Page 27 of Pretty Please Me
I shrug. “Like in a functional way? I guess my heart because it pumps my blood, keeping me alive, and it’s my favorite chakra to work on–”
“For the purposes of this conversation, I’m just asking about the body parts that can be seen. What’s a part of your body that makes you feel sexy when you look at it?” He wraps an arm around the back of the bench behind me and leans in a little closer.
“Oh, well…” I tap my lip as I consider the question. “I guess my collarbone and my shoulders?”
“Are you asking me or telling me?” He challenges as he leans in and, this time, takes a small bite directly from my pretzel. Holy hell, I can still feel the heat from his mouth on my hand, and a blush burns hot on my cheeks.
“You’re so fucking cute when you blush.” He smiles as he traces his thumb over my jaw before trailing down my neck until he reaches my collarbone.
I suck in a breath as his velvet touch creates a current of electricity, and my whole body wakes up as if I’m being touched for the very first time.
“You have a beautiful neck, and your collarbone is nearly erotic.” His fingers spread over the base of my throat, and I swallow a gulp, afraid to make any sudden movements that’ll cause him to stop. It hardly feels legal to be so aroused by such a seemingly innocent touch in public. I guess that just goes to show how much of an amateur I really am. At this rate, I may just have my first orgasm from a nice, firm handshake. Maybe there’s hope for me yet…
“So, if we can both agree that you have a great chest… why do you always cover it up with high-neck clothing? I don’t think I’ve ever seen you wear anything lower than a crew neckline.”
I bite my lip, feeling awkward under his intense stare. “I guess I’ve never really thought about it before…” My gaze drifts down, and Sam nudges my chin up, encouraging me to look him in the eyes.
“That’s not true. Tell me, Maggie.”
“I guess… In the back of my mind, I’m still following the rules I had growing up. Even though I don’t agree with them consciously, maybe they’ve become ingrained in who I am?” I say with a shrug.
Sam nods, his hands drifting to the back of my neck as he gently rubs his fingers through my hair.
I melt into his touch and relax a little more. “The foster mother from my group home loved to remind me of why I’d been abandoned as a baby. She’d say that if my birth mother weren’t so promiscuous, she wouldn’t have gotten pregnant so young and out of wedlock, and that she was basically asking for it…”
“Are you saying your birth mother was…?”
I nod ever so slightly as I stare down at my hands, the familiar ping of shame and embarrassment burning a hole in my chest. I know it’s not something I should be ashamed of. I had nothing to do with it, but knowing something like that, knowing you weren’t just unwanted, you were actually someone’s nightmare made flesh, doesn’t exactly give the warm fuzzy feelings of self-love.
“That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard,” Sam snaps as he rubs his hand down my back to comfort me. “I’m sorry someone weaponized that to control you. It’s disgusting, and it says far more about her than it ever will about you.” He links his fingers with mine and plants a gentle kiss on the back of my hand. “Come on. I’ve got an idea.”
Ten minutes later, I’m staring at myself in a gorgeous, floor-length emerald green gown. It has a sweetheart neckline that dips low on my chest, making me feel sexy and confident, and drapey sleeves that give it a soft, ethereal essence. The deep color makes my red hair pop and brings out the green in my hazel eyes.
I smooth my hands down the silky fabric and spin, loving how breezy and light it is, just as Sam knocks on the door. “Are you going to let me see it or what?”
I swing the door open as I walk to the mirrors, and Sam lets out a loud whistle as he follows behind me. “Holy shit, Mags, you look so fucking hot.” He moves behind me and places his hands on my hips as he meets my eyes in the mirror. “How do you feel wearing this?” he whispers, his warm breath tickling my neck and sending a wave of goosebumps over my skin.
“I… I actually feel kind of pretty,” I admit, feeling a little more confident.
“I can work with that.” He tightens his grip around my waist and moves a little closer. “This dress compliments your body so well. If you look this incredible with it on, I can’t imagine what you’ll look like when I take it off you.”
I suck in a tiny gasp as his touch deepens, and my body gets all floaty, his hold around my waist the only thing keeping my feet planted on the ground.
“There’s just one problem.” His finger loops at the elastic of my panties through the dress, and he pops them against my hip, making me jump in surprise. “Why don’t you go and change while I checkout? We’ve got one last stop to make.”
Without a word, I take off to the dressing room and quickly change into my regular clothes. This time, I don’t look at myself in the mirror because I already know what I’ll find, and I’d like to pretend that I’m confident enough to handle this.
When I return, I find Sam waiting by the door, twirling the bag in his hand and his eyes sparkling with mischief. “Ready?”
I force a nervous smile. “You bet.”
* * *
My eyes go wide as I take in the microscopic garment made up of no more than ten pieces of ribbon strung together. I squint to read the tag.Meredith.
What’s a Meredith? Is that a name for the type of lingerie, or is thathername?
Everything in here is so tiny. I feel like I need reading glasses to even see the outfits.
