Текст книги "What Piper Needs"
Автор книги: Amanda Abbott
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Текущая страница: 11 (всего у книги 14 страниц)
She just hadn’t wanted to see it. She’d been so worried about losing Michael all these years that she’d become passive to make sure he had what he needed.
The waitress came at that moment and set down their food.
The girls busied themselves scooping it onto small plates. Once Piper had her plate full, she folded her hands in front of her and said, “I want to thank all of you. You’re all right. The root of this is that I’ve been fearful that I would never be good enough for Michael. It was love at first sight for me. He was—is everything I ever wanted in a man. Hot, sexy, smart, funny. I think I convinced myself right then and there that he would never feel the same way about me. Our first time together was just too perfect, almost surreal. Then we got married, and I couldn’t believe my luck.” She shook her head and took a bite of her flatbread. After she finished chewing, and trying to swallow around her still tight throat, she glanced around. The girls were patiently waiting for her to finish. “Instead of doing what I wanted, I did what I thought he wanted, so he’d continue to love me. But in the end I was miserable. It ended up pushing us apart anyway. This past year has been really tough.”
Caroline reached across the table and grabbed on to her hand. “What you don’t see, that we all see clearly, is that Michael is deeply in love with you. And I mean the man couldn’t be more smitten. He’d do anything for you. You’re his person. His perfect soul mate. I think if you asked him, he’d tell you he’s been as miserable as you’ve been all this time. Now you guys are finally back on a track, and that’s wonderful.”
“Yes, and as much as it’s work, the top ten was the spark you needed to be you again,” Emma said. “It was a great catalyst. But I think you originally did it because you thought it would make Michael happy, right?”
Piper nodded. “Right. I love the sex, but I hate that it feels planned. Just like all those years of setting stuff up ahead of time. We had the best sex ever the night we went to Le Repas. We went at it in the service elevator like when we first met. It was amazing. That’s what I want. More of that. To feel free, happy, and get my much-needed adrenaline rush.”
“So what are you going to do now?” Gillian asked. “Just like Caroline asked you before, what turns you on? Independently of Michael. And I just have to say here that I respect you for what you did for your guy, consciously or not. I’m the polar opposite of you. I do everything I want, and everyone else can fuck off. But now that you’re bringing all this up, I don’t even know if Brad loves what we do. He seems into it, but is he really? That’s something for me to ponder. I love my man, but I’m also one selfish bitch.” She took a drink of her beer. “I don’t know if I could even change my ways if I found out he wasn’t into it.” She shook her head. “I’m going to have to do some soul searching of my own.”
Piper grunted. “I’m selfish in all other areas, believe me. I want what I want, when I want it. I don’t even know if kids are in the cards for us because I like my life to myself. But that’s a discussion for another time. But what turns me on? Just me? God, that’s a good question. I’ve been in the same holding pattern for so long, I’m not even sure. The first thing that pops into my mind is I want to do something brand new and exciting. I want to be floored and totally surprised by sex, and not worry, at all, for one second, about my husband’s pleasure. But at the same time I want to surprise him. To tell you the honest truth, I’m so tired of being worried about my sex life and my marriage, I just want to be. Does that make sense?”
There was nodding all around.
“It makes total sense,” Emma said. “And if this works for you, I might need to take a page out of your book and try it for myself. Like you, I’m constantly wondering if Pete is happy, if he’s turned on enough, if what we’re doing makes him happy. It’s exhausting. I think I’m in the same boat. What he and I really need is a vacation.”
“Then take one,” Gillian urged. “There’s nothing like getting away for a while to figure out what you like about each other—and don’t. Vacation is the ultimate equalizer.”
“Michael and I took a minitrip not too long ago,” Piper said. “But we weren’t in the right head space to figure anything out. My husband’s workload is always heavy, so we’re never able to go on a long trip. But I agree with Gillian. You should plan something big and fun. Total relaxation and lots of sex!”
