Chapter 1 - Symphony
I don't know why I'm doing this.
Well, I do, I guess, and that's even more disturbing.
And so, as we're walking up the steps to the concert hall, Elaine has her arm through mine, and I have butterflies in my stomach. It is early Friday evening, and the warm air carries midsummer perfumes.
If either of our respective spouses knew how I was feeling now, they'd be here, ensuring that we were on opposite sides of town. They surely wouldn't have set us up a date together. But they did, even if that wasn't the way they saw it.
My wife works with her husband. Over the last two years, we've all gotten to know one another well. We met a few times at company functions, then Anita and Geoff set up dinner for the four of us, and since then we've eaten together regularly, and often spend the evening together.
I like Geoff and Elaine both. I've always been strongly attracted to Elaine, though. It has been effectively a harmless fancy. We flirt, subtly, but not covertly. Anita and Geoff are quite aware of our games, and take it as nothing more than a sign that we enjoy each other's company. Which we do. It's stimulating, and it's safe, because we know it can't lead to anything more. After all, we only meet with our spouses as chaperones.
Until now.
Anita has had plans for a couple of months to attend a company trade show. Geoff and Elaine have had plans for about the same time to go to the symphony. Then, just a couple of days ago, another company rep came down with the 'flu, and Geoff was co-opted into filling his place at the trade show. Rather than let their tickets go to waste, Anita suggested I might escort Elaine for him. Geoff called me, and...
And here I am, at Geoff's request and my desire. Elaine's too, I hope. I'm nervous, because I know I enjoy Elaine's presence too much. I'm not likely to take her to a quiet corner and seduce her, but our normal flirting feels good and feels wrong at the same time. Yet we're so used to the casual innuendoes that we seem unable to suppress them completely, and, dammit, she's turning me on.
I look over the crowds, in their suits and gowns. "A fine body of an audience. Speaking of fine bodies, you're looking wonderful tonight." She gives me a sly grin. We sit. She is wearing a black silk evening gown. It is cut modestly, but not high, at the front, and low in the back. It is belted snugly at her trim waist, emphasizing her full... oh, God, no, don't even think about it. She is wearing a thin gold chain supporting a single diamond, and an elegant pair of diamond earrings. The subtle sparkle sets beautifully against her long dark hair and elegant figure. The oval glasses give her a studious look, but her eyes, almost amber, hold a light which hints at passion.
We maintain a chaste distance during the first half. The orchestra is very good, and the director has feeling. During the interval, she lays her hand on my arm as we move around, but when we stand, we part.
The main work in the second half is the Bruch Violin Concerto. The soloist does justice to its emotional depth, and we are entranced. During the second movement, Elaine leans close to make a comment, and slips her hand into mine. We both contrive not to notice, and make no attempt to separate. We unclasp hands for the final applause, and don't seek any more contact, until she hooks my arm as we leave.
We're enjoying the evening, and don't want it to end yet. Elaine suggests getting a drink somewhere. I counter with the suggestion that since it's such a lovely evening, we take something back to the house - champagne feels right - and sit out on the deck.
She concurs. We all think the deck is our house's best feature. Our back yard is heavily wooded, with a bridged creek near the house. The deck overlooks the creek, it's wide and fenced, with steps down to the bridge. Both the living room and master bedroom have french doors leading to the deck. We often have dinner out there with friends, and on a temperate night Anita and I will leave the bedroom doors open and enjoy the scent of the trees and the sounds of the creek.
The sun has set, but the warm air still carries scents of evening as we walk to the car. Elaine takes my left arm, and pulls herself close to me. After a moment, I disengage my arm and reach part way around her back, resting my hand on her left shoulder blade. She slides her right hand around my waist, and we walk on. Comfortably close, but by no means holding one another tightly.
We buy the champagne on the way home. When we arrive at the house, we continue the formality we've been playing with all evening, as I escort Elaine across the threshold, and through the house to the deck. I'm not quite sure why we are still doing this. Just continuing what felt appropriate at the concert hall, or because it gives us an excuse to keep touching? Perhaps both. Certainly I have enjoyed the feel of her arm through mine.
