Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience.
 
 The Sheridans were such a nice couple it was hard for Darren in subsequent
years to imagine how things turned out as they did.  But then with the way
things went, it didn't necessarily mean they were a bad couple.  That's how
much the experience screwed with his head.  There was a time he'd condemn
what happened as impure, to be forgiven only by God.  The Sheridans made
him more accepting.

   He and his wife, Eunjee, met them through his wife's job at the
university.  They were both young couples, with family plans in the future.
Charles Sheridan was an English teacher and Kim Sheridan taught philosophy.
They accepted Darren and Eunjee so easily, and they were good-looking, too.
Charles was rather tall; Kim was more medium height, with natural good
looks and a slim figure.  She was in her mid-30s, and her face bore that
slightly aged yet elegant and pretty look.  It was an older look without
the typical signs of aging.  It was a very fine line that Darren loved in
women.

   The chemistry between the couples and good looks on both sides made
their visits very pleasant.  One visit followed another.  Darren enjoyed
the moments he had alone with Kim; she was a good listener and had a
down-to-earth demeanor, with a sharp sense of humor.  He liked her tinkling
laugh and how she covered her mouth when she laughed at his jokes.  Now and
then, when the sex was scarce at his house, he'd stroke himself in the
shower and think of Kim.  His attraction was such that during those moments
when he and Kim laughed alone together, he never really noticed that his
wife was having a good time with Charles, too.

   It was an early spring day.  Unseasonably warm.  Darren and Eunjee were
at the Sheridan's house.  They had finished dinner and were enjoying drinks
on the back porch.  It had been a rather awkward evening, mostly because
the Sheridans seemed distracted.  They filled silences with meaningless
jibber jabber and exchanged looks.  Finally, on the back porch, Darren said
something.

   "What's going on here?" He said.  "You two have been acting a little
distant."

   Charles and Kim exchanged a look.  Kim nodded at Charles, and he
shrugged.

   "Now or never," Charles muttered, and Darren heard him.

   "Look," Charles said, "first things first, you two are a wonderful
couple.  We have had a great time getting to know you and we consider
ourselves lucky for doing so.  I hope it continues."

   "That's good," Darren said.  "For a minute it sounded like you were
breaking up with us."

   Laughs.  "No," Charles said, "in fact..."

   "In fact what?"

   "Well, I wanted to say that other part before this because I didn't know
how you'd react.  But it's been driving us wild and we're at the point
where we have to know how we're going to proceed, for good or bad."

   Darren frowned.  "I'm not following you, Charles."

   Charles sighed and slapped the arms of his chair.  "We'd like to take
this relationship to a new level."

   "Another step?" Darren said.  Immediately possibilities entered his
mind. Maybe they wanted to make each other godparents for their future
families.  Or maybe they wanted to live in a duplex together.  Who knew? 
Darren was all ears.

   "Yes," Kim said, and looked at him in such a way that he wondered if
Eunjee was upset about it.

   "Have you," Charles said, "ever heard of swingers?"

   Darren sat back in his chair.  "I think so."

   "No," Eunjee said.

   "Let me explain," Charles said, searching their eyes.  So far he saw
only confusion.  "Kim and I are rather...  open in our affection.  We're
wondering if you are, too."

   "Whoah," Darren said.

   "What?" Eunjee said.

   Kim cleared her throat.  "We're wondering if you'd like to be a little
more affectionate with each other.  A little exchange." She looked at
Darren, and a bolt went through his stomach.

   "Wait a minute," he said.  "Are you suggesting--"

   "What are they suggesting?" Eunjee said.

   "We'd like to be...  casual about each other," Charles said.  "If it
works out we'd like to do it again.  There, I said it.  If you hate us now,
so be it, but sweet Lord Almighty, you two are so great that you're driving
us wild here."

   Darren and Eunjee looked at each other.  Darren's jaw was slack.  Eunjee
was smiling in disbelief.

   "It can be nice," Kim said, rapidly.  "We've found that it spices up our
relationship very nicely.  And it takes our relationship with other couples
to a new level."

   "You've done this before?" Darren said incredulously.

   "Yes," Charles said.  "Two other times.  And we've only asked two other
couples.  We're very careful who we ask.  They need to be clean and of
course of the proper personality.  And I should say we're more excited
about the two of you than anyone."

   "What makes you think we--" Darren said, but was cut off by Eunjee's
hand, which grabbed his knee hard.

   "Why are you more excited?" Eunjee said, an odd smile on her face.

