Full Disclosure Ch. 06

Number 6: A Compromise

The sunlight streamed through the window in one sharp bright line between the curtains, that hadn't been fully closed the night before. Natalie squinted her eyes at the beam of light. Unlike home, it didn't land directly on her face, instead the light hit the foot of the bed. Still, it reminded her of those stupid curtains at home. How they wouldn't meet in the middle. And that the light was waking her before she was ready.

With a glance at the clock, she was surprised the sunlight hadn't woken her earlier. Nine thirty in the morning, though she had no idea at what time she'd finally passed out. It had to have been very late, or early, as it were, probably around four in the morning. Arching her back beneath the single sheet that covered her, she felt sore. The yoga, the hours of dancing... but also, Elijah had been rough.

In a good way, she determined after some thought. Little flashes of their return pulsed through her head; bent over the side of the bed, he'd finished quickly, long before she had neared her own. But his recovery hadn't taken long, and they'd had sex twice more before she'd finally passed out. The third she only vaguely remembered, as tired as she was by that point. She'd been on her side with Elijah behind her, holding her close and gentler this time. She remembered her long orgasm, but couldn't really recall falling asleep.

Rolling over in bed, she watched his even breathing as he slept until she delicately laid her hand on his chest. It caused him to stir, his head rolling from one side to the other before he covered her hand with his, and his eyes fluttered open.

"Good morning," he breathed, offering her a weak smile.

Continuing to peer at him, Natalie said nothing. Now in the hazy 'day after', sobriety brought some clarity. Dots had been present the night before, but she'd yet to connect them to form a picture. All she knew was that Elijah had urgently pulled her from the club and they'd fucked for a few hours before she'd fallen asleep. There were other dots, but that particular point A to B needed clarification.

"What happened last night?"

Elijah licked his lips, eyes briefly opening, then shutting again as he held Natalie's hand, rolling his shoulders to try and wake fully up. His muscles were sore, though not terrible. He'd just need a good stretch before starting the day. "Mmm," he groaned, unable to keep his eyes open for too long. "Did you black out?"

Natalie shook her head. "No," she said, brows furrowed. "I didn't get that drunk."

"Good," Elijah said with a small smile. Rolling over, he pulled her naked body against his, enveloping her in his arms. "I'd hate to think you had no memory. I'd feel awful."

His chin had rested against the top of her head, so she took a minute to allow the cuddling before adjusting so she could look at him. "I remember you fucking me very hard," she said.

This woke Elijah up, and his eyes searched her. "Are you okay?" he asked her, suddenly worried. He had been pretty rough, he had to admit, but not even close to as rough as they could be. At least he thought so, but he had been drunk. "Did I hurt you?"

"No," Natalie responded, and he relaxed instantly when he saw that it was accompanied with a sheepish smile. "No, you didn't hurt me. It was nice."

"Good," Elijah hummed, then kissed her forehead.

He wasn't realizing what she was trying to ask, and she continued to peer at him, consistently having to scoot her head further back as he'd try to draw her against his chest. "Elijah," she finally said. "What happened that made you drag me from the club?"

Not particularly enjoying her tone, Elijah rolled onto his back, turning his head away. What was with the seriousness so early? But then it occurred to him. The 'before'. What had happened before they'd come back to the room. His time with Leah in the private room. His heart skipped a beat as he saw Leah on that settee, her bare breasts, his hand exploring her depths, remembering every second now. How he'd had to hold back, and how he'd taken it out on Natalie, his need to fuck someone silly.

At least it had been appropriately aimed; at her instead of Leah.

Turning back to his side, he once again wrapped his arm around Natalie, running his fingers through her long matted hair. It offered him more appropriate visions, just as exciting, of pulling her hair while taking her from behind over the bed. Wetting his lips, he eyed her levelly. "It's difficult here," he began, not knowing exactly how to phrase it, or how much he should share.

Probably all of it. That was what they'd agreed.

Still, he felt it could be said carefully and with only the smallest details. Everything in moderation, even when it came to honesty. He ran his fingertips over her side, up and down, watching them travel her soft skin, admiring her bare chest. "I guess you could say I avoided temptation," he finally settled on, then looked into her blue eyes to gauge her reaction.

Natalie inhaled deeply and offered a quick nod. "I can understand that," she admitted, deciding there were things that shouldn't be questioned. If he'd been tempted by someone else, he'd come to her. But that being the case meant they needed to figure out how to proceed. They'd settled in here, made friends, found others they were interested in... she certainly had a burning flame that lit her core in the form of Etienne. "Thank you for coming to me," she told him, then leaned in to kiss his lips, settling her hand on his cheek.

Ultimately Elijah was glad he had. They'd had a lot of fun last night in the room. But he knew he could have had a lot of fun in the club, too, if he'd allowed himself to. Something he still wouldn't have done, if given the opportunity again, not so long as they hadn't discussed it first. But he was aware that it needed to be discussed now. Tensions had risen that involved other people. He knew she was drawn to the French dude, and it would be unfair of him to feel jealous over that when he had Beth and Leah hanging onto his every word, awaiting the okay. Though, he did feel the jealousy, regardless.

"I may not have," he admitted with a frown. His heart began to thump in his chest as he awaited a response. After not receiving one, only Natalie's open gaze, he took a deep breath. "But until I'm sure, I will turn to you."

This was a question, Natalie realized, though it had been phrased as a statement. She wasn't sure how ready she was to further their exploration. It felt as though they'd only furthered their own exploration of one another, after long forgetting what it was like to be driven by lust along with their love. But upon further consideration, she reminded herself that this was the point. It had even been spoken aloud. They were here to rekindle, yes. But they were also here to find out if their marriage should go on. That perhaps, once they'd had a chance to experience someone else, they'd know their sex life had died for that reason: that they just weren't into each other anymore in the way they should be.

Thumb caressing his cheek, stroking his skin, she closed her eyes. Felt his fingers trail against her side. There was no way that was the answer, but it was still a fear. Regardless, the dangling question mark would continue to mar their experience here until they'd answered it.

