His Request
A short story sequel to
His Client
AVA MARCH
Life in the English countryside is better than Jasper Reed
could have ever hoped. His garden is flourishing, he has
Nathaniel Travers in his bed most nights, and his lover has
become his neighbor.
:KHQ 1DWH VXJJHVWV WKH\ SOD\ µWKH SK\VLFLDQ DQG KLV
SDWLHQW¶-DVSHUHDJHUO\DJUHHV7KHHURWLFJDPHSURYHVMXVW
WKH WKLQJ WR ILOO WKH UDLQ\ VXPPHU DIWHUQRRQ <HW 1DWH¶V
request after their game is over gives Jasper pause, stirring
up old doubts and making him question if he is indeed first
LQ1DWH¶VKHDUW
His Request
Copyright © 2013 by Ava March
Cover Art © by Harper by Design
All rights are reserved. No part of this work may be sold,
manipulated, or reproduced in any manner whatsoever
without written permission from the author.
This is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places and
LQFLGHQWVDUHSURGXFWVRIWKHZULWHU¶VLPDJLQDWLRQRUKDYH
been used fictitiously and are not construed to be real. Any
resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale
or organizations is entirely incidental.
Warning
This work contains sexually explicit scenes and graphic
language and may be considered offensive to some readers.
Intended for adult audiences only. Not intended for anyone
under the age of 18. Please store your files wisely, where
they cannot be accessed by under-aged readers.
* * *
DISCLAIMER: Please do not try any new sexual practice,
especially those that might be found in this BDSM title
without the guidance of an experienced practitioner. The
author will not be responsible for any loss, harm, injury or
death resulting from use of the information contained in
this title.
Table of Contents
Shere, Surrey, England
July 1823
Rain drummed against the kitchen window in a steady,
unending rhythm, yet the soothing sound did nothing to
calm his pulse. Jasper Reed opened the oven, pulled out the
pan, and checked on the beef roast. Another couple of
hours or so before the roast would be ready for supper.
Straightening, he glanced about the kitchen. The
vegetables were in with the roast, the bread on the
ZRUNWDEOH VKRXOGQ¶W EH FXW XQWLO GLUHFWO\ EHIRUH WKH PHDO
and the sink was empty of anything to wash. Absolutely
nothing left to do but wait.
What was taking Nate so long?
³:DLWLQ WKHNLWFKHQ:RQ¶W WDNHPHEXW DPRPHQW WR
JDWKHUDIHZWKLQJV´ Nate had said.
Jasper had heard Nate come back down the stairs a
good couple of minutes ago. What the hell was he doing in
WKHVWXG\":K\KDGQ¶W1DWHFDOOHGIRUKLP\HW"
Unless Jasper had not heard him. It was raining, after
DOO3HUKDSVWKHVRXQG KDGGURZQHGRXW1DWH¶VYRLFH7KH
driving rain had been what had prompted the game. No
chance of a neighbor stopping by the quaint cottage, unless
said neighbor was of a mind to get soaked through and that
possibility was remote enough to push it to nonexistent.
Jasper had a small though decent selection of books in the
Ava March
2
study, but why spend the afternoon reading when the time
could be put to much better use?
Jasper had voiced the idea to his lover, and Nate had
selected the game²µWKHSK\VLFLDQDQGKLVSDWLHQW¶$IUHVK
bolt of anticipation swept through Jasper at the prospect of
whiling away the afternoon not only playing an erotic game
with Nate, but playing a new game. Why Jasper had never
thought of this particular game before KHKDGQ¶WWKHIDLQWHVW
notion. Clearly Nate had toyed with the idea at least
somewhat, for it had taken him less than a moment to
propose it.
+H WRVVHG WKH VPDOO WRZHO KH¶G XVHG WR FKHFN RQ WKH
roast onto the counter. Enough waiting. Ten minutes had to
KDYHSDVVHG&OHDUO\KH¶GQRWKHDUG1DWH¶VFDOO
³,¶P UHDG\´ 1DWH¶V YRLFH GULIWHG LQWR WKH NLWFKHQ
followed by the snap of a door closing.
Jasper bolted out of the kitchen and down the short
corridor, coming to a stop before the study door. Closing
his eyes, he gave himself a moment to slip into his role. A
prospective patient with a nervous complaint. A little smile
IOLWWHUHGDFURVVKLVOLSV+HKDGDIDLUQRWLRQWKHSK\VLFLDQ¶V
prescription would involve an orgasm on both of their
SDUWV+RZWKH\ZRXOGUHDFKWKDWSRLQW«ZHOOWKHUHLQODLG
the fun.
1DWH KDGQ¶W LQVWUXFWHG KLP WR GRQ DQ\WKLQJ VSHFLILF
therefore the brown trousers, white shirt, and plain tan
3
His Request
waistcoat Jasper had pulled on that morning must fit the
game.
One deep breath. Then another. He had a nervous
FRPSODLQWDQGDVKH¶GQHYHUPDGHWKHDFTXDLQWDQFHRI0U
1DWKDQLHO 7UDYHUV KH¶G DOVR EH«XQFHUWDLQ 'HVSHUDWH IRU
DVVLVWDQFH \HW UHOXFWDQW WR DVN IRU WKH JRRG SK\VLFLDQ¶V
opinion.
Yes, indeed. Desperate and eager yet uncertain.
He opened his eyes and knocked.
³(QWHU´FDPHDVWURQJYRLFHWKURXJKWKHRDNGRRU
Jasper turned the knob, pushed open the door, and
closed it behind him. The horrid brown and black plaid
drapes KHKDGQ¶WERWKHUHGWRUHSODFH\HWZHUHFORVHGWight,
muffling the rain against the widows. A fire in the hearth
warmed the room, vanquishing the dampness in the air, and
a few candles stationed about provided enough light to
chase away the shadows. The straight-back wooden chair
from his bedchamber was stationed facing the desk and
behind that desk, clad in a black coat, sat Nate, his broad
shoulders pulled back, pencil in hand and his attention on a
ledger before him. He had even combed his untidy light
brown hair, the short stands lying neatly against his head.
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ZHLJKW-DVSHUJDYHKLVZDLVWFRDWDWXJWRVWUDLJKWHQLW³+H
WKRXJKW\RXFRXOGEHRI«DVVLVWDQFH´
Ava March
4
³3OHDVH VLW´ 1DWH ZDYHG D KDQG WRZDUG WKH FKDLU
³+RZLV0U6PLWKWKHVHGD\V",VKHZHOO"´
³9HU\ZHOO´KHVDLGDVKHVDWGRZQ³$QGKHFUHGLWVLW
WR\RXUUHPHGLHV´
Rugged features wiped clean of emotion, Nate tipped
his head, the epitome of a conVHUYDWLYHSK\VLFLDQ³,WZRXOG
EHKHOSIXOLI,NQHZ\RXUQDPH´
Jasper nodded. Should have introduced himself when
KHILUVWZDONHGLQWRWKHURRP³0U-DVSHU5HHG´
Nate turned to a fresh page in the ledger and wrote
something at the top. Except for that ledger, the desk was
clear, the agricultural pamphlets and books on botany gone.
³+RZFDQ,EHRIDVVLVWDQFH0U5HHG"´
Jasper clasped his hands on his lap. How best to
describe a nervous complaint, and describe it in a manner
that could lead their game in the direction they would both
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VWRPDFKRIODWH:HOOWKH\DUHQ¶WSDLQVH[DFWO\0RUHOLNH
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³+RZRIWHQGRWKHVHSDLQVRFFXU"´
³$WOHDVWRQFHDGD\´
³$QGZKHQGRWKH\XVXDOO\RFFXU"$SDUWLFXODUWLPHRI
GD\RUDIWHUDSDUWLFXODUDFWLYLW\RUDPHDO"´
³1RWDIWHUDPHDO0RUHLQWKHHYHQLQJVZKHQ,DPLQ
EHG,KDYHQ¶WEHHQDEOHWRVOHHSVRXQGO\IRUZHHNV´
5
His Request
There was the scratch of pencil on paper as Nate made
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WKHVHNQRWV"´
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Embarrassing to have to say it aloud, but he knew he
needed to. The good physician would need all the facts in
RUGHUWRWUXO\KHOSKLP³$QGP\DUVHLWGRHVQ¶WTXLWHDFKH
EXW\HWLWGRHV´
Nate made a little sound under his breath, something
that approached a harrumph designed to stifle the start of a
ODXJK+HFOHDUHGKLVWKURDW³7his tension and these pains,
DUHWKH\DFFRPSDQLHGE\DURXVDO"´
7KHUHZDVVRPHWKLQJDERXWWKHWRQHRI1DWH¶VYRLFH,W
VKRXOGQ¶W DIIHFW KLP VR EXW WKH GHWDFKHG FOLQLFDO TXDOLW\
ZHQWVWUDLJKWWR-DVSHU¶VFRFN+HKRSHGWR*RGKHGLGQRW
need to call on the ORFDO DSRWKHFDU\¶V VHUYLFHV DQ\WLPH
VRRQ:RXOGQ¶WGRWRVSRUWDQHUHFWLRQDVVRRQDVWKHPDQ
began asking what was plaguing him.
