STORY EXCERPT

 

Hawksfell Manor felt very different since the earl had taken a wife a week ago, and his smiles still took her by surprise whenever she saw them. The new countess was a pleasure to work for, as was Mr. Michael Crowley. Now that the earl’s needs were met by his new situation, Mary didn’t have to worry about pleasing him herself. She could concentrate on her job as a maid and put the possibility of those other duties behind her.

“That William is driving me mad,” Posy, another maid, said as she came into the room.

Mary straightened and faced her. Posy was pretty and blonde, and twenty-one years old like she was. She was also one of the earl’s favorites not too long ago.

“What has William done this time?” Mary asked her.

Posy blew out a breath. “He’s been distant, like before.”

William, a footman, sternly toed the line at the manor. He was tall and handsome, as a good footman should be. He was also stoic and severe. Mary came upon him and Posy together once, though. It seemed then that he was anything but distant from Posy.

“Perhaps it has something to do with the earl’s new status,” Mary said.

Posy blew out a breath. “Oh, it does. I’ve been aching for attention, and William doesn’t care.”

Mary frowned. “Don’t speak like that, Posy. The countess or Mr. Crowley might hear you.”

Posy placed her hands on her hips. “You might be pleased with the new situation, but I feel neglected.”

Mary bit her tongue. Posy took delight in sharing her exploits with Mary in the room they shared downstairs. She’d taken to her additional duties at Hawksfell Manor with enthusiasm, though Mary knew most of her stories were exaggerated. She wasn’t even certain the earl had taken Posy. Mary had done her own turn with the earl before his marriage put an end to that part of her job. She never said so to Posy, but she was pleased that duty was over. She took care of the earl just once, just gave him ease with her mouth, but it never felt right giving away something so valuable. She’d had a choice, of course. And she’d chosen to take this position at Hawksfell Manor. The earl paid well and continued to do so. She’d never find a better position, especially now that she didn’t have to do more than her job.

“I can’t help you with William, Posy,” she said. “I have to go ready one of the guest rooms. Mrs. Holmes told me the manor might have a visitor tonight.”

Posy’s brows shot up. “A visitor? Who is it?”

“I don’t know. A relative of the earl’s, I think.”

A smile spread across Posy’s face. “A Hawk, maybe?”

Mary kept her expression even. She’d wondered that as well, if one of the earl’s many male relations was coming to stay. Would he be like the earl and the rest of the Hawks? Well, she wouldn’t have to worry about serving him in any way other than as a maid. That wasn’t in her job requirements. A shiver of alarm struck her. Or was it?

“I’m not sure who he is,” she said to Posy.

She had to talk to Mr. Grantley. The earl’s man-of-affairs would know just what was required regarding guests to the manor. In the nearly three months since she’d started her work here, there had never been any guests, before Lady Hawksfell and her cousin, that was.

Posy gave a nod. “I’m going to find out what I can about the earl’s guest.” She grinned. “Maybe I’ll torture William into telling me everything he knows!”

Mary rolled her eyes as the maid ran from the parlor. Brushing her hands over her apron, she squared her shoulders and went in search of Mr. Grantley.

“You’ve straightened the parlor, Mary?” Mrs. Holmes asked as she came upon her in the hall.

“Yes, Mrs. Holmes.”

“I told Posy to see to that.”

“It was no bother,” Mary said. “Lady Hawksfell doesn’t like me to fuss over her, and I needed something to do.”

Mrs. Holmes smiled. She was an older woman, maybe in her fifties, with dark hair streaked with gray. She’d run the manor since the earl was a boy, and though she was a stern taskmaster, she was fair as well.

“You’re a treasure, Mary. I’m so pleased Mr. Grantley arranged for you to work here.”

Mary took the compliment with a nod. “Is Mr. Grantley about?”

“He’s still in his office, I believe.” Mrs. Holmes tilted her head to the side. “Never say there’s a problem.”

“No,” Mary rushed out. “I wanted to talk to him about my duties regarding our guest.”

Mrs. Holmes blinked. “Your duties are my domain, Mary.”

Mary flushed hot as she waited a moment for Mrs. Holmes to realize what duties she meant. The older woman’s eyes rounded, and she gave a curt nod. “Oh. I don’t believe you will serve the earl’s guests in any manner other than the conventional.”

Relief struck like a splash of cool water to her heated cheeks. “Thank you,” she breathed.

“Check with Mr. Grantley to be certain,” Mrs. Holmes added.

Mary nodded and smoothed her apron again. She recalled the awkward conversation during her interview for this position, how Mr. Grantley’s cheeks had reddened as he’d detailed her duties and the requirements involved with serving the Earl of Hawksfell. He’d told her about how important discretion was, as well, which Mary knew from bitter experience.