"Who is it you want?" Natalie finally asked, steadying herself. And once the words left her mouth, there was great relief in the moments after that she wasn't affected. Just like before, just like in college, this was okay. She wanted this. She was the one pressing for it, not him, otherwise he may have just done whatever he liked the night before.

Elijah knew what name she wanted to hear, but it wasn't the name he wanted to say. They had promised honesty. Still, he was very attracted to Beth. He took a brief moment to think about having sex with Beth. It would be exciting, simply because it would be an unknown. It was always fun exploring someone new, it didn't matter who it was. But Leah was the fantasy. The stereotype. The unfulfilled quantity for any man who had ever sat behind his computer in moments of privacy.

However, upon further consideration, Beth was just as honest. And once they'd begun the adventure of taking things to the next level with others, in no way did that mean they were locked in. Naming someone now did not mean they couldn't name someone later. They were only three days in, for fuck's sake.

"It's Leah," Natalie said, after watching his lengthy consideration. Long enough to have guessed.

"Actually, no," Elijah said. He rested his hand on her hip. "I think we should work in Beth. Naturally, of course, but we both like her. We had fun the other night in the pool. If we're taking this to the next step, it's the natural choice."

There was relief to be had in this, though it was minor. The question mark would be answered, and that gave relief. What amplified it was that Natalie was very comfortable with Beth in a way she wasn't with Leah. And she smiled. "Okay, it's Beth," she agreed.

Searching Natalie, he felt it was his turn. He would need to give. "And you? Etienne..."

While the prospect there didn't thrill him, having noticed a deeper connection between Natalie and Etienne that alarmed him, it was only fair. But he was stunned when Natalie shook her head.

"I'm not sure yet," she said. Frankly it surprised her that she'd answered so quickly to the contrary of what she actually felt, but it wasn't dishonest. Because her marriage dangled in the balance, she felt Etienne was too large of a step to make. She felt something with him that she hadn't felt for a long time. An interest that was more than just sexual. And if she were to leap toward that this early, it would be like jumping into an ocean off a boat that had no intention of stopping should she drown. It was likely better to start with someone where only a physical attraction existed before exploring the depth of her feelings. Wade in, as it were, so she could easily turn around back to safety. The safety of Elijah. "Rain check on my decision there?"

Elijah wrapped her into his arms once more, and this time, he didn't feel her struggle backwards in an attempt to continue the discussion. And he was relieved. Maybe she wasn't as into the Frenchman as much as he'd thought.

But while cuddling up with her in the silence that followed, he knew he had to offer an olive branch in the form of some man, since he was getting his opportunity to be with a woman, albeit together with Natalie, so they'd both enjoy it. But he determined he'd find some time to meet the men around here instead of his single-minded, selfish pursuit of women, if only to find someone for the fair play. As he needed his questions answered, she deserved her chance too.

Natalie left before he did to head out to the yoga that began at eleven. He told her he'd meet her by the pool when she finished, but that he was going to go back to sleep for another hour. "Take your time," she'd responded, kissing his cheek. "I might come back for a nap too. Definitely didn't get enough sleep."

After swinging by the restaurant and quickly downing a glass of orange juice, she continued to pick at her bagel enroute to the yoga on the lawn. As she walked the length of the pool, as the restaurant was located on the far north end of the building, and the lawn was south, she saw Etienne and Luc.

And they were both with the girls from last night. Jessica and Melaina. Well, not with, she determined, as they sat around a table eating breakfast; it wasn't as though they were fucking on lounge chairs, but the way they sat... Luc had an arm around the back of Melaina's chair, and Etienne was much closer to Jessica than the others at the table.

They were engrossed in conversation over their meal, and it dawned on Natalie that she felt jealous. And jealousy was a foreign emotion to have. But it was so stark that, hard as she tried, she couldn't give it any other name. No other word on an emotional scale covered the sinking feeling that this was a morning-after breakfast.

How stupid to even assume... and for Christ's sake, she was the one who was married. But thinking back, she had created this world where he was only after her. He'd basically said as much in the club. In French, when he'd told her that Jessica wrongly assumed Luc had found her for him. Still, given where they were, why had she envisioned he wasn't hooking up with multiple women, the way everyone else here was?

And an unwarranted anger built as she neared, knowing she'd have to walk by. Hastening her steps, she hoped she wouldn't be noticed as she ducked her head on her approach, widening her course around them so she bordered the edge of the curving pool.

"Natalie," Etienne called out.

She looked up in a way that he'd think she hadn't noticed them at all, painting her face with a startled expression that turned to a smile of recognition, though the smile wasn't felt, and she knew it didn't reach her eyes.

"Morning," she said shortly, briefly slowing, but not stopping. "Off to yoga down the way, don't want to be late."

Etienne quickly rose from his seat and jogged her way. Still she kept walking, wondering if she ought to take her pace up, perhaps make a run for it, as she didn't want to look foolish. But that would look more foolish.

When he caught up with her, he matched her stride. "You really are in a hurry," he said, smiling at her warmly.

"Yup, it starts at eleven," she told him, only glancing sideways as this was said before levelling her gaze out toward the grassy area where a few people milled about waiting for the class to begin. Her salvation.

"Is not so soon," Etienne correctly noted while looking down at his watch, then grabbed her forearm as he deftly maneuvered himself in front of her to block her way. "Fifteen minutes, no? Why the rush?"

Natalie sighed heavily, eyes widening in annoyance. "I just figured I shouldn't interrupt your meal," she responded. "You're with friends, and I wanted to get there early. Stake out a good place on a mat." A shrug followed that voiced her question without asking it aloud: what do you want from me?

While he didn't share anything with Elijah in the looks department outside of being extraordinarily attractive, he was still very smart like her husband. But what they had exactly in common was their strength of observation. They were both perceptive, and she knew it yesterday when he'd been able to pinpoint her troubled marriage, just as he saw now what was driving her.

With a sideways grin, he lowered his brows. "You are jealous?" he asked, then chuckled. "Hmm, I thought you were immune to such a thing, but I was maybe incorrect? I thought I was the only one who felt jealousy in our time together yesterday."

