She squinted, certain she’d misunderstood, and waited for him to laugh. Only, he didn’t. “I’m lost. Are we discussing revenge or sexual congress?”

“Both.”

That reminded her of Clay’s plan to ruin her father. She had hoped, over time, during her association with Clay, to convince him that Duncan Greene was a good man. Could she sleep with a person determined to harm her family?

“If we do this, will you abandon your plans of revenge against my father?”

“No.”

One word, said with such finality that her stomach sank. There would be no changing his mind. “Then I cannot. I would never forgive myself for being intimate with someone intending to hurt my family.”

“One has nothing to do with the other.”

Did he honestly believe such nonsense? “That’s absurd. Of course they do.”

He crossed his arms over his chest, the black topcoat pulling across his shoulders and biceps. “If you think to push me into a corner, Florence, I have to tell you, I will not be pushed.”

“I am not pushing you. I am merely expressing my opinion. And I won’t sleep with a man attempting to ruin my family.”

“I am not trying to ruin your family. Only your father.”

“Now you’re splitting hairs.”

He growled deep in his throat and stalked to the fireplace, where he propped an elbow on the mantel. The fire popped and hissed as the moment stretched. They were at an impasse, and Florence had no intention of bending on this. How could she? While she might occasionally engage in reckless behavior, she loved her family.

“Does it help if I tell you that it’s not life threatening or physically harming? That I don’t plan on ruining him financially?”

Hmm. Yes, she did find that somewhat reassuring. Not enough to drop the subject, however. “So why not tell me what you’re planning?”

“Because I won’t. It’s a risk I am unwilling to take.”

She drew herself up. “Then sleeping with you is a risk I am unwilling to take.”

His eyes narrowed, the scars on his face twisting in his displeasure. “I don’t care for games, Florence.”

“Funny, coming from a man who owns a casino. And I am not playing a game. I am being honest with you, mister eye-for-an-eye.”

“Not entirely honest. You want to sleep with me.”

“I never denied that. But intimacy is about trust, which we do not yet have.”

“Don’t we?” He pushed away from the fireplace and thrust his hands on his hips. “Do you have any idea of the trust I’ve placed in you? I’ve told you and shown you things hardly anyone knows. People would kill for the knowledge you’ve gained in this club.”

She hadn’t thought of their lessons in such a way but she supposed he was right. “Fine. You trust me, but I do not trust you.”