“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.”