"Of course," she replied heavily. "I must be an idiot for trying to negotiate with an accountant."

"On the contrary," the man said, "people in accounting will charge you but not cheat you." He stroked her hip bone gingerly with the tips of his fingers. "I'm only human after all, but I can do things. I have influences."

This last part of his façade faltered a bit, as he said these words almost defensively, and she was sure at this point that she had made a greater mistake in revealing these fantastical desires to him. She turned away from him at this point, her back facing toward him, so he instead began stroking her stomach before she stopped him, feeling an ache in her throat coming on.

"The price, then."

"Be with me for the rest of your life."

RATE THIS BRANCH!