Chapter I
The Costume Shop
Claire was bored. After 16 years in a relatively benign marriage, she wanted something new in her sex life. It presented itself as a formal invitation delivered by special courier.
MASQUERADE
1874 1710 Sequoia Lane
1:00 p.m.
*Costume Required*
This was no unanticipated event. Claire had answered a query on one of the websites catering to women's sexual fantasies.
Trembling with doubt and anticipation, she tucked the invitation inside her purse. She had been informed through correspondence with the sponsor that the party would last for four hours. She would have just enough time to make it back before her husband arrived home from work.
As Claire backed out of the garage, she heard the pitter pat of rain falling on the metal roof of the car. It was a summer shower with a warm breeze freshening the fragrances of gardenia and freesia. Claire was at that age when her romantic sense was heightened and her sexual furnace burned hot. Undercurrents of eroticism often carried her away helplessly in a relentless sea of daydreams, but as Claire drove toward her destination she knew this was no dream.
Claire found a parking space right in front of the costume shop.
She opened the car door and ran hurriedly through the rain into the store. None-the-less, her short trip had left her with wet, stringy hair and a somewhat disheveled look.
She was greeted by a very attractive woman, presumably the owner.
"It's really coming down out there."
"Sure is. I'm sorry to be tracking all this water into your store."
"Don't worry about it," the woman said warmly. "Let me get you a towel to dry your hair."
As the woman disappeared behind a doorway, Claire couldn't help but notice her long blond hair trailing down her slender back almost to her waist. She wore a pull-over knit dress which accentuated every supple curve of her body. Claire smiled thinking how nice it was that this 20 something was able to use her age and figure to her advantage.
The attractive young woman emerged from the back room and walked over to Claire, handing her the towel.
"Here you go" she said, smiling. Her soft, sexy eyes made contact with Claire's.
"My name is Erin and I'm the owner of this shop. How may I help you?"
Claire had been drawn in by Erin's inviting eye contact, and she felt herself warmly attracted to her.
After what seemed like a long intimate exchange of silence Claire stammered, "I... um... uh... I'm... I'm Claire and I called ahead to reserve a costume for a masquerade this afternoon."