Hello, people. First of all, I want to say I intend to maintain the super-chapters routine – a lot of information in each one of them.

It means I know where this story is going, but I don't know how many chapters I'll need to get there – I want every thing very well settled before going on.

Thus, you better review when you feel that sudden urge to do so – no refrain from your desires. Any details you can point out will be useful in this kind of mega-writing project.

The marriage

Chapter 2: Revising the clauses

CC was prepared for a lot of things, when she proposed to Niles: she wondered if he would say no; if he would make jokes at her; if he would be disgusted by the idea; if he would not believe her and would try to use the situation for a practical joke.

And, of course, there was the possibility of him not believing her, making jokes, being disgusted by the idea, saying no and using the situation for a practical joke – all at the same time.

He was brilliant enough to find a way to do it.

That is why, when they stepped out of the mansion and he made her stop with a hand on her arm and murmured a soft 'Miss Babcock', she thought it was the beginning of the nightmare, took her arm away and started talking first.

'Listen to me, Mister Clean! I don't know what you are planning, but I will never forgive you if this involves any degree of humiliation of my person! I have made you a proposition and the least I expect from you is a mature attitude!'

'Well, I…'

'I have dismissed my own prejudices over relationships to try something different and I chose you, of all people, because you seem to be the cleverest person in this house, but I swear I'll kill you if you let me down now!'

'But I…'

'I talked to you in front of people that will never let this go, so you must know I was serious, and not…'

'For God' sakes, you baboon, let me talk!'

She went on in the same fashion, 'Oh, now I know you're with me! You were scaring me here!'. Then she calmed down and smiled brightly, 'Yes?'

Niles looked at her as if she had gone crazy, but decided it was not worth discussing now, and adopted a calmer tone himself, 'Would you mind if we let the rings for tomorrow? I think there are a lot of more urgent little things we should discuss'.

'I understand your affection for little things, once you are not a big man, but what can be more important to an engagement than rings?'

He rolled his eyes, 'There are some details that must be taken care of when two people are going to share a life, you silly woman. I'm not surprised you were never introduced to them, with your lack of capacity to appreciate other people'.

'I'm waiting for your awesome suggestions, once you are very experienced in matrimonial things', she waved to a taxi.

He put his hand on her arm again, 'We are going to the grocery shop, now. We will buy the ingredients, so I can make us dinner, tonight', and he added as an afterthought, 'And yes, I am a lot more familiar with matrimonial things than you'.

'Yes, I forgot you are Maxwell's housewife', she noticed the hand on her again, and decided to ease on him. 'We could buy the rings now and have dinner out, later'.

'No, no, no. I am a good cook, I know you like my food, and we need all the time in the world to talk and get used to each other'.

A taxi stopped and she seemed confused, 'Why the trouble?'

'It won't be any trouble, Babs. I love cooking for the important people in my life, and the conversation is meant to be pleasant'.

'Praising your fiancée again?'

'You can bet on it', he smiled at her and murmured, 'Dismiss the taxi. The occasion is special and we can walk together to the grocery'.

'All right', she waved the taxi away and turned to him, so they could start walking side by side. 'You intend to cook for me at special occasions? I could get used to that'.

'I intend to cook for you at any situation that presents itself'.

'Aren't you a romantic?', she just half mocked.

'Of course I am', he looked at her in doubt, 'I hope you like it. We both know your life can be better compared to terror movies than to romantic ones, but I am sure I can show you the pleasures of old-fashioned romance, once you decided to dismiss your prejudices over relationships and chose me', he smirked at her.

She smiled, 'Once you got it right, amuse me, Romeo: what happens now?'

'Oh, how glad I am that you picked a character from a tragedy to represent a lover'.

'Be as you want, Rochester', she saw him nodding his head in appreciation for the change of nickname and, especially, by the reference. 'What do we do now?'

'We plan our first night together'.

'Terror, romance and now porno. You are a Blockbuster shop!'

'What? Oh, you baaad girl', he winked at her, 'I mean our first official date – the dinner and the conversation… So we can make things properly'.

'I'm starting to think the key word for old-fashioned romance is not romance…'

'It is a good moment to point out that I am a proper gentleman, once you are not used to it and couldn't recognize one if it slapped you on the face'.

