Arms Wide Open

by Donna Jay

  Memories of Yvonne accusing her of having an affair made her throat tight. She never wanted Yvonne to feel less than number one again.

  With that decided, she crossed watching porn together off her mental list of things to do to keep their sex life interesting.

  ***

  Julie had just put the chicken casserole in the oven when Yvonne came cruising up the driveway. She glanced out the window in time to see Ginger come darting out of the bushes.

  Pussy.

  He could’ve been inside an hour ago, but nope, he insisted on waiting for his mumma, trotting along beside her like her personal bodyguard.

  “Hey, babe.” Julie greeted Yvonne with a smile and a kiss. Her lips were cold. “Chilly out?”

  “It’s not the warmest.” She pulled her gloves off, peering down at Ginger. “How’s my boy.” He circled around her feet, rubbing himself all over her legs. “Are you hungry?”

  Could cats smile? Julie could’ve sworn he smiled.

  “Is my wife thirsty?” Julie spoke in the same sing-song voice Yvonne reserved for Ginger.

  “How far away is dinner?” Yvonne tore open a pouch of cat food.

  “Mm, about two feet.” Julie scuttled sideways and leaned against the oven, absorbing the heat.

  “Very clever. Should I rephrase that?” Yvonne waggled her fingers in Julie’s face.

  Recoiling, Julie tried not to gag. “How the hell does your cat eat that shit? It smells like rotten fish.”

  “To each their own.” She disappeared up the hallway. A second later, she popped her head back out. “Wine, please, and we need to talk.”

  Wondering what the hell had got into her wife, she was far too jovial for a weeknight, Julie did her bidding. Her mind raced with all kinds of scenarios.

  Perhaps she’d received a pay rise. Whatever was going on, it had to be good news.

  Bottle of beer in one hand and glass of wine in the other, Julie headed for the living room. Rather than sit in the armchair by the window, she sat on the sofa.

  Yvonne waltzed into the room shortly after. She wore her terrycloth robe and a wide smile.

  “What’s got into you?” Julie handed Yvonne her drink.

  “Thanks.” Yvonne perched on the edge of the sofa, facing Julie head-on. “I’ve been thinking. A lot.”

  Ginger jumped between them, licking his chops.

  At a total loss, Julie waited her out.

  “You’re welcome to say no if you don’t want to.”

  “Now you’re making me nervous. What have you signed me up for?”

  “Nothing yet.” She took a sip of wine.

  The suspense was killing Julie. This was totally out of character for Yvonne. She hated surprises, so it was unlike her to spring one on Julie.

  Feeling anxious, Julie chugged back her beer, downing half the bottle.

  “You know when I suggested you take a lover?”

  “I already told you no.” Julie tried to keep her temper in check.

  “I know, but what if…” She cleared her throat. “What if we do it together?”

  “What? Take a lover each? Have you gone mad?” Julie stared at Yvonne, studying her like a stranger in their home.

  Except she wasn’t a stranger. She had the same green eyes that had enticed Julie from day one, same long, auburn hair, same crooked smile. But something was different. An air of certainty surrounded her that disarmed Julie.

  “I haven’t lost my mind.” Yvonne set her glass down. “And I might be way out of line. That’s why we need to talk, openly and honestly.”

  “Okay.” She could do that. But no matter what, she wouldn’t compromise her morals.

  “What if we sign up to that site Barbara—”

  “Brenda.” Julie’s lip kicked up.

  “Yeah, her. We could sign up and see what’s out there. We wouldn’t have to do anything we don’t want to.”

  “And what do you want to do?” Julie asked, warming to the idea but still uncertain.

  “Who knows, we could meet a lady happy to dominate you, she could teach me the ropes.”

  “Literally or figuratively?” Julie asked, only half joking. “Shibari takes years to learn. You can’t just use a tow rope.”

  “What’s shibari?”

  “Never mind.” Boy, did Yvonne have a lot to learn.

  “Tell me.” She pulled on Julie’s arm like a petulant child. Quite the contrast to a woman suggesting they play adult games. Games where one of them could get badly hurt.

