Full Disclosure Ch. 07

Authors Note: If you've stuck around through more mild scenes, your payoff begins now. Hope you enjoy Elijah and Natalie fucking up as they fuck around. ;)

Number 7: Every Action has an Equal Opposite Reaction

It was the light again. That stupid crack between the curtains woke Natalie up once more. With Elijah's arm beneath her neck, she blinked lethargically against the stream of sunlight pouring into the room and made a mental note that, tonight, she would see that it fully closed before going to sleep.

Her hand delicately trailing across his chest as she shifted, her fingertips brushed Beth's, which is what fully woke her. When waking in a strange bed, there is always a moment of trying to get one's bearings, remember that yes, they were on vacation in the hotel room, and they were not alone. Inching her hand back, she began to slowly unwind her nude body from Elijah without waking him.

Once up, sitting on the side of the bed, she stared down at them, covered to their waists with the white sheet, Beth sound asleep against Elijah, and neither had stirred. It was still very early, only seven, and Natalie considered laying back down and cuddling back up. But she was awake now and it seemed wrong to lay there, inevitably waking them as she'd shift around.

Rising from the bed, she walked into the bathroom, shutting the door behind her, the relaxation of a shower beckoning her in. She took her time, relishing in the heat and steam, both working wonders on sore muscles that had received a work out the night before. It had been enjoyable, Beth had been spectacular, and she felt no regrets.

But as the water pounded upon her shoulders, her thoughts drifted back to those stupid curtains. They seemed to be a reminder of the rift; how they couldn't meet in the middle, and she realized they still just weren't quite there. While it was wonderful to have a sex life again--wonderful to enjoy the excitement and thrills of what they once had so long ago--it would take more than just one night. If anything, the rift felt wider with unanswered questions. However, the dialogue would happen now that they'd started down this path. No need to dwell.

After showering, Natalie returned to the room in her towel, Beth and Elijah still sound asleep, only they had shifted; Elijah on his side with his arms around Beth, her back to him. She found it didn't affect her, if anything it was a lovely sight. Truly, Natalie cared for her, and because of that, she was glad Elijah cared for her as well.

Quietly dressing, she tossed her hair back in a twist upon the back of her head, not wanting to wake them with a hair dryer. Another gaze lingered before she left, deciding it may be good to leave them a note so they wouldn't worry. Locating the resort stationary, she wrote:

Rose early, didn't want to wake you. Had a wonderful night. Sleep in, relax, take your time. Going to the 9AM yoga, will either come back here or be at the pool. Enjoy your morning.

She exited after leaving it on the bedside table to grab a light breakfast before making her way to the earlier yoga session of the morning.

When Elijah woke, he rolled onto his back, stretching his arm out to find Natalie missing. It was a little past eight, and he blinked a few times while listening to the room, finding it devoid of sound with the exception of Beth's steady breathing.

He rose, used the bathroom, then checked the adjacent room to see if she'd moved in there for some reason--perhaps he'd snored? But his eyes caught the note on the table. While reading it, he sat down on the edge of the bed as he felt the stirring of life beside him, Beth waking up and yawning through a small stretch.

"Morning," she hummed gently.

"Good morning," Elijah responded, looking over and smiling at her as her arms stretched above her head, her lovely naked chest rising with the arch of her back. He placed a hand on her sternum just below her breasts. "Sleep well?"

Grinning slyly, Beth nodded her head as she relaxed back down with a sigh. "So well," she cooed, then glanced over. "Where is Natalie?"

Holding the note up, he said while waving it, "Off to breakfast and yoga. I guess she woke up early and wanted to let us sleep in."

"Mmm, that was nice," Beth said warmly, rubbing her cheek against the pillow.

"Very," Elijah agreed, setting the note down on the table. He climbed back under the sheet, laying on his left and traced his fingertips over her stomach, admiring how she glowed in the morning. She had the 'well fucked' look of exhaustion; the messy hair, the pale coloring, and a lethargic, blissful smile on her face.

"Should we get up?" Beth asked, eyelids still fluttering, spending more time closed than open.

"Nah," Elijah responded, his thoughts picking over Natalie's note as his fingers mindlessly trailed across Beth's skin. "She said to take our time and relax. It's only eight fifteen, she's taking the nine o'clock yoga class."

Just under two hours though before they should meet her at the pool was enough time to cuddle up a bit more, no real need to rush.

"Good," Beth sighed, settling herself with her head turned his way. She wet her lips, eyes closed. "I'm not ready to wake up."

Following suit, Elijah settled his head on the pillow. "Me either," he agreed, closing his eyes and relaxing once more. Maybe if they fell back asleep, Natalie would return after yoga and they could have a little more fun before heading out to the pool for the day.

His fingers lightly traced the curve beneath her breasts and he heard the faint moan Beth exhaled. His mind was forming the shape; that he'd definitely want some time to fool around before leaving the room for breakfast. Being naked beside a beautiful woman, it would be impossible not to hope for another round. Glancing at the clock once more, he considered. Ten fifteen maybe and Natalie would come back to the room. The fantasy began to play through his mind in a lucid dream of Natalie's return, when she'd open the door, find them half asleep and decide to climb in, when he'd get to have round two. They could even take this into the afternoon.

Another moan was exhaled by Beth. In his fantasy, he hadn't fully realized his fingers were circling her nipple. Now aware of it, he eased his eyes open into slants, peering at his hand as he ran the tip of his finger over it, eliciting another moan. He watched it harden with this touch, still hazy in the early morning.

Though other things had stirred to life, he noticed. His heartrate had sped ever so slightly, and blood had decided to rush to his groin, now half hard from his few minutes of fantasizing. As he heard another breathy moan, he covered her breast with his hand and began to knead. With this came a subtle rush of adrenaline; not enough to fully wake up, but certainly setting his thoughts into motion. A different direction.

Enjoy your morning.

The final line stuck out, and he didn't allow himself to even form the question. If he did--if he took time to think about it--the vague wording might leave room to doubt, obsess over the meaning. While still early and tired, he had room to willfully interpret it as he liked, and with no further thought, he rolled closer and brought his lips to her other nipple.

A long, pronounced 'nnnn' was heard as Beth's back arched, Elijah flicking her nipple with his tongue as he pinched the other, rolling it between his fingers. He felt her hand on the back of his head, fingers weaving into his hair and pulling him against her, only causing him to suck with more vigor. Trailing his hand down her stomach, he reached under the sheets and ran a finger down her slit, fingertips at her entrance.

He glanced up, nipple between his teeth, to see her head thrown back, mouth slightly agape. Her legs were writhing and her hips raised as though begging him for more, pushing against his hand. Leaving her breasts, he kissed his way up her neck until she met his mouth. In that second, he slid his finger into her warmth, silky and damp.

