“To eat me?” Billy questioned in a gruff voice.

  Wulf nodded. “Eat. Taste. Lick. Devour you,” he promised.

  Billy groaned. “Then you best get on with it, because my cock already feels as if it’s about to explode!”

  “My love,” Wulf murmured as he gazed at him reverently, overwhelmed at knowing he would be Billy’s first lover.

  Overjoyed at the thought of being Billy’s only lover.

  Billy’s self-consciousness was forgotten as Wulf first removed his jacket, waistcoat and shirt, to reveal his smooth and unblemished skin beneath. Not tanned or muscular, like Wulf’s, but the darkness of Wulf’s eyes said he liked what he saw.

  Billy groaned his pleasure when Wulf first licked his strawberry-colored nipples before sucking them, one at a time, into the heat of his mouth. That suction on those buds and the rough rasp of Wulf’s tongue created a bone-melting pleasure unlike anything Billy had ever felt from the caress of his own hands.

  He gave a startled squeak when Wulf fell to his knees in front of him. There was something—something primal in seeing such a tall and haughty gentleman dropping to his knees for someone as insignificant as him.

  Billy could only stare, no longer breathing, as Wulf unfastened his pantaloons and pulled down the front of his drawers to release the slender length of his cock. Billy gasped the moment he felt the wetness of Wulf’s tongue licking up the pre-cum glistening on the rosy top.

  Wulf looked up at him with dark eyes. “You have a very pretty cock.”

  Billy made a face. “It’s supposed to be manly, not pretty.”

  “It is delicious.” Wulf blew on that sensitive tip. “Long and slender, and so responsive to my touch.” He continued to hold Billy’s gaze as he lowered his head and took the whole of that bulbous top into the heat of his mouth and commenced to suck.

  Billy groaned when Wulf grasped his arse cheeks and began to squeeze in rhythm with the sucking on his cock. “I don’t— I’m going to come if you continue to do that,” he warned.

  No sooner had Wulf murmured his encouragement for such an outcome than Billy’s cock first swelled and then he began to come in hot bursts that Wulf licked up and swallowed before the next spurt filled his mouth.

  “I wanted us to come together, with you inside me.” Billy could hear the pout of disappointment in his tone.

  Wulf lifted his head to smile at him, his lips glistening with Billy’s release. “You are young and will soon harden again, my love,” he assured. He lifted Billy and placed him in the center of the bed before joining him there.

  An assurance which came true mere minutes later under the gentle lick and suck of Wulf’s mouth and the strong stroke of his hands.

  The whole of Billy’s body felt as it if was lit by a fire within, igniting a deep and aching pleasure which caused his cock to once again engorge and rise.

  He stiffened slightly when he felt the caress of Wulf’s fingers between the cheeks of his arse.

  “I have to prepare you, love,” Wulf assured as he opened and reached into the drawer of the bedside cabinet and took out a tub. “I need to open you up and lubricate inside you with some of this.” He scooped up a large dollop of the contents of the tub onto his fingers. “Otherwise, I might hurt you, and that I will never allow myself to do.”

  Billy’s embarrassment at the intimacy was completely forgotten as he remembered the size and length of Wulf’s cock.

  It helped that Wulf once again sucked Billy’s cock deep into his mouth at the same time as he pressed the lubricant into Billy’s arse. Wulf then pressed his fingers inside and used a scissoring movement to stretch and loosen those tight muscles.

  Billy almost lifted completely off the bed when Wulf’s fingers brushed against something inside him that instantly caused hot pleasure to course through him. “Do that again,” he begged, body hot, legs trembling.

  That heat and shaking increased when Wulf did as he asked, the pleasure almost too much. Almost.

  Billy was determined he would not spill again before he had Wulf’s cock inside him.

  “I need to feel you inside me now, Wulf,” he pleaded.

  Wulf moved so that he was above Billy, the hardness of his thighs resting against the smaller man’s, the head of his cock knocking against the rosette between Billy’s bottom cheeks. “Tell me if I hurt you, and I will stop,” he instructed.

