Margot

I am an indie author writing under my pen name, Onia Fox. I gave up a full-time career as a mechanical engineer in the petro-chem industry to travel, chill and write.

I have six novels published.

I live between a flintstone cottage in the South Downs National Park (on the south coast of England), and a traditional Ula Style house in a fishing village on the Aegean coast of Turkey, with my partner and dog.

I lean towards liberal left, and non-active feminist politics.

My work is embarrassingly autobiographical - I have had a few adventures.

*

Margot had an especially difficult period at work, in a notoriously cutthroat and demanding industry. Her one recent date ended with dribbling cold latte down her chin, as she dozed mid-conversation. Emotionally battered, bruised and feeling vulnerable - physically exhausted and underweight. All that kept her going was the offer of a free holiday in the sun, with friends.

*

MARGOT - relaxing back with friends, on holiday

Jessica and Jason stood in the shade of the road-bridge looking back towards the exit for Dalaman Airport Arrivals. They were in Turkey for an extended holiday, both keeping up with work emails and reports online, whilst both enjoying quiet spells at work, which had fortunately coincided. It was always open house when they stayed at their holiday home for any length of time. On this occasion, they invited Cathy and Peter to join them for a week, and Jessica also invited her old friend Margot, who originally introduced the two couples.

'This is very good of you, Jace. I know you were looking forward to catching up with Pete, but when they pulled out, I could hardly tell Margot she was no longer invited.'

'Don't be silly, Jess. I like Margot and I'm more than happy for you to have some girlie time while I keep up with work.'

'According to a mutual friend I was messaging, Margot is exhausted from the production. He is actually quite worried about her.'

'Still chatting to your ex, then?'

'He reckons she has struggled to keep her weight steady and keeps falling asleep. Perhaps she is approaching retirement.'

'Retirement? She's your age, you still dance!'

'There will be girls in the chorus at half her age, literally. Like fifteen. And the production company is pushing ever more work onto her. She was doing matinee and evenings on Friday and Saturday, matinee on Sunday, sleeping and eating from Sunday evening until the Tuesday evening performance in her cramped digs, and then the work week starts over. Cruel.'

'But finished now?'

'Yeah. I don't know for sure, but our friend...'

'Your ex.'

'... thinks she purposely fluffed her audition to go on tour, because she is just too fatigued.'

'Are you glad you moved into management so young?'

'I never really had a choice. I would never have won the lead parts. I enjoy dancing when I can, but I don't operate at the same level as Margot.'

The Jandarma took position with Border Control as the doors opened and pasty, overweight brits waddled down the ramp into the bright Aegean sun. From amongst the raft of ugly ducklings emerged the elegant swan of Margot. Jason was convinced he saw her glide above the ground as she launched herself at Jessica. With Margot's legs wrapped around Jessica's waist, they spun around, squealing. A Jandarma soldier called for her to collect the abandoned bag from the pedestrian crossing and Jason obliged, leaving the women in a hug - Margot still clamped to her waist.

'Thank God you didn't do that to me Margot, I would have gone flying!'

'Hey Mr T! Thank you so much for inviting me out here. You won't believe how much I need this break.'

Margot hugged Jason and, as she pulled away, Jason dropped one of Jessica's floppy sunhats onto her head. Margot's skin was naturally ivory and after months of working with no sunshine, looked almost jaundice. She would burn on the short walk to the car.

'Goodness Jason, I forgot just how sweet you are.'

Margot slipped her arm through Jason's and grabbed Jessica's hand for the stroll across the car park.

*

Margot slept for the one-hour drive to Koyaka and woke as Jessica bumped the pickup into the drive.

'Shit guys! Is this all yours?'

'Not as expensive as it looks, but yes, our pad. And ours includes you. I will give you twenty-four hours to orientate yourself, and then you must treat this as home. What is ours is yours. Help yourself to anything you fancy. Anything and everything.'

'Anything?'

Margot raised her eyebrows and winked at Jason. Jason blushed scarlet as Jessica quickly added, 'Anything else, Margot! What are you like?' Both women laughed.

'I have been on one date in months. I invited a Russian dancer for coffee on a Sunday after matinee, closed my eyes to the sun, and promptly fell asleep. He woke me an hour later, walked me home and avoided me for the next week. A cold latte and dribble down my chin is the closest I got to intimacy for the whole production. Tomorrow, take me to where the single men hang out and let me loose - I'm not interested in sun, sea or sand - I just want the sex.'

