Emily gripped the steering wheel, the salty breeze whipping through her hair as they cruised along the coastal road. Sophia's excited chatter filled the car.
"Ooh, you should totally get one of those lacy teddies! Or maybe a sheer babydoll with matching panties?" Sophia gushed, gesturing animatedly.
Emily rolled her eyes. "Easy there, tiger. Let's find a dress first before we go through the Victoria's Secret catalogue."
"Spoilsport," Sophia pouted. "Where's your sense of adventure?"
"Probably back at The Iron Horse, drowning in tequila," Emily muttered.
Her head was still fuzzy from their earlier escapades, images of Lucas flashing unbidden through her mind. His smoldering gaze, those strong hands...
Emily shook her head, refocusing on the road. Now was not the time to get distracted by thoughts of mysterious older men, no matter how devastatingly sexy.
"Earth to Emily!" Sophia waved a hand in front of her face. "Are you still with me? Or are you mentally undressing a certain daddy?"
"Shut up," Emily grumbled, fighting a blush. "I'm just... strategizing."
Sophia snorted. "Is that what the kids are calling it these days?"
They pulled into the car park of a sprawling shopping centre, all gleaming glass and polished stone.
"Alright, game plan," Emily announced as they walked through the automatic doors. "Dress first, then we can revisit your perverted lingerie fantasies. Deal?"
"Deal," Sophia agreed with a wicked grin. "But don't think you're getting out of trying on at least one garter belt, missy."
Emily groaned dramatically. "The things I do for you."
But as they browsed racks of silky fabrics and daring cuts, a tiny thrill of excitement bubbled up in Emily's chest. Maybe a little adventure was exactly what she needed.
Sophia had practically shoved Emily through the entrance of Chic Boutique, her favourite dress shop in the city. The bell above the door jangled as they entered, and Emily stumbled slightly on her heels.
"Jesus, Soph, easy on the manhandling," Emily grumbled, straightening her blouse.
Sophia just grinned, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "You'll thank me later when you're turning heads in some knockout number. Now, get your ass to the dressing rooms. I'll bring you things to try on."
Emily rolled her eyes but complied, heading towards the back of the store. The dressing room was small but tastefully decorated, with a plush velvet ottoman and ornate floor-length mirror.
As Emily settled in, Sophia's voice floated over the top of the door. "Don't forget to snap some pics for your daddy while you're at it. I'm sure he'd appreciate a little preview."
Heat rushed to Emily's cheeks. Christ, was she ever going to live this down? "Fuck off and find me something to wear, you perv," she shot back, flipping off the door even though Sophia couldn't see it.
Sophia's laughter echoed through the store as she headed off to hunt for dresses. Emily sighed, leaning against the wall of the dressing room. What the hell had she gotten herself into? One wild night and suddenly she was shopping for sexy outfits to impress some guy old enough to be her father.
But as the memory of Lucas' hands on her body flashed through her mind, a shiver of excitement ran down her spine. Maybe a little dress-up wouldn't be such a bad thing after all.
Sophia burst into the dressing room, a whirlwind of energy and mischief, brandishing a scrap of fabric that barely qualified as a dress.
"Ta-da! What do you think?" She held it up triumphantly.
Emily eyed the garment sceptically. It was a barely-there number, all plunging neckline and high hemline, with wisps of fabric masquerading as sleeves.
"Jesus, Soph. Are you trying to get me arrested for public indecency?"
Sophia rolled her eyes dramatically. "Oh come on, live a little! You've got the body for it."
Emily took the dress, holding it up to her frame in the mirror. It would hug every curve, leaving little to the imagination. Too much, she thought. Way too much.
"I don't know..." she hesitated. "It feels like I'm trying way too hard. Like I'm screaming 'look at me!' You know?"
Sophia flopped onto the tiny dressing room bench with an exaggerated sigh. "That's kind of the point, Em. Make an impression!"
Emily shook her head, lips lifting in a wry smile. "I'd rather leave something to the imagination. Sexy doesn't have to mean in-your-face, you know?"
As she spoke, her mind drifted to Lucas. What would he think of a dress like this? The thought sent a little thrill through her, quickly followed by embarrassment. Christ, what was she, a teenager?
"Earth to Emily!" Sophia's voice broke through her musings. "Fine, fine. I'll find you something a bit more... demure." She said it like it was a dirty word.
