Page 106 of Bloom
Men could also be fake.
What if Jaime wasn’t pretending, and he truly wanted to protect Aleric, take care of their child, and let feelings grow? Before, Aleric had always wanted to be the one who carried and birthed the baby, and he’d imagined having a husband and a few kids later in life. If he wasn’t a jerk to Jaime, and nothing went wrong, he could have his old dream.
He could also have sex again the way he wanted it. He wouldn’t have to ensure he didn’t think about the attractive man in the next room. He could have Jaime whenever he wanted, within reason.
If he suddenly came out of the privy room naked and got in Jaime’s lap…actually, Jaime would be shocked by the sudden change. Aleric could pretend otherwise. If he did, and other shit hadn’t happened, he was pretty sure he’d get exactly what he wanted. Kisses, touching, foreplay, and Jaime cumming deep in his ass. Jaime wouldn't hurt him.
Even though he’d fought to keep himself from thinking of Jaime in the past weeks while jerking off or using his toy, thehorny part of his mind was quick to rear up. He wanted to be out there on the couch, on his stomach, and moaning into one of the decorative pillows while Jaime bred his slick hole.
He could think of a bunch of positions, no thanks to Gautier, that Jaime could do with him, and one involved Aleric’s wrists tied to his ankles so he couldn’t do anything except take every thrust of Jaime’s cock deep in his ass.
Perhaps he could have all of that, plus wake up next to someone in the morning instead of alone. It’d also be nice to have someone close that he could talk to. A romantic relationship would fulfill things that a friendship or a Father and son relationship couldn’t.
Years ahead with no spouse or real friends was a lonely and depressing prospect.
When he got out of the tub, his eye went right to his hip. He caught the faint white mark in the light of the crystal lantern sitting on the stool and remembered dropping bloody bandages down the privy so they’d land in the waste chamber under the Castle and never be seen by servants.
What if Jaime had true colors to show, and he did it in front of their child one day? He didn’t want to imagine a toddler with his features crying and wondering why one Daddy was hurting the other one. Even if Aleric showed Father the evidence and was believed, Jaime could do a lot of damage to start with. He’d heard of men beating their wives or husbands in front of the kids who couldn’t do anything about it. A couple of times, he’d even heard of the wife doing the violence.
What kind of harm would that do to a child's young mind?
Damn it. If Jaime knew what he was thinking, he’d promise and swear it would never happen. He’d probably be on his knees because a few times, it seemed like he’d been trying to make himself seem smaller and less threatening. He still wasn’t entirely sure of what to think about that. Jaime was right toowhen he mentioned he’d never reacted with violence. Aleric had been a total dickhead to him, and not once had he raised his hand.
Anyone would likely think him stupid for overthinking everything and constantly letting suspicion rule his mind. He dried his hair and struggled to focus on something else, not terrifying, potential disasters that may or may not happen.
He had to tell Father, and he dreaded it. He never thought he’d have to admit to an oopsie baby. He’d thought about telling him tomorrow, but the suspense was growing worse. He was pretty sure that when he decided to go to sleep, he’d end up staring at the dark. Before he knew it, it’d be the middle of the night.
He could do it now and get it over with. Besides, if he did, he could do something else, and maybe it would make him feel better.
Jaime was reading when he entered the sitting room with his cloak over his sleep clothes. “I want us to go see my Father so I can tell him.”
Jaime lowered his book. “I thought you’d want to wait until tomorrow.”
“However I say this…” Aleric shrugged. “Facts are facts. We might as well get it over with.”
“Am I going to be alive in an hour?”
“He’s not going to kill you. Even if he tried, you could outrun him. Go downstairs because he can’t run up or down steps. Come on.”
Lord Monet was in his sitting room with a glass of wine and a book. He had to know something was up. Aleric wouldn’t bring his aid just to sit with him.
“Why do you look like you swallowed a lemon?” he asked once Aleric and Jaime settled on the couch across from his armchair.
“I don’t look like I swallowed a lemon.”
“Did you do something? Is Zacharie going to come-”
“No,” snapped Aleric. “I’m just going to come out and say it because I don’t know how else to break this. I woke up with cramps last night, and I went to the wise woman outside the city this morning.”
He could already see it on Father’s face. He knew.
“That, and when I fainted on the stairs-I’m pregnant.”
Father’s eyes flicked to Jaime who suddenly looked like he wanted to melt into the couch.
“You’re pregnant?” Father asked.
“Yes.”
