The rest of the week, Nina was in high spirits. She was ecstatic when her delivery schedule at Rudolph’s aligned with Liam and Rachel’s. Their conversations were cordial. Their banter light. Nina sensed no malice from their evening of drinks.

Rachel’s requests grew more insistent, to be certain. Greetings with a peck on the cheek, became a passionate kiss with the tongue. A caress on Nina’s bottom escalated to knuckles against her most sensitive spot. But no other experience matched that Sunday evening at the bar.

Nina felt physical delight while socializing with friends. Passionate friends, but nothing more. She benefited from the best of both worlds. Gerald was wrong. They weren’t out to buy her complicity.

On Friday, she paired her favorite yoga pants with a green sweater and arrived at the store in time to be greeted by the chirpy Rachel, who was her usual self. Liam, however, seemed a little distant compared to that week’s warm, friendly demeanor. He gave Nina a polite nod and a tight smile, which she reciprocated.

Ignoring the tension, she helped Liam load the last of the packages into her silver Dodge Journey. She scanned the last of them, and he closed the back door.

“You seem a little off today, Liam. Is everything alright?” Nina asked. She leaned against the side of her vehicle, pressing her curves against it without thinking.

Liam ran a hand through his dark hair, his expression troubled. “Yeah, everything’s fine. Just, well, Rachel. You’ll understand what I mean soon.” 

Rachel rounded the corner of the vehicle, presenting Nina a thin box, the type used for clothing, with a wicked grin. “For you. A little ‘thank you’ for last night.”

Nina’s eyes widened in surprise. “Oh, you didn’t have to do that, Rachel.”

“That’s what I said.” Liam interjected. Who Rachel stuck her tongue out at.

“Nonsense. We and Nina are friends now, and friends buy each other gifts. What do you say, Nina? Are you going to try them?” Rachel asked, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Nina looked from the box to Rachel. “I’m speechless, Rachel. I mean, I can’t just open this in the parking lot, can I?” she asked.

Rachel leaned in closer, her voice low and conspiratorial. “Of course not, silly. But I promise, you’re going to love them. I picked them myself.”

Liam smirked, then interjected. “Yeah, I had to exchange half of them because they were too small.”

Rachel flicked him on the shoulder. “Shut up, Liam. They’re perfect for a little jog in the park. Trust me,” she said with a wink at Nina.

“Well... Thanks, Rachel.” Nina said. She set the box down in the passenger seat of her Dodge with an enormous grin. In truth, the entire exchange flustered her.

As she slid into the driver’s seat, she glanced over at Rachel while peeking in the box. Inside were a pair of black running tights and a gray sports bra. Nina’s eyes widened as she looked at them. “Rachel, these are... skimpy.” She said.

Rachel, leaning in through the open window, just shrugged and smiled. “Yeah, but they’re comfortable and they’ll make your butt appear amazing. And your tits... anyway, go for a little jog in the park. Trust me, you’ll love them.”

Nina blushed scarlet. She closed the box and placed it back on the passenger seat. She waved at the couple as she backed out of the parking spot, her mind racing with thoughts of the clothing nestled in the boxes.

As she drove through the quiet neighborhood streets, she stole glances at the boxes next to her. Excited and apprehensive, Nina was unsure of what to expect. She had owned nothing as revealing as she suspected the contents of the box to be.

Her thoughts lingered on Gerald’s words from the previous evening. These were indeed gifts, unlike the drinks. The thought sent a shiver of guilt down her spine. Nina shook her head, trying to rid herself of the unpleasantness. No, she had no proof. She was just being paranoid. She wasn’t taking their gifts for her silence or her complicity. They were just being nice, friendly. It was a gesture of appreciation, nothing more. She had to stop overthinking everything.

Nina drove home in a daze, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. She was eager to try on the new clothes, to check her appearance.

She pulled into her driveway, the house silent and empty. Gerald should have been at work already.

Nina let herself in the house, quiet and still. She placed the box on her bed, her fingers tracing the smooth surfaces of the gift wrap. Nina changed into the outfit, the smooth material sliding against her skin, the fit snug and form-fitting. She looked at herself in the mirror, her breath catching in her throat as she took in her reflection. The black tights hugged her curves, the gray sports bra cupping her breasts, lifting and supporting them to perfection.

Her sports bra had support for the underside of her breasts, but above that was stretchy. It also had a gradient in its sheerness. Her nipples would no doubt peek through the fabric.

