C & K
"I need to pick a few things up at the mall"
Katie pulled into the parking lot at the mall and cut through Macy's on a mission to find something entirely delicious to wear at Victoria's Secret just in case her date got 'there'. She didn't know whether to be horrified at the possibility or to pray for such a happening.
She lingered just a little while in the shoe department on her way through, debating her need for these cute black heels with a diamante buckle crossing the peek-a-boo toe. She tried them on and admired them in the mirror before her. They were very high. Higher than she would usually consider wearing but then Cal was quite tall and in all honesty she wouldn't mind dancing chest to chest with him.
Katie entered Victoria's Secret with the shoebox tucked into a Macy's carry bag, and browsed through the bra and panty sets they had there. She considered a teddy but thought better of it. They might be high on the sex appeal scale but they could be very uncomfortable to wear for more than a very short while.
Katie was beginning to get disheartened. She just could not decide. She wanted to feel sexy about the selection herself, but she also wanted to look sexy. But she didn't want to look slutty or brazen. And she didn't want to pretend to look virginal or demure. Her hand came to her face and rubbed her eyes, she was getting a headache. Perhaps this was just a silly thing to be worrying about. Panties were panties right? And there was every chance that Cal wouldn't even be seeing them. Her despair was interrupted by a voice carrying across the shop.
"Girl, you can't just be wearing any old panties. Panties ain't just panties. They send a man a message; they tell him all sorts of things. You gotta choose panties wisely." Lula called across the shop to Stephanie in hopes of convincing her into buying the panties they had been debating before Steph had walked away shaking her head.
Katie looked up; the woman seemed to be on to something. She was a little taken back at the sight that presented. A fuller figured black woman in neon lycra was a little horrifying and perhaps not the best person to seek advice from on these matters.
"Lula, I am not buying a Batman thong, not for him or anyone! Besides he would never actually get to see it."
"Hmph! Maybe it's time he did. Here this one would definitely work for him, and it'd send exactly the right message about what you be wanting." Lula held up a couple of scraps of black vinyl laced together with black satin ribbons.
Katie watched in amusement as the curly haired friend blushed brightly. At least she wasn't the only one who felt uncomfortable about buying underwear specifically for a man to be seeing.
"Lula! I am not buying that."
"Well, what would you buy if you were going to try seducing him?"
"Not that I'm going to be seducing him," Stephanie clarified, and held up a pale blue bra and bikini brief set that was made from a self patterned jacquard and trimmed with lace. Katie watched in amusement as the larger woman pulled a disgusted face.
"What the hell are you thinking? That looks like something the Mom in the Brady Bunch would wear." Katie withheld a snort. The set was pretty but definitely not sexy. "You got three factors to consider: colour, fabric and style."
Stephanie frowned at Lula and looked at the set she was holding. "It's a pretty colour, the fabric is soft and style is comfortable, seems like it fits all three criteria to me." Lula shook her head, and Katie relaxed, enjoying the banter.
"That's all well and good to wear if you're going shopping but if you're looking at seducing you need to think about them factors from his point of view." The woman made a valid point, Katie thought to herself. "I read this book once and they had a whole chapter on the Colour & Sensuality Quotient shit, which is just some maths thing that rates and scores your panties. Red, burgundy and black score big, especially if they are see through or lacy or both. Cotton is just not going to do it, you don't want to be wearing no Grandma panties. They ain't sexy!" Lula continued, "The book said to choose a low cut or demi-cup push up bra to give a little lift to your bosom." Stephanie started giggling, she couldn't help herself. She could not believe they were having this conversation and that Lula had actually said 'bosom'. Katie listened in fascination; the woman seemed to know what she was talking about. It made perfect sense to her. "And a man wants a thong, g-string or string bikini if you must but make it high cut, especially with legs as long as yours, makes them look even longer. Every man likes that, especially Batman! Now add some matching suspenders and stockings with some strappy high heels and the boy will be putty in your hand."
Katie fingered the shockingly hot pink set in front of her that she had been considering. What, did she suppose, it would communicate? It was bright and bold. It would be quite the surprise and it screamed fun but that wasn't exactly what she was hoping the night might be about. Katie edged along the display and her eyes found a set in a magnificent deep blue.
"It's not the right colour but everything else fits," she held it up to Lula for an opinion.
Lula looked over at Katie like she was her new best friend. "I'm glad somebody's listening!" Lula to a good long moment to assess the underwear being shown to her. It was midnight blue. It was sheer but with an elegantly embossed lace pattern keeping it from being completely transparent. It was trimmed with the same deep blue satin. It was hot! "Well, it might not be black but that is all good! That is sexy Girl!" Lula nodded her approval. "Damn Skippy, a man finding you wearing that would be all over you like frosting on a cupcake." Lula's smile beamed and she raised her eyes. "You trying to put some zing back in your marriage?" Lula asked in admiration.
"No," Katie smiled, "I'm going on a second date." She was beginning to feel nervous again.
"Hoo I'm guessing the first one must have went well and that you're hoping the next one is even better, especially if you're hoping those panties see some action." Katie's laughter bubbled up inside her, this was fantastic help and just what was needed to clear the headache away. The woman before her didn't think twice about her buying some sexy underwear so why should she. In fact Katie got the clear impression that the woman respected her for enjoying living. It bolstered her confidence.
"Thanks for the helpful information, here's hoping you're right," she said with a wink and headed to the register to pay.
"Why me?" Katie heard the other woman lament as she passed by.
"Darling, life is too short. If you want that man, take an older lady's advice, and go get him, Tiger!" Katie smiled to herself, that was good advice that she had every intention of listening to herself.
Stephanie waited as Lula bought herself a leopard skin teddy, no doubt it was bought with Tank's enjoyment in mind. She saved herself some dollars by buying nothing. Not much chance of Ranger ever seeing them, and Joe much preferred her naked!
"I've got a shift of surveillance tonight for RangeMan," Steph informed Lula, "I need to catch some sleep before this evening. Have fun with your new panties," Stephanie teased.
"At least one of us will be! Tonight could be your night!" Stephanie rolled her eyes and shook her head.
"Later Lula!" she gave a little finger wave and headed out to the car. Steph had a much needed nap and was ready and waiting when Ranger arrived to pick her up late that evening.
