The waitress leaves to get the check after we tell her, "No, thank you." to the request "How about some dessert?"
I look over at Ann. With a smile I say, "Would you like to do something a little different tonight?"
Her blue eyes narrow slightly, showing her laugh lines and she says, "Maybe. No ropes?"
"No ropes."
Her smile is a little bigger now. "No blindfold?"
"No blindfold. I know you don't like that. And no ice, I promise."
Her smile is now a knowing grin. "What will I have to do?"
"Not a thing," I say, " just enjoy."
"Tell me!"
"No. Just trust me. You'll love it."
I can see she is interested, both by the not knowing what to expect and the anticipation of what it could be. She runs her tongue around her lips and shift back and forth on her chair. Both sure signs she is getting excited.
"OK, sure," she says.
The waitress returnes and I pay for the meal. When I help Ann with her coat I make sure I run my fingers lightly over her neck. A sure erogenous zone.
We talk of nothing much on the ride home, just what two old married people talk about. The kids and their spouses, our jobs, will the car hold up much longer. Twenty-seven years of comfort and understanding.
When we get home there is a flurry of activity. Put the cat out, lock the doors, turn out the lights, make sure the coffee is ready to brew first thing in the morning.
Before long we're in the bedroom. I brush my teeth and while she's busy in the bathroom I put on some silk boxer shorts but ask her to stay dressed. Taking her into my arms, we kiss and I slowly dance her to the foot of the bed and have her kick off her shoes. While she does that I go into the spare room and get the free standing full length mirror. I place it so Ann can see herself from head to foot. I'm pleased to see she has also removed her earrings.
Standing behind her I breathe into her ear and whisper, "Watch what I'm doing, don't look at me. Look at my hands, feel what they're doing but don't watch me."
From her shoulders my hands slide up into her hair. Her eyes droop closed as I massage her scalp.
"Keep your eyes open. Watch ."
My hands come down softly across her face, across her lips, down her neck to the top of her chest. The top button of her blouse pops open and my hands slide around the outside of her breasts, back over her flat stomach, over her hips and down as far as I can reach. Then back up along her arms to her shoulders and gently massage. Ann lets out a moan and I feel some tension leave. My hands move back to the buttons and slowly open each one.