Page 70 of Act of Passion

“No,” snorted Edee before pausing. “I did meet a cross-dressing chimpanzee though since hanging out with these guys. Came over with Boomer and his mate Haven. Bethany and the chimp watched a movie together and were inseparable. They both wore princess crowns and matching pink tutus for itall.”

Brooke tipped her head. “I’m sorry butwhat?”

Edee laughed. “You’ll see whenever Boomer brings Lil’ Duke back over. And the bathroom is this way. Can I just say your man’s house has more bedrooms than I can count? One guy should not live in a place this sizealone.”

Brooke looked around the closet. “He apparentlydoesn’t.”

“Oh, honey, he had all of this brought in foryou. He asked me to pick things you might like, and he bought some things I think he wants to see you in. Those pieces are in the back…and really bring to light how naughty heis.”

Brooke stepped back. “He got all this for me?Why?”

“Because you’re his mate—his woman—and before you freak out on me, know that it’s a good thing, Brooke. He loves you somuch.”

“He doesn’t really know me…” she said, her voice trailing off as she looked at the endless amount of clothing he’d gotten for her. “This is all toomuch.”

“Honey, you ain’t seen nothing yet. He had a wardrobe brought in for me too and has set me up in another wing of the house. Yes, you heard that right, his house has wings. No joke, I had to have him draw me a map for the first few days. I kept getting lost. And you haven’t even seen Bethany’s room or playroom yet. Good Lord, he’s treating her like a princess. I think she might have a different outfit for every day of the year. And her playroom could double as a toy store. I told him he was going overboard, but he ignored me. Paid people obscene amounts of money to make it all happen in less than twodays.”

Brooke simply stared at her friend. “I don’t know what tosay.”

“Say you’ll shower. You smell. Come on, it’s thisway.”

Brooke followed her friend into a bathroom that made the closet look small. She showered and then stepped out to find Edee there with a dress and shoes forher.

When she was done, Edee took her hand and they walked out into a huge hallway. She stared around wildly. “Wow. Heisthe Prince ofPersia.”

Edee laughed, letting go of her hand. “You haven’t seen anythingyet.”

Brooke followed behind Edee, who stopped outside a set of double doors. Edee pressed a finger to her lips and then pointed into the room. Brooke peeked in the room to find that it was as Edee had described, a toy room for a princess. In the center of the room was a white circular table with chairs all around it. In each chair was a large male, each wearing a variety of items, from clip-on earrings to a featherboa.

Striker had an obscene amount of blush on his cheeks and lipstick that was smeared. He also wore a pair of dangly earrings. Not one of the men looked comfortable on the small chairs, but each had smiles pressed on their faces as Bethany poured them cups of tea from a tea set that lookedexpensive.

She poured Malik’s tea last and then climbed onto his lap, adjusting Malik’s tiara that matched her own. “Daddy, want to eat one of the cookies Uncle Striker helped memake?”

Malik’s face scrunched a second before he blinked. “I would love to,princess.”

Striker coughed as he sipped his tea. “I wouldnae if I wasyou.”

Brooke was torn between laughing and crying at the sight of the men all spending time with herdaughter.

Corbin’s hair had a braid in it with a pink bow and he held his pinkie finger up as he sipped thetea.

Duke grunted, wearing a feather hat and a feather boa. “Nice pinkie finger, Captain. Want a crumpet to go with your fadingmanhood?”

Corbin looked over at Duke and grinned. “Interesting, considering you’re wearing a featherboa.”

Malik slid Striker a sideways glance. “I cannot believe you bought my four-year-old daughter aboa.”

Striker bit his lower lip. “I dinnae buy it so much as the last female I had over at my house left itbehind.”

Bethany beamed. “You mean you have tea parties at your housetoo?”

Dukesnorted.

Corbin lowered his head, trying not tolaugh.

Boomer, who looked entirely too comfortable having a tea party, flashed a wide smile. “Explain this one,Striker.”

Rubbing the back of his neck, Striker looked nervous. “Um, well, erm, aye. I have tea parties at my housetoo.”

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