She laughed at his choice of words, 'Villain characters in suspense movies usually are proper gentlemen, too', she pretended to be shocked, stopped walking and put her hand on her chest, 'There will be poison in the food!'

Niles stopped and turned to her, 'It would be stupid if I was to be discovered so quickly – I would be the one giving you food after so many years of solitude, and then your lifeless body is found. No one would believe it was a coincidence, and they could finally decide you're really dead, this time', he went to her side, took her hand from her chest and put it down as if her mocking gesture annoyed him. Then, thinking better, he made her link arms with him and started walking again, defying her silently to question the arrangement.

She didn't question anything – she found it devastatingly cute.

CC resumed the conversation, 'I have a lot of enemies. How would the Police be sure it was you who did it?'

'You are right: I suppose some of your enemies would even be proud to declare themselves guilty, in this case', he patted her hand and let his linger there for more time than necessary, 'I promise you I will think about it with care. Maybe tonight is the night, baby'.

She chucked, and Niles smiled at her, enjoying the fact they were walking side by side, arms linked, and she seemed happy to be with him.

Niles felt good about doing this very well known trip with someone for company. He bought groceries alone, usually, and he was sure the experience would be very interesting with her by his side.

Of course, she probably would have some resistance to it, so he had to give her some space to complain, 'I suppose you agree with my plans, once you are not kicking and trashing'.

'Oh, Niles, sweet, naïve Niles', she looked at him with an exaggerated sweet smile, 'If I was against it, the charges for murder would already be on me, by now'.

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The time spent in the grocery shop was surprisingly enlightening to CC: they decided what to have for dinner together, he insisting in making some of her favorites; he accepted she paid for it, once things would be in her penthouse; they exchanged some jokes about him being such a housewife and her, such an insensitive creature, and so on.

She was very glad he knew all of her favorites and wanted to prepare them for her, but it was impossible seeing him all excited about finally finding 'the basil he was dying to have for ages!' without a good laugh and a zinger.

When he just pouted, slightly offended, holding the pack to his chest and throwing back a quick, 'You have no idea the things this baby can do', she couldn't help but take his chin on her hand and answer, 'Luckily I will soon discover'.

She pretended she didn't notice the twinkle in his eyes, even when he bought some whipped cream and told her it was on the list of things he would use to surprise her – thus, no explanations.

It seemed they had started a surprisingly smooth companionship. Of course, all of this was very new, both were used to nasty things coming from the other, and now they had to get along and take decisions all the time… She had the experience from watching her parents fight and get a divorce – she knew things could get ugly.

Even Maxwell and Sarah, who were very happy and had Niles to meddle into the worst conflicts, would have their bad days.

CC was more than resigned to the proverbial bumps on the road, when Niles and herself were concerned.

The question that was in her head now was: where were the damn bumps?

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Niles was cooking while both sipped a good wine in her kitchen.

CC was impressed by how comfortable it was: he moved around, getting used to the places where things were, and they talked about their activities for the next days, making sure they had clear which were the next steps to turn this deal into something functional.

And she observed his moves and how well he could fill a white shirt and an apron.

At some point Niles mentioned he wanted to meet CC's maid, who came over three times a week, in order to organize better her schedules, and CC made sure the rings would not be put away again the next day, once they were discussing schedules.

'If I didn't know better', Niles said, his eyes fixed on the sauce he was finishing, 'I would say you're anxious to mark me as your property'.

'Of course I am. I don't see the point in wasting time once we have an agreement'.

He threw her a doubtful glance.

'Oh, come on, you must be somewhat familiar with the idea of ownership – all children put their names on their things, even in the most insignificant ones', she smirked, 'When you have a property, it is not wise to let it without the proper identification'.

He shook his head in amusement, 'You know, Miss Babcock… You are treating this situation as a business deal, but it doesn't change the fact it is a marriage'.

'And?'

'And marriage means physical intimacy. This kind of thing cannot be stipulated in a contract, or gained through external signs of… ownership'.

'Oh, I see what your pointing at', she sipped her wine and got serious, 'Niles, we are getting surprisingly along, what is already more than I had expected, but I would never have asked you if I were not sure that we will be comfortable with each other when we get intimate. I have everything planned'.

He started preparing the dishes to put them on the table, 'Care to explain how you can plan such a thing?'

