Finn swatted Lisa’s hand away from the stack. “Okay, fine. I was facing a long, lonely Friday night, so I picked up some trashy magazines to pass the time. Sue me.”

“I’m not going to sue you. I’m going to set you free,” Lisa said, and snatching up the stack, she got to her feet.

“What?”

“Get out of here,” Lisa said, shoving the magazines into Finn’s hand. “Go find some busty babes of Boston and enjoy your Friday night. I’ll stick around and take care of the auction.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m positive.”

“Cool.” Finn sprang to his feet and snagged his jacket off the back of the chair. “Well, there’s Kung Pao chicken in the fridge, and a six-pack of beer, so feel free.”

“Wow, you were planning to have a good night, weren’t you?”

“Yep, but now I’m going to have an even better one.” Finn gave Lisa a quick peck on the cheek and hastened for the door. “Crap. I almost forgot,” he said, turning around. “The catalog near the monitor is for tonight’s auction. It’s marked with the lot Bennett’s interested in, and she wrote the max she wants to spend on the page.”

“Okay, thanks,” Lisa said, rounding the desk. “Set the door alarm when you leave. Will you?”

“Sure thing. See you later, sis.”

“See you, Finn.”

Lisa flipped to the page marked with a yellow Post-it. There was no mistaking Bennett’s handwriting, its style matching that of a calligrapher, and seeing the number Bennett had written, Lisa pursed her lips.

***

The sensual anticipation between them followed them from the restaurant to the car and into the brownstone. They had lost the previous weekend to carnal lust, and when they entered Bennett’s apartment, neither doubted that this weekend would be any different.

Coats were hung, and after Bennett poured a splash of Cabernet into two crystal goblets, she walked to the bedroom with Ruby close behind. Bennett placed the glasses on the nightstand, and flicking on the lamp, she turned to Ruby and did a slow slide of her eyes.

Ruby was wearing a pleated chambray skirt and camel cashmere sweater, an ideal ensemble for a casual dinner in early December. The top's neckline was modest, and the skirt contained no slits as it ended just past Ruby’s high-heeled brown boots. It was an outfit providing comfort and warmth, except when it comes to being warm, cashmere does not have to be thick. The woven cloth was doing nothing to hide Ruby’s excitement, and the more Bennett leered, the more prominent Ruby’s nipples were becoming.

Bennett’s eyes met Ruby’s. “It seems you’re a little aroused.”

“You have no idea,” Ruby whispered.