"I'm not jealous," Natalie said, though her shoulders fell in defeat. "But I believe my assessment of the situation is correct. That is sharing breakfast after a night together, and I mean it when I say that I did not want to interrupt."

At least that was true, though her motive hadn't been out of some act of selflessness. If anything, her haste was due to hoping he wouldn't see her so she wouldn't have to have this exact conversation. Her morning had already been filled with a heavy discussion, she was not about to have one with a man she'd met only yesterday.

"Alright," Etienne said, finally releasing his arm and holding his hands out, palms to the sky, in a shrug. "I spent the night with Jessica. My first choice left the club with her husband." He stepped closer, Natalie immediately stepped back. Undeterred, he again pressed forward with another step, this time grabbing her shoulders to hold her in place. "If she decided she wanted me, every night here with her--rien qu'à adorer son corps--before returning to Paris." His tone was sultry and Natalie looked away as he spoke of worshipping her body in the abstract. "No other woman would receive my glance or any affection. But from what I can tell, she is not ready." His hand raised up her neck, and he brushed against it with the back of his fingers. "It is a strange thing; to know something to be so true in just seconds of meeting someone. I cannot say I've ever experienced it before. Stranger, despite her being married, I'd put off anything and anyone just for the chance."

Natalie would not speak, she refused to. If anything, she was growing annoyed. But outweighing that--far outweighing that, she felt confused and smitten and wounded and scared and so entranced by the romance of it that she wouldn't have been able to speak if she tried.

He must have noticed this, and he dropped his hands from her shoulders, taking a step back. She felt sick to have lost his touch, but also understood the necessity of it. "Oh well," he said casually. "C'est la vie. Maybe if you find her, you can let her know that while I slept with someone else, I thought only of her. And that I do not care if she's married. If she decides she is ready..."

"I thought we were friends," Natalie said, deciding he needed to drop the act, right now. He was right, she was not ready, that had been determined before even seeing him this morning while talking to Elijah.

"Ahh, Belle Femme, we are very close friends," Etienne sighed. "You will go to yoga, I will finish breakfast, and when you've returned you will find me waiting to spend another day with you. But can I ask you a question?"

Biting her lip, Natalie nodded, though she crossed her arms over her chest, closing herself off externally. So much confusion to wade through, she couldn't begin to address it now.

"Does it bother you that I slept with Jessica?" he implored.

Unfairly, it did. And because it was so inexcusable, she was instantly able to alter her viewpoint and remove the jealousy that had crept in. She would not allow herself to place a double standard on Elijah, whom she had been with for eight years, as she would not allow a double standard on a man she'd only met twenty-four hours prior.

Relief washed through her, she felt her muscles relax. "I thought it did," she admitted. "For a few minutes there, I allowed it to. Je suis desole." Her apology, and she meant it. "Et je te kiffe," she added, assuring him that her desire had not changed. "But you came here for a reason, as did I. Please continue to sleep with whomever you wish until, ah... until that girl has decided she's ready."

Etienne smiled, and she could easily see his echoed relief, realizing that he'd been anxious and worked up, maybe even fearful that he'd lost her over something that, in the scheme of things, was so trivial. He reached out, swept at her hair while cupping the end and bringing it to his nose, inhaling her scent. "I hope she will be ready soon."

"Au Revoir," Natalie said, bordering on a whisper.

Straightening her shoulders, she began to walk by him, but heard him say behind her, "In an hour, you will find me alone by the pool. My promise."

She did not turn around, but she did grin to herself before picking up her pace and hurrying over toward the lawn, where she was now bordering on late.

Yoga had felt good on her sore muscles, and she walked to the pool thoroughly stretched and feeling limber and energetic, to find what had turned into her "crew of friends" in the same place they'd taken up the day before, give or take a few. Those girls had meant it when they said Kendra had disappeared early. They'd briefly met the night before, but Natalie could only assume Kendra and her muscle man spent the days and nights fucking like rabbits, as she was absent once more today.

Luc and Melaina laid on a lounger together, and Jessica was present, though sitting on her own tanning while Etienne had kept his word; that she would find him alone at the pool. He sat on the ledge they'd spent the afternoon on the day before with his feet dangling in the water, and smiled at her warmly the second she arrived.

Elijah was talking with Beth and Leah, and after setting her bag down, giving him a kiss, she made her way to the ledge of the pool to sit beside Etienne, spend more time getting to know him. And they all fell into a similar rhythm that had quickly become familiar, even though the beat had only been created the day before. It was comfortable. It was relaxed. And while it still bordered on dangerous, it also felt safe.

Later in the afternoon while swimming in the pool, Elijah made a point of giving Beth more of his attention, waiting for the right moment to talk to her. And he got his chance when Leah left to order a drink from a waiter who had been stopped by Luc and Melaina.

Placing his hand on her waist, he ushered her across the pool so when Leah returned, she'd have more distance to cross.

"I want to be with you again," he told her, pulling her close, eying Natalie and finding she was watching them. He noticed how she quirked a brow, still speaking her fluent French with Etienne, which he'd determined not to interfere with. He had to be fair. Let her figure out what she wanted.

Beth sharply inhaled, then infinitesimally shook her head. "You... you want to be with me?" she stammered. "Like last time?"

"More," he responded, using a tone of seduction he'd mastered long ago. With his other hand, he gently stroked it across her clavicle, then down to the top of her breasts. "Natalie and I had such a good time, and we've talked about it. Getting another chance, only with more privacy."

"Natalie too?" Beth asked, her brows drawn.

Elijah's chin tucked into his neck. "Oh, is that not okay?" he asked, then shrugged casually. "I'm sorry, maybe I wasn't clear. We really are in this together. So you'd have to be okay with--"

"I'm okay with it," Beth cried loudly, then frowned, glancing around in a panic. A brief laugh erupted. "I mean... that was the first time I'd ever really... a threesome?" She paused, her cheeks flooding with color. "I haven't done that. I might not know how!"

