by Sean Geist
She had been talking and sharing a drink with a rather handsome blond-haired man in neon blue swim trunks. She didn't seem to recognize me right away. Hearing my voice, she scanned the small crowd of people around her, looking for someone she might know.
“It's me, Dr. Wilkenson,” I said, extending my hand, “from the seminar this morning.”
A smile formed on her face as she realized who I was.
“Peter!” she said, pushing my hand away and enveloping me in a full, friendly hug. “Sorry, I didn't recognize you. My mind is elsewhere.”
She broke our embrace and introduced her companion. “This is Jonathan.”
We shook hands. His grip was strong, but I easily held my own. What is it about men, trying to assert dominance when first meeting? It wasn't like I was looking to steal his wife away and add her to my harem.
“So, you're Kelly's husband,” I said. “Enjoying a little R and R while she's hard at work?”
“Uh, no,” Jonathan said as he released my hand. “Kelly and I just met.”
“We're just enjoying each other's company,” Kelly said.
My face must have turned 20 shades of red. “I'm sorry, I just assumed -”
“Don't worry about it,” Kelly said. “It happens all the time.”
An odd thing to say, but I let it pass.
She continued, “I'd love to stay and chat some more, but we're off to meet up with my husband.” She paused for a second, looking me up and down. I was about to tell her I, too, had to find my spouse but before I could open my mouth, she asked, “Would you like to join us for drinks up in my room?”
Another odd question, but my mind was also elsewhere at the time. I begged off.
“Too bad, would have been fun. I guess I'll see you tomorrow?”
“I'm sure you will,” I said.
I watched Kelly and Jonathan walk off together, hand in hand. My eyes lingered on her invitingly plump ass. Even though I loved my wife's svelte body, I did appreciate a woman with a full figure.
I looked around some more and still could not spot Robin. It was Scott I saw first. He was sitting on the far edge of pool, dangling his feet into the water. He wore a pair of red swim trunks and a blue tank top with a parrot on the front. One hand held a beer, the other rested on the thigh of a beautiful short-haired women sitting next to him.
She wore a black two piece bathing suit: bikini bottoms and a bandeau top that was just large enough to decently cover her breasts. Her brown hair was short and spiky. She looked very cute, almost elfin. I was wondering where Robin was, when I realized I was looking right at her.
About this time she looked up and saw me. A smile lit up her face. She held up a bottle of Corona and waved me over.
I was stunned. She had cut off her beautiful long hair. And the bathing suit was the kicker. She usually always wore a one piece, and when she did go for a two piece it was usually more modest, with a full top and some light fabric covering her trim tummy.
The Robin who stood before me now was far from modest. She greeted me with a forceful kiss, her tongue briefly exploring my mouth. My cock began to stir and I quickly pulled away before I got a full-fledged hard-on. She offered me the beer and I took a swig and stood back so I could take in my wife's new look.
She took the opportunity to do some poses. "What do you think?" she asked. She had her hands on her hips, breasts thrust out and head tossed back. I always thought Robin had a great body, but I kinda liked being the only one who saw this much of it.
"Truthfully," I said. "I loved the long hair." I paused for effect. My wife began to pout. "But this short style makes you look ten years younger. It's like I'm married to a twenty-something co-ed."
She laughed and gave me such a hearty hug, I almost spilled my beer.
"I see you've been busy," I said.
"Yeah. Worked out a bit this morning. Then I sent Scott the pics."
By this time our new friend had stood up.
"Nice to see you again," he said. We shook hands.
I turned to my wife and asked, "Didn't you get my text?”
"I didn't see it until almost 12:30. Scott and I had already finished lunch."
"Where did you go?"
"Mon Ami Gabi. It's a French street cafe down at the Paris Resort."
"The food is excellent," Scott said, "plus it has a great view of the Bellagio fountains."
"Nice," I said. "I got to view close up slides of a feline neutering procedure during my lunch."
"Sorry 'bout that," was all my wife could add.
"So what did you two do after lunch?”
"Shopping. Went to the mall across the street. Bought this suit," she waved her hands across her body. "You like?"
"Yeah, I do. Very sexy."
"Good, then you'll love the new dress I got for tonight."
"What's happening tonight?"
"We're going to a show."
"Which one?"
By this time we had moved to a couple of nearby recliners where Robin and Scott had set their belongings. I took another swig, killing my Corona. Scott got up.
"I'm going to get another beer," he said. "You want one?”
"Sure. You want anything, Robin?"
"No, I'm good. Already had two margaritas today. Need to pace myself."
Scott left to get the beers.
"So you didn't say what show we're going to."
"It's called Zumanity."
"Zumanity. That's an odd name."
"Scott recommended it," Robin said as she rummaged through her clutch. "Said it's an adult version of Cirque du Soleil."
"Like naked acrobatics?"
"Yeah, but much more. Very adult themes and a healthy take on human sexuality."
"Sounds interesting."
She pulled the tickets out of her purse. "Good, because we already got the tickets." She handed them to me. "It's couch seating. Very intimate and close to the stage."
I looked at the two tickets. "108 and 110? They just do even numbers?"
"Oh no. I must have given Scott the wrong ticket."
