This story is an alternative version of Circle of Cuckolds published back in 2006. I enjoyed the original but wanted to explore how the main character Bruce could have reacted differently.
*****
Bruce and his wife Linda were having drinks on the patio of their large suburban home. Bruce, a 42-year-old accountant, had done very well in his profession and was up for a vice presidency of the firm. Their expensive home reflected Bruce's financial success.
Linda, a 36-year-old attractive brunette looked less than her age. Thanks to a disciplined regimen of exercise and diet, her figure was that of a woman ten years younger. Her most notable features were her large bust and long shapely legs. Linda was an elementary school teacher, but she stopped working as Bruce's income increased.
Sex for Bruce and Linda was very satisfactory for him, but less so for Linda. Things picked up somewhat for Linda when the couple ventured into the world of suburban swinging last year. Although the guys were nothing to write home about in Linda's opinion. The parties, however, had become less and less frequent, and this was the topic of conversation on this particular evening.
"I don't get it," said Bruce. "First Sarah and Bill dropped out, then Marie and Jim. Now the get-togethers are less and less frequent."
"I know," responded Linda. "It is frustrating. But I think I know the reason."
"You do?" - asked Bruce, surprised.
"I think so."
"What is it?"
"Well," began Linda with obvious hesitation, "I was talking to Marie over coffee the other day. Apparently the action hasn't stopped, but some of our friends have gone in a different direction."
"What does that mean - a different direction?"
"Well," continued Linda, "I don't know quite how to put it. But basically some of the ladies started finding those evenings less than exciting."
"You're kidding!" - said Bruce.
"Nope: Now I know you guys are really into it, but Sarah was looking for excitement and started found a new thing."
"What new thing?"
"Well, it's some form of party which mixes couple and singles and you get a bigger age range."
"So," continued Linda, "Sarah told Marie and that's where they go, they say it is the most exciting thing they have ever experienced."
"Who are the singles that go" asked Bruce.
"Oh errm younger people generally, fit and attractive, I think that's what makes those parties more appealing."
When Bruce returned with two fresh drinks, she took a sip, crossed her legs, and sighed softly.
"What is it?" - asked Bruce.
"Oh, nothing," she said. "Probably just too much to drink and too long since one of our parties, guess I am curious."
"Do you want to go?"
Linda beamed with delight. It had been even easier than she had imagined.
* * * * * * *
A few days later Linda and Bruce were entertaining their friends Marie and Jim. It was late on a Saturday night after a candlelit dinner where there had been no mention of swinging. Now, relaxing in the balmy summer night air and mellow with wine, thoughts turned to sex.
For his part, Bruce was once again admiring the lovely Marie, a blonde, 29-year-old legal assistant at a prestigious city law firm. It was Linda who turned the conversation to the "Circle" group.
"So tell us, Marie," she began, "what about the "Circle?"
"Oh, it's great! We love it, don't we, honey?" she said, addressing her husband, Jim.
"Yes, dear," he responded with somewhat less enthusiasm.
"Are you thinking about coming to a Circle party?"
"Well, I don't know," said Bruce.
"You should, it's a completely different experience."
"Why is called the circle?"
Linda's eyes widened slightly, flashing a warning to Marie, who continued...
"Well, the couple that hold the parties has a huge home out in the country. Outside on the patio there's a big circle - about 5 yards in diameter - drawn in yellow chalk.
"When a couple arrives at the party, they are given a collar with a lock and a plastic coil bracelet with the key to that lock. When one of them is spending time with someone, the other wears the collar, it's locked and it's the signal to go out onto the patio and sit in the circle and stay there until there partner comes to get them."
"It's a nice system, it guarantees privacy and avoids any embarrassment."
Linda relaxed, happy with Marie's description.
The evening ended, with Jim remaining strangely non-committal about the parties.
Thirty minutes later, after Marie and Jim had left, Linda and Bruce returned to the patio for a nightcap.
"Well should we try a party" prompted Linda.
Bruce: "I guess... the circle idea sounded strange though don't you think and we won't know many people."
Linda interrupted, "I think it might be interesting to go to one of the parties just to see what the people are like. We don't have to do anything. We might just end up having drinks and deciding it's not for us."
"Maybe..."
* * * * * * *
Linda called Marie the next day:
Marie: "So, are you guys coming to the circle party?"
Linda: "I hope so; I've just got to ease Bruce into the idea of it."
"Look, just get him to take you to one of the parties. Put him in the cuckolds' circle and get yourself laid for real for the first time by a stud. Your Bruce will be dying of curiosity and want to hear everything. He'll be so curious he'll soon be ready for entertaining a real man at your home. And he'll be so blown away by what he witnesses, that he'll be eating out of your hand. Among other places!"
The women howled with laughter.
"You know what I've really enjoyed?" - asked Marie.
"What?"
"Thinking about the guys in our old group who used to fuck me and seeing them consigned to the cuckolds' circle for all to witness. And once Bruce has been there, you will be charge of your whole relationship."
"I'll talk to Bruce this evening."
"Good. The next party is this Saturday. I hope that by Sunday morning your Bruce will have been cuckolded for good!"
* * * * * * *
"So what do you say? Shall we drop in and see what the fuss is about. We can always leave and take in a movie if we're bored."
"Yeah, why not? If Jim and Bill go, then it must be okay."
Bruce had mixed feelings. Linda had always enjoyed sex, he had reservations about the swinging but went along with it and it turned out to be exciting for both of them.
* * * * * * * *
Friday night found Bruce and Linda driving to their first party of the Circle group. Linda was excited; Bruce had grave doubts.
"I'm not sure about this," he said.
"Don't worry, sweetie. I'm sure it will be fine."
"Anyway," continued Bruce, "just remember that we don't have to do anything at all. It could just be a chance to check it out without, you know, participating."
Like that's going to happen - thought Linda.
They arrived at the almost mansion-like house half an hour later. The landscaping was expensive, including large torches lighting the front yard.
"How do I look?" - asked Linda.
"Terrific," said Bruce sincerely. In fact, he thought Linda had really gone out of her way in getting together that evening. Her sexiest low-cut dress and highest heels, a visit to the hair salon, and some new perfume. Bruce began to feel a tingle just looking at her.
His reverie was interrupted when the door opened. Before them stood a beautiful woman in her mid-40s, brunette, tall, and dressed to kill.
"Hi!" - she said. "You must be Linda and Bruce. Please come in. I'm Rachel."
In the foyer the lighting was subdued, but enhanced by several candles. Soft music and conversation were audible from another room.
"Linda," said Rachel, "you are as lovely as Marie said. I think you will be a most welcome addition to our little group." Bruce noticed that his hostess was addressing his wife, but not him.
"And here," continued Rachel, "is your Circle necklace and a key to the lock."
Linda dropped the chain necklace into her purse and put the plastic coil bracelet holding the key around her wrist.
"Come with me. I'll show you the bar. Marie is already here and looking forward to seeing you."
"Great," said Linda as she and Bruce followed their hostess into a large, dark-panelled room. It was, in fact, a large library with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and a fireplace. Set up at one end was a bar. Bruce noticed that the bartender, a man in his mid-40s, was wearing the same collar as the one Linda had been given. Rachel noticed Bruce's curious look.
"He's wearing the collar because anyone sent to the circle take turns tending bar and doing a couple of other things during the party."
"I see," said Bruce.
Standing before the bartender was a twenty-ish man with an attractive blonde woman in her 40s.
"Here is your champagne, ma'am," said the bartender, placing a flute of bubbly before him. "And here is your scotch, sir." It struck Bruce that the bartender was unusually polite.