'Of course not', she followed his hands while he was preparing the small table for the both of them, 'We enjoyed every time we had physical contact – when we danced, the times you took my coat at the door, when we kissed', the way he easily arranged everything made her sip more wine to hide some of her arousal while observing his moves during her list. The fact he added a rose to the arrangement didn't help her to feel less excited.

Niles stopped and looked at her, their eyes locking, 'I can't deny I kind of enjoyed both of our kisses. Even if in the first one you were not really kissing me'.

There he went again with the grouchy tone when Maxwell was concerned, 'How do you know I was not kissing you?'

'Oh, please! We were talking about Miss Fine in a kissing contest and you thought it was Mister Sheffield behind you'.

'Yes, in the beginning. And then I was very surprised when I smelled you'.

He didn't answer for some long moments, and then went to pull a chair for her. 'Why, you should really have this kin sense of smell. It is natural in your species'.

She sat down, smiling knowingly at the strain on his voice. He was surprised. 'I don't remember you running away from this dog's kiss'.

Niles moved to his place at the table, in front of her, and sat down, 'I couldn't'.

'Why? It is not like I am that strong you couldn't get free when I grabbed you'.

He kept looking at her.

'What? No man's jokes?', she was confused by his silence, 'I destroyed your lame excuse that easily?'

Niles shook his head, 'Do you remember that time when Miss Fine set up a writer with Grandma Yetta…?'

'Of course – that dowdy Williams'.

'Yes, the same. Remember you had ketchup on your face and I said you had cut yourself shaving?'

'Yes, I do. I grabbed your tie to clean my face', she let out her throaty laugh, 'That was funny'. Then, noticing his expression, she realized what he meant, 'You can't go away when I grab you, can you?'

'Never, Babs', he sighed and started eating.

CC smiled at his resigned tone. He really was serious about it. 'Then I was right when I proposed out of shock'. She tried the food and moaned, 'God, Niles, this is fabulous!'

Good, she is changing the subject. 'Why, thank you. I hope I have made enough. Between you and Sylvia I think I may have lost the notion of how much food normal people can consume in a meal'.

His comment made her smile, and they just ate for some time, exchanging brief comments over the food.

Niles was trying to put some order in his thoughts: he was happy to be there, and didn't regret his decision to accept the proposition, but the fact he had just easily confessed how her actions towards him could let him at her mercy was frightening. He had spent almost fifteen years developing strategies to attract her attention and hide his interest for her, and those included zingers, pranks and plain disrespectful words and attitudes.

Some months ago he decided to be a little more carefree, and started to hang around her and let clear he enjoyed it, once she had stopped being eerie silent with suppressed anger at his zingers. She started to reciprocate, and Niles was glad to see she was following his lead. It gave him a sense of security and time to plan the next steps. If he was lucky, in some years he would be sure she was ready to see him as more than the butler, and even as more than a good sparring partner, and he would be able to engage her in a serious relationship.

However, with CC Babcock you must be prepared for anything, and then she barked that marriage idea in the office, and since then his supposed control over the situation went downhill: he accepted her crazy proposition, he seized any opportunity to touch her, he wanted her to accompany him to the grocery store, he insisted on making dinner for her, he had confessed how resistless he became when she was forceful on him.

He was cursed, of course. There was no way he would have any control over anything, here.

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CC was looking at Niles. He seemed distressed.

She knew this situation must be complicated to him. She was surprised he had not asked her a million questions, once he said they had details to discuss.

But probably the details were related to practicing being together… Maybe he was waiting for the bumps to appear, as she was. And the distress must be his way to deal with the fact they were really getting along and she was right all the time about the both of them.

Maybe she should show him she cared. Marriage was about showing you care, wasn't it?

'So', she asked him, 'what worries you?'

Niles finished eating and cleaned his mouth with a napkin, 'I don't know'.

'Come on, Butler Boy. You can tell me'.

He made a little pained face she knew he had when he was ready to mock someone that disturbed him, 'It probably has to do with the fact that I never gave you any reason to think of me as a partner, and now… here we are'.

'Surprised?'

'You don't know how much. Especially because just so recently you gave any indication you saw even a good sparring partner in me'. Great – now I am saying out loud my thoughts.

