Services Rendered

Chapter One   Amy Parsons never considered herself the kind of person to have an affair. All her life she’d been the responsible one. In college, she was always the designated driver, a position she took seriously. Her only form of rebellion as a teenager was in the form of a short-lived romance with a boy sporting an ear ring. She was pretty sure it was a clip-on. Now, at thirty two years old and married to the same man for nine wonderful years, a secret part of her regretted not spreading her wings from time to time. Tom, her husband, was a brilliant financial advisor for a major company and just as reliable as she was. They both graduated from the same college c*m laude and were married immediately afterwards. They went well together, enjoying exotic vacations every year and never worrying about money as both had lucrative careers. It seemed they had the perfect life.  But slowly, things started to change. It began innocently enough; brief lulls in the conversation during dinner, the occasional cancelled date night and a waning interest in the bedroom. Amy told herself that such things were normal. That they weren’t honeymooners anymore and to think otherwise was naive, bordering on stupid. After a time, though, the decline between her and Tom became more noticeable. It wasn’t uncommon for whole meals go by in complete silence. It seemed every topic had been covered, ever subject hashed and rehashed, during their time together. Their circle of friends, which had been rich and varied, gradually waned until they adopted entirely different social circles. And the s*x, when they had it, became sporadic at best and more functionary in purpose than driven by any real passion. “It's like we’re living two different lives.” Amy complained to her best friend Julie over coffee. “We see each other in the morning and sometimes after work, if one of us doesn’t have plans. And the time we do spend together is stale and awkward, like we‘re two strangers stuck in an elevator. I don’t know what to do.” She stirred her drink without looking at it. “What’s Tom said about all this?” Amy shrugged. “Nothing, He doesn’t think anything is wrong. Says we’ve just been busy lately and that things will eventually calm down and we can spend more time together.” “Do you believe him?” Amy sighed in frustration. “Yes. No. I don’t know. It’s just…if things don’t get better we might be heading for,“ she lowered her voice, “a divorce.“ There. It was out. The one word she’d been afraid to say, even to herself. It was the monster under the bed. As long as she kept her head under the covers it couldn’t get her. But now she’d had made the mistake of peeking. And my, what big fangs it had. Julie sputtered into her cup. “Whoa! Slow down, Girl. Who’s talking about the big D?” “No one. Not yet anyway. But what’s the point in being married if we’re not going to live like it?” Amy said miserably. Julie nodded and was silent for a few seconds before asking, “So what have you done about it?” Amy blinked in confusion. “Huh? What do you mean?” “Listen, Girl. I’ve known you for close to ten years. And never, not once, have I seen you sit by and wait for problems to solve themselves. When something’s broke, you’re the first one to put together a solution. So tell me, what have you done to fix this doozy of a conundrum?” “Well, I tried talking Tom into going to marriage counseling. He didn’t go for it.” Truth be told, he’d been offended that she should even suggest such a drastic course of action. Apparently the monster under the bed applied to therapy as well. Julie rolled her eyes. “You can do better than that. What else?” A naughty smile flickered over Amy’s features. It made her look ten years younger. “Well, I saw him looking at this little slip when we went shopping the other day. He didn’t think I noticed. When we got out to the car, I told him I forgot a bag inside and went back in and bought it.” Her friend grinned. “Atta girl! Did he like it?” “I haven’t worn it yet.“ Julie rolled her eyes in exasperation. “Well, what are you waiting for? A written invitation.” She never minced words. It was one of the things Amy liked best about her friend. “It might come to that.” Amy put down her spoon and stared down at her cup. “Things haven’t exactly been hopping in the intimate department lately.” In fact, she would be lucky if they so much as crawled, but she wasn’t about to admit this. She’d never been the type to kiss (or anything else) and tell. Julie was silent while she mulled this over. Finally she said, “Well, you could always go somewhere else for it.” Amy looked at her friend in shock, then chuckled. “Yeah. Right. Let me get my platform heels and fishnets and we‘ll go out trolling for booty.” Julie didn’t crack a smile. “Oh my God. You’re serious?” “It’s a thought.” “No, no it’s not a thought,” Amy said vehemently. “I could never do that to Tom. He‘s a good man; the best. Never raises his voice. Never loses his temper. And he’s always so sweet.” She didn’t say that Julie’s suggestion had entered her mind some time ago, when things first started getting bad. It was fleeting, and barely required any consideration before she dismissed it. She even felt guilty about it afterwards. “Look, I’ve got nothing against Tom. I like the guy. But he doesn’t get gold stars in the husband department because he doesn’t beat you and chase skirts. This is about you, what you’re missing and what you can do to get it back.” Julie leaned back and sighed. “With me having two ex-husbands, I’m probably not the one to be giving advice on these matters. But, if you’re open to the idea, there are ways to go about it so Tom never finds out.” Amy was uncomfortable with the tract this conversation had taken. She’d intended on meeting her friend for an old fashioned b***h fest. Maybe if she vented a bit to a sympathetic ear she’d feel better. She hadn’t really expected Julie to offer a potential solution to her marital woes, let alone something as radical as this. Still, a part of her was curious. “What kind of ways?” she asked before she could stop herself. Now Julie leaned forward and her voice took on a conspiratorial tone. “There are…people, who offer the experience of an affair to married women for a moderate fee. Discretion is absolutely assured.” She stressed that last sentence with everything she had. Amy rolled her eyes. “And how would you know about these ’people‘?” Julie crossed her arms and gazed smugly at her friend. The truth hit Amy like a sledge hammer. “Oh my God! You’ve done it haven’t you? When? With who? What was it like?” “Shhhh. Will you keep your voice down,” Julie said, glancing around anxiously. “I’ll tell you everything. It happened about two years ago.” “Two years?” Amy said aghast. “Why didn‘t you tell me?” She’d always known her friend liked to live a little on the wild side. Her wild weekend stories had become a staple of their relationship. Still, knowing her friend had actually gone through and had an affair, especially without telling her about it, stung a little. “It’s not exactly something you go around advertising,” Julie said. “That’s rule number one if you’re considering stepping out on your husband.” “I’m not considering it,” Amy said far too quickly. “I’m just curious as to how my best friend could do something so…outrageous, and not tell me.” For the first time, Julie seemed to realize how hurt her friend was. “Look, I’m sorry. Really, it’s not that I don’t trust you. I’d tell you anything. Hell, I do tell you anything. It’s just, you and Tom always seemed so happy. And I didn’t want you to judge me.” Amy placed her hand over her friend’s. “I’d never judge you, Julie. Not for something like