Enlightened (Enlightenment #3)

by Joanna Chambers

He’d made a cage of himself, with David on the outside.

He found himself imagining Murdo leaving his side to perform an obligation to some hypothetical future wife and was surprised at how painful he found the mere thought. Not that he intended to find himself in such a position. He’d decided long ago that he would break off with Murdo as and when a potential wife appeared on the scene.

The envy was a savage, unworthy howl in his breast, and he muzzled it quickly, ruthlessly, appalled at himself.

Realising that ignited something in David. Not envy this time, nor despair, but anger. Righteous anger, at a world that wouldn’t stop prying and interfering, demanding that its unjust rules be followed.

Making love with Murdo had become vital to David over these last months. Not just for the pleasure of it but for the give and take of it, the generosity and the joy of it. These were the things that showed David that, whatever he may have once thought, he wasn’t a criminal. Or a sinner. Making love with Murdo had turned David’s most shameful secret into his greatest joy.

“He’s not the love of my life, you idiot!” David snapped, incensed by Murdo’s obtuseness. “You are!”

“You bastard!” the other man exclaimed as he drew closer. He was laughing, though, white teeth flashing. “I came out to meet the carriage for our grand reunion to find nothing but a pudding to greet me!”