I was about to just chalk everything up to a rare moment of forgetfulness, when I noticed something, the faint smell of spicy cooking. I hadn’t smelled that in months. Usually it only wafted in here when … I spun around toward the living room and looked up at my ceiling fan, which was turned on. In November.

I didn’t want to stay there alone anymore no matter how brave I told myself I was. I had to call someone. First I considered calling Adam, but I figured he would think I was nuts. Then I thought about calling Gabrielle or Jess, but they would probably mention it to Braden or Cam, who would tell Adam, who would think I was nuts. That just left…. Oh shit. I sighed and picked up my phone.

“Explain this to me again,” Bruce said, sounding confused. “You think someone broke into your place because you smelled spicy cooking and your drapes were closed?”

“I could only smell the cooking because my ceiling fan was on!”

“So?” he asked, like he just didn’t get it. I threw myself down on the sofa in exasperation. How many times did I have to go over this with him?

“So, it’s November!”

“People put their ceiling fans on in November.”

“I don’t!” I wanted to strangle him.

“You really should, you know. It helps distribute the heat.” I wanted to strangle myself.

“Would you listen to me?! Someone was in my apartment. I never shut the drapes when I go out and I don’t put my fan on in November because it makes me cold!”

“Okay, calm down! Was anything missing?”

“No, I don’t think so. I don’t have many valuables but my laptop was still here and so were my iPod and my TV. I don’t have enough cash to keep cash around and I don’t have any really good jewelry.”

“Stop. You’re going to make me cry,” he broke in. “The laptop would have been worth something. You’re saying someone broke in just to close your curtains and turn on your fan?”

“I don’t know! Maybe they broke in to try on my high heels or fondle my underwear!”

“Okay, you need to get the locks changed. I don’t know if you can get anyone out there at this time on a Saturday but you’ll be spending the night with your boy anyway.”

“It’s a first date. I mean, I’m not sure …”

“Oh come on! Who do you think you’re talking to here? You two aren’t are going to the Junior Prom. You’re getting laid, honey, and I suspect, very well. I hope you remembered all my advice. If not, there’s still time to moisturize.”

“Although there is a distinct possibility that we might spend the night together, I’m not moving in with him, so as of tomorrow morning, I need to have a plan. Is changing the locks enough? Can’t people pick locks?”

“Well, why don’t you ask the prosecutor who you’ll be riding tonight? He would know more about lock picking and panty fondling than me.”

“Because I don’t think he would believe me. He would think I’m nuts or histrionic. He sees me as a confident, sexy and desirable woman now. I don’t want him to see me as some wacked out drama mama.”

“What is wrong with you? Just explain to him what you explained to me.”

“And you yourself are convinced that I’m not imagining things?”

“Well ….”

“See! I’m going to find a locksmith who works Sundays. Can you please come over here so I’m not completely alone? I would come there but I need to get ready to go out later.”

“Okay, fine. I’ll be over in a little bit. Keep the phone close by until I get there.”

“So, I can call for help?”

“That too, but I may need you to order take-out.”

“Somebody is getting a Bed, Bath & Beyond gift card for Hanukkah,” Bruce said, looking around like Couturier at K-Mart.

“What’s wrong with it?” I looked around defensively.

“What’s wrong with it? Honey, just because you got it at a garage sale doesn’t make it shabby chic.”

“Oh cut it out! What is it with you turning into a walking g*y stereotype lately?”

“I’m not turning into a stereotype! I was always a stereotype. I just hid it before.”

“Great, if my intruder comes back you can just bitch at him until he’s suicidal.”

“Don’t you have go get trampy or something?”

“I have time yet. He’s not coming until nine-thirty.”

“Nine-thirty? Jesus. I hope you have cable.”

Chapter Eleven

Bruce bought us pizza. Although I didn’t actually have cable, he lucked out, because I was willing to watch both Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune with him. Afterward, there was a Saturday Night Live Prime Time special to keep him amused and I went off to take my shower. I went the whole nine yards with getting ready. I went with the assumption that Adam would be getting me na**d, a thought which was still making me a little dizzy with anticipation.

I had been assembling my “Lilah-look” for a while. I had found a black lace cocktail dress in a clearance sale last year at the end of the season. It was hot. It was cut about three inches above my knee and it had long sleeves and a V-neck front. The best part, though, was that it had a cut-out back. The thought of Adam’s fingers on my bare skin gave me chills. The bra was built into the dress, but I been saving some pretty black lace panties to wear with it, along with some good black thigh-high stockings with a seam up the back. I had also found a pair of black suede pumps with five-inch heels at an outlet store.

These were the nicest clothes I owned. Lilah had style. It took nearly two hours, but the end result almost stunned me. I felt like a sexy Cinderella. The woman staring back at me from the mirror had big loose waves in her hair, black smoky eyes, dark red lips. You know, I cleaned up pretty nicely. I went out to the living room and when Bruce saw me the expression on his face said it all. I must have looked good; I had finally impressed Le Bruce.

“Lily! You look fabulous!”

“Really? Thanks!”

“Oh! My little girl is all grown up!”

“Bruce, you’re three months younger than I am.”

“Just remember, darling, don’t let him rip the dress! The stockings, the panties, ok, but not the dress. Now, are you all nice and waxed?”

“Bruce!”

“Did you put a dab of perfume behind your knees, between your boobs, and on your wrists, neck, and elbows?”

“Elbows?”

“Get it!”

Fifteen minutes later, even Papa Bruce was satisfied. Adam called to tell me he was parking and my nerves immediately kicked in. Bruce planned to go down and let Adam in on his way out, and I would do my best to seem calm, cool, and collected when he came up to get me. Before he left, Bruce managed to give his first useful talk ever.

