14

“Are we? Is the idea of holding my hand or saying the words ‘my boyfriend’ so abhorrent to you that you would rather walk away from a good thing?”

Her voice rose. “You want me to call you my boyfriend?”

Her reaction amused me. I fell back on the bed, laughing. “Of everything I said to you, that’s the thing you react strongest to?”

She grinned, looking abashed. “Sorry. This has come out of left field.”

I pushed up on my elbow. “No, it hasn’t. It’s been simmering below the surface for a while.” I swallowed. “I’m not asking you for a lifetime, Dee. I’m asking for right now. Knowing we’re together, as lovers at least, would help me.”

At least, for now. I didn’t add.

“How?’

“I like control and order. All the undercover stuff is wearing.”

“You are very controlling when we’re in bed.”

I kissed her bare shoulder. “You like it.”

“I like order too.”

“I know.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Nothing changes except a label, right? You aren’t suddenly going to expect me to be at your beck and call? Or tel