“Fair.” I find one in her size, patting myself on the back for checking the size of the blue set at the lake house. I figured I’d have to replace the one I destroyed by purchasing one online. This is a much better solution. “Do you like the green one, too? Or are we just thinking the red?”
She crosses her arms over her chest. “I said I’m not paying that much for that small piece of fabric.”
“I heard you.” I grab the green one also and then move to a setup of satin high leg teddys. “Yes, or no?”
“Brooks …”
“I’m hearing yes,” I say, rifling through the drawers until I find a buttery yellow one.
“This is ridiculous. It’s unnecessary and wildly overpriced.” She follows me across the room to bodysuits. “It’s a waste of money.”
I shrug, spotting a soft pink piece that’s so sexy that I could come just from imagining this on her. “Sex sells.”
“There’s no way to justify that price tag.”
“I disagree.” I pull out an ocean-blue version alongside the pink one. “Your tits would look amazing in these.”
Her shoulders fall and I sense she’s giving in. I’ve sensed her desire to give in since we walked in the door. This is just new for her—hell, it’s new for me, too, because I’ve never done this before. But it’ll be worth it.
“You’re probably three or four hundred dollars in,” she says.
“Then I guess you better convince your brother to get me back to work or you and your wet pussy will bankrupt me.”
She starts to speak but nothing comes out. I touch the tip of my finger to her chin and lift it so she has nowhere to look but at me.
“I told you that I can’t promise Drew will help you,” she says solemnly with her big, blue Bambi eyes.
I frown. “Oh, damn. That’s right.” I feign disappointment. “Guess you’ll have to pay me back for my services this week in another way.” I nod to a wall filled with bras and panties of all sorts and styles. “I think five or six sets would be a good start.”
“You are out of control.”
Dropping my finger, I survey the options. There are cards labeling what the fit is for each bra and panty. It’s a whole system I can’t understand.
“This is a part of the process,” I say, distracted by the colors and fabrics. “You’re going to try these on for me at the house, I’m going to tell you how hot you are—I’ll probably fuck you a few times—and then you’ll feel more confident. It’s a total win all around.”
She bites her lip but gives up without admitting defeat.
Together, we pick five sets and then go to the register. Darla looks up at us nervously. “Did you find everything?” She surveys our—my—selections. “It looks like you did.”
“He’s uncontrollable,” Audrey says.
“Honey, if your biggest problem is that a man who looks like that is uncontrollable in a little shop like this, I’m ready and willing to trade you places,” Darla says, laughing as she zaps each tag with a wand.
Audrey gazes up at me like I’ve somehow set her up but also like she’s slightly amused.
“These are excellent choices,” Darla says, taking my credit card from me. “I hope you enjoy them.”
“She should enjoy them, shouldn’t she?” I goad. “I want her to always feel as sexy as I think she is.”
Darla sighs as if that’s the best thing she’s heard all day. “Honey, you got you a good man right here. Lock him up and throw away the key before someone tries to steal him.”
Audrey watches my profile, but I don’t look at her. Instead, I take my card from Darla as she shoves the receipt into one of the bags.
“Have a good evening, and thanks for shopping with us,” Darla says.
“Thank you,” I say, gathering the bags.
Audrey gives her a smile and a wave before we exit the store. She slips her hand through my crooked elbow, leaning her head on my arm. Tension leaves my body, replaced with an unexpected warmth. A part of me wants to lean into whatever this is, and the other part wants to keep a careful, measured distance.