  He frowned. “Isn’t it supposed to hurt a little to start with?”

  “Perhaps. A little.” A nerve pulsed in Wulf’s jaw. “Hurting you is the last thing I wish to do.”

  Billy nodded. “I’m ready. More than ready,” he insisted as Wulf still hesitated.

  Wulf looked down to watch as he pressed the round tip of his cock against Billy’s softened and lubricated entrance. He was terrified of hurting his lover, or worse, making the experience so unpleasant that Billy never wished to do this again.

  “God, that feels wonderful,” Billy gasped once Wulf’s cockhead was fully inside his heat. “I want more,” he pleaded, his hands clasping Wulf’s shoulders to use as leverage as he was the one to lift his hips and push until Wulf’s cock was fully inside him. “Move,” he urged.

  Wulf had no choice but to do exactly that, all caution having fled the moment Billy took the initiative and the heat of his channel engulfed Wulf’s cock to the hilt.

  They kissed, long and hungrily, as their bodies moved together in a rhythm so perfect, Wulf quickly felt his balls tighten and his release fast approaching.

  He lifted his head. “Billy, I am going to⁠—”

  “Do it.” Billy looked up at him with fevered eyes. “I want to feel the heat of your cum as it pumps inside me.”

  Considering Billy’s earlier shyness, Wulf had not anticipated that Billy would be so verbally explicit.

  “Jerk my cock as you thrust that big cock into me harder,” Billy groaned.

  Wulf was unable to look away from the beauty of his lover’s face as he thrust his cock deeper at the same time as he stroked Billys cock.

  He felt it the moment the latter swelled before the heat of Billy’s cum began to gush over his fingers.

  It was the signal for his own cock to throb and release pulse after pulse of his cum inside Billy’s greedy channel.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Judging by the height of the sun shining in through the huge bay windows, Billy woke much later the following morning than was his usual time of rising.

  He was also aware of the unfamiliar weight of an arm that was not his own draped about his waist. Along with the press of a warm and naked body against his back, buttocks, and thighs.

  Wulf’s arm and naked body.

  Despite the lateness of the hour, Billy was reluctant to move and so shatter the moment after spending a night of deep intimacy with the man he was now sure he was completely in love with.

  How could he not be when reality had far surpassed his previous sexual fantasies and dreams involving Wulf.

  Because Wulf had worshipped him during their first heady lovemaking, and then again during the night. As if Billy was something—someone—more precious to him than gold or jewels could ever be.

  Billy had no idea what would happen between them going forward, but he was glad he would always have the memories of last night to sustain him.

  Perhaps the first thing which needed to be dealt with, before they could discuss whether they would be together, was the issue of whether Billy would have a future at all now that he had been accused of murdering Sidney Moreland.

  Which meant someone—and, as far as Billy was concerned, that someone would be him—must find Mrs. Hodges and demand to know why she had named Billy as Moreland’s murderer.

  He—

  “You are thinking so loudly, you have woken me from the deepest and most satisfying slumber I have ever known,” Wulf murmured sleepily from behind him. “What are you thinking about so deeply, darling boy?” His arm tightened possessively about Billy’s waist.

  “I am thinking, Your Grace, that your cock is no longer in my arse, and I know this because your cum has escaped and is now dribbling down my thighs.”

  There was a surprised huff from behind him, then Wulf chuckled appreciatively as he moved to lean up on one elbow and rolled Billy onto his back, so he was now looking up at him. “You enjoy saying and doing things you think will shock me, don’t you?”

  “I do, yes.” Billy grinned at this confirmation, even as he took in how handsome Wulf looked with his overlong dark hair in disarray and his expression still relaxed from sleep, the frown smoothed from his brow. He looked years younger.

  Billy felt warmth enter his cheeks when he also saw the love bruise at the base of Wulf’s throat, knowing he had caused it when he bit Wulf as he climaxed during their second bout of lovemaking.

  “I bit and bruised you,” he explained when Wulf tilted his head questioningly, no doubt because of the blush.

