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She nodded slowly, tilting her head ever-so-slightly as she studied him. "Okay. Maybe I will," she said,

He pointed a finger at her. "Nope. We're not going back to that topic. None of that. No psychoanalyzing. I don't care how beautiful you look. That's not allowed."

Elena smiled slowly. "You were the one who brought it up again,"

"Stop it."

The smile spread even further, wide enough that her white, even teeth showed behind her pink lips. Clearly she was really enjoying teasing him. He huffed. "Let's go inside, okay?"

"Okay."

Her agreement was too quiet, too pleased with herself, and that made him swear. "Be careful while you move. Some of those flowers have thorns?"

Elena's eyes glowed. "Thank you for caring. That's incredibly...sweet ... of you."

"Fine. You know what? Do whatever you want. Get scratched by one of them, see if I care." He leaned toward her, "And don't come to me for help when you get bruised because you didn't take me up on my practical, logical suggestion to stay