“I agree wholeheartedly, Emma. You deserve a vacation.” Caroline addressed Piper. “What’s at the top of your wish list for sex? Maybe you can incorporate that into your top ten as the very last thing you do? Once it’s over, you tell Michael everything and get it all off your chest. It’s kind of a must to talk to him. If you don’t do that, you can’t heal this old wound.”
Piper downed the last of her martini. “I know I’ll have to talk to him, but that doesn’t mean I want to. Thinking about telling him all this still makes me queasy. He could just as easily say this is not what he wants, then what?”
“He’s not going to,” Caroline answered. “He’s going to be happy that you’re happy. You’re going to have to trust me on that.”
Piper nodded.
“She’s right, you know,” Gillian said. “Michael is going to be massively relieved when all this is settled. Once it is, you guys can start experimenting again like I know you want to. You just brought up attending an orgy the other day. That’s not for someone who wants to take a passive role in her sex life. That’s someone who wants to jump in with both feet. In fact, that’s what I think your new start should be. You go to the orgy and balls-out have a great time, and don’t worry for one second about your husband. Make it about you and your new beginning.”
“Wow,” Caroline commented. “That would definitely be jumping in with both feet. I think it’s a bold idea. If you can get through that without a breakdown, I don’t think you’ll have anything to fear from that point forward.”
“I’ve been wanting to do something like this for a long time,” Piper conceded. “I think it would be empowering on so many levels, and you know, I’d really love to not give a shit for once. I don’t think you can give much of a shit when you’re at an orgy.”
“I actually think it sounds like a perfect plan,” Emma said. “Something that will wake you the fuck up and shake up your insides.”
Piper shot Emma a look. “You crack me up. You’re like a ballerina on the outside and a badass on the inside.”
Emma buffed her nails against her shirt and blew on them. “Yep. I really try to nurture my badass side. She doesn’t get to come out very often.”
“I like her. She stays,” Piper told Emma. Then she turned to Gillian. “If I decide to attend this orgy, balls-out, how about you and Brad join us?”
It took Gillian a second, but then she grinned. “As your wingmen?”
“Exactly.”
21
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Michael and Jace were on Michael’s sofa in the den off the kitchen, their feet propped on the coffee table. They’d already eaten the pizza Michael had ordered and were reclining with a few Buds, watching the game.
Michael glanced over at Jace. “Can I ask you something?”
“Shoot,” Jace replied, not taking his eyes off the game.
“I think I told you Piper and I are doing this top-ten sex list thing, right?”
“Yeah, you mentioned it when we were putting in your TV. Caroline told me about it, too.”
“What did Caroline say about it?” Michael asked, curious what Piper’s best friend had relayed to her husband.
He shrugged and took a shot of his beer. “She didn’t say much. But the other night she seemed to think Piper wasn’t that into it.”
Michael’s eyebrows raised. He already knew that, based on their conversation at Le Repas, but it was surprising that she’d already shared her feelings with Caroline. Or maybe it wasn’t surprising. “Did she mention why she didn’t think Piper was into it?”
“She said Piper is more spontaneous than that and prefers something more organic.” Jace glanced at him, grinning. “I wouldn’t worry about it too much. She also said Piper told her she’s loving every minute of sex with you again.”
“Again?”
Jace coughed and then took another gulp of his beer. “Dude, it’s not that she was dissatisfied before, but I guess whatever you’ve been doing lately is more to her liking. I don’t know. Caroline is usually talking about this stuff right before we’re about to get busy. I’m distracted by her body and what she’s doing more than what she’s saying to me. It’s in one ear and out the other.” There was an interception, and Jace jumped off the couch and wooted his approval.
Once he sat back down, Michael asked, “Has Caroline mentioned anything about Piper’s worries or fears?”
Jace raised his brows as he looked over.
“The reason I’m asking is I’m going back and forth about whether I should take her somewhere, but I’m leaning toward no. It’s the last thing on my top five, but I’m not sure Piper will want to do it.”
