I had just finished tossing the Greek salad, admiring the contrast of the white feta cheese against the green of the olives and basil, when the doorbell chimed. I glanced at the clock and smiled; it was precisely seven o’clock. Rob was right on time.

I left the kitchen and checked my appearance in the hall mirror. Looking good, Jane. My makeup was deliberately subtle, with just a slight tint to my lips and a brush of mascara on my eyes. I’d chosen to wear my favorite dark blue silk shirt, which matched the tight new white skirt that clung to my ass rather well. My favorite pair of shiny brown leather knee-high boots completed the outfit. As I looked in the mirror, I debated undoing another button on my shirt, but then thought against it. My skirt was already somewhat on the short side, and after all, I didn’t want to look too brazen. Not yet.

I opened the door, revealing Rob in all his dark, powerful physicality. Rob’s masculine good looks still left me breathless, especially when it had been a few days since I’d last seen him. I leaned slightly against the wall, trying to catch my breath, as he took in my outfit and smiled his gorgeous smile.

“Well hello there, miss.”

“Hello to you too, and happy birthday. You look nice.”

“Likewise.”

We kissed briefly. I could tell he wanted more, but it was still a little bit too early. I returned to the kitchen for the Chablis white wine that was chilling. Rob followed me into the kitchen and stopped when he saw I had set the table for three.

“I thought we were having a quiet night in? What’s with the extra place?”

I feigned exasperation.

“Oh, that. A friend is having a crisis; she’s coming over soon for a chat. Sorry.”

Rob was too good mannered to throw a tantrum.

“Right. OK. Well, I hope she doesn’t stay for too long.”

I gazed at him with a mockingly innocent look.

“Why’s that?”

He directed a wickedly devilish grin at me, which send a faint shudder through my loins. “Because I want you all to myself this evening.”

“Really?”

“Yup.”

He grinned again, relaxed and happy. You are going to get so much more than you bargained for, mister.

He helped carry the salad through the kitchen and poured glasses of wine for the two of us. I smiled at him.

“Dinner will be served soon.”

“Marvelous. What are we having?”

I smiled again, mysteriously.

“You’ll have to wait and see.”

Rob looked puzzled for a second, then shrugged good-naturedly and settled on the sofa with his wine. I checked the oven; the pasta was browning nicely. I turned off the oven and right on cue, the doorbell rang again. I experienced a moment of delicious excitement, but then quelled it. There was plenty of time to get excited later.

Rob’s voice called out, “Is that your friend?”

I opened the front door, praying the Jehovah’s Witnesses hadn’t chosen tonight to try and sell me their version of heaven. Tonight, I had my own version to enjoy.

It wasn’t Jehovah’s Witnesses. Instead, Annabel Chang was standing in front of me, smiling. She looked amazing; her legs were poured into sleek black leather jeans, and she wore a tight red and gold top, showing off her luscious breasts to their best advantage. A black silk scarf around her neck topped off the outfit, just as I had asked.

“Hello Jane. Is everything good to go?”

“Hi Annabel. Yes, it is.”

We kissed briefly, her musky scent sending a thrill down my spine. I had to stop myself from going any further.

She winked at me naughtily.

“Is he here yet?”

I nodded my head.

“He’s in the living room, go on through. Wine?”

“No, not just yet. Fruit juice would be good, though.”

“Is mango all right?”

She smiled again, showing her even, white teeth.

“Perfect.”

I paused in the kitchen to get her a glass and heard Annabel greet Rob.

“Hi. You must be Rob. I’m Annabel.”

I grinned to myself when I heard Rob pause before answering.

“Oh, hi. Um, you must be Jane’s friend?”

“Yes, I suppose you could say that.” Her voice had an amused edge to it that I picked up. I glanced over at Rob to see if he had detected anything yet. He hadn’t.

I popped my head through the door.

“Dinner’s ready.”

They both stood up politely, Rob looking between Annabel and me, a slightly confused look on his face. I could see that Rob was attracted to Annabel and curious about her get up. He knew something was up. Annabel, by contrast, was acting as if there were nothing abnormal about the situation at all.

“Great! Let’s eat.”

I placed the pasta and the toppings on the table before I sat down in my chair.

“Dig in. Please don’t wait.”

Annabel and Rob helped themselves and we all began to eat. Annabel and Rob did most of the talking; I was content to listen and watch them both. Rob had an occasional look of bemusement on his face, and he kept looking between Annabel and me. But even amidst his confusion, Rob still managed to smile politely at Annabel’s jokes about her work as a nurse.

“Of course, Rob,” Annabel said, sipping her wine sensuously, making him blush slightly. “The worst thing about the job is the sexual frustration.”

Rob choked on his wine, taking a few seconds to clear his throat before he answered.

“Excuse me?”

Annabel’s face was perfectly innocent.

“The sexual frustration of the patients.”

Rob blinked twice as he struggled to keep a straight face. I grinned inwardly, loving him even more as I watched him squirm.

“Oh. I see.”

She continued guilelessly.

“Yes, it‘s terrible seeing these poor guys all laid up, unable to get any kind of release. Some of them are quite hunky.”

“Really?”

“Yes, and of course with me being single and, let’s face it, more than a bit,” she paused deliberately, “frustrated, well let’s just say some of them definitely enjoy their stay in the hospital more than others.”

Rob laughed loudly to show he wasn’t fazed by Annabel’s indiscretions, and took another sip of wine.

“So is that why you’re having a crisis?”

Annabel looked at me quizzically, and then smiled back at Rob mysteriously when I didn’t say a word.

“That’s one way of putting it. I haven’t had a regular lover for some time now.” She finished her wine. “A woman like me has needs.”