to wash his cock. It took all of a few seconds, then he re-dressed. With the water now warm, he wet a cloth and brought it out to Justine.
She hadn’t moved and her gaze tracked him as he crossed the room. He put a knee on the bed and used the cloth to clean his semen from her stomach.
“Thank you.”
He lifted his head. “For what?”
“Thinking of pulling out. We hadn’t discussed that, preventing a baby, but I’m grateful you were aware enough to withdraw.”
Finished with the cloth, he tossed it in the direction of the washroom. Then he stretched out next to her. “I would never burden you or any other woman with an unplanned baby.” The words just tumbled out. “I was raised in a brothel and I’ve seen those consequences firsthand.”
She searched his face, but he read no pity there. Just understanding. “That is why you don’t run any brothels yourself.”
“Correct.” He traced the line of her jaw with his thumb. “My mother was a whore.”
Her brows pinched ever so slightly. “Your mother earned her living the best way she knew how. It was her job, not who she was.”
He thought of his mother reading to him at night. Though he couldn’t have been more than five or six, he remembered the sound of her voice so clearly. During the day, she took him to the harbor to watch the boats or to the fish market. To visit the neighbors, so he could learn to speak German and Italian. Any activity she could think of to “stimulate his mind.” She’d been smart and kind, but without options when it had come to making a living.
“You’re right,” he told Justine. “She was a great mother.”
“I do not doubt it. Look at how you turned out. Besides, women should not be shamed for selling sexual favors. Many enjoy it. Many even prefer it. I can introduce you to some of those ladies, if you don’t believe me.”
“Oh, I believe you. My mother said as much when I asked her why she worked in a brothel.”
“She sounds like an intelligent woman.” Justine shifted closer, facing him, and he drew her into his side. He hadn’t ever cuddled with a woman in bed before, but he wasn’t ready for this to be over. She threw one leg over his and rested her head on his shoulder. “What happened?”
“She died. There was no one to look after us so my brother and I left. I wasn’t yet twelve.”
“Oh, I am sorry, Jack. That must have been hard to lose her at such a young age. Where did you go?”
“Here and there. Nowhere, really. Just kept moving and fighting. Young boys on the street must sleep with one eye open. I lived in constant fear of being killed, shanghaied or raped.”
“What happened then?”
“I fell in with the Five Points Gang.”
“And the rest is New York City history.”
He huffed a laugh. “Not quite. It took me years to work my way up. I had to gain enough trust to convince several downtown enterprises to work together.”
“You say that as if it were easy.”
“It was not. People were resistant at first. There were fights and takeover attempts along the way.” But he’d survived. Barely.
“Do you ever worry about what will happen in a few years?”
All the time. “No. Why would I?”
“Because what you do is dangerous.”
Astute woman. “I have plans in place for the future.” Qui n’avance pas, recule.
“You’re being vague.”
Kissing her forehead, he smiled. “Yes, I am. This is not the time or place to discuss my future. We should be discussing our present. For example, how late are you able to stay?”
“Another hour, at least.” She swept her hand over his stomach and up his chest, her fingers toying with the tiny buttons of his undergarment. When she started to undress him, he stayed her hand and rolled on top of her.
“Let me focus on you instead.” He bent to kiss her, but she put a palm on his shoulder and pressed him back.
“Why don’t you wish to undress with me?”
He paused. Had he been so obvious? “That is rid—”
“Don’t you dare say it is ridiculous. You told me you would not lie to me, Jack.”
He tried for an affable grin. “It’s your first time and I don’t want to scare you.”
“What would scare me?”
“Have you ever seen a completely naked man before?”
“I have.” He blinked at her, the answer unexpected. She bit her lip. “Not in person, but I’ve seen statues and Florence