Shaking up Routine Life

"Well, I guess we all do that sometimes."

Linda just asked Barbara if she felt stuck in a rut in her life.

"No, I'm serious, Barbara. You don't seem to get excited about anything anymore."

Barbara sighed. "Life is... comfortable with Ken."

Excitement sounded nice, but not too much. Real excitement usually meant real trouble. "I mean, we're getting along really well."

Linda tilted her head, studying her. "You've got to think about this, Barbara. Really think."

Barbara stayed quiet, the familiar hum of routine settling in her chest. That was the problem, wasn't it? Too much routine. Too little... something.

"So, did you think about shaking things up?"

Barbara rolled her eyes. "Oh, Linda, you always exaggerate. But... yeah, I thought about it a little."

"But you don't know what to do, do you?"

Barbara hesitated. "Well, I haven't really thought that much about it yet."

Linda's eyes suddenly lit up. "I know! Come with me!"

Before Barbara could react, Linda was on her feet, grabbing her jacket and motioning for her to follow.

"Come where?" Barbara asked warily.

"Just come along. You're being stodgy again." Linda laughed, tossing a jacket at Barbara, practically dragging her toward the door.

Once they were in Linda's car and heading across town, Barbara finally voiced her concerns.

"Where are we going?"

Linda shot her a grin. "I know just the thing to spice up your life."

Barbara immediately stiffened. "And what exactly is that?"

"I know this guy -- "

Barbara cut her off. "A guy!? Turn this car around!"

"No, listen! I swear this is exactly what you need!"

Barbara's heart pounded. "What are you even talking about? You want me to cheat on Ken?"

Linda laughed. "Oh, Barbara, don't be so uptight. We'll just see him. Ken never has to know. Just wait till you meet him!"

Barbara shook her head, her pulse still racing. "Linda, please turn the car around. Do you... do you sleep with this guy?"

Linda smirked. "Ah-ha! Barbara gets curious!"

"That is not what I meant!"

"I swear, he's exactly what you need. He's different from Ken."

Barbara frowned. "What's wrong with Ken?"

"Nothing, honey. But this guy will do things to you that Ken would never do. And you'll let him, because you won't have to see him every day."

A cold shiver ran through Barbara's spine. "Things?"

Linda grinned wickedly. "Oh, you'll find out... With your rear."

Barbara gasped. "Linda!"

Linda just laughed. "Trust me, darling. He'll make you love it. Just wait and see."

Barbara's breath came short. This had to be a joke. Linda had a twisted sense of humor, but this was taking things too far.

"Linda, I swear -- if you don't turn this car around -- "

Linda didn't even flinch. "Or what? You'll jump out while we're going 60?"

Barbara glared at her. "I might!"

Linda chuckled, completely unfazed. "Oh, stop being dramatic. We're just going to meet him, that's all. No one's forcing you to do anything. But if you're honest with yourself, you're a little curious, aren't you?"

Barbara folded her arms, jaw tight. "No."

Linda glanced at her, amused. "Liar."

Barbara hated that smirk -- the way Linda always seemed to know exactly what she was thinking.

But she couldn't possibly know, could she? That tiny, treacherous voice in her mind whispered: What if?

Her pulse hammered as the car turned, not onto some busy street where she could easily make an excuse to leave, but into a driveway. They were here.

Barbara forced herself to take a deep breath. It's fine. I'll just say no. No one's going to force me into anything... right? But the flicker of doubt twisted in her gut, cold and unwelcome.

They pulled up in front of a townhouse -- dark shutters, a small lantern glowing by the door. Too elegant, too composed, like it belonged to someone who never made mistakes.

Barbara's stomach tightened. Who the hell lives here?

"Who is this guy?" she managed to ask.

Linda unbuckled her seatbelt, her grin widening. "A professional."

Barbara's breath hitched. "A what?"

Linda reached for the door handle. "Relax. He's discreet. He knows exactly how to treat a lady like you."

