Chapter 14

To sayPercy was stunned at Albie’s words would be an understatement.

To say he’d thought of anything else all day long would also be an understatement. He had to make himself busy, make himself keep his distance from Albie all day, lest he was tempted to drag him somewhere private to make him uphold that promise.

He’d felt no shame at all, lying on the bed, legs spread, as Albie cleaned him. In fact, he’d revelled under Albie’s care, his gentleness as he tended to him.

Percy had never felt so loved.

But then Albie had growled in his ear, promising wicked things, and Percy had never felt a fire like it.

It ripped through him, burning white hot, with the embers keeping him warm all day.

He’d make sure he didn’t fall asleep early tonight. Tiredness be damned. He was too worked up to feel tired. After dinner when they’d sat at the table to do his reading, Percy sat closer than was probably appropriate. He leaned into Albie, even resting his head on Albie’s shoulder for a moment when Elsie and Clara were in the kitchen, but he couldn’t bring himself to move.

He needed this.

He needed nothing else.

“You’re being bold tonight,” Albie murmured.

“Take me to bed, Albie,” he whispered, meeting Albie’s gaze. “Please. Please don’t make me wait.”

Albie shot to his feet, forgetting all about the books, took Percy’s hand, led him to their room. He locked the door behind them, the click of the key making him jump.

Percy felt as if his blood was on fire.

He wasn’t sure if Albie sensed his urgency or if he felt as desperate as him, but he was different tonight.

Still tender, still gentle, but serious and commanding.

Percy liked this side of him.

Loved it, even.

Loved it when Albie stripped him naked, laid him face down on the bed, and covered his body with his. His weight felt heavenly. The way he pressed him down, his erection filling that void beneath his buttocks, behind his balls. Sliding against where he so desperately wanted him, driving in over and over.

This is what heaven felt like.

A desire strung so taut Albie could have played him like a fiddle.

It wasn’t exactly where he wanted him, but he was so, so close. And Percy lifted his hips, spread his legs a little wider, urging Albie to please, please press into him.

Albie raked his hands along Percy’s arms, to his hands, linking their fingers and holding them to the mattress.

Oh, how good this felt.

Albie kept rocking, driving his hard cock against the place Percy so desperately wanted him. Until he pushed upward, his thick cockhead almost breaching him.

Almost.

So close. So desperate.

But so unsure.

Could Percy take him like that? Could he handle it? Could he endure the breach? Surely there’d be pain amidst the pleasure...

Albie drove upward again and he pushed in, hard. Almost inside him, almost pushing in...

But then he stilled and groaned, and Percy felt the warm rush of his seed spill into him, over him.

So close.

So very close.

“Oh, yes,” Percy cried, bewildered at the pleasure it gave him, the pride he felt.

He wanted it for real now, more than anything. That flicker of fear he’d felt before, wondering if he could endure the full breach of Albie faded away to nothing.

He was certain now.

“Oh, Albie, yes,” he mumbled, rolling his hips, enjoying the slickness he felt. Enjoying the weight and press of Albie’s now softening erection against his most sensitive flesh. “I need more. I need you inside me.”

Albie grunted, his cock twitching, and Albie slid a hand between them, guiding, pushing, forcing. His cock wasn’t rock hard but it was hard enough...

Percy raised his hips, willing, urging, and Albie pushed into him, breaching that sacred place and sliding in. Percy gasped, sucking back a breath and gritting his teeth. It was strange and wonderful and oh-so much to take.

But Albie grunted the most delicious sound, primal and pleading. He shuddered as he pushed in deeper and scraped his teeth at Percy’s shoulder.

It was exquisite and different than what he’d imagined, but so much better. And this wasn’t even Albie fully aroused, this was after he’d spent himself already.

Oh how he imagined it might feel to take him when he was rock hard, to take all of his seed...

He knew he would one day, and it sang to him. To that primal need he had to belong to Albie in every way. “Oh god,” he gasped, surprised by the tears that sprang to his eyes.

Albie pulled out of him, quickly wrapping him up in his arms. “Did I hurt you? Was it too much? Percy, I?—”

Percy shook his head. “No, it was everything. It was everything and more. I need it, Albie. To be yours in that way.”

Albie scanned his eyes in the dark, wiping Percy’s tears away. “Oh, Percy. Are you sure?”

He nodded. “Please say it was good for you. Please tell me you’re willing to do it again.” He knew he was begging. He knew he sounded desperate, and Percy didn’t care.

