"Well, maybe it's time for you to take control."

Carrie heard Margo's words and wasn't surprised. "Leave it to you to take up for your brother." She shook her head accusingly. "You don't understand. It is his responsibility to take control. It is the one day out of three hundred and sixty-five that a man should plan, prepare, and carry through with romance. Am I right or am I right?"

"You're wrong." The words spilled easily from pouty lips.

"I don't think so, Margo. After all, Steve and I have been married for five years, and it's time he started acting like I matter." Carrie threw her bags into the trunk of the car and tossed her red locks over her shoulder before she climbed in. Once Margo was inside the vehicle, the conversation picked up where it left off.

"I am important. I'm young and attractive. I can do better than your brother, if he has no interest in me."

"Well, you know, Carrie, he can do better too." Margo shifted in her seat. "This marriage thing," she paused, "I'm told takes two."

Carrie could see she had crossed the line by the fire in Margo's chubby cheeks. "Look, hon, I'm sorry. Sometimes I forget you aren't just my best friend but also my sister-in-law. I hate that I mentioned anything." She didn't regret anything. In fact, she knew exactly what she was doing. After all, she had said she could do better than Margo's brother.

"Don't worry about it. I still take the same position anyway. You are as much to blame for the lack of excitement on your anniversary as Steve. I don't want details, but let me tell you what I would do if I were in your shoes. I'd plan for a night of romance like no other, and I'd do it all on my own. Show him what he's been missing, and who knows, maybe next year he'll look at it like it's his turn. You can start a new tradition."

With the radio cranked up and the top down, the young women headed home in silence. Carrie's mind churned with ideas for a scorching hot romantic date. She deviously thought of the particulars. What it would take to draw him out of his morality like the way she used to be able to do without any problem.

Trying to hide the wicked grin would be pointless so she was glad Margo had her attention on the passing cars. Guy shopping was something she cleverly managed from the passenger's seat. I miss those days, Carrie thought.

Absorbed in her flirting, Margo waved and winked. Carrie's thoughts turned back to Steve. She knew she would have to find a way--just the right words or the right moves--to romance or provoke him. If she could bring his other side out, it would be a delightful beginning to a wonderful anniversary. But how? How would she do it? She'd have to think of something.

When the big day arrived, Carrie felt like a kid in a candy store. She woke up with a smile on her face, almost convinced Steve had remembered to do something special. She rolled over to an empty bed. Cursing him for a moment, she slung the covers back and immediately pulled them to her again to be sure he hadn't thought to leave her a note or a rose. Anything would've been nice. The only thing she found was her toy poodle's bone.

Cursing, she threw the edible toy across the room and thought about calling off all of her plans for their anniversary evening. She could give her inconsiderate spouse a dose of his own medicine. He certainly deserved it!

A complex strategy was needed. She knew what to do and wanted to orchestrate the evening into one memorable occasion. She wanted to get laid! More than anything, she needed him to appear in his rawest form. She couldn't think about it. Just the thought would get her all worked up, and Carrie was short on batteries for her little handheld toy so sexual thoughts, along with urges, would have to wait for much later.

They'd both been so uptight and sexually frustrated, without a doubt, and it had been far too long. It would end with their anniversary. Her hand slid into her already damp panties, and she touched the intimate mound she wanted him to climb. More specifically, ride. Shaking off her own needs once more, she decided there would be time for play later. There was a special occasion to plan and a date with desire needed a well-thought-out game plan.

Carrie, struggling to stay focused, ran into the living room and began to tidy up. She had a lot to accomplish while Steve worked, and with time clicking away, it would be a race to finish everything before he walked through the door at six later that night.

She turned on some music and threw open the windows overlooking a perfect day in Palm Beach. She turned back time with thoughts of the past she and Steve once had. She wasn't a Palm Beach girl. He'd married her and brought her home after they both graduated from The University of Georgia. She'd gone from being a Georgia Bulldog to literally being treated like one in his tight circle of high society.

She never knew what hit her when she began to try to fit in with the Palm Beach crowd. In fact, she'd never been accepted despite Steve's family had been considered one of the more affluent old money families. Still, she wasn't one of them, which only added to her growing discontentment.

Carrie began daydreaming about everything Steve could give her if only he would. He was quite generous with the cash for gifts, but she generally bought them for herself, and he simply provided the means. A stockbroker, Steve had a very lucrative firm and seemed to have unlimited cash when she asked for it, but he always made sure she had to ask.

Steve admitted that he possessed a very low sex drive. Carrie never seemed to mind much because she had played a game of cat and mouse with him since they met. It always worked in her favor when she wanted him to do something she requested. Still, lately he remained uninterested even when she withheld sex for a number of weeks.

Well, she snickered to herself, that's all about to change. Tonight, he will come alive again, and his low sex drive will be fed like a virgin in need of a first fuck. Carrie began setting the stage. The only time she stopped was when the doorbell rang, and the postman asked her to sign for a package.