   "First, we're both charmed by you.  Myself, by Darren, and Charles, by
Eunjee," Kim said.  "And you're very good looking.  You keep in good
health. And Charles has always had a thing for Korean women."

   Eunjee laughed.  Darren looked around in disbelief.  For a second his
mind dashed to an image of himself in bed with Kim, but then his former
code of morals took over.

   "This is unbelieveable," he siad.  "Doesn't this kind of thing ruin
marriages?"

   "Not in our experience," Charles said.  He looked at Darren.  "Look, if
this is abhorrent to you, let's stop this conversation right now.  If you
can't look at us the same way, we understand.  We hope not, but we
understand."

   "I--"

   But again Darren was cut off by Eunjee.  "Let us think about it," she
said, drawing a shocked look from Darren.  "Give us a couple of days."

   "Of course," Charles said.

   The next few minutes passed so awkwardly that they got up to leave
before expected.  They got in the car and drove in silence for a few
minutes.

   "Nice save," Darren said, finally.  "They were so nice about it it was
hard to say no."

   Eunjee smiled at him.  "Maybe I haven't made up my mind yet.  Really."

   "Wha?  Are you serious?"

   "They're a nice couple!  And I've seen how you look at Kim.  This is an
opportunity for you."

   "Are you kidding?  I never thought--"

   "Think about it, Darren," Eunjee said.  "It's not cheating because we
both know about it.  Hell, we're both there.  And it could be a nice
experience."

   "I don't want to watch you banging Charles!"

   "They're not talking about sex," she said.

   "What the hell else are they talking about?"

   "Just being comfortable," she said.  "You know, cuddling and stuff.  It
doesn't have to be screaming sex.  I doubt that's what they mean."

   "Yeah, right," he said.

   "Anyway, I think we should do it," she said.  "It'll be a different kind
of relationship."

   "I need to know exactly what it entails," he said.  "Before I agree I
want to know."

   "Okay, so I guess you don't want sex," Eunjee said.  "So it'll be
cuddling during movies, holding hands, kissing on the mouth hello, and the
occasional make-out session."

   Darren pursed his lips.  "What's the point?"

   "The same reason you and I cuddle sometimes without going all the way.
To feel secure.  To feel loved."

   "You really think it can stay that innocent?"

   "I think so," she said.  "We'll just make the boundaries from the
start."

   "I'll think about it," he said.

   "I hope so," she said.  "They're so nice.  Wouldn't it be nice to have
them close to us?"

   Darren leaned back in bed and watched the road lines pass monotonously.
"I'll think about it," he said, again.  Eunjee smiled and snuggled in
close. That was codespeak for "Yes, I'll do it."

   **** ****

   It started wordlessly at their next meeting.  Eunjee kissed Charles
hello; Kim correspondingly kissed Darren.  Eunjee and Kim playfully acted
jealous.  Afterward, aside from the occasional pat and peck, things went as
they usually did.

   "It'll warm up," Charles said, as they left.  "It's awkward at first. 
We know."

   And it did warm up.  Kissing hello became routine, seating arrangements
got flexible.  Darren spotted his wife's hand upon Charles's knee.  When
they watched a movie that night, Eunjee pulled a blanket over herself and
Charles, and they cuddled close.

   Before they left, Kim pulled Darren aside.

   "Are you on board with this?" She said, her eyes angry, to his surprise.


   "Yeah, why?" he said.  "I didn't say a thing when Eunjee hung all over
Charles."

   "No you didn't," she said.  "But you didn't make a move toward me. 
Don't you like me?"

   "I like you.  I like you a lot," he said.

   "Then SHOW it," she said.

   He put a hand behind her head and pulled her to him.  They kissed.  When
he turned around he saw Eunjee waiting.  They said goodbye and drove home.

   "Quite a kiss you gave her," Eunjee said, finally.

   "YOu cuddled with him."

   "That's part of the deal."

   "So is kissing."

   "I just didn't think you'd be so eager about it," Eunjee said.

   "I wasn't eager," he said.  "I wasn't holding up my end of the deal."

   "Whatever."

   The next time Darren cuddled with Kim and Eunjee with Charles, on
separate couches.  It still struck Darren as incredibly odd, but Kim kept
his mind off that by rubbing his thighs.  Occasionally they kissed.  He saw
Eunjee doing the same.  Eventually he couldn't help himself from sprouting
an erection.  Kim saw it and raised her eyebrows slightly, gave him a
little smile and shot her eyes back to the movie.  Erections were not part
of the deal, she semed to say.  Darren wondered if Charles had an erection
too.  He saw Eunjee's hand moving slightly, rhythmically, under the blanket
as they watched the movie.  He wondered what she was doing.  Finally she
stopped, and it was a while before Charles got up from his seat.

