An Officer's Boon Read online

  James let the kiss taper off slowly, the sensation of kissing a man nearly making him forget that Alexander was a whore he had promised to pay. He rolled to his feet and retrieved his money pouch, getting out more coin than he had offered before, leaving himself barely enough to pay the room for another night. Wordlessly, he gave it to Alexander, then lay down again. “You can stay the night, if you wish.”

  Alexander stared at him in surprise. “Ya want me to?” he couldn’t help but ask. Any bed, no matter how hard, would be a welcome change from the dock or alley. He looked down at the money, gleaming in his dark hand and shook his head, torn between wanting to simply hand it back and tallying up the total of his weeks’ here. “Are ya sure?” he asked doubtfully.

  “I would not have asked otherwise.” James shifted over to make a little more room. “I know it is not much, but it is more comfortable than my cot shipboard. You are free to go or stay as you please.” He stretched out, the sweat slowly drying on his back and offering some cooling against the humid heat.

  Alexander cocked his head to one side, his hair falling over one shoulder, nearly to his waist. He bent over the side of the bed and rewetted the towel, mopping the sweat off James’ brow and chest. “Thank you.” He’d stashed the coins at the same time, a little regretfully.

  James only smiled and nodded in response, pulling one of the thin linen blankets over himself, curling up and slowly surrendering to lethargy as he drifted off.

  Alexander watched him for a little while, thought about how easily that fancy coat could barter Bill’s freedom and abandoned the thought. He’d received surprising gentleness from this man and equally superising pleasure. He wasn’t about to reward it with that kind of cruelty.

  He stretched out beside James and dozed until the sunlight through the funny wooden grille of the window woke him. He rose, careful not to wake the sleeping lieutenant, gave himself a quick wash and dressed, slipping out of the door with a faint jingle.

  Better not to lie abed like that, especially not with such a one as James. Like as not, he’d be embarrassed or angry come daylight and sobriety, and it were much better to not face such things. They had a dreadful habit of getting ugly. And this night had been far from ugly.

  He’d left the money on the pile of James’ breeches. A mad notion, to be sure, but Alexander never questioned those notions. He wandered back into the marketplace to find something to eat, figuring he could spend a bit longer at this, rather than spoil what had been a very lovely encounter.

  He tucked himself into a corner of his favourite alleyway, having managed to cajole the fat baker into a few bites of the sticky, flakey sweets they gorged on hereabouts and curled up to get some rest. Most would have called him a fool, but Alexander knew better. And knowing that, he slept until late in the day.

  James had awakened the moment the warm weight had left his side, but had remained still, his eyes closed as he let Alexander take his leave. He had wanted to wish him well, perhaps to touch him again, but he knew he could not allow himself that indulgence. What had happened here would have to remain here. When the door closed, he rose, washing perfunctorily before he turned to dress.

  The money he had paid lay there, undiminished, as if what had passed between them was nothing for which Alexander wished to be paid.

  As if they had lain with one another not as whore and customer, but as equals.

  FIN

  Also by Vivienne Cox

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