Cotton

"I'll drink to that," I said, taking a spare beer without permission and cracking it open. "To Claire!"

Barry and Devin echoed me as we hit our beers together. Claire blushed again.

"Oh, stop it," she said, but I knew she liked the attention.

We talked for over an hour with Devin and Barry heaping more and more praise on Claire, all regarding her work performance. She had a few more to drink and I knew she was getting a little tipsy. We ate with the two men as well, and afterwards Claire socialized with some of her other colleagues, introducing me to her direct boss, Steve, a middle-aged balding man. We excused ourselves after a while, and I guided my wife back to our car.

"Have a good time?" I asked.

"Yes, very much so," she responded, giggling a little and leaning into me.

"You are very relaxed around your colleagues."

"I told you!" she said a little too loudly, and one of the kids on the playground looked over at us.

"I told you," she said more quietly after noticing the child. "I'm trying to be more laid back. Important if I want to be successful in this company."

"Sure, but how much will Devin and Barry really help you advance anyway? Aren't they on the same level as you?"

"Yeah, but they've been around longer, so they have some clout."

"You like them?"

"Yeah, they're my work buddies."

"They seem to like you quite a bit."

She didn't say anything as we reached our car. I helped Claire into the passenger seat and I started up the car. She had her eyes closed and head back against the seat the whole drive home.

Claire took a long nap on our bed and after flipping through some channels initially, I joined her. We woke up after six and as neither of us were very hungry, I got onto my laptop to get some work done.

After a couple of hours, we ordered takeout and sat down to eat.

"How are you feeling?" I asked Claire as I helped her spoon some rice onto her plate.


"Better," she said. "I had too much to drink, with that sun."

"Yeah, I was a little surprised," I said. "Given it was a work function and all."

"It's not a big deal, at least not for my work," she responded a little shortly.

"Sorry," I said, putting up my hands. "I wasn't trying to imply anything."

She sighed. "I still regret it, though. It ruined the rest of my day."


"Devin and Barry seem nice," I said before taking a bite of my beef and broccoli.

"Yes, yes, they are."

"What was that with the guy in the suit?"

"Mr. Cowell? Oh, he's a big name in our business, and any opportunity to network with him is a big deal. Devin knew him from some old deal and invited him to the picnic."

"How did it go? The networking, I mean."

"Great! I think I made a good impression." She laughed. "Devin was so proud of himself for bringing the guy here. I think Cowell made an appearance out of politeness."

"Well, I'm glad you got a chance to speak with him."

"Mmhmm," she said through a mouthful of Lo mein.

"So," I said slowly, trying to find the right words to say. "Devin and you got pretty close?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I know he's been flirting with you in the office, making jokes and comments and everything. But does he often put his hands on you like that?"

Claire raised her eyebrows. "Put his hands on me?"

"I saw him touching your knee when you were talking before Barry showed up. And he touched your back. Barry grabbed your arm as well."

She narrowed her eyes. "Devin put his hand on my back because he thought I was going to fall. And Barry just gets kind of demonstrative, that's all."

"And the hand on your knee?"

She paused. "Well, maybe I should stop him from doing that."

"Does he do it at the office?" I pressed.

She took a moment to answer. "I guess once or twice. But it's all harmless, Dan, don't worry about it!"

"Well, if you're comfortable with it...just tell me if they do anything else."

"Of course, honey, I wouldn't keep anything from you, don't worry."

"I know."

We ate in silence for a while. Finally, I spoke up.

"Did you like it?"

"What?" Claire looked up from her plate.

"Did you like it when Devin touched your knee?"

"Oh my god, Dan, it was nothing!" She threw up her hands, her fork clattering on her plate.

"Can you just answer my question? Do you actually like it?"

"Baby, you don't have to worry..."

"It's okay if you do, Claire, I won't be mad."

She looked into my eyes.

"Dan..."

"What?"

"Did you like it?"

I didn't answer for a while, not sure what to say.

"I...I guess I like the idea of other men finding you desirable."

"Oh my god!" Claire shouted again.

"It's nothing!" I said quickly. "Just a stupid fantasy, I don't really want..."

Claire laughed and sprang up. "Wow, my husband wants me to get attention from other men...I had no idea. Well, no. That's not true, I think I did kind of know already."

Still chuckling, she started to clean up. Later I realized she never answered the question.

