It had been too long for Dan. He could almost pin-point the date. His first date with Christy, eight years ago.
In the years before he met Christy, his sex life had been great. He floated between a handful of partners. Each with voracious appetites and compatible kinks, but none were great life partners. One was married. Two others only wanted something transitory while they were finishing up their graduate programs, and Dan was getting his legal practice going.
So much had been right since then. In almost every aspect the relationship with Christy was great. She was loving and supportive. They had so many common interests. So little tension and drama.
But the sex was never great. It started out fine, as far as vanilla sex goes. She was an eager partner. Loved to give oral. Was almost always in the mood. But Dan had a kinky side. Christy adamantly did not.
A couple of dates in, they were watching a movie with a scene that showed a little light bondage. She made it clear that she had no interest in anything like that. Still there was enough good even at that early stage to continue with the relationship. Who knew. As they spent time together maybe she would open up.
As the years went by though, and they crossed from their 40s into their 50s it got worse, not better. Her drive declined as his stayed the same. She had never been great at flirtation and seduction. After they moved in together, she stopped trying at all. Any hint at kink was shut down forcefully.
They went from three to four times a week with some spontaneity to a semi-scheduled Sunday afternoon rendezvous.
Christy refused all of Dan's efforts to inject excitement. She never wore anything sexy. She only dressed up, put on makeup or styled her hair if they were going out with another couple. Never to look attractive for him. She made jokes if Dan tried to light a candle or put on some mood music.
After a while, Dan started looking outside the relationship. For years, indulging in online fantasies was enough. But eventually it wasn't. He knew he didn't want the complications of a relationship. But he needed real human contact.