Just when Lilli didn’t think her relationship with Miyuki could get any more intimate, Norio Nakamura’s assistant showed up the next morning to escort her to yet another high-end store in the Shinsaibashi district. This time it was a lingerie shop. One so discreet, she didn’t actually realize the type of store she was in until two women in matching suits with fine lace corsets peeking out from beneath their tailored jackets, escorted them into what looked like a small Parisian apartment.

The room was adorned with gorgeous tufted chairs and sofas, several floor-to-ceiling baroque-style mirrors with antiqued gold trim, and enough crown molding to make Lilli wonder if they hadn’t somehow teleported from Osaka, a fashionable city known for its food, to an even more fashionable city known for its food. In fact, the only things that set this room apart from a high-end European flat were the stick-thin mannequins in beautifully designed lingerie lining one wall like a scantily clad army.

“This is your personal shopping suite,” the older of the two saleswomen informed Lilli. Then she waved a hand toward a garment rack filled with black, red, pink, and white lace numbers. “We have pulled several pieces for you.”

“If it is okay, you maybe can put on and let us see,” Miyuki added. But as with all of Miyuki’s super polite requests, Lilli didn’t really think she had any choice in the matter.

Wow, really? More naked time in front of people she didn’t know? But she supposed it beat getting basted and plucked like a turkey.

Okay, whatever, she could do this, she told herself as one of the sales women took five of the finely detailed pieces off the garment rack and set her up in a small room off the main suite. This room seemed to be purely for the purpose of getting dressed and undressed, because unlike the rest of the swanky suite, it only had a single wooden bench and three plain walls, one of which was covered with a simple mirror. No crown molding or brocade here.

“Do you need help?” the sales lady asked, already stepping forward.

“No, I’m fine,” Lilli answered, hastily crossing both her arms in the Japanese sign for no. As much as she loved having multiple strangers view her in the nude, she figured she should take advantage of this opportunity to dress and undress herself for old time’s sake.

The two women bowed and went away in a flurry of Japanese and clicking heels. Leaving Lilli to choose the first piece of lingerie she would try on. She picked something that looked a lot like a fancy black onesie. Not because she was particularly drawn to it—though she had to admit it was one of the most beautiful pieces of lingerie she’d ever set eyes on—but because it was the most discreet of the offerings. It consisted of a sort of bikini overlaid with a flower motif bodysuit made of delicate lace. So tasteful, it not only covered up all her naughty bits, but made her feel like she was wearing an exceedingly pretty swimsuit instead of something naughty designed to be taken off by a lover.

A knock sounded on the door just as she was tying the string halter around the back of her neck.

“I’m okay in here,” she answered. “I just need another minute...”

…to get up the nerve to show off my body yet again to a bunch of strangers, she thought to herself.

But the door clicked open anyway.

“Seriously, just give me another minute, please…”

Her words tapered off when she looked over her shoulder and saw who was at the door. It wasn’t a sales assistant. Or Miyuki.

It was Mr. Nakamura, his cold hawk eyes studying her as if he’d finally found his prey.