Barbara shook her head, heat rising to her face. "Linda, I swear -- "

But Linda was already out of the car, walking up to the door. She rang the bell, then turned back, raising an eyebrow.

"Are you coming?"

Barbara sat frozen, her heartbeat loud in her ears. She could still say no. Demand Linda take her home.

But then the door opened.

A woman stood in the doorway -- tall, elegant, perfectly composed. Her gaze settled on Barbara, sharp and assessing. Then, just the hint of a smirk.

Barbara shivered. She had expected a man. But somehow, this unnerved her more.

Linda didn't hesitate, stepping inside as if she owned the place. She glanced past the woman, craning her neck to look into the other rooms.

"Is your husband here?"

The woman's lips curved slightly. "Who's this?"

"Oh, this is Barbara," Linda said.

The woman's expression didn't change. "And you brought her so James could do her ass?"

Barbara's breath caught. What the hell kind of conversation was this?

The woman's smirk deepened.

"James will be pleased. Yes, indeed."

Linda turned to Barbara, eyes glittering.

"Now, be a good girl and say hello."

Barbara felt an eerie sense of déjà vu. Like she had been here before, though she knew that was impossible.

Something was wrong.

She barely registered the words anymore -- because the woman had reached out, casually, and touched Linda's chest.

Barbara's breath caught. Linda just stood there.

Not laughing. Not teasing.

Just watching her.

"And did you come to take James's cock in your ass too, Linda?"

Barbara barely had time to process the words before the woman's hand slid down Linda's body, fingers skimming over her blouse, tracing the curve of her waist. And Linda -- Linda didn't pull away.

She only glanced at Barbara, something unreadable flickering across her face before she turned back to the woman.

Barbara's stomach twisted.

The woman's hand didn't stop. She reached lower, lifting Linda's skirt, her other hand moving to the buttons of Linda's blouse.

"You want his cock in your ass, don't you, Linda?" The woman's voice was smooth, assured, full of something Barbara couldn't quite name. Amusement? Control?

Linda still hadn't answered.

"You're not answering me, are you?"

Barbara's breath came shallow, uneven.

Say something, Linda.

But Linda just stood there, rooted in place, her lips parting as if to respond -- except no words came out.

"I...," Linda tried, but her voice faltered.

The woman's hand had disappeared under her skirt now, while the other continued unbuttoning her blouse, one button at a time.

And Barbara just stood there, watching.

Something shifted.

It wasn't just shock anymore. It wasn't just disbelief.

It was recognition.

This scene -- wasn't new.

Not for Linda.

Not for the woman.

And maybe... not even for Barbara.

The woman stepped closer, their faces now mere inches apart.

"You're going to let Barbara watch, aren't you, Linda?"

Linda's blouse was already gone, her bra unhooked, her skirt slipping past her hips. She just stood there, lips parted, breath uneven -- stunned into silence.

"Barbara's going to watch you beg him for it," the woman continued. "Beg to suck it. Beg to take it in your ass."

Linda didn't move. Didn't protest.

The woman circled behind her, her hands never losing contact, sliding over Linda's bare skin like she owned it.

"You like it in your ass, don't you, Linda?"

And as she whispered like, her fingers drove into Linda -- sudden, unyielding.

Linda gasped, her entire body jolting forward. But the woman held her there, one hand pressed against her stomach, the other still buried deep.

"Yes," came Linda's reply in a breathy whisper. She no longer met Barbara's eyes.

Barbara couldn't look away. Couldn't breathe. Something about this moment -- the way Linda shuddered, the way she didn't resist, the way the woman seemed to know -- made Barbara realize...

Both of them had been here before. She remembered this.

Barbara's gaze fixed on them, unblinking.

She couldn't look away.

James appeared. An impressive guy - muscular, impeccably dressed. Somehow, he didn't even notice her presence. It was as if she wasn't there.

