Across That Line

# #

Early December—

"Okay..." Brad sighed as he turned off the ignition. He'd selected a parking place far from entrance to "the Green Door." He wasn't ready for this, he didn't want to do it, but hewas going to do it. He'd promised

"We're okay with the rules?" he asked Ashley while staring straight ahead. "And we're not going to do anything tonight...no making out, no playing with body parts...and no sex...this is just to scout things out and get comfortable, right?"

"Absolutely," Ashley said quickly, doing her best to reassure her husband. She'd sensed a withdrawal in Brad as the week had wound down. Brad was clearly dreading tonight's first visit to the club and she needed to be as understanding and supportive as possible.

"You've got the "safe" word, right?" she asked. "Either one of us begins to feel uncomfortable or pressured...all we have to do is say it and we both get up and leave...no ifs, ands, or buts about it, honey." She smiled reassuringly at Brad when he glanced worriedly at her.

An hour later, Brad was beginning to relax. Ashley hadn't left his side the whole time while they'd walked hand-in-hand around on a tour of the place. Even when she had to go, she'd made him escort her to the restroom's outer door and wait for her. When he had to, she waited nearby for him to come out. When he popped out, she was alone and smiling sweetly at him.

They found a table near a small dance floor and ordered drinks. Brad had a diet coke with a squeeze of lemon because he was driving. Ashley asked for a white wine...the house wine was good enough.

Brad watched the dancers carefully. The women were dressed more sexily than he'd seen in the city's nightclubs...no doubt about it. They danced with each other, touching, kissing, and openly fondling the men they were with, and other women too. More than a few breasts were brazenly exposed, more than one hand dove beneath a skirt to explore what lay concealed there.

"Hi, I don't think we've met y'all," said a woman's voice to Brad's left rear. He turned to find a tall man with thinning hair and an attractive, thirty-something woman smiling at him. Where the slender man's hair was receding and turning gray, the woman's was coal black and cut short around the head. She was in a blue mini-dress with the hem somewhere above the midpoint of her thigh. She was short, but the five-inch heels she wore saved her.

"I'm sorry," Brad said apologizing and rising automatically. Good manners were something ingrained in his soul. "I'm Brad...this is Ashley," he said, introducing himself and his wife.

"How are you?" Ashley asked the couple, pleased someone had come over to introduce themselves. She knew the members in some clubs were more than a little clannish and tended to exclude newcomers at first.

"We're fine," the man replied. "I'm Jerry...and my beautiful wife Sheila," he added. They shook hands all around and then there was a tiny break.

"Oh!" Brad exclaimed. "What am I thinking? Please, we'd like for you to join us...if you have a moment?" It had been one of his and Ashley's goals for tonight...talk with some of the club members to get a feel for the place.

Jerry and Shelia accepted and each took a seat at the small table. Instead of sitting together though, they separated. Automatically...knowing the protocol in these places from the old days, Ashley slipped out of her seat and Shelia sat down. Jerry held out a chair for Ashley near one he would claim as his. She smiled brightly up at him.

"So...do you guys come here often," Sheila asked Brad. She included Ashley in the question only at the last moment by glancing her way.

"Nope...first time," Brad admitted in a voice too hearty and louder than he'd wanted it to be. "Me and Ashley are just getting into this," he told the couple, deciding to plow on rather than stop to admit embarrassment and confusion. "And...I think we need to be up front with you, we're not going to be...uh...playing tonight. We're here to get ourselvesacclimated, so to speak."

"Well...don't you worry about that," Sheila commented and stroked Brad's arm protectively. "Jerry and me will take good care of you," she said protectively.

"Have you and Jerry been in the lifestyle long?" Ashley asked hurriedly. Brad didnot like being patronized and Ashley had caught the momentary tightening of his jaw.

"For six years, now," Jerry answered for his wife. "We love it...I don't think I've ever seen Sheila so happy as she's been these past few years," he added.

"And you?" Brad asked curiously.

"Eh?" Jerry replied.

"Have you been happy these past six years?" Brad explained.

Jerry looked at him blankly for a moment. "Well, sure...I mean, it takes a little getting used to," he added hastily. "Sometimes we have to talk things over to get by some...tough spots...but we've learned, haven't we sweetheart?" he appealed to his wife.

