"You won't drop me." It is a declaration of faith and a challenge all at once. A dare. If he succeeds in getting them to the bed, the reward is kisses. If he fails, the punishment is kisses. It all works out marvelously for her, as far as Kate is concerned.

"No one in the house but us," she adds, dropping her mouth to nip and kiss his jaw, then his neck. "We can do whatever we want." Which they have done so previously, occasionally with extravagance, but it still causes her a thrill.