Title:
Sweet William
Author: Dianne Hartsock
Publisher: NineStar Press
Release Date: October 30, 2017
Heat Level: 3 - Some Sex
Pairing: Male/Male
Length: 15800
Genre: Historical, student, dub con/non con, historical, abduction,
romance, gay
Synopsis
William
Wilkerson leads the life of the privileged rich. Head of his father’s shipping
business, he indulges to his heart’s content in the pleasures of the flesh with
Boston’s finest young men.
That
is, until he reunites with Fredrick: his former tutor and the one man who
captured his heart. But William’s father has declared Fredrick off limits. And
Fredrick, himself, believes he’s beneath the attention of the Wilkerson heir.
After
having lost his current pupil to graduation, and with no prospects of a
replacement, Frederick is homeless, hungry, and easy pickings for the men on
the docks. When Frederick is shanghaied into service on William’s own merchant
ship, will William discover his plight in time to rescue him?
Excerpt
Sweet
William
Dianne Hartsock © 2017
All Rights Reserved
Dianne Hartsock © 2017
All Rights Reserved
Chapter
One
Fredrick
held up his glass and stared at the candle’s flame through the amber liquid. He
took a sip and savored the rich, biting taste on his tongue, welcoming the burn
down his throat. This was the very last drink he could afford, and he had to
enjoy it.
A
giggle erupted from someone out of sight on the back staircase, and a smile
tugged his lips, despite the dire state of his wallet. The laugh had been
carefree, joyous, naughty.
Fredrick shifted on the cushioned bench.
The lunch hour had passed, and he was the only customer in the dining room. He
wondered if the innkeeper up front would notice if he adjusted his cramped cock
as it throbbed in sympathy with the bright laughter that reminded him of his
own ardent affair.
Rather
than risk it, he watched the fruit vender outside the window beguile a
customer. Another giggle and stifled moan floated down to him and he grinned,
even though the laughter emphasized his own loneliness. It had been far too
long since he’d had someone in his bed.
Fredrick
looked up at the clatter of footsteps, distracted from his memory of lush lips,
white skin, and wide hazel eyes. He caught a glimpse of red hair and an embarrassed
cheek before the gentleman crammed a hat on his head.
“Damned
Wilkerson,” the man muttered as he passed him, face averted.
With
conscious effort, Fredrick loosened his hold on his glass, but he had no way to
stop the wild hammering of his heart. Wilkerson? Could it really
be…? Perhaps not, but the Wilkerson family he knew had strong ties to
Boston. At least, the father often traveled there. But did William come now? He
had to know. Before he lost his courage, he stood and swallowed the last of the
brandy and then crossed the room to the staircase.
He
shook his head at his eagerness. It had been three years, after all, and they’d
parted in anger. Would William acknowledge him? A man stepped onto the landing
and Fredrick allowed his gaze to travel up the white spats and checkered
trousers. Blood heated his face when he found the silk vest and shirt open at
the throat to expose soft white skin.
A
sigh brought his gaze up to the attractive face that stirred his dreams. Rich
brown curls surrounded lovely hazel eyes and full, pouting lips. Panic swept
the pretty face, and then a delighted smile revealed the even white teeth that
had nipped his collarbone on more than one glorious occasion.
“Freddie,
is it you?”
He
hasn’t forgotten! Fredrick
stored away the joy to visit later. God knew his pleasures were few and far
between these days. “How are you, William? I had no idea you came to Boston.”
“On
occasion.” William stepped off the landing, only a slight sway in his lean body
betraying his inebriation. Fredrick’s heart skipped. The top of William’s head
barely reached his shoulders—perfect for Fredrick to rest his chin on if he
gathered him close. To his surprise, William didn’t hesitate, clasping Fredrick
in his arms and stretching for a light kiss.
Fredrick’s hold tightened
instinctively, but William didn’t seem to mind, winding his arms around
Fredrick’s neck. He licked Fredrick’s lips, his sweet tongue seeking entrance.
Fredrick
laughed, breathless with the need that swept him, but moved his head back,
denying the kisses sure to topple the defenses he’d built against this man.
He
chuckled wryly at William’s delicious pout. “You promised not to tease me.”
“That
was years ago. I made no promises today.” William nibbled at Fredrick’s lips,
but eased away when he resisted.
Fredrick
glanced over his shoulder at the innkeeper watching them. “William, what are
you about? Anyone could have seen you. This is dangerous—”
“It
was only a few kisses, but perhaps you’re right.” A scowl darkened William’s
face. “The proprietor is paid handsomely for his discretion, but it’s possible
I’m growing careless.”
