Page 32 of A Winter Redemption
“Of course,” Lutoth said.
Ketho grabbed two chairs, and they sat. Jarne sat, posture straight, shoulders back, and a slight upturned tilt to his chin. So different from the man Ketho had snuggled with moments before. The quick change still shocked him.
Rhorton came out from the kitchen. “Here you are,” he said, handing bread, bowls of soup, and two ales to Lutoth and Ulrich.
Ketho ordered two of the same for him and Jarne.
“What are you doing here in Ores, Jarne?” Lutoth asked.
“Visiting my brother,” Jarne said stiffly.
“That must be nice,” Lutoth said.
Jarne smiled, but it wasn’t a real smile. More a tightening of lips that looked almost like a grimace. Clearly, Jarne did not wish to speak of himself, so Ketho turned to Ulrich.
“And you are Lutoth’s blacksmith.” Ketho leaned towards him. He smiled at the attractive man. “I’ve heard all about you.”
“What Ketho means is that he must have heard I had planned to court you,” Lutoth said, glancing at Ketho. “From Mila, I assume.”
“Yes. And I can see why.” He gestured to Ulrich. His shirt did nothing to hide the bulging muscles beneath. A very attractive face too. “You’re quite scrumptious-looking.”
Surprisingly, the large man blushed. Ketho leaned back, giving the man space. He did not wish to make Ulrich uncomfortable. “Tell me, what is it like to be a blacksmith?” Ketho asked.
“Well…um… I just make things from metal.”
“And you stand around, getting all hot and sweaty? I imagine that’s quite a sight.” Ketho gave Lutoth a wink.
“Ketho,” Lutoth warned.
“Sorry.” Ketho laughed. “But it appears the courtship is going well.”
“It is,” Lutoth said, smiling at Ulrich.
The dinner passed pleasantly enough. Jarne didn’t relax an inch and only spoke when directly spoken to. Ulrich seemed reserved. After their meal, they said their goodbyes. Lutoth and Ulrich headed back to Ulrich’s cabin, and Jarne and Ketho retired to their room.
Jarne sat on the bed and stared at Ketho, the skin between his eyebrows pinched.
“Is there something bothering you?” Ketho asked.
“Did you want to fuck him?” Jarne asked, his voice hard.
“Who?” Ketho asked, surprised.
“Ulrich,” Jarne said, voice level. “You acted like you wanted to fuck him. Like you did with me the night we met.”
Ketho paused. Ulrich definitely was attractive. But he’d mainly admired him on Lutoth’s behalf.
“Are you jealous, Jarne?” Ketho asked.
Jarne didn’t answer, but his jaw tightened.
He studied the man. “I think you are. I didn’t think you felt jealous.”
Earlier, Ketho hadn’t wanted Jarne to be jealous. It was not a good idea to encourage those sorts of emotions.
But he couldn’t help but feel a thrill to see the jealousy simmering in Jarne’s eyes. He wanted that emotion. He wanted to see it released. To see Jarne’s reserve crumble. He knew he shouldn’t, but he couldn’t help himself.
“Ulrich is handsome,” Ketho said. “His muscles and size are very appealing.”