Page 26 of Tell Me What You Want, Or Leave Me

Graciela stares at what I’ve handed her as if it were an astronaut suit. It’s not her style, but, if she’s going to have an effect on Dexter, this is the way to go. When I realize she’s not moving, I push her into the dressing room. Once she’s on her own, I try on the boots.

They’re great!

Heels, soft, all the way up to my knees, and red. My Iceman will love them. They look amazing with the jeans I’m wearing, and I decide to keep them on. They’re beautiful. I get a text at that precise moment.

I miss you, sweetheart.

I hope you’re buying everything you want.

I love you.

Oh, my love. I really do just want to eat him up. He’s concerned about my well-being every minute.

The Visa card is burning up.

I love you back.

I press send. Eric is so marvelous that merely thinking about him makes me smile.

Just then the dressing room door opens, and, exactly as I expected, Graciela looks incredible.

What an amazing body this girl has!

My mouth drops open.

“If Dexter doesn’t notice you now, he’s deader than I thought he was.”

Graciela grins. “Isn’t it a bit too much?”

I shake my head; this girl has tremendous potential.

“I promise that, once he sees you, Dexter is going to get up and walk.”

We both laugh. I really want her to try on more things.

“C’mon, let’s see what else we can find to drive that man crazy.”

After the first batch, I make her try on a long black skirt that gathers in the back along with a sexy pistachio-green blouse that’s knotted at the waist and a pair of pretty high-heeled shoes in the same color. The result is spectacular. Even Graciela is surprised when she looks in the mirror.

“You can wear this to any party, and you’ll always look impressive.”

“I love it.” She claps when she sees herself in the mirror.

As soon as she undresses, I hand her a sleeveless black dress with a low neckline. I also bring her a pair of black high-heeled shoes; she looks so lovely.

The sales clerk is very happy. She’s going to get a good commission, and when I ask about lingerie, she points the way. Graciela mutters when I hand her an eggplant-colored set.

“Oh God, it’s going to be difficult for me to try this on.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s lingerie,” she says with a sly smile.

I laugh aloud.

I pick up an electric-blue bra and thong combo and show it to her.

“I’m going to try this on,” I tell her. “Let’s just say I’m buying Eric a little birthday gift.”

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