Good. I have finally stunned her quiet.
I help her down from the desk, keeping my hands at her waist until her feet are steady. She sways anyway.
My hand flexes.
“Natalie.”
“I’m fine.”
“You are a bad liar.”
“But I am an excellent secretary.”
“Yes.”
The praise hits her again. I see it in her face, and the urge to pull her back against me turns sharp enough to hurt.
I release her and step away.
“Lesson one is over.”
She smooths her dress with hands that are not steady. “And did I improve?”
I look at her mouth, her hair coming loose, and the desk where I almost took her.
“Yes.”
Her smile is small and dangerous. “Good.”
That single word from her mouth makes me want to start all over.
I turn toward the door before I do.
“Go home, Miss Mullen.”
Her eyebrows lift. “That’s it?”
I look back at her.
“Before I change my mind.”
Her eyes widen.
Then she gathers what is left of herself, lifts her chin, and walks to the door on legs that are not as steady as she wants them to be.
I let her reach the handle before I speak.
“Natalie.”
She turns.
“Tomorrow, we practice in public.”
Her throat moves. “Public?”
“Dinner.”
“With people?”
