Mafia Desire (Erotica)

“Near the end, she was likely trying to distance herself from you. Limiting the intimacy in preparation for the separation,” Gabriella suggested. “But before that, generally, you two were compatible?”

Ben frowned. “Uh, I’ve mentioned that my body acts like a teenager. My libido has always been a little… overactive. Wendy was sometimes annoyed by that. Not angry, really, just annoyed.”

Gabriella smirked. “More than one woman could endure?”

Ben smiled then caught the nuance of Gabriella’s question. He frowned again.

“What?” she asked, seeing his quick mood swing.

“I’m not that kind of man,” he rumbled.

“What kind of man?” she asked.

“I don’t- I’m not promiscuous! I’m not unfaithful!” he growled.

“Have you made promises of fidelity to any of the women you’ve been with recently? I understand you’ve specifically told one the exact opposite, yet she still wants to be with you. Another promised you no strings attached relationship. Neither calls you unfaithful. Neither has anything but praise for what a good person you are. Why do you think that is?” Gabriella asked gently.

Ben scowled and thought hard. Obviously, she was talking about Tina and Trish.

Gabriella pressed on. “You did mention in your expectations that fidelity is the most important one. May I suggest that it may have a lot to do with the type of relationship you were in? Traditional marriage is a contract with terms specifically defining the promise of fidelity. There are open marriages that don’t have that clause and allow the spouses to seek emotional and physical enjoyment with other partners.”

“That’s unrealistic!” he growled.

“Really? We’ve talked about expectations. Let’s talk about beliefs. Do you believe the heart can only love one person at a time? Do you believe traditional marriages are the only successful kind of relationship between adults?”

Ben thought about his complicated feelings for Gabriella, Catherine, Tina, and Trish. She saw it on his face, so he couldn’t deny it. “No, people can love more than one person. But that leads to heartache when one partner feels unfulfilled!”

“That could definitely happen if there was no communication. No relationship will last in a vacuum. People just aren’t built to function that way. We need to be constantly in touch with each other to see if we can do something to ease the other’s way in life or if they can ease ours. That’s what makes for a rich relationship! Were you unwilling to communicate your feelings and needs with your wife?”

“No,” he mumbled.

“So communication shouldn’t be an issue for you,” she smiled.

“You can’t marry more than one person!” Ben argued.

“Back to the question of marriage then. Is that the only viable outcome of a relationship for you?” Gabriella asked.

“Well, traditionally. You meet someone, you date, and you fall in love. Then you get married and start a family. You grow old together,” Ben said.

“What about friends?” she asked. “How do you see that relationship working?”

“Friends, you nurture for life,” Ben replied.

“That’s a really nice way of putting it. I think I like your idea of friendship more than that model of traditional marriage. The idea of nurturing never ending, but being an integral part of the relationship sounds lovely!” she smiled. “Can I ask you how you define friendships? What are the benefits and limits? Can you love a friend, romantically, physically?”

Ben thought about friends. He thought about how he had been interacting with his neighbors, his friends. About how he was emotionally connected to them and cared about their well-being. How he had used sex to help them feel better. The light came on behind his eyes, and Gabriella’s smile grew wider as she saw his understanding.

“Yes, you’re already there. It’s working, and no one is hurt. Everyone wants you to feel as happy as you make us feel, but the only one stopping that from happening… is you,” Gabriella said gently.

“I hurt Tina,” Ben said through gritted teeth.

“And how did that happen?” she asked.

Ben looked at Gabriella sharply.

“Tina told us the whole story of your evening of dancing, minus the intimate details, so we are aware of the circumstances, but I’d like to hear your opinion of what went wrong,” she added.

“I led her on. We had a wonderful evening, and in the morning, she told me how sad I’d made her. How I’d ruined her!” Ben said in anguish.

“Tina believes you don’t want her. Is that true?” Gabriella said bluntly.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

Ben rocked back. “Don’t want her?!? Of course, I want her! She’s beautiful, smart, loving, but SHE’S NOT FOR ME!” he barked.

“Who says?” she asked sternly.

Ben’s mouth opened, but nothing came out at first. Then he recalled something. “Ah… I do… and Trish! Trish agrees with me! Tina is almost half my age! It’s unfair to her!”

“I think if you spoke with Trish now that she’s had time to understand Tina better, she’d give you a different answer, but let’s leave that alone for a minute. Instead, let’s take a look at the word you just used. Unfair. I think you’d agree with me that finding a compatible mate is difficult. Someone you can love. Someone that loves you back. The push and pull of personalities, wants, needs, and desires can make that very difficult. Tina is a special case. She’s a submissive. Her needs are very specific, and the risks for her are much greater. How much more difficult do you think her submissiveness makes it for her to find a compatible mate. She’s had a terrible experience in her marriage. In you, she’s found someone willing to give her what she needs without fear of abuse. Then you pushed her away because you believe she needs to find someone else,” Ben began to protest, but Gabriella held up her hand so she could continue. “Do you understand she doesn’t need to be the only person in your life? Tina just wants to be part of yours. You’re right. She’s young. She’s going to be going to university. She’ll meet people. Maybe she’ll meet someone closer to her age that can fulfill that special need she has. Wouldn’t that be easier for her if she had a support system in place until it happened?”

“But-but she said I ruined her for everyone else. How would I make that better by allowing it to continue?” Ben argued.

“First true loves are always the best. That doesn’t mean life doesn’t move you along. Sure, you always compare new relationships to the first, and Ben, you are pretty tough to beat, but life goes on. Tina is young! Everything is a little more immediate and dramatic for the young. Don’t be trapped by her current angst,” she said with an understanding smile.

“So… are you telling me I should let her live with me and be my lover?” Ben said, confused.

Gabriella still felt a little uncomfortable with the idea but realized that was precisely what she had to be okay with it for everyone’s sake, including hers.

“Look, you set out a life plan for Tina. It’s hugely generous of you and truly demonstrates you care about her future. I’m not saying you change the plan significantly. Just let her into your life on the condition that she keeps her heart and mind open to the possibility of love in the future from someone she may meet. You, in turn, will have to be aware that what you two have may not be permanent. It’s kind of like friends with benefits. Someday she may meet the one, and you two will just remain friends. Special friends.”