by S. Valentine
“Oh.” Mallory shrugged. “So, what else happened?” She leant forward, clearly intrigued and eager for gossip.
“Not much.”
“A swingers’ club, though.” Bewilderment showed on her face. “This is a lot to take in.”
“Mal, I told you because we share practically everything. You’d be surprised, but a lot of people do it,” Gabi informed her.
“Just be careful, Gabi.” She reached over, taking her hand and squeezing it. “You’re my friend, and I won’t judge you if you like to have fun this way.”
“I’m not sure if I like it.” Gabi withdrew her hand. “I’m not sure how I feel about the whole thing.”
“Well, only time will tell.”
“I really love Daz, Mal. I really, really do.”
“Well does he love you? Because, if so, you alone should be enough for him, Gabi.”
Gabi remained silent. She took a deep breath. She had thought the exact same thing, but she didn’t want to admit it. “But people that have been married for like over twenty years are swingers. They’re happy and love one another. They’re just sharing their sexual fantasies, bringing more excitement into their lives. It seems to work for them.”
“I think it will end in tears,” Mallory said. “Jealousy, wondering if he’ll leave you for another swinging partner. I know you, you’ll feel pressured to continue it for his sake, even if you go off the idea. There are too many emotional challenges, Gabi. I can’t see how relationships survive this.”
“They must do, Mal. They must have this strong bond or something. It depends on the couple, I suppose. Obviously some don’t survive it.” Gabi sipped her tea. “Recreational sex isn’t for everybody, but there’s a bit of exhibitionist and voyeurism in all of us, Mal, though some of us don’t like to admit it. Some hide it. Some act upon it.”
“Well.” Mallory hesitated. “Suzie admitted to having some girl-on-girl-action at uni. And Steve’s had threesomes in the past.” She pursed her lips. “I’ve slept with a lot of men in my time, Gabi, but never at the same time, or with an audience. I just can’t get my head around it.”
“I don’t need you to understand, Mal. I just thought I’d tell you about it. He owns a sex club, he’s into swinging, and I hope I’m doing the right thing in being with him.” She chewed her nail anxiously.
“Gabi, as long as you’re okay with it, and he treats you right, what you do in the privacy of your own bedroom…” She paused, correcting herself, “Swinging rooms, it’s not my business. Perhaps it is fun. It is the twenty-first century, pretty much anything goes now. There are so many open relationships these days. Free love.” She laughed. “I’ve heard about the clubs, watched documentaries on TV. As long as you’re happy, I’m happy. But just ask yourself this, are you doing it to please him, or to please yourself?”
Gabi didn’t answer. She felt relieved when the ringing telephone on her desk interrupted them. Mallory left the office. Gabi was more confused than ever. Why couldn’t she just enjoy swinging and push away all the thoughts in her head? Darion would want to do it again. She knew he would.
Chapter
Thirty-Eight
Gabi was unable to stop tossing and turning in bed. She kicked the covers off, wondering if it had anything to do with the heat in the room. She positioned herself on her side, and concentrated on a sleeping Darion. He was snoring ever so lightly, his mouth parted, his bare chest rising and falling. One of his legs dangled off the edge of the bed, and a muscular arm clutched his pillow tightly. He looked handsome. She really did love him. It was strange how sometimes she felt like she knew so much about Darion, and other times she felt she knew nothing about him at all. She wondered whether he would ever properly let her in. She couldn’t resist, so she stroked his cheek softly. He grunted, rubbing his face.
Gabi didn’t want to wake him. She didn’t want to lie in bed for the rest of the day either. It was bad enough that she had slept until late afternoon. It definitely wasn’t like her. Yet, when she was with Darion she seemed to sleep in longer. It must have been his comforting arms around her, which made her feel warm and relaxed.
She was glad that the working week had flown by, and she’d gotten dance class out of the way, and was able to spend the entire weekend with him again.
