(This is a story about swinging and all the sex is consensual.)

Copyright 2003

The Cessna banked steeply. The pilot put the flaps into position and checked the mirror. Their heads were together again and he assumed they were gripping each other’s hands. He’d seen that kind of tension many times – especially as he prepared for the approach to the forest airstrips.

Yes, they were tense, but it wasn’t the flight. It was what Marcus described as their delicate situation.

It was simple enough, but unusual and not something they felt they could talk through with anyone else, least of all Kate and Geoff. They knew that Kate and Geoff had a swinging relationship with Ed and Laura and that Ed and Laura were invited for the weekend too. What they didn’t know, was whether this was to be a swinging weekend or not, and most of all, whether the other two couples intended them to take part.

Kate had simply said Ed and Laura were coming up to the lodge this weekend, there’d be no tourists, would they like to come too?

The pilot made a low pass over the airstrip to drive away a few cattle too close for comfort and circled back for the landing.

Marian recalled how she and Marcus had gone over and over the words of that apparently casual invitation and the way Kate had told them both, also seemingly casually, just a few weeks before about the swinging. Marcus had seemed genuinely calm about it and he was now the most convinced that there was more to the invitation than a restful weekend in the mountains. She squeezed his arm as the plane began the descent again and recalled the process they’d been through. They’d agreed first, that swinging was between the couples concerned and nobody else’s business. It was almost dismissive and the subject stayed dropped for a couple of days. Then she volunteered that it might be okay if the couples used condoms. At the end of the week, in bed, late at night as it happened, they talked over the fantasy of trying it themselves.

On the night of Kate’s invitation, they sat on the couch and without much discussion decided that, in the unlikely event that it was a swinging weekend, and they were asked to join in, they would. They made love right there, with passion. The next day the fantasies grew. Marian began to imagine herself with Ed and Geoff, sometimes together. Marcus was being just as imaginative about Kate and Laura. Their lovemaking became both more lustful and loving through the week as they explored the possibilities, the combinations and settings – always with the caution that their excitement might be entirely misplaced. The other couples were good friends, new friends, and great company, but they had to face the reality that company was probably all Kate had in mind. To assume more would be presumptuous and might ruin the whole weekend, possibly the friendships they valued. They would certainly wait to be invited.

Kate and Geoff were beside the runway as they landed. The hugs were warm. So was the laughter and there was no doubt that they were all excited at the prospect of being together in that remote place for the first time.

"Ed and Laura rang to say they’ll be late," said Geoff as he put their bags on to the tray of the double cab pickup. "Should be here by mid-afternoon."

As they drove past the lake, both Marian and Marcus were relaxing. The swinging idea had been an energizing fantasy, but it seemed now to be obvious that this was to be a weekend of conventional friendship and hospitality. They could enjoy that, especially here.

When Geoff showed them their room there were no hints about the bed or how they might exploit the privacy. It wasn’t hard to imagine him as the perfect professional host for the wealthy tourists. They loved the luxury of the room and the view of the lake and forest from the south window.

Kate provided lunch in the managers’ quarters. Naturally, as Marcus watched her he had thoughts of what might have been. It occurred to him that Kate was not someone you would pick out in a crowd as unusual, though she was certainly good looking and her trim figure added to the appeal. He liked her confidence and grace. But the secret she had shared with him and Marian made her fascinating. Just the thought of her being adventurously sexual, added a wisp of excitement to her every move. Marian was watching Geoff too.

They’d chosen to spend the afternoon exploring the grounds and sitting in the shade but Geoff mentioned that he had to change a filter for the water supply. It was a half hour walk or fifteen minutes by horse. It became an invitation and they were both keen to go.

It took a surprisingly long time to saddle each horse for such a short trip, and by the time Geoff had two ready, Marcus surprised them both. "Thanks but I’ve changed my mind. I think I’ll leave you to it."

