What Piper Needs

by Amanda Abbott

  “I was indeed talking about my sex life,” Piper said. “I’m not sure I’m actually capable of talking about anything else. But in the future we might want to try to mix it up a bit. We could get bored talking about nothing but sex.”

  “Mix shmix,” Caroline said. “Sex is why we’re here. When we get old and gray, we’ll talk about the mundane stuff. But right now, I want the goods. I can see you’re struggling a little with this, Piper, and I love you. I want to help—we want to help.” She gestured across the table and smiled.

  “I agree with Caroline. We’re here for the nitty-gritty,” Emma said. “Though I could talk about my neighborhood all day long.” She chuckled. “But that would be ninety percent about sex, too. Just not my sex.”

  Piper appraised the beautiful redhead with one eyebrow raised. “You’re going to have to spill about your neighbors at some point, because Lord knows we want to hear all the details. I mentioned to Caroline that it was like real-life Desperate Housewives up there, but first I’ll fill you in on my wild Saturday night with Michael.” Piper related the story to Emma, leaving nothing out, because that would defeat the purpose. “So, after the strap-on sex, we had this great meeting of the minds, and then more sex after, and I didn’t have the heart to tell him I couldn’t keep up this kind of pace. Planning isn’t as spontaneous as one would think.” She winked at her own joke.

  “Wow, that sounds totally hot,” Emma said. She fanned herself with one hand as she took another drink of her martini. “I understand why you wouldn’t want to ruin the moment. Even though it probably wouldn’t have spoiled it like you think it would’ve. Michael’s such a great guy, and like I told you before, at the end of the day, all he really wants is to make you happy.”

  “I know he does,” Piper agreed. “But we’ve had this weird roller-coaster sex life for so long, and we’re doing so well now, I’m scared to lose this new thing. I’m more connected to him now than I ever have been—even while we were dating—and if inventing a top-ten list every month is what it takes, I’m in. I have to be in. There is no other choice. Even though that will make me an overwrought housewife.”

  Caroline shook her head. “It’s not your only choice, because I don’t think he expects that from you. He’s likely in the same boat—tired out from trying to up the ante each time. It has the potential to exhaust both of you more than satisfy you.”

  “I know,” Piper said. “But the movie-theater sex was amazing, and he was really excited about it. It was short and sweet, but so sexy and unexpected. It pushed all the right buttons. I don’t want to take that away from us, or tell him I’m not interested just because I’m not cut out for long-term planning. That’s lame.”

  “Pete and I have done it in a movie theater a few times,” Emma said. “We’ve had one totally hot session, but when we tried it again, about a year ago, we had this totally awkward encounter with an old guy! He stared at us the entire time.” She laughed. “We kept it on the down low, so I don’t think he knew for sure, but he suspected. Sometimes these things are hit or miss. Here’s a thought: Why not have a ‘Hot Friday’ once a month or something like that? You guys can take turns coming up with something out of the box. And if you skip one, you can always have a quiet movie night and see where it leads you.” She smiled. “Sometimes those can get the raunchiest.”

  “Is that what you guys do?” Piper asked Emma. “Am I overthinking this? That wouldn’t be usual, believe me. Maybe I’m off the mark and it will morph into something normal.”

  “You’re not overthinking things,” Emma replied. “I get worried a lot, too. Pete and I go in spurts having great sex, like I assume most people do, and then sometimes not. But to be totally honest, our sex life has revolved around other people for so long, it’s at the point where it all blurs together. I’ve been wanting to change things up for a while, but I’m still on the same course because I don’t want to ruin a good thing—same as you. I can give you advice, but will I take my own? That remains to be seen.”

  “Are you telling us you’re sick of the lifestyle?” Caroline asked Emma, a little wonder in her voice. “Is that why you want to change things up?”

