The Building

— But it’s been five months since we’ve been together. Since the baby was born, said Robert in a whisper while tying the trash bag from the diaper bin.

Lila was putting their sleeping baby daughter in the cradle; this was a conversation she had learned to dread, and her face projected every bit of her turmoil around it.

— I know, I know. I’m always tired from balancing work and the baby. And I know you—I know you’re also always tired from having to go from place to place doing research for the news station. You also know as well as I do that Minnie has been keeping both of us up with her crying every two to three hours.

— But c’mon, Lila, even on Saturdays, when we’re alone, resting and the baby is sleeping, you always find reasons to say no. There’s always “something,” like last week when I tried to seduce you and suddenly you had to start cleaning the oven—and we barely use it. What is happening? Do I not turn you on anymore? said Robert, getting close to her. Don’t you remember how much fun we used to have? We used to hide in empty classrooms in college to get all over each other. After getting married, we used to travel to the beach and do it in the sea or in the changing rooms. Do you remember we even went to the movies and got frisky to the point that we almost got banned? Nowadays I’m lucky to even see you naked, since you shower alone and get dressed in the bathroom.

Robert approached Lila from behind and hugged her around the waist.

Lila had just finished putting Minnie in the crib. She seemed to be enjoying the hug, but suddenly she took Robert’s hands, pulled away, and walked off, whispering:

— Let’s not wake up the baby.

They went to their bedroom, where Robert pulled Lila close to him. With his hands, he softly caressed her face, pulled her closer, and kissed her on the forehead.

— Come on, Lila, let me make love to you again. I’m going crazy without you.

Their eyes connected for a few seconds until Lila looked down, saying:

— But...

Robert knew her, and he knew that if he left her time to think, she would probably give an excuse not to be intimate. So he brought her face closer and landed a kiss on her lips.

Lila was conflicted. She really felt loved and was enjoying the passionate kiss from her husband, but at the same time, she was trying her best to think of a reason to stop the encounter before it was too late without offending him.

Meanwhile, Robert started moving his hands down from her face to her neck and shoulders, beginning a soft but firm massage. He always knew that it was a turn-on for his wife.

Lila’s mind was starting to go numb from the stimulation. She had always loved how careful her husband was when massaging her.

Robert pulled Lila’s body closer to his, so close that her chest was pushed against his. Carefully, like disarming a bomb, he started to slip his hands down, appreciating every part of her beautiful curves. He didn’t want to push his wife into having sex, but at the same time, his intrusive sexual needs were starting to cloud his thoughts. He slipped his hands into her pants; she wasn’t wearing underwear since she was already in her pajamas. Then he firmly squeezed her cheeks.

Lila’s mind was working at full capacity. She was very close to letting herself go until she felt Robert’s erection throbbing right next to her. Suddenly, she pulled Robert away from her, saying:

— Sorry, I know you want to do it, but I need to put the baby’s cups to sterilize, and I also need to go to the pharmacy to buy some more diapers and vitamins.

— Okay, let’s ignore how transparent you’re being by using this as an excuse not to be intimate with me. On my way home from work I could have bought those things. Why didn’t you let me know we needed more? Are you actively hoarding chores to have something else as an excuse now? said Robert, getting angry.

— No, not at all. I just noticed we needed them not long ago, and I didn’t want you to have a detour while coming back from work. I miss you when you’re not here, said Lila, getting nervous.

— I don’t know what to say anymore. You know what? I’m gonna take a shower and go to sleep. Tomorrow I have to drive to the countryside.

In bed, Lila couldn’t sleep. She was thinking of how good their marriage had been. Five years dating, one as an engaged couple, two years married—until then, it was always good. No major drama, no complications. It wasn’t perfect; they’d had their discussions and small fights from time to time, but nothing that wouldn’t get fixed with an honest conversation and some compromise. Until the baby arrived. They both did their best to keep it equal: he changed diapers while she fed the baby, he woke up when the baby needed soothing, and she washed the baby in the mornings. But something else was bugging her.

The next day, Lila was coming back from the store, just about to call the elevator when one of her neighbors, a college girl, appeared from the stairs. Lila couldn’t stop watching her—a perfect doll. Red hair straightened, eyes lined in copper, a freckle next to her lips. A top that might as well have been an unfolded handkerchief, leaving little to the imagination. Skinny jeans so tight that one could see the underwear marks as clearly as possible. And all surrounded by an aura of confidence that made her look stunning.