There was a hesitation, he felt it deep down as he kept his finger still, bracing his muscles. Over and over again he stopped the question from forming, though he knew he should allow it. Beth was humping his finger, he could not get it to move as his mind raced, forcing himself not to allow it. Don't overthink it, he told himself. If you overthink it, you know the answer.

His finger began to probe. In and out. Circles. Studying the expressions she made with care to find the motions she wanted, what pleased her. What didn't. His thumb began to circle between her lips, and he found that she would moan the most when he crooked his finger deep inside, pressing against the inner walls.

"Oh please," Beth suddenly whispered, gripping his hair and meeting his eyes. She infinitesimally shook her head, eyes pleading with him. Staring at her, he understood she was asking the question he would not allow himself to form. It seemed she didn't want to ask it either.

Removing his finger, he sat up and reached for the drawer, retrieving a condom. He was methodical with opening it, slow and deliberate instead of in the rush he usually felt, ripping the packaging with his teeth. He glanced at the door.

Enjoy your morning.

Holding the tip, he slid it over his girth and rolled over on the bed, positioning his body over Beth with his knees between hers. Looking into her eyes, he was absolutely certain that neither of them knew if this was allowed. And neither of them wanted to voice the question aloud. Looking down, over her body, her breasts with their hardened nipples, her taut stomach, his fully erect cock, he felt a sudden, sharp worry that he was wrong.

So be it.

Hoisting her leg up until her knee was at his hip, he poised himself and gradually entered her, eyes rolling back as he felt her taut muscles squeeze against his girth. Half way in, he readjusted his body, elbows above her shoulders with one hand gripping the back of her head. Her fingers dug into his back as he pushed further until he was fully embedded in her depths, and he exhaled a long sigh as he let the blissful feeling of being inside of her wash through his body.

"Oh, god, you feel so good," Beth whined, gripping at his hair. He could feel her hips press back against him, able to read her need for more. Still he didn't move, not just yet. It seemed he was unable to fully release his hesitation, even after they'd come this far. "Do... do I feel good?" she asked.

Elijah's eyes met hers, and he realized the fact that he hadn't moved just yet must have awoken that insecurity she carried. Gently kissing her, he said, "Yes. Yes, you feel amazing."

He began to pump, subtly and gently, taking in her sounds in a way he hadn't last night. This was the slow, lethargic love making after a night of passion and abandon. He showered her with kisses along her jaw, her neck, her lips as he took his time, alternating between tender pumps and deliberate circles.

She was so soft and sweet; he knew he genuinely cared about her. Her large, brown eyes watched him as he pumped. Not as much as she cares for me, though, he thought. He knew the look on her face, swallowed heavily as he pushed the thought aside and picked up his motions. She felt amazing, yes, and he was happy to be pleasing her. Happy to be taking his own pleasure. But this had been reckless.

Closing his eyes, he became single-minded with his goal of finding his release so he could stop thinking through what this meant to her, deal with that bridge later. And his pace quickened, his strokes lengthened. He listened to her moans as they grew louder and louder, urging him onward, tempo increasing until he reached the crest of the mountain.

After a forceful thrust, he came, muscles tensing with the release. He grunted as he thrust once more, felt her seize beneath him, pressing back as hard as he was. Once emptied, he relaxed and fell to her side to catch his breath.

He brought his arm over his eyes, a regret settling in. It wasn't that he felt he'd done anything wrong, he realized, while also noting that he'd done a lot wrong. Natalie could be upset, but it was bound to happen sooner or later; at one point they would have had a private tryst on the side, they both knew it, though it was meant to have been discussed prior. That being said, her note had left room for interpretation, and that could be argued.

Really it was about Beth. The way she'd held his eyes as he'd had sex with her left no room for interpretation; her thoughts were clear. She had very deep feelings for him that he did not share, and she was too kind and sweet for him to dismiss her feelings out of hand. She deserved better. She was not someone he should just be having a fun fling on the side with, meaningless sex, because to her, it was not meaningless. And he knew he'd now given her every reason to think it had more meaning than it did--taking her alone without Natalie present, the slow lovemaking instead of some dirtier play.

It was about Beth, but it was his fault, not hers. However else he'd fucked up, he could own it and deal with it. But Beth's feelings were another beast entirely.

"We should get up," Elijah said, finally removing his arm and looking over at her.

"Everything okay?" Beth asked, her large eyes widened with alarm. "Was I...?"

He smiled mildly, placed his hand on her stomach. "You were wonderful," he said softly. It was the truth. She was wonderful. Beautiful, compassionate, giving... but also wanting, and therein lay the problem. "It was an amazing night," he added, gently rubbing her stomach. "Thank you."

Brows drawn, Beth began to open her mouth, then abruptly closed it. For the better, Elijah thought. Whatever she wanted to say was probably best left alone. To be sure she wouldn't change her mind, he gave her a brief kiss, then sat up. "We should really get dressed, find some food. Hungry?"

"Yes," Beth agreed. She sat up, pulling the sheets over her chest. "Should we wait for Natalie?"

Elijah eyed her as he climbed out of the bed, removing the condom and tying a knot in the top. "Nah," he responded, then walked over to the dresser and shuffled around for one of his many pairs of swim trunks. He located his navy blue ones and stepped into them. "We'll find her at the pool."

After depositing the condom, along with the two others from last night, in the bathroom's trash, he tossed a white tee over his head, returned to the room to find Beth zipping up her dress. They left a few minutes later in silence down to the restaurant.

It was that evening that the knockdown, drag out fight began. Neither Elijah nor Natalie saw it coming, just like no one at the entire resort saw the storm brewing in the west. Be that as it may, it was 4pm when the clouds began to roll in, literally appearing in thin air. As these things often go near the equator, the sky was bright blue one moment, then the next, the wind had shifted. Black clouds began as tiny dark specs in the air and boiled up into ominous plumes, shrouding the sunlight.

People began to leave the pool area and the beach, heading for cover as rain began to pour, the palms pulled to a lean against the windstorm that had arisen so quickly it could have happened in the span of a blink. Within fifteen minutes, the grounds were reduced to a ghost town as people flooded the restaurants, the clubs opening their doors four hours early for shelter and entertainment, others taking to their rooms, or even the more private playrooms to ride out the storm.

Elijah and Natalie, whom had been sitting poolside as their normal routine, headed indoors with the rest. Elijah had been avoiding Beth throughout the afternoon, sticking closer to Natalie's side than usual, but with little progress to the aforementioned, as Natalie continued to involve Beth in conversations after having enjoyed their time together the previous night.

