“Rooster, I’ve been shaving myself for more years than you have.And I have much better equipment,” he said with an arched eyebrow.
Dinesh had bent a large pillow from the bed over the top edge of the chair so I could lean my head back comfortably, facing the ceiling.
He’d taken one look at the rusted razor I’d nicked from an unfortunate crewmate and tossed it overboard, allowing me to use his finer and newer implement to keep my chin bare.But this time he insisted that he do the honour, which I had to admit was more frightening than being tied up in ropes and subjected to his amorous attentions.
Because one wrong move could be disastrous.
“If you stay still, you’ll be fine.”
“If you say so,” I said, eyes wide.Perhaps I hadn’t thought this through.“Hold on.You’re not only talking about your razor, are you?”
He grinned.“Still, a good, clean, sharp blade, in the right hands, will give you a face as soft as a baby’s bottom.”
My eyes went wide.“I’m not sure you should want my face to be, in any way, like a baby’s bottom.I don’t think I do.”
“Merely an expression.In point of fact, I have no idea how soft a baby’s bottom actually is.”
“No, I don’t suppose you would, at that.”
He put the razor down on a soft towel he’d laid out on the dresser.
“What are you doing?”
“I have some lovely soap from Paris.”
I blinked.And then I grinned.And then I started to laugh.
“You and your fancy soap.If I had known, back in that tavern in Port Royal, that living on a pirate ship would offer me this much comfort…well, I’d not have believed it.”
He had the grace to blush.
“Well, I do like my little luxuries, you see.”
“Oh, I know you do.I recall you shoving one of them up my arse,” I said, with a leer.
“Ah, yes.That was wonderful.Got you clean inside and out, it did.”
“Aye.And then you had your filthy way with me.And continue to do so on every possible occasion.”
“I confess it.You haven’t given me any complaints.”
“Oh, no, I’m quite pleased with the situation.”
“Yes, I thought so.Now stop talking, because I need to do this properly.”
“I’ve heard that before…”
“Rooster…”
“Yes, Captain.I’ll be good.”
There was a knock on the door.I wasn’t expecting an interruption.
“Come!”Dinesh said.
Martinéz came in with a pitcher and a soft cloth.Steam swirled from the earthenware vessel as he winked at me.
“Thank you, Martinéz.Place it on the dresser, will you?”
