Chapter 2 - Misstep of Love
At last, Emily's birthday dawned. She stepped into the shower, the sound of water drowning out the sound of the radio still blaring in the bedroom. The steam wrapped round her, carrying away her dreams and leaving her refreshed for the day ahead. Her mind wandered to thoughts of Mark and the day they had planned. Despite it being a working day, she knew Mark had made plans to take her out in the evening, and with a child-like glee she had looked forward to celebrating her 30th birthday for weeks.
She dressed for work and pattered down the stairs, her footsteps light. The smell of pancakes filled the air, and she smiled as she saw Mark still in his dressing gown standing at the cooker. He was focused on perfecting the breakfast and hadn't heard her come downstairs, and Emily experienced the simple joy of sneaking up behind her husband.
Mark jumped when he felt her hands around his waist, but his face lit up when he turned to face her with a batter-covered spatula in his hand. His kiss was warm. "Happy Birthday," he said, the love in his eyes obvious. Emily's heart swelled with happiness; this was the life she cherished.
Presents were artfully displayed on the breakfast bar. Among them, a flat box embossed with the logo of a local jewellery shop stood out. It was one of Emily's favourite places, and she would often linger by the window to admire the beautiful pieces on display. She clapped her fingertips together and made a beeline for the box to open it up. The label simply said "Emily, my love". Beneath the lid, a silver bracelet sat nestled in tissue paper. Its delicate elegance was striking -- slipping it onto her wrist, she felt a surge of gratitude for the man who stood before her. She unwrapped the other gifts from friends and family, but nothing could hold a candle to the bracelet. She kept looking down at it, loving the way it curved around her arm, the tiny clasp at the back, and the perfect patterned etchings running along its length.
Breakfast was filled with light conversation and laughter. They demolished the pancakes in short time, and soon it was time to leave for work. Emily approached Mark, her hands finding their way under his dressing gown where she playfully brushed her fingers over his groin. Her touch was familiar, and Mark felt a surge of desire for her. Their kiss was brief but enthusiastic, a hint of the passion that would come later. "See you later, hubbie," she smiled, with a raise of a single eyebrow. The subtle dip of her head as she spoke revealed everything to Mark, the silent language that they both knew well. Mark's heart raced at the unspoken promise of sex later that night.
As Emily drove to work, she glanced at the bracelet on her wrist and her thoughts lingered on Mark, on the life they had built together, and on the evening they would spend together. She knew he would have planned something special for later -- she'd never met such a thoughtful and genuine man as Mark, and she loved him with her whole being.
Mark, meanwhile, stood at the kitchen sink, his hands deep in foamy water as he plotted his approach. A hint of nervous excitement made him switch from foot to foot as he washed the dishes, his anticipation about how Emily might respond making him anxious about the evening to come. His day was spent with a deeply divided attention. His home office, usually a haven of concentration and productivity, felt different today. His legal documents and case files seemed to fade into the background, and it was hard to concentrate on much at all.
After a few hours he gave up on work and fetched the chastity cage from his sock draw. This final gift for Emily remained unwrapped. Mark still wrestled with the decision, wanting to introduce his hidden desire for a female-led dynamic without causing any discomfort or misunderstanding. The balance was delicate, and he knew it. The idea of presenting it as a light-hearted joke seemed like the safest approach. It allowed him an escape route, a way to gauge Emily's reaction without fully exposing his vulnerability. If she showed any sign of disapproval or discomfort, he could quickly dismiss it as a playful, albeit quirky, birthday surprise. He took one last look at it before closing it away, and wrapping the box in silver paper.
Mark's hands were slightly unsteady as he placed the wrapped wooden box on Emily's pillow. The beautiful exterior of the box camouflaged the unconventional gift inside. His heart raced with a mixture of fear and excitement. Would Emily sense the sincerity of his desire? Would she be cross, embarrassed, horrified...? The uncertainty was unnerving.
