His eyes fell to the Double Indemnity poster near the mantle, framed in an ornate gold casing.

“I remember that movie,” he said. “It scared me when I was little—the chick, I mean. Femme fatale—is that what they’re called? Scared me to death. The thought of someone actually planning to murder their spouse….”

Her eyes drifted to the poster. “I don’t know,” she said softly. “If you were to examine the situation a bit more closely, perhaps you’d have a bit of empathy for her. Things aren’t always what they seem.”

He was thoughtful for a moment then shrugged. He felt his nerves deserting him but forced himself to smile and meet her gaze.

“I see the questions in your eyes, and I’m prepared to answer them.”

“Well, um,” Adam began, unable to meet her stare. “I suppose I do have a question. Why me?”

Evelyn nodded, as if it were a fair question. “Does it matter?”

He took another sip of wine, letting the flavor splash around in his mouth. “I don’t get it,” he said. “Why did you choose to go home with me tonight? There were tons of good looking guys in that place, but you were smiling at me. Why?”

She was quiet a long time. “You seemed…nice.”

Adam snorted.

“No, really,” she said. “Some people have an inner glow; do you know what I’m talking about? They emanate their personality from the outside in. I could tell you were a good guy…and a great lover.”

Adam swayed a little, his nerve faltering. “But, you don’t understand.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”

He set the wine down, forcing himself to look her in the eye. “I don’t know what kind of lover I am. I’m a virgin.”

There was a pause.

“I intend to change that.”