Danny could hear his girlfriend Kayla in the next room laughing. He was trying to concentrate on work, but every time he turned his attention back to the laptop screen he was interrupted by sudden bouts of raucous laughter on the other side of the wall. They were both working from home, and Kayla was in their bedroom on a video call. More laughter. Irritated, Danny checked the time. Five thirty. He closed the laptop's screen with a slap and gave up his attempt to work for the day.
He felt wound up and took a few moments to stand and stretch his legs. Work was stressful and to top it off he was frustrated. The first time it had happened, Kayla had made cute cooing noises and tried not to make a big thing of it, but the second time had felt like the start of a pattern. Finding putty where wood should have been had added to his stress levels which in turn just seemed to make his problem worse. It was a vicious cycle, and he hadn't been able to perform in the bedroom for a few weeks now.
He made his way to the bedroom now, propping himself up against the door frame watching his girlfriend deep in a one-sided conversation, ear buds in. Kayla was twenty-two, small with an innocent doll-like face, her dark hair flowing down to her slim waist and a bubbly personality that made her good fun to be around. She was currently sitting cross-legged on the middle of the bed in a tight white t-shirt on top of tight athletic leggings that showed off her toned thighs and the delicious curve of her bottom. Her face lit up in delight, reacting to whoever was on the screen. Danny felt a spike of lust but maddeningly nothing more than a twitch in his trousers. It was bad enough to feel this frustrated without letting his eyes trace the contours of Kayla's supple body. She noticed him in the doorway and beckoned him in.
"Hey!" she said, "come sit down."
"Aren't you working?" Danny replied, plopping down next to her on the bed.
"Not any more, I'm just catching up."
Jade. Danny could see her on the screen. He hesitated, and then waved uncertainly.
Kayla continued smoothly, taking into her mic, "Anyways, gotta go. How about you come round soon? It would be great to catch up in real life for a change."
Jade's mouth moved, but Danny couldn't hear the sounds.
"Sure," said Kayla, "Sounds like a plan."
Jade waved and Kayla shut off the call. She closed her laptop and put it on the bedside table, turning to her boyfriend.
"All done for the day?" Kayla asked.
"Done as it's getting," Danny replied, despondently.
Kayla wrinkled her nose in a way that he always found irresistible. "Aw babe, don't let it get you down." She leaned in and delivered a quick kiss.
Danny exhaled.
"Hey babe, I meant to tell you. I've been doing some thinking."
"Uh-huh?" Danny replied, his mind elsewhere.
"Yeah, I thought since we spend so much time at home together, I want to get some new furniture. So I'm gonna get an armchair." She smiled sweetly, her eyes wide with excitement.
Danny tried to sound enthusiastic, "Um. Ok. When's it arriving?" he asked.
Kayla leaned forward and wrapped her arms around his neck before delivering a longer, lingering kiss.
"Soon. It's still being crafted. It's taken weeks to prepare."
She pulled back and frowned. "Are you okay?" she asked, "Really?"
Danny grimaced but didn't say anything. He could see the concern in Kayla's pretty face.
"Still worrying about...?" and she looked down at his crotch.
At this, Danny moaned and flopped onto his back on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. Kayla snuggled up next to him. He sensed that she had something to say. He hoped it wasn't more encouragement; that hadn't helped in the slightest.
"C'mon then," he said at last. "Spit it out."
"Well, I had an idea that might help," she replied, then added, "If you wanted to give it a try."
Danny felt the irritation rise in him again. He gave Kayla a thumbs-up sign, sarcastically. "Sure," he said, "Up for anything."
Kayla swung her leg over Danny's torso to straddle him. Her demeanour had changed; she had become more intense.
"Ok," she began, hesitantly, "So. You remember my second year Uni, I was doing those modules on psychology and psychiatry?"
Danny nodded. They had met at Uni where he had studied Engineering and she had taken a Social Sciences degree. He vaguely recalled that she had taken some elective subjects back then.
"Do you remember we did a course on hypnotherapy?" said Kayla. "A clinical hypnotherapist came in and took us through the theory. And..."
"And you think I should go and see a head shrink?" Danny finished.
Kayla looked at him for a moment, her hand gently stroking his chest through his t-shirt. He was conscious of her frame perched on him, her perfect thighs around his waist, enjoying the feel of her caress. Her voice became soft, silky.
"I was thinking maybe I should give it a try on you," she said, shyly, "It might help."
The revelation was entirely unexpected, and Danny's expression showed Kayla his reluctance.
She bent forward, face just inches from his. Her eyes were beautiful and filled with concern.
"I've never done it before but... it might help," she repeated. Kayla waited and the silence lengthened between them. Her hand moved up his chest to circle the back of his neck. She rubbed a finger gently up and down the nape of his neck and he felt himself relent.
