He’d never had that much success with the opposite sex. Oh, it was fine after they got to know him, and he’d bedded a few, but with Risa saying yes when she did, and then Zoe, he was somewhat inexperienced in that regard, at least compared to someone like Jayne. And he’d never had someone throw themselves at him. Or even stand there naked in front of him, her satin nightgown pooled around her ankles. If she hadn’t looked so bored it might not have been so bad.

Hank swallowed. “Uh … Cora …”

“Yes?”

“Ain’t you … uh … in the wrong room?”

“No.” She stepped forward out of her nightie. Which meant a step closer to him, and he was already backed up against the window.

“Cora …”

“Yes?”

He tried to speak but his voicebox had frozen. He coughed to try and clear it. “Cora …”

A faint look of amusement crossed her features. “Yes?”

“What … what are you doing here?”

“I’ve come for you. To be with you.”

“I’m married.” Gorramit, why did he have to be so attractive to young women now ?

“So?” She idly pulled at a strand of deep red hair, tangling it around her finger and giving him palpitations. “I would be better. I could be anything you wanted. I would make a good wife.”

“I have a wife. Already. And believe me, although I’m sure you have very nice qualities, she’s all I can handle. And all I want.” Now the words were rushing out, as if they were afraid to stay in his mouth too long in case they changed. “So you’d be far better off putting your … your … whatever that is … back on and finding someone who’s not, actually, married. More your own age. Yes.” He rubbed his hands together and nodded at the same time. “’Sides, you might catch your death, wandering around the corridors like that.”

She stared at him, her face now blank, then turned and leaned forward to pick up her nightgown.

Hank thought he was going to have a heart attack and closed his eyes quickly.

“I told him it wouldn’t work.”

Without thinking he looked again, to see her drop the garment o