Trading Places

by Anita Cox

  She pressed her whole body firmly against mine as she fucked me slow and hard.

  I gasped as something cool and wet touched my backside.

  “You ready for this?” she paused and looked at me. “Your body certainly is…”

  Unable to speak, I only nodded, worried about the pain I was about to feel.

  Slowly, something thin slipped inside me. Much to my delight, there was no stretching and burning like the previous times I had attempted anal play.

  “It’s small, a good place to start.” She commenced to fucking me while her partner in crime used the thin tool in my back door. The intensity threw my body into spasms. My fingers dug into the woman’s buttocks as she gave me one last thrust for good measure. I let out a squeal before collapsing on the cot.

  If the goal was total relaxation, it was a goal I had achieved.

  “You’re turn, big fella.” The girls took turns orally pleasing John momentarily before the dark beauty jumped on top of him, rolled a condom over his erect pole and quickly concealed it with her own body.

  John didn’t last long, but long enough for me to have recovered from my own orgasm.

  I rolled off the cot and reclaimed my robe.

  John reached in a drawer, pulled out an envelope and handed it to one of the women. I awkwardly walked around as they folded up their tables, put on coats and left the building.

  “Uh, they were prostitutes?” I asked, my stomach in knots.

  John laughed. “No, they were both legitimate. James said they’re just sexual deviants like the rest of us. They received their normal fee with a hefty tip.”

  I felt awkward. Call it what you want, we had just paid for sex.

  “How do you feel?” He asked as he pulled on a pair of boxers.

  “Honestly, I feel awkward and sort of dirty.”

  “What on earth?” He hurried over to me. “Why?”

  “We, uh, just paid for sex.” I stared at the floor.

  “No we didn’t. Their fee is one hundred per hour per person. I just paid them two hundred plus a twenty percent tip.”

  I looked at him. His face paled. I had just deflated a man who thought he’d given me the perfect surprise. I had to recover the situation.

  “Well, in that case. Holy shit!” I collapsed onto the chair behind me. “That was nuts!”

  Color returned to John’s face. What was wrong with me? Why was I turning everything inside out?

  “It’s been a long day. Let’s go to bed.” John scooped me up, carrying me up the stairs to our new master suite.

  Our lovemaking was exactly the opposite of what had just occurred, quiet and tender, rocking me into a deep, sound sleep.

  Chapter 7

  The sun poured in the French doors that led from the bedroom to the balcony. My face was warm and the bed was cozy. Inhaling deeply, I smelled the familiar spice of John’s cologne.

  I rolled over and watched him sleep, peaceful slumber relaxing his face. With my gaze I traced the bridge of his nose, the outline of his brow and the strong jawline pressing into the pillow.

  Lightly, I ran my fingers over his shoulder and down his arm, causing him to nuzzle further into his pillow.

  I was lucky…and it was starting to settle in. John would move heaven and earth to make me happy. The challenge was to figure out why the hell I kept trying to ruin it. I was a damned fool for questioning him or his loyalty.

  Was it a case of once bitten twice shy, or did I not believe I deserved such a man? He looked like he crawled out of the pages of a fitness magazine. He was financially independent, talented and sweet as they came. He had just enough of a sexually deviant side to keep me happy.

  Sliding out of bed carefully so as not to wake him, I slid on my robe and tiptoed out of the bedroom. Once outside the room, I relaxed and walked barefoot down to the kitchen. I was pleased to find everything I needed to get coffee started.

  Looking to the west side of the kitchen I noticed another room. While the coffee maker brewed, I wandered into what turned out to be an office. There were blatantly feminine notes in the room. Flowers rested in a vase on a corner table. Peach tones made their way gracefully in and out of view.

  “It’s your office. Do you like it?” John stood behind me.

  “It’s beautiful.” I turned around, wrapping my arms around him.

