Find a bullet, some sexy rope and get the hell out of here. I stare at the shelves before me, frozen in place. Holy crap, there must be hundreds of options. Vibrators in every shape and size. Fat ones, skinny ones, and some so big they make me squirm just looking at them. Realistic-looking phalluses in every ethnic color. Something that looks disturbingly like a dolphin with whirly things coming off the side. My God. Do they light up and sing songs too? I’m picturing Marvin Gaye singing “Let’s Get It On” between my legs.
Focus, Sidney! Right. A bullet. I browse the shelves, wincing and grimacing, and finally spot the bullet section. Not as many choices but still enough to overwhelm me. I finally choose one called “grape”—after staring at the package for five minutes trying to figure out if it’s actually grape-flavored. Final verdict: no, it’s just a gimmicky way to label the color. Then again, I’ve only been in one section of the store and learned so much. It could very well be a flavored vibrator.
An attendant appears out of nowhere and clears her throat. With a friendly smile, she asks, “Would you like to try that out?”
I can feel my eyes grow wide. My jaw drops. Suddenly I have the urge to drop the package on the floor and wash my hands.
She chuckles at my expression and clarifies. “I mean I could put batteries in it so you can feel how strong the vibration is.” When I continue to gape, she adds, “On your hand.”
Oh. That makes so much more sense. I wonder if she’d let me lick it. “Um. That’s not necessary. Thank you.”
“Okay. Can I help you find anything else?”
The exit?
No, Sidney! Finish what you came here for. Do it for Nick. “Rope?”
“What kind of rope?”
What kind of question is that? “Uh…the braided kind with two ends?”
She gives me a patronizing smile. “Well, there’s hemp rope, nylon rope, silk rope. Are you doing Shibari?”
Shibari? Isn’t that the restaurant I had sushi in last month? “Just plain, ordinary rope.”
“What will it be used for?”
I feel my face heat, and I can’t look Super Smiley Helpful Lady in the eye. “Tying…things.”
She moves into my line of vision. “Bondage?”
I nod.
“We have some restraint systems that are quicker and easier to work with. Would you like to see those?”
Whatever makes you go away. “Sure.”
Fifteen long minutes later, I walk out with an overpriced nylon piece of fabric that buckles around the mattress and has little silver hoops to attach clips to, ankle cuffs, handcuffs, and a possibly grape-flavored vibrator. Just the thought of my legs forced open wide, spread-eagled on the bed and the vibrator torturing my clit has my heart racing. What will Nick think?
As long as I don’t show him the price tags, I think he’ll be fine.
Chapter Five
When Nick comes back from his business trip, I am keen to try out all I’ve learned. He’s too tired the first day. I try not to pout. I’m thirty years old, not a toddler, I scold myself when I feel like pulling on his clothes and whining. The following day, I text him at work. The urge to send him a naughty picture is almost too strong to resist, but if his boss happened to see it, I would never forgive myself. So I go for conservative instead.
When can we “play”?
He knows I’m eager. But he’s been calm, cool, and I want to smack him.
He texts me back, and I picture him sighing tiredly. I suppose we can “play” tonight.
I snort. Don’t strain yourself.
I rush through dinner. Innuendos and flirty smiles flow out of me like a fountain of sensuality. It surprises me, and I think Nick too. He comes up behind me while I’m cooking and squeezes my butt. I feel like melting into a puddle on the floor. I hurry my chores and bedtime routine. Nick goes deliberately slow. Maybe he does have a sadistic streak. I grit my teeth and fight the urge to grab him by the collar and drag him into the bedroom.
I sigh and tell myself I’m