Chapter 3

“Three days, Niall,” Ran rumbled as he glared at the window and Niall hummed in agreement as he flipped a page. “Look at them in the paddock,” he complained as he turned away and paced closer to the sofa. “They look like they’re sulking, out there in the rain.”

“Come over here and be still for a bit,” Niall said as he tossed his paper on the end table. He pointed at the cushion next to him then patted his thigh. Ran let out a petulant sigh as he drug himself around the sofa then dropped onto it. He swung his legs over and crossed his ankles on the arm as he rested his head on Niall’s lap. Niall was in jeans and chunky wool socks and slipped off his trainers before he tucked his feet under him to read. It was chilly and Niall wore his favorite nubby grey jumper and it was nearly paradise as his fingers brushed through Ran’s hair. If Ran wasn’t so damn restless from the rain and being trapped inside with Niall, it would be bliss. But being trapped inside with Niall was torture. Ran groaned as he turned his head and rubbed his face in Niall’s jumper. It was just a ratty old thing he pulled on when it was gloomy out but it was soft and it smelled so much like Niall, it made Ran just a little more frustrated and anxious but he also felt a plume of warmth and joy spread in his chest. Niall scratched at Ran’s scalp absently and his neck craned as he read. There was a very good chance he wasn’t aware of how turned on Ran was.

Niall wasn’t aware of a lot of things. He assumed that because he was quiet and liked to hover outside everyone’s peripheral vision that he was invisible but it was impossible for Ran to ignore him. He thought he was unassuming with his messy hair and glasses but his eyes were so full of curiosity and there was a spark of fight and passion Ran found irresistible. Niall had no idea how utterly gorgeous he was and didn’t have a vain bone in his body. They dressed for dinner at Gallahide but Niall barely cooperated. He’d put on trousers and a shirt but he usually wore his trainers. He could be bothered to put on a tie most evenings but he refused to wear a coat, he preferred a cardigan or one of his jumpers. His style could best be described as sexy-elderly-university-student but Niall was devastating when he had to wear a tuxedo. He cleaned up so well, Ran still jerked off to a picture of Niall after his last award. His research on an endangered butterfly species helped gain support for an exciting conservation bill and Niall was unusually relaxed and outgoing that evening. He laughed and almost flirted with Ran as they celebrated. Niall confessed he particularly appreciated Ran in his kilt and that was pretty much all he could think about. Niall wore a coat with tails and tamed his hair and they nearly kissed in the lift, on the way up to their rooms at the end of the night. Every time Ran pushed a fake Niall into his room and plowed him until sunrise, he was returning to that moment in the lift and fulfilling that fantasy. Their fingers tangled and Ran pulled Niall into his arms as they laughed then backed him against the wall. He rested his forehead on Niall’s and swallowed his startled, hungry gasp. It tasted like gin and limes as their lips brushed and it was intensely erotic before Niall pressed against Ran’s chest and his eyes pleaded for forgiveness. It was the foundation of every sexual fantasy Ran had from that day forward and became his only fetish.

Which was why it would have been devastating if Niall came down to dinner in a more formal suit or accepted more invitations to events in Edinburgh or London. It was a shield, in a way for Ran. If he could confine the strongest and wildest of his demons to his lust for the Niall in the photo, it was somewhat compartmentalized and Ran could exorcise them with some poor whore in a tux in London. But it was still hell, being cooped up with Niall. It was usually bearable because there was a version of Niall in a tux waiting for Ran, some night in the near future. That wasn’t helping with the nagging throb presently happening in the front of his jeans, unfortunately.

“I need to go for a ride,” Ran complained as he scrubbed his face with his hands. Niall at Gallahide had his own allure and it was just as potent as Ran’s fantasy Niall.

“I’m sure we could find some alternative activity. Something indoors and just a little less wet,” Niall murmured absently and Ran squeezed his eyes shut as heat exploded in his groin.

“You know, I think I’ll take my chances with the storm,” he said then swung his legs around and rose to his feet as Niall finally caught on. He nodded as he studied the ceiling and they waited for his face to become less red.

“Be careful out there,” Niall said and Ran snorted as he headed for the door.

“Honestly, I’m praying I’m knocked on my arse and crack my skull or get struck by lightning.”

He quickly changed into boots and a wind and rainproof coat then stormed out to the stables. The stud consisted of three large stable houses, veterinary facilities, two tracks and two paddocks. Ran kept his horses and his office in the castle’s original stable. It was an ancient stone structure but was beautifully remodeled and faced the castle’s back lawn and the small paddock where Ran’s personal horses roamed. “Come on, Kelpie,” Ran said as he led the beast through the open barn doors and the horse stomped his foot in anticipation. A bruising Shire horse, Kelpie looked as dark and terrifying as death and the ground trembled beneath his hooves. Normally, he was as gentle as a bunny but days of rain, eating and sleeping made him cranky and impatient. They were kindred spirits and they set out with a shared purpose as rain and wind lashed at the castle and fog rolled into the vale.