  “I figured that you needed a space to work and a space to relax. So I made sure you had plenty of work space so it doesn’t spill into the rest of the house. This is also the only room in the house where I won’t bother you. See this switch here?” John pointed to a red light switch.

  “What is that?”

  He smiled. “When it’s on, it means you’re trying to concentrate. That means I won’t enter. If it’s off, it means I’m free to come in and distract you.”

  “That’s really clever. What does the switch go to?” I looked around.

  John flipped it on and a red thin light that surrounded the door illuminated. It was not bright, but it was visible.

  “Red means stop,” he said chuckling. “Now let’s get some coffee in you before the ugly morning monster erupts from you and I have to screw it into submission.”

  John slapped my ass as I walked back into the kitchen. He was a little too playful in the morning for my taste, but he was right. I needed to get some coffee in me before I said something stupid and ruined the mood once more.

  We filled our cups and John led me to the roof. Set and waiting was a table with breakfast.

  “How in the hell did you manage that?” I asked.

  John kissed my shoulder. “I can’t give away all my secrets.” He led me to the table with a gentle hand.

  The sweet little breakfast John had waiting hit the spot, with croissant, fruit and yogurt.

  John picked up at strawberry and brushed it against my lips. After taking a bite, I gave his index finger a gentle suck, causing him to groan.

  “So,” I started leaning toward him, “what’s the plan for today?” I traced the back of his hand with my finger.

  “Absolutely nothing.” John beamed. He looked proud of himself for planning…nothing.

  “Okay?” I eyed him curiously.

  “Today, we’re going to chill out in our pj’s all day. You’re going to get comfortable here and claim this place as your own. Tonight, I have a stack of movies to watch, a ton of popcorn and soda. I even went to the trouble of finding all your favorite candy.” He stood from the table and picked up our plates.

  I wanted to protest, but the truth was I was absolutely exhausted after the week I’d had. Smiling, I followed John down to the kitchen and noted where the dishwasher resided and all the cleaners.

  After he shooed me away, I decided to walk around, taking in every detail of my new home. John had left several areas undecorated, including the master suite. Wandering around the main floor, I found a guest bed and bath.

  Frosted sliding doors separated the main area from a room I hadn’t noticed before. I made my way over, sliding the doors open. Sunken in the floor was an enormous hot tub. Behind it, was a small pool.

  “Why don’t I smell chlorine?” I asked aloud.

  “Because there’s no chlorine in it. I’m using an eco-friendly chemical that’s much better for your hair and skin. There’s no horrible smell either. There are aroma therapy packets in the top drawer over there.”

  My eyes followed to where John was pointing.

  “I don’t see any drawers.” All I could see was what looked like a wall of wooden planks, sanded and polished to a shine.

  John wrapped his arm around my shoulder and led me to the wall. He pushed on a panel that was about waist high and it popped out, revealing a drawer full of chemical additives and little clear pouches.

  “You don’t have to open it, just drop it in the hot tub. Each bin is labeled with the aroma.” He stepped to the side and pushed on another panel. When it opened, I saw a sound system, nice but uncomplicated. When he turned it on sounds of water runn
ing through a brook and birds chirping filled the space.

  “Holy shit, this is nice.” I patted him on the back. “Well done, love.”

  “That’s not all!” He raised his eyebrows and grinned. “Ready to see the party room?”

  “The what?”

  He chuckled and led me beyond the pool. With the push of a button, the back wall slid open to reveal a bar and a huge party bed.

  “Whoa,” I gasped.

  “Yeah, cool, huh?” He snickered. “Just because I’m asking you to settle down doesn’t mean I want you to stop enjoying life. I just want it on our terms.” He stared into my eyes, possibly looking for answers.

  “John, I simply cannot believe this place. It’s so beautiful. Your work is unbelievable.” I stood on my tiptoes and kissed him.

  “It’s all for you, Candy. Everything. The house, the room, me—it’s all yours.” He wrapped his arms around me and held me.

