Vincent laughed and settled his hands on Jasper’s waist. “And when is your birthday?”
“In June.” After their contract was supposed to end. He might have hoped Vincent would still be around then, but he’d never let himself picture it. He hoped he didn’t screw things up anytime soon.
“I’ll be sure to make myself available for your birthday spankings.”
Jasper grinned and leaned his weight into Vincent. “Does that mean I get to spank you on yours?”
“You’re hilarious.”
He smirked but quickly turned it into a pout. “Why can’t you admit you find me adorable?”
Vincent raised an eyebrow. “Adorable?”
“You did call me a kitten.”
“I called you an overgrown cat,” Vincent corrected. “One of those cats that stick around even though it’s mangy and missing an eye.”
Jasper spluttered, pointing at Vincent with wide eyes, lips twitching as he fought a grin. “Maybe if you stopped feeding it, it wouldn’t come around,” he shot back. “But even an old, decrepit bastard needs some kind of companion.”
Vincent narrowed his eyes. “Decrepit?”
“Yeah, you heard me.” Jasper lifted his chin. “Old man.”
Vincent lunged.
Jasper laughed as he hit the bed, managing to keep Vincent from pinning his arms. He got a knee in Vincent’s stomach that made him roll away with a groan. “Ha!” He bounced off the bed and ran for the door.
“You shouldn’t fight those who are younger and more flexible than you, Sir. It’s really bad for your hea-eeee!” He bolted as soon as Vincent got to his feet, jerking the door shut behind him. He didn’t have time to make it down the stairs, so he ran down the hall instead, slipping into the playroom a moment before he heard the bedroom door open.
“You better hope I don’t find you, pet,” Vincent called. The bathroom door opened, then closed a few moments later. “Because when I find you, I might wash your mouth out with soap and send you home with marshmallows in your ass crack.”
Jasper couldn’t quite hold back the shocked laugh, clamping a hand over his mouth and pushing away from the door. It was too dark to see, but he knew the room well enough to make it to the couch. Or so he thought until he slammed his shin into the table and stumbled with a yelp. He held his breath until he heard another door open.
“Or maybe I should tie you down on the dining table,” Vincent continued, sounding closer to the stairs. “Pour honey all over you and jerk you off with some mint leaves. Ever enjoyed a cool burning sensation on your dick?”
Gods, did people really do that? Vincent had to be making shit up to fuck with him. No way was that an actual punishment. It sounded more like something he’d find in a smutty book.
He limped behind the couch and quickly dropped down as he heard Vincent at the door, wincing and holding his breath as the light came on.Shit, shit, shit. He was so in trouble. The door slammed shut and he jumped, staying where he was as he strained to hear Vincent walking away.
Too late, he realized Vincent was still in the room and tipped his head back to find Vincent leaning over the back of the couch.
“Boo.”
Jasper scrambled back and to his feet, glancing at the door with a soft whimper. He swallowed and slowly inched around the other end of the couch. “You wouldn’t really do those things, would you?” he asked, not entirely sure if he was horrified or maybe a little turned on at the idea.
Vincent raised an eyebrow. “You were a disrespectful little brat,” he replied, stalking after Jasper. “Why shouldn’t I punish you for it?”
Jasper swallowed a smartass response as he reached the table and bolted for the door. He cursed as he found it locked, ignoring the hammering of his heart as he flipped the lock and yanked the door open, only for Vincent to slam his hand against it before it opened even an inch.
“Oh no, too slow,” Vincent taunted.
Jasper whimpered and stared at the door as Vincent’s arms caged him in. “Please don’t set my dick on fire.”
“No?” Vincent chuckled, settling his hands on Jasper’s hips and turning him around.
He peeked up through his lashes. “Sorry I called you decrepit?”
“Are you,” Vincent replied dryly.