Emily laughed, tossing the scrap of a dress back at her friend. "Thanks, Soph. And maybe this time, try for something that won't get me cited for indecent exposure, yeah?"
As Sophia huffed out of the dressing room, Emily caught her own eye in the mirror. A hint of mischief glimmered there. Maybe she'd surprise herself today after all.
Emily's jaw dropped as Sophia returned with a gown that looked like it belonged on a red carpet. The floor-length dress hugged every curve, its mermaid cut flaring dramatically at the knees. A daring slit ran up one leg, promising to reveal an expanse of thigh with each step.
"Holy shit, Soph," Emily breathed. "This is..."
"Absolutely fucking perfect," Sophia finished, grinning. "Try it on, now!"
Emily slipped into the dress, the silky fabric cool against her skin. As she emerged from behind the curtain, Sophia let out an ear-piercing squeal.
"God damn, Em! You look like sex on legs," Sophia exclaimed, clapping her hands. "Lucas won't know what hit him."
Emily turned to examine herself in the mirror, her breath catching. The dress fit like a glove, accentuating her figure in all the right places. She felt powerful, sexy, and just a little bit dangerous.
"I don't know," Emily hedged, running her hands over the fabric. "It's not too much?"
Sophia snorted. "Too much? Babe, it's perfect. Now, let's give your 'daddy' a little preview, shall we?"
Before Emily could protest, Sophia had stolen her phone and snapped a photo. Emily lunged for the device, but Sophia danced away, fingers flying over the screen.
"What are you... Sophia, don't you dare!" Emily hissed.
Sophia's eyes glinted with mischief. "Too late, hun. Already sent. With a caption that'll make him drool."
Emily groaned, burying her face in her hands. "What did you write?"
"'What do you think, daddy?'" Sophia replied, waggling her eyebrows.
"Christ," Emily muttered, torn between mortification and a thrill of excitement. What would Lucas think? Part of her couldn't wait to find out.
Emily's phone buzzed. Her heart quickened as she opened Lucas' message:
Daddy: Looks stunning on you, baby girl. But it'll look even better on my bedroom floor.
Heat rushed to her cheeks. She bit her lip, suppressing a grin.
Sophia leaned over. "Ooh, what'd Daddy say?"
Emily angled the phone away. "None of your business."
"Oh come on, I picked out the dress!" Sophia made a grab for it.
Emily danced out of reach, laughing. "Fine, fine." She showed Sophia the screen.
Sophia whooped. "Damn, girl! He's not messing around."
Emily's fingers hovered over the keys. What to say back? She wanted to be flirty, but not desperate. Cool, but interested.
"Fuck it," she muttered, and typed:
Baby Girl: Maybe you'll get to peel it off me soon, daddy.
She hit send before she could overthink it. Her stomach fluttered with nerves and excitement.
What am I doing? she wondered. This was so unlike her usual cautious self. But after the mess with Ryan, maybe she needed to shake things up.
"Earth to Emily," Sophia said, waving a hand in front of her face. "Are you still with us, or lost in Daddy fantasies?"
Emily swatted her hand away. "Oh shut up. Let's find some shoes to go with this thing."
As they browsed stilettos, Emily's mind kept drifting to piercing blue eyes and strong hands. She shivered, imagining those hands on her body.
Get it together, she scolded herself. But a small, reckless part of her whispered: Why fight it?
Emily's eyes lit up as she spotted the perfect pair of heels. Black leather with delicate silver sparkles catching the light - they were the ideal match for her new dress.
"These are it," she declared, grabbing the box.
Sophia grinned. "Damn girl, Lucas won't know what hit him when he sees you in that whole getup."
Emily felt a flutter of excitement in her stomach at the thought. She pictured Lucas' heated gaze roaming over her body in the slinky dress and sky-high heels.
"Earth to Emily," Sophia sing-songed, snapping her fingers. "Stop daydreaming about your daddy and let's go find some sexy lingerie to complete the look."
"Jesus, Soph," Emily hissed, glancing around the shoe store. "Could you be any louder?"
Sophia just laughed and looped her arm through Emily's, practically dragging her towards the mall exit. "Victoria's Secret awaits, my horny friend."
Emily rolled her eyes but allowed herself to be led. "You're impossible."
"You love me," Sophia quipped.