“Listen, Lily, I’m not kidding when I say you look amazing. Tonight you are the adventurous woman who wrote those hot, sexy, stories, and the man who is coming to take you out, wants you. You are powerful tonight, my dear, do not forget that.”

“Wow. Thanks, Bruce!”

“And don’t get drunk this time.”

“Goodbye, Bruce.”

He left and I willed myself to believe everything he had just told me. When I heard Adam knock on the door a minute later, it was my inner-Lilah who went over to answer with a swing in her h*ps and bounce in her step. I yanked the door open with my best confident, sexy smile.

He had his overcoat on, but I could see how fine he looked. He was all scrubbed and closely shaved and he smelled amazing. We just stared silently at each other for a few seconds.

“You’re gorgeous,” he said finally, and the expression on his face told me he meant it.

“Thanks. You’re not so bad yourself.”

“This is going to be an incredible night.”

“Did you make sure to tell all my neighbors on the way up?” I teased.

“If we don’t go now, they’re going to find out on their own,” he said in a low, sexy voice that sent a rush of heat straight to my lady bits.

“I’ll get my coat,” I said, feeling a little dizzy again. As I turned to walk away I heard him whistle.

“I love the back and the seams. Baby, those almost break my heart.” I looked over my shoulder and gave him another sexy smile. He followed along behind me and when I got my coat out he took it from me and helped me into it. I glanced around a little apprehensively. I was nervous about leaving my few valuables behind.

“Maybe I should bring my laptop.”

“Why? Do they expect you to actually write a book while you’re there?”

“No.” I took a deep breath, and suddenly, it seemed stupid not to say anything. “I had the feeling, earlier, when I came home, that somebody had been in my apartment.” There I said it.

“Why did you think that?” Adam asked, looking at me intently and tightening his grip on my arm.

“My curtains were closed, even though I always leave them open, and the fan was on, but I never put it on in cold weather.”

“You really should. It distributes the heat.”

“I know! Adam, I think someone was in here!”

“Nothing was missing or damaged?’

“No,” I admitted.

“The door was locked?”

“Yes, and the locks look fine, but Adam, I know my habits.”

“Okay, maybe it was the landlord, or a maintenance guy. Why would anyone else put the fan on? It must have been someone checking the wiring or something.”

“You may be right. It’s never happened before, but it’s possible,” I acknowledged.

“That’s probably the answer. Why don’t you call your landlord tomorrow and verify it? Is that why Bruce was here, by the way, because you were scared?”

“Scared is a strong word, uncomfortable maybe.”

“Why didn’t you call me?”

“Because you had just dropped me off …” I sighed and opted for the truth. “And I figured you would think I was crazy or being dramatic or something.”

“Since when do you care what I think?” He laughed and I looked up at him, probably a little miserably, because the look he gave me was warm and amused. “Come on, Lilah or we’re going to be late.” He put his arm around me and we left.

Adam was being exceptionally polite, opening doors, helping me into the car. I liked it a lot. I made a decision not to censor myself. I got to be a bad girl that night, and I was going to enjoy it without letting self-consciousness get in my way. So, when he tested the waters by asking me to tell him more about my novel, I didn’t shy away.

“When did you write that book, anyway?”

“I started it this summer and it just flowed. I was done within a couple of months. I’ve never written one that quickly before.” I paused and glanced over at him. “Was there anything, in particular, that you liked?” I asked curiously and I saw him smile.

“The fact that the main characters looked like us.” He laughed.

“I meant …”

“I knew what you meant,” he broke in, taking a deep breath and blowing it back out again before going on. “This will probably sound weird,” he started, sounding embarrassed, eyes fixed on the road, “but my, uh, encounters are very casual, and so it’s pretty much the same routine, I go down, she goes down, we have sex, I thank her and I leave. There’s no sensual massage or bathing together or anything like that. I liked that. It was really, you know, erotic.”

He sounded very uncomfortable, which was understandable. He wasn’t just admitting that he liked the idea of sensuality, he was admitting that he liked the idea of sexual intimacy. His honesty, and his willingness to share that, excited me almost as much as his answer – almost.

“You liked it when I touched your face?” I asked.

“Yes,” he answered quietly but firmly.

“I liked it too,” I said simply.

“Is that … I mean, is that how you usually …”

“Sensual touching and massage? No actually. I’ve read about it, and talked to people about it, but I’ve never really felt comfortable enough with someone to explore it. I would like to though.”

“Me too.”

I could see by his look that he was thinking about it, and I was feeling almost high with anticipation and the knowledge that he wanted me. There was something weighing on my mind, though, that kept encroaching on my happiness. I needed to hear him tell me it would be more than tonight, and I also needed to know if there would be other blondes in other clubs who I would have to share him with. I was worried that the answer was going to be ‘yes,’ and I was seriously scared that my answer would still be ‘yes’ too.

“Adam, this isn’t the only time that we’ll be …?”

“No,” he said before I could even finish, giving me a serious look. I took a deep breath.

“And will you still be going out and …?”

“Just you.”

“Really?” My pulse rate shot up exponentially and a slightly stunned, very relieved sense of joyful excitement spread through me. I actually got goosebumps.

“What, you didn’t think I anticipated that request? Why do you think it’s taken three months to ask you on a date? I wanted to be ready.”

“I just didn’t know if you would agree to it. Hell, I didn’t even know if you would consider it.”

“Then you underestimate yourself.” That startled me so much my breath caught.