Chapter 25 Gemma
GEMMA
When Rory had said ‘shopping,’ Gemma had in mind traipsing from shop to shop with a grumpy Rory like they had last time.
She had not imagined being in a changing room in a department store with Rory’s lips on her mouth, hand on her breast, fucking her towards a wonderful orgasm.
She used every bit of self-control to keep quiet, but the smallest of whimpers escaped into Rory’s mouth as she came.
Rory kissed her lazily as she gentled her down from her climax.
Gemma gripped her fingers into Rory’s shoulders and let the familiar liquid heat run through her body.
She felt strong arms hold her up as her legs had turned to jelly, and for a moment, she couldn’t think straight.
Once she could stand properly again, she pulled Rory in for a kiss. This one was gentler and more loving than the frenzied kiss they had shared earlier, which had led to her girlfriend being knuckles deep in her in a public changing room.
“Where the hell did that come from?” she whispered to Rory. Fortunately, the changing rooms were busy enough for there to be plenty of noise and bustle around them, but not busy enough that someone wanted this cubicle.
“Guess I really missed you.” Rory peppered kisses along Gemma’s neck until she met her lips and gently kissed Gemma. “And you look really, really good in these jeans.” Rory pointed toward the jeans that she had just stripped off Gemma.
“Hmm, I really missed you too,” Gemma moaned as Rory found that bit on her neck that turned her on every time, the bit of her neck that got them into this mess in the first place.
She pushed at Rory’s shoulders. “Shoo. Do not start that again.”
Rory grinned and sat on the stool in the corner of the dressing room. Gemma picked up the jeans she had been trying on and waved them at Rory.
“Well, I guess we are definitely buying these now.” She threw them at her girlfriend to fold and reached for the clothes she had been wearing when they had arrived. Once they had put themselves back together as best they could, they escaped from the changing area into the main store.
“At least we came here before Markham’s,” Gemma giggled. “I really like their food hall and couldn’t bear it if we’d been caught and banned from there.”
Rory tapped her credit card to the reader and led them out into the summer sun.
Hand in hand, they headed towards the newest luxury department store in London.
Entering through posh glass revolving doors, Gemma could already hear pound signs clinking in her mind.
They headed up to the menswear and tailoring department.
This was a far cry from the department store they had tried last week, and Gemma could feel Rory relax as they walked.
Rory gave her name at the cash desk and waited patiently.
Gemma had stereotypically thought that the tailor would be a camp man with odd-coloured hair and was surprised to see that he was a nondescript middle-aged man with a beard and kind eyes.
She mentally slapped herself for being so prejudiced and making assumptions.
“Hello Rory and…” He paused to allow Rory to introduce her.
“This is my girlfriend, Gemma.” Rory squeezed her hand, and Gemma felt a frisson of joy as Rory introduced her. Most of her other girlfriends hadn’t hung around long enough to warrant that title, but with Rory, it felt natural and right.
“Lovely.” He pushed his glasses up his nose and shook their hands. “I’m Charles. My wife Emily will be helping out if that’s okay?”
Charles led them to a private room that had plush carpeting, several comfy-looking chairs and an enormous mirror to one side. A middle-aged lady with a warm smile, bobbed blond hair, and a tape hanging around her neck stood to one side.
“Hello.” Her smile widened and seemed to fill the room. “I’m Emily. I’ll be helping today.” She draped the tape measure over Charles’ head, so it hung over his shoulders. “Can I get you started with a drink? Champagne? Or something soft?”
Gemma looked at Rory, and they shared a secret smile. The last time they’d had champagne together had been at the opera.
“Well, as I need a tux, then champagne seems appropriate. But could I also beg for a coffee?” Rory’s super charming grin was in full effect.
Gemma nodded that she’d like the same, and Emily toddled off to get their drinks.
Gemma felt like something out of a film.
Her family had never been poor by any means, but this was service unlike anything she’d experienced.
“Now, what are we looking for?” Charles ushered them to the chairs and sat opposite them.
“Well, the most pressing need is a tux for the opera next weekend. I had one that was off the shelf, but it didn’t fit right,” Rory started. “I could also do with a couple of suits for work. I wear ladies’ suits at the moment but…” she trailed off.
“They don’t suit you?” Charles chuckled at his own joke. “Sorry, tailor's joke. I think I know what you mean.”
