‘Well, it was a little more when I was phoning you. But have you never discovered that the less you have the more you are given?’
Aleksey wasn’t sure he had. Unless it was love, he supposed. That he seemed to be given in abundance now, when once he had had very little indeed.
They were at something of an impasse. ‘A hundred a week. To start with.’
‘Well, fifty would make me more comfortable.’
Aleksey grinned. He had a feeling negotiating salary with a new employee should go the other way. He put out his hand and they shook. ‘Excellent. Fiftyeachper week, and I will insist on this increasing month by month.’
‘Fifty each? But that’s not—’
‘So, when can you both start?’
Harry shook his head fondly at the trick. ‘You would make a good ship’s captain, son.’
‘I’m not very good at avoiding icebergs.’
‘Ah. I could tell tales of those beasties that would freeze your blood.’
Aleksey slapped his shoulder lightly in pleasure. He sincerely hoped he would.
* * *
Chapter Ten
Ben had been unloading the boat while they’d strolled back to the garden together. He left Harry beginning a contented potter and rummage in the glass house and discovered Ben in Guillemot laying the fire for later. He seized him around the waist and kissed him.
‘You’re pleased with yourself.’
‘I am. I’m pleased with you too, because you are going to feed me and then entertain me for the rest of the evening.
‘Uh huh.’ Ben began to stroke him through his shorts. ‘And how am I going to do that?’
‘I thought I might leave that to your imagination.’
Ben’s eyelashes fanned out on his cheeks as he looked down, and the sight did nothing to hide Aleksey’s meaning. Ben smirked. ‘I thought I might erect the flagpole.’
‘Oh, too easy…’
They kissed, need swelling between them until Ben eased off, playing idly with Aleksey’s lips with one finger. ‘Actually, I have thought of something I want to do.’
Aleksey looked down. ‘So have I?’
‘You’ll enjoy it.’
‘I’m planning to enjoy you.’
‘Trust me?’
‘Ben, nothing you could suggest would be better than what I’ve been thinking about all afternoon.’
‘Take a bet on that?’
Aleksey held him off a little. ‘Seriously? You want to bet on this with me?’
Ben lifted one eyebrow. ‘Scared?’
‘Absolutely not. Stakes?’
