A Knight for All

  A Knight for All

  By Shawn Lane

  Published by JMS Books LLC

  Visit jms-books.com for more information.

  Copyright 2017 Shawn Lane

  ISBN 9781634865517

  Cover Design: Written Ink Designs | written-ink.com

  Image(s) used under a Standard Royalty-Free License.

  All rights reserved.

  WARNING: This book is not transferable. It is for your own personal use. If it is sold, shared, or given away, it is an infringement of the copyright of this work and violators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

  No portion of this book may be transmitted or reproduced in any form, or by any means, without permission in writing from the publisher, with the exception of brief excerpts used for the purposes of review.

  This book is for ADULT AUDIENCES ONLY. It may contain sexually explicit scenes and graphic language which might be considered offensive by some readers. Please store your files where they cannot be accessed by minors.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are solely the product of the author’s imagination and/or are used fictitiously, though reference may be made to actual historical events or existing locations. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Published in the United States of America.

  NOTE: This book was previously published by Amber Quill Press.

  * * * *

  A Knight for All

  By Shawn Lane

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 1

  Edward, Baron Rycliffe, pulled the hood of his cloak tighter around his face, praying it was enough concealment. He’d dressed in simple attire, more common to villagers than the noble clothes he generally wore—a plain brown tunic, braies and hose with ankle boots. None in the tavern would expect to see their lord there and therefore, at least Edward hoped, would not recognize him.

  From the corner of the tavern where he sat, Edward could easily see most of the patrons. He had a clear view of the entrance. It already seemed like he’d waited hours for the man to appear, though in truth Edward knew he had not been waiting long. He was nervous, jumping at every little noise around.

  Since his marriage to Lady Katherine three months earlier, Edward had dared not give in to his darker needs. He had fallen in love with Katherine when he’d met her last year when she’d been newly widowed. Each day he loved her more and their passion filled nights fulfilled his every desire. Almost.

  Edward had not shared with Katherine that he craved the touch of men also. He suspected she might know it because before they met Edward knew there was some talk amongst the noblemen of the court, though Edward had tried to quiet the talk as soon as he’d heard it. She had not brought it up, though, so he could not be sure. In any event, he’d tried very hard not to give in to those tortured desires.

  The door of the tavern opened with painful slowness. At least to Edward. He shifted on the bench, his cock already half hard in anticipation.

  It might not even be him.

  Edward’s gaze stayed on the door as it swung in. A figure of a man appeared in the doorway, shadowed by the gloomy, barely lit entrance of the tavern. He held his breath. He could not quite tell just yet.

  The man took several steps inside, clearly turning his head left and right, looking for someone. Looking for him.

  Edward exhaled. Gregory had arrived. Though he, too, was cloaked to conceal his identity, Edward recognized the man’s broad back and a wisp of his blond hair sticking out from the hood. Edward’s entire body felt engulfed by fire. It had been so long since he’d seen his former lover. Years since they’d even seen each other let alone shared forbidden touches.

  He gestured to Gregory, who instantly noticed and made his way toward Edward’s table in the corner. Nearing him, Gregory dropped the hood of his cloak to his shoulders and flashed a beautiful welcoming smile at Edward.

  “Gregory, you came,” Edward said softly as Gregory sat on the bench directly across from him. They grasped hands over the table, for a moment allowing their affection for each other to shine in their gazes.

  The handsome blond man grinned, his blue eyes sparkling. “Aye, of course I came. As soon as I received word of the tournament held in your honor I knew I had to take part.”

  Edward’s face heated. He hadn’t wanted the tournament, but his wife had been insistent. “‘Twas Lady Katherine’s idea for my birthday.”

  “I know. A wonderful idea, too. In truth, I originally thought to surprise you and enter as an unknown knight.”

  Edward, though loathe to lose his grasp of Gregory’s hands, was conscious of those in the tavern watching them. Not wanting unnecessary speculation for either of them, he released his hold and folded his hands in front of him. “I am glad you sent word ahead. It has been too long, Gregory.”

