Never Too Late to Play: Awakening 3

Chapter 4

“How’s this?” Julianna asked, stepping out of the bathroom. She posed in the doorframe, one hip out, her arms above her as her husband stood mesmerized.

“Amazing,” he said breathlessly. “When did you get that?”

“Picked it up when you and Garrett were golfing. Glad you like it.”

Julianna had other little black dresses, but they were all back home, relegated to the back of her closet. Besides, this was a time to look forward, to having new experiences, to freshening things up.

“I do.” He stood. “A lot.”

The dress hugged her body, ending high enough above her knees to show off her shapely legs. The top of the dress was the interesting part—a front that crossed over her breasts and tied behind her back. It left her shoulders and upper back bare, two features that she worked hard to keep toned and was proud to show off.

“Maybe we skip dinner and just stay here,” Stephen said hungrily.

He looked good. He wore a brown, tattersall sports coat, along with a black t-shirt and black pants—also things she’d helped him pick. With his trimmed goatee and bald head, he looked sexy in a disguised way.

She moved up to him, running her finger along the coat’s lapel. “It’s nice to see you in something other than a golf shirt or a business suit,” she said. “Don’t worry, we can have plenty of fun when we’re back.”

He caressed her bare shoulder, then brushed the spill of silky, dark red hair away from her neck. Leaning in, he kissed her there. She sighed. 

“You sure?” He seemed nervous. Like this was a first date that he didn’t want to mess up. So funny after all these years.

“Stephen, you should know that I always put out on dates with handsome men.” She smiled as she watched him practically swoon. “Come on, take me out.”

La Bella Cucina was an upscale, Italian steakhouse, and not at all the kind of place they usually went to. She wasn’t a big fan of red meat, and Stephen had always complained that they were overpriced. Still, Julianna felt right at home in the swanky restaurant. It was the perfect place to strut around in an LBD and a pair of heels, on the arm of a handsome, older man.

Their table wasn’t ready when they arrived, so they went to the bar to enjoy some artisanal cocktails. “You really do clean up well, Stephen Reeves.”

“I’m just doing my best to keep up, Julianna Reeves.” He seemed distracted, his eyes scanning the crowd at the bar. Like he was bored of her?

“I have a fun surprise,” she said, getting close. His attention was back on her.

“Yeah?”

“Mmm hmm. This dress wasn’t the only new thing that I picked up while you were golfing.” She made a show of crossing her legs on the stool, drawing his eyes to her dark nylons. “I always forget how good expensive lace can feel against my skin.”

Stephen’s pupils practically dilated with arousal. That’s more like it. Before she could tease him more, though, a disorientingly familiar voice announced, “Your table is ready.”

It took Julianna a moment to connect the man with his strong jaw and dark eyes to a memory. Anthony. From First Class. He looked different here, wearing a dark suit and dark shirt, dark tie, like an action star villain. He had more stubble on his face, but it looked good on him. And when he stared at her, she knew that he hadn’t forgotten her, either.

“Oh, right,” she stuttered, off-balance.

“Follow me, Mr. and Mrs. Reeves.”

His grin was a knowing one—one that said, Don’t worry, we can keep our flight a little secret.

Julianna was dizzy as she followed him into the restaurant, like she’d had a dozen cocktails, rather than half of one. How had this happened? Of all the restaurants in the city, they chose the one that he owned?

“A server will be along shortly. In the meantime, can I get you anything?” The question was for Julianna, laced with innuendo, although he had the grace to glance at Stephen at the end.

“I think we’re all set for now,” Stephen said. “Thank you.”

“Of course.”

As soon as he was out of earshot, Julianna leaned forward and whispered, “What the hell is going on?”

“Hm? What do you mean?” He lifted his menu up, blocking his face and hiding his smile. Stephen was behind this.

“What did you do?”

“Nothing. I just… made a reservation.”

She stared at her husband like he’d grown a second head, but then it fell into place. “His card. You kept it.”

“Oh, that’s where I heard about this restaurant first. But I read the reviews. Even Garrett said it was a good spot for a date.”

Julianna took a slow, calming breath. It didn’t help much. Her mind was already working through the consequences of this reservation. Anthony would assume that she had kept his card. He’d assume that she had made this reservation—or at the very least, convinced her husband to take her out here. That was why he pretended not to know her at the bar. What else was the man assuming?

“What’s your game, Stephen?” she asked.

“Just wanting to have dinner with my beautiful wife. And hopefully, if she’s up to it, some sex after.”

“Well, after this stunt, you may come up short on that last part.”

Stephen opened his mouth to say something, hesitated, and then seemed to decide to say it anyway. “I bet Anthony would be happy to take my place.”

It was a common refrain from Stephen, his chronic insecurity that Julianna knew she’d never be able to cure. Only this wasn’t quite so straightforward. This was self-inflicted. “What’s going on, Stephen? Seriously. Tell me.”

