After sending the text message to Payne about the three-way, Jennifer thought she would be awake for the rest of the night, thinking about this new, taboo fantasy.
But she soon drifted off, thinking about having a three-way.
In her dream, the air was hazy, and Jennifer was on the beach with two other people. She couldn’t see their faces, but their toned and sun-kissed bodies intrigued her. They were both young; one had a male spirit, while the other radiated a feminine energy.
The two of them were exploring her naked body with their hands, taking turns kissing her. The male was forceful, the female playful and sweet. When Jennifer tried to touch them, she only felt air. And yet they were there. Warm. Supple. Sensual.
Kissing her deeply.
Fondling her breasts.
Stroking her pussy.
There was no end to the pleasure until it faded away.
Jennifer woke up in a cold sweat.
She remembered her date with Payne and everything else that had been happening for the past few days. What was she supposed to make of it all? Jennifer was confused.
She got out of bed to get some tea and think about what to do.
Jennifer was a full-time student. Naïve about life lessons and how to navigate them, but highly organized. So she made a list of the pros and cons of having sex with two people. Should she put together a PowerPoint presentation for Dr. Prentice to analyze?
She would get a kick out of that.
No joking about this. To make her decision, Jennifer old-schooled it and fished around for a pen and a legal pad.
She made her list.
Pro #1: Erica and Payne
A. Erica and Payne are both young, attractive, and intelligent people.
B. If I were ever to really consider this, they would be the perfect couple.
C. Payne and I already have chemistry.
D. I wouldn’t mind kissing Erica or lying beside her, exploring.
E. I don’t mind another woman. It would be weird if Payne were into guys, too.
Pro #2: The Reality of the Situation
A. Payne said I didn’t have to do anything I didn’t want to. I believe that.
B. Erica is world-traveled. Has she done this before? Probably.
C. Erica will make this as easy-going and pleasant as possible.
D. Erica and Payne have the same interests in sex. Payne and his porn a factor?
E. They will offer me fine wine. Edibles?
Pro #3: Besides the Fantasy, Why?
A. I will broaden my circle of friends.
B. Even if this doesn’t work out, I know I will still be friends with both of them.
C. Being friends with someone like Erica may open new doors for me.
D. I have so many fantasies. Get it out of my system?
E. I need a better support network. I have no emotional support in my life.
Cons:
A. I don’t know these people.
B. Payne is in therapy for sexual deviance.
C. Payne is a patient of Dr. Prentice. She can’t find out.
D. Will Payne talk about me in one of his sessions?
E. Will things get weird if I meet them?
F. Can I be with another woman?
What happens next?
A. Already texted Payne that I was interested. Waiting to hear back.
B. Meet Erica beforehand?
C. Wax, etc. NEW UNDERWEAR!
D. Read about how this works.
E. Tell no one.
With the pros and cons listed, there were many more positives than negatives. So Jennifer would wait for Payne to call. For some reason, this felt like a big step up for Jennifer. She assumed that marrying Garson was her way to climb the social ladder. But this opportunity came along instead.
Payne called Jennifer later that day.
“Hey, Jennifer, it’s Payne. Did I understand correctly? Are you thinking about this? You know what I’m talking about?”
“Hi, Payne. I thought it over, and I think I would like to come over some night.”
“Great. Did you want to talk about it first?”
“No, I’m good. I want to make it clear that I may leave as soon as I walk in the door, or I may stay to make new friends. I am not promising that anything else will happen. Is that understood? And I don’t need any hassles at work right now, so don’t think you can come into my office and make a scene.”
“No, that sounds fine. I’ll just be glad to see you. I thought maybe you could come over on Friday, at eight o’clock, and get to know Erica. I think you’ll really like her, as a friend, of course.”
“Sure. Give me the address.”
When Jennifer ended the call, she googled the address. It was an exclusive set of townhouses on the other side of Orchard Park where the city had been developing real estate for the past year.
Ugh, Foster Prentice.
If you were new to Orchard Park and had money, this is where you’d live.
“Well,” thought Jennifer, “that explains a lot.”
So Payne had not only managed to land a rich girl; she was also beautiful and adventurous.
“Good for him,” thought Jennifer, “and quite possibly good for me.”
Jennifer left her apartment at about seven thirty. It would take her a bit more time than half an hour to get over to the townhouses by eight. She suspected that Erica was the kind of person who expected her guests to arrive about fifteen minutes after they were supposed to, definitely not early, but definitely not more than half an hour late, so as not to keep her waiting.
Jennifer was right.
A few minutes after eight, Jennifer pulled up to the gates of Rawling Hill Manors, a subdivision of Rawling Hill Estates. These were made-up names, laughable even, but the residences were anything but imaginary. Jennifer never had to come out this way, so when the guard at the front entrance opened the gate, she paused a moment to gawk. Rawling Hill Estates was where the mansions were, but the townhomes were nothing short of exquisite and massive.
