Slowly she opened her eyes seeing bodies still coupling all around her. No one was looking at them now, and even if they were she wouldn’t care. Never in her life had Stacie thought she would be having sex in a room full of people, but what an amazing and exciting experience.
They remained still, Dan holding her close. She savoured the feeling of being held, and not shoved to the side and forgotten about. Although Dan wasn’t for keeps, it didn’t stop her from enjoying the thought that one day she’d have this with some other man, who might just give her the love and time she desired.
“Do you fancy getting a drink?” he whispered in her ear.
“Okay.”
Dan pulled out of her slowly, kissing her shoulder. Stacie rolled onto her back watching him deal with the condom then bend down to pick up his trunks. His muscular bottom flexed as he pulled them up. God, she was getting turned on again at the sight.
Dan retrieved the rest of his clothes from where he’d left them as Stacie pulled her thong back on and tied up her babydoll top. He came back and passed Stacie her dressing gown, helping her on with it before he quickly put on his own clothes.
They headed for the door, Stacie making sure she snagged her shoes from where she’d left them. She slipped them on her feet and Dan dropped the condom in a bin by the door then he took her hand and led her down the corridor to the conservatory bar. It was busier than it had been before. They made their way toward the bar where a couple were standing waiting to be served. Stacie returned the woman’s smile before she realised it was the couple she’d been watching for a few minutes after she found her place on the large cushion. Stacie looked at the floor, suddenly too embarrassed to even look at her.
The couple were served and then Dan placed their order. Stacie ordered a white wine and Dan a pint. If ever a drink was deserved it was now, after their workout. Stacie found herself buzzing, was it Dan that kept her going?
“Evening,” said the woman, moving to stand beside her. Stacie forced her gaze up to meet the woman’s friendly smile. The image of her with her breasts swinging being shagged by her partner rose up in Stacie’s mind.
“Evening,” Stacie managed.
“Have you had a good night?” the woman asked. She clearly wanted to make conversation.
Stacie gulped before replying. “Er, yes thank you, and yourself?”
“Absolutely fantastic evening. You can’t beat coming here to Desires. I love just being able to let go and relax for once. Have you been coming long, I don’t remember seeing you before.”
“No, this weekend is my first time.”
The woman’s eyes gleamed with curiosity. “So what do you make of Desires?”
“Well I have to say it’s a little scary,” Stacie said, wondering if honesty was the best plan.
“I bet it is to a new person, all these naked people having sex in random places. It’s not something you would come across on a regular day,” the woman said, with an understanding smile.
“No, definitely not.” Stacie started to relax a little. “Have you been coming long?”
“Five years.”
Stacie raised her eyebrows, a little surprised.
“We try and come at least once in every two months,” replied her partner. Stacie looked from her to him. Were they a couple, then, and not just here for random sex?
The man continued, “It gives us time away from the children and to be just a couple. It makes us feel human,” he explained. Stacie glanced at his wedding finger, seeing a ring. She felt relieved. At least these two were a proper couple, not just hooking up.
“Would you both care to join us at a table?” the man asked Stacie.
Stacie turned to see what Dan thought of the invitation. He smiled his agreement. “That would be lovely,” she said, deciding that it might be nice to talk to someone about Desires. It would be interesting to get an inside look from a different point of view.
They took their drinks and headed toward a table to one side. The women sat on the couch on one side of the table, while the men sat opposite on two of the musical note chairs.
“I’m Chrissie,” the woman said, “and this is my husband, Jason.”
“Stacie and Dan,” Dan said. Stacie smiled at the sound of her name on his lips. The way he introduced them almost made it sound as if they were a proper couple. They all shook hands. It all seemed oddly polite and civilised considering she’d seen them having sex less than half an hour earlier.
“What do you enjoy about Desires,” Stacie had to ask.
“I love the fact that we can be a couple and have fun without anyone judging us,” Chrissie said. “You two looked as though you were having an amazing time in the orgy room. You both look so in love and happy,” said Chrissie.
Stacie looked at Dan, feeling ashamed and a little embarrassed at Chrissie’s assumption. “Sorry, we’re not lovers. Dan...” Now, how best to phrase this? “Dan works here.”
“Well, good for you,” she said to Stacie, not missing a beat. “You didn’t half bag a corker. Younger too, well done you, girl.” Stacie smiled at her then looked at Dan who was joining in the laughter. He didn’t look in the least abashed.
“I bet you’re getting what you paid for,” Chrissie said in an aside to Stacie, still laughing.
Stacie laughed with her, wondering if she was joking or being serious. “You certainly could say that, he’s fabulous.”
“So how long have you worked here, Dan?” Jason asked.
“A little less than a year,” he said, flopping back in the chair, holding his pint.
“I bet you see some sights,” Jason said, his eyes curious.
“I certainly do. Some you do your hardest to forget.” They all laughed again. The door opened and a couple walked in the room wearing absolutely nothing. Stacie stared for a second before looking quickly down. She glanced at the others, who were relaxed and not reacting at all.