The running tights were high-waisted and made her legs appear longer and her butt even more plump. The material glittered with a faint sheen. When caught in the light, it transformed her legs into sparkling black diamonds. But most curiously, there was a zipper over her most sensitive area. The ease of urination without removing her tights elicited a schoolgirl giggle.

She ran her hands over her body, noting the firmness of the fabric against her skin. She felt sexy, confident, and ready to test her outfit with a jog.

Grabbing her keys and a bottle of water, she headed out at a brisk pace. She took a different route today, one that led through the park. As she jogged, the breeze touched her skin. The sunlight warming her face. She smiled to herself, ready to conquer the world. This revealed the strength of her bond with Rachel and Liam.

A grove of old dogwood trees enveloped the park entrance. In the spring, their white blooms would blanket the ground like a fresh snow. With winter approaching, they were bare. The park’s occupants providing the only color.

As Nina started her jog, she saw a group of children playing on the playground, their laughter filling the air. Nina smiled, remembering when her own kids were that age. She increased her pace, her footsteps light and sure as she moved on to a winding path.

Nina rounded a corner and saw a group of young men. The temptation was just too great. Nina increased her gait to a run. Her breasts bounced and swayed to the rhythm of her footfalls. As she passed the group, she was aware of their eyes on her, their attention drawn to her form-fitting outfit and the way it highlighted her curves. A rush of adrenaline coursed through her. The attention and desire thrilled her.

One man, a tall, muscular guy with dark hair and a shaved head, caught her eye. He winked at her, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. Nina couldn’t stop smiling. Before looking away, she noted the men’s approving nods.

Her nipples hardened. Due in part to the attention she received. But also, the design of the sports bra, while holding in her massive figure, failed to protect those sensitive points.

As she reached the other side of the park, she slowed down, her body still tingling with the thrill of her encounter. She pulled out her bottle of water, taking a long sip and trying to catch her breath.

Nina looked around, making sure no one was within earshot, before speaking aloud to herself, in a whisper. “What the hell am I doing? This isn’t me, and yet,” she trailed off, her eyes scanning the park, recalling the heat in the stranger’s eyes, the exhilaration that coursed through her veins.

She shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. This wasn’t right. This wasn’t who she was. Or was it? She might have discovered an uncharted part of herself. Perhaps it was acceptable to be desired.

Nina had to admit she loved the way her breasts bounced with each step, her nipples visible, hardening against the stretchy fabric of the sports bra. She loved the way the tights hugged her curves. The effect made her a sexy, svelte predator on the prowl.

She started back, hoping the cool down would give her time to think. She passed the group of men again and couldn’t help but notice the appreciative glances they cast her way. The man who winked at her earlier called out, “Hey, you’re looking good!”

A rush of excitement and embarrassment washed over Nina. She glanced away and picked up her pace. Nina tried to shorten the encounter. She had enough titillation for the day.

“She sure is, and she’s all mine, boys.” A feminine voiced jogger to her side called out as she passed the group. Nina turned to see Rachel, her long blonde hair tied up in a sleek bun, her face glistening from exertion. Her outfit, similar to Nina’s, accentuated her curves with its tight, shimmering material.

“You’re enjoying yourself too, I see,” she said. Rachel nodded towards Nina’s sports bra. Her gaze lingered on Nina’s hardened nipples.

Nina focused on her footwork, trying to hide her embarrassment. “Thanks, Rachel. I, uh, I think I’ve found my new favorite workout gear.”

“See, I told you that the outfit was perfect for a jog. I’m glad you took my advice. Now follow me. Liam and I are having a little picnic in the park, and I want you to join us. Please?” Rachel asked, her voice playful yet stern.

Nina hesitated. Her mind filled with questions. Was Rachel right? Was it her advice? It was Nina’s idea to jog in the park, right? Nina furrowed her brow, trying to remember. No, Rachel suggested it. She insisted Nina wear the new outfit in the park. Now Nina received a picnic invitation from those who had gifted her provocative clothing. It all appeared too coincidental, too suspicious.

Nina’s mind raced. She needed to refuse and go home. Yet, there was a certain allure in Rachel’s compliments to Nina that she found irresistible. After a moment of indecision that felt endless to Nina, she nodded and followed Rachel, who led them to a secluded lake where Liam set up a picnic blanket on the grass.