December Rain (30 page)

“Lovely dear,” the woman says emerging from behind a rack in the distance. “It’s full coverage and elegant.”

“I usually think of full coverage as in...” Monica motions to her stomach area. “Full coverage.”

She smiles. “The gentleman said you were modest. The other items may suit you better then.”

Monica looks at his smirk. “A naughty dinner huh?” she says.

“I’ve heard the food is amazing.”

“I bet.” She presses her lips together taking in the idea. “I suppose you get to wear a suit or something layered and warm like that?”

“I was thinking that would be appropriate, but I’ll wear whatever you want.”

Monica turns towards the mirror and closes the door behind her, barely missing Quinn, still leaning there.

“Sorry honey.”

“It’s okay,” he says, amused.

She discovers the other items hung by length.
Is this a camisole or a dress? It’s pretty short. At least at Halloween I had a bra and underwear covering underneath.
She looked at the next choice.
A leotard? Sleeveless turtleneck leotard? It would probably be weird if it weren’t houndstooth.
She tries on the short lace dress with plunging neckline as well as the one piece houndstooth, shocked by how each piece makes her feel. They have a naughty librarian vibe that she likes.

“Here’s a skirt you may also put with that jumper,” the woman says flinging over a long sheer skirt of black tulle and silver threading.

Monica slips it on and twirls.

“Am I going to see anything else?” he asks.

Monica notices the price tag on the skirt as it moves with the flow. “Oh my god! Quinn-”

“Don’t even go where I know you’re going. Can I see please?” His voice sounds strained and ready to beg which gives her that little boost of dominant confidence.

“You’ll see it tonight,” she says stroking the short dress hanging on the wall again.

She comes out of the dressing room disheveled, holding the pile of things in her hands. She gives them to the clerk, noting her choice of the black plunge dress, and takes a pass at the rest of the inventory. Before she gets to the counter a rack of other peacock satin and black lace catches her eye. Quinn is preoccupied with his phone near the counter so she moves closer to a rack of bustiers. They have richer color and style than the dress, and she loves the satin accents woven strategically as design elements.
It’s the most beautiful piece of lingerie I’ve ever seen.

“Something a little more daring?” the woman whispers.

She’s so stealthy
. “Now that I know where we’re going, well... sort of...” Monica drifts off realizing she still has no clue what they’re in for or where it is.

“It’s about opening your senses. If this will make you feel sensual, then it’s what you must wear.”

“It’s beautiful.” Monica admires the stitching and glances back towards Quinn again.

“I’ll pull your size when you walk towards him. Distract, and I will ring it up. He won’t see it,” she assures with a wink. “Do you need stockings?”

“I need everything. I in from out of town and wasn’t prepared for this.”

“What shoe size?”

“Nine. And I like my stockings one size larger than I really am please.”
Now you’re just getting picky and she’s gonna get annoyed.

When Quinn senses Monica approaching he puts the phone in his pocket. “Sorry. Rick sent me a bunch of information about Tokyo. I can’t wait to show you around a city for a change.”

“I can’t believe it. I’ve always dreamed of going...”

“We’re going to be exhausted from all the gardens we have to go see.”

“How long do you plan to be there?”

“Well, I thought that would be something we’d discuss. I figured we’d wait a while to book it. We have time.” He brushes a wisp of hair behind her ear. “I want you to feel settled in so we can plan it together.” His face is so happy and full of excitement.

“How would you like to pay sir?”

The saleswoman politely presents Monica with two lovely bags containing enough tissue paper to cover the entire purchase. He hands his American Express to the woman, never asking for a total. Monica doesn’t want to know either.

“Thank you,” she says to the sales woman, giddy with their secret.

“I hope your New Year’s Eve satisfies completely.” She winks again and waves as she readies the store for closing.

The temperature outside has dropped considerably. They hold each other close, walking slowly up the steep hill as the foggy sky darkens and a light drizzle moistens their faces. Quinn keeps trying to take the heavy bags from her, but she refuses to risk spoiling the surprise. Her mind is more focused on all the things she needs to do to get ready; shower, shave, make-up.

She mumbles looking at her phone, “There isn’t much time to get ready.”

“You’ll be hot no matter what, and if we’re a little -”

Quinn catches sight of Jack, sitting alone in a pizza place across the street. He quickly glances back down at Monica who’s looking in a store window the opposite direction.
He didn’t see me this time. I’m sure he’s seen us by now though.
Quinn doesn’t look back as they pass.
Is he going to catch up to us?

“A little what?” Monica asks, still window shopping.

“Oh, sorry. Lost my train of thought. That was a nice jacket,” he tries to cover.

“Just like me,” she says, “easily distracted.” She reaches up to kiss him, not knowing they’re being watched, before crossing an intersection.

Quinn makes sure to catch reflections behind them for any sign of Jack.
Was he waiting there? Did he follow us to the shop? I don’t like that guy. Seems crazy that he’s hanging out over here... by himself... and it’s New Year’s Eve. What does he want?
Quinn tries to conceal his anger by not saying anything even when they get home. Monica is so wrapped up in her plans to get ready, she doesn’t even notice his mood.

By the time they climb two flights of stairs, her fingers feel like they’re being sliced by the handles. Her arms are shaking when she drops the bags in her new closet. Quinn gets the hint about her impending primp session and disappears downstairs.

She starts pulling out her treasures once she’s sure he’s gone. The bustier is a work of art that she can’t stop touching.
This has to go on the wall after tonight. Right there.
The bare white wall above the drawers is the perfect spot. For now, she lays it on top and pulls out the package of shear black stockings. Next she finds a pair of quality garter straps. They’re thick and heavy unlike the plastic Frederick's ones that come unhooked at the worst moments. The bag also has a pair of black lace panties that are some hybrid cut between boy-short and a thong.

