Chapter Four
She spent the rest of the day with Tony. He took her from one shop to the other for her to try on clothes. Not once did he look at another woman, even though they stumbled over each other to impress the man splashing his cash. The shopping experience was the best she’d ever been on. Usually her mother would bring clothes home, and she’d be forced to go on a diet until she fit into the small garments.
Once or twice the women made a comment about not having her size available. Tony smiled and said he’d find someone who wanted his custom. One store tried to make out she was his sister. That had been the funniest moment of her life. He’d kindly informed them to shut down his account with them as he didn’t take kindly to his wife being described as his sister.
Finally, they stopped at a more select store. She had felt like a fat whale when the women circled and assessed her. In the new store it was completely different. They escorted him to the dressing rooms where they had a private room for each customer. There were mirrors all around the room with a sofa in the middle.
“Don’t you have to wait outside or something?” she asked.
“No, darling. We’re married, and I get the opportunity to watch you get dressed.”
“None of the other stores let you in the room,” she said.
“That’s because I pay for the best. The other stores were a lot less than desired.”
The woman walked in with her arms laden with clothes. “I’ve brought several evening gowns. I don’t have your size, Mrs. Hunt, but I’m sure we can find you something more than suitable.”
Opal was thankful most of her body was covered when she tried different gowns on. Tony left part way through to answer a phone call. The lady didn’t change in her attitude.
“Thank you,” Opal said.
“What for, honey?”
“We’ve been to a lot of stores today, and you’re the first one that’s been nice to me.” Opal smiled at the woman.
“Don’t worry about it. We’re the best at what we do.”
Her gown was in place, a modest black evening gown that moulded to every lump and bump.
“You look stunning.”
“Don’t you think I look fat?” she asked the woman.
“Honey, you have curves, not fat. Curves. Some women would die for the body you’ve got.”
Tony walked into the room. She watched him stop and stare at her.
“What do you think?” she asked him.
“That’s the dress for the event. I’m feeling in a spending mood. Would you please find my wife some undergarments and more sociable clothing?”
The lady nodded her head and left.
Ignoring his presence, Opal turned back to the mirror, pulling her tummy in and trying to make her body look good.
Tony placed his hands on her hips. “What are you doing?”
“I feel fat in this,” she said.
Her nerves picked up as his hands ran all over her body. He stared at her hips and went down to where the dress ended at her knee, up and round. Her ass was squeezed before he moved up and rested his hands just beneath her breasts.
He stared at her reflection in the mirror. “I don’t think you look anything other than magnificent.”
She was falling. The way he spoke and looked at her she could imagine she was beautiful. Even with all of her weight. Someone knocked at the door interrupting the moment.
Tony answered and took the clothes out of the woman’s hands. “I can take it from here,” he said.
The door was closed and locked. They were alone. In private.
He placed the clothes on the chair, searching through them until he found something red. “Opal, I want you to do something for me.”
“What do you want me to do?”
“I want you to model these.” He lifted a red lace bra with matching French lace knickers.
A blush stained her cheeks. “Will you turn around?”
“No. I want to watch you get changed into them.”
She shook her head. “I can’t do that. We can’t do that.”
“We’re married,” he said.
In her heart she was shouting and punching the air for joy. In her head she knew otherwise.
“No. You still won’t try them on?”
She shook her head.
“How about I let you look for work.”
“That’s blackmail,” she said when she processed what he’d said.
“From what I hear it’s effective.” She frowned. “Never mind. If you try these on for me, I’ll let you look for work.”
“You can’t stop me looking if I try those on or not.”
“Do you really want to see the power I have over stopping you from looking? I could make your life a little difficult,” he said.
“Why?”
“Because I want something, and I’ll do anything until you give it to me.”
“But you said you didn’t want me in that way.”
“I’ve changed my mind. Take the underwear and try them on, Opal.”
Something had changed in him. His eyes were darker, and the way he walked was filled with a purpose. This wasn’t the happy-go-lucky Tony she knew. This was a predator intent on getting what he wanted.
He passed her the underwear. She took them and watched as he went and sat down. Red wasn’t her colour. She tried to avoid the colour because of her lighter skin tone. What did she do?
Taking a breath, she placed them on the stool. The dress had a zipper in the back, and no matter what she did, she couldn’t unzip the dress on her own.
“Could you help me?” she asked.
“Come here.” His voice sent a thrill of excitement through her.
She moved to where he sat. Tony stood and eased the zipper down. She felt his hand touch her back. The heat of him spread through her body.
“Thank you.”