`` of course , i thought it might ha ' just been the effects of spending four months in a monastery , without benefit of female companionship , but then that ride through the dark together '' -he paused to sigh theatrically , neatly evading my grab at his sleeve- '' with that lovely broad arse wedged between my thighs '' -he ducked a blow aimed at his left ear and sidestepped , getting a low table between us- '' and that rock-solid head thumping me in the chest '' -a small metal ornament bounced off his own head and went clanging to the floor- '' i said to myself ... '' he was laughing so hard at this point that he had to gasp for breath between phrases .