Wonderful, I thought. Another evening with Scott. I had to admit I was starting to get mad. Having my wife spend her free time with him was one thing. It wasn't really any of my business. Robin is free to spend her time with anyone she wants. I trust her completely. But sharing her during OUR time was really pushing it.
"Now don't get mad, Peter," Robin said, correctly reading the frown that had spread across my face. "I'm having fun, you seemed to be having fun last night, and Scott is having fun."
"You two talking about me behind my back?" Scott had returned with our beers.
"We'll finish this later," I said. "Thanks for the beer."
"I didn't mean to interrupt anything. I'll leave you two alone if you want."
YES, I would love it if you left us alone, like for the rest of the week. "No, you're fine," I lied.
I spent the next hour nursing my beer and my frustration. Robin and Scott took their drinks over to one of the hot tubs. I wasn't dressed for the water so I just hung out watching the few swimmers who braved the pool. I also started watching the younger girls in the skimpy bikinis showing off their tight bods. But then I would remember my Robin, showing off her own.
I always thought she was gorgeous before, but maybe I didn't say it enough. Did she really not get the encouragement she needed from me? Did she need someone else to validate her self-worth? I took another swig of beer and just kept chugging until it was all gone.
"I need something stronger," I said to myself. By the time I returned with a plastic tumbler of Jameson, Robin and Scott were out of the hot tub and toweling off.
"There you are," Scott said looking up. "We wondered where you got off to."
"Just getting another drink." My stomach was starting to do somersaults. Maybe I should slow down the drinking. I took another sip.
"The show starts at 7:30," my wife said, "but the ticket agent said we want to be at the theater by seven."
I looked at
my phone. It was 5:45. "We should have time to grab a quick bite."
"Ok. I gotta get back to my room and change,” Scott said. “I'm staying at the Aria. I'll meet you two at the theater around seven-ish."
That was a nice surprise. At least I'd get to spend an hour or so alone with my wife.
"That sounds great," I said with just a little too much enthusiasm. I don't know if Scott noticed, but Robin did. She shot me a look.
"Ok, see ya in an hour," she said. She gave him a light kiss on the cheek before he left.
***
Like the previous night, we rode up the elevator to our room in complete silence, but unlike then, I doubted this trip would end with us fucking like animals. There were just too many issues that needed to be addressed, or, at least I thought so. I wasn't sure about Robin and what was going on in her mind.
We were both standing in the back of the elevator car, staring straight ahead. I turned to look at her, but she didn't move. I wanted to see her eyes. I had to see her eyes. I'd known her long enough to be able to tell her general disposition just by looking into her eyes.
For a brief moment I was able to catch her gaze in the polished elevator doors. Before she looked away, I saw a woman who was frightened and a little unsure of herself. I was about to ask her what was wrong when the doors opened and she hurriedly walked out into the hall.
I was finally able to ask my question when we got to the room.
"Robin, honey, I was really looking forward to some us-time this week."
She didn't answer right away, but instead wasted no time in turning on the hot water and stepping into the shower. I watched her close her eyes and let the steaming spray strike her face and cascade down her body. After a short silence, she began to remove her bathing suit and finally speak to me.
"I know love. I want to spend time alone with you too, but I also want to spend time with Scott."
"But you did spend time with him, this afternoon."
"It's just that we were having such a good time, I didn't want - I don't want it to end."
"Look, you know I don't have any problem with you having male friends. I trust you."
Suddenly she turned sharply towards me, a look of anger in her eyes. "Why wouldn't you trust me?" I could make out just a hint of venom in her words. "Actually, why would you? Am I too safe? Too boring? Do I always do the right thing?"
"Honey, you're starting to scare me."
"Good."
I just looked at her as she lathered up to wash the chlorine from her suit and skin. I figured she was finished, so I went into the bedroom to change into something a little more formal. I decided to go with a pair of black dress slacks and a light blue long sleeve shirt. It may be in the 80s right now, but at night the desert can get plenty chilly. I'd be glad for the long sleeves then. I poked my head into the bathroom
"I'm going to grab something to eat downstairs, you want anything?"
Robin was standing in front of the sink. A towel, that would usually be wrapped around her head to dry her hair, was instead wrapped around her body. She wiped the condensation off the mirror with a cool damp washcloth so she could re-apply her makeup.
"Yeah, be a dear and get me a salad, with grilled chicken if you can."
Her anger seemed to be gone, or at least dissipated a bit. I stood behind her and wrapped my arms around her. It felt so good just to hold her. We shared a brief moment. She reached her hand up to gently stroke the side of my face. I reached my fingers under the towel to caress her breasts. I could feel the blood flow to my cock. I really wanted to make love my wife right now. With my other hand I reached between her thighs to touch her sex. I sensed a hint of wetness. Was it water, or Robin's arousal? I never found out. My movement had broken the spell.
Robin slapped my hand away. "Please dear, we don't have time. We have less than an hour to get over to the theater."
"It's only a block," I said. I knew we didn't have time. I knew the blocks were a mile long. I knew my wife was going to take another half hour to get ready, but I had to try. I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if I didn't.
