Yeah,” I said. “And that thing you just did...”“This?” he inquired, puckering his lips again at me.“Yes, that. The blowfish beat you to that, jackass. How do you like jackass?”“Heeeeeeee-HAW!” he cried, punching both fists into the air. “Stick to something more loving though. Then I won’t have the urge to bray every time you call me.

If you think it's charming to be overbearing,” I said.“I do, I do!” she said. “I adore strong alpha males and he's the only one that's ever managed to make me feel weak and womanly.” She grinned at my expression. “Want a word of advice?” she said. “Study him. Seriously. Characters like him drive half the romance market.

The little runt is my little brother. The baby son of my mother there. Try and be a little respectful.”“Gawd, Auntie, of course, I didn't mean any disrespect!” said Declan, turning at once to Mum. “You can't think that! Why, I love that little sod like he was a pest from my own home infestation.

Who’s it?” said Conor Larkin, appearing in the adjoining balcony, followed by Ricky and Jason.“The Turtle from the Train Station,” said Guy.Right, I thought, that’s the impression I made. He remembers me as an honorary member of the reptile family.

An uneventful, quiet life together is more my idea of a romance.”“Really? Oh. Well. It won't get you featured in any of the ballads though.”“Yes,” he said, with a heavy sigh. “And that will be the great tragedy of my romance.

Cross my heart, it's the truth. My Ma consulted a Seer when I was born. He's fated to marry a girl that wears that ring, she said.” “Did she now?” I said. “Well, this is in mad fashion in Mahmonir, so, prepare yourself, you're going to be overburdened with wives once the word gets around!

She’s a mixed-breed and not the least bit aggressive.She decided long ago she wanted to be a pet dog, not a guard dog. I think that’s another reason why that man wanted to get rid of her. I’ve never understood all this fascination with aggressiveness. It’s like an epidemic. People don’t just want aggressive dogs, they want to be aggressive themselves.

She’s a mixed-breed and not the least bit aggressive. She decided long ago she wanted to be a pet dog, not a guard dog. I think that’s another reason why that man wanted to get rid of her. I’ve never understood all this fascination with aggressiveness. It’s like an epidemic. People don’t just want aggressive dogs, they want to be aggressive themselves.

It had been a big mistake, introducing her to Tavi on one of his visits home. She had fallen hard and made up every conceivable excuse to turn up at our place that week. Tavi had taken it in his usual stride; he was accustomed to my friends making idiots of themselves over him and he had developed a fine knack of rebuffing them without hurting their feelings too much. “You deserve a Prince,” he had told her. “So here's a tip – don't waste your time on a common man like me.