“We need a code word.” “A code word?” I croaked. “A word that you can say, and I’ll freeze and then back off. If I do anything that scares you or makes you nervous, just say…oh, hell, I don’t know. Say ‘purple elephant,’ and I’ll be totally under your control.” The corner of my mouth twitched. “Purple elephant?” He shrugged, a faint blush tingeing his cheeks. “I was trying to think of something you probably wouldn’t say in daily life.”
