Your Bed or Mine?

by Candy Halliday

  “Look on the bright side,” Charlie said, scooping up his cards. “No matter where the girls gather to share their fantasies tonight, it means hot sex for us later.”

  Joe frowned and punched Charlie with his elbow.

  “Would you cut Rick a little slack here? It might mean hot sex for us, but there’s no point in torturing a guy.”

  “Don’t worry about Rick,” Charlie said, looking over at Rick and moving his eyebrows up and down. “Right, Rick?”

  Joe frowned again. “What’s that supposed to mean?

  Charlie said, “Didn’t Tish tell you?”

  Charlie ducked when Joe took a swing at him.

  Alicia wasn’t sure what was going on, but something was up. Everyone was being too damn nice.

  Especially Zada.

  They’d been sitting around Jen’s kitchen table for the last hour. They’d had a few glasses of wine. Nibbled on Jen’s artfully displayed hors d’oeuvres. Swapped enough boring chitchat to put them all to sleep. But none of them had mentioned one word about sharing any sexual fantasies.

  Alicia almost laughed.

  She’d known all along the fantasy part was a farce. Not that sharing fantasies had ever been her goal—being invited to the meeting had been her goal. Being invited meant when other women in the neighborhood learned she was hanging out with the Housewives’ Fantasy Club, everyone would stop treating her as if she had some dreaded social disease.

  But, Alicia decided, it wouldn’t hurt to do a little prodding. At least enough to watch Zada squirm.

  Ha!

  She’d bet money Zada hadn’t even told Jen and Tish about the big fantasy lie she’d told. Poor Jen and Tish were probably clueless. They were sitting here, doing what they did every Saturday night while their husbands played poker. Absolutely nothing. Just as she’d suspected all along.

  Alicia glanced at Zada.

  Zada looked in her direction at the same time.

  Eyes locked.

  Phony smiles appeared.

  Alicia was one second from jerking Zada’s chain, but Tish tapped her fork against her wineglass.

  “Okay, ladies,” Tish said. “It’s time to officially call this meeting to order.”

  Zada smiled and looked away.

  Alicia settled back against her chair, casually crossed her legs, and leisurely swirled the wine around in her glass.

  This, I gotta hear.

  Tish smiled at Alicia this time. A smile not quite as phony as Zada’s, but phony, nonetheless.

  “Before we start the fantasy side of our meeting, Alicia,” Tish said, “we have one sacred rule. What we say at the meeting, stays at the meeting. Understood?”

  Alicia nodded.

  “And since you’re our guest this evening,” Tish went on to say, “you have the honor of drawing the type of fantasy we’ll be sharing tonight.”

  Lucky me.

  Jen got up from the table.

  She came back with a glass bowl.

  When she held the bowl out, Alicia fished her hand into it and pulled out one of the folded pieces of paper.

  Alicia unfolded the paper and read the words. When she looked back up, all three of them were staring at her. Alicia didn’t like the cat-swallowed-the-canary looks on their faces.

  “‘Progressive fantasy?’” Alicia said quizzically.

  “My favorite kind,” Zada said with a smug smile.

  Tish said, “Let me explain how this works, Alicia. One person starts the fantasy and stops wherever she wants. It’s up to the next person to pick up wherever she left off. However, you can go in any direction you like when it’s your turn. That’s why this type of fantasy is so much fun.”

  I’ll try to contain my enthusiasm.

  Zada looked over at her and said, “Usually the person who draws the fantasy starts the fantasy, Alicia, but why don’t we let Jen go first tonight? By the time we get back around the table to you, you’ll have a better understanding of how a progressive fantasy works.”

  I’m not an imbecile. I get it!

  Alicia looked at Jen and said, “Is that okay with you?”

  “My pleasure,” Jen said, “if you’ll pardon the pun.”

  Everyone laughed.

  Except Alicia.

  Something told Alicia the infamous Housewives’ Fantasy Club had been rehearsing this meeting all day.

  Chapter 13

  Jen picked up her wineglass. She took a leisurely sip, and looked around the table.

  “You notice him the second you walk into the small boutique.

  “He looks out of place in a lingerie store.

  “He’s tall and lean.

  “Shaggy hair.

  “Black leather jacket.

  “Tight, faded jeans.

  “Your gaze locks on the rear of those tight jeans.

  “He glances over his shoulder and catches you looking.

  “You blush.

  “He smiles.

  “Seductively.

  “You quickly look away.

  “You hurry past him, cheeks flaming, yet incredibly turned on by his bad-boy grin.

  “He’s every mother’s nightmare.

  “Yet, the type of bad boy every woman wants in her bed.

  “You pretend to ignore him, but you sense he’s still watching you.

  “You can feel his eyes moving over your body, slowly undressing you, one piece of clothing at a time.

  “The thought excites you as you run your finger lazily along the clothing rack, pretending to shop.

  “But the feel of the sexy lingerie between your fingers takes your thoughts right back to the bedroom.

  “You imagine him fisting your hair.

  “Jerking your head back.

  “Covering your mouth with a bruising, breathtaking kiss.

  “Your finger runs across a black, floor-length, see-through negligee, and you chance another look in his direction.

