Page 30 of About Love and Revenge

I try changing tactics. “Still, you need to eat.” The plane has reached a safe altitude, so I unbuckle my seat belt and stand up. “Let's go,” I say and reach out for her.

“Where?”

“To have breakfast in the back of the plane.”

She stares at me for a while, then unbuckles her own seat belt. But instead of accepting the hand I offer, she walks right past me, looking angry. I don't like being challenged, but strangely, her defiance pleases me, and I hide a smile.

The fire I see beneath her apparent coldness excites me.

She sits at the table with the grace of a noblewoman, and I follow her every action: the delicate way she folds her napkin in her lap, the way she keeps her posture straight. She's perfect, but I don't want her perfection.That's what she allows the world to see. I desire the woman hidden behind that layer of refinement.

“Let's make one thing clear, Odin. I accepted your job offer, but outside of my working hours, you don't boss me around.”

I keep my face neutral, but internally I find her rebelliousness amusing. “I got you out of your house and I'm going to ensure your well-being whether you like it or not. Eating is part of it.”

“You don't own me.”

Now I can't hide a smile. “I could.”

“Never.”

“Oh, Elina, I have a feeling you will swallow those words.”

“You promised that our agreement wouldn't include sexual favors.”

“I don't want any favors from you. Afavorsuggestssubmission, and that's not what I like. I want your surrender. I want to hear you moan and ask for more. I want you to scream my name when you're coming.”

I see her pupils dilate, which makes me sure of the passion she hides from the world. “You shouldn't say those things.”

“Why? Are you scared of knowing the intensity with which I desire you? Or do you fear wanting me back?”

“I don’t want you. This is wrong.”

“Says who?”

“We’re not friends.”

“Lovers don't have to be friends.”

“That word is hateful.”

“Lovers? Do you know the real meaning? Despite having been vulgarized, lovers are those who make love, who desire one another and surrender themselves without barriers to each other.”

“To make love to someone, you have tolovethem. You're talking about havingsex.”

“I can prove you wrong and we can make love for hours, days, weeks without any feelings involved.”

“People can't make love for days. At some point they would need to rest.” I can see the curiosity disguised by the air of disdain.

“It depends on the stamina of each one and how much the partner arouses their interest.”

“How so?”

“I don't get satiated easily when I have sex, but with you? I know we would spend a lot of time locked in a room.”

She turns towards the plane window. “I’m not interested.”

“Liar.”

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