Delightfully full, the thought went through Sean’s mind unbidden. Shaking his head, Sean sighed at himself.
“Sean? I didn’t expect you to come in,” Andrea said, looking back, her cheeks heating a little.
“Was going to rinse off real quick,” Sean said.
“Oh, I’m almost done, but if you give me your clothes, I’ll get them cleaned, too.”
“I’d need to get another set—”
“Fiona Shaped a cabinet over there. We each have a change of clothes in it,” Andrea said, pointing it out.
“Alright, then.” Sean sat down on the bench to unlace his boots. “This your last task before midday?”
“Yes. I’m going to help in the shop after this.”
“Oh, that reminds me… I’ll be right back,” Sean said and got up, heading for the smithy again.
“Everything okay?” she asked when he came back in.
“Yeah. I made something for you to work on,” Sean said, taking a seat again. “I smithe…” Sean lost the thought when Andrea was suddenly kneeling in front of him.
“What is it?” Andrea asked. Her cheeks were heated when she looked up at him and took his foot, deftly removing the heavy boot.
Looking down at her, he was aware of her full-bodied figure on full display. Definitely the most… Stop it, Sean, he berated himself, his cheeks going red. “Err… umm… a knife. Ryann improved when she made her own blades, so I thought you’d like to do the same,” he managed to say after pulling his eyes up over her head.
“Why smith it? Didn’t Ryann make hers from bars?” Andrea asked as she pulled his second boot off. “Did you want me to clean these?”
Sean looked down in a panic to see her looking at his boots, not what he thought she had been looking at. “Um, yes... sure. Go ahead.”
“Where is the blank?” Andrea asked, looking up at him again.
“Right here,” Sean croaked.
“Thank you,” Andrea smiled. “I’ll take it with me when I go.”
“Yeah, good.” Sean slid to the side and stood. “I’ll just drop these in the tub,” he said, hurriedly moving away from the bench.
“Sean,” Andrea called out, “do you want me to wash your back? You could get mine, too.”
Stopping, Sean took a few deep breaths. You promised to stop being this guy. She isn’t asking for you to bend her over and… stop that, asshole. She is just asking to wash each other’s backs... that’s it. Stop making it seem like she wants more. Looking back at her, his smile was a little strained, but it was there. “Okay, Andrea.”
“I’ll have the clothes done quickly,” she replied with a bright smile.
Nodding, Sean stripped off his clothes and tossed them into the tub. “I’ll get the rest done while you work.”
He made the water a bit chilly as he showered, letting that calm his libido. Breathing deeply as he finished showering, Sean had finally managed to calm down when a soft hand covered in soap touched his back.
“That’s a little cold, sir,” Andrea said. “Can you turn it up, please?”
Sean nodded, adjusting the hot water a little. “Sorry, there you go.”
“Thank you,” Andrea sighed as the water became tolerable to her. “I’ll start, shall I?”
“Yeah, go ahead.”
Soft, slick hands moved across his back, tracing his muscles. Humming softly, Andrea made sure to get his back and the top of his ass before sighing softly. “All done, sir.”
“Uh, yeah, thanks,” Sean said as he stepped directly under the water to rinse the soap off. Once he was clean, Sean stepped out of the stream, turning to face Andrea. “Are you…?” His mouth went dry. Andrea was under the other shower, her arms above her head as she let the water cascade over her skin.
Stepping back, she looked over at him, her cheeks going a deep red, “I’m ready if you are, sir.”
Washing her back... just washing her back... she didn’t mean it that way, Sean told himself over and over again as he picked up the soap.
Andrea did not turn away from him. Instead, she watched him, her breath coming faster. When he stepped around her, she felt a flash of disappointment, but it vanished the moment his hands touched her back. A soft sigh slipped from her and she hunched forward, her shoulders coming up as she arched into his touch.
Sean did not dally, but he did not skimp, either. The moment her back was done, he put the soap down and backed away. “All done,” he told her as he stepped back to his own shower and rinsed the soap off his hands.
“Thank you, sir.” Andrea’s happiness was clear to him. “I’ll get the clothes dried and put away in the cabinet.”
“You’re welcome, and thanks,” Sean said, picking up a towel. “I’ll see you later.”
“Of course,” Andrea said as she stepped back under the stream of hot water.
Chapter Thirty-three
The bathhouse was doing a brisk business when Sean stopped by. Marjorie and Rebecca were both smiling broadly as they greeted each person that came in, apologizing to those who had to wait.
Sean learned that there had been a small flap when the cooks from the Oaken Glen showed up, but Fredrick had been present and firmly restated the rules of the baths. The man who complained started to raise his voice, but Angus arrived just then. He casually threw the man into the street.
Angus had to restrain another man who thought that the Moonbound in the baths were free game. The guards came and took the man away for assault. There was also a couple of lesser complaints, but no one else got that loud.
