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Biting my lip, I set aside the rose, then lift the package. It’s light and a little smaller than a shirt box. It bears the markings of a posh lingerie store not far from the office. I’ve window-shopped there many times, but I’ve never been able to justify buying anything, since no one would see the sweet nothings except me. And maybe an EMT or two if I had a medical emergency.

Anticipation grips my belly. If this is from the same admirer who wrote Wednesday’s note, I should be scared. But I’m just excited. After being sexually invisible to Tim for years and feeling sure most guys see me as nothing more than a mom and fellow football fan, the attention feels nice.

My heart picks up pace as I tug on the silky red ribbon. It unravels under my fingers, slithering to the desk in silence. I lift the lid and read the typed note sitting on top of the crisp pink tissue paper.

* * *

You. Me. Naked skin. Shared fantasies. A whole night.

Tonight.

* * *

Definitely the same guy.

My breath catches. Does he mean after work? In a few hours? In the middle of the night? Will he somehow reveal himself? Call me? Or…show up?

Hoping the box contains answers, I break the golden seal holding the tissue paper closed and peel back the delicate pieces.

Holy cow!

If the note hadn’t spelled out what Mr. Mysterious wants, the contents give me a crystal-clear picture. The two delicate scraps of fabric inside are red lace and small. Scratch that. Red lace and miniscule.

I pick up one. A thong, soft and scandalous. It will caress my body—what little it covers—in silken seduction. I don’t even need to pick up the other item to see it’s a camisole with velvet, corset-style laces up the front. And underwire support. A glance at the tag has my jaw dropping. My secret admirer guessed my bra size perfectly.

Then a low, raspy voice whispers in my ear, “Big plans?”

With a gasp, I whirl. And come face to face with…

Noah.

“Looks like you found something more exciting to do than lay tile.” He smirks.

I shove the lingerie back in the box and slam the lid closed. “Did you need something?”

“Eventually. I want the answer to my question.”

I chew on my lip again, torn between hiding the truth and complete embarrassment. He seems amused, a heartbeat from laughing.

This is so not funny. Just because he doesn’t find me attractive doesn’t mean no one else does.

“As a matter of fact, the admirer who left the note on Wednesday delivered this while I was at my last meeting.”

“Tenacious. I’ll give him that.” Noah strokes his chin. “And you have no idea who it is?”

“I don’t. But after spending the kind of money to buy this…ensemble, I don’t think he’ll be a stranger much longer.”

“You okay with that? After the divorce⁠—”

“It’s been two years, Noah. I know you and Tim are pals, but it’s really no longer any of his business what I do with my time.”

“Agreed.” He holds up his hands to ward off any further tirade. “So…is red lace your thing?”

“Do I not look like a red lace sort of woman? You probably think I’m all white cotton, and you’re wrong.”

The full line of his mouth twitches. “I’m pleading the fifth. How did this guy know your size? Assuming he even got it right.”

“I don’t know. But the sizes are perfect. I guess he knows his way around a woman’s body.”