Page 113

“I’m interested,” he said. “In case I somehow failed to communicate it.”

“The field provided some indication.”

“Strong preliminary findings?”

“I’d need more data.”

His eyes darkened with something that made the joke catch halfway out of my mouth.

I looked at the pen.

Useful object. Familiar weight. No green eyes.

Cash waited until I picked it up.

“What are your limits?” he asked.

There was no lowered voice designed to make the question feel dangerous. He asked it the way he had asked what I needed in the agreement.

That made it easier.

I drew a line across the second sheet.

“Some of these will be obvious.”

“Still want to hear them.”

“No humiliation.”

He nodded.

“No insults. No making me feel stupid for wanting something. Or for not wanting it.”

“Agreed.”

I wrote the words down.

The letters came out cleanly. My handwriting had steadied.

“Nothing public,” I said. “No audience. No photographs or recordings. Not even if you think I look—”

“None.”

I glanced up.

He held my gaze.

“Don’t need a reason.”

I finished the line.

“No marks that would show at work.”

“All right.”

“No surprises involving pain.”

His expression remained attentive.