Back home, Sean focused on producing the showers and faucets for trade. The others went to work on hair clips and kettles to keep their business running. Onim came and informed them dinner would be ready in a few minutes.
Sean got a bag and slipped the finished showers and faucets into it. He set the bag by the front door and was the last one to enter the dining room. Sean slowed when he went inside; the seating arrangement had changed. Fiona sat to his right, with Chastity next to her, followed by an empty seat, then Ven and Venn. On his left were Myna, Ryann, Ida, Omin, and Onim in order.
“What’s with the change?” Sean asked, taking his seat.
“We felt this better reflected our family,” Fiona said. “Is it a problem, dear?”
“No, just confused, but I think that’s normal,” Sean chuckled. “The empty seat is for Andrea?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Did the table get longer?” Sean asked.
“It can seat fourteen,” Fiona replied. “We lost a few feet from the main room, but we don’t use it that often.”
“Fair enough.”
“Dinner,” Andrea said, coming into the room. She was carrying a tray with some sort of roasted bird, which she placed in front of Sean. “Feel free to carve while I get the rest, sir.”
The scent of orange wafted up to him when she put the tray down in front of him. The sliced fruits that surrounded the bird were more yellow than orange, but a sweet citrusy scent rose from them. Picking up the serving utensils, Sean started carving the bird.
Andrea returned with two more dishes: wild rice with fruit diced into it, and a bowl of lightly buttered mixed vegetables. Taking her seat once she had the dishes on the table, she smiled. “I hope you like it. Mother used to make this for us on occasion.”
“Special occasions, I would think,” Chastity added. “The citrus is expensive, isn’t it?”
“It is, but Fiona approved it for today,” Andrea said a little defensively.
“Smells wonderful,” Sean said once he finished carving the meat. “I’ll leave the drumsticks for anyone who likes them. I’m a breast fan myself,” Sean commented as he took a chunk of breast and handed the fork to Fiona, who was struggling to hold in laughter. “What?”
“Chastity and Andrea have an edge in that regard,” Myna deadpanned.
Sean’s brain caught up to what he had said, and he rubbed at his face. “Not what I meant.” Everyone started laughing, even Chastity
and Andrea, though they were blushing. “Guess I’ll have to watch my words a bit more.”
Taking the bowl of rice, Sean scooped some of it onto his plate, noting that the same fruit was mixed into it, including pieces of the rind. Fiona was still giggling softly when he passed the rice to her and picked up the buttered vegetables. Taking a serving of it, he passed the dish down the table.
Once everyone had been served, Sean took his first bite of the meal. Meat like duck was hit or miss for so many cooks: it usually ended up being either bone dry or much too oily most of the time. Sean’s smile was honest as he chewed. Andrea had nailed it perfectly; the meat was moist and tender, without being greasy. The citrus glaze helped accentuate the duck-like flavor. Giving Andrea a wide smile, he tried the rice. It was a little firmer than he was used to, but that actually helped the fruit rind mix into it unnoticed. The small pieces of soft fruit that popped up in each bite were a pleasant surprise. The buttered vegetables had a surprising zing to them, and Sean had to take another bite of rice to cool the heat.
“Very good, Andrea,” Sean said. “Didn’t expect the veggies to bite back.”
“There are bits of shaved spice peppers in the butter,” Andrea explained. “I hope it’s not too hot?”
“The rice helps kill it. It’s a good mix,” Sean said.
“He’s right,” Myna added. “As long as I use the rice to follow the vegetables, it’s fine.”
“Okay. I’ll make sure to only use spice pepper when there’s another dish to temper the heat.”
When they were all finished, everyone was happily sated. Sean stretched as he got to his feet. “Time to go to the inn.”
“Have a good night, husband,” Fiona said.
“Before you go, sir, can you look at this for me?” Andrea said, coming back out of the kitchen with a knife.
Sean took the rough knife, examining it carefully. Handing it back, he smiled, “You smoothed the flaws. Good work. Is this the length and angle you wanted?”
“Yes, sir. That just looks good to me,” Andrea said.
“I can help you attach a hilt to it tonight,” Fiona said. “You’ll have to do the careful work of sharpening and adding your own personal touches to it, however.”
“Thank you,” Andrea beamed.
Chastity looked at the knife Andrea had, her smile falling away slightly. “I’m going to go check on mom and see how she’s doing,” Chastity said.
“Let us know if she needs anything,” Sean said.
“I will, sir.”
“Okay, we’ll see you later,” Sean said, giving Myna and Fiona kisses.
“I’ll be waiting for you, Master,” Myna purred.
“Ryann, Ida, are you two ready?” Sean asked.
Ryann nodded, “Of course.”
“I’m good.”
Picking up the bag of pipes, Sean slung them over his shoulder. “Then we’re off.”
