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  WARNING: This book is not transferable. It is for your own personal use. If it is sold, shared, or given away, it is an infringement of the copyright of this work and violators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

  This book is for sale to ADULT AUDIENCES ONLY. It contains substantial sexually explicit scenes and graphic language which may be considered offensive by some readers. Please store your files where they cannot be accessed by minors.

  All sexually active characters in this work are 18 years of age or older.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are solely the product of the author’s imagination and/or are used fictitiously, though reference may be made to actual historical events or existing locations. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Cover Design: Selena Kitt

  Barely There © 2008 Dakota Trace

  eXcessica publishing

  All rights reserved

  Barely There

  By Dakota Trace

  Once upon a time...there was an owner of a plus size women's clothing store who was approached by the creator of a new style of clothing that was sure to be the rage. Empress Chikowski was the owner of this store and due to her statuesque physique she had always searched for stylish clothes for her plus size figure. Then one day, Nicolai Rambaudi, the creator of a new style of clothing that was scandalous as it was beautiful. He set about convincing Empress that they would look smashing even on her generous figure...

  * * * *

  Empress Chikowski stormed into her back office. As usual her appearance had started out immaculate and professional but she ended up the same as she did every day. She slipped into the washroom and winced at her reflection. Her once tidy French braid was now loose and several strands of hair had slipped free of their moorings, not to mention the frizzy halo that all people with natural curls seem to possess. The light weight linen suit that looked so smart this morning was now wrinkled and even stained with a spot of antipasto sauce that she had somehow managed to spill on herself at lunch. One wouldn't think that a woman her age wouldn't need a bib to eat lunch. But at times she wondered.

  "Em, there is a man out here who says he has an appointment to show you his new line?"

  Empress looked up in the mirror to see Heidi, her head clerk and assistant in the doorway.

  "Yeah, I know. Give me ten minutes and then I will see him," she replied.

  * * * *

  Nicolai stood in the midst of the women's clothing store. His brother had first suggested the "Barely There" clothes idea. And, as an active nudist, he had to admit the concept of clothing that mimicked a woman's natural skin tone and hinted at her beautiful curves was very appealing; but standing inside of this store he wasn't sure that the plus size woman would appreciate such clothing ‑ that it might be a bit too much to ask that a large woman wear his designs. He was just thinking of leaving when the clerk returned from the back.

  "She'll be ready in a-few minutes," the tall willowy woman said with a genuine smile. He stuffed his hands in his pockets and stared around the store again. It wasn't completely deserted but obviously his presence had hushed the warm atmosphere. The clerk joined one of the few customers and led her to what he assumed was a fitting room. He felt like a piece of meat in a room full of vegetarians. The many racks of elegant clothing were rainbows of many hues. He took a silk dress off the nearest rack and was genuinely surprised to see the expert cut and design of the piece. Maybe this wasn't such a bad idea, he thought.

  * * * *

  Empress watched the man on the security monitor as he examined the dress he held. She licked her lips as she studied him. He was taller than average, that much was for certain. He was a good six to eight inches taller than the almost six foot tall rack beside him. She swallowed roughly. At six feet and one inch, she was almost always looked her dates in the in eye, if she didn't tower over them. Her heart beat faster as she noticed the way that he handled the delicate silk. In her experience most men were rough on the delicate fabrics but it was obvious that he was savoring the soft feel against his skin. It made her wonder if he would do the same with a woman's delicate flesh. Her thighs quivered as she continued to watch him examine every inch of the dress in his hands.

  "Isn't he just dreamy?" Heidi asked as she came to stand next to Em.

  "Yes," Em admitted, turning away from the monitor. "You can send him in, Heidi. And be a dear, clear my schedule for the rest of the day."

  "Damn girl, I know that's he yummy but you don't have to jump his bones on the first date," Heidi joked, knowing full well her boss's view on casual relationships. One night over a pitcher full of margaritas, Em had confided that she didn't get what the 'big deal' was concerning sex. But one look at the way her boss was reacting to the man on the sales floor — she was going to soon figure out exactly what the big deal was.

  "Just show him in, Heidi," Em repeated as she walked over and sat down behind her desk. It seemed that her desk mimicked her, it started out neat and orderly but by the end of the day it was just as messy ‑ and cluttered as she was.

  * * * *

  Nicolai sauntered into the office carrying his briefcase. He took a quick glance around the small room, taking in the various details. It was cozy, more fitting for afternoon tea than a working office. Behind a hardwood desk sat the woman he was there to see. He thought he would be greeted by a woman that reminded him of his sainted grandmother...a round and pleasantly plump, older woman. Instead the dark-haired temptress that greeted him was not at all what he had expected.

  "Hello, my name is Nicolai Rambaudi. I have a meeting set up with Ms. Chikowski."

  "Of course. I am Empress Chikowski. Have a seat Mr. Rambaudi," she said, her softly accented voice sending chills of awareness up his spine,

  "Empress?" he asked as he took the seat in front of her desk.

