“I’m just trying to be a good citizen. If you were more socially conscious you would agree with me,” she panted.
“You do realize that I’m going to spank your bare bottom for this stunt?”
“Go ahead,” she sassed. “I don’t care. Doing the right thing is more important than a bit of discomfort.”
Mead laughed and pulled her up the stairs. “A bit of discomfort?” he asked, shaking his head.
“Yes. If you feel the need to treat me like a child, go ahead. Physically, I can’t stop you, but if you think you’re going to make me feel bad about what I did, you’re wrong,” she snapped as he pushed her down on the settee.
Mead removed his coat and hung it neatly on the back of a chair. When he began to slowly roll up his sleeves, Lilly found herself fidgeting on the cushion.
“Go and get your hairbrush, Lilly,” he ordered calmly.
“I won’t!”
Mead sighed, walked to the settee, and pulled Lilly to her feet. “You’re determined to make this as unpleasant as possible, aren’t you?” he asked as he bent and slung her over his shoulder.
Securing her kicking feet with one strong arm he walked into her bedroom, closing the door behind them.
Ty rounded the corner of the building just in time to see a freshly scrubbed young cowboy stoop and give Annalise a kiss on her cheek. “Miss Annalise, this is the cleanest I’ve been in weeks. Thank you. I’m heading over to the Blue Bonnet to have some supper and I’d be right honored if you’d join me.”
“Thank you, kind sir,” Annalise replied, giving a curtsey, “but I still have quite a bit of work to do here. I’ve put your dirty clothes in the wash tub, but they should be done tomorrow afternoon if you want to stop back and get them.”
“That would be fine, Miss Annalise. I sure do appreciate that. Your soap is a darn sight better smelling that what the fellows are getting down at the livery. Will I see you later?”
“I don’t know,” Annalise replied with a blush. “I don’t usually work the floor of The Duchess. I prefer to keep to the background, but maybe I’ll see you tomorrow when you come to pick up your things.”
“I understand, what with you being a lady and all. Well goodnight then,” he said, tipping his hat.
Before the next man in line could get his towels and enter the bathing room, Ty appeared out of nowhere and wrapped an arm around Annalise’s waist. Her feet barely touched the ground as she was hustled inside. Locking the door, Ty released her and looked around.
There was a tub filled with dirty water, a bureau, and a straight back chair.
“What in hell’s creation is going on around here?” he demanded, startling her with his accusatory tone.
“I think that’s pretty obvious,” she replied.
“Yes, I can see that Callie Mae has once again pushed the limits of propriety. I’m talking about that young man kissing you! Did I or did I not tell you that I would not tolerate such a thing?”
“Ty, it was a friendly kiss,” she said, backing up a step in the small quarters. “He meant nothing by it.”
“A kiss is a kiss, young lady, and I will not have my bride-to-be allowing such familiarities. You should have slapped his face.”
“He’s just a boy, and I thought he was sweet,” she sighed.
“Oh, he’s sweet,” Ty drawled, bending down to look into her eyes. “He wouldn’t be the first ‘sweet’ man to take advantage of an inexperienced woman.”
“One minute I’m a young lady and the next I’m a woman. Which is it, Ty?” she asked sarcastically.
Ty softened as he thought about that. “I guess you’re a little bit of both, darlin’. You have the body of a woman, but not enough experience to know what’s best for you.”
“And I suppose that’s why I need a husband,” she said, growing angrier by the second.
“Exactly,” he replied, satisfied that they were in agreement and rolling up his sleeves.
“What are you doing?”
“Why I’m doing exactly what I said I would do if I caught you kissing another man. I’m going to spank you.”