Brad had the impression Sheila talkedat Jerry to get them through some tough spots, but perhaps that was unfair. He had no evidence one way or the other.

"Yeah," Brad remarked casually, "we're going to make sure wenever stop communicating, aren't we, love?" he asked Ashley directly.

"Yep," Ashley said smiling. She turned to Sheila. "You have to, don't you think?" Sheila nodded after a brief hesitation.

They talked for over an hour. Jerry was restless and got up twice to get himself a drink from the bar. None of the others had more than one, and Brad was still limiting himself to a soda every now and then. Sheila took command of the conversation, guiding it always into something of a sexual nature. The more she talked, the more her chair seemed to levitate into Brad's space. Brad never saw her actually scoot it closer...it just happened.

"Sugar," Sheila murmured softly into Brad's ear. She was leaning far to her left and making as much body contact with Brad as she could. "You're so...tense, big fella...you need to relax and go with the flow, okay?"

Brad had to tear his eyes off the dance floor. A girl had stepped out of the dimness, naked except for high stiletto heels, a garter belt and sheer black stockings. She was dancing alone, but she wouldn't be by herself for long. There was a stir in the room; people were moving around purposefully.

"What?" Brad asked in confusion. "I'm sorry, I missed that," he apologized.

Sheila glanced at the dance floor and pursed her lips in a momentary disapproval.

"They reallyshould be in the back rooms," she said dismissively. "It's not against the rules for the front room...but...really..." She turned back to Brad.

"What Isaid, stud" she said, returning to her topic, "is you need to loosen up...and let things happen naturally, know what I mean?" she added. She leaned in closer.

"Everyone says I give the most fantastic blowjobs in the world," she breathed into his ear. "That's just what you need, darlin' man," she said seductively.

She reached for his zipper. Brad barely caught her wrist before she would have yanked it down.

"No...thanks, Sheila," Brad said, hoping his tone was polite enough. "Ashley and I agreed we wouldn't be going that far this evening," he added. According to the rules, that would end this embarrassing episode. He hoped Sheila and Jerry understood. They should, he thought.

Sheila slipped off her chair and moved around behind Brad's. Once there, she leaned over to let the deep scoop neck of her dress gap open. Showing him her titties was only the first step though. After giving him a nice long look, she straddled his knees and tried to pull Brad's face into her breasts. Brad leaned back to avoid her. Giving him a little pout, she changed tactics and dropped to her knees in front of her intended target.

"No...Sheila...I told you..." Brad began. Sheila's hands were working up from his knees to his crotch when he caught them in both of his.

"Go ahead, honey," Brad heard Ashley say. "I won't mind...really."

Brad's eyes snapped to the side where he saw Jerry's right hand had established itself on Ashley's left thigh. Jerry was stroking the inside of her thigh, gradually working higher as he watched his wife initiating oral sex with Brad.

"No," Brad said firmly. "Ashley...we're going to have to go check on the babysitter," he said forcefully. Holding Sheila's shoulders in his hands, he pushed his chair back and stood.

Ashley froze at Brad's reference to the babysitter. Using that word in any context meant the evening was over. She flushed bright red. She was just beginning to feel like the swinger she'd once been...and now Brad was calling a halt to everything.

Ashley got to her feet reluctantly and mumbled some excuses no one heard, and wouldn't have believed if they had. Sheila was only beginning to scramble to her feet when Ashley turned and walked quickly after her husband. She had a feeling he wasn't going to wait for her very long if she delayed any at all.

# #

"Bradley,what is wrong?" she asked when they got home. He'd refused to say a word in the car on the way. "I don't understand...you got offered a blowjob by that Sheila woman and that's all. What did youthink happens in that club?

Ashley was beginning to get mad. She wasn't the most patient of women and it seemed every time they moved forward a little, something happened in her husband's tiny little brain to ruin it.

Brad stared at her. "You don't remember agreeing with me there wouldn'tbeany sex this evening?" he asked harshly. "You don't remember there wasn't to be any making out, any body parts, any kissing...remember that?"

"Well...you were the one getting all the touchy-feely stuff," Ashley retorted heatedly. "That woman was all over you...I saw it," she said stiffly.

"Then you saw me doing my damndest to get heroff me," Brad shot back. "Contrast that to you letting that guy shove his hand up your skirt so far he had to be getting his fingers wet," he continued.