Jason realised the women were messing, but still mumbled an excuse and took Margot's bag to her bedroom.

The women lounged around the pool for the rest of the first day. Jason prepared lamb cooked with apricots for supper, and Margot felt she would be ready to explore the village and hopefully beyond tomorrow. following a good night's sleep. Jason changed into swimming shorts and joined them on the terrace by the pool. The women wore only bikini bottoms, and sneaking a glance, Jason saw Margot's shoulders and chest already reddening.

'Ok ladies. Who shall I lotion-up first?'

'In your dreams, hubby. Now cool off in the pool or I will send you back indoors.' As Jason dived in, Jessica checked on her friend.

'He's right, actually Margot. You are going red. We can't have that on the first day.'

Jessica fetched a small tube of intensive sunblock from the bathroom and sat on the edge of Margot's lounger. She used her middle finger to apply the cream to Margot's face, feathering around her nose, cheekbones and lips using her thumb. The women were used to hours in make-up and felt totally relaxed in such close proximity. Jessica noticed Jason slowed his swimming towards the women and increased his speed on the away length. He wore his sunglasses, partially concealing his eyes. Jessica swapped for the large tube and massaged oil into Margot's shoulders. Margot stretched her neck and eased her shoulders forward as Jessica massaged the oil into her overworked muscles.

'God Jess, that feels so good.'

'We have a Turkish Bath in the village. You and I should pop along tomorrow. We will leave Jace home alone.'

'I thought your Jace would like all that macho sweating and thwacking of flesh.'

Jessica chuckled. 'The thing is, Margot, the Turks use same sex masseurs. But they realise western tourists prefer opposite sex. They know us, and there is no way the hunky male masseur would do us if Jace was there.'

'Do us? As in happy ending?'

Jessica snorted a laugh, narrowly avoiding sending spittle down her friend's back.

'No, Margot! Just a massage. You have a total one-track mind, honestly! But he is gorgeous in a kind of dark, intense, simpering, muscular, softly spoken, large fingers...'

'Yes, I get the picture.'

'And you know what? Pretty much whatever you choose to leave uncovered, he'll massage and... knead.'

'I bet he won't knead it as much as I need it, Jess.'

Jessica burst into more giggles.

'Margot,' Jessica whispered, 'when I tell you, look directly at Jason. Ready?'

Jessica moved her hands onto Margot's chest, theatrically massaging the oil into her breasts and rolling her nipples between her thumb and index fingers

'And... now.'

Both women looked directly at Jason as he swam slowly in their direction, sunglasses down and watching out of the corner of his eye.

'Sorry, Jace, are you looking for something?'

Jason tried to correct his direction of travel and lower his gaze. He attempted to stop the sunglasses from slipping off his nose. Swallowing a mouth of pool water, he spluttered to the edge. Both women roared with laughter.

'Christ, you two! Where was I supposed to be looking? Stop teasing me. It really isn't that funny.'

Both women continued to laugh as a flustered Jason hauled himself from the pool. His erection snagged on the pool ledge and sprang to attention through his wet shorts in front of his audience. Both women sub-consciously raised a hand to their mouths as Jason lowered himself back into the water. The more he reddened, the more the women laughed. Jason eventually swam to the opposite side to leave the pool before walking back to the kitchen, clutching his groin and swearing under his breath.

Despite being the butt of the joke, Jason felt pleased to see his friend relaxed and laughing so early into her much-needed break.

*

Jason changed into long shorts, complete with an internal net, and he wore boxer shorts as an extra precaution. He pulled on an old T-shirt. Taking the casserole from the oven, he folded the lamb through the bubbling juices and added slices of potato before returning the pot to the oven. He felt his wife snuggle behind him and slip her hands into his pockets.

'Don't let Jess catch us. She won't be happy.'

'And that's supposed to be funny or something?' Jessica stood on tiptoes to nibble the back of Jason's ear. 'Margot mentioned you taking the sunhat to the airport for her. It meant a lot; that is probably the only time in months anyone has thought of her wellbeing. You are a good guy.'

'I am a good guy, yes. But that was no big deal.'

'Actually Jace, making a vulnerable friend feel safe and loved is a big deal.' Jason shrugged.

He turned away from the counter, placing both hands on Jessica's buttocks, pulling her hips into his. She looked up at her husband with a sleepy grin, glancing behind to see Margot asleep on the lounger.

