His Heart's Obsession Read Online Free PDF

interrupted.”
    Robert refilled the brandy—splash of liquid, reeling pepper-hot smell—and raised his eyebrows enquiringly. “I’m at your service.”
    Hal looked away. “It isn’t important.”
    “It seemed grave enough to me.”
    The refusal ached a little—had the moment passed so quickly? But Robert took the chance to lean forward and slide his hand, in a friendly sort of way, up onto Hal’s white-clad thigh. Hal’s head came up, his eyes dark and startled. For a fleeting instant, Robert thought he saw realisation, understanding, until Hal gave a shudder and dropped his gaze to the surface of his liquor.
    “I have a moral dilemma of my own.” Setting his back against the wall, Hal pulled his knees up and wrapped an arm around them, seeming to huddle close inside his own skin against the cold of the outer world. “To tell the truth, it’s wearing me out. I…I am almost at the stage where any outcome, however unfortunate, would be preferable to continuing as I am. But if I were to tell you what troubles me, I don’t think you’d accept my help after.”
    Oh, God bless you. The splinter of heartache beneath Robert’s breastbone stabbed him again, joined to a joy almost equally sharp. He had guessed the secret—unaware of Robert’s nature, Hal was obviously nerving himself up to make the sort of confession that could lead to death. “Tell me, Morgan. You can trust me.” What will it be? “Hughes, old chap, you’re pouring out your problems to a filthy sod. Don’t hurt me…please don’t hate me…” “Whatever it is. Nothing you say could damage my respect for you, I swear.”
    Robert smiled encouragingly, slipped his hand farther up Hal’s thigh. He hooked his thumb into the flap of Hal’s breeches and pulled it a little open. If the confession proved too hard, all Hal needed to do now was to nod.
    But Hal reared back, startled. His eyes rounded, wide and puzzled. “What…?”
    “I’ll tell you my secret if you tell me yours.”
    Robert leaned in until his nose scraped in the blond stubble of Hal’s cheek. He smelled salt and ambergris and the faint clean scent of Hal’s skin. Cupping Hal’s confused face between his hands, Robert tilted it and kissed him. Hal gasped, his lips parting in surprise, and Robert licked his way into Hal’s open mouth, tasting brandy and apples. Caught off guard, Hal’s first reaction was everything he’d hoped for, his hands coming up and gripping Robert’s arms, pulling close. Hal’s tongue touched his, tentatively, and the flicker of interest poured like fine liquor down his throat, pooled in liquid fire in his belly and groin.
    Warmth pulsed beneath Robert’s fingers from Hal’s furious flush. He slid one hand around the nape of Hal’s neck, fingers tangling in silk-sleek hair as he dragged the younger man closer. The other he dropped to Hal’s breeches, worrying the first button through the stiff material. Pleasure vibrated through him in a chord, his whole body singing like a plucked string. Oh, this was all going so very…
    Then Hal’s mind must have caught up with what his body was doing and reacted violently against it. He bit down hard on Robert’s tongue. Robert’s mouth exploded with pain and, when he recoiled, Hal shoved him away.
    “What the hell are you playing at?” Hal shouted.
    Robert swallowed, wincing. His tongue throbbed. The copper taste of blood mingled with the apples. His yard, once stiff and sore with wanting, drooped sadly at the pain and disappointment. “Was there any call for that?” He dabbed at the cut with the back of his hand. “There I am trying to tell you I love you, and you bite my damn tongue off. I have to say it’s not what I hoped. A man could feel hurt.”
    Hal slammed his fist down on the window ledge, scrambled off the bed and launched himself to his feet, where he stood gaping at Robert like a fish. A very angry fish. “You—you—I don’t know what to make of you! Are you mocking me?