As he watched the anger rise, Jess scrambled to his feet. He felt far too vulnerable sitting there on the floor with her close enough to lash out of she wanted. Of course he'd almost prefer if she'd lashed out physically rather than with some pointed reasons as to why he was actually an asshole.

"It meant I didn't want you to get in trouble or lose your fucking job for a breach of propriety if word got out," He spat back, his own temper getting the better of him in the moment. "I may act like it sometimes, but I'm no idiot. I know how much your job means to you." He'd long ago learned to manage his anger, come a long way from the teenager who got in fist fights at school, but he was on the defensive and trying to make her see he was just trying to look out for her. Which apparently she didn't want.

"So you're fine, great. Pardon me for caring about your wellbeing, for worrying that my own blunders would rebound on you, fuck's sake." Jess ran another hand through his hair; how did Miss Skovgaard put up with this all of the time, he had to wonder.