He got up and went into the bathroom to look at his body in the mirror. “Damn it! I’m all bruised. No amount of makeup is gonna cover that,” he complained. “I’m gonna call and get my money back. Fucking mattress is a fake.”
Bliss rose from the bed and peered into the bathroom, her eyes roaming over Max’s hard body. She winced at the sight of his hips and buttocks, which were ridded with black-and-blue bruises. “Ooh. Those look painful, Max,” she said apologetically.
Max’s eyes shifted to meet hers. She looked really regretful. Too regretful.
“They’re sore,” he told her. “Like any bruise would be. You wouldn’t happen to know why my new mattress didn’t work, would you? I mean, this is the same company you bought yours from, and your mattress works just fine.”
Two pink spots of color stained Bliss’ cheeks, and Max’s suspicions grew. “Is there something you need to tell me?” he asked.
She turned and walked back into the bedroom, lifting up the edge of the mattress. There on the box spring was a lima bean. She picked it up and held it out to Max. He looked at the small, green bean on his palm.
“Why did you put a lima bean under the mattress?” he asked softly.
She sighed. “I guess I just wanted to make sure that I’d gotten my Prince after all,” she joked, with a rueful smile.
Max looked at the lima bean. Then he looked at the mattress. A glance back toward the bathroom showed his bruised ass reflected in the mirror. Finally, his eyes turned toward his bonded mate. She looked really sorry.
With a laugh, he tossed the bean onto the bedside table and took her in his arms, lifting her off the ground so he could kiss her senseless. When their lips finally parted long minutes later, Bliss was breathless.
“Next time you want to make sure of my royalty, can you use a smaller pea?” Max quipped, and bent his head to kiss her again.
The End
Author Bio
Lex Valentine is the pseudonym of a cemetery IT geek who was born on Halloween. Even though she’s been writing ever since she could hold a pencil, she never imagined she’d get published. A few years ago, she got caught up writing a paranormal serial story with several other writers. Fans of the story told her she needed to submit her work to publishers. Stealing her pen name from her most popular character, Lex set out to get published in late 2008. Her first contract came the day before her birthday.
Lex loves loud music, in particular the band, Motley Crue, and bassist Nikki Sixx. Born and raised in Salinas, California, Lex moved to Southern California in 1993. She lives in Orange County with her 80’s metal-loving daughter and her long-haired, tattooed, guitar-playing SO.
The Pixie Prince Page 8