Page 37 of Malliko
“Ah, you mean the non-monogamous approach to relationships?”
“Yes. Clara was with her high school sweetheart since she was seventeen and hasn’t done much since she became single again. I want her to explore her sexuality and experience how wonderful it is to get out of your head and into your body.”
Evan nodded. “I’ve always been fascinated with non-monogamous relationships but haven’t tried it myself. Can I ask what attracts you to that lifestyle?”
Clara thought about that question for a while and then she answered. “For me personally, I’m attracted to that lifestyle because it requires a strong foundation of trust and mutualrespect. You have to be good at communicating and generous enough to allow your partner experiences that don’t necessarily include you. I would like to see myself as a person who doesn’t limit my partner but as I said, it’s new to me and emotions aren’t always rational.”
“And what about you? Why do you want to share your woman? Is it so that you can be with other women as well?”
I replied without having to think about the answer. We Eidrons didn’t live in monogamous relationships the way most humans did and so I based my answer on the few relationships I’d been in back home. “I enjoy seeing my partner experiment and try new things and new lovers. I will never feel threatened by you or any other man. I know that the pleasure I can provide Clara is different, and in some ways better because it’s connected to her heart. That doesn’t mean you can’t give her physical pleasure and multiple orgasms, and why would I deny her that?”
Evan sat back a little. “You’re right, but for most people, and myself included, I just think that jealousy would sour the experience. If the roles were reversed, I would definitely be afraid that she would want you over me.”
Clara and I exchanged a look and without her saying anything I knew she was telling me that Evan was right. She preferred me over him.
“But then again, when you look at the statistics of how many people cheat while they’re in a relationship you could argue that most relationships are open anyway.” Evan chuckled as if the thought was funny.
“That happened to me,” Clara said and crossed her arms. “My ex had an affair with a young intern at his law firm.”
Evan frowned. “I’m sorry to hear that. We men do silly things that we regret.”
“He didn’t regret it. They live together now. She’s eight years younger than me.”
The pain in Clara’s voice made me instinctively reach out and touch her hand.
“Sounds like the wound is still fresh,” Evan commented and took another sip of his wine.
“It’s been six years, so it’s not that it’s fresh. Just deep.”
Evan shrugged. “Well, looking at your new partner, I would say that your ex-husband did you a favor.”
Clara’s smile was faint.
“Anyway, now that we’ve had the first introduction in public to feel if we’re vibing, what do you think? Are you up for some fun later tonight at my place or yours?”
The way Clara’s eyebrows tightened across the bridge of her nose made it clear to me that she wasn’t ready to move things to the next level with this man.
“This is my first date in seventeen years and maybe I’m just struggling to separate sex dates from regular dates. I know we don’t have to click in all areas. It’s just that the thought of having sex with someone I hardly know is strange to me.”
“I get that. Trust me, it took me a while before I got back in the game after my wife and I split.” Emptying his glass, Evan put it down and exclaimed, “Anyway, think about it. If you are up for it, I would love to get together. My place, your place, or even at a club. I’m flexible.”
I lowered my chin. “Thank you. We’ll be in touch once Clara has had time to digest and think about what she wants. She’s meeting a few others so it might take some days.”
Evan stood up and extended his hand again and when she put hers in his, he bent down and kissed the back of her hand. “I’ll cross my fingers that you pick me. And might I just add that my oral skills are world class.”
“Noted,” Clara said and blushed a little red, which made me almost laugh. She was incredible sweet and brave for taking a step that seemed way out of her comfort zone.
Once Evan was gone, she turned to me and said, “Did you notice how he smelled of cigarettes? I specifically asked him if he smoked because it’s a deal-breaker for me. Not only did he lie about his height, weight, and being a non-smoker but he also used an old profile picture that showed him with lots of hair that he doesn’t have in real life. Bald men can be super hot, but it’s the fact that he’s lying about it. We can’t trust anything he says, Malliko.”
“Then he’s not the right match for you. Good thing there are others.”
With a sigh, Clara pulled out her phone and opened the dating app. Her eyes widened as she stared. “Jesus. I have more than five hundred new likes. That’s… overwhelming.”
“No, it’s good. Then set up a few new dates and see if you like someone better than Evan.”
Clara scrolled and scrolled before she put her phone down. “I’m sorry.”
“What’s wrong?”
