by Dorie Graham
“I’ll see you back at the store, then?”
“Yes.” Delores laced her fingers around her cup.
As he disappeared into the crowd surrounding the food court, Lauren turned wide eyes to her mother. “Let me guess. That was your new D.M.?”
“Frustrating man. He probably came back just to check up on me and here I am taking a coffee break.”
“Oh, he was checking you out all right.”
Delores’s eyebrows arched. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“Mom, you two have the hots for each other.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Lauren.”
“You do.”
“Enough of that. What is this thing you have to get to?”
“I’m going to see a client.”
“You work too hard, dear. I really worry about you.”
“I’m fine.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. So, you and, what was his name, Phillip?”
“Hush.”
“He seemed nice. Not the ogre I was expecting. Not bad-looking, either.”
“I suppose he has a certain appeal. For the right woman, that is. Not that I’m interested. He’s my boss, for goodness’ sake.”
“You know, Mom, you should loosen up. Give old Phillip a shot. You never know what you might be missing.”
Delores frowned as she stood. “You talk to that brother of yours. Tell him he’s to return any unauthorized young women immediately.”
“You’re changing the subject.”
“You have a nice thing, dear. I’d better get back to work.” Her frown deepened. “You don’t think we need to call a lawyer, do you? For Rusty, I mean.”
“Oh, God, I hope not.”
Lauren rose to give her mother a quick hug. “We’ll work it out. I’m sure this girl just has an innocent crush on him. I’ll get to the bottom of it. One thing I know for certain, though, whatever Rusty’s done, he never meant any harm. I’m sure it sounds worse than it is.”
“Well, let me know.”
“Sure.” She cocked her head, smiling. “Now, go get him.”
With a quick glare, Delores turned, then headed toward her store.
“LAUREN! I’m so glad you could make it.” Norma hugged her, planting a kiss firmly in the air above her cheek. “Come in. Get comfortable.”
Turning in a concoction of flowing chiffon that hinted at the teddy beneath, Norma pulled down the gate that cut them off from the rest of the mall. They were cocooned in a place of soft music and flickering candlelight. Dark fabric draped the entire front of the store, further adding to the feeling of intimacy.
“My, this is cozy.” Lauren’s stomach churned. She probably shouldn’t have had that cappuccino on top of the spiked coffee she’d shared with Elliot. And she had completely forgotten about dinner, but the thought of food at that moment made her queasy.
Worrying about Rusty wasn’t helping, either. She hadn’t reached him at his home number, but had left a message for him to call her right away. She patted her purse with its cell phone, reassuring herself it was handy.
Norma ushered her past cartons of merchandise stacked along one wall and an assortment of half-filled fixtures and tables. “When this place opened up, Charles and I jumped all over it, even though it’s early yet for our launch date. This way we can take our time getting moved in and the stock ready.”
And your advertising needs squared away. “It’s a great spot.”
“It has good energy, doesn’t it?”
“Uh, yeah.”
They stopped near the dressing rooms. Half a dozen women lounged in overstuffed chairs arranged in a semicircle around a mirrored area set off as a makeshift stage. A long coffee table had been placed in front of the chairs. A silver serving tray with glasses and an ice bucket chilling a bottle of champagne graced one end, while an assortment of lotions and creams cluttered the other. A velvet-covered box rested on the floor near one of the center chairs Norma indicated for Lauren.
“You can sit by me, dear. You’re going to love the models I hired to show off my new line. I’m so excited.” Norma took a moment to introduce Lauren to the rest of the ladies, while she poured her a glass of champagne.
“Thank you.” Lauren accepted the drink, then took a cautious sip. To her relief, her stomach didn’t rebel.
A slim woman dressed in a black teddy with a matching lace cover-up padded in on bare feet and deposited a tray of cheese and fruit in the center of the table. She popped a grape into her mouth, her eyes closing with pleasure. “Oh, Norma, these are the sweetest grapes.”
