"Me? Worried?" Almost gasped, fingertips fanning all the more across his collarbone in a feigned show of surprise— that bleeds neatly into a dark, predatory grin.

"Absolutely."

And then, another switch flipped, his tone suddenly light. Amused.

"Because if an axe happens to come down, I'm going to miss seeing that pretty little head of yours resting neatly on those shoulders when you take all the blame, like a true hero."