Following the command had him turning to find Darshan standing right before him, his brow furrowed with concern. Those hazel eyes seemed intent on burrowing into Hamish’s skull, seeking what, Hamish couldn’t be certain, but definitely in search of something.
He recalled the man’s words yesterday, of the explicit request for consent. Was Darshan still worried about Hamish’s willingness?
“You seem tense,” Darshan finally said. His weight shifted. Whether the subtle movement was a conscious act or not, it was definitely a readiness to step back should he need to.
This wasn’t like when Darshan had turned up unannounced. Hamish had been given no time to think, barely enough to act. Now all his thoughts crowded to be heard. “It’s been a while,” he replied, wincing at the faint quaver his nerves made of his voice.
Darshan’s mouth twitched; a soft curve that wasn’t a smile, but held a kindness that strummed something deep within Hamish. “We shall take it slower this time.” He clasped Hamish’s hand and led him deeper into the room. “I promise.”
“That’s nae me concern.” Although, he did appreciate the gesture. “I dinnae have a lot of pleasant memories of the last time I was in this room.”
“If it bothers you to be doing this here, we could try to find another place?” His gaze didn’t seem to quite meet Hamish’s as he spoke, likely not relishing the thought of delaying.
Hamish shook his head. “There is naewhere else.”
“I see,” Darshan murmured, running his thumb over the back of Hamish’s fingers. “They will not catch us, you know.” The words came laced with such assurance.
Hamish wished he could be as confident. Maybe I should leave. Return only once the thought of being discovered by the guards wasn’t all-encompassing. Although, that was looking to be unlikely without Darshan’s departure. “You say that now, but—” His voice stuttered as Darshan wet his lips. All Hamish could think of was kissing them again. Would they still be soft? Or would their combined need turn them rough?
In one silken move, Darshan pressed close. His hand glided up Hamish’s chest, around his neck and into his hair. The gentle pressure of the man’s grasp had Hamish bending enough to drop a whispering kiss upon Darshan’s lips.
No sooner than he had done so, did the man’s grip tighten. Darshan dragged him down further, deepening the kiss, each move desperate, raw and brimming with power. Hamish’s legs trembled.
Just when he thought he might drop, Darshan stepped back.
He stared at Hamish, wide-eyed, his face frozen in a mask of mortification. Then, all at once, he clapped a bare hand over his mouth and turned on his heel. “That was terribly uncouth of me.”
“I didnae mind.”
Darshan whirled back, grinning. “I can tell. Those trousers of yours might be voluminous in appearance, but they leave little to the imagination up close.”
Dear Goddess. Hamish buried his face into his hands. His cheeks burned against his palms. Yes, he had noticed how hard he’d grown, but never had it been so casually mentioned. It didn’t help that he’d opted to go without his smalls to speed things along.
He risked a peek between his fingers to find the spellster hadn’t moved.
Seeming to notice Hamish’s scrutiny, Darshan pressed his hand to his chest. His fingers certainly looked a lot longer and thinner without the thick rings. “Forgive me, I will endeavour to show a little more decorum. But I warn you, that might be difficult what with yesterday still running through my head since I left your room.”
“Is that so?” Knowing that Darshan couldn’t get that time out of his head any more than Hamish could forget did much to soothe his nerves.
The spellster wrapped his fingers around Hamish’s belt, pulling them close once again. “I guess, if there is nowhere else we can go, the only recourse is to make some new, and extremely pleasant, memories for you to dwell on.”
“That sounds preferable.” Hamish cupped the man’s jaw, tilting it at just the angle he desired. Their lips met, a little more restrained on Darshan’s part.
How long they stood there, he couldn’t be sure. The kiss never grew in intensity, just lingered in that strange balance of tender and full of raw emotion.
Darshan’s deft fingers tugged at Hamish’s clothing, first loosening his belt before moving on to the ties at the neck of his tunic. Hamish had been careful to wear only enough to get him through the halls without raising suspicion. Sadly, that meant wearing a great deal more than he would’ve preferred.
“You know,” Darshan muttered whilst assisting Hamish in hauling off his undershirt. “As much fun as undressing you is, you might want to consider wearing less clothing next time.”
“Oh aye?” Hamish levered off one boot with the other as he undid the ties to his trousers. He stepped out of them and pushed them aside with the flick of a foot. “And just how much less would you suggest?” He might be able to get away with no undershirt next time. Although, with the faint spring chill in the air, it would make the return trip to his quarters a bit on the cold side.
Darshan hummed thoughtfully, the flash of a playful smile all but concealed as he hauled off his own attire. It seemed the man had opted for the one layer this time instead of the three he’d worn whilst in Hamish’s quarters. “If you could manage the journey here in your drawers…”
Laughter burst from Hamish’s throat upon realising that the man meant for him to walk the halls in his smalls. “There’s nae way that’s happening.” By the smirk on the man’s face, he seemed well aware of that.
“A pity.” Darshan shed his trousers and Hamish realised that the man had also thought to forsake the extra layer of clothing there. “The sight of you wandering the corridors in nothing else would be a privilege you would find me
