She sat across the table from me but was a million miles away. She’d been telling me for days that she was fine, but her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes, and, though I sensed there were things she needed to say, I didn’t press the issue.

In all our years of marriage, if I know one thing about my wife, it’s that she needs time to process things before she is ready to talk about them. Patience doesn’t always come easy to me, but I knew, in the long run, she would share whatever was troubling her.

Life had been a bit of a whirlwind lately, with me working insane hours and her struggling with a health issue that seemed to baffle several doctors, making her angry and sad. There was too much noise and not enough of the type of quiet that we both needed.

But it wasn’t just that. There was something more.

Though we certainly weren’t at odds, something was amiss. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that my gorgeous, red-haired wife, with the bluest eyes I’ve ever seen, needed more of my attention.

And I needed more of hers.

I craved her body, mind, heart, and soul, and was confident that time away would help us get to the root of the problem. After all, problem-solving has always been my forte.

Fortunately, I’d already booked a three-day cruise for us because I knew we would need a break from life before the holidays. I hoped that coming to Miami a day early would give us time to reconnect before ever getting on the ship.

Our perfectly imperfect relationship is made up of the good and the bad, the fabulous and the flaws. For better or for worse aren’t just words for us. They are a promise that we made to each other when we stood at that altar, in front of God and man, and we have done a damn good job of keeping those vows despite some extremely trying times along the way.

So, whatever was causing my wife’s heart to ache, I knew I’d do everything in my power to ease her pain and make her feel whole again.

I laid my hand gently on hers, and she turned her gaze to me and smiled. I felt that familiar energy between us and knew instantly that her angst had very little to do with me. If I had to guess, I’d say that she depleted her inner light by giving too much of herself to someone or something, as she has done for as long as I’ve known her. She can’t help herself; her empathetic soul won’t allow it.

But I didn’t have to guess, because the love of my life bit her bottom lip pensively and asked softly, “Can I tell you something?”

Without hesitation, I said, “You can tell me anything; you know that.”

“I do know that,” she replied, her shoulders relaxing as her anxiety began to dissipate. “I can always talk to you. You make me feel so safe and loved. Sometimes I feel like I don’t deserve you.”

“That’s never true; you know that, too.”

She smiled.

This time, I saw a sparkle in those baby blues that reassured me she was ready to bare her soul, and it wasn’t anything that I’d done to make her melancholy.

As I suspected, she’d developed feelings for someone that ran deeper than she’d intended—deeper than they should have in her mind. And while I am well aware that my wife is capable of loving more than one person at a time, it doesn’t bother me unless it breaks her beautiful heart. And this time, it was shattered.

“Why do I do that to myself?” she asked, her eyes damp. “I trusted so deeply that my feelings were returned, only to be gutted when I was replaced. Then I spent days being a fool because it was over, and I was the last one to know. And why the fuck did it hurt so much when I don't need anyone else because I have the most amazing husband in the world and I…”

I leaned in and kissed her softly, interrupting that thought. “Hey,” I said. “All that matters is you and me, okay? Anyone who thinks they could replace you is the one who is a fool. You're gorgeous, intelligent, and so damn sexy. But you're also incredibly kind. Nowhere on earth does there exist someone better than you.”

She sighed. “Not better, better suited. And, while I know that much is true, I just…”

“You just gave so much of yourself, like you always do. I don’t think I know anyone more loving and giving than you, baby. You constantly give me everything I need.”

“You give me everything I need, too. So, why do I ever think I need to go looking for more?”

“I’m betting you didn’t go looking for more, that you started a friendship, made a connection, and that it just happened. People can’t help but you love, baby. They are drawn to you, even when they shouldn’t be.”

She shrugged.

I wondered at that moment if she realized how beautiful she looked. I wanted to take her by the hand, go back to our hotel room, and make love, but I could tell she had more to say. So, I sat there, loving her, until she got to the crux of why her feelings were so hurt.

