Disclaimer: The events that will transpire are intended to entertain you, the reader. If you feel that these events are highly unlikely or purely stupid, it's because it is meant to be. Hence why the genre is humor. In other words, don't be trollin'. Enjoy the chapter!

Rated T cuz Mer's a big perv. You are warned.

Thanks for the reviews, everyone. Sorry for the wait; you know, life happened, and in between doing projects and drawing naked people, things get pretty busy.

XIII. The Baker, Very Lucky

I had quite the dream that night, and for the sake of not awakening my inner pervert, I shall not recall every detail. Let's just say that the events within my dream were very improper and it would be just plain rude to mention them in the company of such an esteemed audience as yourself. Which brings me to this question: Why was it so easy to forget a dream you really wanted to remember, but when it came to the one you wanted to remember, it was very simple to forget?

As I dressed in front of the vanity and ignored Maylene's light snoring, it was hard to not think about my possible psychosis. I had plenty reason to believe that I was slowly losing my senses. My eyes saw Sebastian behind me, ears hearing him whisper sweet nothings into them. I felt the faint tickle of his breath ghost across my cheek…

I shook my head frantically. Stop it, Mer! That dream was a fantasy illustrated by your inner pervert's childish mindset. It would never happen, and I shouldn't expect it to! Even though that was what Sebastian seemed to want from me, I'd never give it to him…no matter how hard I'd fallen for him.

"That's where you're mistaken. Mer's soul might not be marked as my territory, but as long as she remains in my sight, she still belongs to me," Sebastian declared tauntingly, gently clutching my shoulders. He lowered his face next to mine and dragged his tongue up my cheek. "Her heart, her mind, and eventually…her body."

My mind brought up one of my last moments as an arrogant child, the memory of the butler's words bringing heat to my cheeks. There was a part of me that believed that what he said was just for show, an excuse to brag in front of Claude Faustus. He didn't seem to like the other demonic butler, saying that the imposter had resorted to the tactics of a common burglar before.

But had he meant what he said?

The second part of me, more dominant than the last, had asked that question many times before. Few other females would stop and consider this for themselves prior to tearing Sebastian's clothes off his lean body. Great. Now, the image of his half-naked body was standing behind me, smirking playfully and taunting me with his "I-bet-you've-never-lusted-after-for-a-figment-of-your-imagination-so-hard-before-now"grin.

A yawn thankfully broke through my psychosis. Maylene was awake, faulty glasses already placed on the bridge of her nose. She was such a weird woman.

"Good morning, Mer!" she cheerfully greeted, then blushed at my somewhat exposed figure. "O-Oh, I'm sorry!"

I was so distracted, I didn't even notice that I had barely put on my corset. I quickly dressed, not really caring that she inadvertently took a look at my practically non-existent chest. Elizabeth had more figure than me. I wondered absentmindedly if the reason behind my not caring was because it wasn't Sebastian who stole a glimpse at me. I sighed.

"You can look now, Maylene. I apologize for not going to a more private place," I said to the maid, who still hid her head hidden underneath her sheets. I didn't bother waiting for her to surface. Instead, I headed out in the hall. Before I could get any more to mull over my current circumstances, I was on my back-hell, I guess I could say for old times' sake-and not even in a way I'd like.

Pluto's eyes were bright-no, they were actually dull, this time. He whimpered nonstop, nuzzling his nose into the crook of my neck. What had happened to him?

"Pluto," I cooed, running my fingers through his shaggy hair. "What's wrong?"

"Y-Your brother t-tried t' pet me!" he almost bawled, holding onto my shoulders. Oh, so Creux was here. I bet he was back to being mean again once I had failed him in conquering Sebastian. I pried the dog-man away from me, soothingly rubbing circles in his back. He calmed himself as I stood on my feet. I traveled the rest of the hallway and went down the stairs.

"Ah, very good to see you again, Sebastian," I heard Creux say, unabashed at the casual flirtatious edge his voice gave. "I assume that the Young Master is asleep, so I'll let you pass this message to him. Is this acceptable?"

"That is fine," the butler replied.

"Well, my father wishes for Mer to end her stay at the Phantomhive Manor in five days."

"I apologize for prying, Lord Sullivan, but what is the reason behind Mer's sudden withdrawal?" Sebastian asked, with just as much curiosity as I had.

"My father is a heartbroken man, Sebastian. It hurts him to know that he had let money get in the way of seeing his daughter," my brother explained, much dramatics put behind his words.

