Arms Wide Open

by Donna Jay

  “And he doesn’t pee everywhere either,” Yvonne said indignantly.

  “I’m sensing a story there.”

  “Let’s just say we now have our own date-gone-wrong story.”

  “Oh…” Brenda rubbed her hands together. “Tell me more.”

  “Let’s freshen up first.” Yvonne fished in her handbag and pulled out the house keys. “I’ll take first dibs on the shower. You put the drinks away.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Julie saluted, even though Yvonne had already turned her back.

  “You’d look better saying that on your knees,” Brenda said so casually, Julie wondered if she’d heard right.

  Shaking her head, she retrieved the alcohol off the backseat. Brenda grabbed her backpack and slung it over her shoulder.

  Side-by-side, they walked toward the house.

  “Who’s got the green thumb?” Brenda tipped her head in the direction of the flowerbeds framing the perimeter of the backyard. Purple, yellow, and pink pansies waved in the warm breeze.

  “Me. I find it therapeutic. Yvonne finds it boring. She’d rather go for a walk.”

  “Huh, so what do you do for exercise? I mean, you’re in pretty good shape.”

  Lapping up the compliment, Julie made a concentrated effort not to strut. “Like you, I have a physical job. I beat the streets most days. The difference is I do it out of necessity, and Yvonne does it for pleasure.” And because she worries about her weight, but Julie kept that bit of information to herself.

  “You two complement each other,” Brenda said with genuine warmth in her voice.

  “We do.” Julie stopped at the bottom of the porch steps. “After you.”

  “Thank you.”

  Once she put the drinks in the fridge, Julie handed a vodka cruiser to Brenda. “Glass?”

  “No, thanks. The bottle’s fine.” She looked around the kitchen. Cream walls, white appliances, wooden cabinetry.

  “Hey.” She picked up the ceramic teddy bear. “I have one just like this.”

  Throat suddenly dry, Julie took a swig of beer. She didn’t dare ask if Brenda was talking about the wooden spoons or the bear.

  The memory of Yvonne tapping her nipples with the flat side of a spoon brought a smile to her lips.

  “What?” Brenda asked.

  “Nothing.” Julie motioned toward the archway. “Let’s go into the living room. It’s more comfortable.”

  Eyes sparkling, Brenda moved into her personal space. “Are you feeling uncomfortable?”

  Their bodies weren’t connected, but she stood close enough to make Julie hold her breath.

  Yes, you make me uncomfortable, but not in the way you think. She resisted the urge to tug on the crotch of her jeans which suddenly felt too tight.

  “No, but I feel sweaty and I’m sure I stink.”

  “Oh. Me, too.”

  “You smell like horse and hay,” Julie said, unable to move.

  “Does that make you want to take a roll in the hay?” There was that cheeky smile.

  God, yes.

  “Hey.” Yvonne breezed into the kitchen, smelling shower fresh and looking radiant.

  “Hi.” Julie cupped her face and kissed her passionately, possessively.

  “Wow, what was that about?” Yvonne asked.

  “Do I need a reason to kiss my wife? You look amazing.” She wore a purple knee-length dress with a plunging neckline that showed off just enough cleavage. The view was titillating rather than overt.

  “You’re beautiful,” Brenda said it with such sincerity, Julie felt proud rather than jealous.

  Blushing, Yvonne gave her a coy smile. “Thank you.”

  Julie grabbed the bottle of wine out of the fridge, and Yvonne yanked it from her hands. “I can do it, go shower.”

  Damn!

  She didn’t want to leave the room, but Julie couldn’t deny she needed a shower. It had been a hot day and she felt sticky. She also needed to cool off for more than one reason.

  In the bathroom, she debated whether to have a quick scrub or take her time. She wanted to give Yvonne the opportunity to spend time alone with Brenda, but she also wanted to watch them interact.

  Were they making eyes at each other, or making small talk? Had Yvonne let her guard down or was she all business? Talking about their jobs and other getting to know each other type things?

  If Julie was to be honest, she hoped they were flirting with each other. It would be good for Yvonne’s ego, and it was hard not to flirt with Brenda.

  When she opened the bathroom door, Julie ran straight into Yvonne. “Shit.”