'I thought I had made myself clear, there in the office', CC finished her meal, too. 'I've been alone for a long time, Niles, and I'm tired of it. I wanted to solve the situation, and when I thought things over, you were perfect husband material for me. The sparring partner thing is a lot of fun'.

'However, you have pointed many times that I am just a butler. How this is not a problem all of a sudden?'

'Of course it still is a problem. My family and society acquaintances will laugh on my face, and the rest of people that fear me will laugh at my back'.

Niles frowned, intrigued, 'So, what am I doing here?'

'I weighted the options: being alone and pathetic and maintaining my head up high when people make snarky commentaries on my lack of a personal life, or being personally satisfied and having you by my side to make snarky comments on other people's stupid misconceptions when they try to mock us'. CC sipped her wine again. 'See my point?'

'It really sounds like a lot of fun', Niles agreed, a dreamy smile letting her know how much he enjoyed the idea of them against the upper-class world.

'You have nothing to worry about. As I said, I gave this a lot of thinking'.

He decided to tease her, 'Maybe I never really believed you could be that rational'.

'Don't forget I am a business woman'.

'I don't. That's exactly why I'm surprised: the kinds of you usually dislike risky business'.

'Well, not me. Once I had a very interesting experience with a scene from that movie…'

'I was not talking about the movie… Oh. You mean that…', he finished his wine in one swig, suddenly nervous, avoiding eye contact. 'I was surprised when you just walked away to the office, and then acted as if nothing had happened'.

'What could I do? You were so ashamed of yourself I took pity on you'.

'As if…'

'As if what? You ashamed or me taking pity on you?'

'Me ashamed of my own schemes and you taking pity on anyone. Pick'.

She chuckled, 'You know, Niles, that little show of yours made me look at you through new lens', she let her eyes go from his eyes to his chest and back again, slowly enough to make him understand what she was implying, 'When you are not being disgustingly aloof you are an interesting man…'

He was surprised by her change of tone – from mischievous to playful – and let his frustration show, 'I beg your pardon! I am not aloof!'

'God, you should hear yourself…'

He realized she was right and made a face, 'It is the British accent. Sometimes it makes things sound different from what we mean'.

She grinned, 'Then I will make things clear, once we have kind of a language barrier, here'. She put her glass on the table, 'I intend to get closer enough to you, even if your accent makes you seem a bit untouchable, your behavior makes you seem crafty, and your appearance makes you seem… aloof', she finished with a smirk.

'What am I, now? A druid? Because I almost could hear old and ancient in this list of peculiarities'.

'No, in fact, no. You are older than a lot of things on Earth, but you don't seem that old all the time. I wish I knew how you manage that. Is it a chemical thing or a curse?'

Niles smiled at her use of a term he was thinking moments ago, 'I will not share the secrets of my brotherhood, no matter what you have to offer me'.

'It doesn't matter. We witches have some good tricks to extract confessions. I'll take my time when the opportunity comes'.

Niles took a deep breath – so much for being all open to her about his weaknesses. Ne had a façade to maintain, after all, 'Do you really think I'll be such a fool and be vulnerable to you?'

'Well, we will share a bed. At some point I'll have you asleep and into my reach'.

'Maybe I will never fall asleep while sharing a bed with you'.

She smiled at that, 'Better'.

Niles licked his lips. Suddenly, this conversation was getting very, very intimate, very, very quickly. He found an urge to pretend he was not quite certain about all of this. 'I'm surprised you don't find the idea disgusting'.

'Torturing you? Why would that be disgusting?', she winked at him, keeping the lightness of the moment.

'You will have to touch me', and he blushed at the trembling of his voice.

'You don't know how the idea of having you under my power is arousing'.

'I already know how you like to order me around'.

'Yeah, but now I am not talking about the things we are used to. Now I mean some brand new physical things'.

Niles let his tie loose and opened the first button of his shirt, 'God preserve us, but I feel hot'.

'There is nothing to be ashamed about. Menopause is a medical condition'.

'If you don't want to steal one more of my jokes you could at least say Andropause'.

'I don't care. Menopause seems as good as Andropause, in this context'.

'Well, you should know'.

'Which of them?'

'Now you got me confused', both laughed at that, happy they could share the humor in the zingers. When their laughing subsided, Niles felt bold. 'I think I'll need more evidence before I can decide which one suits you'.

