"Mom, we have to go!"
Alice sighed and grabbed the last handful of socks. She wrenched her husband Ben's drawer open and stuffed the socks in. Of course it wouldn't shut. Trying to contain her impatience, she pushed some of Ben's underwear out of the way to make room. Her hand touched something and she froze. Slowly she pulled what felt like lacy fabric out from underneath Ben's underwear, although there was no real need to look at it; she knew the feel. Nevertheless, she pulled out the flimsy red chemise. Her throat felt constricted and her mouth had suddenly gone dry. What was Ben doing with ladies lingerie in his underwear drawer?
"Mom!" Daisy shouted from the hallway, her face pinched with worry. "I'm going to be late."
Alice shoved the chemise back in the drawer, underneath the underwear. She took a deep breath and plastered a smile on her face before returning to her daughter.
"Coming, sweetie. Why don't you put on your coat and then we can go."
Alice's heart raced and she felt lightheaded. She never thought Ben would be the type to cheat on her, but what other explanation was there for that lacy piece of nothingness? She pushed the thought away. Now was not the time to think about this. She needed to get Daisy and Sarah to school. After that she could dwell on the unpleasantness of her discovery.
The drive to school was quick and uneventful. If her daughters noticed her mood, they didn't comment on it. Alice tried not to let despair overtake her, but it was only by sheer force of will that she kept the panic at bay. As luck would have it, she got caught up in traffic on her way back from the elementary school. Which gave her plenty of time to let her mind dwell on what she could scarcely believe.
How could Ben cheat on her? She tried to think whether she had missed some obvious signals. Ben worked a lot, sure, but there were no suspicious late night meetings. None that she had thought suspicious anyway. There were also no mysterious calls to the house, or to Ben's cell phone as far as she had noticed. But would she have noticed? They had both been so busy the last few years. Ever since both girls had started school, they were constantly driving one or the other to music practice or ballet or soccer. Ben did work a lot, and when he got home he was always tired. And if Alice was honest with herself, sex had not really been on the agenda much lately.
Come to think of it, when had they last had sex? It was before Carrie and Jane's anniversary party, which was at least a few weeks ago. Surely not longer than that? Alice tried to think back and found to her horror that it had, in fact, been four months. Her heart sank further into her stomach and she felt like she was going to be sick. How could four months go by without sex? She used to love dressing up for Ben, performing a seductive strip tease and driving him wild. She couldn't remember the last time they had actually put any effort towards their sex life. The last time had been a quickie; they had both been tired but had wanted to take advantage of the fact that the kids weren't home.
Alice turned into the driveway and stopped the car. Was it really any wonder that Ben had started to look for some excitement elsewhere? He could have told her he was dissatisfied. She would have understood and made more of an effort. It wasn't like Ben had initiated sex, either. She shook her head. No, it was not her fault that Ben cheated on her. She was not going to give him that excuse.
With a heavy heart she pulled out her phone. She would have to get her sister Sophie to look after the kids tonight. She would need to confront Ben and she didn't want to do that when the kids were present. The fall out would be hard enough for them, she didn't want them to witness the initial confrontation.
Sophie picked up on the first ring. "Alice, long time..."
Alice forced her voice to be cheerful. "Sorry, Sophie, I know. I have a favour to ask. Would you be able to have the kids over tonight?"
Sophie laughed. "Sure, why not. Bit last minute though, do you and Ben have exciting plans?"
Alice winced at the innuendo in Sophie's words. "Something like that. Look, can I drop them off right after school?"
"No problem. Have fun."
With a heavy heart Alice disconnected the call and left the car.
***
Alice busied herself and packed the girls' bags. She placed their bags by the front door and headed back to the threshold of their marital bedroom. Taking a deep breath, she entered and opened the offending drawer. The red lace was peeking out from underneath her husband's underwear and with a sickening feeling in her stomach, she picked it up. She held it out as if it was contaminated and scrutinised the flimsy material. It was a beautiful garment, something that Ben would have picked out for her years ago when they still played dress up in the bedroom. Come to think if it, it was very similar to one Ben had given her ages ago. Alice could feel the bile rise in her throat. How dare he buy a similar chemise for his lover?
She threw the lingerie on the bed and opened her own underwear drawer. She just wanted to compare the two, see whether Ben had bought his lover a nicer, better quality one. She opened the silk box where the similar one was kept and gasped. It was empty. Her scalp pricked and hope started to dawn in her heart. She picked up the red chemise again and turned it over in her hands. She put it to her nose and inhaled the familiar scent of her own perfume.
