Spiced It Up
By JavaBlack
I want to thank my editor, Newel Post for their invaluable assistance, and stev2244 for giving me a pre-post read.
Helen Johnson lay back on her bed, coming down from her orgasm. Her husband Charles was already asleep, gently snoring.
Despite Charles' skilled love-making, she felt a bit of unease, like they were in a rut. While she hadn't gathered the nerve to discuss it with Charles, she thought he might be feeling something too. He had been buying her flowers for no special reason and arranging date nights, but it still felt like the "same old, same old."
She was sitting at a table on The Anchor's patio staring at her glass of wine, when her friend Natalie Kaufmann came over and sat down opposite her.
Natalie couldn't help noticing her friend's morose mood.
"What's the matter?" she said. "You look like your dog died."
"Oh, I don't know. I feel a little guilty. Some people have real problems, mine seems so selfish in comparison."
"Problems? What kind of problems are you having? Charles isn't cheating, is he?"
"Oh, heavens no. It's our sex life."
"What do you mean? Is Charles having... issues?"
"No, he's able to do the job, and does it well."
"I'm confused. So, what's the problem?"
"I don't know. It just feels like we're in a rut. Every time, it's maybe not exactly the same, more like variations on a theme. Some making out, he'll go down on me for two or three orgasms, then we'll fuck until we both come."
"So, what's the problem?"
"Yeah, I know what you mean. First World Problem, right? I don't know, it just feels like there should be 'more.' I think Charles may feel it, too. He gets me flowers even when there's no occasion, arranges special date nights."
"Jesus, you do have troubles."
"I know, I know. I should count my blessings, and I do, but I can't help how I feel."
"You know what you need? You need a Girls' Night Out."
"I don't want to cheat on Charles."
"Who said anything about cheating? We go out for dinner and gossip, go to a club for drinks and dancing..."
"I don't know..."
"If you're nervous, ask Charles. I know he trusts you, I'll bet that he'll tell you to go for it."
"I'll think about it and let you know."
"That's all I ask; I'll wait for your call."
With that, they drained their glasses, exchanged air kisses and were on their way, Helen wondering what she might have gotten herself into.
From Charles' viewpoint, it was strange. They weren't fighting or anything, and they loved each other to death, but the bedroom was like a black hole, it just sucked the spontaneity out of them. He tried everything he could think of, but nothing worked.
He'd ask her what the problem was, but she'd always say, "Nothing," but he knew that when a woman says, "Nothing," it's something.
Charles was happy to see Helen come through the door at a reasonable hour. He stood up to give her a hug and a kiss, but sensed that she was nervous.
"What's the matter, Honey? You didn't put another dent in the car?" he said with a smile.
"No, no, nothing like that. I met up with Natalie this afternoon, and she suggested we get some of the girls together, go out for dinner, maybe hit a club for a couple of drinks and some dancing."
"Oh, you mean a Girls' Night Out."
"You've heard of them?"
"Of course. Who hasn't, they're pretty common."
"You're not worried about the stories?"
Charles laughed. "While I'm sure it happens, I'll bet most are just urban legends. Besides, I trust you. You trust me when I go out with the guys, right?"
"Yes, but it's different."
"Different? How?"
"Women are there to get picked up, men to pick up women, and I know that you'd never do that."
"And you would?"
"No, of course not! Oh, you're confusing me."
"Listen, I trust you to go out with your friends. If you don't trust yourself, we have a whole 'nother problem."
Helen was quiet for a few moments.
"Okay, Honey, you've convinced me. I'll do it, and I promise to be good."
Charles smiled. "You do that, I'll find something to keep myself amused."
Natalie arranged the GNO for the following Wednesday, and Helen came down the stairs in a relatively modest LBD, with her makeup tastefully applied.
"How do I look?" she asked.
"Like maybe I should reconsider letting you go," Charles said, but when Helen started to tear up, he ran over and put his arm around her.
"I'm kidding, Honey, you look wonderful, you'll be fine."
She'd just finished dabbing the tears from her eyes when Natalie announced her arrival honking her horn.
She didn't want to mess up her make-up, so gave Charles a kiss on the cheek, and ran out with a smile and a wave.