‘I see. Would you like to take charge of them for me? Is that one of your countless rules and directives? Would you like to know when I take a pill for a headache too or what kind of shampoo I use in the shower or whether I put my shoes on my left foot or my right foot first?’

He looked up, his hand momentarily arrested mid-air, as he calmly waited for her to finish. ‘You forgot to take it, I gather.’ Dropping his hand, he drew the plate of salmon closer.

‘I might have taken it.’

‘Then we wouldn’t be having this conversation.’ He shot her a look. ‘I came in you a dozen times last night. It might be a good idea not to skip one.’ He sliced off a portion of salmon with a fish fork.

‘A good idea for you, you mean,’ she muttered.

The fish fork hit the platter with a clang and he turned to her, his expression incredulous. ‘You’re not actually telling me you want a child, are you?’

‘No.’

He softly exhaled, bit back the vulgarity on his tongue and kept his voice level. ‘Then I don’t see why we’re fighting. I want you to take it, you want to take it. Simple.’

‘I just don’t like orders.’

‘No shit.’ He gave her a vicious look. ‘Keep it up, Miss Hart, and you might get the spanking you deserve.’

‘Promises, promises,’ she purred, derisive and mocking.

She could practically see the switch click on in his brain.

‘I didn’t mean it,’ she quickly said. ‘I didn’t. Don’t even think it.’

‘Then don’t tempt me.’ He stood so abruptly she flinched. ‘Relax. I haven’t spanked a woman in a long time. I’m just going to get your birth control pills.’

‘You don’t know where they are.’

‘I’ll find them,’ he said, flatly. ‘Eat your breakfast.’

He came back five minutes later with the case in hand. Returning to his seat, he opened the container, took out a pill, handed it to her and slipped the blue plastic pod into his trouser pocket.

‘I didn’t say you could do that.’

‘Trust me. I’m more responsible.’ He jabbed his finger at the pill in her hand. ‘Take it.’

‘That sounds like an “or else”.’

‘You’re catching on, Miss Hart. Now take the fucking pill.’

There were fights you could win and those you couldn’t. She took the pill.

‘Thank you. I appreciate your understanding.’

His voice was well-mannered and gracious, his smile couldn’t be improved on for boyish charm and when he softly added, ‘I don’t want you anxious about anything afterwards, that’s all.’

‘You’re right.’ He was, of course. And truthfully, she had forgotten. ‘I shouldn’t be so temperamental,’ she murmured. ‘But I’m having trouble with all your orders.’

He wasn’t about to plunge into another argument about how she responded to his orders last night with a wild intensity that was pure anarchy and incredibly beautiful. How she knocked him for a loop and fucked with his head in ways he’d never felt before. Instead, he cleared his throat, a muscle at the back of his jaw jumped, then he spoke in a voice that was quiet and cool. ‘I know my shortcomings. As you’ve mentioned, control freak, is one of them. Why don’t I try to be better. Would that help?’

Jesus, he could melt her heart with that polished charm. She wasn’t foolish enough to accept it completely at face value. But it was nice of him to try. ‘I’ll be less confrontational as well. Nana always said I should mind my manners. As you see, I haven’t listened very well.’

‘It’s one of your many charms. Don’t worry about it. I can hold my own in a fight.’

She rolled her eyes. ‘The understatement of the century. I’ll never forget those two grown men collapsing in their chairs in Singapore.’

‘Speaking of Nana, have you called your grandmother lately?’ he asked, preferring some other subject, grateful to be beyond personal issues he’d rather not think about.

‘I already texted her this morning.’

‘You should talk to her.’ He checked his watch. ‘It’s two o’clock her time.’

‘And say what? I’m sleeping with the boss? I’d rather not.’

‘Tell her you’re busy working. Tell her you went for dinner with some business colleagues in Hong Kong. Tell her you have a nice view from your hotel room.’ He lifted one brow. ‘Do you want me to write it down? You haven’t talked to her for two days.’

‘How do you know?’

Since he didn’t want to start another fight, he said, ‘Just a guess.’

Kate sighed. ‘Fine, I’ll call her.’

‘There, that wasn’t so hard.’

‘Jesus, you can be troublesome.’

‘Speaking of troublesome, I recall a young lady who had to come even though we were really pressed for time.’

She threw her hands up. ‘You win.’ She grinned. ‘And I thank you from the bottom of my heart for coming to my assistance.’

His smile was genuine this time, all roguish grace and charm. ‘Anytime, Miss Hart. We’re here to please. Now be a good girl and eat your breakfast because we have to be at the house by ten thirty. I have an appointment.’ There was no point in telling her with whom. Time enough for that at ten twenty-nine when she had less opportunity to throw a tantrum.