"What do you expect?" Ashley argued. "That wasn't a PTA meeting, you idiot...it was a swingers club. People go there to have sex!"

"Iexpectyou to follow the rules we set up for this...thing...for ourselves," Brad said icily. Iexpect you to do what you say you're going to do andnotdo the things you say you won't. Iexpect to be able to trust you, Ashley...and right now all you've shown me is you can't be trusted even sitting at the same table. What's going to happen when...or rather...if I agree to go all the way?"

Ashley sat on the sofa with a defiant look on her face. As she sat and Brad paced, her expression softened.

"All I was doing was trying to encourage you," she said finally. "I thought if you had just a little bit more confidence...if you knew I wasn't going to be judgmental...then you could get over the hump and have some fun, honey," she said in a cajoling tone.

"Wemade an agreement with each other," Brad snapped back. "You don't go back on your word, Ashley...ever."

"Baby," Ashley sighed. "Okay...I'm sorry...I got a little excited and pushed you too far. I know I was wrong to do that, but it seemed like we were finally getting..." She stopped when she saw Brad shaking his head.

"I'm so fucking tired of hearing that "excited" bull shit, Ashley. No more excuses, Ash," he told her. "No more God damned excuses or this whole fucking, swinging thing is out the window...at least for me. You make your choice, Ash. I've had it. This is thelast time I'm going to ask you to keep your side of the bargain...any bargain...or it's over, period."

He stalked toward the kitchen. There was a six-pack of beer in the fridge and he needed one in the worst way right now.

Chapter 9

Late March—

It had taken months to get past it. Ashley had had a hard time understanding Brad's point of view, and he hers. In the end, they'd cautiously tested the waters at the Green Door twice more with their rules and agreements firmly in place. The second time had only been two weeks ago. Ashley had pledged to honor the agreement not to have any physical contact. Brad had tested her, appearing to be tempted by a young, longhaired blonde there with her tall, apparently well-endowed husband.

Ashley politely refused the man's advances, in spite of the fact Brad made sure she had plenty to drink. In the end, Brad was forced to decline an invitation to join in a threesome with the couple. They'd decided Ashley was a wallflower and not into the lifestyle.

Tonight was going to be the first time their initial agreements were laid aside. The rules of only doing things as a couple, always going home alone...and together...were still intact. They'd decided on a third rule; no cuddling with any sex partner after sex. This was sex, and only sex. They decided it was not to ever be confused with love.

Ashley wore a new micro miniskirt for the occasion of what she teasingly referred to as "Brad's coming out party."

It was short and hot pink. It barely covered her ass cheeks when she was standing anddidn't when she sat down. The cream-colored silk top lay delicately against her skin. It was so thin, it outlined her upthrust breasts and revealed the hard nipples she couldn't get to go down. The high heels weren't exactly stilettos, but they gave her an additional five inches in height she didn't ordinarily enjoy.

As for himself, Brad had chosen a dark blue pair of pants, a light gray...tightly tailored...pullover shirt, and the black dress boots he always wore for a night out. Ashley thought he looked very handsome. He was a hottie, she told him...absolutely delicious. His reaction to her outfit was unspoken, but unmistakable.

# #

"Hi, I'm Glenna," the tall blonde said and held out her hand to Brad. He was taken aback at first. He knew her, if this was the woman he was thinking of...and itwas an unusual name.

"Brad," he said smoothly, turning away from the bar where he and Ashley were trying to get served.

He looked this Glenna over, sure she was one of Ashley's old partners in the swinging game. She stood quietly as he ran his eyes over her. Tall, slender without being skinny, with smallish breasts high on her chest and apparently in no danger of giving way to gravity any time soon. She wore a silk dress that covered her from her shoulders down to knee in a satiny red fabric with oriental dragons as decorations. The dress was slit up the side almost to her hips.

Her dark hair was piled high on her head, leaving her heart-shaped face and slim neck fully exposed. She was pretty...not a classic beauty, but her attractiveness would age much better than most of them in that category.

"Glenna," Ashley said, "you look absolutely lovely tonight." Ashley was a little nervous, and it showed.

"Thanks, Ash...and you look like a rape looking for a place to happen," Glenna returned with a laugh. "Brad, you're going to have to keep your eye on this woman," she said.

