Getting Even. Kayla Perrin

I mutter. “So Adam is a freak—that’s what you think?”

      “You haven’t said enough for me to form an opinion. Just how ‘kinky’ are we talking?”

      I can’t meet her inquiring gaze. “Anal sex,” I admit shamefully. “Having sex in public places. Not that anyone would see us,” I quickly point out, “but there’s the threat of getting caught. That threat really turns him on. Then on Friday night…” I let out a heavy sigh. “He bought me a strap-on. As a present for me.”

      Annelise’s eyes bulge. “What?”

      “I know. It’s horrible, isn’t it?”

      “But I don’t get—”

      “He said he wants me to do him.” Now I meet Annelise’s blue-eyed gaze. “Can you believe it?”

      Annelise shakes her head. “I’m sorry. Not really.”

      I groan my dissatisfaction. “I knew it. I knew this was over the top.” I push my salad away, no longer hungry. “And please, don’t mention this to Lishelle. I’m embarrassed enough as it is.”

      “Honey, I only wish I had your problem.”

      Now my eyes widen. “What?”

      “Maybe a strap-on is a little freaky, but at least Adam wants to have sex with you. Experience it all with you. I’d love it if I had that in my life.”

      “Okay, I’m a little lost. No, a lot lost.”

      Annelise sighs softly. “I haven’t said anything before because…well, because it’s been too painful. But Charles hasn’t slept with me in over fourteen months.”

      I’m so stunned, I can’t even speak.

      “Yeah, it’s true. My husband doesn’t even want to touch me. It’s a real boost to my self-esteem, let me tell you.”

      “Oh my God.” I reach across the table to cover Annelise’s hand. “Honey.”

      “It’s driving me nuts. I’m at my wit’s end. I’m trying so hard, but he’s always so tired, so stressed. And when I touch him, it’s like he’s a block of stone.”

      “I had no clue.”

      “I didn’t want to say anything, but since we’re talking about sex. I welcome any suggestions you might have.”

      “You could always borrow my strap-on.”

      That gets a smile from Annelise. We both laugh.

      Then I ask, “What have you tried?”

      “Candles, nice dinners, wine. All that. Stuff to relax him and get him in the mood. But nothing’s been working. So, last week, I went to a…a sex shop. I picked up this slutty French maid’s outfit. It was raunchy, let me tell you.”

      “That didn’t work?” I ask in surprise. I don’t know a man alive who doesn’t get turned on by the French maid fantasy.

      Annelise shakes her head in disappointment. “He completely ignored me. Turned on a soccer game, and I don’t think he even likes soccer.”

      “Wow. This calls for drastic measures.”

      “I know, but what?”

      Going to a swingers’ club…. But I don’t dare suggest that because I can’t admit to anyone that I went there with Adam, albeit unwillingly.

      “I don’t know,” I say after a moment. “Let me think about it. In the meantime, I hope his stress level lessens. He is working on that big case.”

      “I know, I know. Believe me, I know. And I feel for all those people who got sick from Kitler’s Cookies. I support all the hard work he’s doing. But isn’t sex supposed to be a great stress reliever?”

      “I thought so. For Adam it definitely is.”

      Annelise sighs softly, and she looks so disheartened that I can’t help but feel bad for her.

      “Well,” I begin, “if this is work related, then it won’t go on forever. I know that’s not much comfort now, but tomorrow’s another day. Don’t give up hope.”

      “I’m hanging in there,” she says. But she sounds as if she could burst into tears any moment.

      Here I was, thinking I had it bad because Adam’s sexual appetite is endless. But maybe I don’t have it bad at all.

      Sure, he wants to try everything, but like Annelise said, at least he’s trying it with me. He obviously trusts me with his fantasies, and that says a lot.

      Yeah, I guess I’ve been a bit of a prude. Nothing is shameless between committed partners—between two people who love each other with their whole hearts and souls.