³<HV´ -DVSHU DGPLWWHG LQ D ZKLVSHU ³3DLQIXOO\ VR ,
WULHG´²He shifted again, rolled one shoulder²³WHQGLQJWR
it, but my efIRUWVGRQ¶WVHHPWRHDVHWKHDFKH,IDQ\WKLQJLW
makes it worse. I toss and turn through the night, and in the
PRUQLQJ,DPDOORXWRIVRUWV´
After making another notation, Nate set down his
SHQFLODQGFORVHGWKHOHGJHU³:RXOG\RXSOHDVHVWDQGDQG
Ava March
6
remove your waistcoat and shirt? I need to examine you, to
SDOSLWDWH\RXUVWRPDFKUXOHRXWDQ\VHULRXVPDODGLHV´
With a nod, Jasper did as bid, folding his waistcoat,
shirt, and cravat over the back of his chair.
Nate got to his feet, revealing himself to be a couple of
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VOLJKW ZLVS RI D PDQ EXW WKH LQKHUHQW VWUHQJWK RI 1DWH¶V
frame, the strong, hard muscles the bland black coat could
not conceal, never failed to make Jasper feel as though he
shoulG QHHG WR ORRN XS WR PHHW 1DWH¶V H\HV 7KH PDQ
certainly did not physically resemble any physician Jasper
had ever encountered.
Nor did he resemble a tutor or a butler, and the knots
marring the bridge of his nose kept away any trace of a
haughty lord. But the right demeanor was all that was
QHHGHG7KHWRQHRI1DWH¶VYRLFHWKHORRNLQKLVH\HVDQG
his choice of words always exactly matched his role. The
PDQPDGHLWVRHDV\WRDOPRVWIRUJHWKHZDVQ¶WDFWXDOO\D
physician.
³3OHDVHVWDQGZLWK \RXU EDFNWRWKHGHVN´&KDLU OHJV
scraped against the wooden floorboards as Nate positioned
WKH FKDLU EHIRUH -DVSHU +H VDW GRZQ ³$UH WKH NQRWV
ORFDOL]HGRUGRWKH\HQFRPSDVV\RXUHQWLUHEHOO\"´
³8VXDOO\WKH\DUH PRUH ORZHUWKDQ KLJKHUXS´-DVSHU
touched just beloZ WKH ZDLVWEDQG RI KLV WURXVHUV ³$ERXW
WKHUH´
7
His Request
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Pressing carefully, moving right to left. There was
absolutely nothing sensual or even mildly erotic in his
touch, but by the time he reached the waistband, Jasper¶V
erection was tenting the placket of his trousers. Impossible
not to notice, yet aside from a slight furrow on his brow,
1DWH¶VIHDWXUHVUHPDLQHGZLSHGFOHDQRIHPRWLon.
³, ZLOO QHHG WR XQEXWWRQ \RXU WURXVHUV WR ILQLVK WKH
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stuttered as the top button was tugged from its mooring.
Then the next button and the next. The arch of his erection
was the only thing keeping his trousers from falling down
his hips. Warm fingers continued their exploration, probing
gently, stopping just before they encountered the dark
thatch of hair on his groin.
Arms locked at his sides, Jasper stood perfectly still.
Resisted the urJHWRWKUXVWKLVKLSVIRUZDUGWRJUDE1DWH¶V
hand and press it over his hard cock, to get some sort of
friction.
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ERG\³,GLGQRWHQFRXQWHUDQ\WKLQJWRFDXVHFRQFHUQ'LG
you experience any pains duriQJWKHH[DPLQDWLRQ"´
³,WGLGQ¶WKXUWEXWLWPDGHP\LQVLGHVJRLQWRNQRWV´
Ava March
8
³$QG \RXU DUVH GRHV LW DFKH"´ 1DWH DVNHG DOO
seriousness, looking up at Jasper.
-DVSHU QRGGHG +H PDUYHOHG DW 1DWH¶V DELOLW\ WR DVN
such a question and keep even a hint of a smirk from
touching his lips. It was all Jasper could do to stay in
character, to not beg Nate to bend him over the desk and
bugger him senseless. To not grab Nate, crush his mouth
over Nate¶s, and have the man in his arms.
Nate went back behind the desk and pulled a wooden
box from a drawer. Jasper recognized the box²it had been
on RQHRIWKHERRNVKHOYHVZKHQKH¶GSXUFKDVHG:HVWERUQH
Cottage a year ago and there it had stayed until now. How
could stray pencils and bits of string play into their game?
³0U 6PLWK ZDV FRUUHFW LQ UHIHUULQJ \RX WR PH , DP
going to prescribe a remedy which should alleviate your
DFKHVDQGDOORZ\RXWRUHOD[HQRXJKWRVOHHSVRXQGO\´
Nate came back around the desk and set the box near
the edge, within easy distance of the chair. He lifted the lid.
Inside were not bits of string or pencils, but a bottle of oil
and three dildos. Two in marble²one slim and short and
one slightly larger²DQGDWKLUGLQVWHHOWKDWULYDOHG1DWH¶V
cock in length and width. All of which had come from
-DVSHU¶VEHGVLGHWDEOHGUDZHU
No wonder it had taken Nate so long to call Jasper into
the study.
³7KHVHDUHGLODWRUV´1DWHVDLG³'HVLJQHGWRDVVLVWLQ
UHOD[LQJ\RXUPXVFOHV´
9
His Request
Dilators? Where had Nate heard that term? Though it
was an apt one, considering their purpose. The largest one
in particular would certainly stretch Jasper wide open.
A heavy jolt of lust shot through him at the prospect of
what was to come.
³<RX DUH WR XVH WKHP HYHU\ RWKHU HYHQLQJ IRU D
IRUWQLJKW´1DWHFRQWLQXHG³$IWHUZKLFK\RXDUHWRUHGXFH
the usage to twice per week. If your aches persist, return to
this office and I will prescribe an alternative remedy,
WKRXJK,EHOLHYHWKLVRQHZLOOUHVROYH\RXUPDODG\´
$VWKRXJKKH¶G QHYHU ODLGH\HVRQD dilator in all his
OLIH-DVSHUDVNHGDOOFXULRXVLQQRFHQFH³+RZDP,WRXVH
WKHP"´
1DWH¶VGHHS EOXH H\HV EDQNHd with raw desire. Jasper
had asked the correct question.
³3OHDVHUHPRYH\RXUWURXVHUVDQGVLWRQWKHHGJHRIWKH
GHVN,ZLOOLQVWUXFW\RXLQWKHLUXVH´
Doing his best not to rush too quickly to comply,
Jasper pushed down his trousers and stepped free of them.
Wooden joints creaked faintly as he got into position. The
FUHDNV GLGQ¶W FRQFHUQ KLP²the desk had been through
HQRXJKERXWVRIµORUGDQGVHFUHWDU\¶WRSURYHLWFRXOGKROG
his weight.
