Danica

I've laid off him about the whole sex thing for a few days, but it's time to try again. This time I'll be more subtle and try other ways.

We ate dinner and had a few glasses of wine. "Dash, could we talk?" I asked as I took my wine to the couch and sat down.

"Sure, what's up?" He walked over with his beer and sat next to me.

I sat up and looked at him. "I have some freedom now, and I was hoping I could take some adventures out of the house?"

"What kind of adventures, like shopping or something?" He asked.

"No, I see stuff on television and I'd like to visit a club. As you said, we should see this as a fake marriage, so maybe I'll meet someone." I said.

He shifted in his seat. "No." He said.

"Why?" I'm trying to get him to argue.

"Because it's not safe." He said.

"Like it's safe here? I feel these men looking at me, and I really need to do something soon. Otherwise, I'm afraid I'll do something I'll regret with one of these men. I feel desperate, Dash." I said as I crossed my legs in front of him.

He tilted his head. "You just want to go out to get laid?"

I shrugged. "I mean, only if there's one out there that might actually pay attention to me."

He narrowed his eyes. "That's ridiculous." He said.

"Is it, Dash? Really, think about it, I'm twenty-five." I said.

"No." He said as he got up and walked to the kitchen, so I followed.

"I'll take security," I said.

"Drop it." He said as he got another beer from the fridge. I leaned against the counter and stared at him.

"What?" He asked as he opened the beer.

"You're worried I'll get my feelings hurt when I get turned down," I said.

He paused mid swig and looked me up and down before continuing, then set his beer down on the counter.

"That's not funny." He said.

"Was I laughing? I'm serious Dash. I'm lonely, can't you tell?" I asked.

"You're married." He said, then leaned against the counter and crossed his arms.

I laughed. "Oh, so I'm married now?"

He crossed one leg over the other. "I don't visit women." He said.

"Why not?" I asked.

"I'm here to do a job." He said.

"Your duty for the CIA means more than your duty as a husband. Well, I have a duty to myself." I turned to walk away, but he didn't stop me.

"I know what you're doing." He said, and I paused before turning toward him.

"What?" I asked.

"Playing on the fact that you know I care." He said.

"If you cared, I wouldn't be so lonely," I said, then walked upstairs to get my shower.

I took my shower, then slipped into my new silk pajama set. The shorts hang just below my butt and the top has spaghetti straps. It barely covers my belly, so I hope he notices.

I like Dash, probably too much, but I need this from him. I can't rely on him when all this is over. My only chance lies in what my father said.

I told my father that Dash thinks I'm on birth control, so he got me sugar tablets in a birth control package. I've been taking them every morning in front of Dash down in the kitchen. The idea of what I'm trying to do makes me feel guilty, but then again, a baby will give me family, and we would have each other. I can support it with my trust, and we won't ever need a man to keep us safe, I can do it on my own.

I was putting lotion on my legs when Dash stopped in front of my door. I couldn't have planned that to happen, because I usually put lotion on in my bathroom, but it was too steamy tonight.

"Going to bed?" I asked, and he just stood there.

"Dash?" I looked up, and he was looking me up and down.

"Yeah?" He asked as I stood, and he looked me over.

He cleared his throat. "Sorry." He said.

"You're allowed to look at me. The last I checked, I am your wife," I said.

"You did this on purpose." He pointed at my body.

"If you're asking if I bought these pajamas because they make me feel sexy, then you're right. I like how they feel, but if you think I got them for you, then your ego has gotten way too big." I said, and I'm only half lying.

"Well, don't you have a robe?" He asked.

"I do, but why should I have to wear it in my bedroom?" I asked.

"Just shut your door." He walked away and slammed his own door shut. Well, that just happened. I shrugged it off and decided to go downstairs and hit the bar. I haven't ever had much access to alcohol, so I just want to have a few glasses and see what I like. I didn't bother with my robe since he went to bed, so I walked downstairs and flipped on the lights.

I took the lid off the first bottle and sniffed it, but it smelled horrible, so I put the lid back on and went for the next one, but it didn't smell much better.

Peach Snapps? That can't be too bad. I took the lid off and poured a glass, then took a sip. It burned as it went down my throat, but I kind of like it. I finished that glass and poured another, then another, and I started to feel great. No wonder people like drinking.

I went to walk to the couch with my book, but almost stumbled. That's when I heard his chuckle.

"What are you doing?" He asked with amusement written all over his face.

"Can't a girl have a drink in her own home?" I asked.

"Of course she can." He walked over and poured himself a drink. He's in nothing but a pair of sweat pants and his hair is still wet.

I pointed at him with the same hand that's holding my drink. "Do we need to discuss your choice of evening wear?" I asked, and he looked up. I saw a grin is on his face.

"I don't have your attributes." He said.

"You do have plenty of your own." I gave him a wink and went to the couch.