Chapter 1
~LINDA~
I shut my eyes and savored the sweetness of the cake, hoping my moan of contentment wasn't mistaken for something else by the other people in the cafe.
After three days in a row at the gym, a well deserved break was needed, hence my patronage at the small cafe at the end of my street with a medium-sized piece of strawberry cake and a smoothie for good measure.
I glanced at my watch.
12:30PM
"Where is she?" I muttered, taking another scan around the cafe.
Yvonne, my best friend, had called me while I was at home and requested a meetup. The kids had gone to school and my husband, Wes, had gone to work. The urgency in her voice was the second reason I found myself in the cafe.
My phone dinged with a notification from Whatsapp. It wasn't from Yvonne. But to my delight, it was from Wes.
HUBBY: Hey, sugar pie. I'm on lunch break at the moment. Wanted to see how you're doing.
Failing to suppress a giggle, I replied his text.
ME: I'm fine, darling. Are your hands missing my body already?
HUBBY: Yup. Every curve and texture.
ME: Didn't you get enough this morning?
HUBBY: It's never enough, sweet cheeks. Are you at the gym?
ME: No, I skipped the gym today. Just thought I should take one day off. And Yvonne texted me earlier for a meetup. I'm at the cafe at the end of the street.
HUBBY: Okay.
A coy smile crossed my face as I typed the next words.
ME: By the way, I'm having strawberry cake.
HUBBY: You can't be serious.
ME: I am. But don't worry, it's only for today. I don't think I want to ruin all the hard work I put in the gym so soon.
HUBBY: I don't mind you adding a teensy weensy weight. If it's in the right places.
I could picture him wriggling his eyebrows as he texted that.
ME: And what right places would that be, you naughty boy?
HUBBY: Your succulent boobs and sweet bubble ass.
My thighs clenched and my breathing quickened, memories of his lips on my breasts earlier in the morning resurfacing. I shook the images off my head and texted.
ME: One would think you didn't have a fair share of my boobs this morning.
HUBBY: If the kids hadn't interrupted, I would have gone farther.
ME: And risk being late for work?
HUBBY: The boss would understand.
ME: No, he wouldn't. Don't be cheeky.
HUBBY: I'll be more than 'cheeky' when my hands get a hold of your 'cheeks' when I get back from work today. Good thing the kids will be at their grandma's by then. It's gonna be you and me all through the weekend. And boy, do I have a lot of plans for you.
A tingle crept to my stomach and I bit my lower lip, once again throwing a cursory gaze around the cafe.
ME: Babe, don't put images in my head and get me all wet. I'm in public, remember?
HUBBY: Can't help it. I need a distraction from the stress of work.
Yvonne arrived at that moment. She looked around and I waved, getting her attention. She reached the counter, ordering a sandwich and drink, before she approached my way. I replied the text to Wes.
ME: Aww, you poor baby. Don't worry. When you get back, I'll make sure to remove the stress.
HUBBY: Is 69 on the menu? That's something we're yet to try.
ME: Oh, you bad boy. Having filthy thoughts on eating me out while at work? Shame on you.
HUBBY: It's a balanced thing. Your hot mouth will be busy, too.
ME: Lol. Fair enough. Meanwhile, Yvonne is here. I'll see you later.
HUBBY: Alright. See you at home. Stay sexy.
I put the phone away with a giggle as Yvonne reached my table.
"What's got you all excited?" She set the sandwich down and took a seat.
"Just something I read." I shrugged.
It was the half truth.
She took a small bite of her sandwich, her countenance souring.
"Yvonne, what's wrong?" My smile faltered. "What's the emergency?"
She smoothened her blonde hair. "I don't know if to call it an emergency."
"Did something happen to you?" I reached for her hand.
"Yeah, that's the thing." She took another bite from her sandwich. "I need your help."
"What's it?" I squeezed her hand. "You know I can do anything for you if it's within my power."
Her eyes lowered to the table.
"Yvonne, please," I prodded. "Please, talk to me."
She inhaled sharply and stared me straight in the eye. "It's Tim."
"What did he do?" I scowled.
Tim was her husband. They got married a year before Wes and I tied the knot.
"No, no, it's not what he did." She waved her free hand frantically. "It's what he didn't do. Or rather, what he hasn't done in a while."
"Okay...I'm confused." I blinked.
She exhaled again. "It's about our marriage. The spark we used to have in the early years has gone. It's like I don't seem attractive to him anymore."
"Oh." I released her hand. "When last did you guys...you know..."
"It's been eight months." Her voice was a hushed whisper.
"Wow!" I whistled. "That long?"
"Yeah." She slumped deeper into her seat. "I don't know what I'm doing wrong."
"And you don't suspect he's seeing anyone?"
"No, he's not." She shook her head. "You know me very well. I'm kind of a cheating detector."
"Can't argue with that."
We both shared a laugh before her gaze lowered to the table once again.
"That's the thing," she said. "Tim is a good husband and dad. I will forever die on that hill. But the intimacy is no longer there."
Her gaze lifted to me. "And that's where you come in."
"Whoa!" I raised my hands. "Why would you think I'm an expert on this?"
"Because of the new stuff that has developed between Wes and yourself recently." Her lips pursed.
"What are you talking about?"
"Come on, Linda." Her gaze turned blank. "I caught your husband getting a good grope of your ass last weekend at the barbecue he hosted."
My eyes widened for a split second and I mentally facepalmed. Damn Wes and his ever roaming hands.
"And it's something I've never seen him do." Her eyes narrowed. "And don't get me started on how he was staring at your tits when you guys thought no one was looking. He had the hunger in his eyes like he wanted to yank them out and suck-"
"Okay, I get it!" I waved my hands frantically, feeling the heat in my cheeks. "You caught my perverted husband. Are you happy now?"
She giggled, taking a sip from her drink. "I don't think it's perverted. I think it's kind of sweet."
Her shoulders slumped with a deep exhale. "Which means something must have happened recently. I don't know how you did it, but I really need some tips."
I rubbed the back of my neck. "Yvonne-"
She cut me off, grabbing my hands squeezing them with desperation clear in her eyes. "Please, Linda. Do this for me. For old times sake. You don't know what I would give to have Tim touch me intimately the way Wes did to you."
Her words struck my heart like an arrow.
"Alright," I said.
"Thank you!" she cried out in relief and I sharply glanced around, hoping it didn't alert any attention from the people nearby.
"This means a lot," she added, placing a hand on her heart.
"On one condition." I raised my index finger, my eyes narrowing. "You've got to promise not to tell anyone else. Revealing private things in my marriage is a big risk I'm taking right now. And I want it to stay between us."
"Linda, you know me." Her eyes shone and her lips turned downwards. "I've kept every secret you told me since we were kids up to this moment. You can trust me with this."
I hesitated.
"Pinky swear?" She offered her pinky finger.
"Fine." I laced mine around hers.
"Thank you. You won't regret this."
"Alright, brace yourself." I grinned. "We're in for a long girl talk."
She leaned closer, eyes sparkling with interest and hunger for a sweet gossip.
Clearing my throat, I began.
"It all started with my recent change in body weight and a lingerie..."