It was precisely because they were such good friends that made it so difficult to disclose their desires to the other couple. Denise and Jeff had sometimes laughed and sometimes cuddled as they discussed ways to venture into the swinging scene. Her penchant for exhibition had aroused Jeff to enough comfort and bravery that he was able to disclose his innate desire to have more people involved in lovemaking. The couple spent many wonderful nights dreaming up candidates with whom they'd like to become adventurous. Soon afterward, came the scheming and scenarios. How would it happen? What would initiate the play? So many questions to be answered. And, on the heels of those questions, came the questions about boundaries and rules. It seemed to them, almost natural that jealousy and trust be open issues between them. Their relationship was as solid as steel, but clear communication was going to keep it that strong.
Simultaneously shocked and pleased that Denise was willing to experiment in this way, Jeff made discussion about parameters of this adventure a top priority. He was more than content to limit the adventure to soft swing. He recognized his own acute jealousy over Denise's body, and considered carefully what his reactions would be if he saw his goddess and wife engaged in sexual acts with another man. These thoughts brought his desire safely back to earth, reality. Jeff, in what seemed to be natural order these days, was substantially aroused by the thought of Denise touched and pleased by another woman. He worried about his thoughts seeming cliché, but the stereotypical thoughts mattered little in the face of such profound eroticism. His mind played out a thousand combinations of arms, lips, torsos, and eyes. Eyes of the voyeur who was every bit as stimulated, every bit as important as any single participant.
Denise had her own thoughts on the subject of swinging. The wild side of her personality that prepared her for this adventure also surprised her. She had always sought spiritual love. But, being as close to that goal as she thought she'd come, Denise had approved her husband's desire for physical exploration. With a verbal constitution in place, Denise felt secure enough to participate in this adventure, and in truth, was aroused by how adamant her husband had been about her sexual presence in groups of both friends and strangers. She was more worried about who might be the eventual partner or partners. Close friends were not good partners because of the risk of losing such people to the strange head games that played themselves out in these situations. Complete strangers were the most erotic choice because of their mystery. However, mystery can be the root of both intrigue and fear. Not knowing the partner poses so many risks, both palatable and horrific. Acquaintances and co-workers seemed logical compromises with less risk. Although, Denise wondered to herself about giving co-workers the power and will to dismantle the professional image of her recent promotion at work.
"Who's ever let loose a little body language, hon?" asked Jeff quizzically.
Reading, and a little shocked at the question, Denise looked over top of her book and glasses at him, but smiled. "I don't know. I don't think anyone has. Certainly nobody's ever made overt gestures of that nature. People are afraid of a negative reaction to that kind of proposal, so they don't tend to do it", she replied.
"What about Sylvia and Dave? No, scrap that idea. They're too close. Imagine losing their friendship to something like this? What about Rosanne? Would you ever writhe in the sheets with her?" Jeff smiled at his own indiscretion.
"You'd like to imagine that, wouldn't you, darling?" she replied. "That little imagination of yours is working overtime, and I have mixed emotions about that." Denise smiled and turned the page of her book without missing a beat. "I'm not sure, but I don't think that Rosanne is such a stable choice. Her separation looks like an opportunity for us, but it's really just selfish for the two of us to be that opportunistic. She's fragile right now, Jeff. Don't even consider her."
"Who do you think would make a good match for us, angel?" he asked with every intention of making her feel more responsible for the decision. He watched her face as it rolled in thought. Her eyebrow raised, she came back with her answer.
"I think Virginia and Dan would be a nice match," she gestured. His face held the immediate horror of another potential rejection. After all, Ginny and Dan were another very close couple and would likely have the same consequences that sex with Sylvia and Dave had. Maybe worse. They were both professionals with status in their respective workplaces. His job had lead him around the country, but on occasion, they were able to visit Jeff and Denise for divine weekends of drink and merriment. But, never anything sexual, he thought.
Denise thought differently. "Remember that night in Montreal when you two were at Silver's Pub, and Dan told you that he'd be more than willing to sleep with another woman if Ginny gave him permission?" She paused deliberately, to let him sense where she was going. "And do you remember the night that Ginny couldn't be separated from her laptop because she was planning to write the Great American Erotic Novel?" she asked. Her smile was coy, but directed back into her own book. "Well, that's what I call a sexually oriented couple. They have an innate playfulness that's hard to miss, Jeff. I know they're close, but they're also open about their sexuality. Best of all, they are completely dedicated to one another. There isn't a relationship I know that has two people better suited for each other's strengths and weaknesses." Her voice stopped suddenly. Consideration was in the air. His smile was indicative of how her suggestion had hit its mark. He rolled over, and slept on the dreams she had planted in his apt imagination. He danced with those dreams for eight months.
And for those eight months and three visits, nothing happened with Dan and Ginny. Moments were never conducive to the swinging lifestyle. A barbecue, a funeral, and a quick errand made up the three quick and uneventful visits. But on the fourth stay, the two couples had much to talk about. Jeff's job as a manager for an electronics store was in jeopardy. The two couples ate, drank, and commiserated.
"Where the fuck do they expect me to go after managing an electronics boutique?" Jeff asked rhetorically. He knew that retail was still a fairly open market for his managerial skills.
"Don't get down, Jeff. Whatever happens, happens for a reason," waxed Ginny. "When things happen, there's a plan in place. Just like the plan that brought you to Denise. Just like the fact that I could drop this fork, and someone would watch my breasts as I stooped to pick it up." There was an awkward silence, followed by gales of laughter as the two couples went from feeling sexual vibes to dismissing Ginny's comment as humourous.
"No, but seriously, who looked down my blouse as I went to pick up that fork?" Ginny reiterated. Dan was the first to avidly raise his hand like a little child in third grade. He took great pride in the body of his wife, and reminded her of his admiration constantly. Only seconds (which seemed like minutes to all involved) passed before both Jeff and Denise, shy and hesitant, raised their hands as well. Each of them had a smirk, hoping that the sexual connotation might be confused with the humour that trailed from the whole fork incident. "Come on" she added. "Who hasn't had enough to drink here, that they don't feel they could be interested in a little play?"
