Dr. Sue Robinson, freshly showered and dressed in her comfortable home attire, walked into the living room where her husband, Professor Daniel Robinson, was reading. Daniel was an accomplished academic at the academy, respected for his intellect and admired for his well-maintained physical condition, despite his greying hair.
Sue sat down next to him, her hands nervously twirling a lock of her hair. They'd been together for so many years and yet she felt a certain anxiety before broaching the subject. She took a deep breath, letting her eyes meet his. "Daniel, we need to talk," she said, her voice steady.
Daniel looked up, surprise etching his features. He marked his place in the book and turned his attention to her. "Is everything alright, Sue?" He asked, concern lacing his words.
"Yes, yes, everything's fine." Sue assured him, leaning back into the plush couch. "It's about... our arrangement."
Daniel's eyebrows furrowed as he registered her words. Several years back, when their once passionate love life had started to wane, they had agreed to let each other explore their desires elsewhere. Daniel had taken her up on that offer, Sue, on the other hand, hadn't felt the need, until now.
"Ah." His expression softened, a small smile playing on his lips. "I see."
"I've been feeling... sexual again." Sue admitted, her face flushing slightly. "And I was wondering... I'd like to hear about your experiences. If you're okay with that."
In Daniel's mind, surprise was quickly replaced by intrigue. He hadn't expected this, but the idea excited him. He'd often fantasized about sharing his adventures with Sue, but had held back, respecting her decision not to know. Now, he had the green light, and it was exhilarating.
"Are you sure, Sue?" He asked, wanting to confirm her comfort with this new turn of events.
"Yes," Sue nodded, "I want to know, Daniel."
In Sue's mind, a wave of anticipation washed over her. She was about to embark on a journey into the unknown, one she knew would spice up their relationship. Sue couldn't help but feel an exciting flutter in her stomach, wondering what this conversation would reveal and where it would lead them.
Daniel chuckled at her laughter, taking a moment to reminisce about his early attempts to navigate this new freedom. "Well, Sue, you know it was challenging at first," he began. "The internet dating scene was a minefield of scams and disbelievers. No one seemed to understand our arrangement or believe it was real. I'm in an open relationship but my wife doesn't want to know the details is a hard sell to anyone you'd actually want to be with"
He shifted in his seat, making himself comfortable as he recalled the unexpected turn his exploration had taken. "One day, I found myself in a conversation with one of my former students from the academy, Matthew. We were catching up over a pint, and as the night grew late and the drinks kept flowing, our conversation grew more candid."
He paused, gauging Sue's reaction. Her eyes were wide with anticipation, encouraging him to continue.
"Matthew and his wife, Amanda, they have... well, a rather adventurous lifestyle," he continued, a hint of a blush creeping up his neck. "They shared that they occasionally brought friends into their bedroom for special occasions, and they invited me to join them."
He let out a nervous chuckle, "I was flabbergasted at first, Sue. But they reassured me, told me about a private community they were a part of. A community of like-minded individuals, couples, singles, all exploring their sexual desires"
His mind flickered with memories, a mix of exhilaration, curiosity, and initial trepidation. "So, I accepted their invitation. And it was... different. But it was respectful, safe, and I was able to explore and understand my own desires more fully."
He glanced at Sue, her expression inscrutable. "It was a journey of discovery, Sue. And it helped me reconnect with a part of myself I thought I'd lost."
Her silence worried him. Was this too much too soon? Yet he noticed a flicker of excitement in her eyes that made him hopeful. After all, they were treading into uncharted territory together.
"Amanda? Really?" Sue asked, her eyes wide. "We've had dinner with them multiple times! She always seemed... well, more reserved."
She watched as John's expression turned worrisome, likely expecting a backlash. Hurrying to reassure him, she reached across the table, giving his hand a comforting squeeze.
"I'm not angry, John," she said softly. "I'm just... surprised. I mean, Amanda always seemed so proper. But, I suppose it's true what they say about still waters."
John let out a relieved chuckle at her remark. "Believe me, Sue, she's not always that proper," he said with a glint in his eyes, his tone playful. "Her husband, Matthew, was usually present, too. He would join in at times, but more often than not, he enjoyed watching for a while and then... leaving us for the night."
Sue looked thoughtful, digesting the information. This was all new to her, but hearing John open up about his experiences sparked a curiosity within her. Perhaps she wasn't as 'out of touch' as she'd previously thought. She was embarking on her own journey of self-discovery, after all, just as John had done. There was a mutual understanding between them, a renewed sense of intimacy that was both thrilling and comforting. And in that moment, she couldn't help but feel excited for what the future held.
Sue inhaled deeply, steeling herself for the question she was about to ask. Her heart pounded in her chest, not from fear, but excitement. "John, what would you think about me bringing someone home this weekend?"
John looked taken aback, though not upset, which Sue took as a positive sign. He simply blinked at her in surprise, "Oh? Who?"
She found herself blushing slightly at the thought of confessing her already established intimacy with Jake. Instead, she decided to describe the young man and the impression he'd made during their earlier encounter.
"He's a cadet at the academy. Young, handsome... and very fit. He seems to have an... interest in medical practice, so I thought I'd invite him over to discuss it. Perhaps over dinner?" Her words were casual, but her tone was anything but.
John raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Is this the same cadet who you mentioned got injured during training?"
Sue nodded, her cheeks heating further. "Yes, that's him."
"And... he's interested in you, too?" John's voice held a note of amusement, but also curiosity.
"Well," Sue began, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. "Let's just say he's shown... signs of physical appreciation during our interactions."
A chuckle slipped from John's lips. "I see. Well, it sounds like a unique experience, to say the least. I've always wondered about watching you"
"As for you watching," Sue added, her voice a bit hesitant. "We can... explore that. I'm not sure if I'm ready for it yet, but... we can work on it."
John reached across the table, taking her hand in his. The understanding in his eyes warmed Sue's heart. "Sue, as long as we communicate and respect each other's boundaries, I'm open to exploring this together. This is about our journey as a couple, after all."
Sue smiled at John, feeling a surge of gratitude. This conversation could have been awkward and difficult, but John's understanding and openness had made it feel natural and easy. She knew they had a lot to navigate in the days to come, but she also knew they were doing it together, and that made all the difference.
Sue mulled over the information, a curious light in her eyes. "I see. So, this is... a little secretive? And who else do we know who is involved in this?" She leaned back in her chair, folding her arms across her chest. Her interest was piqued, her curiosity stoked.
John nodded, running his fingers through his salt and pepper hair, "Yes, it's quite...discreet. And as for who else... Well, most of the couples I've been involved with prefer to keep the identities of others private unless those parties consent to it being shared. It's about respecting each other's privacy and comfort."
He paused, glancing at her, "Amanda and Robert were comfortable with you knowing. They trust you and they knew that when you were ready, you would handle it well."
Sue blinked in surprise. Amanda and Robert, their long-time friends, were a part of this as well? It was a lot to take in, but she nodded, indicating for him to go on.
John continued, "There are one or two others who you might know, but I can't say unless they give me the go-ahead. It's about trust, Sue. We all respect that."
He watched her for a moment, a hint of worry crossing his features, "Are you okay with all this?"