His smile reappears, sly and sharp, and when he speaks, his tone matches it. "Had to check."

He leans forward, mirroring her pose and looking her dead in the eyes, and all that shyness and hesitation has vanished so completely that it might never have been there at all.

"You're a clever little bumblebee, aren't you, Carol? Nobody's gonna pull one over on you, no sirree." He chuckles, never breaking eye contact. He wonders when the last time was that she was properly kissed. A long time ago, he guesses. He wonders what she's like in the sack. "You're far too smart for that."