She pressed her open lips against his, inviting his tongue into her mouth. She sucked hard on his tongue before pushing it out with her own. She could taste the hot spices from his tasting the tagine and felt her lips tingle. He tasted the aniseed of her raki. The couple squeezed closer together, knocking heads and clattering teeth. Jessica stumbled slightly, gripping the hair at the back of his head for support.

He lowered his face, tugging on her earlobe with his mouth until she yelped and pulled away, immediately returning for a passionate kiss.

'So, husband, let's do this.'

Jason laughed.

'What? Really? Now? What, sneak upstairs now? You are, of course, joking.'

'No, Jace. Here, now. Against the counter.'

'No way Jess! I couldn't. I couldn't keep it up. What if she wakes?'

'You kept it up ok earlier. Anyway, she has seen me have sex before. We used to share digs smaller than a cupboard.'

Jason took a long look at their guest.

'Not with me, she hasn't. No Jess. I don't think so.'

'Don't forget our wedding vows.'

'... til death do we...'

'No!' Jessica interrupted. 'Honour and obey!'

Jessica pulled down her bikini bottoms and tugged at Jason's shorts, leaning back against the counter. Keeping his shorts up with one hand, whilst allowing Jessica's hand to slip inside, he explored his wife's body with his free hand.

'I wished you had soaped your hands after slicing chillies, Jace! No, forget that. I quite like the tingles.'

Jason pulled back to study his wife's smiling face. He was not always sure when she joked. Except for her bikini bottoms around one ankle, she stood naked in their kitchen. He ran his hand along her side. With his thumb under her arm and gripping around her shoulder with his fingers, Jason ground his groin against his wife, pushing the small of her back against the counter and making her arch her back.

'Ok, upstairs if you promise not to make a noise.'

'Ah sweetie. What part of here and now are you failing to understand? You watching the two of us topless together was quite a turn-on.'

'Same here, obviously.' Jason looked again at the sleeping Margot. 'She looks kinda sound-o. Is this another joke or a test or something? Or are you really up for this?'

'Find out.'

Jason eased her onto tiptoes as he bent his knees slightly to enter her. She pushed her forearms against his shoulders, crossing her hands behind his head, her bottom now level with the counter. Jessica watched Margot sleep just a few yards away. Jason pushed himself into his wife, lifting her off her feet. Jessica moaned, Jason held a finger to her mouth, and Jessica bit on her bottom lip to muffle the sound. Jason kissed his wife's neck, leaving his mouth open against her skin, tasting sweaty salt and lotion from her sunbathing. He felt his wife tense. Stopping, he looked back at Margot from over his shoulder.

'Christ Jace! Will you stop looking at Margot while you are fucking me!'

'Quiet Jess. She will hear.' Despite his nerves, his erection grew harder.

The sharp edge of the kitchen counter dug into her bottom, but Jessica continued to squirm against her husband, drawing him deeper inside herself.

Starting again, Jason felt his wife lean her weight against him. She was riding him now in short, hard bursts, her feet skidding against his legs as he used his leg muscles to push back.

'Slow down Jess. I'm not ready yet.'

'Fuck you, Jace. This really is not about you.' She smiled through biting her bottom lip, but Jason was in no doubt she spoke the truth.

Jessica pushed against him, grinding herself into his pubic bone. She brought one leg up and behind his legs. As she climaxed, Jason adjusted his stance, trying to keep steady against her lovemaking. Her head swung forward and butted against him. A long moan escaped.

She continued her orgasm, bucking her torso as she clamped her arms and both legs around her husband.

'Sorry Margot, did we wake you?' Jessica spoke haltingly through her climax.

Jason pulled out of his wife, grabbing at his shorts. Jessica slipped down the counter, landing hard on her bottom with a yelp. Jason looked behind to see Margot still asleep on her sunbed.

'Christ Jess! Why did you do that?'

Jessica stood with a huge grin. Still orgasming, she held onto her husband for support.

'Your face Jace. You can be such a square sometimes!'

Jessica walked back to her sunbed, adjusting the parasol to keep the sleeping Margot in the shade.

*

Margot happily stayed in the house all afternoon. She already felt more relaxed and stronger than earlier in the day. Jason set the kitchen table rather than retire to the more formal living-dining room.

Jessica and Jason showered together and changed for dinner. Margot slept again in her room, before showering and changing into a short, grey, silk slip dress. Margot sat next to Jessica as Jason served the lamb, and he then sat at the end of the table. When looking out of the window towards the bay or talking to Jessica, he could study Margot without making direct eye contact.

