Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience.
 
 Chapter 2

   She spent the rest of the weekend alone.  Ryan was studying and Katie
was spending time with Mike while he was in town.  She spoke only briefly
to Katie, just to let her know she had made it home OK the night before. 
She wondered how much she knew about what had happened.  Surely Marlin
would not have mentioned anything to anyone about making a pass on her
married friend.  If Katie knew anything she gave no indication.  Abbey
almost brought it up, to ask her what to do, but didn't want to cause her
any trouble with her boyfriend.

   By the time she saw Katie at work on Monday she was feeling better about
it all.  No one seemed to know anything had happened besides her, and she
would be sure to avoid running into Marlin in the future if she could help
it.  The only problem was that thoughts of Marlin kept creeping into her
consciousness, memories of him touching and kissing her; even a few
fantasies about things going farther.

   Later that week she met Katie for a drink after work.  They chatted
about nothing in particular for a while, getting near the bottom of their
bottle of wine before Katie brought up their last night out together.

   "So what did you think about Mike?"

   "He seems like a nice guy." Abbey replied after a pause, knowing as she
said it that it came out awkward.

   "Nice?" Katie replied, arching her eyebrows a little.

   "I don t mean it that way.  He seems like a great guy Katie.  I was just
surprised a little that he was black."

   "And that bothers you?"

   Abbey could see a hint of irritation on her friends face.  "No, for
goodness sake, not at all, it's just that where I grew up I never saw
anything like that.  You two seem great together.  I had a great time
getting to know him."

   "What did you think of Marlin?"

   Abbey paused, trying to read the look on Katie's face.  "He was fun, you
know, lots of interesting stories." She answered, trying to sound
nonchalant, but feeling herself blush a little.  She had always been bad at
bluffing.

   Katie smiled at this and said nothing, finishing her glass of wine.

   "What's that look for?" Abbey demanded, feeling a little irritated
herself now.

   "Nothing, just glad to see you test your boundaries a little.  Too bad
you're married, we could have some great double dates together.  You and
Marlin looked cute together."

   Abbey's mouth fell open but she sat there silently, not sure where the
conversation was going.

   "I'm just going to come right out and say it Abbey, Marlin told me what
happened the other night after I went to bed.  He feels bad about kissing
you like that, but said that you weren't exactly fighting him off that
night, if what he said happened on the couch at my place is true."

   "I had a lot to drink that night Katie, and I was just trying to be
friendly.  Nothing happened, I just got a little too comfortable around
him. I should have taken a separate cab home after he touched my leg,
but..."

   "I think you were a little bit lonely too.  It's OK.  I'm your friend,
you can trust me.  No one will know.  You have to have a little fun from
time to time.  It was just a kiss for Christ's sake."

   "I'm a married woman Katie, I can't be doing stupid shit like that.  I
have no idea what got into me that night to let it get that far."

   "But you had a good time with him, right?"

   "Yes." Abbey could feel color rushing to her face, feeling like she had
just confessed some terrible sin.

   "And have you thought about him since?"

   She squirmed a little in her seat, and then nodded yes.  In fact she had
thought of him quite a bit lately, usually when she was home alone at night
while Ryan was off studying somewhere.  She was attracted to Marlin,
whether she wanted to admit it or not.  "Marlin likes you Abbey, and he
wants to see you again.  He knows you're married and doesn't want to mess
with that.  He just travels too much to want a relationship with anyone and
only wants to have you be his date every now and then when he and Mike are
in town.  It doesn't have to be anything serious, just out with us for
dinner and drinks from time to time."

   "Katie I can't do that to Ryan."

   "You are too young and too pretty to sit alone every night.  You can let
yourself have a little fun from time to time.  You are going to look in the
mirror one day when you are older with a couple kids running around the
house and realize there are things you didn't try that you regret missing.
Marlin doesn't want to ruin your marriage, he just wants to see you when he
is in town."