Lila suddenly felt self-conscious. She wanted to look that good. She used to feel like that before. She used to feel that confident. What happened? What changed? Suddenly, she turned around and left the building.

At night, Robert arrived at the parking lot. It was late, so by his calculations, Minnie was probably asleep by now. He was still a bit stressed about the day before, but at the same time, he felt guilty for his reaction, so he brought her favorite candy and some flowers as a present.

He took the elevator to his apartment, and when he opened the door, the lights were off; the only light source was a few candles. Suddenly, from the doorframe of the room, Lila emerged in a killer dress. Black as the night and very tight, it perfectly framed her ample hips and beautifully round butt cheeks. Classy, it complemented her brunette hair, which she had straightened. She usually had curly hair and only used her straightener for special occasions.

Robert felt how fast his blood was migrating south from his brain to the bulge between his legs.

— So, are those flowers for me, handsome? And are you planning on standing still all night, or are you coming with me? said Lila, walking toward the sofa and picking up an already opened bottle of wine and two glasses along the way.

Robert smiled and walked to the sofa. He sat next to Lila, gave her the flowers, and while pouring wine into the glasses, said:

— My love, I’m speechless. You look stunning. But first, let me formally apologize for yesterday. I let my...

Suddenly, Lila decided to shut him up with an intense kiss. The kind of kiss that they hadn’t shared for a long time—the kind they used to have when they were just dating in hidden spots around their university campus.

Robert was trying to calm down and treat her with as much sensitivity as possible, as he didn’t want the moment to end. He was no stranger to the mood suddenly changing when he tried to make advances in recent months. He started to kiss her neck, which made Lila react instantaneously. Lila loved how the brush of Robert’s beard felt on her skin. In her mind, she was ready to feel everything, to let herself go. Her dress was strapless, so Robert started to pull it down, exposing her small chest to the cold night air. He began to lick her from her neck down to her left breast, using his other hand to play with her right nipple. Lila was ecstatic. Her nipples had always been a sensitive area, so she pushed his head hard against her chest. Robert knew that was her signal to go harder, so he started to gently bite her nipple while licking the tip. This caused Lila to moan in pleasure.

— I’ve missed you so much, she said.

Robert wanted more. With his free hand, he started to pull down her dress when suddenly, in a matter of seconds, Lila stood up and left the living room in tears.

Robert was as confused as he could be. He followed her to their bedroom. She was curled up in bed, covering herself with a blanket. He realized that something else was happening.

— What’s wrong, honey? I thought we were both having a good time. Did I do something wrong? Did I hurt you in any way? he said, sitting next to her.

— It’s not you! It’s me! she cried. Look at me!

She sat up on the bed and then stood, pulling her dress down past her waist and letting it gather at her hips just above her underwear.

— Look at my breasts! They’re all saggy, and my nipples are extra pointy from lactating! They’ve changed! And look at this! My belly is no longer flat! I still have this weird gut from pregnancy, and I have stretch marks now! And look at this—this HIDEOUS THING! she said, crying intensely and pointing down to the scar from her C-section. How can I feel comfortable? Every time you see me, I fear you will be less and less attracted to me! I fear you are going to leave me!

Lila buried her face in her hands and crumpled to the floor. Suddenly, she felt embraced by her husband, who had dropped down on his knees next to her.

— Finally, I get it now, he said. I’ve been racking my brain for months trying to find out why you were so distant lately—trying to understand what changed for you to go from being so affectionate and loving before pregnancy to cold and distant after giving birth.

He hugged her and kissed her on the head.

— Look, honey, he said in a reassuring voice. I know your body has changed. Mine has too! We’re not the same young adults from college. Remember when I used to have a fully shaved face with only a mustache? I used to go to the gym regularly when you met me, remember that? I stopped going a long time ago, and I no longer have the washboard abdomen I used to have.

— It’s different. You still look handsome to me, she said. But I know that since I gave birth, my body changed radically. I know you will eventually realize it and stop feeling attracted to me. Every time I see myself in the mirror, I find something new to hate because of that.

