Jesters Of The Moonless Sky {Gavin} [precaution M]

[Gavin Bates]

Gavin really must be losing his touch, if Apple was commenting on it. It was just too early in the morning for this, for dealing with her when he was in such a state – yeah, that would be a good excuse, wouldn't it? He didn't notice her near miss at laughing at him and felt himself falling into a little bit of a foul mood. ”Shut up,” he mumbled halfheartedly as he got up, sending her a scowl that he knew was utterly feeble and wouldn't do anything but amuse her further. Gavin turned after he got up and looked at Apple, having not noticed her messing herself up, and was thoroughly amused by the sight.

”You look like you've been dragged through a hedge backwards,” he commented, the corners of his mouth twitching with laughter as a smile tried to fight its way onto his face. She did look a right state, which was just completely at odds with Gavin's normal view of the woman. Sure, he'd seen her at her worst in the mornings before – that was what happened when you lived with someone – but the thought that the fairer gender went to so much trouble just to make themselves look “presentable” for other people never failed to amuse him. Of course, he secretly liked Apple any way he could get her, but she wasn't to know that.

Of course, the smile was wiped from his face as the sun pierced his eyes and went directly into his brain, determined to kill him with the pain, he was sure. Maybe they still had some of that pain relieving remedy they stole from the apothecary last week, but he was sure they'd used it for something else... Maybe some water would be enough to tide him over for now. He stumbled a little, but otherwise kept up pace with the much steadier Regina (though, he really didn't notice).

Gina stopped, and Gavin stopped beside her. Why stop, or was talking while walking just too much for her at the moment? He couldn't really blame her for that, actually – it had taken him enough effort to do the same. He shrugged, he really couldn't remember her turning up, but then he didn't really remember a whole lot past announcing that he was off to the pub in the first place. ”Jus' wondering, thought maybe you'd seen a fella there and wanted to make a pass at him,” he replied, small smirk making its way onto his face in an attempt to tease her, but actually there to try and cover up how he felt. Well, hopefully the jealousy was kept out of his voice. And she had been eyeing up that one barman the last time they'd gone there... He'd thought he'd dealt with that, though.

(OOC: *stabs computer* My first attempt was so much better...)

[Regina Apple]

"Shut up." Now when that was all you could muster, you knew something wasnt' quite connecting in your noggin. This time Gina allowed herself to grin at Gavin's scowl. That's how she would have retaliated be she hungover or in whatever state. She loved teasing Gavin, it just felt right - and good to be getting her own back. Regina shook her hair up, adding to the whole messed up look and made her shirt dishevelled. She grinned to herself - with her back still to Gavin - glad to see the work had done its job.

She turned round and glared. "Yeah, well..." She pretended to struggle for a comeback. "You look like you've been dragged through a hedge backwards then pooped on by a horse. No! Mauled by a badger." She pointed an acustory finger, vague blurry memories of hangovers told Gina that she did this sort of thing. Change her mind that is. When thinking straight Gina chooses her words with great care, apparently she lost that ability when she was hungover.

Regina did normally like to keep herself looking respectable. You never knew who you'd bump into or who she might have to entice with her womanly looks. Enticing didn't work if you looked and smelt like a cow's rear end. And enticing was an intrinsic part of her job in the gang - it wasn't like Wellsy or Josh could distract the guy whilst the rest snaffled their goodies. And it seemed Gavin only really paid attention when she was at her prettiest, so that was another reason to keep up the image.

It hadn't occured to Gina that stopping may have been construed as a coherant action - if actions can be coherant, which she was pretty sure they couldn't be, but it made sense to her that morning. She was just glad Gavin hadn't picked up on it, or had accepted it part of her hangover. For as long as she lived, Regina Apple was never going to get Gavin Bates. Was he really discussing her love life? She gave him what she assumed a hungover coy smile looked like. "How'd you know I wasn't there to just make a pass at some fella." It was him she would make a pass at, but sometimes she got flirty with barmen. There'd been that one, nice fellow - really pretty - but she'd only seen him that once. Regina did often wonder what had happened to him.

(ooc: But that one was awesomesauce too! Mine is not though >.<)

[Gavin Bates]

God, that woman could look so cheerful when she was hungover... He really would like to slug her one, wipe that damn grin off her face, but unfortunately doing so required energy he just didn't have to exert. It was all he could to follow her and trust that they were going the right way, putting one foot in front of the other. He'd much rather go back to sleep, now that he thought about it – eyes closed, arms slung over face to block out the sun and he could be asleep again in a matter of minutes. Without lying next to Apple this time, because that would just be awkward.

