“Umm…” Lottie sounded completely caught off guard. “Do you think that’s a good idea, Razor?”
He leaned back in the chair, staring at the ceiling as he listened to the soft sound of her breathing over the line.
“I think,” he said slowly, “we owe ourselves another shot. Last time didn’t exactly go the way either of us planned.
A soft huff of nervous laughter came through the speaker.
“How would you feel about accompanying me toThe Red Door?” he hesitated just long enough to make sure she heard the next part. “As spectators. Not participants.”
The sharp intake of breath on the other end had him grimacing. Hell. “I thought…”
“Yes.”
The word burst out of her fast enough to stop him cold.
Lottie cleared her throat. “Yes, “ she repeated, quieter this time, sounding almost embarrassed by how quickly she’d answered. “I’d like that.”
The tension in Razor’s shoulders eased a fraction. “You’re sure?” he asked, wanting to give her an out if she needed one. “No pressure, Lottie.”
“I’m sure.” He could hear the smile creeping into her voice now. “Just tell me when… and what you want me to wear.”
That image hit him harder than it should have. Razor dragged a hand over his jaw, trying to keep his head where it belonged.
“I’ll make sure you’re off work,” he said. “Then we’ll figure the rest out. How’s that sound?”
“Perfect.”
A beat passed between them. “Thank you for calling and asking me, Razor.”
Something about the sincerity in her voice settled deep under his skin. “Have a nice evening, Lottie.”
“You, too.”
After ending the call, Razor set the phone onto the desk and leaned back in his chair. The hard part was over.
Now he just hadto notscrew it up.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Lottie climbed the steps to the second-floor apartment, stepping onto the landing she found a large rectangular box wrapped in black paper with a large red ribbon tied around it. Picking it up, she looked around, seeing no one, she unlocked the door and carried the present inside.
She tried not to get excited about the gift. It could be from a stalker leaving her something nasty…it happened to women all the time, she thought staring at the shiny wrapped box.
Setting down her things, she laid the box on the kitchen table while she went to change out of her work clothes. She refused to get ahead of herself by acting like a teenager about a damn present. Oh, for fuck’s sake who was she kidding…rushing back to the kitchen she tore into the wrapping, ripping the paper from the box. When all that remained was a white garment box, she stepped back taking it in.
Grabbing the scissors from the junk drawer, she sliced through the tape on all four sides. Setting them aside, she lifted the lid and folded back the layers of tissue paper.
Her mouth dropped open seeing the contents of the box.
She lifted a black knee-length suede coat and slipped it on. It fit like a glove. Pulling out the next item was even more exciting for her; it was a matching pair of over-the-knee-high boots with spiked heels. “This is definitely from Razor.”
Underneath the coat and boots, she found a black leather pantie and bra set with French silk stockings and garters. Her heart started beating faster, and she dropped the boots and sat down.
What had she been thinking when she said yes to accompanying Razor to The Red Door?
Taking a deep breath, Lottie reminded herself she had accepted his invitation as a spectator, not a participant. Just because he gave her the undergarments didn’t mean she couldn’t wear something over them.That’s what I’ll do.
Sliding her hands into the coat pockets, she pulled out a small note card:
