“Good morning,” he drawled. She straightened her shoulders with the silent reminder that she had to be as distant as he was. “My lord.” He gave her an indulgent smirk. “As much as I like to be referred to as your lord, I think we’ve gone far beyond those empty platitudes. You have called me Ethan several times.” He hesitated and tapped his chin. “Actually you moaned it once. I prefer you call me that while we are alone together.”

“And then his voice echoed through my head. Merit. He silently called my name, even as he stood beside her. Liege? I answered back. His eyes glinted. Don’t call me that. There is nothing else for me to call you. You are my employer.That is the deal we’ve struck.”

“She gave his hand a small squeeze. "Jason, if we're going to try this then I'd like totake things slow." He frowned. "What I mean is nothing beyond the level we were atlast night." She worried her lip between her teeth. "What I mean is no actual sex."He narrowed his eyes on her. "But, you'll still sleep with me naked and let me do ahundred other naughty things to you?" he asked in a serious tone."Yes."He brushed his lips against hers again and moved back a few inches to look into hereyes. "And you'll still cook for me and call me Master?"Her lips twitched. "Yes to the cooking and not a chance in hell for the other."He sighed wearily. "Fine, how about Lord and Master?""Uh...no.""God?""Nope.""My liege?""Wait.....no."He gave her one of his lopsided smiles. "I'll wear you down eventually.”

“Hey, Lauren?” he called, and she stopped so abruptly her bag slid off her shoulder. She caught it at the last second and turned, her expression taken aback.Del smirked. “Don’t be so surprised that I know your name. You’re not as invisible as you think you are.”She closed her mouth, looking at him. “I’m not gonna stop calling you Red, though” he added casually.”

“He clenched Nix's shoulders. 'Why did you hesitate? I saw you hesitate!' He shook her until her head lolled, while she grinned and said, 'Wheeee!”

“She hesitated. “I’m not sure I understand.”“Don’t you?” he asked. “You changed my heart, Rachel.”She felt her throat constrict, making any reply impossible.“Rachel?” Her silence rarely made him uncomfortable, but this time he had no clear view of her features and no way to gauge her reaction. He wondered if he should have made a more straightforward declaration. “Did you hear me say I love you?”She turned her cheek into his shoulder. “I heard you.”