Elijah gave her his warmest smile, finally bringing the hand down and cupping her breast. "You seemed just fine two nights ago," he assured her. "But there's no pressure. Take time to think about it--"

"I want to," she said, again interrupting him with her eagerness. It was absolutely adorable, Elijah had to admit. She'd be a blast, if she maintained this sort of enthusiasm. He knew she'd aim to please, probably more than a woman who was used to joining a pair, and that thought sent his blood rushing.

"After dinner?" he inquired, continuing to knead her breast over her bikini. He then noticed Leah was entering the pool, and grew urgent. "If that's not too soon."

Beth smiled widely. "Yes!" she cried, wrapping a leg around his. "Yes, after dinner. Oh my god!"

Releasing his grip on her chest, he backed away a few inches. "Seven then. Room 208." Leah was a few feet away. "Hello gorgeous," he said to her, holding out an arm. "Join us, we were thinking we may swim down to the bar."

"Shit," Leah whined, looking over her shoulder but sidling up beside them. "I just ordered a drink."

"I'm sure someone will take it," Elijah determined. "Let me just go tell Natalie."

He then swam back across the pool until he was in front of his wife. "We're heading to the bar, if you'd like to come," he said, then gave her a deep look to convey that plans had been made. "Etienne?" he added, knowing it was more important than ever to make him an inclusion, since Natalie was more or less doing him a favor here. He'd need to be sure it was repaid, even though she'd determined this morning that it wouldn't be with Etienne.

"Yes, I'm parched," Etienne said, sliding into the water without hesitation, and Natalie recognized exactly what he was doing. This was his attempt to get in good with Elijah to help her make up her mind, but more than that, likely to be sure Elijah would be okay with it if she did.

"Nat?"

She shrugged with a smile. "Why not?" she responded, following their lead and sinking into the pool from the ledge.

And on their way, Elijah was able to get her alone for a moment, swimming closest to her, and told her they had an after dinner date that evening, double checking to be sure it was still okay with her. Unnecessary, he already knew the answer before she even nodded her head in return.

That evening, Natalie sat on the edge of the bed, one leg crossed over the other, staring at herself in the mirror upon the dresser. Elijah handed her a glass of white wine, taking a large sip of his own. Still she stared into the mirror, studying herself carefully.

She was still beautiful. Twenty-seven, awaiting the arrival of a woman, it may as well have been eight years ago, as she didn't look that much different. Her hair had been darker, she'd colored it a light brown back then, but it was the same length, the tips brushing the top of her chest. But her face and body appeared much the same. Still toned, perhaps more so now that she regularly jogged as a routine, whereas she'd rarely had time to in college. Turning to the side and pushing her shoulder out, she admired her form for a moment. Yes, she was much the same, and her actions now mimicked their first time so many years ago.

She remembered how nervous she'd been. Though it had been her idea, and she'd chosen a friend she trusted, it had been scheduled, just like tonight, instead of an impromptu 'in-the-moment' decision that these things often were. And she'd spent the minutes before her friend arrived in her bedroom, staring at herself in the mirror second guessing her decision. It was so early in their relationship, but she'd wanted the thrill of it. That being said, she'd still had a last minute panic that Elijah may decide her friend was more fun, or more beautiful. And she'd stared in the mirror for a long time to remind herself that she was beautiful, that they had fallen for one another so quickly, and that she was making the right decision.

Just like now. She was making the right decision, though the reasons were different. Then it had been about excitement and thrills, sharing an experience she had always wanted to try. Now it was to reignite what had been lost, return to the recklessness of youth to discover if they should bother keeping up the good fight.

And the thrill was there. She was actually very excited, despite the deeply rooted hesitations, which were only present due to the uncertainty of their future. But she was certain of the 'now'.

Elijah kneeled before her, interrupting her thoughts and blocking her vision. He placed his hand on her knee below the wrap she wore around her waist, covering the bottom half of the bikini she still wore from the pool; he was in his swim trunks and a navy tee. "You're quiet," he said softly, peering at her with a speculative brow.

"Just reminiscing," Natalie responded, looking him deeply into the eyes. He did look different than in college. More muscles, despite his lean frame, also having taken to a daily exercise routine. He didn't look thirty, or at least what she thought thirty should look like. Twenty-four, maybe. His hair had been longer, he'd worn it at a length to his chin back then. Now it was even throughout his head, though still at a length of three inches or so, enough to give it the waves that she so adored. Snaking her fingers into it, relishing in how silky his hair felt, she twisted a chunk around her finger. He had the All-American features and charm, a strong jaw, beautiful flawless skin that was tanned from the last few days in the sun. He really was an Adonis.

"About?" he inquired.

With a grin, Natalie said, "About how we looked when we first met. How we look now." She paused, deep in thought. "About how attractive you are, still. It's like you just become more handsome every year."

Elijah rolled his eyes playfully. "And you've become more beautiful every year," he told her, meaning it. She was more exquisite than she'd been in college, and he'd felt the night he'd met her that no creature on this great earth could ever compare to her beauty. He couldn't believe she'd talked to him at all, let alone returned his phone call the next day. "I remember when I first saw you. I thought, there's no way she could be single, and even if you were, that there was no way in hell you'd want anything to do with me."

"Isn't it weird how insecure you are in your teens?" Natalie asked. "I was also thinking about the first time we did this. I wanted to so badly, it just seemed like it would be so much fun. But about a half hour before Jen arrived, I went into this panic that maybe you'd think she was prettier or more fun in bed."

"But she was safe," Elijah reminded her. "She wasn't interested in me, just wanted a night of fun like we did. Is that why you're quiet? Because you don't think Beth is safe?"

Natalie shook her head. "I feel completely comfortable about Beth," she stated. "She wants you, but we've had women who wanted you before. That's always been more common. But she's safe because, despite what we've been going through, I'm certain you're not about to pack your bags and leave me for her. Which is why she's a good starting off point."

