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Ronin stood, removed the popcorn bowl from her hands and set it on the table "No bullshit between us What’s going on?"

"I need a favor"

He kept his face blank and banked his disappointment Why did it always boil down to this? When he’d called TP earlier to ask about the protection business around Blue’s dojo, TP said he needed a favor and insisted on setting up ato discuss it "What kind of favor?"

"You know those supersexy pictures I took of you blindfolded that day?"

"Like I could ever forget that," he murmured

"I know I told you they’d be for my eyes only But I heard from Cherry Starr, and she wants me to do another cover for her Evidently the book has been really popular, and she’s decided to write a series So for the next book, she wants a bound guy on the cover She isn’t in any rush, so I do have tiured it wouldn’t hurt to ask you first"

No, immediately jumped into his head Given his level of expertise in two disciplines--jujitsu and rope bondage--it’d beenized him Especially if they believed he was sub silence distort the mood hadn’t been intentional on his part So when Aet it," and tore out of the room, he realized he’d been so lost in possibilities that he hadn’t answered her

Of course Aed because he intended to say no

But don’t you plan to say no?

Ronin found her at the bar fixing herself a cocktail

"I’ you to drink?"

She shook her head "It’s just been a crazy day And you dragginget the stress ofthe stress reliever I intended to" She pulled out another lowball glass "Want one?"

"What are you oes very ith the salty"

"I’ll pass"

Afterice and creahed

"Look About the photo for the cover"

She held up her hand "Forget I h his hair "I didn’t say no"

"But you didn’t say yes or maybe either Which sounds a lot like no" She took another sip of her drink "It’s fine, Ronin"

"Where’s your folksy North Dakota–isood for the gander?" he proue you I’ll find another way Shouldn’t be hard to find anotherhottie I do find and convince to get half naked in front ofas you"