“No, Caroline hasn’t said anything. But if Piper’s not into the top-ten thing, I’d suggest scrapping it. There are plenty of ways to have good sex. No need to stress her out.”
Michael nodded and took a drink of his own beer. “That’s exactly what I’m thinking. I think I’ll scrap it. We had the best sex ever in the elevator at Le Repas. By the way, you need to book that place immediately. Your wife will love it. But in the end, I don’t want to jeopardize the good thing we’ve got going on by taking her someplace she doesn’t want to go. I just wish I could get Piper to talk to me. That’s the only reason I haven’t made a final decision. I was hoping to feel her out.” He set his empty beer can on the table.
“Where do you want to take her?” Jace asked.
“It’s called the Sexual Underground. It’s a white-collar orgy. Very secretive. But I managed to get us on the guest list for this Saturday. Orgies have always been a fascination of hers, and mine, for that matter. But since she had her breakdown, it’s never come up again. I don’t want to freak her out. It’s not worth it.”
Jace shook his head. “I agree. Not a lot of women like to be blindsided when it comes to that kind of stuff.” He laughed good-naturedly. “I don’t know what to tell you, man, except to keep the conversation open. Women are hard to figure out. They want one thing, then they don’t, then they do. I love my wife, but I never want to see her as unhappy as she was that night we left the Slaters. That killed me. She’d have to hit me over the head and knock me unconscious and drag me to something like what you’re talking about. As of right now, that’s not in the cards for us.”
Michael grinned at him. “Never say never.”
“I’m saying never for right now,” Jace replied. “Things are going so well for us in that department, I’m sure as hell not going to mess it up.”
Michael sized Jace up. “Don’t you find sex between just the two of you a little mundane after you’ve experienced the sexual rush of doing it when others are around? If Piper and I decide to leave the lifestyle behind, it’s going to be a big switch. But, honestly, if that’s what makes her happy, I’ll do it.”
“It’s not mundane at all,” Jace answered. There was sincerity in his voice. “We’ve figured out together what makes us tick. It didn’t end up being other people for us. It was the idea of other people. Maybe we’re just lucky that way. Caroline has fully embraced her fantasies, and let me tell you, that girl has ridiculously hot dreams. I can’t get enough. If I repeated them to you right now, you’d go find Piper immediately. They’re that smokin’.”
“I envy you guys for figuring it out,” Michael said. “I hope to be there soon. I’m ready for Piper and I to find our happy place.”
“I hope you find it, too,” Jace said. “Sexual harmony rocks.”
“I need to talk to her. I don’t think she understands that I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make her happy.”
“She’ll know once you tell her,” Jace said. Then he sprang out of his seat. “Did you see that touchdown? They won! They fucking won!”
Michael chuckled as he popped open another Bud. “Let’s hope that brings me good luck and better beer.”
* * *
When Piper finally got home from her impromptu happy hour with the girls, it was almost one a.m. After she’d gotten everything off her chest, and the girls had helped her, she’d relaxed and had so much fun. They’d ended the evening coming up with a good strategy for attending an orgy. Gillian was going to call her tomorrow after she set everything up.
Piper had left the bar feeling strong and free from some of the sexual demons that had been chasing her around all these years.
She walked into the master bath and brushed her teeth, then changed into her PJs, which consisted of one of Michael’s old T-shirts from college. She loved wearing them. Michael usually slept naked.
She tried to be quiet as she slid into bed so she wouldn’t wake Michael, but he stirred as she pulled the covers over her shoulder.
“Did you have fun?” he mumbled as he reached for her, tugging her close and nuzzling her neck.
“I did,” she purred. “The girls are all geniuses. And I have a surprise for you that I think you’re going to absolutely love.”
“You do?” he asked. “That’s great.” He kissed her ear, taking the lobe between his lips. She shivered. “I have one, too,” he whispered.
Piper snuggled back into him. “Really? What?”