  “He smiles at you again.

  “Approvingly.

  “This time, you boldly hold his gaze.

  “He watches as you take the hanger from the rack.

  “Watches as you walk to the full-length mirror attached to the front of the dressing room door.

  “Watches as you press the sheer fabric suggestively against your body.

  “Your eyes meet in the mirror when he walks up behind you.

  “You tease him and run one hand lightly over one breast, then the other.

  “Your nipples spring to life and press against your blouse.

  “He steps closer, the look on his face warning you he’s tired of being teased.

  “You panic and quickly open the dressing room door.

  “You’re only one step away from safety.

  “But you look back over your shoulder one last time.

  “And …”

  Jen pointed to Tish.

  Tish said, “You look back over your shoulder one last time, and crook your finger in his direction.”

  Jen said, “No! I was only playing a game. I imagined myself blowing him a farewell kiss!”

  Tish said, “You’ve had your turn. This is my fantasy now.”

  Tish repeated, “You crook your finger in his direction.

  “He looks around the store, puts his hand at the small of your back, and pushes you inside the small cubicle.

  “You turn around to face him as he slides the lock closed on the dressing room door.

  “He pulls you to him, kissing you roughly, just as you imagined.

  “Your arms slide around his neck.

  “The forgotten negligee falls to the floor.

  “His fingers fly over the buttons on your blouse.

  “He pushes the blouse off your shoulders and jerks down the straps of your skimpy, lace bra.

  “Your breasts spring forward, fully exposed.

  “You gasp when he drops to his knees and buries his face against your bare flesh.

  “His hot mouth moves from one breast to the other, sending a tingle thro
ugh your entire body.

  “His hands find your skirt and push it up and out of the way.

  “Down come your panties.

  “He grasps your hips and pulls you forward.

  “You moan when he guides you straight to his hot, wet tongue.

  “Wave after wave of nothing but pure pleasure explodes through your body.

  “You tangle your fingers in his shaggy hair, lost completely in a state of forbidden ecstasy.

  “Finally, you cry out.

  “You fall back against the mirror, fully satisfied and thoroughly spent.

  “Gently, he pulls up your panties.

  “Carefully, he pulls down your skirt.

  “He stands up.

  “He smiles.

  “And …”

  Tish pointed to Zada.

  Zada said, “He stands up. Smiles. And says, ‘See you at home later.’”

  Tish said, “No! This is where the stranger should blow a farewell kiss!”

  Zada said, “Too bad. I’m not into sex with strangers.”

  Zada started over.

  “He stands up.

  “Smiles.

  “And says, ‘See you at home later.’

  “You’re waiting for him that evening in the kitchen.

  “A low whistle escapes his lips when he finds you wearing nothing but a lacy red thong, red high heels, and the long strand of cultured pearls he gave you as a wedding present.

  “You turn around slowly on your red stilettos, giving him a full view, and reminding him what an excellent choice he made choosing you to be his wife.

  “‘Dinner?’ you ask, motioning toward the table.

  “He grins his bad-boy grin.

  “‘How about dessert first?’ he asks.

  “Just as you hoped he would.

  “He hurries upstairs to the bedroom.

  “You follow, knowing what he’ll find.

  “Candles, flickering to the beat of a sexy CD.

  “A new robe for him waiting on the foot of the bed.

  “A new game you want to play.

  “Before you serve the dessert he requested.

  “You walk into the room and follow his gaze to the lone chair sitting in the middle of the room.

  “He looks over his shoulder, eyebrow raised.

  “You smile and point to the robe first.

  “He undresses in a hurry, your pulse racing with every piece of clothing he peels away.

  “He slips into the robe.

  “But you jerk the silk sash from the belt loops.

  “Now, you point to the chair.

  “Again, he obeys and takes a seat.

  “You tie his hands behind him, securing them soundly with the long, silk sash.

  “Dessert can wait.

  “You’ve decided to give him a lap dance first.

  “You straddle him as he sits in the chair, losing yourself in a hypnotic beat as you sway seductively back and forth to the music.

  “You’re so close you’re almost touching.

  “The fact that there’s nothing he can do about it, really turns you on.

  “You step back and do a snake-like wiggle as you step out of your thong.

  “His eyes turn a deeper blue as they travel over your nude body.

  “You move closer, straddling him again as you pull the pearls suggestively through your parted lips, purposely sucking on one perfect pearl at a time.

  “He squirms in the chair, rock hard and ready.

  “You move slowly down the length of his body.

  “His eyes turn even darker with desire when you come back up with the can of whipped cream you’ve placed beneath the chair.

  “‘And now, dessert,’ you tell him.

  “He licks his lips expectantly as you spray the frothy mixture over your bare breasts.

  “You straddle him again.

  “He sticks out his tongue, eager for a taste.

  “You lean closer, thrusting your breasts forward.

  “He sticks his tongue out farther, trying to reach you.

  “You back away, teasing him a little bit longer.

  “His eyes are pleading now, begging for mercy.

  “You saunter back in his direction.

  “And …”

  Alicia blinked when Zada pointed in her direction.

