Piper chuckled as she straightened herself and ran her fingers through her hair. “How did you find the waiter who gave you a key to these elevators that quickly? You were only gone for like three minutes.”

He shrugged, zipping his pants and tucking in his shirt. “There’s another door to the kitchens just before the restrooms, and I stood there until I saw a guy who best fit the bill.”

“What bill?”

“The player bill. The waiter who was most likely to bring his dates here after work and fuck them senseless. Once I spotted him, I motioned him over. All I had to do was give him the eye, and he whipped out his key. He told me where to go and that the key would be there.” Michael fished it out of his pocket and held it between his fingers.

“You have a keen eye, my friend,” Piper said. “Spotting a player in a room full of servers who all wear black and white uniforms takes talent. But it was totally worth it. It’s a good thing you were one, or you might’ve missed him.”

Michael took her hand and punched off the emergency button. A loud noise buzzed to signal that the elevator was operational again, then he pressed the “door open” button.

The elevator doors spread open immediately.

Right as a waitress walked by with a huge tray of food.

She startled when the doors opened, but recovered quickly. She gave them the barest of nods as she continued walking without glancing back.

“Well, it’s safe to say this isn’t the first time these elevators have been utilized for clandestine encounters,” Michael whispered as he led Piper out, returning the key to its place as they exited. They followed the waitress through the doors and into the main hallway by the bathrooms.

Michael dropped Piper off in front of the women’s room and continued on to their table. He was relieved to see their food hadn’t arrived yet. Their waiter was at another table, but as soon as he spotted Michael, he hurried over. “I hope everything is okay, sir,” he said. “Your starter dish should be out momentarily.”

Michael spotted no knowing look in his eye, no half smile, no chiding.

The guy had no idea what had just happened.

“Everything is fine, thank you. I’d like to order another bottle of champagne. We’ll try the 2010 this time, and I’ll double your tip if you bring out a crème brûlée in the next five minutes.”

“Right away,” he said.

The waiter hurried away right as Piper made her way back to the table. She looked amazing. Nothing out of place, or the least bit rumpled. The best part was her smile. It was radiant. Michael wanted to congratulate himself for satisfying her so well, but really, she was the one who had done the satisfying.

She took her seat across from him, flashing him another dazzling smile that went from her chin all the way to her eyes.

He plucked the bottle out of the bucket and refilled her glass, then his own, emptying it. She picked up her glass and took a sip without saying a word. After her drink, she licked her lips.

When she was done, she set her glass on the table and leaned forward, crossing her arms on the table. “That was nicely done, Mikey. I don’t think I’m going to come down from that high anytime soon. My entire body is one big throbbing heartbeat. I’m going to daydream about that for weeks, and each time I do, it’ll give me a wettie.”

He grinned. “I can see this building from my goddamn desk, and I can promise you that my dick will spring each time I look out my office window. We’re definitely coming back here. On our way out, I’m booking the next date they have available, and I don’t care if it’s six months out. I will count the days with relish.”

“Maybe I should make a paper chain, like I did for Christmas every year as a child. It can be our Elevator Sex Chain.”

“That’s a fucking fantastic idea.”

“You know what I really love?” she said.

“What?” He picked up his drink.

“That this wasn’t part of our top ten. It was completely spontaneous. We haven’t been that hot for each other in a very long time, and I think it was because it was unscripted.” Piper started to fidget, lifting her napkin and folding it in her lap for a second time.

Michael picked up on her tension and leaned forward. “Are you trying to tell me you don’t like the top ten we have going on?”

“No, I do like it,” she protested too quickly. “But…I’d have to say I like this better. It feels more, I don’t know, free-spirited? And my adrenaline was off the charts. My heart was pounding so much I thought it might burst right out of my chest. That’s what I love the most.”

Michael thought about it for a moment as he took another drink. His plans to take Piper to the Sexual Underground aside, he was inclined to agree with her. “I think you’re right. Maybe we’re trying a little too hard? Maybe less is more when it comes to this stuff?”

“Exactly!” Piper nearly shot out of her seat. “That’s what I’m thinking, too. I’m voting for spontaneous, adventurous sex from now on.”

Michael inclined his head. “Piper, have you been feeling like this for a while? Trying to think of a way to tell me you wanted to change things up?”

“Maybe.” She hesitated for a moment, then looked out the window. “Probably.”

“Why didn’t you just say you didn’t want to do the top ten anymore?” He was genuinely curious.

“Because I do want to do it.” She turned back to him. “I’m totally having fun. I am. But I’ve been a little worried that this might become our new norm—as in, our sex life will forever depend on us planning crazy, over-the-top events, and if we don’t, we won’t have great orgasms. But that rockin’ elevator sex just dispelled all that.” He frowned as she continued, “Honestly, Michael, it’s been so much fun rediscovering our sex life. It’s made me feel whole again in ways I had no idea I needed. But what we just did here, that—that’s our golden ticket. I want more of that in our lives.” Piper made a face. “Are you mad? You look mad. This is why I didn’t want to say anything! I didn’t want to ruin what we’ve got going on—or this beautiful date tonight. I really am happy, and if you want to continue doing a list, I’m down with that, too.”

Michael realized he was still frowning, so he made an effort to change his expression. His wife still looked worried. He put both his hands on the table and moved closer. “Do you really think I’m upset you brought this up? Or think I’m mad because the top ten is not your thing?”

“I’m not sure. Are you?”

“No! Of course not.” Now he was frustrated. “The reason I’m frowning is because I get the distinct feeling you feel like you can’t talk to me.” He suddenly realized something important. “Piper, how long have you not been sharing your feelings with me? Thinking I’d be upset or not on the same page as you?”

She shrugged noncommittally. “Hm.” She looked distractedly from the table. “Oh, look, our food is here!”

Michael glanced up to see their waiter scurrying over with the dessert he’d ordered on a covered oval platter. At the table, he moved things out of the way and set it down. Then he swept the top off with a flourish to reveal the dessert. “Here you go, sir. I hope this is okay. I’ll be right back with your new bottle of Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin.”

“Thanks.” Michael couldn’t help grinning at Piper’s surprised expression. Once the waiter left, he said, “You know, sometimes I need a double dessert before my meal.”

Piper all but clapped. “This is perfect! I’m so happy.”

They each picked up a spoon.

He put a bite in his mouth and groaned. It was that good. He smiled at his wife over their dessert. “Piper, you’re not off the hook with this discussion,” he told her. “But we don’t have to keep talking about it tonight. I want to enjoy our night. But I promise you we’re going to come back to it very soon.”