Nina almost called Gerald when she again heard a strange noise. It was like the sound of suction cups, but composed of flesh instead of rubber. She paused. With heightened senses because of the adrenaline coursing through her veins, she listened with added focus.

She heard it a third time, this time louder, more insistent. Nina followed the sound, her bare feet silent on the cool hardwood floor. The sound was coming from the bedroom, her bedroom. Her hand clutched the door frame.

Nina peeked around the corner, her eyes widening in shock and disbelief. Her husband, Gerald, was in the bed, but he wasn’t alone. The woman with him was Rosa, Nina’s best friend. The Rosa she had shared drinks with, shared a kiss with. Her best friend, confidante, an accomplice in midlife mischief.

Nina’s vision blurred. In her mind, a kaleidoscope of color and form filled the room. Her mind struggled to process the scene before her. Her lips parted in a silent gasp. She clapped a hand to her chest, as if to restrain her heart.

Rosa was on her knees, her head bobbing between Gerald’s legs. The sight was obscene, both shocking and arousing. Gerald’s eyes were closed, his head thrown back, his mouth open in a silent moan.

He guided Rosa’s movements, his hands clenched in her hair. His hips thrusting upward to meet her bobbing head.

Their passion filled the room with sound. The wet slurping of Rosa’s mouth, the harsh panting of Gerald’s breath, the low moans that escaped his throat. Nina smelled the sex filling the air, mingling with the faint trace of Gerald’s aftershave.

She watched as Rosa’s tongue swirled around Gerald’s member, her lips stretching wide to accommodate his girth.

Nina saw the saliva dripping from her chin, the way Rosa’s throat constricted as she took him deeper. It was a sight that should have made her ill, betrayed, furious. But all she experienced was a strange mix of arousal and disbelief.

As if sensing her presence, Rosa turned her gaze to the doorway, her eyes meeting Nina’s. For a moment, time froze. Then Rosa’s tongue slid up Gerald’s shaft. She smiled at Nina, winked, and took him deep into her throat once more.

Nina’s breath hitched, her chest heaving with a mix of shock and something else she couldn’t quite identify. She felt a warmth spread between her legs, a familiar tingle she had felt with Liam, with Rachel. She could not understand it, to comprehend it. But she also couldn’t deny it.

“Oh Rosa! Shit, I’m sorry!” Gerald roared in ecstasy as Rosa choked on the first jet of his load. This only spurred Gerald on further as he began thrashing under her. Nina froze. Her mind reeled. Unable to process what her eyes were seeing.

Rosa looked back at Nina, her lips still wrapped around Gerald’s erection. She gave Nina a smug grin, and Nina’s blood ran cold. Betrayal, exploitation, and a strange thrill mixed inside her.

She pivoted on her heel. Nina glided to the kitchen door, opened, then closed it with an audible purpose, causing a flurry of whispers and movement from the bedroom. Rosa seemed jovial, but Gerald sounded in a panic, mentioning he would take a shower and for Rosa to stall Nina.

Rosa appeared at the bedroom door a few minutes later. Her disheveled hair cascaded over her shoulder. Her lips appeared red and swollen. Nina pretended to be doing dishes. She used the running water to mask any potential conversation.

“Rosa, what have you done?” Nina’s hands trembled as she gripped the edge of the kitchen counter. She refused to look Rosa in the eye, instead focusing on the meaningless task of washing the same spot on the already clean plate.

Rosa crossed the room in a flash. She lifted Nina’s chin and slipped her tongue into Nina’s mouth. Nina tried to pull away, but Rosa’s grip was like iron. As she noted the remnants of Gerald on Rosa’s tongue, a wave of disgust washed over her, yet a lingering arousal pulsed between her legs.

Rosa broke the kiss, her eyes intense and predatory. “I fixed it. I made things right. Like I promised.”

Nina blinked, unsure if Rosa was trying to persuade her or to provoke her. A sudden, overwhelming urge to push Rosa away, to scream and shout and demand answers, came over her. But something in Rosa’s eyes, something dark and dangerous, held her in place.

“Rosa, what are you talking about? What did you fix?” Nina asked with a hiss. She refused to shy away from Rosa’s intense gaze.

Rosa smirked, her lips still glistening with Gerald’s release. “I fixed your marriage. You sucked Liam’s cock, swallowed his load. And I sucked Gerald’s cock, swallowed his load. Now, we’re even. No more jealousy, no more resentment. Just two best friends, sharing their men.”

Rosa’s words were fluid. They sounded rehearsed, calculated. A chill ran down Nina’s spine. She’d never known such a depth of betrayal in her whole life.