  “Yes and no.” Emma paused, her fingers playing with the stem of her martini glass. “It’s hard to put into words, exactly. I really love the art of sex.” She glanced up at the women. “Piper and I have had this discussion recently. I love watching others have it. I love being wrapped up in the moment, but that’s all it’s become for me. Just one moment. Once it’s done, there’s a void with no feelings attached. I think the road I’m on is slowly killing my love of sex.”

  Piper patted Emma’s hand. “We’re not going to let it kill anything. That’s why you’re here. I’m so glad you made it tonight, because we’re totally going to help you fix it.”

  Emma smiled at her. “You’re so nice. I’m glad I came, too.” She picked up her drink. “But I didn’t come here tonight to drone on about my problems, especially when you’re right in the middle of figuring out yours. I want to help you first. You and Michael are charting this new path together, and it’s so exciting! It really is. And I don’t think you should worry too much about the when and where of it all, but focus more on the intimacy. You love risk-taking, but you also love the connection you get from it. If Michael wasn’t your perfect match, this might not work. But you guys are so in sync. It’s a beautiful thing to watch unfold.”

  The waiter came and set down their food.

  Caroline dug in first, taking a bite. “Oh, this is divine.”

  Piper had ordered a seafood pasta. “I love this place,” she said as she took a forkful. “Going back to your prior comment, I do love the connection I’m having with my husband so much. It’s kind of a surprise, because that hasn’t been our norm. It shouldn’t be strange, but sharing our feelings is not typical for us. On Saturday we both admitted we were spoiled and selfish before we became a couple. I think shedding the old us and trying to create a new us together has been harder than we thought. But my biggest fear, now that we’re having so much fun, is ending it because I can’t be bothered to plan anything.”

  “It’s not going to end no matter what,” Caroline said. “I promise you. It’s just going to keep evolving. We’re all in the process of changing our marriages. Look at me. I went from being plagued by guilt about my sexual desires to having a sex machine in the house! Marriage is supposed to be ever evolving, and you guys are on the right track.”

  Piper snorted. “How is that thing, anyway? You’ve never told me how it went, and I forgot all about it.” She turned to Emma, leaning in close to whisper, “Jace bought an actual fuck machine, one with a dildo and a motor.”

  Emma’s eyes got wide as she turned toward Caroline. “You mean to tell me you guys have something we don’t?” Then she began to giggle, which turned into full-on laughter. “We might have to call Ripley’s Believe It Or Not.”

  “Stop it.” Caroline laughed along with her. “I can’t believe you don’t have one stuffed somewhere in the Pleasure Paradise. But, yes, we have one, and it’s awesome!” She covered her mouth and glanced around the restaurant before saying, “When we’re doing it, I totally buy that another guy is down there, while Jace is doing things to me up top that you can’t imagine.”

  “Um, I think we can imagine,” Piper said, waving her fork between her and Emma. “This is us you’re talking to.”

  “Well, yes, I guess you can,” Caroline conceded, still laughing. “But it’s working for us. We change it up a lot, but I’m so happy. I don’t think we’ll ever jump into sex with another couple again, but”—she leaned in, and Piper and Emma reciprocated—“I’ve been having these super-raunchy fantasies that include five guys.” She held up her hand and wiggled her fingers. “But, unlike before, I’ve learned to embrace my fantasies and that having them is healthy. It’s taken me a while, but I’ve even started sharing them with Jace.”

  “He’s not the only one you’re going to have to share them with!” P
iper exclaimed. “We have to hear this.”

  “No way,” she gasped. “It would be too embarrassing for me to relay in public. But,” she hedged, “I’d be up for doing a fantasy-swap party if I wasn’t the only one spilling. We could call it Fantasy Club. What do you think?”

  Piper glanced at Emma and nodded. “You’re talking about each of us relating our wildest fantasies out loud? Sounds like a great idea to me.”

  “Yes, exactly,” Caroline said. “It would be sexy times without being physical. Then we all go home to our guys totally horned up.” She was blushing in earnest now, and Piper couldn’t help but be proud of her pal. Caroline had come such a long way. “But, if you guys think it’s silly, I totally understand. I’m sort of a prisoner of my own fantasies…so at the moment I think there’s nothing sexier.”

