Page 76 of Without Apology

He smiled at me and then nodded towards Cooper. “Can’t blame him for taking advantage.”

I walked towards him and put my arms around his body. “Sure can’t. What does bollocks mean?”

“It’s an expression. Like a curse.”

“Hm. But what does it mean?”

“The literal meaning is balls.”

“I imagine it’s not the sort you bounce?”

He grinned. “Nope.”

“So you just blurt out BALLS, basically as a curse?”

“It’s not the literal meaning. It’s more when something is frustrating.”

“What about bugger? I think I heard that once on British television.”

“It’s a bit worse than bollocks, but same thing.”

“More like saying fuck?”

He looked amused by the conversation. “Sort of, but not really.”

“Would I ever say bugger you or bugger me. Or he’s a buggering bugger?”

He threw his head back in laughter. “No. Please don’t. Especially never say bugger me.”

“Why, what’s the literal meaning?”

He appeared mildly embarrassed. “Up the arse.”

“Well, then. You really can’t have Americans running wild with British words, can you?”

He was shaking his head, still smiling. “No. Definitely not.”

“Do you have time for breakfast, or do you need to go?”

Regret was in his expression. “I have to go. I did let Cooper out and make coffee, though.”

I dipped my head, kissing his chest. “My hero.”

His hands skimmed down my back, rubbing gently. “I was thinking.”

“About?”

“What time is the party at your sister’s house over?”

“No set time. Probably by eight. That’s when we’ll start getting the girls ready for bed. Why?”

“I should be finished by late afternoon. Five o’clock at the latest. I could come by. If you still want me to.”

My smile came easily. Until that moment, I hadn’t realized how much it would mean to me that he’d want to meet my family. “I do want.”

“Then I should probably keep my toothbrush here for tomorrow morning, too.”

Now I was in danger of doing a ridiculously obnoxious happy dance. I settled for another kiss to his chest. “You won’t hear any arguments from me.”

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