She pushes the teacup away and lifts her chin, her jaw set hard. “And I’m not going to recuse myself from the story.”

“I don’t think you should recuse yourself.”

“Good. Because I don’t need to. I didn’t know who you were when last night happened, so I wasn’t sleeping with a subject then. And now that I do know, we’ll proceed as if it’s business as usual. Plus, I could wind up covering your company or your sector on an ongoing basis for this magazine, or honestly, for any publication, so it’s best if we just move on.” Her tone is all-business, no flirting, and no soft underside.

I nod in agreement because, hell yeah, do I agree. “Business as usual means I also don’t sleep with people I work with.” Though, to be fair, I’ve never confronted a situation where I considered sleeping with a reporter covering my company. Nonetheless, I get that it falls in the same Very Bad Idea category as sleeping with a business partner, investor, banker, or lawyer.

I haven’t done those either.

See? I do deserve a lollipop.

“Besides,” she adds as she lifts her teacup, “I can’t risk this story. I have bills to pay, and I need this assignment . . .” Her voice trails off in a waft of desperation.

And the red warning buzzer goes off.

Money troubles.

She needs money.

Instinctively, my hand goes to my back pocket, covering my wallet. I’m a generous guy. I donate to charity, I’ve funded scholarships at my alma mater, and I have no problem sharing the wealth.

But it’s good I’m learning her deal now. If she’s mentioning money this early, then how would I ever know going forward if she likes me for me? I wouldn’t. It’s good the universe is looking out for me, giving me this info before I fall harder for her. Last night was one night, one moment, and that’s all it’ll ever amount to. I need to be ruthless about who I let into my heart.

“I have your halo still,” I say, cool and businesslike.

She waves a hand dismissively. “I don’t really need it.”

“So I’ll just toss it?”

“Sure,” she answers, then furrows her brow. “But I do like the headband I used. Can you just hold on to it for me, and I’ll get it next time?”

“I’ll bring you the headband.”

“You can just toss the other parts.”

That feels fitting. I’ll dismantle her halo, trash the fake money, and bring her the only part that matters. Just rip to pieces the thing she left behind.

There’s one more item she discarded though.

I finish off the tequila, then reach into my pocket. “Here are your panties.”

She stuffs them into her purse.

Like I said, I’m no Prince Charming.

Dirty or clean.

Prince Charming would have gotten the girl. Dirty Prince Charming would have found a way to take her home again, spread her out on the bed, and take her all night long.