by Sean Geist
I would have loved to hear that story. I'd have to ask about it later.
“Love ya, Bye,” she said. She cut off the connection before I could say 'bye' back.
I didn't talk to Robin again until I saw her at the spa. I arrived around five and was shown to the changing room by a very cute blond girl. She couldn't be more than twenty. She was wearing a tiny black skirt that barely covered her ass and the requisite lavender polo shirt that was at least two sizes too small. It looked like her rather ample breasts were going to burst out if she took anything more than a shallow breath.
I tried not to stare too much, but I failed. She smiled every time she caught me glancing down at her rack.
“You can change in here, Mr. Wilkenson,” she said pointing into the men's locker room.
“Peter, Call me, Peter.” I didn't like being called Mr. Wilkenson. Made me feel old.
“Okay. Peter. I'm Misty. Robin's in one of the saunas.”
“Thanks, Misty,” I said and went to change into my swim trunks, simple blue shorts that went halfway down my thigh. I grabbed a towel from a shelf near the exit to the pool area.
It was packed. There must have been about forty people, all told, maybe two dozen in the pool, another dozen using the hot tubs with the rest milling around. Plus I knew there were more using the saunas.
There was pop music playing over the sound system and two employees were acting as lifeguards.
I went over to the doors leading to the sauna, where Misty said my wife was. There was a small card table with a clipboard and a list of names. Robin's name was written down next to room number three, as was the name, Bradley.
Interesting, I thought. He was the dark skinned personal trainer I met during the grand opening. For a split second, I thought of him and Robin, doing more than sitting and chatting. I pictured her naked and spread eagle on the wooden bench, her pale pink skin glistening with sweat. Between her knees knelt Brad, his dark skin even darker compared to hers. I felt a rush of blood to my penis and I had to stop thinking about it to avoid embarrassment. This was a health club, not a sex club.
On door number three, there was an occupied sign hanging from the handle. I knocked, but got no answer. Surely they weren't really having sex. I knocked again, and again, no answer. I slowly tried the door, it was unlocked. I pushed it open and found out why no one answered.
Beyond the door was a small anti-chamber with a water fountain and a small bench. Two towels were currently hanging from hooks on the wall. On the far wall was another door, this one with a small window. I went over and wiped the condensation away. I peeked in and saw my wife and her employee. Contrary to my wild imagination, they were sitting and chatting. Robin quickly noticed me and waved me in.
I opened the door and was hit by a blast of intense, wet, heat. It was like breathing water.
“Come in, Peter,” Robin said, “and close the door.”
I did as I was told.
The room was intimate, but not too crowded. There were two levels of wooden benches along three walls and a small control for adjusting the heat and steam levels next to the door. The sauna could probably hold about six people without anyone touching, unless they wanted to.
Robin was on the top bench, leaning against the far right corner. Bradley was sitting in the middle of the lower bench, to my left.
Robin was not naked, she wore a conservative red one-piece bathing suit. It complimented her figure, but wasn't too sexual. Bradley wore lavender board shorts. he was really taking brand loyalty seriously.
“Hope I'm not interrupting anything,” I said. I sat down on the step below my wife.
“No,” my wife said. “Brad was just telling me about how his boyfriend is thinking about moving to Portland.”
So much for my fantasy of this young man fucking my wife. I don't know if I was more relieved or disappointed.
I leaned up to kiss my wife. She turned her cheek to me, probably in deference to her employee in the room. “Happy New Year,” I said.
“Same to you.” Robin said. “Although we still have a few hours of this year left.”
“I'm going to go have a swim to cool off,” Brad said. “I've been in here long enough.”
“I'll be right out, too,” Robin said.
As soon as the door closed behind Brad, Robin slipped down and practically took me. Her hands moved up and down my bare back, occasionally grabbing my ass as she kissed me. Her tongue grappled with mine.
It was odd and arousing, seeing the way my wife could turn her sexual energy on and off, like a light switch. I guess it was hard enough getting her employees to respect her as a woman, without having them see her as a sexual being as well.
Robin reached into my shorts and started caressing my cock. “I've missed you, Peter,” she said to me. I could feel the blood leaving my head.
“You've missed, little pete, I think.” I said to her. I reluctantly pulled her hand away. “Think we should stop before I need a dunk in the pool.”
“You're right,” Robin said. She got up to readjust the temperature settings. “There'll be plenty of time for fun next year.”
I had to think for a moment before I got the joke.
“Let's go out and meet the rest of my staff.”
Robin and I spent the next two hours mingling. I was introduced to over two dozen people, only a few of whom, I'd remember their names, later. I already met Brad, I wasn't going to forget him. There was Misty. She had changed into a bikini. It was neon pink and tiny. I could feel my cock start expanding again. I made it a point to look her straight in the eyes when Robin introduced us. It was hard, but I was able to keep my erection under control.
“I noticed there's no alcohol here.” I told Robin a little later in the evening while we were floating around in the pool.
“Safety issue,” she said. Seemed reasonable. “Near midnight we'll all go out in the gym and watch the live countdown from Phoenix. I've got some champagne we'll break out then. Luckily all my employees are over twenty-one.” That I found hard to believe.
