Rhonda's Tired Marriage

Friday, Doug intended to get on the road early. He intended to pick Jean and Mason up around 3:00 pm. Then, they should make dinner with the other two couples by 7:00 pm in Matakana. But at midday, Mason called to say he had an issue at work and could not get away until after 5:00.

He asked Doug if he could still pick Jean up and go on without him. He would drive up when he sorted out the issues at work.

Doug discussed it with Rhonda, and they decided to wait for Mason. Rhonda didn't want Jean exposed to Mike and his mate without Mason being there. She explained to Doug that Jean didn't think Mason would share her, so setting her up in a situation where she might be unfaithful was a recipe for disaster.

As it happened, Doug got busy anyway, and it was just after 6:30 that they picked them up. As Mason climbed in the front, he turned and told Rhonda he had some interesting news, "Mark called into work today. The bastard still gives me shit about my seeing you guys. He pulls my chain about scorning a mate because I fancy you when we all know he was the one that had the hots for you. I told him we were wife-swapping with you and Doug this weekend. He turned green with envy. It was fucking wonderful."

Rhonda snapped back, "I hope you don't think you'll be jumping in the sack with me this weekend?"

"Of course not. I was winding Mark up."

"So you don't fancy me then?"

Mason blushed, became flustered, and didn't know how to answer. Doug came to his rescue, "You're allowed to answer honestly. Frankly, I'd be upset if you didn't fancy Rhonda. I'd think there was something wrong with you. I certainly fancy your wife. I think she's very hot, but that doesn't mean I'd ever do anything more than imagine. Okay."

Rhonda asked, "What was Mark's news?"

"Oh, yes. Mark said that Liz had left Harry. Evidently, she has been seeing some travelling salesman twice a month for over a year. And she up and left with the guy."

Rhonda interrupted, "Did Harry know about the salesman? He said he wasn't sure she was faithful the night we split."

"No. He didn't have a clue. She'd told him he wasn't exclusive, but Harry thought she was just trying to make him jealous."

Rhonda went silent as she pondered whether there were any implications for her. The guys continued conversing, and soon, Jean was asking her questions. What with the road noise and Mason turning up the volume on the radio every time a song came on that he liked, Jean and Rhonda were able to discuss more intimate subjects without the guys listening in, such as Avery's upcoming party and positions Jean was dying to try.

They stopped for hamburgers at Maramarua and then continued to Matakana. They pulled into the Lodge just before 9:30, and they were confronted with an extensive modern home. As they sat wondering where to go, a woman came out to welcome them.

"Hi. I'm Hillary. You must be with the McKenzie group. Your units are around the back. The grass is dry, so you can drive right to the front of your unit and unload your bags," she said, pointing to the left. Your friends are sitting out waiting for you. She turned and re-entered the Lodge.

Doug drove around where she had pointed and commented that she hadn't given them any keys. Turning behind the Lodge, they saw two women sitting at a barbecue area. The women both stood and directed them to the second unit. As he backed up to their unit, Doug informed them that the taller of the two was Gail, so the other woman must be Flora.

Rhonda quickly sized up the two women. Gail was dark-haired and looked very fit. She had much the same build and height as herself. Flora was blond, had a fuller figure, and was shorter. Both women were appealing and well-presented, especially as she knew Gail was ten years older than her. And Flora looked to be older still.

There was a row of six self-contained units. Gail directed them to pull up in front of unit two. There were introductions and hugs, and then Mason and Doug unloaded the bags. Then Gail told Doug, "Shift your car down the end with ours when you're unloaded. You'll have a marvellous ocean view from your bed in the morning, so you don't want to leave the car there."

Doug asked Gail about the keys. She replied that they didn't have any and that no one locked anything as they were so far out in the country. He commented on how impressive the complex was. Gail informed them that the Lodge was less than six months old.

"We have our own lounge at this end of the Lodge. And off the lounge is a gymnasium and lap pool. There is also a guest dining area where we had dinner this evening. It's where we will all meet for breakfast in the morning."

"Where is Mike?" Doug asked.

"The boys are in bed. They spent today on a fishing charter and crashed about an hour ago," Gail replied.

When the others wandered off to unpack, Flora excused herself to bed. Gail asked Rhonda to come and sit with her for a minute. They sat at the table outside unit one. "Mike's dead to the world in there, so we can talk without worrying we'll be overheard. I want to ask you about Jean. Doug told Mike that she's keen on expanding her sexual experiences?"