Pulling the straight-back chair a bit closer, positioning
it betZHHQ -DVSHU¶V FDVXDOO\ VSUHDG WKLJKV 1DWH VDW WKHQ
UHDFKHG IRU WKH ZRRGHQ ER[ ³<RX QHHG WR FRD[ \RXU
muscles to relax, not force them. Begin with the smallest
Ava March
10
DQG OLEHUDOO\ FRDW HDFK ZLWK RLO´ -DVSHU FRXOGQ¶W WDNH KLV
H\HVRII1DWH¶VILQJHUVDVKHVOLFNed the short, black marble
OHQJWK³/HDQ EDFNRQWR\RXUHOERZVDQG OLIW \RXUOHJV,W
will be easiest to do this while you are lying in bed at
QLJKW´
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GHVN ZDVQ¶W WKH PRVW FRPIRUWDEOH EXW VRRQ WKDW Zould
matter not. Excitement and anticipation backed by a
measure of self-conscious nervousness coursed through his
veins. Ridiculous to feel nervous or self-conscious. Nate
ZDVZHOODFTXDLQWHGZLWKHYHU\LQFKRI-DVSHU¶VERG\<HW
every time they played a game, when Jasper took on a role,
KHFRXOGQ¶WKHOSEXWIHHODELWDVLIWKLVZDVDOOWUXO\QHZWR
him.
The comfort and security of being with Nate, with the
man he loved, mixed with the rush of the unfamiliar. A
decidedly potent and exhilarating combination.
$ODUJHKDQGVSOD\HGRYHUKLVULJKWDUVHFKHHN1DWH¶V
thumb just grazed the outer edge of JasSHU¶VKROH$WUHPRU
VKRRN-DVSHU¶VERG\$GURSRIIOXLGEHDGHGDWWKHKHDGRI
his cock.
³3RVLWLRQWKH FURZQDW \RXUHQWUDQFHDQGSXVK'RQ¶W
shove, use a coQVWDQWSUHVVXUH´
The oil-slicked length slid inside him. Lush sensation
VSUHDGXSIURP-DVSHU¶VDUVHJRRVHIOHVKSULFNLQJKLVVNLQ
Capturing his bottom lip between his teeth, he stifled a
groan.
11
His Request
Nate picked up a slow, gentle rhythm. In then almost
all tKHZD\RXW³+RZGRHVWKDWIHHO"´
Goddamned fantastic³6WUDQJHEXWJRRG´+LVEUHDWKV
hitched.
1DWH¶V OLJKW EURZQ KHDG QRGGHG RQFH ³.HHS XS WKLV
motion for two to three minutes. You will know your body
is ready to progress to the next size when you can pull this
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³$OOULJKW´,WZDVWKHRQO\UHVSRQVH-DVSHUFRXOGWKLQN
to give.
The muffled tap of the rain against the windows was
all that broke the silence as Nate worked to relax -DVSHU¶V
muscles, his GHHS EOXHJD]H IL[HGRQ-DVSHU¶VDUVHRQWKH
marble sliding in and out of his hole.
7KH QDUURZ FURZQ VOLSSHG IUHH RI KLV ERG\ -DVSHU¶V
muscles tightened, a quick unconscious contraction. A
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arse.
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WKXPE DFURVV -DVSHU¶V HQWUDQFH D WHDVLQJ FDUHVV WKDW
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Then the hard marble crown slid inside him once
again.
Jasper had to focus to keep from clamping eagerly
around the dildo. Little resistance, Nate had said.
³9HU\ JRRG´ 1DWH UHPRYHG WKH GLOGR DQG JDYH
-DVSHU¶VH[SRVHGDUVHFKHHNDOLJKWSDW
Ava March
12
The clank of marble against marble snapped through
the study as Nate put the slim dildo back into the box. He
selected the slightly larger one, coated the length with oil,
DQGWKHQHDVHGLWLQVLGH-DVSHU¶VERG\
By the time the two to three minutes ZDVXS-DVSHU¶V
jaw was clamped shut, holding back the plea for more. The
dildo had felt divine, but he wanted more. And goddamn-it,
LI1DWHGLGQ¶WWRXFKKLVFRFNVRRQKHZDVJRLQJWRJURZODW
his lover.
$QRWKHU FODQN RI PDUEOH 1DWH¶V KDQGV VKRRN WKH
tiniest bit as he prepared the largest dildo. A slight flush
tinged his cheekbones, his breaths no longer easy and
steady. Jasper craned his neck, tried to get a glimpse of
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WHQWLQJ KLV WURXVHUV <HW JLYHQ -DVSHU¶V SRVLWLRQ DQG ZLWK
1DWHVHDWHGEHWZHHQ KLV VSUHDGWKLJKVWKH PDQ¶VHUHFWLRQ
was just out of sight.
That large hand, palm roughened with calluses from
the linen he wrapped around his knuckles for sparring
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³<RX PLJKW IHHO D ELW RI D VWLQJ IURP WKH VWUHWFK
6LPSO\ EUHDWKH WKURXJK LW´ &RRO VWHHO EUXVKHG -DVSHU¶V
HQWUDQFH1DWHFDXJKWKLVH\H³5HDG\"´KHDVNHGWKHOXVW
finally beginning to creep into his voice.
Pulling his knees back even further, Jasper nodded.
1DWHSXVKHG$ZLQFHFURVVHG-DVSHU¶VEURZ+HPDGH
LWDSRLQWWRIROORZ1DWH¶VLQVWUXFWLRQVas any good patient
13
His Request
would do. He took a breath, let it out slowly, as Nate eased
the thick length inside of him, all the way to the hilt.
³9HU\JRRG´1DWHVDLGKRDUVHDQGURXJK+HSLFNHG
up that gentle rhythm again. In and then almost all the way
out. Again and again.
Perched on the edge of the desk, knees drawn up to his
FKHVWZKLOH1DWHIXFNHGKLPZLWKDELJGLOGR«
-DVSHU¶V KHDG OROOHG EDFN H\HV GULIWLQJ FORVHG OLSV
parting on a low moan, the sound drenched with lust. His
hands curled into fists. His cock ached for a touch, for any
sort of attention. Yet Nate steadfastly ignored the erection
DUFKHG RYHU -DVSHU¶V VWRPDFK $QG WKDW GHOLEHUDWH
inattention served to ratchet the frantic need for more, until
LW ZDV FODZLQJ DW -DVSHU¶V WKURDW 8QWLO KH FRXOGQ¶W VWRS
himself from bumping into the next thrust, from trying to
get the dildo deeper, from trying to get more.
There was a scrape of wood against wood. The rhythm
RI 1DWH¶V VWURNHV IDOWHUHG )DEULF JUD]HG WKH EDFNV RI
-DVSHU¶V WKLJKV +H FRXOG IHHO WKH KHDW SRXULQJ RII 1DWH¶V
body, knew without opening his eyes that Nate had got to
his feet.
Those gentle strokes abruptly turned demanding.
Strength, purpose behind each luscious thrust. Jasper
FRXOGQ¶W VWRS WKH JURDQV 7KH\ WXPEOHG RXW RI KLV PRXWK
unchecked. Each deep thrust sent a wave of exquisite
VHQVDWLRQ UROOLQJ WKURXJK KLV ERG\ %XW LW ZDVQ¶W HQRXJK
Ava March
14
+H ZDQWHG PRUH :DQWHG 1DWH :DQWHG KLV ORYHU¶V FRFN
buried deep within him when the climax seized his senses.
³1DWH Please IXFN PH´ KH EHJJHG completely
abandoning the game.
Slick steel left him, was yanked from his body. The
EOXQW KHDG RI 1DWH¶V FRFN SXVKHG DJDLQVW KLV KROH
demanding entry.
³<HV \HV \HV´ -DVSHU FKDQWHG DV 1DWH VKRYHG LQVLGH
him, all traces of the detached physician long gone.
Features hardened with fierce determination, gaze
VRDNHGZLWKOXVWIRUKLP1DWHFOXWFKHG-DVSHU¶VKLSVKHOG
him steady for each demanding thrust. Pushing himself up
RQWRDVWUDLJKWDUP-DVSHUJUDEEHG1DWH¶VQHFNKDXOHGKLV
lover in for a kiss. He ZUDSSHGKLVOHJVDURXQG1DWH¶VZDLVW
and tugged, urging for more.
And Nate gave him more. The desk creaked, the sound
blending with their groans and the quick slap of flesh
DJDLQVWIOHVK-DVSHU¶VHUHFWLRQUXEEHGDJDLQVWWKHIDEULFRI
1DWH¶V FRDW UHPLQGLQg him anew the man was still fully
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ILQJHUV LQWR KLV ORYHU¶V VKRUW KDLU 7KH RUJDVP EDUUHOHG
upon him. He could feel it barreling upon Nate as well,
turning those demanding strokes rough, almost violent in
their intensity.
