Harlot (Bartered Hearts 2)

“Weeks ago,” Jessica said. “Almost three weeks.”

“That’s good. Then parsley tea for a week until you bleed.”

“Thank you.”

“Try to get him to finish on your stomach instead. It helps if it’s not all inside you. They like to show off that way, anyhow.”

Yes, she could imagine that. Look how proudly he’d already stroked himself for her.

“So.” Melisande dried her hands on her apron. “You don’t know much for a whore, if you don’t mind my saying.”

Jessica felt a strange shame that she hadn’t told her new friend the whole truth. “It was…only a few times. My father died. I needed money. I thought no one would find out.”

Melisande nodded. “They didn’t keep quiet? I’m not surprised. Men like to brag about it almost as much as they like to do it.”

“Yes,” Jessica said, although it was the man she’d refused who’d spread stories about her. He’d ruined everything. She should’ve just lain down for him. It would’ve been better.

“Are you taking it up again? You told me I wouldn’t have to be a whore here.”

“No,” she said quickly. “It’s not like that. It’s only this once. Taxes are due, and he…he’ll visit for a few days. That’s all. We struck a deal.”

Melisande dipped her chin as if she understood. “All right. We’ll stay out of your way. Is there anything else you need to know?”

“I…” She couldn’t think what to ask. She’d already exhausted half her store of sexual knowledge, but Caleb seemed to think there’d be much more. “What do they like?”

“Men?” Her friend’s slow blink meant she was surprised by the question. “They’re simple folk. They like to fuck, play with your titties. Sometimes they want to slap your ass.”

“Oh.” She hadn’t known about that.

“They want to put it in your mouth, of course.”

She nodded. She’d done that.

“They’re usually pretty quick with that. Just suck it a little and let them watch you do it. That’s all. Some are rough about it, though. Pressing you down on it until you choke. They all like to finish in your mouth, so tell him beforehand if you can’t abide it.”

“Just suck it?”

“Yes. And don’t bite. Makes ’em mad as hell.” She grinned at that, showing off her straight teeth.

Jessica laughed, amazed that she could do so.

“Other than that, most of them are just plain lonely. Sometimes they want to hold you, pretend you’re the girl they love. If you’ve got the time, there’s nothing wrong with it. You can pretend too. Pretend he’s a sweet man who wouldn’t spit on you in the street if you said hello. Pretend it’s real. Sometimes just that will get you through another night.”

Jessica laid out the biscuit dough and cut it into circles. She could pretend with Caleb. It would be easy. Her body warmed at the idea, and she blushed again. “You like it with Bill?” she asked quietly.

“You mean in bed?”

“Mm-hm.” She concentrated on the biscuits so she wouldn’t have to meet her friend’s eyes.

“Yes. It happens sometimes, you know. Even with a stranger. Something about the way they touch you, the way they smell. A spark lights up inside you, maybe just for a moment. I got lucky with Bill. He felt it too, and it meant something to him, thank God.”

“I’m so glad, Melisande. And I’m thankful that you two came here.”

“We are too. We wandered for a while.”

“You know…” Jessica hesitated, a little afraid to introduce the topic. “We haven’t spoken much of it, but you said you’d stay for a time. You could move back into the house. Both of you.”

Melisande’s delicate eyebrows rose. “Both of us?”