“Nina,” he whispered, breaking the silence. “Are you okay?”

Nina’s gaze met his. “I don’t know, Liam,” she admitted. “I don’t know how to react, if I should be angry or... grateful.” Nina’s voice trailed off as she looked out the window, her reflection staring back at her; a stranger in the glass.

Liam sighed, pulling her silver Dodge Journey up to a red light. He turned to face Nina, his eyes searching hers. “I understand if you’re confused, Nina. Tonight was... intense. But I hope you realize nothing happened we all didn’t want. Rachel and I, we care about you. We want you to feel happy, content.”

Nina snorted, a bitter laugh escaping her lips. “Happy? Content? Liam, I feel like a freight train ran me over. My body aches, my mind is a mess, and I don’t understand my actions.”

Liam reached out, his fingers brushing against hers. “Yes, it was overwhelming, Nina. But please, believe me when I say that this Friday evening was about you. About how much I care about you. Rachel, she must have realized that too. That’s why she... allowed the other members of the club to... touch you.” He paused, his voice soft with sincerity. “I wanted to make this experience special, Nina. To show you how much you mean to us, to me.”

Nina turned to face him, her eyes searching his. She heard the truth in his words, saw the honesty in his eyes. But she was still confused, still overwhelmed.

“Liam, I’m unsure what's real anymore. I never imagined I would do... this. I never thought I would enjoy... that,” she trailed off, her cheeks flushing at the memory of the night’s events.

Liam reached out, his hand cupping her cheek. “You don’t have to figure it all out right now, Nina. Just know that Rachel and I, we’re here for you. I’m here for you.”

Nina leaned into his hand, her eyes fluttering closed for a moment before she opened them again. Her gaze fixed on Liam as his focus returned to the road. He pulled her Dodge into Nina’s driveway, the engine idling as they sat in silence.

Nina broke the quiet, her voice soft as she spoke. “I need to go inside, Liam. I need to... process all of this.”

Liam nodded. “Of course. I understand. Shall I escort you to you door?”

Nina shook her head, a small smile playing at the corners of her mouth. “No, that’s okay. I’ll be fine. Thank you for the ride, and for... for everything.”

Liam beamed back at her with concern in his eyes as she turned toward her house.

She stopped halfway to the entrance and turned back to him. “How will you return home?” Nina asked.

Liam closed the vehicle’s door and locked it, tossing the fob to Nina, who caught it with a giggle after a short feat of juggling it.

“Don’t worry about that. I live nearby.” He said with a smile as he turned, crossing the street toward a house just across Nina’s.

“What? You live there?” Nina asked, incredulous. Her eyes were wide with surprise. She now perceived a likeness between her house and Liam’s. The same style, the same color scheme.

Liam nodded, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “Yes, I do.”

Nina shook her head in disbelief. “I can’t believe this. I never realized.”

Liam walked further away before turning back. “You were always looking down, Nina. You were always sad.” He said before entering to the neighboring house. 

Nina watched as he disappeared inside, her mind reeling with the revelation. Nina found it hard to believe Liam lived so close. Couldn’t believe she had never noticed.

Confused and disbelieving, Nina turned to enter her own house. As she stepped inside, it was dark, silent. Her fear of marriage returned, cold as the night.

The air, however, had a strange odor. The familiar scent of Gerald’s cologne mixed with the aroma of perfume and stale wine. Rosa was here with Gerald.

Nina crept down the hallway, her eyes scanning the room for any sign of them. The door to their bedroom was ajar, a soft glow spilling out from within.

Nina pushed the door open, her breath catching in her throat as she took in the scene before her. Gerald lay sprawled on the bed, his chest rising and falling as he slept. Beside him, Rosa was curled up against him, her head resting on his shoulder, her face peaceful in slumber.

Nina experienced jealousy and betrayal, yet also a peculiar sense of relief.

She worried about what she might find, a scene of passionate lovemaking, perhaps. But seeing them in a peaceful slumber together caused her a different type of heartache. She tiptoed into the room, her eyes taking in every detail. Gerald’s fingers caressed Rosa’s skin as his hand encircled her waist. Rosa had her leg thrown over Gerald’s, her foot resting on his calf. Their contentment and mutual comfort were clear.

A tear escaped down Nina’s cheek. Gerald discovered the same forbidden pleasure with Rosa as she did with Liam and Rachel. Had Gerald always craved this, or was it recent?

Guilt pricked her conscience regarding her deed, but also, a strange sense of liberation arose. Nina was no longer the only one keeping secrets, the only one crossing boundaries. Moving with silence and grace, she approached the bed. She wanted to shake them awake, confront them, and demand answers. But she didn’t.

