My Husband Left Early and I Stayed Behind with Him

The studio where I work finally closed a big contract. Nothing earth-shattering, but for a company of forty people it meant two years of guaranteed work, and with the times as they are that’s almost a miracle. The director was over the moon and decided to celebrate in style: he invited all of us employees and our partners to a dinner at a restaurant he booked out entirely for us.

The place had beautiful gardens, with lanterns hung from the trees and tables spread out over the grass. I, Marina, went with my husband, Diego, and we left the child with a babysitter so we could enjoy the night without watching the clock. Since it was summer, we had all agreed to go dressed informally but elegantly: no shorts or flip-flops.

Diego wore chinos and a long-sleeved blue shirt that suited him wonderfully. I chose a short dress, above the knee, fitted and with a rather daring neckline that I was proud of.

The tables seated eight people, and at ours there were only seven of us: three married couples and Andrés, one of the sales guys, who had divorced about a year earlier and came alone. I work in human resources, handling payroll, sick leave, vacation, and all that paperwork nobody wants to deal with.

The conversation flowed from the first course. We all did our best to make sure the partners from outside the company didn’t feel left out, and we succeeded. Around one in the morning, Diego and I were standing in the garden, in a little cluster with people from other tables, having a drink under a warm, perfect night. Then my phone rang. It was the babysitter.

—Hello, tell me, Noelia.

—Hi, Marina, sorry to bother you, but the child woke up a bit hot; I think he’s running a fever.

—Oh. Did you give him the syrup?

—Yes, a little while ago, and it’s already come down. He’s calm now. I just wanted to let you know.

—Okay, thanks for telling me. Maybe we’ll head over soon.

—Whatever you want. If you’d rather stay, no problem, I’ll call you if it goes back up.

—I’ll talk it over with Diego and let you know. Kisses.

I hung up and my husband was already looking at me expectantly.

—What’s wrong with the kid?

—He had a bit of a fever and Noelia gave him the syrup, but she says he’s okay now. Even so, maybe we should go, right?

Diego thought for a moment, playing with the ice in his glass.

—Well, it’d be a shame for you to spoil the night if the kid’s already fine. If you want, I’ll go. I’ll confess I’m a little tired. Stay and finish the party with your coworkers.

—How are you going to go by yourself?

—Yes, I can, woman, it’s fine. I’ll get a taxi and leave you the car. You stay and enjoy yourself, no rush. I’ll call you as soon as I get there and see him.

—Really, you don’t mind? You’re an angel. But you take the car; I’ve already had a drink. I’ll get the taxi later.

—Come on, give me a kiss.

I walked him to the parking lot, gave him a long kiss, and watched him leave. When I went back to the group, I broke the news.

—Diego asks you to excuse him, he had to leave. The kid’s got a bit of a fever, nothing serious, but just in case.

—What a pain —said Lucía, a coworker who was there with her husband and Andrés—. Well, if it’s nothing much, that way you can make the most of the night a bit longer. What a sweetheart, huh?

—He is a sweetheart. Oh, sorry, he’s calling me again… Yes? Is he asleep? Good. Okay, I won’t worry. Thanks, darling.

I put the phone away and smiled, relieved.

—Everything’s perfect. He says he’s already found him asleep and he’s calm.

—See? Then nothing, enjoy yourself —Lucía replied.

At that moment the director called her and her husband over to introduce them to someone, and they walked away together. I was left alone with Andrés.

—Well, seems like everything got sorted out —he said, lifting his glass—. Even better. Shall we have one last drink?

—Come on, one last one and I’m off. Between the wine, the beers and this, I’m already done for.

We sat down on a secluded bench, next to a jasmine hedge that smelled like summer. Andrés looked at me with a crooked smile.

—You’re dazzling tonight, by the way.

—Hahaha, thanks. You’re such a flatterer.

—I’m not flattering you, it’s the truth. And that neckline is criminal.

—There you go again. Honestly, I love this dress. Diego got a little jealous, said it was too much, that…

—He shouldn’t get mad. With a neckline like that, you’ve got to show it off.

—That’s what I tell him —I answered, laughing, without realizing where this was going.

—And I’m sure you’re wearing an equally pretty bra underneath.

—You ask a lot of questions, don’t you?

—Curiosity. Sorry, sorry.

—It’s fine. And yes, it’s very pretty.

—What color?

—Uh… burgundy —I said, looking him in the eyes—. And that’s enough, Andrés, you’re making me nervous.

—Mmm, the sexiest color for lingerie. And almost transparent, I’m sure.

—You men are so predictable. I knew you’d say that. Well, no, it’s lace.

—Would you mind if I said I’d love to see it? Just a little, from the top.

—For God’s sake, Andrés. You’re bold. The alcohol’s kicking in, huh?

—Just a little, please —he insisted, bringing his hands together in mock pleading.

And I don’t know why I did it. I pulled the edge of the dress down a finger’s width and showed it to him for a moment.

—And that’s it. I don’t even know why I did that —I said, taking a long sip of my gin and tonic.

I didn’t recognize myself.

—Wow. What a cleavage you have, Marina. You almost showed…

—Really? —I replied, blushing—. I think I’m going to go.

—Just a little longer, please. And sorry to say it, but I’d love to see it a bit better —he said, moving closer on the bench.

—Andrés, don’t be like that.

