Page 227 of Duty and Desire
“We’re talking.”
“About?”
Her glossy red lips curled into a grin. “What do you think of Adam?”
“Well, I’m sure he’s a very nice young man,” I said. “And he makes great music. I was jogging to his album just the other day.”
“Mae, get with the program. I mean as in you and him dating. Duh.” She flicked her hair.
“Don’t you flick your hair at me, young lady.”
“I will when you’re being deliberately obtuse.”
“Oh my God. You haven’t talked to him about me, have you?” I sighed. “Lena. Please. Tell me this isn’t a setup.”
“Of course it’s not a setup. Relax.”
“Phew.”
“So…” She waited not so patiently.
“Forget it. I’m done with fuck boys, no matter how seemingly nice, pretty, or talented they may be.”
“He’s not a fuck boy…exactly. He’s just young.”
“Yeah. That’s kind of my point.”
Now it was her turn to sigh. And she did so heavily. There was even some impressive heaving of breasts. “You know, you’re going to have to get over your idiot ex eventually.”
“I am over him. But there were lessons to be learned there.” I leaned forward and smacked a kiss upon her cheek. “Thank you, but I don’t want to date your younger, exciting rock’n’roll dude.My next boyfriend will be someone loyal and dependable, staid and ever so slightly safe and boring.”
She just wrinkled her nose.
“My dream man will be home every night in time for dinner. Isn’t even on any social media. He’ll enjoy such pursuits as stamp collecting, bird spotting, and macramé.”
“Woo. Party time,” she said flatly. “Sounds like we’ll be checking him for signs of life.”
“Right? It’ll be great.” I smiled. “Plus he will be totally a hundred-and-ten-percent into me. Think I’m a mighty and benevolent goddess, worship the ground I walk on. That sort of thing.”
“You do know it’s possible to find a decent man who thinks you’re a queen, but doesn’t bore you to sleep, right?”
“Eh. Why risk it? Besides, I could do with more beauty sleep. Sleep is under-rated.” I neglected to mention how a certain someone had managed to successfully get me off to sleep just yesterday. But Ziggy definitely wouldn’t fit my new monotonous requirement for all future boyfriends. Not a chance.
“When it all goes to hell and you eventually come to your senses, don’t say I didn’t try to rescue you from a life of tedium, crafts, outdoor activities, and bad sex,” said Lena with a pout. She had a great pout. Almost as good as mine.
“And quiet adoration. Don’t forget the quiet adoration.”
With a huff of disgust, she marched back into the main room. And in doing so, walked straight past Ziggy and Bon. Two bodyguards who were more than close enough to have heard every last word we’d just said. In fact, Ziggy was now staring straight at me. Shit.
“Hi.” I raised a hand. “Having a nice time?”
“Yes, miss.”
“Great.”
The big man standing next to him cleared his throat.
“Miss Cooper, let me to introduce my brother to you,” said Ziggy, pulling on the cuff of his shirt. A nervous habit, perhaps? I don’t know.