this.” “You sure about that?” Julie said with a weak smile. “Of course not.” Amy grinned. “Now, tell me all about it, you slut.” They both laughed, the tension of the moment broken. “Well, it was right after things with me and Jeff started going downhill.” Amy made a face. She hated even hearing the name of the man who had hurt her friend so badly. Jeff had been Julie’s second husband. A good guy, or so everybody thought. That is, until he left her high and dry for his twenty something year old girlfriend he’d been banging on the side. Add that in with the fact he’d been bleeding their savings dry for years, and you had a class A douchebag who deserved every bad thing that came his way. Amy was more comfortable now. Learning that it had been him her friend had cheated on lessened the stigma some in her eyes. She motioned for her to continue. “Things were pretty much like they are now between you and Tom,” Julie said. “We were distant and it was only getting worse. I wanted…needed, things to change, but had no idea how to go about making it happen. So, I got in touch with this guy who set me up with Blake.” Amy raised her eyebrows. “Blake? His name was Blake?” she asked in disbelief. Julie shrugged. “It could have been Rumplestiltskin for all I cared. Names weren’t exactly high on our list of priorities.” “Oh. Right.” “Anyways, we spent two weeks together. And let me tell you, that was two weeks I will never forget. He took me to dinner at restaurants I’d never heard of. Backstage passes at the theater. And the s*x. Holy God, Amy! The s*x was absolutely fantastic.” Amy took a sip of coffee while she let this sink in. “So how exactly is this supposed to help me and Tom?” “Well, after Blake’s contract expired…” “Wait. Contract? You and he had a contract?” This was sounding more and more unbelievable. Julie shrugged. “Sure. Why not. This was a business transaction, pure and simple. I needed something. He had the something. I paid good money for him to give me said something. Nothing to it.” “Supply and demand,“ Amy said. It was the founding principal for our whole economy, but she found it hard to apply it to this instance.  Julie nodded. “Exactly. So, after it was over, I had this hole that needed to be filled.” “I thought you already had your hole filled,” Amy chided her. It was a tasteless joke, but she just couldn’t resist. Julie stuck out her tongue. “Not that kind of hole, you nympho. In fact, if you can believe it, it was never about the sex.” “But you said it was ‘absolutely fantastic.’” “Oh it was,” Julie nodded. “Believe me. It was. But it was also about being cherished. Being put up on a pedestal like my Dad always said a lady should be. Blake made me feel like a woman for the first time in a long time, and after he left, I wasn’t about to let things go back the way they were between me and Jeff.” “So what did you do?” Amy asked.  “I told Jeff what I needed, what I expected out of him. I also told him what I expected out of myself and that these were the things we both had to do if our marriage was going to last?” “And that worked?” Amy asked in surprise. Julie nodded. “For a while. Jeff and I were happier for the next few months than any other time we were together. We’d probably still be happy if little Miss Double D’s hadn’t come along and jerked him out from under me.” Amy grimaced at the sharp note in her friend’s voice. This was still a sore topic. “And Jeff never found out?” she prompted, trying to distract her. “Nope. Never had a clue.” She finished off the last of her coffee. “This is what these people do, Amy. And the spouses never find out. It’s their professional motto.” “Hmph! Hard to imagine these people as professionals, considering what they do.” Julie shrugged then dug in her purse and pulled out a card. “This is the guy I talked to. Think about it and if you decide it’s something you’re interested in, give him a call.” Amy took the card and looked at it. It was plain white with the name Roger Cavanough on it in big bold letters. Underneath it was a phone number. That was it. Simple and official. So why did it feel so unclean? “By the way,” Julie said with a wink, “if you go through with it, I’ll expect each and every dirty detail And I mean served with a bottle of red wine on a girls night out.” “Yeah, I don’t think that’s going to happen,“ Amy said, tactfully as she stuffed the card in her purse. She’d probably just throw it out when she got home. After all, calling that number would be very irresponsible. And just wasn’t her.                 Chapter Two   Over the next few days, that small card weighed heavily on Amy’s mind. Every time she opened her purse, it was there; the name Roger Cavanough blazing out at her. She knew she should get rid of it, but any time she thought about it she came up with some excuse not to throw it away. What if Tom found it in the trash and called it? Tom wasn’t a suspicious or jealous man by nature, but if he found out who Roger Cavanough was and what he did, he might jump to the wrong conclusion. The possibility was remote, but still there. She supposed she could throw it away at work. But her law firm went through janitor’s like paper towels, and she’d caught the new guy who cleaned their office giving her shifty looks. She didn’t trust him. So she was stuck with it. At least, that’s what she told herself. Besides, it wasn’t hurting anything. Holding on to it didn’t mean she was actually considering using it. Every so often, though, when Tom was out with his friends or her marital troubles were threatening to drag her under, she’d take it out and look at it. Never for very long, and Amy was always careful that no one saw her. After gazing at the name and number for a few moments, sometimes fantasizing about what it would be like to actually use it, she’d feel better. It was as if just having that option, knowing it was there, was enough to lift her head above the water.  It was when she went so far as to have the phone in her hand with the first few numbers dialed that she decided something had to be done. She angrily ripped up the card, threw the scattered pieces in the trash and vowed to put it out of her mind forever. This was not the answer, she told herself. It might have worked for Julie, at least temporarily, but it wouldn’t work for her. Her friend was right on one account though. If something needed to be done, she was more than capable of doing it herself. After all, this was her marriage. No one knew the ins and outs of it better than she did, not even Tom. She could fix things herself, and she didn’t need a glorified gigolo to help her do it, she decided. She called Tom during her lunch break. “Would you be up for a romantic dinner with a woman who adores you?” she asked when he answered. She heard him chuckle. “I suppose there are worse ways to spend a Friday night,” he said. “What did you have in mind.” “Now that’s something you’re just going to have to wait and see,” she said slyly. “See you tonight.” She hung up the phone and sent an email letting her supervisor know she was taking a half day. There were preparations to make. Amy’s first stop was the salon, where she spent the next several hours getting ‘the works.’” She was trimmed, washed, waxed and primped. By the time she left, every crook and crevice was oiled, lotioned and perfumed. She even sprung for a half hour massage so she’d be especially loose for their big night. Then it was off to the supermarket to get the ingredients for supper. This was the easy part. Tom was a sucker for a good steak and had been ever since they started dating. She tapped the expertise of the local butcher to select the very best cuts, along with fresh vegetables and a bottle of red wine. She got home a few hours before Tom was due. Plenty of time. Amy had always been a good cook. She’d learned how in college. Money was tight back then so being able to make a meal out of whatever happened to be in the pantry was a matter of survival. Nowadays, her professional obligations meant she didn’t get to spend as much time in the kitchen as she would’ve liked, but starting tonight she planned to change all that. She planned to change a lot of things. After sautéing the vegetables and grilling the steaks, she put the red wine on to chill and lit some candles. A little soft music to add the perfect touch and everything was ready. There was just one more thing to take care of. Upstairs, in a box in the top of her closet, was the little silk slip she’d told Julie about. It was a soft lavender number that hugged her tight form close. She put it on now and surveyed herself in the mirror. She could see why it caught Tom’s eye. The light shimmered down every contour as she turned and modeled. It looked good.  