  “I think it’s a fantastic idea,” Emma added. “A different way to spice things up for all of us. I’m also a fan of hot daydreams, and have them often.”

  Piper took another bite of her pasta. “I only wish my issues with Michael could be solved with a hot daydream.”

  16

  __________________________

  ____________

  Michael sat at his desk, flipping the black business card Beth had given him between his fingers. It was Friday night, and he was ready to leave for the day. The office had shut down about an hour ago, with most people heading home for the weekend.

  It was date night, and his turn to initiate the second thing on his top five. He’d finagled an almost-impossible-to-get reservation at the newest she-she-la-la restaurant in town by exchanging favors with one of his partners for his time slot tonight. The guy needed extra hands on a tough case he was working on, so Michael offered to chip in for a weekend in exchange for the table.

  It was totally worth it for Piper.

  He stared at the card a little longer, trying to decide what to do.

  Michael had put the Sexual Underground on his list at number five, but if he and Piper were going to attend the meeting for new members—or whatever it was—it wasn’t going to fit perfectly into his time line. They’d have to go when the party was planned, and Beth had mentioned it was going to happen in the next week or two.

  He was hard right now just thinking about it.

  Piper might be skittish to try it, so he assumed they would attend only as observers. But he was willing to see where the night took them.

  After their sexy hotel room romp with the strap-on, he wanted to surprise Piper with something like this. If she was uncomfortable, they could leave at any time. He actually couldn’t wait to see the look on her face when she figured out where they were.

  Michael turned the card over to read Beth’s info for the second time, then set it on the desk. He picked up his cell phone. Beth had said to call him after hours. It was only about twenty minutes after six, but it was also Friday night. She should’ve left the office around five thirty. If she answered, she answered.

  If not, he’d try again later.

  She picked up on the second ring. “Hello.”

  “Beth? It’s Michael Collins.”

  “Hi, Michael.” Her voice was animated. “I knew you’d call! I’m so glad you did.”

  “I’m not sure Piper and I are in for sure.” His tone was cautionary. “I’m still making up my mind about the entire thing, but I’d like to get some details if I can.”

  “Of course. Do you have a pen handy?”

  “Yes, right here. I’m ready when you are.”

  “The meet and greet is set for next Saturday night. Start time is eleven p.m.” She gave him the street address, then continued, “It’s a warehouse in the art district. It looks like nothing special on the outside, but there’s a big red number one above the door. There will be a bouncer inside. Don’t be intimidated. Your names will be on a list.” Michael jotted down the information. “We’re expecting quite a big turnout. This place has been recently remodeled, and it’s very elegant. There’s a huge main room with lots of comfortable places to”—she cleared her throat—“have fun. There are also lots of adjacent spaces to play. Everything kicks off with a cocktail party, so I advise getting there before eleven thirty. There’s lots of mingling. The doors lock at midnight, no late entry allowed.”

  “Okay, I have it down,” Michael said. “How big of a crowd are you expecting?”

  “The core group is forty-five members. Some are couples, some not. For this new meeting, half of us are inviting one person or one married couple. The headcount will be around seventy-five if everyone shows, which probably won’t happen. All new entrants will be asked a series of questions by one of the gatekeepers. If your answers aren’t satisfactory, you will be asked to leave. Don’t ask me what they are, because they always change, and I can’t tell you anyway. But I’m certain you’ll answer them correctly. Oh, and leave your phones at home. No electronics allowed whatsoever. No exceptions.”

  “Gatekeepers? That sounds…extreme.” Michael chuckled. “Do they wear Dom masks and stand sentinel with whips in hand?” He was only half-joking. He needed to know what to expect. What he was envisioning would totally freak Piper out.

  It was better to get the information right up front.