Rory grinned, and Gemma saw her relax a little more. Emily returned with the drinks and joined them.
“I have a slightly indelicate but important question if I may?” Charles pushed his glasses up his nose. “What are we doing with the chest area? Do you want to emphasise or de-emphasise what you have?”
For a moment, Rory looked adorably clueless until she blushed and looked at Gemma.
“I only ask because it will affect how the shirt and jacket will hang.” He paused again, allowing Rory time to consider her reply.
“Let me ask another way. Are you wearing the sort of underwear that you will wear with the suit?” He chuckled, “It’s amazing how many people get measured for a suit without considering what they wear underneath and then get terribly fraught when it doesn’t fit properly on the night in question.”
Rory nodded in understanding. “I, um, wear sports bras that sort of do neither.”
Emily nodded in understanding. “Are you looking to purchase anything new? I specialise in underwear and lingerie and can pick you something out if you’d like?”
Gemma noticed Rory’s cheeks flush and took her hand. “I think you could treat yourself, don’t you?” She lowered her voice and spoke into Rory’s ear. “If it helps, I could try something on too.”
The blush was more noticeable now, but the confident smirk Gemma loved to see had returned.
“That might be nice, actually. Could you pick something for Gemma too?” Rory squeezed Gemma’s hand but spoke directly to Emily.
Emily nodded swiftly and bustled out, presumably in search of lingerie for them.
Once she was gone, Charles had Rory stand on a low pedestal while he took her measurements.
He tutted good-naturedly that she was wearing jeans and before long, she was in her boxers and T-shirt as he competently and quickly took her measurements.
As soon as he was done, Emily swished in with some underwear for Rory to try, and Charles left them to try them on.
“Now this,” Emily proffered a sports bra and boxer set to Rory, “is your classic sports bra. With your legs, I think these boxers will look good. They should hug your legs and so not ruin the line of the trousers.” She pulled another bra over.
“This one has a built-in binder that some clients find suits them. It’s not as restrictive as a normal binder and can be useful if you’ve not used one before but want to try it out.
This one,” she picked up a sports bra in red, “is a sports bra, but it just presents the girls with a bit more oomph.” She lowered her voice.
“I brought you options so you can tell me what you like and what you don’t.
Once I get a better idea of your personal taste, I can then suggest other ideas and options. ”
Gemma felt tears prickle her eyes. In just a few words, Emily had conveyed everything to Rory. All the support she needed, the acceptance. On her behalf, Gemma wanted to weep but held it together for Rory’s sake.
Rory seemed to consider each option for a moment before handing back the middle choice to Emily.
“I’m not sure that’s my style just now.”
With those few words, Rory told her and the world where she was. Emily put the binder bra to one side.
“What do you think, babe?” Rory’s gentle question and smile drew Gemma to her.
“I think for a suit the first set works best.” Gemma dropped her voice. “But the red one might be nice for another occasion.”
“I agree.” Rory grinned and gave her a quick kiss.
If Emily was fazed by two women kissing in the dressing room, she said nothing.
“Why don’t you pop in there and I’ll show Gemma what I have for her?”
Rory obediently popped into a small room with a curtain that Gemma hadn’t noticed before. As soon as she was gone, Gemma turned to the older woman and took her hands.
“Thank you.” Gemma hated that there were tears in her eyes, but they were tears of gratitude, not sadness.
Emily clasped Gemma’s hands. “It’s okay.” She looked towards where Rory was still getting into her new underwear. “Our nephew is trans.” She paused. “And my brother kicked him out, so he and his mum lived with us for a time.”
Gemma blinked before understanding suffused her body.
“How wonderful that he had you.”
“Yes, but not until he tried…” Emily cleared her throat, and tears of her own prickled her eyes.
Gemma patted her hands in understanding. “I work with kids who are LGBTQ+ and don’t have a home. Some of them have tried to find another way out, and we are there for them.”
“And you’re there for Rory.” Emily grinned impishly and waggled her eyebrows a bit.
“Oh, I’m always there for Rory.” Gemma smiled, hoping to move the conversation to a lighter tone. “We were best friends growing up, and she always got me out of trouble. Stands to reason she’d become a lawyer.”
“Oh, what a lovely story.” Emily pushed a lingerie set towards Gemma. “I thought your style might be a little different from Rory’s. I’m not sure whether you or she would like these better?” Emily winked.