Margot was striking. Jessica once described her as elfin or pixie looking. Having first met her, Jason suggested she had full sized features squeezed into a small heart-shaped face. Her face framed by flaming-red locks, tied back into a ponytail and cut with a fringe for the recent production. Her eyes a piercing green; Jason struggled to hold her gaze for any length of time, especially as her pupils dilated so readily. She was hugely photogenic and often featured in production posters and promotional stills; her quirky features did not distract from her obvious beauty. When she smiled, her oversized grin lit the room, and her large emerald eyes sparkled. But she often looked preoccupied or even sullen. She stood a couple of inches shorter than most dancers of her calibre. Jessica, an inch taller than most, and with Margot's elfin looks and Jessica's willowy physique, they looked worlds apart as dancers. Margot struggled to maintain her weight during the recent production and her shoulders and arms were bony, her stomach ripped. But she ate well and assured Jessica there was nothing to worry about.

Margot was keen to talk about anything other than the recent performance and was good dinner-party-company, chatting about Turkey, current affairs and mutual friends. During the conversation, Jason felt a minor earthquake, barely more than a judder. Jessica did not even notice it, but Margot grabbed the table with both hands.

'What the fuck!'

'Hey, easy Margot. It is nothing to worry about. We get those all the time; it really is nothing.'

'I'm no good with that sort of thing. Sorry to make a fuss. I hate thunderstorms or anything like that. I have a recurring nightmare - I'm trapped in a high-rise hit by lightning or a tsunami.'

Jessica and Jason glanced at each other. There had been a series of hot and humid days; they were due a storm very soon.

'We get storms here. But nothing to worry about, Margot.'

As Jason spoke, he saw the faintest flash from across the bay.

Without offering to help clear the dinner plates, Margot made her excuses and went to bed. The couple knew she would muck-in from tomorrow. Jessica went up with Margot and sat on the bed, chatting as Margot got ready. She fiddled with Margot's hair as she relaxed against her pillow, and within minutes she fell fast asleep. Knowing a storm likely, along with the prerequisite power cut, Jessica left a battery lantern turned-on low on the bedside cabinet. She collected her friend's clothes from the floor, hung up the dress, and left her sleeping. Jason made his way up the stairs.

*

Jason woke with a start, immediately sensing something was wrong; Jessica gone from his side.

'Jess! What happened?'

'Hey sleepy. A storm has started. I don't know how you slept this long.'

Jason focused on his wife. She had pulled back the internal shutters and leant against the balcony door frame, watching the storm roll closer.

'Big one? Have you checked on Sparrow?'

Jessica turned to study her husband. Sparrow was an old nickname Jessica gave to Margot when they shared a small double bed in a damp basement in Hammersmith. Jessica was an intern and Margot danced chorus. Sparrow referred to Margot's fast pounding heart; Jessica called Margot, her captive sparrow. Even then, at the peak of her physical fitness, Margot's metabolism operated in overdrive. Jessica had not used or heard the nickname for years.

'I've listened at the door. But I'm reluctant to risk waking her if she is sleeping through this. She is totally zonked. Here, put these on, in case she comes running in.'

Jessica threw over the boxer shorts, which Jason had discarded near the laundry bin. She slipped off her silk dressing gown and pulled on the T-shirt Jason had worn during the day. It smelled of Jason and sex.

A massive lightning strike hit the pump cover of the swimming pool, sending it clanging into the pool. The crash of thunder, massive and immediate, rattled the windows and doors and shook the house. Jessica recoiled from the window, tripping over the table and screaming as she hit the rug. A second strike hit the pump, followed by another deafening clap of thunder.

Jason jumped to his feet as Jessica edged away from the window, still sat on the floor. Margot screamed Jason's name from down the hall.

'Fuck Jace! That was close. Stay here, I'll go.'

Jessica recovered, stood, and trotted along the hall as Jason sat on the edge of the bed, his heart pounding. Three more tremendous flashes lit the room, followed immediately by thunderclaps. Three more sheet-lightning flashes followed in quick succession, with the thunder following several seconds behind.

Jason flopped back across the bed, closing his eyes as the storm continued around the bay. But at least not in his backyard. He half dozed for a few minutes.

'Jace! Move over.'