"Oh, I shall. Count on it," Brad murmured and shot a glance at Ashley. He was wondering if she was going to come clean about knowing this woman or not.

"Brad, honey," Ashley said, "Glenna is an old friend of mine from...from before I met you," she finished.

"Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Hartford," Brad said. "And how is Dean tonight?" he inquired. Both women were startled.

"He's parking...he's fine, thank you," Glenna replied, confused. "He's parking the car...this dress isn't one I want to take a hike in through that parking lot," she added.

Glenna and Ashley eyed each other for a moment before turning their gazes back to Brad.

He let them stew for a moment, pretending to sample the diet coke the bartender had finally delivered. He really didn't like the "can taste" but it would have to do. They didn't have the beverage on tap here. He "noticed" the women's faces.

"Oh...you called the house, oh...last summer sometime," Brad said finally. "You left a message for Ashley to call you...I got home before Ash did that day and heard it," he told Glenna. "Ash told me who you were," he added.

"I see," Glenna remarked. "You sure do have a great memory," she said.

"Thank you," Brad replied.

Ashley watched them, still confused. Brad hadn't displayedthat good a memory in the three years they'd been married so far. But, she remembered the call. It had scared the crap out of her at the time. She thought Brad had found out about all her secret Internet surfing...but the moment had passed.

"Hey everyone," a man dressed in a sports jacket and slacks said by way of introduction. Glenna took his arm possessively and hugged him close.

"Ashley...Brad...this is Dean," she told them. Brad held out his hand and got a strong handshake from the other man.

"Glad to meet you," Brad told the man.

"Let's go over to a table," Ashley suggested. They all agreed.

On the way, Ashley glanced into her husband's eyes. "Are you mad at me," she asked in a whisper.

"About inviting Glenna and Dean here tonight? That's what you did, right?" he replied. He considered the question for a couple of steps.

"No, I'm not mad. This is in the nature of a surprise...and I don't mind those," he told her. He grasped her lightly just above the elbow and pulled her close for a quick kiss before they walked on.

# #

The Jacuzzi was small enough they probably wouldn't be disturbed until the club grew more crowded. Glenna was almost in Brad's lap while Ashley sat hip to hip with Dean.

"Hope you don't mind the Jacuzzi and all," Dean remarked. "Iknow...it's a darned cliché for two couples to meet, have dinner...then get together in the tub to cement things, but...what can you do?" he asked cheerfully. "It's a cliché because it works, right? Onliest thing missing is the darn barbeque," he said mournfully.

"Glenna wouldn't let me bring in the ribs," he said in a hoarse pretended whisper. "She thought they would be a little much," he remarked. "Don't know why..."

They all laughed. Brad was surprised at how easily he'd been able to chuckle at Dean's joke. He hadn't believed he'd be able to respond so naturally while he was under the stress he was feeling.

Glenna took the opportunity to close the distance between her and Brad. Her left hand explored his right thigh and sought his penis out only a moment later. Brad let her, remembering this was what they'd come here for tonight. He'd heard some men couldn't perform when put to the test their first night in a sex club...he didn't know if he wanted that to be true or false for him. In a way, not being able to would solve a myriad of problems.

"Mmmmmmmm..." Glenna sighed, "you glad to see Glenna, big boy?" she asked facetiously, peering into Brad's lap. His cock couldn't be seen in the frothy water, but she could feel what was there. She was pleased.

Brad shrugged. So much for that way out.

Glenna worked her hand back and forth rhythmically, masturbating Brad's penis slowly and gently to a strong hard on. She loved talking dirty and showered him with all kinds of lewd and obscene commentary. Her facial expressions showed she meant every word of it.

Brad watched Ashley and Dean surreptitiously. He was anxious that Ashley would soon be doing something sexual with Glenna's husband. At the same time, he was resigned to the fact she was going to have sex with the guy.

Brad dreaded the first overt signal his wife was responding to Dean, even as he reacted physically and emotionally to Glenna's ministrations. He knew the two feelings would drive him insane if left unresolved...but he didn't know what to do about them.

Suddenly, Glenna was scooting her body away from Brad's side and lowering her face near the water. She slid a hand under his butt, searching...and then she vigorously pinched his ass.