The Opium Room by Charisma Kendrick Page A

selections and they racked up a two–hundred–dollar bill. She wouldn’t hear of Lea paying for any of it. Lea had a feeling that Karrigan had money to blow, but it still didn’t sit right with her. She already knew of a way to repay her, but she’d tell her later.
    They got on an escalator to the second floor. “Where are we going now?” Lea asked.
    “Are your ears pierced?”
    “Yeah, but I don’t wear earrings.”
    “Or any jewelry, huh?” Karrigan said, scanning Lea’s arms and neck.
    “I guess not.”
    “No worries. We’ll get you set up.”
    At the top, Claire’s boutique was just off the escalator. They browsed the walls, elbow to elbow, in the narrow store.
    Karrigan grabbed a pair of earrings. “What kind of statement do you want to make—pure and innocent or primal and dirty?”
    “I guess…pure and—”
    “Wrong!” Karrigan interrupted. “Do you want Fox to remember your name on Saturday? Primal and dirty is what you want.” She handed Lea a pair of handcuff earrings. “Those are a good start.”
    Lea feared that by the time Fox picked her up on Friday, she was going to be dressed like a two–dollar hooker.
    ***
    After a stop at Godiva for some chocolate–covered strawberries, which Karrigan insisted Lea would need for her date with Fox, they headed to their next destination. A short, seat–clutching, white–knuckle ride later, they arrived at Bad Cat Adult Megastore.
    Karrigan gave a personal greeting to the long–haired guy with facial piercings behind the check–out counter. She protruded her tongue between her first two fingers, suggesting that she was more than just a returning customer.
    Lea smiled and walked ahead while Karrigan leaned on the glass case filled with expensive novelties, chatting up the guy.
    Lea was browsing a display of thongs when Karrigan came bouncing up. “What do you think about these?” Lea said, holding up a pink pair.
    “I think you’re wasting your time,” Karrigan said. “You’re not wearing panties on your date.”
    “What? You can’t be serious.”
    “Primal and dirty, Lea. Primal and dirty.” Karrigan pulled her by the elbow in another direction. She but on the brakes next to a rack with a lot of leather. Lea didn’t recognize the item on the hanger.
    “Assless chaps, baby,” Karrigan announced. “Now all we need is a whip. Come on, let’s go to the bondage section.”
    “Uh, I don’t think so.”
    “Lea, we have to get you a whip. The outfit wouldn’t be complete without one. All you have to do is crack it one time and growl, “You love to be spanked, don’t you? Don’t you!” and he’ll blow his load right then.
    Lea shook her head emphatically. “No, Karrigan. I’m sorry, but I have to veto the chaps and the crack. It’s just not me.”
    “Fine.” Karrigan put on a pouty face and put the leather back on the rack. “But you only get one veto.”
    They browsed a shelf with various oils and lubricants. “You’ll need these,” Karrigan said, and tossed a variety pack of condoms in the basket. “And these.” She flung in a few packs of flavored lubricant. “And this.” In went a bottle of Coochy Shave Cream. She paused, looked at Lea. “Unless you want me to give you a wax. I’ve got the stuff for it.”
    “No, that’s all right.”
    Karrigan shrugged. “Your call. Now, let’s settle on your lingerie.” They browsed a shelf with medium–sized boxes on hooks. “I won’t force you too far out of your comfort zone, but I must insist that you don’t choose anything pastel. How about these?”
    Lea inspected the box Karrigan handed her. Over–the–knee leg warmers in black. “I guess I could try to pull them off.”
    Lea couldn’t help but notice the unkempt older man, probably in his sixties, on the next aisle over browsing pornos. He was looking at her with his tongue skimming his top lip. She put the leg warmers back on the shelf. “Can we go now?”
    “Fine.”
    Lea was glad that Karrigan was