It was when they both decided to part from their friends, head to the indoor pool for a swim, possibly find one of the many private hot tubs, that the argument finally broke out.

"What's up with you today?" Natalie asked, retrieving a towel from the rack near the entrance. Surprisingly, the indoor pool was mostly deserted, though likely due to the storm; most had taken to indoor activities, having had their fill of the water as the wind and rain had kicked up.

Grabbing a towel, Elijah tossed it over his shoulder, gesturing towards the long wall of hot tubs; separated by walls with the ability to draw curtains, should people need privacy. "I've been thinking we may want to pull back from Beth for a while," he said as they began a slow pace, searching out one that didn't have curtains pulled, or was empty of people. There were eight in a row, though it was clear from this vantage point that the first two in the line were occupied.

"Seriously?" Natalie asked, slowing her gait. "She was great last night. I thought you guys really hit it off."

Elijah rolled his head to the side, slowing to match Natalie's pace until they came to a halt. "I think she hit it off a little too well," he replied. He noticed Natalie's brows draw together in irritation. "I'm serious, Nat. I noticed it, and you can't tell me you haven't. She has feelings, and you know it's best to back away when that begins."

Shaking her head, Natalie shrugged it off. "Who cares," she responded casually. "So she wants you. I'm not worried about some college girl, if that's what you're worried about."

"That's not what I'm worried about," Elijah protested, then took her arm, eying her levelly. "Nat, we fooled around this morning, while you were off at yoga. I saw it, she thinks there's more to it--"

"Fooled around?" Natalie asked, peering at him with the same even gaze. Briefly shaking her head to prepare herself, she paused. She'd left knowing they might, if she'd felt it wasn't okay, she would have stayed put. But his tone conveyed more. "Fooled around how?"

Elijah brought his gaze to the concrete. "It began as fooling around," he said, pursing his lips to the side. "We'd just woken up, thoughts weren't necessarily clear. But I knew what I was doing by the time I did it."

Natalie's jaw popped open. "You slept with her," she breathed, knowing she didn't need to hear a confirmation. It was a statement of fact, and she quickly ran through her many reactions. Her first thought was that it was a betrayal, but what followed was rationalization. She had left knowing they might cuddle, touch, whatever else, figuring she'd return and maybe their tryst would continue into the afternoon. But they'd met her at the pool when she'd left the yoga session, and the idea had been quickly dropped. Considering it had only been a few hours and they'd been fast asleep when she'd left, she hadn't once considered they'd had sex, going about their afternoon under the impression they'd woken up, dressed, maybe showered together and met up with her, very little transpiring. Her eyes narrowed. "You slept with her?"

Sighing heavily, Elijah ran his fingers through his hair. "I did," he admitted, studying her reaction. And in watching her face contort into resentment, he became defensive. "Okay, hang on," he began, releasing her arm and holding his hand out between them. "You left a note, and in it, you seemed happy. But more than that, you told us to enjoy our morning."

Natalie whacked his arm. "I didn't mean sleep with her," she hissed, lower jaw protruding. Another brief shake of her head. "I mean, sleep as in sleep, that was fine, but I wasn't telling you to fuck her!"

"We didn't fuck, Natalie," Elijah argued, his tone turning to frustration. "It was early, we'd both woken up, I was falling back asleep with her in my arms when she was moaning. I didn't even realize how I was touching her, but it escalated."

It wasn't even clear to Natalie why she was so angry. Maybe the storm had brought out the bad attitude, or maybe this was the past years' worth of animosity finally rearing its ugly head. "There's no way you fucking sleep-walked your dick inside of her," she growled, tossing her towel on the nearby lounge chair with force.

"No," Elijah responded simply, his tone simple and clear. "I knew what I was doing. Not from the beginning, but I didn't stop it." Natalie was turning away, beginning to pace. "Listen to me," he urged, trying to grasp her arm once more, but failing as she shrugged away. "This is why I'm saying we need to back away from her. Not for some bullshit reason that I lost control, I could have controlled it and I didn't. But because I saw it in her eyes. She has feelings, and as I saw it I removed myself and we left the room." Her rage was boiling, so he changed tack. "Stop with the attitude, you and I both know we intended to hook up with someone on our own eventually, don't act like this is on me."

"Are you fucking kidding me?" Natalie demanded, gaping. Storming his way, she pointed toward the ground with a small stomp. "We talked about the possibility--"

"--Knowing it would happen!"

Throwing her hands up in the air, Natalie's eyes rolled as though objects were swirling in the nether between them. "And agreeing that it would be talked about beforehand! I can't even begin to imagine what you would have done had the roles been reversed here! Don't think I don't remember jealousy issues cropping up when I even suggested we open our relationship before leaving for France."

"Oh, I know all about you and the French," Elijah said bitterly, pointing back at her. "Roles could have easily been reversed with you and Etienne, don't think I don't see how badly you want him."

Scoffing, Natalie began to laugh. "I told you I didn't even want him with us," she cried. "You asked me literally yesterday morning who I'd choose and I said someone else!"

"Because you have feelings for him," Elijah hissed.

"Jesus Christ, why are we even talking about Etienne when you fucked some other girl this morning!"

"Stop with the word fuck," Elijah spat. "I didn't fuck anyone this morning. I had sex, briefly, with someone you like, for fucks sake. Someone we had been with the night before, so heaven forbid I touch her come morning."

Natalie stared at him. "How can you not get it?" she asked in wonder. "It was a betrayal of trust. I left that room trusting you to have some modicum of boundaries. If you had talked to me, told me you wanted to be with her alone, I would have said have at it."

"Well, I had at it, Natalie," Elijah responded, widening his arms out to the side in a shrug while echoing her casual tone. "And it wasn't fun. I've felt like absolute shit all day because of it, but the real issue wasn't because I felt like I'd crossed some line--"

"You did cross a line," Natalie said with a sneer.

"It wasn't about crossing some line," Elijah repeated forcefully. "It was about Beth and her feelings, and the fact that I have none for her. She was fun last night, so can you at least give me some credit for realizing she took it as more than just fun and talking to you right now about how I want to back off from her for a while?"

Swallowing heavily, Natalie was silent and still. Well, it was a disappointingly fair request. He absolutely had crossed a line, it was a complete betrayal, but it wasn't a line that they'd had no intention of crossing eventually. Part of why she'd felt this specific place for a vacation was so necessary was to push boundaries once more, and without a doubt have sex with other people both together and alone. The "alone" was actually essential, in her eyes, because she wanted to know! Know if Elijah wanted someone else, know if she wanted someone else!