My father being a "heartbroken" man was only half-right. He had been heartless. I mean, anyone who would force their daughter to reimburse their amount of shame felt at a family function could be considered that, right? Other than ridiculous.

"Thank you, Lord Sullivan. I shall give your sister this message as soon as possible," Sebastian said, bowing his head slightly as Creux let himself out. He closed the door, turning in my direction. "I trust you heard that, Miss Sullivan."

I guess I couldn't hide from a demon. I freed the tension from my body, relaxing my shoulders as I approached. I kept a healthy distance between us.

"Yes, I did. My father isn't the type to admit he is wrong, Mr. Sebastian," I said to the butler, wringing my hands together in a nervous habit.

"There is a first time for everything," the black-haired man answered, smiling slightly. He started following me as I walked to the courtyard. "His daughter ought to know that."

Something in me snapped. I whirled around furiously, staring up at Sebastian with angry eyes. I just couldn't take him…stringing me along like this. It was driving me crazy, not being able to win an argument against myself! I was going to get to the bottom of his behavior, hoping that this would be my first and last confrontation with this man.

"Mr. Sebastian, just what do you want from me? Is there something I should want from you?" I questioned relentlessly, a hissing fury in my voice that only seemed to amuse the demon even further.

"I have nothing to offer you, Mer," Sebastian argued silkily, stroking my face with the back of his gloved palm. I knocked it away, ignoring the inner pervert that screamed at me for my seemingly "stupid" action.

"Yes, you do," I hastily replied, causing the butler to sigh. He worked the bridge of his nose, as if he had a developing headache. He took my by the hand, mistaking what my words were really implying and that angered me even more. I snatched it from him. I know what you're thinking: "C'mon, Mer! It's Sebastian! If you don't take him, I will!"

First of all, don't you think I know that! I'm suffering here, constantly arguing with myself ever since my choice to give up my usually dogged way of pursuing the man I thought I had a chance to be with. I…wouldn't feel right taking his offer. Yes, leave it to the perverted baker girl to have morals.

"That…is not what I want," I (painfully) admitted. There was a shocked look on his face, like it was pure blasphemy to refuse a custom-made Sebastian-bashing. I guess he wouldn't be used to anyone resisting him.

"Then…what do you want?" he interrogated, perplexed.

"An explanation…why do you torture me like this, Sebastian? With your act? You didn't bat an eye at me when I was more…forward," I censored. "Did you really mean what you said that day when we were investigating that case?"

A moment passed, prior to Sebastian responding.

"I can assure you that it was no act, Mer. I am very sure in my abilities as a servant to my master. However, when it comes to actually pursuing those I have a specific interest in, I am forced to explore past my usual means…"

"Try being more simple," I said, trying to decipher the somewhat vague answer.

His grin was teasing. "Humans are interesting, even in routine. You pursuing me was a part of your routine, often clashing with my duties as a butler. I thought that if I ignored your advances, you'd go away." At my traitorous face's wince, he chuckled.

"But you had far much tenacity than any human I'd ever met, beside that of my Young Master's. To make things more interesting, I started to reciprocate your behavior. Unfortunately, you chose to start avoiding me, instead of give in, like most human women tend to do. Usually, when that happens, their feelings seem to disappear and I am content with that. Obviously, you were different, and I must say that making a demon fall for you in turn is something I…respect."

His gaze was positively honest, if not a bit mischievous. I couldn't believe what I had heard. Sebastian…falling for me? The inner pervert scoffed, as if to growl It was that simple! Well, it took me almost questioning my sanity, but I felt very accomplished. The butler and the baker…hmm, a very good story title if I do say so myself.

I cleared my throat to stop the cry of joy from escaping my lips. So Sebastian fell for me because I had stopped falling for him? Or it was interesting that I rejected his amorous advances? Whatever the case, I was glad to get things "cleared up." To be honest, I was more confused now than I had been earlier.

"I know that you're mostly devoted to the Young Master, so you can act whichever way you see fit towards me to continue making things…interesting for yourself," I allowed, glancing at my feet. Even though it was a whole lot creepier when he came onto me, it made him happy, right? My butler-wow, it's actually been a while since I last said that-smiled, holding out his hand. I took it, thinking that he wanted to shake on our agreement. He brought my hand to his lips, kissing it.

"Remember: there is no going back, my dear," he crooned cryptically.

"Why do you say that?" My eyes went wide, seeing a familiar glow in his eyes.

"Because I'm one hell of a lover."

A/N: Aw, Lord! Hey, guys. There's a poll on my profile. Please vote! Review!