  "Yes, and please no wise cracks about it. If Empress is too much of a mouth full, please call me Em. Most everyone does. Now what can I do for you, Mr. Rambaudi?"

  "Nicolai, please. I have a new design line of clothing I would like to show you." He opened his briefcase and pulled out a sheaf of papers. He handed them across the desk to her. She gazed at the first sketch, quickly masking shock. Nicolai watched as she slowly turned the pages. Although the shock at the first page was now gone, he could see her eyes flare with interest as she viewed the following pages.

  He could see her face was flushed as she looked back up at him.

  "These are not exactly what I was expecting. I am not sure that they are what I would sell in my shop, Nicolai. They might be better suited for the shop down the street. It specializes in sexy lingerie and clothing. Most of the women that frequent my shop are up and coming business women that need suitable but attractive clothes for work." Em smiled gently, hoping to soften the rejection.

  "I did notice that you carry quite a line of business clothes, but I also noticed that you had a whole section devoted to evening wear. This clothing line is not meant for the office any more than the evening dresses that you have displayed," Nicolai pointed out as he leaned forward in the chair.

  "I am well aware of the clothing lines that I offer, Mr. Rambaudi. I just can't see this line working well with the rest of the clothing that I offer," she said passing the drawings back across the desk.

  "Let me ask you something Empress, what is it about my clothing design that bothers you?" he asked as he pushed the papers back into her and stared directly into her eyes.

  Em stiffened. She looked back at the drawings in her hands.

  "Frankly, Nicolai, these clothes are better suited on a nudist beach than actual wear. I can't see any woman of m
y stature wearing them comfortably. Even the evening clothes that I choose to carry are picked with the larger woman's body in mind."

  "I see, and you think that a ‘larger woman’ would not be comfortable in this design? Or is it you, Em, that wouldn't be comfortable wearing it?" he asked his voice going husky.

  "Whether or not I choose to wear a particular design of clothing has nothing to do with whether or not I would purchase it for my shop." She fought the image of modeling his design for him. She felt her womb clench in excitement.

  "I can totally understand that. No smart business woman would ever base her final decisions on her personal feelings alone. That is why I think you should let me have some ‘large women’ as you call them, try on my clothing and have a 'feedback' session."

  "A feedback session?" She arched one dark eyebrow at him, imagining the feedback that she would love to give him. This was so unlike her. She never had a problem concentrating on business.

  "Yes, an honest rant and rave about my designs and how each woman feels ‑ and how their significant other would like or dislike my designs.”

  "And what would be the catch?" She tried to focus but she couldn't help but stare at his firm lips.

  "What makes you think that there's a catch?" he asked.

  "There's always a catch, Mr. Rambaudi. So what is it?"

  "The only thing I want is for you to personally try my designs. I want you to feel the difference between being a beautiful woman and feeling like one," he said, standing and walking toward the desk. Em drew a deep but quick breath before surging out of her chair. She couldn't help but notice how gorgeous he was up close. She needed to get him out of her office before she threw him to the floor and raped him.

  "Whether or not I feel beautiful is none of your business," Em muttered as she picked up and handed him the sheaf of papers.

  "My, my, I do believe you have a bit of temper there, Empress. But who are you lying to? I saw the flash of desire and intrigue in your eyes. You hid it quickly but for a brief moment it was there. I can tell my ideas have stirred your senses. Why not try my designs?"

  "As if I would subject myself to the indignity of wearing something that is better suited to a sex shop," Em said as she fought to control her trembling. She walked toward the open door of her office. "Thank you for showing me your designs but I am sorry but I will have to pass."

  "I think you are being a bit closed minded, Em. Why not let me arrange the showing? You can even decide on the women to try them. Perhaps some of your most loyal customers would be interested. Even if it is just to put me in my place. If they completely hate my designs, I'll take my line elsewhere," Nicolai said as he stopped just inches from her. Em swallowed as she had to lift her eyes to look up at him. It was a new experience for her. She hoped that he didn't notice how distracted she was. She was supposed to be thinking about business!

  She caught her breath as he tipped his head down toward her.

  "And if they like it?" she asked softly — breathlessly.

  "If they love it, then you buy my designs AND I get to see you in one of them," he breathed across her soft parted lips.

  "Nicolai..." she moaned as his breath teased her parted lips. All thoughts of business had been buried under the need to feel his supple lips against hers.

  "So do we have a deal, Em? Will you give me what I want?" he asked, his voice gravelly with desire.

  "I...I..." she mumbled as she lifted her head to bring their lips closer together.

  "Yes, mi bella, " he prompted, his Italian accent deeper than it had been earlier.

  "Okay," she sighed as she waited for him to bring his mouth against hers.

  "Here's my card," He reached into the inner pocket of his coat and pulled out his business card. He slipped it down the open V of her blouse. She inhaled sharply as the blunt edges of the card teased her swollen breasts. A small growl filled the room as he gazed down at her heaving cleavage.

  "Call me when you know what sizes you need, Em. I'll have them made up and bring them over," he said as he stepped back — away from her...away from temptation.