CC sobered and got up from her chair, 'I'll be glad to provide', and then she was out of the room.

Niles was open mouthed for some moments, and then he got up and followed her. She was already at the sofa in her living room, sitting and smiling. He frowned at her, 'For how much time have we been doing this?'

'This what?', she observed him sitting at the other end of the sofa she was in.

'Flirting', he seemed confused, 'I mean, we have done all of these things before – the hormonal jokes, the ordering around games, the zingers about being old and disgusting…'

She waited for him to finish his statement and noticed he seemed really disturbed. 'I don't know… but I like it better when we don't have to hide it'. She got closer to him, 'Now I can say whatever I wish, and you must answer back in character, and both of us know what it really means'.

'Do we?', he asked, turning to her as if he needed to be prepared to receive her.

'Don't we?', she was very close, now.

'It depends', Niles put a hand on the side of her face, and his eyes went to hers, 'What is in character, now?'

She leaned on his touch, 'It is doing what makes the other feel all hot and bothered'.

He smiled, 'Oh, I see… You know, I often feel like this when you are near me in the mansion. I think I can manage the torture in new scenarios', his hands were on her hips, now.

She smirked, 'Well, we are not in the mansion, now – we are all alone, I'm really very near and I don't see you managing', her hands were on his shirt, palming his chest.

'Oh, really?!', his breath was ragged.

'Mmhum'.

'You are right', and he got closer to her, making great effort to do it slowly.

They kept eye contact, and it was clear both were really invested in the moment, trying to be delicate about something that was menacing to drive them crazy.

CC met Niles half way, and was surprised by how much in tune they were: he pulled her to him, his hands taking her by the waist, while she put her hands on his shoulders, wishing she could have him molded against her.

Soon her hands went to his back, and his to her thighs. Every move tentatively brought them closer, and no one was enough for the need of taste and feel and have the other that was dominating them.

The contact of lips with lips and the dance of the tongues were so amazing Niles found himself leaning instinctively into the sofa and supporting his back on it, to give her more space to act; CC seized the opportunity to straddle him, her knees on the sofa, her hands on his hair and face.

The blonde producer felt an irresistible urge to create some friction, and the butler helped her by grabbing her ass.

They kept this game of exploring the other's body and pleasurable spots for a while, and then CC stopped her hands and went forward enough to reposition herself, so she had access to murmur in his ear, almost out of breath. 'I told you I had all planned'.

'I see', he shuddered when she licked his ear, 'It is a foolproof plan, indeed'.

She looked him in the eye, 'We really want each other, don't we?'

He just nodded, talking a hand from her rear to put a lock of hair behind her ear.

She smiled at his tenderness and they exchanged some light kisses.

'Well, almost-fiancée', he sighed, 'What are we going to do?'

'About what?', she was distracted by his eyes looking adoringly at her. It was a new feeling for her.

'I need to go home'.

'Why?', she couldn't help but sound a bit disappointed.

'We have to buy the rings, tomorrow, and I intend to offer a dinner at the Sheffield's to make all of this official. It will be a long day for the both of us'.

'God, you are really old-fashioned'.

'Told you so', he smiled at her. 'But really, I want to make it special. They are my family – in a way, our family; they must be included in this'.

'I have included them when I proposed to you in front of them'.

'I know and I thank you, Prince Charming, but let me do this my way'.

'Oh, ok, Ol' Blue Eyes…'

He tickled her, 'Hey, I thought old would not make a list about me, remember?'

'I changed my mind! You such an outdated…', and she giggled the rest of the sentence.

'Liar! You just forgot every word we have said, you hag!'

More kisses exchanged.

'You must stop it', he murmured when she gave him access to her neck and started moaning under his lips. 'I must calm down before going home, or I'll make a show of myself'.

'Don't you dare making this kind of show without me being around', she answered, her fingers messing with his hair.

'You are not helping me, here'.

'I never intended to. It is payback, baby'.

He chuckled, 'Touché'. Then, he cleared his throat, 'Really, Babs, let go of me. I have to do something to clear my mind'.

She looked at him, curious, 'Like what?'

He furrowed his eyebrows in concentration, 'I know! I'll wash the dishes!'

