Page 31 of A Winter Redemption

“Are you jealous?” Ketho asked.

It wouldn’t do for Jarne to get jealous. Jealousy meant he grew attached. It meant he’d want more from Ketho. It meant vows and promises Ketho could not and would not give.

“Not really,” Jarne said, and it sounded like he meant it. “It’s just I’ve only ever had sex with Sasha. And that was pretty uninspiring.”

Ketho hadn’t realised. But of course, Jarne had always been obsessed with work. So Ketho supposed it made sense. But how many years had Jarne remained celibate before Sasha approached him?

“I just want to make sure the sex is satisfactory for you. I assume I’m less experienced than many of your partners, and as I said, I’m assuming you have had many of those,” Jarne said, matter of fact.

Ketho laughed. “Sounds like you’re calling me a slut.”

“I didn’t mean to.” Jarne’s lip curled.

“I know you didn’t.” Ketho snuggled against Jarne, pressing a kiss to his broad chest. “Are you looking for compliments on your sexual prowess?”

“No. I just want the truth,” Jarne said.

Ketho smiled at that. “I have had many sexual partners. I don’t count them, so I don’t have a number. But I’m a half-oread who likes to travel these mountains, and oreads are very comfortable with casual sex. I’ve also had sex with humans. And even two harpies. At once.”

That had been interesting. Terrifying, interesting, and incredibly sexy. Normally oreads, including himself, avoided harpies. They had bad tempers and were known for violence against any unwanted strangers in their territory.

“Harpies are real?” Jarne asked. “You fucked two at once?”

“Yes to both. But you should avoid them at all costs. They will tolerate a nymph. They won’t tolerate a human.” He’d seen the remains of a human who’d wandered into harpy territory. It had left him sick for days. “But yes, I’ve had many sexual partners.” Ketho traced a finger around Jarne’s nipple. “But what you want to know is if you satisfy me. That’s what you asked.”

“I do. And I wish you to be as blunt as you can. I want to please you.”

Ketho leaned over Jarne, pressing their chests together so he could gaze into his deep-brown eyes. “You please me very much.”

Ketho trailed his finger along Jarne’s jaw. He’d been clean-shaven when they’d met, but he’d taken to shaving less regularly, and a bit of scruff covered his chin, neck, and cheeks. Ketho liked the feel of the coarse hair beneath his fingers.

“You’re so uptight sometimes,” Ketho said. “You hold back and are so reserved with others.” Ketho tucked a curl of brown hair behind Jarne’s ear. The man had stopped slicking it back. “But then in bed, you open up. You become desperate and passionate. You give yourself over to me so completely.”

Ketho laughed. “And I’ve never had anyone smell me. Which is unusual but surprisingly arousing. I find I enjoy having sex with you very much.”

“I’m glad.” Jarne stroked Ketho’s arm, squeezing lightly. “But let me know if there is any way you think I could improve.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. But I have no suggestions at present.” Ketho leaned forward and kissed Jarne, a slow, languid kiss.

They lay in bed for a while longer, until Ketho’s stomach started to growl. “Should we go eat?” Ketho didn’t know how late it was, but he was certain by now Mila and Rhorton would be serving dinner in the store. The village didn’t have a restaurant or public house, but at night the store sold a meal and ale for a few coins.

“We can do that,” Jarne said.

They dressed and headed out into the store.

“Quite a few people here,” Ketho said, surveying the room. Probably about fifteen in total. Ketho paused when he saw someone he knew.

“Lutoth!” Ketho called out and approached an oread. “Glad to see you again.”

They’d met in the valley. Neither had ever lived there. But they’d met a few times.

And recently, Mila, who happened to be Lutoth’s aunt, had told Ketho that Lutoth planned to court the village blacksmith. Ketho assumed that the big, bulky mountain of a man opposite Lutoth was that blacksmith.

“Greetings, Ketho,” Lutoth said. “Ketho, this is Ulrich.” He placed a hand on Ulrich’s thick arm. “Ulrich, this is Ketho.”

“And this is Jarne. He’s from Bordertown.” Ketho wrapped an arm around Jarne’s shoulders. “Mind if we join you in this cosy little corner?”

The chairs in this part of the room were all clustered together near the roaring fire in the hearth.