Page 19 of A Suitable Brat
“Except that you do.”Westin breathed it, slightly shocked at hearing the words said and at him being the one to say them.“Because I care for you, and you know that, because you use it.”Sun’s lips slipped apart, stunned and soft.Westin refused to be distracted and repeated himself so Sun couldn’t deny this.“You trust me enough to do what I say, because I care for you.”
He didn’t know how he meant that, but every interpretation would be true, which was why he didn’t elaborate.
A shiver went through Sun.He closed his mouth but apparently just to be stubborn and raise his chin for a moment.“You can’t make me do anything.”
Westin nodded.He couldn’t.But Sun often chose to do what Westin asked of him—very often, now that Westin was allowing himself to think on it.
“That’s the part that still amazes me.I can’t make you, but you choose to.The fae know what Hely is going to charge me for that realization.”
Sun started to frown at the mention of Hely and that was amazing too.Unless Hely had done something to offend him, the only explanation was that Sun was a hotly jealous creature, overWestin.Even if that was over having Westin’s attention solely on him like the brat he was, it was madness.But, fae help him, Westin’s heart was beating faster.
“You didn’t even stop to put on a shirt before you came crashing in here.”He ran his palms down Sun’s sides before settling his hands heavily at Sun’s waist, with Sun breathing harder and letting him.
“I don’t understand.”Sun tried to peer down at Westin’s hands on him, but kept looking back up and jolting every time he found Westin watching him.“Wait, you and Hely were talking about me?”He pressed his lips together, then parted them for one bemused question.“Why?”
Westin wanted to press a kiss to that mouth.He resisted.Words first.Sun needed to hear them.
“Because I hurt you and I wanted to fix it,” he admitted honestly.“And I was upset at the idea of possibly never seeing you again.”Sun’s shocked breath gave him strength for what was much tougher to say, even for an older, experienced guard.“And because I am wrapped around your finger, which Hely saw immediately.As many do, I imagine.”
Instead of a preening smirk, he got a wild, uncertain stare and then Sun quickly shaking his head.“You’re leaving.You were going to even before I made a scene.”
“The Outguard.Not you.”Westin dared to reach yet again by cupping Sun’s cheek.Only for a moment, but Sun allowed that too.How long had that been something Westin might do out of bed and he hadn’t noticed?Sun granted him much, and even if he didn’t wear Westin’s scarf, Westin had this.“I won’t leave you unless you tell me to.”
He wasn’t expecting Sun to frown fretfully.“Don’t.”He broke Westin’s heart and then pressed the pieces together again in almost the same breath.“Don’t do that.Don’t stay where you’ll be miserable just to make me feel better.That still isn’t being selfish.I want you to be selfish.”
“Ah.”Another sigh, another realization.Westin hauled a surprised Sun against him from toe to chest.Two months wasn’t a small amount of time no matter what Hely thought.Westin bent his head and breathed in with his mouth against Sun’s wet hair.“Oranges and rosemary?I thought you’d choose flowers.”
“You don’t like flowers.”Sun was warm against him yet shivering faintly, probably the effects of not completely drying the water from his hair.“Not like that.”
Westin nearly asked why Sun would bother trying to please him, but suspected it would only get Sun’s back up.“I’d rather you wear what you like.You’ll need another bath tomorrow then.”
“Wes.”Sun shuddered as the rare, more private version of Westin’s name left him.“I’m not going to take all of your money.”
“What happened to ‘be selfish?’”Westin genuinely didn’t understand but was also a little too dizzy to think clearly.“I can afford it.”
Which was a strong reminder that he had more to tell Sun, but stroking Sun’s back and splaying his hands over Sun’s hips felt equally important.Westin breathed in—rosemary and oranges, a scent for an older man inclined to be serious, not for a pretty danger like Sun.“Violets for you instead?”he mused, because that scent had drawn Sun’s attention even over the smell of hot food when he’d been exhausted, soaking wet, and probably hungry.
“Are you drunk?”Sun demanded of Westin’s shoulder.He still hadn’t moved away, or asked Westin to, or offered any real challenge to the idea of Westin playing Noble’s Pet with him.
That was probably confusion, Westin told himself, or perhaps some pity, though Hely would be annoyed that Westin thought so.
He pulled away, watching Sun stiffen as Westin took the step back to his cushioned seat and half fell into it.
Westin looked up at him with raised eyebrows.“Have you ever known me to get drunk?
“No.”Sun crossed, then uncrossed, his arms.“I’ve heard stories of you from when you were younger that the others tell me.But you don’t get drunk.Not that I’ve seen.”
“Not really.Not anymore.”Westin had no idea why any other guards would find old stories about him interesting enough to tell.He didn’t get into fights or behave recklessly when drinking.He usually just tipped to the side and fell asleep.“And not around you.”Their eyes met.“Not if you’re drinking,” Westin amended, because he wasn’t going to bring up what he imagined of Sun’s childhood.“I like to make sure you’re all right.And that whoever you’re flirting with understands that you have a protector if needed.”
“Why are you telling me this?”Sun shot a startled look around the booth.“Is it because we’re here?It’s this place?”He shook that off.“I don’t need a keeper—and you will say that I know you do that and that I allow you to do it because I like it.”
“Will I say that?”Westin asked, his heart pounding more than ever.“You knew I watched over you?”
“I knew you watched me,” Sun said, turning to stare at the candles.“But it doesn’t matter what I thought.I’m not going to empty your purse, West.Especially not now, if you really are retiring.”
“Hmm.”Westin wondered if he was giving off sparks again.If so, Sun didn’t seem to see them.
“You can afford to buy me a bath,” Sun allowed, oddly tense.“And a room for yourself, and food, and some tea.Maybe for both of us.But two baths plus this?Inthisinn?I know I tease, but I don’t really want to cause trouble.Not for you anyway.I can’t be Hely but I can at least manage that much.”
