Page 2 of Untether

‘Good for her,’ I say. I love that. But it sounds like there’s more to this story, so I wait.

Gen smiles like she has a delicious secret, and not for the first time, I observe that Wolff’s a lucky guy. She’s one of my best and oldest friends, but there’s no denying she’s a knockout. That platinum hair and those killer curves are every guy’s fantasy.

‘What makes it intriguing for us,’ she adds, ‘is that she wants to film the experience. She’s pitched me a documentary that follows her journey to reclaim control of her sexuality. She’s forty-six, and she wants to show women it’s possible to redefine their approach to and enjoyment of sex after a long-term relationship.’

My mind is whirring. I love this idea—I completely agree that this woman’s message is one that needs to be spread, and I adore the idea of Unfurl being used in this way.

But:

‘When you say it’ll be filmed,’ I ask, ‘what exactly do you mean?’

‘It won’t be a porno,’ she shoots back quickly. ‘No way. She’s been pitching it to Channel 4 and the big streaming platforms. It would be an actual documentary, focused heavily on interviews with her, with us, and with various sexperts who are qualified to discuss female sexuality. But there’s one more thing you should know.’

‘What’s that?’ I ask, grinning. Gen’s circumspect by nature, but her obvious excitement is infectious.

She licks her lips. ‘The woman in question is Aida Russell,’ she says. ‘And I thought you’d be just the man to unfurl her.’

Holy fuck.

2

CAL

Aida Russell.

Aida Russell, who is hot as fuck and one of the smartest, most articulate broadcast journalists we have in this country.

Aida Russell, whose habit of running that pink tongue of hers along her bottom lip has made her the subject of a million sexy gifs.

Aida Russell, who’s interviewed everyone from King Charles to Joe Biden with her signature aplomb.

Aida Russell, whose wanker of an ex cheated on her with women half her age.

Aida Russell wants to get unfurled?

And Gen wantsmeto lead the charge?

Where’s the nearest pen? Sign methe fuckup.

No, actually.

Wait.

Gen’s grinning at me in undisguised amusement. ‘That got your attention.’

I nod slowly. ‘Yeah. Certainly did.’

‘What’s your initial reaction?’

‘Um.’ Wow. ‘Dunno. I need some time to process. Spell it out for me?’ I wipe my palms over my wool-clad thighs.

‘Aida wants to do a documentary with us. She feels strongly about changing the narrative around her divorce and the prospects for women of a certain age as sexual beings.’

‘Amen to that,’ I say.

‘And she’s going to need a… leading man. Someone who can hold her hand through the programme and mentor her and also advocate for her cause on the documentary.’ She pauses. ‘I thought you’d be perfect. You’re indecently attractive, you’re a great ambassador for the Alchemy brand, and something tells me you wouldn’t be camera-shy.’

I smirk. ‘Indecently attractive, you say?’

---