Jason sat in bed, disorientated. Realising he still faced across the bed towards the hall door, he shuffled round and pulled the heavy twill sheet back into place. The air felt thick and hot, the air-conditioning having powered down with the outage. As he fell back onto the pillow, Margot jumped into bed, grabbing him and burying her face into his arm. She threw her leg over his, her body half laying along his side. Jessica squeezed behind Margot, wedging her tighter against Jason, her arm over Margot, grasping Jason's hand. Margot buried her face between the pillows and wept an odd, animal-like whimper.

Jason rested his free hand on Margot's waist. She trembled, and Jason felt the legendary heartbeat pounding against his ribs.

'Hey sweetie! It's ok, the storm is moving away now. That was a bit scary.' He rubbed his hand along her side.

*

Jason refused to stress. Despite the unpleasant content, he knew it was a dream. He lay in a forest, trapped underground by an earthquake, the mud above him pushing on his chest. He tried to turn on to his side but could not move. He waited patiently to wake.

'Margot. You need to move over, love; I can't breathe.'

Margot lay full length on top of Jason. Her face on his chest, hair tickling his nose. Her stomach was against his stomach with her T-shirt ridden up, and her legs pinning his legs to the bed. He turned his face away from her hair. Jessica lay facing him, smiling; snuggled into her pillow.

'Do something, Jess, will you?'

'Yes, love. It must be awful having one of the country's top dancers sprawled across you in bed. There must be a medal for that.'

'Whatever. Just do something.' Jason flexed his back muscles to shake her off, but she shuffled more against his chest.

With a deep sigh, as if prising a girl off her husband was the most tedious and repetitive of tasks, Jessica gently rolled Margot onto her back, next to Jason. Without seeming to wake, Margot turned onto her side and buried her face back into his arm.

'Thanks. At least I can breathe now.'

Jason pretended he had not noticed her chest pushed against his forearm and crotch against his hipbone. Her stomach against his side felt firm, as hard as her hips.

'And don't forget you owe me one, Jess.'

'She is as much your friend now as she is mine.'

'No. I mean, you owe me one. After your little joke yesterday put the kibosh on my moment of satisfaction in the kitchen.'

Jessica manoeuvred herself over her friend and lay on top of Jason. His skin was still pink and warm from the previous intruder. She kissed him hard on the mouth.

'Shall I tell you something really kinky?'

'No. Thank you.'

'So, when Margot and I shared a basement studio...'

'I said no, Jess.'

'... I brought a guy home. Nothing serious. Just a one-night stand, although I ended up seeing him a couple more times.'

'I hope this story has a happy ending.'

'Oh yes! It does. So, we met at our local wine bar. Margot saw me through the window and joined us for a drink. He came back with us; I am not sure Margot had really picked up on what was happening. One or other was always bringing dates home, but this was all a bit more immediate, urgent.'

'Desperate?'

'Anyway, Margot went to bed, while we necked on the sofa.'

'In the same room.'

'Yep.'

'Well, that was a heart-warming story. Thank you for sharing.'

Jessica smirked, wriggling on top of Jason.

'Something else, Jess?'

'Yep. I took him to bed.'

'Bed? Where, his place?'

'Nope.'

'Your bed? With Margot in the bed? You are joking.'

'Nope. Jace, I have never orgasmed on a first date, not even with you. But I was having a pleasant moment, and it, he, was about to finish. At that moment, Margot found my hand and squeezed it. As he, you know, sped-up, so she squeezed harder. As he came in me, she squeezed so hard my knuckles cracked. I don't really know why, but I came so hard the guy must have thought I was having a fit - just because she was squeezing my hand. Cool, or what?'

'Wow. Was your little thing in the kitchen yesterday a bit of a throwback to Margot being in the room with you?'

Jessica shrugged. 'Yeah, maybe. Kinky?'

'Yes Jess, kinky.'

'Thank you. You are welcome.'

She lifted her head and smiled.

'So Jace. I was thinking. Margot won't mind. We are unlikely to have another chance. What do you say?'

'This poor girl is with us less than twenty-four hours and gets to watch us shag?'

'Is that a yes?'

Without waiting for an answer, Jessica ground her hips into her husband, feeling his arousal. Jason turned to face and check on the sleeping Margot. Jessica pulled his face towards her.

'Look at me Jace, not her.'

She held his chin between thumb and forefinger. Noses touching. She kissed him lightly on the lips before sliding down his body, squeezing his erection against his hip under her weight. Her hand remained, holding his face in place, now looking up at the ceiling. As Jessica kissed her husband's neck, he could smell her hair, damp from a night without air conditioning, mixed with coconut from her shampoo. She sucked his nipple into her mouth, gently gripping it between her teeth and teasing with the tip of her tongue.

