Inara had made up her mind. She was tired of Mal mocking her work...mocking her. Time for him to get a taste of his own medicine. She knew that, like clockwork, he'd be in the galley for one last cup of tea, having finished his nightly walkabout of Serenity before turning in.

And sure enough, there he was, headed for his bunk.

Mal came to a sudden halt in the narrow corridor when he saw her. More of her than he'd ever seen before, given the rather revealing dress she was wearing. Sweet Jesus, how did that dress manage to hold up her breasts without her completely tumbling out of it? In all his born days, he'd never understand women's clothing.

"Off on a job then? Or just returnin'?" If all else failed, a bit of mockery would cover up just how badly he wanted to make those magnificent breasts tumble out of that dress and into his hands.

She smiled serenely. "Neither, actually."

"That get-up seems a bit fancy just for lounging about on the boat."

Inara looked down at herself, almost as if she had noticed for the first time just how much of her was on display. "You think so, Captain? Really?"

All wide-eyed innocence as if she had no understanding of her effect on men. On him. Except Mal knew better. Knew what she was playing at.

In the next instant, Inara found herself with her back against the bulkhead, and Mal practically pinning her in place, hands on either side of her shoulders. She could feel hunger and need and lust radiating off him in waves. For the first time, she thought perhaps she'd pushed their give-and-take too far, and swallowed nervously.

Mal leaned forward until his lips were right next to her ear. "I know so, Inara. And I know that you do as well, so don't play the innocent doe with me. It don't suit you."

Inara shifted a bit, uncomfortably, which only served to make Mal press into her more, making his desire abundantly clear. "Mal, please, don't..."

He reached up to finger a soft curl of hair. "Don't what? Don't take what I want? Ain't that what bad men like me ar