The night air grew steadily colder, the biting wind cutting straight through to the skin. "If you have nothing left to say, you should go to sleep. It's almost midnight."
His deep, low-timbered voice cut through the silence, instantly shattering her train of thought. "Are you forcing me now?" she challenged, her chin lifting defiantly as she locked eyes with him.
"If that's how you want to take it, then obey. Don't make me resort to harsher measures."
A cold laugh escaped her lips. "And if I refuse you bedtime order? What exactly are those 'harsher measures' you speak of?"
"We sleep together in my arms. Care to try?"
"No! Absolutely not."
A faint, knowing smirk spread across his face. "Then wrap this up and get into bed. Unless ... you'd rather we take this straight to the mattress, Miss Fortunata."
Without another word, she turned and marched back into the bedroom. "I'm going to change. Don't you dare follow me!"
He merely offered a slow nod. "Be my guest."