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.” Yvonne put a hand on Julie’s bare arm.

  The touch made her painfully aware of the fact she was naked beneath her towel, and the two women before her were fully clothed.

  The appreciative smile on Brenda’s face as her gaze travelled a lazy path over Julie’s body, from her eyes to her toes and back again, compounded the feeling of being naked and vulnerable. It was exhilarating.

  “I was just giving Brenda a tour of the house.”

  “Oh, great. Well, don’t let me keep you.” She stepped around them. Feeling like a patient with a gaping hole in the back of her gown, she clutched the towel tighter and hurried to their bedroom.

  The faint odour of hay and liniment lingered in the air. Brenda had been in their room, with Yvonne. Did anything happen?

  Of course it didn’t, you idiot!

  By the time she’d changed into a clean pair of jeans, dressy shirt, and finger-combed her short, black hair, the shower was running again. She hoped for Brenda’s sake there was enough hot water for all three.

  Realising she only had a few minutes to talk to Yvonne alone; Julie went looking for her. She only made it as far as the bedroom door before her gaze locked on Yvonne, standing in the hallway, looking radiant.

  “You look gorgeous.” Julie grabbed her by the hand. “What are you doing loitering around out here?”

  “I wasn’t loitering,” Yvonne said. “I came looking for you. Brenda’s in the shower.”

  “I can hear that.” Julie wrapped her arms around Yvonne’s waist. “Did you offer to wash her back?”

  “No.”

  “Did you think about it.”

  “Yes.” The admission surprised and delighted Julie.

  “She’s something else, isn’t she?”

  “She is, but we agreed to meet her as friends, remember?”

  “Yeah.” She nodded, trying not to let her disappointment show.

  “We’re meeting Pamela tomorrow, remember?”

  Yeah, she remembered that too, barely.

  The bathroom door clicked open, and they jumped apart as if they’d been caught cheating which was crazy. Hell, life had been a crazy train lately.

  Julie wasn’t sure whose jaw hit the floor first, hers or Yvonne’s.

  Brenda wore a black dress that came to mid-thigh, sheer stockings, spiky high heels, and a panty-melting smile.

  “Oh, hi. I hope I’m not holding you up. I needed to let some steam out of the room, before I could put on my makeup.”

  “You sure the steam’s not coming off you?” Yvonne fanned herself. “You look pretty hot in that number.”

  Certain she’d heard wrong, Julie stared at her wife in disbelief. She didn’t even spare her a sideways glance.

  “Are you flirting with me, Mrs Henderson?” Brenda folded her arms across her chest, a smile dancing across her lips.

  “How do you know my last…?” She cut herself off. “The pub, work’s website. Yeah, yeah. Great detective work, Brenda—"

  “Smith.”

  “Oh, silly me. Nice alias.” Yvonne pushed off the doorjamb. “And here I was thinking we’d made a friend. By the way, I’m Veronica and this is Juliet.”

  “Come with me.” Brenda grabbed her by the hand, her expression all business.

  With her heart in her throat and an ache between her legs, Julie followed behind them. Brenda made an a
brupt left turn into the spare bedroom, where her pack lay open like a gutted fish.

  She plucked her wallet off the top of the pile of clothes she’d been wearing earlier. “Here you go.” Her tone was neutral; business-like.

  Yvonne looked down, and Julie glanced over her shoulder at the driver’s licence in her hand. Name; Brenda Maryanne Smith. Date of birth; 03/03/77.

  “Sorry.” Yvonne hung her head.

  Julie squeezed her shoulder in support. She had to admit, she’d been dubious too, only she hadn’t been bold enough to challenge Brenda on her surname.

  “It’s fine. I get it all the time.”

  “I can imagine.” Julie chuckled, trying to lighten the mood.

  “And your surname is…” Brenda trailed off.

  “Wilson.”

  “Like Tom Hank’s best friend?” That cheeky smile of hers was back.

  “I get that all the time,” Julie deadpanned. “And before you ask, I’ve never been a castaway. Great movie, though.”

  Like clockwork, Ginger waltzed into the room and started sniffing around the contents spilling out of Brenda’s backpack.

  “Get out of there.” Julie shooed him away.

  “Leave my cat alone.” Yvonne scooped him up.