   'So what's going on with you and Charles?" Darren said as they drove
home.

   "It's complicated," she said.

   "I know that.  I just don't want either of us to cross the line."

   "We won't."

   Darren was tired the next time they met.  They sat down to watch their
usual movie, in the new seating arrangement, and Kim must have been tired,
too, for no sooner had Darren put his arm around her than they fell asleep.


   He faded in and out of consciousness, the sleep irrepressible.  At one
point Eunjee and Charles were looking at them.  Next time he came around
they were kissing, with Eunjee's arm moving firmly under the blankets.  The
next time he thought their shoulders were bare, and she was kind of leaning
on him.  Finally, the last time, the entire couch had turned into a
writhing mass, with Charles's back to Darren, and a pair of olive legs
stuck out from the blanket and wrapped around his midsection.  He swayed up
and down in long strokes.

   But the next time Darren woke up they were alseep on the couch.  It must
have been a dream, he thought.  He looked at Kim.  She had something caught
in her eye.

   *** ***

   Darren was at work the next day when the phone rang.  It was Kim.

   "They broke the rules last night," she said.  "I thought I was dreaming
it but this morning I found her panties shoved in between the cushions."

   "That's a sure sign," he muttered.

   "What are we goiing to do about it?  It's gone too far!"

   "You think so?"

   "Well, they broke the rules!"

   "But is it too far?" He said.

   "I don't like seeing him get laid while I get nothing but a nice kiss
now and then!"

   "Well, let's change that," Darren said.

   "What do you mean?"

   "Is he home now?"

   "No."

   "Let me come over.  I can get away this afternoon."

   "Are you serious?"

   "Isn't this what swinging comes to, ultimately?  I mean, you can't get
close to someone like this and not."

   She paused on the phone.  "Come over in half an hour.  Let's do this on
the couch.  Right where they did it."

   Darren arrived exactly 30 minutes later.  Kim answered the door in her
bathrobe.

   "So," Kim said.  "You ready for me?"

   Darren smiled at her.  They sat down together.  Not sure what to do, he
put a hand on her leg.  She didn't move away.  She smiled at him and patted
his hand.

   "I've been..." Darren said, and paused.  "I've been thinking about you.
For a while.  Don't think this is just sympathy or getting even for me."

   "Me too," she said.  "Chemistry is rarely one-sided."

   Kim threw a leg around Darren's.  She looked like she was going to say
something, but then she simply leaned into him.  Tentatively at first, he
leaned back to her, they kissed lightly, finding each other's lips, and
then kissed more firmly.  She tasted good.  Her tongue flicked into his
mouth.

   "Oooo baby," she said.  "You're getting me started already?"

   "I was going to ask the same thing," he said.

   "You need a drink?" Kim asked, getting up suddenly.  Darren watched her
move across the kitchen, her ass swinging provocatively under her white
bathrobe.  She retrieved a pair of wine glasses and poured the drinks.  She
brought it back.  Darren swirled it, smelled it, just like the movie, and
took a sip.  Kim laughed and sipped to.  Her bare foot found his and rubbed
it.

   "You're beautiful, Kim," Darren said.  "Maybe...  maybe if this works,
we can make it a habit."

   Kim laughed and took another sip.  "Yes, but Charles would have wanted
to watch from the closet.  He's very fond of you."

   "I'll think about it."

   Kim chuckled.  "Of course," she said, and set down her glass, and took
Darren's.  She leaned in for another kiss, but this time she guided his
hand beneath her robe.  He felt her breast fill her hand perfectly.  Upon
his touch her nipple swelled hard under his palm.  As they kissed he
kneaded it gently.  Her breathing changed a bit.

   Upstairs, a low laugh.  More creaks.  "Come here," Kim said, taking his
hand.  "Lay down."

   He did, and she nestled next to him.  Instead of cuddling, however, her
hands began to tear away at his clothes.  She stripped him down to his
boxers -- with his help, of course -- and then her hand dove under his
boxers strap.  His penis raged to attention as she stroked it.

   "Nice, nice," she whispered to him as she pulled on him.  She reached
into the couch and pulled out a condom.  "Can you wear this?"

   "Of course."

   "Good, good," she whispered provocatively, and began to jerk his hard-on
vigorously.  At first he felt a deep itch, then it spread to his balls, and
up his shaft, and suddenly he exploded, his semen jet flying all over her
robe.  She laughed and dabbed some away from her face.

