Cory’s visit to the bookshop was unexpected, but pleasant. He hadn’t taken me on a lunch date – a real lunch date – in months.

I wondered if it was the rivalry of his brother that spurred him into action. I liked to think I was worth fighting for.

After work, I rushed home to dress in the evening gown I had bought last month for a party of Cory’s. I had to work late that night and never had the chance to wear it.

Now, I slipped it over my head, feeling the cool silk slide against my skin. I admired myself in the mirror. Sage green, the sleeves fell off the shoulders, giving it an elegant touch. The bottom fit tight around my curves, ending just above my knee. I’d always liked pencil dresses. They made me feel secure, in control. Like maybe I belonged in Cory’s corporate world.

Adding touches of makeup here and there, I completed the look by donning the diamond earrings and necklace Cory had given me for Christmas. Flashy diamonds weren’t my favorite, but I wanted to show him I was grateful he set aside time for me.

The apartment door opened and closed, and I quickly ran my fingers through my hair, making sure the full waves were picture perfect. I smiled at myself, loving the way my lip gloss shimmered.

Then, I exited the bathroom and walked into the living room.

Cory was there, and I audibly heard his sharp intake of breath. “Fuck,” he said.

My heart raced and my confidence enjoyed a booster.

I smoothed my hands over the dress. “Do you like it? I was going to wear it at that party…”

Cory swept in before I could say another word and pressed a heated kiss on my lips. He sparked a wild desire inside me, something that had been hiding deep down for a long time now.

I broke away, trying to look annoyed. “Need I remind you we’re still on a break? We need to get going,” I said, placing my hand on his chest and pushing him gently away.

“Just one quickie?” he pleaded.

I gave him a stern look but couldn’t banish my smile. “No. Let’s go, I don’t want to be late.”

Cory’s eyes never left me as I grabbed my small purse and swung it over my shoulder. I took his arm and he led me outside, to the subway.

The whole ride there, he watched me, hungry and predatory.

It was a definite turn on.

Maybe I would end the break tonight, if he kept this up. We might even have some halfway decent sex.

We arrived at the famous Broadway Theater and entered its majestic entryway. My heart fluttered into my throat.

It was finally happening. Cory was taking me to a Broadway show and Phantom of the Opera, no less. I had the entire soundtrack memorized.

Cory guided me to our seats, which were in the left balcony. I looked down at the hundreds of people milling about the theater. It was so vast, so beautiful, with its red curtain and plush velvet seats and golden light spilling from the chandeliers overhead.

“So… why Paris?” Cory asked beside me.

I looked at him with a smile. “What do you mean?”

“Why do you want to go to Paris? Have you really fallen for all the romantic notions and clichés? Do you know how filthy it is there?”

I’ve heard this argument from Cory before, in an attempt to keep me from going. My happy bubble deflated a bit that he was going to bring it up here, now.

“There’s a lot to love about Paris,” I said. “The history, the architecture, the food, the Louvre…”

Cory cut in. “I hear you can’t even actually see the Mona Lisa there up close. There’s a crowd of people so congested it would take hours to get to the front.”

“I wouldn’t go just to see the Mona Lisa,” I said. “There are thousands of other inspirational pieces to see. It would take the entire day and more to see them all. And of course I’d want to see Notre Dame.”

I waited for him to tease me about meeting the hunchback, but he didn’t. He only nodded. “Fair enough,” he said.

The lights dimmed, and the performance began. Cory took my hand in his as the actors wandered on stage. I hung on to every word, every dramatic movement.

Then, when the first magnificent, fiery chords of the opening song rang out, I felt chills roll down my spine. The chandelier that had been laying on the stage, covered by a thin cloth, lit into a thousand glimmering lights as it was raised high into the air, hovering over the audience. The organ wove a pounding, thrilling overture into the theater, setting the mood for the macabre. I squeezed Cory’s hand to show my excitement. He squeezed back, gently.

I was so engrossed in the story and music that intermission took me by surprise, pulling me out of my reverie. I blinked as the lights were raised. “Amazing,” I breathed.

