She took the cloth confection into the bathroom and held it up to her. The towel she had wrapped around her torso was visible through the fabric in the mirror’s reflection. There were lots of gathers, and it had elastic at the neck and high waist so it would be comfy and might offer a tiny bit of support and coverage.
“But not much. I’ll feel every breeze.” Her nipples tightened at the prospect. Then she imagined if someone were walking behind her. They couldn’t help but see the way her ass jiggled. All those dimples. And her cellulite. Her heart shriveled a little more. Abject humiliation might be someone else’s fantasy, but the thought made her want to go and request a nun’s habit for a costume instead. Something covering her from the tips of her fingers and down to her toes that left only her face visible…while she snuck out the exit.
She looked back at the wardrobe where all her clothing was hanging. No one would judge if she went down there in her pantsuit and pumps, but Josh and Lucas would be disappointed. And she was certain, even though he might not say anything, Joseph would be disappointed, too.
Taking a seat on the stool in front of the vanity, she lifted the seal on the invitation, hoping its contents might help her make a decision.
Beautiful Violet,
Many thoughts and worries must be going through your mind. If you still trust us, put on the costume just as it is—in other words no undergarments—and meet us in the dining room at eight. Shoes are unnecessary, too. We can’t wait to see our little woodland nymph.
Warmly yours,
Josh and Lucas
“Woodland nymph?” she muttered and then glanced at the clock. It was seven forty. “Decision time, girl.” She imagined how she’d feel, looking back, if she decided to scurry home. She knew she was safe with Josh and Lucas. They obviously wanted this with her. And she’d be kidding herself if she denied the feelings that had been growing between them for months. Trying to envision herself with any other man—or men—downstairs was what finally galvanized her into action. This wasn’t about having a wild weekend, it was about the three of them, and if she bailed now, she’d always regret what might’ve been.
She finished drying her damp hair and applied light makeup. Donning the costume turned out to be a sensual affair. The silky fabric whispered on her skin, making her nipples bead into tight points, reminding her of Josh’s and Lucas’s warm caresses. She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror and noticed the flush in her cheeks and the spark in her eyes. She hadn’t seen that girl in a while. Pushing all negative thoughts aside, she smiled at herself and nodded.
Glancing at the ballet flats in the closet, she recalled the invitation specified no shoes. “Well, at least I can be fairly certain they aren’t planning on chasing me through the woods.”
The wispy hanky-hem of the dress reached her knees, but when she moved, her bare flesh was revealed in brief flashes as high as her hips. The thought made her clench her knees together. One little errant breeze and everyone would know she was a natural blonde.
Giving her reflection a good long perusal, she had to admit the costume fit her well, the high waist accentuating her bust while also giving her a little support. The elastic neckline was probably meant to be worn off the shoulders. She tried it out and smiled at the effect but then pulled it back up on reflex for modesty’s sake.
“Oh, yeah, right, like having your shoulders covered is going to keep people from noticing your freaking nipples are completely visible.” And judging by their condition, and the wet warmth between her legs, her traitorous body was enjoying the costume.
She didn’t know whether to pray to not run into anyone on the way downstairs to the dining room or whether she should hope for an opportunity to gauge a stranger’s reaction to her appearance. Then again, that might scare her back up into her room. The soft carpeting transitioned to slate tile that was surprisingly warm under her feet as she took the first flight of stairs, praying the errant drafts didn’t reveal her quivering girlie bits as the hem whispered against her thighs and hips. The sensation alternated between arousing and mortifying.
She blinked when she noticed Joseph waiting for her at the bottom of the stairs. “Joseph? Don’t you have better things to do? Like oversee this big gathering?” Obviously not, since I need a freaking babysitter to get me into the dining room.
He sounded as if he was stifling his amusement, and his dark gray eyes twinkled as he put his hand to his heart. “You wound me. I’m your friend, and I’m being a good host.”
“Um.” She looked down at her heaving bosom. Oh my God. My heaving bosom? Yeah, it was pretty much heaving, and her nipples were hard enough to drill concrete.