'No way you are going to stop this to be all domestic on me', and she grinded on him to make her point.

'Oh, God, stop that!', he closed his eyes and breathed deeply. 'How can I turn you in a decent woman when you act like this?'

'All right, you win', she said and slowly got up from him. 'Even if I think it is a bit sexist'.

Niles opened his eyes and took her hand in his, looking softly up at her, 'Don't get me wrong. I really wish we had a traditional courtship, because…', he blushed, 'it is my way to show how much I care, and how different from other men in your life I want to be'.

CC sighed, 'Ok, old man, I'll let you be the princess you have always dreamed of', she let go of his hand – the gesture was too sweet for her taste. 'But I'll make all the jokes I want, about it, forever'.

'Till death pull us apart, darling', Niles sent her a grateful smile, getting up from the sofa and putting his hands in front of his trousers.

'You know', she smirked at him, 'It will be very difficult to hide it'.

'Why, thank you. No more jokes about my little spatula?'

'Oh, I will keep doing them, even if I know they are far from the truth. It will help to scare the concurrence away', she said and went to the kitchen.

'All business-like again, uhm?', he followed her, took the apron he was using before and put it again.

'You are really going to wash the dishes?'

'Of course. I was serious about going home, and I was serious about calming down'. He went to the table and turned to the sink with the plates in his hands.

'Ok', she said, fetching the rest of the things for him. He thanked her and started working.

CC kept observing him, and fantasies of him in her kitchen assaulted her. She was having trouble accepting the fact he was not going to stay the night: they had been teasing each other for almost fifteen years, and she saw no reason why she couldn't take his clothes off right now…

'I like it when you wear just a white shirt', she declared, suddenly, making her best to engage him in some sort of conversation that took her away from her thoughts.

'Uhm?', he turned to her, surprised by the topic of conversation, and then noticed her hot gaze on him and decided to play along, 'Really? Why?'

'It puts your shoulders and chest in evidence. With suspenders it is even better'.

'Oh. Glad you like it', he turned to the sink again. 'It is not always I can let out part of the suit, but I'll keep that in mind. And, for the record, I'm glad you don't have to use an uniform, so you can choose what you wear in a daily basis'.

'You like my fashion choices?'

'A lot'.

'It is not that surprising, once your other option is Nanny Fine', she noticed her own disgusted tone and was surprised to realize it was very similar to the one he sometimes used to talk about Maxwell.

He didn't notice her annoyance and kept washing the dishes and talking as if it was a neutral subject, 'Miss Fine has a very peculiar taste, of course, and your cases are different. She likes to be looked at by her figure and joyfulness, while you really know how to dress to show power, beauty and elegance'.

CC smiled at how easily he praised her. She made a mental note of always asking important questions while he was attending his domestic duties, once it seemed to let his tongue loose. 'And you? What do you like to see me wearing?'

'I like your taste in clothes in general. In fact, I think you had a bad phase around the time Miss Fine arrived, with all that large blouses. Then you were back to your well tailored business clothes, and all is well since then'.

She nodded, 'I felt like I should wear something that made me seem more conservative, but then I realized I had money enough to buy things that could, at the same time, show my figure and be classy. I must confess seeing Nanny Fine parading those horrendous things made me invest on a more personal style'.

'You do it very well', he commented, drying his hands and turning to her, 'I like the shirts and V-necks you wear. In fact, every thing with a generous neckline becomes you…', he frowned, taking off the apron, 'You are really a mean woman, you know?!'

'In fact, I know', she answered, hugging him, 'But why do you mention it now?'

'Because my situation here was almost solved, and this conversation is bringing it back'.

'Aw, poor baby…'

'You are incorrigible', he made an effort to not grin, but it was almost impossible, 'I must get out of here, you witch'.

She gave a step back and made a surrender gesture, 'All right, if I want those rings to be picked early, and if you will make the adequate preparations to a dinner that will made Fran Fine want to die in envy you must go home', she went to take his coat and gave it to him. 'This is big enough to hide your little friend'.

'We have already established it is not little', he said, taking the coat.

'We have already established I will still make jokes about it', she smirked and dialed to call a taxi.

The minutes they had to wait for the taxi were spent in each others' arms, once Niles realized the coat was really big and there was no way he could calm down with his fiancée being all sexy around him.