~*~*~
They entered the inn, and Sean waved back to Joseph when he called out to him. Ida gave his hand a squeeze before she split off toward the apprentice table, but Ryann stayed beside him as they crossed the room, her eyes scanning everything.
“More people interested in you than normal,” Ryann murmured.
“Not surprised,” Sean murmured back.
“Sean, glad you made it,” Joseph said. “Fredrick was going to be tight lipped until everyone got here.”
“Tight lipped about what?” Sean asked. “And this is for you, Fredrick,” he added, handing over the sack of shower parts.
“How opening day went for the bathhouse,” Fredrick smiled. “I checked in with Marjorie and Rebecca before coming here. This is heavy.” Looking into the bag, he shook his head and set it beside him. “I’ll get these ready for him.”
“We’re all here now,” Joseph grumbled, wanting to hear about the bathhouse.
“Fine. The first day netted us five times what I anticipated, and we’ve already booked out both private rooms for the first tenday,” Fredrick smiled. “That alone means we’ll be fine for taxes for the year, and I’ve earmarked that money already. Chester, would you like to tell them the news?”
Knox nodded, “Yeah. I restructured my part of the Agreement. I’ve sold the property to Forged Bonds so I don’t hold a larger stake than the rest of you.”
Everyone was shocked at that, but Callon was the first one to speak, “You’re going to give all that up?”
“It’s the right thing to do,” Knox shrugged. “Fredrick and Italice went back to taking percentages instead of discounts, as well.”
“This way, everything is even,” Fredrick said. “Fifty percent of the profits will be split by us. If anyone else antes in, they will be getting a single percent of what Chester gave up. This way, we can grow our association.”
“That’s a good point,” Eva nodded. “We should be looking at adding more people.”
“Jefferson, if he wants in,” Sean chuckled. “He doesn’t like assholes.”
Sam snickered, “He doesn’t like most people. I get the leather for my armor from him.”
“There will be others,” Fredrick smiled. “MacLenn Merchants has been making inquiries, as well, though I think it’s to get in on the shower and faucet side of things more than the bathhouses.”
“Augustus is okay,” Sean said. “He was willing to find a loophole to deal with me when being pressured to freeze me out.”
“Do we expand?” Ryan asked. “Italice and I can do the work over a few tendays that would be needed to get any place we buy into shape for it.”
“Do we expand to the manors or away from them?” Avery asked.
“Both,” Sean said. “But anyone who is with Denmur gets axed out, like he did to us. Which reminds me... how did the bathhouse down here do today?”
Fredrick chuckled, “Funny you should ask. It seems they had a very slow day today. One of their receptionists tried to get in, and I advised her that as long as we’re all banned, so is all of their staff.”
Sean laughed loudly, “Serves the fuckers right.”
Even more eyes turned their way, but Fredrick ignored them. “The young lady apologized and asked if we had any positions available. I have her name so I can contact her if we do get a second bathhouse set up.”
“Saret probably has people we can use for a bathhouse geared toward the well off,” Sean commented. “She could be of use if we get another smaller bathhouse set up.”
“Those were my thoughts, as well,” Fredrick agreed.
“Your attention, please,” Allonen’s voice cut through the room. “Dame Mageeyes wishes to celebrate the opening of the new bathhouse, Forged Bonds. For the next hour, all food and drinks are half off.”
A loud cheer went up from the patrons, and the maids started to move through the room with brisker steps. Lilly came to their table with a smile, “Can I get you anything?”
She took their order and went to the bar. As she left, Jeffery Jefferson approached the table. “Excuse me,” Jefferson said, “I heard that Forged Bonds might be willing to take on new members. Is that true?”
“We’re being selective, but for the right people, yes,” Fredrick replied.
“Right people?” Jefferson asked with a raised eyebrow.
“Any ties to Denmur?” Sean asked with a smirk.
“No.”
“Any reason why we shouldn’t let you in?” Sean asked.
“I’m rough and blunt,” Jefferson replied.
“So is he,” Joseph laughed, pointing at Sean, “yet he’s part of the group.”
“We’re going to come into confrontation with Denmur, probably sooner rather than later, and if things go badly, we might lose everything,” Fredrick said seriously. “Do you still wish to chance it?”
“You’ve changed, Gertihs,” Jefferson said. “There was a time you’d have ignored me. You used to side with Denmur. If you can change, and if smiths and Shapers can be equals, then I think it’s worth the risk. Besides, I like the idea of twe
aking Denmur’s nose even more.”
“Come by my place tomorrow and we’ll discuss terms,” Fredrick said.
“I’ll make sure to be there,” Jefferson said before leaving them.
Lilly came back with their drinks. She gave Sean a flirtatious wink as she left and Ryann’s knuckles popped under the table. Sean took her hand in his, placing them on the table.
Forged Bonds (Binding Words Book 4) Page 33
