“And thank you,” Tara replied. “I love wearing as little as possible. That’s why we love to vacation here.”
“How often do you come here?”
“Every year,” Tara answered, taking Violet’s arm and leading her to the patio. “Let’s go sit, drink, and spill our secrets.” Violet couldn’t help but grin, instantly at ease.
The husbands followed, grabbing beers for themselves.
“I have wine or the fixings for blended drinks,” Tara offered. “Pick your poison.”
“Wine, please.”
“There’s plenty to eat, so help yourself. Dan grilled some chicken and salmon earlier, and I have an assortment of fruit, cheese, and veggies.” Tara handed Violet her glass of wine before quickly continuing. “Oh, and of course, dessert later.”
“My favorite,” Dan said, clearly a gleam in his eye. Violet noticed the steamy look and eyebrow wiggle he gave his wife, to which she responded by blowing him a kiss.
“Have to admit,” Max started. “I’ve got quite the sweet tooth myself. But I’ll start with something more substantial.”
“Save room,” Tara quipped.
“Always room for dessert, right?” Max grinned.
The couples got comfortable around the patio table, nibbling on their food and sharing stories about their lives. Violet told them how she and Max met in college, how she went on to become a respiratory specialist, and Max a technician for the respirator equipment used in hospitals. They learned that Tara was now a dance instructor after retiring from professional dance, and Dan was an editor for a broadcasting station.
While Violet and Max had their daughter, who was now in college, the Hardys were childless at the age of forty, and planned on staying that way.
“Unless you count our entourage of animals.” Dan chuckled.
“I’m such a softy.” Tara smiled. “I rescue cats and dogs. We currently have three cats and five dogs. Oh, and cockatiels. They’re our babies and we love them. When we’re away, we have a trusted house sitter to care for them.”
“So do you travel quite a bit?” Violet asked. “You say you come here yearly?”
“We do,” Dan answered. “We travel twice a year, and one of those times is always here.”
“Since our first visit, we knew we’d always come back,” Tara added.
“Were you, you know, already experienced in this lifestyle when you first came here?” Max asked.
Violet felt a bit awkward talking to strangers about the subject but knew her husband had no qualms about it what so ever. She could already feel her face heating. She’d blame it on the wine, she told herself, taking a generous drink from her glass.
“We weren’t,” Tara admitted. “Like you, our first trip was our christening. We’ve been coming here for ten years now.”
Violet nearly choked on her drink, embarrassing herself. “I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay.” Dan handed her a napkin. “You’ll learn that Tara’s not shy about the subject. Well, neither am I, I guess.” He laughed.
“Guess you can tell Violet and I are ‘resort virgins’, and though I’m not shy, this has been an adjustment for her.” He stared at his wife, honestly expressing his feelings. “I’m proud of her. We’ve had an amazing time so far.”
“I take it you haven’t engaged in swinging, group play, anything with other couples?” Tara asked, obviously not afraid to get personal.
“Um, no,” Violet said softly.
“Is it an area you’d like to explore?”
Violet looked at Tara, more than a little nervous, then to Max. Before she could respond, Max spoke up.
“It’s something we’ve discussed, but then tabled the subject. Until recently. In fact, I hinted tonight may be the night.”
“Max!”
While Max looked at her as if to say, “What? It’s the truth,” Tara comforted her.
“Violet, it’s okay. I was once in your position. Nervous, excited, embarrassed, doubtful. We knew friends who engaged in this, and well, we decided, what the heck! At first, I felt like I was doing something wrong, as if I was a freak for wanting this. But there’s nothing wrong about enjoying the pleasures of the body. No harm comes to anyone, only satisfaction beyond anything you can imagine.”
“There was never any jealousy?” Violet heard herself ask.
“Oh, I won’t lie and say never, but I quickly realized the love Dan and I have for each other will never change. He’s everything to me.”
“And she, to me,” Dan added. “This fantasy we indulge in takes our bond to another level. It’s about pleasure. That’s all.”
“At the end of the day, I’m married to one man and my life couldn’t be better.”
Violet still had her doubts. But before she could respond, Tara stood and approached her. “Come with me,” she said softly, taking Violet’s hand. At her wide-eyed look, Tara chuckled and continued. “It’s fine. Let’s go have some girl-time.”
Violet stood and walked with Tara into the cabana, noticing a look pass between her and Dan. Max reassured his wife with a wink. Walking away, she heard Dan and Max start to engage in conversation, but couldn’t make out what was being said.
“Tara,” she started nervously. “I don’t think—”
“Yes you do. But maybe you think too much. Time to just feel.”
She continued to be led through the cabana and into the bedroom. The sliding glass door was open allowing the last of the evening light to filter into the room. Violet also noticed candles burning throughout the room. Tara stopped and turned to her. A knowing smile crossed her face.
“You’re angry. You like being in control. You don’t like that control being taken away.”
“Something like that,” Violet said, not wanting to sound petulant. “I don’t like to have decisions made for me. I—”
“Violet, I know exactly how you feel. I really do. Part of me resisted because it went against everything I was taught growing up.”
“And the other part?
“The other part wanted to experience something different, another level of sensuality. Being a dancer, I connected with my partners in a very intimate way, expressing feelings through motion. I guess you could say this was a natural progression for me. Dan and I are completely faithful in our love for one another. This,” she reached out to run her hand up
