“One wonders if such a creature exists,” Lavender scoffed under his breath. Reginald nodded confidently while he searched for a man who could come close to his beloved Paul.
“First of all, he fucks. Harder and better than the hundreds of men I used and abused before I found him.”
That got several scandalized looks and Lavender groaned as he rubbed between his brows.
“You’re determined to set it all ablaze in one day, I see.”
“Who cares?” Reginald asked as he snatched a woman’s fan from her limp grasp. He snapped it open and used it to cool himself as they walked. “The peak of winter and 95% of Britain’s wealth is under this roof but it smells like a stampede of cows was let loose in a perfumery,” he complained. Hygiene had come a long way and indoor plumbing was available in many upper-class homes but there was still significant progress to be made.
“On that, we will never disagree,” Lavender muttered and raised a gloved knuckle to block his nostrils as a breeze made its way across the room and assaulted them. “Which is why I prefer to arrive late and stay only as long as absolutely necessary. Tell me more about this paragon of perfection,” he said with an amused grin.
Reginald’s nose tipped back haughtily. “Even you know he’s exceptional. What’s more, you approve and you respect him. Because he’s as brilliant and as good—in all ways—as he is beautiful. And he fucks. Did I mention that?” He asked and smiled at Lavender’s irritated scowl. The crowd parted just as Reginald’s gaze drifted toward the quartet in the corner and he spotted a face he recognized almost as well as his own. “I’d wait another lifetime to find him but he’s right there,” he said softly, then laughed as he changed course and began pushing people out of the way.
“Dear Lord, what?” Lavender hurried after Reginald, whispering apologies in their wake. “I don’t know what you’re planning to do but—”
Reginald wasn’t listening and he didn’t care who he trampled. He knew that glossy black head of hair, that square jaw, and warm, taupe skin. He recognized those dark, deep-set, sparkling eyes and shivered when he heard his laughter. Reginald was as captivated as ever by the relaxed, confident swagger and the broad shoulders. The handlebar mustache and sideburns were “new,” but sweet Baby Jesus, they worked.
“Thank God, I’ve found you,” Reginald said and sighed in relief as he turned Paul, cutting off the conversation at the piano. He gathered Paul’s face in his hands and Reginald let out a delighted moan as he attacked. Reginald lapped hungrily at Paul’s lips, startling him. Paul’s mouth parted on a gasp and his eyes were huge but his tongue swirled around Reginald’s. He tasted like a cigarette or cheroot of some sort and whiskey but he still tasted like Paul. “Fuck, I’ve missed you!” Reginald whimpered and tried to put his arms around Paul.
“Now, hold on, sir!” Paul cried as he pulled his lips free. He had Reginald’s wrists and was leaning away. “I am flattered but you have me confused with someone else.”
“Oh, I know you, Paul Sloan,” Reginald said silkily. He smiled, promising Paul all manner of wicked delights and licked his lips. “I might not know exactly who you are but I know what you are and I know what you like. I know you better than anyone—now or…ever—and no one will ever love you the way I’ve loved you.”
Paul’s eyes remained wide and unblinking and Lavender groaned a curse. “I asked you not to make a scene but what did you do? And he’s an American, Marston.”
“So are you!” Reginald laughed as he pointed at Lavender.
“Obviously false,” Lavender declared loudly to all the stunned, staring faces around them. “I am not an American and Lord Marston is merely playing a prank on poor Mr. Sloan,” he announced for all to hear. Reginald decided to play along for the sake of Lavender’s nerves and because he was anxious to talk to Paul alone.
“Thought I’d liven things up,” he said with a stage bow, then winked at Paul. He frowned back, not quite sure what to make of Reginald or the kiss. Reginald cleared his throat softly and swayed closer. “Come home with me and I’ll ride your face and your cock until you beg for mercy,” he whispered. Paul’s neck craned and his eyes tightened as they searched Reginald’s.
“Thank you but I’ll have to decline. I’m here in London on business and I prefer to know who I’m getting into bed with first.”
“No. Rushing’s never really been your style. You’ve always been careful and you leave no stone unturned. You’re so smart and you’re so thorough. That’s what I love most about you,” Reginald purred, then grunted when Lavender elbowed him.
“Mr. Sloan was entertaining our hosts before we interrupted him,” Lavender said with a hard smile at Reginald.
“Yes, but he could be entertaining m—” Reginald started but Lavender stomped on his foot and gave him a harder shove.
“My apologies, Lord Coonan. We were just about to have a look at the gardens. Lord Marston was complaining about the crush and the heat in the ballroom. Excellent turnout, Lady Coonan,” he said and bowed at the middle-aged couple watching Reginald with a combination of horror and curiosity. Reginald had seen plenty of photos and video footage of Jimmy Coonan to know what he’d looked like in his mid-fifties. But Reginald wondered if he’d ever seen Coonan’s wife or if the slender, disapproving woman was a pure figment of his imagination. She offered Lavender an imperious nod and humphed.
“I didn’t realize we’d invited so many Americans. I’m mortified, Lord Lavender,” she replied, causing an eruption of laughter. Paul pressed a hand to his chest gratefully.
“I do appreciate you making an exception in my case and for being so courteous.” With that Paul bowed and excused himself. Reginald tried to follow but Lavender grabbed him by the back of the neck and steered them toward the closest set of doors.
“I’m in for it now,” Reginald said with a dramatic tug at his tall collar, although it really was chafing his jaw. Every article of his ensemble was a nuisance but Lavender was his precisely elegant self as he dragged Reginald out of the ballroom. “I really couldn’t have picked a better era for you, could I?” Reginald muttered and braced himself because he was in for one blistering lecture. Lavender was furious.