Satisfied, she took one last look in the mirror. Yes, she thought, he would approve. Now what? Should she wait here or go down to the bar where she assumed he was waiting? She walked from the bedroom back to the sitting room, her heels clicking on the tiled floor. Then she saw something she hadn't noticed before, on the table by the window was a box containing an exquisite black orchid corsage and a small satin evening purse, black with tiny marquisette beads studying it.

She snapped it open to look inside. It held a linen handkerchief, a small mirror and comb, lipstick and eye make-up and a folded note. The note read - I hope you are you ready now. A limousine is waiting downstairs, be quick. The driver has his instructions .

Pulling on the long gloves she hurried to the closet to get her twead coat but it was not there, in its place hung a long black cloak of heavy velvet with a black fur trimmed hood. Still she peered into the cupboard looking for her coat then she realised Thomas meant her to use the cloak She enveloped herself in the warm folds, picked up the little bag and the orchid in it's box and headed down to the lobby.

People stopped to stare as she stepped from the elevator and passed through the crowd. At the entranceway she raised the hood, not just to stave off the cold wind, but also to hide her face from the stares she elicited. Just as Thomas had said in the note, a sleek black limo with its engine running waited for her. The uniformed driver jumped out as soon as she appeared seeming to know she was his fare and held the door for her.

Once cocooned in the warmth of the cab she started to relax. "Where are we going?" She asked the cabbie.

"I'm sorry Ma'am. I have been instructed not to converse with you".

She sat back, a little perturbed; it was all getting rather mysterious. The bright city lights streamed by as the driver sped through the night. Sophie's eyes were big as she gazed through the window at the people and sights they passed. The limo pulled in under the awning of an older stone building and a liveried doorman stepped forward to open the cab door for her.

The restaurant was certainly impressive. Thick carpets muffled the sounds of conversation and cutlery clinking on plates giving an air of discrete elegance. Soft classical music played and the tables were well spaced, separated by banks of plants. Sophie's cloak was taken and hung for her.

"Please come this way, Madam." The headwaiter murmured and Sophie followed him to the long mahogany bar away from the diner's muted conversation. As she climbed onto the high bar stool she was uncomfortably aware that she had no panties on and that the dress was shorter than she usually wore.

"The gentleman will meet you here, madam." And the waiter left her.

She accepted a martini from the bartender who told her it had been paid for. It was not pleasant sitting alone at the bar and she wished that Thomas would join her soon. Once she was sure she heard Thomas's distinctive laugh but, when she turned to look, he was nowhere insight. Then, suddenly he was there, he was in evening dress and looked even more handsome than usual.

"Stand up Sophie. Turn around so that I can see you."

She slipped from the stool and stepped away from the bar, turning slowly to him, eyes averted. He motioned her to continue turning and she did a slow twirl.

"Charming." He said. "You look absolutely perfect." She smiled, resisting the urge to look into his eyes.

"You can sit again." Thomas sat down beside her and she kept her eyes on the drink in front of her.

It was then that she noticed that her short dress had ridden up exposing her stocking-tops, she tried to pull it down but he took her hand in his and stopped her. She looked nervously around wondering whether the other patrons had noticed. Two men sitting at a table a short distance away were staring at her in an obvious way and Sophie squirmed uncomfortably.

"Turn and face the room Sophie. I want to show you off. I am so proud of the way you look."

Thomas swivelled Sophie's bar stool so she was looking out right at the two staring men. The heels of Sophie's shoes were hooked into the foot bar of the stool and her knees were pressed tightly together, she was painfully aware of the fact that she was panty-less. The two men were at eye level with Sophie's crotch and made no pretence of their interest.

"Open your knees Sophie." She turned to him, appealing with her eyes but he just nodded firmly, his eyes glittering.

Slowly she relaxed her muscles and her thighs fell open. She kept her eyes lowered, unable to look at the ogling men. She knew they could see everything; she felt humiliated and excited all at once, humiliated that strangers were seeing her in a way that only Thomas had so far, and excited because she knew Thomas was proud of her. It was a new feeling for her and she gradually grew more confident, sitting up straighter and tossing her hair aside.

Thomas noticed the change in her and was watching her carefully. He found her new self-assurance arousing and knowing that the two watchers were turned on just increased his arousal. The waiter approached and told them their table was ready. Thomas held Sophie's elbow as she slipped off the bar stool and, smiling sweetly at the two sweating men, she followed the waiter into the dining room.

Their table was in a secluded corner of the dining room, hidden from the other diners by lush foliage. Sophie took the seat pulled out for her by Thomas and as he sat down she remembered to keep her eyes averted. Looking down she realised the table top was glass and she could see their legs and feet below. Instinctively she drew her feet in and tucked them under her chair.

Her eyes widened as she felt Thomas's shoeless foot press her knees open and travel upward. The waiter immediately saw what was happening and blushed deeply.

" M-m-m-may I take your order now?" He said huskily. "Or would you like a few more minutes?"

"We'll order now." Thomas said decisively. "We'd like the oysters on the half shell to start with, and some chilled white wine…. Australian Chardonnay."

"Yes, sir." And he was gone. Being seen in such a position mortified Sophie.

"What's wrong with you Sophie?" Thomas asked impatiently.

"He saw everything Thomas…how could you?"

"For God's sake Sophie! He's seen far worse I'm sure. Do you realise you have just addressed me incorrectly?" His foot squirmed hard against her and she gave a little gasp of pain, closing her thighs involuntarily. " This means punishment before the end of the meal."