Gentrified

by Kirsten McCurran

  “Kill him?”

  “You know what I mean.”

  “I think I would be so shocked if Kyle ever really suggested something like that, I don’t know how I would react. Doing stuff like that is a bad idea if you want to stay married.”

  “Not if you’re both into it. It might be just the thing to really spice you two up. It’s not like you wouldn’t—with Winston—if given the chance.”

  “I didn’t say that.”

  Nicole shot her a look. “But if you would, and Kyle wanted it, where’s the harm? Whatever you guys do is just between you. And me. You’d better fucking tell me if you ever do anything like this.”

  Jess laughed. “You’ll be the first to know, Nic. I’ll send you a selfie from bed.”

  “That could be hot.”

  “Nic!”

  “But seriously, if it’s something you’re both into no one else has the right to judge you. And you shouldn’t judge yourself.”

  “I can’t believe we’re even talking about this. How did we even get on this subject?”

  “You couldn’t stop staring at Winston’s cock.”

  “It was all of him. Not just that.”

  “Whatever. I think you should notch up the teasing and see how Kyle reacts.”

  “How do you know I haven’t?” Jess smiled evilly.

  “Tell me.”

  “You want all of my secrets tonight.”

  “Being bad isn’t as much fun if you keep it to yourself. I know you want to brag.”

  Jess hadn’t thought about it that way, but Nicole had a point. Nicole thought she was some uptight goody-two-shoes. It was fun blowing her mind. She leaned in close to her friend and lowered her voice, like she was sharing a secret.

  “I decided to dress a little differently for work—nothing slutty or obvious—and I texted a picture of it to Kyle, telling him I was dressing for Winston.”

  Nicole’s eye brows went up. “And were you?”

  “Was I what?”

  “Dressing for Winston. Was this all for Kyle, or were you trying to impress Winston, maybe a little bit? There’s nothing wrong with liking attention, especially when it comes from someone like him. I could feel it all the way to my toes when he started flirting with me. I might have left the party right then if he’d asked me to.”

  “I was teasing Kyle,” Jess said, and then withered under Nicole’s skeptical gaze. She hoped she wasn’t as obvious to Winston. “I might have been hoping he would notice. If you make an effort, you want it to be noticed.”

  “Of course. I bet Winston did notice, didn’t he?”

  “Maybe,” she admitted, with her trademark tight-lipped smile.

  Hours later, the memory of flirting with Winston was as vivid as if it had just happened. His eyes on her—the ideas that stirred—the way it had left her feeling. The warm, tingling feeling in her pussy was back full-force, and Jess desperately wished her husband was home. If she went on feeling that, she might be tempted to run over to Winston’s house. Jess was not accustomed to being horny all day long, and it made her want to scream. She caught Nicole staring at her, and Jess tried putting on a poker face, afraid her friend could read her mind.

  “Let me see what you texted to Kyle,” Nicole demanded.

  Jess was so drunk and distracted that she willingly handed her phone over to Nicole. She wasn’t thinking about the texts she’d exchanged with Kyle later in the day and how the conversation had gotten weird.

  “The outfit is sexy. You looked good, hon. I know Winston noticed you in that.” She paused while she read the rest of the day’s texts between husband and wife.

  Jess could tell nothing from Nicole’s face. She felt like Nicole would think she was playing some silly game. Filled with drunken courage, Jess wanted to prove to Nicole that she could be just as sexy as she could.

  “It looks to me like Kyle is totally into this. He’s practically asking you to screw Winston.”

  “He is not. He never said that.”

  “No, but it looks to me like he’s practically daring you to invite Winston over to see what happens.”

  “I really don’t think Kyle wants that, Nic.”

  “Are you sure about that. I mean, really sure? You don’t think it’s possible this is turning him on even more than you thought?”

  Jess exhaled sharply. “I don’t know. I was hoping he’d back down, I guess. Kyle’s not one of those guys who can’t back down from a dare.”