"She is. She's been married for fifteen years, feels that she and Mason are in a rut and that there are many things she's never tried."

"Doug said Jean's husband is not on the same wavelength?"

Rhonda quietly explained all she knew to Gail. She told her that although she'd known Jean for around ten years, she'd only gotten to see the other side of her in the last week. "I always thought she was a timid, virtuous wife like I was. A missionary position with the lights-out girl. But boy, was I wrong."

"What about Mason? What does he think of this new interest?"

Rhonda explained some of the things Jean had been doing to try to get Mason to share her, like renting very explicit porn videos, dressing up sexily in the evenings and dropping hints. "She said that although Mason got really horny and they had great sex. Mason just put most of the stuff in the videos as other people's fantasies, not stuff that happened in real life."

Gail nodded in understanding, "I'll work on Mason tomorrow. We're going to our favourite beach. So I'll get close and see if I can open his mind to some sexy possibilities. One final thing, what specifically does she want to try?"

Rhonda laughed, "Everything. She whispered stuff to me in the back of the car on the drive-up. She said that she wanted to do everything she'd seen in those videos. Threesomes, gang bangs, DP's, anal. She's up for anything."

"Well, I'll tell you now that Mike and Calum will be beside themselves when they see Jean. She's a pretty little thing, isn't she? The boys will be pole vaulting down the beach tomorrow, trying to outdo one another."

"Doesn't it bother you that Mike would want to sleep with another woman?"

"Has Doug not told you about Mike and my relationship?"

"He told me a little and mentioned that Mike shared you with him on a fishing trip two years ago. But he didn't go into any details."

"I hope I don't upset you, but Mike has shared me with Doug several times before that trip. Let me explain. We all went to school together. I have wanted Mike since the first day I saw him. But he had every other girl in the district after him. I was not his first by a long shot. So, I learned right from the start that he would never be exclusively mine. But he's the best lover I've ever had. He knows what turns me on, presses all my buttons and lots I never knew I had. Because of that, I accept what I get. But don't feel sorry for me. I love the situations he puts me in, and I often get to enjoy the women we pick up."

Gail paused, then asked, "Are you and Doug intending to join in?"

"No. I want to watch, but I'm not ready to go further than that with Doug. And I'm not ready to watch Doug with another woman. So, If you guys are not okay with us watching from the sidelines, we'll go to bed when we return to the Lodge. Oh! What about Flora? Doug said she doesn't join in either. Does she not get upset if Callum plays up?"

Gail looked down towards unit four, where Rhonda had seen Flora disappear,  "Their relationship is complicated. We hit it off well when we first met them five years ago. A few weeks later, the four of us got a little drunk and wound up in the same bed together. Mike and I gave Flora the best sex she'd ever had - her words. But the next day, she went to Mass and confessed all. The priest must have had kittens listening to her confession. I don't know much about what he made her do, but she has sworn never to stray again. On the few occasions things have gotten hot, Flora heads off to bed, and she's as right as rain the next day. And Callum is not in the dog box or anything. If you get her alone, you might want to ask her. I don't understand it."

Gail stood, indicating it was time for bed. Rhonda stood also but added, "I don't want you to think I'm a prude. I was reserved and a bit of a prude in my marriage. But when I found out my husband had been unfaithful to me for years, I had a wild weekend away with a girlfriend and four guys. I did stuff I never believed I'd ever do. And what scared me the most was how much I enjoyed it. I'm a bit like Flora, I guess. Afterwards, I pledged not to do it again. But I did, only a week later. That's why I'm reluctant to join in any games until I'm more secure. I've found out that I can be a real slut, and that goes against everything I've ever been taught. But I'd like to watch the guys fulfil some of Jean's fantasies."

I understand. Mike and I have seen many women like you and will never push you. For us, sex is fun and only physical, and not the same as love. We actively search for like-minded people. But we are never clandestine or let jealousy or judgment ruin our relationship. So we will have no issues with you and Doug sitting and watching. I'm a terrible exhibitionist so that will turn me on. Let's go to bed. We'll have lots of time to talk on the beach tomorrow."

----

Rhonda woke to Doug offering her a mug of coffee just after 6:00 am.

"Come and look at the sunrise, it's amazing." He encouraged her.