Albie barked out a quiet laugh, wrapping him up tight in his arms. “Oh, Percy. It was... better than good for me. It was... like nothing I’d ever imagined.”

Percy pulled back so he could see Albie’s face. “You mean it?”

Albie’s eyes were full of wonder and he shook his head a little, as if disbelieving. “Percy, if Heaven was a place on Earth, I found it here tonight.”

Percy put his hand to Albie’s cheek and captured his lips with his own. “I love you, Albie Bramwell.”

“And I love you, Percy Collins. All of you.” He pulled Percy close, feeling his untouched arousal against his leg. “Oh,” Albie said. “It seems I am remiss...”

“Oh, you don’t have to worry,” Percy said. “What you did to me was enough.”

Albie’s eyes flashed with a wicked gleam that matched his smile before he slid down under the blankets and that place Albie mentioned, Heaven on Earth? That place which Percy thought Albie was exaggerating about?

Albie took him there.

* * *

The next fewdays were blissful. Percy’s head felt clearer every day, his tiredness subsided, and he was back to himself in no time.

It’d been scary, all in all, just how fast Percy’s life changed in an instant. He had no idea that a simple knock to the head could be so worrisome. He didn’t even remember hitting his head when he went down that ledge, but he realised that was the problem.

He remembered hearing the little boy cry. He remembered peering over the edge and seeing him. Then he remembered being on Minnie and heading back.

He remembered his head pounding, both dull and sharp pains, but his only concern was getting that frozen boy back to his parents.

He didn’t remember taking McAllister’s thirty pounds, and despite Albie’s wishing he hadn’t, Percy was glad he did.

He sat the money on the table with Albie’s ledger, offering it to him.

“What are you doing with that?” Albie asked.

“I’m giving it to you.”

“No, you’re not,” Albie argued. “It’s yours.”

“If it’s mine,” Percy countered, “then it’s mine to do with as I see fit. And I’m giving it to you.”

Albie glared at him, and Elsie and Clara took the pot of tea and backed out of the room, wide-eyed and very eager to take no part in this discussion.

“You might need new boots,” Albie said, still refusing to accept the money.

“I have your old pair.”

“With the soles almost out of them.”

“Almost. Not out of them yet.”

“Percy.”

“Albie.”

Albie growled. “I cannot accept this.”

“You can and you will. Buy enough feed for the horses to see them fed for a year. Or buy some more stock, another bull and some cows.”

Albie’s eyes flinched, and Percy could see reason was warring with his pride, so Percy struck while the iron was hot.

“Use it to pay the farrier. Use it to?—”

“It’s not for me to use, Percy,” he said, more gently this time.

No, not gentle.

Resigned.

Percy stepped in close so if Elsie and Clara were listening from the kitchen, they couldn’t hear. “You took me in when you could barely afford it. You took those two women in when you could barely afford them either. You’re a good man, Albie. And this thirty pounds is the least of what I would give you if I could.” He searched his brown eyes. “Take the money and use it for the betterment of this farm. Being proud is one thing, Albie. Don’t be foolish along with it.”

Indignation flashed in his eyes. “I am not?—”

Percy put his fingers to Albie’s lips. “The money is yours, as is my heart,” he murmured. “I would give you the world if I could, Albie. Don’t deny me this.”

Was that a low blow?

Probably.

But Percy knew Albie would never deny him when he put it like that.

Albie gave him a pointed look and he sighed, defeated. Percy grinned at him, then tapped the ledger book. “Okay, now we study. Sit down.”

Albie growled at him and pulled the chair out with more force than was necessary, and he sat himself in it with much the same temper. Percy did his best not to smile, and when Elsie came out to collect the last teacups, she pressed her lips together to stop from smiling as well. Her eyes met Percy’s and she grinned but turned and was gone before Albie saw.

Then they spent some time on the books. Albie did it petulantly, but he did it nonetheless.

When it was time for bed, Albie was still quiet. Percy closed the door and resisted sighing, barely. “Speak what’s on your mind,” he said, pulling his suspenders off his shoulders.

Albie’s gaze cut to his before he looked away. “Nothing is on my mind.”

Percy took Albie’s chin between his thumb and forefinger and made him look at him. “You cannot lie to me. You raise your chin with indignation when you feel slighted.”

He raised his chin. “I do not.”

Percy smirked at him, then took the liberty of unbuttoning Albie’s shirt. “You’re mad at me.”

“I wouldn’t be if you didn’t keep smiling as if you won some battle only you fought.”