  “Shibari’s Japanese rope bondage. And to answer your question, I’m not sure.”

  “Why not?” Yvonne tilted her head, studying Julie closely. “I thought you’d be all for it. You know, after Sadie and all.”

  Contrary to her belief that Julie could separate emotion from sex, that wasn’t entirely true. “My feelings weren’t at stake when I dated Sadie.”

  “But I thought you said you cared for her…deeply.”

  “I did.” Julie pulled Yvonne into her arms. “But I wasn’t in love with her. I knew our time was limited, and one day our affair would come to an end. My love for you doesn’t have an expiry date.” She nuzzled Yvonne’s ear, breathing in her scent. “And I don’t want to do anything to risk losing what we have.”

  Yvonne sighed. “I’m confused.”

  “How so?”

  “When you suggested it—”

  “I was joking.”

  “Didn’t sound like it,” Yvonne said softly, her gaze downcast.

  Julie pushed her chin up. “Have you ever had a one-night stand? Do you think you could fuck someone you barely know?”

  The blush Julie expected to see didn’t materialise.

  Yvonne held her gaze, her voice certain. “Yes. And I think so...if we did it together.”

  As curious as she was to know more about the one-night stand which was news to her, Julie swallowed the question.

  God knew she’d had her share of women back in the day. She didn’t want to get into a discussion about who they’d bedded before they met.

  “If we did it together, with each other, it wouldn’t be cheating,” Yvonne said as if finally getting it.

  The oven dinged, and Julie cursed the stupid timer.

  “Just a minute.” She dashed to the kitchen and turned off the buzzer. Dinner could wait. But who, if anyone, they were going to bed needed to be discussed.

  When she turned, she just about ran face first into Yvonne. “Shit, you scared me.”

  “Sorry, and let’s forget it for now.”

  “Are you sure? Because if this is really important to you, we need to discuss it.”

  She nodded slowly. “I’m sure.”

  Julie wasn’t convinced but she was happy to let it go. Taking a lover together wasn’t something she’d ever considered seriously. Sure, she’d joked about it, but what Yvonne had proposed was no laughing matter.

  It had the potential to bring them closer together or tear them apart. In other words, a hell of a gamble.

  Chapter 14

  Yvonne glanced out the office window. Colourful leaves danced in the breeze, and sparrows twittered in the trees. Spring had sprung and their anniversary was only days away.

  While her work colleagues were in the staffroom, Yvonne stepped outside. After checking the number on the piece of paper she’d tucked in her hand, she dialled the hotel.

  As the phone rang, excitement built. If everything went to plan, it would be a night Julie would never forget.

  Menopause, old age, and saggy boobs be damned. Yvonne was over feeling insecure. Neither of them had the bodies they had twenty years ago, but they still had the love, and she was hell bent on reigniting the passion.

  After her pitiful attempt to dominate Julie, she was finally ready to try again. It would be her gift to Julie for their anniversary.

  “Hello, Castle Hotel. How may I be of assistance?” The receptionist’s voice pulled Yvonne out of her head.

  “Hi, I’d like to make a reservation
for Saturday night. Two people.”

  “Would you like a room with a spa bath or without?”

  “With, please.” She’d done the sums, juggled some money so they could afford it.

  “Let me check if we have any left.”

  The lengthy pause gave Yvonne enough time to worry. She’d be disappointed if they were fully booked.

  Sure there were plenty of other hotels in Palmerston North, but the Castle Hotel had come highly recommended by none other than Sarah.

  “You’re in luck. We have one room left with a spa bath.”

  “Yes!” Yvonne fist-pumped the air.

  Geez, woman. How old are you, twelve?

  Embarrassed by her overly enthusiastic response, she glanced around, pleased no one had seen her. “Thank you. What time’s check-in?”

  “Any time after two. Is there anything else I can help you with?”

  Food. They would need to eat. “Do you have room service?”

  “We have a restaurant on site that you’re welcome to dine in.”

  “Oh.” Her heart plummeted. She hated the idea of having to dress up to go out for dinner, let alone leaving the room.

  “Your other options are to order in, or your room has a small kitchenette you’re welcome to use. We only ask that you refrain from cooking anything with a strong odour.”

