Maree sat with her small frame curled on the porch swing watching her husband, Vince. He was talking to Mick who was busy tending the grill and the soft warm breeze blew their conversation over her ears like ripples in a small pond. Nearby Donny and Frank were playing some stupid man game, taking turns punching each other in the arm. Donny laughed as Frank rubbed his shoulder tenderly and then wound up for his shot at his larger friend. In the middle of the yard Jim was ogling Paula who was wearing a very small bikini top and short shorts and making sure that she was the center of attention. They were all good friends sharing a nice holiday.
Maree shook her head causing her flowing, mousy blonde hair to ruffle slightly. She wished that she could be a free spirit like Paula instead of always being a shy wallflower. What would Vince say if she just stood up and started stripping? The thought made her smile. They often talked about her letting loose. Vince even told her stories of her fucking other men during their lovemaking. But what would he do if she ever did let loose, and exposed the raging wants and desires she kept bottled up inside her?
She looked over at her husband again. He was handsome, nearing forty, but aging with typical male grace. Not tall, only a little of five foot six but his face held rugged good looks and his body was fit. Her eyes drifted to Mick, idly noting his thick black hair and firm chin. He and Paula were married, and they made a wonderful couple. They were a little wild, perhaps, but fun to be around and always willing to share what they had. This was their house and their party but Maree knew everyone here. She looked back across the yard. Jim, tall, muscular, and divorced less than a year ago from a dull, bitchy woman, was now openly flirting with Paula, but if Mick noticed he didn't seem to mind.
The sun was edging close to the horizon and the warm summer air of Australia in mid January was just beginning to cool. It had been a wonderful day. They had all gone down town earlier for the Australian Day "Flag Raising" ceremony and some of the other events put on by their council. Then the children had been sent with grandparents and they had just sort of migrated to Mick and Paula's house for supper. Nestled in Mick and Paula's back yard with it's high, vine covered fence, and tall trees it almost seemed that they were in their own world. No worries. It was time to sit back, eat a little barbecue, and enjoy the company of friends. And that was exactly what Maree was doing. She was just doing it in her typical shy way.
"Babe, have a drink!" Vince's voice shook her from her solemn reverie and he grinned as he handed her a tall glass full of a golden bubbling liquid. "It's champagne! To celebrate!"
Maree smiled and took the glass. "Thanks dear!"
"To Australia!" Vince raised his beer and saluted his wife and then guzzled it with gusto.
Maree drank deep from her own glass, feeling the champagne warm her stomach and lighten her mood. Vince finished his own drink and then refilled her glass.
"You better watch it. You might get me drunk." Maree warned.
"Mmm, don't want you drunk, just loose. Have some fun." Vince grinned as he motioned her to take another drink.
"What will you do if I do loosen up? Maybe enjoy myself a little too much?"
"Babe, I will just love you more!" Vince almost looked serious for just a second, but then Paula shrieked and giggled loudly. Everyone turned to see Jim holding her bikini top up high over his head and Paula, not at all trying to cover her small breasts, jumping and grabbing at the tiny piece of material. Maree looked over at Mick, expecting him to be furious but instead he was laughing.
"Go Jim. Over here!" Donny called and Jim flung the small top in his general direction.
Paula put her hands on her hips, her breasts and puckered nipples on full display, and pouted. "Fine! Just keep it!" She turned her back on Jim and walked straight over to Maree. Everyone stared openly at her as she walked and all of the men, including Vince and Mick, had very stupid looking smiles pasted on their faces.
Paula parked her bottom on the swing next to Maree, giving a wink and still not covering herself. Vince quickly filled another glass with champagne and handed it to Paula.
"One gentlemen in five!" Paula said as she took the drink and shot an insincere glare toward Jim. Paula drained her glass quickly and looked over at Maree. "Come on honey, don't make me drink alone."
Maree smiled, feeling a little embarrassed by her friends nudity, but not willing to make a scene about it. She lifted her cup and took a long sip. Already she could feel the champagne having an effect on her, her inhibitions ebbing and a small thrill flowing into her. She looked over at Paula as Vince refilled her glass.
Paula was an attractive woman. At thirty-seven she was just two years younger than Maree but didn't look any younger. Not that she looked old. Maree could see that her small breasts were just as firm and beautiful as they must have been when she was twenty. Almost jealously Maree stole a glance toward Vince. He was looking at her, not at Paula's exposed breasts, like he was hoping she would do something. Did Vince want her to take her blouse off? That was probably it. He was always trying to get her to flash people or just go out without panties or bra. He was proud of her and loved knowing that other men wanted her, but she wondered how he would react if she ever lived her wild fantasies.
"Come on babe, drink up and have some fun!" Vince said, his eyes never leaving her face.
Maree shook her head but complied with his wishes and took another long drink of champagne. Paula leaned over, pressing her lips close to Maree's ear, and whispered. "Mick would love to see you topless. Why don't you join me?"
Maree looked at her friend, wondering if it was just the alcohol talking but Paula's eyes looked clear and bright. She shook her head. "I, I couldn't." she said quietly.
"Suit yourself, but if you change your mind, it's not a problem." Paula leaned back in the swing, arching her back and pushing her breasts out as far as she could as she stretched.
Donny and Frank were still hooting about having Paula's top when Mick announced that the food was ready. Vince helped Maree out of the swing, pulling her to him and kissing her passionately before leading her to her seat. Donny gave Paula her top back as they gathered around the thick oaken table where Mick had served the food. She looked at the top and then smiled as she tucked it down into Donny's slacks.
"I'll get it later." She whispered to him and then kissed him full on the lips.
Frank slugged him playfully. "You dog! She's a married woman."
"Yeah, but she's more than Mick can handle!" Donny retorted.
"Amen to that!" Mick said but this time he pulled his wife away from his two single friends and sat her down at the table, still topless.
The group of friends ate amid lively conversation, and although no one said anything more about Paula's bare breasts Maree noticed all of the men stealing long looks at her friend. Vince sat beside Maree and made sure that her glass was never empty. Still she was careful not to drink too much. To soon the meal was over and the conversation waned as the air became decidedly cool.
"Let's go in and put some music on. Paula is getting cold." Mick stood.
Everyone followed his lead and soon they moved the party inside to the large living room. Paula keyed up some music from their CD collection and turned it soft so that it wouldn't interfere with conversation. Frank had another idea though and grabbed her and started dancing. The first song was fast and energetic but was followed by a slow song. Frank held onto Paula as the slow song began to play, pulling her to him and pressing his body to hers.
Jim grabbed Maree's hand. "Care to dance girly?" He asked gallantly.