Paula stepped quietly and nervously into the small lingerie shop. While she did not consider herself a particularly inhibited individual, Paula had never before gone out of her way to purchase a sexually provocative piece of clothing. She'd woken up that morning, however, with a tingling decision to buy a special birthday present for her husband, Jack. Something to take the edge off of hitting thirty-five, and put an edge back into a seven-year marriage's predictable sex life.
After a quick look through the yellow pages, she found a store nearby, Exotic Wear and Flare. Inspiration and execution were different things though. Now that she had arrived, she felt rather unsure of herself.
Quick glances around the dimly-lit interior revealed mannequins sporting outlandish bras and crotchless panties, black leather things Paula could not name. At least the place was empty. Then she noticed a display case filled with items other people referred to as "marital aids". Long thick vinyl penises. Some seemed impossibly large. Silver balls. Vibrators. Paula's mouth went dry. She'd always led a pretty straightforward sex life. What was she doing here?
Maybe this wasn't such a great idea, thought Paula. She initiated a retreat for the door.
"Hi there!" came a smooth, deep voice from the back of the store. The friendly tone caught Paula and turned her around. She blurted out a "hello" and peered into the shadows behind the counters, unable to locate a face to match the voice.
Then the woman stepped into the light and Paula's eyes widened.
"My name is Zeena. May I help you?" Zeena smiled and Paula had to catch her breath. Before her stood the most stunningly beautiful woman she had ever met.
Zeena was of African descent, and clearly the blood line had stuck closely to that continent. Zeena was black, truly black, her skin so dark and smooth it seemed to glow. When she smiled, her thick lips stretched to reveal very white teeth. She was slender in build, but her full breasts pressed almost upwards against a blouse of sheer, grey fabric. It was impossible for Paula to overlook the lack of a bra. The lingerie clerk's posture was erect and confident.
Paula tore her eyes away from the woman's lovely body and moved up to her face. High cheekbones emphasized her bright, coal-black eyes. Thick, tight curls of hair curved smoothly with the shape of her skull.
Royalty, thought Paula. She would have ruled an empire five thousand years ago. This Zeena was a force of nature, a queen, a goddess.
The force of nature reached out a long, graceful hand. After a moment's hesitation, Paula put her hand in Zeena's, who closed firmly yet gently around it and held her there, spellbound. Paula looked down at the long fingers, the carefully manicured nails, the lighter-colored fingertips.
Zeena slowly let go of Paula's hand. "This is your first time to a lingerie shop, isn't it?" A light Caribbean accent danced between her words and gave her smile extra warmth.
Paula nodded. Zeena waved a hand at the various displays. She rested her other arm on Paula's shoulder, who held her breath at the contact.
"Are you interested in anything in particular?"
"Well," Paula let out slowly, "I don't want to get anything too, um, too, way out. How about those?" She pointed to a black nipple-free bra on a mannequin near the back counter. She also couldn't help but blush.
Zeena pretended not to notice. "That's a fine choice. Most of my customers like to start, shall we say, slow, and work themselves up. What size do you take?" Zeena's eyes roamed quickly over Paula's chest with an appraising glance. "36C?"
Paula gave her a how-did-you-know look and again nodded. Zeena bent to open a drawer and Paula had another opportunity to marvel at this woman's beauty, from a different vantage point. Muscles were evident on her arms and legs. This woman was strong. The knobs of her spine were visible through the blouse; Paula followed them down to her butocks, which filled out the skirt perfectly. Zeena looked like a very athletic dancer. A thought flashed through Paula's head: Zeena must be incredible in bed.
"Here we are! 36C. Black, right?" Zeena pulled a box out and handed it to Paula. She opened it. Looked like the one on the mannequin. Fine with her. Gotta go. She closed the box and looked up.
"Fine. How much is it?"
"Don't you want to try it on first?" asked Zeena, sounding surprised. Her eyebrows arched up.
"Try it on?" Paula swallowed heavily. "Do you do that? I mean, don't you say we have to keep it if we try it?"
Zeena shook her head, her thick hair bobbing from side to side. "Not here. We are completely devoted to customer satisfaction. We insist, in fact, on having you try everything before you buy, at least on your first visit. Most our business is with return customers, you know." She touched Paula's arm and the skin tingled under those long, thin fingertips. "I insist." What could Paula do? She'd try it on quick, sure it would fit, then get out of there.
The lingerie clerk led Paula past the counters and cash register, through a curtained opening. The back room was cluttered with all sorts of stock and empty boxes. Off to the left was the changing room, really little more than a closet with a light in it. Paula gave Zeena an uncertain smile and stepped in. She closed the door and latched it quietly, feeling at the same time a little silly for doing so.
Paula slowly took off her blouse and bra, made awkward by a wash of strange emotions. She found Zeena so attractive, so purely sexual, and she WAS being rather physical. But was she being anything more than friendly, and a good businesswoman? Anyway, what difference did it make? What was Paula thinking? Images flitted all around her brain but refused to make an appearance.
