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Mariah’s smile grows, and she tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. “Of course. We can do whatever we want. Hang on, let me get something.” I sit up and watch as she leaves the cocoon of our lovemaking to fetch something from her suitcase. She returns a moment later with a curved purple vibrator. She hands it to me, then returns to her spot on the floor.

I admire the apparatus, turning it over in my hand. I had a vibrator years ago but gave up on it since my body never seemed to cooperate and it was more work that it was worth. But now, holding it in my hand with Mariah ready and waiting, I’m eager to see what one of these can do.

Straddling her thigh, I suck on it, getting it wet. Mariah’s hips wriggle back and forth slowly and she caresses her breasts as she watches. I play it up a bit more, seeing how she’s enjoying this, taking more time with the toy in my mouth before popping it out and lowering it down. I turn it on and it buzzesagainst my palm. I circle it around Mariah’s labia, watching her body’s reaction, listening to her sounds for how and when I should go further.

“More,” she urges, tilting her hips toward me.

I swallow nervously and try to give her what she wants, but it’s harder to do than with my fingers and I fumble a bit. I press it toward her entrance, but it doesn’t budge and I’m not sure what to do about it. My heart beats faster. I continue to struggle with the toy and how to get it inside Mariah without hurting her. “Um, can you help?” I mumble awkwardly.

Mariah nods, reaching down to assist. Once it’s in I can feel a bit more, but the separation of me from her body makes it more difficult to manoeuvre than when it was just the two of us. I lie more over top of her and do my best to move the vibrator, trying to listen and watch for Mariah’s cues, but the harder I try the further we seem to get from our goal.

Finally, she relents. “Here, let me do it. Come, kiss me.”

I gladly hand over control of the device and lie down beside her, nuzzling my face into her neck. Returning to my comfort zone, I make love to her body with my hands and my mouth, and she continues with the toy, working it expertly, bringing herself to climax as I listen and watch, fascinated—and a bit envious. After the first time she encourages me to try again, her hand working with mine to show me the rhythm and the angle she likes, and a few minutes later I’m there with her, helping her come with my mouth on hers and my hands on her body. It feels so good to bring her so much pleasure.

She comes an incredible two more times before we’re through, and I’m absolutely blown away that such things are possible. Once we’re finished, we get up to wash and then crawl into bed. Mariah falls asleep quickly, her body curled around mine and face nestled onto my shoulder as my fingers play deftly with her hair.

My knees and back ache from our time on the floor, but making love under the tree was magical. I wish we could makea tradition out of it. But as beautiful as it was sharing that moment with her, and how patient she was with me, I can’t help the nagging worry deep down in the back of my mind...

I’m too inexperienced for her.

She’ll find someone else who actually knows what they’re doing.

And she’ll choose them over me.

Interstitial

Int. Jenna’s Apartment - Evening

Annie is wearing a sparkly evening gown. Her hair is curled into an updo, and she is applying red lipstick in the mirror near the front door.

JENNA

(sighing)

I remember when I could fit into that dress.

ANNIE

Oh, please. Your post-mom bod is so curvy

and gorgeous! And I know your husband agrees.

JENNA

(covering her face with her hand)

You heard that last night, did you?

ANNIE

The whole apartment complex heard it.

JENNA

Well maybe it will inspire other people

romantically, if you know what I mean.