Page 20 of Inevitable

“Which is why we are meant to spend as much time together as we can. Despite the differences.” Tilting his head toward her phone, he shrugged. “I like the music you’re playing, so I’d say we’re just about perfect together.”

What could she say that wouldn’t lead to a debate? Maybe they were so different that they were perfect for one another. Opposites attracting and all of that. She lifted her fork, started eating the delicious meal he’d prepared and decided to enjoy his company. “Well, you may be right,” she said.

“No maybe, darlin’. I think the differences make things interesting. I mean, if we choose someone similar to ourselves, then it kind of defeats the point of finding a mate. When I was with HRT, I always looked for someone who had the opposite set of skills as me to partner up with. I was damn good at what I did, but I needed someone to balance me out. I think that’s what successful relationships need. Ying and yang and all of that. Two of the same have never made the species evolve and I expect there is some wisdom in that.”

“So, you’re saying together we are stronger because of our differences.”

“Exactly. I can physically outmatch almost anyone. Mentally, I’d say you can do the same thing. I’m bigger, stronger, and faster than you and you’re smaller, more flexible, and more creative than me. What I can’t do, you can and vice versa. Two of the same are rarely the best option in anything.”

“As long as there are enough shared interests to ensure there is some common ground. Bickering and disagreeing have taken down nations, not to mention couples,” she replied.

“‘Pick and choose your battles’ is my motto. What is the thing you can’t compromise on?”

Sitting back, she thought about what he’d asked. That was a hard question and one she didn’t have an immediate answer for. “I’m not sure.”

“That’s actually a good answer. It means that you’re flexible. I know that I wouldn’t compromise on keeping you safe. If I thought you were in danger, there would be no room for discussion. It would be my way and that’s it.”

“Makes sense,” she said. “It’s your career, the thing you’ve trained for since you joined the FBI.”

“If I had to choose one thing, I guess I’d say I wouldn’t compromise on bedding. I know what I like and I don’t want to give it up.”

“You mean like sheets and stuff?” he asked incredulously.

“Yes. I like the nice cotton sheets that have been washed enough to be soft. Add to that delicious quilts and poofy pillows and you’ve got yourself the perfect bed. Scratchy, ugly bedding is not something I’m ever going to put up with.”

“Not sure how my sheets are going to hold up against your exacting standards, so we either have to run over to Target and get what you like or spend our nights at your house.”

“I don’t think that’s anything we need to be worrying about anytime soon,” she said as she picked up her fork and started eating again.

“Oh…yes, it is. Not tonight, necessarily. But soon. You give me a list and I can make sure I have what you like. I’m not going to have the wrong sheets stand in the way of us being together.”

There were a lot of ways to respond to a statement like that and none of them seemed quite right. To deny that she wanted to roll around with him at some point would be a lie. To say that it was absolutely going to happen would be another. Sure, she was attracted to him more than anyone she’d ever met, but what she was going to do with that attraction was still up for debate. “Finish your dinner so we can try my floating island.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he replied with a wink.

His lack of argument didn’t mean a thing. She knew he was biding his time until he could make his next move. The man was a gifted tactician and she knew that whatever he came up with next was going to be a doozy. Hopefully, it would be something she was ready for.

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