Huge Ajax's Arc

Chapter 175 of 619

Tucker stepped back and looked at Bran. “One more thing.” Tucker said reaching in his pocket to produce a flat gold chain. The lamp caught the metal as it swung. "Turn around and sit on the bed," Tucker said. Bran sat. Tucker fastened the chain around his neck and let it settle against his chest. His fingers brushed the fabric of Bran's shirt and stayed there a beat too long. "I can't take this," Bran said. His voice came out rough. "You can." Tucker stepped back again. "A man in a shirt like that needs a chain. Otherwise the shirt does all the work." Bran stood and looked down at the gold. It was warm from Tucker's skin. Bran pulled his shoulders back. Tucker walked a slow circle around him. Tucker tapped Bran's jaw with one knuckle. "When a man looks at you, don't look away first. Let him decide." Bran tried it. He met Tucker's eyes. Tucker held the look. He did not smile. He did not move. Bran felt the heat climb up his neck. "Good," Tucker said. "That's it. That's the thing." "What thing?" "The thing that makes any man want you." Tucker's mouth curved under the mustache. Bran swallowed. The chain moved on his chest. Tucker stepped in close. He put one hand flat on Bran's chest, over the gold, and left it there. "You want somebody, you don't chase. You stand still and let them come to you." Tucker's thumb moved once against the chain. "Try it on me." Bran did not move. He held Tucker's eyes and let his own breath slow. He felt Tucker's hand press a little harder. He flexed his chest a little under it. Tucker leaned in. His mustache brushed Bran's mouth first. Then his lips. The kiss was brief. He pulled back an inch and waited. Bran closed the inch himself and kissed him back. They stayed like that a while, mouths together, Tucker's hand still on the chain and his chest. When Tucker finally stepped back, his chest was rising fast under his vest. So was Bran's. "That's the lesson," Tucker said. His voice had dropped. "You've got it." "When can we do the lesson again," Bran said. Tucker laughed once, low. "After the walls," he said. He opened the door. Bran walked out into the yard wearing the shirt, the boots, and the gold chain. Two of Cody's men looked up from the well. One of them forgot what he was saying.