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break.’
    ‘And what did she want?’ Lyssa asked, she picked up her pad, retreating to her doctor default to try and disguise her personal interest in his answer.
    ‘Attention. I worked late a lot, sometimes nights, and she couldn’t handle that.’
    ‘Were there women at your place of work that she disapproved of?’ If he spent all his time at Risqué his wife might have struggled with the nature of the venue.
    ‘Disapproved of? No, other women weren’t involved. She didn’t like that I spent so much time with lowlifes instead of her.’
    ‘In bars?’
    ‘I didn’t work in bars, I was a cop in vice.’
    ‘A cop?’
    ‘Briefly,’ he said. ‘You’ve been on the divorce rollercoaster yourself?’
    ‘Yeah,’ she replied when it was her usual policy never to reveal anything personal to patients.
    ‘And? How did that come about?’
    ‘I took risks he disapproved of.’
    ‘Risks?’ He slid to the front of the couch to lean closer. ‘I am intrigued, such as?’
    ‘I believe we’re all students of life and I enjoy studying how people react in various situations. I believe it makes me better at what I do.’
    ‘I can identify with wanting to be effective, it’s why I left the force.’
    Getting to know her patient’s history was important and as many as two or three sessions could be used talking about nothing except where they came from. Colt wasn’t a genuine patient and her subconscious must have identified that because she found herself acutely aware of the angle of his jaw and the strength in his arms. His skin looked warm and soft, a smatter of light brown hairs on his forearms left her wondering at the shade of the hair on his chest.
    A blush touched her cheeks so she went back to making notes in order to disguise it. In her career she’d never had inappropriate thoughts about a patient, but Colt wasn’t a patient and so admiring the bob of his adam’s apple wasn’t too improper.
    ‘You left because you felt you were ineffective at your job.’
    ‘Yes.’ He didn’t elaborate.
    ‘Do you feel ineffective with women?’
    ‘In the sack? I’ve never had any complaints.’
    ‘Do you believe that women would complain?’
    ‘I can tell when a woman isn’t enjoying herself,’ he said.
    ‘You mean that you think you can tell when your partner is faking her arousal?’
    ‘Is this going to lead to a Meg Ryan scene replay?’
    His joke made her smile. ‘Whether or not you know when a woman is faking orgasm is between you and your mate. Tell me what you hope to achieve from these sessions.’
    ‘Are you willing to work with me?’ he asked with an intent expression that asked more than his voice did.
    Setting her pad aside she left her chair and retrieved the contract she’d signed for him from her desk drawer. She also removed the envelope filled with his retainer and took them to him.
    ‘I’ll accept you, I’d advise at least weekly sessions initially.’
    ‘Yes,’ he said and she handed him a folder from her desk behind her.
    ‘Have a read of the literature in there, it discusses various conditions and what we can achieve together. It should prompt you to think about yourself and what you need. When you come back we can talk about any conclusions you’ve reached.’
    ‘Lyssa,’ he said, tucking the contract and cash into the folder she’d given him to conceal it. ‘I think this is going to be a fruitful partnership.’
    ‘I’m glad you see it that way because this relationship is about give and take too. I’ll work hard you for, but you’re required to make a commitment to me as well.’
    Colt rose to his feet and held his hand out for hers. ‘That I can do, doc. Don’t you worry about a thing. Same time next week?’ She nodded.
    About facing, he sauntered out of her office, closing the door behind him. She exhaled and the smile that spread on her face displayed a sense of relief that she hadn’t expected to feel, she hadn’t been so relaxed in months. Knowing more