Percy snorted, kissing Albie’s breastbone. “A battle only I fought? I don’t think so. If it’s about the money?—”

Albie kept his hands by his sides, balled into fists. “It’s not about the money. You emotionally blackmailed me into agreeing. You know damned well I’ll give you everything you want, and you used it against me.”

Percy used one featherlight finger to slide Albie’s shirt off his shoulder. He kissed along his collarbone. “Like this?” he murmured, now kissing up Albie’s neck. “Will you give me what I want?”

Albie growled and pushed Percy back onto the bed. Maybe a little too rough, maybe a little too hard, but the way he followed Percy onto the bed and pinned his hands above his head, Percy didn’t mind one bit.

It made his heart thunder, his pulse quicken.

Percy’s legs automatically widened and Albie fit so perfectly between them. He drove his hips, his hardening arousal, against Percy’s and it made him moan.

Their noses almost touching, Albie’s eyes were alight with fire and warning. “The sounds you make are obscene.”

Percy raised his hips, searching for more friction. Desperate for it. “Should you find something to gag me with?”

Albie’s eyes widened with shock, and it made Percy grin. “I can’t decide if I want you in my mouth or in my...” Percy wasn’t sure he could say it out loud. He didn’t have to because Albie knew.

He rolled his hips and grunted, fully erect now. Percy could feel the hardness, the urgency. There would be no time for much else tonight. He fought to get his hands free and quickly slid them between them, unbuttoning Albie’s pants first, then his own. He fumbled with the material until he had both their cocks in his hand, sliding them against each other.

Albie’s eyes rolled closed and he trembled above him. He had his hands by Percy’s shoulders but soon went onto his elbows so he could thrust his hips better.

The glorious slide of their lengths, hard as iron and as soft as silk. Albie crushed his lips to Percy’s, plunging his tongue into his mouth, devouring him, controlling him like a puppet on strings, beckoning his body, his bliss.

Albie came first, shuddering and groaning, and the feel of his erection pulsing and spilling made Percy follow directly after.

Albie collapsed on his side, pulling Percy into a strong embrace. “You,” he said, breathless. “I’m so weak for you.”

Percy chuckled. “Weak?”

Albie kissed Percy’s forehead. “Anything you want, whenever you want it, consider it yours.”

Percy sighed, his eyelids heavy, the lull of Albie’s warm body and deep breaths sending him to sleep. “I only want you. Nothing else.”

Albie kissed the side of his head. “I’m already yours.”

* * *

The weekthat followed was something close to the best Percy could remember. Their days were busy with farming, the nights were filled with pleasure and comfort.

It was warming up too, sunlight lasting a little longer. The wind still had some bite but spring was on the horizon. Newborn calves, baby chicks, and squealing piglets were a sure indicator.

Everyone’s mood was lifted it seemed.

Life at the farm was good. They didn’t have a lot right now, but with the seedlings almost big enough to go in the ground, soon they’d have an abundance of most things.

Elsie had plans for canning and pickling. Clara was always trying new ways to make meals go further, even though none of them could remember ever eating so well.

But the accounts ledger didn’t lie. If they wanted to survive next winter, they’d need a decent income this spring and summer, that was for sure.

Percy wasn’t even entirely sure how to bring it up or if he should.

“You and I will need to head down to Alpine Falls,” Albie said.

Percy was so caught up in his head, it was a surprise to hear. “Oh? Yes, of course.”

“We’ll need more flour soon. I’ll have Elsie and Clara make a list, and if the weather’s good tomorrow, we can go early. Stay the night,” he said, his gaze cutting to Percy’s. “Just us.”

Percy had to bite his bottom lip to stop from smiling so hard. “If you say so.” But then he took a sleeve of paper from the ledger and pushed the pencil toward him. “You can write the list.”

Albie rolled his eyes but he started to write. His handwriting wasn’t perfect, and he had to sound a few words out, but he was miles better than he used to be. It all came down to practice and repetition, and he was doing great.

He asked Elsie and Clara what they needed. Then he went out to the bunkhouse and asked Des and Robert. He came back in with quite a list, and so it was decided they’d head off in the morning.

Percy couldn’t wait.

He barely slept, tossing and turning with too much on his mind, and was up before Albie had even stirred.

He had their horses saddled and ready when Albie came out looking for him. His hair was rumpled and he was still pulling his coat on as he came into the stables. “Percy, what are you doing?”

“You can ride Ox. Minnie’s the pack horse. Sorry, sweetheart,” he said, giving her neck a pat.

