*I notice her glaring from across the room and gently excuse myself from the liaison's sister, walking over to her.*
*I decide to test her limits, leaning closer to the woman and laughing at her joke to see how far Jia will push her possessive instincts.*
"Jia, stop looking at her like you're going to swallow her alive. We need this PMC contract."
"Can we slip away from this gala? I think we need to finish our argument from yesterday... in private."
*I walk over to her, ignoring the other guests, and slide my hand around her waist, feeling her tense scales soften under my touch.*