Nate worked a hand between their bodies, grasped
-DVSHU¶V FRFN 7ZR WXJV DQG WKH FOLPD[ EXUVW DFURVV
15
His Request
-DVSHU¶V VHQVHV+H OHWRXWDVKRXWWKHVRXQG ORVWLQWKHLU
NLVVDV1DWHVWLIIHQHGZDUPWKILOOLQJ-DVSHU¶VSDVVDJH
Nate released him, dropping down onto straight arms.
/HJVVWLOOZUDSSHGDURXQG1DWH¶VZDLVWDQGDUPVZUDSSHG
around his neck, Jasper held on tight, unwilling to break the
contact of their bodies just yet.
$QLSWR1DWH¶VORZHUOLSDQLSZLWKPRUHWKDQDKLQW
of bite to it, and Jasper broke their kiss.
³+RZGR\RXIHHO"´1DWH¶VELFHSVEXOJHGEHQHDWKKLV
FRDWVOHHYHVDVKHHIIRUWOHVVO\VXSSRUWHG-DVSHU¶VZHLJKW
³9HU\UHOD[HG,EHOLHYH\RXUSUHVFULSWLRQZDVMXVWWKH
WKLQJ,QHHGHG0U7UDYHUV´
A chuckle rumblHG1DWH¶V EURDGFKHVW³*ODGWRKHDU
\RXDSSURYH´+HFDSWXUHG-DVSHU¶VPRXWKWKHNLVVVORSS\
and wet and slow. Perfection.
When Nate pulled back, Jasper reluctantly released his
hold on his lover. An ache briefly seized his hips as he
dropped his legs, but the slight ache had definitely been
worth it.
Nate pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and used it
to wipe the seed from Jasper¶s stomach. After tossing the
soiled handkerchief into the fire, he handed Jasper his shirt
from the back of the chair. Jasper got off the desk and
forced his limbs to cooperate enough to pull on his clothes.
A few flicks RI 1DWH¶V ILQJHUV DQG KLV WURXVHUV ZHUH
set to rights. ³,QHHGWRJRWR/RQGRQWRPRrrow. Check in
ZLWK 2YHUWRQ´ Nate said, referring to the secretary of the
Ava March
16
VPDOOVKLSSLQJRIILFHKLVJUDQGIDWKHUKDGOHIWKLP³:RXOG
\RXFDUHWRDFFRPSDQ\PHWRWRZQ"´
³,GRQ¶WPXFKFDUHIRUWRZQDQ\PRUH´6LQFHPRYLQJ
to Westborne Cottage, Jasper had managed not once to
return to London. Everything he needed, including Nate,
FRXOGEHIRXQGLQ6KHUH³,I\RXQHHGWRDWWHQGWREXVLQHVV
\RXVKRXOGJR,¶OOEHKHUHZKHQ\RXJHWEDFN´
³,WKRXJKW\RXZDQWHGDQHZZRUNWDEOHIRUWKHNLWFKHQ
and you could peruse a few bookstores.´ Nate handed
Jasper his trousers. ³<RX¶YHDOUHDG\SUXQHGWKHVKRSLQWKH
village of all its books on rose JDUGHQVDQGSODQWV´
-DVSHUSXOOHGRQKLVWURXVHUVGLGXSWKHSODFNHW³,W¶V
QRWKLQJSUHVVLQJ´7KHVKLP KH KDGVKRYHGXQGHURQH OHJ
of the old worktable was doing its duty. The table no longer
wobbled, well, at least not enough to push him to leave the
safety of the countryside, where no one knew what he had
been before he had taken up residence at the cottage.
³%XW,¶GOLNH\RXWRFRPHZLWKPH´
³:K\"´ :KLOH1DWHZHQWWRWRZQDERXWHYHU\ PRQWK
or so, he had never before asked Jasper to accompany him.
³,¶GOLNH\RXWRPHHW3HWHU´
-DVSHU¶V ILQJHUV VWLOOHG RYHU the first button on his
waistcoat.
Peter Edmonton? Hell no.
³,¶G UDWKHU QRW´ -DVSHU KDG KHDUG HQRXJK DERXW
Edmonton over the years. He did not want to actually come
face-to-face with the man Nate had once believed himself
17
His Request
in love with. And not just a passing, fleeting kind of love.
But for years. Many years. Well over a decade.
³,W¶V QRW«´ %URZ IXUURZLQJ 1DWH ORRNHG WR WKH
windows, to the horrid drapes that hid the view on the side
RIWKHKRXVH$IWHUDPRPHQWKHPHW-DVSHU¶VJD]HDJDLQ
³<RXPHDQDORWWRPH-DVSHU3HWHU¶VEHHQP\IULHQGVLQFH
P\VFKRROGD\V,¶GOLNHKLPWRPHHW\RX´
+HFRXOGDSSUHFLDWH1DWH¶VVHQWLPHQWEXW«-DVSHUKDG
never laid eyes on Edmonton, and he preferred to keep it
that way. To never have a face to go with the name. To
never know if he even slightly resembled the man.
-DVSHUVKRRNKLVKHDG³,¶GUHDOO\UDWKHUQRWPHHWKLP´
³3OHDVH-DVSHU<RX¶UHDSDUWRIP\OLIHDQGVRLVKH
,W¶VMXVt, you know all about him, and he²´
³'RHVQ¶WNQRZ,H[LVW´
³$FWXDOO\KHGRHV´
-DVSHUJDSHGDW1DWH³:KDW"´+HMXVWEDUHO\PDQDJHG
to get the question past the shock filling his head. By
1DWH¶V RZQ DGPLVVLRQ KH KDG QHYHU FRQIHVVHG KLV RZQ
preferences to his old friend. When and why and under
what circumstances would Nate have ever mentioned him
WR (GPRQWRQ" +HOO KH ZDV QRW RQO\ 1DWH¶V ORYHU EXW DQ
ex-prostitute.
³+H GRHVQ¶W NQRZ about XV´ 1DWH VDLG FRUUHFWO\
JXHVVLQJ SDUW RI WKH VRXUFH RI -DVSHU¶V shocked disbelief.
³%XW,¶YH PHQWLRQHG \RXWRKLP,VSHQGVR PXFKWLPH LQ
the country now. With you. Even purchased a property
Ava March
18
KHUH , FDQ¶W VHH 3HWHU DQG QRW PHQWLRQ -DVSHU 5HHG P\
good friend in Shere. Last I saw him, he extended an open
invitation for you to accompany me to supper at his town
KRXVHQH[WZHZHUHLQ/RQGRQ,¶GOLNHWRWDNHKLPXSRQ
WKDWLQYLWDWLRQ´
³7KDWZDVNLQGRIKLPEXW\RXZLOOQHHGWRH[WHQGP\
UHJUHWV´
Nate let out a sigh. He crossed to the couch situated
along the wall opposite the windows and sat down. Resting
his elbows on his knees and with his head bowed, he picked
at the cuff of his sleeve peeking from beneath his black
coat.
Jasper finished buttoning his waistcoat and tied his
cravat in a simple knot. Hopefully Nate had abandoned his
argument and wasn¶t simply gathering his thoughts, trying
to find another way to convince Jasper to accept
Edmonton¶s supper invitation. For he certainly did not want
WREHVWXFNDW(GPRQWRQ¶VWDEOH as Nate chatted with his old
friend. Nerves on edge, forced to witness the easy
camaraderie between his lover and the man Nate had once
loved.
No. Definitely not.
³, GRQ¶W ORYH KLP,´ Nate said, head still bowed and
gaze fixed between his spread knees. ³I love you, Jasper.
You are the only man I want to be with. What I once
WKRXJKW , ZDQWHG ZLWK KLP«LW ZRXOG QRW KDYH ZRUNHG ,
know that. We were meant to be friends and nothing more.
19
His Request
Hell, if he showed up on my doorstep tomorrow and
confessed he preferred men and wanted to give it a go
between us, I would still choose to be ZLWK\RX´He passed
a hand over the back of his neck. The hard line of his
VKRXOGHUV VOXPSHG ³, VKRXOG KDYH NQRZQ \RX ZRXOGQ¶W
ZDQW WR JR´ +H SXVKHG XS IURP WKH FRXFK UHVLJnation
HWFKHG LQ KLV IHDWXUHV³,¶OOWDNHWKHFKDLU EDFNXSWR\RXU
EHGFKDPEHU0LJKWDVZHOOWLG\WKHURRP´
Jasper did his best to keep the relief hidden from view.
