The air was warm and I could feel beads of sweat forming on the divot of my lower back. I licked my lips nervously and tasted the tang of my fear. The sidewalk outside the restaurant was crowded and I patiently got in the line to await entrance. My wrap was hooked on my bent elbows, the ivory silk slinking over my arms. My midnight blue dress had spaghetti straps and no back. I felt sexy and elegant. My dark curls were piled on my head, allowing the sporadic breeze to kiss the curve of my neck.

Glancing at my watch, I could see that I was still early and getting closer to the door. A warm hand startled me, grasping my arm lightly and leading me away from the line. I looked up into his smiling eyes.

“You’re beautiful.” He said, grinning down at me. His dimples flashed.

How could I resist? I smiled in return and kept walking as he led me past the hostess podium and directly to a private table near the bank of windows. He held my chair and then handed my wrap to the hostess who stood silently nearby. His hand brushed my naked shoulders as he moved around my chair and despite the warmth of the evening, I shivered.