Isla stood in the Coquette lingerie boutique, sorting through Seduction's spring collection. Eve had called the night before to say that the next rendezvous was another weekend getaway, this time in Juno Beach. To make the trip more enticing, she'd arranged for Isla to have her pick from the collection, compliments of the company. It was a good thing too: the least expensive item was a pair of lace panties for $1,500. Given the uncertainly around work, Isla had no intention of making extravagant purchases any time soon.
Leaving town was a double-edged sword though. Office life was crazy, and staff were genuinely concerned about the future of the firm, or more specifically, about their jobs. She couldn't blame them. The firm was losing clients and unless they found more, they'd go bankrupt.
A striking woman approached her. "May I help you find something?" she asked.
"Just looking, thanks," said Isla. In truth, she'd barely paid any attention to the garments.
"My name is Yvette. And you are?"
"Isla."
"Ah! Mais oui. You are exactly as Eve described."
She was taken aback momentarily. She hadn't expected to be recognized.
"Please," said Yvette as she backed away. "Take your time."
Isla went back to the clothes and tried to focus on them a little more. The fabric was exquisite. The silk slipped through her hands like water . . . she couldn't wait to see Marlowe again. She'd caught herself counting down the days until she could enjoy his smile. Merely thinking about his dimples lightened her mood.
Eve had urged her to use the time away to unwind, and perhaps she was right. The past month had taken its toll on her. Rebuilding her business would be much easier if she were relaxed and re-energized.
Of course, the weekend also gave her an opportunity to atone for her behaviour during the last rendezvous. Thinking about it made her flush in embarrassment and as she examined each negligee, she wondered which Marlowe would like best. She gathered up a variety of styles and colours and headed to the change rooms.
"I've opened room three for you," said Yvette.
The change room was draped in white curtains and filled with fresh antique roses. On a white marble table in the corner sat a crystal decanter of ice water, and next to it stood an ornate three-way mirror. She tried on one outfit after another. Yvette had gushed at some, vetoed others, and brought in plenty of suggestions, but nothing seemed quite right. In the end, she decided to call Marlowe and ask for his preference.
He laughed at her question. "That's not something I get asked every day," he said.
"Give me some idea what you'd like. A corset, teddy, body stocking . . ."
"All of the above."
"That's not helpful."
"But it's true."
"Come on, Marlowe. I want to make sure you like it."
"If it's on you, I'll like it. Trust me." She sighed in frustration and he laughed even harder. "Why is this so important to you?" he asked.
"I want to make it up to you," she said. "I didn't behave very well last time . . ." She flushed again.
"I see." He was more serious now. "For what it's worth, I don't think you owe me anything."
She perched on the stool in the change room. "I brought my reality with me into the game."
"It's getting hard, isn't it? Keeping reality and fantasy separate."
"Yeah." She smoothed the hem of the charmeuse she was wearing. "I wish I could see you when I wanted, instead of when Eve arranged it."
"I know what you mean."
She traced a pattern in the carpet with her toe.
"Grace?"
"Mmm?"
"Whatever you're wearing right now, that's my favourite."