Trust Me by Jayne Ann Krentz Page B

version of this menu. I wanted to save it, too, in case I change my mind.” Desdemona glared at the screen. “I wish Tony were here. He's the only one who actually understands this stupid machine.”
    “Forget the computer,” Kirsten said cheerfully. “I've got a surprise for you.”
    Desdemona's attention was still on the menu. She was not overly fond of computers. The only reason she had one in her office was because Tony had talked her into it. Tony was fascinated by high-tech hardware. Whenever he was around, he was forever fiddling with her software. “My birthday isn't until next week.”
    “This isn't a birthday present,” Henry informed her grandly. “It's a thank-you gift.”
    Desdemona glanced up from her work and saw that Kirsten held a large box in her arms.
    Kirsten and Henry were both grinning from ear to ear. That was nothing new. They had been wearing similar expressions since Desdemona had agreed to cosign the loan papers for Exotica Erotica two weeks earlier.
    “A gift? For me?” Distracted at last, Desdemona studied the box with interest. “That was very thoughtful of you. But you really shouldn't have. You ought to be putting all of your money into Exotica Erotica.”
    “This stuff didn't cost much,” Kirsten assured her.
    “Free samples, for the most part,” Henry explained as he opened the box.
    “Free samples of what?” Desdemona asked.
    “The products I'm going to stock in Exotica Erotica.” Kirsten reached into the box and lifted out a black leather garter belt trimmed with steel studs. “There's a matching brassiere in here somewhere. Also a darling mask and a red and black harness.”
    Desdemona stared at the garter belt. “Oh, dear.”
    “Two different sizes of battery-powered personal vibrators.” Henry produced the small, anatomically correct implements with a flourish. “And a selection of massage balms and oils.”
    Desdemona felt herself turn very pink. “I don't know what to say.”
    “I threw in some feathers, some little velvet whips, and one of these things.” Kirsten held up a device that consisted of two small balls linked by a string. A tag dangled from it. “Instructions are attached, as you can see. There's also a supply of condoms in assorted colors and some strawberry-flavored lubricant in here somewhere.”
    Desdemona was speechless. She gazed helplessly at the items in the box. “Uh…”
    “Don't say a word,” Kirsten said warmly. “I want you to have these things.”
    Desdemona cleared her throat and finally found her voice. “Won't you need this stuff as floor samples or something?”
    “Kirsten wants you to have them.” Henry fixed her with a determined expression. “And she's got the right idea. It's time you put some fun into your life, Desdemona. You live like a nun. You're practically married to Right Touch.”
    “I'm perfectly content the way I am,” Desdemona said quickly. “Honestly I am.”
    “Impossible,” Henry said. “You're a Wainwright. You were born for passion.”
    “Passion is dangerous these days.”
    He held up the box of condoms. “So you're going to be careful.”
    “It takes two to tango,” Desdemona said weakly.
    “Juliet and Aunt Bess have someone new for you to meet,” Kirsten said. “An actor who's working on the East-side in a dinner theater production of Camelot .”
    Desdemona dropped her head into her hands. “Not another blind date.”
    “Okay, so it's an ancient musical, and he's not exactly the lead,” Henry said, not without sympathy. “You can't have everything.”
    “I know.”
    “Juliet says the guy's straight, single, and employed,” Kirsten put in. “Bess knows his family. They're theater people, too. What more do you want?”
    “This is getting embarrassing,” Desdemona said. “Juliet's and Bess's blind dates never work out. Furthermore, I don't need any assistance with my love life.”
    Juliet came through the office door in typical Wainwright fashion, as though she were making