³,QGHHG6KRXOGQ¶WOHDYHP\QHZGLODWRUVRQWKHGHVN7KH
neighbors might mistake them for something other than a
UHPHG\IRUP\QHUYRXVFRQGLWLRQ´
7KH FRPPHQW GLGQ¶W HDUQ KLP HYHQ D KLQW RI D VPLOH
from Nate as the man picked up the straight-back chair and
left the study.
Letting out a sigh, Jasper turned toward the desk. He
gathered the remnants of their afternoon game and put them
LQWKHER[+H¶GFOHDQWKHGLOGRVODWHUEHIRUHWXFNLQJWKHP
back in the drawer in his bedside table. What had Nate
done with the bits of string and the pencils? He glanced to
the bookshelves. At not seeing a little pile there, he checked
the desk. And found said objects in the top middle drawer.
It appeared as if Nate had simply dumped the contents of
the wooden box into the drawer.
Not that Nate was all that tidy of an individual. Still,
the haphazard mess screamed of impatience. The same sort
Ava March
20
RI LPSDWLHQFH WKDW KDG FRXUVHG WKURXJK -DVSHU¶V YHLQV DV
KH¶GZDLWHGLQWKHNLWFKHQIRU1DWH¶VFDOO
But instead of the content, post-orgasmic languor that
settled over them after they played, tension hung in the air.
NatH ZDVQ¶W HYHQ LQ WKH VWXG\ DW WKH PRPHQW DQG -DVSHU
could still feel the tension between them. And he hated that
feeling.
<RX¶UH EHLQJ ULGLFXORXV, he chided himself. He knew
1DWHORYHGKLP6WLOO«
The sound of heavy footsteps approached the study.
Sliding the drawer shut, Jasper looked up.
1DWHVWRRGLQWKHRSHQGRRUZD\³,WKLQNLWEHVW,MXVW
JRKRPHIRUWKHQLJKW´
³<RX GRQ¶W QHHG WR OHDYH´ (YHQ WKRXJK 1DWH KDG D
house of his own less than a mile away, if Nate was in the
country, he slept in JaspeU¶V EHG PRUH RIWHQ WKDQ QRW
Neither had servants that lived under their roofs²Jasper
GLGQ¶WHYHQKDYHDPDLGZKRWLGLHGXSGXULQJWKHGD\²so
their sleeping arrangements did not rouse suspicion from
DQ\RQH LQ WKH QHLJKERUKRRG ³$QG LW¶V VWLOO SRXULQJ UDLQ
<RX¶OOJHWGUHQFKHGWKURXJK´
³7KHUDLQZRQ¶WGRPHDQ\KDUP,W¶VMXVW«,ZRXOGQ¶W
be
very
good
company
right
about
now.
,¶P«GLVDSSRLQWHG´
³,QPH"´%HFDXVH-DVSHUZDVFHUWDLQO\GLVDSSRLQWHGLQ
himself right about now. Nate had never asked him to
21
His Request
accompany him anywhere, and the one time he did, Jasper
had acted like a jealous, stubborn arse.
³1R ,Q P\VHOI ,¶P VRUU\ -DVSHU , ZDV VXFK D IRRO
and you were so patient with me. The money aside, surely
you could have told me to bugger off any point, refused to
see me, conjured some excuse whenever I requested you at
'HODFURL[¶V%XW \RXQHYHUGLG :K\GLG \RXSXWXSZLWK
PHIRUVRORQJ"´
³%HFDXVH,ORYHG\RX´
³:K\"´1DWHDVNHGDVLIKHWUXO\FRXOGQRWIDWKRPWKH
answer.
³%HFDXVH\RXZHUHP\IULHQG´
A wrLQNOH PDUUHG 1DWH¶V EURZ KLV UXJJHG IHDWXUHV
twisting in confusion at the simple answer.
³0HQ GRQ¶W XVXDOO\ JR WR D EURWKHO WR WDON 7KH\ JR
there for one reason only. Yet you, you treated me like a
IULHQG´:KHQ-DVSHUVDLGLWDORXGLWVRXQGHGSDWKHWLF²he
KDG IDOOHQ LQ ORYH ZLWK 1DWH EHFDXVH KH KDGQ¶W WUHDWHG
-DVSHU OLNH D WR\ KH¶G SXUFKDVHG IRU WKH HYHQLQJ ,Q
actuality, there was so much more to it than that. It had
been Nate himself. The way the man never held himself up
on a pedestal above Jasper, thHZD\KH¶GORRNHGRQ-DVSHU
DVDQHTXDO7KHZD\KHKDGYDOXHG-DVSHU¶VDGYLFHVRXJKW
it out. The way Nate had trusted him with his most guarded
thoughts, his deepest worries. The way Jasper had
instinctively known Nate had needed him.
Ava March
22
³<RXZHUHP\EHVWfriend, Jasper. Still are. And I hope
will always be. You understand meHYHQZKHQ,¶PKRUULG
at explaining myself6R\RXNQRZZK\,¶PGLVDSSRLQWHGLQ
myself. I should not have asked. I should have known you
would not want to meet him. For once, I should have put
my own selfish wishes aside, considered you first, and I
GLGQ¶W<RXKDYHP\DSRORJLHV,¶OOWU\QRWWREHVRVHOILVK
again. , VWLOO QHHG WR JR WR WRZQ WKRXJK EXW ,¶OO EH EDFN
EHIRUH7KXUVGD\´
Nate turned from the study.
Jasper caught up with him in the small entrance hall.
³,W¶V YHU\ LPSRUWDQWWR \RX LVQ¶W LW WKDW(GPRQWRQ PHHWV
PH"´
1DWH¶V ILQJHUV VWLOOHG RYHU WKH IURQW GRRU¶V NQRE
/RRNLQJRYHU KLV VKRXOGHUKH PHW-DVSHU¶VH\HVKLVJD]H
VROHPQ DQG JUDYH ³<RX¶UH WKH PRVW LPSRUWDQW SHUVRn in
P\OLIH´
There had been a time when Jasper had been so certain
Nate would never be proud to call him friend. Never want
Jasper standing at his shoulder. And now, Nate wanted him
there with him, at his side. Wanted to introduce him to his
old friend.
+H GRHVQ¶W ZDQW (GPRQWRQ KH ZDQWV PH, Jasper
reminded himself.
(GPRQWRQZDVQ¶WDWKUHDW:HOODWOHDVWQRWDQ\PRUH
7KHPDQKDGVWRSSHGEHLQJKLVULYDOIRU1DWH¶VKHDUWD\HDU
ago.
23
His Request
He truly was being ridiculous. There was absolutely
nothing for him to fret about. Nothing at all.
³$OOULJKWWKHQ,¶OOJRWRWRZQZLWK\RX´
1DWHWXUQHGIURPWKHGRRU³<RXGRQ¶WQHHG²´
-DVSHU KHOG XS D KDQG FXWWLQJ 1DWH RII ³1R , GRQ¶W
need to. But I want to. We can depart tomorrow morning.
Now though, supper should be DERXW UHDG\ 3OHDVH GRQ¶W
say you are going to leave me to an empty table, after I
ZHQWWKURXJKWKHWURXEOHRIFRRNLQJDURDVWIRUXV´
$VPLOHWRXFKHG1DWH¶V ILUP PRXWK³:HOOVLQFH \RX
FRRNHGDURDVW«´
³$QG\RXFDQKHOSPHVHWWKHGLQLQJWDEOH1RZFRPe
DORQJEHIRUHWKHURDVWEXUQV´
³7KDQN\RX-DVSHU´
He had made to head for the kitchen, but stopped. The
VRPEHUWRQHEURXJKW-DVSHU¶VJD]HWR1DWH,WFRXOGQ¶WHYHQ
EH ILYH R¶FORFN \HW DQG a shadow of a day beard already
FRYHUHGKLVORYHU¶VVWURQJMaw. His brows were lowered, his
deep blue eyes filled with love for him.
