Sarah awoke to the sound of her alarm blaring, the harsh buzzing penetrating through the fog of sleep that clouded her mind. She reached out and slapped the snooze button, nestling back into the warm embrace of her pillow.
Beside her, Mark stirred, his arm flopping onto her stomach in a half-asleep gesture of affection. Sarah sighed, carefully extracting herself from his grasp and swinging her legs over the side of the bed. Another day, another dollar.
She padded to the bathroom, flipping on the harsh fluorescent light and blinking against the sudden brightness. In the mirror, her reflection stared back at her - tired eyes, slumped shoulders, a body that had seen better days. Thirty-five years of marriage and four children had taken their toll, and it showed.
Sarah went through the motions of her morning routine, splashing water on her face, brushing her teeth, running a comb through her tangled hair. She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror again and sighed. When was the last time Mark had even looked at her with desire? When was the last time they'd had sex that wasn't quick and perfunctory, barely more than a task to be completed?
As she pulled on her robe and made her way downstairs, Sarah couldn't help but reflect on their sex life. Or lack thereof. It seemed like all they ever did was go through the motions, like two actors playing out a tired script. The passion, the excitement, the raw animal desire that had once consumed them - it was all gone, replaced by a dull, mechanical routine.
Sarah started the coffee maker and set about preparing breakfast for the kids, her mind wandering to happier times. The early days of their relationship, when they couldn't keep their hands off each other. The honeymoon, where they'd made love on the beach under the moonlight. The years of sneaking off for quickies in the closet or the laundry room, too horny to wait until they were alone.
But somewhere along the way, it had all fizzled out. The kids had come, followed by the long hours at work and the endless cycle of chores and responsibilities. Sex had become an afterthought, something to be squeezed in between doctor's appointments and grocery shopping.
Sarah heard Mark's footsteps on the stairs and braced herself for another day of polite conversation and forced smiles. They ate breakfast in near silence, the only sounds the clink of silverware against ceramic and the occasional sip of coffee.
As Sarah cleared the table, Mark cleared his throat, a nervous look on his face. "Sarah, there's something I've been wanting to talk to you about," he said, his voice hesitant.
Sarah turned to face him, her eyebrows raised in question. "What is it?"
Mark took a deep breath, his hands fidgeting in his lap. "I...I know things haven't been great between us lately. The sex, I mean."
Sarah felt a flush creep up her neck, embarrassed and defensive all at once. "It's not that bad," she said weakly, looking away.
"It is," Mark insisted, reaching out to take her hand. "And I think I know why."
Sarah met his gaze, confusion and trepidation warring in her chest. "What do you mean?"
Mark took another deep breath, as if steeling himself for what he was about to say. "I...I think I'm a cuckold," he said finally, the words tumbling out in a rush. "I think I get off on the idea of you being with other men."
Sarah stared at him, her mouth agape. "What? Mark, what are you talking about?"
"I've always been jealous when other men look at you," he explained, his eyes downcast. "But it's not the regular kind of jealousy. It's...it's more than that. It turns me on to think about you with someone else. Someone better than me."
Sarah felt a wave of disbelief wash over her. This was her husband, the man she'd been married to for nearly two decades. How could he feel this way? And why was she suddenly feeling a flutter of excitement in her stomach?
"I don't know what to say," she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I know it's a lot to take in," Mark said, squeezing her hand. "But I thought maybe...maybe we could try it. Just once. To see how it feels."
Sarah's mind raced, a thousand thoughts swirling through her head. Could she really do this? Could she really sleep with another man, with her husband's blessing?
And yet, as she looked into Mark's hopeful eyes, she felt a spark of desire ignite deep inside her. The idea of being with someone new, someone exciting and different - it was thrilling in a way she hadn't felt in years.
"Okay," she said finally, her voice shaky but determined. "Let's try it. Just once."