I seat her on the porch swing, which faces outwards over the creek, and light the patio candles, and go back into the house. I fill a container with ice from the freezer, set the champagne in it, and take it out with two glasses. The light from the living room is distracting, so I turn the lights off, and turn on subdued lighting in the bedroom. This gives just the right low level of light. I leave all of the doors open as I head back outside.
I uncork the champagne and pour two glasses. I hand one to Elaine, and sit on her left. We drink in silence for a while, watching fireflies making the night air sparkle. Crickets and frogs comprise the soundtrack, with cicadas occasionally overpowering both.
When we talk, we speak quietly about those personal details we've never had the chance to share. The innuendo and banter is gone. About our childhoods and dreams. Where we've been and what we've seen. Our families. Our tastes, especially in music, given this evening's concert. I pour us more champagne.
Somewhere along the way, she runs her fingers over the back of my hand, then slides them into my palm. As we talk, she strokes the back of my hand with her thumb.
She asks for another glass of champagne. She stands with it, and walks over to the fence, leaning out to watch the fireflies and listen to the gentle sound of water from below. I walk over and stand beside her. The low back of her dress is inviting, and I run my hand down her bare skin, and leave it nestled in the small of her back. She shivers slightly and leans against me.
She stands silent for a while. Then, quietly: "Thank you for a perfect evening."
"I should thank you," I say. "They were your tickets, after all. And I couldn't have asked for a more elegant or charming companion." She still looks out into the woods, but I see her smile. I lift my glass. "To a very beautiful lady," I say.
She turns to face me. It's hard to tell in the low light, but she seems to be blushing slightly. "To a wonderful friend," she says.
We each take a sip, and finish our glasses in silence. The fireflies are fewer now, but the frogs sing louder than ever, and a hazy moon has risen and is visible through the leaves.
"I'm not ready for this to end," she says softly.
I take her left hand in my right. "There's no need for it to end until you want," I reply, equally softly. "Don't worry about the champagne and getting you home. We can get a cab for you when you're ready to leave."
"That's the problem," she says. She turns back to face me, and takes my left hand in her right, lacing fingers. "I'm afraid that I won't be able to leave when I need to."
She pulls herself close to me and lifts her head. I lower mine, and our lips meet. She squeezes my hands, then releases them and puts her arms around me. I put my hands on her shoulders, and hold her tightly to me, conscious of her breasts pressed against my chest.
We kiss gently. I stroke the skin of her back, and she holds me against her. Then she pulls away. I start to release her, thinking she's backing off, but she just removes her glasses and puts her hands behind my neck.
Our lips meet again, and she trembles slightly against me. She holds my face to hers and I squeeze her body to me, aware now of every square inch of contact. Our tongues meet, and she sighs. I slide my hand down below the cut of her gown, and stroke her back. I feel the press of her thighs and her breasts against me
Eyes closed, we taste and share each other. I explore further down her gown, running my hand lightly over her butt. We kiss deeply, rhythmically, tangling tongues. I move my hand up her smooth back, and stroke her sides firmly with both hands. I slide them lower, feeling the fine line of her panties through the thin fabric, and back, to firm flesh. I clasp her against me. I feel her groin pressing against mine. From the speed and depth of her breathing, this is really turning her on. It's certainly having that effect on me.
Our passions rise, each building on the other's need. I move my hands against her butt, and grasp and knead gently with my fingers. She responds by pressing her body ever tighter into mine, and gently biting my tongue.
I unfasten and remove her belt. I slide my hands up and down her sides, from her shoulder to her hips. I love the feel of her skin beneath the silk.
After a time, I pull my hands away, and lay them on hers behind my neck. I interlace my fingers with hers. Without breaking our kiss, I detach her hands from my neck, lower them to her sides, and release them.
I reach up to her shoulders, and hold them gently. Our lips finally part as I push her slightly away from me. She is apprehensive. Perhaps because she doesn't know what I plan to do. Perhaps because she does.