  Wulf lifted his hand to touch the bruise. “And I enjoyed it when you did so.”

  Billy’s brows rose. “You did?”

  The other man nodded, his expression once again serious. “It shows that you were as invested in our lovemaking as I was. I shall wear your bruise with pride.”

  “Like I did, knowing I carried the imprint of your hand on my arse for a week beneath my pantaloons,” Billy said knowingly.

  “If that is what you did, then yes,” Wulf confirmed. “How are you feeling this morning?” he prompted, his gaze searching. “Not too sore, I hope?”

  Billy felt the blush deepen on his cheeks. “A little,” he admitted. “You have a very large cock, Your Grace.”

  “And you have a small arse,” Wulf immediately shot back.

  Billy chuckled. “I do believe, with time, you might become a worthy verbal opponent for me after all!”

  “With time, I intend to be worthy of you in all ways,” Wulf assured gruffly.

  Billy hoped that they would have that time.

  “Think only of us being together,” Wulf encouraged before lowering his head and claiming Billy’s lips in a passionate kiss.

  A passion Billy wholeheartedly returned.

  Eventually Wulf lifted his head to gaze down at him. “I believe, in light of your soreness, it would be unwise for us to indulge in lovemaking again this morning. Instead, I shall get out of bed, put on my robe, and ring for Miller so that he can bring up water for a bath for you, to hopefully help ease some of your soreness, and also ask that breakfast be brought upstairs for us.”

  “That sounds wonderful.”

  Wulf nodded. “I will also instruct that one of the maids change our bed linen this morning so that it is clean for when we return to bed together this evening.” He swung his bare feet to the floor before standing to cross the room to where his brocade dressing gown was draped across the bedroom chair.

  Billy’s breath caught in his throat as he gazed at all of Wulf’s naked magnificence. Such wide shoulders. A broad and muscular chest. Slim waist. His hips and thighs muscular. Legs and feet long and elegant. He also moved with all the predatory grace of a large feline.

  Billy regretted feeling too sore to indulge in more of their lovemaking. It also seemed a pity to cover up all Wulf’s masculine beauty. But Billy accepted it was necessary if Miller was going to enter the bedchamber in the next few minutes.

  Thinking of which…

  He threw back the bedclothes. “I don’t think I should still be naked and lying in your bed when Miller gets here.”

  Wulf gave a regretful sigh. “If I had my way, you would always be naked and in our bed. But I accept you would prefer it if Miller did not see the evidence of our having shared a bed on the very first night of his becoming our butler,” he added ruefully.

  Billy pulled on his shirt and drawers, choosing not to respond to the way in which Wulf had begun to use the term “our” instead of “my” in reference to servants and household matters. It would not do for him to assume, to hope, that it meant Wulf intended for Billy to remain in his life for some time.

  “I will wait in the adjoining bedchamber until after Mr. Miller has received your instructions, and the bath and breakfast have been duly delivered.” Billy collected the rest of his clothes from where they had been thrown onto the floor during the heat of their passion.

  “Into your bedchamber,” Wulf corrected. “Which, if I have my way, you will never have reason to ever sleep in.”

  “Very well,” Billy answered vaguely, not even sure he would still be at liberty tonight to share that bed, let alone beyond that time.

  “I have to go out for a time this morning, if that is agreeable to you?” Wulf prompted briskly. “I need to speak with Stonyhurst again, and there is also another matter that is in need of my attention.”

  “Of course.” Billy appreciated that Wulf was still a magistrate and one of His Majesty’s government ministers. Billy was the one accused of murder. His life was in hiatus, while Wulf’s life must continue as it always had.

  “You shall remain here.”

  Billy perked up at the arrogance in that statement. “I will, will I?” he challenged.

  Wulf sighed. “Let me rephrase that. I would prefer it if you were to remain here until I return and leave the enquiries into this situation to myself and Stonyhurst. I would most especially request that you do nothing to seek out Mrs. Hodges.”

  “How long do you intend being gone?”

