Game On.

Anything

Cat wriggled out of his arms. "No, I told you, we can't do this."
"Yes, we can." Said Julian, grabbing her waist.
"No, we can't!" She pushed him away roughly.
He grabbed her and pulled her close, wrapping her in his arms and burying his face in her hair.
"But kitten, we can. This is our own little pocket of time and space. No one can find us here, not my sister or your friends or anyone I don't want."
"You can do that?"
"Here I can do anything."
Cat looked up into his face. "Anything?"
"Anything. Anything you want."
"Send me and my friends home."

Julian scowled. "No."
"No?! What do you mean, no?!" Cat was angry. "You said anything I want, that's what I want!"
"I can't, they're in Talitha's game, I can't do anything like that without her. I'm bending the rules now, having you here."

Cat glared at him. "Then send me back, I'll get them out myself."
"NO!" Julian roared.
Cat flinched.
Julian closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose, calming himself. A few seconds passed before he opened his eyes again. He placed his hands on her shoulders, drawing his face level to hers.
"No. You can't go back. I can't protect you out there, Talitha's already suspicious. She knows of my interest in you. She'll take it out on you in the most terrible way she can think of, and believe me, she can have some very twisted ideas."
"I can handle myself. I've made it so far."
"Most of that was me. I helped you. I kept you alive. But if I sent you back, I wouldn't be able to anymore. I would be damming you to torture at Talitha's hand. And I won't do that."

Cat thought for a moment, processing this. Then a curious look crossed her face.
"You like playing games. Why don't we make a bet?"