She heard Tom’s car pull up in the driveway and an unexpected wave of nervousness hit her. Would he like it? Would he appreciate everything she’d done, or would he think she was just being silly? No, that wasn’t the man she knew. Her husband was considerate, if anything. He’d recognize what she was trying to do and wouldn’t dare chide her for it. Julie’s words came back to her when she heard Tom come in the front door and call her name. What was she waiting for? “Not a damn thing,” she said to herself and went downstairs to meet him. Tom was in the dining room, taking in the scene when he caught sight of her. His mouth dropped slightly, his eyes grew wide and Amy’s heart fluttered. Now this was more like it. This was exactly the reception she was shooting for. She came forward and gave him a long, deep kiss. “I’m glad your home,” she said breathlessly when they pulled away. “I’m glad to be home. What’s all this for? Did I do something right?” “Of course you did. You married me.” “One of my better decisions.” She laughed. “You have no idea. Come on.” Dinner was a huge success. Tom didn’t stop raving about the delicious food and Amy could feel his eyes traveling the length of her body for the entire meal. Halfway through, one of the thin spaghetti straps fell off her shoulder, nearly exposing one breast. She took great pleasure in slowly putting it back in place, teasing Tom and taking great pleasure in his stunned reaction. It’d been a long time since she’d put any effort in actually seducing her husband. It felt good; empowering. During desert, he reached under the table and began rubbing her bare leg. When his hand started going higher she giggled and made him pour her some more wine. Let him work for it, Amy decided. After torturing him through three courses, she finally had pity, took him by the hand and led him up to the bedroom. They were barely inside before he took her in his arms and kissed her deeply.  They made love with a passion she’d nearly forgotten. She groaned as his hands found all the right spots that years of intimate knowledge had cultivated. He gasped when she wrapped her legs around him to pull him deeper. After what seemed like an eternity of mounting pleasure, they both climaxed in a delicious explosion that left them gasping for breath. It was some time before either one could move. Finally, Tom recovered enough strength to roll off her. She moaned pitifully as she felt him pull out. She hated the sudden emptiness she felt, but sighed in relief when he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. She snuggled down into them and fell into a light doze. Amy didn’t know how long she lay that way, but it wasn’t long before she felt her husband get up and go into the bathroom. She raised herself up on one arm, letting the sheet fall down to her waist while she waited for him to reappear. She fought the frown that threatened to form when he came back in wearing his pajama pants. Tom never slept without his pants on, but she was hoping the night wasn’t over yet. “Hey, who said I was done with you,” she teased. His eyes grew wide in surprise. “Oh, sorry Honey. I didn’t know you had it in you.” “Well I don’t. At least not yet. But I’m hoping to change all that.” She slipped out of bed and came over to nuzzle his neck. She made sure her breasts were pressed up against his bare chest. He loved it when she did that. To her surprise, he laughed awkwardly and pulled back. “To tell the truth, Babe, I’m not sure I have it in me,” he said apologetically. “Tonight was great, don’t get me wrong. But it’s been a long week and I was kind of hoping to get some sleep. Bill and I are going out to look at some property he was thinking about buying and we were planning on getting an early start.” Disappointment flared in Amy’s heart and she had to struggle not to let it show. From some deep well of inner strength and falsehood, a smile floated to the surface and she clung to it like a life vest. “Sure. I understand. Get some sleep, Sweetheart.” He kissed her again, but it had lost all enticement to Amy. She returned it as best she could, then joined him in bed. Tom had no trouble whatsoever finding sleep, but Amy stayed awake a long time. His heavy breathing served as a gentle reminder that he was totally at peace with the status quo; that nothing was wrong with the world as he saw it. That was the part that stung the most. This had just been another night to him. An enjoyable one, to be sure. But in the end, nothing had changed. Amy knew things would continue on as they had been. Her fresh start had been a false one. Slowly, a worm of an idea found its way to the forefront of her thoughts. Fed by desperation and disappointment, it grew and flourished until it was a mighty leviathan that could not be ignored. At last, she got out of bed and padded softly downstairs. She didn’t need Roger Cavanough’s card to remember the number on it. She’d glanced at it so often that it was seared into her memory. Before she could lose her nerve, she punched it into her cell phone and put it to her ear. She glanced at the clock. It was after ten o’clock. She’d probably get an answering service. To her surprise, an alert male voice answered after only the second ring. “Hello?” “Mr. Cavanough?” Amy said uncertainly. “Yes. Can I help you?” She took a deep breath before she said her next words. “I’d like to make an appointment to speak with you.”                Chapter Three   To Amy’s surprise, the meeting with Roger Cavanough didn’t take place in some dimly lit back alley or seedy motel. Instead, he recommended a quiet, upscale café in the downtown district. She’d been there a few times herself and knew they served great crescent rolls. She bought one along with a strong cup of coffee and found an empty table in the far corner; somewhere she could keep an eye on the entrance. If she caught so much as a hint of a fur coat or pimp cane she was running for the hills. The whole time she sat there only one thought continued to run through her mind; this was crazy! She had no business doing this to Tom. Regardless of the troubles they were having, what she was doing was a whole new level of wrong. She should just get up and walk out right now before any further damage was done. But then she‘d remember last night. The pain of being rejected by her husband would assail her all over again, and her legs wouldn’t work. Even if this wasn’t the answer, even if it was the worst mistake of her life, at least she was doing something. She wasn’t just sitting around watching her marriage dissolve. Exactly two minutes before their scheduled meeting time, Amy was getting antsy. Maybe he’d decided not to show up. It would be a relief, in a way. Perhaps this was a sign that it wasn’t meant to be. She had just made up her mind to leave when the front door open and in walked a smartly dressed older man carrying a briefcase. He surveyed the room in one glance and Amy got the distinct impression his cool, grey eyes absorbed every detail. When he caught sight of her, he smiled politely and walked over. “Mrs. Parsons, I’m Roger Cavanough,” he said extending his hand which she shook. “May I join you?” Amy nodded, her tongue stuck to the roof of her mouth. Now that he was here, she didn’t know what to think. His appearance and mannerisms weren’t anything she had expected. She’d been expecting Tony Soprano or Pablo Escobar. This man, with his salt and pepper hair and upscale mannerisms, could have been a Wall Street executive meeting a business client for lunch.  