Chapter 1
Jingle Bell Rock blasted through the speakers of the small boutique of La Perla. I hummed along to myself as I pulled off my winter hat and combed a few flecks of snow from my fire red hair. I walked through the racks of clothes idly, admiring the Christmas tree that sparkled in the corner of the store, perfectly placed against the window as a fresh dust of snow covered the ground. Halloween may have been my favorite holiday, but Christmas was a close second. I loved the way the ground looked covered in snow, and the smell of the fireplace as James and I laid next to it rediscovering our love for one another.
"I'm so glad you called," Cori said breaking the spell and holding up a crimson negligee against her chest. "It's been ages since we've had a chance to talk. I haven't seen you since Halloween. I was starting to think you and James were on the rocks again after... everything." Three years ago, a party at Cori's had nearly destroyed my marriage, creating a distance between us once-inseparable friends that had only recently begun to heal. Now here we were, shopping for lingerie together like old times.
I ran my fingers along a rack of silk scarves, wondering if they could be used for more than just keeping warm. A smile formed on my lips as I looked up, my emerald green eyes meeting my friend's concerned gaze. "Actually, we're better than ever," I admitted, surprised by how true the words felt. "Halloween was... unexpected. But good unexpected."
"That's good to hear," Cori replied with a smile of her own. She placed the negligee back on the rack and continued to browse, the click of her 6-inch heels echoing through the store. She pulled her raven black hair away from her face, tossing it over her shoulder. "I was worried that after what happened with George..."
A gasp escaped my throat, my pulse rising along with my body temperature. "That was... not what we had planned." I laughed nervously, walking down the next aisle to look at the more risqué outfits, and also to get a little distance between us.
"There's no need to be embarrassed, love, I'm not here to judge." She picked up another negligee, this one green, and placed it over her arm. "We were just surprised, that's all. Daniel was really hoping the two of you would finally... connect."
Memories of Halloween came flooding back. I gripped the silk garment in my hands, I couldn't shake the image of Cori's closet, the anticipation that had coursed through my veins. I'd spent the whole night stealing glances at Daniel, imagining his strong arms around me, picturing that small scar above his eyebrow as he found me in the dark. The memory of fur against my skin made me bite my lip, not Daniel's Viking costume, but George's ridiculous vest. My cheeks burned now, recalling how quickly confusion had turned to desire, how my body had betrayed my better judgment. Even now, months later, I could still hear myself begging, still feel the shame mixed with animalistic lust inside me as James watched it all unfold.
"Fucking George," I whispered, shaking my head at the memory.
Cori's laugh rang in my ear as she materialized by my side, a dark green teddy dangling from her fingers. "This would look amazing with your complexion," she said, then grabbed a second identical one. "Can you imagine their faces if we both walked out in these?" She held the green silk against my shoulder. "Maybe not, you would look hot as fuck in this with your hair. It would wash me out though, and my brown eyes and dark hair don't help."
"Cori!" I hissed, but couldn't help smiling. We'd always been like this, even before the lifestyle - Cori pushing boundaries while I pretended to resist.
"Oh please, like you haven't thought about it, the two of them drooling over you." Her fingers brushed my arm as she adjusted the fabric. "You know, Daniel hasn't stopped talking about what might have happened if he'd found you first. Though..." She paused, close enough now that I could feel her warm breath on my neck. "From what we could hear, you weren't exactly disappointed with your consolation prize."
Warmth crept up my neck and I buried my face in my hands. "I don't know what you're talking about," I mumbled, cheeks flushing at the memory.
"That's funny, because even if we couldn't hear exactly how much you were enjoying yourself, which we definitely could, you left quite the impression on our bedspread. Had to buy a whole new one." Cori's laughter completely drowned out Silent Night as she guided me toward the fitting rooms, adding a black lace bodysuit to the growing pile in my arms. "Reminded me of that girls' trip to Cancun not long after you got married. Remember that cabana boy the next morning?"
"That was different," I protested, ducking into a fitting room. "He was more my type. Tall, dark, gorgeous. Not..." I paused and felt my face flush. "Fucking George."
"Mmhmm," Cori hummed, slipping into the room with me. "That's exactly what you were doing."
"Here, help me with this zipper," Cori said as the dressing room door shut behind her. The small space filled with the rustle of fabric and quiet giggles as we tried on various pieces. Through the mirror, I watched Cori adjust the red teddy, her eyes never really leaving mine in the reflection.
"So..." Cori's voice dropped to a playful whisper. "Just between us girls - was he really that good?"
I focused intently on adjusting my own garment, avoiding her knowing gaze in the mirror. I felt my nipple harden against the soft fabric, and convinced myself it was due to the cold and nothing else. "I mean, it wasn't terrible," I mumbled, then caught her raised eyebrow. "Okay, fine. It was... surprisingly good. Really good." My cheeks burned at the admission.
Cori's playful expression softened as she turned to face me. "And James? How did he really handle it?" The question hung heavy between us, memories of that night three years ago casting a momentary shadow. "I know last time..."
"Actually," I interrupted, adjusting my top in the mirror, "he's been amazing. Better than I could have expected." I adjusted the strap of my teddy, turning to my side as I gathered my thoughts. "It's like... it awakened something in both of us. We're talking more, opening up more. The spark is definitely back."
"Yeah?"
"Last week we even went to that new bar downtown, looking for a couple to play with." I laughed, remembering James's eager anticipation. "We didn't find anyone we clicked with, but God, the way he looked at me all night... I felt like the sexiest woman alive."
"And he wasn't jealous? After what happened with George?"
"If anything, it turned him on more. He says watching me let go like that, knowing I was coming home with him..." I trailed off, blushing. "Well, let's just say we barely made it to the bedroom that night."
"Now there's the couple everyone is so envious of," Cori grinned, turning back to the mirror. "God, look at your ass in this. I would kill for a butt like yours."
"Please," I scoffed, grateful for the subject change. "Your chest is twice the size of mine. And trust me, that's what most guys notice first."
"Daniel doesn't. He's definitely an ass man." Cori's eyes twinkled mischievously. "Speaking of... Has James ever...?" She raised her eyebrows suggestively.
"Cori!" My face flamed even hotter as I caught my bottom lip between my teeth. "We're in public! Do you have a filter at all?"
"Oh come on, we used to share everything. Remember spring break senior year?"
I ran my tongue over my top teeth, "Once. It was... nice actually. But I never got a chance to really get into it. He got a little too excited and it ended pretty quickly."
"Only once?" Cori's smile turned wicked as she held up another piece of lingerie that would put my butt on full display. "Maybe you need more practice."
We tried on a few more items, the conversation flowing easily between old memories and current confessions. Finally, we sorted through our selections, each choosing a few pieces that had earned mutual approval.
As we gathered our purchases, Cori casually mentioned, "So, the Christmas party is definitely happening. Two weeks from Saturday." She paused, then added with practiced innocence, "Should I add George to the guest list?"
"Oh my God, stop," I groaned, but my protest lacked conviction. I busied myself with my wallet, deliberately avoiding both an answer and her knowing smile.
"Just asking," Cori sang, leading the way to the register. "You know, for planning purposes."
I rolled my eyes, but couldn't quite suppress the shiver of anticipation that ran through me.
