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

instead of questioning Jasper, he couldn’t help but stare at him. He knew one of the reasons Jasper grew all that facial hair was that his face looked like a boy’s, with large blue eyes and full lips that stretched into the broadest, most carefree smile.
    Frank nodded at Molly “Yeah, we’re thinkin’ ’bout ya girls.”
    She gave him a doubtful look and shook her head. “Betta’ make those fresh dollymopswear somethin’ pretty, so’s they get another Mister Stevens.”
    Jasper straightened up in the armchair. His pale eyebrows drew closer with clear interest. “Stevens? Is that the one with those fancy shoes? He’s so young, too. I’m sure he could charm some girls and get muff for free.” He laughed as Molly passed him his shirt. She snorted and walked over to the bed, where she laid out her best dress. It was red and far too frilly for Frank’s taste.
    “I’m not tellin’ ’im to find a different muff. Pays betta’ than others. Worth endurin’ even if he is a pig sometimes.”
    Frank cleared his throat, looking over to Jasper, who was hiding his body under the shirt. “Pig?”
    “Yeah, what does he do?” Jasper was always eager for filthy details. Strange how he had the nicest accent and the dirtiest mouth. “You charge him extra, Molly.”
    “Oh, ya don’t wanna know what ’e likes to do. Trust me.” She rolled her eyes and stepped into the skirt before reaching for the bodice. “Bet ’is wife’s a nun.”
    Frank frowned, tracing his sideburns with his fingers. “But he’s not makin’ ya work less?”
    Jasper was meticulously putting on subsequent layers of clothing. His embroidered vest was brand new and looked far too elegant combined with a coat that had seen better days. Instead of giving his garb a bit of a boost, Jasper would rather get the newest, most fashionable items. Which, at the moment, meant he could only afford the vest. “I’m not joking, Molly. We need to know. We’re here to take care of you.”
    Curious little bastard.
    She laughed out loud and shook her head. “Oh, Frankie’s takin’ care of me all right, at least once a week. But ’is taste’s not as strange.”
    Frank groaned, running his fingers through his hair. He certainly did not want Jasper to know he was pulling off his shirt only to make her wear it during the ordeal. “Shut yer mouth, Molly!”
    “I want to know.” Jasper put on his leather overcoat and nudged Frank with his elbow. “Does he take you up the rear?” There was a stupid grin on his lips.
    Molly chuckled and Frank felt his cheeks heat. She better not say a word! He never beat women, unless it was absolutely necessary, but those things, he wanted her to keep to herself. But, of course, being Molly, she did talk.
    “Frank, do you take me up the rear?” she teased, parroting Jasper’s accent. Relieved, Frank grunted in reply.
    “Betta’ get dressed already so that yer pig can rip that dress off ya.”
    “No one’s going to share any filthy fun with me, are they?” Jasper rolled his eyes and went for the door, holding his chin up high.
    “Do not say anythin’!” Frank mouthed to Molly and followed his partner only to stop midstride. “If ya want us to talk to that hog, we will.”
    “Gone ya are!” She made a dismissive gesture and turned towards her mirror. There was no use arguing when she got like that. Above all, it wasn’t in their interest to lose a wealthy punter.
    “Wonder what he does if she doesn’t wanna tell,” he asked Jasper as they went down the creaking staircase. They had to be careful not to rouse Molly’s landlady.
    Jasper put his hands in his pockets and looked back at him with a frown. “I know! It’s bloody infuriating.”
    “Must be somethin’ nasty if he comes to a cheap girl when he has all that money.” Frank ran after him, pulling his hat on when they left the building. The nights were getting colder every week, a fact even more prominent in narrow, unlit streets like this one. At