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me out to the hallway, out of the way of the staff, who graciously did not say anything.
    “Checking out the goods?” David teased, once we were out of earshot. “Smooth, Ms. Sharp.”
    “Well excuse me,” I hissed “I don’t normally do things like this. I didn’t prepare a speech. Besides, they didn’t see anything. For all they know, we were checking out his labeling system.” I smirked. Even I didn’t believe myself. I liked David when he was lighthearted though. I hadn’t gotten to see much of that boyish, humorous side, but now I knew I wanted more. I turned to him. “How do I look?”
    “Like you just had sex in a pantry.” His eyes gleamed, and the corners of his mouth turned up. He was obviously very pleased with himself.
    “Shit. I need to find a mirror.”
    David slipped his hands into his pockets and indicated a door with a nod and a raise of his eyebrows. “I’ll wait here.”
    I closed the door to the powder room behind me and flicked on the light. It was a dark purple jewel box of a room, but the light bulbs were blinding compared to the candlelit house. My eyes struggled to adjust as I examined at myself in the ornate mercury glass mirror. Pantry sex, indeed. My dress looked okay, but my hair was all mussed up. I did my best to smooth it out with my hands. My lip gloss was smeared, so I grabbed a tissue and wiped it off completely.
    That will have to do.
    I looked at my face in the mirror. What kind of saucy minx was that in the mirror? I’d never had sex anywhere except in a bed before, certainly not in a pantry in someone else’s house. My boss’s house. And certainly not with someone I barely knew. I smiled back at my reflection, confused but proud. Something about this man just brought out the complete animal in me. Any other attraction I’d ever felt paled in comparison to the attraction and fascination I was feeling with David. I couldn’t wait to get back to the hallway to see him. I opened the bathroom door.
    David was right where I left him.
    We wandered back to the living room together, David holding the small of my back as subtle gesture of ownership—and one I was completely fine with. Carrie and Jenna had taken up residence in a corner of the room on a couple of leather sofas, and we sat down to join them. David sat next to me and stretched his long arm along the back of the sofa behind me. Another signal of ownership.
    That’s right ladies, David Keith is mine. Or is it that I was his? I pushed the thought out of my mind as we rejoined the conversation.
    The night passed in flashes. My mind kept darting back to the time in the pantry. I did my best to keep my knees together and wondered silently if anyone could tell I didn’t have any panties on.
    David was quick-witted and funny; a delightful party guest. He charmed Carrie, and she shot me approving glances. He also teased Jenna, gently, as only a brother can. I learned that Jenna worked in marketing for Banana Republic. Suddenly it all made sense. She must have recognized my dress and helped David replace it.
    At one point, Curtis came by with a tray of appetizers, and we all indulged in little bites of feta and spinach while he regaled us with tales of his time in Europe. He had spent five years in his early twenties hitch-hiking around, working odd jobs to pay his way. He was gleefully explaining the drag scene in Amsterdam when Jenna stood up.
    “I’m going to grab another drink, anyone else want anything?”
    “A vodka soda would be a dream,” Curtis chimed in.
    “You got it!” she said, as she headed off to the bar.
     
    It was late. Guests were starting to come over to Curtis and say their good-byes. I looked over at Carrie. She was asleep next to me on the sofa.
    “Carrie, honey, wake up,” I said, gently shaking her knee.
    “No ...” she murmured.
    “Carrie, can you drive?” I wasn’t sure if she was drunk or just sleepy.
    “Sorry Sammie, too sleepy,” she whimpered in an angry whisper. Shoot. I