Jasper lifted one shoulder in a casual half-VKUXJ³,W¶V
LPSRUWDQWWR\RXWKHUHIRUHLW¶VLPSRUWDQWWRPH$QG,ORYH
\RXWRR´
* * * *
Nate lifted his arm, paused, and then dropped his arm to his
VLGH³,FDQVHQGKLP\RXUUHJUHWVRIIHUDQH[FXVHIRU\RXU
DEVHQFH´
³1RWQHFHVVDU\´
Ava March
24
³$UH\RXFHUWDLQ"´&RQFHUQFUHDVHG1DWH¶VIRUHKHDG
³$EVROXWHO\,QDQ\FDVHZHDUHKHUHDQG,¶PKXQJU\
Why pay for a meal elsewhere when I can sit at
(GPRQWRQ¶V WDEOH DQG VDPSOH KLV IDUH"´ :LWK D UHG EULFN
exterior, three neat rows of windows, and situated on a
quiet, tree lined street just outside of Mayfair, Edmonton
appeared to have a respectable, tidy town house. The sort
that would employ a capable cook. One that would
certainly surpass whoever had been responsible for the poor
excuse for a steak and kidney pie he and Nate had shared at
a posting inn on their way to London yesterday.
1DWH¶V JD]H VZHSW RYHU KLV IDFH :KDWHYHU KH VDZ
there must have satisfied him, for he gave a crisp nod.
His double knock was answered within seconds by one
RI (GPRQWRQ¶V VHUYDQWV (LWKHU D IRRWPDQ RU D EXWOHU
-DVSHU ZDVQ¶W FHUWDLQ ZKLFK W\SH -DVSHU NHSW KLV FKLQ XS
and refused to shift his weight. He might not be anything
close to an actual gentleman, but he had lived a year in
Shere and could play one with some level of proficiency.
Should be able to make it through a supper without
Edmonton wondering why Nate had chosen to befriend
him.
³*RRG HYHQLQJ 0U 7UDYHUs and Mr. Reed. Mr.
(GPRQWRQLVLQWKHVWXG\´
7KH KRXVH¶V LQWHULRU PDWFKHG LWV H[WHULRU²neat and
WLG\ZLWKDGLJQLILHGHOHJDQFHWKDWSURFODLPHG LWVRZQHU¶V
wealth without shouting too loudly. He and Nate followed
25
His Request
the servant up to the first floor. He spied what had to be a
maid, her brown hair in a knot at her nap, slipping through
a narrow door at the end of the corridor. The butler showed
them through the first door on the right.
After announcing them, the servant gave a half-bow
and left the room.
³$KWKH0U-DVSHU5HHG,¶YH KHDUGVRPXFKDERXW´
Dropping a newspaper onto the cushion, Peter Edmonton
rose from the couch. He had auburn hair, brown eyes, and a
IULHQGO\RSHQIDFH+LVEXLOGZDVVLPLODUWR1DWH¶V²stout
and solid²\HW HLWKHU KLV WDLORU¶V skills were not up to
VFUDWFKRUKLVPXVFOHVWUXO\GLGQRWULYDO1DWH¶V$OOLQDOOD
pleasant looking fellow.
7KHWHQVLRQLQ-DVSHU¶VFKHVWHDVHGDQRWFK
³Yes, indeed, I¶ve brought him at last.´ A broad smile
curved Nate¶s lips. ³Peter, this is Jasper Reed, my good
friend from Shere. Jasper, Peter Edmonton, my old friend
from London.´
Jasper couldn¶t stop the start of a chuckle from teasing
his throat. Nate appeared so damned«happy. ³$SOHDVXUH
WR PDNH \RXU DFTXDLQWDQFH´ He VKRRN (GPRQWRQ¶V
outstretched hand.
³7KH SOHDVXUH LV DOO PLQH´ ,QVWHDG RI VKDNLQJ 1DWH¶V
hand, the man gave Nate a good-natured punch to the upper
DUP³Old, am I? Good to see you, too, Nate. Come in, have
DVHDW,KDYHEUDQG\LI\RX¶GFDUHIRULW6XSSHUVKRXOGEH
UHDG\VKRUWO\´
Ava March
26
While he would have preferred to sit beside Nate,
Jasper selected one of the armchairs. He did not know if
Nate did it deliberately or if the other armchair was his
XVXDOVSRWLQ(GPRQWRQ¶VVWXG\EXWKLVORYHUGLGQRWPDNH
a move toward the empty half of the couch. Following
1DWH¶V OHDG KH tipped his head in assent to a glass of
brandy.
³, ZDV TXLWH SOHDVHG WR UHFHLYH \RXU QRWH \HVWHUGD\
HYHQLQJ 1DWH´ (GPRQWRQ VDLG DV KH SRXUHG WKH EUDQG\
³/DVWZHVSRNH\RXZHUHQ¶WFHUWDLQZKHQ\RX¶GQH[WEHLQ
WRZQ´
³7KHRIILFHSXOOHGPHIURPWKHFRXQWU\´1DWHWRRNWKH
SURIIHUHG JODVV ³)RUWXQDWHO\ , ZDV DEOH WR SHUVXDGH 0U
Reed to join me. Having a friend along for the ride made
WKHMRXUQH\PXFKPRUHSOHDVDQW´
(GPRQWRQ JDYH D QRG ³7UDYHOLQJ FDQ EH WLUHVRPH
$QGDERUH´+HKDQGHGDKDOI-full tuPEOHUWR-DVSHU³'R
\RXFRPHWRWRZQRIWHQ0U5HHG"´
³1R,PXFKSUHIHUWKHTXLHWRIWKHFRXQWU\VLGHWRWKH
EXVWOHRIWRZQ´
³:HOO WKHQ , WKDQN 1DWH IRU OXULQJ \RX WR /RQGRQ
+RSHIXOO\\RXUVWD\ZLOOEHDWOHDVWWROHUDEOH´
-DVSHUWLSSHGKLVKHDG³,KDYHQRGRXEWWKDWLWZLOO´
Edmonton settled on the couch and looked to Nate.
³7KLQN \RX¶OO KDYH WLPH IRU D ERXW RU WZR DW *HQWOHPDQ
-DFNVRQ¶VWRPRUURZDIWHUQRRQ"´7KHQKHDVNHG-DVSHU³'R
\RXOLNHWRHQJDJHLQSXJLOLVP"´
27
His Request
³, LQGXOJH 7UDYHUV RQ RFFDVLRQ´ Even though
Edmonton referred to Nate by his Christian name, Jasper
VKLHG DZD\ IURP IROORZLQJ (GPRQWRQ¶V LQIRUPDOLW\ +H
only called his lover Nate when it was the two of them, and
GRLQJVREHIRUH(GPRQWRQZRXOGIHHOPXFKWRR«LQWLPDWH
While they were under this roof, in London, he needed to
treat Nate like a friend. A good friend, but nothing more.
³:DWFK KLV XSSHUFXW´ (GPRQWRQ VDLG ORZHULQJ KLV
voice. He cast a quick glance to Nate, all mock seriousness.
³+HKDVDKDELWRIVQHDNLQJLWLQZKHQ\RXOHDVt expect it,
DQG\RXQH[WILQG\RXUVHOIODLGRXWRQWKHIORRU´
³0XFKREOLJHGIRUWKHDGYLFH´$VLI1DWHKDGHYHURU
would ever strike Jasper hard enough to cause him to
stagger back even a half-step. He and Nate sparred on
occasion in the back garden, but their matches were more
for fun than anything. Lightning quick, light taps from Nate
FRXSOHGZLWK-DVSHU¶VDWWHPSWVWRIROORZ1DWH¶V DGYLFHRQ
technique. And their matches usually ended with both of
them laid out on the grass.
³6R ZKDW VD\ \RX 1DWH" -DFNVRQ¶V WRPRUURZ" <RX
FRXOGVKRZ5HHGWKHSODFHZKLOHKH¶VLQWRZQDQG,FRXOG
PDNHDQDWWHPSWWREHVW\RX´
7R-DVSHU¶VVXUSULVH1DWHVKRRNKLVKHDG³:H¶UHRQO\
in town for a couple of days, and I need to see Overton
WRPRUURZ<RX¶OOKDYHWRPDNHGRZLWKRXWWKHEUXLVHV´
,W ZDV RQ WKH WLS RI -DVSHU¶V WRQJXH WR WHOO 1DWH WKH\
FRXOGH[WHQGWKHLUVWD\3XJLOLVPZDV1DWH¶VIDYRULWHVSRUW
Ava March
28
He loved testing his strength and agility against another.
