Dierdre snorted. "I have to lay on my side," she pointed out. "The only way to lie flat these days is on my back, which is hardly conducive to rubbing." She sat down on the edge of the bed, and made a very big show of taking off her slippers.

"So then I'll curl up to your back." He slipped around behind her, kneeling on the bed with his arms around her shoulders. "I'm going to end up begging, aren't I?"

She reached back, and slid her hand into his hair. "Would you like to beg?" she asked. "So far, I think I've been much too compliant to suggest begging would be in order."

"I actually enjoy begging. I just don't think it's ever been an issue between us." He caught her under the hips and gave her a gentle heft into his lap.

"I don't know," Dierdre replied. "You've begged me a little. Now and then. But I'm terrible at saying no," she pointed out. "I mean, when there's no reason to."

He chuckled. "What? It's easy. It's not like saying flat 'no.' It's just making me wait a little."

"Yes, but I don't see the point," Dierdre replied. She reached for one of his hands, and brought it to her mouth, kissing one of his fingertips before sliding it between her lips.

His breath hitched, mostly in surprise. He smiled at her. "Just . . . go with me on this, all right?'

Dierdre laughed. "Am I supposed to say yes or no to that?" she asked.

He laughed along with her. "See? That's the spirit." He cupped her breasts in both hands and drew her back against his chest. "What do I have to do to get you to go along with this?"