Oops, he must have insulted her this time. He'd only meant it as... well, no, he meant that she looked like she'd been dragged through a hedge. But it was just an observation. Seriously, women were so grouchy... He couldn't help but laugh at her as she shoved a finger in his face, though. She looked so stupid, it was just brilliant. And it was so odd to hear Apple, who was usually one of the more eloquent members of the gang, to be stumbling over her words and not making a whole lot of sense. He raised an eyebrow and smirked, not even letting the sun get in the way of his enjoyment of this moment.

”Mauled by a badger?” he asked, folding his arms because he was a little bit cold this morning. He blamed the alcohol, it always affected him like this. He didn't take offense to the horse comment – it had happened, though he'd never told anyone and probably never would – but the badger thing was just odd. Did badgers even get that angry? He wasn't entirely sure he'd ever actually seen one. They were black and white, he was sure someone had told him, but had he seen one? He shook his head, it was hurting too much to try and remember. Maybe when he was a kid in Underwood.

Gavin rolled his eyes, then regretted it. Right, note to self – everything hurt. Don't do anything. Instead of repeating the action again, he took up walking and pushed Regina's shoulder in an attempt to get her to move on. He did shake his head once more though. ”'Cause I don't understand why you'd look at anyone else when I'm around,” he replied, emphasizing the I'm. He was, of course, absolutely not joking. He did like to think he was quite good looking and wondered why Apple had never... well, tried anything. When sober, he meant – obviously someone had tried something last night.

The thought that she'd been there looking for that one guy, though... It made his skin crawl. The next day, after the eventful flirting with the barman, Gavin had gone back to the pub and waited until he saw the young man leaving. He had a good memory for faces, when he wanted to. He walked up to the man, slapped him on the back, and dragged him round the back of the pub, pushing him against the wall and making several dire threats to the poor man's wellbeing (and other parts he wanted to keep intact), and advised the man leave Nottingham because if Gavin met him again, he was not going to be leaving the encounter. Gavin liked to imagine the man had run away to Wales. It was nice and far away.

[Regina Apple]

Maybe she was too cheerful, bwas Gavin really going to do anything? He was lazy at thebest of times, throw in a hangover and the most exerting action he did was rolling over. She would have to see to his aversion with lying next to her though. Even though she'd spent half the night remembering who she was lying next to, last night had been the most comfortable night's sleep she'd had in a long time. She wasn't insulted though, Regina had messed herself up.

But she was expected to be so, so insulted she was. She scowled at his laugh. "Aren't you too hungover to laugh?" Even she was allowed to trip over her words sometimes! Only when she was feeling particularly upset or emotional though; maybe the badger addition would be an indication to the fact that she wasn't recovering from a terrible hangover. The smirk was pretty though, Gina wondered how she could make him smirk some more. "Yes a badger. Those large, grumpy black and white creatures."

Gina wasn't feeling the cold, it was a perfectly mild morning by her books. If only she was though, then she would have a feesible excuse to get closer. Not that Gavin would reciprocate... Though she may have been able to play on it from a selfish angle, "This'll warm you up too!" It almost seemed worth the try, but for once Regina decided to not push it. She knew it wouldn't work, and she could lie about her mental state, but she couldn't make her body lie about its temperature.

Of course, when Gavin shoved her, Gina felt sparks and prayed he did too. She began to walk again, he must really wanted to get to the water. She smiled coyly at him, "Who's to say it wasn't you I was looking at." One of the first honest things she'd said the whole morning. It was the whole truth. Sort of. Had she have gone to the pub, she would have been lookin at him. But alas, Gavin was probably going to take that completely as a joke. Oh the woe of her life, everytime she admitted how she really felt about him Gavin was either drunk or believed she was joking.

(ooc: sorry for lameosity. But *noms results and cyber cake* P: )

[Gavin Bates]

Gavin bit back another chuckle – he completely blamed the effects of the alcohol that was probably still in his system, and he would be spending the rest of the day as a grumpy old sod to make up for what he was doing now – and shook his head ever so slightly and oh so slowly in order to stop the world from spinning as he did so. A genuine smile let itself slip onto his face for just a moment, before it was hidden away by his patented frown again. Wait, had she just complained that he was laughing? She was always trying to get him to laugh, or at least do something other than complain, so when he finally did she moaned? That was just not on.

