Her Gentle Giant, Part 2: Remember to Dance by Heather Rainier Page A

back, but you can tighten the laces in the front. It’s a lot less work for you than reaching behind you to tie laces, and he can get you out of it in a hot second if he wants to,” Grace said. “Look at what else is in there.”
    Rachel lifted out a leather throat collar with a large silver ring attached to the front of it, and all the women giggled uproariously. She laughed and unbuckled it then slipped it around her neck. It was thick but softly lined. She could not hide the pleasure she had at the thought of wearing it for Eli as her cheeks heated up. Laughing softly, Rachel thanked Grace for it, trying to not betray how much she really liked it. Her mom was in attendance, after all. No point going there. Rachel looked at Grace, and Grace spoke up for her.
    “I’m sorry, Renata. The gifts kind of degenerate from this point,” Grace said with a grin.
    Rachel’s mom batted her hands and said, “Oh, don’t, Grace. I’m having so much fun. I’m a little more liberated than my daughter knows. Don’t worry that you will shock me. Let me see that, Rachel. Is it lined? Oh! That’s nice and soft.” She rubbed her thumb on the lining.
    Grace exchanged a relieved look with Rachel.
    Rachel opened the larger box and found a truly kinky pair of high, chunky-heeled, black patent platform lace up boots. “Oooh! Hot mama! Look at these!”
    Laughter erupted around the table when she lifted it out of the box.
    Grace brought Charity’s gift to Rachel and sat the gift bag in front of her. “This is from Charity. Guaranteed to be adult eyes only , if I know my sister!” She giggled and then added, “And we love you for it, sis.”
    Rachel reached into the bag and pulled out a…feather duster? Only, the duster was small.
    At Rachel’s confused look, Charity snickered and said, “It’s a tickler. Keep digging. Eli is going to thank me.” Rachel lifted out a bundle of red satin. She unfolded them and looked at Charity in confusion. “Those are eight-foot-long bondage sashes for Eli to tie you up with.” Charity grinned as all the ladies giggled and Rachel’s cheeks turned red hot.
    The last thing in the bag was a pretty, black butter-soft miniskirt with zippers that ran down the front seams to the hem, and a matching leather G-string. “They will match that corset and those boots perfectly, don’t you think? Then you’ll have a complete outfit. Here’s something else from me and Grace,” Charity added the last part in a whisper and slipped her a gift card envelope.
    Charity being discreet? Surreal.
    Rachel peeked in the envelope and understood. It was a one hundred dollar gift card to a popular online sex toy website. She smiled at Grace and Charity, and they winked at her. She didn’t pass that one around for the others to see. She caught Grace’s wink at Kelly and realized the elf knew about it, too. She slipped the envelope in her purse at her feet.
    The phone at Grace’s seat buzzed. She looked at the display. “Our entrees are ready. Let’s go ahead and eat, and then we’ll finish afterward.” She replied quickly to the text.
    Rachel looked around the table. “Thank you so much for the beautiful gifts. I love all of them, and you know Eli will appreciate them as well,” she said to a chorus of risqué laughter.
    “You’re welcome, Rachel.” Grace gestured to the buffet, where several gifts sat waiting to be opened. “But you’re not done yet.”
    “Huh?” She looked around the room and remembered opening every woman’s gift. She looked up at Grace questioningly.
    “Those are from some people who could not attend today since this is a ladies only event,” Grace said as Peter and Paul tapped on the door and entered with laden trays. The handsome men made conversation as they solicitously served each lady her plate and refilled her water or tea glass.
    “Mrs. Warner, will you page us when you’re ready for the cake? We have it set out for you.” Peter said.
    “Thank you. I’ll page you