“Why don’t you just do it yourself?” he asks.
“No. She knows nothing of my powers, and I intend to keep it that way. I made a promise to myself that I would never use it on her. Even now, and I don’t want her unwilling,” CK says with a huge sigh.
Sebastian snorts. “Yeah, I understand that feeling all too well. I don’t see how this would be any different though.”
“Your gift can bring her around slowly, so she comes to the decision for herself. If I do it, it is sudden and crushing.”
“Hm, fine, I will help you. But what do I get in return?” Sebastian says with a glint in his eye.
“Not her,” CK growls at him. “I said persuasion, not fucking.”
“Now I know I can get her into a position to be persuaded but that usually leads to fucking,” he says innocently.
“Oh?” CK barks at him.
Sebastian taps his neck. “She knows now. Has tasted it. She will crave it, but I will crave her too.”
CK thinks it over and relents. “Once in a while. Not every time. If I find out you are taking advantage, I will end you this time. I already told her that was your plan, so she will probably be expecting it.”
“What? Why would you tell her that?” Sebastian asks in disbelief.
“She wanted an explanation and I couldn’t tell her the truth, not then. She didn’t know.”
“Why did you have to tell her anything?”
“She called it rape. I had to explain it away somehow why I didn’t kill you for it.”
“Rape?” Sebastian asks in horror. “Shit. Shit. That’s what she thinks?”
“She said you violated her. Which you did, by the way,” CK growls at him. “I know you had your reasons, but you should have gone after someone else.”
“Fuck. She never said. I explained my reasons to her, and she just accepted it,” he says.
“What? When?”
“We had a few moments alone before the whole bathroom incident earlier. I wanted to tell her why I did what I did.”
“And she just accepted it?”
“Seemed to. But now she knows that one of us is lying.”
He sighs. “Let me deal with that. Are you in or out?”
“Oh, in,” Sebastian says happily. “Although, I can’t imagine she will go for it that easily. She didn’t last time.”
“That’s where you need to be creative. She is weakest when she is Xerxei. Convince her to Shift.”
“Just like that?”
“She already knows you find that form sexy. Just go with it,” CK grumps, not at all happy.
“I’m sure I can persuade her to, but I really think I need more of an incentive,” Sebastian says confidently.
“What more? You already have my permission to be with her,” CK says quietly.
“While that is a prize, I’ll admit. Even though it’s her actual husband’s permission that would hold more weight.” Sebastian goads him.
CK growls at him again. “Even better that he doesn’t know. Maybe the guilt will help her leave him. Or better yet, he finds out later and leaves her.”