"You raring to start?" He asked Linda.

Linda didn't respond. She remained silent, still as stone.

Without a word, James grabbed Linda by the neck and pushed her toward a table, forcing her to lean over it.

Barbara's stomach churned. Linda -- Linda -- let him do that? She couldn't believe what she was seeing. This wasn't Linda. Linda never let anyone push her around.

But there she was, bent over the table, completely exposed.

James unzipped his pants.

"You ready, Linda?" he asked.

The woman, who had been watching silently, moved toward them with fluid grace. She grabbed James by the hair, pulling him into a kiss.

Barbara's breath hitched. She could see James's hand on the back of her head now, pulling her closer, and as they kissed, the woman licked his lips, her tongue lingering just a moment too long before she finally pulled away.

She giggled softly, a sound that made Barbara's skin crawl.

"Have fun," the woman said, stepping back. Then, she turned to Linda, grabbing her hair and lifting her head with surprising tenderness.

"You be a good girl, and you'll get what you want," she purred.

Linda's head dropped back down, but the woman held her in place, her hand gently pressing against the back of Linda's neck. They stood there for a moment, silent, before the woman giggled once more, turned, and walked out through the front door.

Everything in Barbara's mind screamed that this was wrong. She already knew. She had to do something about it.

"Okay, Linda, you ready?" James asked the moment the woman was gone.

Linda stayed silent.

Without warning, James slapped her rear. The sharp sound jolted Barbara, her breath catching in her throat.

James leaned over Linda's back, his grip tightening in her hair as he brought his mouth close to her ear.

"I don't hear you," he murmured.

Then he straightened, his hands settling firmly on Linda's hips.

"I said -- are you ready?"

A beat of silence.

"Yes," Linda finally answered.

"You want this?"

No reply.

James chuckled. "We both know the answer's yes."

"... Yes."

Another slap. Then, in the next instant, James pushed inside her.

Barbara's mind reeled. Linda?

This was the last thing she'd ever expected of her.

"What's your choice?" James asked, his voice edged with impatience. "Rough or easy?"

Silence.

"Come on, I haven't got all day."

"... Rough."

The word was barely there -- weak, breathy, so unlike Linda.

James grinned. "That's my Linda." He gripped her hair again, yanking her head back. "You'd better beg."

"Please!"

"Please what?"

"Please fuck my ass rough!"

"You need that?"

"Yes! Yes, fuck me!"

James started moving, but not how she'd asked. His thrusts were slow, deliberate.

"I'm going to give it to you nice and slow first," he said. "Just because I want to."

He dragged himself out and pushed back in, unhurried, controlled.

"You like that, Linda?"

"Yes!"

"But you want it rough?"

"Yes!"

"I like to hear you beg."

Barbara couldn't take any more. She slipped away, heart pounding, unable to watch what was happening -- what shouldn't have been happening.

***

Barbara sat frozen, her heartbeat loud in her ears. She could still say no. Demand Linda take her home.

But then the door opened.

The woman stood in the doorway. Her gaze flicked between Linda and Barbara, lingering on the latter with quiet amusement.

"You brought company this time," she said.

Linda didn't look back. "She's curious."

The woman stepped aside, holding the door open. "Come in."

Linda walked in. Barbara hesitated for a second, then followed her.

The house was dimly lit, the air thick with something electric, something Barbara couldn't name but felt crawling over her skin. The door clicked shut behind them.

"You were expected," the woman murmured.

Barbara wasn't sure if she meant Linda -- or both of them.

They were led into the same room as before. The same low lighting. The same table. The same pressure in the air, pressing against Barbara's ribs.

James was already there, leaning against the table, impossibly composed. His gaze flicked up as they entered.

But this time, something was different.

His eyes landed on Barbara. And they stayed there.

"Well," James said. "Didn't expect you to come inside."

Barbara's throat tightened. She felt exposed, even though she was still fully clothed.