All she had to do was turn around and look at me. The towel dropped away and she stood before me totally bare. She hugged me and even as she did my erection slowly deflated. My body had given up, knowing there would be no playtime just yet. I may have been put off now, but I didn't give up hope for a happy ending this evening.
I left the room and grabbed my wallet, making sure I had my room key with me. As the door slowly shut behind me, I heard her call out for me to hurry back.
I was back in just under twenty minutes with two Caesar salads, one with grilled chicken, one with grilled shrimp.
It was a tricky maneuver to get my key card out and slide it into the slot while juggling the two salads. I was about to insert my key when the door slowly opened. I nearly dropped the salads at the vision that stood before me. I did drop my jaw.
"Damn," was all I could say.
She looked like a goddess. Divine. Wise as Athena and lovely as Aphrodite. She wore a tight black wraparound dress that showed off just enough cleavage to be sexy yet sophisticated. She had on a pair of high heel shoes that accentuated her already lovely legs.
She now stood eye to eye with me. And what beautiful eyes. Keen, sharp hazel eyes that I loved to get lost in. She had added a moderate amount of mascara and green eye shadow to help them stand out. Her lips, a deep ruby red I oh so wanted to kiss. I moved in, she moved back and for the second time I nearly lost our dinners.
"No, silly you'll ruin my makeup. I'll kiss you later."
"Promises."
"Don't smart mouth me young man," she said with a smile, giving me a light smack on the cheek. "Any more talk like that and you might be sleeping on the sofa tonight."
"You look stunning, Robin. That dress is amazing."
"I know."
"Where did you get it?"
"At a little boutique in the Shops at Crystals. 'Mona's Wardrobe' I think it's called."
"How much was it?"
Robin paused and took a bite of her salad. She slowly chewed it. She thoroughly chewed it. She took her time swallowing it. It was almost as if she didn't want to answer.
"Don't get mad," she said before taking another bite.
"I will get mad if you keep stalling."
She finished her bite and answered.
"Eighteen hundred dollars." Her eyes were still cast down, watching her fork play with what was left of her salad.
I got a lump in my throat. That was a lot of money. A shit load of money really. I felt that I should be mad but I really wasn't.
"We did win that much at the roulette wheel,” I said. “I was planning on spreading that out over the next few days, maybe splurge on something really nice for our anniversary.” Robin was silent, so I continued. “But hell, that dress is really nice. You look gorgeous in it. It's a wonderful anniversary gift."
After a moment Robin finally said something, "Don't be mad honey." I could barely hear her as she whispered into the remains of dinner. She had put her fork down and was no longer eating.
"How could I be mad? You saw something you wanted and you bought it. How could I be mad?"
Again near silence and another whisper.
"Don't be mad, Peter." Then came the gut punch. "Scott bought it for me."
***
Why do people give gifts? She thinks to herself, unable to express her true feelings to her husband. To get something in return is the obvious answer. When we trespass, we may offer a gift in return for forgiveness. When we need some assistance, we may offer a token for a favor. Even a gift given altruistically often results in pleasant feelings.
With every gift, deep down, we expect to receive.
What is Scott expecting?
Chapter 3
Robin finally looked up at me. Had she been crying? I wasn't sure. For a moment, my heart skipped a beat. She cared. Robin still cared about me, about us. All the other stuff just didn't matter.
The dress was just a thing, pieces of sewn fabric that cost someone else an obscene amount of money.
I shook my head and returned Robin's gaze. I saw that her makeup was still perfect, pristine. There were no tears and the sadness I thought I saw had morphed into something more like a challenge.
"Peter, talk to me." my wife said. He voice breaking the silence. "Are you mad?"
I looked down at her again. If she had been crying, she had stopped, and since her makeup was still pristine, I realized she hadn't been. I wanted her to be sad, heartbroken about how she might have hurt me. The fact that she was hesitant to tell me about the purchase indicated she knew I would be hurt. So what did it mean that she didn't seem to care? I'd tie my stomach up in knots worrying about it, trying to guess. The only way to find out for sure was to ask.
"Should I be, or more to the point, do you really care?"
"Of course I care, Peter," she said. A look of mild anger began to form on her face. "And no, you shouldn't."
"But you seemed to think I would be. Why didn't you tell me earlier that Scott was spending so much money on you?"
"It didn't seem to matter. We were having a good time and I think we're becoming good friends. The money issue just didn't come up."
I wanted to say how most men expect something when they spend that kind of money on a woman. It was sexist I know, but still a truth. I bit my tongue. I really didn't want to hurt my wife, even though I felt betrayed. I loved her. She was everything to me and I didn't want to lose her, but I was feeling her beginning to slip away.
"People don't spend that kind of money on someone they just met unless they have an ulterior motive," I said, trying to keep my comments gender neutral.
"It could have been worse; I also tried on a six thousand dollar dress." She gave me a hint of a smile, and my anger melted away. I don't know how she did it, but she got me to smile too.
"So are we okay?" she asked.
"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little mad. This anniversary trip isn't turning out like I expected. I didn't intend to share you with another man."
"Peter Wilkenson, I am not your property. You don't get to share me. I decide who I spend my time with."