“I’m rather an admirer of the book,” Robert said and took a sip from his glass. “Damien, whenyou marry, you might want to see if Brianna won’t lend it out to your bride. I promise you noregrets if you give it to your beloved. Let’s just say there are certain things a gentleman won’taddress with his wife that Lady Rothburg has no trouble discussing in detail.”If his younger brother’s sinful grin was any indication, it was true.“I’m headed back to Spain tomorrow.” Damien pointed out. “So I doubt romance of any kind isin my future, but I’ll keep it in mind.”“One never knows.” Colton commented. “Had anyone said it was in mine, I would have protestedvehemently.”How true. How could anyone have guessed his upright older brother would marry such a lovelybut impulsive young lady and manage to become a different man than the upright,unapproachable Duke of Rolthven?”

“After my name day feast, I’m going to raise a host and kill your brother myself. That’s what I’ll give you, Lady Sansa. Your brother’s head.”A kind of madness took over her then, and she heard herself say, “Maybe my brother will give me your head.”

“What? I’m not suppose to date or hang out with anyone now?”Daemon smiled. “Anyone human, yes.”“Whatever.” I shook my head, standing. “This is a stupid conversation. I’m not dating anyone anyway, but if I were, I wouldn’t stop just because you said so.”“You wouldn’t?” His hand shot out, tucking back a strand of hair behind my ear. “We’ll just have to see about that.”I stepped sideways, keeping distance between us. “There’s nothing to see.”Challenge filled his eyes. “If you say so, Kitten.”Folding my arms, I sighed. “This isn’t a game.”“I know, but if it were, I’d win.”

“No. You said so yourself: a bet’s a bet. After the month’s up, you’ll be off with Parker, he’ll become a doctor, you’ll get married and have your two-point-five children and I’ll never see you again.” He grimaced at his own words. “I still have three weeks. I’m not giving that up for lunch room gossip.”

“Just when I think you’ve hit bottom you continue to amaze me,” Kyle said. “Or, does this get worse? Nothing would surprise me after this. Are you sleeping with a married man whose wife is dying of cancer?”Elroy didn’t think he’d done anything wrong. “I know nothing about his wife, or his husband for that matter. I don’t ask and I’m not out to break up his home. Lighten up, man. Everybody does it. It’s not like I’m going to freaking marry this dude. I’m only having a little fun with him. You wanna come with me? We’ll have a three-way. You should see the way this guy moves. It will blow your mind.”With that remark Kyle shoved his hands into his pockets and walked faster. “No, thank you. That’s not something I’m interested in doing. Meeting nice, decent people is the only thing that blows my mind. I just hope you’re using condoms, you goddman asshole.”

“Wesley took a swig of his beer, hoping that maybe the pause might give him time enough to sort out his thoughts. “Well, I never really changed my mind,” he said smoothly. “I never said no.”“I guess I just figured it was implied.”“And why is that?”“I’m pretty sure you’re way out of my league.”Wesley laughed. “I highly doubt that. I don’t even know what league I’m in.”“Well that’s just it. You’re kind of in a league of your own. Your friends; they’re both pretty flirtatious. They openly flirt with all of the waitresses but you’re this serious, focused, badass that doesn’t say more than he has to.”“Wow.” Wesley laughed. “I sound like an asshole.”