Lee walked back into the bedroom, closing the en-suite bathroom door behind him.
"Can we have pancakes this morning for breakfast Lucy?"
She rolled her eyes, continuing to focus on her reflection in the mirror as she brushed her hair.
"Only if you're going to make them".
"I haven't got time, I've got to sort out the wheel on Molly's scooter before I go to work remember".
"She can do without it for a day".
"I promised her".
"Well you shouldn't have. She's got you wrapped around her little finger. It's cereal or toast this morning, I'm not dressed yet and I've got to do the packed lunches".
"Fine, have we got cocoa pops?"
"How old are you, six? There's Weetabix, Cornflakes or Readybrek".
"Do you think I can still get away with this shirt for work?".
Lee's white shirt was slightly tinged with pink after one of his red socks had accidentally ended up with it in the washing machine.
Lucy caught sight of Lee in the dressing table mirror behind her, and her heart fluttered. He was wearing just his boxer shorts and a shirt still unbuttoned. His hair was still wet from the shower and a few stray droplets of water were running down his face and onto his shoulders. He looked undeniably sexy. Even after all this time, she still fancied Lee like mad.
She turned around on the chair to face him.
"Yeah, you can hardly tell. I don't think you'll get away with not wearing trousers though. And you might want to do those buttons up".
"Sorry, is my Adonis-like body distracting you?"
"Ha! Adonis-like?"
"Alright, is my dad bod distracting you?"
"Always".
Lucy stood up and pushed the chair back towards the dresser as he approached her.
"Not shaving again this morning?"
"That's a personal question Lucy".
"Not really, it's an observation. You're looking very stubbly".
"So were your legs last night but I didn't say anything".
"I'm going for a wax later today actually".
"Right. Anyway, I thought you liked me with a bit of stubble. You told me it made me look ruggedly handsome, 'rough and ready'".
"I do, but this is starting to become more than just stubble".
She brushed her fingertips over the hairs on chin.
"Actually, I've decided to grow a beard".
"What? Why?"
"Because I want to".
"Is this because you're still paranoid about having a double chin? I've told you, you don't have one, you look fine as you are".
"Fine? That's hardly a glowing review".
"You know how I feel about you, you know I think you're extremely handsome".
"Thanks, but this is something I want to do. I've never had a beard Lucy, I want to know what I look like with one. Besides, every else is getting one these days".
"Since when have you ever been interested in what everyone else is doing, or keeping up with trends? You don't even listen to music that was made after 1995".
"That's not true".
"Maybe not completely, but you regularly tell me that music ended the day that Tears for Fears split up. You scorned me recently for buying a Spiraliser. You won't even mow the front lawn when we have a spell of good weather because you don't want the neighbours to think you're copying them. 'I'm not a sheep', you said last time. Well, our lawn would look a sight tidier if we had an actual sheep, that's all I'm saying".
"Are you really that opposed to me having a beard?"
"I don't know. No, I suppose not. It's just, I like you as you are, you know".
"I didn't say anything when you had your long hair cut into that bob, did I?"
"No, but you didn't have to say anything, you gave me a look that said it all".
"What look?"
"A look that's said bloody hell Lucy what in Christ's name have you done to your hair!"
"I was a bit shocked at first yes, but it didn't take me long to get used to it...to love it. Luce, I'd still think you were the most beautiful woman in the world if you dyed your hair green and had a Mohican. You might be pleasantly surprised, you might end up preferring me with a beard".
"You think? What about, you know...kissing you and...other stuff. I don't want to get a beard rash".
"That's what conditioner and beard oil is for".
"You've researched this then?"
"Yes. If you check my internet history you'll find I google searched 'how do I stop my beard from giving my wife a rash?' only yesterday".
"I daren't look at your search history, in case I find any grounds for divorce. I like being married to you".
"You won't find anything dodgy in my search history, not these days. I don't need porn, I have you. The only adult thing I've searched for online in the last 7 or 8 years is probably 'ideas for using handcuffs in the bedroom', and you were looking it up with me. More recently the I'd say the most adult things I've searched for are 'how to bleed a radiator?' and 'how often should I change my mortgage provider?' You're welcome to check".
"No, I believe you. You really looked up what to do to avoid giving me beard rash?"
"Yes".
"Aww, that's so sweet. You can be the most considerate man in the world when you want to be".
Lucy wrapped her arms around Lee's neck, giving him a soft kiss on he cheek, then another on his chin.
"Which is always, when it comes to you my darling", Lee said in a tone that meant Lucy couldn't quite tell if he was being sarcastic or not. She pulled away slightly.
"Don't look at me like that. I mean it. I know I don't always succeed in my efforts, but my main priority in life other than keeping the the kids safe and happy, is making you happy".