  "What?" she asked her voice weak with desire.

  "Call me when you're ready," he said as he turned and walked back to her desk to retrieve his briefcase. He tossed his design sketches onto the desk top before turning back to Em.

  "I can't believe you did that!" Em's eyes narrowed as he came back within kissing distance.

  "What? Slip my card down your blouse, mi bella? Or not giving you the kiss that you wanted?" he asked coolly pausing in front of her.

  "Used your sex appeal to make me change my mind about your designs! Do you have no shame?" she hissed before jerking the card out of her blouse.

  "Once you get to know me, Empress, you will realize that there is little that embarrasses me, let alone causes me shame," he said with a wink as he walked by her.

  "Fuck!" she muttered

  Nicolai paused before swinging back around. His briefcase dropped to the floor.

  "Don't I wish?" he said, jerking her flush against his hard body. This time there was no build up or teasing ‑ he tipped his head and covered her surprised lips with his. A mutual moan escaped them as he thrust his tongue between her parted lips. Within mere moments Em forgot why she was angry with him. Without thought or intent, she wrapped her arms around his neck as he continued to kiss the breath out of

  her, backing her up against the closed office door.

  She whimpered when his mouth left hers. A soft gasp escaped her when his mouth slid through her hair to land against the shell of her ear. She moaned as his tongue traced around the whorls of her ear before dipping inside. She shivered helplessly in his arms as sensations raced down her neck to settle in both her nipples and her womb.

  He cursed raggedly before pulling away from her. She slumped against the closed door and watched as he pulled his handkerchief out of his pocket. Pressing it against his lips, he removed all traces of her lipstick from his rugged mouth.

  "Damn, mi bella, you are more potent than 100-proof whiskey," he said.

  * * * *

  Em sighed as she sank into the tub of bubbles. Every part of her body still tingled from her earlier encounter with Nicolai. She couldn't believe that she allowed him to grope her less than ten minutes after meeting him. He was very tempting but she had a firm rule about men. She never dated anyone that she did business with. Jilted lovers had a tendency to smear one's name and make the person look like a fool... and she was no body's fool.

  "Damn it!" she groaned as she sank under the water. Her traitorous body wanted him. She had a feeling that he would be the one that made her climax for the very first time. It frustrated her that the only way that she was able to ever come was by herself, alone. In the presence of another she could not bring herself to climax. After the third man that had failed to bring her to orgasm, she had given up on ever finding a man that would be able to push her past the point of no return. But Nicolai Rambaudi might be the one to give her first orgasm with a man.

  * * * *

  Nicolai stared at the opaque fabric in front of him. He was trying to work on his design but the sexy Em kept pushing to the forefront of his mind. It was unusual to find a woman that he didn't have to break his back to kiss. At six foot seven, he towered over most women. The novelty of being almost eye to eye with a woman was refreshing, not to mention that every inch of Empress Chikowski had felt wonderful against him. The memory of her luscious body pressed against him sent a surge of desire through him. The memory of their kiss caused his cock to stir. He shifted in his seat trying to push the heated memories to the back of his mind.

  His brother walking in helped with that, a little.

  "Hey, little brother, how did the meeting with the owner of Empress's go?" Sergio asked.

  "You set me up!" Nicolai said, continuing to pin the pattern on the material in front of him.

  "What! Moi? I would never do that!" Sergio protested

  "Don't give me that, Ser
gio. Ever since you married Rachel you have been trying to get me to settle down. When did you meet her?" Nicolai asked as he made the first cut. The sharp rasp echoed through the room.

  "Who?"

  "Empress. When did you meet her?" Nicolai looked up and met his brother's sheepish grin head on.

  "She's a friend of Rachel's. She met her when Amy needed a bridesmaid dress. They went to Empress's to find the perfect dress."

  "And you thought that she would be perfect for me?" he asked as he turned the material and made another cut.

  "Well, you have to admit that she is definitely your type," Sergio said defensively.

  "I don't have a type, Sergio."

  "Admit it. You find her attractive."

  "Whether I find her attractive or not, nothing is going to happen."

  "And why is that?" his brother asked.

  "I don't mix business and pleasure."

  "And once the business is done?"

  Nicolai looked up at his brother with a huge grin.

  "All bets are off."

  * * * *

  Em had just finished her first cup of coffee when Heidi knocked on her office door. She motioned for Heidi to join her. In front of her she once again had Nicolai's designs spread across her desk.

  "Dressing casual today, Boss?" Heidi asked as she propped her hip on the edge of the desk.

  "I didn't feel like dressing up. I plan on staying in the office. I have to set up a test group for this design," Em replied as she stood and stretched. She walked over to the coffee pot and poured herself another cup.

  "Wow! These are quite risque!" Heidi said from behind her.

  "I know. Mr. Rambaudi seems to think that our customers might actually go for it. I still think that they are better suited to the sex shop down the street but I agreed to this test group. It will be worth it to put him in his place," Em said as she brought the cup to her mouth.

  "Do I sense some friction between you and the sexy Mr. Rambaudi?"