Chapter 38: 13: The Dinner Date

SHAY

“Thank you,” Shay expressed her gratitude as the waiter pulled out her chair. She offered him a polite smile as she settled into her seat, smoothing out her dress before crossing her legs and accepting the menu he handed her.

Her gaze quickly scanned the menu, landing on one of her favorite dishes. When she looked up, she found Adam’s eyes on her.

“Made up your mind?” he asked.

With a swift nod from her, Adam signaled the waiter to come over and take their orders. As he did so, Shay gave the menu another once-over, just in case there was something else that caught her fancy.

“I’ll have a glass of red wine and steak with rice,” Adam requested.

“I’ll take an iced ginger ale and the duck confit, please,” Shay added. The waiter jotted down their orders.

“Would you be interested in dessert? Our special today is a mango cream torte,” the waiter informed them.

Adam and Shay exchanged a glance, Adam raising an eyebrow in silent question.

“We’ll take one mango cream torte and…do you have a nut-free brownie with a scoop of chocolate ice cream?” Shay asked, her cravings starting to make themselves known.

“We do have that, but I’ll need to check on the chocolate ice cream,” the waiter replied.

As he took their menus and left, Shay adjusted herself in her seat, catching Adam’s small smile as he watched her.

It had been two weeks since their last one-on-one outing, since the incident with Eli and the hospital. The day after Eli’s arm fracture, Shay and Adam had sat down and hashed things out. They were both weary of the constant bickering and decided to let bygones be bygones.

They were more focused on resolving their issues and doing whatever it took to make things work.

“So, how’s work?” Shay asked, trying to break the awkward silence.

She wondered if Adam could sense the tension, the growing distance between them. Something had shifted in their relationship. It used to be filled with sweetness and comfort, but now all she felt was a gap. Shay had been trying to bridge it, putting in more effort, being more affectionate.

“It’s going well. Lots of discussions and meetings about the new expansion. We’re even considering opening a small branch in Williamsburg,” Adam shared, shrugging slightly.

“Williamsburg?” Shay echoed, leaning back in her chair.

“Yeah, we sent a team there for a survey last month and the feedback has been pretty positive,” he explained as their drinks arrived.

“Thank you,” Shay said to the waiter as he set down her ginger ale.

“How’s the morning sickness?” Adam asked casually.

“It’s hit or miss, but I’ve been craving meat more than usual,” she admitted.

The conversation flowed more easily after that. They chatted about their kids, their work, and their plans for the year. Shay filled Adam in on her current projects and when Dario was coming over for another photoshoot. Their usual discussions revolved around their children, so this change of pace was refreshing.

Shay and Adam spent three hours joking, talking, and enjoying their desserts before heading home. Despite being fully present with Adam, Shay couldn’t help but have thoughts of Ethan circling in the back of her mind. She felt a pang of guilt as she compared Ethan to her husband, but she was doing her best to put Ethan in the past.

She was finally in a good place with Ethan, all for the sake of their twins. She was willing to do anything for them.

When they arrived home, Shay was beaming, pleased with how their date had gone. As they walked through the door, the house was quiet, the kids presumably asleep.

“Hey, thanks for staying late,” Shay quickly thanked Josephine, who returned her smile.

“It’s no problem, dear,” Josephine replied as her husband rose to join her.

“I’ll add a bonus for you,” Shay said, pulling an envelope of money from her bag.

Josephine immediately shook her head in refusal.

“You don’t need to do that,” Mr. Smith interjected.

“Please, it’s the least I can do,” Shay insisted, handing over the envelope.

“Thank you,” Josephine said, accepting the envelope.

After bidding them goodnight, Shay locked the door and watched through the window as Mr. Smith drove Josephine and himself home. Shay rarely asked Josephine to work late, and when she did, she felt incredibly guilty. She respected Josephine immensely and didn’t want to inconvenience the older couple.

Usually, she would have Adam drive Josephine home or arrange an Uber, but tonight Mr. Smith had wanted to spend time with the twins, which she was more than happy to allow. She knew Mr. Smith was good with kids, having been a middle school teacher.

Once upstairs, Shay checked on the twins and then Nate. All her children were sound asleep, giving her a much-needed break. Having three young boys under the age of seven was a handful, and she appreciated the quiet moments.

“They’re asleep, right?” Adam asked as she entered their room.

He was standing by the door, seemingly waiting for her.

“Yeah,” Shay replied, stretching her neck to relieve some tension.

“I had a good time tonight,” Adam said, wrapping his arms around her waist and leaning down to kiss her cheek.

“Mmm,” Shay hummed in response.

Adam’s hands moved up to her chest, gently cupping her breasts before kneading them. Shay moaned softly, leaning her head back and allowing him to take control. His hands roamed her body, his lips trailing kisses along her neck. He knew exactly where to touch her, and this was their routine.

“I love you,” he whispered in her ear before leading her to the bed.

He spun her around to kiss her lips. Shay mumbled something incoherent in response, matching his energy. She could feel him growing excited.

Adam reached down to pull off her thong. As Shay lay on her back, anticipation coursed through her. As the familiar heat spread through her body, Adam climbed on top of her, positioning himself.