“The party's more about having fun with co-workers and friends.”
“Robin, you are a great boss.”
“Thanks,” she said. My wife swam over and kissed me, on the lips this time, even in front of the staff. She also grabbed my balls under the water.
“Careful,” I whispered. “Gotta stay professional.”
“No one can see,” Robin said, keeping her voice as low as mine. She stroked me a few more times then playful leapt up, out of the water, arching her back, before re-entering. Her hard nipples strained against the slick fabric of her suit – the only visible hint of her arousal. If I tried that, my boner would have been a dead giveaway.
My wife looked sleek and sexy cutting through the water. I wanted to take her right then and there. I wanted to sit her up on the edge of the pool and lap away at her pussy, until she came, twice, and then impale her on my cock. I didn't care who saw. They weren't my employees.
I didn't do that.
Around ten-thirty, Robin and I got a chance to relax in the hot tub, by ourselves. She sat with her back toward the far wall. I sat across from her. We shared a bottle of water.
Everything had been going so well. We had re-connected and I felt I wanted to finally resolve the status of our relationship.
I decided to start vague. “Can I assume you've picked me over Scott.” I said. Okay, I wasn't that vague.
Robin had been sipping on the water and looking over at the pool when I spoke. She shot a look at me, her expression turned dark.
“Why bring that up, Peter?”
“We've been having such a good time,” I said. “I thought we could resolve this and move on.”
“Let's not get into this right now. Not here.”
“Why not? We've already waited, I've already waited five months for an answer.”
“A lot has happened since then, Peter.”
We looked at each other. No words, just the expression in o
ur eyes passed as communication. I opened my mouth to speak, but stopped when I lost eye contact with my wife. She was looking over my shoulder when she said, “fuck.”
I turned around and saw Scott. He was wearing a pair of colorful swim shorts, a tropical print of greens and reds and oranges. The staff look at him with deference and respect as he passed. He smiled at them, patted a few on the back, chatted with one, all while making his way toward our location.
Robin stepped out of the water and shook his hand. He gave her a friendly hug and a peck on the cheek. Only the three of us knew he wanted to give her so much more.
I stood to get out but Scott stopped me. “No need to get up, Peter. Robin, may I join you?”
I wanted to say no, but didn't. I also didn't say yes. I left that up to my wife.
“Sure thing, Scott,” Robin said. Scott helped her re-enter the water. “You want some juice or water?” My wife moved a little closer to me.
“Water's good,” Scott said. He sat down across from the both of us. Here we were, the perfect triangle: wife, husband, lover.
“Didn't expect to see you here tonight, Peter,” Scott said as he settled back.
My anger started boiling, like the water in the tub. I needed to settle down. I needed to realize Scott was pushing my buttons. It wasn't easy.
“Scott,” Robin said. “Play nice.”
I didn't know what was more humiliating, Scott's insults or my wife having to come to my aid. At least I had her backing me. For a while Scott did behave. We chatted about the spa and how well business was.
“The numbers are fantastic,” Scott said, speaking to Robin. “I love the initiative you took getting contracts with the big resorts here.”
“It made sense. We get paid and the hotel rolls the cost into their rates. Everyone wins.”
Robin was in her element, talking shop, taking pride in her work. And Scott was there to urge her on, get her excited again. Scott offered her more than a relationship, he offered her a career and that was hard to compete with.
I put my arm around Robin and she leaned into me. It felt nice, but I also noticed a few times, after Scott would say something especially complimentary or charming, my wife would reach out and put her hand on his knee.
It was a subtle move, but I noticed and Scott noticed and he gave me a sneaky smile. I wanted to smile back. I knew my wife was going to end it with him. I knew I had won out. It was just a matter of when Scott would find out. I would have loved to be the one to deliver the news, but it wasn't really my decision to make, it was Robin's, and she'd have to be the one to end it.
I wanted to be there to watch.
“You staying at one of the local resorts, Scott?” I said. Did I really want to start that now? I thought about the logic behind poking the beast. I couldn't blame it on alcohol. I guess it was time to get things out in the open. We'd spent five month, beating around the bush. Time to get the thing done.
Scott looked at me, his eyes hinted surprise that I would be so bold to bring that up. Robin nudged me in the ribs with her elbow.
“What?” I said, feigning innocence. “I'm just concerned about where he's staying.”
“Sure you are, Peter,” Robin said, although her voice hinted more exasperation than anger.
“It's okay, Robin,” Scott said. “Yes, Peter, I'm staying at the Hilton Resort. Great room, plus I get the use of Robin. I mean the facilities that Robin is the manager of.”
Robin kept a straight face, but I could tell she wanted to snicker at the comment. I was starting to feel like I shouldn't take anything for granted.
“I take it you'll be staying at your wife's place?” Scott said.
I nodded.
“Should I ask her where she's staying?” he added.
I wanted to punch him. Robin kicked him in the shin, but it was just a glancing blow.
Scott chuckled. “Sorry, I can't help myself sometimes.”
