The Wallflower Wager: Girl Meets Duke

“I’m also going to find a new litter of kittens, and I don’t want to hear anything about it.” “You won’t hear a word from me. Even if you have a hundred kittens.” His hand stilled on her back, and he added, “That was hyperbole, you understand.”

Before walking away, Chase leaned close. “Just as a point of clarification, in case you do die . . . Which of us would you say was the second, and which the third?”

Hell, even Chase and I would be . . .” He looked to his friend for the word. “Disappointed?” Chase suggested. “Let’s go with inconvenienced,” Ashbury replied. Chase nodded. “Someone has to eat the sandwiches.” “Thank you both for this touching moment.”

“If I could move,” Alexandra said, “I’d be a great deal more help. Perhaps you could set me rolling like a giant pumpkin, and I could mow them down?”

“Thank God.” He closed his eyes and exhaled gruffly. “Damn it. I left the ring in the safe.” She laughed. “Best proposal in the world.”

have good news and bad news.” “Let’s have the bad first, please.” “The bad news is, I’ll never, so long as I live, wipe the past two minutes from my memory.” He scratched the back of his head. “The good news is, tonight we’re in the clear.”

“The woman’s a succubus.” “What’s a succubus?” “A female demon.” Hammond’s eyebrows lifted. “One who feeds on sexual pleasure.” “Well, then. I am exceedingly sorry I asked.”

Penny chuckled. “I’ll tell you a secret about Ash. His Christian name is George. He hates it.” He nodded. “George it is.”

“Have you given him a name?” “Considering what an insufferable pain he is, I’m leaning toward Ashbury.”