“I want one, Francine.” A brunette near the dressing rooms leaned forward and Francine dropped a grape into her mouth. “Mmm, those are sweet.” The second woman moaned in satisfaction as she ate the fruit.
Some of the calm the champagne had instilled dissipated, but Lauren checked herself. She was placing too much sexual emphasis on food since her encounters with Adam. These women were probably all close friends of Norma’s. No doubt they enjoyed a good party. Where was the harm in that?
“Feel free to try anything on.” Norma gestured as another woman stepped out of one of the dressing rooms. Several of the other women lounging in the chairs wore lingerie in provocative shades and styles.
The woman strutted before the mirrors, turning to see all angles of the white leather bra and panty set she wore with garter and hose. “Oh, Norma, you’re going to let us buy some of this tonight, aren’t you?”
“You want that? Take it, dear. Won’t that cute hubby of yours go crazy for it?” Norma rose. With a practiced hand, she tugged the bra lower. “Now, fluff up your breasts. That’s it,” she said as the woman reached inside the cups to shift her breasts higher. “See the difference?”
A buxom redhead beside Lauren reached over and squeezed her arm. “Oh my God, look at him.”
Lauren followed her gaze to where a man had emerged from one of the dressing rooms. He wore a short silk robe that enhanced, rather than hid, his solid body beneath. “I hadn’t realized she’d be using male models,” she said to the redhead, whose name she couldn’t remember.
“I think there’s just the one. She has a few items for men. I wish my boyfriend looked that good in a robe. I’d buy him one in every color.”
Lauren nodded, imagining the soft silk skimming over Adam’s broad chest. Her blood warmed. “Maybe I’ll pick one up for my…” She let the sentence trail off, not quite sure how to classify him at this point.
The music picked up to a livelier tempo. Norma clapped her hands. “I think that’s our cue that they’re ready to start.” She hurried over to her seat beside Lauren.
The lights above them dimmed. An Amazon of a woman, dressed in heels and a red lace robe, strode to the center of the mirrored area. “Good evening, ladies. I’m Loretta Duncan, I have my own agency here in Atlanta. I’ve brought three of my models with me tonight. We’ve never done a lingerie party before, but when Norma explained what she wanted, I knew we could give her a real show. So we’re going to kind of go with the flow. My models aren’t at all shy and we hope you won’t be, either. We love having the opportunity to get close and intimate with you. Norma also has a number of accessories…” She gestured to the assorted bottles and tubes.
“So if any of you have questions, just yell them out. Nothing’s too personal in the world of lingerie. And if you’re all good—” her eyes shone “—she’ll show us what she brought in the box.”
Lauren’s gaze fell to the box by her feet. Curiosity filled her. Would the shop be selling sex toys?
“Let me first show you what I have on.” Loretta dropped her robe. A murmur of admiration rose from the party guests. “This is a bustier and thong combination.” She rotated to reveal the thong back disappearing between her firm buttocks. “Wonderful combined with matching garter and silk stockings.” She bent slightly, running her hand down the long curve of her hip.
Lauren swallowed, remembering the crotchless merry widow from Nor
ma’s line. Would they model the racier outfits? She drank deeply of the champagne and made an effort to relax. It wasn’t as though she was a prude or anything, but somehow she’d thought of this as more of a business function.
“Here’s Darren and Amanda.” Loretta gestured to the male model and another lanky woman in a matching black robe.
The couple glided out, arm in arm, then turned gracefully and dropped their robes. Loretta moved off center. “You see the thong holds a vital place in this collection, so I hope you’re all working those glutes, ladies.”
One of the women on the end toward the dressing rooms moaned loudly. “Oh, honey. I want to work him.”
Darren, now dressed in the barest leopard-print thong, flashed her a dazzling smile, while Amanda brushed against him in her merry widow of black leather accented across the breasts with the leopard print.
“You see, not only is the thong an attractive feature, it’s highly practical when you and your partner get caught up in that moment of passion.” Loretta gestured to the couple.
Darren turned Amanda. He bent her forward, then simulated thrusting into her from behind. Lauren shifted uncomfortably in her seat, while several of the women catcalled and cheered.