Geoff seemed to Marian to be totally relaxed, and at times she was too. Occasionally, they were side-by-side and chatted away about tourists and horse riding. He was obviously pleased to have her along. She enjoyed his enthusiasm for the life that he and Kate had chosen. Sometimes the fantasy would intrude again and she would be absorbed in it while he led the way.

"There’s a pipe running along the edge of the lake but we have to take drinking water from up where the river comes in. I have a couple of filters and it’s probably easier to change them over than to repair one there."

She didn’t care about the practicality, but she loved the warmth of his baritone voice.

Marcus had been wandering around the edge of the lake for only a few minutes before it suddenly struck him that his wife was heading off into the forest alone with a swinger. More than that, they had agreed that if swinging was on the agenda they’d say yes. His stomach surged. Pictures of them naked, enjoying each other, raced through his mind. It was frightening and intensely arousing at the same time.

Kate crossed the lawn towards him.

"Everything okay?"

"Yes, I decided not to go. I didn’t realise how much trouble we were putting Geoff to. Marian’s the one who’s really into horse riding. I’m enjoying this though." He pointed vaguely at the view. They walked on with no sense of purpose. He was pleased she’d seen him. He enjoyed women’s company and Kate was usually very easy to talk to. He found himself admiring her small breasts, her eyes, the way the thin dress clung to her. Thoughts of Marian with Geoff washed over him. She touched his arm to point out some special trees in the distance and a charge surged through his whole body.

Marian and Geoff had reached the head of the lake. He removed the bag from the saddle. "It’s down the bank a bit. Come down if you like but you might prefer to sit in the sun."

She sat there, wondering whether Kate had said anything yet to Marcus about their intentions. She wanted it clarified. Not knowing was gnawing at her. She even imagined, once again, Marcus and Kate together. It was too much. She needed company. The path took her to the pool where she found Geoff in his underpants and shirt, calf-deep and concentrating on the bolt that held the band around the pipe.

"Need a hand?"

"Yes, please. If you get the other spanner from the bag and hold the bolt still you could save us a lot of time."

She waded in without removing her shorts. The water was surprisingly warm. They had the old filter off within a minute and those seconds with their bodies cooperating and so close raised her tension. His shirt was open and his arms bulged as he slid the new filter into place. It was surprisingly intimate and she wanted to hug him again.

They climbed back to the horses in silence. There was only one thing on her mind, "Why doesn’t he say something?" He dried his legs with his jeans and put them on. She was about to mount her horse when she sensed him turn and he asked, "Have you and Marcus talked about playing with us this weekend?"

Her foot fell out of the stirrup. She felt dazed.

"Sorry?"

"Playing with us this weekend. Swinging."

Her calm was an act. "Oh yes. We’ve talked about it"

"We hoped you would want to – with all of us."

"Six of us?"

"Yes. Don’t feel under any pressure. Whatever you do, enjoy the weekend."

He’d turned to tie the bag back on the saddle. She needed desperately to answer him, to say, "Yes, we want to. It’s all we’ve thought about since you invited us here", but nothing came out. He had asked her now; so she couldn’t just leave it in the air. Then she did all she could think of. She slipped off her blouse, and as she whispered "Geoff" undid her bra and walked towards him. He smiled, held both her hands and gazed admiringly at her bared breasts. "They’re beautiful. Absolutely beautiful."

She brought his hands up. He accepted her invitation and their eyes met for the first time since his question. His hands were cool from the water but it wasn’t the only reason her nipples were so hard. She was proud of her breasts; but relieved at his open admiration.

She found herself saying, "We’ve talked about it - the possibility I mean. I think we’d like to, but it depends what you have in mind."

Marcus and Kate were continuing their aimless walk. There was a pause in the conversation and he’d been waiting for it.

He was looking down as he asked, "What attracted you into swinging?" He thought it might help her to clear the air. She stopped. "I could talk about that but it depends on why you are asking." He felt suddenly drained. "I’d be happy to tell you about swinging if you are ‘in the club’ –if you know what I mean." She smiled slightly and waited.

"We’re keen, we’re both keen to do it," he said quietly.

