She ushers me into the changing room, walking into it with me. The fitting room is huge. ‘Try all of these on.’ She points to the pile of underwear on her arm. ‘We must build the outfit from the bottom up.’ She flings the garments onto little hooks on the wall before rather dramatically stepping outside and swishing the curtain shut.
I pick up the first one. It is an elaborate system of lace, ribbons and whalebone. It is a bridal basque. It’s next-level sexy. Luckily for me, it is no different to the costumes the Dollz have me wearing on stage half the time, so I climb into it easily.
‘It’s nice,’ I yell through the curtain. ‘But maybe a bit much?’
I have nice underwear in my suitcase. I don’t need pricey, see-through, baby-doll nighties and hold-up stockings.
‘Let’s see it,’ she says brusquely, sounding like a head teacher from Poland or Latvia or somewhere, and I find I’m instantly doing as I’m told. There really is no need for this level of attention to detail. But as soon as I emerge from the changing room and lock eyes with Matteo sitting a few feet away on the sofa, it’s as though I’m channelling my inner Liberty when she did her one-woman catwalk for Hank Junior.
His eyes widen as he almost spills his drink. I watch him recover himself as I do a little twirl for him. The sheer fabric is leaving little to the imagination. The high cut of the legs is super flattering. My waist is snatched. It’s like a second skin.
‘What do you think?’ the assistant asks him.
He coughs, putting his drink down on the coffee table. ‘Nice.’
She tuts. ‘Next one, please.’ As I disappear behind the curtain, I hear her explaining to Matteo, ‘We must find the correct underwear so that the dress sits comfortably.’
Makes sense.
‘But essentially, we must find out what your tastes are. The wedding night is the foundation stone to a healthy sex life. What drives your passions? What are your tastes?’
I hear Matteo coughing again. This must be excruciating for him. Who knew shopping for a couple of rentals would be this intrusive?
However, I am very keen for her to get to the bottom of Matteo’s passions and tastes. And I am willing to try on every goddamn piece of underwear in the whole store to find out.
‘You like white virginal? Full-length Victorian blushing bride nightgown? Showgirl? Been around the block and knows what she wants,Fifty Shadestype? Cheerleader? Farm girl? City executive boss lady? Skater girl? Gothic vampire queen? What’s your type?’
She’s really bullying him, but to his credit he doesn’t answer her. He hasn’t caved as quickly as me. I fling open the curtain.
Matteo’s eyes scoot across my body before he stares respectfully into the space above my head. ‘Yes. That’s very nice too.’
‘I’m not sure about the feathers or the satin French knickers or…’ I say, hesitantly, ‘…the frilly stockings.’
Matteo is very much a stockings kind of guy.
The assistant looks from me to Matteo and back again. She purses her lips and screws her eyes, thinking, assessing what kind of sex life we have.How can she possibly comprehend, just by observing us for a few moments, the explosive, off-the-charts chemistry that we have the moment the bedroom door is closed? How?She taps her chin with her finger before gasping lightly. ‘I have it!’ She races off, leaving us for a moment.
I wander slowly over to him. I sneak a peek around to make sure we are alone before straddling him on the sofa.
Matteo visibly swallows. His eyes drop to my breasts which, thanks to this balcony bra, are practically poking his eyes out. His hands automatically reach for my waist as I tease him by grinding against him. He lets out a low moan, closing his eyes.
‘Enjoying the show?’ I say huskily.
He gives me a piercing look. ‘Any more of this and there won’t be a show. We’ll need to go back to the hotel.’ His breathing is coming thick and fast. I place my lips on his and just as the kiss deepens, I climb off him, leaving him wanting more. His eyes are wide with lust and mischief.
The assistant scurries back in. ‘I have it!’ She waves a hand in Matteo’s direction. ‘I know what he likes.’ She gives me a slip of the softest material I’ve ever felt, smiling like a wise old cougar.
‘I’m sure I don’t need to buy new underwear,’ I say. ‘I have?—’
‘Trust me.’ She all but shoves me behind the curtain.
Once I’ve put the underwear on, I glimpse myself in the full-length mirror and gasp.
‘Told you,’ she says, poking a head round the curtain with a wink. ‘Perhaps keep it a surprise for the wedding night?’
I nod. I look insanely hot. It shapes, it lifts, it fits like a glove, and it is unbelievably sexy. I must have it. I must. I’ve never wanted anything more in my life.
I hear her explain to Matteo that we have our foundation garments and that now we will be trying on dresses. She needs to have an idea of his taste and mine before the real selection process can begin.
