The Halloween sorority sock hop mercifully over (Vinnie didn’t attend, saying that the pinning ceremony was more than he could stand) Vinnie leaned against the cream and green leather upholstery, a cigarette hanging loosely from his lower lip. Vinnie’s hair glistened in the full moon’s golden light. He hung his tanned arm out the window and watched as Chloe parted company with her sorority sisters and waving at him, ran to the car.

“It was a great dance, Vinnie,” Chloe said in that breathless mock Marilyn voice he adored. “You shoulda come.”

“Yeah? Who did you dance with, one of those baby lawyers from Pepperdine?”

“Why?” she asked. “Are you jealous?”

“No, just wondering.”

“I woulda danced just with you,” Chloe said. “If you’d been my date, like you promised.” She pouted. “It’s no fun standing around the punchbowl being a wallflower, so yeah, I danced with Eric Magee, and yes, he’s going to be a lawyer. He’s a really nice boy, too,” Chloe added. “He treats me like a lady.”

“Really?” Vinnie asked. “Maybe I should look him up, rearrange his face for messing with my girl.”

“Well,” Chloe said, “if I was your girl as you say, you’d come to the dances with me.”

“I may have to,” Vinnie said. “Just to keep you in line.”

Chloe giggled.

They cruised down Mulholland Drive. Sleep Walk by Santo and Johnny was playing on the radio. The deep husky instrumental was an instant turn-on. Vinnie grinned his lopsided grin at his date while he leaned over to turn the up dial. His hand rested candidly on Chloe’s thigh then let it go up her skirt. No panties. Great. So there’s no use letting a copped feel go to waste.

Chloe smiled, and pushed his hand away. “Drive the car, Vinnie; there’s plenty of time for that later.”

Vinnie removed his hand. “Yeah, sure,” he said, feeling surly. “So how about it? You gonna cut me some trim tonight or what?”

“You’ll see.” Chloe laughed and cuddled closer.

Damn, but Chloe was especially fine, he thought as she rested her head against his shoulder. He sped up slightly as they cruised toward the edge of town. Her body heat and nearness, the scent of Chanel Number 5, and the awareness of no panties underneath the heavy poodle skirt made him rock hard. She’s not gonna tease me again tonight, he thought. I’ve had it with the yes I will; no I won’t routine. Damn but she’s gotta give me some tonight, he thought. If she don’t, I’m gonna bust a nut.

Vinnie flicked his cigarette butt out of the window, the red ember sparking like fireflies into the night. He slipped his arm around Chloe’s shoulders, his right hand sliding into the accustomed spot under her sweater. His fingers probed around the bra cup, seeking until he found her nipple. She sighed. “How much further?” she asked.