The following Monday, I saw Claire off to work. She was wearing a black dress that was stylish but certainly conservative enough, with the material reaching her neck. The dark material even hid her breasts. Over it she wore a gray jacket.

"Have a good day, love," Claire said to me before kissing my mouth quickly.

"You too, baby," I responded. I had been thinking all weekend. "Oh, and Claire?"

She had already turned toward the door, but looked back. "Yes?"

I got up close to her and kissed her again. "I'm okay with the flirting and joking as long as you tell me everything."

She grinned. "And the touching?"

I grimaced and she laughed.

"Don't worry," she continued. "I'll keep them in line. I'll see you tonight. I love you."

"Love you too."

Over the next two weeks Claire would come home and tell me about her day in detail, including whatever comments Devin and Barry made to her. They were quite forward, and they masked their behavior by being suggestive but cultivating a joking and relaxed atmosphere. I knew they were angling for plausible deniability. She started to notice Devin placing a hand on her shoulder or grazing her knee more often, but he never left it there long or stepped over the line.

At least not until the day Claire came home and, as I greeted her in our kitchen, I knew from one look at her face that something had happened.

"What's wrong, Claire?" I asked, taking her briefcase from her and placing it on the dining room table.

"It was Devin," she said. "He...went too far today."

"What did he do?" I demanded.

"Can you make me some tea?" Claire sat down at the table.

"Claire, tell me - "


"Please, Dan, I will, just put the pot on, okay?"

A few minutes later, tea in hand, Claire recounted her day.

"Devin and I were chatting at my desk when Sandi walked by. She's Steve's secretary."

"I know. I met her at the picnic."

"Oh, right," Claire said. "Well, then you know she's a rather...busty blonde girl. Anyway, she smiled at Devin so I made some comment about how I'm sure he liked that. It's kind of an open secret that she's having sex with Steve, and all of the other secretaries think she is a joke.

"Anyway, Devin mentions that he isn't interested in sloppy seconds. Then he paused for a moment, and said 'well, maybe I would make an exception for you.' While he was doing that, he reached down and squeezed my waist, which he has never done before."

"Wow, the jackass!"

"Yeah, I think he saw in my face that he had gone over the line, and he quickly tried to walk it back as a joke. I guess I let him off the hook because I just joked along with him."

"Did it bother you, him saying that?"

"I mean, we had made jokes before, but he never said anything so...directly sexual to me, about me before."

"But you must have known he wants to sleep with you."

"What?" Claire looked at me shocked. "Of course not! This is just how he is, he does this with a lot of women around the office."

"Oh come on, Claire, you heard what he said, that was no joke."

Claire took a sip of tea. "I guess."

"Did you like it? What he said?"

"No! It went too far! Why? Did you like it?"

"Babe, if it makes you uncomfortable, you should stop it. But, I guess there isn't any point in denying that I like the idea of other men wanting you. It's kind of a turn on for me."

"Well," Claire considered. "If I'm being honest, I kind of like the attention too." She put her hands on her head. "Oh god, does that make me a slut?"

"No," I said quickly. "This is just a game for us. If Devin or Barry want to make comments and you like it, and I like it, and it's just for fun, then it's no big deal."

"You don't think I'm stringing them along?"

"Who cares if you are? They know you're married. They've met me, for god's sake. You can be a tease, they don't have any right to anything from you."

"So, you want me to be a tease?"

"Kind of," I admitted. "Only if you want to."

"You would still love me if I flirt with other men?"

"Of course!" I said, taking her hands. "Nothing would change how I feel about you, Claire. You are my wife, and I love you. This is just a game."

"Okay," Claire said, standing up. "I love you too. I'm going to take a shower, I need to think."

"Can I join you?"

Claire noticed my erection and grinned. "Not this time, stud, but maybe you'll get lucky later."

We did make love that night, and afterwards I watched my wife as she slept naked against me, looking content.


Claire decided she wasn't going to stop Devin and Barry, and even started flirting back a little more. She would tell me all about it after work and I couldn't get enough of it. I found it so hot that my wife was teasing other men and driving them crazy.

Claire was turned on, too, and our sex was never better. A couple of times I took her right after work and she was wet so quickly I wondered if it was because of Devin and Barry.

