then Gillian can continue.” She glanced over at Gillian. “You’re not off the hook. We still need to hear what went down once you got upstairs.”
Piper gave Caroline a look of disbelief as she shook her head. “You are constantly surprising me. Imported edible lube? You are a total sex ninja.”
Caroline shrugged. “Hey, the Internet makes it easy. Jace constantly wants to try new things, and I happily oblige. It’s kind of fun, actually. I usually have lunch at my desk while reading about edible panties and the newest in battery-operated vibrators. Did you know they make them this tiny?” She spread her fingers about an inch apart.
Gillian laughed. “You are a sex ninja, and it’s so funny, because you look just the opposite. I love that about you.”
“Well, thank you,” Caroline said. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
Emma lifted up the last of the tissue and picked up a red velvet cloth bag, cinched at the top with a red ribbon. She felt around the outside, giggling. “Do I really want to know what’s in here, Sex Ninja?” She untied the handles and emptied the object out onto the palm of her hand. It was a small plastic cord with three balls attached. Emma knew exactly what it was. “Anal beads!”
“Not just any kind of anal beads. They’re travel size!” Caroline exclaimed as everyone in the room rocked with laughter. “Hey, you can’t knock it until you try it. They’re usually on a much longer, bulkier cord. But I found those—”
“Let me guess,” Gillian interrupted, chortling, “on the Internet?”
“Why, yes!” Caroline laughed. “Those Scandinavian countries really have a knack for toys, I’m telling you. They’re a much better quality than anything made here.”
“Maybe you should incorporate imported sex toys into your stationery business,” Piper suggested. “I bet you’d get ten times as many customers.”
“I’ve actually considered it. I’m not joking,” Caroline said. “Why not be a distributor for high-end toys you can’t find here? But right now I’m too swamped with the cards. But maybe I’ll do it someday. I like the idea of empowering women. Females take much longer to orgasm—and some can’t come during intercourse alone. This would open up a whole new world for them.”
“Wow,” Piper commented. “I’m so impressed by that.”
“Me, too,” Emma agreed. “Caroline, you’re so selfless. I love that about you, and I absolutely love all the gifts. They’re perfect and generous, just like you, and I can’t wait to use them.” Emma set everything back in the box, folding the beautiful teddy nicely and resting it on top.
“Have you tried anal beads before?” Caroline asked.
“Yes, but it was a long time ago,” Emma replied as she bent over and grabbed Piper’s gift, which was lightweight. It was decorative, with white pinstripes, and had “shower” printed in block letters on the side. Piper had used a magic marker to write the word “travel” above that and had drawn a cute little sun and a boat next to it. It was so Piper. “We were young and inexperienced, however. I’m sure this go-around will be much better.”
“The trick is to put them in a while before the action.” Caroline winked. “It gets you all jazzed up. Then put on the teddy, reach for the lube, and you’ll have a beautiful evening in paradise!”
“I’m sure I will.” Emma giggled. “You’ve thought of it all.”
“My gift will help facilitate your everyday experience,” Piper said. “I know the place you’re going is clothing optional, but I figured you can’t go wrong with these—and it gives the watcher something intriguing to look at.”
“Well, now I’m intrigued,” Emma said, setting the bag on the ground and moving the tissue paper aside.
“They’re all wrapped up individually,” Piper told her. “There are three small bundles.”
Emma grabbed the three bundles and set them on her lap. She unrolled the first one.
Beverly Toney
Lauren Wilder
Matt Rees
R.F. Bright
Nevil Shute
Clare Cole
Dave Van Ronk
Becky McGraw
Candy Girl
Stina Lindenblatt