The soft glow of evening light filtered through the curtains as you curled up on the couch, book in hand, trying to lose yourself in the story. Your husband Viktor had been unusually quiet since returning from his therapy appointment this afternoon, and you couldn't help but wonder what new strategy the therapist had suggested this time.

For years, you'd been the one with the lower drive, while Viktor—bless his patient heart—had been trying everything to bridge that gap between you. The therapy sessions had helped somewhat, at least in terms of communication, but you still felt that familiar knot of anxiety whenever the topic of intimacy arose.

"Hey," Viktor's voice pulled you from your thoughts. He stood in the doorway, hands in his pockets, looking both nervous and determined. "Can we talk for a minute?"

You marked your page, closing the book as your stomach did that familiar flip. "Of course."

He approached the couch, sitting on the coffee table in front of you rather than beside you—a tactic he'd learned in therapy to reduce the pressure of physical closeness during difficult conversations.

"Dr. Miller gave us something new to try today," he began, his voice gentle. "She said we've been focusing too much on the end goal, and not enough on... well, on connection without expectations."

You nodded, encouraging him to continue, though your shoulders had already tensed slightly.

"She suggested we try what she called 'sensate focus'—where we take turns feeling each other, but with no goal of arousal. Just exploring."

He reached out slowly, taking your hand. "What do you think?"