Anything for Her - Complete

Chapter 8

"Guardian Hathaway? Can I see you at my office after your shift ends today please?" Guardian Croft asked, singling Rose out at the end of Friday's Guardian Council meeting. As was customary, Lissa had been in attendance. It had been all the usual political shit, but Rose had been relieved Christian was not present, and therefore neither was Dimitri.

Rose's hopes that working alongside one another would lead to some sort of interaction or opportunity to converse with Dimitri had proven entirely fallacious. If anything, with every new exposure Dimitri became more and more cold towards his former lover. He refused to acknowledge Rose's presence at all. While the first day Rose had seen the telltale signs of silent agitation – a clenched jaw and throbbing of the vein in Dimitri's temple – by the end of the week, it was as though Rose simply did not exist. There was only so much of that Rose could take, so, for now, she was relieved when Lissa and Christian's paths diverged, and strangely enough Rose got the sense Lissa felt the same way.

"Certainly, Guardian Croft," Rose replied, silently shitting bricks. Being singled out by Guardian Croft was rarely a good thing. In the past, Rose had maintained a relatively harmonious relationship with the senior Guardian, although there was no doubt that relations between them had been strained since Lissa's impetuous trip from Court so many months ago. Despite her Majesty having demanded the incognito departure from Court, insisting Rose be her sole security, somehow Hans still blamed Rose for Lissa's actions. It seemed to be a recurring theme.

"I'm feeling tired. I will be returning to my suite for the rest of the afternoon," Lissa told her guard, looking particularly out of sorts. Usually, if Lissa were discomfited, Rose would make eye contact and check whether Lissa wanted to talk. However, Lissa's actions over the week since Rose had returned to work had demonstrated Lissa did not want nor would appreciate such a friendly overture. Which is why Rose was so surprised when they reached the Royal suites for her Majesty to ask Fleur to step outside, and for Rose to join her for a private audience.

"Christian is sick of waiting for us to have sex," Lissa announced without preamble once the door was closed and she and Rose were alone. "I've told him I had to have a small procedure to help us try to conceive, and that's resulted in a long heavy period. I've been doing other things to please him, but it's been weeks, and he wants us to have sex! I told him we'd do it this afternoon..."

Rose stared at Lissa incredulously, honestly lost for words. Was she really wanting advice about her love life and how to further conceal from Christian she'd birthed a child?

"You've read all the books. What did it say about sex after a baby?" Lissa asked nervously. Recognizing there was no point antagonizing Lissa, and that she needed Lissa's financial contribution to Lara's daycare fees, Rose wracked her brain.

"The hormones can make things a bit dry, so they suggest lube the first few times, and also a shallower position. You didn't tear or need stitches, so you should be ok."

"A shallower position?" Lissa hissed, her eyes widening in confusion. "We usually only do it the one way?!"

Rose raised her eyebrows in silent question. Years ago, thanks to the bond, she knew Lissa and Christian always did it missionary, but it seemed ludicrous that in all the years since then, the couple had not experimented beyond that.

"You know. The normal way. Christian on top," Lissa spelled out, flushing in embarrassment.

Rose suppressed a superior smirk. While she and Dimitri might no longer be lovers, at least they'd done it every which way to Sunday. In fact, somewhere in her rooms, Rose had a well-worn copy of the Kama Sutra to attest to the fact!