'Now your clothes,' he said, his voice gruff with unaccustomed emotion.

'Yes,' she whispered, a soft breathy agreement that tingled in his ears as he moved around behind her, stepping close enough to effect what he wanted without pressing any physical contact.

He parted her long rippling hair and moved it forward, over her shoulders, baring the nape of her neck and the elegant slope of her upper back, no angular bones, just satin-smooth skin leading down tothe strapless red dress.

He unhooked the top fastening of the snugly fitted bodice and slowly drew the zipper clown to her waist, exposing the highly feminine indentation of her spine. There was...