This story is dedicated to Ron and Lauren - they know why.
*****
We sat in the darkness, paying no particular to the ballet unfolding on the stage before our eyes. We were, all three of us, super aware of something else: of the sizzling presence, the closeness of each of us sitting in the shadows - Helmut, Adrienne and me. I knew Adrienne so very well, and I could tell she was nervous. I'd been watching her all day long, watching the anticipation build. Watching her getting dressed, primping before the bedroom mirror, simmering with excitement. And now as we took our seats, I could tell she was tense, tingling with the same nervous energy I felt. I had no idea what Helmut was feeling; as usual he seemed unflappable, smooth and suave.
When we met in the crowded lobby, we exchanged a few polite words, and he gave us his usual self-assured smile, the smile of middle-aged highly-successful entrepreneur. Helmut was older than us, in his mid-50s; a good-looking guy, with a short chiseled beard showing the first signs of gray, inevitably polite and always with a twinkle in his blue eyes, especially for the ladies.
And when I introduced them, he turned his full charm onto Adrienne, who stood in her little black dress looking up at him from under her fringe of bangs with that look I well knew βthe look she reserved for all interested males. I saw Helmut's gaze pass appreciably over Adrienne's narrow body in that form-fitting dress, the thin strappy thing that left her slim arms and lanky shoulders deliciously bare, and allowed and just a peek of her darling little tits.
I saw the look of frank appraisal he gave her as his gaze traveled down her long figure taking in those elegant legs I loved so much in dark stockings and ending at the delicate open-strapped heels she wore.
With my hand lightly on Adrienne's waist we climbed the carpeted stars and were shown to our balcony seats, all in silence. Words were not necessary. All three of us knew why we there, and all about the secret game that we had come to play.
***