“We’re both grown-ups, Landon. Any fantasies, or desires, we might have can be controlled, yes?”Unlikely at the moment with the way she keeps coming back at me so succinctly. I’m about ready to bend her over something and teach her some manners. “And if you think I’d put my career and reputation at risk because of a fling, you’re very much mistaken.”

“A fling?”

“Yes. Were you thinking it was something else?”

“No, but—”

“Actually, what we did didn’t even count as a fling. More like a lesson in stress relief, at least for me. Not really that memorable at all.” She gets up, running her hands down her skirt to straighten it out in such a way that suggests anything but professional. “Thank you, by the way. For the …relief. You walked away before there was any time for pleasantries. Or anything more.”

She chuckles and begins to turn, making me look directly at an arse I haven’t yet slapped.

“Are you suggesting I’m not capable of more?”

Her head swings back, eyes focused on mine. “You’re the one saying it won’t happen again. Or have I got that wrong?”

We stare, both of us knowing exactly what’s about to happen if I don’t, as she says, control my desires. It seems I don’t feel much like controlling them at all, as proved by me getting up and rounding my desk.

“Lock the door.”

“Mr Broderick, I believe that would be a policy infringement.”

“Alright. You choose then. Lock it, or leave. The offer of investigating my capabilities won’t be on the table any longer than this room if you choose the latter.”