Wow, that woman was good. She nailed everything. This other bag must be the shoes.
Monica pulls the shoe box out.
Please don’t be street-walker shoes that I can’t move in.
She lifts the lid to a dainty pair of peacock blue satin and lace slippers with a Sabrina heel. As if they weren’t lovely enough, there’s a built-in ankle bracelet of black Swarovski crystals on each shoe.
These are absolutely coming out of this closet for more than just this occasion. This must have cost a fortune.
She starts to panic.
I can’t live like this. He can’t live like this all of the sudden.

She stares at the heels as they find their way onto her feet.
They aren’t solid enough to do much walking, but they looked exquisite.
I gotta repaint my toes.
She picks up the bag to fold it and notices there’s still quite a few items rattling around.
Oh shit! She ran up his tab.
Monica looks inside and sees a folded card on top of multiple small boxes. The card reads:

You are a very sexy couple who deserve the finest luxury. These extras are my pleasure to give for a happy new year! -D.H.

Wow.
Butterflies fill Monica as she opens each box. The first holds a large extravagant pair of chandelier earrings that match perfectly to the bustier. She noticed a similar pair in shades of pink and gray near the counter when they first arrived. Having never known such generosity from a stranger she’s overcome with emotion. She looks into the bag to get the next small gold box. Inside is a matching chandelier necklace and a very long string of tiny crystals that match the shoes.
Two necklaces?
She notices a deliberate swag pattern and realizes it’s a decorative belt meant to hang from her hips. It has one larger black crystal that would land just above her mound.
That’s gonna feel interesting.
She thinks of it tapping through the lace making her wet.

She sees the final box. Although thin, it’s the full width of the bag. She opens it to find a sultry mask of black tulle and lace, adorned with metallic blue and teal embroideries. A peacock feather accent is delicately sewn to the corners next to the satin ties.
This is so Eye Wide Shut.

Her excitement is overwhelming and the clock is not her friend. She runs into the bathroom and starts the water in the shower. Her razor runs meticulously across every surface, following a loofa and sugar scrub from his basket of goodies. It takes an hour to moisturize, pluck, and primp the essentials. When her seductive makeup is finished, she pins her wet hair into a bun of twisted sections because it’s all there’s time for.

“How’s it going in there?” Quinn asks through the doors.

“Almost done. You still need to shower right? I’m sorry.”

“I just showered in other bathroom. I’m grabbing my clothes and getting dressed across the hall.”

I can’t believe I’ve kicked him out of his own bathroom. I suck.
When she’s certain he’s walked out she moves towards the closet and starts to dress. The final result is perfect, edible even, which is ironic since they’ve hardly eaten anything all day. She takes one last look before wrapping her long black trench coat tight. She puts the face mask in her pocket along with a vibrant red lipstick and heads out.

When Quinn sees her walking down the stairs he runs to catch up. “Don’t I get to see it now?”

“No. At the club, when I’m ready,” she says. She’s not certain her confidence or comfort will surface right away, although the costume and its accessories are already stirring some liberation.

She stops on the ground floor to look up at Quinn for the first time this evening. It’s been months since she’s thought of him dressed up.
Damn he’s hot.
He looks like a Milan runway, especially with his deep Hawaiian tan. His impeccable gray suit has a hint of sheen and a vertical thread pattern that makes it near tuxedo formal. He knows how to wear it relaxed though with the single button jacket, crisp white shirt, and no necktie. It fit his V-shape perfectly as usual, sparing no expense on quality tailoring. As he gets closer she smells a cologne that makes her want to drink him.
I can’t believe he’s mine. All mine.

“Wow,” she says. “I wish I hadn’t put on this lipstick already.”

“I can’t wait to look like a clown by the end of the night,” he says with a huge smile.

There’s a playful laugh as they press their bodies together and interlock fingers. Quinn moves their hands to her thighs and starts to feel through her coat.

“You’ll have to wait Mr.”

“You’re wearing stockings,” he says with a cheating grin.

She lifts her leg and points to her calf. “Obviously. Don’t kill the surprise with snooping. Where is this place? I can’t walk all over in these shoes.”

“Of course not. There’s a car waiting outside. It’s not far from here tonight.”

“Tonight?”

“It moves locations I guess. No one ever knows where it’s going to be until a few days before.”

“This really is
Eyes Wide Shut
,” she laughs.

He shakes his head amused by her comparison. “We better go.”

The black sedan really doesn’t drive far, stopping in front of a large loft a few blocks away. They walk into a small foyer where they’re greeted by an overly attractive staff entirely outfitted in black and white waiter’s attire, but with a few twists. The women wear lacy little white aprons over tiny black skirts that either fail to cover their bottoms or are just long enough to reveal their garters and black fishnets. Their white button up shirts are tight and unbuttoned to reveal black bras underneath. The men wear tailored shirts and slacks, clearly all having great bodies stewing beneath. The kicker that makes Monica laugh is that every staff member is wearing a mask and a bowtie. Most are solid black satin, but one woman’s mask is flaunting flame red feathers that look like a flowing fire as she walks.

So Eyes Wide Shut.

“Hello,” a handsome twenty-something man says. “Welcome. Can I take your coats?”

Monica hesitates. “Can I wear a mask as well?”

“If it makes you feel good, yes,” he says in a sensual tone. A masked waitress passing by nods at his response and gives a reassuring smile.

Monica pulls out the mask in her pocket and the waitress starts to tie it on. Her fingers brush Monica’s ears slowly before she snaps a snug knot. The jolt makes her earrings swing, tickling her neck and increasing her growing arousal.
Whoa, we haven’t even gone inside and I’m wet.