"Not at all," Ellie said smoothly, carefully hiding the smirk that tried to steal across her features. "But there is more than one way to learn what a man tastes like, you see. ...Don't worry about reciprocating. We can always work something out later, if need be." The exchange of favors was a game she knew very well, but she was accustomed to trading for much higher stakes.

On a sudden thought, she added, "Or perhaps you could pay me back by accompanying me on a shopping trip sometime. There's an appalling lack of fashion sense around this place."