" I’ll let you help.”
When he smiled broadly, because he was getting his way, she cut through his robin-breasted satisfaction.
“But there are conditions.”
He laughed. “You’re putting restrictions on a gift given to you?”
“It’s not a gift.” She stared at him with dead seriousness. “It’s only until I find some kind of work, not my dream job. And I want to pay you back.”
He lost a little of his satisfaction. “I don’t want your money.”
“And I feel the same way about yours.” She folded her napkin. “I know you’re not hurting for cash, but that’s the only way I’ll be okay with this.”
He frowned. “No interest, though. I won’t accept even one penny in interest.”
“Deal.” She put her palm out and waited.
He cursed. And cursed again. “I don’t want you to pay it back.”
“Tough.”
After his mouth performed some intricate f-bomb acrobatics, he put his hand in hers and they shook.
“You drive a hard bargain, you know that,” he said.
“But you respect me for it, right?”
“Well, yeah. And it makes me want to get you naked.”
“Oh…”
Ehlena flushed from head to toe as he slid off his stool and towered over her, cupping her face in his hands.
“You going to let me take you to my bed?”
Given the way those purple eyes of his were shining, she was willing to let him take her down on the damn kitchen floor if he asked. “Yes.”
A growl rolled up out of his chest as he kissed her. “Guess what?”
“What?” she breathed.
“That was the right answer.”

-Ehlena & Rehv "

― J.R. Ward , Lover Avenged (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #7)