I nod, and Abraham leans back on his heels. He unbuttons my waistcoat as my heart thrashes about wildly inside my chest. I help him finish the task, setting the garment aside with the bundle of letters tucked safely within. His hands go to my breeches next, slipping button after button free. He pulls my shirt up gently, the fabric brushing against the length of my arousal in a way that has a gasp falling from my lips. I’m almost mortified by my state of being until I remember Abraham is similarly affected, his breeches straining with his own need. It’s a balm on my nerves.
Abraham pushes my shirt up only slightly before stopping, leaving it in place in deference to the cool night air, if I had to guess. He leans down to press a kiss to the skin of my lower stomach before eyeing me again, his hand going to my open breeches. When his fingers wrap around the length of me, I nearly sob. “Abe.”
“Does it feel good?”
“Yes.Please.”
He strokes his hand up and down, and I twist reflexively, reaching for something. Anything. Abraham gives me his hand, his other pulling on me in a way I’ve only done to myself. It’s far better with Abraham’s grip, and I don’t know that I’ll be able to last. I don’t know if he needs me to.
His voice is hoarse, as if he too is affected. “Can I kiss you?”
Somehow, I know what he’s insinuating, even though I don’t understand it. I know, and I nod. “Yes, I…”
Abraham lowers his head, and the moment his lips wrap around me, I find my completion. I empty into his mouth, my own voice rough with my shout, Abraham’s hand wringing me until I slump flat. I’m breathing hard, the stars twinklingoverhead, my thoughts pinging around in a million different directions.
There’s a gravity tethering me to this moment. One I don’t have the capacity to comprehend.
Abraham swiftly unbuttons his own breeches, drawing my attention his way. With one hand on my thigh, he pulls himself free, his eyes locked with mine as he works himself over. I can only watch, rapt, as his chest heaves and he bows, his spend landing on the blanket between my legs.
He drops his forehead to my stomach, hunched over as his breaths saw through the air. I bring my hands to his hair, running my fingers through the strands, the sight of him so undone making me want to comfort him the way he so easily comforts me.
“Abe,” I whisper.
He lifts his head.
“We won’t give this up, will we?” I ask, desperation bleeding into my tone. “We’ll find a way to keep it?”
Abraham’s response is solid and sure. “Yes, my heart. No one will ever take this away. I won’t allow it.”
Chapter 6
Abraham
Jasper settles on the blanket, his shirt tucked into his breeches once more, the lamplight casting a soft glow over his features. I find my place beside him, the mess I left now beneath us, tucked away against the dirt.
He reaches for the sack of food he brought, passing it over. “Would you like something to eat?”
I accept the offering, pulling a small hunk of bread free. Water would also be welcome, but we don’t have any.
“How was your time away?” I ask, setting the rest of the food aside.
He hums, waiting for me to lie back down before finding a home against my shoulder. “Pleasant enough, but… I kept wanting to be back here. With you.”
It warms me to hear it, if only to have proof that Jasper thought of me as I thought of him.
His voice turns almost shy. “Could I read you a letter now?”
I nod, and he hurries to collect his waistcoat. From inside, he pulls out a bundle of papers, so many ofthem it takes my breath away. He unfurls the stack, picking one off the top before pulling the oil lamp closer and resettling against me. He clears his throat, face downcast, my only view of him the top of his head as he begins to read, his words nearly piercing my heart with their sweetness.
“My warrior. It hasn’t been long that we’ve been apart, but I fear any length of time is too long for me. I don’t understand how I could have passed from day to day without knowing you. It feels like another life, one not my own. Because now, all I see is you. Do you think it’s possible to know someone before you’ve met? That’s how I feel. As if I’ve known you far longer than mere weeks. I imagine a world where our being together would be as easy as breathing. But it’s not, and that truth aches in my lungs. I pray it is not only me falling down this rabbit’s warren. Please tell me you are with me? That you’ll walk by my side through these dark and dampened trails? I won’t be afraid if I have you. I couldn’t be. The stars were out last night, my warrior, and I smiled at the sight of them. Did you look at them the same? The sword in the north called to me, and I felt close to you, as if I could reach up and touch your skin. Soon. I’ll return to you soon. With every promise, J.”
My throat is tight as I swallow. Jasper sets the letter onto his leg. He doesn’t look up, is quiet for a long moment.
“It’s not only you,” I tell him, a rasp and nothing more.
“What?”
“Jasper, it’s not only you. Would you look at me?”
