He stepped up to her when she walked out the door of her office on Friday afternoon and slipped her arm through his.

She pulled her wool coat more snugly around her against the cold, biting chill of the winter afternoon. He helped her into the car and placed a black silk blindfold over her eyes.

"Relax. You'll enjoy it," he said as she felt the car pull away from the curb.

He put on some soothing, Celtic music and it lulled her until eventually she slept, her head leaning against the cool, wet glass of the window.

"We're here." His voice awoke her from a sound sleep. She sat up and stretched, but the blindfold remained in place so she could not see where they were.

A rush of cold air assaulted her as he opened her door and unfastened her seatbelt, helping her from the car.

She stood on unsteady legs, still trying to push the cotton wool of sleep from her mind.

"Where are we?"

"You'll see in a minute," he said as he led her along what felt like a shoveled path.

The air somehow smelled different, more crisp and clean than usual, more bitingly cold. How far had they driven?

Suddenly the blindfold was gone and a gust of warmth assaulted her. She blinked rapidly as she accustomed herself to the light. Then she shrieked in pleasant surprise, turned around and wrapped her arms around his neck, feathering kisses all over his face.

"You did it. Oh, God, this is wonderful. You finally were able to book us a cabin on Snowtop."

She heard him chuckle. "I wanted it to be a surprise. I thought it would be the perfect place to celebrate."

"Oh it is, it is," she breathed.

Turning away, she looked around the intimate, rustic room. There was a fire already burning brightly in the fireplace and she walked toward it. She stepped onto the brightly colored rug and knelt before the hot flames.

He had always been this thoughtful--and romantic. That was part of why she loved him so much. His surprises were always so special ... and personal. They had talked for a year or more about wanting to spend a weekend at Snowtop. It tended to be difficult to find accommodations unless one booked well ahead and it was one of the more expensive vacation spots around, so he must have been planning this for some time. And he had kept it all a secret.

She turned away from the fire as she heard the door close. He had two suitcases in his hands and dropped them by the door.

"You'll need to hurry--I've made some special arrangements for dinner."

She hopped to her feet. "You have? What?"

He shook his head and a secretive look came across his face. "Uh-uh." He looked down at his wristwatch. "You have thirty minutes. I've packed a dress in your suitcase. It's black, and perfect for tonight." The look in his eyes darkened. "Only the dress, nothing else. You understand? Oh, and the garter belt and stockings that go with it."

A slow smile spread across her lips. Oh, yes, she understood completely. No bra, no panties. He liked her accessible, especially on trips like this. She had no problem with that at all.

He picked up the suitcases and turned away, heading up the wooden steps to the loft above. Quickly, she followed him, eager to begin the evening together. Her nap in the car had rejuvenated her and she looked forward to whatever he had planned.

He turned around to look at her as she hovered behind him waiting expectantly. His gaze met hers. Unzipping his coat, he pulled it off and tossed it aside.

She waited for him to come to her. His head dipped down and he licked her lips. Drawing back, he narrowed his gaze.

"Open," he commanded.

She parted her lips willingly and he swooped down to claim them, driving his tongue deep into her mouth. Her head dropped back as he deepened the kiss, his tongue memorizing the recesses of her mouth, swirling over her teeth, dancing along her tongue. Heat spread through her as passionate need assailed her.

He pushed her coat from her shoulders and it dropped to the floor. His determined hands ripped open the blouse, buttons flying in every direction and tossed it across the room. Pushing the straps of her bra down her shoulders, he lifted his mouth from hers and pressed it to her neck, trailing kisses along the definition of her shoulder. Unhooking the bra, it followed the mangled blouse.