   Abbey took a long drink from her wine glass before responding.  "Just
dinner and drinks?"

   "If that's all you want, then fine.  We can still have a nice time out
on the town together.  I think he wants more, and I sort of think you do
too, but that's up to you to decide."

   "I just don't know.  If Ryan found out he would die."

   "I wouldn't worry about that.  I don't think the med school crowd hangs
out at the places we usually go.  Besides, he has his nose so far in the
books I doubt he notices much else these days.  If he did you wouldn't be
talking to me about this."

   Abbey wanted to protest, but knew what she said was true.  "When is he
coming back?" She had made a decision, and something deep inside ached. 
Other feelings, intoxicating with their desire, began to stir as well.

   Katie smiled.  "He's back in town this weekend.  I take it you want to
join us?"

   "Yes.  Just make sure he doesn't get any ideas OK?"

   "He's a great guy Abbey, he won't make you do anything you don't want to
do.  We'll have a great time, I can't wait to call Marlin and let him
know."

   It was getting late, and they said their goodbyes and headed home. 
Abbey returned to find Ryan already asleep in bed, exhausted from a long
day in anatomy lab.  She lay next to him in bed, conflicted feelings
running through her head.  She loved her husband deeply, but knew she
wanted Marlin physically more than she had ever craved a man.  At one point
she resolved to tell Katie first thing the next morning that she wanted to
call it off, but bargained her way out of it.  She told herself it would
just be a dinner date, nothing more, and that wasn't really cheating after
all.

   ***

   By the time Saturday night rolled around Abbey was a nervous wreck.  She
had been having second thoughts about seeing Marlin again all day Friday.
She had even called Katie to cancel, but when her call went to voice mail
she backed off and hung up without leaving a message.

   To complicate matters her sexual frustration had worsened.  She had come
on to Ryan, dropping serious hints that she was horny when he got back from
class Friday evening.  She thought if they had sex then this silly fantasy
she had been having about Marlin would just go away.  To her great
consternation Ryan had not even noticed, mumbling something about his
molecular biology homework before sitting down on the couch with a book and
cup of coffee.  She had gone to bed hornier than she had ever been, and for
the first time in their short marriage feeling mad at her husband.

   Ryan had left for his study group on Saturday afternoon, and had
actually seemed relieved that she would be out with Katie that night.  She
had told him she would be staying over at her place since they would be out
so late.  He had another exam on Monday morning and was happy to have the
apartment to himself to study.  This infuriated her even more, it was as if
she was more a distraction to him than a wife now.  As he walked out the
door she thought to herself that she owed it to herself to have a great
time with Marlin tonight.

   Abbey was just finishing dressing when Katie called to say she was on
her way over to pick her up.  She hung up the phone and looked at herself
in the mirror.  She was happy with what she saw.  Her new short black skirt
and deep cut white lacy blouse highlighted all of her curves perfectly. 
Then her eye caught a panty line.  She lifted her skirt and slid off the
simple cotton panties she had originally chosen, and fished through her
lingerie drawer.  Her had closed on a black lace thong panty that she had
not worn since her honeymoon.  She slipped it on, loving the way the fabric
felt against her skin.  She had no intention of anyone but her seeing it,
but it made her feel sexy as hell to have it on.

   Abbey looked out the window and saw Katie pulling up in front of her
building.  She walked down and got in the passenger seat.  As she climbed
in her short skirt slid up her thigh, briefly exposing a flash of black
lace.  Katie laughed.  "Looks like someone's on the prowl tonight!"

   "It's not what you think Katie.  I just like this skirt."

   "Sure.  I'm sure Marlin will like it too."

   "Just drive OK?  You're reading way too much into this."