Distracted
by William’s open shirt, Fredrick closed his hands into fists to resist the
urge to embrace him again. Memories stirred of the slide of fabric under his fingers:
images of cool sheets and creamy skin. He longed to run his tongue down the
exposed flesh of William’s neck and revisit the delights he’d enjoyed, once
upon a time.
“How
is Lord Wilkerson these days?” he asked instead, throwing that barrier between
them. A shutter seemed to close on William’s eyes, his gaze becoming less warm.
In sudden panic, Fredrick touched his arm, afraid William would walk away.
“Forgive me. This is hard for me.”
He
trembled when William put a hand over his. “For me, as well, darling. I had no
idea you lived in Boston.”
“Or
you would have stayed away?” Fredrick regretted the jealous words the instant
they left his lips and looked aside to hide the blush he knew reddened his
face. He always played the fool with William.
“My
father’s been ill for some time. I’ve taken control of the shipping portion of
the estate and come to Boston from time to time to check the wares from the
Orient. We managed without incident these past ten years, since eighteen
seventy-four, but recently we’ve had an increase in damaged goods. My presence
at the docks seems to deter clumsiness.”
“Of
course.” Fredrick chewed his lips as he searched for something to say, his
heart heavy.
“And
what is my former teacher doing in this wild town?” William asked, his voice
kind.
Fredrick
shrugged, not about to tell him he’d run as far from William as he could when
Lord Wilkerson had humiliated and dismissed him. “I’ve been tutoring Lord
Anadaile’s daughter.”
“For
truth? That must be hell on earth. A more spoiled child I’ve yet to meet.”
“She
has a good heart, but this position is soon over, anyway. Miss Cynthia comes of
age next month, with her debutant party in June. No need for me after that.”
A
cough from the innkeeper at the far end of the room caught their attention. As
if recalling his state of undress, William buttoned his shirt and did up his
vest. Fredrick groaned inwardly as he remembered doing similar service for
William after an afternoon spent undressing him.
William
gave a brilliant smile as if sharing the memory and took Fredrick’s hand. “Will
you have a drink with me at the club?”
Longing
almost overcame discretion, but the barrier of their positions couldn’t be
ignored, by either side. “Forgive me. I’m not dressed appropriately for your
friends.”
William’s
beautiful eyes widened as if seeing the frayed brown suit for the first time.
Fredrick’s heart warmed. William had the fine trait of seeing a man behind his
outward trappings. Rank held little interest for him. For an instant, the ugly
thought that William could well afford the fine principle pricked him, but he
knew it was his own poverty that prompted the emotion. William had a true
heart.
He
watched in fascination as a blush tinted William’s porcelain cheeks. William
kept his gaze on their clasped hands, and his words started an ache in
Fredrick’s chest. “Damn convention and society can go to hell. I’ve missed you,
Freddie. I want to see you. Not at the club, and not here.” A flirtatious
glance. “I wouldn’t want to bring scandal to my favorite tutor.”
“It’s
better we don’t—”
“Probably.”
William
leaned up and kissed Fredrick full on the mouth. A sweet tongue slid passed his
lips to tangle with his, tasting and teasing. Caught unawares, Fredrick opened
to him, drowned in memories of sultry afternoons, bodies entwined. William’s
scent surrounded him, spiced with tobacco and whiskey and expensive cologne.
Underneath, there was the heady fragrance of heated skin.
Fredrick
groaned as lust swamped his defenses. His cock swelled to life for its lover,
ached for the touch it had missed for far too many lonely nights. He returned
William’s kiss with fervor, forgetting where they were, his position,
everything but the need to taste again this man he loved with all his being.
William
broke off their kiss and leaned against the wall, his chest heaving. They
stared at one another and Fredrick bit hard on his lip. Dearest Lord! William
stood before him, everything he desired in life, intelligent and
beautiful. Mine! Fredrick’s heart broke, while agony twisted
in his gut. He had nothing to offer the eldest son of one of New England’s
finest families. He’d known that three years ago. Nothing had changed his
circumstances.
William
had always been able to read him, and he set his pretty lips in a firm line.
“I’m in Boston through the week. I want to see you, Freddie. Please don’t be
cruel. Meet me at the pier in two hours.”
“But—”
His
protest went unheard. With a flash of anger in his eyes, William strode past
him without another word.
Purchase Links
NineStar Press: https://ninestarpress.com/product/sweet-william/
Amazon: http://hyperurl.co/ioh70t
Meet the Author
Currently, Dianne works as a floral designer in a locally-owned gift shop. Which is the perfect job for her. When not writing, she can express herself through the rich colors and textures of flowers and foliage.
Author Links
Website: http://diannehartsock.wordpress.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/diannehartsock
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diannehartsock/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/diannehartsock/
Giveaway
One lucky winner will receive an ebook of their choice from NineStar
Press
Thank you so much for hosting me!
ReplyDelete