hard plane that arrowed down to his pubic region. The water lapped at the snarl of dark silky hair, revealing a hint of thick cock. He was half turned, so the slice of taut backside gave Evan all sorts of inspiration. But the young man’s reaction was the real gem.
His initial wariness gave way to an equally intent scrutiny, aware of how Evan was looking at him. What he was thinking, wanting. The man’s lip curled, but it wasn’t derision. It was angry challenge.
Having no desire to soil good linen, Evan pulled off his shirt. It showed the Scot he carried no weapons of merit, an odd thing for a man alone, but Evan wasn’t introducing the why of that into the conversation. Producing his knife from its scabbard, he tossed it aside so it lodged in the ground next to his shirt.
“I have a cow for your family, and a job offer,” he said. “Impress me, and they’ll both be yours.”
A cow’s milk would feed the Scot’s children, and her calves would be a source of income or meat. The job offer would ensure he could care for the animal, as well as give his family a steady diet and keep a roof over their heads. Evan saw disbelief replaced by calculation, and then sheer determination.
Nakedness didn’t hamper him. The man had pride, but it wasn’t wasted on modesty. He charged out of the water like a rutting stag, and Evan was pleased to note adrenaline had already made him half hard, despite the cold water. Ready for the initial grapple, he let Niall take him to the ground, but after that it was a simple matter of breaking the grip, working the man out to his full capacity, testing his holds, his strength, his staying power. Given his physical state of near starvation, it was more than impressive. It was bloody phenomenal.
The Scot had tremendous heart, which just made the picture grow in Evan’s mind as they grappled, dodged punches, broke holds. He could see the way he’d paint the stark lines of this man’s body, portray the character and perseverance in his face. Noble desperation, honor without hope, the most miraculous type of honor there was. This man was all of that.
He was capable enough to land a few good blows. Evan had to focus now to avoid dislocated limbs, a crushed rib. Having his balls kneed into his throat. The bastard would pay for that one. He could feel the tide turning, though. The Scot had been given something tangible to fight, something that understood his rage . . . and with understanding came a different sort of reaction.
This time when he flipped him, Evan unleashed his vampire strength. He made Niall fight harder and harder, until his breath was sobbing in his throat. It took longer than expected, but Evan finally had him down on his knees, face to the muddy bank. Niall heaved, but couldn’t buck him off. He tried a couple of times, but then he had to take a breath, and when he did, Evan slid his hand beneath him, closed it around the fully turgid cock. Holy blessings of God.
The man went utterly still. Disbelief emanated off him, a protest dying on his lips. As a vampire, Evan detected the sexual preferences of humans as easily as the rush of blood through their veins. This man had his wife regularly. He was a generous lover, giving her pleasure as well. Evan had been outside his tiny sod house, heard her bitten-back cries, inhaled the gush of her orgasm and the spill of her man’s seed. The Scot had given her the side of his hand to bite down upon as he pushed her to climax, and she’d broken the skin, bringing Evan the sweet smell of passion-fired blood.
So yes, Niall enjoyed women, but there was that within him that also enjoyed males. His ass was provocatively virginal, given that there was no acceptance for sodomy in his world. Beyond that, he was the type who would be faithful to his wife, no matter the temptation provided by man, woman or fetching sheep.
He wanted that cow, though, and Evan knew if he was ruthless enough, the Scot would allow himself to be used to get it. He explored the feeling, pushing his own hard arousal against the bare, wet backside. The muscles flexed in apprehensive anticipation.
“We’ll leave that alone for now, I think. I don’t fuck with a man’s honor unless it