Read Online DarklyEverAfter by Allistar Parker - Free Book Online

stood out, more like a floozy than my wife. The smoky dark makeup around her eyes intensified her subtle beauty. I never noticed the curves of her lashes before. She was beautiful. She was more beautiful than I had ever seen her before. There was a glow around her as she talked about the upcoming event. Although I appreciated it, the people around me gave me a strange vibe, as if I was there with a well-paid hooker.
    “Just do what you always do. We don’t expect guys to be good,” she said, finishing her toast. “Besides, you are fine. I never complain, do I?”
    She was right. She never complained. Sometimes she muttered things under her breath, but I couldn’t be sure they were complaints. The thought this was her suggestion burned all kinds of interesting scenarios as to why she chose to accept this invitation. Was it me? Had she finally decided she needed to see what she had been missing all these years? Maybe. I wondered how we got the invitation, anyway. There must have been a conversation somewhere that led to this. There might have been some girl talk that led one of her friends to suggest a day at the key party. Her dissatisfaction surely led her to want to do this. Yep, I was quite sure I was inadequate enough to warrant this. Whatever the situation, I knew the show had to go on even if I turned out to be the comic relief.
     
    Women stood in line by the ladies’ room at the motel lobby, all dressed to impress the guy they chose. The smell of sweet perfume and female pheromones mixed together into a luscious treat. Wanting something to do instead of mingling with the competition, I decided to check in at the clerk’s desk and secure my own room key. The line wasn’t long, but with the short amount of conversation with the other guys, I came to the conclusion they were as nervous as I was. Although they never said it, I could tell they were just as worried about their wives. With the old-fashioned key ring and key in my hand, I headed off to seek my future in the arms of some woman to be named at a later date. As I passed the first attractive woman checking out my butt, I realized I must be someone’s draft pick.
     
    Arriving in the dance hall, I bellied up to the bar for my first potion. I drank that first shot quickly, hoping to shore up my faltering nerves. It worked better than I imagined. With every step into the crowd I could feel myself drifting into the sexual mood of the room. The lady at the table would be nice. I hoped the woman by the piano might find my key attractive. I hoped to get the cola machine rather than the lady leaning against it. At least the machine weighed less. All the time, though, I kept seeing my wife just a few yards away, talking and mingling like she had done this before. Yes, I was a little jealous. No, I couldn’t stop it.
    The music railed on into the night as I danced with this one and that one. I loved the feel of the curvy woman as we slow danced around the floor. That bony girl would never do. What if I broke her? The one built for sex, with legs that made a perfect line into her thinly veiled panties, heaving bosom, and strong arms, kept her distance from me. Finally, as the evening rolled to a stop, I had my chance. The pattern had been clear — some fancy rock song, then a country two-step, and then the slow dance. She was by herself, alone as the slow dance was about to be played. I had enough time to make my way across the room and ask her to dance before the announcer finished his speech.
    “All women, the time has come to grab a key for the evening. Guys, room keys please.”
    Damn! Screwed again.
    I fumbled in my pocket to dig out the motel room key and dropped it in the hat. Disappointed, I made my way over to the bar and grabbed a shot of courage for the road. I noticed my wife was twisting her hair over by the juice fountain, a sure sign she was nervous as well. I suddenly found myself stroking her back as a way of reassuring her things would be