“Rosa, you saw what I did with Liam... with Rachel?” Her voice shook with shock. She was fighting the urge to scream, to cry, to run. She boiled like a pressure cooker about to explode.

Rosa kneeled and unzipped Nina’s tights. “Does this answer your question?” She asked, before plunging her tongue between Nina’s folds.

Nina gasped. Her body reacted to the sensation before her mind could even process it. A wave of heat and pleasure overcame her. Her body tingled with the sudden, intense stimulation. Trembling, she leaned against the counter while Rosa’s tongue continued to work its magic.

She tried to fight it, tried to push Rosa away, but her body betrayed her. An intense pleasure coiled within her like a spring, her body responding to the touch of her best friend’s tongue.

As soon as it started, it ended. Rosa zipped up Nina’s tights, leaving Nina breathless and speechless. She leaned against the counter. Her legs quivered like jelly, her mind a swirling mess of emotions. She watched as Rosa stood up, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction.

“There, now we’re even. No need for awkward, useless confessions. If Gerald accuses you of infidelity, you can counter with his. If you try to accuse Gerald, I tell him about Liam and Rachel, and also me, of course.” She walked over to the sink and rinsed her mouth, her reflection in the window, watching Nina with a smirk. “Complicity trumps forgiveness.”

Nina couldn’t find her voice. Too engrossed trying to process what had just happened. She felt used, betrayed... satisfied.

She couldn’t reconcile the feelings that coursed through her like lava, the nausea and arousal mixed into a toxic cocktail. Nina wanted to fight, scream, and run, but her body was numb, her mind slow.

Rosa switched off the faucet, turned to Nina, and wiped her mouth. “Now, come on. Wipe that look off your face. You’ve won.”

Nina attempted to speak, but Gerald appeared at the bedroom door. “Hi honey. I thought I heard you in the kitchen.” He said and then, when his gaze fell on Rosa, his voice lowered an octave. “Oh, it’s you. Better watch out for this one, Nina. She’s quite the... seductress.”

Gerald’s eyes flicked from Rosa to Nina. There was a strange glint in them, a mix of guilt and amusement. He seemed almost... smug.

Nina was struggling to process what was happening, to make sense of the situation. She was like a pawn in some twisted game, a game she didn’t understand the rules of.

“Oh, Gerald, always the charmer,” Rosa cooed, her voice dripping with sweetness. She walked over to him, her hips moving with a seductive sway.

Rosa and Gerald shared a silent glance. Nina watched in disbelief, despite knowing all too well what the glance entailed. Nina felt misplaced in her own marriage.

“Rosa and I were just, uh, catching up,” Gerald said, his face flushed. He avoided Nina’s gaze, his eyes darting between her and Rosa.

“Yes, we were,” Rosa said, a smug smile playing on her lips. “Doesn’t Nina look delicious in her new outfit?” She gripped Nina’s shoulder, tight and possessive. “I think she’s the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen. Don’t you agree, Gerald?”

Gerald nodded, his eyes roaming over Nina’s body, his gaze lingering on the curves peeking out from her tight clothing. “Yes, she looks… appetizing,” he said, his voice thick with desire.

Nina stood frozen by the way they were looking at her. They talked about her as if she were a piece of meat. She found herself objectified and desired, a strange mix of emotions that left her both confused and aroused.

Despite wanting to tell them to stop, Rosa had stolen her voice. She was a captive audience to their game, a game she didn’t understand but was a willing participant in.

“It was a gift from Rachel and Liam, Nina’s new friend from work,” Rosa said, her voice laced with innuendo. Nina winced. Her secret escapade was out in the open, and her best friend was reveling in the knowledge.

Gerald’s eyebrows shot up, his gaze flicking between the two women. “Rachel and Liam, from Rudolph’s? They gave you that?” He asked, his voice laced with surprise and something else Nina couldn’t quite place.

Rosa nodded, a wicked smile spreading across her face. “Yes, dear. They’re quite the generous folks.”

Gerald’s brows furrowed as if he wanted to speak, to warn Nina. But Rosa had stolen his voice as well. He just gave a weak nod, more to himself than anyone else.

“Well, I’m tired.” Gerald shuffled off to the bedroom, leaving Nina and Rosa alone in the kitchen.

“You’re welcome. I’ll see you later, sweetie. Give your husband a kiss for me.” A challenging undercurrent ran through her voice. She blew Nina a kiss, turned on her heel, and sauntered out the door, leaving Nina standing alone in the kitchen.

Nina’s mind raced in disbelief. Her hands trembled. Nina took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. But she instead broke down in shuddering sobs, the weight of the Friday’s events hitting her like a freight train.

She slid down the sink cabinet. Nina’s bottom landed on the cold tile floor. Her sobs echoed off the walls.