"With us?"

"Yes, and Ed and Laura. Is that what you had in mind?"

She pulled him towards her and they wrapped their arms around each other. "Yes, Laura and I find you incredibly sexy and," she laughed. "We think we’d all make wonderful playmates."

"So that wasn’t just a slip of the tongue in town?"

"About being swingers. No certainly not. I wouldn’t do that. You both seemed reasonably relaxed about it, so this was the next step."

He was excited, terrified and relieved.

Marian was beside Geoff as they rode into a clearing. He was taking her the long way back for a better view of the lake. She stopped her horse and he looked back as she asked, "What would have happened if we had said we didn’t want to, you know, play?"

"I like to think that it wouldn’t have made any difference to our friendship. Till now it’s only been Ed and Laura and us, but we have lots of friends who don’t swing."

"Do they know?"

"No. You’re the only others we’ve told."

"Why us?"

"It’s partly the physical attraction thing. But we know couples we wouldn’t consider asking – either they’d be doing it for the wrong reasons, or it’s just so far out of their values it would be a disaster to suggest it."

She nodded. "I have to ask this. Is it an orgy you have in mind tonight?" Her voice betrayed her tension.

"We don’t think of it that way but we do like playing together in the same room." He rode on a few steps and turned back to her. "Everything’s up for discussion, but the four of us have talked about how much we’d enjoy having you and Marcus join us tonight."

"Is it like, soft swinging, or do you swap partners?’

"We swap partners quite a bit, but you should do what you’re both comfortable with."

She knew Marcus would be excited, but just said, ambiguously, "Okay". She thought for a moment and added, "We’ve decided we want to swap too".

He touched her arm and smiled. "We usually get together mid-evening and stop when the first one has had enough. In the morning we just take things as they come. Clothes are optional. We sometimes pair off during the day but we’ve agreed not to have closed doors - or secret meetings at any time, obviously. Unless it’s a husband/wife thing, no one’s excluded. By the way this afternoon is for friendship."

She felt slightly regretful about sharing her breasts with him so early, but simply said, "Sounds sensible. I’ll tell Marcus."

Marcus was under a large oak at the back of the lodge and Kate was balancing two glasses of wine with ease as she approached. He would have chosen a beer but he was far more concerned about the conversation to follow. His mind was racing at the thought of being naked with her; then to realize that Laura and his own wife would be there too, made it difficult to sit still. He wanted to run, lift something, climb a hill. She wanted to sit. He was thinking, "Please let’s talk some more about swinging. Anything else is just avoiding it." She sat, turning her legs modestly away from him and handed him a glass. "Sorry, I should have offered you a Budweiser."

"This’ll be fine. Thanks." She tossed her long blonde hair back over her shoulders. He could hear his heart. He realised that she didn’t wear make up. He hadn’t noticed that before.

"I got into swinging because my husband wanted to and I was curious."

"Oh."

"You look disappointed."

"It doesn’t seem much of a reason."

"Ask me why I keep doing it."

"Okay, why do you?"

"Because I feel liberated. Because I love the closeness and all the attention and the excitement."

"Did it start with Ed and Laura?" He knew she might clam up but it was worth the risk.

"No. I’ll tell you what happened if you like." He nodded. "It was about five years ago and in a different part of the country. We’d talked about it often, fantasized about it for months. Then Geoff found a swinging couple on the Internet. We started a low-key discussion and they invited us to a swingers’ club party. Well, we went."

"What was it like?"

"On the face of it, amazingly ordinary. Like pre-drinks in a restaurant. Some people started to take a few things off - just a few bras showing, that sort of thing and I was thinking, ‘This is it’. I was incredibly nervous. But we got talking to a couple about our age and they introduced some more people who came to the same table. They were fun to talk to and they certainly talked a lot. Half an hour later we were all still fully dressed. Then I realised that nothing much seemed to be happening in the background. Geoff and I kept glancing away to check and one of the couples explained to us that almost everything happened in the back rooms or at members’ homes. "Would we like to join them at their place?"