Elijah felt his heart sink, so deeply into his stomach that he felt he might be sick. Cradling her cheek, he frowned deeply. "I don't know what the fuck I did to you to make you think that anyone else may not be safe," he told her. "But I'm telling you now that I regret it. All the little things that added up, I regret each and every one of them. If this experiment fails... if we fail out of all of this, determine we can't continue on, it wasn't because someone here wasn't safe. Do you know that?"

Thinking it through, Natalie determined that of all things, that was the whole truth of it. It didn't matter who they fucked around with here, this was another world. If they returned home finding things the same, it was over because it had been over for a year, not due to some random woman here. Which made them all safe. It was just that a few might feel a little more dangerous, is all.

"I know it," she responded, lightly nodding her head. "I think if I felt otherwise, I would have said no. I know you feel this need to reassure me, I would feel the need if a guy was showing up instead of a girl to do the same. But I'm promising you, I'm just as excited as you are."

Elijah stroked her hair. "We're not going to fail," he stated, so firmly, so certain. "I shouldn't have even said that, because I know we won't. I don't want to place doubt--"

"It needs to be said," Natalie interrupted. "It needs to be repeated. Because while I am sure we will see this through as well, we need to have that doubt so we will work harder. We need to own the doubt, because neither of us want to fail."

There was a light rapping on the door, and they both turned to face it. Beth was right on time.

"I love you," Elijah said urgently, then pulled her close and kissed her to convey the depth of his love. "I love you, I love you, I love you. No matter what happens, don't doubt that. Promise me you won't doubt it."

Natalie smiled pensively, then pulled him into another kiss. "I promise," she responded. "I love you as well. Now, let's lighten up and go get the door. Have fun, be reckless." Elijah rose. "Oh!" Natalie cried, grabbing his hand. "And don't hold back because you think you're supposed to. You're not. I'm into this."

Taking a long sip of his wine, Elijah set his glass down and walked over to answer the door.

Beth hovered in the hallway, definitely shy in posture. It was adorable, really, how her cheeks were flushed, and she'd dressed up, adding to her innocent charm. She was in a white sundress that fell to her knees, unlike he and Natalie who had just kept on what they'd worn throughout the day, with the addition of his tee and her sarong.

"Hi," she said sheepishly, her fingers fidgeting together at her waist. "I'm, uhm..."

"Right on time," Elijah finished for her, holding the door wider and stepping to the side so she could enter. "Come on in, we've already cracked into the wine."

Natalie watched Beth enter with a smile. Really, the girl was darling. Her white dress was lovely on her frame, and her obvious nerves were charming. She quickly rose from the bed and walked over to the dresser, poured a glass for Beth. "You're okay with white?" she asked. They also had red, it was just that they both preferred white in warm weather, as it felt more refreshing, less heavy than red varietals.

"White is great," Beth said as Elijah closed the door behind her, then followed her over to where Natalie was handing off the glass. She took a sip, smiled. "Wow, this is really good."

"Gewürztraminer," Natalie informed her. "Just a little sweet. Not dry, which feels good on hot days. How are you?"

Natalie sat down on the edge of the bed again, sipping at her wine, while Elijah leaned against the dresser. Beth glanced between the two, then decided to sit beside Natalie. "I'm fine," she said, then took a huge gulp from her glass.

"Beth, if you're nervous," Natalie began, but was abruptly cut off.

"I'm not," Beth said, shaking her head vigorously. But then she sighed. "I am a little," she admitted. "Did Elijah tell you that I've..." Natalie patiently waited through the pause as Beth looked over at Elijah for help.

"I didn't," Elijah said, stepping in, and stepping forward. "Beth told me that the other night was her first time doing anything like that with two people."

Natalie grinned at the girl, placing a hand on hers on the comforter of the bed. "You're safe with us, Beth," she assured her. "This is about having a fun time, and if at any point you feel uncomfortable, it stops! Just like that. Easy."

Beth took another long sip. "I'm comfortable," she said. "I mean, I will be. I'm not afraid, it's not like I'm a virgin. I just don't know how it all works. But I want to. I've been so excited all afternoon. I just don't want to let you down."

Sitting down beside Beth, Elijah placed his hand on her thigh. "That would be impossible," he assured her, meaning it. "This isn't some porno, there will be stupid moments where it's clumsy, and that's totally okay. You just let loose and enjoy. Don't be afraid to ask for something."

"But more than that, don't be afraid to say no," Natalie added. "Trust us to know that we both find you beautiful and we want you, but this is as much about pleasing you as it is our pleasure. We're all equal here. And hey! If this just ends up the same as it did in the pool that night, believe me, we are both more than satisfied."

Beth finished her glass, and grinned. "I'm glad my first threesome is with you," she said, aiming this at Natalie. "I trust you more than my best friends. God, I just really like you. You're like... who I wish I was."

Elijah rose to grab the bottle, but Natalie infinitesimally shook her head no. She had Beth's attention, and while Beth may be head over heels for him, it would ultimately be Natalie who kept her comfortable here. And this was about making her feel safe.

"I don't know why," Natalie responded, brushing her hand down Beth's arm. "You are so beautiful. Can I ask you something though, only to understand boundaries?" Beth nodded her head immediately, and Natalie could see that this only reassured her further. Leaning in as though admitting a fault, a secret, she said, "I'm not all that into girls. When we kissed, I of course said that you kiss a woman because you want to, and not for a man. And for me, that's true. I like to kiss and I like to touch. But I'm not bi, I just enjoy the fun of it all. So my question for you is in regards to me. Do you have any lines you'd like to draw, because this is equally about you."

Smiling, Beth looked like she was about to cry. "See? This is why I'm so glad this is with you. I wouldn't even think to discuss something like that." She paused, thinking it through. Natalie waited appreciatively, Beth growing up before her eyes. "I like to kiss girls, yes," she decided. "I'm not sure about the rest, but I don't think I could like..." After this pause, she leaned even closer and whispered so Elijah couldn't hear. "... Go down on a girl, you know?"

Natalie laughed airily. "I'm not a fan, though I've done it for women who want it, because this is about giving and sharing. But it's not my thing either." Glancing up at Elijah, he had his back turned, giving them their privacy while appearing busy with the wine. He understood the necessity of this conversation for Beth. "Glad we talked that over, but if you decide differently, again, this is about pleasing everyone."

