Page 24 of The Highland Game
Interesting. I’ve never known Sass to get flustered before. It’s kind of cute.
LochNLoad
Okay, sure. How about instead you tell me the big news you were going to tell me earlier?
SassyLassie
Nope, let’s not talk about that either. That’s . . . not relevant anymore.
LochNLoad
Mysterious, but NP. I won’t ask you about that ever again . . . so long as you tell me one SPECIFIC thing you liked about the body-painting scene. What is it about it that gets you going? The intimacy? The build-up of sexual tension? The mess?
SassyLassie
OMG, stop! This is embarrassing.
LochNLoad
Ah, I get it. *strokes imaginary beard* You want someone to paint YOUR boobs like that. Well . . . *heroically grabs nearest jar of paint*
SassyLassie
Oi, watch it! I am THIS closing to blocking you. You have been warned!
LochNLoad
Okay, backing off now, promise!
But seriously, everything good? You logged off pretty suddenly earlier. Not trying to pry, BTW—just looking out for my favourite quest partner.
SassyLassie
All fine here. Just . . . been a funny day, you know?
LochNLoad
Aye, I have them too. Think everyone does. Fancy a game?
SassyLassie
Not tonight. I’m tired but I wanted to check in before bed. Talking of which . . . I’m off to hit the hay.
LochNLoad
Night, Sass. Sweet dreams . . . preferably involving blue paint.
SassyLassie
You just can’t help yourself, can you? Night, Lochie.
I toss my phone onto the bedside table. I’m glad Sass broke her silence, even if that conversation wasn’t quite as fun as it could have been.
All right, I’m too wired to sleep so . . . what to do with myself?
My gaze slides to my laptop, which is still open on my bed, the paused video glowing faintly in the dim light of my room. I reach for the trackpad, hesitate a moment, then . . . aye, I rewind it.
Back to that scene because apparently one viewing wasn’t enough to properly appreciate its “artistic value.” You know, purely for research purposes. For science. Definitely not because it was hot enough to melt the snow on Ben Nevis.