They sat out on the deckchairs in front of their ranch slider. A paddock sloped down to a clifftop, beyond which was a calm sea with the first rays of sunlight creeping over the horizon. Rhonda sat there in awe. She'd never seen a sunrise like it. She had only taken a few sips when Gail and Mike joined them.

Mike was much the same height as Doug but of a more solid build. He was good-looking, with a dangerous edge to his looks. No one would ever doubt that he was an unscrupulous adulterine. To confirm Rhonda's opinion, he checked her out from head to toe, spending seconds more than necessary on her breasts. Then he turned to Doug, "You always did get the lookers, you jammy bastard."

He stepped over and gave Doug a firm hug and a kiss on his cheek.

"Are you going to introduce me to your new thrall?"

Doug laughed, "That's a big word for you. This is Rhonda, and I can assure you she is not my slave. She holds all the power over me, not the other way round."

Mike gave Rhonda a warm hug, and Gail hugged her also before warmly enveloping Doug. She turned to wake the others and yelled over her shoulder, "Shorts and teeshirts. We're all going to the gym in half an hour."

The others came out of their rooms hesitantly to look at the view, all still dressed in nightwear. Rhonda was interested in checking out Callum. He was not as tall as the other men, maybe around 5'9", and looked like a typical Scotsman--red hair and pale skin--but he had a wonderful smile.

----

At the gym, Gail took control of the group. It turned out she was a fitness instructor and owned her own business back in Auckland, which explained to Rhonda why she was still in good shape for a forty-eight-year-old. Doug and Mike skipped the gym and challenged one another to do laps of the pool while Gail set the rest of them up to do weights and exercises.

Rhonda noted that Flora was also very fit-looking, and when she commented on that, she learned that it was the gym where Gail and Flora had met five years previously.

Just before 8:00, those in the gym headed to the units to shower. Doug and Mike were still doing laps and were only finishing by the time the others assembled back in the Lodge for breakfast. Iain, the owner, was waiting for them. He pointed out the table with cereals, fruit, and juices and asked if anyone wanted a cooked breakfast. Callum and Mason ordered the big breakfasts. Jean and Gail declined and headed for the table to get some cereal and fruit.

Iain turned to Flora, "We're related. I see you are a MacBeth, a good Scots lass. I'm a Tallach. Would you like me to cook up Bangers and Mash from last night's leftovers?" When Flora eagerly nodded, Rhonda asked for the same. They grabbed cereal, fruit, and coffee and sat to wait for their cooked breakfasts.

Flora began questioning Rhonda about herself and how she had met Doug. Her questions eventually got around to Jean, including why she wanted to try other men and what Mason thought about it. Rhonda repeated what she'd told Gail the night before. Then, looking over at Callum flirting with Jean, she asked, "How come you don't care if Callum sleeps with another woman? I'd be as jealous as all hell."

"What did Gael tell you?"

"Just that you and Callum had a foursome with them one night. Then you went to confession and promised you'd not sin again."

"That's part of it. But the main reason is that my menopause started two years ago. And I've gone off sex. Hell, my bum and tummy have expanded. I have hot flushes, and I get grumpy. It's not fair. Callum and I always had a great sex life. Wait until it happens to you."

"Were you upset at Mike for seducing you?"

"No. It was a fantastic night, and I'm glad I experienced it. But I was too guilty to let it happen again. If playing around keeps Mike and Gail happy, then good for them."

"Yeah, that's true. I'm glad it works for you guys. But why don't you get jealous of Callum playing up?"

"I do get jealous. That's why I head to bed when things get hot. Callum and I spoke about it. It's not his problem that I've gone off sex, so I told him I'm okay about him getting the odd bit of sex elsewhere but not to flaunt it. I try and give him a hand job or a blow job once or twice a month. And funnily enough, after he has been with another woman, I get sexy, and we do have regular sex sometimes. I should point out that Callum has not strayed much. Mike has only dragged him away three times in the last year and a bit."

"You're a bloody angel. I couldn't let Doug go with another woman."

Their bangers and mash arrived just as Doug and Mike walked in. They took one look at the girls' food and ordered the same. It was delicious. The host had fried some sausages, lamb's fry, and caramelised onion and added them to the previous night's gravy. He'd also mashed up the leftover roast spuds and re-fried them.

After breakfast, they all retired to their rooms to prepare for the beach. Doug asked Rhonda what she thought of his friends.