-DVSHU GLGQ¶W ZDQW 1DWH WR UHIXVH EHFDXVH RI KLP DQG KH
had strong suspicion his lover had refused for that exact
reason.
As Jasper went to open his mouth, Nate caught his eye.
+LVORYHUGLGQRWVD\DZRUGEXWKHGLGQ¶WQHHGWR-DVSHU
heard his reassure as if he had spoken. Just to confirm,
Jasper looked but he cRXOGQ¶WGHWHFWHYHQDWUDFHRIUHJUHW
LQWKHGHHSEOXHGHSWKVRI1DWH¶VH\HV
³$K ZHOO´ (GPRQWRQ VKUXJJHG D ELW RI JHQXLQH
GLVDSSRLQWPHQWRQ KLV IULHQGO\ IDFH ³0UV(GPRQWRQZLOO
EH WKDQNIXO DW OHDVW 6KH GRHVQ¶W EHOLHYH D EUXLVHG MDZ
EHFRPHVPH´
³:KDWDVKDPH´1DWHWRRNDVLSRIKLVEUDQG\³,ILQG
LWDQLPSURYHPHQW´
(GPRQWRQ ODXJKHG ³2I FRXUVH \RX ZRXOG \RX
EDVWDUG´
There was a light tap a second before the study door
opened revealing a petite woman in a pale pink gown, her
golden curls piled on her head. With her porcelain skin,
lush figure and wide hazel eyes, she had the sort of fresh,
wholesome beauty prized by the ton ³0\ DSRORJLHV IRU
disturbing you, but supper is about to be placed on the
WDEOH´
³&RPH LQ P\ GHDU <RX PXVW PHHW RXU QHZ JXHVW´
Edmonton stood and crossed to the woman who had to be
his wife.
29
His Request
After he made the necessary introduction, they all
made their way to the dining room.
As supper began, as the footmen placed dishes before
each of them and filled glasses with wine, the last bit of
tension drained out of Jasper.
7RQLJKW KH KDG UHFHLYHG D UHDVVXUDQFH KH KDGQ¶W
realized he needed. His trust, his confidence in Nate, in
them, was now anchored by stone and iron.
He knew Nate belonged with him. Had known it for
years before Nate had come to his senses and
acknowledged it himself. Nate had told him he did not want
anyone but Jasper. Had shown him quite clearly over the
SDVW\HDU<HW«WKHZRUU\KDGEHHQWKHUHLQDWLQ\VSRWRI
-DVSHU¶VKHDUW+RZFRXOGLWQRWDIWHU\HDUs of listening to
Nate pine over Edmonton?
7KHUHZDVQ¶WDWUDFHRI MHDORXV\ LQ1DWH¶VJD]H ZKHQ
KHORRNHGXSRQ(GPRQWRQ¶VSUHWW\ZLIH1RSRRUO\KLGGHQ
looks of longing direct at the man at the head of the table.
1DWH VPLOHG DQG FKXFNOHG DW (GPRQWRQ¶V MRNes. He was
pleased to spend a meal with him. More importantly
though, he had been pleased to have the opportunity to
introduced Jasper to his old friend.
As Edmonton asked Nate how all was faring at the
shipping office, Jasper turned his attention to the only
ZRPDQ DW WKH PDKRJDQ\ WDEOH ³3OHDVH H[WHQG P\
complements to your cook, Mrs. Edmonton. The broiled
Ava March
30
sole is delicious. The best I have had the pleasure of
VDPSOLQJ´
Her face lit up, her hazel eyes sparkling with pleasure.
³:K\WKDQN\RX0U5HHG,will most certainly pass your
SUDLVHDORQJWRWKHNLWFKHQ´
+H WLSSHG KLV KHDG ³$QG \RX KDYH P\ WKDQNV IRU
LQYLWLQJ PH WR \RXU WDEOH <RX KDYH D ORYHO\ KRPH´ 1RW
very unique as far as complements went, but his ability to
play the gentleman only extended so far. Unlike his lover,
KHKDGQ¶WEHHQUDLVHGWRPL[ZLWK6RFLHW\
³0U(GPRQWRQWHOOVPH\RXHQMR\JDUGHQLQJ+DYLQJ
a garden, and tending to the plants, is the only thing I miss
DERXWOLYLQJLQWKHFRXQWU\8QIRUWXQDWHO\/RQGRQGRHVQ¶W
afford much in WKHZD\RIVSDFHIRUIORZHUV´
$VKHGHVFULEHG KLVURVHJDUGHQWRKHUKH IHOW1DWH¶V
gaze upon him. A quick glace confirmed it, and confirmed
WKHVPLOHKHNQHZKH¶GILQGRQ1DWH¶VOLSV
* * * *
Nate pulled the brass key from his pocket and inserted it
into the lock. The instant Jasper was inside the parlor of
1DWH¶VEDFKHORUDSDUWPHQWV1DWHIOLFNHGWKHGRRUVKXW1RW
bothering to light a candle, Nate pushed his lover against
the nearby wall and captured his mouth.
7KHUH ZDVQ¶W HYHQ D WUDFHRI KHVLWDWLon or surprise as
Jasper wrapped his arms around Nate and eagerly opened
IRU1DWH¶VNLVV
31
His Request
<HW1DWHGLGQ¶WSOXQGHU-DVSHU¶VGHOHFWDEOHPRXWK+H
kept the kiss soft, slow. Simply reveled in having Jasper in
his arms.
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+HKDGIHOWKLVORYHU¶VXQHDVHWKHPRPHQWWKH\KDGDUULYHG
in London late yesterday afternoon. But Jasper had come to
London, agreed to meet Peter, because it was important to
Nate. He could not thank him enough.
Soft lips coasted over one VLGHRI1DWH¶V MDZ ³7KLQN
QRWKLQJRILW´
Rather than argue the nonchalant response, Nate let it
go. Jasper understood. He always did.
³,¶OOPHHW2YHUWRQILUVWWKLQJLQWKHPRUQLQJ´$QRWKHU
NLVVWKLVRQHORQJHUKRWWHUVWURQJHU³7KHQZHFDQGHSDUW
fRU6KHUH´
³(DJHU WR JHW EDFN"´ -DVSHU JURXQG DJDLQVW KLP WKH
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need to move to the bedroom very soon.
³0RVW DVVXUHGO\´ 7ZR GD\V DQG DOUHDG\ KH PLVVHG
being with Jasper in the country. Missed their suppers,
missed being with him at the cottage, where they could just
be themselves, do as they pleased, without worry of
GHWHFWLRQ ³&DUHWRFRPHZLWK PHWRWKHRIILFH" 7KHUH¶VD
IXUQLWXUH ZDUHKRXVH WZR EXLOGLQJ¶V GRZQ <RX FRXOG
purchase a new worktable´
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Ava March
32
,W KDGQ¶W HVFDSHG KLV QRWLFH WKDW -DVSHU KDG EHHQ
reluctant to be seen out and about town with him. Jasper
had gone to a couple bookshops alone while Nate had been
at the office that afternoon, even though Nate had offered
WR DFFRPSDQ\ KLP EHIRUH JRLQJ WR 3HWHU¶V +H KDG D
suspicion as to the why, but rather than argue that it was
KLJKO\ XQOLNHO\ WKH\¶G UXQ LQWR DQ\ RI -DVSHU¶V IRUPHU
clients, he had pretended not to notice. He knew no amount
of arguiQJZRXOGSODFDWH-DVSHU¶VFRQFHUQVFRQFHUQVZKLFK
VWHPPHGIURP-DVSHU¶VROGZRUULHVDERXWSUHVHUYLQJ1DWH¶V
reputation.
