Control yourself

As they say, good guys finish last. But you're a good guy. As you look at her, flushed, ****, and completely sincere, you kick yourself in the back for deciding not to take advantage of the situation.

"Thank you," you say quietly, your voice steady and genuinely warm, keeping a respectful distance. "That means a lot to me. Truly. But I value what we have, and I value your life outside of this office too."

She gives a small, relieved nod, the tension breaking just enough for both of you to steer the conversation back to safer, familiar topics