Norma nudged her. “I’ve ordered that set for Charles and myself.”
Lauren murmured something unintelligible into her champagne glass, trying desperately to blot from her mind the image Norma’s comment painted.
Everyone applauded as Darren and Amanda glided back toward one of the dressing rooms and a new model cut her way across the carpeted floor.
“Ah, here’s Darlene, ladies. Isn’t she gorgeous?” Loretta’s voice drifted over them.
Darlene strutted her stuff in black leather and lace reminiscent of Lauren’s merry widow, but hers was another bustier and thong combination. She smiled sweetly at them as she turned, then shook her firm backside to the beat of the music.
“Damn, Norma,” Francine called from her seat. “I knew you’d show us a good time. But this is getting me all hot and bothered. Time for the quencher.”
Several women hooted their approval as Francine leaned over to search in her oversize purse. To Lauren’s dismay, she brought out a bottle of tequila and a number of shot glasses.
Lauren stole a cautious glance at Norma, Elliot’s warning ringing clear in her mind. “My, she seems to be enjoying the party.”
Norma chuckled softly. “That Francine thinks she is the party.” She shrugged. “Actually, give her a couple shots and she is.”
Francine lined up a dozen or so glasses and started pouring shots as Lauren’s stomach tightened and Loretta explained in smooth tones, “This outfit has a nice feature, as Darlene will demonstrate. Imagine you and your lover are kissing. It’s long and wet and wild. His tongue strokes you into a passionate heat. His hands glide over you. At first, you like him touching you through the sexy leather and lace.”
Darlene ran her hands over her body, caressing herself as Loretta continued, “But soon it isn’t enough. You’re burning for the feel of his hands on your skin, on your breasts.”
With the flick of her wrists and the rasp of Velcro, Darlene tore the cups from her bra. Candlelight flickered across her firm breasts. Closing her eyes, she rolled her nipples between her fingers as the women watching tossed back shots and gasped their approval.
“Don’t you love it?” Norma squeezed Lauren’s arm. “I told the designer what I wanted and he aimed to please.”
“It seems pleasure was definitely on his mind.” Lauren averted her gaze from the model, amazed at how warm the room had become.
The redhead handed her a shot glass filled with tequila. “Here you go, hon.”
“Oh, no thank you. I think I’ve had too much champagne as it is.”
“Go ahead,” the redhead urged.
“I’d rather not.” Lauren pushed the offering away.
“Here, don’t force it on her,” Norma cut in. “I’ll drink it.”
“Oh, no. That’s okay, Norma. I’ll take it.” Lauren straightened as Norma took the glass. What had she done?
Norma waved her hand aside. “I need a little something to take the edge off, since I sent Charles to Savannah this weekend. What was I thinking? I knew I’d get all hot and bothered here.” She tossed back the drink in one swallow.
She fluffed her hair as Darlene retired and Darren and Amanda returned. “Now, there’s nothing wrong with looking, is there?”
Lauren followed her gaze back to the front. Loretta fanned herself, apparently getting a little hot, too. “For those of you of a more daring nature, we offer this sexy number Amanda’s wearing.”
Darren, adorned in black silk boxers, lifted off Amanda’s gauzy cover-up. The music kicked into a jazzy number as Amanda gyrated against him, in her cupless, crotchless merry widow. He glided his hands over her, turning her, bending her to reveal each special feature as Loretta crooned and gestured to the couple.
Norma slammed back another shot. Francine moaned. To Lauren’s amazement, she massaged her own breast and fed another grape to the woman she’d accommodated earlier. The woman sucked Francine’s fingers into her mouth along with the grape and Lauren gasped, suddenly finding it hard to breathe.
She glanced at Norma. Perhaps their hostess would call a halt before things got too out of hand, but Norma’s eyes had glazed over. Her own breasts heaved as she burrowed her hand down the front of her teddy.
