Page 89 of Tease Me

“What?”

“The pav.”

“Oh. I haven’t tasted it.”

“Well, eat some then.” Lolly kicked me under the table, and I mouthed ‘owww’ at her.

I scooped a spoonful of pavlova into my mouth. If a giant wavewasn’tgoing tosave me, then a giant sugar fix would. The pavlova seemed freshly made, with a crunchy crust and a nice gooey middle. The fruit topping was sweet and delicious, too. “It’s excellent.”

“Okay, good,” Billy said. “I’ll have that too, please. Thank you.”

Matt’s droopy eyes lowered further, making him lookas ifhe’d nod off at any moment. He left the table, and I turned my attention back to my sugar savior.

“So, Billy, the Outback Spectacular isn’t exactly close to here. Why do you come to Jane’s hotel?” Lolly said.

“Well, it’s really different from my home, and I like to stroll along the beach each afternoon before I go to work. It relaxes me.”

“So, you like the beach then.”

“Only to look at. I love the country better.”

Lolita tapped the back of my hand with her red talon. “Jane’s from the country.”

“Oh?” His eyes dazzled. “Where?”

“Mildura.”

“Animals or crops?”

“We had crops. Oranges and strawberries,” I said.

“I’m an animal man myself.”

“I bet you are.” Lolly wriggled her eyebrows.

To avoid poking her eyeballs out, I ate more pavlova.

“So, do you have a farm?” She was an efficient interrogator.

“Yes, five thousand hectares out past Roma.”

“Wow,” she gasped as if he’d shown her a ten-carat diamond.

Billy’s pavlova and coffee arrived, and as Matt positioned them on the table, I tried to catch Lolly’s eye, but the crazy bitch ignored me.

Lolly sat back, sipped her green tea, and stared at Billy as he began to eat.

I tucked into my sugar fix and tried to hide my embarrassment at her blatant ogling, but after a couple of mouthfuls, I couldn’t ignore it anymore. “You’ll have to excuse my crazy friend. She has no scruples.” I clenched my jaw at Lolita.

“What, babe?” She fluttered her eyelashes.

“Stop staring,” I whispered as quietly as I could.

“Sorry, I can’t help it.” She turned to Billy. “Jane’s told me all about your glorious body.”

Oh God, where’s a random assassin when I need one?

Billy laughed, and it was so fresh and contagious that I laughed with him.

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