My Secrets Discovered by Layla Wilcox

Chapter One
    Like many secrets, mine began innocently.  
    I was rather surprised to find a store like Secrets as I drove through Sunny Harbor, a sleepy South Florida neighborhood of retirees. Yet I found myself drawn into the small shopping plaza toward Secrets’ seductively lit storefront display.  
    I entered the shop and was immediately dismayed to find a man behind the counter. I would have felt far more comfortable with a woman. The front of the store was filled with intimate garments, but I’d never seen lingerie like this before. It made Victoria’s Secret look like a Sears catalog as far as being interesting or racy.  
    Most of the clothes at Secrets were made of either leather or completely sheer fabric, and covered with studs or rhinestones. The garments were designed with openings conveniently located anywhere you might want a part of your body exposed. In fact, you wouldn’t have to remove a single item of clothing to complete any bodily function while wearing one of these outfits.
    I wanted to take a closer look, but I felt uncomfortable with the guy at the desk watching my every move. I slid past the clothing to the back room where the videos and adult toys were located. My self-consciousness deepened. Two men were browsing the DVDs. Glancing at the cover jackets on the boxes confirmed my suspicions that none of these titles would be available at Target or Walmart. Off in a corner of the room, a woman looked at the poster collection. I casually wandered over to browse the display of items on the opposite wall.  
    I was amazed to find that sex toys came in such a wide variety of sizes, colors, shapes, and functions. Although I could only guess at the uses of some of the merchandise, the display held plenty of toys that sent my imagination racing into overdrive. It occurred to me that this would be a fun place to explore with a lover.
    I wanted to take a closer look, but I was afraid to touch anything. Glancing over my shoulder to see if anyone was looking, I found myself alone in the room. I knew the storeowner was observing me via the surveillance camera mounted in the corner, so I examined the selection from a respectable distance. There were not many items in the price range I was willing to spend, but I did have my choice of color, size, and density.
    I finally got up the courage to grab a box off the wall and bring it to the counter at the front of the store. I avoided eye contact. I wanted to pay and get out of there.  
    “Do you need batteries?”  
    Oh, my God! I had not even considered that. I managed to stammer out a no, but he got me thinking. What size battery? Do I have any at home?
    Purchase completed, I escaped to my car and drove away. When I stopped at a light, I removed my new toy from the discreet, plain paper bag. Reading the fine print on the box, I was relieved to confirm that I did have the required size batteries. I discovered another bonus in the bag—the man had given me a discount coupon toward my next purchase. I transferred the coupon to the zippered pocket in my purse.
    When I returned home, I faced new dilemmas. Where would I keep my secret purchase from being discovered by my husband? And where could I hide the product’s box until Tuesday, garbage day?
    Once I located appropriate hiding spots, it was time to try out my purchase. After all, it wasn’t something you can try on for size at the store. I had to see if I’d gotten my money’s worth, although I knew I’d never ask for an exchange or refund.  
    I undressed and slid between the smooth sheets of my bed. Being naked by myself in the middle of the day felt a bit naughty. I thought about getting up and closing the blinds, but decided against it. The whole reason I bought the vibrator was about doing something outrageous and pushing myself out of the boring, comfortable box my life had become.  
    After twenty-two years of marriage, my sex life was in the dumps, not that it ever would have been considered Mt.