She had to take a deep sip of her drink before she trusted herself to speak. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Cavanough,” she said. “How did you know I was the one who called you?” He sat down and smiled. “Simple, you’re the only one here who is by herself.” Amy glanced around. It was true. Everyone else had someone sitting with them. “As you might imagine, we don’t get a lot of couples inquiring about our services.” “Ah, yes. I guess so.” Amy suddenly felt foolish and found herself unable to continue. What was she doing here? Was she really considering this insane idea? The man across from her smiled, as if guessing her thoughts. “Mrs. Parsons, it’s perfectly normal for some people to be a little hesitant at the first meeting. Why don’t I just give you a broad overview of the services we provide? Feel free to stop me with any questions you may have. Would that be all right?” She supposed so. It wasn’t like she was committing to anything, and he’d been nice enough to meet her on such short notice. The least she could do was listen. Amy nodded and waited for him to continue. “What we do, in a nutshell, is provide married or otherwise attached individuals with the opportunity to enjoy a certain level of companionship they may otherwise be missing. This can be anything from a date to a formal function which their partners don’t want to attend, to accompanying them on certain outings that they don’t wish to go on alone. I even have one elderly lady who contracts out with us to have someone drive her to church on Sundays.” “She must be the talk of the choir,” Amy remarked with raised eyebrows. Roger nodded seriously. “She tells everyone it’s her grandson. ‘For those wishing for a more intimate experience, we offer that as well. Many times, this serves as the proverbial kick in the teeth for their other relationship. Something to get it kick started and back on track. Other times, it gives the client enough clarity to realize they don’t want to maintain a connection with their significant other. That they want something different. Something their current partner is unable or unwilling to provide ‘Whatever the outcome, discretion is one hundred percent guaranteed. No one will ever know you contacted our service, unless you decide to tell them.” Amy was intrigued despite herself. Maybe it was the thought of a grey haired woman renting a ‘grandson’ to drive her to church, but a lot of the sleaze she had associated with this in her mind seemed to be gone. She wanted to find out more. “How does it work?” she asked. Roger smiled again, as if delighted she‘d asked. “Point blank, we have you answer a series of questions to help us determine what kind of experience you’re looking for. We then match you with the appropriate partner from our list of dedicated employees. The normal term of service is for two weeks, but it can be shortened or extended depending on your specifications. At the end, it culminates in a beautiful weekend getaway with you and your companion. It truly is the perfect ending to a perfect experience.” It sounded good. In fact, it sounded great. There was still one sticking point that had Amy squirming in her seat. “And none of it’s…uhh, illegal?” she asked Roger seemed to know exactly what she meant. “I assume you’re talking about s*x?” Amy blushed and nodded. “Mrs. Parsons, while physical intimacy is a very real possibility, particularly with the type of experience I assume you contacted me about, it’s only if you are comfortable with it. Many of our clients, particularly women, find that a plutonic companionship is just what the doctor ordered. And if s*x does result, it is purely between two consenting adults. Money, or prostitution, never enters into the equation.” So there was no pressure. That was good. And without the exchange of money or goods specifically for s*x, she wasn’t breaking the law per se. She relaxed some. Roger pulled out a blank legal pad from his briefcase and prepared to write. “Now, Mrs. Parsons, what exactly are you looking for?” “Oh, well, there are so many things.” Amy fidgeted. “I mean, I want someone who will listen to me. Someone who enjoys my company and who I enjoy in turn. I’d like someone to try new things with…” She trailed off, unsure of how to continue. Roger sighed and put his pen down without taking a single note. “Mrs. Parsons, I think it’s only fair to tell you that the more honest you are with me, the more accurately I’ll be able to match you with someone to make your experience a rewarding one. I’m not here to judge you,” he added quickly. “And if that’s what you truly want, I’m sure I’ll be able to find someone to make that happen. But if you want something…closer, I’d like for you to consider telling me.” Amy nodded and took another sip of her drink. She knew he was right. She also knew that what she’d just told him was a cop out. It was just so damn difficult to put into words.  Roger nodded encouragingly and picked up his pen again. “Now, Mrs. Parsons, what is it that you want?” he asked again. “I want romance,” Amy blurted out, cringing even as she said it. “I want to be swept off my feet and put up on a pedestal. I want to be chased. I want every minute with me to feel like a blessing to the one I’m with, and I…I don’t want to be taken for granted.” Roger was scribbling furiously, writing down every word she said. It gave her enough time to intercept the tear in one eye that threatened to roll down her cheek. She’d be damned if she was going to cry in front of this man. After a few moments, he reviewed what he’d written and nodded in satisfaction. “Mrs. Parsons, I think we can definitely help you,” he said confidently. Amy breathed a sigh, but whether it was with relief or trepidation, she wasn’t sure. She sensed their meeting was almost at an end, but there was still one more matter to attend to. “How much does all this cost?” she asked. He quoted a number that made her cringe. Although she and Tom were well off by most standards, that was still a huge chunk of change. She started to decline out of sheer instinct. No way she was spending that much money unless it was on a car, and a fully loaded one at that. But Roger reached out and rested one hand on hers, effectively cutting her off. “Listen, don‘t decide right away,” he said. “This is a big decision. Go home, think about it and if you decide to go ahead with it, you have my number. Whatever you choose, it was very nice meeting you and I hope everything works out for the best.” He rose and they shook hands, then he walked out without a backwards glance. Amy watched him go, leaving her more uncertain than ever.               