Devin made a few more overtly sexual comments and Claire started dishing them back out. Barry started getting bolder as well, and there were more than a few times a stray hand would accidentally "brush" various parts of Claire's body, including a few bold swipes to her chest.

Claire, for her part, loosened another button and bought a few slightly shorter skirts. She mentioned that her boss, Steve, checked her out a few times as well, though he always kept things strictly professional between them.

Because Claire was keeping me up to date with her work life, I found out that the annual Fourth of July party was a big deal. One of the vice presidents, the head of marketing, would throw a big party on the Saturday before the Fourth and everyone would attend. Fancy food, entertainment, and a lot of booze. Claire had been hired just after this party last year so it was going to be her first time. Apparently things could get pretty crazy toward the end.

"They have a dance floor, too, and hire a DJ," Claire was telling me over dinner a few days before the event.

"That could be fun," I said.

"Oh come on. I know you hate to dance."

"I don't hate to dance! I'm just not very good."

"You're fine! Anyway, I won't force you to or anything."

"Are Devin and Barry going to be there?"

"Of course."


"Well, maybe you can dance with them."

She raised her eyebrows. "Really?"

"Why not? It's just dancing."

"I'd rather dance with my husband."

"Oh, don't worry, love, I'll dance with you. But, you always want to dance a lot longer than me. So I'm telling you, if you want to dance a little with other people, that's fine."

"Like Devin and Barry?"

"Sure."

She chuckled. "Okay, fine, I will then. I'm sure they will like it."

"I'm sure they will! Don't either of them have girlfriends or something?"

"Barry's divorced," Claire explained. "Hit him pretty hard, about a year ago. Says he isn't ready to jump back into the dating arena."

"Or maybe he just gets enough from you."

"Dan! I don't give him anything! You know that!"

"I know, I know! Just joking. Well, you do tease him."

"I know, poor thing. He's actually a very sweet guy. I'm sure he'll find a good girl soon."

"What about Devin?"

"Oh, I'm not sure, I've teased him about not having a girl, but he just said he likes playing the field."

"Of course he does."

"He's a hopeless flirt so I'm sure he's getting some."

"Well, he is good looking. Don't you think so?"

Claire laughed. "Oh, no, I'm not going to fall for that trap."

On the night of the party I was waiting patiently in the living room, watching TV as Claire finished getting ready. Finally, she strode into the open area from our bedroom and I turned to her.

She was wearing a sun dress that was appropriately in a blue and red pattern; I hadn't seen it before. It went up to her neck but it was tight in the middle, accentuating her C-cup breasts. The dress ended high, showing plenty of thigh. Claire had on a pair of blue high heels and light blue purse to match. Her make-up was immaculate and she had curled her brown hair, which fell to her shoulders.

"How do I look?"

"Beautiful," I said, rising to kiss her.

The party was as lavish as advertised. It was catered by an up-scale restaurant in the city and included a massive desserts table decorated with a bald eagle ice sculpture. But the fancy food paled in comparison to the actual property, a beautiful mansion with a sweeping lawn, pool area, and a gentle slope down to a small, private lake front.

After saying hello to Sarah, Sandi, Barry, and Devin (who helpfully thrust a beer into my hand), I spent the first hour just walking around and admiring the property. The lake was serene, and on the bank the owners had built a gazebo which was decorated with lights and flowers. The owner was out on the lake with some friends on a small yacht. I could hear them laughing and shouting, no doubt the effects of drinking all day in the hot sun.

I walked back up the stone-paved path to the back drive-way, a wide area circled by tables where the DJ was setting up. I wandered through a wooden gate into the secluded pool area to see a pair of women sitting and chatting next to the water. They were both middle-aged but in great shape, wearing rather revealing bikinis. I looked around and noticed I was the only other one there.

Feeling awkward, I took a step back toward the gate, but one of the women spotted me.

"Oh, Janet, it looks the guests have arrived," she said to her companion before grabbing her drink from the glass table between them, standing up and walking toward me.

I couldn't help but stare. She was wearing a black bikini that struggled to support her large breasts and provided just the bare minimum of cloth between her legs. Her nipples were prominently poking through the too-thin fabric.

"Hello," the woman said, reaching me and extending her hand. "I'm Sharon, Brian's wife."

My eyes must have widened as I took her hand, because I saw a small smile playing on her lips. Brian was the head of marketing, which meant this was Sharon's house.

