Page 64 of Royally Drawn

“You should have come to Scotland.”

“I would have if I’d have had a pilot available.”

She snickered. “He’s so fit. I love that for you, although I suspect Rick will act like… well, a prick… and get all offended.”

“I’m not telling anyone besides you and Odette.”

“Alex will want to know. She’ll be happy for you, but it will hurt her if you leave her out.”

I sighed long and looked at Parker, who completed a crossword.

“You realise that man is thirty-two-going-on-ninety, right?” I asked.

“Yeah, well, he’s fabulous in bed and spoils me with attention nearly all the time. I will put up with it. Oh, good lord, what are you going to do? You said there was some love triangle bit?”

“He swears he is talking to his family, so it will behandled. He told me to trust him. So, hopefully, he’s done that. I don’t know how we will hook up, but damn it! I will shag him! He’s so good. I never knew men could do so much with their tongues and fingers. It’s a hundred times better than wanking.”

She snickered. “But have a wankwithhim, and you’ll enjoy yourself. Try it. Mutual masturbation is one hell of a trip. The visual is a nice treat once in a while.”

“Noted,” I said.

I could talk to Astrid about this. She was the only one. She was open about her sexuality in a way Alexandra never allowed. Alexandra may have confided in Astrid, but never me. I was the baby. We had no reason to discuss it even though it was fucking obvious what she was up to, given their three children and a baby on the way. There was no mistaking her and Rick’s feelings for one another.

Odette and I talked about men, but not as frankly as I did with Astrid. It was primarily crushes and daydreaming. Scarred by emotional abuse and a bad breakup, Odette remained precious. On the first Christmas Parker stayed with us, we’d walked in on Astrid going down on Parker. I’d not be frightened as much as surprised. Odette claimed to be “scarred beyond measure” and cried for a few hours. She found it “degrading” even though Alexandra—painfully—assured her it was fine and normal.

“I should tell her, I guess. But the only advice I will solicit is yours. I would ask Cici these things, but… it’s her cousin.”

Astrid snickered. “Given Cici, I doubt she’d care. She or Leah tell itlike it is. They have no boundaries, I swear. But what do you want to know?”

I swigged champagne momentarily, thinking of everything I wanted to know.

“How do you… go… you know… and like… what should I expect?”

“First of all, just say, ‘How do I give a blow job, Astrid?’ And I will bloody well tell you.”

That caught Parker’s attention.

“Oh, you perk up for the words ‘blow job’ and nothing else?” Astrid teased.

“Any man would,” Parker said.

“Go back to your stupid biography. I love you. Leave us alone unless you want tips on giving head.”

“I’m more interested than ever,” Parker admitted.

“The tips are for Ingy, and the object of her lust is the British spare, so… run along. Back to your book.”

He pulled a face and turned back to his puzzle.

“It’s not hard,” Astrid said.

“Oh, I disagree,” I joked. “It’stough.”

Astrid giggled. “God, I missed you! Yes, it should be—or will be. But pace yourself and alternate with your hand. If he’s more impressive, your jaw is going to get fucking tired. Real tired.”

Jaw sore. Alternate. Pace yourself.I took mental notes.

“Suck and pump his shaft at the same time. Gagging might happen, but that’s fine. They like it.”

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