Margot wriggled in her sleep. Jason tensed, and Jessica gripped his face harder, preventing him from checking that Margot still slept. Margot settled and her breath took on a shallow rhythm. Jason pulled his T-shirt, which Jessica still wore, up her body until it scrunched under her breasts. She lifted her body to allow him to pull the shirt higher until he could feel her naked breasts and hard nipples against his abdomen.

Jessica slid further down her husband, releasing her hold on his face. She stopped to kiss his bellybutton.

'No further Jess. I am not comfortable with you doing that, in front of anyone.'

Pushing with one hand on the bed and the other on his hip, she brought her face level with his again.

'Well! I've never heard you turn that down before.'

She straddled her husband, pulling off her T-shirt and slipping down the bed to remove his boxers. Jason fixed his stare on Jessica, avoiding looking at their guest. Jessica gently slid him inside, slowly bobbing her body. She placed both hands forward onto his stomach, returning eye contact. She increased speed, pulling further up and pushing down harder, moaning in time with the motion.

Jason placed a finger to her mouth, but she shook it away. Her moaning grew louder and deeper. Jason felt Margot pull her face away from his arm and prop herself on to an elbow. Jason closed his eyes; if he made eye contact with Margot, he would lose his erection.

'Hey sweetie.' Jessica spoke in a low, breathy voice. 'Is this ok with you? It's just like the old days.'

Margot did not answer Jessica directly, but Jason felt her hand slide across his stomach to find his wife's hand.

Jessica pumped harder.

'Harder. Please, harder.'

Jason pushed harder against Jessica's motion, before realising she was talking to Margot. As Jessica orgasmed, she straightened and then arched her back, collapsing onto her husband's chest, still clutching her friend's hand. Shuddering, she rolled off her husband, over her friend, and onto her back - bringing her knees towards her chest. Margot turned away from Jason and wrapped her arms around Jessica. The women laughed together, Jessica covering her face with embarrassment. Jason watched the women embrace and laugh as the last of Jessica's orgasm pulsed through her body.

'Sorry ladies, but you must explain what this is all about.'

The women laughed louder. Margot nestling her face into Jessica's hair. Between snorts, Jessica tried to answer her husband.

'I don't know, Jace, honest. We aren't into each other or anything.'

'Perhaps your wife is just a weirdo, Jason.'

'You can say that again.'

'Honestly Jace, this is only the second time, ever, that we have done that. It was like travelling back in time.'

Jessica pulled the sheet over her naked body, gripping her friend's wrist and pulling her arm across her sensitive chest for comfort.

*

'This hijinks is fine, but I can't help feeling a little left out. Twice you've backed out at the... curtain call.'

Jason teased his wife; there would be plenty of opportunities for intimacy once they had their privacy back.

'He's got a point, Jess. This seems a little Jessica-centred-hedonism. Where are all these beach bums looking for a washed-out dancer to rejuvenate?'

'You're only tired, not washed out. And you look great, even with a fringe.' The women chuckled together. 'If I were a beach bum, I'd do you. But our sleepy village isn't exactly overrun with eligible singletons, to be honest.'

Margot exhaled a long, theatrical sigh. 'Story of my life.'

Jessica kept the heavy sheet over her naked body. One arm draped across her friend and holding her husband's hand. His hand had naturally settled between the couple and onto Margot, but Jessica moved it to his own thigh.

'I suppose I could give you a hall pass, bestie. Single use only.'

Jessica's voice was serious; Jason detected a slight tremble. They both looked at Jessica for an explanation.

'Excuse me Jessica, I wasn't aware you had a hall pass.'

Jessica ignored her husband. The women shared the same pillow. Their noses almost touching.

'Go on Margot. Just do it.'

'Jess?'

'Go on. I dare you. I want you to. Just once. For old time's sake. Do not look so shocked. Go on, before I change my mind.'

Margot rolled onto her back, staring at the ceiling. Jason noticed she wore her serious, contemplative expression.

'Do what, girls?' The women ignored him.

'Do we ask first?'

'God no! You would only get a negative. Best just to help yourself and see what transpires.'

'Now?'

'Yep. I'll hold your hand if you like.'

Jessica smirked as Margot remained concentrating. She puffed on her fringe.

'You know I will, Jess? With you here?'

'Yep and yep.'

