Lily
I rip open the package and holy shit…a pair of black lingerie falls into my hands. Net. Scanty. Sexy as hell. “What the actual fuck, Mia?”
“I snuck it into your box when I helped you pack. Amazing, right?” She sounds way too proud of herself.
“Well… it is. But what the hell am I supposed to do with this?!” I hold the lingerie up like it’s some cursed artifact.
“You’re gonna take a shower, put it on, and when Chris comes back, you’re gonna strut your sexy ass up to him, throw your arms around him, and tell him you wanna fuck him good.”
My face goes up in flames. “Mia! That’s absurd! I’m not doing that!”
“Come on, Lil. Chris has been patient. You want him to forgive you, right? He loves you. And he’s a man…he won’t survive you in that.”
I groan, standing up and sinking onto the bed, the lingerie still dangling from my fingers. “I can’t do that. I’m not you or Aria. I’m… shy. Like, ridiculously shy.”
“You’re beautiful, Lily! You need to start acting like it,” Mia huffs, and I can picture her pacing. “Own it! There’s nothing to be shy about.”
“Mia…” I sigh, biting my lip.
“Do you love him?” she asks, her voice softening.
“Of course, I do!” The words tumble out before I can stop them.
“Then show him. Be sexy. Let him know you’re ready… unless you’re not?”
“I am!” I blurt. Goddess, I’ve wanted Chris for months, but my damn shyness keeps cock-blocking me, especially during my heats. Those were torture.
“You’re acting like you haven’t had sex before,” Mia teases.
“That was over a year ago, and it was a freaking fling!” I groan. “But… fine. I’ll try.”
“YES!” she squeals. “I’m rooting for you! Go get your man!”
“Alright, alright!” I laugh.
“Shit, hold up. It’s Aaron…the bastard is heading my way.” Her voice turns dark. “Ugh, I gotta go.” And the mind-link cuts off.
….
I take the longest shower of my life, trying to hype myself up. After a few minutes, I step out of the bathroom, now wearing the lingerie. I glance at the mirror and, damn, I actually look good. The way the bra lifts my boobs, making them sit just right, and the panties… well, they barely cover anything.
Well, as Mia always says, you gotta commit to the bit.
I touch up my face a little more, letting my hair fall loosely over my shoulders. With a deep breath, I wink at my reflection.
“Hey, baby, you like what you see?” I try to say it in a sultry voice, but it comes out awkward as hell. Ugh.
Maybe this was a bad idea.
I glance out the window…it’s almost dark. Chris should be here by now. My stomach twists with nerves. What if this all goes horribly wrong?
The door suddenly creaks open, and Chris walks in, looking exhausted but still stupidly hot. He turns…and freezes. His jaw drops so hard I swear I hear it hit the floor.
I straighten my shoulders, trying to channel some inner seductress. “Hello, baby… I’ve been waiting for you,” I purr, swaying my hips.
Chris’s eyes widen, moving from my face to my boobs, then down.. way down. His gaze is so intense I feel my core heat up. But he’s just staring.
“So… like what you see?” I ask, forcing my sultry voice again.
Nothing. Still staring.
I sigh, my shoulders sagging. “I knew this was a bad idea. I shouldn’t have done this. This is so embarrassing and-”
Before I can spiral further, Chris strides forward, pulling me into a tight hug. His arms wrap around me like steel, and he buries his face in my neck.
“You look… beautiful,” he whispers, voice low and rough. “So damn sexy.”
My cheeks flush. “Really?”
He pulls back just enough to meet my eyes, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “Really. But-” he chuckles, “-that was kinda awkward.”
I laugh, burying my face in his chest. “Ugh, I knew it!”
“Let me guess… Mia’s idea?”
I groan, nodding. “I’m sorry.”
He lifts my chin. “It’s fine. Actually… I talked to Mia and Theo earlier.”
“You did?” I blink, surprised.
“Yeah. They reached out. You’ve got great friends, Lily. They really love you. And… I’m sorry, too.”
“For what?” I frown, confused.
“I was mad and disappointed, yeah. But I overreacted. It felt like I was competing with your friends.”
My heart sinks. “No, Chris. That’s my fault. I should’ve prioritized you. I’m so sorry.” I wrap my arms around his neck, pulling him closer. “From now on, it’s gonna be just us. I promise.”
He chuckles, kissing my forehead. “You can still talk to them, but I’m glad to hear that.” His gaze darkens, filled with heat. “And goddess, Lily… are you trying to kill me?”
The way he’s looking at me sends heat swirling through my body. I swallow hard. “Do you… wanna do it?” I blurt, shocking both of us.
His eyes widen. “Are you sure? I mean, really sure?”
I nod, my heart already racing. “I am.”
That’s all he needs. He lifts me effortlessly, carrying me to the bed. I giggle, feeling a mix of nerves and excitement.
Maybe Mia’s crazy-ass plan wasn’t so bad after all.