“There you go. Take as many as you want. We don’t want you upset.”
Alexei stared at the apple trees, then at Ohsyn’s earnest face. “I don’t want to take them,” he replied. “I just…”
He did n’t know how to explain himself. He felt so confused and out of his depth. He shouldn’t be feeling such things in the first place, especial ly not for men so out of his reach.
“Oh, Alexei,” Visnah continued in a soft voice. “Don’t be afraid. I promise you all will be well.”
Visnah’s soothing voice acted like a balm on Alexei’s soul. When Ohsyn swooped in to steal a kiss, Alexei melted, all doubts vanishing in an instant. Ohsyn smelled intoxicating, and his taste reminded Alexei of well-aged wine. He took and gave in equal measure, generous, yet demanding, decadent, yet kind. Their bodies molded against each other perfect ly , and for a little while, Alexei just lost himself in the dance of their tongues, in the rocking of their bodies and the musk of male arousal.
When they broke apart, Ohsyn grinned at Alexei. “There you go—my reward for the apples,” he said. Alexei almost thought Ohsyn had missed the point entire ly , but then the other man pressed his lips to Alexei’s once again. This time, when the kiss ended, Ohsyn murmured, “And this one is because I want to, because you want to.”
It was a statement, but Alexei felt the question behind it. He nodded, his face hot with desire and embarrassment.
“Now that this little problem is settled, come here and sit by our side.”
Alexei allowed Ly etah to lead him next to the four large stones. Uncertain anticipation coursed through him. Ly etah knelt in the soft grass and pulled Alexei down. Their bodies collided and sparks flew between them, just like the day before.
As if of their own accord, Alexei’s hands slipped between their bodies to unbutton Ly etah’s shirt. Alexei id ly noted the yellow material matched Ly etah’s hair and tried to focus on the bland fact to give himself the courage to finish his self-appointed task. He failed, nervousness making his body tremble and his heart thunder. “Don’t worry, solnyshko moyo ,” Ly etah said soothingly. “I’ll take care of it.”
And so, Ly etah did . Under Alexei’s amazed eyes, the shirt melted, as did the bright red breeches. Alexei found himself seated in the lap of a very naked Ly etah. He froze, not knowing what to do. Sure, he’d dreamed about touching and being touched by these men, but acting out his fantasies was a different matter entire ly .
“Relax, miliy moi ,” Ohsyn whispered in his ear, startling him. Ohsyn sat next to them, facing Alexei. “This is all about what we all want, remember?”
Yes, Alexei remembered. In a sense, it had been his idea to begin with. He’d wanted their kisses to be genuine—not that he considered the ones before false, but this felt different somehow.
“Just enjoy,” Visnah said behind him. Alexei turned, on ly to watch Visnah and Zimah approach as well.
He did n’t know what to say, how to act. This entire thing felt surreal, as if it couldn’t possib ly be happening to him. He was just Alexei. Four hot men couldn’t want him, shouldn’t want him.
“Don’t worry,” Ly etah answered. “We won’t do anything you’re uncomfortable with.”
Ly etah had summoned his clothing back and even if Alexei could still feel the man’s hard-on beneath him, he almost wept at his own stupidity.
“How about we just take things slow?” Visnah suggested.
Ly etah nodded toward Visnah and placed Alexei on the grass. “Lay down, solnyshko moyo ,” he whispered. “We’ll take care of you.”
Alexei obeyed. The grass felt soft, welcoming him in its green embrace. Above him, the tree branches laden with fruit sent tantalizing aromas toward him. Alexei closed his eyes. So many scents surrounded him—apples, wine, fresh flowers, and even the scent of sunlight and snow. He did n’t know how he could differentiate each and