”Get a sense of humour,” he snapped, his hangover helping the mood swing and making him irritable. He grumbled to himself about women and their inability to be pleased as they walked, aiming glares at Apple's back as they headed towards the water. And about having never seen a badger. Hopefully she wouldn't hear that, because then she'd probably rip into him more, or try and find a badger so it mauled him for real. Although, in the mood he'd rapidly spiralled into, it was entirely possible he could beat a grumpy creature. He was the King of the Grumpy.

And great, she was playing with him. He couldn't tell what her tone was – teasing,mocking, flirting? The woman was almost impossible for him to read, which was probably partly why he was so attracted to her. He wanted to snap at her, tell her to sod off and stop pissing about, answer his question properly.

The rest of the walk was fairly quiet, apart from the crunching of twigs underfoot and Gavin's mutterings, a common feature when he was in a mood. He kept his eyes on the ground, following Apple by sound alone, not wanting to be thinking about her at the moment, and as such he didn't notice when they'd finally reached the river and walked slap bang into Regina's back, knocking her over and losing his own balance in the process, causing them to topple into the water with a loud splash, Gavin landing half on top of his fellow outlaw and getting a face full of mud as his head collided with the bottom of the river. He was so startled, he didn't even realise he was on top of Regina.

(OOC: River pushing done with Bob's permission. Beware more perviness in my next post. X3;; Also, my uncle has mood swings like this when he has a hangover, so I'm using him as a basis.)

[Regina Apple]

Gina loved it when she got a laugh out of Gavin. It made her feel like she was really making progress with the 'bring the nice Gavin out' plan. Of course, he would be rather grumpy later on, but it was these small moments which she lived for. Her heart almost stopped. Was that a genuine smile she saw? She wanted so badly to smile back, but she was supposed to be pissed off. So she scowled instead. "I have a sense of humour. It's just rusty in the morning." Something he should be completely familiar with. Gavin was text book rusty in the morning, even without a piss up on the previous night.

His mood swings were freaking her out though. Was it the alcohol or her? Normally she'd be too hungover to care, but she couldn't help but wonder if she was inducing such extreme mood changes. He was grumbling to himself, incesantly! Gina was surprised Gavin knew enough words, to be perfectly honest. He hadn't exactly expanded his vocabulary when Tristan joined, more avoided the ex-noble like the plague. She couldn't even make out what he was saying, though she could have sworn she heard the word badger in there are some point.

She went into her own grump from the lack of response to her blantant flirtation. She was practically admitting that she wanted him and all he could do was grumble about badgers! And her answer wasn't exactly cryptic either, was it? Maybe the negatives were a little confusing. Oh Gina didn't know! She was actually gettin a headache from all this thought. Soon she wouldn't be faking the hangover. She had her arms folded as they walked and a face of thunder. It was a good job Gavin was behind her. Hopefully staring at her arse. But that was just being hopeful. He probably didn't even want to look at any of her, let alone her butt.

When she got to the river, Regina stretched and took a full lungfull of air. It helped her to stop think about things (namely Gavin). She was about to crouch down and splash her face when something (again, Gavin) collided into her back. She barely had time to register what was happening until she was in the water. Even instantly thinking back on the fall, all she could point out was her calling out in surprise and a loud splash. "Ah! Cold!" She yelped. Then she realised Gavin was on top of her and then she yelped again. "Ger'off!" She spluttered. Even though she didn't actually want Gavin to get off her, him being on her was pushing her head underwater and therefore drowning her. She didn't bother waiting for an answer, instead she pushed him off herself. Or tried to anyway.

(ooc: pervyness? P: And sorry about the end. I did ask, but got impatient P: )

[Gavin Bates]

Stumbling into and landing on Regina hadn't been in his plans for the river, and as his fellow outlaw protested and tried to push him off, his sluggish brain finally caught up with the situation and he began laughing. It was so stupid - the best thieves in Nottingham not being able to stop themselves from walking into each other! The water was utterly freezing, which woke him up a fair bit, but it wasn't really helpful as he was already feeling rather cold anyway. Shuddering, he acknowledged Regina's shoving by scrambling over the top of her head (he was half over anyway) and sitting down in the water just ahead of her, looking around in case anyone had seen it.

