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She ht as she entered the rooirls Sweet little dressing-tables had been set out for each of them as if they were life-sized Barbie dolls On top of these was spread an array of high-end beauty products guaranteed to enta and her newly formed tea as Quinn’s tea to take down their thoughts

‘How nice,’ Magentanail varnishes and lipsticks was all her candy-floss heart had ever yearned for She gestured that her teaed—but then they were in on the surprise Magenta had in store for the men

Said h Quinn appeared quite relaxed about the trial he’d set up And gorgeous, Magenta registered, with his crisp, white shirt rolled up to the elbows and beautifully tailored black trousers hs and hips with obscenely loving attention to detail Undressing such a spectacular specie…

‘Aren’t you going to sit down, Magenta?’

‘If there were enough chairs’

‘Here, takeit,’ Quinn explained as he held out a chair for her

There was a distinct rustle of expectation in the air as the ain, they were ready to jeer and jibe at the slightest cue froenta had to do was to discover if she was as bold as she had pro up a lipstick, she pursed her lips ‘Glittering Fool’s Gold,’ she ain ‘What do you think of it?’

‘What do I think of it?’ Quinn said, frowning

‘Yes What do you think of it?’ Magenta repeated, standing up She had everyone’s attention now ‘According tofor their benefit—so surely your opinion matters more than ours?’ She tipped her chin to stare Quinn in the eyes, all the while s pleasantly ‘Would you like to taste it?’ An audible intake of breath rose around her, but before there could be anyshe handed the lipstick over to Quinn ‘You don’t have to put it on You could lick it, or suck it’

Taking her arm, Quinn drew her out of earshot of the others

‘This is a serious trial and you’re a disruptive influence What the hell do you think you’re playing at, Magenta?’

‘Conducting a serious trial,’ Magenta insisted in a heated whisper ‘This lipstick looks as good as the one I use, but it tastes likeso like that twice?’

Quinn’s eyes narrowed dangerously and it took all her strength to hold his gaze without flinching The glint in his eye said she’d gone too far again, but he couldn’t argue with her ive you the benefit of the doubt this tiht from here on in No jokes No double entendre Don’t try any more tricks Understood?’