  “But maybe part of you wasn’t.”

  “I just don’t know if I can ask him that straight out. It feels like that’ll be like me trying to convince him I should do something with Winston.”

  “You don’t want him to think you’re angling to have an affair—with his permission. You’re afraid you’re going to look like a slut.”

  “That about sums it up.”

  “I say embrace your inner slut. I think if you did, not only would you blow everyone’s mind, but you’d have a hell of a lot of fun.”

  “I don’t know that I have an inner slut.”

  “It looks to me like she’s sticking her head up to see if it’s safe to come out and play. I think that this move down to the city is great for you. You’re finally outside of your mother’s sphere of influence and you can get a feel for who and what you really want to be for the first time.”

  “I did go away to college.”

  “And you weren’t ready to rebel yet. Not really. Hey, it’s good that you’re finding this side of yourself while you’re young enough to enjoy it.”

  “Stop trying to make it sound like flirting with my neighbor is a good thing—or a positive thing for my marriage. If Kyle really does want me to do something like that, what does it mean? I’m supposed to be his—only his—forever.”

  “Don’t focus too much on your vows and who you guys were when you got married. People change over time. They discover things about themselves. You’re not who you were when you were twenty. I know I’m not. And I bet you’ll see things totally differently when your forty. I think the healthiest relationships evolve with the people in them.”

  “So Kyle and I are evolving into some kind of swingers?” Jess was skeptical.

  “I’m not saying that. You don’t really know what’s going on, and that’s part of the problem. All you really know is that you’ve got the hots for Winston, and that Kyle seems to like it. You need to find out what that really means.”

  “So you’re saying Kyle and I need to have a heart to heart?”

  Nicole shook her head. “Doesn’t sound like you’re there. I’m suggesting something a little more devious.”

  “Of course you are.” Jess laughed.

  “I think it’s time to take your game to the next level.”

  “I’m listening.”

  “I think you should push Kyle until he reveals himself.”

  “I don’t know if playing chicken with my marriage is a good idea.”

  “Do you have a better idea? The direct approach didn’t exactly work.”

  “I wasn’t all that direct.”

  “Like I said, Kyle was practically daring you to have Winston over. He’s lucky he’s not married to me. I would have screwed Winston out of spite,” Nicole said.

  “That would be one way to go.” Jess laughed.

  “Don’t you want to make Kyle stand up and be a man?”

  Jess weighed it, fully aware that making drunken decisions was not a good thing. But Jess had that chip on her shoulder, and that made the decision for her.

  “Okay, let’s do it,” she said firmly.

  “Do you think Kyle really believes you would have Winston over?”

  In the past, the answer would have been no, but Jess had been different lately, and she knew her husband had noticed. He might not put it past her now, even if he didn’t think she would do anything more than have a beer with Winston.

  “Maybe. I think I’ve been surprising him a lot lately.”

  “Good. That gives us somet
hing to work with. Go change.”

  “What?”

  “Give me your phone and go change,” Nicole directed. “I want something sexy, but it’s got to be something you’d plausibly wear if Winston was coming over. If you put on lingerie, he’ll know you’re just messing with him. You need to make him wonder.”

  “Okay.”

  The proposition that she would ever invite Winston over to seduce him was so preposterous that Jess had no idea what to wear. She didn’t think of many of her clothes as sexy anyway. And what would be sexy, but not obvious. She needed help and called Nicole upstairs.

  “You’re hopeless. If you’re ever going to seduce Winston, you’re going to need help,” Nicole said, coming into the bedroom.

  Nicole went through the closet and pulled out a cute yellow sundress with tiny flowers all over it and tiny buttons running up the bodice. It was one of Jess’s favorites. She had a yellow tank top she usually wore underneath it. It was a bit low-cut.

  “Don’t put on a bra. It’ll be obvious you’re not wearing one in that dress,” Nicole said.

  I guess that means no tank top either, Jess thought. “You don’t think that’s a little obvious?”