—Come on, don’t be shy. I’m sure you like showing off those tits. I’m sure you go topless at the beach.

—Well… yes, but that’s different. Damn, a little while ago you were talking to my husband and now listen to yourself.

—Tonight is for enjoying ourselves, forget about him. I’ve only paid you a compliment.

—Sure. Him looking after the kid and me showing you my cleavage.

—I’m sure you spend lots of nights looking after the kid and you don’t even know where he is.

—You’re right about that —I admitted, and felt something loosen inside me. I didn’t look away.

—Just a little more. Please.

I looked left and right. Nobody was paying us any attention. I lowered the dress just enough to show the whole bra.

—Your nipple is showing a lot —he whispered.

—Yeah… —I stammered, burning up.

—Can I brush it for a second? Just over the lace.

—Are you crazy? No.

—Just a brush, Marina —he said, looking at me with an intensity that left me breathless.

—Just a brush, okay?

He started to do it, slowly, with the tip of one finger. I couldn’t stop a low moan, and I also couldn’t pull away when he left a soft kiss on my neck.

—Take one breast out of the bra —he murmured, so close I could feel his breath.

—This isn’t right —I said, but I said it without force. And I did it, without understanding how.

—You’re beautiful.

He lowered his head and ran his tongue over my nipple. The garden, the distant voices, the music, everything vanished at once.

—Ahh… Andrés, what are you doing?

—Licking you —he answered, trapping the nipple between his lips and tugging at it.

And there I stopped pretending I was resisting, if I ever truly resisted at all. I grabbed his head and pressed it against my chest.

—Bite it —I asked in a hoarse voice—. Hurt me a little.

He clamped his teeth over my nipple while kneading my breasts with both hands. I lost control completely. I lifted his face, looked at him from inches away, and started devouring his mouth. He kissed me back fiercely, our tongues tangled, his ragged breathing against mine.

—You’ve always driven me crazy —he said, pulling back for a second—. Let’s get out of here.

—Andrés, no… —I moaned, with no conviction.

—Yes. You want it just as much as I do. Look at yourself —he said, sliding a hand between my legs and touching me over my underwear—. You’re soaking.

He was right. I was trembling.

—Not here, they could see us. We’re crazy.

—Come.

He took my hand and led me toward the restaurant bathrooms, inside. We opened the disabled one, bigger and empty, and shut the door behind us.

***

We kissed again as soon as he turned the latch, this time with nothing to hold us back. He pinned me against the wall, slipped his hand between my legs again, and, pushing the fabric aside, slid two fingers inside me.

—Ahh, God… —I panted as I felt them curl, moving with a rhythm that made me lose my balance.

I took my hand to his groin and felt his erection through his trousers. I fumbled with his belt, unfastened it, freed him, and started stroking him while I bit his lip.

—Wait —I said, pulling back a little.

I bent my knees and knelt in front of him. I kissed him, licked him slowly, playing, until I took him all the way into my mouth. I could hear him moaning above me, with his hands tangled in my hair, setting the pace.

—Marina, fuck, you’re killing me. Keep going.

He didn’t need to ask twice. I kept going until he grabbed me by the shoulders to pull me up.

—Stop, stop. I don’t want to finish yet. I want to fuck you.

He turned me around and leaned me over the cistern, with my back to him. He hiked my dress up to my waist and bent down. I felt his tongue over me completely, slowly, while I held on wherever I could and touched myself at the same time, unable to stay still.

—Fuck me already —I begged.

He straightened and pressed against me. I turned my head with my eyes glazed and watched him position himself at my opening. I only had to push my hips back. I was so wet he slid in at once.

—Ahh, God… —I moaned, not caring anymore who might hear us.

We moved at the same time, him forward and me back, seeking the deepest penetration. Desire filled my whole body, and I asked for more, harder, not even recognizing my own voice.

—You have no idea how much I’ve dreamed about this —he told me in my ear, biting my neck.

Our gasps flooded everything. My head thrown back to eat his mouth, his hands squeezing my breasts, pulling at my nipples. I was about to pass out from pleasure.

—I’m coming —I blurted out in broken breaths—. Andrés, I’m coming, now…

The orgasm shot through me from top to bottom, my whole body shaking against the wall.

—Me too —he growled, digging his fingers into my hips, pressing himself against me and emptying completely.

We stayed like that for a moment, me propped against the cistern so I wouldn’t fall, trembling, him collapsed over my back, both of us trying to catch our breath.

***

A couple of minutes later we straightened up. We looked at each other and kissed, this time tenderly, stroking each other’s faces as if we were something else.

—This didn’t happen, did it? —I said—. It can’t happen again. It was a madness I don’t regret, but I love my husband. You know that, right, Andrés?

—I know, don’t worry. You don’t have to be concerned. Though you have no idea how much I envy your husband.

We pulled ourselves together as best we could. I stuck my head out to check that nobody was in the bathrooms and we left. Before opening the door, we gave each other one last small kiss.

—You go first —I told him.

—Okay. Ciao.

I went back out into the garden with my heart still racing, said goodbye to the group with two kisses and a smile I hoped wouldn’t give me away, and ordered the taxi. On the way home, watching the city lights pass by the window, Diego called to tell me the child was asleep like an angel. I told him I’d be home in fifteen minutes, that I loved him very much, and hung up. And no, I wasn’t sorry. That was the part that scared me most.