There are things that can break through the deep mire of denial and the line that Cougar's vowed never to cross. When Jake presses his hands to his waist, he has the good grace to think that at least he's not the one who's shirtless, because Jake's big thumbs on his sweaty, bare skin might be a step too far.

As it is, his brain stutters and stalls a little, his ankles still bound together by the leash and his lower height tipping him into Jake's arms so he has to look up. Swallowing back something in his throat, he's not sure what he should say.

"Creo que podríamos necesitar para hablar."