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.