  Brenda stepped forward. She ran her hands through Ginger’s fur, letting tuffs of it slide between her fingers. “Your pussy’s so soft.”

  How the hell did she make that sound sexy? Julie’s clit throbbed.

  It was nice of Yvonne to offer the spare room for Brenda to get changed, but being in such close proximity to a bed and two sexy women eyeing each other like their next meal was torture.

  Needing to put some distance between them, Julie headed for the door. “I don’t know about you two, but I’m starving.”

  “I’m ravenous,” Brenda said, leaving no room for mistaking she wasn’t necessarily talking about food.

  “Whose car are we taking?” Yvonne asked, wandering out of the room with Ginger in her arms.

  “Make sense to take mine. It’s already in the driveway.”

  With that decided, they all piled into Brenda’s car.

  Chapter 27

  Thirty minutes later, they arrived home again, Chinese takeaways stinking out the car and making Julie’s stomach rumble.

  They hadn’t even thought about the fact it would be nearly impossible to find a park, let alone a restaurant where they didn’t have to queue for hours to get a table.

  But tonight, with the influx of visitors the Feilding show had brought to town, that’s exactly what happened.

  “All dressed up and nowhere to go,” Julie commented as they piled back out of Brenda’s car.

  “I don’t know about that. Your place looks pretty inviting.” Brenda looked at their house, now cast in shadows.

  “Oh, we can light some candles and pretend we’re at a restaurant.” Yvonne looked excited by the idea. “You can be our maître d'.” She kissed Julie on the cheek.

  “Not bloody likely.”

  “Is that any way to speak to a lady?” Brenda sounded like a pissed off patron. “Where’s the manager? I wish to make a complaint.”

  “Oh, honey, please don’t make a scene.” Yvonne clutched her chest, playing along.

  The door clicked open and they all tumbled inside, laughing.

  Yvonne bustled around the kitchen, issuing orders. “I’ll get the plates, you get the drinks.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Julie replied automatically.

  She could feel Brenda’s eyes on her but didn’t dare turn around. Her words echoed loudly in her head. You’d look better saying that on your knees.

  “Help yourself to a drink.” Yvonne hung up her handbag and disappeared.

  “I’m not in the habit of helping myself,” Brenda said, the words dripping with innuendo.

  Throwing caution to the wind, Julie tossed them back at her. “You have permission.”

  “Do I?” Her gaze raked over Julie’s body.

  “Candles.” Yvonne appeared in the archway separating the kitchen from the living room. She froze, looking from one to the other. “What?”

  “What?” Julie played dumb, knowing damn well Yvonne could sense the sexual tension thick in the air.

  After a minute, Yvonne shook her head. “Nothing.”

  Doing Brenda’s bidding, Julie handed her a vodka cruiser then grabbed a beer for herself and poured a glass of wine for Yvonne.

  The aroma of sweet and sour chicken, pork wontons, and satay noodles infused the air as she uncovered the takeaway trays, lining them up on the kitchen bench.

  “Dig in, everyone.”

  Once everyone had taken their fill and moved to the table, Yvonne kicked off the conversation. Her line of questioning took Julie by surprise.

  “How’s Find Someone been treating you, Brenda? Been on any dates lately?” Yvonne’s eyes went wide, sparkling in the candlelight. “Please don’t tell me you’ve been stood up again.” She shook her head, not letting Brenda get a word in. “I can’t believe someone would do that. I mean we’ve met some creepers.” She shuddered.

  “Tell me about that.” Brenda’s smile was warm and Julie didn’t miss how deftly she dodged the question.

  “Well, there was this time we met this woman, Daphne.” Yvonne glanced at Julie, her face animated. She turned back to Brenda. “While Julie was in the toilet, she propositioned me.”

  “I can understand that, you’re a sexy woman,” Brenda said.

  An adorable blush tinted Yvonne’s cheeks. “Thank you, and so’s my wife.” She looked at Julie with affection in her eyes.

  “I can’t argue with that.” Brenda’s heated gaze drilled into Julie.

  Flustered, she stuffed another wonton into her mouth. The crispy coating crunched loudly in her ears.

  “While Julie was in the bathroom,” Yvonne continued, “This Daphne woman ran her fingers through my hair.”