"Did you?"

"Well, we drove around for about half an hour, talking about twice normal speed, ‘Would we or wouldn’t we?’ Geoff was keen but he didn’t want to pressure me. I was curious, really curious and excited and they all seemed like nice people but I wanted him to decide. And he eventually said, "Let’s do it".

"We arrived and the woman who’d invited us greeted us at the door in a short dressing gown – holding it loosely in the front. She was obviously wearing nothing else.

"She said to come in. ‘They’re down the hall to the right’. She had a really educated accent. If she’d been dressed the way she had at the club you might have thought we were there to play bridge or discuss literature. I couldn’t believe it was happening."

Marcus knew the feeling. Who would have thought even an hour ago that the demure Kate would be sitting there telling him this? He wanted more, naturally, and sensed that the story was only partly to explain her perspective on what was now a lifestyle they shared. He felt close to her. Privileged really.

"We found them in the main bedroom on the biggest bed I’ve ever seen. There were three other couples from the table at the club. The hostess followed us in carrying a bowl with some slips of paper in it. Everyone on the bed was naked and they were playing very happily together. They all looked up and smiled. Then the hostess picked a slip of paper out of the bowl and read it out. It was, ‘Josie wants a G spot climax’, or something like that and one of the men moved over to give her what she’d asked for."

Marcus was firming up. He didn’t bother to hide it now that it was so obvious what the story was intended to do.

"The hostess told us to relax, join in, our just watch if we wanted. Geoff was straining in his jeans so I started to undo his belt and the moment she saw that I wanted her to do it she moved in and I sat down.

"She obviously sensed what it’s like for a man the first time, after all that waiting. She just found a space on the bed, lay back and helped him in. He loved it and I thought it was fun watching.

"Did you feel any jealousy or anything?"

"No. It surprised me a bit really but it was what I wanted for him and I could have joined in but I was confused about my own feelings. I was enjoying watching seven naked people being so sexual together." She smiled. "You don’t see that every day. I liked their gentleness with each other too. I saw two couples working away, all very intense and sweaty, then the women came and it seemed to happen a few times, then they’d stop separate, smile and say, ‘Thanks, that was great.’ Then they’d have a hug and change partners. "

"Did you join in?" He was desperate to know. She seemed in no hurry to say.

"The woman who was playing so intimately with my ecstatic husband stopped him for a moment and reached for the bowl. He was still inside her. And she read out ‘Linda’s turn’, I’m not using their real names of course, ‘Linda wants someone to pleasure himself in front of her’. It took my breath away. It’s top of my own list of turn-ons." She smiled slightly to reinforce the message. He couldn’t take his eyes away from hers and almost dropped the wine glass as she continued.

"So there I was, sitting in a soft chair fully clothed, with my husband and this very refined hostess sweating it out missionary style and one of the men I’d enjoyed talking to at the club slipped off his condom and stroked himself in front of Linda. They very quickly realised the effect it was having on me. I couldn’t take my eyes off him. My heart was going as if I’d run a city block. He was very intense, you know, stroking it, watching her, glancing at me, stroking it full length, looking as if he’d come at any moment, but he didn’t. Quite a show. She was pleasuring herself, mesmerised, coming again and again. Then she turned and mimed to me, ‘Join us’. It took another five minutes, but there I was, lying next to the hostess and my friend from the club slips on a new condom and I take him deep inside me. I remember reaching up to touch Geoff, to rub my hand on his leg. That moment together in the middle of that amazing new experience is something I’ll always remember. Now we were swingers and loving it. I decided then that I’m never going to let anyone else limit how I enjoy being a woman. It was wonderfully liberating.

