The Predicament (The Proposition #3.5) (6 page)

“Oh my,” Emma murmured.

“Thank you for that,” Casey said.

With a laugh, Megan replied, “You’re welcome.”

When both Casey and Megan looked to Emma, her face turned blood red. “Do I really have to?”

“Yes,” they both answered in unison.

Staring down at her hands, Emma practically whispered, “Once when Aidan was going down on me, I fell asleep. He didn’t realize it until he heard me snoring.”

Casey busted out laughing at the absurdity of hearing a repeat of the story that haunted Aidan. When she continued to laugh, Emma straightened her shoulders in a huff. “Well, I don’t think it’s
that
funny.”

After wiping her eyes, Casey said, “No, it’s not. It’s more the fact that Aidan told me the same story last night.”

Emma gasped. “He did?”

Casey nodded. “He was trying to make me feel better. You know, like a ‘We’ve all been there falling asleep during oral sex’ kinda thing. It surprised the hell out of me that he admitted it.”

“It surprises me, too. I mean, men have such fragile egos when it comes to sex, and while Aidan might put on a good front, he is very sensitive about his abilities as a lover and in turn, what that says about him as a man,” Emma replied.

“I might not have a dick, but trust me that I feel his pain. Sex is something I’ve always been good at.”

With a shake of her head, Megan argued, “And you
still
are. You had one slip up. It’s not a game changer in any way.”

Emma nodded. “Megan’s absolutely right. Aidan felt way worse than he needed to about what happened, and he did for a long time. Just like with you, there were outside forces at hand. I had just gone back to work after having Noah. I was emotionally and physically exhausted. It felt so good that I just got way too relaxed. But in no way did it mean that Aidan was a lousy lover—his track record over the years totally disproved that one. Just like yours does.”

“I guess you’re right.”

“No. Deep down, you know I’m right—you’re just too stubborn to admit it,” Emma teased.

Casey laughed. “Fine. You’re right, and I’m wrong.” Holding her fist triumphantly in the air, she declared rather loudly, “My name is Casey Rossi, and I’m fantastic at fucking!”

At her exclamation, a few people turned to stare in their direction. “Seriously, Casey,” Emma muttered, her face flushing crimson.

Megan and Casey merely laughed at Emma’s embarrassment. Once the people turned back around, Emma cleared her throat. “Bottom line is you just have to stop being so hard on yourself. You just had a seismic shift happen in your life. Things are never going to be the same both for the good and for the bad.”

“I know. It just doesn’t seem fair that getting something as wonderful as Olivia means having to lose something. It shouldn’t be an all or nothing thing.”

Emma shook her head. “It doesn’t. You just have to adjust a little.”

“Is that what you do now that you’re a mom?”

“Yes and no. When Noah was born, my attitude about having sex was completely different than it is now.”

“Because you just had him, rather than having Caroline, too?”

“No, it wasn’t because I was less stressed or less tired because there was just one child to care for.” Emma grinned. “Well, three if you count Aidan.”

“So if it wasn’t the kid factor, what was it?” Casey questioned.

Emma thoughtfully twirled the red and white striped straw in her cup. “Aidan and I were still newlyweds when Noah was born. I guess I felt a little pressure to make sure he was taken care of sexually. You know, considering the strength of his sex drive.”

Casey grinned. “Yes, the force is strong with that one.”

“Ew,” Megan replied, but then laughed in spite of herself.

“I guess I just felt I owed it to him, and that wasn’t a good way to feel. It also meant the sex wasn’t that great either because my heart wasn’t in it. It wasn’t long before Aidan figured out what was going on.”

“He really has come a long way in the emotions department. Like quantum leaps,” Casey mused.

Emma laughed. “I know, right? Once he confronted me and I admitted it, he really stepped up his game to make me want sex again, which was amazing. Sure there were still nights when it was just a wham, bam, quickie—”

“Once again, ew!” Megan interrupted, covering her hands with her eyes.

Casey patted Megan’s knee. “I just want you to know that I really appreciate you supporting me right now, even though it means hearing about your uncle’s sex life.”

Megan peeked through her fingers at Casey and grinned. “You’re welcome.” She then nodded at Emma. “Go on and finish.”

“Only if you’re sure.”

“I’ll be okay.”

“Anyway, since having kids, sex is something I chose to prioritize. I’m sure a lot of women wouldn’t agree with me, and that’s okay. We each have to do what is best for us and our marriages. Do I feel sexy and alluring most days we do it? Hell no. But in the end, Aidan makes me feel beautiful no matter what. And thank goodness we have better communication since Caroline was born.”

“After last night, we’re good on communicating. Now it’s just actually finding a way to bring the heat back.” Casey then turned to Megan for her input. “How did you feel when you had Mason?”

“I’m probably not a lot of help considering I was single. Overall, sex was pretty low on my to-do list.”

“Totally understandable,” Casey replied.

