He prepared to hand over the money, bidding her—and that gown—a grateful adieu. Before he could do so, she exhaled decisively. “Fine.” Her hands went to the side of the gown. She began to release a row of hooks hidden in the bodice seam. One by one by one. As the bodice went slack, her squeezed breasts relaxed to their natural fullness. The sleeve fell off her shoulder, revealing the tissue-thin fabric of her shift. A wisp of dark hair tumbled free, kissing her collarbone.
