before you come back. Instead he been pining for you something wicked.” This was news to Beau, and he wasn’t quite sure what to make of it. “Well, come on in the house. No use standing about crying over something that can’t be taken back.”
Once in the privacy of the little shack, his lover reached out and took Beau’s pristine soft white hand. Beau looked down in total amazement as he watched the dark fingers locked on to his tightly. He hadn’t dared to look at Lafayette on the walk back to his dwelling. But now his eyes shyly peeked up through his lashes to find Lafayette watching him intently, and it made his heart flip.
“Gran, you knew my heart has always been his. Nothing could have ever changed that. Now explain to us what is happening.”
Beau’s head was spinning with joyful happiness that he was sure was written all over his face. Lafayette loved him, and it sounded like he always had. His heart soared with grand feelings.
“Young fools! You make folly as you think only with your heart.” Gran scoffed, but the small smile on her face told Beau that she wasn’t completely angry with this situation. “Well, sit down. Sit down.”
Beau and Lafayette seated themselves on the stools next to the dying fire. Beau’s heart did another happy back flip when the man reached again to take his hand back. His hand was held in one work roughened hand while Lafayette stroked the callused fingers across his palm creating delicious shivers to dance through Beau’s body.
Lafayette’s Gran cleared her throat to get their attention. She shook her head. “I tell my boy stay away from the men of the big family. But he no listen. So here we are…”
Lafayette frowned at her, and Beau wanted to crawl under a rock. “We love each other, Gran. Nothing will change that. Now tell what you need to say. Tell me what you would not say before.”
Gran’s head dropped forward for a moment before looking directly at them. “You be like him. When he bites you.”
How did she know Beau was barely restraining himself from sinking his teeth in his lover? The unnatural desire was scaring the hell out of him. He couldn’t help it; he leaned closer to inhale the larger man’s scent.
Lafayette’s eyes darted to Beau. “Bite me?”
“He take a bit of your blood. You take some of his back, and you mated stronger than marriage.”
Lafayette leaned towards Beau.
The little old woman sighed as she wagged a finger at Beau. “Hold yourself still. No biting in my house. I don’t want that here.” She softened her words by touching Lafayette’s knee. “Once he exchange with you, he’ll lie with you like you’re married. You won’t be able to wait.”
Lafayette grinned as if he liked the idea of passion sweeping them away. Beau knew he was blushing and only hoped they couldn’t see it in the firelight.
“‘Fayette, know that once share his blood, you two are tied together. Destiny can’t be ignored. You will be his forever.” Gran looked at them both and shook her head. “But you already are, and he is yours.” Sighing as if she was no longer going to fight against what was meant to be. “Sir Beau needs to gather his money, take some of your momma’s silver, I knows she’s got fine pieces, take two horses and go. You go as far as you can.”
“No.” Beau gasped out not liking that he would have to leave his home.
“Yes, sir. You take my grandson, and you go. He needs to pretend he’s your servant or slave. You take care of him.” She sniffed, but none of the tears that were gathering in her eyes fell. Turning to Lafayette she added, “Take you a boat across the sea. Go to wild places where no one will know. You can survive off the land and each other.”
“But is that safe?” Beau heard the fear that seemed to bleed into his love’s voice.
“No choice. And ‘Fayette, my sweet baby, death he will never finger you now.”
“What?”
“Once he bites, and you stay together, you will not