  “Trust me.”

  Jess stayed on the other side of the bed and turned her back to Nicole when she pulled the tank top over her head. It was instinct. She pushed down her shorts and then pulled on the dress, tugging it this way and that until it draped her slim figure the way it should. She walked around the end of the bed and presented herself to Nicole.

  “That will work. It hugs your figure nicely. A little tight on the boobs, hangs on your butt nicely. Winston would approve.”

  “Do I even have a butt?” Jess asked. She liked thinking that Winston would like it. She was sure he would, especially if she actually had the nerve to ever wear it without a bra. Her excited nipples were evident through the thin cotton.

  “Yeah, hon. It’s not a booty, but it’s nice and round and tight. Men look at your butt, I’m sure.”

  “You keep this up, I’m going to think you’re hitting on me,” Jess joked.

  Nicole came over, just inches away from Jess, and placed a hand on her waist. Her expression was suddenly serious. “You’re hot, hon. Let’s forget all about the boys.”

  All the blood drained from Jess’s face and her heart pounded as she felt the heat of Nicole’s gaze. Her best friend seemed deadly serious. She had no idea how to react. Her mouth dropped open, but no words came out. A crazy thought flew through her drunken brain. What would it be like to kiss Nicole? The thought had barely receded when Nicole burst out laughing.

  “Oh my god! You thought I was serious,” Nicole said, stepping back and holding her stomach as she laughed.

  “I did not!”

  “You were going to kiss me!”

  “No way!”

  “I think so. It’s okay, hon. You are beautiful, but I’ve never thought about you like that.”

  “I haven’t either,” Jess protested. “I’ve never…”

  “I think there are depths to you I’d never guess at. That’s awesome.”

  “Nic, stop.”

  “Really, it’s cool. You know I’ve sampled in the past. I could never go there full time, but girls are soft and pretty and it’s nice to change things up sometimes. Most of us have at least thought about it.”

  “I’m not into girls.”

  “Never even thought about it?”

  “No. Never.” The truth was closer to, not until now.

  “Let’s do this thing.”

  Nicole directed Jess to take a selfie in the mirror. Nicole wasn’t pleased with the first one and adjusted her. She posed the blonde, and as a finishing touch Nicole opened a couple buttons at the bust. The dress hung open to show the sides of her tits—something Jess never would have done on her own. Jess felt silly with her boobs hanging out and sticking her butt out like that. Nicole had her snap a second picture that showed off the open buttons and made it obvious she was braless. Nicole took the phone—she would be Jess for this exchange—and texted the pictures to Kyle, followed by:

  -still think I should invite him over for that beer?

  K: you’re not busy already?

  Jess thought that was an odd response, unless he thought Winston was already there. Was Kyle hoping she followed through on her taunt? She was disappointed he didn’t comment on her photos.

  -I just wanted to make sure you don’t mind before I call Winston

  K: hate to think of you alone over there

  -I don’t have to be

  K: I’m sure he’d love to come over, if he’s not busy

  “I wonder what that means,” Jess said.

  “He’s just trying to get your goat. Maybe he doesn’t want you to get too big of a head,” Nicole suggested.

  “I guess.”

  Nicole kept the texting going:

  -I could always send one of those pictures over with the invitation

  “Don’t get too crazy,” Jess warned.

  “Trust me. This is exactly what’s going to get Kyle’s attention,” Nicole assured her.

  K: you wouldn’t

  Nicole waited an appropriate beat, then texted:

  -done

  Both women sat silently staring at the phone, waiting for Kyle’s reply. Jess had no idea how her husband would react. She was beginning to think all of her assumptions about him were wrong. After so many years together she thought she knew everything about him, but can you really know everything about anyone? Everyone has their secrets. Don’t most people keep their deepest desires to themselves? She had her secrets too. Kyle didn’t know about her little toy.

