Piper was all ears. “Okay, how do we tick?”

“You need it exciting. Like, super exciting,” Emma said, her face animated. “That’s what got you into the lifestyle in the first place. You love being turned on by something only you both know, like a secret. Meeting up with us was fun, and it fulfilled that excitement for a while, but you need something to spark you when you have sex. Something out of the ordinary.”

Piper nodded along.

Knowing Michael could fuck someone else if he wanted to—but didn’t—and being in the bathroom of Dimitri’s taking dirty pics with Emma had gotten her hornier than she’d been in a long time, because it felt risky.

“You might be right.” Piper pondered it for a second. “I like where you’re going with this. I pay Ms. Cummings a lot of money to figure me out, but she’s never hit on this—my need for adrenaline with sex.” Piper ate another bite of her food and debated telling Emma about her weekly STD meetings with Caroline. Emma would totally be a good fit to join them. But then she thought better of it. Piper would have to run it by Caroline first. Finding women who lived the lifestyle wasn’t easy, and they could all benefit from the added therapy, but it was Caroline’s and hers first. She couldn’t make that decision on her own. “You know,” Piper said, “The more I think about it, I might be an adrenaline junkie.”

“That’s it exactly!” Emma said. “You’re definitely a junkie. You always have been.”

In her teen years, Piper got into a lot of trouble, but she had enjoyed every bit of it. “That’s probably why having sex with your husband was so disastrous for me. I wasn’t filled with anticipation—I was filled with dread. I totally should’ve known.” She caught Emma’s face as it fell. “Oh, no, not like that! Pete is totally cute and nice, and his dick—whew—I don’t have to tell you it’s a keeper.” Pete had a massive cock. “But he wasn’t Michael. I wanted to try something new, but I should’ve known it didn’t feel right and stopped it before it started. I felt no adrenaline or anticipation. I just figured it was my turn to try it.” Emma’s face was still pensive, so Piper leaned in. “Emma, I’m not trying to make you feel bad. My husband is just the only guy who’s even remotely turned me on in the last fourteen years. I don’t even get hot seeing movie stars or porn. It’s just him for me.”

Emma set her fork down and smiled. “I understand what you’re saying. I wish I felt that way sometimes. I’m totally attracted to my husband too, and love having sex with him, but the art of sex, and seeing others enjoy it, that’s what truly does it for me.”

“That’s what makes you tick. There’s nothing wrong with that,” Piper said. “Seeing pleasure gives you pleasure. That’s why you built the Palace downstairs, right? It’s kind of an homage to the art of sex?”

“Maybe.” Emma shrugged. “Or the fact that we’re just horny motherfuckers all the time.”

Piper almost spit out the soda she’d just taken in. “Emma!” She coughed. “That’s hilarious! I had no idea you were so funny. Every time we’ve met, I guess it’s been in a more serious capacity.”

“Yeah,” she agreed. “When your happiness depends on coaxing other couples into sexual situations, you’re always on your best behavior.” She took a bite of her salad.

“So when you’re not on your best behavior, what do you enjoy doing?”

Emma grinned. “Well, I swear like a sailor. I eat way too much junk food, especially gingersnaps. I watch girl-on-girl porn. But lately my favorite thing to do is sneak over to my neighbors’ house to peek in their windows. That’s always a good time.”

“What?” Piper had to cover her mouth. “You’re a peeping Tom? That’s the very last thing I thought would come out of your mouth!”

“Not exactly.” Emma chortled along with her. “You have to understand our neighborhood. The people who live there are all fairly high-strung. They’re white-collar bores who have to earn those huge paychecks or they feel inadequate. I was against moving to the suburbs for those very reasons, but it turns out, it’s better than reality TV out there! You have no idea what goes on. Our Pleasure Paradise is sedate compared to the affairs, betrayals, and general sneaking around that happen on a regular basis. At least with us, we’re up-front about it. Yes, we like to mix it up—but there’s no cheating or sneaking around or butt-fucking your nineteen-year-old neighbor, whose father is your friend and golf buddy, in your garage.”

“Holy shit!” Piper exclaimed. “Are you kidding me? That happens in your neighborhood regularly? You’re going to have to invite me out there sometime. Do they know you watch?”

“Sometimes, but I swear it’s no secret.” She shook her head. “Everyone knows, even though most try to pretend it doesn’t exist. But I don’t watch for the sexual bang. I get plenty of that on my own time. I do it for the pure entertainment of it all. As much as I love the art of sex, I love bad TV even more.” She snickered as she picked up her water glass.

“Emma, I’ve just gained a much greater appreciation of you as a person, and I have to say I absolutely love it. You’ll have to keep me apprised about what’s happening on Wisteria Lane, and I’ll bring the popcorn.” Piper was going to have to convince Caroline that Emma would be a great addition to their STD get-togethers. She could imagine them all laughing about this together.

“Sounds good to me,” Emma said. “But getting back to you, mark my words”—she jabbed her fork in Piper’s direction—“once you decide on what your next adrenaline rush will be, you’ll be back in business and on the road to fulfillment.”

Piper just hoped she was right.

3

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Michael’s flight had been delayed before it took off, and now it looked like they were going to have to wait longer to land. The plane was circling, and he was pissed. The only thing keeping him together was the fact that he was going to see his wife soon.

That, and escaping into the bathroom to look at the dirty pictures she’d sent him this morning on his phone.

He felt like a teenager.

He’d masturbated twice during the three-hour flight—four hours, if you counted the time they’d been stuck on the tarmac.

He hadn’t come three times in one day in too many years to count.

A keen anticipation of what tonight would bring burned through him. He’d sensed something different in Piper’s texts. She was having fun and that excited him. He couldn’t wait to see her¸ and her beautiful, rockin’ body, in person.

His wife was a stunning woman.

She was five-foot-ten, with long, chestnut hair that changed color depending on the light. She had a beautifully curvy body, lush breasts, and a quick wit. One of his absolute favorite things about her was her no-nonsense attitude. She’d always been one of the guys.

She was every guy’s dream girl, and she had no idea.

The pilot’s voice came through the speakers. “We’re sorry for the continued delay, folks. Because we took off late, we are currently waiting in line to land. Thank you for your patience.”

“Dammit,” Michael muttered.

The guy next to him snorted. “Tell me about it.” The guy was in his late sixties. A salesman from Green Bay, Wisconsin. He’d tried to chat Michael up a few times during the flight. Michael had been nice enough. But this was first class. Mandatory chatting was not part of the deal. “I bet you have a wife to get home to.” The guy leaned over the armrest. “Not me. Just my dog, Gus. But I’m in no hurry since I’m driving back to Green Bay after visiting my sister and her family. My niece is graduating from college. It’ll be good to see family. That is, if we ever get off this plane.” He chuckled as he reached into his front pocket. “Here, take my card. If you’re ever in need of paper, gimme a call.”