Chapter Four   Tom was there when she got home. He didn’t confront her about where she’d been. Didn’t pepper her with accusations about what she’d been up to. Just gave her a quick peck on the cheek and went upstairs to shower. Amy breathed a sigh of relief. There was no denying she was tempted by Roger‘s offer. He had a great pitch and a way of wording anything so that his listener agreed with him purely on principal. He was a salesman, through and through. But that was a hell of a lot of money. And for what? Two weeks with someone she barely knew just so she could get an itch scratched. No thanks. Besides, maybe Tom was right. Maybe things would get better if she just waited it out. So she did. She waited. She still met up with Julie every Wednesday for coffee. To her surprise, her friend never asked her if she’d called the number on the card. Amy wasn’t sure she would have admitted to it if she had. Work went on as usual. She was hip deep in the last will and testament of an important client who had received some bad news last month, so she kept busy. As for her and Tom, they continued their dance around each other. After her last fiasco at revving things, Amy wasn’t in a hurry to try again anytime soon. For all intents and purposes, life returned to normal. And that was the hell of it. Nothing changed. The only difference, as far as Amy could tell, was that she was more aware of the dullness in her life. The things which had been a kind of comfort for her due to their regularity, now chafed and annoyed her. She began snapping at coworkers. It got so bad her boss, Sam Mooney, called her into his office. “Amy, what’s going on?” he asked in a kind voice. “You’ve never acted this way before.” Amy wasn’t fooled. Sam was in his mid-sixties, with a round belly and grey hair. He looked like everyone’s favorite grandpa. It was a misconception he used in the court room to systematically destroy the opposing side, once his easy demeanor set them at ease. “I’m sorry, Sam,” she said. “I’m just having kind of rough time at home. It’ll pass.” She wasn’t lying. Her boss studied her for a few seconds, a troubled expression on his face. “Amy, you’re one of our best employees. You’ll probably make partner one day if you keep up the good work you‘re doing. Do you need to take some time off? If you need a break, I’m sure something could be arranged.” She was a little surprised at this offer, and the sincerity behind it. Sam wasn’t the type to coddle his employees. But, then again, she’d never needed coddling before. She took half a moment to consider his offer from all angles, before shaking her head. “Thanks, Sam. I appreciate it. Really. But the best thing I can do right now is keep busy. I promise I’ll watch my temper. You won’t hear any more about it.” Her employer nodded. “The offer’s on the table if you need. And if you just need to talk to someone, let me know. By the way, we hired you a new assistant. I think her name is Monica something-or-other. Has quite a resume. She’s in training right now but should arrive soon. Maybe she’ll help take some of the load off.” She thanked him politely and walked out, breathing a sigh of relief. It was the first time she’d found herself in the hot seat, and she didn’t like it. She vowed then and there that it wouldn’t happen again. Since things with Tom weren’t getting any better, at Julie’s urging Amy decided to try mixing things up on her own. She started going to different restaurants, even going so far as an overnight trip because she found a place up in Vermont that served great sushi. She and Julie went outside their local shopping parameters, to try stores on the other side of town. They were a little more expensive, but they carried name brands neither one had even seen before. Amy even tried m*******a for the first time since she was a teenager. The acrid smoke made her cough and the slight buzz she enjoyed was short lived and hardly worth the effort. In the end, all these were merely temporary fixes to a problem that had no easy solution. Things came to a head some three weeks after her disastrous first attempt at wooing Tom, when they made love again. It was slow and familiar, and she tried to lose herself in the feel of their bodies sliding against one another. It ended all too soon, though, and when Tom got up to put his pajama bottoms on, Amy felt an almost uncontrollable urge to scream with frustration and dismay. Once again, she found herself lying awake, listening to the gentle snores of her husband. Her mind was a snarl of impulses, flights of fancy and unrequited yearning. Maybe she could leave. Just pack up and go in the middle of the night. Not tell anyone where she was going. Take Sam up on that offer for time off, or just start over somewhere else. She could reinvent herself. Maybe open up her own practice in another part of the country. Find a man who would worship the ground she stood on and never look back. No, Tom would find her. And while he wasn’t the best husband in the world, he deserved more than that. But did he deserve the other thing she was contemplating? The secret urging she wasn’t acknowledging, even to herself? No, he didn’t deserve that either. But Amy knew if things didn’t change, and soon, their marriage wouldn’t survive. If there was even a chance at satisfying this…this aching need inside her and saving their relationship, didn’t she owe that to him? That’s an excuse, some critically logic part of her mind said. You want what you want, and since you can’t find it anywhere else, you’re going to the one place where you know you can. If you’re going to do this, at least have the courage to admit the real reason behind it. All right! Yes, her heart thought venomously. I’m doing this because I want to. Because if I don’t, one day I’ll either explode or just stay in bed…for the rest of my life. Are you happy now? There was no answer from her head. It had gone silent, and that was a good thing. If she thought about it anymore, her courage would fail her. She got up and went downstairs, careful not to wake Tom. Once again, she found herself dialing Roger Cavanough’s number in the dead of night and, once again, he answered on the second ring. “I want to do it,” Amy said without preamble. They settled on a time and place to meet. ****************************************************************** Once again, they got together in a small café, one a few blocks from where they first met. This time it was Amy who carried a brief case. Roger was already seated when she arrived. She sat down across from him and slid it to him under the table like they did in the spy movies. It contained the money for Roger’s “services.” He’d requested it specifically in cash so there was no paper trail. “One more way we ensure discretion,” he’d said. Roger grinned and handed her a prepaid cell phone and an emerald green ribbon. “Here, these are for you. The cell phone is what your companion will use to contact you. It’s been specifically programmed with a host of text messages and pictures that are work related, so if your husband ever does happen to get hold of it, nothing will raise his suspicions. Also, any texts or calls made to or from this phone are instantly deleted after pressing end. ‘I’ve chosen Collin as your companion for the next two weeks. He’s one of my best and I’m confidant he‘s just what you need. Tie the ribbon in your hair when you meet him at this address tomorrow night. It’s how he’ll recognize you.” He slid over a business card for a local jazz club. “If you have any troubles, please don’t hesitate to call.” He picked up the briefcase and started to go. “Wait, aren’t you going to count it?” Amy said, still reeling from what she was doing. Roger shook his head. “Either it’s all there, or it isn’t. If it is, I can promise you an experience you’ll never forget. If it’s not, your companion won’t be there and we cut all ties. But I trust you, Mrs. Parsons,” he added. “I’m certain you’ll both have a lovely time.”  