'You don't trust me?'

'Nope.' Jessica's grin returned.

'Now?'

'Now.'

Jason picked up his phone to check work emails. Margot rolled over to face him.

'What? I said nothing.'

Margot held his gaze. Jason felt uncomfortable, glancing at his wife and back at his phone. He was still naked; he squirmed under the sheet. He could feel the heat from Margot against his legs. Margot gave him a wide grin, and he reciprocated. He saw the green of her eyes replaced with the black of her dilating pupils

'What's going on?'

'Us, Mr T, is what's going on, by the look of it.'

Margot sat astride Jason, her bottom on his stomach. She pulled off her oversized boyfriend style pyjama top. Jason gulped and looked at his wife for explanation or intervention. Jessica smiled back at him.

'Not up for it, Jace?'

'It is not about that, Jess. Are you sure that you are up for it?'

Jessica nodded.

Margot gripped Jason's hands above his head with her left hand. He was a willing prisoner, much the stronger of the couple. With her free hand, she held his chin as Jessica had done. Mimicking Jessica, she spoke.

'Look at me Jason, not your wife.'

'You were awake?'

Margot lay a finger to his lips - now mimicking Jason's earlier instruction to his wife. She slid down his body to take up Jessica's earlier aborted position.

'No!' Jessica and Jason spoke together. Jessica continued.

'I did not offer that, Margot! Jeeze, I should have got my legal department to draft this bloody hall pass!'

Margot shrugged, edging up his chest again, until her pink cotton briefs were close to his face.

'OK.' Jessica consented.

Jason pulled the briefs to the side, tilting forward. Margot lent against the wall behind the bed, resting her head against her hand. She arched her back, pushing herself towards Jason's mouth, and gave a long moan as Jason ran his tongue over her. She grabbed at his hair, her thumb resting in his ear. Jessica pulled Margot's hand away, feeling a pang of jealousy fill her heart at this intimate gesture. With his head tilting just off the pillow, Jason continued to lick Margot. She struggled to hold herself without collapsing onto him. Jessica shuffled her position to improve her view. She looked up at Margot. Their eyes met.

Jason tried to push his fingers into Margot, but her briefs fell in the way. Jessica reached across and pulled them to one side, exposing Margot to her husband and freeing his hand to touch her. Licking and fingering her at the same time caused Margot to groan. He cupped her bottom with his free hand, his fingertips resting against her butt.

'Just one hall pass, young lady.'

'Shit Jess, really? So many rules. I knew I should have sent you out. Sorry Jace, not like this. I want you inside me, please.'

Margot twisted around, catching Jason in the temple with her knee. She pulled off her pants and lay on her back, pushing into the small gap between her new lover and his wife. She pulled Jason on top, roughly drawing his face to hers and sinking her tongue into his mouth.

'I'm not sure about kissing guys. I hadn't thought of kissing. Is it necessary, do you think? Ok, I suppose it's ok, if you want to, if you need to.' Jessica pulled on her husband's cheek and kissed his lips; Margot's mouth still searching for his, pushing against the corner of Jessica's mouth and chin.

Margot reclaimed Jason's attention and continued to kiss him hard on the mouth, occasionally breaking away to catch her breath and kiss over his face. Jessica's stomach churned with excitement. Margot pulled her knees up and yanked Jason towards her. He tried to enter her, but she was squirming, stretching to kiss his mouth. Jessica slid her hand between the couple, guiding her husband into her friend. As the couple pushed against each other, they trapped Jessica's hand; she could feel the heat and wetness from Margot. As they released Jessica's hand, she ran her wet fingers over her friend's stomach, feeling her abs tightening and relaxing to the rhythm of their lovemaking. She rested her hand over Margot's breast, stroking a thumb over her nipple.

After two failed attempts with his wife in less than twenty-four hours, Jason was just as keen as Margot, and the couple made love hard and fast. Margot accidentally scratched Jason's back, causing him to bleed. Jessica made to hold Margot's hand, returning the earlier gesture, but Margot shook her hand free and continued to claw at his back and shoulders. Jason breathed deep and noisy, but Margot drowned this out with her groaning and panting.

'Look Jace. Why not pull out before you, you know? I guess you don't really need to, not inside her. Jace, please?'

Jason offered no response to his wife and Margot wrapped her legs around Jason as his pumping into her increased. He pulled away to find enough room to squeeze her left breast, pinching her nipple between his fingertips and the palm of his hand - also leaning more on to his wife's hand and flattening it against Margot's right breast.

