"Can I help you?" the saleswoman asked from behind me.

I tried not to suppress a guilty start, but my hand moved away from the black panty-shorts too quickly. I had walked into the lingerie boutique impulsively and would have left as soon as I realized I was the only customer in the store, but the shorts caught my attention.

"I like those," she said smiling when I turned towards her. I had a problem with pretty women and stopping my eyes from staring; the Asian cast to her eyes fascinated me enough that I made a minute study of the rest of her facial features.

"Are you looking for something for your wife?" she asked fidgeting as I continued to stare at her.

"I'm sorry," I said shaking my head to break contact with her not-so-plain brown eyes. "I'm not married."

"A girlfriend?" she asked.

"On the reserve list," I replied without thinking

"Excuse me?" she asked with her expressive eyes showing confusion.

"She and I haven't had our flashpoint," I said looking at the shorts thoughtfully. "She's given it some thought, but..."

I shrugged and reached out to touch the black silk again.

"Does that actually happen?" she asked curiously.

"What?" I asked.

"A flashpoint when you're on the reserve list," she said with some mystery in her smile.

"Not often," I answered. "But when it does, the fire tends to leave scars."

"Do you like scars?" she asked wide-eyed.

"I'm still young enough to think passion should burn," I replied.

"Those are a little risque for someone on the reserve list," she said reaching out to touch the shorts; they were see-through.

"I imagine that she'll stand in front of the mirror that first time, look at herself, and think about me," I said smiling. "That might be as close as I ever get."

"You're one of those!" she exclaimed suddenly.

"Come again?"

"You like being on the list," she clarified.

I tilted my head and studied her again; the point surprised me in its honest assessment.

"I think I'll have to say guilty as charged," I told her. I thought about taking a step back as something dangerous came over her eyes.

"So have you decided on them?" she asked, nodding at the shorts.

"I'm trying to imagine how they'll look on her," I said confused by the tone of her voice; there was a hint of challenge to it.

"I could help you with that," she said taking a small step towards me. "I'll be glad to model them for you."

I looked behind and over my right shoulder, and then over my left to make sure.

"I'm sorry," I said. "I think I heard you incorrectly."

Her eyes wavered, and she opened her mouth.

"Actually, I heard correctly!" I said before she could retract the words. "You're about her size so I would love to see you in them... to make sure they're the right choice, of course."

I watched as her back straightened, and she nodded. I turned to keep my eyes on her as she closed and locked the front door. The sound of the lock catching made me thankful for the impulse to come inside.