"Ladies," Marlene spoke over the women's excited chatter. "Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Marlene Dunn, your Eve-ning's Gift Consultant."
Marlene stood before them, proud and confident in her black floor length skirt and black Victorian inspired corset. The straps hugged against her caramel skin creating a subtle contrast. Tiny embroidered monochromatic flowers danced down the bodice that accentuating her slender waist.
"Before I begin, I'd like to take a moment to thank our hostess, Holly Martin, for allowing me the opportunity to share some exciting products with you."
Marlene paused for the ladies to applaud Holly. Holly's face brightened and she made an awkward bow from her seated position.
Holly Martin projected the air of gracious hostess by feigning her embarrassment. She was the area's maven of entertaining. If she had an ounce of backing, and more importantly, the desire, she could possibly topple the reigning experts on modern hosting. Instead, she was happy being the one-two-punch that was Mr. And Mrs. Martin. She had supported her husband's career by flawlessly throwing intimate dinner parties and holiday soirees for numerous corporate big shots and their spouses. Every event gained her husband the fast ascent to the prestigious position at his firm.
Tonight was a casual affair, a night for herself and her closets girlfriends. Despite this she was unable to turn off her well-practiced responses. She turned her attention to Marlene.
"Eve-ning's Gift's summer line of products are so exciting and so innovative, they are on the cutting edge of the industry. You'll never find products like these in local retail shops. Only consultants, like myself, can bring you what I have to show you tonight."
At that, Holly winked at her friends. They were a tight group. These girl's nights bound their varying backgrounds together.
Debra Hofstrum, one of the city's highest paid female CEO's sat sharply dressed in her dark green pantsuit. She kept her chestnut hair expertly styled by one of those salons that scheduled appointments six months out. Debra ran a manicured hand through it then smiled back at Holly.
Holly saw Debra's knee brush slightly against Kit Simmon's bare one. Kit's legs were tone and strong from the foot route she took delivering the mail. Five days a week in the sun gave her skin a warm golden hue. Add that to Kit's blonde hair and she had the look of a California girl except she was displaced in the suburbs of the Midwest.
Kit shared a laughing smile with Janelle Drake. Janelle was seated in the matching wing back chair opposite Holly. Her Emerald Isle green eyes sparkled with impish sweetness. The local high school teacher was smartly dressed in a sweater set and knee length skirt. It was a look that gained her respect from parents and students alike. She flicked a long curled lock of her fiery red hair away from her neck then turned her attention to Marlene.
Marlene's eyes passed from one smiling face to the other.
"Holly, would you mind helping me by passing around Eve-ning's Gift's latest brochure?" Marlene handed Holly the stake of brochures. The glossy surfaces passed from one hand to the other with a squeak.
Each woman reviewed the naughty temptations on each shiny page. Before long the room filled with oh's, ah's and girlish laughter. Marlene examined the women in the group closely, watching their transformations. Their mature conservative exoskeletons faded to allow their youthful wonderment to emerge.
Kit Simmons stared wide-eyed at the first page for a long moment before turning to whisper to Debra Hofstrum. Debra had almost made it to the last page but flipped back to where Kit was. They pointed at the high quality photo and then broke into shoulder-shaking giggles.
Marlene tossed her long mane of raven hair to one side exposing a black tattoo that snaked from her hairline down to the top of her left shoulder. Marlene felt four sets of eyes fall upon her at once. The women's eyes moved up her neck to the tattoo none of them knew continued down the center of her back in an intricate ivy and floral pattern. Marlene, the consummate performer, prolonged the exchange. She gathered her hair in her right hand as if she were going to put it up into a ponytail but instead began to twirl it until the black strands coiled together into a pretty curl at the top of her breast. Marlene ran her fingers along the top of the corset. She soaked up the women's attention. Pleased, she moved on with her presentation.
"Now," Marlene spoke, her voice seasoned with drama. "Holly has been so good to inform me that all of you are already proud owners of our Level One line of products."
Each woman acknowledged that fact with a nod.
"Very good. You'll be pleased to know Eve-nings Gift's R&D department has expanded those products. Not only will they be wonderful to use on their own, but they can also be used with our expansion line."
The women's smiles broadened. Marlene continued. "As many of you have already taken note, the expansion products begin on page 7." The women flipped to the page in unison. "There are two options for this expansion."
Marlene walked to a small table set up in the corner of the room. Marlene's mouth turned up into a half smile as she waved her hand in a motion that would have made a Barker's Beauty proud. With a flick of her wrist she snatched a black cloth off the table to reveal a full range of Eve-ning's Gift's products.
The products stood proudly in their life-like skins, each hued in colors ranging from the deepest blues and purples to neon pinks and yellows. They were sized for every taste and possible use. A few of them were small enough to be carried discretely in one's purse. Others were eye popping in length and fully detailed to mimic the organs they were fashioned after.
"The first option would be to combine any of these products with item number 562." Marlene pulled a velvet box from underneath the table.
The women inched to the edge of their seats. Slowly, Marlene released the tiny gold clasp. The metal hinges gave a low creek when Marlene opened the lid. Nestled within the thick lining of the box's interior was a tangle of black leather adorned with silver rivets.
Marlene walked slowly towards the women holding the box close to her chest. The women stretched their necks to see more of the box's contents. Ceremoniously, Marlene sank down to her knees before the women, her long skirt pooled around her body like an oil spill on the faux Oriental carpet. Marlene placed the box on the coffee table with such care it barely made a sound as she slid her hands from underneath it.
"If God had been a woman, men would have a penis growing from their chins. Right ladies?"
The women laughed openly in agreement.
"We've taken the liberty of fixing that tiny little inconvenience." Humor saturated Marlene's words as she removed the object from the box. "The Facial Pleasure Bud Harness is constructed with durable leather for hours of play. The straps are fully adjustable for maximum comfort." Marlene grasped the harness in her tiny hands. The unwavering attention of the women drew the walls of the small living room in close as Marlene turned the harness over and over in her soft hands. The rivets gleamed under the low light. In turn, each woman was able to see it in full view.
"The toy of your choosing would be placed securely here." Marlene's manicured fingers followed a smooth opening, caressing the surface with an intentional seductive movement, and then she continued with the explanation.
"The entire harness positions the toy at your lovers chin giving you that added level of pleasure."
"Now that's a toy!" Holly exclaimed.
"Is it hot in here all of the sudden?" Janelle shook herself out of the cream sweater she wore over a business style blouse.
The other women laughed at her seemingly attempt at a joke. Kit leaned over to Debra to whisper. Debra glanced in Janelle's direction then quickly averted her eyes.
Janelle did not appear to be joking. The fair skin of her cheeks were brightly hued with color. She was tugging at her shirt sending puffs of air up into her hair.
"It certainly sends your mind working at the possibilities doesn't it?"
Marlene directed her question at the group, but kept her eye on Janelle who had accidentally unbuttoned the top three buttons of her blouse in her fervent attempts to cool herself. Each expansion of the fabric flashed the white lacey top of her bra.
"I wished I'd thought of it," Kit said.
"I know that it is hard to imagine the way this would work. Perhaps, it would be helpful to see it demonstrated." Marlene's smile spread large and mischievous across her pretty face. "The best aspect of these little get-togethers is that my guests get to sample the products before they make a purchase. I'd hate for any of you to make an investment without having at least tried the items that catch your eye."
