The house was quiet, save for the soft hum of the refrigerator, the distant grinding of the hallway clock. Nina slipped off her shoes, the cool wood floor beneath her feet grounding her as she made her way to the bedroom. The weight of her actions, the heaviness of her secrets, burdened her, making her steps slow and deliberate.

Nina paused in the doorway, taking in the sight of Gerald. He was lying on his side, facing away from her, his body curled around his pillow. His breath was slow and steady, a soft snore escaping his lips. She observed his chest rise and fall, and the subtle movement of his shoulders during his sleep.

Nina stood there, frozen in the doorway, gathering the courage to speak.

Gerald shifted in his sleep towards her, but his eyes remained closed. Nina took another deep breath as she approached the bed.

“Hey! You’re back! How was it?” Gerald said with a mumble, his voice thick with sleep.

Nina hesitated, her mind racing with a thousand different things to say. But she needed honesty, to start with the truth. “I had a good time, Gerald. It was... eventful.”

Gerald yawned and rolled onto his back, stretching his arms above his head. “Good to hear. I’m glad you had fun with the ‘young adults.’ What were their names again?” Gerald asked, stifling another yawn.

Nina’s pulse pounded in her ears as she struggled to find the right words. “Their names are Rachel and Liam.”

Gerald rubbed his eyes and smiled. “Rachel and Liam. That’s right. They sounded like nice kids. Did Rosa behave herself?” He asked.

Guilt washed over Nina at Gerald’s question. “Rosa was... herself.” She answered.

Gerald chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “I’m not surprised. Rosa’s a wild one. I hope she didn’t cause you trouble.”

Nina’s heart ached as she recalled the night’s events. How far could she take these half-truths before their burden became too great? She sighed, trying to steady her nerves as she sat down on the edge of the bed, the mattress dipping under her weight.

Gerald saw her turmoil and pushed himself up on one arm. “You’re so flustered, honey. Did Rachel and Liam... make out?” He asked with a chuckle. He looked away as if trying to recapture a distant memory, then smiled. “I remember when we were that age. We were making out any chance we could steal. Whether it was in private... or public.”

Nina forced a smile, navigating this minefield of edited truth. “It’s amazing how you picked up on that, Gerald. They were quite... open with their lovemaking. I doubt Rachel and Liam intended to be so public, though. The moment swept them away, I guess.”

Gerald chuckled, his eyes softening as he looked at her. “That’s sweet, Nina. You perceive the best in people, even when they’re fornicating in a bar.” He reached out, his hand cupping her cheek, his thumb brushing against her skin. “I’m glad you had a good time, though. You deserve to cut loose once in a while. It’s good to see you smile.”

Nina’s cheeks flushed at his touch, and she leaned into it, desperate for the comfort and familiarity of his hand caressing her face. She wanted to confess everything then, to unburden herself of the secrets she carried, but she was a coward. Nina conceded she had to tell him in the future. For now, she desired to savor the warmth of his touch, the empathy in his gaze.

“They were so young, passionate, full of life. I just wanted to take their passion in my mouth, swallow it, and let it fill me up,” Nina blurted out, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts beyond her control. She clapped her hand over her mouth, her eyes wide with shock at what she had just admitted.

Gerald’s hand fell away from her face, his eyes searching hers as he tried to process what Nina had said. Nina could not read his expression, not able to determine his emotional state or contemplations. The silence between them stretched on, tense and heavy, as Gerald struggled to find the right words. “Wow! They must have gone at it hard to rile you up like that. Rosa must have exploded.” Gerald said. He chuckled, but avoided eye contact with Nina.

“She... Rosa, joined them.” Nina said. Her eyes widened with fear. What had she done? Nina let her guard down, confessed to her husband the very thing she had been trying to hide. She chastised herself for her lack of self-control.

Gerald shifted on the bed. He looked away, avoiding her gaze. His brow furrowed. He took a deep breath, then turned back to her, his eyes searching hers. “Is this what’s bothering you? Honey, Rosa is a grown woman. She can make her own choices, and she’s not the first woman I’ve seen with multiple partners. It’s natural.”

Nina’s eyes widened in shock and disbelief. How did Gerald accept her confession with such calmness? She had just confessed to witnessing her best friend in a threesome, and he was acting as if she had told him about a doctor’s appointment.

