Free Finding Herself (Surrender) by Alicia Roberts

shopping.”
    “Really. This late?”
    Emily shrugged. “Weird delivery times, what can you do.”
    “What did you get?”
    Emily looked down at the box. She had no idea what was in it and she didn’t want to guess. “Just some stuff.”
    She walked past Isabel and into her room, and closed the door behind her.
    Emily placed the box on her bed, and lifted the lid. Inside, there was a gorgeous, silky black dress – it had thin shoulder straps, a deep neckline and looked almost like lingerie.
    Her cell-phone buzzed. It was a text from Nate: Wear the dress & nothing underneath. I’ll see you soon. Will text you when it’s time to leave.
    Emily smiled. He would be picking her up soon, and they’d go out – maybe for dinner? She imagined the two of them sitting at a fancy restaurant, sipping on red wine and sharing funny stories.
    How long did she have to get ready? She pulled back her hair, and applied her makeup, making her lips ruby red and her eyes slightly smoky. She smiled back at her reflection – she looked glamorous and dangerous, and she couldn’t wait for the night’s adventure to begin.
    Once her makeup was perfect, Emily slipped off her clothes and shimmied into her new dress. It fell almost to her knees, and was quite demure from the waist down. Above the waist, however, a lot of her décolletage was visible, and her sore, hard nipples poked through the thin fabric.
    Despite her elegant makeup and gorgeous dress, her breasts stole the show. Emily imagined going out in public like this, and felt shy and desperate to cover up. She grabbed the Hermes scarf and draped it over her shoulders, hiding her nipples and much of her cleavage. Nate had said not to wear anything underneath – he hadn’t said anything about wearing something on top.
    J ust before nine, Nate texted her. The car’s downstairs. Aaron knows where to go.
    Looking forward to dinner and dessert , Emily stepped out of her room.
    Isabel was watching TV in the lounge, and when she saw Emily she switched it off. “Where are you going?” And then her eyes narrowed. “Are you kidding me, is that a Hermes scarf?”
    Her voice reeked of exasperation , and Emily hated to lie to her. “Um, I don’t think so,” she said, fingering the scarf nervously.
    Isabel shook her head. “No way. No friggin’ way. Some rich guy’s giving you Hermes scarves to sleep with him?”
    “That’s not what’s going on.”
    “Oh really? Then what is? Where else are you going, looking like a hooker dressed for church?”
    Emily felt her face flame up. “I don’t have to defend myself to you.”
    “No, you don’t. I’m just worried about you. I told your mom I’d keep an eye on you, and I feel like I’m failing.”
    Isabel stared at her, and Emily shook her head. “I’m fine. I don’t have time for this.”
    S he stepped out and closed the door behind herself.
    ***
    The car sped through the streets of New York, and Emily asked Aaron where they were going, but he merely shook his head and kept driving. Within a few minutes, they were in the financial district, and Aaron parked the car. “We’re here,” he said.
    Emily stepped out, and Aaron drove off immediately.
    She looked around and wrapped her arms around herself. Where was Nate taking her? She notice d a young man walking down the other side of the street, his arms around two skimpily dressed women. She turned and looked the other way, and saw a group of slightly drunk women tottering down the street, turning the corner and disappearing. Emily felt lonely and slightly cold.
    She was just about to call Nate, when he appeared at her side. Emily smiled with relief, but Nate looked serious and led her into the nearest building. They took the elevator up, stepped out and went down a corridor. Nate opened a narrow door, and Emily stepped in.
    Her eyes widened. She was inside the most beautiful apartment – the floors were white marble, and there were large windows and cream colored furniture. The