James pushed off the table and strolled toward her, slow and deliberate.

"You checking me out?" he asked.

Barbara's mouth opened, but no sound came.

"Uh, no!" she managed at last.

James chuckled. "Really? Because I saw those glances."

Barbara felt her pulse hammer in her throat. She should have smirked, shrugged it off -- something. But she hesitated a beat too long.

"You interested in me?" he pressed.

"No," she shot back, stepping back instinctively.

But he closed the distance, stopping just a foot away. Barbara had to tilt her head up to meet his gaze.

"I think you are," he murmured. His smirk deepened, as if he knew something she didn't.

A part of her wanted to slap him. Instead, she felt his hand at her chin -- just a touch, but firm. Holding her in place.

Barbara wrenched back, her breath shaky, and turned away. She didn't know where she was going, only that she needed space. But James followed, closing in again as she found herself against the kitchen table.

"You want me, don't you?" he said.

Barbara swallowed hard. "No."

"Yes, you do." His voice was softer now, almost coaxing. "Admit it."

She shook her head, but the words stuck in her throat.

"Say it," he murmured. "Say 'yes.'"

Barbara stared at him.

"Say it," he repeated, his voice a breath against her skin.

Silence.

Her lips parted -- but no answer came.

James smiled. Just a flicker, almost hidden.

Then he stepped away and walked back toward the room where Linda was waiting.

Barbara lingered in the doorway, her breath uneven, her pulse still hammering from the encounter with James. She should leave. She should. But instead, she found herself watching.

In the dimly lit room, Linda stood exactly where she had before -- waiting. Expectant. James approached her with the same air of quiet authority. The woman from the door leaned casually against the wall, observing, her smirk never fading.

James trailed a hand along Linda's arm, his fingers brushing lightly over her skin before gripping her wrist. "You kept me waiting," he murmured.

Linda's lips curled slightly. "I knew you'd still be here."

James chuckled. "You think you know me that well?"

Barbara shifted, her fingers tightening against the doorframe. She shouldn't be here, witnessing this. But something held her in place.

"You still pretending you don't want to join in?" The voice came from the woman. Barbara snapped her gaze to her, heat rising to her cheeks.

"I -- no. I mean, I wasn't -- " she stammered.

James turned his head slightly, glancing over his shoulder at her. "You're still here," he noted, his voice unreadable.

Barbara swallowed. She should turn away. She should leave.

But she didn't.

"Maybe she just likes to watch," the woman mused, stepping closer to Barbara. "Or maybe she's waiting to be convinced."

Barbara's heart pounded. Linda finally turned, her gaze meeting Barbara's for the first time since stepping inside. There was something unreadable in her expression.

"Stay," Linda said. A simple word. A command. A promise.

Barbara shivered.

James smirked. "Well, then. Let's see how long she can resist."

And then he turned back to Linda, his hands on her waist, pulling her closer.

Barbara didn't look away.

****

Barbara sat frozen, her heartbeat loud in her ears. She could still say no. Demand Linda take her home.

But then the door opened.

The woman stood in the doorway, her familiar smirk curving her lips. This time, Barbara met her gaze steadily.

"You brought company again," the woman said.

Linda didn't look back. "She's considering."

Barbara exhaled slowly. "I have conditions."

The woman arched a brow, amused. "Oh? Let's hear them."

Linda finally turned, studying Barbara with quiet interest.

Barbara lifted her chin. "I'm not just going along with whatever you've planned, Linda. If I stay, it's on my terms."

The woman laughed. "That's the spirit. Now I like you." She stepped aside, holding the door open. "Come in, then. Let's see what you have in mind."

Linda entered first. Barbara hesitated -- but only for a moment -- before following.

The house was just as she remembered: dimly lit, charged with something electric. But this time, the weight pressing against her wasn't fear. It was control. Hers.

James was already inside, leaning against the table, watching. His gaze flicked to Linda first. Then to Barbara.

