To say that Valeria had become an expert at kicking him in the calf was an understatement.

“Shit! You are like a goddamn soccer player!” Nick snarled at her.

“Are you really asking me to sleep with you in exchange for helping me?!” Valeria shouted at him.

“And you wouldn't?”

“Yes... but under strong protests!” she declared.

“Yes, troublemaker, I can imagine your protests. But I didn't say anything about sleeping together, that's just what your dirty little head imagined,” Nick raised a mischievous eyebrow, and Valeria's expression softened.

“Well, now. Stop nagging and tell me what you want, Bennet.”

“Ooooh, Bennet! That's what you're going to call me when you're mad at me?” Valeria pumped her fist impatiently, and Nick pouted. “OK, OK! I want a kiss.”

Nick could have sworn that what he'd seen in Valeria's expression was disappointment, so he took advantage of that.

“One kiss a week. I want a kiss a week,” he declared.

“Oh…”

“Disappointed?” asked Nick flirtatiously.

“No, of