Gerald took her cheek in his hand again. “Now, I’m aware you are very fond of Rosa. Don’t feel jealous or ashamed. Your arousal is a natural response to your friend’s pleasure. You, my dear, were only a witness to their love. It’s not cheating, it’s not betrayal. It’s just life, Nina. Human nature.”

Her mind reeled. He wasn’t angry or hurt. He was understanding, supportive. Maybe too supportive.

Gerald’s eyes furrowed as he contemplated how to ask his next question. “Are they rich, Nina.? This Rachel and Liam?” Gerald followed up, his tone casual, yet hinting at a curiosity he had not shown before.

“I don’t know? I mean, I don’t think so. Why?” Nina appeared stumped and attempted to gauge her husband’s intentions. She felt a chill run down her spine, the hairs on the back of her neck standing up. She didn’t know where the conversation was going, but she disliked its direction.

“Who bought the drinks tonight?” Gerald shrugged, his voice casual, but with an edge that Nina found odd. She hesitated, her mind racing to process this strange turn in the conversation.

“The drinks? I don’t know, Gerald. I mean, I didn’t see who paid. Liam, I suppose.” She whispered. The tension in the room was palpable, and she found it confusing.

Gerald’s eyes narrowed, and he nodded, as if he had expected that answer. “Well, I just didn’t want them to take advantage of you. I’ve seen how you are, Nina. You’re always giving, putting others first. You’re like a lamb among wolves sometimes, and I worry people might take advantage of that.”

Nina shook her head at first, then leaned away from her husband. Gerald’s words were subtle, deceptive in their accusation. “Are you calling me a whore, Gerald?” Nina said, her voice shaking with a mix of anger and hurt. “I didn’t ask them to buy me drinks. They expected nothing from me. I sought fun.” Nina’s eyes welled up with tears as she stared at her husband, her mind racing with accusations and defensiveness.

Gerald’s eyes widened in surprise at her reaction, and he tried to backtrack. “No, no, honey, that’s not what I meant. I’m not implying you had sex with them for money. Just that they bought your consent for their tryst with Rosa. You know, wine, dinner, the whole nine yards. It’s not unusual for a young couple to do that. Hell, I’ve done it plenty of times when I was their age.” Gerald spoke with haste, his gaze darting about, seeking a solution.

Nina’s shoulders tensed, her eyes narrowing as she processed Gerald’s words. “So, let me get this straight. You think Rachel and Liam bought my consent, my attention, my time because they wanted to have sex with Rosa?” It was a ridiculous question in her mind. If anything, the young couple paid for sex with Nina, but...

Nina’s mind raced, the gears clicking into place as she realized what Gerald was implying. “So, you think they paid me for... for my company? Acting as the third wheel in their small... whatever this was?” Her voice trembled, her blood boiling with a mix of anger and humiliation.

Gerald’s eyes widened, oblivious to how complicit Nina was in the night’s activities. He sat up in bed. The blankets fell to his waist. “Nina, no, that’s not what I meant. I didn’t want you to feel used, is all. I didn’t want you to owe some sort of... of service.” He stammered, his hands rising in surrender.

A surge of anger, a hot, wild thing, overcame Nina. She lunged at him, her fists clenched, her voice a low snarl.

“How dare you? How fucking dare you! This isn’t about you, Gerald. It’s about me. My wants, needs, cravings. And if that means letting Rosa and some young, beautiful couple take me on a wild ride, then that’s what it means. It doesn’t have a damn thing to do with money or favors, you hear me?” Nina snapped, her eyes blazing with a mix of anger and desire. She felt like a caged animal. She now required only pure, unvarnished honesty.

Gerald’s eyes widened in shock, and he held up his hands in a placating gesture. “Nina, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to imply that. I’m worried about you, okay? About the choices you’re making and the people you’re surrounding yourself with.”

Nina’s breath came in ragged gasps, and she forced herself to calm down. She wished to avoid conflict with Gerald, especially now. Nina wished to reveal everything, yet felt unsure how to begin. She took a deep breath and began again, her voice steady and sure.

“Gerald... It’s okay. I understand. It’s just... I’m not a whore, okay? Not a whore.” Nina repeated the words, her voice soft yet laced with a mix of incredulity and hurt. She took another deep breath, her chest rising and falling with the weight of her emotions. A lump formed in her throat, and tears welled in her eyes. She didn’t want to cry, didn’t want to show weakness, but she couldn’t contain the storm within her any longer.

