Page 46 of The Fighter
“Well, I don’t know all the details but from what he said she was giving him oral sex when he made a comment that upset her.”
“What comment?”
“Something about her using her tongue for what it was meant for and him having fantasized about shutting her up like that ever since he first met her.”
“And she got mad about it?”
“Furious!”
Solomon lowered his brow. “Women can be sensitive, and maybe this one had no sense of humor.”
“Maybe.”
Solo looked like he was thinking hard. “Did she say why she got upset?”
“Yes. She took it as if he didn’t respect her. You know, as if sex was the only thing women are good for.”
Solomon snorted. “Didn’t respect her – ha. See, that’s where Motlanders get it all wrong. We Nmen respect women a ton, but why shouldn’t a man be allowed to play out a few dirty fantasies in bed? If he had said it outside the bedroom it would have been a different story, but in bed, he should be allowed to play around a little.”
I made a sound of agreement as Solomon kept talking.
“It’s like when Willow and I have sex. She likes it when I place a hand on her throat and squeeze a little, but if I tried anything like it outside the bedroom, she would kick my nuts.”
I raised an eyebrow. “She likes it when you strangle her?”
“Just a little. It’s a sign of trust, and I fucking love that it turns her on that I’m in control.”
“I never took Willow for a submissive woman.”
Solo smiled. “That’s because outside of the bedroom she’s not. My woman controls most things in our lives, and then I bring balance by dominating her in bed. It works!”
“Huh.” I gave a slow nod. “So maybe it’s not what my friend said but rather that the woman didn’t feel respected outside of bed.”
“Could be, but don’t worry; I have a trick that works like magic on women. Give her a foot rub or scalp massage; it makes even hysterical women calm and easy to get along with.”
“I doubt he’ll be allowed to touch her again.”
“Good point. So, what is your friend going to do?”
I shrugged. “Try to talk to her, I assume, but the whole thing has me reflecting on our role in the future. We both know that we’re the ones who’ll face the angry Nmen who got screwed over. Do we kill a guy who lost his temper when he found out his woman is seeing several men? Do we restrict the women from having multiple men at the same time? Just because monogamy makes sense to us doesn’t mean everyone shares our opinion. Historically, other cultures didn’t believe in it and it was normal to have lovers outside the marriage.”
Solo groaned. “That’s just sick.”
“For us, yes. But if one of those people were here maybe they would think we’re the ones who have it all wrong.” I plucked at the grass. “Think about it, Solo.”
“Think about what? To me it’s black and white. It’s the Motlanders who are making it complicated when it’s really not.”
“What if you and Willow decided that you love each other so much that you will only work out together. From now on you can never work out with me and Zas or your other pals. You can only work out with Willow.”
“No way. She keeps herself in shape by dancing and doing yoga shit. I need my hard-core sweaty workouts.”
“Then it would be a compromise for each of you. Maybe you could do yoga or dancing from time to time and maybe she’ll be sweaty with you in return, but mostly you’ll probably have to find something in between that is tolerable to both of you.”
“What kind of shitty deal is that?” Solo wrinkled up his nose. “Willow and I could never be partners. I work out every day, she used to do it three or four times a week, but now with the baby, it’s even less.”
“There’s that.” I nodded. “But that’s how others see monogamy.”
“It’s not the same thing. Working out is a physical need whereas being married is a deep connection that you share with someone.”