“Not as amazing as you and me between the sheets tonight,” Cory said, his voice heavy with desire. I looked at him. His hazel eyes roamed my face, my hair, my breasts. He didn’t even try to hide his arousal.

I smiled and kissed him gently. He leaned into it, hungry, mad with lust. His tongue slipped between my lips. A hand ran underneath the fabric of my dress, moving up… I drew back, my face flushing. “Not in the theater,” I hissed. But I couldn’t stop a pleased smile.

“Oh, Em,” he growled, his voice low. His mouth pressed against my ear. “The things I’m going to do tonight… You’ll be begging for mercy.”

Chills ran through my body. “That sounds… dangerous,” I said, unsure how to handle his forwardness. Not in a public place. I glanced beside me, where an overweight man was perusing the playbill.

“Oh, but you’ll love it,” he continued, his breath hot in my ear. “I’ll eat out your sweet pussy until you scream my name.”

I swallowed, my throat suddenly dry. He pulled back, grinning at me wickedly.

I felt moisture collect between my legs, but alarm bells sounded in my head.

Cory, eat me out? He only did that on very, very special occasions. Usually I was the one who had to give him oral.

The briefest glimmer of suspicion crossed my mind, but it was fuzzy with the idea of him following through with his promises. I stared at his mouth, already feeling his lips brush against my folds, his tongue, warm and wet, penetrating me…

I shivered, trying to rip my mind out of the gutter.

“So…” I said, clearing my throat. “How are you liking it?”

“I can’t tell if it gave me an erection, or if that’s all you.”

I laughed. “Um… okay? So you like it, then?”

He shrugged. “It’s better than I thought it would be.”

“That’s what she said.” The joke was out of my mouth before I could think twice about it. Cory and I locked gazes, then burst out laughing.

“See, I knew you had a dirty side to you,” he laughed.

Another alarm bell rang in my head, distant. Cory never wanted to try half the things I did. All things considered, I was the dirtier one in this relationship. I certainly tried harder. Watched the porn. Copied the moves.

Cory knew I had a dirty side. But it had only developed after he’d stopped responding to me.

The lights dimmed, and the show was back on.

The second act was just as thrilling as the first. By the time it was finished, tears stung my eyes, threatening to spill over. I held them back, determined not to let Cory see.

But there was no hiding anything from Cory tonight.

“Aw. Did it make you cry?” he taunted.

I ignored him and clapped until my palms stung as each cast member did their series of bows. My heart swelled from the music, the characters, the choreography, the sheer art of the show.

It was better than I had imagined.

On the way back, Cory snuck a pinch to my ass. It was the second time he’d done it today, which was highly unusual for him. But I wasn’t about to complain. I had just had the best night in a long time… and it was about to get better.

“Ready for me to make sweet love to your ravishing self?” he whispered in my ear as we boarded the subway.

“I don’t believe I said our break was over,” I said.

He winked. “I’ll let you decide if you want me back after tonight.”

I did want him tonight. More than I cared to admit. I sighed. “Okay. Impress me. Let’s see if you can last,” I teased, then instantly regretted the jab.

Cory’s face faltered for a second. “I… don’t last?”

Seriously? We were going to talk about this now? On the subway?

I swallowed, picking my words carefully. “We’ve talked about this,” I said slowly. “You never give me enough foreplay. And I guess you’re so tired by the end of the day…” I shrugged, praying I wasn’t about to ruin his mood. “You come and go.”

“And you don’t?” There was something peculiar on Cory’s face – amazement, concern, curiosity? We’ve only had this discussion about a million times. It always resulted in his pride being wounded and a week of no sex.

“Not… usually,” I said. I shrugged again, feeling awkward. “You don’t give me enough time. I’m sorry.”

Cory shook his head, wrapping an arm around my waist and pulling me flush against him. “Never apologize for that,” he insisted. “And… I’m sorry.”

Unbidden tears sprang to my eyes. His apology was unexpected. I didn’t think it’d ever come.

Months of pent up frustration washed away as I sighed. “It’s okay,” I said.

“No, it’s not,” he said. “Tonight will be a night you’ll never forget.”