Lauren clamped her eyes shut as an excited cry from Amanda hinted that Darren had moved beyond the simulation stage. Good God, they were on the verge of some weird orgy.
Anxiety raced through Lauren as the nausea in her stomach built. She needed air. Would Norma notice if she slipped away? She gathered her purse, averting her gaze as the redhead beside her moaned and threw her leg over the arm of her chair.
“Ah, work it,” Loretta purred.
In one horrid moment, Lauren realized she didn’t have her car. An excited grunt from Norma’s direction precluded asking after the limo. Lauren kept her gaze riveted to the floor as a rhythmic thumping sounded from the mirrored area and Darren let out with a husky, “Oh, yeah, baby! Where’s that box?”
Lauren yanked her feet away from the velvet box. She had to get out of there. She blinked at a sudden ringing in her ears. Was that her cell phone?
She dug furiously in her purse as the phone shrilled again. She cupped the phone to her mouth, hoping to blot out the sounds of sexual pleasure surrounding her. “Hello?”
“Lauren?” Adam’s voice had never sounded so sweet.
“Adam.” She breathed a sigh of relief. The redhead beside her let out a loud moan as her chair rocked wildly.
“What’s going on? Where are you?”
“Never mind. Just come get me. I’m at Northpoint Mall. Meet me at the main entrance.”
“You okay?”
Someone slid the velvet box away from her feet.
“Yeah, just hurry.”
“I’m on my way.”
She disconnected, then quietly made her way back to the front of the store. Her heart raced in anticipation. She could forgive him for just about anything in that moment. Adam was coming to her rescue.
15
ADAM PEERED through his windshield as he pulled to the curb in front of the mall. The unease that had gripped him since his call to Lauren intensified. She had sounded almost panicked. She rose from a nearby bench, her arms wrapped tightly around her middle. What had happened to her?
“Hi.” She slipped into the passenger’s seat. “Thanks for coming to get me.”
“No problem. You okay?”
She shivered, then a smile broke across her face. To his surprise, she started laughing. She laughed until tears rolled down her cheeks. “Oh God, I’m sorry.”
Relief that she was all right mixed with the frustration over worrying for nothing. “What’s going on? You sounded so upset on the phone. And what were all those strange noises in the background?”
Reining
in her laughter, she swiped at her eyes. “You won’t believe it. I was just at a lingerie party that got a little out of control.”
“What?”
“One minute they were modeling lingerie, then the next they were throwing back shots of tequila and getting it on.”
“Getting it on?”
“I’ll spare you the details.”
He grinned. “I don’t know. Sounds like something I’d like to hear.”
She gave him a stern look. “Maybe later. Anyway, your timing was perfect. I don’t even think anyone noticed when I left. Though I may have lost our biggest potential client yet, I don’t even care. I just needed to get out of there.”
With a nod, he pulled away from the curb. “Your place?”
“Yes, please.”
They drove a short distance in silence. He glanced her way. Her earlier mirth had settled and she seemed pensive as she stared out the window. He squared his jaw. Somehow, he had to tell her he wasn’t her secret admirer.
“When we get to your place I’d like to come in for a little bit, so we can talk, if that’s okay,” he said.
“Um, all right.” She turned to face him. “You didn’t happen to see Rusty today?”
“We caught a beer after work.”
She folded her arms across her chest. “Did he happen to mention a certain Jack Pickard?”
Adam frowned. “I don’t recognize the name.”
“He’s got a teenage daughter he says Rusty is hiding somewhere?”
“Oh.” His gut tightened.
“Oh?” Leaning closer, she narrowed her eyes. “What does that mean? What do you know?”
“Look, Lauren, sunshine…it’s nothing to get upset about. Rusty handled it. They found the girl.”
“Back up. He handled what?”
“This girl, Sherry, followed him from Texas, without his knowledge. He didn’t invite her. She showed up on his doorstep, bags in hand—”
“Was she a runaway?” She stared at him, eyes wide.
“Sort of. She’s eighteen. I think she was living with her father at the time, though, and neglected to tell him she was leaving.”