Lessons in Power by Charlie Cochrane Page A

affection
    for you. ‘Perfect love casteth out fear’ and all that.”
    Charlie Cochrane
    “Well it should do, Orlando, but somehow it’s not as easy as it seems. We do have perfect love for
    each other and I’d regard myself as blessed above all men ‘were it not that I have bad dreams’.” Jonty shuddered, as if he were shaking off memories as easily as he could shake off his jacket.
    “Do you? Nightmares?”
    “No, clown.” Jonty pinched his lover’s backside. “I was quoting your pal Hamlet. It isn’t the land of nod, wherever I go when the storms come. I don’t feel distressed or see visions, I just visit somewhere else.
    Very odd.”
    “I think you go there to protect yourself, in case you remember anything.” Orlando smoothed his
    lover’s hair, admiring the golden tones, the hints of auburn the firelight threw up.
    “You could well be right. I don’t want to remember the gruesome details, thank you.” Jonty snuggled
    onto his lover’s chest. “Want to make new memories with you. I think we should somehow wangle it one
    night, you know, make love while a storm is at its height. That might just get rid of all the trouble. If I could keep here for long enough to take an active part.”
    Orlando held him tighter, kissed his brow. “I suppose I could pinch you or something. Shame there’s
    not been a storm since we got the house—being there would make it easier.”
    “There’ll be plenty in the spring. We just need to plan things. You’ll like that, working out your
    military strategy.” Jonty giggled and launched an assault on his lover’s collarbone.
    “Seems you’ve got a strategy worked out.” Orlando responded by caressing Stewart’s back, little,
    tender movements which always brought contentment to them both.
    “Sort of. It’s been a long time since we shared the last favours, my love. I’ve been skittish for too long.”
    The business with Jardine had become an ever-present menace, as if those who’d committed such
    outrages on Jonty had somehow found access to his bedroom and were standing gloating, spoiling even the most innocent of pleasures.
    Orlando had been frustrated yet endeavoured to understand—he had to be patient, the worst thing to
    do would be rushing or forcing things. None of this logical reasoning had helped. Now the lowering clouds of unease seemed to have lifted and the sunshine of affection warmed him beyond measure. “If you’re sure, I’m ready.”
    “You always are, Dr. Coppersmith. Since you discovered the delights of the flesh you’ve become
    quite a hedonist. Just imagine if I’d taken up that post in Ireland, you’d never have known any of this.”
    Orlando swallowed hard, hating to be reminded of how close he’d been to not having Jonty by him.
    “Don’t remind me of that. Small turning points, that’s what life consists of. One little decision and the whole world changes.”
    “It does. As it did for us.” Jonty reached up to kiss him. “Come on, I want you to lie with me. Been
    far too long.”
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    Lessons in Power
    Orlando didn’t reply. Lips and hands could talk for him, kisses saying yes as loudly as tender touches did. Jonty’s skin was warmer than expected beneath his boyish pyjamas, and wafts of something lovely, which might have been lavender soap, assailed Orlando’s senses as he undid any buttons which had
    survived his first assault. To feel Jonty’s chest against his own, downy skin on smooth, was a necessary part of their lovemaking for him, a sign that they were indeed one, and not meant to be split asunder.
    He still wasn’t sure how far Jonty wanted to pursue this. There was hesitancy in his touch, some slight tentativeness which didn’t usually grace their bed. He gently caressed the small of his lover’s back and was pleased to find that, at least for the moment, his hands were allowed to carry on.
    Jonty twisted in his lover’s arms, using his powerful muscles to turn Orlando,