"Discretion, my little fox."
"Heavens, Rayner!" Toka hissed through his teeth. He was adorable. "You frightened the life out of me."
Rayner chuckled at Toka's flushed cheeks and adorable pout. "Forgive me. I didn't want anyone to see me."
Toka searched his gaze, his expression turning concerned. "Are you all right?"
"I need to speak with you about Pavoni." He placed Toka's fingers to his lips for a kiss. "You must be cautious around him. Promise me."
Toka cocked his head, his amber eyes wide. "You're truly worried."
"Terrified," Rayner admitted, realizing it was the truth. When had he fallen into those molten pools of gold? When had Toka come to mean so much to him? They didn't spend much time in each other's company. Not nearly as much as Rayner would have liked. The moments they shared were often impromptu and in the shadows. Now Rayner wished he could whisk Toka away from here. "You don't know Pavoni like I do. He is a spiteful, nefarious creature. If he has the slightest inclination of my feelings for you, there's no telling what he will do."
Toka's shy smile almost undid Rayner. When Toka spoke, his voice was soft. "And what are your feelings for me?"
Rayner lifted Toka's chin to capture his lips. Hunger flared through Rayner, and he brought Toka up hard against him, one hand at the small of Toka's back holding him in place, the other cupping the back of Toka's neck. The taste of him was all-consuming, the heat of his mouth warm and sweet. His scent was heady, as was common with foxlings, but it was a fragrance that was all Toka's own--a mixture of juniper berries, apple blossoms, and something sugary. His little foxling was like no other.
Toka pressed himself as far into Rayner as he could, releasing barely audible moans as his tongue tangled with Rayner's. He clutched Rayner's arms as he eagerly returned every kiss, every nip and suck. Toka moved his hands to Rayner's shoulders and hopped up. Rayner caught him, securing Toka's legs around his waist, a low growl rising from his throat as Toka moved his lips to Rayner's neck, licking, sucking, and nipping at his skin, his fingers slipping into Rayner's hair and grabbing fistfuls of it. Rayner groaned. He was so damned hard right now.
"Toka," Rayner gasped, his back hitting the wall behind him. "We shouldn't.... Not here."
Toka pulled back, cupping Rayner's face before kissing him soundly. Rayner's breath hitched, and he stood panting after Toka hopped down. When had his little fox become so bold? It thrilled Rayner, and he could barely contain his smile as Toka checked the corridor before grabbing Rayner's hand. He took off with Rayner in tow, and Rayner laughed softly as they ran down the castle corridor. He ignored the amused looks of the servants as they sped by and headed downstairs. His foxling was clever, even in the midst of their lustful haze. Rayner's presence in the servants' quarters would not be questioned, and although the servants were notorious gossips, they only gossiped among themselves and were very protective of their own. They would never do anything to hurt Toka.
A couple of foxlings stood chatting outside Toka's room, and their eyes went wide when they saw Rayner. He put his finger to his lips in request of secrecy and winked at them as Toka opened his chamber door. They blushed and giggled, whispering among themselves. Rayner had no time to comment before Toka grabbed hold of his collar and tugged him into the room. Well now, what was this?
The door closed behind them, and Rayner found himself pushed against it with Toka's lips all over him. Rayner was quite enjoying Toka's newfound forwardness.
"I feel as though I'm going mad, as if my body is trying to burn through my skin. I can't get enough of your taste, the feel of your hands on me.... Rayner," Toka pleaded, "I need to feel you inside me."
Even as Toka reached for Rayner's belt, Rayner couldn't help but ask, "Are you sure?"
"I have never desired anything more," Toka replied, breathless.
Rayner nodded, his sentiments matching Toka's. He swiftly joined Toka in undressing, his heart beating wildly as Toka removed his own belt and tossed it on the floor. He pulled his tunic over his head, followed by his shirt. Rayner stilled at the sight of Toka's flawless bronze skin. When Toka stood naked before him, Rayner fought the urge to drop to his knees in worship.
"I have never seen a creature more beautiful. You steal the breath from my body."
Toka's wicked smile sent a shiver up Rayner's spine. It would appear his timid little fox wasn't so timid. He looked up at Rayner through lowered lashes. "There is so much I wish to do to your body, Rayner." He ran a finger down Rayner's chest. "But first, I'd like to see the stunning figure you hide beneath all this leather."
A deep growl rose from Rayner's chest, and he quickly divested himself of his many layers. His boots were the first to go, followed by the jerkin and his shirt. He removed his socks, then his black trousers, and finally stood naked before Toka. With a brash smile, he rounded his shoulders and straightened to his full height when Toka drew closer, his pink tongue poking out to lick his bottom lip. Rayner remained still, and his self-assurance lasted up until Toka slid his hands up Rayner's abdomen to his chest.
"You are magnificent." Toka's quiet voice carried awe, and Rayner couldn't help but preen a little. He had never cared about pleasing anyone. Never cared how they saw him or what they thought of him. But the way Toka looked up at him, desire and wonder in his eyes, had Rayner suddenly feeling vulnerable and uncertain. What Toka thought of him was of great importance.
"Do you like what you see?" he asked, his voice coming out rougher than expected.
Toka circled Rayner, and Rayner could feel Toka's heated gaze on him. "Does what I think matter to you?" It was an innocent question. A genuine curiosity. In truth, to a man of Rayner's standing, the thoughts of a foxling servant were of no consequence, but to Rayner, Toka's thoughts mattered....
"More than anything."
Toka's sharp intake of breath was not lost on him, and Rayner barely had a moment to blink before Toka was wrapped around him again. Rayner carried Toka to the bed, their lips coming together in a frenzy of dueling tongues and nipping teeth, their breaths panting. He lowered Toka onto the soft covers, his lips on Toka's as he lay between Toka's legs. He ran a hand up Toka's thigh to his torso before pulling back to sit on his heels. Toka stretched out before him, his knees drawn up on either side of Rayner so Rayner could see all of him. Toka's cheeks flushed, and he arched his back, his lips parted as he lifted his arms above his head, offering himself to Rayner in the most decadent way.
Rayner explored Toka's body, fingers caressing every inch of him, lips tasting, tongue savoring the warm, smooth skin. He reminded himself that despite Toka's eagerness, his foxling had never been touched in such a manner. His body had never been penetrated. A thought occurred to him.
"Have you brought yourself to release?"
Toka met Rayner's gaze, his cheeks a bright pink. "Yes. To thoughts of you."
Rayner groaned. As if he wasn't painfully hard enough. Toka had not only saved himself for Rayner, but he'd brought himself pleasure at the thought of Rayner.