I took a deep breath and let it out, reminding myself that we would soon be in my world, and he'd be the outsider. “Our cultures are different. My use of your name will not mean the same thing on land. Please trust me and let me guide you through our ways.”
“I will not share you with your land lovers, Nadar.”
“Land lovers?” I blinked. Paused. Processed. Was this possession or jealousy? Both? “I have no current lovers at court.”
“What do you mean by 'current?'”
“There are a few whom I've been with in the past.”
“You will identify those men to me upon arrival.”
“For what purpose?”
“So that I may make my claim known to them.”
“Excuse me?” I gaped at him. He couldn't be serious.
“If you will not use my first name, I must announce our relationship in other ways, especially around those who have a previous claim.”
“I think you had better explain what you mean by 'claim.'”
“Must we talk about this again? You are mine. I have claimed you.”
“Master, I have your breakfast.” A Gashi man walked in carrying a large tray with several covered dishes. He laid them out on the table, along with glasses and a carafe. “May I get you anything else?”
The tone caught my attention, and I looked more closely at the man. He wore black, back-lacing pants and a short-sleeved top. It was the pants that made me grimace. The pants and the bulge in them.
The Sea King didn't notice what was being offered. He waved the man away. “No, that's all.”
“Thank you,” I added as the man bowed.
He nodded to me and left.
Jucai uncovered dishes and filled his plate. He glanced at me and paused. “What is it?”
“I am not yours, Jucai. You don't own me. Not even for a little while.”
He sighed and leaned back. You obsess over words. How many times must we go over this? I'm not saying you're my property, Nadar. You're my lover. I explained it to you before, and you said you understood. I don't know why you're bringingit up again. What is so bad about being mine? I am yours, and I don't complain about it.”
The anger left. Poof. “You're mine?”
Jucai rolled his eyes and flung his long hair back over his shoulders. “Yes, of course you have a claim on me. If you didn't, that Gashi would be under the table right now, sucking my cock.”
I flinched. “You didn't have to add that last part.”
“I know you heard what he was really offering. Did you see me consider it? No, I barely looked at him, barely even spoke to him.”
“And that was for me?”
“We agreed to complete fidelity. I know you would have disliked me accepting what that man offered, so I refrained.”
“Disliked? Yes, I would have disliked watching another man suck your cock.”
“You wouldn't have to watch him. He would have been under the table.”
I blinked.
Jucai chuckled. “I'm teasing you, Nadar. What I'm trying to say is that I understand what you want from our time together. I am trying to give you what you want. Could you try to give me what I want in return?”
