Immersion Playground
Book #2: Arena
Chapter 3
Saturday morning Sierra wakes up and instinctively reaches for Will, slapping the bed where his body should be. As it's been for the past month, he isn't there. She groans in frustration. A month gone, and she's still waking up expecting to find him in the bed beside her.
Will's in the Navy, based out of San Diego, and he's out on another tour. She doesn't know what Will's job is. There's none of the stupid 'If I told you, I'd have to kill you' bullshit. If asked, he always changes the subject or, if she really presses, responds with a simple 'I can't tell you.'
She doesn't love Will. Not really. And she's pretty sure he doesn't love her, not in the traditional meaning of the word, but they are companionable, and that's enough for now. It's an arrangement that seems to work for both of them. One day she'll receive a ping from him, announcing his return, and they'll spend whatever time they have together until his next departure. His deployments last anywhere from a couple of weeks to several months, and then he'll be home for a time until he leaves again. This is the third time he's left her and she's becoming tired of the uncertainty, of never knowing when he'll be back, or how long he'll stay.
She assumes he's some kind of covert-ops from the easy confidence that he has in himself and the unbelievably good shape he's in. A potent combination that she finds irresistible. If that isn't heady enough, the thing she finds most appealing is their explosive sex. Out in public he's every bit the gentleman, but at home, at night when they're alone, he's a different man. She loves his 'take charge' attitude while fucking, but she isn't going to let any man dominate her, ever, and that clash of wills has led to the most incredible sex she's ever experienced.
On their last night together, during their erotic grappling, each trying to dominate the other, they fell out of the bed and finished on the floor. Then there was the time they'd fucked in a single-person sleeping bag while camping, the bag so tight that he couldn't fully pull out. He'd thought it funny when he zipped the bag shut, claiming it was so she couldn't get away, but it was her who'd fucked him until he was begging for her to stop. She smiles at the memory of the soreness and bruising they endure from their romps, the little aches and pains so worth the pleasure they receive.
She groans again, her need for him a physical thing, her womanhood becoming wet as she remembers their times together. She'd gone out with her girlfriends last night for the express purpose of getting laid, to alleviate the craving, but none of the men pushed her buttons enough for her to allow them to get into her pants. They'd been either too cocky, too meek, or simply not physically large enough. If the guy isn't tall enough to look her straight in the eye, or he has a limp handshake, she isn't interested. It's too bad that guy she met at Immersion Playground, Rick, is married. Tall and good looking, with a nice firm handshake, he has that same easy self confidence that Will has. She wonders idly what Rick would be like in bed and if he could satisfy her like Will does. He certainly didn't seem put off by her size and strength, and she likes that.
She sits up on the edge of the bed, her night-shirt bunched about her hips, and puts her head in her hands, elbows resting on her knees.
My God, I need to get laid!
She wonders if that's the reason the offer from Immersion Playground seems so appealing. Maybe. But if she's honest, she'll admit to finding the idea appealing anyway. Another item to cross off her bucket list, fucking the shit out of a guy in a Roman coliseum. Maybe, if Will gets back in time, she'll offer him up as her co-star. Wouldn't that be the shit? She knows they can give them a show if he were with her, though he probably wouldn't do it since he won't even let her take his picture.
She debates getting up, showering, and getting on with the day, but instead goes to her dresser and pulls out her vibrator, looking at it with distaste. It works, and she's used it many times in the past, but it's a damn poor substitute for having a man giving her the hard one. Still, it beats nothing, so she takes it back to her bed, and, after shucking her shirt, makes herself comfortable. Before flicking the device on, she remembers the immersion Charlie had given her, and after thinking about it a moment, decides to try it, since it's free, and see if it's all that it's said to be.
She enters the Immersion Playground storefront and selects the only title available,
The Proposal.
The start and invite buttons appear in her mind. Sierra lingers over the invite button, wishing just for a moment she had someone she could share with, but not having anyone to invite, she selects start.
***
Sierra finds herself walking along a deserted beach with Rick. Before she gives herself over fully to the immersion she knows it's actually Giselle that is holding his hand, but she can feel his strong grip, her arm wrapping though his as she relives Giselle's experience through the immersion. As Sierra lets herself go, giving herself over fully to the immersion, she becomes Giselle, the woman deeply in love with the man she is walking with. She occasionally brushes her copper colored hair from her eyes as they stroll along, the warm, wet sand feeling delicious on her feet, an anticipation making the walk with him even more pleasurable. She finds herself stealing glances at him, admiring the strength of his body as a glow suffuses her.
Standing six foot, two inches, with dark hair, dark eyes, and a heavy build, Rick isn't ripped like a bodybuilder. His passion for tennis keeps him lean and fit, but his large arms, broad chest, and muscular legs give away his natural, easy power. They also make him look damn good in swim trunks and a loose, open shirt.
They turn away from the water's edge and head farther up onto the beach to where four torches are flickering in the wind. Below the torches is a light dinner of spiced meat, cubes of cheese, fresh fruit, and a bottle of wine. It is all beautifully presented on a large red blanket spread over the sand, the blanket held down with a large smooth stone on each corner. A wicker basket contains more of the same, along with plates, utensils, and most importantly, wine glasses for two.
"Oh, Rick, it is lovely!" she exclaims. He says nothing, settling onto the blanket and reaching for her. She curls into his waiting embrace, his chest warm to her back, his arms circling around her waist as he holds her gently to him.
She feels him move, then his lips on her neck, their touch sending a small jolt of pleasure ricocheting through her as he whispers into her ear. "I love you Giselle."
She positively purrs in pleasure, then, twisting her upper body around as much as possible, she whispers back. "I love you too." Then in a louder, more playful voice, "But before that, let's eat! I'm starved!" She pulls herself away from him and begins taking plates and glasses out of the basket, Rick laughing as he joins in to help.
The next hour is so romantic that heart melts. Oh yes, he is going to get something special tonight. They take turns feeding each other and nibbling on bites of cheese, meat, and fruit while sipping the very nice red wine. As much as she is enjoying the cheese and fruit, she is eating light to avoid feeling full; she has plans later and doesn't want to feel stuffed. They've had many lovely dinners, but never one in so romantic a location, with the ocean rolling in on the deserted beach and the lights of the California coast in the far distance.
After clearing away the dinner they lie back on the blanket. She lies on her back staring at the stars while he props on his elbow on her left, gently stroking her left breast with his free hand. The feel of his touch through her gauzy wrap and swimsuit is causing a deep and pleasant warmth to flow through her body. She closes her eyes, enjoying the spreading warmth.
"Giselle?" he asks quietly.
"Hmmm?" Sierra purrs.