"That all depends on how you handle me," Irene replied, echoing his chuckle as she stepped inside and turned toward the doctor's examining table. "But I am a woman of choice, so I appreciate having options. I'll keep them in mind."

With a smooth slide backward, she set herself up on the table, legs crossed at the ankles. "Well, not too long before arriving here, I found myself in an ... unfortunate situation. I sustained a few injuries that haven't been properly looked at since then."