Page 62 of Bloom
“Why did you offer to pay me for that anyway? You can go to any whorehouse and have whatever. You could have five men suck you off if you wanted. My mouth isn't gold.”
Aleric stopped and turned to him. “I offered to pay you because I can’t go to the whorehouse anymore unless I go alone. I’ll hear it from Father because he doesn’t like me going out in the city at night by myself. I’m not fucking anyone here either. The last thing I need is to find I’ve got a secret snake of Gautier’s in my bed.”
Jaime furrowed his brow. “Why can’t you go out anymore at night?”
“Do you remember the three guards from that night?”
“Yeah.”
“The younger one was a bit newer. The oldest is now the Commander of the City Guard, and the other retired.”
“I remember them talking about it.”
“I trusted the two older ones enough to guard me in the city because they’ve been loyal to Father for a long time. I wouldn’t tell them my secrets, but they were all right to a point. William was the sort who’d probably announce his intentions before committing treachery, and that’s if anyone was even capable of getting him to do it. With the rest who are younger or newer, I don’t trust them at all. It wouldn’t be impossible for Gautier to pay off a couple. I’m not going down dark city streets at night with men who might stab me in the back and flee with the job done.”
“Oh.”
“I’m not going with you either because I’m stuck with you. It’s a bit awkward with an aid, and I doubt you want to sit and wait while I'm fucking.” Aleric started walking.
“You know what I think?” asked Jaime.
Great. Here came an insult or shitty comment. Aleric wanted to go to his rooms and rest in his bed. He’d probably take a nap.
Jaime slung an arm around his shoulders and pulled him close. “I bet if you weren’t in danger and dealing with this shit, you’d be a lot different. In fact, you’d be a sweet little thing-”
“What are you doing?”
“-without such an attitude-”
“I’m not little!”
“You’re shorter than me. And since you’d be much sweeter without all this shit weighing you down, you’d be happily gagging on my cock. Or riding on it.”
“No, I wouldn’t!”
“‘It’s been too long.’”
Aleric’s face burned. Why couldn’t Jaime have forgotten that bit? Aleric had stupidly blurted it out because it had felt so damn good to finally have a real cock in his ass.
“I bet you’re a cuddler too. You just won’t say it.”
“Knock it off.” Aleric pulled away, but not before Jaime kissed the top of his head.
“Everybody thinks you’re cold and a liar, and you just act like a dick so no one gets close and tries to put a knife in your back.”
“Screw you.”
“Anytime. Anywhere. We can cuddle afterward.”
Aleric stepped back as a horse snorted like it was laughing. “Are you always so pushy?”
“I’m not that pushy.”
“Yes, you are. I bet you’re used to getting whoever you want in your bed, and you’re just pissed because I’m not bending over for you.”
Jaime frowned and shoved his hands in his pockets. “I’m not going to lie. I’d love it if you let me fuck you again without a heat fever being the only purpose. I think you can tell I’m not going to kill you because your guard is down. That’s pretty obvious. I’m not going to get angry if the answer is no or force you. I'm not pissed.”
“You think you can just grab me to hug while talking about how you think I’d like to be gagging or riding on your cock. That is pushy, and I don’t like it.”
