"Oh dear," he murmurs, only slightly feigning concern. "Suddenly hostile negotiations sounds like the better of our two occupations."

Well. Former occupation, at any rate. "I'll have to start surreptitiously bringing food to you, nudging you until you eat, just so that I'll leave you alone again. And then dragging you off to bed. Tell me, Senator," he leans forward with an intense look, his voice deepening in seriousness, while a smile plays just along the edges of his mouth. "Are you susceptible to taking bribes?"