Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 93713 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 469(@200wpm)___ 375(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93713 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 469(@200wpm)___ 375(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
“Dude.” He clapped me firmly on the shoulder. “You are twenty-one, right?”
“Fuck you.” I flipped him the bird at the assertion I was a kid. “I just turned twenty-five.”
“Babyface.” The tease had a fair bit of fondness behind it. “And you’ve never been in an adult shop before?”
“Nah. No reason to…” I trailed off as my gaze moved to the other window. A female model in a skimpy nightie. I’d seen more risqué in the bra section of stores, but the model next to her had me gasping. “Whoa.”
“See something you like?” Malik swiveled his head in the same direction as mine, seemingly far less startled than me.
“That’s a dude. Wearing lingerie.” The mannequin was a buff guy, beefy even, wearing pink panties and a little mesh crop top. Next to him was another male mannequin dressed in stockings and a garter belt with abs that looked like rows of bread rolls. Every cell in my body heated like I’d spent two hours in a sauna, yet I still shivered.
“So it is.” Malik moved a little closer to the display. “That’s hot. We should go in. See what else they have.”
“Go in?” I made a panicked noise. A slideshow of images crashed through my brain, every mall lingerie store and the catalogs at Megan’s apartment I’d ever glanced at. I’d looked away fast every damn time, but not before my chest went tight and my neck prickled, and I had to shove my hands in my pants. “Why would we go in?”
“Because then you can look further at whatever has you breathing hard and all pink.” Malik’s tone was downright indulgent, the same one he used to get me to sample dessert, like he wanted to give me a treat.
“I’m not…” Protesting was probably futile, so I ended with a sigh.
“You are most definitely pink.” He threw an arm around my shoulders. “You’re fucking adorable. Come on. We’re single adults. Who cares if we get something fun to try out in our room later tonight? Might even help you.”
“Help me?” My voice was little more than a series of indignant squeaks. But luckily, Malik seemed to have an endless stream of patience for my ridiculousness.
“Your issue getting off,” he whispered in my ear, breath hot, my body revving with memories of the night before as he continued, “Maybe you need one of those flashlight-looking things.”
“I get off,” I hissed back, matching his low tone. “Just not always using my hand.”
“Tell me everything.” He pulled me a little snugger against him, and surprise of the century, the closeness actually made me fess up.
“When my left hand doesn’t cut it, I like rubbing against things. I have this one satin pillowcase…” I had to pause because I was breathing like I was trying for a four-minute-mile split. “Why am I telling you this?”
“Because it’s hot as fuck. You like silky things? You’d look fucking amazing in those.” He jerked his head toward the model wearing the pink panties.
“You think?” My voice was all air and wonder. Apparently, liking dick wasn’t the only thing I’d been keeping from myself because, suddenly, that slideshow of images made a hell of a lot more sense. Why I’d always reacted so strongly. I want that.
“I know you would, and if it’s got you all hyped, we really need to go in.” Pulling me along, he headed toward the front door of the place. “Come on, let’s go in. See if anything pretty catches your eye.”
Chapter Twelve
Malik
This was going to be fun, no matter what Avery thought. And actually, he needed this fun. But he wouldn’t let himself have it unless I made the first move. I headed for the ornate double doors, and sure enough, Avery followed closely behind, even after I let go of him to open the door.
We were greeted by a gorgeous woman in her mid-to-late-forties, taller than either of us in her stacked patent-leather heels that matched her shiny red lips.
“Can I help you?” the sales clerk’s voice was cultured with a hint of London.
“Um…” Avery sputtered, but I just shrugged.
“We’re browsing. Your display window with the mannequins is very intriguing. Perhaps you could show us more like that?”
“Ah. Yes.” The clerk got my meaning immediately and led us to the back of the store. The whole place was laid out with lots of light, space, careful arrangements, a classy vibe, and soft instrumental music. “This is our Lingerie for Him collection. Super popular. And on post-Valentine’s sale.”
“Thank you.” I nodded at her. Avery was bright red, but he’d dutifully followed us to the racks of silky and lacy underthings.
“I’ll leave you two to see what strikes your fancy.” She strode away, heels clicking on the marble tiles. I flipped idly through a rack of black panties, noting how they were cut more for a male physique with an ample front panel. Others had seams to frame a guy’s package in a little pouch, and a few variations had extra space up front with a bare rear like a jock. Eyes wide, Avery stood back as I examined the merchandise.