  John had gotten very serious in a short time. While it was nice, it was taking time for me to adjust. I loved John, but it was something I had just come to realize. He was moving at a speed I just couldn’t match.

  I rested my head on his chest. I was at a complete loss for words. Hoping the embrace would tell John how I felt, I said nothing. My heart broke when I felt his shoulders slump. I needed to find some way to let John know what was in my heart, before I lost him.

  “I’m going to let you explore some more while I go shower,” he said as he walked away.

  I bit my lip as I watched him disappear up the stairs and around the corner. Hanging my head, I retrieved my coffee and retreated to the rooftop garden.

  The sun was shining and the aroma of all the flowers John had planted made the perfume of the roof heavenly. I rested in a lounge chair and closed my eyes, letting the sun warm my skin.

  A heavy weight sat on my chest. I was an intelligent woman, why was I struggling with this issue? Why couldn’t I just be ecstatic and giddy like a normal woman? Instead, I locked up and said nothing when John professed his feelings for me. I seemed ungrateful for all the hard work and thoughtfulness John had put into this gift.

  I had to find a way to make it right.

  Chapter 8

  Lunch was quiet as we ate while watching the news. No brilliant ideas had come to me while sitting on the roof.

  When I finished my plate, I put in on the table beside me and scooted around so that I could sit sideways on the couch. John was sitting near my feet and only offered a weak smile.

  After returning his smile I went back to staring at the television, not paying any mind to what was on the screen. Heavy lids sank and before I knew it, I was napping.

  When I woke the sun was setting. How many hours had I been asleep?

  I wandered around looking for John. Sounds of water led me back to the frosted glass doors. Sliding them open, I found John doing laps in the small pool.

  “Hey there,” I said, closing the doors behind me.

  “Hi,” John wiped water out of his eyes.

  Smiling, I stripped my pajamas off and jumped in the water. As soon as I dove in, the cool water roused my brain fully awake.

  When I came back to the top, I splashed John in the face. “This feels wonderful!”

  John smiled as I made my way over to him. The minute I reached him I wrapped my arms and legs around him.

  “It does. It’s a little short for laps but it works.” He moved in, pressing his cool lips on mine.

  “John, I need to say something,” I started.

  “Candy,” he interrupted.

  I put my fingers on his mouth to quiet him. “No, let me talk.”

  He looked into my eyes and only nodded.

  Unsure of exactly what I was going to say, I started. “I love you. I love this place. I’m such a mess that any time you try to tell or show me how you feel, I clam up. I don’t know why I do it and I don’t know what the problem is exactly. I’m not sure if I know how to do this or trust myself to do it.”

  “Candy, it’s okay,” he said.

  “No, it’s not. I see your hurt feelings. I see the disappointment in your face. Most of the time, it’s just that I’m at a loss for words.”

  “Candy!” he interrupted again.

  “But I feel all warm and fuzzy inside and at the same time I feel nervous, so I don’t give the response you expect or deserve.”

  “Candy, stop!”

  Ignoring him, I continued. “I want you to know that I am moving in. I may procrastinate. I may act weird and I may even act like a total ass at times. But I don’t mean it. I keep trying to be what I am supposed to be, what you deserve.”

  “Dammit Candy! Shut up!” John grabbed the sides of my face and kissed me hard. “You are an impossible woman. You piss me off, frustrate me and yes, you even disappoint me. But I fell in love with you anyway. The good, the bad, the moody, I fell in love with it all. I know you will relax someday and I’m willing to wait.”

  Tears filled my eyes, shocking me. “But I hurt you over and over again and it kills me. It kills me to see that look on your face, to know I disappointed you…again.” I hugged John tight, crying in the pool.

  “Babe, it’s okay,” he whispered. “I know you’re not trying to hurt me. I know you’re scared. My disappointment is my own responsibility. Don’t worry about me. I’m not going anywhere.”

  John held me in the water and didn’t let go until I released him. Tears spilled down my cheeks.

