[ The change in his voice is noticeable, but thankfully Nami's too busy mentally kicking herself for that misstep. The worst part is, for the sake of running a con like this one, it shouldn't feel like that. It should feel like one more seamless facet of a masterfully crafted facade, instead of making her heart beat faster for a second too long.

The compliment about her good qualities he comes at her with does her no favors, either. ]

I know. [ No matter what this stretch of conversation is doing to her, Nami refuses to let it show, acknowledging her good qualities with the same flatly matter-of-fact tone she wields for most occasions. Never mind the breathlessness that hangs on the edges of those words, or the veiled way she toes the line in the aftermath. ] You're one of them. [ Nami tilts her chin up and lets her lips brush his jaw before she slips away from the hand on her hip, taking a few steps away from the bar before her hand reaches back and catches his. She's not oblivious to the glances she's getting, but she's far more focused on the way he notices them, too. ]

Come on, bodyguard, you can keep grabbing my ass while I'm winning berry. [ The casino's not far from the bar, and already she's tempted to get to work fast, if only so she can drag him off sooner. ]