Page 11 of Doctor Clause

From the material it was obvious, it was a little too constrictive. There was no flow, allowing it to gracefully drape a body.

“Hmm.” He shook his head. “I’m not sure it would do her justice.”

“If you are looking for something more vibrant, we have a similar garment in a fiery-red colour.” The woman was a professional, carefully watching his body movements for an opportunity to seal the deal. Her paycheques were, no doubt, commission-based.

“What about something in a silk chiffon?” he asked.

The woman’s brows arched. “You know your stuff.” She fired off a wink. “Regular chiffon is a bit rough and can cause irritation. The silkier version of the material glides gently against the skin. It’s a bit more difficult to care for though. If that’s a problem, I suggest forgetting chiffon altogether and just choosing something in silk.”

He nodded. That made sense. “And I’d like to see a few lacy items.” There was no doubt he was purchasing at least one outfit in that material. “Also, can you bring out a few things which have a peekaboo design?” That was something he’d come to cherish back in his college days, and was definitely on the list.

The trip started out as a way of helping to build her self-confidence. Of course, there was no reason why his own preferences weren’t to be taken into consideration at the same time.

Several more skimpy outfits joined the fray on display. Deciding on just a few was difficult. Each of the saleswoman’s offerings had its own unique appeal. There were other items to be considered as well, including regular bra and panty sets.

He’d only meant to get a few things, but walked out with three bags worth of skivvies and a couple nighties.

After all that, there were some high expectations about the coming evening’s activities. Of course, there was no pressure on her, despite his growing desire. He was happy to keep watching her. The next time they met in private, she was going to feel good about herself, if nothing else.

Chapter Nine

Leeona

Nothing was wiping the smile from her face. The breeze freezing it in place had already blown sometime during the night. Now, she was stuck with it, no matter how dire the circumstances around her were.

“Are you taking this seriously?” her sister, Pina, asked.

A light brown liquid poured from a clear pot, fragrant flowers remaining trapped inside. Those types of teapots were all the rage a few years back, having been designed to allow tea-lovers a full range of enjoyment, spanning across all the senses.

The visuals of the blooming flowers.

The fragrant scent of the buds.

The light floral taste.

One needed to be a real tea enthusiast to fully understand the appeal. That’s why the whole craze died down. It was simply a novelty item to the average loose-leaf drinker.

“What is the plan?”

That was an odd question coming from her closest relative. “I don’t know.” There was never a plan. There wasnever an emergency fund. Living by the seat of her pants, not knowing where the money was coming from was the norm.

“Well, it can’t stay here,” Pina complained. “It’s blocking me in.”

“I don’t have a spot to take it to,” she complained. “You know I don’t. I need a bit of time, maybe a few days, to figure out how I am going to pay to have it fixed.”

“Fine.” Pina shook her head. “I’ll get my neighbours to help me push it onto the street when they get home. You can’t leave it longer than two days though.”

“I can’t go without a car for longer than that,” she snorted. “Hopefully, it is just something small this time.”

“It’s old,” Pina said. “It’s time to think about getting something more reliable. Maybe you can lease a newer vehicle.”

“Pfft.” One hand waved her sister off. “I can’t afford an extra dime on my budget. A new car, even a used one, is out of the question. You know that.”

“Hmm?” Pina eyed her up and down. “You are taking this awfully well. Usually, you’d have broken down in tears three or four times by now. So spill it! What’s with the grin?” She gasped. “Are you seeing someone?”

There was no hiding anything from a sister. “Maybe.” She shrugged.

“Who is he?” her sister pried. “What does he look like? Where did you meet him? What does he do? Tell me everything.”