  Gregory nodded and ordered a tankard of ale when the tavern maid stopped at their table. “I was not sure of my welcome after the way we parted, Edward.”

  Edward bowed his head for a moment. It was true they had not parted well. Edward and Gregory had fostered together as boys and had been lifelong friends before becoming lovers shortly before they both became knights. They’d been each other’s first lover. Afterward they’d both had women. Sometimes together, enjoying pleasuring each other as well as the lady they took to their bed.

  But they had their differences as well. Edward, as his father’s eldest son, expected to one day inherit the Rycliffe estates and also take a wife. In fact, he’d looked forward to that day. He loved women and wanted to build a household full of healthy sons.

  Gregory, on the other hand, was the third son of a minor nobleman. He expected to live his life as a mercenary or perhaps a guard to the king or even as a knight in the Crusades. Though he enjoyed the charms of the fairer sex, he had made it clear to Edward he did not see the point in taking a wife when he could take to his bed whomever pleased him.

  Though they vowed to remain friends when Edward was called home to Rycliffe and Gregory left for adventure, it was a strained parting.

  Edward raised his gaze to Gregory’s face. “I welcome you gladly. I know you will do well in tomorrow’s tournament.”

  Gregory took a large swallow of the ale the barmaid set down. “Are you also going to participate?”

  Edward smiled. “Nay, I leave such things for younger men these days.”

  Gregory snorted. “You are not so old. You are of the same age as me.”

  “True, but I have allowed myself to grow soft while you have maintained an admirable body.”

  Gregory’s gaze turned serious and he studied Edward for several moments in silence. “You do not look soft to me, Edward,” he said after a while. “In fact, you are a fine man still. I…I hope you have asked to see me like this because—”

  It was Gregory who bowed his head and Edward noticed the twin red spots on his cheeks. Gregory growing bashful? It did not seem possible.

  Edward reached for Gregory’s hand under the table and grasped it in his once more. “Is there somewhere we can go where we might have our reunion more privately?”

  “God, yes. Let’s get out of here.”

  * * * *

  Sir Gregory’s heart hammered in his chest, anticipating when he could finally get Edward alone. It had not only been a long time since he’d been with Edward, it had also been along time since he’d lain with anyone. Only recently had he returned from fighting for a lord in the north. The fighting had been so fierce the opportunities to relieve his cock had been few.

  He led Edward to a small cottage on the edge of the village. Earlier in the day when he received the missive from his former lover to meet, Gregory had secured the cottage in the hope the meeting meant what he wanted it to mean.

  Gregory knew from rumors and his correspondence with both Edward and Lady Katherine that Edward loved his wife. He should, perhaps, feel some measure of guilt over his desire for Edward. The truth was he never had felt shame or guilt for the love he bore Edward. Their relationship had always been close and filled with affection and camaraderie. It had been only natural, to Gregory anyway, when they became lovers. Edward was the first person he’d given his heart to, and even now after their years apart Gregory still loved him

  He also knew Edward did not know Lady Katherine sent him a message of her own. It would be a surprise for his birthday after the tournament. Gregory hoped it would be a pleasant surprise to Edward. Katherine seemed to believe so.

  But now…this was his time with Edward.

  Gregory undid the latch on the door of the cottage and pushed Edward inside, kicking the door closed. It was dark, but Gregory had set up the cottage earlier so that a wall torch would be easily accessed and lit. He wanted to see Edward’s beautiful naked body.

  Edward reached for him as soon as Gregory turned from lighting the torch. He pushed Gregory against the nearest wall and pressed against him, grinding his erection into Gregory’s. Edward framed Gregory’s head in his hands.

  “God, you feel good,” Edward whispered, his hazel eyes filled with undisguised lust. He pressed his lips to Gregory, hard and bruising, forcing Gregory’s mouth open. Their tongues met, learning each other’s tastes again.