She expected another joke. Instead, she watched him pick up his cocktail and sip. Was his hand trembling? Was he flushed in the low light of the restaurant?

He licked his lips. “I…” And then he was flushed, red climbing unmistakably up his neck. She shifted, all of a sudden nervous herself, her heart racing.

“What?”

“You’re so… beautiful.” He swallowed. “I don’t want to hold you back.” It was almost a mumble. Almost unintelligible.

She reached across the table and took his hands in hers. “Oh, honey, how could you say that? You’re not holding me back from anything. You never have. You’ve given us this life that I love. That we love.”

He seemed to drag his eyes up to hers and force himself to hold their gaze. Those blue, familiar eyes. Eyes that she stared into once, years ago, and said, ‘I do.’

“That’s not what I mean. I know you love me. I’m not talking about love.”

“Oh…kay. What are we talking about?”

Another deep breath. Another big hesitation. Then, with a smile and a shrug like a man finally committing to jump off a cliff, he said, “Sex. I’m talking about sex.”

“I—”

“With other men. You and other men.”

Her heart jumped. Heat enveloped her. “This is about Lori? And Helena?”

“Kind of, but… but no, not exactly like that.”

“About your hypothetical from the other night then,” she said. “About open communication.”

He winced, as if embarrassed by the reminder of that conversation. “Closer, yeah.”

“Okay, but I’m not looking for that kind of permission. I don’t need anyone other than you.” Her heart skipped. “Do you?”

“No. Never.” His denial was so quick, like he hadn’t even considered that. That gave Julianna pause. “You didn’t really think…” he began, then quickly seemed to put it all together. “Oh, honey, no, I don’t need… I don’t want…”

She believed him, and that only made her more confused. “What do you want?” she asked softly.

“I guess I have this… thing…”

He looked so uncomfortable, and she felt uncomfortable right along with him. As if beckoned, the server came by not only with their menus, but with a bottle of wine as well. “From the owner,” she explained. “An apology that your table wasn’t ready when you arrived.”

Julianna glanced at Stephen, who had a slightly crazed look on his face. “Thank you,” he said. “Wine sounds wonderful.”

The server poured him a full glass. “And you?”

She glanced beyond her husband, where Anthony was watching from the bar. The temperature in the room seemed to jump ten full degrees. “Yes, please.”

“Are you ready to order?”

She hadn’t even had a chance to look at the menu. “Not quite.”

The server excused herself. Stephen picked up the wine glass. “Thank you for this,” he said. “To having a beautiful wife.”

“Who will always be your wife,” she added, clinking her glass to his. “Now tell me about your thing please.”

“Of course.” He took another deep sip of his drink. “Maybe we should figure out what we’re going to order first though?”

Julianna studied him for a long time before letting it go. For now. “Sure. So what did the reviews say were good?”

“I actually have no idea.”

Julianna snorted. Of course.

***

Stephen spent most of the meal feeling like he was either going to throw up all over the table, or have a heart attack. He’d dug himself into a hole, and as they ordered and waited for the food to arrive, he tried to think of a way out of this mess that didn’t involve him confessing this dark fantasy of his. What else could his ‘thing’ be other than a fucked up desire for his wife to take on a lover?

The wine helped, fortifying his courage just as he’d hoped. Didn’t help that the wine was from a guy who’d spent an entire plane trip trying to get into his wife’s bed.

Then again, that was on him. He’d kept the guy’s business card and ended up calling the restaurant that he apparently owned to figure out when he’d be there. That had been quite nerve-wracking, doing it discreetly, pretending to be an old friend in town.

He’d set it all up so that he would have to finally come clean.

So when Julianna looked at him, raised her brows, and said, “Time to talk about your thing,” there was no escape. He was grateful for that. He’d finally be free, one way or another.

“I have a fantasy…”

“Yes?” She nodded, looking both nervous and encouraging.

“About you… sleeping with other men.”

Her jaw fell open, just as he had been terrified that it would. 

His face burned. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said anything. It’s not really—”

She cut him off before he could fully escape. “No, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have reacted like that…” She slowed down, clearly trying to wrap her head around that. “But I’m going to have to ask you to clarify please.”

“Sure.” It was easier, now that it was out there. “It turns me on when I think about you getting it on with other men.”

“Yeah, that’s what I thought you said.” She bit her lower lip, looking around in thought. “So you want to… try swinging?”

Julianna’s question made him squirm even more. “No, not exactly swinging.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Swinging is when a couple swaps with another couple.” His ears burned at his own, matter-of-fact explanation. He looked around, realizing how public they were, but the tables were spaced enough that he didn’t think anyone else heard. “This is just you and… someone else.”

“I don’t get it.” Then, after a beat, “Do you want to sleep with someone else?”

“No, I told you, that’s not it.” He didn’t realize that he’d raised his voice until he noticed the people beside him looking their way. He lowered his voice, leaned closer to her, and took her hands. He ran his thumb over her ring, the diamond a reminder of how solid their relationship was. “This isn’t for me. It’s about you.”