Gerald sighed, his eyes searching hers as he struggled to find the right words. He reached out, his hand cupping her cheek, his thumb brushing away a stray tear. “That’s not... Okay. Okay, honey. You’re not a whore. I never believed that,” Gerald said. He pulled Nina into a warm embrace, his arms wrapping around her and holding her close. Nina buried her face in his chest, her body shaking with silent sobs. She clung to him, desperate for his understanding, his support.

“Wow.” Gerald said. “Rosa, with another couple, made quite the impression. I doubt I could have watched without... experiencing something, too.”

Nina glanced up sharply at Gerald’s statement. Her eyes searched his for any sign of suspicion. “Experiencing something? Do you desire a threesome of your own?” Nina asked. Her voice held a blend of disbelief, inquisitiveness, and a touch of longing.

Gerald’s face flushed with a mix of embarrassment and arousal. He looked away, unable to meet Nina’s gaze as he spoke. “Well, I mean... haven’t you ever thought about...” He paused.

Nina realized he was speaking from the heart. This was a pandora’s box she didn’t wish to open, not now. She used humor to deflect. “Not once, you old goat. Now go to sleep.”

She pushed him onto his back and pulled the covers up to his chin. “I need to think. And you need your rest. It’s late, and you have to work tomorrow, remember?”

Gerald nodded, relief on his face as if he dodged a bullet. His eyes drooped with fatigue. “Okay, honey. I love you. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight, Gerald,” Nina said, as she leaned over to give him a quick kiss on the cheek. She turned off the night table lamp, casting the room into darkness.

Nina padded to the bathroom, the cool tiles beneath her feet a welcome contrast to the warmth of the bed. She splashed some water on her face, her reflection in the mirror staring back at her with wide, shocked eyes.

What had she just said? What was she thinking? Her evasion of truth caused this. She realized she couldn’t take back the words, but she could still control the situation. She had to.

As she pulled off her clothes and stepped into the shower, she sorted her thoughts. She flirted with danger all night. It was time to regain control. Nina couldn’t allow her desire for something new and exciting to destroy all she had built with Gerald. She won’t throw that away on a whim.

Nina turned the hot water on full blast; the sound filling the small bathroom as steam rose. Nina stepped under the spray, the hot water pelting her skin, stinging. She welcomed the pain, distracting her racing thoughts. Nina closed her eyes, tilting her head back and letting the water cascade over her face, soaking her hair. She took a deep breath as the steam surrounded her, leaving her invisible and isolated in the dim bathroom.

Nina opened her eyes, her vision blurry from the water and the steam. She reached for her shampoo, the familiar bottle in her hand grounding her.

She squirted a generous amount onto her palm and lathered her hair, smelling her favorite scent filling the small space. As she worked the shampoo through her locks, she took another deep breath, steadying her nerves and clearing her mind.

Nina remembered the look on Gerald’s face when she had mentioned a threesome with him and Rosa. The curiosity he hinted at. She shook her head, trying to dislodge the image in her mind. She couldn’t go down that path. Nina needed to distinguish reality from fleeting fantasy. Fantasies like Gerald’s idea that Liam and Rachel were taking advantage of her. Or entertaining the idea of a threesome with Gerald, Rosa, and herself. No, she had to stay grounded in reality.

She rinsed her hair. The water cascaded down her body as she shook her head to clear the suds.

Nina refused to be a lamb. She wanted to be a lioness, powerful and in control of her own destiny. If Rachel and Liam had given her gifts, then she might understand why one would believe they were buying her... obligation, but drinks aren’t gifts, they’re just drinks. You buy them to share, end of story. Nina took a deep breath, the warm water on her skin contrasting with the cool air of the bathroom. She needed to clear her mind, stop the whirlwind of thoughts spinning out of control.

She turned off the shower. The silence filled the small space as the water stopped its steady stream. Nina exited the tub, toweling off before clearing the mirror of steam. She gazed at her reflection, seeking traces of her former self.

Nina didn’t recognize her reflection. The silver strands in her bottle-blonde hair shimmered more brightly in the harsh bathroom light. Her blue eyes sparkled with mischief, yet held a new depth.

Despite the swollen eyelids surrounding those deeper, blue eyes, Nina looked... happy.