"I don't think of it as luck or chance, Miss (l/n). The harder I work the more luck I seem to have. It really is all about having the right people on your team and directing their energies accordingly. I think it was Harvey Firestone who said, 'The...
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"That was really nice," I whisper, smiling coyly.
"There's that word again."
"You don't like that word?"
"No. It doesn't do it for me at all."
"Oh – I don't know... it seems to have a very beneficial effect on you."
"I'm a beneficial effect, now am I? Could you wound my ego any further, Ms (L/n)?"
"I don't think there's anything wrong with your ego." But even as I say it, I don't feel the conviction of my words – something unavailable crosses my mind, a fleeting thought, but it's lost before I can grasp it.
"You think?" His voice is soft. He's fully clothed beside me, his head propped up on his elbow, and I'm not wearing anything.
"Why don't you like to be touched?"
"I just don't." He reaches over and plants a soft kiss on my forehead. "So, that email was your idea of a joke."
I smile apologetically at him and shrug.
"I see. So you are still considering my proposition?"
"Your indecent proposal... yes, I am. I have issues, though."
He grins down at me as if relieved.
"I'd be disappointed if you didn't."
"I was going to email them to you, but you interrupted me."
"Coitus Interruptus."
"See, I knew you had a sense of humor somewhere." I smile.
"Only certain things are funny, (Y/n). I thought you were saying no, no discussion at all." His voice drops.
"I don't know yet. I haven't made up my mind. Will you collar me?"
He raises his eyebrows.
"You have been doing your research. I don't know (Y/n). I've never collared anyone."
Oh... should I be surprised by this? I don't know. I know so little about the scene...
"Were you collared?" I whisper.
"Yes."
"By Mrs. Hotchner?"
"Mrs. Hotchner!" he laughs loudly, freely, and he looks so young and carefree, his head thrown back, his laughter infectious.
I grin back at him.
"She would have hated that. I should tell Emily about that."
"You talk about those certain things regularly with her?" I can't keep the shock out of my voice.
"Yes." He's serious now.
Oh... and part of me is suddenly insanely jealous – I'm disturbed by the depth of my feeling.