He smiled again and left. And just like that, Amy was in an affair.               Chapter Five   The Blue Tap Room was a locally owned and operated bar Amy discovered during her foray into self-fulfillment. It wasn’t much. Just a little hole in the wall place that boasted a live jazz band every Friday and Saturday night. The drinks were only slightly watered down and the bartender could make a decent margarita. She gave it a seven out of ten. That was where she found herself the next night, sitting at the bar in a red low-cut number with Roger’s green ribbon decorating her hair. She’d only been there ten minutes but was already on her second drink. Yes sir, some liquid courage was just what the doctor ordered. Jesus, what was she doing here? She should be at home. She should just get back in touch with Roger and call the whole thing off. Let him keep the money. It wasn’t important. Her marriage was. If Tom ever found out what she was doing, it’d kill him. She’d had the same argument with herself a hundred times since her last meeting with Roger. She’d sat there a long time after he left, alternately cursing her stupidity and lamenting her moral short comings. Her legs had been dangerously shaky by the time she got up to leave, but she managed to hold it together till she got in the car before breaking down in tears. Amy cried for a long time. She cried for herself. She cried for Tom. She cried for their marriage and all the fun they used to have together. When she was done, she took the long way home. The sun beat in on her through the windows, and before long she was obliged to roll them down. The air blowing in was refreshing and helped dry the tears on her cheeks. By the time she got home, she’d regained some semblance of composure. When she pulled in to the garage, she sat in the car for a few minutes with the engine off. Whatever came next, she reminded herself, she’d asked for this. She was the one who’d paid the money. She was the one in control. She could call it off any time, and if she felt the least bit uncomfortable, she would. Telling herself that was the only way she’d be able to bring herself to go through with what she had planned. Over the next twenty four hours, all she thought about was her upcoming rendezvous. She was nervous, sure. More nervous than she’d been in a long time. The idea of doing something so forbidden, so taboo, as meeting up with a stranger made butterflies spring up in her stomach. It was a new feeling for her. As she sat there at the bar, they seemed to have grown to the size of pterodactyls. Only the fear that her knees wouldn’t support her kept her from heading towards the door. She almost jumped out of her skin when she felt a slight touch on her shoulder and someone say her name. Amy whirled around in alarm, ready to toss her drink in the stranger’s face and run at the slightest provocation. She froze though, as her eyes beheld the most gorgeous man she’d ever seen outside of a glamour magazine. He was just over six feet tall, with short, blond hair neatly styled and trimmed. He wore a dark blue button up shirt, but underneath it she could see rows of well-defined muscles working in concert to make his movements fluid and luxurious. It took her a second to realize her jaw was hanging open. She shut it with a snap. “Hey, sorry to startle you,” the man said. “I’m Collin.” “Oh. Hi. Nice to meet you.” There was an awkward silence where Amy felt she should say something more. Finally, though, Collin took the initiative. “Mind if I join you?” She felt herself starting to blush. “Sure.” He parked himself right next to her, so close she could smell his aftershave. It made her nose tingle in a pleasant way. After he ordered a drink, he turned and looked at her. It was the first time Amy noticed how perfectly blue his eyes were. “I love your ribbon,” he said. “It was the first thing I saw when I walked in the door.” “Oh. That.” She unconsciously reached up and adjusted the light strip of material. “Your boss gave it to me and told me to wear it.” Collin let out a little laugh. “Figures. Rodge knows it’s my favorite color. The man is entirely too insightful.” Amy smiled and took a sip of her drink. This wasn’t so bad. Collin seemed nice enough, and he was certainly easy on the eyes. Maybe it was the alcohol talking, but her nervousness had transformed from a rampaging monster into a gently purring beast. Still there, but not as menacing as it was before. She could work with that. “So, tell me about yourself,” she said before her courage failed her. “Well, let’s see. I moved here from Seattle a few years ago. I love music but have zero in the way of talent, so the next best thing I can hope for is to get involved in production somehow. I’m deathly allergic to peanuts. I have two dogs that eat better than I do and an immortal houseplant named Rusty that keep me company.” Amy about choked on her drink as he said that last part. “Sorry, what? Immortal houseplant?” Surely, she’d heard wrong. Collin, though, nodded his head and grinned. “I thought that would get you,” he said, chuckling. “When I moved here, the truck with my belongings got lost and broke down. So it was over a week before I finally got my stuff. Rusty was in the back. He survived over a week in pitch blackness with no water. When I pulled him out, every leaf was brown and wilted and he looked like a stick, stuck in the dirt. I thought he was a goner, but out of habit I gave him some water and set him in the window. Two weeks later, he’s got his green back and blooming like it’s spring time in the rainforest.” He shrugged. “So, he must be immortal. No other explanation I can see.” “Maybe you’ve just got a green thumb,” Amy said, not bothering to hide the smile his story had brought to her face. “Maybe. What about you? What’s your story? Any immortal foliage in your past?” “Not hardly. I grew up in a small town in North Carolina. Went to college up here and started work as a lawyer straight after graduation.” She left out the part about her marriage to Tom. It wasn’t important right now. Collin gave a low whistle. “Lawyer, huh? Must be exciting.” “Not really,” Amy said, shaking her head. “I mainly specialize in estate law. Settling wills, that sort of thing. No dramatic trials for me, or calling surprise witnesses. I’ve only seen the inside of a courtroom when I interned during school.” They continued talking for the next couple hours. Pretty soon, they were chatting like old friends. Collin proved himself to be an amiable companion. He was easy to talk to and set her laughing with more off the wall stories like Rusty the immortal house plant. More than that, he seemed interested in her and what she had to say. When she talked, he gave her his full attention. It’d been so long since a man had done that in a social setting, Amy was surprised how good it felt. Shortly after nine, the band opened up. It was a mix of new age jazz and old classics. The ones playing would never make it big in show business, but they sounded all right. Collin tossed back the last of his drink and took her hand. The simple contact sent tingles up and down her spine. “Dance with me,” he said. It wasn’t a demand, just packed a little more punch than a question. “Oh no,” Amy said, horrified. “I can’t dance.” It was true. A throwback to her responsible days back in college. While all her other friends were trashed and making merry on the club scene, she was standing by waiting to catch the first one to pass out. She’d never had time to learn how to gyrate to the groove. Collin, though, wasn’t one to be