With a swift movement, he was inside her. Shay winced slightly, feeling a bit tight, a sign that she needed more foreplay. She took a moment to adjust to his size, then opened her eyes and gave him a quick nod, signaling him to continue.

As he moved in and out, Shay tried to relax. But for the first time, she felt discomfort. As his pace quickened, she placed her hand on his chest, trying to slow him down. She was uncomfortable and the pleasure was fading.

“Adam, stop,” Shay said, shifting uncomfortably beneath him.

“Fuck,” Adam cursed, reaching his climax inside her.

Shay stared at him, speechless. The awkwardness was palpable, like an elephant in the room.

He kissed the top of her head before rolling over. Shay sat up, glancing at Adam, who seemed to have thoroughly enjoyed himself. She felt a strange sense of defeat.

It wasn’t because she hadn’t reached her own climax, but rather, she felt as if a piece of her was missing.

Slowly, Shay got up and walked toward the bathroom. Her eyes began to water, but she blinked the tears away.

She pushed open the bathroom door, entered, and locked it behind her. She needed some alone time.

Avoiding her reflection in the mirror, Shay was consumed by a sense of shame. She couldn’t understand why, but she felt different down there.

As if something was out of place, it was an uncomfortable sensation. Feeling a twinge of pain, Shay found herself sitting on the toilet.

The discomfort in her lower region was intense, and she couldn’t understand why. It was just sex with her husband.

Unsatisfactory, yes, but still sex with her husband. “Because you’re consumed by him,” her mind reminded her.

She shook her head, knowing exactly who “him” was. With a sigh, her mind drifted back to one of their shared memories.

***

^Flashback^

“Are you comfortable?” Ethan asked, tightening the tie around her wrist.

Shay nodded, looking at the man she loved with all her heart with wide, doe-like eyes. “Are you sure?” Ethan asked again.

“Yeah,” she replied, biting her lower lip unconsciously. “Remember what we discussed?” Ethan asked, climbing off her to stand at the foot of the bed.

Shay nodded, her eyes following his every move. Her legs were spread apart and tied to the bedposts. Her heart pounded in her chest, her stomach knotting with anticipation.

“Ramsay,” she recalled. As he unbuttoned his shirt, Shay couldn’t help but admire his physique. His muscles were prominent, even through his shirt.

Ethan took his time undressing, and she watched in silence. His shirt came off first, then his undershirt, followed by his belt and trousers.

Now, Ethan stood before her in his boxers, which hung low on his hips. “Stop looking at me like that, you’re killing me,” Ethan growled, grabbing himself.

Smirking, he climbed on top of her, his favorite tie in hand. A familiar warmth spread through Shay’s body, and she felt a thrill of excitement.

With the tie, Ethan playfully struck her stomach. The strokes started soft, then gradually became harder. Shay arched her back, feeling empowered.

It was turning her on more than she cared to admit. “Ahhh,” Shay moaned, her eyes rolling back in pleasure.

Suddenly, the sensation stopped. Shay looked at Ethan, who was reaching for a glass on the nightstand. He took an ice cube from the glass, and Shay raised an eyebrow, curious about his intentions.

Ethan placed the ice in his mouth, revealing a portion of it between his lips. He lowered his lips to hers, and she gasped as the ice made contact with her skin.

Her nipples instantly hardened. With the ice still between his lips, Ethan dragged it across her chest, then down her body.

Shay bit her lower lip, feeling herself becoming more and more aroused. She never thought she could be turned on by something like this.

Suddenly, she yelped. Shay realized that Ethan was already between her legs. The ice was placed on her sensitive area, then disappeared.

“Relax,” he cooed. Shay closed her eyes and nodded.

She felt his tongue on her, tasting her, then the ice again. Ethan alternated between the ice and his warm tongue. “Ahhh,” she moaned, feeling herself build up.

“Please,” Shay begged softly, knowing he understood what she was asking for. “Not yet,” he whispered in her ear, moving to her side.

She nodded, feeling his fingers exploring her. “Ethan,” Shay moaned his name.

The contact was lost, and Shay opened her eyes. Her breathing was uneven as she watched him remove his boxers, freeing himself.

She stared at his member, moaning not because of its appearance, but because she knew how it made her feel. The satisfaction of being filled. The satisfaction of having the man she loved inside her, moving as one.

She could never tire of it. Not him.

“Baby,” he called her softly, positioning himself at her entrance. “Yes,” she answered, her voice huskier than usual.

She knew he was asking for her consent, something she appreciated. He always asked, even after their first time. He always checked in with her.

As he pushed himself inside her, Shay gripped the ties binding her to the bed. She moaned softly as he pushed deeper, filling her.

Ethan began to move slowly in and out, her wetness coating him, easing his movements.

***

That night didn’t last long. Shay remembered every detail, and it always aroused her when she thought about their time together.

Shaking her head, Shay could feel herself becoming wet again. Especially since she hadn’t been satisfied earlier.

Clearing her throat, Shay cleaned herself up before heading to the shower. She needed to wash away the day.

She needed a cold shower.