  Beth laughed. “No whips. Gatekeeper is just a fancy term for the secretary and treasurer of the group. They’re also in charge of security. They pretty much look like an accountant and a librarian. But we embrace the ‘underground’ part in Sexual Underground. Information about this group is not meant to be public or shared casually in any way. If word gets out, there could be a serious problem with the police, or negative publicity in the media. You’re a lawyer. I’m sure you understand the security issues.”

  He did.

  The fact they took everything so seriously reassured him. In his line of work, he wouldn’t be able to be part of something like this that wasn’t secret. “I totally do. I need to ask you—are you the only one from the office who is involved with this group? I need a heads up if there’s anyone else.”

  “Nope, I’m the only one. You’re all clear on that front. Honestly, I wouldn’t have even asked you if I hadn’t seen the look on your wife’s face when she came out of the bathroom. Then when I walked by your office, and I figured out what was going on under your desk, I knew the two of you would be perfect additions to the group. If you decide to become members down the line, there are fees and documents you have to sign—confidentiality and nondisclosure agreements and such. If you were to talk, you’d incur a huge monetary penalty.”

  Michael nodded along with what she was saying. “Got it, thanks,” he told her. “I’m still not sure if we’ll be there. I’m still figuring it out. I hope that’s not an issue.”

  “Not at all. And don’t worry. There’s no pressure to do anything. You can just hang out and watch if you want. Or you can go partway. It all depends on your mood. We also have bouncers, who we refer to as ‘checkers,’ to make sure it’s always a safe environment for our members and no one feels pressured or uncomfortable at any time.”

  “Hm. It seems you guys have thought of everything.”

  “We try. Everyone involved wants it to be kept under wraps and very professional. Well, as professional as these kinds of things are capable of being, of course.” She laughed.

  “Thanks, Beth,” Michael said. “I think I have all the information I need.”

  “Great, hope to see you, and your wife, soon.”

  Michael hung up.

  Anticipation pulsed in his chest as he thought about the Underground, as well as his plans for tonight. He was taking his beautiful wife out to a fancy dinner, and he hoped it would end up being as exciting as their hotel romp.

  * * *

  Insisting on being chivalrous, Michael shut Piper’s car door after she’d slid in. She grinned at him as he got in the driver’s seat. “So where are we going?” she asked.

  “I’m not telling,” he answered, “so no more asking. It’s a surprise.”

  They star
ted down the road toward their mysterious destination, and Piper found she was relaxed and really looking forward to their date together.

  She reached over and set her hand on Michael’s shoulder, rubbing lightly. While they drove, she turned over in her mind the advice Caroline and Emma had given her last night. She glanced at her incredibly handsome husband and thought about beginning a conversation with him about how she was certain they could keep spice in their marriage without doing another top ten.

  Then she frowned, thinking of that conversation spiraling into a disagreement when they were going someplace special.

  Michael turned to her. “What are you staring at? You look deep in thought.”

  “Oh, nothing in particular.” She gave her husband a reassuring smile and decided against bringing up anything. She didn’t want it to get in the way. After all, there was plenty of time to have that discussion. It didn’t have to be tonight.

  “Now what?” he asked. “Why are you laughing?”

  Piper brought a hand up to her mouth. Her mind had switched on a dime to how she and the girls had ended their evening. They’d all agreed to invite Gillian to the next meeting, but before they’d left, Caroline had insisted they come up with an STD handshake. That girl was full of surprises. It ended up being a cross between a fist bump and a patty-cake. They’d all died laughing. “Nothing you’d think is that funny,” she said. “Caroline was just being silly last night. You know, she has grown by leaps and bounds. She’s so comfortable in her own skin. I envy that. It’s like what they did in the bedroom with Emma and Pete finally set them free somehow.” Piper shook her head. “It’s amazing. I want to be her when I grow up.” She chuckled, resting her head back on the seat. “It was really nice to have Emma there, too. Everyone got along great. It’s so fun that we can support each other like that. It feels like a family. A dysfunctional, sexed-up family, but a family nonetheless.”