“You’re a true artist. I love each and every piece.” Noah tugged out the necklace so it was on display. “I can tell the jewelry Alton buys is handmade and not factory produced. I can feel the love in it. The chains are sturdier. I’m a painter, and I sense that another artist made these items with his hands.”
Winter went up on tiptoe in excitement before he scrambled onto the stool and almost tipped it. I put both my hands on his shoulders to keep him from falling off backward.
“Have a seat, sir,” Noah said to me. “I can make coffee... .” He didn’t sound too sure about that, though, as he puttered around the kitchen, and in the end, he found a huge mason jar labeledHot Cocoaon the counter and began heating milk for that instead. He consulted the written instructions taped to the front every step of the way, so I assumed he didn’t do things for himself often.
As Noah moved around near the stove, the collar of his robe slipped down, revealing a matching red lacy garment. Winter’s eyes grew so wide I thought they might fall out of his head and roll away, but Noah was quick to adjust his collar and didn’t even seem to have noticed he’d given us a peek at what he was wearing underneath—or perhaps he simply didn’t care.
“What is this about?” Noah asked, glancing between us.
“Uh,” Winter said, along with a high-pitched laugh. “We’re sorry to bother you so late, and this will sound odd, but I’m hoping you’ll help me.” His voice wavered.
Noah turned around at his spot near the stove and crossed his arms while a small frown snuck across his face. “If I can help, sure. What is wrong?”
I snorted and shook my head. “I can hardly believe someone as sweet as you puts up with the Alton Bouchard I know.”
There was a deep laugh from behind me, and I turned in time to see Alton swagger his way into the kitchen in a pair of black pajama pants and nothing else. He had some of the reddest hair I’d ever seen, and the smattering of freckles across his nose and cheeks should’ve made himcute, but with his hard jaw that word didn’t quite fit. Alton was nearly as tall as me, too, and he had enough muscle that I would take some precautions with him if we were in a fight situation.
Winter swiveled his attention back to Noah, cheeks bright again.
“You’re correct in that estimation, sir. I’m a lucky son of a bitch to have him. My husband is priceless.” Alton smacked my arm in a light, friendly way, so I didn’t think I’d pissed him off.
“Don’t say that. I like your mother,” Noah said with an eye roll, and Alton barked out a laugh. His red hair was messy, and sure, he might’ve been taking care of a business emergency, but I would bet a thousand bucks he’d also been fucking his husband before we got here. A man didn’t look that relaxed and ruffled unless he’d been in bed with a lover.
Winter stumbled off his stool and I half expected him to drop to his knees, but he only cupped his hands in front of himself, and I didn’t think he realized that he was already begging with his entire body. “I’m in some serious trouble, Mr. Bouchard. I need to borrow some of the jewelry I made for you, if possible. Maybe one of the ruby pieces? Or diamonds, but it would need to be something elaborate.” Winter went on to explain some of the details of the theft, which wasn’t much because we didn’t exactly have a lot to go on yet, and then went into the sad tale of his broken commitment to Madam Winters and the general cash lurch he’d been left in.
Alton’s face turned into a mask of horror as Winter was wrapping up an abbreviated version of his visit to the Courtesan tonight, but Noah simply seemed confused, even though he paid attention to every word exchanged.
“Je-sus Christ Almighty, yeah, you can borrow whatever you need, so long as Noah agrees.” Alton cut a questioning glance at his husband.
Noah shrugged. “It isn’t like I don’t have a huge collection.” The warm smile he gave to Alton had me looking away because it was almost too intimate. I would’ve had an easier time watching them if they were fucking each other, but the love in Noah’s eyes made me uncomfortable. “If you’re sure it will help, I’m happy to accommodate. I mean...I do know not everything that goes on at the Courtesan is legal, so it might be dangerous to upset that woman.”
Alton nodded. “I wouldn’t put anyone on her bad side on purpose. It’s about as smart as trying to put a dress on a horse.”
Noah walked over to Winter and gave him a light hug. “You seem like you’ve had a long night. Come with me. You can pick out anything. The only jewelry I won’t part with is right here.” He flashed his wedding ring and grinned.
“You do know I can’t guarantee your jewelry will come back in the same condition you loaned it? I’ll do my best and replace it later if I need to.” Winter gnawed on the corner of his mouth. “I hope I’ll have the materials on hand soon to do that, anyway. It might take a while.”
Noah shrugged. “It is okay. Come on.”
I was uncomfortable watching them go off together and I almost followed, but then I noticed steam rising from the pan on the stove, which Noah seemed to have forgotten. I poured the milk into the four mugs Noah had already set out.
Alton snorted and came over to lean against the counter next to me, handing me a spoon from a drawer. I scooped out the cocoa mix and stirred it into the mugs.
“I thought you were just a hired gun here to make sure Winter tried his hardest to beg right, but you stared at that ass while it was walking away.” Alton smirked like an asshole, but he was handsome, and I’d seen him get away with acting however he wanted time and again.
I scowled at him. “So? It’s a nice one. Who wouldn’t look?”
Alton chuckled, then snagged one of the mugs and began to sip the cocoa. “It is, but I have a nicer one, and it’s all wrapped up in silk.” He adjusted himself without any shame at all, and I had to laugh.
About twenty minutes later, Alton and I were sitting on stools existing in a pleasant silence as we drank the cocoa when Winter came back into the kitchen with a large gold bag dangling from one hand. The way he held the handle—like it was delicate—made me think all the jewelry he wanted to borrow for Madam Winters was in his possession, and relief hit me like a ton of bricks. It took me a second to notice how his cheeks were so pink they were almost red.
“Thank you, Mr. Bouchard. Noah asked me to tell you that he wants you to... to come to the bedroom.” Winter nearly squeaked out that last word.
Alton chuckled and slapped me on the shoulder. “I have to go perform my husbandly duties. Thank you, Winter.” He winked.
Winter bit his lip and nodded quickly. It was clear he had no idea how to respond to Alton’s teasing, and for someone like him, what he’d said was fairly mild.
“Let me see you out.”
