily, and then Gideon shifted beneath him somehow, and the new position increased the ripples of pleasure so much that Gareth felt his balls draw up tight and hard. "Going to come, Gideon." He panted, pushing frantically against his lover. Gareth's voice was a groan of hot air against Gideon's throat.

"Yes." Gideon rolled them, rutting smoothly against him. Gareth whimpered. His vision swam and he shoved his palm in his mouth and bit to prevent the scream of release from escaping as his oversensitive prick shot burst after burst of thick cum.

Gideon moaned, rubbed more frantically against him. The rich scent of sex hung in the afternoon air. Gareth shuddered as his muscles loosened, then he gasped as more heat flooded his belly. Gideon fell forward on his elbows with another soft groan.

"Damnation, Gareth. It just keeps getting...more intense," Gideon murmured, resting his forehead in the hollow below Gareth's chin.

"It does." Gareth pushed at Gideon's shoulders. "The straw," He explained apologetically. "It's poking at me."

Chuckling, Gideon rolled to the side and sat upright. The golden afternoon sun wreathed his head in a heroic glow, and Gareth was struck by his sheer masculine beauty. He caught his breath and heaved himself upright.

"You're incredibly pretty for a gentleman." Gideon muttered, cheeks flushing as he ducked his head.

Snorting, Gareth used a handful of straw to rub the drying ejaculate from his belly. "Just what every gentleman of the ton wishes to hear, I'm certain." He buried the straw in the piles and let his shirt fall. His trousers were fastened in no time at all, and still he couldn't tear his gaze away from Gideon, who'd righted his own clothing with deft hands.

"I cannot say if that's true, Gareth, but I apologize if my speech embarrassed you. I meant it to be complimentary."

Eying Gideon under his lashes, Gareth stepped in close and used his fingers to comb straw from his lover's hair. "I accept the compliment. I enjoy knowing that you find me attractive." He whispered before stepping back.

"I really do have to go back to Town; my father is on the warpath and mother is all worked up over something as well."

"If you return, then I go as well." Gareth reassured him. "Just promise me that we can still be together there."

"I swear, we will always be friends, just like this." Gideon kissed his forehead, and pushed him toward the ladder.