I remove her necklace, and set it aside. I run my index fingers inside the evening gown's thin silk straps, from her shoulders down her smooth skin just to the very edge of her breasts. I take her face in my hands and kiss her on each eye, then, lingering, on her mouth. I put my hands on her shoulders and kiss her neck. I slide the straps apart and kiss her bare shoulders. Then I slide the straps down her arms, pulling the gown free of her breasts. A little further, and the gown drops to her feet. Her eyes are wide, her expression torn between eagerness and nervousness. I run my fingers up her sides, and forward along her firm breasts. She gasps slightly, and her large eyes look into mine. Then, without warning, she reaches up, grasps my head, and forces my mouth hard onto hers. I squeeze her breasts as she tries to devour me with her kiss. She pulls my shirt out of my pants to feel my skin, and I know that she wants me as much as I want her.
What we have feared and desired for two years has come to pass. What we have studiously avoided and diligently sought is beginning. We knew we would never betray our spouses. Now we know we can't betray our dreams. We have wanted each other for two years. Whatever happens after, tonight belongs to the two of us, and for tonight, we belong to each other.
I gather up her gown, and lead her through the bedroom doors. I take off my jacket as she kicks off her high heels. She removes my shirt and tie, then fastens her mouth on mine again as she unfastens my pants. Without letting our lips separate, she slips off her hose. With difficulty, I remove my shoes and socks. Then I put my arms around her and stroke her back, as she holds me tightly to her.
She pulls us both down onto the bed. I reach up and knead her breasts. Her breath gets short. She breaks our kiss and moans slightly against me.
For the first time, I see her breasts clearly, and my heart beats faster. As I've always thought, or at least, as I've always tried to avoid thinking, they are fuller than her slender frame would suggest. I reach out and stroke them gently, fondling the wide, dark aureolae and the hard nipples. Then I lower my mouth and take her right breast, kneading the nipple with my tongue. She gasps, and makes a soft sound of pleasure.
I slide my left hand down inside her panties. As I stroke her pussy, she moves against me. I slip my finger inside her. She is already wet.
I take off her panties, and continue to fondle her. After a few moments, she sits up, and pushes me down onto my back. With some difficulty, she removes my underwear, and runs her hand along my erect cock.
I feel like I've been in a dream. This can't really be happening. She's going to push me away, and never want to see me again. I'm going to wake up. Something bad is going to happen.
Now, as she straddles me and starts to lower herself onto me, it becomes blindingly real. I'm making love to this beautiful creature whom I've wanted since first laying eyes on her. Her scent mingles with the night air from the open doors. Her eyes are aflame with desire; desire for me. Her breasts above me await my kisses. Her sex envelops me and kindles fire within. Only by great effort do I keep from coming before I'm even inside her.
But keep from coming I do, and she lies down on top of me. Her mouth finds mine, and the passion we share is electric. We move together, slowly. Her breathing is shallow and quick.
Neither of us can dam this emotional tide for very long, but we do the best that we can. When I feel that I can't hold back, I stop moving, and hold her while she rests on me and catches her breath. Each time, I can tell, she's closer to cresting, and more reluctant to slow down.
She starts moaning, and I can tell she's getting close. She won't let me slow down, though, and I know I won't be able to wait for her. I'm on a knife edge. Every part of my body is demanding release. Instead of trying to hold back, I get my mouth onto her left breast, and suck and kiss it hard. Her whole body stiffens. As I erupt within her, she teeters on the edge of her climax for a moment, then cries out and comes herself, her whole body shuddering. Even while I come, I feel the strong contractions around me. She makes a sobbing sound each time she gasps. She shudders against me as her orgasm still possesses her, well after my own is spent.
I'm determined to pleasure Elaine as much as I'm physically capable, and until my erection wanes, I'm going to drive her into coming again. I start moving, and after a few moments, she responds. The sensations start to build, and she soon cries out as she comes again.
She won't let me try for any more. She's crying, softly, and holding me. I ask her what's wrong. I'm worried. I hope we haven't destroyed something precious.
"Nothing's wrong," she says. To prove the point, she kisses me, slowly and erotically, tears still running down her face. In spite of being spent and still in the process of losing my erection, the passion in her kiss makes me feel a twinge of response. "I've been so mixed up. I've been hoping for this, and so worried that it would go wrong. I've been on edge for days. Then to finally be able to make love to you... God, why didn't we do this ten years ago?"