  He tore at Edward’s cloak, letting it fall heedlessly to the floor at their feet. Next he inched the tunic up to Edward’s nipples, his fingers grazing the bare flesh.
br />   “You, too,” Edward said against his mouth. He pushed Gregory’s cloak off his shoulders and it, too, fell and pooled at their feet with the other cloak.

  Gregory had managed to pull Edward’s tunic and under shirt over Edward’s head. He tossed it aside. His hands caressed his lover’s chest, fingers tangling in the dark hair, flicking his nipples.

  “Ah,” Edward gasped.

  Gregory smiled. He remembered how sensitive Edward was there.

  Edward was struggling to remove Gregory’s jerkin, so he stopped for a moment to assist him. When he threw it, Gregory didn’t know where it landed. Nor did he care. Now they were bare chest to bare chest, hot skin to hot skin.

  When they’d entered the cottage, Edward had pressed him against the wall, but now he wanted to change their positions. He flipped Edward around, pressing him into the wall, pushing his erection against the other man.

  “Do you see how much I want to be inside you?” Gregory asked.

  “Yes, now, do it now,” Edward moaned.

  “Soon,” Gregory promised. “We still haven’t removed the rest of our clothing.”

  Edward licked his lip and nodded, his gaze hazy with lust. He removed the rest of his own clothes and watched Gregory do the same with his.

  They both reached for each other’s cocks, groaning in unison.

  Gregory wiped the drop of pre-cum from the tip of Edward’s cock and brought it to his lips to taste his lover. It was musky and a little sweet.

  He stroked Edward for a few moments, cupping his balls, running his hand up and down the length. He’d brought a small vial of oil he’d purchased off a merchant in a traveling market. Bending down to pick up his cloak, he felt for the pocket in which he’d placed the vial. Fingers closing around it, he pulled it out and straightened.

  Edward watched him through half-closed lids, his lips plump from their kisses.

  Gregory tipped the vial and splashed oil on two of his fingers. After recapping it, he set it the floor.

  “Turn around,” Gregory said in Edward’s ear.

  Edward faced the wall, presenting his tight, rounded ass. Gregory stared, transfixed by the sight, his mouth watering. It had really been too long since he’d felt the other man’s ass clench around his cock.

  He parted Edward’s cheeks and slipped his oiled fingers in the other man’s puckered hole. Edward tensed.

  “Shhh,” Gregory whispered.

  He eased the fingers past the ring of muscle, loosening Edward’s entrance. Gregory moaned, his hard cock desperate to replace his probing fingers.

  He pushed aside his lust, wanting to make sure Edward would be prepared for the invasion first. He pulled out his fingers, and then pushed them in again. This time they went in easily.

  “Ready?” he murmured.

  Edward, his eyes closed, his head thrown back, nodded.

  Gregory wanted his lover facing him, with his legs wrapped around Gregory’s waist. He turned him and lifted Edward up. “Put your legs around me.”

  Edward lifted his legs and hooked them around Gregory.

  Gregory pushed just the head of his cock in Edward’s hole. He clenched his jaw, forcing himself to go slowly.

  “More,” Edward gasped.

  Thank the Lord.

  Gregory’s cock slid in farther, pushing past the muscle, straight for the sweet little spot that would surely drive his lover insane.

  “Gregory!” Edward cried.

  Gregory smiled, knowing he’d found it. He thrust harder, pushing in balls-deep, pulling out nearly all the way, before slamming in again and again.

  Edward clung to him, his fingers digging into Gregory’s shoulders, his head thrashing back and forth.

  “That’s it, give me all you have, Edward,” Gregory said, “squeeze every drop from my cock.”

  His lover shook, his muscles clenching.

  A mind blowing release tingled up Gregory’s spine. He could tell by the rapturous look on Edward’s face that he was close. Speeding up his thrusts, Gregory reached between them to grasp Edward’s erection. He fisted it, jerking it hard and fast.

