He shook his head. Best nae to think about it. That’d been his father’s suggestion all those years ago, perhaps it was for the best if he continued that stance. They’d been lucky. That was all anyone ever focused on. Perhaps it was the same in Udynea. Perhaps that was why Darshan needed time to consider.
Hamish dare not ask even that.
He led the way through the forest, silently pointing out tracks that indicated his nephews had split up. It made determining just where the rascals were a difficult one, but not impossible.
What he hadn’t seen was any hint of his brother. Was Gordon scheming? Perhaps on a re-enactment of what a true forest run trial was like? Or did he merely tread the other side of the sectioned-off piece of forest in pursuit of his nephews in the same manner as they?
He cast a glance Darshan’s way under the guise of adjusting his bow. His lover seemed to be alert enough to react to any harmless projectile Gordon might lob in their direction, if that was the goal.
But thoughts of his brother had him thinking on their talk as they waited for the boys to ready themselves for the day. “Apparently,” he said, trying to keep his voice even. “That is, according to me brother—I should be discussing last night with you?”
“Should you?” Darshan gave a rich chuckle. “Gordon no doubt referred to the rather flustered state I descended the stairs in search of you. But he is a smart man and I am certain he already knew the cause did not stem from any disagreements.” He cocked his head. “Do you even remember last night?”
Hamish tipped his head from side to side, his hand wobbling in a similar display. “Bits and pieces.” He had a clear memory of the feasting and how much the women were intent on groping him whilst they danced in the main hall. Beyond that? When he had sought out the welcoming darkness and solitude of the mezzanine? “We danced and talked.” For some time, although he remembered half of the conversation. But there’d been that same golden warmth as Darshan had declared him as his chosen. “And then I… kissed you?” By the way Gordon spoke, he could assume he’d made a right tit of himself. “Did we…?” He let the question trail off.
“Have sex?” Darshan finished. “No.”
A gust of relief expelled itself from Hamish’s lungs. The confession clashed with the fragments of hot skin and the taste of his lover on his tongue, but it wasn’t the first time he had dreamt such wonders.
“However.” Darshan side-stepped a sapling as he spoke. “That does not exclude you dragging me to the window ledge and having your wicked way with my personage.”
Hamish inhaled sharply enough to hurt his chest. “So that part wasnae wishful dreaming, then?”
Laughter erupted from Darshan, along with their chance of sneaking up on the boys should they be nearby. “Wishful dreaming?” he echoed between gasps for air. “Not unless we had the same vivid dream.”
“Me brother gave the impression you were a wee bit disorderly and mystified.” So much so that Hamish had wondered if he had done something wrong that he didn’t remember.
“I was. But only because you decided to pleasure me then leave with just one kiss and a hearty ‘sleep well’. You gave me no time to regain my composure, let alone the chance to reciprocate.”
Hamish scoffed. “And what would you have done? It’s nae like you could’ve draped me over the railing and had it off.” They could’ve tried the floor, although his knees could already attest to its unforgiving nature. Never mind the fact he would’ve had to wait for Darshan to recover his strength.
Darshan rolled his eyes. “As if that was the only thing I could have done there.” His gaze dropped. “Pretty sure I could deep throat that monster given time.”
Hamish faltered for a step. There was no chance the man’s focus could be on anything except Hamish’s groin.
“What?” his lover chuckled. “You look as if no one has offered before.”
To suck him off? Why would they? For most of the men he had propositioned, he had been a convenient place to stick it. The majority of them gave the impression that they’d rather not be reminded he was a man. For them to care about his pleasure was laughable.
Darshan gave a crooked grin, one brow cocking in amusement. “I know how well you can service a man orally and how the majority would be reluctant to forgo your magical mouth, but has no one really ever returned the favour?”
Hamish mutely shook his head.
“Truly?” Whipping his head around to peer at the forest, Darshan sidled closer. “Would you be disposed to participating in such an act? Whilst I might not have your skill, I promise not to disappoint.”
“Here?” he whispered, his voice hoarse. One of the uppermost branches of the sapling they had just passed had been recently broken. Surely at least one of the boys was nearby. He tilted his head, but there was no other sound beyond their own boots crunching through the undergrowth.
His lover jerked his head back, his lashes briefly fluttering in mild surprise. “The thought of doing so in the middle of a forest had not crossed my mind, but if you are comfortable with the idea…” He arched a brow as the rest went unsaid. “Otherwise, whenever you desire.”
“Well, now that’s all I can think of.” Whenever he’d done the act, even with all those men who’d grunted and moaned at his eagerness, not once had he considered what it would be like on the receiving end. Did they have time for what his lover was suggesting?
Smiling, Darshan clasped one of Hamish’s hands. “Come with me.” With a gentle tug, he guided them into a thick copse. “This should be adequate,” he murmured, backing Hamish up to the trunk of a sturdy tree. A hunger Hamish
