"No!" She snapped. Immediately her face falls. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it that sharp."
The kids wisely cleaned up their dinner plates quickly leaving us at the table alone.
"I know you didn't." I responded. She was stressed about the back to school carnival event she was in charge of. Last minute vendor dropouts, finding enough volunteers, and the publicity working much better than anticipated were just a few of the stressors that had come up in the last day. I did my best to help but she is a hands on, control person.
"Alright, let's do the dishes and then you need to go get in the bath with a glass of wine." I tell her.
"That sounds great but I still need to type out the sche-"
I cut her off, "No, that can be done tomorrow or delegated and you know that. Take an hour and calm your mind."
"I just-"
"NO. Take a bath, my love."
"Ok, ok, I will. Thanks for looking out for me, babe." She smiles. "What would I do without you?"
"Honestly, it would probably be a wash. I probably cause as much stress as I relieve!" I quip.
Her laugh is beautiful and I can tell she is already losing the edginess she was feeling. We finish the dishes quickly. We make a good team. She goes to draw the bath and I open a bottle of her favorite Chardonnay and pour a glass. She is just lighting the candles as I bring it to her.
"I'm going to get the kids to bed. Text if you need a refill." I say as I close the door behind me. I told her an hour but I know she normally stays in longer. With the clock running down though, I hurry through what I need to do.
The kids are fairly self sufficient at their age so I tell them to change and brush their teeth. They are excited when I tell them they can watch a show before lights out so they hop to it. Which leaves me to our room.
My wife is a planner. She manages so much when it comes to our family but also work and volunteering. She does it well but it takes its toll on her. I heard it called decision fatigue once and it makes sense. Deciding on dinner, deciding on vendors, deciding on weekend plans, scheduling checkups for the kids, deciding all the things that keep the house running. Wives and moms don't get nearly enough credit. I do my best to take the load off her where I can. But let's be honest, I just can't match how well she does it.
Which is why tonight she won't have choices. No decisions to be made. No lead to take. She has hinted at it a time or two so I'm excited for a chance to make it happen. We are partners in life but something tells me she won't mind letting go of the reins in the bedroom.
I lay out what I need on the bench at the end of our bed.
Ding
I take my phone out and see "You were right, this bath is perfect. Thanks!"
Ding
"Also...I might already need more wine!"
I walk in to get her glass and my cock twitches. Her skin is flushed from the hot water and the humidity has made her hair start to curl around her ears. The claw foot tub holds enough water that her stomach is covered but her nipples float at the water line. Three children in and she doesn't understand how I still find her so beautiful. But the stretch marks and the extra weight tell the story of our family and I wouldn't trade it for anything.
"What?" She breaks thought my thoughts.
"Oh, nothing. Let me have your glass." I quickly leave the room because I'm getting excited for what comes next.
Wine delivered, I go check on the kids. Just as I thought, they watched their show and fell asleep in a pile on the floor. I put them in their beds and return to our room to wait for her to finish with her bath.
It doesn't take long before I hear the bath drain gurgling.
I take my shirt off but leave my jeans hanging on my hips. I turn music on and turn to see her walking out in a towel. And my demeanor changes. Because this is what she needs.
"Drop your towel."
"What-"
"Now." I growl.
Her eyes widen, "Ok." And she does.
"Come here and turn around."
She walks over and faces away from me. I pick up a leather collar from the bench and put it around her neck, buckling it tight enough to feel uncomfortable when she swallows.
"Hands." I say as I take another piece of leather and attach it to the collar to follow her spine down to about hip level. She holds her hands behind her and I pick up a cuff to wrap around her wrist.
"What are y-"
"No questions." I interrupt. "Just follow instructions tonight."
"Yes, sir." She says with not a little attitude in her tone.
A quick swat on her right cheek produces a yelp and, "sorry, sir."
"Mmmhmmm." I attach the second cuff and then hook them into the strip of leather following her spine.
"Kneel. Let me look at you."
She does, a little unsteady due to the wine and her hands behind her back.
