Lara approached with a mischievous smile on her lips, the sparkle in her eyes giving away that she was about to ask a bold question.
"Now, sister-in-law," she began, whispering to Emily, "what do you wear underneath to, shall we say, please my brother? Or maybe something special, out of the ordinary?"
Emily felt her face heat up instantly, her heart beating a little faster. Lara's question took her completely by surprise. She coughed, looking away as she tried to find an answer.
"L-Lara!" Emily stammered, still blushing, placing a hand over her mouth, half in disbelief at what she had just heard.
Lara just laughed at the reaction, clearly enjoying the provocation.
"Relax, relax, I just wanted to see your reaction." She gave Emily a friendly pat on the shoulder. "But it's good to see that you're taking my brother seriously. He's hard to please, you know?"
Emily rolled her eyes, but ended up laughing along with Lara, the tension easing between them. With a calmer expression, Lara decided to change the subject.
"Okay, okay, I'll stop! Let's just focus on the clothes now."
Emily breathed a sigh of relief and smiled at Lara, still recovering from her embarrassment.
Lara walked with ease through the lingerie section, looking like an expert in the art of choosing pieces that combined sensuality and elegance. Emily, on the other hand, found herself increasingly disconcerted as Lara picked out bold and seductive lace sets.
"Look at this, Emily!" Lara said, holding up a black set with red lace details. "Isn't it perfect? My brother is going to... well, let's just say he's going to lose control!"
Emily sighed, trying to hide her embarrassment. "Lara, do you really think this is... appropriate?"
Lara laughed, shaking her head. "Oh, Emily, you don't know my brother as well as I do. He loves these things. Besides, who wouldn't want to see the woman they love wearing something special?"
Emily blushed deeply, struggling between shyness and amusement. She looked at the outfits Lara had chosen, each one more daring than the last. Lara seemed unbeatable in her mission to make her feel embarrassed.
"Maybe... I could get something more discreet too?" Emily suggested, trying to keep her tone light.
Lara just smiled with an amused look. "You could even get it, but I doubt you'll be able to resist the red with lace, huh? After all, it's always nice to surprise once in a while."
Emily sighed, resigned.
As they left the store with their shopping bags, Emily looked at the lingerie pieces with a mixture of frustration and curiosity. Lara, always good-natured and easygoing, noticed her gaze and let out a little laugh.
"You know, Lara..." Emily began, trying to hide her embarrassment. "Who taught you these things? You're still so young to know so much about... well, about what men like."
Lara laughed out loud, tossing her short, white hair back. "Oh, Emily, you'd be surprised at what we learn out there!" she replied, amused. "I have friends, you know? And besides, there's a lot of stuff that's just female intuition. We know when something will... make a good impression."
Emily shook her head, smiling a little disconcertedly. "I think you're more prepared for this than I was at your age!"
"Oh, sister-in-law," Lara said, winking mischievously, "you have more talent than you think. I bet my brother thinks the same!"
Emily rolled her eyes, but ended up laughing along with her. Despite her initial frustration, she knew that Lara just wanted to help her bring some fun and lightness into her relationship with Matthew, and deep down, she was grateful for their growing friendship.
When she arrived at her apartment, Emily let out a deep sigh, her cheeks still flushed from her shopping spree with Lara. The bags were heavy in her hands, but none of them seemed to weigh as much as the ones containing the daring lingerie that Lara had convinced her to buy.
As soon as she entered her room, Emily opened the closet and began pushing the clothes aside, looking for the most hidden corner she could find. With a furtive glance at the door, making sure she was alone, she placed the lingerie on the highest shelf, burying it under a pile of scarves and scarves that she rarely wore.
"That should do the trick... At least until I can think of something," she muttered to herself, trying to ignore her racing heart.
For a moment, Emily laughed to herself, imagining what Matthew would say if he discovered the new "arsenal" hidden in the back of her closet. But the thought made her face heat up even more, and unable to contain herself, she let out a nervous giggle before closing the door and walking away, satisfied with her "hiding operation".
Emily was focused, gently stirring the chicken in the pan as the aroma began to fill the kitchen. She loved this moment of dinner; cooking always calmed her down. But her thoughts were still agitated after shopping with Lara, especially with the "secret" she now hid in the back of her closet.
Suddenly, strong arms wrapped around her waist from behind, and she felt the familiar warmth of Matthew's body pressed against hers. Surprised, Emily gave a small start, almost dropping her spoon.
"Sorry, love, I didn't mean to scare you," Matthew murmured softly and playfully, pressing a light kiss to the curve of her neck.
Emily felt her face heat up. Memories of what was hidden in her closet invaded her mind, and she tried to avoid looking at him directly, aware that her cheeks must be flushed. But Matthew noticed and, with a smirk, turned her gently so they were face to face.
"Is there something making you so red, huh?" he asked playfully, his eyes fixed on hers.
Emily laughed, a little embarrassed, and looked away. "Oh... it's just the heat from the stove," she tried to play it off, even though her nervous expression gave it away more than she would have liked.
Matthew arched an eyebrow, clearly amused by her reaction, but decided not to press her. Instead, he pulled her closer, cupping her chin tenderly and placing a soft kiss on her lips. "I'm lucky I'm here just in time for dinner... and to have the best view possible," he whispered, making her even more embarrassed.
She smiled, trying to regain control, and turned back to the stove, with Matthew still there, hugging her.
Emily, feeling the heat of Matthew's body against hers, turned her attention back to dinner, stirring the chicken while he stood there, his arms still wrapped protectively around her. His touch, gentle and possessive at the same time, made her a little flustered.
"If you keep this up, the chicken will burn," she murmured, smiling slightly, trying to hide her nervousness.
"Then let me help," he replied, his voice low and engaging, still with that playful tone. Matthew gently held her hand, guiding her as they stirred the chicken together, in smooth synchrony.
"I feel like I'm in a romantic cooking commercial," she said with a laugh, but her voice was still choked by his proximity. Matthew laughed along, leaning in to give her a light kiss on the cheek.
They served dinner together, and as they sat at the table, Emily tried to compose herself. His presence there, so close and affectionate, awakened something that reminded her of the lingerie Lara had encouraged her to buy. Every time he looked at her with that admiring look, she felt her face heat up again.
"Is there something else bothering you, love?" Matthew asked suddenly, his tone gentle and curious.
She just shook her head, laughing lightly. "Nothing much. Just… thinking about some new outfit choices," she said, trying to sound casual. Matthew smiled, raising an eyebrow, but decided not to insist, just leaning down to kiss her once more.