Chapter 2

Edward raised his gaze to Gregory’s face. “I welcome you gladly. I know you will do well in tomorrow’s tournament.”

Gregory took a large swallow of the ale the barmaid set down. “Are you also going to participate?”

Edward smiled. “Nay, I leave such things for younger men these days.”

Gregory snorted. “You are not so old. You are of the same age as me.”

“True, but I have allowed myself to grow soft while you have maintained an admirable body.”

Gregory’s gaze turned serious and he studied Edward for several moments in silence. “You do not look soft to me, Edward,” he said after a while. “In fact, you are a fine man still. I…I hope you have asked to see me like this because—”

It was Gregory who bowed his head and Edward noticed the twin red spots on his cheeks. Gregory growing bashful? It did not seem possible.

Edward reached for Gregory’s hand under the table and grasped it in his once more. “Is there somewhere we can go where we might have our reunion more privately?”

“God, yes. Let’s get out of here.”

* * * *

Sir Gregory’s heart hammered in his chest, anticipating when he could finally get Edward alone. It had not only been a long time since he’d been with Edward, it had also been along time since he’d lain with anyone. Only recently had he returned from fighting for a lord in the north. The fighting had been so fierce the opportunities to relieve his cock had been few.

He led Edward to a small cottage on the edge of the village. Earlier in the day when he received the missive from his former lover to meet, Gregory had secured the cottage in the hope the meeting meant what he wanted it to mean.

Gregory knew from rumors and his correspondence with both Edward and Lady Katherine that Edward loved his wife. He should, perhaps, feel some measure of guilt over his desire for Edward. The truth was he never had felt shame or guilt for the love he bore Edward. Their relationship had always been close and filled with affection and camaraderie. It had been only natural, to Gregory anyway, when they became lovers. Edward was the first person he’d given his heart to, and even now after their years apart Gregory still loved him

He also knew Edward did not know Lady Katherine sent him a message of her own. It would be a surprise for his birthday after the tournament. Gregory hoped it would be a pleasant surprise to Edward. Katherine seemed to believe so.

But now…this was his time with Edward.

Gregory undid the latch on the door of the cottage and pushed Edward inside, kicking the door closed. It was dark, but Gregory had set up the cottage earlier so that a wall torch would be easily accessed and lit. He wanted to see Edward’s beautiful naked body.

Edward reached for him as soon as Gregory turned from lighting the torch. He pushed Gregory against the nearest wall and pressed against him, grinding his erection into Gregory’s. Edward framed Gregory’s head in his hands.

“God, you feel good,” Edward whispered, his hazel eyes filled with undisguised lust. He pressed his lips to Gregory, hard and bruising, forcing Gregory’s mouth open. Their tongues met, learning each other’s tastes again.

He tore at Edward’s cloak, letting it fall heedlessly to the floor at their feet. Next he inched the tunic up to Edward’s nipples, his fingers grazing the bare flesh.

“You, too,” Edward said against his mouth. He pushed Gregory’s cloak off his shoulders and it, too, fell and pooled at their feet with the other cloak.

Gregory had managed to pull Edward’s tunic and under shirt over Edward’s head. He tossed it aside. His hands caressed his lover’s chest, fingers tangling in the dark hair, flicking his nipples.

“Ah,” Edward gasped.

Gregory smiled. He remembered how sensitive Edward was there.

Edward was struggling to remove Gregory’s jerkin, so he stopped for a moment to assist him. When he threw it, Gregory didn’t know where it landed. Nor did he care. Now they were bare chest to bare chest, hot skin to hot skin.

When they’d entered the cottage, Edward had pressed him against the wall, but now he wanted to change their positions. He flipped Edward around, pressing him into the wall, pushing his erection against the other man.

“Do you see how much I want to be inside you?” Gregory asked.

“Yes, now, do it now,” Edward moaned.

“Soon,” Gregory promised. “We still haven’t removed the rest of our clothing.”

Edward licked his lip and nodded, his gaze hazy with lust. He removed the rest of his own clothes and watched Gregory do the same with his.