22

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“It’s all set for tomorrow. We’re on the list,” Gillian told Piper over the phone. “Let’s go out for dinner and drinks beforehand. The shindig doesn’t start until eleven. But if I know you, you’re going to want to have a few under your belt first.”

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Piper asked. “I feel like I forced you into it on Monday night. This is tame”—she lowered her voice because she was at work and her office door was ajar—“for you. I think you said yes just to be nice.”

“I was being nice. That does happen on occasion. But I’m not doing it for you, though you can pretend I am if it makes you feel better.” Gillian laughed when Piper sputtered a little. “I said yes because I think Brad might enjoy a night out that doesn’t involve a whip or a safe word. What you said about what you’ve done for your husband and your marriage over the years struck a chord with me. I’m all in for this, and once I make up my mind, there’s no changing it. So don’t even try.”

Piper chuckled. “Okay, I won’t. To tell you the truth, I’m calmer knowing you’re going to be there with me. You’re my safe word.”

“You’re not the first one to use me as such.”

“I’m sure I’m not. Michael’s been bugging me all week to tell him what we’re doing, but I haven’t given in. I told him this is the last planned thing I have in me, since he called off the top ten.” Piper smiled when she thought about how well the week had gone with her husband. It made her feel happy. “Things are going so well. This should be the topper on a new sexual awakening for us. Me being free of worry, finally participating in my own life, both of us getting some sweet satisfaction. I can’t wait.”

“Amen, sister,” Gillian said. “I thought you’d say yes to dinner, so I already made reservations at Karma. It’s close to the art district, and I thought the name was apropos. It’s a relatively new Indian place, but the reviews are good.”

“Sounds perfect,” Piper said. “We love Indian.”

“Meet us there at nine thirty. We’ll be ready with bells on,” she said. “Or maybe nipple clamps.”

Piper chortled. “You really know how to ramp up an orgy, don’t you? I’m coming with a doctor’s clean bill of health. I had my checkup yesterday. Michael had his a few months ago, and he’s only been with me. I hope that will be enough.”

“They didn’t specify, but it should be enough. We get ours done once a month, but that’s a requirement of my group.”

“Well, if I have my way, Michael’s only going to be having sex with me,” she told Gillian. “So if they deny him, all the better.”

Gillian snickered. “Sometimes they give someone who’s not up on their tests a bracelet to wear—you know, the kind you get when you enter a theme park? Then it’s up to the attendee to take a chance if they want to.”

“I’ve never heard of that.”

“That’s ’cause you don’t attend large group gatherings like I do, girlie.”

“Touché.”

“But you won’t be able to say that after tomorrow, right? I gotta run. See you later.”

Piper hung up, smiling.

This was going to be fun.

* * *

Beth stuck her head into Michael’s office. “So, see you tomorrow night?” she asked, grinning as she licked her lips slightly. Her face was bright and eager.

Michael glanced up from the stack of papers on his desk and sat back in his seat. “I’m sorry, Beth. I totally forgot to tell you we’re not going to attend. I didn’t even broach the subject with Piper. Maybe next time.”

Her disappointment was clear. “That’s okay. I totally understand. You can’t force something like this. We have new-member events every few months or so. Should I let you know when the next one is?”

Michael nodded. “Sure, that’d be great. I have a feeling we’ll be ready for it at some point.”

“If it makes you feel any better, it took me six tries to actually walk through the doors,” she said. “I’d always been curious about the lifestyle, ever since I was a teen, but I couldn’t bring myself to walk in and participate. You’ll know when you’re ready.” She made a move to leave.

“Beth,” Michael said. “Can I ask you a question before you go?”

“Sure.” She popped her head back in.

“Are you a lesbian?” He uttered the question softly. He didn’t want to be rude, but if he was going to persuade his wife to attend someday, he had to get all his facts straight. Piper would ask him for the details.

She shook her head. “Nope, I’m bi. I love both sexes, but I tend to fall hard for a personality, rather than a face. Something will strike me as sexy in either a man or a woman, and I’m totally into it. It took me a long time to figure that out, but now that I have, life is very, very good.”

“What is it about Piper that attracts you to her?”

“What isn’t attractive about her?” Beth came into the room a little farther, looking behind her to make sure no one was walking by. She held a bunch of files in her arms. “Your wife is full of life and vitality. She’s like a walking ray of light. She’s gorgeous—but she doesn’t even seem to know it, which makes her even more beautiful. I’m positive that when she experiences pleasure, it’s written all over her face.” She shrugged. “Anyone would love to see that.”

It was all true.

His wife was something uniquely special. She was a beautiful soul who didn’t even come close to realizing how amazing she was. “Thanks for that,” he said. “Can I ask you one more thing?”

“Certainly,” she said, smiling.

“This is going to sound totally conceited,” he said. “But I’m used to people falling all over themselves and making passes at me. You seem…completely uninterested. I find it refreshing, but I’m wondering why.”

Beth blushed and glanced down at her papers. “You are really beautiful.” She raised her head. “And it can be a little off-putting, because the only place you see that kind of beauty is in a magazine or on the big screen. But…” She hesitated.

“Go on,” Michael urged as he leaned up and rested his arms on his desk. “I totally want to hear this. I’m sick of the attention, and I’d love to know what it is you don’t like.”

“Well, your face is blank most of the time, kind of like you’re devoid of any feeling”—she hurried through the rest—“but not when you’re with your wife! I’ve only seen you two together a few times, but it’s like you’re a different guy. Your face changes. You seem genuinely happy. Now that guy, I’d totally get it on with him!” She met his puzzled expression. “I hope that was okay to say. I don’t meant to imply you have no feelings. It’s just…you seem detached most of the time, like you’re just going through the motions or something.”

“No, that’s…that’s good to know.” Michael thought about it. “I hadn’t realized I was coming off like that.” He smiled at her to put her at ease. “It makes sense, though. Piper makes me the happiest, so when I’m with her, I feel content. But, just so you know, don’t get your hopes up that Piper would be into anything with…another woman. I don’t think that’s her thing.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t be with her alone.” Beth winked, and then turned to leave. At the door she glanced over her shoulder. “What I would give her would only amplify what you were already doing. Your wife is totally in love with you. I doubt anyone will ever give her as much pleasure as you can.” Then she was gone.

Michael reclined fully in his seat, absentmindedly flicking his pen around his finger and thumb.

How was Beth able to read all that from a few casual interactions?

He thought what she said was pretty damn close to accurate.

The thought of him being the only one to give Piper ultimate pleasure made him feel satisfied in a way he’d never thought of before. When Piper had had sex with Pete that one and only time, he’d been okay with it, but only because he’d felt their sex life should be fair. He’d had sex with other women in front of her, so how could he deny her the same experience?