Eleanor snorted in derision. “He’s not that altruistic. Not when it comes to me. He thinks you’ll fuck me until you fall for me. Hook, line and sinker and then when I go, you’ll follow.”

“I’ve grieved in this jailhouse every day for three years and he thinks I’ll be in love with you in a week?”

Eleanor shrugged and looked away from his face and into the fire. She started when she felt Daniel’s fingers slide under her hair and touch the nape of her neck.

“I don’t know,” Daniel said. “Maybe he’s right.”

He bent in and kissed the sensitive spot below her ear, misdirecting her attention as he took her plate of lasagna from her and set it aside.

“But I wasn’t done,” she pouted, no longer hungry for anything but him.

“Yes, you were.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Lay down on your back.”

“Very yes, sir.”

Daniel smiled down at her once she’d positioned herself on the plush rug by the fireplace.

“You could at least pretend to be intimidated.”

“No offense but I’ve had scarier gym teachers than you. And remember who I belong to,” she said, not really wanting to remember at just that moment. “He makes you look like a floppy-eared fluffy baby bunny.”

“Ouch. Not even an adult rabbit but a baby bunny.”

“Yup.” She reached up and grazed his cheek. He really was unnecessarily handsome.

“That bad, is he?”

Eleanor shook her head. “That good.”

Daniel laughed. “I keep forgetting who I’m dealing with. The Queen of Kink.”

“I’m a trained submissive. More like King’s Consort. I’m not worthy to hold actual rank,” she said with a wink.

“Well, I’m honored to consort with you.”

Eleanor gave him her best wicked grin. “Then consort with me already.”

Daniel grinned back. “Yes, ma’am.” He looked her up and down and something changed in his eyes like he suddenly had a very good idea.

“Where are you going?” Eleanor asked when Daniel stood and moved to leave.

“To get supplies. Stay.”

Eleanor stayed flat on her back in front of the fireplace. She closed her eyes and wondered what sordid things Daniel did to his wife on this rug. She opened her eyes and saw Daniel standing over her. He sat a tube of lubricant and a towel on the floor by her hip. Deliberately he began to roll up the right sleeve of his shirt.

Eleanor didn’t have to wonder anymore.

“You’ve got to be kidding,” she said, her heart racing.

“Does it look like I’m kidding?” Daniel dropped to his knees. He eased her pajama pants down her legs and tossed them aside. With a flourish he unfurled the towel and slid it under her hips.

“Surely he’s done this to you before,” Daniel said.

“He has...on special occasions.”

Daniel pried her knees apart. “Consider this a special occasion. Now are you intimidated?”

Eleanor took a deep breath. “Yeah. Happy?”

“Very.”

She took another breath and stared blankly at the ceiling. She flinched at Daniel’s first touch. “Sorry. That stuff is cold.”