“I know I said early,” Albie said, biting back a yawn. “But is this not too early?”

Percy was buzzing. “Is it ever too early? Let’s get into town. See what’s happening, see if there’s any news.”

“News about what?”

Percy did love being up here in the mountains away from it all, but they really were so far removed from the rest of the world. “News about anything. And I saw some boiled sweets in the store last time. They’ve got my name on them this time.” He gave Albie’s shoulder a clap. “Look alive, Albie.”

Des startled them with a laugh. “Yeah. Look alive, Albie.”

Percy was just glad he hadn’t said anything meant for private ears.

Albie rolled his eyes and sighed. “Can we at least have breakfast first?”

Percy took a second to consider that. “I suppose.” He left the horses tied up outside the stable. “I’ll go check the chickens and the piglets.”

“Just who’s in charge here,” Albie said.

“I don’t think you want anyone to answer that,” Des said, and when Percy turned around to laugh, he saw Des pat Albie on the back with a huge smile on his face.

Percy set about doing his chores, sat down for the quickest breakfast ever, and was bringing the horses over to the house when Albie was still giving Des and Robert instructions.

Not that they needed them.

Percy mounted Bandit and stopped short on clearing his throat to hurry Albie along.

He got the message though, because he saw Percy already on his horse waiting and he rolled his eyes again. “I should add patience to my list,” Albie muttered as he swung himself up into the saddle on Ox. “We’ll be back after lunch tomorrow. If I don’t throttle him first,” he said, giving a nod toward Percy.

“You would never,” Percy said with a laugh, turning Bandit toward the gate. Albie would put his hands on Percy in a number of ways, but never in anger, and they both knew it. “Time’s a wasting, boss.”

He gave Bandit a nudge and headed off in a trot, tipping his hat at Des and Robert. Albie followed him, and given he had Minnie tethered to Ox, Percy took the liberty of opening the gate and closing it behind them when Albie went through.

“You’re in a good mood today,” he said as they began the ride down the road.

“Why wouldn’t I be?” he replied. “I ain’t ever been happier, Albie. I got a job. I got friends. I eat like a king, three meals a day. I got this view.” He gestured to the misty trees, the mountains, the valley, then he looked over at Albie. “And I got you.”

Albie shifted in his saddle. “Oh. Yes, well...”

“Yes, well, what?”

Albie’s cheeks were a little pink and he smiled. “Do you really think the king eats wallaby stew?”

Percy laughed, incredulous. “That’s what you took from that?”

“You said you eat like the king.”

“I said a king. Not the king. And anyway, the King of England should be so lucky.”

Albie laughed, and after a few moments of riding in silence, he said, “I’m happy I’ve got you too.”

“Did you ever think it was possible?” Percy asked. He still couldn’t believe it himself some days. “And that we’re free to talk about such things when it’s just you and me.”

And it was just them. There was no one else around for miles.

Albie’s cheeks were still pink. If it was from embarrassment or the cold, Percy wasn’t sure. “I never thought it was possible, no. To be honest, I never thought of it at all. I never thought much past my next meal or the next chore my father gave me. I never thought much of my future. I just assumed it’d be me and my father on the farm forever. I thought we’d just get by, ya know?”

Percy nodded.

“But then that was cut away,” Albie said. “And when everything seemed dark and pointless, I met this man, not much younger than me. He was smart and had fire in his blue eyes and a smile that knocked my heart around.”

Percy smiled at him. “Me?”

Albie laughed. “Yes, you. Who else? Looking like something from a dream. One of my teenaged daydreams where I knew thinking of men wasn’t right but imagining women felt more wrong. I just didn’t know why.”

“But now you know.”

“Oh, yes. Very much.”

Percy chuckled. “Same. I haven’t ever felt so right than when I’m with you.” He smiled as they rode, at the smell of eucalypt and pine fresh in the cold damp air, the birdsong in the trees around them. “I sure do hope the hotel only has one room available.”

Albie laughed. “I don’t much care if they do or don’t,” he said, shifting again in his saddle. “I’m only paying for one room whether they like it or not. The smaller the bed the better.”

Percy groaned, his belly tightening at the thought. “You keep talking about that and this saddle will do me no favours. We might have to find somewhere to tie the horses up along the way, away from the road, maybe a gully somewhere and you can make good on your promises.”

Albie laughed at that, but he didn’t say no.

Percy was almost disappointed when they eventually rode into Alpine Falls that they hadn’t found themselves a private moment along the way. But he sure was looking forward to tonight.