Vasily smiled widely, his relief obvious. “So you’d really do it again?”
Mother grinned back. “Not for a bit. My arse aches something fierce, and if I have to ride in the morning, I’ll feel it, but in a day or two? Abso-bloody-lutely.”
Letting out a contented sigh, Vasily said, “Oh good. I was worried because I barely lasted at all.”
Mother snorted. “That makes two of us.”
He rolled to face Vasily and wrinkled his nose in distaste when the change in position had his arse leaking. “Gods, that’ll take some getting used to.” He levered himself into a sitting position.
Vasily stared at him, uncomprehending, before realisation dawned. He scrambled out of bed and over to the washbasin, coming back with a damp cloth. “Lie down,” he ordered. “Let me clean you up.”
Mother didn’t argue. Lying down again honestly sounded wonderful, his limbs still heavy from his orgasm. He yelped a moment later when the cold cloth touched his skin. Vasily was infinitely gentle when he wiped him down, though, cleaning away the mess of oil and seed, and the coolness of the cloth against his hole was a welcome relief that had him sighing into the pillow.
Once he’d cleaned him up, Vasily pressed a series of kisses up the length of his spine, and Mother melted into the mattress. Vasily stretched out alongside him, pulled the quilt up over them, and wrapped himself around Mother’s back with a happy sigh. “You’re staying, right?” he asked quietly, his hold tightening like he thought Mother might try and escape.
Mother nestled back into his arms. “Nowhere I’d rather be, lad.”
Vasily might have mumbled a reply, but Mother didn’t hear it, already drifting into a dreamless slumber.
ChapterTwelve
Vasily tried and failed to hide his grin at the hitch in Mother’s step as he walked across the stable yard.
Mother arched a brow as he leaned over the wooden railing, propping one leg on the lower bar. “Something funny, lad?”
“Nothing at all,” Vasily lied, smirking.
Mother grinned back. “It’s fine, lad. Laugh away.” His smile faded and a look of naked affection replaced it. “Last night was worth the ache. It was something special.”
He wasn’t sure how to respond to that. Did he say, “You’re welcome”? Ask for pointers for next time? Offer to return the favour?
Last nighthadbeen special. He’d spilt the oil and it had been over far too fast, but for all that, he wouldn’t change any of it. Nothing had ever felt as good as the clench of Mother’s arse around his cock. Combined with the noises Mother had made, Vasily didn’t think he could be blamed for his lack of stamina—not when Mother had fallen apart so beautifully.
It had been nothing short of magical.
“Vas?”
Mother’s smile had faded, and Vasily realised he’d been silent for far too long. “I was just thinking of how beautiful you looked when you came,” he said.
The tips of Mother’s ears turned pink. He flapped his hand in a dismissive gesture and huffed out, “Flatterer,” but his smile was back in full force.
Vasily stepped closer, leaning over the railing and pressing a kiss to Mother’s cheek. “I mean it. You’re gorgeous.”
There was the sound of a throat clearing, and Vasily spun on his heel to find Janus Hobson, the captain of the guard, observing them. “What is it about the stables that always has people kissing?” he asked, his mouth curving up.
“Perhaps we just like horsing around,” Mother replied without missing a beat.
Janus laughed. “Well, when you’re done horsing around, I came to remind you that Flick and Leo’s horses need to be ready just before noon, and Davin’s too. They’re heading into the city for the Blessing of the Fleet, so I’ll need six horses for the guards as well.”
“Any six?” Mother asked, all business.
“Thomas and I will take the usual, but otherwise any of them are fine. It’s all pomp and ceremony anyway. I really don’t think they’re under much threat from a game of Catch the Herring.”
Vasily thought of the fluttering strips of bunting he’d noticed adorning the shopfronts last night as they’d walked through town. He hadn’t realised it was quite such an occasion. “Is it a big event?” he asked.
“We’re a port city. It’s practically a holiday,” Mother said. “Why do you think I’ve let the stable boys bunk off today?”
Vasily looked around. Well, that explained the empty stables.
