The air thickened in the room.
It thickened enough that it was very hard to breathe.
“Capitaine?”Sofie asked, and before Virginia could react she held the red satin over her chest, a stunningly sensuous caress against her breasts, and she said, as softly, “Imagine that,Capitaine,imagine that.”
Virginia bit her lip to cut off a moan. Every inch of her body was now turgidly raised.
“I more than approve,” Devlin said far too quietly, his tone rough.
The red satin was whipped away.
“Mademoiselle needs undergarments.” Madame stood. “Two corsets, one black, one white, both trimmed with ribbons, with lace. And for each, a chemise to match.Oui?”
Sofie now held up a section of black lace and as Devlin seemed to nod, she whisked it across Virginia’s chest. Virginia didn’t have to glance at herself to know the lace was transparent.
Devlin’s gaze was rapt.
“Le Capitaineis happy?” Sofie said softly.
“Very.”
The lace disappeared, followed by a sheer ivory linen, and when that was gone, several ribbons in shades of ivory, cream and pink trickled down Virginia’s breasts.
“Oui?”Madame asked briskly.
Virginia tried to swallow, but the ribbons were silk and swallowing was now as difficult as breathing.
Devlin nodded, no longer speaking. His gaze moved over the ribbons—over her breasts—and finally lifted to her face.
She could not look away.
“Use them all with the ivory,” he said.
“Superbe, mon capitaine,”Madame agreed wholeheartedly. “Drawers to match in the latest fashion,oui?”
“Yes,” Devlin said.
“I wish to show you something. A special silk, for the undergarment, very special, mademoiselle will love it. It is downstairs,un moment, s’il vous plaît.” Madame walked out.
Virginia wondered how she was going to survive the fitting.
Sofie now held up a rich, shimmering dark purple silk against Virginia and a hollow feeling overcame her as Devlin slowly nodded. This time Sofie did not toss the silk aside. “How low,mon capitaine?” Sofie murmured. She adjusted the fabric so that only the topmost swells of Virginia’s chest were revealed.“Pour la jour?”
“Lower,” he said.
Virginia felt as if she were in a trance, a sexual one, and she blinked, not sure if she was horrified or not. She had never worn such a low neckline in her life, much less even lower.
“Here?” Sofie asked, lowering the garment by an inch.
“Very nice,” Devlin said thickly. And suddenly he spoke quickly in fluent French.
“D’accord,”Sofie said when he was through. She sent Virginia a glance and hurried out, closing the door behind her.
Virginia met Devlin’s gaze as he slowly stood and she turned, reaching wildly for the closest fabric in order to cover herself. But she knew.
“Don’t,” he said, a command.
She froze, a wisp of silk in her hand, her nipples hurting, her sex ripe.