These mini-mansions may have been built in rows like regular townhouses, but these houses were out of Architectural Digest. They were built with a cream-colored limestone brick, with windows that rose from floor to ceiling.
The buildings seemed to look down on everything that came before them, and Jennifer’s car bumped a little on the wide cobblestone avenue, almost as if it was reminding her that she was about to be in the presence of something greater than herself.
The townhouses were three stories tall; the third stories were topped by dark slate mansard roofs with protruding dormer windows. Solid-looking limestone steps led past the basement level up to glossy-black front doors. The whole effect was terribly fashionable.
Jennifer parked her car in one of the spaces available outside of unit eleven and walked up the sidewalk that led to Erica’s townhouse.
She had no idea what to expect.
Jennifer rang the doorbell, and after a few moments, Payne answered the door.
He was wearing a designer t-shirt and dress pants. Chic. Expensive. On-trend.
Jennifer would have to get used to him looking like this. Jennifer wore a flirty, casual, short dress. Not a big deal. The only thing she had paid particular attention to this evening was her choice of underwear. She had spent the afternoon picking it out from a specialty store downtown.
Payne gave her a “Hey, beautiful, glad you could make it,” and a quick kiss before he showed her through the door. Jennifer had already decided not to ogle at everything once she got inside, but it was hard not to; the townhome was brilliantly decorated.
Erica appeared; she was an absolutely stunning-looking young woman.
She stood in the doorway of the great room with a warm smile.
Here eyes were a sparkly hazel.
Mesmerizing.
Deep.
All knowing.
She walked towards Jennifer and held out her hand. Jennifer reached out and took it graciously. Her hands were so delicate and her handshake so refined. Erica leaned in and gave Jennifer a peck on the cheek.
“You are as beautiful as Payne said you would be. Come, let’s go into the sitting room and have a glass of wine.”
Still holding Jennifer’s hand, Erica led her into a luxuriously appointed sitting room, over to a modern, posh sectional. They both sat down.
“Payne, would you get us some wine and then come and sit down so we can all get to know each other better?”
Payne disappeared. Jennifer was left alone with Erica for a few moments.
Erica looked deep into Jennifer’s eyes.
“I just wanted to say something up front so that I feel more comfortable,” Erica began. “Did Payne tell you the real reason he invited you over here tonight?”
Jennifer hesitated. She wasn’t used to this kind of candor.
“You mean the possibility of a three-way between us? Yes, he was very clear about that.”
“Good. Sometimes men leave out those kinds of details, hoping it will sort itself out. I didn’t want you to be here under false pretensions.”
“No, he was upfront.”
“And you came anyway? That’s wonderful. You are so delicious. Dishier than your picture.”
“Thank you. I must say, you are gorgeous. And I love your townhouse.”
“And why is someone who looks like you available on a Friday night? Let me guess, you left your boyfriend, and you realized you had lost touch with the world.”
“How did you know?”
“Jennifer, we’ve all been there. I know the feeling, and the look.”
Payne returned with the bottle of wine and some glasses. He poured the wine, and Erica proposed a toast.
“Here’s to new friends,” she said as they all three raised their glasses.
“So Jennifer,” Erica began the conversation, “You know Payne, and I’m sure he told you some things about me,” she said, “but what about you? I mean, why did you come tonight? I don’t mean to put you on the spot. But I’m curious. Tell us about yourself.”
“I don’t know what to say. I have been fantasizing a lot at work. We have so many sexual cases come through there. It got me thinking. And when Payne showed me your picture, and told me what you wanted, I thought—why not?”
Payne grinned, and Erica smiled back at him. They both smiled at Jennifer.
“Now I have a question for you, Erica,” Jennifer said. “Have you ever done this before?”
“With Payne, no. But when my boyfriend Jeremy left me back in Weybridge because I was a prude, I woke up. I’m part of the socially elite in London, and we are known for our indiscreet involvements. With the right social set, you can explore anything you like. So I did. So no, this is not my first time.”
“How does it work then?”
“Good question,” Erica took a sip of wine. “We sit here and drink until we feel cozy, and we trade lots of delicious double entendres until we are in the mood.”
“I'm at a loss as to what I should do,” thought Jennifer.
And yet here she was, sitting on a sofa, talking frankly to the woman whom she might be making love to that night. She had never met anyone like Erica.
This situation should make Jennifer uncomfortable, but Erica made it seem natural. Matter-of-fact. Attractive.
She was mesmerizing.
“You’ve finished your glass of wine, Jennifer,” said Erica. “Why don’t the three of us have another glass out on the back patio to relax?”
“I’d like that…and after that?” Jennifer was flirting.
“The bedroom, if you’d like.”
“I’d like that too.”
Erica smiled sweetly and led Jennifer out to the romantically lit patio.
Payne fetched a few more bottles of wine.