Even when in a foul mood and despite his usual attitude, he really didn't want Apple to drown, and he pushed himself onto his knees, putting his hands on her shoulders as something to lean on to help her sit up. Hopefully she hadn't swallowed too much – he wasn't exactly the best man for pretending to be a doctor.

”Coulda given me some warning,” he said, looking at the embankment and spying the piece of wood his foot had caught on, the bit that stopped him from being able to keep his own balance and that caused him to fall on Apple. It was broken now; the wood deserved it. And now he was being irrationally angry at a bit of wood. He should be thanking it, really, and he would be when he finally got a look at the woman.

[Regina Apple]

To be quite frank, Gina wouldn't mind Gavin falling on her in the morning - though the river could be missed out, sometimes. Warning, or possible signs that it was going to happen would be appriciated though. The water froze her to the bone instantly, but at least it shifted her grump. Or was that because Gavin was lying on her? Who knows. Either way, Gavin was lying on her and Gina was loving it. Maybe she knocked her head on the way down, surely that wasn't normal?

Though her lungs were quite grateful when he got off. She sat up sharply, weezing a little and coughing out water. She was touched he helped her sit up, maybe he did care. Or enough so that she didn't drown. Who would Gavin endlessly tease if she was gone? Oh who was she kidding, Gavin was fickle and would find someone new within days. But she couldn't dwell on her woe, that was for silent moments to herself. Now she had to be half drowned, because well, she was. "Thanks." She said hoarsely with another cough. Her lungs actually hurt, but that may have been because she was sure a limb of Gavin's hit them.

"Sorry. But I was kinda dying there." She too looked to the embankment, wondering how they ended up so far into the river. He hadn't walked into her with that much force, had he? She started to shiver, teeth chattering and everything, and wrapped her soggy arms around herself. Though, what good would they do? They were as drenched as she was and further reminder of how cold she was. "I think we need to get out of here." She said between shivers, but her legs had kind of gone numb and she couldn't imagine being able to walk over to the bank.

[Gavin Bates]

Gavin would have nodded, or snorted, or something to dismiss the help as absolutely nothing (because it had to be absolutely nothing), but when he turned back to address his fellow outlaw, he became a little bit distracted by the sight of Regina, dripping wet... Or at least the front of her was. It hadn't taken long for the water to soak through her clothes, which were clinging to her body in the most delightful way, and Gavin found he couldn't take his eyes off a certain part of her anatomy. Despite her talking, he couldn't bring himself to raise his eyes to meet hers.

He was so going to be killed by the end of the day. At least his headache would be gone, though.

He nodded dumbly, eyes finally drifting to observe the way her clothes hung to the rest of her body, idly watching her arms wrap themselves around her body and her body shiver from the cold. He shook his head to clear his thoughts, hoping that she wasn't being observant for once and hadn't noticed his gawking (which was unlikely – he hadn't exactly been discreet), and smirked. He quite liked it in the water, and was a bit glad she'd ended up in it. He was a fair bit dryer than her, though his trousers were now utterly soaked from sitting in the water. Of course, if she stood up then he could get a good look at her arse...

”I dunno, it's pretty nice here,” he replied, shifting to sit crosslegged and splashing at the water idly. He was feeling a lot better already, who knew just how beneficial water was to him? He leered a little, swirling one finger through the water. ”Maybe we should have a wash. You can go first, if you want. I know you like to keep clean and all.”

[Regina Apple]

Although she was a little distracted by the cold water - which was rapidly numbing her - Gina couldn't help but notice an unusual response from Gavin. Well, it was his usual lack of response; but he was rarely quiet after being thanked. He always had some excuse to make it sound like nothing. She looked to her fellow outlaw and instantly understood why. Thanks to how wet she was, his eyes were a fair distance south of her face. A smug smirk filled her face, and Regina did nought to hide it - feeling fairly confident that he wasn't going to see it.

Really, she should be say, "Oi, eyes north mate!" But this was Gavin and she did not want to discourage this sort of behaviour. Who knows what it would lead to next? Maybe a repeat of last night, but without the kneeing and lose of teeth. Instead, she did a bit of surveying of wetness herself because he wasn;t exactly going to notice anytime soon. But Gavin, the buggar, had remained mostly dry. How, Regina did not know and to be completely honest, she was a little narked. She was sat in a cold river and had no wet Gavin to look at! At least she had a Gavin to look at, it was better than no Gavin.