   Katie obliged, not bringing up the subject any more as they drove
towards downtown.  As they pulled up at the restaurant Abbey felt
butterflies in her stomach, sort of like she used to get on a first date.
How would Marlin react to seeing her again, especially dressed the way she
was.  She realized she didn't exactly look like someone who was just out
for a dinner with friends.  Marlin would certainly have every reason to
feel at liberty to push things farther with her tonight.

   Abbey followed Katie inside and met Marlin's gaze as soon as she
entered. He was sitting next to Mike at the bar watching a game, but his
eyes fixed on her as soon as he spotted her.  She could see something
different in his face this time, more intensity, more focus.  She noticed
his glance drop to her legs, a smile spreading on his face as he took in
her short skirt.



   Katie walked over to Mike and kissed him.  Abbey followed, not quite
sure what to expect from Marlin.  He made no attempt to kiss her but stood
and hugged her, pausing to whisper in her ear, "I'm glad you came.  It's
great to see you again"

   She simultaneously relieved and flustered that he had made no attempt to
kiss her, even on the cheek.  After all the build up to tonight she had
expected him to be a little more forward, had almost wanted him to.  She
thought she would enjoy being the impossible to have girl tonight, but now
thought that she had completely misread the situation.

   Dinner was fun, the four of them clicked like old friends.  Abbey still
felt a little like the new kid in town from time to time but in no way felt
left out.  She did notice Marlin watching her during breaks in the
conversation, clearly enjoying what he saw.  She wondered if and when he
would make a move, and wondered even more how she would react to it.  She
had told herself earlier that she wouldn't even let herself dance close
with him, but felt herself bargaining with her conscious that a dance, and
maybe even a kiss wouldn't be that bad.



   They walked down the block to a dance club where it appeared Mike and
Marlin knew everyone.  They walked past a long line to the VIP entrance and
led to a VIP area near the dance floor.  The music inside was loud, forcing
them to get close to each other to talk.  Katie said something that she
couldn't hear before walking with Mike onto the dance floor, leaving her
and Marlin alone for the first time that night.

   He started to talk, but the music was too loud for her to hear him.  She
moved in closer, feeling her breasts brush against his chest as she leaned
in to try to hear him.  "What did you say?"

   "I said you look great tonight.  If you are trying to drive me crazy
you've succeeded."

   "Thanks.  It's nice to have someone notice."

   They talked for a while watching Katie and Mike dance.  She noticed that
the club clientele was mostly black, with several white women but no white
men that she could see.  Every time she leaned in to listen to Marlin she
felt him press a little closer, and soon felt his hand rest on the small of
her back, gently pulling her in even more.  When she made no effort to pull
away his had slid lower, across the top of her skirt and onto her ass. 
This was taking things a little far, but before she could move away Katie
popped up beside them.

   "Come on you two.  Don't just stand here.  The music's great."

   They followed Katie onto the floor, and soon Abbey was pressed up
against Marlin, their hips gyrating together to the rhythm of the booming
hip hop.  She had been on the dance team in college, but had never danced
quite like this.  Ryan would have rather died than attempt this sort of
thing with her.  The dance floor was packed, and she tried to stay near
Katie, but soon found her and Marlin separated from their friends.  She
could feel heat flowing through her body from the crowd, the dancing, and
from being so close to Marlin.



   She didn't have to wonder about his intentions for long.  He wrapped his
arm around her slender waist and pulled her in close.  She was quite a bit
shorter than him, and felt a growing bulge in his pants press against her
belly.  She was startled at this and looked up to ask him to move back, but
before she could speak his lips pressed against hers.  She briefly resisted
his tongue, but something inside gave way, allowing him in her mouth.  They
kissed passionately as the sexual tension that had built between them
suddenly broke.

   Instead of pulling away she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling
him closer, savoring his taste and the feel of his tongue pressed against
hers.  His hands were on her ass again now, pulling her even tighter to
him, but she no longer wanted to move away.  Marlin was clearly enjoying
this, she could feel him growing more rigid, and she wondered what it would
feel like to touch him.  She knew she was losing control, but had no idea
how she could stop.  She glanced to the side, saw that no one could really
see what she was doing on the crowded dance floor, and started to drop her
hands towards his crotch.  'What the fuck am I doing?' She though.