And credit was due; he hadn't enjoyed it. Well, maybe he had enjoyed it at the time but, to be fair to Elijah, he'd recognized Beth felt more for him, so wasn't this giving an answer to what she ultimately wanted to find out? That despite some other woman having emotions for him, he had none for her? But she knew that already about Beth. It would take someone she knew he had developed feelings for to fully receive the answer. Further, she needed to experience it herself, as well. Only then could they find out what they ultimately wanted; each other, or someone else.

Picking up her towel, she whipped it at him, though without any real force. "You should have asked," she said, frowning deeply. "If you'd asked, I would have said yes. The betrayal is that you did it without my knowledge."

Elijah sighed heavily once more. "You're right," he admitted peaceably. "And I know that. We weren't there yet."

"Well, we are now," Natalie replied bitterly. "You've opened the door, so don't be surprised if it smacks you in the face."

It wounded him, because he knew the truth of it. When they'd opened their relationship initially, he had slept with other women, but felt jealousy knowing she was doing the same. Sometimes it would keep him up at night, wondering if she was with someone right that moment, a double standard, for sure, but present none the less. When he'd left for law school, it had eased because he'd been through it, determining that Natalie was worth it. That he loved her so intensely, that ultimately he counted himself extremely lucky to be free to have sex with others when they wouldn't see one another for weeks at a time with the sacrifice of knowing she was doing the same. But he was most certainly more prone to the jealousy than she was.

She had started to walk away, along the wall of hot tubs, and he followed her, wondering what this would cost him. He knew a gesture was necessary, and he'd make sure to find one sooner rather than later. Maybe something simple. A special night showering her with attention, setting up some special playtime involving all the things he knew she enjoyed the most. He determined that was something he should do anyway, however. Now was the time to start wrapping his head around sharing Natalie with another man, and he knew it.

"They're all taken," Natalie said, shoulders slumping as they reached the final pod, finding the bamboo curtains pulled.

"The one behind this is open," Elijah said. "Well, a few people are in there, but the door is open. I'm sure they wouldn't mind if we came in."

Without responding, Natalie rolled her eyes behind half closed lids, still annoyed with her husband. Following him to the previous room, he stepped into the doorway. There were three guys and one woman in the hot tub, laughing and drinking, but their actions were innocuous. No one was nude, no one was messing around. Just a group of friends.

"Hey," Elijah said tentatively. "Uh, mind if we join you?"

"That's why the door's open!" a black haired guy called exuberantly, gesturing outward with both hands.

"More the merrier," the woman added, who had pink highlights throughout her blonde pixie cut.

Walking in, Elijah tossed his towel on one of the chairs, turning to Natalie, who was hesitating in the doorway.

"You know, you go," Natalie said. She then noticed the worry lines cross Elijah's brow, and offered him an amiable smile. "Just going to swim a few laps I think. Half hour at most. Then I'll come join you."

Nodding slowly, Elijah said, "Okay, see you in a few," then watched her set down her towel beside his before she walked out of the room toward the large indoor pool. Through the glass, he saw her dive right in and begin swimming the length, and he understood. She needed some alone time to gather her thoughts. This was how she coped. A jog, some yoga, a swim, always done alone when she needed time to think. And there was relief in knowing that whenever these things happened, she always returned from what was troubling her with a brighter outlook. She was nothing if not practical, so at least he had that on his side.

"Glass of champagne?" the girl in the hot tub asked brightly, no doubt having noticed the tension in the air between them and trying to lighten the mood.

"Yes, thank you," Elijah breathed with a sigh of relief, then climbed into the hot tub. They had three bottles on ice and plenty of glasses. "I'm Elijah."

The girl with the pink highlights introduced herself as Ashley while the guy with long black curls in a ponytail poured a glass for Elijah, his name Vincent. The other two men were Heath, a guy with short reddish hair and a stocky build, and Jackson, who had a buzz cut and was probably military.

"So what did you do?" Ashley asked conspiratorially once Elijah had his champagne in hand and had settled into the steaming water. He stared at her, not taking her meaning until she gestured out at the pool with her head. "Your girl."

"Ashley, leave him alone," Jackson said, rolling his eyes.

"No, it's fine," Elijah responded, then took another long sip of the champagne. Turning to Ashley, he said, "I slept with someone else this morning."

"Tsk tsk," Ashley responded, clicking her cheek with a teasing grin.

"And I've slept with six," Heath responded, brows narrowed. "Isn't that what everyone is here for?"

Elijah held up his hand, revealing the wedding band. "Married," he said simply. The four had various exclamations, ranging from low oooh's to understanding ahhh's, and Elijah grinned self-deprecatingly. "And yes, we're here for that too, but only with explicit permission. I thought I had implied permission."

Ashley frowned with pity. "You guys going to be okay?" she asked, with genuine concern.

"Oh yes," Elijah said strongly. "Just a miscommunication. This isn't anything new to us. The seeing other people, I mean. She's already fine with it, just taking a few minutes to herself, I think."

"Fuck, man," Vincent breathed, features animated with wonder. "You have a hot wife like that and get to hook up with other people? How do I get your life!"

Heath was nodding as well, peering out at the pool. "Not that I'd necessarily care to hook up with anyone else if I had her," he said, then brought his gaze to Elijah as he patted his shoulder. "You're one lucky mother fucker!"

Elijah couldn't help but laugh. "You're right about that," he agreed, feeling the tension evaporate. They then settled into a conversational rhythm, sharing their backgrounds, ages, occupations, then stories about experiences here at the resort. And it wasn't long before Elijah was feeling extremely comfortable with this new group of people, and right on time, considering his need to separate from Beth. He was exceptionally happy to be making some new friends here, another group of people to hang out with when they'd need an option.

"Well, I'd love to stay and chat some more, but Jackson and I are meeting up with Olivia and Jake," Ashley said with a wink, wrapping an arm around Jackson. It hadn't been clear until now that they were together, or rather, as together as people were at this resort.

"Tell them we said hello!" Vincent said as Ashley and Jackson climbed out of the hot tub, gathering their towels and miscellany.

After some goodbyes were said, Heath refilled his glass. "They've been together for a year," he informed Elijah.

"Swingers," Vincent added. "They only hook up with other couples. Probably why they were asking all the personal questions right off the bat."

Nodding, Elijah reached for the bottle of champagne, filling his own glass. "Everyone has their own rules," he said easily. "I mean, Natalie and I haven't even done the swinging thing, where it's couple specific. But it's not off the table."

"Sounds like nothing is?" Heath asked curiously. It was apparent to Elijah he had many questions about others lifestyles.