Suddenly, Beth wrapped her arms around her. "Thank you," she whispered. "I'm sure about all of this. Well, unsure how to begin..." she added as her brows furrowed once she'd backed away.

"A kiss is a good way to start," Natalie said, then cradled her cheek. Leaning in as though to kiss her, at the last moment, she turned her head, as now the tease could begin. "Elijah, baby," she cooed, watched as he casually turned around. Gesturing her head that he should join them, she coaxed Beth's head toward her husband. And with a well-honed sense of what to do to ease into such a thing after so much practice, Elijah set his glass of wine down and stepped forward until his knees were between Beth's legs, and Natalie dropped her hand from the girl's cheek as Elijah took over.

Placing a knee between her legs on the mattress, Elijah pressed onward as she instinctually scooted back on the bed, staring into his eyes with anticipation and longing. He felt it, as well, had been anxious to move from the awkward beginning into the main event, though had recognized the necessity. It was always so much easier when these things happened unexpectedly, as they had in the pool two nights ago.

Looking down at her, now hovering over her, he took in her round face, the way her brown hair haloed around her head on the comforter. With a hand on either side of her head on the mattress, he leaned down and tenderly kissed her lips, letting himself be lost in their kiss. He'd been through this before, as had Natalie. They'd discovered early on that attention needed to be showered on their third so they felt welcome and included.

And he enjoyed kissing her, enjoying it now just as much as he had in the pool. Pressing his groin against her, he eased his right hand over her shoulder and down to her breast, enjoying how she moaned into his mouth.

Natalie leaned back on her elbow, watched Elijah giving his full attention to Beth. It was sexy, seeing him with another woman, despite the inevitable feeling of jealousy. But for some reason, that jealousy always aroused her. As it would rise, she'd feel competitive, which made it more fun. But for now, in this moment, the anticipation of what was to come kept her at bay, allowing them to take their time before it was her turn, which would come; Elijah always made sure equal attention was given.

Sitting up on his knees, Elijah removed his tee and tossed it across the room, then instantly brought himself back down to Beth to continue their kiss, only with more passion now. With his hand travelling her thigh, gently raising her dress, he whispered, "Roll on your stomach."

Beth obliged as he raised one knee so she could turn over, then straddled the back of her thighs. Pulling her hair to one side, he located the top of the zipper and slowly lowered it down her back, fingers teasing the skin above as it would reveal. He then pulled the bottom half up to her waist as she instinctively turned around, then raised it over her head as she sat up, revealing white lacy lingerie. "You are so sexy," he told her, admiring her taught skin and the contrast between her tan and the virginal white ensemble.

Beth flushed, looking down as her shoulders raised timidly, only causing her chest to scrunch together and create that amazing line of cleavage. He drew his forefinger from her clavicle downward until it met that line, and with some pressure, continued between her breasts against her sternum until it met the middle of her bra, then hooked his finger to pull at it for a moment before letting it snap back to her skin. "Well, this needs to come off," he said with a casual shrug and a sideways grin, then wrapped his arms behind her back and deftly unhooked.

Rubbing his hands along her shoulder blades, he spread the straps from her until they fell off her shoulder blades. She was marble, still as a statue, staring into his eyes without moving a muscle as he worked it from her body, revealing her magnificent round breasts with their small pink nipples. He knew she was nervous, though was also aware that she wouldn't be for long. Once they got moving, she'd relax and enjoy every bit of it, as he'd make it his mission to please her.

Still watching and biding her time, Natalie kept her gaze on her husband with a serene calm as he reached out and began to stroke the sides of Beth's breasts with the back of his fingers before palming one as he lowered his mouth to the other. He gently began to suck, and she could feel the heat rising in her body, ready for her turn when they were both sure Beth was fully comfortable and ready to take her own initiative. Which she knew was close, judging by Beth's moans.

It allowed Natalie to take some initiative herself, and she rose, propping herself up with a long straight arm. Leaning in, Beth turned to her and kissed her more fervently than Natalie had even intended to. And with that she knew Beth was fully involved both mentally and physically.

Elijah only glanced up to see Beth making out with Natalie, enjoying the view as he continued to lick and tease her nipples. It was exciting being with another woman, and he found himself unable to stop thinking about when he'd finally get to enter her. No woman felt the same inside, each exciting. But to finally have sex with someone other than Natalie again, as he thought about it, his erection began so intensely that he didn't think he could wait much longer.

With one hand still groping Beth's amazing breast, he reached over to Natalie and untied the bow of the bikini at her neck, then the second at her back. He stopped sucking on Beth and gently pushed against her so she'd lay back, which ended their kiss, allowing him to take to his wife's mouth as he pulled the front of her bikini, removing it from her body.

Backing up, he took in the two beauties before him, so different in shape that his heart was racing. Natalie's smaller chest that he so loved, contrasting Beth's larger, rounder breasts. But Natalie had Beth beat in shape, how toned she was, in comparison to Beth's small frame. Seeing them side by side, his to play with tonight.

No, he could not wait much longer.

And so he decided to end the ease-in and take charge. Beginning with Natalie, he untied her sarong, then the bows on her hips that held up her bikini. After a kiss, he brought his attention to Beth and gripped the sides of her panties. She raised her ass, and he swiftly ripped them down her legs and tossed them onto the floor. Then, climbing from the bed, he pulled down his swim trunks, then crawled back up on the bed between them.

Natalie looked to Beth. "We have a job to do," she said with a wink, then urged Elijah onto his back by giving his shoulder a playful shove. He laughed as he laid back, a woman on either side adjusting, scooting further up the bed. Natalie's hand took the lead, stroking him as she kissed his chest. Beth was watching her for cues, and followed suit, only crawling further up to kiss him deeply as her hand joined Natalie's.

