Thinking that she’d managed to chip away at my resolve to go ahead with the plan, she’d pressed her argument even as my eyes glazed over with lust, “So I think we should call your friend Jack and come up with another plan. One that doesn’t involve you sitting in a box with a couple of vicious criminals, surrounded by thugs and guns.”

Somehow, when the reality of what I was about to do was described starkly by my darling Harley that way, the knowledge of just how large the risks I’d be taking by going ahead with the plan had stricken me hard. My mind had snapped back into its place and I’d resumed arguing my side.

“Honey. Love. Baby,” I’d responded in as calm a voice as I could manage, changing tactics. “I’ve never done anything like this, so believe me, I wouldn’t do this if there was another way …”

“This is crazy, Aerin!” she’d cut in as she’d clenched her fists. “Even if I were to temporarily lose my mind right now and accept the bizarre logic of the plan you’ve sketched out, why do you need to be the one to do this?”

She’d bitten her lower lip as it started to tremble.

“Because I can, honey!   Somehow, things came together at this point in time, and I’ve been given the chance to help the good guys get those people,” I’d answered, and then had covered each of her balled-up fists with an open palm. “This is the best option we have right now to put all of that behind you forever.”  There. Refute that, honey.

As her hands had gradually relaxed, she’d shaken her head from side to side as her tears fell. She’d continued to protest, “But this is my past Aerin…”

“And I hate to say that it’s catching up to you, baby,” I’d responded gently. “I agree this is crazy … on paper … but I’m sure you’ll see that it makes sense once you step back and look at everything.”

She’d blown a breath out and had gripped each of my hands urgently. The flash in her eyes had turned from temper to concern and anxiety as she’d reassembled her argument. Ever the lawyer, even when she was naked, and sexy, and distracting, and smelled faintly of sex and her unique blend of aquamarine and bergamot and citrus that wafted out of her like a lit-up scented candle.  I loved aquamarine and bergamot and citrus.  Her body tempted me with hints of pleasure I’d only begun to explore last night….