"But we never saw those people again. Geoff got another job and the consulting work I was doing then made it reasonably easy to move cities. We met Ed and Laura about six months later and got into swinging with them on the occasional weekend in the country. We usually set aside times for it so that it’s special and we have plenty of ordinary friendship time as well. Ed’s pilot licence makes it easy for us now that we’re at the Lodge, and we have the place to ourselves like this for a few days a month.’ She put her warm hand on his bare knee and slid it under his shorts a couple of inches. "We’re really close and hope it’ll be the same with you and Marian." The phone rang and as she got up she added with an impish smile, "You’re very hard. It’s nice".

She returned within a minute. "Ed and Laura are just a over the hill." He could just hear the drone of the aircraft. It was excellent timing. Geoff and Marian were back. Marian put her arm around Marcus and asked quietly, "Have you sorted things out too?"

"Yes."

Kate hugged her. "I’ve told Ed and Laura the answer’s yes. I hope that was okay."

"Sure."

Laura waved as they landed. She was out the door within seconds of the propeller stopping. She hurried across the grassy airstrip and wrapped her arms joyously around each one of them, for much longer than ordinary friends might. Ed secured the little plane and as he strode across to meet them Marian decided that the flying gave him a new air of confidence but he still looked more like the potter he was, than the uniformed professional who had dropped her and Marcus off a few hours before. She felt his long curls against her as he kissed her on the cheek and held her for almost as long as Laura had. She had always enjoyed his warmth for her. Now it seemed very special.

By 7.30 they were finishing their barbecue on the front lawn and Laura held her hand up to shade her eyes from the setting sun as she asked, "What’s everyone want to do tonight?"

Geoff’s reply was almost a question to Marcus and Marian, certainly he was checking with them in particular. "Here’s a suggestion. How about we go to our rooms at say, eight thirty and meet outside the guests’ lounge at exactly nine. Let’s wear just the bathrobes from the rooms. I’ll have some music on the cd…Then how about we all go in together while the music’s playing and take off the robes the moment the track ends? Then we can get into some play time."

"Sounds like fun", said Kate.

"Beats a slow strip," said Laura. "I remember that with Geoff," she whispered to Marian. "I think I was more nervous about taking everything off in front of him for the first time than what we were about to do."

"And tomorrow?" asked Geoff.

Ed offered a flight over the forests and lakes before lunch and everyone was enthusiastic. The rest of the day would be clothes-optional like last time and they all nodded as Geoff said, "And now that there are six of us, let’s be extra careful that no one ever feels excluded. Speak up if you do feel left out."

Laura took Marcus away to show him something on the web. She sat back in the swivel chair as if she didn’t need to concentrate on the screen. He stood beside her and gazed at her breasts-only half covered by her bikini bra. They were about the same size as Marian’s and looked just as firm. Like Kate, her hair this weekend was unrestrained, but Laura’s was almost black. "There", she said without looking up at him and he wasn’t surprised to find that it was a swingers’ site. She brought up an FAQ that answered the obvious questions for first-timers. If she’d asked him to read it on the screen he would have told her they’d already seen it, but she printed it off for him and urged him to talk it over with Marian.

"Have a look at this", she added. Up came a picture of two naked couples totally absorbed in the pleasures of sex. She left it there. "Like it?" This time she did look up. He nodded. "That’s us in about an hour." She put her arm around him and squeezed gently.

"We haven’t talked about tomorrow, except for the plane ride and the clothes," he said placing his arm lightly around her shoulders.

"It’s whatever comes to mind. Last time we just sat around and talked most of the time though we quite often have sex while we’re talking, just slow and casual really. And we did re-discover the joys of outdoor sex. Ed and Kate went for a walk, with a rug and they got quite carried away in the long grass at the back. Said it was a real workout. They came back a bit sunburnt and Ed was exhausted, poor dear." She was laughing. "We had to get him to lie down for a bit. Kate wasn’t much better.

"Geoff and I went to the little lawn at the bottom of the rock path, mostly because it’s shady there. He brought out one of those dark red bed covers from a room and laid it on the grass. It was soft and satiny and I just loved the feel of it on my hands and arms, and the warm breeze around me – incredibly arousing. I thought I’d tell you because it’s something I’d like to do tomorrow. Kate and Ed want to do the outdoor thing again too and, as we say, ‘anyone can join in’. By the way," she added, speaking as if only the next part were confidential, "reserve a bit of energy for when you get back to your room tonight and when you wake up in the morning. You and Marian will have the most incredible lovemaking ever. Happens every time. Promise."