  “Like this?” Brenda dragged her hand through Yvonne’s hair, letting the long, auburn strands slide through her fingers.

  “Yeah, like that.” Yvonne nodded.

  Her casual reply surprised the hell out of Julie. When Daphne had done it, she’d bolted, now here she was all smiles and big green eyes.

  “Before that, she played footsies with me under the table and slid her hand along my thigh.”

  What? That was news to Julie. She was torn between saying as much and holding her tongue.

  “That’s not cool,” Brenda said, twirling her fork in some noodles. “Why so sneaky? I mean if you meet a couple as a couple, one should expect to play with them as a couple.”

  “Exactly!” Yvonne banged her glass down on the table. “And if you’re not attracted to the other person, you make a polite excuse and leave.”

  “You won’t get any polite excuses out of me.” Brenda’s gaze locked on Yvonne. “And I’ll leave if you tell me to go.”

  All the moisture in Julie’s body pooled between her legs. She held her breath, waiting for Yvonne’s response. She looked at Julie as if to say, ‘is this okay?’

  Hell yeah. Julie gave her a barely perceptible nod. If Yvonne wanted to make a move, Julie was all for it.

  “Have you had much luck finding anyone to join you?” Brenda asked.

  “No, not on that site.” Yvonne pushed her plate aside.

  She’d barely eaten a thing which confirmed Julie’s suspicions. She was as wound up as Julie.

  “Look.” Brenda spread her arms wide. “You ladies are looking for a third. Here I am. No bullshit, no endless messages, no playing one of you off against the other.” She stared them in the eyes. “I’d love to fuck you both.”

  Disbelief and desire flashed across Yvonne’s face. She looked from Julie back to Brenda.

  “Too forward?” Brenda’s infectious smile broke the tension.

  “It’s not that,” Yvonne said.

  “Don’t you find me attractive?”

  “You’re fucking gorgeous,” Julie blurted out. Apparently
her libido had blocked her filter.

  “You need to learn some manners.” Brenda’s tone was playful, her intentions unmistakable.

  “I find you attractive.” Yvonne fiddled with a paper napkin. “But we need to talk, me and Julie.”

  “So talk.” Brenda stood. “Excuse me while I use the bathroom.” She paused in the hallway door. “All I ask for is honesty. If I’m way off base, I’ll pack my bag and call it a night.”

  The thought of her leaving made Julie’s stomach bottom out. But Yvonne was right, they needed to talk.

  As soon as Brenda was out of hearing shot, Julie turned to Yvonne. She’d pulled her bottom lip between her teeth as if she was trying to bite back a smile. There was no mistaking the lust sparkling in her eyes.

  “I know we haven’t planned this,” Julie said, reaching for Yvonne’s hand.

  “Don’t you think that makes it all the better?” Yvonne’s eyes lit up. “Let’s just go with it?”

  “I’m keen if you are.”

  “Quick. Look under the table.” Yvonne pulled out of her grip.

  “What?”

  “Just do it.”

  Spurred on by the commanding tone of Yvonne’s voice, Julie immediately complied. “I can’t see anything.”

  “Get on your hands and knees.”

  She dropped to all fours and stuck her head under the tablecloth.

  The sight that greeted her was irresistible. Her eyes locked on the wet seam of Yvonne’s pantyhose. Desire overrode all conscious thought as Julie crawled forward, inhaling the intoxicating scent of Yvonne’s arousal. She nudged her legs apart and licked her through the sheer nylon.

  A gasp tore from Yvonne’s throat at the same time as she snapped her legs closed.

  The sound of Brenda’s voice was like a cold bucket of water thrown in her face. “Damn, you ladies haven’t started without me, have you?”

  “N...n…no. Not at all.” Yvonne shoved at Julie’s head, trying to push her away, but Julie’s limbs refused to budge.

  The toe of Brenda’s high heel tapped out a staccato on the linoleum floor. “That backside is begging to be spanked, don’t you think, Yvonne?”

  “Um, I’m not sure.”

  “Come here,” Brenda said.

  Feeling incredibly vulnerable and incredibly turned on, Julie willed her arms and legs to move. Slowly, she backed up.