“You know, what other place could you walk around like that?” Chrissie mentioned, gesturing with her glass at the couple. “We can’t even do that at home. We have two small children and a close family, who are forever calling in unexpectedly. If we walked around even in sexy underwear we would definitely get caught. That’s why we come here to chill and relax. This is the only place where we can actually do what we want to do without being judged, or running the risk of getting caught. Also, it’s nice to spend some quality time together. It’s too easy to forget about each other when we’re at home.”
“Yes,” Jason agreed. “You come in from work every night shattered, looking after kids, family visiting, it just never ends. So once every two months we come here to enjoy each other.”
Stacie listened to them. She was beginning to see another side to Desires. It wasn't just randoms hooking up for sex with anyone, there were couples here, just trying to have that all-important quality time together. Chrissie and Jason seemed like a nice, normal couple. Who cared if their sexual tastes were a little out of the mainstream? Was it so wrong if their got their kicks having sex in front of others? For the first time, Stacie began to wonder whether her views might be a little narrow-minded.
“What about you?” Chrissie asked Stacie, who shied away from the question. “What brings you to Desires?”
Stacie prevaricated, wishing Chrissie hadn’t asked.
“Come on, it can’t be that bad.”
“It’s quite embarrassing—”
Dan interrupted her, “No it isn’t, be honest.”
Stacie looked at him, hesitating. Should she be honest? Lying probably wouldn’t help her, especially if this couple were wild and possibly looking for another couple to join them. “I am here to start from the beginning, to find my confidence again.” She paused. “I was in a very violent marriage and sex was pretty much an ordeal every time. So, Dan is helping me find pleasure in sex again.”
“Bless you. That must have been a scary decision to make,” Chrissie said.
“It was. I was stuck in a complete rut,
sick of being lonely but not confident enough to go out and meet other men.”
“No, I think that once you’ve been in a violent relationship it does make you wary of stepping into another relationship with someone else. I bet he scared you bad…well done to you for taking the plunge,” Chrissie said. Stacie sat up straighter.
Stacie found herself listening to Chrissie as the other woman told her all about how she met Jason, how they were both career people, and that having a family meant the whole world.
“We only have sex with each other here. We don’t allow others to touch us,” Chrissie said. “Some things are meant to stay between the couple and that to us is important. The thought of another woman touching him intimately would make me angry, and likewise, Jason wouldn’t want another man touching me. It’s on our contract…unless we choose to change it.” Stacie was intrigued. Choose to change it?
Chrissie continued. “We come to the club strictly to have a fantastic time together and make love, whether it’s in our room or around the building, we like to wander about and watch other people.”
“Aren’t you bothered about others seeing you naked?” Stacie needed to ask.
“I was at first…I always think the first time is the worst. It was something I’d always been intrigued about, but never had the guts to actually do. I was nervous as hell. But no…not now…I enjoy it. I love the fact we can wander around Desires in as little clothing as we like without people staring strangely and thinking it’s disgusting. But you were very brave to go in the orgy room on your first weekend.” Chrissie said. “It took me about three times coming here before we went in there.”
“It took quite a bit of Dutch courage. I did hesitate, but decided I cannot and will not allow my ex to control me anymore.”
“Many people wouldn’t achieve what you have.”
Chrissie looked over at Dan, who was sitting chatting to Jason. She lowered her voice. “So, is Dan to your satisfaction?”
Stacie leaned in and replied likewise. “You could say that, he’s so amazing and understanding. I’ve known him a day and he understands exactly what I need. I spent a good number of years with my ex and he never truly knew me.”
“Well, he just wanted to manipulate you. He was evidently not remotely interested in your pleasure or happiness. You’re a very beautiful woman and I honestly thought you and Dan were a couple—you both looked so amazing together.”
Stacie gazed at Dan as Chrissie spoke. Dan looked at her and smiled. His eyes overpowered her.
“Yes, but he can never be mine,” Stacie said when Dan turned back to resume his conversation with Jason.
“Would you have him?”
Stacie kept staring Dan, her body vibrating to his presence, feeling the urge to hold him tight in her arms and have him make passionate love to her.
“Yes, I would. But he has to be nice to me, don’t you think. I am paying for him after all. It’s not real.”
“It’s true that you’re paying for his time, but you can’t help who you fall in love with. I see something in his eyes when he looks at you. If you and he are meant to be together it will happen. I am a great believer in things happening for a reason,” Chrissie said softly.
Stacie stared at Dan. He glanced at her and sent her a little smile. “He’s gorgeous,” Chrissie whispered in her ear.
“Yes…yes he is…”
Chrissie moved closer to Stacie so her voice could be heard quietly at her ear. “Does he make your knees go weak?” Stacie nodded. “Does he make your heart skip beats?” Nod. “Does he hit all the right spots?”
“He certainly does.”
“I’m guessing you signed the contract?”
“Yep!” Stacie fervently wished she could hold that document in her hands right now and rip it to shreds.
“Between me and you, what the fuck is in that contract? Who’s to stop you and him getting together outside this place?”
Stacie paused for a long time. “Nothing, I guess,” she said, not wanting to look at Dan. Unbidden thoughts raced around her mind, them out together, like a real couple…going back to her flat, undressing him, him working his magic.
