“But we have to warn you,” Emma added. “If you decide to meet other couples after this, just know there are a lot of crazies out there. Pete and I are extremely particular about who we let into our fold and how we approach this. We don’t do bargain-basement sex for the cheap thrills. We’re extremely invested in the people we choose. It has to mean something, or why else do it?”
Caroline leaned forward, a little alarmed. “Piper and Michael told us that no emotional ties are allowed. Isn’t that a steadfast rule?”
“Yes, that’s true up to a point,” Emma agreed. “But it’s a little more complicated than that. You aren’t allowed to fall for someone else, or come into this searching for an emotional connection with someone. There are plenty of couples who are unsatisfied in their own marriage and would love nothing more than to introduce their spouse to this lifestyle as a way to find someone else. None of that is allowed. We only pick happily married couples who have healthy relationships. And let me tell you, they aren’t easy to find.”
“That’s kind of an oxymoron, isn’t it?” Jace countered. “Happily married couples in healthy relationships don’t usually search for this—because they’re happily married and content. That’s one of the reasons we’re having so much trouble wrapping our brains around the concept. If we are happy, then why are we here?”
“Honestly,” Pete said, “that’s the sole reason you’re here, in my opinion. You guys want something extra, something exciting in your life, but it’s a supplement to your relationship, not a defining piece. We all like sex. We’re animals. It gives us pleasure. You guys are smart enough to know the difference between pleasure and love. And I’m telling you”—he leaned over the bruschetta, and both Caroline and Jace automatically inclined their heads—“because of that, it’s mind-blowing sex. The kind you can’t get anywhere else. It’s like you’re breaking a rule, but you’re not. It’s very hot.”
“We also provide a completely safe, nurturing environment,” Emma said. “We try to cover all the bases to make it as good as it can be. If you choose to enter into this lifestyle with us, you’ll need to get checked out.” She whispered the last bit. “It’s a must.”
“As in medical tests?” Caroline asked, her voice barely audible. She tried not to sound too horrified. Going to her doctor and asking for a test for STDs would be unacceptable. She cringed just thinking about her ob-gyn knowing anything about her sex life.
“Yes, but we use this great anonymous clinic.” She smiled. “They don’t require background information, and you pay in cash. It mostly caters to college students, but we get checked there every time we meet someone new, and require it of everyone else. We don’t take risks and we don’t use condoms. You also have to be on some kind of birth control.”
Caroline’s hand shook as she reached for her gin and tonic. This conversation just became too real.
She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, but as she raised her glass, she realized her drink was empty. Jace immediately put his hand up to signal the waiter. Thank goodness her husband was in tune with her. She refrained from slumping against his shoulder, but just barely.
Jace ordered them two more drinks, and the Slaters ordered another round as well.
Caroline set her empty glass down and finally found her voice. “We totally understand your caution. Of course we’d…get checked out if we…or when we…decide to…” She stammered. She hoped like crazy she and Jace weren’t required to give them a yes or no by the end of the evening. That would be horrifying. This wasn’t like deciding to buy a pair of jeans or even to purchase a home. If she and Jace decided no, then she wanted to forget this meet ever happened.
Jace covered her hand with his, taking the baton for her. “We will follow all of your rules if we decide to give it a try,” he said. “And, I can promise you, we aren’t looking for an emotional connection with either one of you. You seem like very nice people, but we are happy. It’s definitely going to take us some time—for sure longer than this dinner—to figure out if the next move is right for us.”
Pete leaned over again. “I can tell you right now, this is the right move for you.”
* * *
When Emma mentioned medical tests, Jace thought Caroline was going to pass out or simply melt under the table. The conversation went from being a vague idea to something rooted in the real world very quickly. He had to find a way to slow down the conversation or he was going to have to escort his wife out of the restaurant before she collapsed.
But he was intrigued by Pete’s confidence.
The guy seemed unwavering and utterly sure about himself and his choices. The waiter set down a round of new drinks. After he left, Jace leaned over and said, “So why are you so sure this is the right move for us? Can you see into the future?” Jace smiled at the guy to show him he was comfortable with the conversation, but kept a no-nonsense look on his face.
“No, but I have a huge…use your imagination.” Pete chuckled as he picked up his drink. “And I know how to use it.” He took a sip of his beer. When Jace didn’t bite, Pete changed his tune. “Listen, I’m pretty sure I can sum you guys up. Tell me if I’m wrong. You’re college sweethearts. It was love at first sight. Your wife was timid about sex for years until you took the time to nurture that side of her.” He grinned at Caroline, but he wasn’t being offensive, so Jace let it go. “But now she loves sex—and that must mean you’re great in bed, so kudos to you.” He winked. “You guys have become increasingly more adventurous over the years, you enjoy taking risks, you’re competitive in a good way, and now you’re looking for something even more stimulating, so you dialed us up. Am I close?”
Jace couldn’t believe how close the guy actually was.
He glanced over at his wife. Caroline seemed a little stunned as well, but before Jace could answer, Emma said. “I know it looks like it, but Pete isn’t showing off. We’ve just been through this enough times with other couples to know pretty quickly. We can usually spot what makes another couple tick, why they’re here, and what you’re looking for, within the first fifteen minutes. You guys are so sweet, and so obviously in love. The way you take care of her”—she nodded toward Caroline—“is endearing. I don’t think you’ve missed one thing she’s needed all night. And we know this entire thing is for her.” She addressed Caroline directly. “And I totally get it. It started the same way for us, too, and I believe it was the same thing for the Collinses. Our men love us, but we crave something more, so it works. If it were the other way around, I’m not sure many women would want this for their men. You two are perfect for this. If you decide to move to the next level, I can promise you we’d have a lot of fun together. We’d take it very slow. I know it’s been a bit shocking to find yourself here in the first place.”
Caroline politely cleared her throat, going for her drink before she answered, and took a long swallow. His wife was heading for quite a hangover tomorrow. She kept the glass in her hand as she asked, “What do you mean by taking it very slow? How slow?”
Pete answered by sliding his arm around his wife’s shoulders, his hand teasing her shirt, one finger dipping under the flimsy material. Being very discreet, and his voice not above a whisper, Pete said, “We’re assuming you like to watch. So that’s where we’d start. We are very…expressive with each other, and we love sex. So the mood would be very enjoyable…but not something you had to participate in if you didn’t want to.” As he said it, a single finger floated farther under his wife’s blouse. Jace noticed for the first time that she wore a very loose, almost see-through, black gauzy shirt.
Jace held his breath. He knew Caroline didn’t want them to make a scene, so he glanced over at her, ready to intervene, but she was riveted to the scene in front of them. Jace took a casual look around the restaurant. Their waiter was nowhere in sight. The Slaters must have asked for this particular booth, because it was the most remote in the entire restaurant. It was in a far corner, and red cloth hung above them, draping perfectly to shield them from prying eyes.