Zinaat’s favourite pastime was shopping in high-end lingerie shops. Had been for years. Yet she had never really had anyone to wear it for. She just liked the look and the sense of being mischievous. Obviously, she didn’t tell the shop attendant back home she was single and frustrated. Instead, in the past Zinaat liked to tell the cashiers she was married to a rich businessman from out of town and that she was just planning a surprise for his return. Once she even claimed a family was planned for next year but until then she just wanted to treat herself while she still had the figure.

Now, as she handed over the money to the cashier, she thought how times have changed. She now shops with a real purpose. No need for tall tales anymore.

Ray might not be the businessman she dreamt of as a younger woman. For a start he hasn’t got his own private jet or holiday villa in the south of France. But he does have his own sign-written van and a semi detached house he shares with his brother.

It’s enough, for now.

Clothes littered the ransacked bedroom. The air was heavy with perfume. Zinaat posed in front of the bedroom mirror gazing at herself adorned in frilly French lingerie, complete with suspenders, a cute plunge bra and seductive semi see-through lace thong. It might not be the most comfortable. But that wasn’t the point. It made her look good and if she looked good she felt good. Felt confident. In fact, she felt sexy. And that is what mattered most to Zinaat.

She felt ready.

Zinaat was also wearing makeup to embolden her eyes and lips. She had only ever worn foundation and painted her lips with gloss. But tonight she wore it heavy with red scarlet lips, lips which she planned to use in ways she had only just learnt from Mia’s tales and videos on Pornhub.

Happy with how she looked she slipped into her short black dress then stepped into her stiletto heels.

Then, as usual, she suffered last minute doubt. A few more catwalks in front of the full length mirror failed to convince her. So, despite the ticking clock, she changed into a more suggestive scarlet dress.

Again,Zinaat paraded in front of the mirror but decided that she was in fact right the first time, and reverted back to her original black number.

The perils of womanhood.

Before leaving the apartment she prayed in silence. Not just to calm her nerves but to give her thanks for what she had, and for blessing the evening ahead.

Zinaat heard her ringtone. She picked up her mobile that was charging on top of the hallway sideboard - noticing two unanswered texts from Ray. She answered the call. “Hello, Ray,”

“Is everything OK? Been waiting in the petrol station for twenty minutes..”

”I’m almost ready.”

“Are you sure you don’t want me to pick you up from your place? Save you walking.”

Zinaat thought it best not to because of Tamar. “No. I have a cousin staying with me… she’s a bit traditional. Might bump into her and things will get very complicated.”

“You sure? Can park the van here and just walk down to meet you.”

Zinaat shivered. “Oh, the consequences!.”

“Blimey. OK. I’ll wait here then.”

“But don’t worry. It’s only temporary.” Wedging the phone between her shoulder and ear, she threaded her arm into her long fashionable trench coat which she wore for a cloak of modesty as much as warmth, “Tamar will be gone soon.” Picking her house keys from the glass bowl on the sideboard, she opened the front door. “I’m leaving the apartment now. See you in five.”

Zinaat ducked back into the hallway and picked up a large sports bag then left the apartment in a cloud of Tiffany Eau de Parfum.

The five minute walk allowed Zinaat to dwell on her conflicting emotions. The clips of her stiletto heels on the evening tarmac gave an impression of naughtiness, and knowing what she was going to do, gave her a slight nightwalker feel. But she couldn’t deny that being wicked felt a lot more exciting than a life of piety.

~

Peering into the wing mirror Ray spotted Zinaat carrying the sports bag. He felt pleasantly surprised and reached across the cab and opened the passenger door. “Are you staying the night?”

“No. Got to be back for ten.”

“Then what’s the sports bag for?”

“As far as the family is concerned I’m at the gym this evening.”

Ray beamed towards Zinaat who slammed the door behind her. “You look good, Ze.”

“Thanks.”

“You look even hotter than usual.” Ray couldn’t help but stare. “Don’t think i’ve seen you wear makeup.”

“I do. OK, maybe not the scarlet lipstick. But I wanted to impress.”

“Well, you certainly have impressed me. Plus, you smell great too.”

“I should do.” Zinaat reached over to plant her lips on his, then giggled as Ray gave her several playful kisses back. She then kissed him once more, but this time it was full and suggestive, she even licked his tongue before breaking away. “Bought the perfume on special offer in Duty Free.” She then fixed her seatbelt. “Yet it still cost more than my plane ticket. But it makes me feel sexy… as you can tell by my kiss.”

“Christ. I hope you covered yourself in it, then.”

“Don’t worry, I have. There might even be a little bit on my naughty bits.”

“You’re totally awesome. I appreciate the gesture.” Ray started up his van, switching on the headlamps because of the encroaching darkness. “But I’m still using the Lynx Dilon got me for Christmas. Must have cost him less than a tenner.”

“I don’t mind. But I definitely need to take you shopping for a new wardrobe. A man should only own a couple of navy blue polo shirts.... Not a wardrobe full of them.”

Ray snorted. He didn’t know if he should be offended or flattered that Zinaat felt concern for his appearance. “Want to go shopping, instead? Can park the van at home and get the train into the city.”

“It’s not like me to turn down a shopping trip. But I really want to go back to yours for some quality time…. I’m wearing French Lingerie which I want to show you.”

“I never knew one sentece could give me an erection.” Ray pressed his foot hard on the accelerator then released it, in order to change into a higher gear. “Right. Home it is.”

~

Ray followed Zinaat over the doorstep into the hall noticing how her stiletto heels accentuated her curves and made her look taller . Asking for her coat, he wanted to seem gentlemanly but really he just wanted to see what goodies she had for him under the long trench coat. She turned, smiled, then slipped the coat off her shoulders before pulling it off her arms and handing the coat to Ray.

Posing in her body hugging black minidress which barely fell below her knickers. It also showed plenty of cleavage. Zimaat asked, “So... What do you think?”

“Darn good. But kinda hoping you were only going to be wearing that ligerie you told me about.”

“Cheeky. So. Here we are. Me and you… just the two of us.”

“Yeah. Dillon is at night school. Thank God.” Ray opened the living room door, reaching inside to the switch on the main light. “ Want to watch some TV and snuggle on the couch? Can order a pizza. What do you have planned?”