She slowly climbed out of bed, making her way into the kitchen. Her stomach rumbled, so she made a cheese sandwich, carrying it to the living room, and settling on the sofa. Taking a bite, she took in the room. It was a decent sized apartment, clean and stylish, but definitely a bachelor’s pad. There wasn’t a touch of femininity. She wondered whether it had been the apartment that he shared with his ex-wife, or whether he had moved there alone after the break-up.
She asked herself whether the relationship between them would ever get serious, whether she could see them living together, having a solid future. She couldn’t ever see herself getting tired of him. If only he could have a different fantasy, a different desire that didn’t involve other women. How could she ever get used to it?
“Babe,” he croaked, appearing from the bedroom in just his boxers, stretching his fit, firm body.
“Morning,” she welcomed him brightly, wiping her hands together to rid the crumbs. “Sleep well?”
“Actually, I did.” He sat down, grinning at her. “You fancy doing anything today?” He turned his head to glance out the window. It was cloudy, but there was no sign of rain.
“Sure. What do you have in mind?”
He leant forward so his body was over her, holding up his weight with his arms, and planted a kiss on her lips. “Whatever you fancy.” A glint appeared in his eye.
“How about we go for a meal?”
He pecked her lips. “Sure.” He sat up. “If you’re hungry.”
“I will be again in the next hour.”
“I’m gonna go shower. You wanna join me?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Why not?” She grinned.
He took hold of her hand and pulled her to her feet. It didn’t take long for the bathroom to steam up from the hot water. Darion slowly undressed Gabi, leaving a trail of kisses on the back of her neck, and down her spine. He placed his fingers around her hips, guiding her underneath the water. Squirting shampoo, he lathered it in his hands before massaging it into her hair with gentle, circular motions. As his fingers really worked her scalp, she sighed in contentment. The warmth of the water trickled down her wet, smooth body, and the feel of his touch was relaxing.
Lifting her chin up with his fingers, he tilted her head back to enable the water to wash the shampoo away. Then, rubbing a soap bar between his palms, he massaged it into her shoulders tenderly, and the tension in her muscles subsided. When his fingers met her breasts, rubbing in the bubbles and caressing them lightly, she drew in a breath, her nipples stiffening.
Her stomach tightened in anticipation when she felt the tingle of his touch. His hand travelled lower, where it settled between her legs. A low groan eased out of Darion’s throat as he met her moist entrance, sliding a finger in carefully. He pushed in and out in a slow rhythm, whilst circling her clit with his thumb. She saw that he watched the reaction each touch elicited from her, his stare intense.
Gabi’s gaze flicked down to his arousal, his cock twitching ever so slightly, desperate to be fondled. Gabi snaked her fingers around it, tugging it gently, causing him to grunt softly. He clamped his teeth together when she moved faster up and down his shaft.
Her head dropped back as he took a pink nipple in his mouth. As his tongue licked and sucked, she felt the early pulse of an orgasm, as she was on the verge of losing control.
Darion withdrew his finger, and in a swift movement he probed between the lips of her labia with his cock, teasing her with the tip. Gabi followed the line of his spine with her hands, all the way down to his buttocks, where she pulled him into her, the deepness of his thrust making her cry out. Her sex twitched as he plunged in out and out. She rocked in rhythm with him, her pelvis crashing again
st his.
“Gabi…” There was an aching need in his voice.
“I know…” she responded, her breathing ragged. She knew exactly how he felt. The sex was incredible, as always.
His tongue skimmed her lips, so they naturally parted. A moan rose in his throat with his deep, devouring kisses. Their tongues wrestled with one another greedily. Darion cupped the curve of her bottom roughly, anchoring her to him. Panting and groaning, he yanked her hips to meet his, whilst ravishing her with his mouth.
Gabi felt herself building higher and higher, the convulsing, throbbing and pulsing of her inner muscles around him driving her further. She whimpered incoherently as he moved in and out of her endlessly. With a final, deep plunge, she screamed out loudly, gripping onto his shoulders as delightful waves flooded her body, setting her groin on fire. And then she went limp, her knees buckling as she fell into his protective arms.