  Just as Edward screamed his name, Gregory pumped twice more and emptied into his lover. Edward’s fluid splashed over his stomach.

  They panted together, still joined, still holding onto each other. After a moment though, Gregory slipped from his ass and lowered Edward, for his warrior’s body had become heavy. He pulled Edward close, squeezing their naked, sweaty bodies together. He relished the closeness, the comfort. Even though he knew it wouldn’t last long enough.

  Edward laid his head on Gregory’s shoulder and blew out a spent breath. “That was amazing.”

  “I agree.”

  “Lord, it’s been so long.”

  “How long has it been since you’ve been with another man, Edward?” Gregory wondered.

  “Since shortly before my marriage to Lady Katherine.”

  Gregory pulled back a bit from his lover. He gestured to a cot in the cottage that was hardly big enough for the two of them. “Can you stay a bit longer?”

  “I would like to,” Edward said.

  Gregory grasped his lover’s hand and threaded his fingers through Edward’s. “Come then, I would hold you and love you some more.”

  They walked to the cot and lay down. Gregory pulled Edward close against him, pushing his cheek to rest on Gregory’s chest. He ran his fingers through the soft brown curls on Edward’s head.

  “But I meant it’s been so long since I’ve been with you, Gregory,” Edward said after a few moments of them spent just listening to the beats of each other’s hearts. “I’ve missed you.”

  “I have you as well. I know our parting was necessary, but I still regret that it was so.”

  “I thought never to see you again.” Edward’s breath stirred the hairs on Gregory’s chest. “I’m glad I was wrong.”

  Gregory hoped they would be seeing much more of each other, perhaps for quite some time, but it was too soon to talk of that.

  He tipped Edward’s chin up to place a deep kiss on his lips. They kissed for several long minutes, their tongues dueling. Gregory’s cock was half hard again and a quick look down confirmed Edward’s shaft in the same state.

  Gregory wanted to suck Edward this time. He wanted his lover to explode and fill his mouth with his warm liquid. When they’d been squires together years before, they’d begun to pleasure each other that way. Gregory still loved the taste of Edward.

  He shifted on the cot so he was above Edward. He kissed his swollen lips again, then the tip of Edward’s nose. “Lie back. I want to take you in my mouth.”

  Edward’s lips curved into a sweet smile. It twisted Gregory’s heart, increased the beating pulse.

  Returning the smile with one he hoped showed his wicked intent, Gregory scooted down his lover’s body, running his fingertips over Edward’s bare torso. He paused over Edward’s cock, now fully erect and curved upward. It was a beautiful sight, the big dark red head glistening with leaked pre-cum.

  Gregory darted out his tongue, licking the slit. “Mmm.”

  Edward moaned, his body quivering.

  He enclosed just the tip in his mouth, sucking on it, cupping the ball sac in his hand. After a few moments of torturing Edward by working the tip, he slowly sucked his lover’s cock in deeper, hollowing his cheeks.

  Gregory sucked him all the way to the back of his throat.

  Edward’s hips rose; his fingers reached down to tangle in Gregory’s hair. He started fucking Gregory’s mouth. “God, yes.”

  Gregory slipped two fingers into Edward’s hole, searching for that spot as he continued sucking his shaft.

  “Gregory,” Edward groaned, tensing, his cock pouring semen down Gregory’s throat.

  He lapped up any excess cum, licking Edward’s balls and thighs. Then he scooted back to the top of the cot and pulled Edward back against him.

  “I love you,” Edward whispered in the dimly lit cottage.

  “And I love you.” Only a short time later he heard Edward’s soft snoring. He held him tighter. “My Edward.”

  Chapter 2

  Edward watched his wife sleep. Katherine was the most beautiful woman he’d ever known, and from the moment he’d first seen the young widow last autumn he’d vowed he’d make her his.