After but a brief hesitation, she’d agreed to the conditions under which she would have to work, and she didn’t want to lose her place at the manor. She’d gotten this job without any reliable recommendations. She doubted she would be that fortunate again.

 

ADULT EXCERPT

 

Patrick began to stroke and tease her breasts as Thomas parted her legs. Her breath came fast, and he could smell her arousal.

“Thomas, will you lick me?” she asked.

He spread her legs then and gazed at her pussy. It was glistening wet and swollen pink. His mouth watered. “Oh, yes.”

Then he was there, his mouth sealed to her cunt as she sighed her pleasure. He licked and sucked, driving his tongue deep inside her as Patrick continued to tease her breasts.

“Do you like what he’s doing?” Patrick asked her.

Thomas glanced up at her. She closed her eyes and nodded. “I like what you’re both doing!”

Thomas shared a grin with Patrick then returned to her delectable flesh. More honey there now. She began to moan and twitch as he brought her toward climax. He wanted to taste her on his tongue, to feel her shatter as Patrick had. She didn’t disappoint him, and in the next moment she came.

“Oh, Thomas!” she cried, arching toward his mouth.

He held her firmly yet as gently as he could manage, as she found her release. Sweet nectar flooded his mouth, and he continued to lick her until she collapsed beneath him.

He was shaking now, so ready to take her at last. He and Patrick hadn’t discussed the particulars earlier, however. They’d both been unsure of her agreement to their liaison, after all.

“Who will you take, Mary?” he asked.

She slowly opened her eyes. The amber had darkened to the color of fine sherry. Her languid glance went from one to the other, and then she shrugged. “I’m not sure.”

 

* * * *

 

Patrick conveyed his encouragement to Thomas with a telling nod. He’d had Mary in the parlor, and Thomas had wanted her for so long. To his surprise, Thomas shook his head. He stood and unfastened his trousers, surely no easy feat, as his cock was probably so hard he was about to tear the seams.

“You can choose,” he told Mary.

“You’re not playing fair, Thomas,” Patrick said with a laugh. He stood and disrobed as well. His cock was long and thick, and Mary had already felt what he could do to her. But next to Thomas’s endowments? Even his Hawk cock was sure to be diminished by comparison. “Okay, love. You may choose now.”

Her gaze clouded for a moment. “I’ve never had a choice.”

Her words sent pain lancing through him. A choice to fend off that bloody Little Lord Nobody? A choice to come work for the earl? The choice to refuse him, Patrick, the liberties he took?

“Never say I forced you,” he said softly.

Mary’s eyes rounded. “Oh, no! I meant I’ve never had to choose between two such lovely men.”

Relief filled him. “Then take Thomas this time,” he said.

Thomas looked at him with gratitude and sat beside her on the chaise. He kissed her and held her close. “Are you ready?”

She had to be more than ready, for her scent so filled the room Patrick could almost taste her on his own tongue. He brought his mouth to Thomas’s and kissed him deeply. He tasted both him and Mary’s passion and closed his eyes as he pulled away. “Delicious.”

He found Mary wearing a look of both astonishment and heated fascination. She was an amazing girl, really.

“Come here,” he said, turning her toward him. He drew her up on her knees. “Let me kiss you.”

She opened her mouth to him, and he took what she offered. Thomas moved behind her and cupped her gorgeous breasts. She gasped and rubbed against him, her pretty bottom brushing over his cock.

Thomas groaned and held her closer. “I have to have you now.”

She nodded and started to turn, but Thomas bent her forward. He spread her legs. “You’re soaking wet,” he said, dipping a hand between her thighs.

“Please,” she moaned, leaning back.

Patrick took her arms and braced her on the armrest at the head of the chaise. She was placed perfectly for Thomas’s penetration now. He watched as Thomas moved his big cock between her legs. He growled as he moved up against her.

“Can you feel how much I want you?” he asked.

She nodded, panting. “Take me, Thomas.”

He shifted, and Patrick watched as he sank inside her. With a startled gasp, she took all of him. Her eyes grew large with shock then clouded with obvious bliss.

“You’re so big!” she cried, shaking.

Thomas thrust into her, holding on to her hips as he moved in and out. “And you’re so bloody tight!”

Patrick smiled at the man’s uncharacteristic use of the curse and stepped in front of Mary’s beautiful mouth. “Will you take me, too, Mary?”

She moaned her pleasure before managing to peep one eye up at him. “How, pray? That’s impossible.”

“Not at all, but that’s a conversation for another day.” He grasped his aching cock, stroking long and hard along the shaft. “Suck me.”