I found the package on my kitchen table when I came in from work that
morning. A large flat white box with an envelope bearing my name and
a single red rose.  I opened the envelope and removed the card
inside. Hand-lettered in gold ink was the brief message: "For
tonight -- A." A trace of scent wafted up from the card. I recognized
Asher's cologne.  For a moment, I puzzled over how he'd gotten inside
my apartment, then I remembered that he wasn't *renting* it for me,
he OWNED it. So, technically he didn't need an invitation in order to
enter.  I found a bud vase for the rose and took it and the box into
the bedroom. After placing the flower on the nightstand, I opened the
box.  Laying on top of the tissue paper that was wrapped around the
rest of the contents was a beautiful antique, saphhire encrusted
silver comb. Another note was with it. "Wear no other jewelry than
this and your rings. I will have a surprise for you when i pick you
up tonight. --A." I was curious, but grateful as well. I really
didn't have anything that would've gone with the comb.


I'd take *that* with me to my hair appointment that afternoon. Asher
had said something about having to look glorious for tonight's gala
grand opening ceremony at Dark Mirror.  I pulled back the tissue
paper to see what else he'd left for me. I lifted out a swath of
midnight blue lace. It took me a moment to realize it was to be worn
as a wrap. It was starred with tiny crystals that flashed and
glittered with each shift of the cloth. Under it was something in a
matching shade in velvet. It was a two-piece evening gown. The top
was sleeveless with a rather low-cut square scoop neckline. I was
going to have to wear the strapless bra with this or go without. I
opted for the bra. At 35, soon to be 36, gravity was starting to win.
The skirt had a wide waistband. It would go from my rib cage to my
hips when worn and came to a V-point in front. The skirt itself was
floor-length with a modest train. I noticed the train even sported a
finger-loop to hold it up while dancing.


On closer inspection, I saw that the waistband was designed to act as
a girdle. Asher knew I was still a bit self-concious about my weight
when I had to wear dressy or clingy clothes. This dress qualified as
both.  I smiled.  I found hangers for the new outfit so the folds
from being in the box could fall out. Then I had a quick shower and
went to bed. Wanted to be well rested for the busy evening ahead.
~~~
I was just applying the finishing touches to my make up when the
knock came.  "Be right there!" I hollered, then finished putting on
the dark burgundy lipstick.  I checked the peephole as I prepared to
open the door. I was rewarded with a distorted image of
Asher...alone. So, I went ahead and opened the door. The full vision
was *much* better.  He was as radiant as the Sun King himself. His
ensemble was *very* Louis XIV. The white linen shirt had a high
collar that was tied close on his throat with a cravat, spilling a
waterfall of antique lace down his chest. More lace graced the cuffs
of the shirt. His tight vest was made of cloth-of-gold. His knee-
breeches were of white satin with gold bows and lace at the cuffs.
White silk hose covered his lower legs. His shoes were of white
leather, heavily embroidered in gold, with high tongues, two-inch
heels, and topped off with gold bows. His frock coat fell nearly to
his knees. It, too, was of white satin. The stiff collar was high,
and the cuffs at least five inches wide. The coat practically
*dripped* with gold brocade and embroidery.


The way he wore his hair went perfectly with the costume, but
surprised me, nonetheless. The top part was pulled back in a tight
braid with a white ribbon worked into it, leaving his entire face
bared. The rest of his hair hung in ringlets that spilled over his
shoulders and down his back, almost matching the gold brocade of the
coat in brilliance and color.  If he could've stood in the sunlight,
he would've been blinding to gaze upon. He was breathtakingly
beautiful.  Apparently I'd stood there too long in stunned
admiration. Asher gave a half-smile and said, "May I come in?"
"Sure," I said, moving to the side but continuing to stare in
amazement.


"Ah, I see you found my present. The color suits you beautifully," he
said as he began to stalk around me. I stood there and let him do his
little inspection. He completed his circuit and stood in front of me
again. He cupped his elbow with one hand, the other hand gripping his
chin in an expression of mock consternation. "Something is missing,
though."  I crossed my arms, shifting my weight to one leg, and
cocked an eyebrow at him.  "Ah, I have it!" he exclaimed. "Some
jewelry is needed to complete the ensemble." He must've put on the
attitude of an elegant fop when he'd donned the rest of his outfit.
"As I recall, your note said no jewelry other than my rings and the
comb," I smiled at him. "It is gorgeous, by the way. I've always
loved intricate patterns on jewelry."  "It *does* become you,
cherie," he replied. There was a sadness to his smile that I didn't
understand.


He handed me a small box he had produced from inside his coat. I
opened it to find two pairs of earrings. One pair were diamond studs,
at lest a half carat each, set in silver. The other pair were silver
filigree and sapphire drop earrings.  "They're lovely," I said as I
put in the sapphire pair first. The diamonds went in my second set of
pierces.  With one graceful finger, Asher traced my jaw, lightly
lifting my chin.  He eyed my exposed throat and the cleavage revealed
by my low-cut neckline in a most lascivious manner. "Now for a
necklace worthy of gracing your lovely neck," he purred.  He placed
another box on the table and opened it, revealing one of the most
beautifully elegant necklaces I've ever seen. It was seven oval,
faceted sapphires connected by double drapes of diamonds. The three
center sapphires had drops of diamonds ending in briolette-cut
sapphires. All the settings and the fastening chain were of silver.
it was well cared for, but obviously antique.