When he shifted, Gina suddenly pretended to become aware of where his eyes had been lingering. She wrapped her arms round herself defensively, but was secretly pleased. This morning was turning out better than she could have ever planned for. She put herself into the crosslegged position, also. "I see what you mean, now I'm numb from the waist down." His shifting had splashed her a little, so she playfully splashed him back a little. But rather than playing in the water, she continued to "warm" herself with a self-hug hoping it would put some sort of idea in Gavin's head. Maybe he'd take pity on her and help with the warming process. Which was stupid really, because was he going to? No. But at least now she wouldn't have to make her body temperature lie.

”Maybe we should have a wash. You can go first, if you want. I know you like to keep clean and all.” The outlaw shot him a look, but couldn't help but smirk. "Now what are you suggesting Mr Bates?" She teased. If he was straight out honest with her that he wanted to see her strip... Well, she may just have to oblige. Or let him think that she was going to oblige. That would be better. Treat 'em mean to keep 'em keen, or whatever the rhyme was she'd heard mothers tell their daughters. She did treat Gavin mean though, she was downright horrible to him sometimes, but he wasn't falling over himself to be her man. Stupid little rhyme.

[Gavin Bates]

Regina was very justified in her thought – he didn't notice a smirk appear on her face. It wasn't like he couldn't see that sort of thing whenever he wanted, but it was Regina and it was so nice and clingy... Almost leaving nothing to the imagination (which was helpful, as Gavin didn't have much of one). He didn't even notice Apple eyeing him up, and he was usually fairly conscious of other people looking at him – one of his only really useful skills. He was a little disappointed that Apple folded her arms over her chest as he spoke, he'd been enjoying the view far too much for that, but he suppose he couldn't blame her. Well, he could, but that would be unfair.

He actually chuckled at her comment, and didn't protest at being splashed back. Not immediately, anyway. He wasn't keen that she retaliated, but he was keeping himself back. If she carried on, he'd teach her a lesson then. He didn't really think anything much of Regina's apparent coldness, instead leaving her to warm herself up. She should wear more layers, or go and get dry or something. Not that he really wanted either, but well.

”That I could wash your back,” he replied easily, leaning back on his arms so he could leer at her, head tilted to one side as he admired her. Or, she could assume that if she wanted. Or she could ignore it. He was admiring her, but it wasn't like it was any different to usual, was it? Something had changed, though, he could feel it in the air. All his moving around was slowly getting himself more wet, and that wasn't necessarily a good thing. Sitting back up and dropping his arms in his lap, unable to get comfortable in the cold, running water, he added, ”And you could hang yer clothes up so they'd dry faster.”

He could be sensible. Occasionally. When it suited him. Maybe he could even nick her clothes and run back to camp with them... She'd be so pissed off if he did, but it would be worth it, too.

[Regina Apple]

She'd made Gavin laugh. Gina fought to keep the astounded look off her face. It was turning out to be a marvellous morning! Gavin only usually laughed when someone was in pain or he was rat-arsed. And he wasn't trying to get her back for splashing him. Was last night's Gavin still around? Regina bloody hoped so! She was itching to kiss him again, but this time without any plots or schemes, because he hadn't laughed at her. At least now she knew. Did that suggest that he actually harboured some sort of feelings for her? She had to stop her mind there and stay in the present, else her mind would go off on one huge tangent. Probably ending in the conclusion that Gavin never has and never will love her. She didn't want to go there today.

A coy smile spread across her face at Gavin's suggestion. If she thought that he was being serious, she would most certainly let him do it. She mirrored how he sat, admiring the view as well. Gavin looked almost adorable when he titled his head, and she only said almost because Gina knew what he did for a living. How could a killing theif be adorable? When they titled their heads that's how... But she'd never actually tell him this much, because somehow she didn't think Gavin would appriciate being called adorable. "Alright then." She too felt the change between them. It was making it hard for her to breathe.

But it vanished, for her anyway, when he sat back up and decided to be sensible. Gavin? Sensible? It seemed utterly ridiculous. Although, he was suggesting that she remove her clothes and be all semi-naked in front of him. The feeling was back as she smirked. "How do I know you won't rob off with them when I turn to get my back washed by you?" She knew it would happen. Gavin seriously didn't do sensible. He had to counteract every sensilble word or deed with something completely un-sensible and usually down right horrible. Though being semi-naked in front of Gavin would be worth it in the end.

