The first part of a two-part series. Told from the perspective of each character. Thank you to kenjisato and P_Anderer for editing.
**Jenny**
Carl and I were high-school sweethearts. We married young and never had any desire for children; we spent our time and money on renovating our house. Most of our friends soon had kids, and whilst we kept in contact, we saw less and less of them.
I own a small online clothing boutique which keeps me pretty busy. I'm also a bit of a confessed gym slut, with a toned athletic build and shoulder-length blonde hair. Some people say my most striking feature are my hazel eyes.
My husband, Carl, is an artistic blacksmith, making bespoke iron gates and sculptures. It keeps him in reasonable shape, not chiselled by any means; but I'm happy with how he looks. His wavy brown hair and blue eyes usually get compliments from my friends.
We were thrilled when a new couple our age moved in next door. Lorna and Jack didn't have kids and shared similar interests with us. Lorna was a few inches taller than me with beautiful Mediterranean features. Dark brown eyes, long black hair, big natural tits, and a soft, peachy bum. She worked as a travel agent and looked cute in her white blouse and pencil skirt. Her husband, Jack, was a hot, former professional rugby player, who had to quit through injury. He now worked in finance, but still looked imposing, squeezed into a suit.
We all became good friends within a couple of months. The boys watched rugby together regularly, and play golf most weekends. Lorna and I went on regular pamper weekends and shopping trips. We quickly found out that we had things in common with each other's spouses, too. Lorna and Carl liked seafood, music, and horror movies. Whereas, Jack and I were more outgoing, enjoying mountain biking and scuba diving.
After a couple of years of living next to each other, it soon became clear there was also a mutual attraction. Carl caught me ogling Jack when he stripped off to mow the lawn, and teased me mercilessly. I got my revenge when I took a pic of Carl staring at Lorna's huge tits in her bikini.
It wasn't just us. I had caught Lorna watching Carl at his home forge, and Jack wasn't very good at hiding the glances he had at my arse.
Nothing ever happened between us, as we were all happily married. Even if there was the occasional, harmless flirting. This all changed one evening, while we sat on the deck drinking. That evening would be the catalyst that would change our relationships forever.
"Jack, why don't you tell them about that guy at work," Lorna said, tipsy and giggly.
"What guy?" asked Jack, as he opened another bottle.
"You know, what's his name... Alan? You know the swinging thing," she said, playfully rubbing his arm.
Jack proceeded to tell us about his boss, Alan. He and his wife had started having sex with another couple. A couple who, in fact, lived on our street.
"What, Jim and Barbara?" I laughed. "They're in their sixties!"
"You're never too old to try something new, I guess. They had always wanted to experiment, now they felt they could," Jack said, shrugging.
"Experiment, like gay stuff?"Carl asked, unable to imagine either of them being up for that.
"No, just swapping partners, apparently," Jack said, draining his glass.
"And he just up and told you all this at work? What, over lunch?" Carl asked, amazed.
"It was a boozy lunch, but yeah, seemed properly pleased with himself," said Jack.
"Fuck, I can't imagine Jim and Babs doing that. They seem so in love," I said, a little mournfully.
"They are. They're just taking the opportunity to mix things up a bit. Did you know they have only ever slept with each other? They got married at eighteen," Lorna said, sounding shocked.
"Well, we're the same. Carl and I got together in high school. I've never even kissed another guy," I said, a little too regretfully. But I smiled, when Carl caught my eye, trying to reassure him.
"Not that I'm complaining," I added quickly.
"Well, you're the only one I've had sex with," he said, as Lorna and Jack exchanged looks.
"Well, to be fair we've been together so long I can hardly remember the others," Jack said.
"Yeah, our tenth wedding anniversary is next year. After a decade together, we feel the same," Lorna added.
"I guess it's the excitement of the first time with someone. You know? Not knowing what it'll be like and the suspense," I said, getting agreed murmurings from the others.
"And they can live out fantasies and try stuff their partner doesn't like," Lorna giggled.
"But I don't know how they let their partner do it. I mean the trust involved is massive," Carl mused.
"They've all known each other for years. I guess if they're doing it with a couple they trust, there's less jealousy. Whatever floats their boat, I guess," Jack said.
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**Carl**
Nothing more was said on the topic of swapping partners, but the level of flirting increased a lot. Long, lingering hugs, and crude innuendos became commonplace. Nothing changed until a few months later, when the four of us were preparing for a cruise. We both had a cabin on a luxury three-week cruise. It was a joint celebration: Jenny's thirtieth and Jack and Lorna's wedding anniversary. The weekend before the cruise, the girls went shopping, getting 'essentials' for the trip.
Jack and I played golf to pass the time, and it was then, that the subject of swinging reared its head again.