I didn't know if I should get upset over the lack of an answer from my wife. She didn't say she was coming back with me, but then, he really didn't ask the question either. The tension between the three of us was building. I wanted Robin to dump the jerk, but she wasn't taking the opportunities I was giving her, and it was pissing me off. Instead of ending her romantic relationship with her boss, she started talking shop again.
“Marylyn's been doing great. She gets along well with the staff and she really knows the business.”
“Not surprised,” Scott said. “I've been watching her for a few years. Glad you took my advice and made her your assistant.”
That went on for a few more minutes. I kept looking back at the large clock on the wall above the gym doors. It was eleven thirty and close to time to pop the champagne. I could really use a drink.
“Anyway, things are going so well here,” Scott said, “that I want to move you up in the organization,”
“What do you mean?” Robin said.
“I want you to come work for me in LA.”
I almost missed the ask. I was paying attention to the clock and my own needs and I almost missed it.
Robin was silent and the lull in the conversation was what drew my attention.
“I want you to help me scout out new locations. Maybe open up a few more gyms and then go public.”
Robin still wasn't saying much, and I was trying to wrap my mind around what he was saying.
“How about it, Robin? Come work for me in California. Double the salary, plus travel.”
I finally shook off the shock. “What about me?” Yes, it was all about me.
“What about you?” Scott said. “I'm not looking to hire a vet. I need a manager.”
“You think you can come here and lure my wife away? With a better job and better money?” My voice was starting to rise. A few people nearby noticed and looking our way. When they saw it was their boss's husband arguing with the owner, they thought it best to move along.
“I've got a bigger cock, too.” Scott said, under his breath so that only I and maybe Robin could hear.
I hit the surface of the tub with my palm, splashing water into Scott's face.
Scott laughed, “settle down, Peter. It's only a joke.”
“The answer is, no,” I said.
“And again, I'm not asking you, Petey. I'm asking Robin.”
“You don't care about Robin,” I said. I turned to my wife. “Tell him, sweetie. Tell him no.” I felt awkward pleading with my wife to turn down a great job opportunity. But I knew our marriage wouldn't survive it.
“Why won't you say no?” I said.
The more I pushed, the more the silence held.
“She can't say no because she knows she wants it.”
“Robin, tell him. Tell him he's wrong.”
Scott turned to my wife. “Robin, you don't have to answer tonight. Take your time and think about it. Be sure it's what you want.” He emphasized the word you.
We bickered back and forth, me trying to goad my wife into turning down the offer, Scott telling her not to rush a decision. All this time Robin was silent, staring off into the middle distance, her brain at work.
Why didn't she just say no? Was she really going to leave me? For this job? For Scott? Was I really that bad of a husband?
A tiny part of me said yes, I was. I was only thinking about myself and how this job would affect me and my relationship. That tiny part of introspection was crushed by my overpowering paranoia and self-loathing.
My decent into pity was broken when Robin got out of the hot tub.
“Robin, where are you going?” I called out. Scott said nothing.
A few employees approached my wife as she made her way to the changing room. I heard her tell one of them she was fine and to lock up before they left. She slipped around the corner and was gone.
“Hope you're satisfied,” Scott said.
“What the fuck do you mean?” I said.
“Getting Robin so upset she had to leave.”
“You started it.” Thi
nking about it now, I sounded like a spoiled brat.
“That what you really think, Peter?” Scott was serious, no smirk, no belittling pet name.
“Yes,” I said, with not much enthusiasm.
“Bullshit. All I ever wanted was whatever was best for Robin.”
“Really? Not just an easy lay?”
Scott laughed at that. “I feel sorry for you if that's what you think of your wife. She may be a lot of things, but she's not an easy lay.”
I couldn't deny what Scott was saying. It was all true and that's what made it so hard to hear.
“I see something in her personality that I like,” Scott said. “She strives for the best and isn't one to settle for good enough.”
“That's Robin,” I said.
“Which is why, for the life of me, I don't understand what the hell she sees in you.”
The words hit like a barrel of birdshot to the gut. I couldn't argue with him. I had no snappy comeback. I was only thinking about myself. I was selfish. Robin could do much better.
My pity had returned. All the progress made over the past months undone with a few words.
“You win, Scott,” I said. I started getting out of the water.
“That's right. I win. I win because I don't give up.”
I turned and glared at the handsome, confident man relaxing in the hot tub. “Doesn't it bother you, what you've done to our family.”
“Peter, I told you. I don't care about you. Only Robin. At any point she could end this with a word. She's smart enough to see the value in what I offer.”
I shook my head.
“You know I'm right.” Scott said.
I did know that, but I wasn't going to say it to him. I walked away and didn't look back. I got dressed and drove to Robin's apartment. I needed to apologize for being an obstinate pig. Tell her I was sorry for acting up in front of her staff.
When I arrived at her place it was dark and I didn't see her car anywhere nearby. I didn't have a key so I had to knock. No one answered. I sent her a text.
- You OK?
I waited a few minutes, but got no answer. I called her. After five rings it went to voice mail.
Fuck.
I left a message. “Robin. I'm sorry. I was a dunce. This isn't about me, it's about you. It's about us. I love you and I want the best for you. I'd prefer you stay here, but if you'd rather, I'll support you either way.” The machine cut off halfway through the word support.”