Ash pushed away from Wren and placed his hands on Wren’s hips. The redhead hefted him from the counter and then set him down on his feet, but he didn’t release him. Instead, Ash’s hands slid around to the small of Wren’s back and then down until they rested lightly on the small of his back, just above his rear.

“Thanks.” Wren said, blushing profusely because he could still feel the evidence of Ash’s arousal and he knew the other man could feel his as well.

Ash’s hands lingered a moment longer before he finally pulled away. With a knowing smirk lifting one corner of the redhead’s lips, he took Wren by the hand and proceeded to lead him out of the kitchen. Ash lead the way along the corridors as they traveled back to Wren’s room.

When they arrived at the door, however, Ash suddenly took hold of Wren and spun him around. Wren’s back hit the wall as Ash caged him in with a hand on either side of his head. Suddenly, the redhead’s lips were on his again, devouring him like a man starved.

Wren clung to the front of Ash’s shirt and returned the kiss as best he could, but his own skills were virtually non-existent compared to those possessed by the man in his arms. Sharp incisors suddenly nipped at Wren’s bottom lips, inflicting a delicious sort of pain but not drawing blood. Wren gasped, shocked by the action. Ash took that opportunity to deepen the kiss. His tongue tangled with Wren’s as his arms slid around Wren’s waist. Ash placed his hands beneath Wren’s rear and lifted. The redhead hefted Wren up until the smaller male was partially supported by the wall at his back and Ash's hands beneath his rump.

“I want you.” Ash muttered against Wren’s lips. “Let me inside. Let me have you.”

Wren was on the verge of agreement, but he remembered that this could only end in heartbreak. For him.

He pushed Ash away and though Ash placed him back on his own feet, the redhead didn’t stop his sensual onslaught. Wren turned his head to the side to avoid the man’s intoxicating kisses. Unperturbed, Ash proceeded to attack Wren’s neck, kissing gently along the column and scraping his incisors at the juncture where Wren’s throat met his shoulder. Wren released a staggered sigh, feeling his desire for the man in his arms build intensely.

Ash was a quick study. The redhead already seemed to know what buttons to push to make Wren come apart in his arms. It seemed the redhead knew more about what set his body alight than Wren did himself.

Knowing he couldn’t allow this to happen, Wren pushed again and Ash finally retreated. The redhead pulled back and looked down at Wren with a mutinous frown. Finally, he released a defeated sigh.

“Fine, mon petite chou. You win for now.” With that, the redhead leaned forward to steal Wren’s breath away and scramble his wits with another hungry kiss. With a self-satisfied smirk, Ash then took a step back, putting a safe distance between them.

Flashing a final grin, Ash turned to leave. Wren watched him for a few moments and then retreated into his room before the last of the wall sconces doused their light following redhead’s departure.

                                                            ****

Ash walked along the corridor, his thoughts on the young man he’d unwittingly found himself married to. It was a frustrating affair to have the feast laid out before you but to not even be allowed one bite. He wanted the boy, probably more than he’d ever wanted anyone, but did he want him because he truly desired him, perhaps even felt affection for him, or was his desire borne from the fact that the young man had become a forbidden fruit to be plucked?

Ash suspected it was the latter.

He’d never loved any of his past paramours after all. Even his relationship with Landon, whom he’d grown up with, had been mostly a physical one. Sure, he’d felt comradeship with Landon because they’d had a past together that had consisted of more than just sex, but he hadn’t cared who else Landon shared his bed with. He’d never minded sharing his lovers with Landon previously either. In fact, they’d even enjoyed a ménage-a-trois with a couple of their shared paramours, at least until his damnable betrothal was announced.

Nevertheless, he couldn’t fathom letting Landon – or anyone else – touch Wren. Ash had been more than ready to kill the blond for attempting to lay a hand on Wren.

He’d become greedy as of late where it concerned his new bride. The young man had turned his world topsy-turvy. Ash couldn’t help but wonder if this affliction he suffered could be cured if only he could have the boy once.