His lips curved. "Well, well."

Barbara held his stare. "I assume you're expecting the usual."

James tilted his head. "Something different tonight?"

Barbara nodded. "If I'm here, it happens the way I want."

Silence.

Then the woman chuckled, stepping behind Barbara, her fingers ghosting over Barbara's shoulders. "I definitely like this version of you."

Linda smiled. "So, Barbara. What do you want?"

Barbara knew exactly what she wanted. And tonight, she was going to find out if they could give it to her.

She exhaled, steadying herself. She knew exactly what Linda wanted. What James wanted. What this woman wanted.

And what about her, Barbara herself?

She wasn't rejecting the idea outright. Not anymore. But if this was going to happen, it had to be on her terms.

And yet -- why did it feel like they already knew that?

The woman circled Barbara slowly, her movements slow and measured, like a shark before an attack. Not touching -- not yet. Just close enough to let Barbara feel the heat of her presence.

"You're thinking about it," the woman murmured. "I can see it in your eyes."

Barbara stiffened. "I -- "

"Shh." The woman's voice was low, almost a purr. "No need to explain. You don't have to say yes. But you haven't left, either."

Barbara swallowed.

"You're the careful one, aren't you?" the woman continued. "The one who needs control. That's fine. That's good. But control doesn't mean denying yourself."

A pause. A smirk.

"It just means knowing when to let go."

James leaned against the table, watching Barbara with that same smirk, the one that made her pulse spike. Not arrogant. Just... assured.

"You don't trust yourself, do you?" he asked.

Barbara shot him a sharp look. "That's not -- "

"Not true?" he interrupted. "Then prove it. Tell me exactly what you want."

"I don't -- "

"You don't what?" James stepped forward, just close enough that she had to tilt her chin up to meet his gaze.

"You don't want this? Or you just don't want to say it out loud?"

Her lips parted, but no words came.

He grinned. "That's what I thought."

And then there was Linda. The one who had brought her here. The one who knew her. Linda didn't press. Didn't push. She simply reached out, brushing her fingers against Barbara's wrist.

"I wouldn't have brought you here if I didn't think you'd like it." Her voice was softer than the others, almost gentle.

Barbara's breath hitched.

"You don't have to prove anything," Linda continued. "Not to me. Not to James. Not to her. Just... let yourself feel for once."

Barbara's fingers twitched at her sides. She felt cornered -- but not in a way that made her want to run. In a way that made her want to decide.

To commit.

The woman stepped behind Barbara, her breath warm against her ear.

"If I told you to stay, would you?"

James took Barbara's hand -- lightly, just resting it against his chest. Letting her choose whether to pull away.

Linda watched, silent, waiting.

Barbara's throat went dry. She was so close. But something -- 'something' -- was still missing. Something that would make her fall all the way in.

A flicker of this 'something' crosses Linda's face -- not disappointment, but understanding.

James shrugs. "Your call."

The woman just smiles. "For now."

Barbara turns and walks toward the door, but she knows -- this isn't over.

She'll be back. She wants to be back. And they all know it.

Barbara takes a slow breath, steadying herself. The weight of their gazes presses against her skin.

"Not tonight," she says, her voice firm.

James watches her. The woman only smirks. Linda's expression shifts -- she knows Barbara too well to argue.

"Alright," Linda says simply. "I'll take you home."

Barbara nods. Then, as she turns toward the door, her fingers slide along the table's edge -- pausing.

For a heartbeat, she hesitates. And then, almost absently, she unclasps the delicate bracelet from her wrist, the one she's worn for years. It makes the faintest click as she sets it down.

She doesn't look back.

But she knows they see it.

James chuckles, low and knowing. The woman hums in amusement.

Linda? Linda just smiles and follows Barbara, searching her purse for her car key.

Barbara steps out into the night, her heart racing.

She doesn't have to turn around to know the door won't be closed to her next time.