He stood up and sat on the bed while holding her hand, signaling for her to do the same.

— Did you think at any point about asking my opinion about it? My dear, to me you still look as hot as the day I met you. I don’t care at all that you don’t look the same—I don’t expect you to! he said, smiling and putting his arm around her shoulders. I love everything you are. I love every chance to see you change. We’ve been through so many things together; why would I want or expect you to stay the same? Every new version of you makes me fall madly in love again and again and again.

She smiled and rested her head on his shoulder.

— To me, right now you look like a sexy MILF, he said, winking at her.

She laughed and felt a kind of relief she hadn’t felt in a long time.

— I have one request: next time, talk to me. I want to know if you’re feeling bad, and believe me, I will always do my best to make you feel better. Now, where were we, my sexy MILF? he said with a devilish smirk.

She wiped away her tears and gave him a warm smile. She was happy. She got close to him, dropped down to her knees, and started to unzip his pants.

— Oh, I know where we left off, she said, licking her lips. She didn’t need to work hard to find his penis; he was wearing boxers with a fly, and he was already so hard that as soon as she touched the fabric, it sprang out.

Lila had always found giving oral gratification to Robert very empowering. She loved how he twitched in reaction to every move her tongue made, every shift in position, every change in intensity. She felt in control of him. But this time it was personal—she took it as a matter of pride.

At the same time, Robert was in both heaven and hell: heaven because it was the satisfaction he had wanted for months, and hell because it had been so long that he was about to climax from the oral stimulation alone. Suddenly, he couldn’t hold it anymore. He moaned loudly as Lila felt the rush of his semen. She was ready for it and swallowed, though it was such a large load that some of it escaped her mouth. The flavor was never her favorite, but the sense of achievement made her so wet that a few drops fell onto the carpet where she was kneeling.

— I think somebody missed me a lot down there, huh? she said, wiping her face.

— Oh yeah. But don’t think you’re escaping so easily this time. Stand up right now, my lady, he said in a bossy tone that he knew she loved.

— Yes, sir! she said with a seductive look. So what’s next, my dear?

He came closer and, with both hands, pulled down her dress, leaving her in only her underwear—a very seductive, transparent red lace thong. She was soaking wet. Robert knew the kind of underwear his wife usually wore, and this was new.

— Do you like what you see? she asked with a flirty smile. I bought it today to surprise you.

— Oh, you bet I do, he said, biting his lower lip. He put his hands on her waist, lifted her up, pulled her onto the bed, spread her legs, and said, Let me show you how much I like it.

It was his turn. He pulled the thong to the side and started to play with his index and middle fingers—first slowly caressing the inner lips of her vagina, then gently spreading them to reveal her opening, using one finger to move in circles around her clitoris. With every circle, Lila’s breathing quickened as she let out soft, high-pitched moans. He went in for the kill, inserting two fingers inside while licking her clit. It was a move Lila loved; she started to feel so dizzy that spots appeared in her vision.

He felt her getting so wet that the sheets were soaking. She began to twitch—her signal that she was reaching an orgasm—so he slowly eased up, giving her small kisses as he moved up her body. When he reached her C-section scar, he felt her suddenly grow tense.

He stopped and said softly, I don’t find this hideous, you know. To me, every time I look at it, it’s a beautiful reminder of the day our daughter was born. Why would I think it’s bad? I know you probably still feel afraid or conflicted, but I promise you, little by little we’ll get back to a place where you feel safe again. And we’ll do it together.

He kissed the scar from left to right.

She was amazed at how, in a single night, her husband had managed to make her feel both sexy and loved, completely transforming the meaning of her most dreaded scar from ugly to safe and cherished.

— Come here, you big romantic goof, she said, pulling him beside her on the bed. They shared a deep kiss, and she felt his bulge growing hard against her again.

— Is he ready for round two? she asked, playing innocent.

He growled and climbed on top of her. But just as he was about to enter her, the baby started crying in the other room. They both broke out laughing.

— Talk about timing, huh? she said, trying to sit up.

— Yeah. But don’t worry—I miss Minnie, so let me tend to her this time, he said, getting up.

— Thank you. And hey... she said, spreading her legs with a seductive gaze, I’ll be waiting.

Robert smiled, winked at his wife, and went to take care of their baby daughter.