Mom leaves at 5:40 p.m. with her work bag and a quick kiss on my cheek.

The second the front door shuts, I walk straight to his office.

I am wearing a soft dress and nothing underneath, exactly as he ordered. The hallway feels longer than usual. My pulse is already loud in my ears. I step inside, close the door, and lock it.

He is waiting behind the desk, sleeves rolled up, watching me.

“Dress off.”

I pull it over my head and let it fall. He stands, walks around the desk, and stops in front of me. His eyes move over my bare skin slowly, like he is...