Page 117 of Rough Around the Hedges

“At least someone here appreciates my good looks.” He sniffed. “As you command, Your Majesty.”

I sighed. “Finally, someone respecting my true station.”

“Your Majesty?” Isa drawled. “I thought we’d have to address you as Your Grace, since you can’t seem to drag yourself away from Oliver.”

I snapped my head towards her. “I am not in love with him.”

“You’re in love with him,” she replied. “Shaun, tell her she’s in love with him.”

He held up his hands. “Don’t drag me into this.”

“No more showers for you!”

Shaun looked at me. “I think you’re in love with him.”

“Traitor,” I hissed. “Why am I so stupid? How could I do this to myself?”

Isa came over to the sofa and pulled me down, resting my head in her lap. “There, there,” she said soothingly, stroking my hair. “It’s not your fault, Ro. A guy with a great cock who calls you ‘princess’ is really hard to say no to.”

I whimpered. “Especially when he whispers, ‘that’s my girl,’ when I come.”

“That’s more information than I ever needed to know.” Shaun got up and walked towards the hallway, muttering, “Time to fix my hot water.”

Ignoring him, Isa continued petting me. “That’ll do it. It really is a step above ‘good girl,’ isn’t it?”

Shaun’s steps faltered on the stairs, and I almost laughed despite myself.

I sighed, whining, “What do I dooooo?”

“You might have to stay celibate if you don’t marry him. I just don’t see how you can ever find another man like that, Rose.”

“You’re supposed to comfort me!”

“Forgive me if I find it hard to comfort you when the whole point of this is that you’re refusing to date a rich, handsome duke with a great cock, who calls you princess, whispers ‘that’s my girl’ when you orgasm, and honestly looks at you like you personally hold the sun in the sky.”

“He does not look at me like that.”

“Yes, he does!” Shaun shouted from the bathroom. “The man needs his eyes testing.”

“You shut up, you dirty exhibitionist!” I called back.

Isa laughed, picking something from my cheek. “Fluff.”

I blew out a breath. “I saw you blushing. Put him out of his misery, would you?”

“Hey.” She pinched my cheek. “I thought you wanted comfort. Do you want me to hurt you?”

“No, thank you,” I eked out, bringing my hand up to rub my poor cheek. “You’re so mean, mistress.”

“Jesus Christ,” Shaun said, staring down at us. “What’s wrong with you two?”

“Probably too late to figure it out,” Isa replied. “Or, after twenty years of this, you’re just too stupid to.”

“More like too afraid to. I’m off.” He leant down and kissed us both on the head. “Don’t cause any trouble. But, Rose, your cell is ready when you are, but please leave the lettuce bikini at home this weekend.”

“All my greens are going in the feed bucket for the bunnies,” I replied. “No bikinis for me this time.”

He opened the front door and looked back at me. “Good girl.” He winked.

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