"Allow me," he said as he lifted the necklace from its box and
stepped behind me. His hands reached around in front of me holding
either end of the necklace. He made sure the drops of it brushed
against my cleavage as he lifted it into place and fastened the
clasp. The necklace draped just across my collar bone.  His hands,
now resting on my shoulders, holding me to him, were warm.  He'd fed,
and fed well, before coming for me.  He walked back around to face
me. Again, that sad smile crossed his face. "Ah, ma rose d'acier, you
are magnifique!"  I smiled and ducked my head in
acknowledgement. "Thank you, Asher.   But, why do you seem
so...melancholy all of a sudden?"  "It has been a long time since
this jewelry has graced such beauty," he explained. I merely looked
the question at him, hoping he would elaborate.  He did.


"It was Julianna's. The necklace had been a gift from me; the comb,
from Jean-Claude. He agreed with me that *you* should have them now."
A single tear bagan to trickle down his scarred cheek, the old loss
still obviously painful to him. He rarely ever spoke of her around me.
I reached a hand up to cup that side of his face. Gently, I wiped the
tear away with my thumb. "Asher, don't," I soothed.  The look in his
eyes at that moment...so hurt, so needy,...and so vulnerable....
I don't know if he was more surprised or if I was when I wrapped my
arms around him in a fierce hug. He recovered quickly enough,
enfolding me in his embrace. I felt him give a great, shuddering
sigh. Then he pulled back from me some, one arm still around my
shoulders. He lifted my hand to his face and rubbed his scarred cheek
against it like a cat. When he pressed my palm to his lips, my legs
gave out and heat rushed through my body. He clasped me to him,
keeping me from falling. His free hand had clutched in my hair, as
he engaged me in a deep and burning kiss, his tongue probing and
exploring me. I returned the kiss with equal fervor, clinging to him.


At that moment, I don't think I'd have uttered a single protest if
he'd scooped me up and headed towards the bedroom. My desire was all-
consuming.  Finally, we parted. He was chuckling as he released
me. "I'm afraid your coiffure will have to be rearranged, cherie," he
said, noting my now-mussed hairdo. "If I may?"  I nodded my assent.
He could do anything he wanted to right then, as far as I was
concerned. At least I'd used the smudge-proof color-last lipstick, so
I didn't have to re-do *that*.  He removed the comb, allowing the
rest of the do to fall. Using the comb, he pulled back the upper
portion of my hair into a loose twist. "These modern hairdressers
mean well, but they lack certain skills," he commented as he secured
the twist in place with the antique comb. Then he arranged the
curls my hair had been set in to drape down my back, pulling loose a
few fine strands to frame my face.


"Just out of curiosity, who did *your* hair tonight?" I asked, when
he'd finished.  "Jean-Claude."  "Cool."  Asher retrieved the lace
wrap from the chair I'd draped it over. He placed it around my
shoulders and offered me his arm.  "Shall we?" he asked.  I smiled
and took the proffered arm. I placed my fingers on his wrist, like
he'd taught me. We stopped outside the door long enough for me to
lock it. Then, resuming our positions, we proceeded to the grey
stretch limo he had waiting on us.


I was mildly surprised to see that Jean-Claude, Anita, and Richard
were sharing the ride with us. It made sense, though. I knew that
they wre rooming at Asher's "lair" for security reasons while they
were down here.  Maybe I could finally get him to show *me* where it
was tonight after the show.  Jean-Claude and Anita were color-
coordinated tonight. She was in a screaming-red minidress with a
black velvet bolero jacket. (I thought I could detect a slight bulge
under one arm...her Browning, perhaps? I knew she'd feel underdressed
without the damn thing.) The silver chain of her cross disappeared
into the top of her dress. Black pumps and sheer black hose with
crystal accents up the sides completed the outfit.


Jean-Claude was like a dark twin of Asher. They wore the same shirt
and lace cravat. He had the addition of a *huge* ruby brooch at the
throat. His pants were black satin, without the lace or bows.
Instead, he wore the same boots he had at the job fair, but this time
fastened all the way up to mid-thigh. He had forgone the vest. His
coat was a scarlet velvet version of Asher's white satin one, equally
dripping in gold. He wore his hair completely loose and styled into
the same kind of ringlets that Asher sported.  Richard had opted for
the black-tie look with a black, tailed tux, a high-collared
shirtfront, white waistcoat, and a black silk cravat with a gold and
onyx tie tack. Downright conservative compared to the rest of us.


As we approached the car, a sly grin flitted across Jean-Claude's
face. Richard gave me a censorious scowl. I realized that they had
both scented the desire Asher had triggered in me back in the
apartment. A glance at Asher confirmed it. He wore a self-satisfied,
extremely smug expression. I narrowed my eyes at all three of them.
Hmmph! Men!  Only Anita seemed oblivious to the silent exchange. She
was lost in her own thoughts on something or other.