   "Well, that works," Kim said.

   "How about you?" Darren said.  "Do you work?"

   His hand slid down her naked hips to her thigh, around, and massaged her
inner thigh.  Then, when she moaned her assent, his fingers crawled up to
her vagina.  It was soaking.  She arched her back and thrust her hips into
his hand as he searched for her spot and rubbed around it.  In a short
moment Kim shuddered and gasped as she orgasmed.

   She clung to him close as her body calmed down.  "Oh baby" she said. 
"You really know how to do that, don't you?"

   "Eunjee loves it," he said.  "So I get a lot of practice."

   "Darren," she said.  "Stop talking about her.  Put on the condom."

   Fumbling with the wrapper, he managed to get it out, then rolled it over
his penis.  She pulled her bathrobe off her shoulders, exposing her perfect
breasts and slim figure.  Darren sucked in breath.  She laughed and grabbed
him by the balls, and drew him toward her.  Her knees parted before him.

   "Come on, Darren," she moaned.

   He poised himself between her legs, his cock dangling an inch above
Kim's pussy.

   "You're big," she whispered.

   Darren bent down over Kim and took a breast in his mouth.  At teh same
time he inched forward, and with an expert thrust of his hips his swollen
penis found its mark.  Kim let out a corresponding gasp.

   "Ohhnn!" She moaned.  'Do it again!"

   He did, and this time his penis caught hold of something.  Immediately
Kim reached a hand down and stroked his penis furiously.  Encouraged, he
surged forward and the head of his penis disappeared.  Then the first two
inches.  Three.  With each surge Kim's head flung back into the pillow, and
she dug her hands into his sides.  And then he was full inside her, his
cock being almost sucked into her tight pussy, or so it felt.  His hips
began to swivel like a little bell on a stick, and Kim clung to his
shoulders with one hand and played with his balls with the other.

   "OhhhHHHH Darren!" She moaned.  "FUCK yes!"

   "We can have a little fun of our own," he whispered.

   "Oh, YEAH," she said, banging her hips into his.  "I've been waiting for
this..."

   They continued like that for another minute, writhing and grabbing for
traction on the couch and each other.  Her feet would plant on his ass, her
knees bouncing, and then slip off with the thrusts.

   Just as he felt his penis begin to get ready to explode she pushed him
away gently.

   "Take it off," she said, motioning to his condom.  "I like it skin to
skin."

   Darren wasn't in position to question the decision.  He pulled it off
with a snap, and they both gasped as he sunk his penis into her free of the
sheath.  He felt his penis slip in to new, unfelt depths.

   "I can FEEL you," he moaned.

   "I can feel YOU," Kim said back, and locked her legs around his calves.
Their hips slapped together on the sagging couch.

   His hard-on throbbed wildly and she accomodated him quickly with her
sopping vagina., She watched his penis slip repeatedly under her furry
mound, and she took a thrill in knowing another man was screwing her on
Charle's couch.  As they sunk into the cushions, their hips grinding
together eagerly, each experiencedsomething new and thrilling.  His penis
slipped deeper and deeper until it couldn't go anymore.  Kim looked him in
the eyes lovingly and kissed him deeply.

   Her back arched off the rug so their chests brushed together, and he
grasped her ass, pulling it toward him.  His stiff dick tumbled and jerked
around inside her, then they settled down to a slow, long rhythm, partly to
avoid rug burn but also because it was what both liked.  He ran his fingers
through her hair, pulled it back gently so he could kiss her neck.  Her
hands ran up and down his back, clasped his ass.  Their legs wrapped and
locked together.

   'I LOVE it," he moaned.  "I love YOU."

   'And I love you," she whispered back.  "I really...  really...  DO..."

   Then they erupted together, in a flurry of orgasms and pulsing penis and
pussy.  Semen squirted out onto the floor, it came in such a gush.

   It was only after he withdrew from her that they noticed Charles and
Eunjee looking at them.  They had come in unnoticed.  Their faces were
troubled.

   "What?" Darren said.  "You did the same!  You didn't fool us!"

   "No," Charles said.  "We fucked.  You guys...  I don't know...  you made
LOVE.  My God, it was beautiful.  I don't know...  what to say."

   "I'm leaving you, Charles," Kim said, suddenly.  "Darren and I are
goiing away, and we're going to screw like that for the rest of our sexual
lives"

   Charles looked at her, and then a smile spread across his face.  Kim
smiled too.  They all began to laugh.
   "I love you all," Kim said, finally.