S aturday morning, I woke to someone knocking on my door. I ran my hand through my hair as I stumbled out of bed .

“I'm coming!” I called, then stifled a yawn. It had taken me a long time to fall asleep last night. I was just glad I'd worn a pair of sweats and a t-shirt to bed instead of something more pajama-like .

The guy at the door didn't even bat an eye as he handed me the clipboard to sign for the package. He wished me a good day and handed me what was obviously a garment box. It was light, making me think I knew what was inside. Or, at least, I had a pretty good idea .

When I opened it, I saw that I was right. In general, at least. I'd guessed that Cade had sent me lingerie, but what was laying on the tissue paper wasn't like anything I'd ever owned. I'd saved up to buy the lingerie I'd gotten for my honeymoon, but even then, I'd gone to a regular department store. One look at this, however, and I knew it had to have come from some high-end boutique. The kind of place that didn't bother putting their prices on things because if you had to ask, you couldn't afford it .

I didn't take it out right away though. There was an envelope sitting on top, my name written in strong, masculine script. Opening the creamy linen, I pulled out a piece of stationary; my breath caught in my throat as I unfolded it. Inside was the same handwriting with a list of instructions .

Tonight, you are to come to the loft at eight. Wear the enclosed garments under a coat. Only a coat .

I shivered at the idea of being out in public in a very skimpy pair of bra and panties with only a coat to cover me. Although it was almost the end of October in Chicago, it wasn't the chill outside that prompted my response. I'd felt exposed walking a few feet across a parking lot, fully dressed sans underwear. I could only imagine what it would be like to walk outside, take a cab, walk up the stairs to Cade's loft, all while nearly naked .

I swallowed hard as my stomach squirmed. I couldn't deny that the idea turned me on. I was nervous, of course, but my arousal more than covered it .

I kept reading .

For tonight's lesson, you must follow my instructions exactly. First, you are to completely shave or wax. Legs, pussy, ass. Everything. Second, there is something new you have to do ...

My face flamed as I read his directions. I wasn't an idiot. I had a pretty good idea why he wanted me to do... that, but it didn't make the thought any less embarrassing. Now I understood why he'd sent this today. I wouldn't have to rush, but I was going to need most of the day to follow his instructions. I'd even have to run to the store for a few things .

I set the note aside and picked up the lingerie one piece at a time. First, there were a pair of sheer purple-black thigh-high stockings. That was good. At least my legs wouldn't be completely bare. The stockings looked like they connected to the panties with garter belts. The panties almost looked like they could be boy-shorts... if they hadn't been sheer purple. And crotchless .

Fuck.

The bra was strapless, with barely enough of the same filmy material to cover my nipples. All three pieces of the outfit – if it could be called that – had a dusting of glitter making them sparkle and shimmer in the light .

Something glinted inside the box and I set aside the bra to see what else Cade had sent. Whatever it was had slipped underneath the tissue paper. My fingers closed around something cold and as I lifted it out, I gasped. If I hadn't known how meticulous Cade was, I would've thought it was a mistake .

The gold chain was delicate and the setting for the stone simple. It wasn't a diamond. It was amethyst, a deep purple that went perfectly with both my eyes and the lingerie. I'd never seen a necklace quite so exquisite .

I set it back down in the box, my head swimming. I understood the clothes and the instructions. He was still in teacher mode. But I didn't get why he'd given me the necklace? It seemed like such an odd gesture, especially after how we'd left things. I closed my eyes and tried to regroup .

This was business. Pleasure too, but no attachments. Cade had his reasons for everything he did and I was sure I'd learn what they were tonight. For right now, I had to do all of the things on his list, and they were going to take me a while .

After several hours of grooming in ways I'd never imagined, I was dressed – or as close to dressed as I was going to be – and ready to go. I'd had to dig into my closet to find my longest coat, but it actually ended up being the perfect choice. The bottom of it hit just above my knees and it closed tightly enough that I didn't have to worry about flashing anyone. One accidental slip and I could end up in jail for indecent exposure. I could only imagine having to call one of my friends to bail me out for that .

My stomach was in knots as I headed out. I was sure someone would figure out what I was doing and what I wasn't wearing, but no one gave me a second glance. The cab driver barely looked at me until I gave him the address to the loft, and then it had hardly been lust or admiration in his eyes. He definitely didn't think a woman should be alone in that neighborhood at this time of night. After I reassured him that, yes, that's where I wanted to go, we set off .

It was a bit noisier than it had been the last time I'd been here, but no one bothered me as I got out of the cab. I was pretty sure someone was watching me, but when I looked around, I saw only a few kids across the street and a guy standing on the corner, smoking a cigarette. He looked a bit rough around the edges, like he'd done some time, but he wasn't doing anything threatening. No one looked my way .

After taking a calming breath, I headed up the stairs. It was showtime .