“I merely meant to say sneaking around in the dark or slinking out of here at first light is neither practical nor appropriate for women of our respective positions. It’s beneath our dignity, it’ll arouse suspicion, and most importantly, it implies a level of shame I refuse to feel about what we’re doing here.”

She noticed Vic made no attempt to put a label on what they were doing.

“After my divorce”— the word seemed to catch in her throat, but she pushed on— “I had a few interactions with women. The press caught on. Some of their characterisations were wretchedly unfair, and perhaps some others weren’t, but the ordeal was horrible for me, for my whole family, and for the women involved. I swore I’d never get caught off guard again, and I would never allow anyone else to define my relationships. I also swore I’d never again be made to feel ashamed of any woman worthy of my company.”

Sophia’s heart sank, both at the idea of how added press scrutiny could take away from her own narrative and the pain undercutting Vic’s calm, reasonable tone. “How has the proclamation worked out for you?”

“In all honesty, you’re the first woman I’ve shared my bed or my body with since then.”

She sank back into the mattress, wishing she’d known that sooner, or perhaps feeling glad she hadn’t. She sort of wished she could unknow it now. She didn’t want to feel responsible for this woman’s first shame-free encounter, and yet she’d blown through every stop sign Vic had thrown up between them, so she had only herself to blame.

“Hey,” Vic whispered, “nothing has to change, at least nothing momentous. I’m not eager to make any big statements, and I claim no ownership of your time. We both have important work to do, and while I can’t speak for you, I also want to keep open the possibility of more nights like this when the impulse arises.”

She nodded. It would be easier to pretend they could stop now, but she wasn’t one to lie to herself or anyone else about her tendency to take what she wanted. “I agree on all counts, but I don’t see a way.”

“Move into the castle.”

“What?” She scooted to the edge of the bed once more. “Seriously? You have this big speech about not wanting too much and being reasonable and professional all as a lead-up to asking me to move in with you after two nights of fucking?”

Vic’s eyes went wide, and her cheeks red. “I hadn’t thought of it that way.”

“Which part?”