<div class="floatleft">(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/54/29/2e/54292eda7aecbf7e8de1395949b4700a.jpg)<div align="center"><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: georgia;"><strong>Asher Bray</strong></span></div></div><strong>Ashburne - Amberthorne</strong><br/><br/>Asher had kept quiet during the exchange between Graham and Meg, having already circumvented his lord in her defense one time too many.  He tried not to undermine Graham’s authority in the presence of outsiders, though when he found it necessary he made sure his approach was as gentle as possible.  He respected his charge’s command, but at times he needed a nudge in the right direction.  Thankfully, he took the hint and after a few more words with the lady, he allowed her to be ushered off by Sara… or rather, he was forced to let her go as the force that was their  housekeeper took control.<br/><br/>That final look she’d tossed over her shoulder hadn’t gone unnoticed, however.  It was like a punch in the gut, but he knew she was in capable hands.  The best, in his opinion.<br/><br/>Graham’s words made him briefly ponder the severity of their situation, and wondered if it was<em>exactly</em>what they needed.  True, the lady had some hounds chasing her, and it would only be a matter of time until they showed up at their door, but Asher would be ready to defend.  He couldn’t bring himself to regret following his first instinct, which was to protect and serve.  He was compelled to defend those who couldn’t do for themselves, and when he saw Meg being violently pursued by those mercenaries it triggered something in him, and his body was no longer his own to control.  Ah, well.  Something to worry about in the morning, he concluded as he watched Graham make his way toward the master bedroom.  He could tell just by his gait that his joints were protesting something fierce, and at that moment all worries shifted to his lover.<br/><br/>He followed his charge inside the room, and was relieved to finally have the freedom to strip away all formality and become more relaxed in their privacy.  The last few days had been brutal; it always was when Graham was off-limits.  Their house could put the pieces of their relationship together, but they were loyal enough to keep silent on the matter.  If one thing was certain, it was that the Lord of Amberthorne protected those who served him as he would family, and they were not hesitant to show their gratitude.<br/><br/>“You’d have to chain me in the catacombs in order to keep me away,” he teased, following suit and leaving a trail of clothing as the bath was being drawn, “...even then, I’d still find my way back to you,” he added, almost as an afterthought.  He worked out of the armor and protective layers underneath, feeling relief once all that was left were his trousers.  Of course, his weapons were set close to the tub out of habit.  There wasn’t a time when they were out of arm’s length.  Ever.<br/><br/>Asher went to Graham and knelt before the bed, his patient hands working on the rest of his clothing.  “You will feel better after a hot bath,” he casually explained, pulling off one boot, then the other.  There was a lot more left unsaid in his suggestive tone, and he turned those bright eyes up to his lover, full of pent up desire.  “Look at it this way: there is nothing you can do tonight that will change anything for the future, so for now, let us put that matter aside and focus on each other.  I need you.”<br/><br/>His hands slid up Graham’s legs, thighs, then moved inward so he could begin working on loosening his pants.  By that point he was stationed in the gap between his lover’s legs, and instigated a slow, loving kiss as he finished undressing him.<br/><br/>The bath was ready, and Asher led him to it, helping him get in, then settling behind him so his hands were free to roam wherever they wished.  “It’s only been a few days, but I’ve missed this.  Now, be kind and allow me to do my duty, mm?”  Asher took his time bathing them both, keeping his movements slow and gentle, yet firm enough to remind Graham just who was in control that night, and after a couple of hours relearning each other’s bodies, they settled beneath the covers and attempted sleep.<br/><br/>Asher stayed awake for a while listening to the relaxing rhythm of his lover breathing, and eventually shut his mind down enough to get some rest.