“I want to drop the top ten,” he said, his voice still heavy with sleep. “I prefer us spontaneous. The elevator at Le Repas, that’s what I love.”
“That sounds perfect to me.” Piper smiled from ear to ear. “My surprise can be the cherry on top of a great run. I really think you’re going to love it.”
“If it involves you naked, I know I will.” He suddenly rolled on top of her, covering her mouth with his. He still wasn’t totally awake, but that just made it more sensuous.
She took hold of his tongue, raking her fingers up his back. When they came up for air, she said, “I thought we weren’t going to have sex at home.” Her voice was teasing.
They were so having sex tonight.
“All bets are off,” Michael whispered in her ear. “We have sex whenever we feel like it, wherever we feel like it.”
“I like the sound of that,” she cooed. “But I want to be on top, sleepy boy.” In one motion, she pushed his shoulders back, rolling him over. He went willingly, a smile on his lips. She straddled him at the same time she lifted her shirt over her head.
His hands immediately found her breasts, and he sat up, taking one in his mouth. As he sucked, her head fell back in bliss, her fingers gripping his strong shoulders. “Your breasts are fantastic,” he murmured. “I can never get enough.”
Piper began to gyrate against his hips, his hard-on pressing against her stomach since he’d sat up. “Most breasts are fantastic,” she told him. “But by all means, savor them.” She guided his head to the other side, where he feasted on her like he hadn’t eaten a meal in weeks. “Ahh.”
Piper wasn’t drunk. She’d stopped after two drinks, but something about the night, and how she felt now, made this interlude with her husband all the sweeter.
Maybe it was because she finally felt relaxed?
She pressed Michael back down gently, sorry to see his mouth go. The air tickled her wet nipples. “I’m going to ride you now, Mikey. And I’m going to do it hard. I hope you have no objections.” Before he could answer, she lifted her ass up, positioned him at her opening, and sank down, seating herself on him fully.
That first penetration, when the tip of his cock broke through her seal, was the best part.
She threw her head back and began to roll her hips.
“I’m not complaining,” Michael said as he placed his hands on her hips, both of them quickly finding a matching rhythm.
Piper pressed her fingers into his chest, rocking her hips on the downstroke to make sure every single inch of him was inside her. “I think you’re going to like my surprise, Mikey,” she panted as she rode his cock again and again. His hands left her hips and slid up her torso, finding their way to her sensitive nipples. As she bounced, he pinched lightly, rolling them between his fingertips.
“I’m sure I will,” he said gruffly, his voice lusty.
Abruptly, she slid off his cock, quickly shifting her position before he could react. She gripped him again and guided him into her wet sheath, but now she was facing the other direction, riding him even harder, her hands on his thighs. She loved reverse cowgirl because his cock hit her in exactly the right place. “Yes,” she moaned as his hands gripped her ass, urging her on. She pumped her hips, increasing her speed as she closed her eyes. The noise of their coupling reverberated around the room.
“Piper,” Michael half-groaned, “I’m not going to last.”
“I’m close, babe,” she said through her short breaths, still keeping up the pace. “Your cock is hitting me perfectly.”
“But I want it to last.” He grabbed her hips and pulled her down, seating her on his dick and locking her there. She followed his lead, curious about what he had in mind. He sat up, still holding her to him, and scooted them both to the bottom of the bed, hanging his legs over so his feet hit the ground. “Push your feet against the bedframe and use it as leverage,” he told her. “And then fuck me like you just were.”
She moaned as she did as he asked.
They had a wooden footboard that sat lower than the mattress. She braced her feet against it as Michael made sure the angle was right. She pushed out once with her feet, Michael aiding her with his hands, and then he quickly brought her back down again.
“Oh, yes,” she bit out.
“I’ve always wanted to try this with you,” Michael told her.
Piper couldn’t find any more words as she mindlessly pushed forward and bounced back. The position was excellent, and Michael’s cock rubbed against her G-spot repeatedly. She balanced her hands on Michael’s thighs to steady herself, and once she got going, Michael’s hands made their way up her body, cupping her breasts.