"Well, I can't say much about Callum as I've hardly said two words to him. I see him checking me out whenever he thinks I'm not looking. He has a lovely smile, but I would not trust him if I were alone with him."

"I saw you having a deep conversation with Flora. What was that about?"

"I asked her why she let Callum sleep with other women. She's a bloody saint. She's struggling with menopause and has gone off sex. She says it's not Callum's fault and has given him license to find his sex elsewhere, as long as he doesn't rub it in her face. I don't think I could be so charitable."

"What about Mike?" Doug asked.

"He's stripped me naked with his eyes at least three times in the last two hours. I can see his appeal to the ladies, though. Good looking but disturbingly dangerous. You know a session in bed with him would never be boring. But, again, I've hardly spoken to him."

"Would you want to sleep with him?"

"Do you want me to?"

"No. But he's sure as hell going to want to nail you."

Rhonda looked at Doug to ascertain what he was asking. He looked innocent, only sounding out how to react to Mike's flirtation with her.

So she replied, "I think we should keep out of all the action this weekend. Let's leave Jean to live out her fantasies and watch what happens. I'll deflect Mike and Callum's attentions when they try something, as I know they will."

"Mike would never try anything without my okaying it. I'm not sure about Callum, but I'm sure Mike will have told him to behave."

Doug asked about Gail. But before Rhonda could reply, Mike yelled at their door that it was time to go.

----

When they were all assembled outside, Mike informed them he had negotiated the use of the Lodge's minibus and that Doug would be driving. Gail looked at Jean and Rhonda's bathing suits and turned to Doug, "Take us via Matakana. There is a beachwear shop there. The girls must buy bikinis; they can't wear one-piece suits at Tawharanui Beach."

The minibus turned out to be a long-wheelbase Toyota that seated ten. Rhonda got in the front with Doug and the others in the back. The beachwear shop did not open until 10:00 am, so they had twenty minutes to kill. Seeing an op-shop just down the road, they wandered into that, as Gail said they should all dress up for the Beatles show that night. Jean didn't want to wear anything but the dress she had bought for the night. Rhonda felt the same, so they followed the others around the shop and offered advice.

Gail and Flora found some straight mini dresses that had to have come from the late sixties. The boys all found various items, such as black stovepipe trousers and high-necked shirts like Elvis used to wear.

Then, Gail picked out some way-too-brief bikinis in the beachwear shop. Rhonda could see that Jean was secretly pleased with Gail's choice, even though she complained it was too revealing. She knew Doug would be ecstatic with the set Gail had chosen for her.

When Rhonda went to climb back in the front next to Doug, Flora stepped in front of her, "In the back with the others, my turn up front."

So Rhonda climbed in the back and took the single seat on the passenger side. Gail had dragged Mason into the front seat beside her, and Mike and Callum had Jean sitting between them in the back seat. The guys began tentatively touching Jean as soon as they sat, and instead of discouraging them, she lay back and spread her legs. When Callum slipped his fingers under the gusset of Jean's new bikini and pulled it to the side, Rhonda snapped her head to the front and got ready to stand in the isle if Mason turned to look what was happening.

----

It was a hot, cloudless day, yet Rhonda could hear wind rustling through the top of the trees as they all made their way to the beach. The men carried sun umbrellas and chilly bins, and the girls had blankets, towels, and beach bags. She heard a noise in the undergrowth beside the path and saw two small rabbits scurrying away. She was surprised, as Mike had told them this area was a regional park, with predator fences surrounding it to keep out cats, rats, and other pests. Rhonda called out to Mike about the rabbits, but he didn't know why they hadn't eradicated them. Then, he replied that he'd take them up to explore the bush later, where they might see Takahe, NZ Dotteral, Kereru, and many other endangered species.

They came to a long wooden ramp that led down onto the beach. At the foot of this, they had to weave past a dozen couples - some with kids. Then, the beachgoers thinned out, and they walked another three hundred metres to the far end of the beach.

Mike and Callum laid out the blankets while Doug and Mason sorted the umbrellas. When Jean went to lie by Mason, Mike grabbed her hand and told her to lie by him. Callum quickly took up the space on the other side of her, and Gail pulled Mason down to lie by her. Rhonda looked to see what Flora made of these arrangements. Flora smiled knowingly at her and motioned for her and Doug to lie between her and Mason.