Page 51 of Love Me Reckless

Eep.

Lisette leads the group to the next section, and I hurry to catch up.

“Next we have the internal stim section.” I scan the shelves of the many, many items.

Ava leans in. “Look at the size of that thing, holy hell.”

I cover my mouth so my laughter doesn’t interrupt Lisette, who is describing the various material options for the wide variety of anal toys.

“The remote-control version is great for long-distance couples,” Lisette finishes before leading us past the small romance book section, complete with a cozy reading nook, to the “enhancements” area on the other side of the store.

“Try the salted caramel lubricant,” she says, picking up a bottle with a tiny pump at the top.

Sawyer goes first. His face lights up in surprise. “That’s actually really good.”

Zach and Sofie go next. Sofie licks the drop off her index finger. “Wow. It tastes like a Glory Holes Caramel Vanilla, the kind they make at Christmastime.”

Zach grabs Sofie from behind and rocks her. “Maybe we can have Christmas a little early this year,” he says in a low tone, making her eyes sparkle.

Ava gives her bead of lube a skeptical glance. “Isn’t lube for people who don’t understand foreplay?”

“It can be,” Lisette says with a cheeky grin. “But experts like it too. Really anyone looking to enhance their intimacy.”

When it’s my turn, I’m so shy that the second I taste it, I start laughing. It tastes a little bit like butterscotch. A bit too sweet if I’m being honest when I imagine its actual purpose. Not that Birch would ever let me try it on him.

After our tour, Sofie and Zach disappear, but we hear giggling from one of the dressing rooms. I drift back to the row of cute vibrators.

Be brave!

I slip the one that looks like a makeup wedge into my palm and press the button. “Oooh!” I squeal as it zings my palm, then clap my other hand over my mouth.

Ava peers over my shoulder. “It’s so quiet. How is that possible?”

She plucks something called an Over the Moon from the shelf and cradles it in her hand. I lean in while she activates it.

Her eyes go wild, and she whoops in surprise. She flips it off and turns it over to examine it like the scientist she is. “I’ve never…” She glances both ways to make sure we’re alone. “Do you use it alone or like… with the other person?”

I lean in and whisper, “I think it’s good for both.”

Ava laughs, her normally serious eyes flashing with mischief. “Okay, maybe I’ll try it. Talk about a study break…”

I grab one of the wedge-shaped toys in mauve while Ava grabs her pale pink Over the Moon, and we both nearly collapse in giggles.

“I got us tattoos,” she sings, flashing me three matching temporary rose tattoos as we make our way back to the lingerie section.

“Pretty,” I say, “we can put them on for our final dip in the pool.”

Ava and I have fun in the lingerie area sorting through all the lovely things. But once I’m in my room, when I undress, maybe it’s the mirrors and the lighting, but I feel strangely self-conscious.

I know I’m not the curviest woman, but I’ve never felt weird about it. I check my reflection, trying to channel the fearless girl I was last night. The girl who would never second-guess her worth based on her cup size. But I can’t shake the memory of that dress Birch had altered, and his confusion when I didn’t look excited to wear it.

The more I think about it, the tighter my chest feels.

I try on several lingerie sets, but none of them feel right, look right.

“Can I help either of you with sizes?” Lisette asks after a gentle knock on my dressing room door.

If my body was different, would Birch be more attracted to me?

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