We were having a block party. We had permission from the council to seal the street off for a few hours in the afternoon and we'd set up several tables and barbecues. We all contributed food and booze and those people who liked to cook were happily running the barbecues.
I attended, making sure a number of people saw me. I'm a dedicated introvert and this type of hail fellow, well met, party was anathema to me, but I attended and even provided some booze, showing what a good neighbour I was.
The way I intended to work it was to be obviously noticed at the start of the party when everyone was there and then quietly fade out and vanish back inside once it started to get noisy. I'd appear again at the end of the do, and people would assume I'd been there all along.
The initial glad-handing went well and then I quietly vanished, slipping back inside and reaching for the book I was currently reading. I'd barely had time to open the book when I was interrupted.
"What is Mr Grouchy doing inside when there's a party going on?" a feminine voice asked.
The question came as a bit of a surprise as I currently lived alone. Looking up I found myself regarding Isabel, a young lady who lived a couple of doors down.
"Isabel," I said with a nod. "Ah, I was at the party. I'm just taking a short break."
"Uh-huh," she said in a voice redolent with disbelieve. "And how long a break do you intend to take?"
"Not that long," I said quickly. "I'll be out again shortly."
She looked pointedly at the beer I had sitting on the coffee table and then switched her gaze to my book.
"Just long enough for a few beers and maybe a few chapters," she suggested. "Oh, no!" she exclaimed looking at her watch. "How on earth did several hours slip away? Not your fault I guess."
She got me good with that one, I had to admit.
"Come on, surely I can tempt you to join in the fun?" she teased.
I looked her over. Early twenties, was my guess, quite pretty and dressed casually as befitted the party in somewhat flirty clothes. She'd deliberately posed a little, showing off her figure, when she suggested she could tempt me. An evil genie goosed me at that stage.
I took my time and deliberately looked her over, letting her see that I was looking and approving of what I saw.
"Tell you what, Isabel," I said softly. "Take those clothes off and you could tempt me to do almost anything."
"Well, really," she huffed trying to look offended, but couldn't hide the fact that she was also pleased. What woman doesn't like to think she's attractive to a man?
"Yes, really," I assured her, "so how about it? Are you going to try to tempt me?"
"Certainly not. What makes you think I'd do something like that? I don't do that sort of thing."
She hadn't departed, all flustered and embarrassed, so I saw no reason not to tease her a bit more.
"Why not? It'll be a new experience for you. You might even find you enjoy it. I know I would."
"Ha! If I was silly enough to do that I know the type of temptation you'd be trying to enjoy."
"I'm sure you do. So how about it?"
She bridled slightly at my repeating the question.
"I've already said no," she pointed out.
"Well, yes, but you're entitled to change your mind. I'll let you. Showing off your figure doesn't exactly commit you to anything."
Not exactly, maybe, but it makes it a lot harder to refuse. Standing naked in front of him in his house and then say no? Unlikely in my opinion.
"It doesn't matter. Anyone could walk in at any moment and then where would I be? With a ruined reputation, even if I hadn't done anything."
That was a silly argument. I stood up, walked past her to the door and turned the lock. Then I returned to my seat and settled down again.
"Problem solved," I said happily. "Now no-one can walk in on you."
I gave her an expectant look and she gave me a confused one.
"I didn't say I was going to get undressed," she pointed out and I simply shrugged.
"But you want to, and I've removed the problem about intruders, so why not?"