I know there are companions like Lidia and the wife/husband you marry, but where can I hire/bribe someone to be my companion? I'm not talking about essentials, limited amount of companions. I'm talking about random companions, like Assassin Creed's ones, which you can pay and hire. Some article mentioned them in taverns, but I can't seem to find any.

I did meet one tough ass chick in the tavern of Whiterun who you can ask to join you AFTER you challenge her to a brawl and win.