Eighty years into the future, most entertainment devices are rendered obsolete in favor of the immersion: a recording of everything a person senses: sound, sight, smell, taste, and touch that can be shared through the Neural Network.
One of the pioneers of the Neural Network, Rick has always had trouble opening up to people
Although a brilliant programmer, Rick Chamfer is aloof and distant. As a result, he's never been good at relating with other people--even his wife Giselle.
Giselle is hiding from the ghost of a failed marriage in her past
Although her marriage with Rick couldn't be a happier one, Giselle is starting to feel an uncertainty about it that leaves her wondering if something is wrong.
Her decision will change their marriage... and possibly even themselves
When Rick finds out that Giselle has shared an intimate immersion of the two of them with their friend Charlene, he isn't sure what to think. As they work through this new discovery, he'll gain an insight he's never had before, an insight that will open him up and let him embrace the affections he has for his wife--both at home and to the public.
EXCERPT
As he slips into the bed, she rolls over to face him. She places her hand on his face again, and while gently stroking his cheek, looking into his eyes until he finally says, “What?”
“I was just thinking how lucky I am to have found you.”
“Is it my stunning good looks, prowess in bed, or my fabulous wealth that makes you say so?” he asks teasingly.
“Well… those certainly help,” she teases back. “But I’m serious. I meant it when I said you are a good man. I’m lucky no one snapped you up before me.”
“Maybe it is because you are the one that makes me a good man,” he suggests. “I certainly have some old girlfriends that wouldn’t agree with your assessment.”
“Their loss is my gain. I’m glad they didn’t know what they had.”
“Me too,” he says, leaning in to kiss her, a quick smooch as a punctuation mark to his agreement. He rolls from his side onto his back, tugging her over onto her stomach.
At his tug, she scoots over to prop on his body. “So… when did you set the recording?” she asks, looking into his face.
Rick checks the time.11:03. “It is recording now. I actually had it set for Wednesday, but after that little show this evening I suspect Charlie will need some… comforting. If I’m still awake in a couple of hours I will check to see if it caught anything. If not, I might set it to record in the morning.”
“You think you’ll still be up?”
“I doubt it… but I might still be awake,” he deadpans before looking into her face and chuckling.
She giggles as well. “Okay, Todd Rose,” she says before stretching for another kiss, this one longer and deeper than the one moments ago. His arms begin to encircle her but she moves to sit straddle of his bare torso. “I guess I’ll have to do my part to keep you up,” she says playfully, staring into his face.
“You already are,” he informs her as he strokes her thighs, ribs, and lower back, his hands gliding over her pajamas.
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