  K: he’s probably running right over. I bet he loved that sexy little dress

  “Do you think he really believes I did it?” Jess asked.

  “He probably at least believes that you invited Winston over. If you’ve been so different lately, maybe he does believe you sent the picture. We have to keep going like he does.”

  “What’s next?”

  -I bet he likes it even better in person

  K: He will if you wear it like that

  Nicole told Jess to sit up straight, and when she did, the brunette snapped a picture of her chest.

  “What the hell?” Jess exclaimed.

  -should I put on a bra before he comes over?

  K: that depends on how badly u want to tease him.

  -if I’m just teasing

  “Nicole,” Jess warned, wishing her friend hadn’t sent the last text.

  “What? You want to know what he really wants, right?”

  “But…”

  K: come on Jess

  Jess snatched the phone back from her friend and took control of the conversation.

  -do you want to keep playing this game? We should talk

  K: do u have time before he gets there? He’s only across the street. He’s probably at the door now

  -so you’re okay with this? Really?

  K: it’s just a beer right?

  -and if it’s not?

  K: you have me so hard

  Jess was speechless. The phone hung in her hands. Nicole was smiling.

  “That might be your answer, hon,” Nicole said. She took the phone.

  -I’m so wet. He’s here!

  K: have fun babe

  The reply was too quick for Kyle to have really thought it over.

  “Oh my god. I think he wants me to do it,” Jess gasped.

  “Do it?”

  “You know what I mean.”

  “Maybe you should call Winston over. I can leave you two alone.”

  “No way! I am more confused than ever. The last thing I need is to be anywhere near Winston right now.”

  “Sounds to me like you’re really thinking about it.”

  “I… No… I mean, I couldn’t…”

  “You have some things to figure out. But let me warn you. If you keep teasing Winston, he might make the decision for you.”

  “
What do you mean?”

  “I mean, if you keep sending signals, he just might think you’re serious. If Winston makes a pass at you, what are you going to do?”

  Jess didn’t have an answer.

  fifteen

  Winston was concerned. Nicole left him with the impression that Jessica was right there, ready to go. She wants to. She just needs to convince herself it’s okay. Those were Nicole’s words when she came over after the girls’ night across the street. He hadn’t expected to see her again that night, but there she was on his doorstep, pushing him inside the house. They were in bed, and she was bucking on his cock five minutes later.

  Nicole explained everything that had happened at Jessica’s that night, confessing that getting involved in the game had turned her on. Nicole was now as committed to making the seduction happen as he was. Winston didn’t know what to make of that. It was great having an ally in his quest to bed Jessica, but he didn’t know how to handle Nicole’s enthusiasm. He began to think the raven-haired girl was more of a player than he was.

  Winston was disappointed when he didn’t see Jessica that following morning. After Nicole’s intel, he was eager to move the ball forward. He was on his front stoop bright and early that morning, coffee in one hand and his phone in the other. He flicked back and forth on his phone, looking at the pictures Nicole had secretly texted him the night before, when she had Jessica’s phone. Jessica had told Kyle she was sending them, but of course Winston was never really meant to see them. Winston wished Jessica had sent them herself. She looked sexy in the little dress, and when he saw her tits spilling out of the unbuttoned top he was instantly hard. If she hadn’t just been teasing Kyle and invited Winston over, he knew he would have fucked her. He would not have been able to keep his hands off of her, and he knew she would have given in to him.

  Jessica was not out the following day either. There was no activity at the house at all. Winston was concerned and checked with Nicole to make sure everything was okay. Nicole said that Jessica had called out of work, hung over, and then decided to make it a long weekend and went down to her parents’ beach house.

  The explanation made sense, but there was more to the story. He was sure of it. He suspected Jessica was avoiding him after how things went that night. The pretty blonde was probably afraid to be around Winston. That was good for him in the short term, because it meant that deep down she knew something would happen. But in the long term, it could lead to her avoiding him for too long, until her feelings were resolved. He couldn’t let that happen.