“Did you sign before you saw him, and discovered just what a fantastic man he is in all departments?” Chrissie said.
“I did, and no I never clapped eyes on him before the signature…bloody hell—”
“What?”
“My stomach aches,” Stacie said. Her tummy felt like there was an entire tentful of butterflies in there, and her heart galloped.
“Love is amazing, isn’t it?”
“I’ve never felt this way.”
“Tell him.”
“I can’t.”
“Of course you can. Are you going to allow him to get away?”
Stacie felt more confused than ever. She stared at Chrissie, horrified, panicking.
“If you want him, have him, go and get him girl. Life’s too bloody short to be living with regrets. By the sound of it you’ve done enough with your ex.” Stacie gazed at Chrissie, her heart beating rapidly. “I’ll tell you what, I’ll give you my mobile number, call me sometime. Do you live locally?” Stacie nodded. “Give me a call and we could meet up and have a damn good chat. Do you have any close friends?”
“No, not anyone I could pour my heart out to,” Stacie said, feeling the urge to share her experience with Dan.
“Well you do now. Call me and we’ll arrange to see each other.” Chrissie scribbled her number on a napkin, and pushed it across the table at Stacie. Stacie wrote down hers also and gave it to Chrissie, feeling as if she’d found a friend in the most unlikely place she ever would have expected.
Chapter Eight
Stacie found it difficult to sleep that night after they had settled down. The conversation she’d had with Chrissie kept running through her head. Should she tell Dan about her feelings? She wanted to, but the contract kept wandering through her mind. “Emotional involvement with your tutor or tutors is strictly forbidden.” Here she was breaching that very contract. Maybe it was just the fact that Dan was the first young man to catch her eye and treat her with respect. He might not even care for her in that way. She might just be another client to him, someone he had to put up with, and be nice to, to get his money. Was she making a fool of herself, having her head turned?
Her head ached. Nothing made sense. She sat up in bed looking down on his sleeping body. He was lying naked. His breathing was calm and even, no snoring. He looked defenceless and sweet, at peace with no worries in the world. If only he knew what Stacie was going through, wondering how she was going to make it through the day.
Stacie sat trying to figure out what to do. She was acting like a schoolgirl with her first crush. Was that what Dan was? A crush? Or was he someone who had stepped in after too long putting up with her own company, moping about her flat feeling sorry for herself. Stacie often listened to sad songs, and drank alone, cooking an exciting meal for one, having no one to share her day with. A sane conversation was something she would enjoy, a night in front of the television, glass of white wine, box of chocolates and a man wrapping his arms around her keeping her warm, followed by an evening of rampant passion.
Just thinking about how lonely she really was left Stacie depressed. She spent all her cash on herself, with no one to lavish it on, which was probably why she could afford Dan. Okay, she had a nice clean flat, new car, dressed well, ate for one, shopped for one and lounged around her flat without a care in world, but her life was empty. Stacie had wallowed in self-pity long enough, she was determined the experience at Desires would change her. It certainly couldn’t make things any worse.
When the hands on her watch turned to seven o’clock, she crept out of bed and headed to the bathroom where she stood scowling at herself in the mirror. Get a grip, girl. You’ve got the opportunity to move on with your life. She only had herself to blame for allowing Graham to have so much control over her, and he wasn’t in her life anymore.
Stacie p
ut her hair into a clip and had a quick shower, trying to scrub away the worrying thoughts. She went back to the bedroom where Dan was still sleeping peacefully. She put on her jeans and a fitted T-shirt then wandered over to the window to open the curtains slightly. The rain hammered at the desolate garden, making everything look as depressed as she felt.
She closed the curtain and turned to look over to the dresser. The room key lay next to the phone. She decided to leave Dan in bed and go downstairs to get some breakfast and a strong cup of coffee. She took the key and left the room being as silent as possible so as not to wake Dan. She wandered down the quiet corridor, even the girls on reception were nowhere to be seen. She headed to the restaurant where they’d had supper last night. There were a few people sitting and having breakfast so she went in.
She chose a cosy spot in a corner near the open fire and sat, looking through the menu. There was plenty to choose from, toast, croissants, a full English breakfast, fruit salad, and scrambled egg, which was her favourite. Very soon a man came over to her. He was tall and thin, wearing a white shirt and black trousers.
“Good morning.”
“Good morning,” she replied. “I’ll have the scrambled egg please, with a cup of coffee.”
“Are you eating alone?” he asked while writing her choice down.
“Yes.”
“It’ll be about five to ten minutes,” he said, then left.
Stacie glanced at the other people in the room. She was the only one alone. Maybe the man thought someone else was coming down, hence the question.
A few people in the room acknowledged her as she gazed round, she smiled back at them. The waiter arrived with a tray bearing her cup of coffee, with a small jug of cream and a bowl of sugar. “Aren’t you the girl who’s with Dan?” he asked her as he put everything on the table.
“Yes, why?” she asked, arching her eyebrow at the question. What business was it of his?
“No reason, just wondered.” He walked off leaving her curious as to why he asked, not that it was any of his business who she was at the club with.
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