High Price (Siren Publishing Classic ManLove) by Suzi Slade

Author:Suzi Slade
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Romance
Published: 2015-10-14T17:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

The heavenly scent of frying ham wafted into his room, filtering through the murky depths of his overly dark dreams. Breathing in his first conscious breath of the day, William began to salivate as his stomach grumbled alarmingly. After bounding from beneath the sheets, he washed his face, combed his hair back, and dressed quickly. He was far too hungry to have to wait for Rowland’s delectable cooking.

Following the smell as though it guided him, he arrived at the dining room. Richard was still in the same seat, but thankfully this time he was upright, facing the large window, watching as people bustled by outside. The blanket was still wrapped around his shoulders.

He didn’t look as William came in the room. He looked utterly feeble compared to the man William had met days ago. His skin had taken on a sickly green hue, his eyes were heavy and surrounded by huge, black rings, his sockets and cheeks had sunk into his skull, and his stubble looked as though it had been left to grow for years. The young man didn’t speak as he took up a seat at the other end of the table. Only then did Richard awake from his daydream as if seeing William for the first time. Richard’s shining irises were a surprise to the brunet when they rested on him. They were clear and bright, more focused than he had seen them in days, and the complete opposite to what seemed to frame them.

His heart leapt a little in his chest and tiny butterflies danced in his stomach. Some of his worry on Richard’s behalf dissolved into thin air just being able to look the man in the eye and not fear he was harbouring some prodigious distaste toward him. Grinning a little, he received a friendly smile from the blond.

“How’re you feeling today?” William quizzed.

“Hmm. I’ve felt better, but I am doing well, thank you,” Richard began with a smirk. Then he dropped his voice to a low timbre that William would have barely heard had he not been paying attention, and said, “William, thank you for sorting me out last night. It was selfish of me to get so drunk that it was down to you to clear up after me. Nevertheless, I appreciate it.”

William bobbed his head and opened his mouth when Rowland came bouncing into the room, a tray with a mountain of fried food on it in his hands. It was a dish fit for the gods. He beamed when he saw them both already seated.

“Ah, William, good morning! Please, fill your boots, son.”

William thanked him heartily and dug in, as did the other two. The meal was quite uneventful. They chatted out the weather, the cost of goods, and the best taverns in town. It was as though all three of them had known each other forever.

“So,” William said thickly through a mouthful of eggs, “it’s a nice house you have. Do you live here alone?”

Immediately, Richard placed his cutlery down and peered into his lap.

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