Shrugging, Elijah said, "I guess not. We've never labelled ourselves because we don't fit into any of the molds. Poly is broad enough, but generally means people have loving relationships on the side, and that's not what we've really done. If we have anyone on the side, it's only for fun and pleasure, usually when we are apart for some length of time and can't be together. But we don't swing, like specifically seeking out other couples. It's just threesomes, the occasional foursome, fivesome, whatever."

Heath was riveted, listening intently. "It's good you found something that works for you," Vincent said with nonchalance. "I could get into that sort of thing if I found someone willing. Especially as gorgeous as your wife. Instead I've been the eternal bachelor, dating around without forming anything serious. It's why I come here. This is my third trip. It's nice to have a vacation where you don't have to worry about attachments, and everyone just does their thing."

"It is nice," Elijah agreed serenely. Everyone had their own reasons for being here, their own personal set of rules, and it being a destination place, it made long term attachments nearly impossible to form, which was a risk when finding people outside of your relationship in your hometown.

"There she is!" Elijah heard Vincent sing, and he turned to find Natalie walking into the room with a tranquil smile on her face. He felt relieved; she looked much happier than when she'd left for the laps. It was easy to see the weight had also been lifted from her.

Rising a few inches, Elijah scooted over to let her step into the hot tub while Heath poured her a glass of champagne. "Hey babe," he said. "Have a good swim?"

"Yup," Natalie sang, and with her tone, Elijah knew for certain that she'd left their argument behind. While he probably hadn't received her forgiveness just yet, she was looking forward. It was probably the thing he admired most about her. Holding her hand out, she said to the others, "I'm Natalie."

They introduced themselves, shaking her hand before Heath handed her the glass. Elijah could plainly see how his eyes travelled Natalie's body as she sunk into the water, and it dawned on him that perhaps Heath could be his olive branch. It was important to him that Natalie had her chance to experience someone else, as much as he'd prefer a woman over a man any day, obviously. Still, if Natalie was interested, he'd feel no opposition whatsoever, as in the past half hour he'd grown to really like these guys. They had an ease about them that was very different than who they'd been spending time with; a carefree attitude that didn't feel subversive in the way Leah and Beth were. In the way he knew Etienne was when it came to Natalie.

The champagne dried up over the course of the next hour, and Vincent left the hot tub to push a call button on the wall, ordering two more bottles, which arrived no more than ten minutes later. Natalie was having a great time, every so often sitting on the ledge as to not overheat, listening to their stories and jokes. And the drinks were helping her attitude immensely, so much that she'd completely forgotten everything that had transpired, feeling as though no other world existed outside of the room they were in.

She noticed how Heath would stare at her when sitting on the ledge, but she found Vincent more attractive. It wasn't just the sexy curly hair in a ponytail at the nape of his neck, or the square cut of his jaw. He had a way about him that was completely at ease, someone able to comfortably fit in with anyone. He didn't seem to be presenting or showing off, instead he was the type who would just go with the flow.

But she did really like both of them. It had been easy to fit right in, as though they'd all been friends for decades. And to be equally fair, Heath had his charm. Dimples when he smiled, dark green eyes and broad shoulders despite being fairly short. Equal to her height, maybe an inch taller. It was hard to tell based on how he stood now in the center of the hot tub, regaling everyone with a story of walking in on an orgy that had involved whips and leather in a private room his first day here when he'd had no idea where to go.

"Their fault they didn't lock the door," Natalie said, bursting into laughter.

"I know, right?" he cried. "I was completely lost and since it was at the end of the hall, I thought it was an exit! But nope! Whole group just going at it, and I'm standing there thinking... what the fuck did I get myself into? I actually went to bed that night thinking that was all this place was, just orgies in S&M rooms and that I'd totally fucked up in coming here. Luckily, that was really the worst of it. I mean, to each their own, but whips are where I draw a line."

"Eh, they can be fun," Vincent said with a shrug. "Not anything I'd seek out, but they have their uses."

Elijah was still trying to rein in his laughter. "Did they offer to let you join in?"

The laughter escalated into loud bursts. "Dude, I wouldn't even know!" Heath exclaimed. "I was so frozen, if someone said anything to me, I don't think I would have even noticed. I still have this vivid image of a guy in chains--" He held his arms out to imitate what he'd seen, then shook his head. "It'll haunt my nightmares for the rest of my life."

As Heath slumped down onto the seat, Natalie tossed the glass of champagne back, finding it empty. "Whoops," she said, shaking the glass in the air, then made her way across the tub, reaching over Vincent to grab the unopened bottle. In front of him, one knee between his, she unwound the foil with clumsy fingers, then flung it over her head, laughing.

"Aim it elsewhere, please," Vincent said, laughing as he pushed the bottle away as to not be shot in the face with the cork.

Grinning, Natalie thumbed the top until it fired against the wall. "Ta da!" she announced proudly. As she reached once more over Vincent's shoulder for her glass, she felt his hand on her thigh beneath the water.

"Careful," Vincent said quietly, arching his brow, chin tucked low. He was entirely sexy, and Natalie was keenly aware of it. She'd always loved Elijah's messy waves that bordered on curls, but Vincent's raven colored hair was something else entirely. Ringlets. Like a romance novel, she thought, then tried to stifle her laughter while pouring her glass.

When she felt his other hand meet her thigh, she nearly spilled as her heart began to race. Smiling coyly at him while never leaving his gaze, she inched closer until her flute was filled with the sparkling drink. This time when she leaned over him to place the bottle back into the bucket, she made a point of tossing her shoulders back so her breasts would be at eye level. A little flirtation, nothing more. With the bottle back in its home, she leaned back and noticed the look on his face had changed, his eyes watching her with a hunger.

She knew that look well, and it had been what she'd hoped to achieve.

"Cheers," she said seductively, holding her glass out to him, then taking a delicate sip. She swiveled to return to the corner she'd been sitting in, hating to lose his hands, when she caught Elijah's gaze.

Another look she knew well. Determined, lips drawn, chin low, staring at her through his brows. She'd seen it a million times when she'd flirt. Initially she'd thought it was anger, but she'd learned. It was intrigue. It was interest.

It was permission.

Taking another sip, Natalie didn't budge as they silently communicated through the shared look. Not so much as a nod happened, just a long stare that was daring the other to move first. The corners of Natalie's mouth crept up infinitesimally. Wickedly. In response, Elijah raised a brow and took a casual sip of his champagne.

Turning back to face Vincent, Natalie sunk down on his knee. Her laconic discussion with Elijah had felt minutes long, but had only been a few seconds, and with an austere gaze at Vincent, she wrapped her free arm around his neck, taking a large gulp of her champagne.