Wrapping an arm around Beth as he kissed her back, he wove his fingers into Natalie's hair, gently urging her downward, receiving no fight to stay where she was until he felt her hot mouth take him in, her lips just beneath his head, and the gentle sucking began as he moaned into Beth's mouth. Natalie's tongue licked and sucked, and he found his tongue echoing her motions against Beth's, assaulting her mouth as his pleasure began to peak.

A trade happened, Natalie crawling her way up and kissing his neck. The second he felt it, he stopped kissing Beth and she crawled downward, taking him into her mouth. With Natalie still showering him with kisses, he was able to look down at the brunette as she sucked hungrily on him, just as she had last time. There was an eagerness to it that had him moaning, even though she didn't know what spots sent him over the edge in the way Natalie did.

It didn't matter. A new mouth, a different style, it was so arousing and intense that he didn't feel he could take much more.

And as that thought formed, he abruptly sat up and grabbed Beth, pulling her on top of him and circling her in his arms. Early on, he'd made the mistake of taking Natalie first, something they had both learned to avoid later upon realizing the great importance of making their third feel like a priority, even though in reality they were equal in priority. Which wasn't even the truth of it. Natalie was always the priority, but that was not what a third should ever know.

"I want to fuck you, Beth," Elijah whispered into her ear, then rolled her onto her back. He instantly brought his hand down to her pussy, a landing strip shaved and trimmed neatly, and he began to explore it with his fingers, feeling the differences and finding out what would make her moan. Such spots were easily located with her reactions, and he offered them more attention to make her ready. "Do you want me to fuck you?"

Beth exhaled a longer, louder moan. "Oh god, yes," she cried, body writhing against his. She reached between them, stroking his length. "Please, please, I'm ready," she moaned.

Elijah couldn't have been more ready; he felt as though he'd been ready since the night in the pool to take her, and he prepared himself, just then remembering that protection was necessary. Quickly rising, he opened the drawer of the bedside table and retrieved a condom, bit it open and removed it.

"Oh, I'm on birth control," Beth said, propping herself on her elbows as she watched him.

"Doesn't matter, love," he said, placing it on his tip and working it on. "We stay safe." Beth nodded, swallowed heavily. "It's for you as much as for us, though I promise you we are both clean. This is just to make you feel safe, as well."

Natalie began to stroke Beth's shoulder with the tip of her fingers, watching Elijah spread her legs, bending her knees. "Remember," she began softly. "You're in control."

Grabbing his throbbing cock, he poised himself at Beth's entrance. He'd have to hold back at first, though he didn't necessarily want to. But it was early, and he could read her cues. He knew how to please women.

In place, he lowered himself over Beth, kissing each of her breasts on his way to her mouth, then gently running his lips against hers. "Just tell me what you need," he whispered against her lips, feeling her heavy breathing against his.

Slowly, so slowly, he pressed into her as her head tossed back on the pillow, mouth wide open with a quiet moan. "Oh my god," she cried. "Oh fuck!"

"Christ, you feel good," Elijah breathed. He was stunned at how good she felt. Despite the annoyance of a condom, albeit a thin one, her muscles were as tight as Natalie's, and quaking against his girth, and he'd only got the head of his cock inside. "Fuck," he breathed, more to himself. Because, truly, holy fuck! This he hadn't expected.

He'd been with women. So many women he'd just stopped counting at some point. None had rivaled Natalie, and he actually questioned if she was truthful in claiming virginity. Of course that wasn't the case; she was here. But the way her body shook against his, trembling beneath him. The spasms of her muscles gripped him, it was hard to believe she was real!

Natalie noticed the light sheen that had begun on Beth's forehead as she moaned in, well? In the way Natalie herself would when Elijah would first enter her. It must hurt initially in the same way it always did her, and she almost asked if Beth was okay, but abruptly shut her mouth. This was not her place; it had already been explained to Beth that she could stop it at any time. She just had to trust that Beth would, if she couldn't handle it.

"How are you so huge?" Beth cried suddenly. "Oh my god, it hurts!"

"Do you need me to stop?" Elijah asked in a husky, raspy tone.

Beth shook her head wildly. "No!" she exclaimed. "Oh please no," she continued, this more of a whine. "Just do it!"

Elijah was hesitant for a moment, but understood. Natalie had explained once that there was an initial shock, and god how he loved to watch that shock on her face, but that once he got moving it was more tolerable with each thrust until she was able to fully enjoy it. And so without further ado, he pressed onward, still slowly, but with more force until he was buried inside Beth.

He gave her a moment to adjust. Forget that, he gave himself a moment to relish in being inside someone other than Natalie for the first time in three fucking years. He was finally living their intended experience here at the resort, something he'd been looking forward to since discovering this place.

After the moment was up, he began to pump his hips, gripping her thigh as she trembled, letting out cries in rhythm with each thrust. Natalie began to kiss Beth as Elijah continued, alternating from thrusting to circling in her depths. Beth's nails were digging into his back, and he laced his fingers into Natalie's hair, urging her head up so he could kiss her instead while he picked up his rhythm further.

Stroking herself, Natalie was moaning as well, her pleasure enhanced by listening to Beth's cries and the thrill of Elijah fucking another girl while she was right there. Yes, the jealousy definitely turned her on. It was the wrong word, really. Jealous didn't actually fit, as it was too negative for what she felt. It was more desirous. More envy that Beth was getting his cock while she wasn't, and what made it okay was that she knew she'd get her turn.

"I don't know..." Beth breathed, interrupting their kiss, and they both peered down on her. "I think I'm going to come. I just... I don't... I'm going to come!"

The final word was cried out as her chest flushed with color and she shuddered forcefully, her head tossing back as her back arched against her orgasm. Elijah continued his pumps, grunting as he watched her orgasm, able to feel the fluttering around his cock, squeezing it so tightly he felt physical pain, which only drove him onward more forcefully as he grit his teeth.

She suddenly collapsed, though had brief aftershocks where she'd seize, and Elijah slowed down. He needed to release, had hoped to release in Beth, but really what was the point? A condom was in the way, and he much preferred to fill someone with cum instead of a piece of rubber.