He didn’t know what to say, so her drew her close and kissed her head. The naked playmates were still frozen in their moment of joy.

As Geoff, Kate and Ed chatted with her, it occurred to Marian that it would have been easy for the men, particularly, to spoil the atmosphere. She was vulnerable. They knew her secret desire. She’d even invited them to help her act out her outrageous fantasy; even shown her breasts to Geoff. Crude or insensitive remarks, even innuendo, would have offended her that night, but there was nothing like that. They behaved as close friends and the men were especially courteous and attentive. They talked about swimming, friendships, cars, school days, college pranks, football and occasionally and briefly, swinging. Marian glanced at her watch a few times as the hour progressed. They noticed, but obviously thought the best way to help her through her nervousness was to ignore it and keep her talking.

Kate moved beside her and put her arm through Marian’s. She relaxed a little and noticed that Ed, and then Geoff too, began to glance down at her breasts a little more often. She decided it was flirtatious, and only fair because she’d chosen the low cut top specially, and anyway, her own mind was in high gear with pictures of them undressing, then naked, then massaging her, then taking turns coupling with her. She took a large breath as the realisation struck her that her so- familiar fantasy was about to be overtaken.

Kate found an excuse to take her into the kitchen and gave her a hug. "Nervous?"

"Yes. Very. But I haven’t changed my mind."

"I was like that. Even with Ed, I worried about my imperfections and I really wanted it to go well, so I was nervous about that too. But these are really gentle and supportive guys and I know they’re excited about being with you. You set the pace and if you don’t like something they’re doing just say so. And if you don’t feel like joining something in at any stage, don’t feel you have to explain yourself. Tell Marcus too."

Perhaps naively, she’d assumed all that, but it was reassuring to hear her say it.

"I’d be surprised if you don’t love the attention and all the sexy feelings, first time. Laura and I adore seeing them so hard for us, stroking themselves, feeling them coming into us. All that male nakedness and the touching is just so lovely. I get tingly just thinking about it." She half-pointed to the stairs. "Why not go up with Marcus early? There’s no reason to be waiting here for the last few minutes to tick over. It’s easy for us."

"Thanks." She was relieved. So was Marcus. The conversation with Laura had helped, but he had been glancing at the time too.

In the bedroom they cuddled briefly but didn’t speak. Marian sat to brush her hair. It surprised him because he had assumed she would want to shower first. He put his hands over her shoulders and she put the brush down as he slid them down the front of the dress and held her breasts.

She looked up at his mirror image. "Are you as hyped up as I am?"

"Probably."

"Want to do something?"

"I’m desperate to."

Within seconds they were on the bed and naked. She drew his hand to her and he stroked her while she writhed silently, looking up at him. She came undramatically, paused for a couple of minutes, then reached up and he entered her with ease.

After a few moments she whispered, "I don’t know how to say this."

"What?"

"Try not to come – not inside me, not this time."

She felt him stiffen as he realised why she’d asked. They held each other and he remained still.

"Looking forward to doing it with Kate and Laura?"

"Yes." He stroked her a couple of times.

"Are Geoff and Ed sexy enough for you?" She said nothing but held him even closer and thrust her hips towards him.

At 15 minutes to nine, he withdrew from her, still hard. They showered together, cuddling regularly, laughing, massaging. He kissed her neck and held her breasts again as the warm water ran down her front.

At two minutes to nine they wrapped each other’s naked bodies in the white robes and, with their fingers entwined, tip-toed down to meet the others.

Almost immediately, the solid doors to the guests’ lounge opened. They heard the music, smelled the incense, praised the low lighting, and the doors closed behind them all.

Seconds later, the music stopped.

Want to know what happened next? See Chapter 3.