Some months ago, on an online news site that I read, the sex and relationship therapist who runs an advice column there had been sent a question from a young lady. The woman started off by stating that she was madly in love with their boyfriend of 6 years, and that he was someone with whom she wanted to spend the rest of her life with, they were talking about marriage and plans for their future together. The issue she had was that she had met her boyfriend when she was only 17 and he was 21. She didn't have much experience, and wanted to have one last period of time where both she, and by extension he, could see and sleep with other people. She was hoping for a 6 month grace period prior to the wedding.
The therapist naturally approached this as objectively as she could. She asked some pertinent questions in her response, such as will you still remain together during this time, will the other person have veto power over someone you want to see, what will you do if someone gets upset. She advised a cautious approach, especially taking a previously monogamous relationship to an open one, and finished off with the statement that "The grass is not always greener."
As I read this, and was pondering whether to actually commence writing on LE, I thought that this was a great concept for a story, and it has been bubbling away ever since. So as I lie in bed with covid, and I write these stories, I finally decided to try and knock out this one as well.
If you are interested in the actual, real-world column, google:
McKimmie woman's sex request before wedding
and you should find it.
----------------------------
Hope had been nervous for weeks leading to this point. She was sure with all of her heart that she wanted to be with Michel for the rest of her years, he was her soul mate, her lover, her best friend and her world. He was also her confidant, in all things but one, but this evening, that was about to change.
She had spoken to nobody about the one thing she had kept from Michel, not even her mother, with whom she shared everything, not even her girlfriends who she had grown up with and first talked about boys and dreams. The only caveat was more a technicality; she had sent a question to a well-known couples and sex therapist that ran a relationship column for the local newspaper. The advice she had received back after it was finally published, she saw as cautiously optimistic though fraught. Hope had read and re-read the response numerous times, and as their wedding approached, she had determined that it was now or never.
Michel would understand, and this would prove their love for each other, strengthen their connection, and help bind them together in partnership for the rest of their lives.
She steeled herself and confirmed within her own mind and heart that tonight was going to be the night, it had to be. She had spared no detail. This had to be perfect.
Hope had met the tall, athletic and devilishly handsome Michel when she was only seventeen. He was older at 21, and a friend of her cousin. She had been instantly drawn to him, and suddenly the corny concept of love at first sight, didn't seem so corny anymore.
It was she who chased him, though the chase didn't last long. Hope was beautiful, alluring and had a wonderful personality to go with it. Michel didn't stand a chance, and truth be told, he didn't want to. He was deliriously happy to have been ensnared by this angelic creature, to have his heart pierced with her Cupid's arrow.
Theirs had been a whirlwind romance, even though she initially lied to him. She had told Michel that she was twenty, fearful as she was that her age would turn him off. It was a lie she hated having to tell, but not one that she regretted as the goal of capturing him was well worth it. Only when her milestone eighteenth birthday was approaching, had he discovered her duplicity. By then however, he was enthralled by her golden locks, elfin-like beauty and petite but long limbed body. He also found her to be one of the sweetest people he had ever met, and other than the lie about her age, she seemed to be honest, upfront and genuine in everything she did.
Six years later, he had proposed and to his great joy, she had accepted, sealing the promise of forever with a night of unbridled, passionate sex that left him unable to walk properly the next day. Hope was happier than at any other moment in her life, they had been discussing where they would live, what they would do, and when they would have children. It was as if they were building their future virtually, in a dream of enduring love, friendship and faithfulness. Hope's life was perfect, all for one thing. That one little question she had in the back of her mind. The one reservation that was to be discussed tonight.
It had to be perfect.
For his part, Michel Corbin worked at a local high school as a PE and English teacher, recently being appointed as an assistant principal for Year 8. His star was rising and he had designs on eventually becoming a principal himself. Having the love of a beautiful woman who had agreed to be his wife was the icing on the cake in his otherwise wonderful world.
His mind however, had recently become clouded, even with a heart full of love for his betrothed. Hope had been in a strange mood of late, and whilst he wasn't overly concerned for her, or them, he wanted to do something special for the woman he loved. He had planned for a romantic getaway for the coming weekend, and now with the bookings confirmed at a beautiful little bed & breakfast in the Hunter Valley, he was ecstatic. He could barely conceal the excitement that he felt. He was going to surprise her this evening, and hopefully to have some wonderful love making afterwards.
After the almost hour long trip from work to his home, he bounded up the stairs to their rented apartment. He had a dozen red roses and a bottle of Hope's favourite, MoΓ«t & Chandon Brut ImpΓ©rial Champagne. It was usually reserved for special occasions, but Michel felt that tonight was special, he wanted it to be special, he wanted to wow her, amaze her, and alleviate any lingering concerns, doubts or issues she may have had. He knew that she loved him, as he did her, this was merely to be a reaffirmation of that love, as they looked forward to building their life together.
As he entered the apartment however, it was he who was surprised. Hope had set numerous candles about the apartment, and with them lit and the lights dimmed, it cast the place into a beautiful and elegant yet strangely ethereal ambience. The small glass dining table was set for a romantic dinner, with the beautiful pewter candlesticks that had been gifted by his Aunt Gemma, in pride of place in the centre. The smells coming from the kitchen were divine. He smiled. Hope was clearly making an effort, which meant one of two things. She wanted something, or she wanted him. Even her wanting something usually ended with the latter. He smiled wickedly and felt his crotch twitch and harden slightly with anticipation.
"Hi sweetheart," she cooed as he entered. She was in the kitchen, wearing a sexy little off the shoulder yellow dress that he loved. It was scandalously short, showing the rounded curve of her bottom when she bent over. The twitch and hardness grew.
He silently dropped to a knee, in a genuflecting pose, as he proffered his lady the gifts he had bought her. Hope howled with delight and genuine affection as she accepted the flowers and champagne, both were her favourites and set her heart aflutter that he could be so debonair, so romantic. She placed them both on the bench carefully, as she dragged her man up to his feet, smothering his face in hot, wet kisses, leaving a trail of bright red lipstick in her train.