When Daisy straightened up from the sofa, the muscles in her thighs were still trembling faintly. Without a word, she picked up her dark gray top and pulled it over her shoulders. The fabric clung to her skin, which had yet to lose its flush.
She didn't hurry to fasten it. First, she bent to retrieve her tactical jacket from the carpet, shook off dust that wasn't there, and draped it over her arm.
"President, it's late. I should go. I hope we'll have another chance to work together."
Her voice was still hoarse from earlier. The forced calm in her final words, paired with the red marks that had yet to fade from her neck, gave her away completely.
Yongye stood barefoot beside the sofa. At some point, he had put away the Golden Cloth and returned to his ordinary appearance.
He tilted his head at Daisy's attempt to look composed, a teasing smile plain on his face.
"If we work together again, my demands will be even more outrageous. Are you sure you want a next time?"
Daisy's fingers paused on her jacket zipper.
She looked up at Yongye. Several emotions churned in her light brown eyes: gratitude, curiosity, wariness, resentment, and a trace of resignation at having been played that even she didn't want to admit.
"We'll deal with next time when it comes. Besides, you won't refuse, will you?"
Yongye went to the fridge, opened it, and pulled out another bottle of Iced Coke. He unscrewed the cap and took a swig.
"Not bad. You're perceptive. No wonder you're a promising candidate I've been keeping a close eye on."
Daisy frowned slightly. "Keeping a close eye on?"
Yongye didn't answer right away. He turned and leaned against the kitchen island, elbows on the counter and legs