Instead, she placed a gentle hand on Rosa’s cheek, her touch light and tender. She marveled at the softness of Rosa’s skin, the warmth of her breath against her hand. A strange sense of connection, a bond beyond their secrets and betrayals, came over her.

Rosa stirred, her eyes fluttering open, and she smiled when she saw Nina standing beside her. “Nina,” she whispered, her voice groggy with sleep. “What are you doing here?”

Nina smiled back at her. “I could ask you the same thing, Rosa. Seems like you’ve found a cozy spot here.” Her eyes flicked from Rosa to Gerald.

Rosa’s smile faded, and she sat up, the satin sheet falling off her exposed form. Her eyes searched Nina’s face. “Nina, I... I can explain.”

Nina held up a hand, silencing Rosa. She then released Gerald’s manhood from his boxers and stroked it. “Oh, I’m sure you can, Rosa. I’m sure you have a million excuses, just like Gerald.”

Gerald awoke with a start, his eyes darting between the two women. “Nina, what are you doing here?” he asked, his voice a low rumble. He scrambled to pull the sheets up to cover his nakedness, but failing.

Nina smirked, continuing to stroke Gerald’s shaft. “Oh, I just thought I’d join the party. After all, it seems like everyone is having fun without me.”

She placed her hand on the back of Rosa’s head, pushing her down towards Gerald’s exposed manhood. “Come on, Rosa. Don’t be shy. You seemed to enjoy Gerald’s company earlier.”

Rosa hesitated for a moment, her eyes darting between Nina and Gerald. She bit her lip, then looked up at Nina, a mixture of fear and excitement in her eyes. She leaned down, her tongue darting out to lick the tip of Gerald’s erection.

Gerald let out a low moan, his hips bucking. Nina watched, her eyes narrowed with a strange sense of satisfaction. Then joined in, leaning down to place her mouth next to Rosa’s.

Their tongues swirled and licked at Gerald’s length together, their breaths whispering against his skin. Nina looked up at Gerald, her eyes meeting his. She saw the confusion, the desire and the guilt all swirling in his gaze.

“You want to talk about secrets, Gerald?” she murmured, her voice a low purr. “We all have them, don’t we?”

Gerald’s breath hitched, his chest rising and falling in quick pants. “You mean yourself taking money, like... like a...” He trailed off, his mind racing, trying to grasp the sheer enormity of tonight’s revelations.

Nina chuckled, a low, sultry sound that sent a shiver down Gerald’s spine. “Like a whore, Gerald? Were you going to say that? Like you and Rosa, sneaking off to your little trysts while I’m working or jogging. Like you, with your little deals with the insurers, the bankers, the loan sharks. We’re all whores, Gerald. We all sell ourselves for something. Money, power, pleasure...”

Gerald’s face flushed red with shame and embarrassment.

He tried to sit up, but Nina pushed him back down. “No, no, Gerald. Don’t make this any more awkward. We all have our secrets, our little games. It’s time we stopped pretending, don’t you think?”

Rosa looked up from Gerald’s erection, her eyes wide with surprise. “Nina, what are you doing?”

“Taking control of my life.” Gina said as she redoubled her efforts, her saliva coating his shaft, making it slippery. Rosa’s eyes lit up at the challenge, her mouth moved in sync with Nina’s, their tongues battling for space. She was no longer shy, her hunger for Gerald’s flesh palpable.

Gerald gasped at the sight of the two women working his erection. Nina had never seen him like this, so... vulnerable. Rosa’s hand cupped his balls, caressing them as she sucked on his tip. His moans caused vibrations through his shaft that Nina experienced in her mouth.

Rosa’s and Gina’s lips met from the bobbing of Gerald’s shaft, sharing a passionate kiss. Their lips were slippery, their breaths hot and heavy with the odor of him.

Gerald was now alert, his eyes wide with amazement and disbelief at the sight of Nina and Rosa. He watched the slow dance of their lips and tongues, his erection hard and throbbing in their mouths.

A thrill went through Nina as she watched Rosa enjoy herself, relishing the sight of her best friend with her husband. She imagined herself in Rosa’s place, and a surge of desire washed over her. 

Gerald moaned as he erupted into Rosa’s mouth. Gina held her friend’s head in place, hearing a muffled gag as Rosa swallowed every drop. Nina smirked as she let go of Rosa’s head, her mouth releasing Gerald’s member with a wet, sloppy pop.

“Well, that was... something,” Nina said, panting, her chest heaving. She sat back on her heels, admiring the sight of Rosa and Gerald together.