Her replacement, she said, was someone younger and hotter, but, more importantly, single and able to prioritize a relationship. I smiled inwardly, knowing that I would always be her priority was something I cherished and never took for granted.

“So,” she continued as though she were wrapping up an intense summation, “my head understands why it happened. But my heart? Fuck! Being lied to just wrecked me.”

I nodded, remembering a time in our past when I’d been the culprit of being dishonest with her, something I have always and will always regret. Honesty is all she has ever asked for in return for all the love and light she gives. And she does give… often until it hurts.

But the most extraordinary thing?

She forgives.

And I’ll always be grateful for that.

“Anyway, it’s over. And I’m sorry for allowing myself to be less emotionally available to you than I should have been.”

I shook my head. “You’ve done nothing wrong.”

Her brows furrowed as she pondered that revelation. And, as she allowed herself to accept this truth, I could feel my confident, brilliant wife finding her balance once again.

“You’re right,” she said indignantly. “I’m done feeling like I am less, like I am not enough.”

“That’s my girl,” I whispered as I kissed her ear.

She sighed.

“I am your girl. Thank you for loving me.”

“It’s easy.”

“No, it’s not,” she argued.

“Yes. It is. You truly are so easy to love.”

After dinner, it was tempting to blow off our plans. But I realized that sometimes intimacy involves more than sex. We went to see a movie and took a walk around the city, taking in the sights and sounds, reminiscing about the times she had joined me here in Miami when I worked across the street from the hotel where we were staying.

The night felt magical, and as I held my wife’s hand, I could feel her energy being restored and pulling me in.

By the next morning, her light was back, and it felt like we were teenagers all over again. After a leisurely morning, we boarded the ship and enjoyed a much-needed day of sun and fun. We booked a private cabana, spent time getting handsy in the hot tub, and left the world outside behind.

After dinner and a show, we did the bar-hopping cruise thing, ending up in a quaint little lounge where I found it impossible not to let my lips and fingers skim along her neck and her exposed shoulders. I watched her face as her eyes fluttered and was delighted by the effect my sensual attention was having on her. Her arousal only made mine more intense.

“There are other places I could touch and taste once you’re done with your wine,” I said, playfully nibbling her ear.

She lifted her glass and downed the contents in one gulp. “What are we waiting for, then?”

The cabin door was barely closed behind me as she stripped off her sundress and ducked into the bathroom to freshen up. I got naked and waited in bed for her, planning to woo her with slow, tender lovemaking.

She emerged in a skimpy, sexy black dress that showed skin in all the right places.

“Damn, baby! You look hot as fuck!”

She grinned, the confidence that she’d allowed another to steal from her rising back to the forefront. As she climbed onto the bed, I noticed she still had her heels on—something she rarely does, though she knows I think it looks hot. Clearly, she intended to seduce me, and she did so quite successfully.

She let her legs fall open for me, exposing her glistening sex, inviting me to touch and taste her as I’d promised. My tongue lapped at her sweet nectar, savoring her until her body shuddered uncontrollably. I took my time kissing a path up her belly until I reached first one nipple, then the other, sucking and nibbling until she cried, “Oh, God, yes!”

I grinned. “I’m so lucky! You’re the total package, baby; so fucking smart and sexy. And mine.”

“Yours,” she replied, that smile finally reaching her eyes all the way. “Only yours. Always yours. And you’re about to get luckier.”

I couldn’t imagine how this scenario could get any better.

Grinning wickedly, she opened the nightstand drawer and produced her vibrating wand and a bottle of lubricant.

I raised an eyebrow. “What are you up to, my sassy redhead?” I asked as my hard shaft ached with need for her.

“I’m gonna use my talented tongue to worship that cock while you tease my little star with your fingers and that lube.”

Oh, fuck!

“And I’m going to keep the wand trained on my needy little nub while I take you deep in my throat and use my hands to do incredible things with your balls.”

Sweet, Jesus!

“Be generous with that lube, baby, because once I’ve got you so aroused that you can’t see straight, you’re gonna put that beautiful dick in my ass.”