It could have been his carefree attitude, or his ease in any situation presented that made him not question the action she'd taken, unlike others who would look to Elijah with concern. Not that this had happened more times than she could count on one hand or anything, not this abruptly or overt, anyways. But she recognized Vincent's understanding, and appreciated that he hadn't turned to Elijah. It was as though he accepted that it was her decision to make. That he didn't recognize anyone's right to own another human being. Truly, a kindred spirit, as this had been exactly her attitude her entire life.

She felt his hands slowly slide up over her hips until they met her waist, never once breaking eye contact. Everything was slow and deliberate, how he gently tugged her closer. How Natalie felt the acute sensation of pressure between her legs from how she was perched on his knee.

Leaning back against the wall of the tub, Elijah placed his elbows on the side, a voyeur of this profound turning point. His jealousy always aroused him for some reason, his blood racing, heart thumping. He didn't necessarily think he was someone who enjoyed cuckoldry; he wouldn't specifically seek it out. But on the rare occasion of threesomes that had involved another man, he couldn't deny that he enjoyed seeing Natalie fucked by someone else.

Though in those cases, he was directly involved. This was different. This was a new experience, and considering they'd had so many, "new" was rare. Maybe if things escalated he'd get involved, but he realized in that same second that he didn't care if he didn't. For one, he owed Natalie and she was showing him that the door he'd opened could hurt him back.

And oddly, for some reason, at least for now, he was enjoying the slow build up. Even though he knew she was just trying to get him back for this morning. And that was acceptable as well. He deserved it.

Placing her glass on the ledge after one final sip, Natalie slung her other arm over Vincent's shoulder, toying with his curls at the nape of his neck. "Do you want me?" she asked, quietly enough that the sound of the roaring bubbles would mean no one behind her could hear. Not that she cared if they did.

Raising a hand up to her shoulder, he swept at her hair, brushing the locks so they fell down her back. "Yes," he responded gently, his tone low and masculine.

"You can have me, you know," Natalie breathed seductively. She was taking control of the situation completely, and enjoying it immensely. Leaning forward, she brought her mouth to his ear. "All you have to do is take it," she whispered, then nipped at his earlobe.

Hand lacing into her hair at the back of her neck, he abruptly pulled her head back, causing her to exhale a quiet 'uhnn', which went stifled by his mouth, kissing her deeply while maintaining that strong grip on her hair. It seemed to pull her body down harder against his knee, the pressure incredible as she felt her pussy ache.

"This, uhh," Heath said, Elijah noticing out of the corner of his eye that he was sliding closer to him. "This is okay with you?"

Without glancing over at Heath, who was now sitting a foot away from him, he responded with a miniscule shrug. "Yup," he said simply, then took a long drink from his glass. Okay was relative. It was acceptable, at least. Would he have hoped it was different? Probably. He preferred it was Heath, for starters, since he'd already let the thought form earlier, but Natalie had made her choice, and he respected it.

But more than his feelings on the matter, she'd earned this. She was allowed even if he didn't feel he owed her a debt. But taking into account that he absolutely did owe her, the answer was yes without hesitation. He was okay with this.

Though, the alcohol helped. And noticing his glass was nearly empty, he leaned toward Heath, still unable to look away as Vincent assaulted Natalie's mouth. "Bottle?"

"Uhh, yeah," Heath responded. A second later it was held out to Elijah, which he took, filling his glass, then set down so it would be easily reachable instead of handing it back.

Just as Vincent was pulling at her hair, Natalie had her hand threaded through his as she scraped at the back of his neck. His other hand was firmly massaging her ass over her bikini bottom, which had her desire growing exponentially. She could not get enough of that knee between her legs, her thighs quivering as they hung straight down, knees bent back so it was only his knee holding her up.

Moaning as he kissed a line across her jaw, she tossed her head back to allow him easier access. His lips met her ear, and he whispered, "Just how far can we take this?"

Sliding her hand between them, she wrapped her fingers around his erect cock over his swim trunks. His body stiffened as he bit her ear, which made her laugh. "As far as you like," she responded, running her thumb over the tip. Her only regret right now was that his swim trunks were in the way.

Finally releasing her hair, he ran his hand down to the back of her bikini top and untied the bow, and as she felt it release she leaned back to look him in the eyes. His eyes were on her chest as his hand rose up her back once more, tugging at the strings around her neck. She looked down, the bikini was still in place, but wouldn't be for long. He pinched the string between her breasts with his thumb and forefinger, then slowly pulled down and out, the triangles leaving her body.

This, apparently, was when Vincent decided to hesitate, as he fully paused in action before it had been removed, and Natalie looked up to find his gaze aimed over her shoulder. Gently closing her eyes, she sighed in frustration. No man could just accept that she could make her own decisions, further that she knew her husband well enough to never have begun such an act without his express permission.

Quickly looking over her shoulder at Elijah, she quirked a brow, albeit annoyed. "Tell him it's okay," she said, then rolled her eyes.

"Totally okay," Elijah said clearly with a crooked grin, his pose casual and comfortable in the corner.

Turning her gaze back to Vincent, she smiled. "Totally okay," she repeated. Covering his hand with her own, where it held the front of her bikini, she raised a brow at him. "Unless it's not okay with you," she sang daringly.

Vincent's gaze was just as daring as his hand squeezed her ass. "Wouldn't be the first time I was with a married woman," he said, raising a seductive brow. "At least I don't have to worry about a pissed off husband."

Grinning, Natalie pulled at his hand, assisting him with the action of removing her bikini top. As he laid it on the tile, he took a deep breath. "Though this is the first time I've been with a woman as sexy as you, married or unmarried."

Natalie's heart skipped a beat as she felt the blood rush between her legs, the distinct tingle awakening the extent of the lust inside of her. Lifting his knee, which raised her a few inches, he brought his mouth down to her breasts and took in her right nipple as his hand began to stroke her left.

"Holy fuck," Elijah heard Heath whisper beside him. It was easy to forget he was there, considering Elijah hadn't once taken his eyes off of Vincent and Natalie, and for a brief moment he wondered if he should ask Heath to leave. But it sort of added to the thrill, he determined in the next second. That being said...

"Mind closing the blinds?" Elijah asked sideways, finally glancing at Heath, seeing how his mouth was slightly agape.

"Uh, yeah, sure man," Heath said, quickly leaping from the hot tub. Elijah could hear the bamboo blinds fall over the windows behind him, then the door closing. As Heath stepped one foot back into the hot tub, he paused. "Should I go?"

Elijah shook his head, grinning noncommittally as he shrugged. "Only if you want to."

There was a moment of hesitation in Heath, and Elijah watched his thoughts as though he were saying them aloud. Heath wanted to stay, but he didn't want Elijah to think he wanted to stay. The poor guy looked tortured by it, but ultimately he came to his decision and placed his other foot in the water, though sat on the ledge instead of in the tub.