'Please Jess. Let him. I want it.'

Margot's voice comically wobbled to Jason's motion. Both women smiled and Jessica nodded her consent. Margot's eyes rolled; she gave a slow, lazy blink. Her cheeks reddened as she swallowed saliva and sniffed.

As Margot climaxed, she twisted and bucked, wrapping her arms around his head and shoulders to stop herself parting from him. Desperate not to miss another opportunity, Jason also wrapped his arms around her shoulders as he followed her body, moving up the bed. She pushed one arm against the headboard to provide purchase for Jason.

Margot screamed out as Jason gasped for breath. She lay still, other than for a series of involuntary shudders, still moaning. Jason slowed, pumping rhythmically as he climaxed into her. After a final long ejaculation, he made to pull away, but she held him close.

Margot's hair was damp with perspiration. She faced Jessica. Jessica looked irritated at first, but seeing her friend's smile, she softened. Jessica gently brushed stray hairs from Margot's face, and the women kissed.

'God Jess, I needed that. Thank you soooo much.'

'You are most welcome, my love.'

'Umm? Do I get a mention here?'

The women laughed. Jason rolled onto his back, still panting. Jessica retrieved Jason's boxers to wipe inside her friend's thighs and across her belly.

'And thank you Mr T. But the hall pass isn't quite over, just yet, I'm afraid.'

Jessica and Jason looked at their friend.

'Don't forget the hot beverages included. Coffee please, for your wife and me. And one for yourself.'

*

Jason sat opposite his wife on the shady terrace between kitchen and pool. He poured coffee as she set warm croissants on a plate in the centre of the three settings.

'What do we say? What do we talk about?'

Jessica responded with a sweet and protective smile.

'Oh, sweetheart. That was your first ever threesome, that is so sweet.'

'Yes, it bloody was. I'm not like you performing-arts-bohemian-types. You're all so bloody... body confident!'

'I can assure you we are rife with body insecurities in the industry. That keeps us so focused. A diet of coffee and fags to keep every ounce under control. We have scouts, producers, directors, audience and worse - each other, scrutinising every fold, pimple and stray hair. And another thing - you have an impressive body. I am proud to share you with my bestie.'

Jason cherried into another blush.

'Listen up, darling. You need to chill. Margot mustn't walk out here to be met with you, blushing and squirming. You'll make her feel like a... mistake. And for fuck's sake, make eye contact with her. She has lovely eyes; you mustn't keep looking away.'

'No pressure, then. Should I kiss...'

'No! You ever kiss her, or any girl, and I will drag your dismembered corpse to the divorce court!'

'But you just watched us...'

'Don't tell me what I just did, Jace. I was there, init!'

'Oops. Sorry guys, bad time?'

On hearing Margot's voice, Jason jumped to his feet, knocking over his chair.

'Margot! No worries. Please take a chair. I mean...'

'Thank you, Mr T. A bit of formal politeness is most appreciated; perhaps we should shake hands.'

Margot grinned at Jessica, who returned an exasperated shake of her head, directed at her husband. She patted Margot on the bottom as she passed to bring jam from the kitchen and pour fresh coffee. Margot's smile remained as she spoke to Jason. Jason thought it a little patronising.

'So, Mr T. Take you long to recover? I have a bit of catching up to do. And I shall put my cards on the table, right here, right now. You aren't really my type, and I love Jessica more than you. We go way-back, understood? You don't fall in love with me. You never make a pass at me. And look at me when I am talking to you.'

Jason lifted his chin, looking into Margot's eyes. Jessica was right, they really were quite beautiful.

'I love Jess, totally. And this morning was dead cool. Thank you, Margot.' Margot rolled her eyes. 'But I think it was a one off. Sorry. Jess won't...'

'You let me worry about Jess. She will be fine.' Margot saw scepticism in his eyes. 'Jason, I have just performed, semi-naked, in front of thousands and thousands of strange faces for month after month. Just how afraid of a storm do you think I really am, so that I fall asleep on you, instead of going back to my cool bed? You worry about keeping your strength up and I will worry about all the different ways Jessica might feel the need to invite me into her marital bed.'

'Here. Jam and coffee, food for gods. What are you guys chatting about? Looks serious.'

'Oh, you know Jess, just telling your husband about future performances and stuff.'

Jason maintained eye contact with their friend, her pupils fully dilated.

'So tell me, Jess, you guys often make out in the pool?'