In His Shoes by K.A. Merikan Read Free Book Online Page A

didn’t even bother to put on a dressing gown over her corset when he and Jasper came over. Not that it was unusual for Frank to see her like this, and the dim glow of the single oil lamp reminded him of all those nights he spent between her thighs in this tiny room. Molly was a favourite and she knew it.
    “Yer the one walkin’ around nekkid.”
    “I got more clothes on than ’e does.” She shrugged and some of her dark curls obscured her eyes. Frank’s gaze darted to Jasper. Sprawled shirtless in a shabby armchair by the bed, he was playing around with his gun. Frank knew the thing didn’t work, but he had to admit it was good enough as a threat. Jasper was waiting to get his shirt back from Molly, yet kept his tattered top hat on.
    “Well, I’m not the one selling what’s on show.” He flashed Frank a cocky grin. Jasper had the most elegant accent out of all the people Frank knew. And because they’ve known each other since he could remember, he knew Jasper wasn’t raised around people who spoke that way, though it seemed to have grown on him.
    “So examine the goods and shut it,” spat Molly, squinting over the shirt she was mending.
    Frank inhaled some smoke and glanced over to Jasper’s spread out form. There were still dark stains of bruising on his ribs from a fight they got into a few days ago. Every now and then, when Jasper undressed, Frank felt the urge to ask whether it hurt, but that would be a silly thing to do.
    This new pimping business turned out more painful than they assumed, but it was also far less straining than factory work and Jasper certainly enjoyed the money it put in their pockets. He was buying those colourful cravats, even though he only had one proper shirt. And two weeks ago, he even got a pocket watch that looked like it was made of gold. Since then, he kept showing it off far too much for his own good, but when Frank told him so, all Jasper did was shrug. He had always been reckless, but now, every time Jasper went out at night, the wait gave Frank a giddy feeling. People killed for less than a fake gold watch, and he couldn’t afford to lose his partner in business. Whom could he ever trust like he trusted Jasper?
    “I’m going to get a new shirt real soon,” Jasper boasted. “We’re on the way up with Frank.” He looked into Frank’s eyes with that intense blue stare, which never failed to tighten Frank’s stomach. “Just got a new girl yesterday. Expanding the business, you see. Don’t worry though, you’re still our best earner, love.” Jasper leaned towards Molly to stroke her knee, giving Frank a good view of his pale, lean back and wide shoulders.
    He could almost see the crack of Jasper’s arse, and he couldn’t help but stare. Jasper was lean, but not too small, nearly hairless except for his head and crotch. Speaking of the devil, once Jasper leaned back again, the soft light of the lamp cast a shadow stressing the sharp ridge above his groin and Frank’s eyes were inevitably drawn lower, to the bulge in his trousers. He was hung like a donkey, and while Frank was not a little man himself, he kept thinking about that impressive girth whenever he was to breach a woman. No wonder Jasper was so popular with the ladies. Frank couldn’t complain about the lack of female attention himself, but he lacked Jasper’s silver tongue.
    Molly’s voice cut through the haziness clouding his brain. “That’s all very well, but ’ow can ya look after more girls if there’s just the two of ya?”
    Frank opened his mouth, surprised by her reasoning. He hadn’t thought of that.
    Jasper was quicker to answer though. “Don’t you worry that pretty head of yours. We’re in business now and we already have a few men wanting to become new associates.” He scratched his fuzzy, dark blond beard, probably trying to feign looking thoughtful. They didn’t have any guys wanting to join, and Frank wasn’t even sure he wanted anyone else handling their money. But