A sharp pulsing had begun between Natalie's legs, growing more aroused and more restless. The water was so hot, only enhancing the heat she was already feeling as Vincent licked and sucked her nipples, alternating from one to the other. With her arms around his neck, he suddenly rose, using the hand on her ass to hoist her up, and she quickly wrapped her legs around his waist for additional support.

The world spun, or at least that was what it felt like as he deposited her on the edge of the hot tub. The champagne she'd been drinking along with the heat and arousal had her heady, and she placed her hands behind her on the tile to keep steady as Vincent leaned in and kissed her further. As he kissed his way down her neck, she tossed her head back with a breathy moan, back arching.

He only briefly paused at her breasts before he'd sunk further, and when she glanced down, his lips were just below her belly button. Simultaneously he pulled a string on each side of her bikini bottoms until the bows were freed, then locking eyes with her, he gently pulled the front down while coaxing her legs further apart. In return, Natalie pushed her hips forward, welcoming him.

The second his mouth was between her legs, Natalie let out a cry as she felt the force of his tongue between her lips, and her legs began to tremble so violently she feared she'd lose control. With a hand on each knee, Vincent applied more pressure outward, which kept her steady but opened her further to his probing tongue. "Oh, fuck," Natalie whimpered, roughly sliding her fingers into his hair and gripping what she could, which wasn't much considering it was all tightly tied back. Yet she pulled him closer, further into her as his tongue drew circles in all the right places.

Her vision was blurring, the world spinning and as hard as she tried, she could not quiet her cries despite making every effort to regain control. It was impossible, he was just too skilled. The man knew exactly what he was doing, should offer classes to do the women of the world a favor.

The orgasm rocked her so violently when it came that she began to teeter, the arm behind her back that she'd been using to brace herself buckling at her elbow, but before she fell, Vincent wrapped his arms around her waist, licking a trail up her stomach and between her breasts until he was at her mouth, just in time.

Elijah couldn't deny he was impressed; whatever Vincent had done had made his wife come faster than he ever had, though his features remained bland. Despite wearing no reaction on his face, his cock was rock hard, seeing Natalie in her post-orgasm reverie, naked and wrapped around Vincent as she tried to catch her breath. It had been exhilarating to watch how lost she was in her pleasure; listen to the noises he knew so well. Never in his life had he been on the outside looking in the way he was now, and he was shocked, if not even a bit appalled, that he'd enjoyed it.

Cradling her head with one hand, Natalie felt his fingers begin to probe her once more, despite still feeling the aftershocks wracking her body. His eyes were so dark, they were almost as black as his hair, and the way they gazed into hers had her falling into their depth, a black hole sucking her in. "Let me take you," he said tenderly, his finger probing deeper.

"Oh, yes, please," Natalie sighed, exhausted and needy. She wanted nothing more than to feel him inside of her after what he'd done with his mouth. But she inhaled sharply as she realized it was impossible. "Wait," she cried in a panic, as Vincent had just begun to pull his swim trunks down. "Oh god."

Heart racing with panic, Natalie searched around for what she knew she wouldn't find, hoping it would just materialize in thin air if she willed it hard enough. When her eyes landed in Elijah's, the whole world stopped. Time just ceased to be. Telling Vincent, but aiming her words at Elijah, she said, "I don't have a condom."

"A condom...?" Vincent asked, as though he didn't understand the word. He backed away, spinning around. "I uhh..." This trailed off with a shrug, one hand in the air.

Natalie was in motion, climbing from the tub, her thoughts racing. She wasn't ready for it to be over. In a sort of frenzy, she ripped the cushions from the chairs, tossing them down on the tile. She could return the favor of oral, at the very least, though that would take a bit more comfort. Hence the cushions. Though, she could just hop back in the hot tub, trade places. Why hadn't she thought of that?

Palm meeting her forehead, she ran her fingers through her hair and blew out some air through tight lips in a 'pfft'.

"Natalie," Elijah said for the third time, and it finally caught her attention. Her eyes met his, and he offered her a somber smile, resigned. "It's fine, Nat."

"It's fine?" she asked, not comprehending what he was saying.

"Yes," Elijah replied smoothly, brows raised as he offered her the largest of all gestures. He felt it owed to her. Perhaps this would make up for his errors this morning. He desperately hoped so, as this was giving more than he thought possible. "No condom."

Eyes in slants, Natalie lowered her chin. "I know there's no..." It dawned on her what he was saying. "Wait, really?"

"Yes," Elijah repeated, almost frustrated. "No condom."

Natalie felt her eyes begin to water, and she suddenly felt an urge to jump into the hot tub and embrace Elijah, slide down on him and have him take her. But when she saw Vincent watching the exchange in confusion, she knew she wanted him as well. Jesus, what he'd been able to do with his mouth, and he was here... and ready.

Sitting back down on the ledge, she grabbed Vincent's hand and gently tugged until he was in front of her once more. "No condom," she said with a shrug, then pursed her lips. It was so surprising to her that this concession had been made, but she wouldn't question it. She had an IUD, and everyone here had to prove themselves STD free. Kissing him, she hooked her fingers into his shorts and began to slide them down. "No condom," she repeated, then wrapped her hand around his cock.

"Wait, sorry, I'm a moron," Heath suddenly chimed in. He crawled half out of the tub and pulled at his stack of belongings, retrieving his wallet. From it, a shiny foil square was retrieved and he held it up. "Condom."

He grinned as he tossed it towards Vincent, who caught it in the air and set to peeling the wrapper, nodding a thanks. Natalie watched with relief and hunger as he slid it onto his large dick, then reached out to kiss Natalie once more.

"Okay," Vincent replied once the kiss ended, with the same open, calm tone Elijah had used. He replaced her hand, and Natalie looked down to see him stroking himself. And he was certainly a sight to behold. Lines of his pelvic bones were sharp, pointing an arrow straight to his groin, along with a line of hair from navel straight down.

And oh, how she was aching to be filled. She couldn't believe this was happening. Elijah just watching in the corner of the tub, beside him Heath, a stranger. It was so entirely naughty that her need only heightened. An audience. It was surreal.

Her thoughts racing as they were, she didn't even notice that Vincent had lined up until she felt the pressure against her muscles, his cock steadily sinking into her as her head fell back on her shoulders, wrapping her arms around his neck to hold on for dear life. He didn't have Elijah's girth, but still the initial pain was there as she was filled. Again her legs began to quiver as he sunk further and further.

