“But I can’t reach to undo the dress.” She turned, scraping aside her sweaty hair, which had almost completely fallen from the style she’d had it in.

“Of course.” My voice was gravelly as I slid my fingers along the skin at the nape of her neck, searching for the clasp on the chain. Had it only been earlier that evening I had been fantasising about stripping her out of this dress?

This was decidedly not the way I had hoped it would happen.

“Funny,” she mumbled as I finally found the clasp and unlatched it. She clutched the dress to her breasts, juggling the open bottle of drink and turning, a tiny smile lifting one side of her mouth. “This is not the way I’d imagined you taking this dress off me tonight.”

My mouth fell open.

What?

Had she just … had she been imagining me stripping her bare? Tonight?

“So … does my soul belong to you, now, SJ?”

I dragged my eyes from where her fingers were the only thing keeping me from seeing her breasts. “I … what?” I needed to focus!

But she … had we both been having the same … daydreams?

“The contract? With FiendPay?” She managed an impressively withering look. “I failed your task tonight. I couldn’t finish the meal. Ergo, my soul is no longer mine …”

I shook my head. “As far as I’m concerned, the meal was finished. I lost my stomach for more when you got sick.”

Her brows raised, her lips parting. “So … what does that mean?” Her voice was breathy, and her fingers slipped just slightly, the dress dropping lower on her chest.

I cleared my throat, refusing to let my eyes feast on her there. “I consider your task completed. You finished as much of the meal as I, and I had no desire to continue eating. It would be … unfair for me to hold you to a different standard.”

“Well.” She hitched up the dress, her eyes searching mine. “I really don’t know what to make of you, Prince Satan Junior.”

What could I possibly say to that?

I chuckled without mirth. “I don’t know what to make of me, either, right now.”

She coughed, but I had a strong suspicion that it was more to cover a laugh than anything else. “I’m going to take a shower now. You really don’t need to stay.”

I dredged up the ghost of a smile. “Ah, but I want to, Mouse. At least until I know you’re safe in bed, and well enough to be left alone.”

Her brow furrowed, but after a lengthy pause, she nodded, turning for the bathroom. Just before she closed the door, her eyes found mine again.

“If you’re going to raid my bookshelves while you wait … you might enjoy Devirginised By The Devious Devil.”

With that, she closed the door in my face.