I stroke her back, and kiss the tears in her eyes. "We didn't know each other ten years ago. We only met two years, three months and eleven days ago."
She looked puzzled, then smiled. "You too, huh?"
"I invented the numbers," I said, "but I remember the occasion. About two years ago. The company barbecue."
"That was it." Her tears were almost gone, though she still shuddered when she breathed deeply. "When we met, it was like something clicked inside me. All I could think about was finding a way to get you to a secluded place and boffing you senseless. If Geoff hadn't been there, I would have done it."
"I think Anita may have had something to say about that," I said, "though I think I'd have tried to find a way. I've wanted you since then. I never dreamed that we'd really get together. Or that we'd really go through with it, if we did."
"Thank you for not making me leave when I should have," she said. "I was on the point of leaving after we started kissing. I almost burst into tears when you started undressing me. I was ready to grab my gown and cry until my cab came. Then you touched me, and I knew that I wanted you inside me more than I've ever wanted anything. If I had left before then, it would have been terrible. We'd never be able to risk meeting each other again."
"And now we know that we'll be okay as long as you occasionally boff me senseless."
She smiles, but looks anxious. "Do you think we'll be able to keep seeing each other?" she asks.
"It may not always be easy, but then, tonight wasn't easy, was it? We know it will be worthwhile. I think, though, that we need to promise each other that whatever we do or don't have together, we won't ever let it destroy our marriages. Anita has never boffed me senseless," we both grin at this, "but I really do love her. And I know you love Geoff, I've seen it in your eyes. If we're not greedy, if we try to find opportunities rather than make them, then I don't see why not.
She kisses my ear, and starts nibbling my earlobe. Then she giggles, her laughter blowing into my ear.
"What's funny?"
"I just had a thought," she says. "We're concerned about hurting our marriages. For all we know, Geoff and Anita are sharing their hotel room and are engaged in romantic activity at this very moment."
The idea is so preposterous it takes a few seconds to digest. My fastidious Anita and her unimaginative Geoff - I doubt that it would even cross their minds as an option. She says it at exactly the same time I do: "I don't think so." We both laugh, her breast rippling against my chest, and I feel myself responding.
"Romantic activity", I say. "That would be Anita boffing Geoff senseless?"
She splutters with laughter. It is an absurd concept.
We lie quietly for a while, contemplating the future. Then, "It might not be as difficult as you think, seeing each other... if we really want to." Elaine speaks softly, tracing patterns on my chest with her fingers. "Geoff and Anita are often out of town at the same time. Not usually in the same place," she adds, seeing the surprise on my face, "but their trips often overlap by a few days." She's silent for a moment. She looks up at me, and I realize her eyes are glistening with new tears. "A couple of times I've stayed by the phone, trying to think of a reason to see you. I could never think of one, so I didn't call."
"Elaine, you never needed an excuse to call me. You know I would have been happy to spend time with you, even without going beyond just being friends"
"I know," she says. "I've always known that. It just seemed that, without a reason, I'd be coming on to you. If anything were to happen between us, I wanted it to be unforced. Tonight we had that chance. I'm glad we took it."
She wipes her eyes, and lays her head back down on my shoulder. We lie still, holding one another. I stroke her back, and she kisses my neck.
Elaine rolls away from me, and slips out of bed. "Are you sure no-one can see the deck?"
"Completely," I reply. "The other houses are at the wrong angle, and too far away. It's completely hidden."
"Good," she says, "I'd hate to think you disrobed me in public." She winks at me, then walks out onto the deck. She pours two more glasses of champagne, then walks over to the fence, unconcerned by her nudity. I go out to join her. The moon is just clearing the trees, and is brighter than the candles and bedroom light. She is still wearing her earrings, and they glisten as they catch the moonlight. The air is cooler, but still warm. Tonight's low is predicted to be in the upper 70's. The fireflies have gone, but the night chorus is in full voice.
Elaine looks around, a thoughtful look in her eyes. She starts moving the furniture around, sliding it over to the side of the deck. I have no idea what she's up to, so I sip my champagne and watch. Then she goes back into the bedroom, picks up strewn clothes and dumps them on the table.