"You old romantic, how can I do anything other than agree to whatever you want after that?"
"I tell you what, I'll grow the beard, and if you really hate it, or there's any hint of beard rash anywhere, I'll shave it off again. How does that sound?"
"Sounds fair. I'm going to be open minded, like you say I might end up preferring you with it".
"Good. Luce...one more thing before I finish getting dressed".
"Yes".
"You know what you just said about agreeing to to whatever I wanted, and that you were going to be open minded?"
"Yes but I'm already regretting it...go on...what were you going to say".
Lucy had a feeling she knew the direction this conversation was now heading.
"Well, if you want...maybe we can get an early night tonight, and you can show me just how open minded you can be, you know...put your money where your mouth is".
"Just my money?"
"Maybe not just your money, why are you offering?".
"I might be".
"We could even get the handcuffs out again, if you're up for it".
Lee gazed deeply into Lucy's eyes now, and she shivered. His eyes were sparkling, his expression full of promise, of mischief. It was a look she could never resist, that never failed to turn her on.
"Blimey Lee, it's not even fruity Friday, what's brought this kinky mood on?"
"When I mentioned the handcuffs thing earlier, my mind wandered to the last time we used them and...well...now it's...".
"In the gutter?".
"I prefer in the mood, but basically yes. So, what do you think?".
"I think...you might just get lucky tonight".
Lucy couldn't resist trailing her hand over Lee's smooth, bare chest, kissing him gently on the lips. She smiled against his mouth as she heard his muffled sigh.
Lee had half expected a rebuttal, a maybe even, but not this. He still felt like the luckiest man in the world to be married to Lucy, to know that she still wanted him after all these years.
"Is that a yes then?", he whispered.
"It's a yes. Last time was pretty incredible, I haven't forgotten. The question is, who gets to handcuff who?"
Lee felt his heart race, his cheeks and body flush.
"I'd say both options are equally agreeable to me. Maybe we can toss a coin".
"Nah, I reckon we could think of a more creative way of deciding than that. Something a bit more...fun".
One of her hands, still casually caressing him, was getting dangerously, tantilising close to his crotch.
"Jesus Luce, I'm meant to be getting ready for work. Now look what you've done, I'm supposed to be putting on my trousers. That's not going to be comfortable with a semi-on".
"I don't think you can blame me for that, you can blame your filthy mind. Oh, I see what you mean".
She brushed her fingers over his growing hardness as she spoke, causing him to jolt at her touch. He wheezed as she cupped him though his boxer shorts, and she giggled as she watched him try to swallow.
"I'm glad you find my...predicament amusing Lucy".
"Sorry, go on, you'd better sort yourself out quick".
"I don't suppose you want to give me a hand?", Lee croaked, expecting her to tell him where to go.
There was a pause, and Lee tried to read Lucy's expression.
"I've got five minutes...after that you're on own. It's hands only though, I've already cleaned my teeth".
"Oh...you're actually?...", Lee choked. That wasn't the reaction he had anticipated. It clearly was his lucky day.
Very often her answer to this would have been a firm no, but not this morning. The thought of exploring their kinkier sides again tonight had left her feeling...to put it bluntly...horny. They didn't have much time, but she knew this wouldn't take long.
Lucy went to the bedside table and took a tube of lube and some baby wipes from the drawer.
"Sit down on the bed", she instructed, her voice demanding enough to make Lee's breath catch in his throat.
He immediately obeyed, his breathing becoming increasingly shallow and uneven as she kneeled at his feet, holding his gaze as she took the hem of his boxers between her fingers and tugged them down his legs.
She looked down to his lap, her eyes widening as she watched his swollen cock spring free.
She found it thrilling that she could have this effect on him, that she barely needed to touch him to drive him wild. It had never got old, that powerful feeling, and she prayed it never would.
She teased him at first, running her hands over his thighs until his aching need was almost painful. Lee felt almost giddy, the anticipation making his heart thump hard in his chest. He knew what was coming, he knew how good she was at this, knew she had the ability to render him delirious with pleasure this way, and within the shortest amount of time.
She lightly scraped the fingernails of one hand over his balls, making him hiss and all but take off from the bed. He sank his palms further into the mattress, trying desperately to keep himself grounded.
"Luce...please", he begged.
After seconds that felt like minutes, Lucy took the lube from beside him and coated her hands with it, finally touching him where he needed her to the most. He was fully hard now, the tip of him glistening with precum.
She held the base of his length between her thumb and forefinger, using the fingertips of her other hand to stroke up and down his shaft. She paid special attention to where she knew he was the most sensitive, her caress purposely featherlight to prolonge his torture. It was the most delicious torture though, as Lee's moans and sighs of pleasure paid testament to.
