Gillian asked, “So are we going to get to see this interloper Candace at the block party? Because that would be awesome.”

Emma said, “I certainly hope so. It won’t be as fun if she doesn’t show.”

5

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Pete strode into the packed bar. He was a little late. His workload for the week had been heavy, so he’d worked longer than expected. He spotted the guys at a high-top and made his way over.

“Hey, Pete,” Michael said, holding his hand out. “Nice to see you again.”

Pete shook it and nodded to the two other guys as he took his seat. “Thanks for the invite. It was nice to get the call. Who would’ve thought we’d see each other out socially after our interactions together?”

“I know,” Michael said. “It’s strange as hell, but oddly it works. We all share a pretty hard-core component of our lives, which doesn’t tend to come up a lot in everyday conversation with other people.”

Brad nodded. “I don’t talk about my life ever. Most people at work think I’m socially awkward because I never talk.” He chuckled. “But they can think whatever the fuck they want to. It’s nice to be able to slam back a beer and feel comfortable for once.”

“I agree,” Pete said, nodding. “This was unexpected, but welcome. And if anyone can use a drink, I can. I’ve had a shitty week.” He nodded across the table at Jace. “It’s nice to see you again, man. I hope all is well with you and yours.”

“Things are going great,” Jace said. “In part, thanks to you and your wife. What we did at your house managed to break some kind of a seal for Caroline, and our sex life has never been better.”

“Glad to hear it,” Pete said.

The waiter came, and Pete gave him his order.

“Piper mentioned something about Emma being unhappy?” Michael said.

Pete raised his eyebrows. “Emma hasn’t said anything to me directly about being unhappy, but her actions certainly point in that direction.” He shook his head. “She’s done a complete turnaround from her normal temperament, and I can’t figure it out. Nothing big has changed in our lives. We haven’t swapped with any couples in a long time. Not because we’re not into it anymore, but we’ve just been busy, and all of you”—he gestured around the table—“have left the lifestyle as far as I know, at least for now.”

“We haven’t left,” Michael said, shaking his head. “We’re just experimenting with something new. It was time for a change, and it’s been a doozy. Have you ever heard of the Sexual Underground?”

“No,” Pete said. “Can’t say I have.”

“It’s fairly new, from what I know. It’s basically a well-organized orgy. We’ve been twice now, and it’s fucking amazing—literally,” Michael told him. “But I’m only with Piper now, so that piece has changed. We’ve had our own metamorphosis, so to speak, and we’ve found that we work the best being exclusive but in a highly charged atmosphere.”

“We’re not out of the lifestyle either,” Brad added. “Gillian is in the process of setting up these soft BDSM parties. She’s planning one a month. Similar to the orgy we attended with them”—he gestured at Michael—“but more controlled, and on a much smaller scale. But we’ve been derailed a bit.” He lowered his voice. “Do you guys know Tyler Blackstone?”

“The baseball player who just got traded to the Brewers?” Jace said, his eyebrows shooting up. “Of course we know him. There was a big question on whether or not they would land him. He’s a hell of a player and came with a hell of a price tag.”

Brad replied, “Well, let’s just say we’ve met up with him and his escort a few times and it’s pretty hot. Gillian wants to set something up with him on a regular basis.”

“Is that who you guys hooked up with the night of the orgy?” Michael asked. “No fucking way.”

Brad nodded. “But that stays between us right here.” He circled his hand around the table. “I can’t go into a lot of detail, because the guy pretty much made us swear we wouldn’t talk about it. If he could’ve made us sign a nondisclosure agreement, he would’ve. But I don’t really buy into that shit. If you’re in the lifestyle, so be it. But I guess this guy has a right to his privacy, since he’s in the public eye. Anyway, it was crazy. He’s so rich he’s got everything in spades. He even has this huge decked-out fuck room above the warehouse, and let me tell you, he likes it hard.” Brad shook his head as his voice trailed off, and he took a sip of his beer.

“You can’t leave us hanging like that. Go on,” Michael urged. “We have to hear the rest. We’re a bunch of horny motherfuckers, or haven’t you noticed?”

Brad shrugged. “I can’t, man. Not so much for Tyler, but for Gillian. I promised her I wouldn’t say anything. She’s already going to kill me for telling you his name. I’m in trouble, but I’ll take my licks.”

“Is he a switch hitter?” Jace asked.

“No,” Brad said. “It’s all girl and guy, and completely regimented. It’s right up Gillian’s alley. My wife has never had an issue with this lifestyle a day in her life. She thrives on it, and seeing her hot is what gets me going, so I’m going along with it for now. We’ll see in the future.”

“I wish I could say the same about Emma,” Pete lamented. “If you would’ve asked me a month ago, I would’ve said Emma felt the same way—and had no issue with the lifestyle at all. I would’ve told you she thrived on it. We’ve been in it for years with no complaints. But now I have no idea. She actually told me that if I was sneaking around with people, she could, too. What does that even mean?”

“Are you sneaking around with other people?” Michael asked.

“Of course not. I love my wife. But Emma caught the woman next door, a fortysomething cougar, kissing me. This woman hijacked me in my own kitchen. She came on strong with no provocation on my part, but I couldn’t shake her in time. Emma walked in on us and freaked out. She had to know nothing was going on, but she was bent out of shape anyway. She knows I’d never take Candace to bed. It isn’t even in the realm of possibilities.”

“Man, that’s rough,” Brad commented. “I feel your pain. So what are you going to do now?”

Pete made a face. “I have no idea. We’re going on this big vacation in a few days. We’re hitting the Bahamas. I’m hoping we can work it out while we’re there. Some time alone would be a good thing right now.”

“Caroline mentioned something about that,” Jace said. “She was shopping for your wife. I guess they’re throwing her some kind of vacation shower? I don’t know, I don’t get women stuff. Aren’t you guys going to some kind of secret sex resort?”

“Yep,” Pete answered. “This resort is way under the radar. You actually have to get a referral to book a suite. They only have twenty villas. We were lucky to get accepted and that they had space available. So we jumped on the dates they gave us. But now, the more I’m thinking about it, maybe I should reschedule until things get back to normal. I don’t want to screw up this vacation.”

“Nah, I think it’s a perfect time to go,” Michael said. “What better backdrop to make your wife fall in love with you all over again than white-sand beaches and palm trees?”

“Fall in love again?” Pete balked. “I hope she hasn’t fallen out of love with me. Jesus.” He ran a hand around the back of his neck.

“I don’t think she’s literally fallen out of love with you, but it sounds like she could use some serious wooing again. Was it her idea to go there or yours?”

“Mine.” The waiter dropped his beer off, and Pete took a long drink. He set it down. “But my wife loves watching people have sex. She says there’s art in it, and I agree with her. The place we’re going is ridiculously expensive and exclusive. It doesn’t even have an official name. The guy I know just calls it Paradise. What better place to watch the art of sex than in paradise? I don’t know. I thought it was a good idea at the time.”