Every impulse screamed for her to agree. But was she being hasty? This decision required thought and consideration. Clay was a man, not a bumbling youth at a society ball. Perhaps this was how these things were handled, with a clearheaded discussion between mature adults. Wasn’t her family always complaining she was too rash?

And there was her purpose to keep in mind. A relationship with Clay didn’t help to open her casino. However, it might help her father. Would he really continue his plans to ruin Duncan Greene if he was involved with Florence? She didn’t believe so. Clay was not a cruel man, at least from what she’d seen. He could be harsh, and he didn’t let anyone push him around, but he was fair.

She cleared her throat. “What would that mean? No more lessons?”

“The lessons remain a separate issue. I’m willing to mentor you for as long as you wish, regardless of what happens between us.”

Well, that was a relief. “Speaking of lessons . . .” She reached into her skirt pocket for the money she’d tucked away earlier. Withdrawing the bills, she placed them on his desk. “There you go. That’s everything I owe you to date.”

He didn’t spare the money a glance. “So?”

“I . . . don’t know.”

“Because there’s someone else?”

“No! Goodness, no. Is there someone else . . . ?” She waved her hand to indicate him.

His mouth twitched as if he was amused. “No. There’s no one. There hasn’t been for quite some time.”

Interesting. Annabelle wasn’t his lover, then. “So like an affair?”

“Yes, I suppose, if you need to label it.”

“What would you label it, then?”

“I’m not sure I should say the word in polite company.”

She smirked, enjoying this playful side of him. “I thought you were no gentleman—not to mention you’ve already said that particular word before in front of me.”

“So I have. If it helps your decision, I’m also disease-free and still in possession of all my teeth.”

That caused her to laugh. Would he next brag about his stamina? “You certainly are tenacious when you want something.”

“You have no idea.” He straightened and closed the distance between them. “I cannot get the other night out of my head. I’m desperate for more of you. And I feel it’s worth repeating that I’m a very private man. No one will ever learn of what happens between us, if anything.”

She figured as much. Clay was a mystery to most New Yorkers, including his employees. Discussing his personal life seemed very uncharacteristic. Which reminded her. “Yes, you’re private. So private that I hardly know you.”

His dark eyes glittered as they stared down at her, a thousand secrets buried in their obsidian depths. “You know more than most anyone, save Jack and Anna. You know enough.”