Free Simply Pleasure by Kate Pearce Page B

is very discreet.”
    â€œI don’t want to give him any type of medicine at this point, but I would appreciate some coffee for myself.”
    â€œI’ll send it up immediately.” She reached in and stroked his cheek. “Courage, mon ami .”
    â€œMerci.”
    A servant slipped in and quickly helped Val strip the bed and replace the sheets. Peter hardly seemed aware of what was going on, his blond hair darkened and lank with sweat, his breathing uneven.
    The scent of coffee made Val’s mouth water. Keeping an eye on the still figure on the bed, he forced himself to eat some bread and cheese and downed three cups of the excellent coffee to help him stay awake. He’d already taken off his coat, waistcoat, and cravat to avoid spoiling them even further, so it was no hardship to take off his boots and sit on the bed. Eventually, even the coffee made no difference and he had to stretch out beside Peter.
    He closed his eyes.
    â€œVal!”
    He jerked awake, aware that the room was in darkness and that he’d allowed the candles to go out. Peter was trying to sit up and was pointing frantically at something near the window.
    â€œMake it go away, Val. Whatever it is, make it stop!”
    Val reached across to touch Peter’s arm and almost flinched away at the heat burning off him.
    â€œIt’s all right. There’s nothing there, you’re dreaming.”
    â€œI’m not!” Panic shuddered through Peter. “It’s bloody Aliabad, and he’s going to kill you this time. Don’t let him, Val. I can’t stop him, I’m too weak, I can’t—”
    Val grabbed hold of Peter and wrapped his arms around him, stroking his hair.
    â€œI swear he’s not here. It’s just you and me and this old nightmare we share. Aliabad is gone now. He’ll never trouble either of us again.”
    Peter shivered and burrowed his face against Val’s shoulder. “He’s here .”
    â€œNo, it’s just me. Just Val. Lie down with me. Let me hold you.” Peter was so hot that Val shrugged out of his shirt and breeches until he was naked. “See? Just me and you keeping each other safe, like we’ve always done.”
    â€œCouldn’t save you from Aliabad,” Peter croaked. “Offered to do anything to take his attention from you, but he wasn’t interested.”
    Peter was shaking now, long tremors running from his head to his toes. Val gathered him even closer.
    â€œHe hurt you, Val.”
    â€œI know.” Now Val wasn’t sure where Peter’s shaking ended and his began. “I don’t want to think about it. He’s gone now. I pray I’ll never have to see him again.”
    â€œBut he hurt you.”
    â€œHe liked hurting me because I fought him. He liked making me bleed and beg. If I’d had any sense, I would’ve been more like you and let him have his way.”
    â€œThat didn’t work either. He made my skin crawl with the things he made me do.”
    â€œYou’re safe now,” Val murmured. “We’re both safe. I need you to get better and be by my side.”
    â€œYou don’t want me.”
    Val breathed deep at the stark desolation in Peter’s tone. “I want you to get well, and stop being dependent on opium.”
    â€œAnd on you.”
    â€œWe’ll deal with that another day. At the moment I just want you to survive.”
    â€œFor what? To live in a world where I have no place, no family, and no knowledge of who I really am?”
    Val kissed Peter’s burning forehead. “I know who you are.”
    â€œThat’s only because I’ve modeled myself on you for the last ten or so years. I’m a pale reflection of everything you are and have no idea who I really am.”
    Val raised himself up on one elbow and stared down into Peter’s ravaged face.
    â€œHow can you say that? How can you value yourself so cheaply when