"I can't believe it... I got in!"
My heart sank as I could only imagine what my wife's latest hare brained scheme to make easy money was.
"Into what?" I asked dreading the answer.
"The reality TV show I told you about, I passed the audition and I'm in, I can't believe it."
"Ermm, what was the name of the show again?"
"Well they hadn't finalised it at the audition, but the letter refers to 'Temptation Island.'
"Woa, wait a minute, I don't like the sound of that, do you know what's involved?"
"It doesn't give a lot of detail, but I know the final two people win £200k each, the TV audience vote people out. Imagine it £200k easy money... it's life changing!"
"There is no such thing as easy money and it seems odd that they would pick a mature married woman for that show."
"The other women at the auditions were all my age, I don't think it is just me. They suggested it was based on Adam and Eve and we have to face temptations; it sounded like good fun."
"If it's called 'Temptation Island' that's going to involve sex; please just stop and think it through, this is a totally crazy thing to do."
"Don't be daft, it will be easy to avoid that type of temptation, I have you after all."
"I wouldn't be so confident, they will have planned for that and they edit those shows to scandalise as much as possible; it could go 'tits up' very quickly. Even if you don't do anything wrong, they can still make you look bad in the edits."
"Don't do that Rob, you're always putting my ideas down and I worked really hard for the audition."
I had a suspicion I knew why Karen had done so well at the audition. She was an extrovert which would keep the audience attention and she was attractive. Pretty when she was younger, she seemed to just get hotter and hotter over the years. Now in her mid 40's she had a voluptuous figure, it was a perfect hourglass and the weight that she did put mostly ended up on her breasts, she was now a 38dd, 28, 36. That was complimented by long dark hair, which was streaked with auburn highlights which framed her gorgeous face. I was biased but knew I wasn't alone, she nearly always drew second glances from guys of all ages. Thankfully she seemed a bit oblivious to the impact she had on most of the male population.
We continued to discuss it but she was absolutely adamant she wanted to do the show. In the end I reminded her than anything inappropriate or 'over the top' would have serious repercussions for us. Again she dismissed my fears, saying there was absolutely nothing to worry about.
***
It seemed like no time at all before she signed off all the contracts and waivers, refusing to get any legal advice. She was jetting off to the island for filming and due to be away for two months. No contact would be allowed once the contestants were inside the villa on the island other than through the show's producers.
It was a couple of days later when I saw the adverts for 'Lust Island', I guessed 'Temptation Island' just wasn't salacious enough. There on screen was my wife looking stunning, alongside six other equally beautiful 'mature' women; their names and ages were displayed in the graphics ranging from 42 to 53. My heart sank and than sank again at the next adverts, the studs were a bunch of ridiculously good looking guys aged 23 to 29 and there were eleven of them!
The follow up adverts pitched the trials: could the women resist the attentions of the young studs, there would be dares, games and challenges to test them. Then there was a big push encouraging viewers to vote for thier favourites.
I had to turn my phone off, I was getting that many calls and texts asking if it really was Karen on the show. I wondered if she had known the format all along. I suspected she knew more than she told me but not all of it. In the villa they would be shielded from the outside world, so the producers could go all out with the setup and innuendo's... sex sells after all.
***
I sat down to watch the first show, it started with introductions and background, I even got a mention from Karen, "I've been happily married to Rob for 18 years." Karen looked absolutely stunning, the make-up artists and fashion teams must have spent a fortune, she looked immaculate, her skin and hair flawless; whilst the outfits really accentuated her figure.
The first show finished with a drinks party, it was uncomfortable watching Karen greet all of the young guys with a smile and a kiss on the cheek. I couldn't see any way this was going to end well, other than hoping she got voted out quickly.
That seems less and less likely as the shows continued, the camera's honed in on Karen and another stunning blonde woman called Rachel. The guys seem to flock to them and they took the attention; no doubt Karen would claim the flirting was all tactics and part of the show.
She definitely had a brand new wardrobe, in the first few days she went from looking awkward in a modest swimsuit and wrap, to looking far too comfortable swanning around in a series of revealing bikini's which I hadn't seen before. Friends, colleagues, everyone in fact, were getting a good view of my wife's assets.
The conversation between the women focused on what would be involved in the show, no doubt they would be tempted and compromised but he prize would be worth it. The guys conversations were different, it was almost all focused on how hot the women were, their various merits and who they would like to get to know. They kept it just about clean enough, but the sub text was obvious. The camera kept cutting to a shot of Karen's cleavage as the guys commented on the women having a lot to offer. It appeared they were trying to get close to the women more likely to stay voted in.
