Claudia took a moment to recover, then nodded acquiescence. "Forgive me. It was perhaps overly cruel."

Still, the reaction hadn't been entirely without promise. It wouldn't be the first time a few doubts of true motivation hand helped bring someone over. She found her balance again, half kneeling on the plush bed.

"I am yours to command, of course." If he wanted to change the game because of her poor choice of words, she would let him.