   Once again it was Katie who broke the spell, sliding between two couples
and right next to her.  She had sweat on her brow and her lipstick had
smeared a little, clearly she and Mike had been having a good time.

   "Looks like you two are getting to know each other well." Katie shouted
over the din.  "I'm not sure if I can call it dancing, but it looks fun."



   Abbey could see Katie glancing down at her ass, where one of Marlin's
hands was still firmly seated.  She was startled that her friend had caught
her like this, and turned to the face her moving away from Marlin in the
process.  "The music's great, I guess we are just getting into it a
little." She replied, feeling herself blushing yet again.

   "Go to the girl's room with me.  I need to freshen up a little."

   Things had been moving fast, and Abbey was relieved to get a break to
compose her thoughts.  She turned to Marlin seeing a glimmer of
disappointment on his face, like he thought he was losing his shot.  "Be
back in a sec OK?"



   He smiled and nodded in response.  "Meet me at the bar."



   She turned and walked to the ladies room with Katie.  This was the
second time tonight she had cut in on her and Marlin, and she was beginning
to wonder if she was up to something.  When they were inside Katie turned
to face her.



   "I hope you know what you are getting into Abbey."



   "What do you mean?"



   "The way you two were making out, it's not hard to imagine where Marlin
thinks this is leading.  I just hope you're not being a cock tease.  I also
hope you know what it's going to do to your life if you fuck him."



   "Katie we were just dancing, and we kissed a little, I don't know why
you assume that means I want to have sex with him." Abbey felt herself
getting defensive.  The words she spoke felt hallow as she said them, and
the look on Katie's face showed she was unconvinced.



   "Look, I want you two to have fun.  Whatever you do with him will stay a
secret with me.  I thought the two of you would hit it off tonight but I
didn't expect it to move this fast.  I was going to talk to you about this
at some point next week, but I might not get a chance if I wait any
longer."



   "Talk to me about what?" She asked, almost pouting now.



   "It's just that this will change things forever for you.  Once you do
this once you will do it again.  You can never tell Ryan about this, no
matter how guilty you might feel about it down the road.  It will end
things with him for you and you know it.  Marlin will want to see you more,
and you will have to lie to your husband to be with him."



   The mention of her husband stung.  "You're assuming too many things,
Katie.  I know what I'm doing OK?"

   "OK, just be careful.  I don't want to see you get hurt."

   They finished freshening up and walked back out to the bar.  They guys
had drinks waiting for them, and Abbey drained hers rapidly.  The
conversation with Katie had worked her up and she needed to settle down. 
Mike bought them all another round, which she finished more slowly, finally
starting to feel normal again.  She grabbed Marlin and headed back onto the
dance floor, determined to put the issue behind her.

   The drinks threw what remained of her inhibitions away and she
practically threw herself at Marlin on the dance floor.  His hands were all
over her as they danced, feeling her breasts from time to time when she
would turn around and grind her ass against him.  The feel of his dick
against her was driving her nuts.

   Marlin took her by the hand and led her to a quieter part of the club.
"Let's go somewhere a little more comfortable OK?  Just the two of us. 
Mike can catch a ride with Katie and I will drop you off at her place later
tonight."

   Abbey assumed he was talking about going to another bar so they could
talk easier, and happily agreed.  She was enjoying the dancing but did not
want to wear herself out just dancing.  She walked over to say goodbye to
Katie, telling her they were going someplace a little quieter for a drink.
Katie gave her a spare key to the apartment.

   "Just let yourself in if you get there and I am already asleep.  And
remember what we talked about, OK?" Katie said as she walked away.  She
would indeed remember.  Over the next few days it would be all she would
think about.
   To Be Continued