God, I am one lucky fuck!

“What have I done to deserve this decadent treatment?” I asked, all thoughts of tender lovemaking forced from my mind by the vision of her sexy ass while her tongue swirled around my prick, making me moan.

She stopped for a moment, looked up at me, her gorgeous eyes shimmering with desire, and said, “You love me unconditionally. You make me feel beautiful and sexy. You bring out the animalistic lust in me that makes me want to give myself to you completely.”

Who was I to deny her?

She teased my cock mercilessly until the powerful vibrations of the wand had her back arching, her orgasm raging through her body.

“Now, baby!” she cried impatiently. “I need you to fuck my ass.”

“Are you sure?” I asked, rubbing the tip of my manhood along the slickened crack of her irresistible ass.

“God, yes!” she pleaded.

It’s a running joke between us that anal sex is not on the regular menu, so when it shows up as a specialty item, it’s best to enjoy it.

I moved cautiously at first. “Keep teasing that pussy with your wand,” I directed, taking control from her as she gave it freely.

I entered her slowly, feeling her body tense at first, and then gradually relax.

“Focus on how good the vibrator feels on your pussy, baby.”

Panting and writhing, her body gave into another intense climax. I took advantage of that distraction to push myself the rest of the way inside her.

I knew the exact moment that her initial pain turned to pure pleasure. Her moans became lustier and more demanding. Her body moved against mine as if she needed me as much as she needed air to breathe.

And still, I held back, relishing the complete abandonment with which she gave herself to me.

“Mine,” I growled as I nipped at her neck. My hands moved from her hips to her voluptuous breasts, giving her nipples some much-needed attention. “Always mine.”

And when I felt the last shred of her resolve give way, I began to thrust. “Only mine!”

“God, yes!” she cried. “We belong to each other. Always!”

A wave of orgasms that should have triggered my own rippled through her as she screamed my name and begged for more.

“I’ve been drinking tonight, baby. So, I’m gonna last a good long time.”

I half expected her to tell me that she’d had enough. But the reflection of her face in the mirror told a story of unparalleled pleasure, so I continued this erotic assault, claiming her as my own, until she came hard again.

As wicked as her ass felt, I had a fierce craving for that fabulous pussy. I slid out and told her to keep stimulating herself while I stepped into the bathroom and wiped my dick clean.

However, when I came back to bed, she was waiting for me, her wild mass of red curls disheveled and sexy. She let her mouth fall open and winked at me playfully.

God, I love her so fucking much!

I took advantage of her offer and used her mouth again. Then she upped the ante by positioning herself so I could reach her creamy ass cheeks and give them each a firm slap. She moaned on my cock, an invitation to keep going… so I did.

Eventually, after her ass was a delicious pink hue, I pulled out of her mouth and flipped her over so I could take her from behind again. Only this time, I sought the pleasure of the silky, wet walls of her pussy.

I slipped between her slick, swollen labia and buried myself deep into this amazing woman who, despite giving herself to me for years, felt as tight as she had the first time. As I moved inside her, I thought about how incredibly lucky I am to have found someone with whom I am so perfectly matched. Not just better suited, but better… better than any other woman.

Ever.

We mated like animals, but it wasn’t just lust that had us climaxing together.

It was love.

A love that I treasure more than anything in the world.

A love that has endured a lifetime of ups and downs—of trials and tribulations.

A love that will last forever.

After I emptied myself into her, as I’ve done countless times, I reveled in the knowledge that we are soulmates who have accepted and embraced each other not just despite our flaws and imperfections, but because of them.

In the afterglow, I held her close and listened to her heart, beating in time with mine. Absent-mindedly, I said, “You’re so perfect.”

“No, not perfect, but you make me feel like I’m damn close,” she replied as she snuggled against my body.

I wrapped my arms around her and spooned her—my beautiful, sexy as fuck, neurodivergent, perfectly imperfect wife and best friend, and knew that as long as we loved each other, lights would always guide us home.