  “I want to show you how much you mean to me. I just can’t figure out how. I can’t seem to do it without fucking it up.” I rubbed my forehead with my palm.

  “You do show me.” He chuckled. “You show me in little tiny pieces. Because I know you, and I know your history, those add up to one giant happiness bubble.”

  I laughed. “Happiness bubble?”

  “Yep, it’s a bubble for you. Then it pops and you’re all serious again. But it’s okay. It is getting better, baby.” He kissed the top of my shoulder.

  “I love you, John.” I kissed him, winding my fingers in his wet tendrils.

  “Let’s get in the shower, then go watch some chick flicks.” John snickered. “If you tell the guys I like them, I’ll deny it.”

  I started swimming toward the edge. “You’re secret is safe with me. Now tell me what James Bond contraption the towels are in.” Snickering as I climbed out of the pool, I walked to the wall of hidden panels.

  “Third from the left. Just push. They’re warmed.”

  Shaking my head, I pulled a heated towel out for me and handed one to John.

  “Oh my God! Who knew warm towels could be so heavenly!” I pressed the warm fluffy towel against my face.

  “I have them in the bathroom too, so you can step out of the shower and grab a warm towel.” John toweled himself, speaking matter-of-factly.

  A silent eye-roll was all I could give without making John uncomfortable. How much spoiling did this guy have planned?

  “Let me show you the shower. You’re going to love it!”

  If he was this excited about a shower, I could only imagine what I was about to see. I followed him upstairs, down the hall and into the bathroom. When we passed through the door, my eyes bulged.

  A long marble countertop was graced with two glass bowls. The faucets had water that poured over the top like a waterfall. The floors were tile, though I could not tell what kind. They were warm on my bare feet. Area rugs and large faux leather panels on the walls cut down on the echo in the bathroom.

  In the center of the room was a large claw-footed bathtub. It looked like it was made of copper, which didn’t make sense, but the shine on it was impressive. Then I saw the shower…large enough for five people. Six nozzles pointed inward from two of the walls, while an enormous showerhead rested in the center of the ceiling.

  “This,” he said pointing at the center showerhead I was gawking at, “is like a soft rain. The others have a bit more pressure. This lever is your shampoo and the one on the right is your c
onditioner. If you change brands, I can change them out for you. There’s a little light that goes on in the closet when it reaches thirty percent.”

  I had no idea what to say. Not only had John wanted me to move in and made rooms just for me, he had the place stocked and ready for me, with my products.

  “This closet,” he said opening a cabinet door, “holds the warm towels. When you turn on the shower, the towel hanging on this rod will start to warm.”

  “This is amazing. You are amazing.” I threw my arms around him and kissed him. “Who knew a bathroom could look like heaven?”

  John chuckled. “Enjoy your shower, weirdo.”

  I smacked him on his ass as he walked by me. When the door was closed, I stripped down and turned the shower on.

  At first I tried the jets, but they were a little too harsh for my liking. Then I switched the lever to the large showerhead. Instant relaxation came as the warm water and the sound of rain filled the space.

  Expecting to run out of hot water, I tried to finish and step out of the shower in a decent amount of time, though I found myself dawdling. I finally stepped out of the shower and grabbed a warm towel.

  Why didn’t John join me in the shower? Is he trying to give me space? Am I ruining everything? My head started swimming with questions as I moisturized my body after toweling off. It was true, I had made numerous mistakes. I had left John feeling deflated more than once. A man could only take so much, I needed to do more. I needed to make things right.

  I wrapped my hair in a bun, securing it with a clip I found in a drawer that John had stocked just for me. Grabbing a fresh towel, I wrapped it around myself and went in search of him.

  After walking around wearing only a towel for ten minutes, I sat on the floor of the bedroom, digging through my bag. John had apparently run out for a few, so I decided it was a good time to get dolled up. I grabbed the white teddy I packed, the heels that matched and my makeup bag and headed back to the bathroom.