denied so easily. “It’s okay. I can’t dance either,” he said with a grin. Amy shot him a skeptical look. He laughed. “Well, not very good at any rate.” “So we’ll both look like fools together?” “That’s the plan. C’mon. Let’s go.” She let herself be led out on the floor and the two of them started dancing. Despite what Collin said, he had some moves. To Amy’s amazement, she discovered she did too. They moved with the music, holding each other closer than was absolutely necessary. Other people moved back to give them room. Some stopped altogether and watched. By the time that first song was through, Amy was breathing hard and grinned with exhilaration. They stayed out for the next song. Then the one after that. She and Collin were a machine, moving in concert towards a specific goal. It was art. By the time the band came on and said they were taking a break, Amy was ready for one herself. But when they turned on some generic slow music while they hit the bar, Collin pulled her close and they started swaying with the tempo. Other couples did the same. That came as a shock to Amy. Were they a couple? Everyone seemed to think so. They’d certainly acted like it out on the dance floor. Now they were surrounded by pairs of lovey-doveys, following their example. Women had their heads rested on their partners chests. Indulging in a split-second whim, Amy did the same. Collin’s heart was beating furiously in her ear. She could smell the scent of his deodorant as it kicked into high gear to mask the smell of his perspiration. Hers was doing the same. His muscular arms were around her, holding her tight, but not so tight that she couldn’t pull away if she wanted to. Right then, that was the last thing she wanted. They stayed on the floor through two more sets. At the end of the second one, she knew their time together had come to an end. It was getting late. She had to get home and had planned to pull a few hours at the office tomorrow, even though it was the weekend. Collin sensed the same thing and led her off the floor. “I haven’t danced like that in years,” he breathed. “Neither have I.” True enough. He took her by the hand again, which still sent lightning bolts up and down her skin, and walked with her outside to her car. She unlocked the door and turned to face him. This was the moment she’d been secretly dreading for the past half hour. How did you say goodbye to someone in a situation like this? Would he try to kiss her? She wasn’t sure she was ready for that. It was bound to be awkward. She should have known better. Nothing was awkward for Collin. He pulled her into a close hug, then planted a chaste kiss on her cheek, with only the corner of his lips touching hers. It still made her knees weak and her breath catch in her throat “Mind if I call you tomorrow?” he asked. “I’d be upset if you didn’t,” Amy said. He grinned and stood watch as she got in her car and drove off. Amy glanced in the rear view mirror more than once, until he was completely out of view. The memories of the nights events tumbled around in her head like an industrial washing machine. The music, the dancing and the kiss at the end made her grin, laugh and shiver all at the same time. And she’d be hearing from him tomorrow, maybe for more of the same. One thing was for certain. This was definitely money well spent.                  Chapter Six   Tom didn’t wake up when she got in. As far as he knew, she’d been out catching a few drinks with some friends. She hopped in the shower to wash off the scent of Collin’s cologne and crawled in the bed beside him. She tried to go right to sleep. God knew she was exhausted enough. But the nights events kept replaying themselves in her head, hyping her up. Should she feel guilty? What she’d done wasn’t exactly cheating, but it wasn’t on the up and up either. If it was, she’d have told her husband about it. This is stupid, she chided herself. All she’d done was dance with a handsome man. An incredibly hot man. She hadn’t done anything wrong. And that kiss at the end, that had been nothing. She’d had guy friends kiss her before. It wasn’t anything new. Almost without thinking, her tongue played over the corner of her lips where his had made contact. She closed her eyes and replayed the moment in her mind. Yeah, it was nothing. The next morning, she got up around ten, ate a quick breakfast of grapefruit and cereal and went into the office. Tom was already out playing golf with one of his clients. He probably wouldn’t be back until late tonight. By then she’d be in bed. Maybe they’d see each other tomorrow, if neither one had anything planned. Such was the state of their marriage. Weekend workdays in her office were pretty relaxed. None of the senior staff were there and only about half the regular workers. Amy spent the majority of the morning answering emails, looking over contracts and planning her schedule for the coming week. This was her normal routine. She’d done it so often she didn’t even have to think about most of the tasks she performed. But this morning, she found it increasingly hard to concentrate. Her gentle muscle aches served as a constant reminder of last night. The music, the dancing, the feel of Collin’s body up against hers, it all felt like a delicious dream she’d had while still in bed next to her husband. Just before noon, a series of beeps she’d never heard before came from her purse. It took her a moment to realize it was the little phone Roger Cavanough had given her. The one he said her companion would use to contact her. Collin! Amy made sure her door was shut before she answered it. “Hello?” “Hi, Beautiful. Can you talk?” She had to grin. It‘d been a long time since someone had called her beautiful. “I think I can spare a couple minutes. What’s up?” “I was wondering if you’d like to join me for lunch.” “Lunch, huh?” “Yeah. But see, the thing is, the place I want to take you is kind of far out, so you might want to clear your schedule for the rest of the day. If that’s okay.” “Hmmm…I don’t know,” Amy teased. “I’ve got a lot of work to catch up on since someone kept me out so late last night.” “Are you gonna make me beg? I’m not above it, you know.” Amy laughed. “No, you won’t have to do that. I guess I can free up a few hours for my favorite dancing partner. Where would you like to meet?” “I’m waiting for you out in the parking deck.” Amy blinked. “Oh. Well, I guess I’ll be right down.” She tried to summon some sort of animosity that he’d taken it upon himself to come to her place of work. But it was hard to do so when she found herself hurriedly shutting down her computer, grabbing her purse and rushing down the stairs. There he was, leaning up against her car with a huge smile plastered on his face. He looked just as scrumptious as he did the night before, only this time he was dressed in blue jeans and a loose fitting T-shirt. Amy didn’t stop, she just flew forward and into his arms, enjoying the warmth of his body as they embraced. They stayed that way for several moments. When they broke, they smiled at each other sheepishly. “So, how do you feel about a picnic?” Collin asked. Amy brushed a few strands of loose hair out of her face. “I’m hardly dressed for it,” she said, gesturing down at the business suit she had on. Collin grinned. “I think I can do something about that. Come with me.” He took her by the hand and led her over to a small, silver convertible parked a few spaces away. It was a beauty. Even Amy, who didn’t know that much about cars, could tell it was a gorgeous machine, sleek and stylish. Just like Collin, she thought. He popped the small trunk, took out several small packages and handed them to her. Opening them, she was astounded to find a new shirt, casual slacks and even a pair of outdoor shoes that looked like they would hold up on a cross-country trek.  “But, how’d you know they’d fit?” she asked. “Let’s just say I’m very good with sizes.” That held a whole host of connotations she didn’t care to think about right then. She dashed into the ladies room to change. Everything fit like a second skin. He really was good with sizes. When she came out, Collin was still leaning up against his car, his arms crossed casually over his chest. She struck a little pose for him. “What do you think?” she asked. He put three fingers up to his mouth and kissed them, like he was savoring an exquisite dish. “Fantastico. Hop in. We’ll take my car.” She was only too happy to oblige. Collin took her out of the city and into the countryside. He drove along the two lane roads like a demon, coaxing every bit of power out of the little sports car. The day was sunny and beautiful, so he let the top down. Amy relished the feel of the wind blowing through her long hair. “Aren’t you afraid of getting pulled over?” she asked over the roar in her ears. “Not really. Most cops don’t come this far out.” He shot her a grin. “Besides, I know a good lawyer.” Amy snorted. “I’m not that kind of lawyer. If you need a will drawn up, give me a call. Otherwise, you’re on your own, Buster.” He only laughed and proceeded to go faster. After about an hour of steady driving, he pulled over in a large field, set well of the main highway. Amy got out and stretched her legs, then paused to let the view sink in. It was like something out of a painting. The blue sky overhead was a stark contrast to the green flowing grass all around them. The landscape was dotted with yellow patches of sunflowers and a small stream could be heard somewhere nearby. In the distance, sat a tall hill with a solitary oak tree reaching towards the sun. Collin reappeared at her side, holding a large picnic basket he’d pulled from the trunk. “C’mon.” He led her up the hill to the tree. On the other side, Amy saw a blanket already laid out, with a bottle of wine chilling in a half melted bucket of ice. She shook her head at his presumptuousness. “I do believe you already had this planned,” she accused. “Guilty. I didn’t think you’d mind.” “What if I’d said no?” Collin shrugged. “Then I guess I’d have had a lonely lunch.” He held out his arm. “Shall we dine?” She accepted it with a grin. “I’d love to.” They sat down and enjoyed a delicious lunch of cold sandwiches, deviled eggs and veggies. The crisp wine was clear and sweet, a perfect combination for their meal. Even better than the food, was the conversation. Amy was afraid that she’d imagined their connection last night. That it was entirely one-sided and now things would be awkward and quiet. Like they were with Tom, some dark part of Amy said. Nothing could have been further from the truth. She and Collin talked like they’d known each other their entire lives. Not even she and Julie enjoyed such a casual exchange. After they’d eaten, he walked her down the hill to the stream she’d heard earlier. It was only a few feet across and flowing swiftly on it’s merry way towards the ocean. To her surprise, Collin started unlacing his shoes and motioned for her to do the same. “Let’s go for a wade,” he said. “Are you crazy? It’s got to be ice cold.” “Yes. Probably. Where’s your spirit of adventure?” “Somewhere where it’s not fifty below.” He stepped his bare feet and fixed her with a sly grin. “I dare you.” Amy’s eyes grew wide. “Excuse me?” “I. Dare. You.” He punctuated each word with a step closer to her. By the time he finished, he was inches away. Amy found it hard to breathe with him so close, but she stood her ground and looked up at him defiantly. “Are we in second grade now?” she said. “I double dare you.” Amy ground her teeth. A dare was one thing, but a double dare was a whole different ball game. She kicked off her new shoes and they walked up to the water’s edge. It was fast flowing and clear, the sound like ice crystals bouncing off the rocks. Amy shivered just by looking at it. “Ready?” Collin asked. “Just waiting on you.” He grinned. “We’ll do it on three. One. Two.” “Oh, for heaven’s sake.” Amy swallowed the lump in her throat and stepped into the water. It wasn’t deep. It barely came up past her ankle. Instantly, all the breath left her in a rush, leaving her gasping for air as thousands of tiny pin pricks assailed her feet. After a moment, though, the sensation faded as numbness took hold and there was only a slight cooling sensation from as the liquid rolled over her skin. She looked over her shoulder at Collin, who was clearly impressed. “Three,” he said, and stepped into the stream beside her. Amy was delighted to see his eyes widen in shock and hear him gasp several times in much the same manner as she did. “Too cold for you?” she teased. Collin swallowed hard, then shook his head. “Nope. Perfectly fine. I’ve taken showers colder than this.” Amy laughed. “Now that’s something I’d like to see.” She grimaced. Had she really just said that? “I mean…I’d like to see you endure…something like that.” “Maybe you will,” he laughed, and the embarrassment of the moment was diffused. Together, they walked up and down the little stream. Amy was delighted when she saw little minnows swim out and begin to nibble at her toes. They were so small and quick they looked like tiny flashes of silver in the sunlight. The highlight of their adventure came when she lost her foot on the slippery rocks. She fell backwards, crying out and gritting her teeth against the bone numbing cold that was sure to swallow her up. Collin caught her effortlessly, pulling her close until he was sure she’d regained her footing. They stayed that way a long time, gazing into each other’s eyes. So far, Collin was everything Amy had been looking for. It was so easy to forget that he was being paid for his time with her, so that’s what she did. She forgot about it. They were just a man and a woman, enjoying the afternoon together in each others company. All too soon, it was time to leave. The sun was heading towards the deep west and she had to get back. She got her work clothes and changed behind the large oak tree. Usually too modest to attempt such a feat, the only person for miles around was Collin, and she barely cared whether or not he saw anything. In fact, the thought of him sneaking a peek sent shivers up her spine, more so than the frigid water they’d gone walking in. Collin drover her back to her office, his reckless style causing her to grip her seat, laughing all the while. He pulled directly behind her car, then got out to open the door for her. “Did you have a good time?” he asked. “I can honestly say it’s the first picnic I’ve been on where I nearly got hypothermia in my feet and I feel like I’ve been in a NASCAR race.” “I’ll take that as a yes then.” She laughed. “Yes. That’s a yes. Who knows, I might even let you do it again sometime.” “I certainly hope so.” Before she realized it, they were standing so close she could count the dimples around his mouth. There were four. The next moment, his arms were around her and his lips were pressed firmly against hers. Amy stiffened for half a second, then melted into his embrace. She felt his tongue probing gently at her mouth. Almost without thinking, she opened up and allowed it inside. He fed it to her eagerly and she accepted it just as passionately. She’d never been kissed like that before. The energy behind it took her breath away. She didn’t know how long they stood that way, making out against her car in that little parking garage. But by the time they broke, she knew she’d decided to sleep with him.