“Ahhhh…I’m close,” he growled.
Darion continued to pummel in and out, fast and hard, making rough sounds of appreciation. His features hardened, and his body went rigid as he clutched her tightly. His head fell back as he came. He grunted and panted as he filled her.
Seizing her face in his hands, he kissed her tenderly.
Gabi had never felt so in love. She wondered if he loved her. Or, if not yet, whether he ever would.
***
Darion
In the restaurant, Darion ordered food and drinks for them both. He had taken her to a small restaurant in the area that he had been to several times. It was cosy with lit candles on each table, and soft music was playing.
Gabi looked as stunning as ever. She wore a low-cut, grey blouse, black pencil skirt, and high, black stilettos. As soon as he had seen her ready, he wanted to pull her back indoors and cancel the reservation. With her cleavage on show, and her full, sensuous lips, he was turned on just looking at her. He didn’t want to break promises, though. He couldn’t just keep her shacked up in his apartment or the club like some booty call. He had to treat her now and then. Plus, he wanted to, regardless of whether or not he was allowing her to get too close.
The waiter brought over their starters of garlic bread and chicken wings with different flavoured sauces. Just as he was tucking in, his mobile bleeped. He glanced down at the screen, grinding his teeth in annoyance.
Gina: Daz, the office phone is going crazy. You need to call Eva’s lawyers pronto. This shit needs sorting.
He stuffed the mobile back into his pocket. He wasn’t in the mood to discuss the club with Eva’s lawyer. They were really pushing it. Eva was desperate to spite him. Rumour had it that she had split up with her boyfriend, Vinnie.
“Who was that?” Gabi asked, sensing his changed mood.
“Gina.”
Gabi’s features hardened, and he knew she sensed it was something else, something going on between them. He decided to be straight up with her. “It’s about my ex-wife’s lawyer,” he told her, taking a bite of the garlic bread and chewing it fast.
“Is everything okay?”
“She wants the club sold. Wants her half of the money.”
“Oh.” He was sure he saw a hint of glee in her expression. “What will you do?”
“I don’t wanna sell it.” He swigged his beer. “Why should I? I put a lot of money and effort into that place. It’s doing really well. She can’t just change her mind and…” He paused, taking a breath, realising that he was getting himself worked up. “Fuck it. Never mind.”
“Can’t you buy her half?”
“I can’t afford it, Gabi.” He shook his head, not wanting to reveal the money he’d blown on partying, drinking, and gambling over the years. He was relying on the club now to pay off his two cars and motorbike. He would have sold them, but he was certain he’d start earning a decent profit soon, so it wasn’t necessary. “Apparently she’s having money problems, but I don’t believe a word of it. She’s trying to piss me off. Things have gone wrong for her and now she wants to cause shit for me.”
“I’m sure you’ll sort something out,” Gabi reassured him.
“Let’s not ruin our meal.” He squeezed her hand.
Silence descended over them for a moment.
“What?” Gabi asked, raking her hand through her hair awkwardly.
Darion blinked. He hadn’t realised that he’d been staring at her, grinning in a smitten state, and there was nothing sexual about it either. Shit. He tensed his fingers around hers, before leaning back in his chair and letting go.
“Nothing.” He shrugged, guarding his expression.
He felt relieved when the waitress interrupted them with their main meal. The delicious smell instantly of barbecue chicken filled their nostrils. They ate it and really got talking. Darion realised that he was enjoying himself with Gabi. She was sweet and intelligent. They could have fun outside the bedroom too. A part of him hated himself for getting so close to her, yet the other part was pleased that she was slowly restoring his faith in women.
He couldn’t deny it, though; Eva still found a way of getting under his skin. He didn’t want to give the club up. Why should he? After everything she’d done, after all the shit that she’d caused him, she was breaking agreements again. He needed to face her, to discuss it properly. But first, he had to find her. He couldn’t keep avoiding the situation.
