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What e do when he’s done? Will we continue to play? Or will he drop the act, pull me to the bedroom, and touch me? I want both options--I especially want him now that I know I’ll feel every inch of his skin--but I want to keep playing evendown every bite with long gulps At first, I wonder if he’s nervous and just hiding it well But when he puts his glass down on the table and gestures forhow far I’ll go serving hilass, he says only a quiet "Merci," and then returns to his food

The silence is unnerving, and it has to be intentional Ansel may be a workaholic, but when he’s hos, he chatters, he ers I realize I’ht--it is intentional--when he ss a bite and says, "Talk to ain, but unlike refilling his wine, he knows this one is e

"I had a nice day on the job," I tell hi over his shoulder at limpse of hesitation in his eyes, as if he wantsI did today, and truthfully, but can’t while we play

"Cleaned for a while over near the Orsaythen near the Madeleine," I ansith a s our code He returns to his food, and his silence

I sense that I’, but I have no idea what to say Finally, I whisper, "The envelopeood"

He pauses for a h for me to notice the way his breath catches My pulse picks up in my throat when he carefully wipes his mouth and puts his napkin down beside his plate, and I can feel it along the length of my arms, deep down in my belly He pushes back from the table, but doesn’t stand "Good"

I reach for his empty plate but he stops me with his hand on my arm "If you’re to remain my maid, you should know I’ll never overlook the s"

I blink, trying to unscra for

"I understand"

A tiny, playful s ertip run up the inside of h Every sensation is as sharp as a knife

"Then let me help you understand," he whispers "I like that you fixed your mistake I like that you served me dinner I like that you wore your uniform"