[Gavin Bates]

Apple was smiling back, was she actually considering his proposition? He hadn't been expecting that, in fact he'd been expecting a slap in the face or something. He wasn't going to let her know that, though, and kept up his smile. And then she agreed. Oh god, she agreed. He really hadn't been expecting that at all, and it threw him for one. He blinked for a moment, knowing he looked completely stunned, but he couldn't help it. What the hell had they done last night to get her to agree to that? How much had they been drinking?

Gavin feigned hurt as she accused him of possibly thinking about stealing her clothes. Even if he had actually been thinking about it – that was a little creepy, maybe they just knew each other so well that they could tell what the other was thinking? He hoped they didn't start finishing each other's sentences. He decided maybe he was just a little predictable – he certainly didn't know what Regina was thinking, he never did. Bloody women...

”I give you my word as an outlaw,” he replied solemnly, lifting one hand in the air as if he was swearing to God or something equally absurd. He paused for a moment, dropped his hand and shrugged. ”Not that it means much. You're just gonna have to trust me.”

(OOC: Bah sorry short >_>)

[Regina Apple]

Gavin's face was priceless and was one Gina hoped to remember forever. The stunned look made her laugh. He so wasn't expecting her to agree. Why should he? Gina normally lived under her own carefully placed rules of being careful around Gavin when her feelings were involved. Ok, so she usually broke those rules, but never as badly as she did just then. "You're so cute when confused." She said, pinching his cheeks, completely teasing him. Today certainly had been a good morning. She'd made him laugh and confused him senseless! Last night and this morning was going in her special Gavin box in her mind, filled with all the things she never wanted to forget.

Playing along to Gavin's pretend hurt, Gina put on a serious look, tilting her own head like Gavin had done not long ago. "You cannot tell me it didn't cross your mind." She did know Gavin well enough to know he was petty enough to rob off with a girl's clothes (or anyone's) when they had their back turned. It wouldn't surprise her if he'd done it in the past. She didn't know him well enough to finish his sentences, and part of her hoped she never would. For one, she enjoyed him still surprising her and completing each other's sentences was freaky. It was a twin thing, and twins weren't natural. Especially those red-heads who thought they could take Gavin.

"Your word as an outlaw?" She snorted. "I may as well give you my clothes." Would that really be so bad? Possibly not if it were just the two of them, but who knows how many of them were back at camp now. Preferably none of them. Right now Gina wouldn't care if the lot of them got lost like Forrest and Hanton. "It doesn't really mean much." Then a sly smile crossed Gina's mouth as she thought of her most brilliant plan, if she did say so herself. "How about a trade. For every piece of clothing I take off, you take off the equivelant and hand it to me. That way, if you do rob off with my clothes I have yours." The sly smile turned a little smug. Plus, you'll be just as semi-naked as me. It was a good thought. Gina honestly believed she'd die and go to heaven if he actually agreed. Not even with her mad lying skills would she be able to keep the surprised delight off her face.

[Gavin Bates]

Gina was far too amused by his reaction, and he was starting to suspect she'd said such a thing just to get a rise out of him. Bloody women. And then she leaned over and pinched his cheeks. He batter her hand away, what the hell was she playing at with that? He scowled, although really he wanted to laugh. She was being bloody weird today, he wondered what had gotten into her. ”I am never cute, Apple,” he replied, glaring at her haughtily. ”I am handsome. Dashing. Good looking. But never cute.”

He stopped pretending to be hurt – that was more Gina's thing, anyway – and shrugged. ”Might have,” he smirked, lowering his gaze deliberately before bringing it back up to Gina's face. ”Not admitting to nothing.2” Gavin was petty enough to steal anyone's clothes, and he had done so before. That had been an amusing day – she was just one of the girls in his village, and he was taking revenge after he'd first been outlawed. It was petty, but the little cow had accused him of things he hadn't done. At least she'd been a bit more disgraced. Served her right. He'd never been able to have any respect for women since.

He laughed at that. ”Well I did say it didn't mean much,” he replied, amused by Gina. God, what was she proposing? ”How'd I know you wouldn't run off with my clothes?” he asked suspiciously, but seriously considered her proposition. He had a fair few layers on, actually, so he reckoned he'd get to see her naked before she got to see him. ”Yeah, alright then. You first, Apple.”