Chapter 8

CHAPTER 8

Walter

When my master arrived home, Dennis held an umbrella over his head as the two men hustled into the house.

As Dennis turned away, Kenneth said, "Thank you, Dennis." He turned to me, and I helped him remove his cape. When it was off, he turned to meet my gaze. "I shall require you." With that, he headed above stairs.

Dennis gaped at me. "Did he just thank me?"

I cleared my throat. "I believe so."

"Walter, you have the magic touch. He didn't throw any plates today." Dennis blinked. "And he just thanked me."

Kenneth likely hadn't thrown a plate because the last time he had, I'd spanked him so hard he hadn't been able to sit comfortably for several days . "And make sure you thank that poor girl next time you see her. She spent hours helping in the preparation of that meal...." Since our master enjoyed my punishments , I had to tread a fine line between giving him what he wanted, but not rewarding bad behavior.

"I don't believe his behavior has altered on my account." Futilely, I attempted to brush the damp from the cape.

Dennis continued to stare. "That's not true. At the very least, he hasn't requested anyone to join him."

Inwardly, I winced. I'd assumed that lack would not go unnoticed. "Perhaps he is getting his needs met elsewhere."

The footman nudged me. "Well, elsewhere , we're grateful. I shall be off. I understand the Earl, his wife, and their daughter Catherine will be returning from their estate in Sussex the day after tomorrow. Kenneth is always better behaved when his parents are in the house." He offered me a smile, then headed downstairs.

I hung the cape, ensured I wasn't too damp, then headed up to Kenneth's bedroom. I found the door slightly ajar with his lordship naked on the bed. The thought valets should resemble furniture in the room and should never be heard from flitted through my mind as I set about ignoring him and organizing his clothes in the closet.

He huffed. "Ignoring me?"

"Ensuring your good clothes are cared for." I straightened the cravat. "These are good-quality items."

"I could buy you better clothes."

I re-entered his room. "I have everything I could want, your Lordship." I took care of what was mine. Ensured all items were treated with the greatest of respect.

Kenneth palmed his semi-erect cock. "I was good today, Walter."

I rolled my eyes. "Yes, not destroying crockery and thanking Anna. Your good deeds did not go unnoticed." And I silently thanked Dennis for pointing them out, as I'd been unaware. I tried to ignore my own growing arousal. "Will you be on your best behavior when your parents return?"

"Oh, yes. I'll even be nice to that brat, Catherine."

I arched an eyebrow. "I doubt she is so bad."

"She is. Truly, she's horrible. A brat."

"It would take one to know one, I think."

He grinned wickedly. "You recognized I was one instantly. Does that mean?—"

"It means nothing of consequence, my Lord. "

"Kenneth."

I blinked. "I beg your pardon."

He stuck out his chin. "When we're alone, I wish you to address me as Kenneth ."

"That is entirely inappropriate."

His gaze held mine. "Do you not find me attractive? Or am I just a brat to be punished?"

And here was the question I dreaded answering. Probably because I already knew what my response was. I found his lean, toned, lithe body enticing. His smattering of blond hair arrowed down his chest, along his navel, and down to nestle his cock. He enticed me in a way no other man ever had.

Yet, he was the one man I couldn't have. Not in any real sense. A man like me, if I were lucky, might find a wife of my own class. His lordship needed to marry and produce an heir.

Instead of answering his question, I took a different path. "I heard you were nice to Lord Graham today, and to his two daughters. I'm proud of you. What would you like me to do as your reward for behaving today?"

He palmed his cock. "I wish you to suck me."

I swallowed. To this point, I had been the one in charge of the relationship. My goal had been to put him in his place. To encourage better behavior through rewards and punishments. Still… "Will you be respectful to both your parents and your younger sister? No brattiness?"

"Oh, damn." He rolled his eyes. "If I get my pleasure, then yes, I shall be good."

For reasons I couldn't understand, I believed him. "Then I shall, as you say, pleasure you."

He grinned and opened his legs farther.

I moved toward the bed.

"Without your clothes."

I stopped. "I beg your pardon?"

"You may have my pardon. And I may have you naked. I would say it is an equitable request. You've seen all of me—I wish to see all of you."

A heat ran up my cheeks which, of course, he couldn't see. My dark skin prevented such reactions from being noted—something that had always been to my advantage. Little else did, from my clearly dark parents. I'd no memory of them. Just images in my mind to explain my mahogany-colored skin. Still, I owed him this much. I was unashamed of my body. The few scars visible came from injuries endured during hard work. Work since I was a small boy.

Work this man would never know.

After removing my shirt, I unbuttoned my trousers and pulled them down.

He licked his lips. "I love your cock. As much as I want to taste it, I want you tasting me first."

"As you were better-behaved today, I will do this."

Our gazes met. Would he ask me to do this again? I was philosophical. Every day, I expected to be sent off without a reference. Every day, I expected him to tire of my corrections. Every day I expected these glorious experiences to come to an end.

"If you reward me, I will continue to behave."

Which meant I wouldn't be sent on my way anytime soon. Relief flooded me. Not only did I value this important position—as well as the compensation it delivered and the prestige it held—but I was coming to like the lord. He pleased me both physically and, more and more, emotionally.

I placed my knee on the bed.

He grinned, showing beautiful teeth and a dimple in his right cheek that I adored. He was a specimen of handsomeness.

Although I rarely took the subservient role in sexual pleasures, I would now. Except, as I took him in my mouth, I perceived I held the power in this moment. I decided whether or not to please him.

As I sucked on his length, he ran his hands through my short-cropped hair. "More, Walter. Please, take all of me."

I was happy to obey his pleadings. I worked him with my tongue, bringing him to the brink of pleasure over and over again. His salty taste spurred my actions as I did my best, using every trick I knew, to elicit the climax he'd earned.

Without warning, he stiffened, then emptied into my mouth.

Swallowing him down brought me the greatest pleasure. His continued whimpers—all satisfaction and bliss—did things to me. Not only did my own cock stiffen in response, but a tightening in my chest had me thinking perhaps there was something wrong with my heart. I wanted this man. Far more than was reasonable.

Far more than was sane.

For now, though, we had this night.

I intended to make the most of it.