Withdrawing, he ripped the condom off and shoved Natalie onto her back, hoisting her legs up. She laughed delightedly, glad she'd been stroking herself, fully relaxed and wet. He growled at her, nipped at her neck as he felt between her legs. "Oh, you're definitely ready," he said, then poised himself.

Like the previous night where he'd been worked up, he needed to come like... right now, so much that it ached. So without preamble, he forcefully rammed himself inside of her to the hilt, and watched with sheer glee as her features contorted. Her cry was louder than usual, definitely from the thrill of the situation. After all, she'd just watched him fuck someone else, bring her to orgasm through penetration alone.

Natalie felt outside of her body with his assault, as though she were looking down on him, then realized it was that fucking mirror and began to laugh hysterically. She was actually looking down on Elijah fucking her, how tightly he clenched his perfect ass, how her legs wrapped around his hips. She was mesmerized by the sight, and the fact that the naked Beth was beside her, watching them in her exhaustion, amplified just how naughty it all was.

It didn't last long, and she knew why, fully accepting the reason. She wasn't anywhere close to her own, but Elijah never ceased to amaze her. After he'd filled her, he ignored his own necessity to bask in his pleasure and immediately dove down between her legs, raising them further against her chest as he drew circles around her clit with his tongue, fingers spreading her while his other hand pressed against the back of her thigh.

Reaching over to Beth, she gripped her hand against her orgasm, pulling at it until Beth got the message. A second later she was moaning into her mouth, with Beth's hand on her breast, massaging her, escalating the experience as another wave rushed through her body.

Elijah wiped his mouth, then sat back on his heels to watch Natalie and Beth kissing, Beth toying with his wife's nipples as Natalie returned the favor, groping her round chest. A minute passed, then another, and it seemed they'd forgotten he was there. He stroked himself, still half hard and getting harder by the second.

When he felt ready again, he got up to retrieve another condom, needing to get at Beth again. Once it was on, he crawled onto the bed, physically lifting Beth up so she straddled Natalie with her ass in the air as they made out, stroking one another's skin. He began to finger her, still so wet and warm, then probed Natalie with his other hand, taking in their subtle differences. Listening to their moans.

Finally, he grabbed Beth's hips and thrust himself inside of her. She cried out again with the surprise, as he'd offered no warning, unlike last time. He began to lose himself in fucking her, focusing only on his own pleasure, magnified by the scene in front of him. It was phenomenal to watch them lost in each other as he would pull Beth's hips against his thrusts for full penetration to his hilt.

When he'd look down, he was just as entranced by watching his cock disappear, then reappear, and he kneaded her ass, pinching every so often to create a little color. The idea struck him to alternate, though it would be difficult as high up as they were on the bed.

Removing himself, he gripped Natalie's ankles. "Scoot down," he said. They briefly paused their kiss and both turned to look at him. He tilted his head. "This way," he said, beckoning them. He then offered assistance once more by pulling Natalie's heels so Beth had no choice but to follow until they were on the edge of the bed.

Perfectly lined up, he thought, as he placed his hands on Natalie's hips and slowly entered her. Once inside, he probed Beth with his thumb so they'd both be on the receiving end while they played together. This also offered a more direct comparison, not that it mattered. Just differences, though they were so similar in the resistance their tight muscles put up with.

He alternated between them with abandon, a few minutes with Natalie, a few minutes with Beth. There was no rhyme or reason to making the switch from one to the other, only following whims until he was ready to release once more. He chose Beth, only because he'd already filled Natalie and the condom made it acceptable.

Gripping the girl's hips and digging his fingers into her flesh, he let go, yanking her against him with one final thrust as he came, every muscle in his body flexed. He stayed buried inside of her for a long moment until she collapsed, causing him to fall from her.

He stumbled back, gripping the post of the bed for balance as he worked to catch his breath, staring at Beth and Natalie entwined in one another's arms, spent. Beth finally rolled from Natalie, laying on her back beside her, both breathing as heavily as he.

After another minute, he climbed between them as all three scooted back up the bed onto the pillows. Natalie was exhausted, surprised by her exhaustion, but upon glancing at the clock, her shock amplified as she noticed it was nine. Two whole hours had passed. Though, she supposed, it was easy to lose track of time with this sort of thing, and she certainly felt the exhaustion of two hours without a moment's pause in action.

In addition, she realized they were operating on four hours of sleep and a day's hangover. Further, it had been awhile since they'd shared their bed with someone else, which just doubled the physical exertion of sex.

"I'm spent," she suddenly said, rolling onto her side and flopping her hand on Elijah's chest.

"Holy fuck," Beth breathed, clearly agreeing based on the tone. "I don't think I've ever been fucked like that."

Elijah smiled, turned to kiss Natalie's forehead, then Beth's, his arms beneath both of their necks. It felt amazing to have a woman on each side draped over him. His gratitude was ineffable. And he, too, was exhausted.

He felt Beth start to rise, shaking her head. "I'm not sure if I can walk yet," she admitted, her eyes scanning the room for her clothes.

"Stay," Elijah urged, pulling at her arm. He realized a second later that it wasn't his place to offer, and looked at Natalie for reassurance.

"Beth," Natalie said without raising her head. She patted Elijah's chest. "Stay. Rest. Sleep. Let's just... let's just sleep."

Beth looked from Natalie to Elijah. "Are you sure?" she asked. "I don't want to overstay a welcome."

"Stay," Elijah urged once more, tugging again on the arm he held. He wanted her to stay. Sleep beside him. He wanted to feel her skin against his through the night, along with Natalie's. He wasn't ready to give it up yet, hoped for another crack at this in the morning because he was feeling as though he'd let them down. This had been much shorter than he'd thought it would be.

Sitting up briefly, he pulled at the sheet, working it from beneath him and Natalie.

Offering a sheepish grin, Beth nodded. "Alright," she breathed, cuddling up against him. Elijah eased the sheet over them, only up to their waists, as he was still hot from the exertion. "Thank you," Beth said genuinely. He turned his head to kiss her, pulling her close. Repeated with Natalie.

It was no more than fifteen minutes later, only once breathing had stabilized, that all three were asleep.