“I can’t lie and tell her I have company! Giggle for me!”
“I don’t understand—”
Unwilling for her to wait any longer, he sprung towards her and attacked her middle, making her squeal as he tickled her towards the bed.
“Stop, stop!” she cried.
He groaned. “Don’t saythat!”
The knocking got harder.
“You’ll find I’m otherwise engaged,” he called out, his fingers working down Juliana’s sides. Shehatedthat he knew she was ticklish.
He leant down and whispered in her ear. Somehow, that was worse. His breath sent goosebumps rippling through her, a sensation she felt all the way to her toes. “Moan,” he commanded.
“What?”
“Fake a moan of pleasure—”
“I will do no such thing!”
“I will pay you.”
Juliana let out a long, warbling moan. Hawthorn clamped a hand to his mouth to hold in the laughter, composing himself just long enough to make a few reciprocal sounds.
The knocking quickly vanished, and footsteps sounded down the corridor.
Hawthorn, still grinning, slowly removed himself from the bed. “What wasthat?”
“What?”
“That sound you made. You sounded like a cat being strangled. Is that what you sound like? Dillon not that great in the bedroom?”
“Dillon was a perfectly satisfactory lover.”
“And yet you never invited him back, to my knowledge.”
Juliana pursed her lips. “Not that it’s any of your business, but no. It has nothing to do with his performance though, I assure you.”
“Right.” Hawthorn paused. “Has there been anyone besides Dillon, in all these years?”
No.There had been no time—or inclination—for anyone else. “Why do you ask?”
“You know all of my partners. Only seems fair for you to share.”
“I onlyknowall of your partners because you’re not exactly quiet about them and you have me kick them out if they overstay their welcome. I still cannot count them, or name them, or even tell you if you’ve had them more than once.”
“You must remember Barney, surely?”
“Who’s Barney?”
“The minotaur?”
“That was the same guy?”
Hawthorn sighed. “I’m beginning to think you’re not observant enough to be my guard.”
“Hmm. Better dismiss me, then.”