Relief washed over her like a tidal wave. She didn't know whether to laugh or cry and in the end she did both. Ben wasn't cheating on her, he had stolen her lingerie for himself. She didn't want to dwell on the reasons why he had shoved it so unceremoniously in his own underwear drawer; it didn't matter. She had been right about him: he hadn't cheated on her. She reached for her phone to call Sophie to cancel the kids' sleepover, but stopped just in time. She could make use of the kid-free evening and make it a special one. She could dress up like old times and give Ben an evening to remember. Her pulse quickened and she felt something she hadn't felt in a long time: excitement.
***
The kids were all too happy for a sleepover at Aunt Sophie's place. Sophie winked at Alice when she dropped the kids off, and Alice grinned back. Now that the issue of the chemise had been cleared up, she felt like she was walking on a cloud. It didn't bother her at all that Sophie knew exactly what she was planning tonight.
It had been a long time since Alice had really taken care of herself. There were still a good couple of hours until Ben came home, so she started by taking a bath. It felt strange walking around the house naked--strange and exhilarating. Thinking about all the devious ways in which she would pleasure Ben tonight--and all the ways in which he would bring her to orgasm--made her giddy. She could feel a tug in her lower abdomen, a low throb that gradually spread lower. She was getting wet just thinking about presenting herself to Ben in the red lace.
The bath was hot and relaxing, a real luxury she never really indulged in anymore. Lying back in the fragrant water, Alice cleared her mind of all worries. The scare of this morning seemed so laughable now. The prospect of a sexy evening with her hunky husband filled her with joy. And also, if she was honest with herself, lust. It had been a long time since she had really lusted after Ben. But it wasn't hard to get in the mood. Ben still had what it took to get her aroused. He wasn't the fittest anymore, but his stomach was still flat and the perpetual stubble on his strong, square jaw was enough to make her weak-kneed.
The dull throb between her thighs had intensified to an ache and Alice was tempted to seek a bit of relief. Her hands strayed to her pussy, ready for a quick rub, but she stopped herself in time. No, it would be better to wait, to let her arousal reach impossible heights. Her orgasm would be so much the better for it.
She lifted the razor from the side of the tub and shaved her armpits and legs. After a moment's hesitation, she also shaved her pussy. It was something she used to do before the kids were born and Ben always loved it. She did too - his tongue on her bare, exposed cunt would drive her crazy. She dwelt on that thought a bit longer, her nipples erect with arousal despite the heat of the bath. By the time she got out of the bath her thighs were slick with more than just bathwater.
In the bedroom she looked at herself in the mirror. She wasn't young anymore and her body bore testimony of the two children she had born. But she still looked good. Pulling the chemise over her head she winced at how tight it was around her chest, but it flowed easily over her stomach, stopping just at the top of her thighs. The effect was alluring: her boobs threatened to spill out of the small bust and the shadow between her thighs hinted at hidden delights. She quickly applied some make-up: mascara, some concealer and a bold red lipstick. Throwing one last look at the mirror she smiled. Ben wouldn't be able to believe his eyes when he saw the sensual, voluptuous woman his wife had transformed into. The finishing touch was a pair of red stiletto heels, which she used to be able to walk in without problems. Now she felt like she was teetering, but it didn't matter. She wouldn't have to walk far in them.
***
Sooner than she expected, Alice heard the key in the lock. She had dimmed the lights in the house, keeping the kitchen dark, so Ben would be drawn to the living room. There the light was atmospheric, but a bit brighter. She wanted him to get the full effect of her outfit. She was seated on the high, slightly uncomfortable chair in the living room. Leaning back with her legs slightly spread, the message was clear: I'm hot and ready.
"Alice? Kids?"
Alice stifled a giggle hearing the confusion in Ben's voice. She heard his footsteps approach the living room and her mouth went dry. She was suddenly riddled with doubt. What if he'd had a bad day at the office? What if he wasn't in the mood? What if he laughed at her? But she didn't move. She was committed to see this through.
"Why is it so dark in here?" Ben entered the living room, but he had not noticed her yet. "Where is everyone?"
He caught sight of her then and stopped dead in his track. The briefcase which he was holding fell to the floor with a thump.
"Alice."
