When he’d created another pile of papers he smoothed down his shirt and reassessed the situation. She wasn’t asking for him to seduce her. Apparently, they were past that point, which was flattering. She was demanding that he compartmentalize his feelings for four weeks and then abruptly end an “affair.” They could skip the formalities of courtship, have illicit meet ups, and go their separate ways. Someone like his friend, Chris, would jump at the chance to have a fuck-buddy like Victoria. A smart, sexy woman, who just wanted him for his body? It could be an entertaining proposition. “Do you have any more terms?”

Victoria nibbled her bottom lip before answering. “In our allotted time together, I’m up for almost anything,”

John almost did a double take. Just so there isn’t any confusion... “Please expand.”

“Do I have to?”

John leaned forward, resting his elbows on his desk. “While you were plotting out our schedule, you didn’t bother to think about your desires?”

“I was hoping you’d surprise me?” She gave a nervous cough as she shifted in her seat and crossed her legs.

He shook his head. “So you want a structured, well-planned passionate affair? Is this oxymoron more or less what the duke would agree to?”

She appeared to think about it. “The duke had some questionable ideas regarding consent that I think we should avoid.”

“I imagine that goes with the time period.”

“Right.”

“And what else?”

Her face reddened again.

“I can’t agree to what I don’t have full understanding of, Dr. Reese,” John said. He found himself already enamored by her demure demeanor. It appeared almost anything could make her blush. He wondered what brushing his fingers along the inside of her thigh would do. “Tell me what’s on your lists of wants.”

She appeared to think about it. “Alright... I’ve never done it in a public place. I wouldn’t mind that.”

“Noted.” He was already plotting.

“I’ve never done phone stuff either.”

John licked his lips. “You mean phone sex?”

Victoria nodded.

“Nor have I,” he admitted, his eyes darting to her lips. “But I now find myself motivated to try it.”

“I’m not a fan of anything too rough,” she said in a stronger voice. “Like choking or spanking.”

John felt his own face redden. “Got it,” he said with a cough. “So a softer approach then?”

“But not too soft,” she added quickly.

Her list was making him a little hot under the collar. Beneath his desk, he adjusted his jeans and gave another cough. “Right, not too soft,” he repeated in a husky whisper. “Anything else?”

“I prefer condoms, but I am on the pill—” she paused, “—so, if one of us forgets while we’re, you know, in a public place or whatever, it won’t be a crisis.”