She lifts the edge mattress, testing its weight. She pulls all of the bedclothes off and dumps them on the floor. "Come and give me a hand with this."
"Sure," I say. "What are we doing?"
"If we're going to indulge our dreams, we may as well make the most of the opportunity. We are going to make love under the stars. Then we are going to sleep together, naked, in the open air. We're going to put your deck to a new use. Well, I assume it's new..." We have manhandled the mattress into a vertical position. There is a twinkle in her eye as she looks at me over it.
"Quite new," I agree. "Had I ever slept out here, it would have been alone. Had I ever slept out here naked, Anita would probably make it a permanent condition. Being alone, that is, not being naked."
"Well, I've decided. If we're going to spend the rest of the weekend in carnal pursuits, this is one of three things you are going to do for."
"Carnal pursuits? Is that like..."
"Boffing each another senseless. Yes, it is. I'm planning to make up for lost time. I assume you don't object?"
It's becoming quite obvious that I don't object. As we lower the mattress, she can see clearly what effect the idea is having on me. "Dare I ask what the other two things are?"
"They're easy," she says. "First, the great outdoors. Second, buy us some more champagne." She walks up to me and rests her hands on my shoulders. "Third, you're going to buy me a negligee. Something you'd really like to take me out of. Then think of somewhere here to hide it. The next time we have the chance to enjoy each other's company, all I need to bring is a toothbrush."
She is standing inches from me now. I reach out and cup her breasts. She leans in for a sensual kiss, licking my lips.
She breaks away. "Now help me with the bedclothes." She goes back and grabs a handful of sheets. I bring the pillows.
"When Anita finds mud and leaves in the sheets, what's my excuse?" I'm not raising a serious objection, and she knows it.
She responds in kind. "Tell her it was the wind. 'Yes, dear', you'll say. 'A freak wind carried the leaves into the house and left them there. It must have been a tornado. They do strange things, you know. It left these two champagne glasses, too. No, dear, I don't know why that one has lipstick on it. See, it blew this pair of Elaine's panties between the sheets, too. No, dear, I don't know why I would think that they were Elaine's. They just look like they should be. Say, isn't that Elaine's bra in the light fixture? We should call her and ask if she wants her clothes back.'"
I'm chuckling when she finishes her soliloquy. We're almost through putting the sheets on the mattress. "What about the deck?" I ask. "I've had over a dozen people here, but they were fairly quiet. I don't know if it has been tested for ... what was it, romantic pursuits? Carnal activity?"
"If it collapses, Anita will find our bodies in the creek," she says. "Then you won't need to tell her any stupid stories about tornadoes."
"I see. So either she finds your panties in our bed, or your nude body under the bridge. Just exactly how circumspect are we being with this affair anyway?"
We're through with the mattress. I go inside and turn out the lights. When I return, Elaine puts her arms around my waist, and pulls me close. "I'll be sure to take my underwear when I leave. And you know that I wasn't wearing a bra." She separates each phrase with short but deeply arousing kisses. The effect is unbelievably erotic, and my cock is almost painfully hard as it pushes against her. She fastens her mouth on mine, and pulls me down to the mattress.
We lie facing each other. She reaches down and strokes my unyielding shaft. I feel a tingle of pleasure through my belly. She rolls me onto my back and keeps stroking as she kisses my chest and stomach. She slides off the mattress to crouch on the deck, buries her head between my legs, and kisses my thighs.
Holding my cock firmly in her hand, she runs her tongue around the head. My groin thrills with pleasure as she runs her tongue down to the base and nuzzles my balls. She lays her mouth sideways on my cock and explores with her tongue.
She repeats this treatment in different places, pausing just below the head. She rubs hard with her tongue, and I groan. I'm on fire. I need release so much it's painful.
She teases me, nibbling the head, and tickling the head and shaft with her tongue. She's expertly keeping me just below the point where I can't restrain myself, slowing when she gets me too close. I'm breathing shallowly, gasping as I hold myself back.
After teasing me for what feels like hours, she slides her lips over my cock. She scours the head with her tongue. I catch my breath. There's a painful edge to the pleasure she's giving me. I feel like I'm being tickled with a carving knife.
