right, kids. We’re a go.” Crosby dropped into his director’s chair. “Five minutes!”
Tracey rushed over and powdered Mi’s face one last time. Davy finished checking the products and arranged them in front of the large centerpiece on the coffee table out of sight from the camera, but within Mi’s reach. Other employees scuttled around, performing last minute checks. Then all the lights dimmed in the studio all except those that lit the set. Mi shuffled her note cards back to the beginning. She closed her eyes and mentally gave herself her pre-show pep talk.
“Roll cameras,” Crosby barked.
Mi opened her eyes and pasted on her camera smile, the one her viewers trusted.
“Speed,” one of the crew answered.
“Begin theme,” Crosby directed. “Mi you’re on in five, four…” He held up three fingers, then two, then one, and then pointed at Mi to begin.
“Hello and welcome to Pleasure at Home . I’m your host, Miyuki. Pleasure at Home is America’s preferred home shopping show because we bring you products to add spice to your love life or maybe even to help you learn to love yourself a little more. And as always, you can count on Pleasure at Home to be discrete with your selections.
“I’m so excited about tonight’s show because it’s all about couples. Yes, that’s right. Our products tonight were chosen with couples in mind to help you get the most pleasure out of your loving relationship…”
At the back of the studio Lucas watched Mi launch into her spiel. From his vantage point he could see her on the monitors, see what her viewers saw. A confident young woman with an easy smile and soothing voice, Mi oozed trustworthiness and confidentiality. She beckoned her viewers to try something new, to make their fantasies come true and to strengthen their relationships. He could see in a moment why she was so successful.
“This is one of our most profitable shows,” Cal whispered. “Couples night is gold.” He rubbed his hands together as though preparing them to count stacks of cash.
Mi’s voice drifted across the studio. “Our first product of the evening is Mutual Bliss’s Thirty-one Flavors Body Paint. Be the canvas as your partner discovers their inner Picasso, painting their way to your mutual gratification…”
Lucas tried not to imagine stroking the paint-dipped brush up and over Mi’s hip, down the length of her thigh, and following it with his mouth.
“Completely edible, deliciously decadent, these body paints let you be the artist, designing a night of passion neither one of you will ever forget. Only sixty-three, ninety-nine this delicious palette of pleasure includes such flavors as cherry, chocolate, marshmallow, apple tart, and many more guilt-free taste sensations.”
Chocolate tipped nipples… He shuddered, disguising the sudden movement as a simple posture shift. He wondered if anyone would notice if that palette somehow disappeared after the show.
As Mi continued on to the next product, he began to understand the popularity of Pleasure at Home’s products. He found himself considering the possibilities, as he’d never done before. Maybe it had less to do with his shedding beliefs and more to do with his attraction to Mi. Either way, watching her performance gave him ideas he’d never had before. Not all of the products were for him though. That strap-on thing and that other one for—what the fuck had Mi called it?—‘back door action’—were definitely not for him. But those panties with the built-in, controllable vibrator had him smothering a pirate grin.
Cal leaned toward him, pointing at Mi, his lips curved in a cat-that-got-the-cream grin. “Isn’t she amazing? And she’s all mine. All mine. Remember, I’m counting on you not to let anything happen to my girl.”
The way Cal said that with such possession made him wonder for a moment if Cal and Mi had something going. He shot his friend a death stare. Jealousy, hard and sharp stabbed into him,
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