“But…” She shook her head, trailing off.

“Honestly, I don’t fully understand it myself, but I’ve been living with it for almost the entire time we’ve been together, although I guess my thoughts have been evolving. When you and Lori used to go out together, actually, I used to sit at home and think about all the guys hitting on two such attractive women, and it was… exciting.”

“I always thought it made you jealous,” she said.

“Well, it did. That’s definitely a part of it. It makes me crazy. Even earlier this week, on the plane, I was all over the place.” He saw her begin to apologize again, so he moved on to get them past that. “But I’ve realized over the last few years that I have nothing to worry about. For whatever reason, you’ve decided to stick with me into our old age. But you’re also still so… hot, attractive, and sexy. Guys notice, even if you don’t. And subconsciously, at least, it makes you feel good when they do.”

“You make me sound like an attention whore.”

That was her defense mechanism kicking in. She always got like this, although Stephen was starting to realize how much she’d developed it to protect him. “No.” He shook his head. “Just a woman with needs and desires. And I’m not here to judge, certainly not to blame. I sure as hell don’t blame the guys. And I want to give you the freedom to… reciprocate, I guess.”

She raised a single brow at him. “How generous.”

“No, I didn’t mean… that sounded bad.”

“Kind of, sort of.”

“I’m sorry to objectify you, or be possessive. Really, it’s not like that.” He wet his suddenly very dry lips. This wasn’t going the way he wanted it to.

Julianna helped him out. “I’m sorry, it’s all just… a lot.” She laughed stiffly. “Truth is, I guess, I do notice. And I… do like it. But I’d never do anything more than notice.”

“And flirt back?”

It was nice to see her go all red. “Maybe sometimes.” She took a deep breath, still chewing on his confession. “So if I told you that I want to meet up with Anthony after dinner for a drink, you’d just… go back to the hotel?”

Like that, he was hard. He was so hard. Hard enough that he was glad that this was the type of restaurant with table clothes. “Do you want to?”

“Can’t answer a question with a question, Stephen. I get my answer first.”

That was fair. Honesty. He could give her that. “Just thinking about you getting a drink with him seems to have drained all the blood out of my big head down to my small one.”

“Not so small,” she said with a coy smile. A moment later, Stephen felt her foot slide up the inside of his thigh and right up against his erection. This was another benefit of table cloth. “Oh, you really are turned on.”

She wiggled her toes across his balls before pulling back, drawing a shudder. Her surprised delight persisted as she sipped more wine. Stephen realized that she was feeling the alcohol as much as he was, which gave him the courage to make the next suggestion.  

“What if I just leave? Like, pretend to get a call and have to leave you here alone? I bet it takes him only a few minutes before he’s over here.”

Julianna stared at Stephen, her smile frozen as she unpacked his suggestion. “You’re serious,” she seemed to conclude.

He hedged. “Maybe?”

“You know he probably thinks it was my idea to come here,” she pointed out. Which meant that she was doing the calculus on his suggestion. Which made his blood pressure spike even higher. Her eyes refocused on Stephen and she laughed. “The look on your face…”

“What?”

“You don’t look like you’re enjoying this. You look more like you’re going to be sick.”

Stephen forced a chuckle. “It feels kind of like I’m at the top of a rollercoaster. There’s definitely that feeling of what am I doing here, but also all this anticipation.”

When she shook her head, she wasn’t dismissing him or writing off his fantasy. He felt so exposed to her, so vulnerable, and so grateful that he could be that way with her. Why hadn’t he confessed this sooner?

Seizing on the momentum, he pulled out his phone before Julianna could find her words. When she realized what he was doing, her eyes got big and, simultaneously, she started to laugh. “No, you’re not…”

“Hello?” he said. He pretended to receive a call, looking put out by whoever was on the other end. “Tonight? But Larry, I’m out with my wife. Can this wait until tomorrow morning?”

Julianna just shook her head over her smile. “We are not doing this,” she mouthed.

“No, I understand,” he went on, chatting into the phone. “Sure, I can jump on a call back in the hotel room. Give me…” He glanced at his watch, making a big show of it. “A half hour. I need to get a taxi.”

He faked hanging up. He still wasn’t sure, himself, whether he was actually going to go through with it. Then he thought about the way Julianna had spent the entire flight flirting with this man, and how he felt at the time, and how it made him feel now. He grabbed his napkin as he stood, holding it over his erection as he calmed that down, and leaned towards Julianna.

“I’ll see you back at the hotel. Stay out as late as you want.”

She was speechless, continuing to shake her head with a disbelief that he happened to share. Things felt fuzzy from wine, and even warmer because he was doing something brand new.

“You’re not really leaving,” she said.

“I am. Enjoy your drink.”

She stared. He walked out.

Next and final part comes out on Friday!