Chapter
Thirty-Nine
Gabi
Gabi turned the key in the front door, pushed it open, and stepped inside. Home sweet home. It was Sunday afternoon, and she was glad to be back in her apartment. She had piles of ironing that needed doing, and hadn’t tidied in a while. Darion had certainly been a distraction from her normal routine.
She hung her coat and handbag on the rack in the hallway, and slipped off her shoes, sighing. She was exhausted. Darion was definitely hard work. The freshness of the relationship meant that he couldn’t keep his hands off her. Not that she could see that changing in the future. He’d probably have a high libido his whole life, no matter who he was with. He found no better pleasure than sex. Although drinking and smoking were close seconds.
Two hours later, she had ironed the clothes and put them away in the wardrobes. Gabi sat on the sofa with a glass of red wine, and switched through the channels on the television. She stopped on the series Sons Of Anarchy. Lifting her feet up, she lay across the sofa, getting comfortable.
She tried her hardest to concentrate on the screen, but even Jax Teller couldn’t keep her focused this time. Darion’s ex-wife entered her head again. She felt jealous, and had a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach that she couldn’t get rid of. For some reason she sensed that there would be a confrontation, and soon. Just as things were going well with them, just as Darion was starting to forget about Eva—even his bad dreams had stopped—his ex-wife cropped up. Maybe she wanted him back. Gabi tried to stop her feelings of paranoia, but she’d be lying to herself if she said she didn’t feel threatened.
She wanted Darion to sell the swingers’ club; of course she did. It may have turned some women on, seeing their men get off with other women, but it didn’t float her boat. She knew that Darion didn’t want to sell, and would most definitely put up a fight. His heart and soul had gone into the club. He would miss it too much. He’d probably attend swingers’ parties elsewhere if he did sell.
Gabi rubbed her aching temples. Why did she always do it to herself? Why did she always overthink everything? She loved him, that’s why. She was worried about the situation. All she could do was sit back and see what happened. Hopefully, Darion cared about her enough not to let his ex-wife come into the picture and spoil what they had.
***
The next day at work, Gabi had just finished reading the pile of papers on her desk, when Mallory walked in with two cups of coffee in hand. She was relieved to have had a productive morning, managing to keep her mind clear of Darion and the issues that came with him.
“Gab, how was your weekend?” She placed the cups on the table,
sat on a chair, and propped her legs up.
“It was good.” Gabi took a sip of the steaming liquid.
“You get up to much?” She raised an eyebrow, clearly after the gossip.
“I spent the weekend with Darion. He took me for a nice meal.”
“How are things with you both?”
“Not bad,” she replied vaguely.
“Gabi.” Mallory’s voice was stern. “What’s up?” Mallory eyed her suspiciously.
Gabi hesitated heavily. Why did Mallory have the ability to read her like a book? “His ex is back on the scene.”
“Ouch. The one that broke his heart? As in, the ex-wife?”
She nodded.
“Why?”
“She wants the club sold that they jointly own.”
“Well, that’s good news, isn’t it? Gab, this swinging lark isn’t good for your relationship…” she said, clearly starting on the path of giving Gabi a lecture.
“Mal. He doesn’t want to sell it. Plus, he hasn’t seen her in years. What if his feelings come flooding back?” She knotted her fingers together nervously. “I don’t know why I feel like this. I just like him so much.”
“If he still loves her, then you don’t want to be with a man who’s in love with somebody else when he’s with you. Do you?” Her expression was sympathetic.
“Suppose not.”
“Besides, surely lawyers will be sorting all this. Who says he will see her?”
“I just have a weird gut feeling.”
“Gabi, don’t stress yourself out. You’re probably getting yourself all worked up over nothing.”
“I hope so.”
“Oh, I saw Lawrence yesterday,” she blurted out.
“Where?”
“The salon up the road. He was getting his hair cut. Got mine trimmed.” She stroked the ends of her smooth hair.