When he placed his thumbs and index fingers on either side of her nipples and rubbed them back and forth as she rocked, she yelled, “I’m close!” as she arched her chest.
“I want you to come hard,” Michael groaned. “All over my big cock—”
Piper broke apart.
She bent forward, her orgasm coming in wave after wave.
Michael reached around her middle to hold her to him while he came, calling her name.
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?
But it had ended up being a disaster for her—as well as for him.
He’d had nightmares about it for weeks, but he’d never told her. Piper was already going through a tough time trying to reconcile the act for herself. She didn’t need to feel guilty because Michael had felt inadequate watching her enjoy herself with another man.
In his dreams she always left him for Pete. She would tell him in no uncertain terms that he’d never measure up to what she’d just had. Then she would simply vanish, leaving him feeling hollow and empty.
It’d been awful.
His heart had taken a beating every morning when he woke up for months afterward.
When Piper had finally recovered from her ordeal, and hadn’t wanted to have sex with anyone else, he’d been beyond relieved. He’d actually hoped she would want to stop participating in the lifestyle. But she’d seemed adamant about going back to it—adamant that he keep having sex with other women, telling him that’s what turned her on the most.
He shook his head.
In hindsight, he should’ve come clean with her then. But at the time he had felt he just couldn’t. She had just recovered from a major ordeal, and in the end, all he ever wanted to do was make sure she was happy.
Beth was right.
He loved that woman much more than he loved himself.
* * *
Saturday night had finally arrived. Piper was in her bedroom getting ready for their big night out. She had decided to dress in a sexy, form-fitting silver dress with slits that ran all the way up both thighs.
They were headed to an orgy, after all. Not the time to be conservative.
Michael was buttoning up his dress shirt behind her. “If you’re wearing that, we must be going someplace nice,” he commented. “That’s one of my favorite dresses on you, by the away. It’s totally hot.”
“I know. That’s why I’m wearing it. And I’m not telling you, so quit asking,” she said to him as she turned. “You look dapper in that suit. It’s perfect.”
“I wear dress clothes almost every day,” he joked. “I don’t know how much more dapper I can look in this one versus the other gray one I wore last week.”
“I can tell. That one is my favorite.”
“Should I leave the collar open?”
“Yes. No tie. Plus, that particular gray goes perfectly with this silver ensemble.” She ran a hand down the front of her dress to highlight it. “We’re going to look like a perfect matched pair.”
She turned back to her closet to search for a pair of shoes, oscillating between high heels or higher heels. Michael came up behind her, surprising her by wrapping his arms around her and tugging her close. She giggled as she set her head back on his shoulder. “Why do we need to look like a matched pair?” he whispered in her ear. “Should I be worried?”
“Oh, yes, you should be really worried, you naughty boy.” She turned, sliding her hands around his back. “But the short answer is because where we’re going, you’re mine.”
He nuzzled her neck. “I’m always yours.”
Piper smiled. She felt more and more confident every day, and the sex she and Michael had had the other night had been perfectly wonderful. Tender and intimate. And tonight she planned to show him what she wanted, instead of telling him. A little fear fluttered in her chest that he would want something else, but she tamped it down.
She knew in her heart Michael wasn’t going to leave her.
That had to be enough.
“That’s the kind of thing I like to hear,” she said into his neck. “This is going to be fun. Kind of a celebration of how far we’ve come.”
“Speaking of celebrating…you know, our ten-year anniversary is this summer.”
“I know. I think we deserve a pat on the back for making it this far.” She placed a kiss on his neck. “Don’t you think?”
“I’m thinking we need more than a pat on the back. How about we do something special and go all out? Take a long vacation somewhere. Maybe Europe?”
Piper moved back. “Really? How long is long? You’d have to take a chunk of time off for something like that. That’s not usually…your thing.” She’d been trying to get her husband to take more than a long weekend trip for years, but she’d finally given up.