  “An hour or two at the most.”

  Billy nodded. “If you learn anything more about—about my situation, would you please send word and let me know?”

  “Most certainly.” Wulf crossed the room to take Billy in his arms and draw him close against the hard strength of his body. “No one shall take you from me now. This I vow.”

  Except, Billy knew it was a promise his lover would find difficult to see to fruition if they did not find the real slayer of Moreland.

  And only one person knew who that was.

  Wulf sensed—no, damn it, he knew—the moment he returned to Wulferston House that Billy was not in residence.

  There was a certain frisson in the air whenever his lover was present. As if the very atmosphere itself was in awe as that incredible young man went about his business.

  Except Wulf was certain Billy was not carrying out that business at this moment within the walls of Wulferston House.

  “Master Billy went out this morning shortly after you did, Your Grace,” Miller confirmed as he took Wulf’s hat and cloak.

  Damn it, he had asked Billy not to⁠—

  No, Wulf had told him he would prefer it if Billy did not leave the house.

  A request, now Wulf thought on it, the younger man had not directly replied to, before or during his bath or as they ate breakfast together.

  “Did he say where he was going?” Even as Wulf asked the question, he knew it was unnecessary. If he had known of Billy’s whereabouts, Miller would have said where Billy had gone when he stated that young man’s absence.

  “No,” the butler answered predictably. “I did tell him I thought you would prefer to know of his location when you returned, but he was not forthcoming with an answer.”

  Which confirmed that Billy was off doing something he knew Wulf would not approve of once he knew of it.

  Wulf could currently think of only one such deed, and that was seeking out the whereabouts of the elusive Mrs. Hodges.

  Having been born in the London slums, and no doubt having many acquaintances there, Billy would be far more successful in such a task than Stonyhurst or Wulf could ever be.

  “I am going to Stonyhurst House,” he informed the butler as the other man returned his hat and cloak to him. “If Billy comes back in my absence, do not allow him to leave again before I return.”

  Miller winced. “I’m not sure that headstrong young gentleman will be agreeable to my keeping him here. What I will do for you now,” he continued before Wulf could protest, “is send word with a footman to my brother, Henry, and ask him to meet up with the two of you at the earl’s house. My brother knows the ins and outs of the London slums far better than either of you worthy gentlemen ever could.”

  Wulf couldn’t disagree with that statement. “In that case, would you please tell Henry to hurry.”

  “I will, Your Grace,” Miller assured, already turning away to make his way toward the back of the house.

  Wulf sincerely hoped they would not be too late to extract Billy from the life-or-death situation he was sure his lover had deliberately placed himself in.

  Having only just claimed and made love to Billy, Wulf felt his chest ache at the thought of losing him again.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Billy stood pressed against the side of a building, across the street from a boarded-up warehouse beside the Thames, as he continued to observe the woman hiding inside that dilapidated building.

  A building situated very close to where Moreland’s body had been discovered on the riverbank.

  Mrs. Hodges no longer looked like the tidy and cleanly dressed woman who had worked as a cook in Wulferston House. Her hair, no longer hidden beneath a plain white mobcap, now hung about her dirt-streaked face in wispy brown-and-gray strands. Her clothes, usually a clean and pristine white, now looked creased and water stained.

  The latter, Billy knew, could have occurred when Mrs. Hodges dragged Moreland’s dead body to the riverside and pushed him into the sluggishly flowing water.

  He had waited until after Wulf’s departure before leaving Wulferston House in his quest to locate and ask Mrs. Hodges why she had falsely accused him of killing Moreland.

  It hadn’t been as difficult as he had thought it would be. Moreland’s relatives, having had overnight to consider their recently unemployed situation, were far more talkative to Billy than they had been with the Earl of Stonyhurst the previous day.

  Billy had been grateful enough for the information they provided that he had told them to go to the Earl of Rugby’s as that gentleman was now badly in need of the servants to run his household. Their wages would perhaps not be readily forthcoming, but they would have a roof over their heads and be fed three meals a day.