My torrid affair with Derrick continued for over a year. So far as I knew, he was exclusive with me as I was with him. He was both my stud and my tender, sensitive, and affectionate lover β and these qualities satisfied me in the main. I qualify that because during that time it became increasingly clear that my dear husband James had discovered that he did in fact have a sexuality. While not fully understanding his enjoyment of the photos of me, I saw to it that his 'album' was regularly updated with erotic photos. And if I missed more than a week or two, the album would appear on my nightstand β a clear indication that he wanted me to provide more visuals to stir his newfound desires. I was always glad to accommodate him and saw to it that Andrew would photograph me alone or with Derrick. Andrew actually had quite well developed visual sensibilities and an erotic appreciation for my body. He photographed me often, in many venues, with Derrick and alone. I of course knew that he wanted me but I was for the time unwilling to revisit our sexual connection. I was trying hard to be monogamous. But I thought about him β often. Andrew was so imaginative in suggesting different venues and poses when he photographed me alone. Though I loved Derrick, it never failed to excite me to make love to Andrew's camera. Yes, I still had an itch for him. Can you blame me? Derrick was a beautiful, black man and I was the envy of every woman at the gym who knew that he was my lover. And he was absolutely gorgeous and satisfied me sexually and emotionally. But I grew restless...and Andrew was increasingly on my mind. I knew that as Don had guided me years before in discovering my sexuality, Andrew could take me to new and exciting places. I simply had to allow him, but I was not quite ready.
And James grew bolder in time. He finally worked up the nerve one evening to discuss the 'album' with me and to share his deeper desires. Our children were with my parents one Friday evening and we were relaxing on the patio with drinks after work. James and I always enjoyed such quiet times together. But I could tell something was on his mind, so I reached over and touched his hand, to let him know that I loved him and knew he wanted to talk. He always appreciated my show of caring.
"What's on your mind, sweetie?" I asked as I lightly held his hand in mine.
James struggled as he always did to find words to express his deeper feelings but finally looked at me, took a deep breath, and just shared his thoughts.
"I've enjoyed looking at the photos of you with Derrick." He seemed embarrassed but my touch told him that it was all fine. "I guess you know that."
"Yes, I do. I hope that what I've shared with you hasn't been too much."
"No, it's been wonderful. It excites me to see you β well, you know, that way. Thank you for all of the photos. They're...well, I don't know how to put it, but it makes me glad to be your husband."
I melted with love for James. "I wouldn't want any other man as my husband. You're the love of my life." He seemed very pleased, as he knew that I meant it.
"May I ask you a question?"
"Of course you may!"
"Who took all those photos of you with Derrick?"
James had obviously been thinking about that pointed question for a long time. And I had never been anything other than honest with him, so I answered him honestly. "He's another trainer at the gym. His name is Andrew."
"Have you been with him?" His eyes could not meet mine. And I wanted him to do just that. I hesitated for just a moment.
"Yes, I have." And then I told him more. "He's the one who has taken the pictures of me by myself."
"Are you still sleeping with him?"
"No. I'm only sleeping with Derrick now."
"Well, I don't understand then. Does Derrick know that Andrew is seeing you naked like that? Doesn't it bother him?" James looked thoughtful and then continued, "Do you still want Andrew?"
And to that I had no answer. I really didn't, for Derrick didn't know. I was trapped. But I had never lied to James before and I wasn't going to start now.
"Yes, I still want Andrew." I felt awful and sluttish. James had quickly found my dark secret β which shouldn't have surprised me as he knew and loved me so well.
"Then why do you not have sex with him?" I had no answer. I knew in an instant that I did in fact want to have sex with Andrew. I looked at James with such love, wondering how I had ever been so lucky to find a man who knew me so well. He patted my hand and continued. "I can tell from his photographs that he is totally taken with you and 'gets' you. I knew someone was. And I knew that it wasn't Derrick."
"How did you know?" I asked wonderingly.
