A Confession …

I heard the key in the lock and a suitcase roll over the wooden floor in the hall. A few moments later, Sally appeared in the doorway. She was wearing a gorgeous summer dress I hadn’t seen before. Mid-thigh and loose, it hung beautifully on her. She looked a million dollars.
“Hello, you,” I said.
“Hi.”
Her reply was slightly hollow. It put me on my guard.
“You okay?”
She walked towards me, a guarded expression on her face. Serious, slightly nervous.
“Yes. I need a word with you.”
She got straight up on the sofa and sat astride me, her dress displaying quite a lot of thigh. I looked down to enjoy the view.
“Marcus. Look at me, please.”
I did. She took a deep breath. I noticed her look now had a hint of defiance.
“Did you, or did you not, talk to Lucy about my fantasies involving women?”
Things began to click into place. I made a play of wracking my memory.
“I think it might have cropped up in passing.”
“In passing? What did you say?”
I realised she was a mixture of nerves and playfulness. I guessed why.
“She said you’d told her we were helping each other act out our fantasies. I told her I couldn’t help you with all of them. Something may have been mentioned about why.”
“And why would you do that?”
I saw now she was playing. She knew I knew where she was going.
“Oh, just small talk.”
She suppressed a smile.
“Small talk? Telling my gay best friend I fancied women?”
“Harmless enough, don’t you think?”
She took another deep breath.
“Marcus …”
“Yes, Sal.”
“This is serious.”
“Sorry. Do go on.”
She was trying to conceal her smile, and I was struggling to maintain a serious expression.
“I’ve got a confession.” I kept silent. “Lucy and I … Well …” She was flushed now; more flushed than she had been for a long time. It was hidden slightly by her fresh tan, but I could see it. “…slept together.”
“Good idea. Cheaper that way.”
She whacked my arm and let out an exasperated sigh.
“I don’t mean that.”
“Well, spit it out.”
She scowled at me.
“We had sex. We fucked. Okay?”
“Ah.”
“Is that all you’re going to say? ‘Ah’? Nothing else?”
I wasn’t hiding my smile now.
“Did you enjoy it?”
Her face cracked, and her body relaxed. She looked away, trying to hide her grin. After a few moments, she turned back to me.
“Yes. Yes, I did. You bastard.”
“Me?”
“Yes, you. Bastard. You beautiful bastard.”
She threw her arms around my neck and collapsed onto my shoulders. I put my arms around her. We stayed still for a while, holding each other. Finally, she spoke softly into my ear.
“You really don’t mind?”
“Come on, Sal. You both know now I nudged you.”
“That’s what Luce said.”
“Would I have done that if I wasn’t happy for it to happen?”
“She said that too.”
“Then perhaps you should listen to your other lover.”
She laughed. Naturally, lightly this time. Pulling away, she looked at me again.
“It doesn’t change anything? You still trust me?”
“Yes, Sal. You could have kept quiet and said nothing.”
“I couldn’t.”
“I know. That’s why I trust you.”
She laid her head by my shoulder again, and we sat there. Still.
“I love you,” she whispered. “So much.”
“I know. And I love you,” I replied softly.
“So, what happens now?”
“What do you think?”
“Luce and I talked about it last night.”
“And?”
“Can we talk about it later?”
“Of course. You must be tired.”
“It’s not that.”
“Oh?”
She bent forward and kissed me. I realised it was the first time since she’d come through the door.
“No. It’s just that after ten days with a woman, I fancy a man.”
“Do you?”
“Yes.” She placed her hand on my crotch. “This man, to be precise.”
“I don’t know. Can you fit me in? Your schedule seems quite full.”
She swiped my arm again, put her feet back on the floor and stood up. In one movement, she pulled her dress over her head. I immediately noticed her underwear. Silk, tiny floral print. A delicate bra, and high cut shorts. It fitted beautifully. She saw me looking and did a twirl.
“Like it?”
“It’s gorgeous.”
“It’s lovely to wear. I bought a few pieces.”
“It looks fabulous.”
“Almost a shame to take it off.”
“Not really.”
Grinning, she removed the bra, before sliding the shorts off.