“Nice touch.” He nods at the candles, and I blush and look at the fire instead, wondering why I added the element of romance. I realise I’ve set this room up for seduction, even if it was not my intention. I planned to suss him out, and here I am, egging myself into something more with him at super speed.

“Well, you need pointers,” I answer dryly, downplaying it all, and it gets me that age-old smirk. I used to hate that cocky smile of his, but it’s growing on me. It’s ...