a leather notebook tucked under one arm, her expression carefully blank. She wore a suit again, this one navy-blue and cut to hint at her curves, but her hair was slightly mussed, and he could see, as she came closer, dark circles under her eyes. Perhaps he hadnât been the only one watching the minutes tick by last night.
âMorning, Josie.â
âI need to speak with you in private, if you can spare the time.â
Trent maintained a poker face. âHey, Max, Iâll be in the back for a while.â
Max looked up and nodded, while Trent told himself not to get too hopeful about Josieâs presence. Sheâd probably been up all night working up a payment planâand not the sexual one he hoped for, either.
He led her down a hallway cluttered with boxes and sports equipment, then through the door to his small office.
âHave a seat.â He motioned to a giant baseball-glove-shaped chair, restraining a smile as Josie hesitated for a moment before perching herself on its edge.
Trent pulled out his desk chair and turned it around to straddle it, then realized his mistake when he took in his prime view of Josieâs legs. His position pulled his jeans tight and left no room for certain changes that were bound to take place if he kept staring up her skirt.
She cleared her throat, opened her leather notebook and removed a piece of paper. That was when he noticed her shaking hand.
âIâve given your offer a great deal of thoughtâ¦.â
Oh, yeah?
âAnd Iâve come to the conclusion that it could be a mutually beneficial arrangement if we both approached it in a serious and professional manner.â
âSo, you want to have serious and professional sex lessons?â
âIâI would like our relationship to be a professional one, but for the sake of the lessons, Iâm sure weâll need to assume whatever mood is appropriate for the occasion.â
âYouâve got a way of making even the tawdriest scenario sound boring, you know.â
Her nostrils flared, the only sign that she didnât appreciate his observation.
âSorry, Iâll shut up now,â he said, forcing a serious countenance. This was almost too good to be true.
âI have some stipulations for you before I can agree to anything.â
âOkay, shoot.â
âAs your instructor, I feel itâs important that I guide and control the lessons at all times.â Her voice wavered.
âSounds reasonable.â
âI choose the subject matter based on what I determine to be the areas in which you need improvement.â
His first instinct was to protest, but Trent bit his tongue and waited. He wanted to hear what else she had to say.
âAnd Iâll need you to complete this questionnaire, so Iâll have a clear idea of your current knowledge base.â She held out the piece of paper, and Trent took it, intrigued.
He scanned the list of multiple-choice and short-answer questions. What is your sexual orientation? Howmany lovers have you had? What percentage would you say have left unsatisfied? Describe your ideal lover. List the five most important qualities you believe you should possess as a lover. Describe your favorite sexual fantasy.
Whoa.
He looked up at Josie, who was watching him, her expression completely serious.
âThis is kind of personal, donât you think?â
âYou did ask me for sex lessons. I canât think of a more personal subject matter than that. If Iâm going to offer the lessons, I need to know you intimately.â
âBabe, you will know me intimately by the time these lessons are done.â
âThis is the kind of information Iâll need ahead of time, if you want the instruction tailored to your needs.â
What the hell. He scanned the questions one more time and decided this could get interesting, considering how ill at ease Josie already seemed to be.
âOkay, letâs go through