³:RQ¶WWDNHEXWDQKRXUDWWKHRIILFH´+HGUDJJHGKLV
KDQGVGRZQ-DVSHU¶VEDFNSDOPHGKLVILUPDUVH³-XVWQHHG
to finalize the detaLOV,¶PPDNLQJ2YHUWRQDSDUWQHU´
-DVSHU¶V KDQGV VWLOOHG RYHU WKH ZDLVWEDQG RI 1DWH¶V
WURXVHUV ³$ SDUWQHU" <RX GLGQ¶W PHQWLRQ WKDW ZKHQ
(GPRQWRQDVNHG\RXDERXWWKHRIILFHGXULQJVXSSHU´
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bottom lip³,¶OOWHOO3HWHUQH[W,VHHKLP´
³%XWZK\"´
³'LG,PDNHOverton a partner? He knows more about
VKLSSLQJWKDQ,GR´7KHPDQKDGVHUYHGDVRIILFHVHFUHWDU\
WR 1DWH¶V JUDQGIDWKHU IRU \HDUV EHIRUH 1DWH KDG LQKHULWHG
WKHVPDOOVKLSSLQJILUP³$OUHDG\PDQDJHVPRst everything
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DVRIWHQ´+HFRXOGVSHQGPRUHWLPHZLWK-DVSHU7KDWZDV
what mattered most.
33
His Request
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window was just enough to keep the smile spreading across
JaVSHU¶V JRUJHRXV IHDWXUHV IURP EHLQJ KLGGHQ E\ WKH
GDUNQHVVVXUURXQGLQJWKHP³7KDQN\RX1DWH´
As always, Jasper understood what Nate had not said.
³7KLQN QRWKLQJ RI LW´ +H¶G VWRS LQ DW WKH IXUQLWXUH
warehouse after meeting with Overton, purchase the best
kitchen worktable the place offered, and have it delivered
to Westborne Cottage. It was the least he could do, after
HYHU\WKLQJ -DVSHU KDG GRQH IRU KLP ³%XW ZKDW \RX can
WKLQNDERXWLVUHORFDWLQJLQWRP\EHGFKDPEHU´
³6RXQGVOLNHDFDSLWDOLGHD´
But EHIRUH1DWHFRXOGWDNHDVWHSEDFN-DVSHU¶VPRXWK
was over his again. Urgent hands tugged at the waistband
RI1DWH¶VWURXVHUVIUHHLQJKLVFRFN
The hell with the bed. The wall would do just fine.
* * * *
Thank You
Thank you for taking the time to read His Request. I hope
you enjoyed the story.
To find out more about my books, or to sign up for my new
release e-newsletter, visit
His Request is a short story sequel to
. To read an
excerpt from His Client, please turn the page.
His Client
Copyright © 2011 Ava March
Publisher: Loose Id, LLC
Mr. Nathaniel Travers has been visiting Madame
'HODFURL[¶V EURthel for five years. On every visit, he
requests the same man. Stunningly handsome and highly
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HURWLFJDPHV DQG EODFN OHDWKHUFRUVHWVEXWKH¶V EHFRPHD
friend. Someone he can talk to. Someone he can share a
VXSSHUZLWK$QG-DVSHU¶VWKHRQO\SHUVRQZKRNQRZV1DWH
secretly harbors a love for his old childhood friend, Peter
Edmonton.
Mr. Jasper Reed has been working at the house for a
GHFDGH+H¶VVDYHGHQRXJKWRUHWLUH\HWKHUHPDLQVDWWKH
decadent London brothel. Retiring would mean leaving
Nate and the hope perhaps someday the rugged gentleman
would stop pining for his best friend and realize he loves
Jasper, just as Jasper loves him.
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been just as blind as Nate. Stubbornly hoping for something
that cannot be. Convinced a gentleman like Nate can never
be more than his client, Jasper retires.
Life in the country may be lonely, but with no one to
SOHDVH EXW KLPVHOI LW¶V FDOP DQG SHDFHIXOXQWLO 1ate
shows up on his doorstep.
Enjoy the following excerpt for His Client:
$OO WKRXJKWV RI 3HWHU IOHZ RXW RI 1DWH¶V PLQG 7KH
desolation that had hung over his head like a damn
thundercloud vanished as if it had never been there. He tore
his gaze away from Jasper and back to the garments on the
bed.
If pressed to give an answer, they were two of his
favorites, yet distinctly different in the mood they set. One
hinted, teased. The other was blatant, demanding. With
black leather came that wicked edge, and the small metal
rings strategically positioned at the bottom of the corset
provided so many interesting opportunities. Yet the contrast
RIVRIWZKLWHOLQHQRYHUDKDUGPDOHERG\«
Lust spiked his senses. Spreading his legs wider, Nate
reached down and adjusted himself, giving his hardening
cock what room could be found in the confines of his
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7KH VPLOH OLQJHULQJ DW WKH FRUQHUV RI -DVSHU¶V PRXWK
broadened. Reaching behind, he grabbed the linen shift.
Cock bobbing with each step, he crossed the distance
separating them and rounded the couch, stopping at the end
table.
³$Q\ SDUWLFXODU SUHIHUHQFHV WKLV HYHQLQJ"´ -DVSHU
asked, as casual as could be, wanting to know if Nate had
anything different in mind that he should be aware of.
He shook his KHDG³1R´
That casual acceptance was one of the many traits that
drew him to Jasper. The man indulged him with an
openness he had never encountered with another. Nate was
well aware his tastes ran toward the eccentric. His
acquaintances would think him fit for Bedlam if they knew
ZKDW ZHQW RQ LQ WKLV URRP $QG 3HWHU«WKH PDQ ZRXOG
likely never call Nate friend again. Yet with Jasper, he felt
completely free to voice any request without fear the man
would think him an oddity. And the stiff prick jutting from
EHWZHHQ -DVSHU¶V WKLJKV LQGLFDWHG KH HQMR\HG WKHLU WLPH
together as much as Nate.
Long familiar with this particular game, Jasper pulled a
small glass bottle of oil and a black marble plug from the
drawer and set them on the table. He reached up to slip the
shift over his head. White linen flowed over the perfect
contours of his chest and abdomen, the length catching on
his prick. A little tug and the hem fluttered down, stopping
just above his masculine calves.
Jasper righted the narrow straps on his shoulders with a
flick of his fingers. He left the delicate ribbon ties hanging
loose at the top of the bodice. The garment was sized to fit
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PDQ DQG DV VXFK WKH EURDG ZLGWK RI -DVSHU¶V FKHVW
stretched the short V opening of the simple bodice,
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hungry gaze.
Closing his eyes, Jasper dropped his arms to his sides.
The fire in the hearth behind him crackled. The golden light
easily cut through the thin fabric, revealing the lines of
-DVSHU¶V ERG\ EHQHDWK WKH ZKLWH OLQHQ 6L[ IHHW RI
stunningly gorgeous male. Narrow hips and strong, sleek
thighs. The shadow of the dark hair on his groin. The hard
arch of his substantial arousal. No doubt about it. Even with
a smear of red rouge on his lips, just enough to stain them a
shade darker than their usual soft pink, Jasper was 100
percent a man.
On one occasion, Jasper had donned a crimson silk
gown for him, and on another, black silk stockings. Neither
had even come close to masking his masculinity, yet still,
WKH\KDGEHHQ«WRRPXFK%XWWKHVKLIW«$JUXQWUXPEOHG
IURP 1DWH¶V FKHVW +H FRXOG QRW H[SODLQ LW EXW WKHUH ZDV
just something incredibly erotic about it.
-DVSHU¶V EURDG FKHVW H[SDQGHG DQG DV KH OHW RXW WKe
breath, his entire posture changed. The shifts so subtle, so
fluid, Nate could not have pinpointed each one if he tried.
%XWWKHRYHUDOOHIIHFW«
Absolutely amazing. Gone was the easy confidence,
the self-assurance he usually wore like a second skin. In its
place, the distinct edge of uncertainty.
Long black lashes fluttered faintly against high
cheekbones before slowly sweeping up to reveal soft,
innocent, light green eyes.
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different. A fragile hesitancy behind each word.
³<HV´ +H VXUYH\HG -DVSHU WDNLQJ D PRPHQW WR
orientate himself. The shift meant Jasper would play the
eager innocent to his experienced seducer. Though he had
never seduced anyone in his life, it was still a wonderfully
wicked game. Even more so, since he did not have the
responsibility of a true innocent to contend with. He
EHFNRQHG-DVSHUZLWKDIOLFNRIKLVKHDG³&RPHFORVHU´
* * * *
About the Author
Ava March is a multi-published author of smoking hot
M/M historical erotic romances. She loves writing in the
Regency time period, where proper decorum is of the
utmost importance, but where anything can happen behind
closed doors.
Ava loves to hear from readers. You can find her at:
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