Ran let the horse go, giving him his head as he took his frustrations out on the land. Kelpie thundered over fields and hills, his hooves devoured the ground as the storm punished them for daring to face it. He tore through hedges and kicked up miles of earth as Ran braced against the rain and wind that bit into his cheeks and ears as his eyes stung and his lungs burned. His breath became mist as it froze in the cold air and steam plumed from Kelpie’s nostrils and his massive hooves pounded in time with Ran’s heartbeat. They surged over a rise and the horse stopped as a gust of wind slammed into them and Ran leaned into it until it lost its fury. Enough of Ran’s fury was extinguished and he turned Kelpie back to Gallahide. They were sated and spent as they clattered into the courtyard.

“Warm him up and give him a few apples,” Ran said to Frasier, his stable master, as he patted Kelpie’s neck then found his eyes. “Be patient and don’t destroy your stall, you giant baby,” he scolded, to himself, mostly. He handed the reins to Frasier then dropped his coat on a hook so Ms. Brundage wouldn’t kill him for dragging puddles into the castle and grabbed an umbrella from the bucket. The wind nearly ripped it out of his hands but he held onto it and laughed as he crashed into the back door.

“My lord,” Pearson complained quietly as he hurried around the corner with a stack of towels. Ran shut the umbrella and stuffed it next to the others then thanked him before mopping at his face.

“Sorry about all the water but I had to do it,” he said and Pearson just sighed and shook his head the way he always did.

“Of course, my lord,” he murmured under his breath then looked to Ms. Brundage for help as she narrowed an eye at Ran.

“Yer well radge, is what ye are!” She scolded then gestured for him to get his boots off. “Get in here and rest yerself by the fire,” she ordered then stalked off to get his tea ready. Ran winced at Pearson as he draped his towel around his shoulders then bent so he could pull off his boots.

“Perhaps another,” Pearson said hopefully and held a towel up to Ran as he stood.

“Thank you.” Ran used it to scrub his hair and beard dry then padded to a chair by the oven. He groaned in relief as he sat then stretched and crossed his legs along the hearth, so he was out of the way. The oven was split to accommodate grills and spits on one side and the other side was a brick oven. The smell of the day’s bread being baked on the other side was intoxicating and Ran smiled up at Ms. Brundage as she delivered his tea.

“Feel better, lad?” She asked as she gave his ear a playful tug and he nodded as he raised his cup and blew.

“Much,” he said simply then sipped and she humphed as she judged him. Ran shook his head faintly and she rolled her eyes and let it go.

“I saw you come in and I thought I’d join you,” Niall said as he walked in then snorted at Ran as he closed his cardigan tighter. “You’re absolutely mad,” he declared as he took a chair from the table and carried it to the hearth. He set it next to Ran’s feet and dropped onto it. “Thank you, madam,” he said as he took his cup from Ms. Brundage and she cooed as she patted his cheek.

“I’ve got a tray coming for ye in a moment, lads,” she said and Niall smiled softly at her as he sat back and extended his legs along Ran’s and crossed his ankles.

“I’ve got a leak in the koi pond. I was planning to drain it after I moved the fish into buckets, if you’re looking for something to do later,” he said then nudged Ran’s leg with his knee.

“Aye,” he said as he nodded. “I could use some work. I’ll go up and change after we’re done with our tea and get to it.”

“Excellent. I was going to call for the gardeners but I think we can take care of it ourselves,” Niall stated and they sat up and pulled their feet under their chairs as a table was unfolded and set between them.

“Bless ye, Lord Brewarden,” Ms. Brundage said as she lowered a tray with soup, rolls and shortbread. “You’re doing us all a solid, keeping him out of trouble.”

“I think I can find enough to keep him busy for the rest of the day,” Niall said and Ran winced as he reached for a bowl of Scotch broth.

“I wish ye would,” she grumbled under her breath and Ran jumped then yelped as soup sloshed on his hand.

“Brundy!”

“Did I say that out loud?” She asked sweetly and Niall’s eyes flicked between them as he hugged his bowl against his chest before his face went white.

“I meant with the pond and maybe the new net enclosure…” He said weakly as he shrank and tried to hide behind his bowl. “If there’s still enough light out,” he added as he stirred then muttered something to himself. Ran laughed as he licked the soup from his thumb then ripped off a chunk of his roll.

“We won’t get very far if you keep flirting with me,” he teased as he dunked his bread and Niall gave him a flat look.

“I’m sure there’s a gardener or two available if you’re not up to it,” he said and bread shot from Ran’s lips as he roared. “You know what, I’m done,” Niall said as he set his bowl on the tray and Ran waved for him to stay as he wiped the tears from his eyes.

“Don’t run off!” He begged but Niall shook his head as he swiped all the shortbread from the tray.

“No, the fewer people I expose myself to the better,” he stated and Ran bit down on his upper lip hard as Niall hurried away. “Wait!” He said as he backed up and his face was so red, his eyes were watering. “I meant as an idiot. I don’t want everyone to see me acting like a… I’ll be in the conservatory.” He gave Ran a quick nod then jammed a piece of shortbread in his mouth and fled.

“He’s so damn adorable,” Ran sighed as he reached for his bowl then grunted as Ms. Brundage slapped the back of his head. “Woman!”

“Finish yer tea and go help the poor lad,” she said as she went to oversee a delivery and Ran chuckled to himself as he stirred his soup with a piece of roll.

“God, how I’d love to help him.”