"Hi," I stammered. "I'm Dan, uh, Claire's husband."

"Oh, Claire! Yes, she is just wonderful. Brian is very impressed by her."

"I'm glad to hear it," I responded, trying very hard to keep my eyes on her face.

Her eyes sparkled, the wry smile still present. "Oh, you'll have to excuse us, we were just trying to catch some last rays before the party started," Sharon said, actually looking down at her bikini. My eyes followed hers automatically, and she actually pushed her shoulders forward, mashing her tits together in the thin material.

She looked back up to me. "But, the pool area is actually off limits to guests. Didn't Claire let you know?" It was a very gentle admonishment.

"I'm so sorry," I said, suddenly panicked. "I had no idea. I can leave..."

"Oh, it's totally fine, they were supposed to put up a sign." Sharon sighed and looked over my shoulder, as if hoping a worker would appear. "Well, Dan, it was nice to meet you. I hope you enjoy the party. Janet and I have to go inside to change."

"Of course, great to meet you, sorry again," I responded.

Sharon's smile grew wider and friendlier. Behind her, Janet called out, "Sharon, you forgot your robe."

"Oh, of course!" Sharon turned around, revealing that her bikini bottom was actually a thong. I glanced at her ample but toned ass for just a split second, but when I looked up I caught Janet's eye and she smirked.

They put on their robes. I had turned to open the gate and struggled for a moment with the lock mechanism. I swung it open just as the two women walked up behind me.

"See you later, Dan," Sharon said as I allowed her to walk out first.

Janet paused for a moment at the gate and looked up at me. She was skinnier than Sharon and had sharp features. "Sharon can be quite the tease," she said to me. "But please don't go getting any ideas." And with that she walked out.

My heart racing a little, I carefully replaced the lock on the gate and went in search of Claire. I was done with exploring.

A couple of hours later, night had fallen completely, and the DJ had started the music. Everyone was finishing up eating. I was at a table with my wife, Sarah, Devin, and Barry, and we had a pretty entertaining conversation going. Despite my misgivings surrounding Claire's handsy co-workers, they certainly knew how to liven up a party. I was regaled with many stories of Claire's masterful handling of various projects as well. It was clear she had impressed just about everyone with her work.

I was trying to keep track of Claire's alcohol intake as well, as she could get carried away and I didn't want her to embarrass herself at a company party. I wasn't sure how many she had while I was wandering around but she was clearly buzzed at this point, and the night was still young.

I excused myself to grab a round of waters for the group, mostly hoping Claire would take a break and drink some. When I returned, Claire, Devin and Barry were huddled together on one side of the table, discussing some work issue. I slid a few waters in front of them but they didn't even notice me. I glanced at Sarah who was looking toward the DJ and I could tell she was feeling a little left out, too.

"Water, Sarah?" I said, taking the seat next to her. She was wearing a green dress that left her chubby arms bare.

"Oh, thank you, Dan," she beamed at me, taking the drink.

There was a moment of silence as we both listened to Devin loudly recounting some story involving a clueless consultant. I couldn't help but notice that Claire was completely transfixed, staring at her co-worker as if no one else was around. I tried to find an opening to join the conversation but it was fruitless.

I turned to Sarah. "Having a good time?"

"Yes, this party is always very fun," she said.

More silence. Suddenly I wondered why Sarah didn't bring anyone to the party. She had no ring on her finger, I suppose she was unmarried. I realized it would be poor form to bring that up now.

Finally, I said, "do you know the owners well?"

"Brian and Sharon? Not really, they are really high up there."

"Beautiful property, though."

"Oh yes, it is beautiful."

"You know, I actually ran into Sharon earlier."


"Is that so? I don't think I've ever talked to her, actually."

"It was at the pool. It's kind of embarrassing, I guess we aren't supposed to go in there."

"Yeah, I think it's a liability thing."

"She was there with her friend, Janet, I think."

"Oh, I don't know any Janets at the company."

"Maybe she doesn't work there. Anyway, they were out sunbathing still so it was a little weird."

"I'm sure it wasn't a big deal. It is a pool, after all."

"Right." I thought about telling her about Sharon's skimpy bikini, or how she kind of pushed her breasts together in front of me, but suddenly it felt too awkward to say.