Lucy knew exactly how and where to touch Lee to bring the most pleasure, as he did her. This was undoubtedly one of the best things about having been together for all these years.
She slid her thumb back and forth over the sensitive head of his cock, and it caused him to start trembling. He was making a sort of humming sound now, his eyes squeezed shut.
"Luce...that feels...so good".
Tracing her fingers back towards the base of his shaft, she proceeded to wrap them around him as far as she should. His thickness was impressive, and they could barely fit all the way around. She tightened her hold, applying just the right amount of pressure, then moved upwards, slowly stretching his lengh. He thrust his hips towards her hands, bunching the bedcovers in his fists, gripping so tightly that his knuckles turned white.
"Oh God...Luce...fuck", Lee rasped, his voice all but failing him.
She began to pump him then, moving up and down in a steady rhythm. As she picked up her pace he began to see stars, every fibre of him singing and with quivering pleasure. He knew he was close.
"Christ...Luce, I'm gonna come".
It only took a few more quick flicks of her wrist to send him over the edge, his cock jerking as he spilled in her hand. He groaned, loud, deep and guttural as he threw his head back, falling back onto the bed.
He could only lie there for a few moments, sated and spent, his breathing ragged and erratic.
"Oh god...Luce...you are bloody amazing. You do the job so much better than I could ever do".
"What, despite all those years of practice?"
"Despite that. Shit! What time is it? Am a gonna be late for work?"
Lee had lost all sense of time, his brain seemingly broken by Lucy's attentions.
"Nah, your five minutes isn't even up yet. It's only 7.15".
Lee breathed a sigh of relief, relaxing back into the mattress again.
"Still, we should get on", Lucy said, grabbing the pack of baby wipes. She wiped her hands.
"Now, I'd better take care of this mess", she whispered, making Lee's cheeks burn. He felt his temperature rise again, his skin prickle as she carefully cleaned him up.
"There you go, that's better", she said, patting his thigh.
"Thanks", he croaked.
Lucy leaned over him and planted a tender yet passionate kiss on his lips.
"You're welcome. I would say any time but I don't think I should make promises like that".
Lee managed to sit back up, his breathing starting to return to normal.
"You know I'm going to be thinking about this all day".
He reached down to his feet to pull his boxers back up, restoring his dignity.
"Good", Lucy said, sounding very pleased with herself.
"So I'm blaming you if I get an inappropriate erection at the car lot".
He buttoned up his shirt.
"If you feel any...stirring down there just think of something unsexy. Think of my mum and dad or something".
"Just your dad thank you, I'd be trying to kill it not encourage it...don't look at me like that, I'm joking".
"You'd better be. You're pushing your luck, making jokes about fancying my mum when you should be showing gratitude. I just treated you to Wednesday morning handjob. How many husbands get that after eight years of marriage?".
"I said thank you. I've said before and will say it again, you are the best wife in the world. You'll get your reward later, I'll make sure of that".
"Still, don't forget, if it ends up being you in handcuffs tonight I'll be able to do whatever I want to you, you may regret that joke".
"Luce, to me that sounds like a promise not a threat, just saying".
"You don't know what I'm thinking up".
"I can only imagine. We both know what a naughty girl you are".
Lucy felt a warm, tingly glow spread over her skin. His tone of voice, so wonderfully seductive and masterful, made her twinge in all the right places. He knew, he knew what this did to her, and he loved to tease her like this.
"Okay...stop it before I".
"Before you what?"
"Get any more...turned on, I haven't got time to do anything about it".
Lucy turned away from Lee and headed towards the bathroom.
"Are you going for a cold shower?"
"No, I'm going to wash my hands. Baby wipes are good but I've got to make the kids sandwiches in a minute".
And...I'm back in the room, Lee thought, something as pedestrian as making sandwiches bringing him quickly back to reality.
"I want to make sure I haven't got any of your...you know...left on my hands".
"My Daddy's sauce?"
"Oh for god sake, that's a new one. Why do you always have to... lower the tone?".
"Given what you've just done I don't think you're in a position to take the moral high ground".
"Again, pushing your luck".
"Luce...why don't we ask the school if the kids can have hot dinners today, it could buy us ten minutes".
He had that look on his face again, the one that eroded her resolve every time.
"Lee, exactly what are you suggesting?".
"I'm suggesting that maybe...I can give you your reward now, if you want it".
Lee held Lucy's hands, and walking backwards gently pulled her back towards the bed.
They stood at the foot of it and he watched her eyelids flutter as he reached for the belt of her dressing gown, his fingers playing with it.
"Do you want it...your reward?"
She swallowed hard, nodding, whispering a quiet "yes".
He undid the belt then, leaning in to kiss her as he pulled her dressing gown open...