  She’d been caught up in her own fantasy.

  So caught up in the moment was she, Alicia didn’t even think twice before she said, “His eyes are pleading now, begging for mercy.

  “You saunter in his direction, knowing this is one man who deserves no mercy.

  “His eyes widen in fear when you walk up to the chair he’s sitting on.

  “You have his hands tied behind his back, his body secured to the chair.

  “How long you’ve waited for this moment.

  “How stupid of him to believe you when you asked him to drop by to sign papers. How stupid to believe threats from his big-shot lawyer had finally forced you into selling the house.

  “He screams at you, ordering you to release him.

  “You pull the Taser gun out of your pocket again.

  “He wisely settles back down.

  “You stand there staring at the man who has stolen your dignity, crushed your self-esteem, and destroyed your faith in every man you’ll ever meet again.

  “Did he honestly think you would sell the house and give him half of the proceeds after the way he’s treated you? That you would contribute one dime to a man who married you on false pretenses? Who set out from the day he met you to defraud, defile, and deliberately humiliate you?”

  “You lean forward.

  “Smile.

  “And spit directly in his face.

  “His shocked look tells you he gets the message.

  “This time, he screwed with the wrong blonde.

  “You walk out of the room long enough to retrieve another big surprise for this monster who has betrayed you so badly.

  “His face turns ashen when you walk back into the room with your Latino ex-pool boy, and his ex-lover.

  “Poor Javier is another victim this man devastated when he showered him with empty promises, then carelessly kicked him aside like a worthless piece of garbage.

  “The monster yells ugly obscenities at both of you.

  “You ignore him, ready to set your plan into motion.

  “Javier seats himself on the monster’s lap, and turns the monster’s head sideways so his profile is unmistakable.

  “The scene through the eye of your camera shows two men sharing a sensual kiss.

  “Luckily, a picture has no sound.

  “The people who will see this picture on every bulletin board at the hospital, will never hear the esteemed neurosurgeon screaming in anger once the kiss is broken.

  “Javier rises to his feet, mission accomplished.

  “You link your arm with his and head to the nearest photo shop to make copies.

  “You both laugh as you walk through the front door, but you can still hear the monster screaming in the background as you slam the door behind you.”

  No one said a word.

  For two full minutes, no one said a word.

  Alicia finally reached for her wineglass, and drank every drop in one easy gulp. “Well!” she said, looking around the table. “You just can’t imagine how much better I feel. Thank you so much for letting me share that fantasy tonight.”

  Jen, Tish, and Zada only stared at her.

  Speechless didn’t cover the looks on their faces.

  Another mission accomplished, Alicia decided.

  And I think they got the message loud and clear.

  I’m one blonde you DON’T want to screw with!

  She pushed her chair back and got up from the table.

  But she paused at the kitchen door.

  Turning back to face them, Alicia smiled brightly.

  “I insist on holding the meeting at my house next week, ladies,” Alicia told them sweetly. “And don’
t forget the sacred rule. What we say at the meeting, stays at the meeting.”

  Jen’s front door slammed shut.

  Jen, Tish, and Zada hurried to Jen’s kitchen window.

  Alicia was headed back across the street. Head held high. Back straight as a board. A don’t-screw-with-me stride to her step.

  “I can’t believe it,” Jen said. “Edward? Gay? You could have knocked me over with a feather. The creep. He was constantly flirting with all of us.”

  Tish said, “Maybe Edward’s flexo-sexual. He can go either way.”

  “Poor Alicia,” Zada said. “I hope that fantasy really was therapeutic for her. I can’t imagine how I’d react if I’d been betrayed like that. I was ready to strangle Rick over a silly argument.”

  “A silly argument?” Tish shook her head in disbelief. “Isn’t it amazing how four hours of foreplay can totally change your perspective on things?”

  “I was just making a comparison,” Zada grumbled. “And when you compare your husband cheating on you with another man to an argument, I doubt anyone will disagree that an argument seems pretty silly.”

  “Well, I don’t care if Alicia’s fantasy was therapeutic for her or not,” Jen said. “She scared the pure crap out of me.”

  Tish said, “I agree. That glazed-over look in her eye was pretty freaking scary.”

  Jen said, “Scary enough that I have no desire to sit through another one of Alicia’s fantasies again. Not next Saturday night. Or any other Saturday night.”

  Jen and Tish both sent Zada accusing looks.

  “What?” Zada said.

  “You know what,” they both said.

  “Okay, okay,” Zada said. “I got us into this. I’ll figure out some way to get us out of spending next Saturday night at Alicia’s.”

  “And if Alicia decides you deserve no mercy and pulls a Taser gun on you?” Tish teased.

  Zada said, “I doubt even a Taser gun could stun me any worse than Alicia did tonight.”

  “Amen to that,” Jen said.

  “Scary,” Tish repeated and shivered.

  “Enough about Alicia,” Zada said. She looked over at Tish. “Could I persuade you to wait thirty minutes after I leave before you go home?”

  Tish asked, “And that would be because?”

  Zada said, “Because the minute you go home, Rick will know our meeting is over. I need a head start.”

  “A head start for what?” Jen quizzed.