Page 237 of Historical Hotties
Caledonia silently waved the older woman away as she picked up the pitcher and began to pour full measures for them both.
“I would be remiss if I did not warn you aboutgorzalka,” she said. “I feel that I should—”
“You’ve already warned me.”
He had cut her off with his arrogant reply and she looked at him, possibly in amusement, as she handed him a full cup.
“Very well,” she said as if he was sure to regret this bargain. “Shall we begin?”
Thor nodded. “You may ask the first question.”
Caledonia had to choose her question carefully. If he answered it, she would have to drink. If he refused, he would have to drink. She wanted to get the man drunk so her question had to be pointed. Uncomfortable, even.
But she had to be perfectly clear.
“This is not my question, but may I ask about the rules so I understand completely?” she said.
He nodded. “What is it?”
“May I askanyquestion?”
“Any question.”
“Even a question you may not like?”
“I said any question. But that means I also get to ask you any question.”
So she couldn’t badger him too much or he would badger her in return. Now, there was some strategy involved because he could do to her what she wanted to do to him.
The lines were drawn.
“How many women have you bedded in your lifetime?” she asked.
It was the first volley in the battle and it was a heavy one. She came charging out on the offensive, like any good opponent, and Thor had to seriously keep from laughing at the question. She was trying to shock him, but it wasn’t going to work. He needed to get the woman sauced so they could be over this nonsense and get on with their lives together.
Such as it was.
“Nineteen,” he said without hesitation, though he was certain it wasn’t that high. Frankly, he didn’t even know what the number was, so it was the first number he could come up with. “I answered you. You must drink, my lady.”
Eyeing him, Caledonia took a swallow of the stuff, wincing as it went down because it was so strong. “What is your question for me?” she asked.
Her voice sounded tight, as if the alcohol had burned her throat, and Thor had to think of a good question.
“How many men haveyoubedded in your lifetime?” he asked.
Caledonia coughed. She coughed again. She suffered through a coughing fit before she spat out an answer.
“Forty-nine,” she said hoarsely, still coughing. “You must drink now.”
He did, a big swallow, and it damn near burned a hole in his throat. Now he knew why she was coughing, but he wasn’t going to give her the satisfaction of knowing that he found the drink almost unbearable. The most he did was clear his throat.
“Christ,” he muttered. “How is it that you can even walk if you’ve bedded so many?”
“Is that your next question?”
He shook his head quickly. “Nay,” he said. “It is your turn.”
She coughed one last time before taking a deep breath and thinking carefully on her question. She wanted to hit him hard, so there was no backing off what she’d started.