Gerald looked at Nina, his eyes filled with confusion and desire. “I love you so much, Nina. I love you both.”

“Of course you do,” Nina said, a playful smile on her face despite the gravity of the situation. “You rest now, Gerald. Me and our new partner here need to talk,” Nina said, her voice firm yet gentle. She took Rosa’s face in her hands and kissed her on the forehead. Gerald looked at Nina with a mix of embarrassment, gratitude, and love.

Nina led Rosa to the door, her hand on her lower back. Nina shut the door behind them and padded to the kitchen with Rosa.

Once in the kitchen, Nina pulled off her dress and walked over to the fridge, the cool air raising goosebumps on her bare skin. She grabbed an open bottle of wine and two glasses, filling them and handed one to Rosa.

Rosa took the glass, her eyes never leaving Nina’s body. “What’s happened?” Rosa asked as she sipped her wine. She looked at Nina with a mix of curiosity and worry, her eyes scanning Nina’s body as if looking for clues. The redness and bruises on Nina’s skin were noticeable.

Nina took a deep breath, her eyes meeting Rosa’s. “A lot, Rosa. A lot has happened this Friday evening.” She took a long drink from her glass, the cool liquid helping to calm her racing thoughts. “I accepted a lot of money to be Rachel’s new assistant. For my trouble, I visited an exclusive club, had sex with Rachel and Liam, and was... touched by countless strangers in a way that made me feel both degraded and exhilarated.”

Rosa’s eyes widened in shock. “Nina, what are you saying? Who are these strangers? And why would you... allow that?”

Nina took another sip of wine, her hands trembling as she set the glass down on the counter. “Why do you care? You weren’t there to help me, to give me advice, guidance, were you?” Nina poured herself another glass of wine, her voice laced with bitterness. She glanced at Rosa, her eyes flashing with a mix of anger and hurt.

Rosa flinched at the accusation, her eyes filling with tears. “No, Nina, you’re right. I wasn’t there. And I should have been.” She took a deep breath, her lower lip quivering. “But that doesn’t mean I don’t care. I do. I just... please forgive me. Say you forgive me, please.”

Nina softened as she gulped down her wine and set her empty wineglass on the counter. Her anger lowering as quickly as she lowered herself. She reached out, taking Rosa’s hips in her hands. “Does this answer your question?” Nina said, as her mouth sank into Rosa’s mound of flesh. The aroma of Rosa’s perfume and her essence on Nina’s lips ignited a fierce hunger within her—a desperate need for mutual consumption.

Rosa let out a soft moan, leaning back against the kitchen counter, her eyes closed as she bucked to the pleasure of Nina’s tongue between her legs. “Oh, Nina, that feels so good,” she said, her hips moving in time with Nina’s tongue.

Nina hummed in response, her fingers digging into Rosa’s hips as she buried her face deeper between her friend’s thighs. She tried to summon the technique she used on Rachel at the club. The technique that rattled Rachel’s soul and made her convulse in pleasure. She had done it out of an innate need for survival, to prove herself to Rachel. Now, she did it to Rosa, her best friend, because it felt right.

Rosa let out a series of gasps and moans, her legs trembling as Nina’s tongue danced on her clit. Nina looked up, watching Rosa’s face contort with pleasure. It was a sight she’d never seen before, yet it was beautiful.

She was no longer the submissive, the passive observer. She was the one in charge. The one who orchestrated the enjoyment. And the satisfaction was intoxicating to Nina.

Rosa’s moans grew louder, her breaths coming in quick gasps. Nina sensed her friend’s body tensing, her legs trembling. She knew Rosa was close. She redoubled her efforts, her tongue flicking faster, her fingers digging deeper into her friend’s hips.

“Nina... Nina, I’m... I’m going to...” Rosa cried out. Her body convulsing as she reached her climax. Nina sensed the waves of pleasure radiating from her friend, Rosa’s essence filling her mouth.

As Rosa’s body relaxed, Nina pulled back, a satisfied smile on her face. She licked her lips, savoring the taste of her friend.

Rosa opened her eyes, her breath coming in ragged gasps. She looked at Nina with a mix of awe and wonder. “Nina, that was... incredible. I love you. Both you and Gerald so much, Nina.”

“Of course, you do.” Nina replied, her voice soft, her gaze holding Rosa’s.

“I’ll be there for you, no matter what,” Rosa said with tenderness.

“I know,” Nina said, a small smile playing at the corners of her mouth. She reached out and took Rosa’s hand, squeezing it. “Let’s return to bed, the three of us,” Nina said, guiding Rosa to the bedroom with a firm touch.

Rosa sighed as she placed her head against Nina’s shoulder.