Ripping the elastic from his hair, she laced both hands into his curls at either side of her head as she moaned a long, pronounced 'nnnnn' while trying to relax. Her entire body was tensed as he paused, fully embedded, and she was finally able to open her eyes and look at him.

"Fuck, you're tight," Vincent groaned, then glanced down between them. "Unreal."

Wrapping one arm around her waist, the other hand resting on her thigh, he began to pump, his eyes fixated between them, which in turn caused Natalie to look down and watch the spectacular sight of his dick pumping in and out of her. She couldn't let go of the fact that Elijah and Heath were watching and it enhanced her arousal in a way unlike ever before as Vincent took her. "Uhhn, oh god," she cried against a particularly forceful thrust, tossing her head back, noticing how taut his squared jaw was, how his teeth were bared.

Watching another man fuck his wife was not new, but this was so entirely different. Usually he was directly involved, Natalie stroking him or sucking him as she rode another man, or was taken from behind. To be a silent observer was bizarre, and Elijah wasn't sure if it was the alcohol that had him feeling as accepting of this situation as he was, but a serene acceptance, if not even a fascination, had overcome all else. Beneath the water, he was gently stroking his erection over his swim trunks, entranced by her facial features, but his view of anything more was obscured by Vincent's backside, so there was nowhere else to look.

Nowhere else to look initially, at least. For the first five minutes, it was just Natalie's red face and moans, but Vincent suddenly pulled back and gripped her hips, scooting her away onto the tile. He hopped out of the hot tub, said something to Natalie that he couldn't make out while helping her into position. Then Natalie was on all fours on the cushions she'd laid out for god knows what, he didn't know.

But now he had a more complete picture as Vincent laid his hand on her lower back, and she sunk down, resting on her elbows with an unbelievably sexy arch.

Natalie felt Vincent's hands on her hips, tugging at them against the head of his dick, making her sink onto it instead of him thrusting in. With this new angle, a new experience, just as exciting, if not more intense than before. And she noted, positioned as they were, this was much more of a show, both her and Vincent in full view. It heightened the thrill.

With a glance at Elijah and Heath, filled to capacity with Vincent, she whipped her hair to the side and looked at him over her shoulder. Fuck, he was so sexy! Those curls falling to his shoulders, his dark eyes traveling her backside with miniscule circular motions from his hips.

"Fuck me," she said, tone a demand. "Really, really fuck me."

His mouth curved into a grin. "You are a bad girl," Vincent said, readjusting his hold on her hips. "A very, very bad girl."

Elijah couldn't have agreed more, and his thoughts turned to how he could punish her later for this, the idea so stimulating that his dick jerked against his hand. They both enjoyed rougher play from time to time, and it was common after any threesome involving another guy. It gave him something to look forward to once they'd finished here.

It was a few pumps before Vincent was up to speed, but Natalie began to cry out in short bursts against his thrusts as he fucked her harder than she'd envisioned when she'd made the request. And holy fuck, it felt amazing. She was absolutely helpless against his relentless onslaught; how he'd pull back on her hips against him, the loud slapping sound that could barely be heard over her cries.

This went on longer than she thought she could take, and just as she thought it was nearing the end, he had a fistful of her hair, pulling her head back without ceasing. Protests began that she didn't mean. "Oh fuck, I can't," she cried. "Oh god! Oh my god!"

"You can," Vincent grunted, and she felt the stinging sensation as he spanked her ass. "You're doing so good," he said, his tone softening. "Just a little more."

"Ahhhhhh, oh FUCK!" Natalie screamed. Just then he rammed into her while pulling her back against him, and he held her there, stuffed full as he released. She hadn't heard him yelling the same, only the hiss of his intake of air as he slowly eased himself from her, and she instantly collapsed on the cushions, trying to steady her breath.

But it wouldn't steady; he didn't allow her to. She felt her legs being coaxed open as she rolled onto her back, worried for a moment that maybe he wasn't done, which morphed into hope that maybe he wasn't done because she still wanted him inside. She now felt so empty after being so full.

Instead, she felt gentle strokes and glanced down to find his head lowering to her, one hand spreading her lips. Within no more than a minute of his magical tongue, she climaxed, writhing on the cushions, gripping them in her fists above her head as she moaned, leaving her body.

When her muscles finally relaxed and she'd reentered the world, she sighed heavily, completely spent. Vincent kneeled beside her, working his arms under her body that had turned to Jello, and then she was floating. He carried her into the hot tub, and the heat of the water was just another sensation against nerves that were still rapidly firing up and down her body.

She appreciated how he held her against him, brushing his hand through her hair and staring down at her with a face that she could only describe as loving and grateful. "You are incredible," he whispered, then kissed her lips.

"I cannot believe that just fucking happened," Natalie heard Heath say, and she was suddenly aware again that there were two other people in this hot tub that had watched it all. She was too tired to feel alarmed, though also acutely awake after the experience, and she smiled wickedly at Heath.

Her gaze travelled to Elijah, who had a similarly wicked smile on his face. He said nothing. Sipped his champagne.

Elijah finally felt the score had been evened. He'd had four days of women fawning all over him. Four days of touching them, one night of fucking one. Natalie had earned this, and he had to give Vincent credit. He wasn't an asshole, the way he held her. He hadn't taken his fun and moved on, which Elijah respected, despite his jealousy that Natalie was wrapped in Vincent's arms instead of his.

There was a long silence until Vincent finally broke it with a laugh. "Well, that was a new experience I never expected to have," he said, breaking the ice. "Thank you," he said, aiming this at Natalie. He looked up at Elijah. "And thank you."

"It's not my place to say you're welcome," Elijah responded coolly. "Maybe my own thank you for making her happy."

And for settling the score, Elijah also thought to himself. Yes, he'd definitely owed Natalie after what he'd done this morning, and he was glad it had been just as exciting of an experience for himself, albeit just as new.

"You're so beautiful," Vincent said to Natalie, brushing her damp hair. "I hope you enjoyed that half as much as I did."

"I did," Natalie responded gently, then began to climb from his arms. It was time for them to go, though it would take a few minutes longer before she felt steady. But she did make her way to Elijah and wrapped her arms around him. "Thank you," she whispered into his ear, embracing him tightly.

"Drinks on us next time," Elijah said to Vincent and Heath as he rose, carrying Natalie in much the same way Vincent had five minutes ago. He knew she must be exhausted, considering what he'd just witnessed. "Hope to see you guys again."

Once he had her on her feet, making sure she wouldn't collapse, he wrapped her towel over her shoulders as Heath and Vincent assured them that they'd love to hang out more, they had new friends, etc. After sweeping up her bikini, they then took their leave, Elijah's arm wrapped around her shoulders as they left for their room.