AllFreeNovel
Share Us
There he went again, mentioning sleeping in a barn.
“You can sleep with me,” Albie said.
Percy went wide-eyed and his blush darkened. “Oh, I... I didn’t... uh...”
Albie hadn’t realised how that sounded, or what he’d just offered. “I mean, you can sleep in the main house with me, not my bed. My father’s room sits empty. I had no reason to take it until now, but I can if we need it. You can have my room.” He swallowed hard, nervously feeling the need to explain. “It’d make sense if you’ll be tending to meals and such, and if you’ll be helping me with reading until late. So you don’t have to cut across the yard when it’s so bitter outside.”
And then we can kiss again.
And maybe more...
Percy looked up at him, trying not to smile. “Are your motives pure, Albie Bramwell?”
Albie put his hand to his heart and lied. “Absolutely.”
Percy saw right through him and laughed. “I’ll consider it.” He scooped out a cup of oats and put them into the pot. “It didn’t help that my mind ran all night,” he murmured. “Remembering my first kiss and how it felt.”
A jolt of something hot and wonderful ran through Albie’s whole body, and it made him laugh. “I want to do it again. I want to do nothing else.” He shook his head, incredulous. “I fear you’ve awoken something in me.”
Percy smiled at him, shyly, the colour on his cheeks rosy, and heaven help him, Albie needed to touch it again.
He found himself closing the distance between them once more, this time pushing Percy’s backside against the shelf, their faces impossibly close. He saw nothing but deep blue eyes, pink cheeks, and faint freckles. “Percy,” he whispered.
This time it was Percy who slid his hand around Albie’s neck and brought his face down for a kiss. But this was a different kiss... It wasn’t so gentle, and they opened their mouths, breathing each other in. Percy slid his arms around Albie’s waist, pulling him closer still.
Their tongues touched, and Albie’s knees damned near buckled. His blood was on fire, and he needed to be closer, closer. He pressed up against him, pushing him against the shelf, and when their bodies met, when he felt Percy’s arousal against his, they both gasped.
And froze.
Albie was so stunned, so incredibly aroused, he couldn’t think straight.
Percy stepped aside, quickly turning away, running his hand in his hair. Albie had never felt so alive, yet Percy clearly didn’t feel that way. He looked scared and conflicted.
Was it too much?
Perhaps.
He put a gentle hand on Percy’s shoulder.
“I should go check on the newborn calf,” Albie said quietly.
Percy nodded, not turning around. “Y-yes. Right. Good.”
Albie knew he should give Percy some space, some time to think about what had just happened, and some distance so they could both simmer down. But he didn’t want this to go unsaid. “For what it’s worth,” he whispered. “I’m glad you feel the same.”
He left then, pulling his coat from the rack and putting it on as he strode across the veranda. He cleared the yard in a few long strides and went into the stables. The frigid air soon took care of the arousal issue.
The horses were quiet, and the cow was standing at the back of the pen. Albie’s heart quickly sank, certain he’d find the newborn calf lying lifeless.
But then a little white face peered out from behind his mother, and Albie grinned, flooded with relief.
“Ay, little one,” he said.
Then Des came through the doors. “How’d he fare? Any good, or no?”
Albie was sure his smile was answer enough. “Come take a look.”
Des walked in, his leg stiff as it often was first thing in the mornings. And he smiled too when he saw the little calf. “Well, I’ll be damned.”
