"I don't know where I'm gonna wear this," Samantha said as she pulled the floor length red dress from the box. It was a pure bright red with no embellishments. The fabric was a simple matte material with thin straps at the shoulders, a V-neck halter style neckline, and was unbroken as the sheath bottom ended at the floor in a slight bell.
What she really meant was that she couldn't picture herself wearing it anywhere. She didn't even want to try it on. Samantha was afraid of how it would fit. Or more to the point, wouldn't fit.
"Oh, so you don't want this, then?" Mark said, presenting a second wrapped box to her.
She set the dress back in its package, then set her eyes on the new gift being offered to her. Mark was spoiling her this Valentine's day and she would gladly take him up on the showering. She reached out. "Well maybe."
She opened the shoe sized box. Inside were red high heeled shoes that were an exact match to the dress, only glossy. They were shiny, peep-toed, three inch heels with thin ankle straps that would crisscross for several inches up her calf. How was she ever going to walk in these? She was a mighty six feet tall already.
Samantha turned one of them over and over in her hand. Something fell out. It was a lipstick. She picked it up and inspected it. Of course; high gloss and matching bright red.
"Honey, I can't wear this," she said with a frown. Samantha was horrified at the thought of standing out-way out-in whatever crowd she would find herself wearing this in. It was far too much red for one thing. She also didn't care for dresses, or heels.
"I really hope you'll reconsider when you see this." He said as he fiddled around in his pocket.
How much more could there be? Whatever it was, she hoped it wouldn't be red. To her surprise, it wasn't. It was white. Or rather, they were white. He set whatever they were, onto the table. She picked them up and stared. She couldn't believe what she was holding in her hands.
They were two tickets to a production of The Wizard of Oz at the big fancy theatre uptown. They were dated for the following weekend. Samantha looked at her husband. She had always wanted him to take her there for a night but he could never muster himself to do it. For one thing, he couldn't stand musicals. It was too expensive, and he also didn't do well in crowds. He was socially awkward and this was bound to be one crowd he would never fit into.
"But you'd hate the theatre," she said, almost attempting to get him to reconsider. She looked at the red dress. She looked back to the tickets.
"I know, Babe." Mark paused. "But I'm willing to broaden my horizons," he nodded toward the dress, "if you are."
Samantha looked back to the red dress, and then to Mark again. She saw on his face, years worth of pent up yearning. He had long wished for her to wear something like this for him, and she knew it.
She moved towards him. She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him. With the tickets still in her hands, she kissed him. He kissed her in return. He was already picturing her wearing the dress, the shoes, and wow, those lips. As they held each other, she could feel the effect all this was having on him. If this is what it was going to take, to get him to take her to the theatre, than she would have to be brave. She pulled away from him, walked over to the table, and picked up the long red garment and held it up.
Mark came over and pressed it to her body so it draped against her. She smiled a nervous smile. He beamed at her.
The next few days went by as they normally do. Mark went to work, while Samantha worked from home. Occasionally, she would walk by the dress that was hanging on the closet door. Sometimes it taunted her. Sometimes it excited her. A couple of times she held it up to herself and felt the smooth fabric against her skin.
Whenever Mark walked by the dress, however, he would stroke the material down its length, imagining her curves. He became filled with anticipation for their night out.
Date night came, and not a moment too soon. Mark had found someone from his work to baby-sit the kids. He brought the sitter up to speed on who went to bed at what times and with what snacks and stuffies. Samantha showered and sequestered herself in their room.
She looked at the red items and hung up her towels. She stood there naked for a while before searching out a bra and panties. Not just any old underwear would do tonight. She rummaged around the back of the drawer until she felt a little string of pearls. She had worn these only one other time for Mark and they drove him wild. It was a white thong with a single string of pearls joining the silky triangle in the front to the back of the thin little waistband. She found a nice push-up bra she had stashed away for the longest time. As she put it on, she caught herself in the mirror. She felt pleased at its shape.
"Ok, let's do this," she thought out loud. Samantha took the long dress off its hanger and slipped it on over her head. She pulled it all down and smoothed it out. It hung just to the floor. She pulled it out from her belly and let it go. It came back and fit - it fit - just right. He must have really done his homework because it suited her everywhere perfectly. It flattered her features and didn't draw any extra attention where it shouldn't. "Wow."
Samantha turned in the mirror and took it all in. She looked great. She hadn't expected that. The neckline came just low enough to be sexy and still classy. She was sporting a bit of a cleavage; something she wasn't used to. She looked hot! She turned sideways. Yep. Hot. She accessorized with a white pearl necklace and matching pearl earnings.
She examined her hair and decided to go with a careless look. She blow dried it and let it hang down. It licked lightly at her neck and shoulders. After years of experimenting, she was finally happy with her hair these days.
Samantha turned her attention to the shoes. Hmmm. No. Maybe her makeup next. Oh yes. She kept her makeup simple. A little eye liner and that bright red lipstick. She pressed it to her lips. As she did so, she had a thought. It was delightfully naughty thought.
As if on cue, Mark came into the bedroom to ready himself. He took one look at her and stopped dead in his tracks. She was a vision. He had waited what felt like a lifetime to see her like this. She played it up by leaning back on her dresser. She put her hands on the edge, drawing her elbows a little further back than what was necessary. This had the effect of accentuating her already fabulous bust. He stepped closer to her but she wouldn't have it. Not yet, anyway. Samantha put one finger to his chest and pushed him away. "You, Mister, need to hurry up and get ready."