  “Like garlic and onions?”

  The receptionist chuckled. “If you’re planning a romantic night, those things are best avoided anyway.”

  There was so much truth to those words, Yvonne didn’t bother pointing out making such a comment could be seen as unethical. She appreciated the woman’s candour.

  “I’ll remember that, and I don’t plan on cooking,” she said as another idea took root.

  “Great. May I have your name, please?”

  “Oh, yes, right, of course. It’s Yvonne Henderson.”

  “And your companion?”

  “My what?” She laughed. “I don’t need a chaperon.”

  “Sorry, ma’am, let me clarify. I meant your partner. I didn’t want to assume you were married or that you’d be accompanied by a man.”

  No wonder Sarah had raved about the place. Yvonne liked this woman more and more by the second.

  “Julie, my wife.”

  “Thank you. Check-in’s any time after two. Is there anything else I can help you with?”

  “No. Oh, wait. You were right. It’s a romantic getaway. Problem is, I can’t get away from my wife for long enough without creating suspicion. My friend stayed with you a couple of weeks ago. Is it okay if she has access to the room before we check-in?”

  “That’s fine. May I have her full name, please?”

  “Sarah Carter.”

  Once the booking was confirmed, Yvonne hung up and punched in Sarah’s number.

  She picked up on the second ring. “Hi. Sorry I can’t take your call right now, please leave a message and I’ll get back to you.”

  “Hey, it’s me. I’ve booked a romantic night away and need your help.”

  “Ooh, sounds exciting.”

  Yvonne chuckled. “Why bother pretending to be an answering machine if you’re not going to keep up the ruse?”

  “Because you’re grinning from ear-to-ear.”

  She was too. “Did I ever tell you how much I love you?”

  “Greaser. What do you want?”

  After giving Sarah a rundown of what she needed, Yvonne ended the call. She didn’t know who was more excited, her or her best friend.

  Sarah had wholeheartedly agreed to do her bidding, even if it meant rescheduling her Brazilian. Something Yvonne didn’t need to know.

  She tended to her garden, kept the bush trimmed…

  Wait, back up. Now she was sounding like her best friend. Shaking her head, Yvonne stepped back into the office.

  “You look happy,” Fiona said as the door whooshed closed behind her.

  “I am.”

  A dreamy look crossed Fiona’s face. “I hope I’m still as in love as you are when I’m old.”

  “Hey.” Yvonne swatted her arm playfully. “Watch who you’re calling old.”

  “I was kidding. You don’t look a day over—”

  The phone rang, interrupting their conversation.

  Fiona held up a finger. “Welcome to Gary’s Erection Company, you’re speaking with Fiona.”

  Relieved she didn’t have to hear Fiona’s assessment of her age; Yvonne slunk back to her office.

  ***

  Arriving home that night, she was torn between keeping the hotel reservation a secret and letting Julie in on the surprise. She was so excited, she felt like she might burst if she didn’t share, but then her surprise would be ruined.

  Then again, the downside of a surprise meant there was no time for suspense to build. And wasn’t that half the fun?

  “Don’t make any plans for the weekend,” Yvonne said as she helped clean up from dinner.

  Once again Julie had cooked a wonderful meal; meatloaf, mashed potatoes, broccoli and peas.

  She’d made an apple pie, too. But at that moment, Yvonne was too stuffed to fit it in.

  Julie rinsed a plate and put it in the drying rack. “Okay. No plans for the weekend. But why?” She shot Yvonne a sideways glance.

  “Can’t tell you, it’s a surprise.”

  “Not fair.” A sudsy finger tapped her on the nose, soap bubbles making her cross-eyed.

  “Fine, want me to tell you?” Yvonne asked.

  “No!” Julie’s voice was shrill. “But give me a clue.”

  “Guess.”

  “We’re going out for dinner?”

  “Nope, something better.”

  “We’re going away.”

  “Yes and no.” They were but they weren’t.

  Whenever they went away, they generally went sightseeing, but all going well, the only sightseeing they’d be doing would be in the hotel room.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “You’ll have to wait and see.”