James chuckled. "Intuition, I guess. You think that I am so naΓ―ve, Claire. But I'm really not. I knew before you did that you possessed an intense sexuality and that men would fall all over themselves for you. I couldn't..." and he looked away from me and dropped my hand, "give you what a man should give to the woman he loves." He took a moment to compose himself. "So, I just decided that I would learn to be okay with that. And I have, you know! I mean, you spent all of those years with Don and all and now Derrick and I don't know who else..." He started to sob. I moved to him and just held him.
"Yes, you really have," I said, "and you've been the most amazing husband and best friend to me. I love you so much!" I let him cry and just held him. Then, he wiped his eyes and showed me how truly well he knew and loved me.
"You should do what you want and be with whom you want. Forget the rules." His voice was firm and he looked me straight in the eye. "Go and live life on your own terms. Get what you want."
I was stunned β and then delighted. James knew even before I did what I wanted. And I wanted more than Derrick. I kissed him flush on the lips and didn't allow him to pull back. And then I asked him what I had wanted to know from the first day he seen the 'album'. "What do you want, James?"
His answer was immediate. "I want to see you with another man. I want to see you naked. I want to see you with Andrew β a man who desires you and is compelled by you. I want to see you with a man who is worthy of you." His eyes pleaded with me. "Is he....worthy...you know....oh god, I don't know how to say it."
"Yes," I answered," understanding. "Andrew is very 'worthy'. He's very, very well endowed, if that's what you're asking β much larger than Derrick. Is that what you mean?"
"Yes," he was relieved that I understood him. "Does he perform better than Derrick?"
I answered truthfully. "Yes, but I don't love him like I love Derrick."
"I want to see you with Andrew. I want to give you to a man who is as captivated by you as I am. Please, Claire, do this for me."
I couldn't say no. I didn't want to say no. I realized that although I loved Derrick, my love for James and my wish to please him was on a totally higher level. And I realized fundamentally that the only man whose love I required was his. It felt instantly liberating to know that my craving for Andrew was far more satisfying than the connection I had with Derrick, who, while a better boyfriend, could not truly supply me with the deeper devotion I felt for James. If I had James in my soul and Andrew between my legs, my life would be perfect.
"Yes, sweetie, very, very soon. I will make that happen." And then for the first time in his life he kissed me with abandon. And I kissed him back. When I sought to touch him between his legs, he recoiled.
"Please, don't. I'm...I'm...embarrassed by that. Please understand."
I didn't understand, not really. I would have gladly given my body to him. But he didn't want that, at least not in the way I was willing to offer him. But he did want me. He wanted me to be with Andrew. "I do understand. And I will rock your world." And he sighed deeply as I kissed him. We spent the night together in the same bed, something we almost never did. I made something of a show of myself, brazenly coming to bed naked and smelling fresh and sweet after showering. James made a show of being asleep but I knew that he had stolen glances of my body and I was so very glad that he did. I made no move to hold him as I slipped naked under the clean, fresh sheets. At first he made no movement towards me, but after a few minutes he moved next to me and wrapped his arms around my waist.
I lay very still, though I touched his hand. Then, I felt his hand touch my breasts; tentatively at first and then more assertively. It felt amazing, to at last feel my husband caressing me. I responded with a deep sigh, as it did feel nice. James was helping himself to my ample chest and as he did, I felt him move his groin next to me. I felt his erection press into my buttocks. I knew as he did so that his sex was very small indeed and that he had removed his underpants. James made no move to enter me, though certainly I would have allowed him that. He hunched me slowly and soon I felt him give a small groan and felt his diminutive cock spasm. For a man so small endowed, I was surprised at the volume of his ejaculate, which coated my ass and seeped onto the sheets. I was incredibly pleased that he had at last been sexual with me. Without a word, he rolled to his side, away from me, and slept. I did as well, seeking a nice dry spot away from the wet spot he had left behind.
I made no mention of the surprising events of the night before as we went about a pleasant Saturday with the children. It did please me that he was more physical with me, holding my hand and kissing me during the day. When we had tucked the angels into bed, we withdrew to the familiar comforts of our patio, sharing a drink and small talk. It was James who broke the ice.
"I've wanted to touch you like that for a long time, Claire. I'm sorry I got carried away."