Saved (Minnesota Caribou #5) - Colleen Charles Page 0,63
so built up in your mind, the only way it could go was down. But we’re gonna get you focused on the present moment. I have some tricks. Don’t worry, Cora. It won’t be bad again. It takes time to learn each other’s bodies and sex always gets better in a loving, trusting relationship so don’t despair. But first of all, let me make a call to Sue-Ann’s and have something sent over that will make you feel more confident. When you feel sexy on the outside, you feel sexy on the inside.”
A queasy feeling tugs at my gut. “I don’t want him to see me as just his friend anymore. And I thought this would do it. But it… it’s just not enough!”
“I see the way the man looks at you when he doesn’t think he’ll get caught. I saw his mouth fall open when he saw you tonight. Hell, he practically corked Kane’s mouth with a wing, and he told the man he’d kill him if he came on to you. You, my dear, are not in the friend zone. And I’m not sure you ever were. For you two, the friend zone was simply an illusion serving as a safety net. But nothing good in life comes without a bit of risk. And if he won’t jump first, you will.”
Sue-Ann steps away, and I hear her mumbling into her phone to her assistant manager. After a few minutes, she claps her hand. “There. In fifteen minutes, we’ll meet back here. Are you game to give an old gal’s advice the old college try?”
I stand and walk into her hug. “Sue-Ann, I would do anything you asked me to do. I can’t thank you enough for caring about me.”
She pats me on the back. “That’s what friends are for. That—and babysitting duty so I can shampoo my hair. I’ll be asking you for favors soon enough.”
I smile at her. “You’ve got a deal.”
*****
Sue-Ann gives a final tug to the black lace corset, pushing my breasts toward the ceiling. For a second, I wonder if I’ll be able to breathe, but I guess it will come off sooner rather than later. She already added matching thong panties and stockings with garters to the ensemble. We’re stuck in the handicapped stall in Spud’s with Laura, Jason’s wife, standing guard outside to make sure no disabled people need to use it.
I wonder if Blaine’s going to notice that my formerly bare legs are now wrapped in sheer black hose. I only wear nylons to funerals, so I hope that isn’t an omen.
Her gaze sweeps my body. “There. Now you’re perfect.”
Even though most of my body is covered, I’ve never felt so exposed. “Sue-Ann, I can’t thank you enough for this.”
She puts a tapered finger to my lips. “Shh. I want to do this. Heck, this is what I do best. Sue-Ann’s is known for special occasion outfits. I make sure the woman is always ready for her close-up and her moment in the spotlight. Most of those moments involve a gown and don’t take place in a bedroom, but I’m all for a little change of pace.”
Worry tugs at my heart. “What if he doesn’t like it?”
“Cora, there isn’t a man alive who doesn’t like stockings with garters. And this corset laces in the back. When he undoes the ribbons and loosens them, your perfect tits are going to fall into his hands. You have a lot of great features, but those… damn, girl. Women pay twenty thousand dollars to look like you naked. You should work your best assets.”
Sue-Ann believes in me, so why does it feel like I’m still drowning in doubt? “Really?”
“I’d kill to have your cleavage. Maybe I will once I’m further along in my pregnancy.”
A ripple of wonder hits me in the gut. “I can’t believe you see flaws in yourself, Sue-Ann. You’re like everything a man could want. Ever since we met, I thought you were the most beautiful and smart and successful woman I know.”
“Every woman has things about herself that she wishes were different or better. I think that’s just part of being female in a patriarchal society. We’re groomed from birth to look lovely, speak softly, and cater to a man’s every whim. I wasn’t even out of pigtails before I thought that was a bunch of bullshit. Max is better than most, but in the end, he’s an alpha male. I just hope he’s good with our daughter.”