  “Okay. Want some apple pie?”

  Really, just like that she was going to let the topic drop? Reminding herself she was the one who got anxious if she didn’t know what was going on, Yvonne quashed the disappointment threatening to derail her.

  Julie’s response was typical, not a dismissal.

  “Pie sounds good, just a small piece, though, I’ve already got a food baby.” She patted the swell of her belly.

  ***

  Saturday afternoon, after making sure the house was secure and Ginger had enough to eat, Yvonne hefted their overnight bag over her shoulder.

  She was nervous and excited all at once. She closed her eyes and sent up a silent prayer that all went to plan.

  Julie, who still had no clue what was going on, looked as relaxed as ever.

  Yvonne grabbed her purse and keys. “You ready?”

  “Not sure, since I don’t know where we are going.” Julie twirled in a circle. “Do I look okay?”

  The stark contrast of her jet-black hair and white T-shirt was striking. The sleeves of her demin jacket were rolled up to the elbows, and sky-blue jeans hugged her hips.

  “You look perfect.” Yvonne pecked her on the lips. “Happy anniversary.”

  A slow smile spread across Julie’s face. “When do I get my present?”

  “I’ll let you in on a secret.” Yvonne stood on her tippy-toes. She cupped her hand and whispered in Julie’s ear, “It’s me.”

  Desire flashed in her eyes. “When do I get to unwrap my gift?”

  Her wandering gaze made Yvonne’s skin tingle with anticipation. She crooked a finger. “Follow me, lover.”

  Chapter 15

  Julie stared around the hotel room in wide-eyed wonder. Yvonne had clearly gone to a lot of effort to set the mood; intimate.

  A king-size bed was littered with rose petals. On a small table for two there was a single rose in a vase, a dish of assorted chocolates, and a bottle of champagne on ice.
/>   A large candle scented the air with vanilla.

  Overcome by love and gratitude, she pulled Yvonne into her arms and kissed her soundly.

  When Yvonne moaned into her mouth, Julie’s arousal went from simmering to red hot in a nanosecond.

  Yvonne took a step back, fanning herself. “Slow down. We’ve got all night.” She flashed Julie a sinfully sexy smile that made her weak in the knees.

  Putting a lid on her libido, Julie slumped onto the bed. As per the norm, she hadn’t had sex all week. And just like any given Saturday, she was desperate to get her hands on Yvonne.

  Add to that the charged atmosphere, and she was ready to burst.

  Although the intensity of their lovemaking had increased, the frequency had remained the same. Twice a week. Always on the weekend. And she didn’t mind one bit, never had.

  Self-gratification was good for the soul. A quick release at her own hands, with no one’s pleasure to worry about but her own was extremely satisfying.

  But when Yvonne was standing before her, stripping out of her clothes at a teasingly slow pace, it was hard not to pounce. Or kneel, or whatever else made her happy.

  Letting Yvonne have the stage, Julie sat on her hands. She almost cried when her luscious curves disappeared under a thick, white robe.

  “Tease.” She pouted.

  Clearly enjoying herself, Yvonne pointed to the other robe on the end of the bed. “Might as well get comfy. I don’t plan on leaving the room before morning.”

  “Really? And just what do you plan on doing?” A fresh wave of arousal surged through Julie. She stripped in record time. “Dine on these?” She cupped her small breasts. “Or sample the wares?” She parted her legs.

  “You’re such a horn dog.”

  “I’m your horny dog.” Julie slipped on the robe as she strode toward Yvonne. She took the champagne bottle out of Yvonne’s hands. “Allow me, ma’am.”

  The cork popped, launching into the air like a rocket only to crash back to earth when it hit the high ceiling.

  “Shit.” Yvonne clutched her chest. “Lucky you didn’t put a hole in the roof.”

  “And you wonder why I prefer beer.” Julie shook droplets of wine off her hand.

  “Tough, tonight we’re celebrating.”

  Putting her amateur bartending skills to use, Julie held the glasses by the stems between her fingers and filled them to the brim. Memories of their wedding day came flooding back to her. It had been a small ceremony, and the day couldn’t have been more perfect.