“But I do remember that after the insanity of the first six weeks when my hormones started evening out, I did have moments where I wanted sex.” Megan furrowed her brows. “Funny thing was it was at the most bizarre times—like during Mason’s mid-afternoon nap. I’d be watching television and see some sexy as hell guy, and suddenly I was hot. In that moment, I would have jumped the next available penis that walked by my house—even if it was the ancient Mr. McMurray across the street.”

Casey snorted at the thought. She had had the pleasure of meeting the decrepit neighbor at Mason’s baptism party. “Man, post pregnancy hormones are a bitch, aren’t they?”

“Here, here,” Megan said, raising her cup in a toast while Emma nodded vehemently in agreement.

“So we know how you feel about the situation, but you never told us exactly what Nate said?” Emma questioned.

Casey huffed out a defeated breath. “You know Nate. He’s honorable and chivalrous to a fucking fault.”

Emma nudged Casey’s knee. “You say that like those are bad attributes for him to have.”

“I just meant that I wished he’d gotten pissed off at me, rather than being so understanding.”

“What happened when you got back home?” Megan asked.

“We had a long talk about the crazy shit I’ve been feeling about our sex life. Of course, he doesn’t seem to think things are as bad as I do, but then again, I’ve always been more sexual than he has.”

Megan took a thoughtful swig of her drink. “It sounds like you’re missing more than just the physical act of sex.”

“Trust me, I’ve been pretty horny,” Casey argued.

“And you’re getting satisfied physically with the sex, right? Like you come?” Megan questioned.

Casey nodded. “Always.”

“If you’re having a release, then your physical needs are being met. There’s something deeper going on.”

“Interesting.”

“It’s like you’re searching for the emotional connection you’ve found through being physical with Nate.”

Pondering what Megan said, Casey replied, “Hmm, I can see what you mean.”

“Have you ever tried Tantric sex?” Megan asked.

“That weird marathon sex shit Sting and his wife do?”

Megan laughed. “Yes and no. It’s probably well-known because of them, but there’s so much more to Tantric. It’s about connecting on an emotional level before you even touch each other physically. Then when you do come together, it just heightens every feeling.”

Casey gave Megan an amused smile. “I see the good doctor is really packing the punches in the bedroom.”

“Trust me. Pesh could be the poster boy for watch out for the quiet ones.” Closing her eyes in exaggerated bliss, she added, “Tantric sex really is amazing. There’s something about the withholding that makes it sizzle in the end.”

“Sounds like something worth trying,” Casey said.

“It’s not for everyone, and it’s not something you can just halfway do. So you need to make sure you have an afternoon or evening to devote to it.”

Wrinkling her nose, Casey said, “That’s going to be a little tough with Olivia.”

Emma shook her head. “No, it’s not.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Because I’m going to take her for you.”

Casey widened her eyes in shock. “You are?”

“Of course.”

“While I really appreciate the sentiment, I can’t ask you to do that.”

“Why not?”

“Because you have enough on your plate with your own two kids.”

Emma rolled her eyes. “Like Olivia would be so much trouble that I couldn’t handle her.”

As much as she wanted to say yes, she hated to take advantage of Emma’s kindness, and in turn, Aidan’s. They’d both been so good to her about what had happened.

Sensing Casey’s hesitation, Emma said, “How about this? I take Olivia for one day, and then you can take mine to give me and Aidan some alone time?”

“I like that idea a lot,” Casey replied.

Emma laughed. “I’m not sure why considering you’re getting the short end of the stick considering I have two kids to your one.”

Before Casey could argue, Megan said, “How about I help you out the day you have Noah and Caroline? We can pool our resources. Mason is great at entertaining Noah.”

Casey smiled. “Sounds like a plan.”

“Good deal.” Megan then glanced at her phone. “I gotta get back to work.”

“Yeah, I need to get to work,” Casey said.

“Feel better?” Emma asked.

“Tons.”

“I’m glad.”

“I can’t thank you guys enough for talking me down from the ledge,” Casey said.

“That’s what friends are for,” Emma replied as Megan nodded in agreement.

“Will you be around to answer any Tantric questions I have?” Casey asked Megan.

“Of course. Anything you need.”

“Thanks.”

As Casey started for the door, she felt a renewed sense of purpose in her step. She had a plan to recapture her bedroom heat, and it started with getting her Tantric freak on.

Five days after her emergency girl’s summit with Emma and Megan, Casey stood in the middle of her bedroom ready to execute the next step of her seduction plan. Gazing around the room, she eyed the work she had done with a critical eye. She had spent her last several lunch breaks pouring over some of the Tantric sex books that Megan had recommended. She had highlighted and studied the parts on the importance of breathing. While making mental notes about some of the suggested positions, she tried to envision the ones Nate would feel the most comfortable in, but also the ones that wouldn’t make her feel like a tremendous fat ass.

She had also learned that one of the biggest steps was to transform their bedroom into a “sacred spot for lovemaking”. Apparently to achieve such sacredness one need not hire a Hindu priest for a blessing. Instead, she merely needed to add some fresh flowers, light some scented candles, and break out the long forgotten pair of silk sheets. She had also stocked up on some aromatherapy oils. She was ready and willing to take out all the stops to ensure her afternoon was a success.