“You did not.”

“I’m sure I did. I guess I’ll have to take it off myself.” Sliding his hands under her dress, he pulled off her panty hose and her underpants.

“I’m going to freeze. It’s not even twenty degrees.”

“I don’t think you’ll have to worry too much about freezing. Where in the world did these panties come from?”

“I bought them.”

“They’re not much more than two little ribbons and a scrap of silk. Did you give up your industrial strength underwear just for me?”

“Just for you.”

“That’s sweet, honey, and I appreciate it. Now slip those high heels back on. I do like the way your legs look in high heels.” As soon as she’d done what he said, he caught her under her knees and swept her out of the car. Her skirt fell free and cold air fanned her naked bottom, which was exposed for the entire world to see.

“Please tell me there aren’t a dozen people standing around.”

“Only half a dozen, sweetheart. But they’re all too busy adjusting the carburetors on their motorcycles to look.”

She buried her face in his collar and laughed. He was outrageous, impossible, and she was having the best time of her life. But where was he taking her?

He shifted her weight and opened some sort of door. She was relieved to feel warmer air on her bottom as they stepped inside.

“That blindfold still tight?”

“Uh huh.”

“That’s good. Don’t pay any attention if you hear strange noises.”

“What sort of noises?”

“Drunken laughter. Breaking glass. Jukebox. That sort of thing.”

“I won’t give it a thought.”

“And if somebody named Bubba asks you what you’re doing here, you just tell him you’re with me.”

“I’ll do that.”

He began kissing her, and by the time he stopped walking, she realized he’d once again distracted her from paying attention to where they were going. Had they traveled a short distance or a long one? He wasn’t breathing hard, but he was in such good physical shape, that didn’t mean anything. She couldn’t even be certain whether he’d climbed a set of stairs or if they’d stayed on the same level.

“I’m going to set you down now. I don’t want to get you too close to the bar. On account of fights breaking out.”

“May I take the blindfold off yet?”

“I’m afraid not, honey. You’ve still got your clothes on.”

“I have to take my clothes off?”

“I’m sorry, darlin’. I thought you’d figured out how this was going to work.” He removed her coat. “Don’t you worry, though. I’ll help you.”

“You’re such a gentleman.”

He slipped off her earrings, pulled her sweater over her head, and discarded it. “Phoebe, honey, I don’t want to embarrass you, but did you know you can see right through this?”

“Can you now?”

“I’m afraid so. That means I’m going to have to ask you to stand real still for a minute.”

Through the gossamer-thin silk of her bra, she felt his mouth settle over her nipple. The warm, moist suction sent torrents of excitement raging through her body. His sensual torture continued as he moved his mouth to the other breast, while the nipple he had abandoned pebbled beneath the damp, chilly spot he had left on the silk. Her knees were growing weak, and she wanted him inside her so badly she grasped his shoulders.