The women seemed to have a difficult juggling act, giving up things too easily might be a vote killer whilst acting like a nun and dismissing all advances could have the same effect. The hook of the show was the angst and jeopardy of the wives virtue, I suspected it was going to be well beyond awkward.
A few days in and the games started, there was some sports events which had everyone moving about in swim wear. Several of the women only just held onto their modesty, including Karen whose bikini looked like it was never going to cope with the strain as she was running about. The producers made sure to include lots of slow motion and repeat shots.
After the first games, the wives seemed to relax, their conversations became more focused on the merits of the different guys, especially when they were watching them work out. They slipped into suggestive comments along the lines of 'not minding a good workout'. The guys ramped up the flirting, often pulling the wives aside for one on one chats.
The show must have been rating well, as the producers kept asking me to be filmed watching the show, along with the other husbands. I politely declined, by politely, I mean I told them to fuck off! Then they started offering money, it quickly escalated to £10k, but I still refused; it would obviously make us look like a right bunch of losers.
By this time I was getting loads of stick at work, the guys kept posting bikini pictures of Karen in the office, I laughed it all off but I wasn't happy. I could hardly switch my phone on due to the volume of calls and messages. In addition the press were now repeatedly knocking at my door.
The fancy dress party was the next awkward challenge, the women all had to wear sexy costumes, Karen's was a very revealing French Maid's outfit. The micro skirt left her seamed fishnet stockings fully on display, whilst the top barely contained her tits; an apron, maids cap and towering heels finished the look. The guys eyes were on stalks and I couldn't blame them. Karen and Catherine who was in a tight fitting satin bunny girl costume were drawing most of the attention. The guys were equally skimpily dressed in a range of uniforms with shorts and chests showing. As the drink flowed the flirting ramped up significantly. There was quite a lot of touching and messing around and a few quick kisses towards the end of the night.
Then the show announced that the women had to 'couple up' by choosing a partner. Those not chosen would leave the villa, so four of the guys would miss out. As a result the guys were pitching hard to be chosen, pulling the women for chats and making various drinks and snacks for them. Karen had at least three guys chasing her including Daniel, a very handsome 27 year old who remained very close to her throughout the fancy dress party.
I was getting loads of messages from friends asking what was happening. The most annoying call was Karen's mother, she had never liked me and asked me what on earth she was up to. When she followed that up by suggesting that I must have encouraged her for the money, I lost it!
"I have no idea what your daughter is doing acting like a slut on national TV; and I had absolutely no say in the matter, maybe she just takes after you!"
I regretted it as soon as I said it, the pressure must be really getting to me. I managed to get out for a couple of drinks with my mates. They confirmed their disbelief in Karen being involved and her actions. It was good to have some support and feel like I wasn't going crazy for a short period. My mate Dave knew someone, whose brother's friend was a solicitor and said he'd pass on his details in case I needed them. We ended the night prematurely as I was getting strange looks from the other regulars in the pub.
In the big Friday night episode, the wives had to pick a guy to couple up with. Karen chose Daniel, he smiled walked up and kissed her, Karen just managed to turn to her cheek slightly before taking his had a leading him back to the seating. The four guys left over were sent home from the villa immediately.
The new couples had to share a bed, the first night looked awkward. Some of the wives put pillows between them and the guys and the clips showed all of them sleeping well apart. That didn't last, over the next few nights the pillows disappeared; everyone was laughing and joking at lights out and they all looked very comfortable with each other. The night-time sleeping clips showed the couples closer together with some spooning.
Each of the couples went on a date, the all too friendly and flirting conversations were broadcast. Karen again looked stunning in a figure hugging leather pencil skirt and silk blouse. I was struggling to convince myself Karen was playing the part for the show; if she didn't like Daniel, she had suddenly become a good actress. The brief peck on the lips at the end of date pissed me right off as did the fact they walked off hand in hand. At least it wasn't as bad as two of the other wives, who went for full out kissing their dates.
The villa conversations were focused on what they thought of their partners. Clearly some of the wives were worried about their actions, repeatedly saying: "its only fair isn't it... a quick kiss at the end of a date, just as friends of course."
Daniel and Karen's frequent chats were broadcast, with him repeatedly giving her compliments, saying she was blowing his mind and how much he liked her. Karen responded with thanks and appreciation, saying he was a really nice guy and it was great to get to know him better. Odd touches became more common.
The next stage of the show involved the public voting to save their favourite couple; a couple could earn exemption from the results if they won one of the games.