A Swithin Spin: A Princely Passion Read Free Page A

had left by this doorway, Kilan was certain the large man would have paused, just as Antal did now, and then suddenly turned that grin up to look at him. He’d be well and truly caught. However, Antal wasn’t Ryanac. He was good at his job, but no one had Ryanac’s instincts. Even so, there was every chance that in a moment Antal would detect him. To Kilan’s dismay, the idea excited him. He grew hard on the instant, which only added to his discomfort. He didn’t know what thrilled him more: the thought of wrongdoing or someone -- particularly Antal -- catching him at it. Unsure why, he could only imagine too many resulting scenarios to have a hope of deciding on one. As excited as he felt, given the choice he’d rather put such a revelation off until another day, preferring Antal catch him doing something else in some other way.
    Why Kilan wanted Antal to catch him in any wrongdoing at all was a question for thought. Usually so self-possessed, the idea of Antal losing his composure and turning all that skilled and tightly controlled wrath in his direction… Well, it did strange things to Kilan’s anatomy and emotions. He was too uncomfortable to dissect his feelings now, not that he overly worried about self-analysis. He had reasons for doing things, or he wouldn’t do them. Why analyze that?
    Just as Kilan began to think he couldn’t stand the burning sensation in his limbs a moment longer, Antal glanced back the way he had come. Then, facing forward once again, he walked away. Kilan watched the play of light glinting off Antal’s long auburn hair as his braid swayed with the movement, and then as soon as he was out of sight, Kilan swung down from his perch. Letting out a breath, he whispered, “Lucky for me.” Antal was most definitely distracted; given his training, he should have sensed someone so close by. Kilan rubbed at his cock, satisfied when it deflated. He didn’t want to walk around with that inconvenience, not when he couldn’t make use of it.
    A sudden crawling sensation at the back of his neck made Kilan turn toward the doorway. He almost jumped out of his skin when he saw that Ryanac’s bulk filled the entrance.
    “Ah…crap,” Kilan murmured. He could only hope Ryanac hadn’t realized he’d been groping himself. He flinched as one of Ryanac’s large hands reached out to grab him by the nape. The big man’s grip hurt.
    “Do you understand the concept of privacy?” Ryanac asked as he propelled Kilan into the room.
    Strange thing to ask a prince. People were always denying him privacy. People like Antal were always ordering him around or reminding him of duty. Maybe that’s why the thought of getting up in Antal’s face was so attractive. How could Kilan forget his duty when others referred to it twenty times a day? Oh not his brother and not Ryanac: they only need remind him of his princely position with a look. Markis was a difficult icon to match.
    Kilan bemoaned his lot in life. Princely position! What about some princely pleasure? He was too young for this. He wanted some fun. He wanted something -- something he couldn’t put a name to, but he longed for it nonetheless. As they walked, the fingers digging into Kilan’s neck tightened, and the young prince couldn’t help writhing. At least the pain distracted him from such irritating thoughts.
    “Fine. Fine. I’m sorry!” Despite his apology, Ryanac didn’t let up. “Ow! Let go.” Kilan could stand it no longer. The only thing he could imagine more painful would be Ryanac pressing down on his collarbone. He reached back with one hand and wrapped his fingers around Ryanac’s wrist, but he might as well have saved himself the effort. The man’s grip was relentless, immovable. “You ca --” Kilan snapped his mouth shut, almost biting his tongue, unwilling to finish that sentence in spite of the pain.
    Ryanac stopped walking. He turned Kilan with the very hand that gripped his neck. He shook Kilan by the nape. Ryanac leaned