The road wound its way across low-lying farmland.The cart got stuck in the mud more than once, and they had to stop to put down sacks before the wheels and haul it out.It was something Jed had done hundreds of times before.Back in the old days, he’d never thought he’d be happy to be struggling to haul a cart out of the collection of muddy ruts that passed for a road.But today he welcomed every moment of it.With the open road ahead and the jingle of the harness in his ears, he could almost forget that he was working for Mrs Drake instead of himself.
By mid-morning, they had covered half the distance to the mill.They stopped by the roadside to water and feed the horses and break their own fast.A copse of sycamore trees on one side of the road sheltered them from the wind.The sun had come out, but a mist of rain still shrouded the high moorland in the distance.
The three of them ate their bread and cheese while the horses chomped peacefully.Bill launched into a long monologue about a girl he had hopes of in Barnstaple.
Solomon reached for the bottle of cold tea, and Jed handed it to him.Their hands brushed, and their eyes met.Solomon’s gaze dropped to run over Jed’s body, and a shiver of desire shot down Jed’s spine.
Bill leaned across between them to snag the last apple in the food basket.“How are you liking the work, friend?”he asked Solomon.“Different from what you’re used to?”
“It’s all right,” Solomon said easily.
“They said you came down from London?”Bill said.“Bet you don’t do much walking there.”
“Oh, you’d be surprised.”
But Bill had already lost interest in London.“I can’t believe Old Mother Drake sent us to Clifton.I was sure I’d be on the Taunton run this morning.There’s a cock fight there this evening.Last month I won nearly two pounds on a fine grey bantam—”
Solomon sat sprawled against a tree trunk, legs tucked up under him.Jed let his gaze linger, tracing the lines of his body.When his gaze reached Solomon’s face, he found Solomon watching him, eyes dark.Heat prickled on Jed’s skin.
Bill tossed his apple core into the bushes.He lay back and draped a handkerchief over his face.“Wake me up in half an hour or so.”
Soon his snores filled the air, the handkerchief fluttering as he breathed heavily in and out.
Solomon jerked his head towards the woods, one eyebrow raised.Jed climbed to his feet, blood pounding.He was already half-hard.
Beyond the hedgerow that had been sheltering them from the wind, the trees grew closer together.They went further in, pushing their way through the undergrowth, then Jed turned, reaching for Solomon.
Solomon’s mouth opened under his, welcoming him, humming with a low moan that could have come from either one of them.The kisses were sweet as fresh water, with a growing edge of urgency.
“Let me—?”Solomon fumbled for the placket of Jed’s breeches.
Jed was aching for it.He stuck his hand down Solomon’s breeches, pushing clothes out of the way, finding his cock rock-hard, eager and waiting for him.
Solomon groaned.“Christ, Jed.Fuck—”
Jed closed his eyes, savouring the heavy length of Solomon’s yard in his hand, the grip of Solomon’s long fingers wrapped around him.Solomon’s hand gave a clever twist, and Jed bit his lip over a groan.
He braced one hand against the broad trunk of the nearest tree, and pressed closer to Solomon.They brought each other to the edge with swift, hard strokes.
“Christ, I wish you were driving into me,” Solomon gasped.
Lust flared, firelike, in Jed’s belly, and he came off, unable to stop himself, long, hot waves of pleasure rolling over him.
Solomon dropped his head onto Jed’s shoulder, with a soft, breathy laugh.“God, I needed that.”
They stood there for a long moment, arms about each other, propping each other up.Jed’s pounding heart slowly returned to its usual rhythm.He shut his eyes, breathing in Solomon’s smell, letting himself relax.He found his hand was stroking Solomon’s back, slow and rhythmic.
It was strange to stand here, holding each other, instead of quickly buttoning up and moving away.Strange but good.Funny how well they fit together, like they were meant to be.
Solomon stirred, lifting his head.His lip twitched.“I don’t know about you, but I can’t bring myself to hurry back.Think Mrs Drake will object if we tell her that in future, every delivery will be delayed by a quarter of an hour or so?”
“If I have my way, we’ll need a mint more nor a quarter-hour next time.”
Solomon’s smile broadened.“Is that a promise?”
“You may consider it so.”
Reluctantly, they stepped apart, then found a small stream to tidy up in.As they knelt there side by side, Solomon asked, “Where are you sleeping?It’s a penny a night at the Boar, and there’s plenty of room for another person.”