She watches me intently as she slides her lips about halfway down my erection. Cold fire gleams as her earrings catch the moonlight, but the light of excitement in her eyes is warm, and draws me. Her mouth glides up and down, each time taking in more of me, until she has almost the whole length inside her. She moves more quickly, watching the tension in my face as I strain to keep from coming.
Then she stops, coming down only part way, and sucks hard. Kneading with her lips and tongue, she drags me to the edge of the cliff. As she scrubs with her tongue, I lose not only the ability but also the will to resist any longer. The spasm in my muscles is so powerful it hurts, and the waves of pleasure seek every extremity, through my arms to my fingertips, through my thighs to my toes, and through my heart to my brain, as my whole universe collapses to my cock in Elaine's mouth. She does not ease up, ruthlessly drawing my time out. Only when my body refuses to cooperate any longer does she slowly start to let up, letting me down with obvious reluctance.
Damn, I can't top that. But I'm determined to try. When she climbs back onto the bed, I don't let her rest. I lift myself over her, and kiss her hard on the mouth. She responds with excitement. Watching me and giving so much to me have turned her on. She is short of breath, and I feel her heart pounding against my chest.
I lower my face between her breasts, kissing both as I massage one in each hand. I take the left breast in my mouth, and suck it rhythmically. As I knead the nipple with my tongue, she sighs, and I rub my tongue around.
I take the right breast and do the same, this time lowering my right hand to her pussy, and stroke and press. I open her up, and feel around the well-lubricated area, finding the sensitive regions by her breathing and movement. When I press with my thumb outside and massage with my fingers inside, she moans and presses against me.
I lower my face to her thighs, and kiss them as I keep working with my fingers. I kiss the area where my thumb was pressing, and she pushes against me. I keep her open with my fingers as I explore, tasting her with my tongue.
I work my tongue and fingers quickly, avoiding her clit. She gets wetter, and her breath is short. As I keep working, she moves against me with increasing strength, demanding more. I lift my eyes. Her eyes are closed and mouth is open as she responds to me. Her breasts are white hills in the moonlight, shaking gently, with visibly hard, dark nipples.
I pull my fingers out of her, and reach up to her breasts, watching. As I knead her breasts, she strokes my hands, and thrusts harder against me. I find her clit with my tongue, and she breathes heavily as I explore. I drag my tongue over her, and she starts groaning. Quietly at first, with each breath getting louder as she gets closer. I slow down and back off slightly, and she shudders and pushes hard against me. She wants to come, now, but I stay clear of her clit, and she sobs in frustration.
I do this again, letting her climax build, but keeping her from coming. Then I release her breasts, and hold her butt tightly with both hands. I push her legs further apart, and start to flick her clit with my tongue. She is moaning so loud she's masking the sounds of the cicadas. I'm even a little concerned about our neighbors; they're not close enough to see, but they may be able to hear. We may get a visit from the cops any moment... at this point, I don't care. I take her to the edge. Her body is stiffening and relaxing. I hold her there for a moment. Then as she stiffens again, I stop stroking with my tongue, and suck hard.
She cries out, and her whole body seems to go rigid. Then, suddenly, I feel her convulsing under my tongue, and she thrusts hard against me. The look on her face as she comes is part ecstasic, part ferocious. I keep working her, stimulating her, as she slowly comes down. It isn't a straight path back to earth. At one point she tenses, then convulses again as a second climax takes her. After that, she relaxes, and eventually pushes me away.
I collapse on the mattress. We're both exhausted. She kisses me, hard, tasting herself. "God," she says. "Oh, God." Then she rolls against me and puts her arm around my waist. I manage to liberate the sheet, and pull it up over us.
Elaine has fallen asleep against me. Cool moonlight still sparkles by her ear, but now it's set against tousled, untidy hair. Her makeup, what can be seen in this light, is all but destroyed. Yet the serenity in her expression gives her every bit as much beauty as when I first saw her this evening. Her breasts nestled against me are soft, pure white in the moonlight.
I try to turn on to my side, but in her sleep she still holds me tightly, and so I lie on my back hearing the sounds of the frogs as I drift off to sleep.