Each year around Valentine’s Day, we normally get each other something.

Our tradition is that, due to the work shifts, we give a card on the day and then a gift on the weekend closest if we are working.

This year it fell on a Friday. It was Veronica's night shift starting on Saturday, so the day fell in well.

We have been together for just under two years. But lately, things haven't been good. Our shifts have caused issues, but our love life has become non-existent.

For the past three months, she has always made an excuse not to have sex. I tried talking to her but she always changed the subject and didn't want to discuss it. More strain on the relationship.

My needs caused me to stray. I met someone at a bar and we started seeing each other, just for sex. She was involved with another woman but missed sex with a man, so she hid it from her partner.

The sex with Amanda was amazing. She loved the way I went down on her, the way I licked her clit and slid my tongue all over her, to the point where she climaxed multiple times. I loved her full breasts and the way her nipples felt when I sucked them.

She also gave great head. She loved to flick, lick, and suck my cock. She loved to edge me. When she did suck me off fully, it varied between her swallowing my load deep and having me erupt all over her lips and tongue.

The sex was awesome for me. She loved being fucked deep and hard and we tried so many positions that I lost count. She also loved me using toys on her while we played, and she told me what she did with her female partner. Did it turn me on? Oh my god, yes.

She enjoyed wearing sexy lingerie and wanting to make out in unusual places, often going out with no underwear so that she could flash and tease me.

Which in turn led to easy access to finger and rub her. One afternoon, while we were out for lunch, she lifted her skirt and flashed her bare pussy under the table. I slid my foot under and rubbed her with it, getting her hot and horny.  I watched her finger herself and then lick her wet fingers, sliding them across the table for me to suck.

Sex was always good. I told her about my girlfriend and the lack of sex as well as how we just weren't getting along. I told her I wished she was my girlfriend.

She was dismissive; she was happy with our arrangement and didn't want a full-on relationship. She was content with her partner in so many ways - it was just her need to satisfy her craving for sex with a man that made her stray. I suggested maybe a threesome with her and her partner would be interesting but that idea caused us to fall out.

It had been three weeks since we last spoke, and she stopped returning my messages. I knew I had blown it.

I made a decision to try and be a better boyfriend to Veronica in the hope things would improve. (My way of easing my guilt at cheating). 

One day I was out with my best mate Joe, and we got talking. I mentioned that Veronica and I weren't getting on too well. He asked about it, and I told him about the lack of sex. He asked if I was seeing anyone to satisfy my needs. So I told him I had, but didn't go into all the details, even though he was eager to know more

Things never turn out to plan in life though.

One day when Veronica was supposed to be working, I was passing through another area of the city and stopped to look for a bathroom. I was surprised to see a woman who looked like Veronica sitting in a restaurant with a man. It was definitely my Veronica. I was sure of it. I saw her holding his hand across the table, but didn't get a good look at the man, due to a parked car obstructing my view. By the time I got closer, he was gone.

Alarm bells went off in my head. It made sense - she was seeing someone else -  and no doubt the lack of sex with me was down to her being with him. Her night shifts gave her a perfect alibi. I thought that maybe I was overreacting, so decided to find out more.  I knew a friend of a friend who worked for a private investigator, who mainly dealt with cheating partners. I was angry and phoned them to arrange a meeting.

The meeting took place at a local café. I was taken through the cost and the procedures and Elaine, the boss of the company, checked to see if it was what I really wanted. She explained that, if the other party was cheating, the details, photos, and the resulting backlash when it all came out could turn nasty. But I was suffering from jealousy and agreed to go ahead, paying a retainer upfront with the rest when it was completed.

Several weeks passed and then they called to say they had evidence that showed Veronica was cheating. 

This was the third meeting I had with Elaine at the café, and we sat and spoke about what was going on over coffee. Elaine was in her late thirties, or early forties, but very pretty, wearing an expensive diamond ring and wedding band. I did comment once, and she put me in my place immediately, telling me she was happily married and didn't want any flirting on my part. It was like being chastised by my teacher or mother. I knew not to go there again.

Friday evening, Valentine’s Eve, came around. I spoke to Veronica and told her I was making a booking for dinner for us to celebrate. She told me not to bother, she had made other plans. Even knowing that she was probably going out with her lover, I was disappointed. I still had hope.

Saturday morning came and Elaine called and asked to meet. She needed to drop off a folder that contained damning proof of Veronica’s cheating. I opened the folder, and saw the photos and the man. Just then the door opened and in walked my friend Joe, along with Veronica. She stormed over and made a scene by accusing me of cheating, pouring water all over my lap and slapping my face. I was stunned.

Thirty minutes later, as I arrived back home, Joe opened the door but he refused to let me, blocking the doorway. 

 “Move or I call the police and get you removed for trespassing.”

He was defiant and I was furious. I shoved him back into the doorway, and as he fell backwards I got inside.

Veronica shouted to get out, “Your stuff is in the dining room, in bags!”.

“No, you get out. Get your stuff packed, and go! This is my house, not yours. Plus you're the fucking cheat. You and Joe. I've got photographic proof. You've been under surveillance for weeks. That woman at the café just gave me the photos.”

Veronica appeared at the top of the stairs. “You're the cheat. Joe told me you've been seeing someone.”

“Did he now? Well, that's what I told him. It worked - you believed him. But then again, you two have been at it behind my back for a while. The excuses you made for not wanting sex were down to you fucking him. Get your stuff and get out. I'm calling the police to get you two removed if you don't go now.”

Joe appeared in the hallway.

“Just so you know, Joe, we're finished. And so is your career in politics. When I tell your bosses about your infidelity and splash it all over social media, you’re done.”

He tried taking a swing but missed. Managing to open the door, I shoved him out, then locked it. Picking up the phone, I called the police. 

Veronica came downstairs, in tears, and started shouting. I grabbed the folder and threw it at her. 

“All the proof is here! Get out. I'm sure all your friends and family and workmates will love reading all about the sordid details when I put them online.”

“No, no, please don't, I beg you.”

“Get out now.” 

“I can't take all my stuff, there’s too much.”

“Well, I suppose I could pack it up for you, if I’m feeling generous, and you can get a courier to pick it up. You're not setting foot back in here.”

The police duly arrived, calmed everyone down, took some details, and advised Joe to leave. But they didn't really want to get too involved in a domestic. That was that - Joe left and Veronica left with him.

Two weeks later, Veronica got her stuff collected, but not before pleading for me to forgive her and take her back.

A few months passed and one day when I was out, I ran into Amanda. I thought that she would ignore me, but she said hello. After some small talk, she told me she regretted not getting back to me, as the sex had been fun. She felt she had left it too late. In turn, I apologized for mentioning a threesome with her and her partner, and she smiled.

“It's fine. In fact, we have actually discussed that. The possibility of another man joining us - she is, surprisingly, quite willing!”

But that’s a whole different story.