could see, from a larger sheet. Not quite heavy enough to
be a note card, but too thick to use in a computer printer.
Shal we begin?
He'd been coming out. I'd been going in. Days later, the
first note arrived.
Hi, Ari. What are you doing here?
Delivering something for my grandma.
With shaking fingers I puled the paper from its binding.
Wow, I didn't think I'd run into you.
Of course not, dear, why would you?
I no longer had to wonder who'd sent that first list. The
one that had changed my life. Miriam, it seemed, knew
what I'd needed.
Now I knew what I had to do.
The right clothes make al the difference.
I wore a black pencil skirt with sheer, blackfoot seamed
stockings and a garter belt. A white shirt, fitted, with
buttons and long sleeves. Underneath, I wore plain white
lace panties with a matching bra. Black stiletto pumps. In
shoes so high it's impossible not to walk as though you're
fucking the world with each step.
I looked like a mistress, finaly, even if it wasn't the vinyl-
I looked like a mistress, finaly, even if it wasn't the vinyl-
catsuit and flogger-wielding sort. I felt like a mistress, too,
which was probably more important. I'd put this outfit on
like armor, a shield, and there was no mistaking I turned
heads.
I loved it. I don't think there's a woman alive who doesn't
relish that power of knowing any man she passes would
get on his knees for a taste of her. Even if it's al mostly
fantasy, it was one I was capable of delivering, and I had
no doubt there were at least a few I passed along the
street who would've gladly given me what I wanted just
because I demanded it.
I was a few minutes early, but not too many. The lobby of
the Hilton was done in subdued reds and golds and
browns, the carpet clean but worn in places that turned the
floral pattern into something more geometric. Paneled
wood wals turned it into a gentlemen's club missing only
men in cravats and top hats smoking cigars. The elevators
were off to the left while straight ahead past the front desk
were couches and chairs set up in conversational
groupings and doors leading to conference rooms. I took a
seat in a far chair half hidden by a tal potted plant that
turned out to be plastic.
I saw him. He didn't see me, but then Eric wasn't looking
for me the way I'd been waiting for him. Besides, I'd
planned it that way.
He went to the desk. I could see his grin from where I sat,
