5 comments/ 29869 views/ 6 favorites The Bad Husbands' Club Ch. 01 By: ThornTales Kate sighed and tossed the teatowel onto the worktop. Late again. She'd done everything that needed doing. The dinner was cooked and just needed heating up. The kitchen had been cleaned, washing up done, house cleaned. The laundry was drying and the ironing had been done. Jon hadn't even had the grace to let her know he'd be back late. Not that it was so unusual; these days he seemed happier to be down at the local than with her, regardless of who his drinking buddies were. She did her absolute best - she'd sent him a text telling him she'd cooked his favourite, and he still made no effort to return. She flopped down in front of the television. Two hours later the back door banged and he stumbled slightly on the kitchen step. "Alright," he grunted. She tried to smile sweetly. He'd never notice the difference. "I made your favourite," she said quietly, "did you get my message?" "S'just a couple of pints.. Don't start." "I'm not... I just thought..." "Can it, Kate. I'm goin' ter bed." And with that, he stomped up the stairs. She still had no idea what was going on. Or why she'd pissed him off. Or what the hell she was supposed to do about it. They'd only been married eight months, what on earth would people say if they knew? Her friends would laugh... Not that she saw them much these days. She sniffed back tears as she flipped on the kettle. Yeah, it was late, but she was past caring. She was trying so hard to make this work, but it was like since the ring had gone onto her finger, he'd taken it as a licence to lie back and let things slide. When they'd first started going out he was kind, gentle, generous. Cooked meals for them. Indulged in nights in, early nights too. But now? Now he'd got her, he didn't need to try. He'd landed his wife - cook, cleaner, washerwoman, bank account all rolled into one. Holding down a full-time job and keeping the house on her own was beginning to wear her down. At least she got a bit of peace at the weekends - he'd be out all of saturday afternoon, getting slowly trollied and swiftly belligerent, watching the match with more than a few pints. All bankrolled by herself of course. She plonked her mug down on the desk and cosied herself in front of the computer. This was her greatest vice; she liked the feeling of being in touch with the wider world. She spent much of her online hours chatting on an advice messageboard. She'd made some online friends, and was good at helping others with their problems. If only she could sort out her own with a few wise words! She started a new thread and titled it "men...!". She started in on a rant, knowing that her online friends would wade in with sympathy and offers of imaginary tea, chocolate, and wine. She smiled to herself. At least this helped her wind down a bit. She browsed the threads, spotting one or two she might be able to help with, and rattled off a few helpful posts. She checked back to her own thread to find the predicted commiserations. And there was a PM, too, from one of her trusted buddies. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SUBJECT: Men have to learn FROM: JezCaJess MESSAGE: Hey hun. Look, I kno what ur going thru. U need The Bad Husbands Club. Ill give em ur email addy OK? Trust me on it. It will work. U will thank me xx ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bloody hell, what did that mean? What was the Bad Husbands Club? Probably just another forum. She welcomed the chance to vent, but she liked the ones she'd already found - and why did Jess want to pass her email address on to them? Perhaps it was invite-only. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SUBJECT: Re: Men have to learn FROM: KittyKate MESSAGE: Erm, sure Jess. Thanks for thinking of me. I guess I need all the support I can get! I don't quite know what I am doing wrong. I thought I could make him happy, and all I do is make him mad. You guys here keep me sane! I guess I will figure it out eventually. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- She wasn't quite sure what Jess had been banging on about - the text speak didn't help, but that was just Jess's way - but it didn't matter much. She knew her friend meant well. She needed her friends - there was a real mix on the forums, men and women, all ages. That was what made the advice board so useful - so many perspectives and all so varied. She felt old anyway. Old, unattractive, lonely. He didn't even flinch when she climbed into bed. The faint smell of old cider wafted up. He rolled over. Kate stared at the ceiling and waited for sleep. Saturday was just as she'd expected it. She had her lie in, reaching for Jon sleepily that morning. He tolerated her cuddling up against his back for a little while, then sat up blearily. "Right.. shower and then the match is on. I should have eaten last night, I feel woeful!" He smiled ruefully at her. She could almost forgive at times like this, when he seemed genuinely contrite - except she knew that the old pattern would just repeat itself. She slumped back against the pillow and after the last night's late chat session, she was soon asleep again. She woke to an empty house, Jon's breakfast dishes plonked in the sink, wet towels on the bathroom floor and last night's clothes ditched on his side of the bed, stinking of stale fags and cider. Mechanically she tidied, then fixed herself a cup of coffee and wearily dragged the computer chair out. She'd got mail. Spam, probably - she'd had the same email address for donkeys' years and saw no reason to change it, but it did mean she had to be on every nigerian spammer's mailing list! She looked closer. The subject line didn't look like spam. Wasn't this what Jess had been banging on about last night? She pushed her untidy hair off her face and clicked. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ TO: Kittykate@mewsoft.net FROM: Leo@bhc.org SUBJECT: Bad Husband's Club Kate. You don't know me. But I can help you. I know how tough things are right now. I know Jon's not pulling his weight. I know you are shattered. I know you feel lonely, and not wanted. I know just how you feel, and I can put things right. Interested? Leo. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Well, what on earth was that all about? How could anyone know how she felt? And why would anyone care? More to the point who was this person, why did they know her husband's name, and how... how could anyone fix things? No one could fix things with her and Jon. She sighed, feeling resigned to being a good little wife. A flicker of rebellion stirred her. Good little wife? She clicked on a favourite website, wondering what Jon would think if he saw THAT... Not what good little wives should be thinking about! Her tastes had always been somewhat.. hardcore, she supposed. She shifted in the seat, feeling aroused all of a sudden. Watching porn was all right, she supposed, but god didn't she miss the physical presence of a man. And the attention. Fuck it. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TO: Leo@bhc.org FROM: Kittykate@mewsoft.net SUBJECT: Re: Bad Husband's Club Erm, I'm sorry, but I don't know you. And I don't know how you know my situation - though my friend Jess knows and I suppose she must have passed it on. So, you must be a friend of Jess's. It's a great wind-up, and I know she'll be having a laugh at my expense! Fancy a chat? ;) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- She wouldn't mind a bit of a flirt online. Harmless fun. Jon needn't know - he never went near the PC except for checking football scores. It'd be a turn-on - perhaps some sexy emails, a few photos; probably not even of him! Oh who cares? May as well. No one else was paying her any attention. Her computer beeped. Another email - that was fast! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- TO: Kittykate@mewsoft.net FROM: Leo@bhc.org SUBJECT: Bad Husband's Club It's not a wind up. I can fix it. You would just have to trust me. I can make him see the error of his ways, Kate. You're a beautiful woman, and you are both too young to be so jaded. You'd be surprised how often it happens, but it can be solved. I can show him what a remarkable young woman you are. I know what you've been looking at online - I know what you like. I could show him. Show Jon just what he's missing out on. I know you need attention. You need to feel good - to feel wanted, desired, beautiful. I can make you feel amazing, Kate. Trust me. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Oh, he moved fast! He wanted to make her feel good? Well, that all sounded like honourable words for a fucking. A fucking from another man. Cheating, in other words. She was so tempted, so aching for a tender touch, but she wouldn't cheat. Been there, done that, and now she was too old for such nonsense. A flirtation online was one thing, but to suggest it in real life was pushing it a bit far. And what was all this Bad Husbands business? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ TO: Leo@bhc.org FROM: Kittykate@mewsoft.net SUBJECT: Re: Bad Husband's Club Yeah, right. What's Bad Husband's Club anyway? And what makes you think you can fix it? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ TO: Kittykate@mewsoft.net FROM: Leo@bhc.org SUBJECT: Bad Husband's Club Yes, I can fix it. I've fixed it before, for other people, just like you. I was there once, and someone fixed it for me. That's what BHC is about. I was one, once. Now I help other people out. There's a few of us - it's not well known, but those of us who have needed the assistance keep our ears to the ground for others that might. Jess knew you needed my - our - help. It's a little bit left of field, Kate, but I can help. Just let me come round to see you. One day, when he's out, getting sodden in some bar, I'll come to see you and I'll begin correcting the wrongs. No charge, no fee, no debt owed. Just pass it on to a friend one day, if you ever have one that needs it. Let's say, tomorrow night. No time like the present, right? Leo x ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Leo - if that's your name - I don't even know you! What makes you think I would have you here in my home? And what can you possibly do to fix things? And pass what on? None of this makes sense, though I must say I am intrigued. Maybe it's some kind of therapy. In that case, I will try anything to save my marriage. I don't know what else to do, and Jess is my friend. I trust her more than I can trust you - I don't know you! Kate ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Yes, I'm some kind of a therapist, although the technique is somewhat unorthodox. I'll see you tomorrow at around six. Leo ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kate pushed the chair back and sighed in frustration. She couldn't get much out of this mystery character. It was probably just some practical joke - maybe Jess would rock up tomorrow night, bottle of plonk in hand, going "gotcha!". She smiled. There were worse ways to spend a night. Jon wouldn't get in til gone 8 - hungry and grouchy as usual after another afternoon down the local. By that time her and Jess would be giggly anyway, and they wouldn't care - they'd just tease him. It'd be good to have someone on her side for once. She was warming to the idea, and by the time Jon got back, she was looking forward to the next evening. He wolfed down the spag bol she'd whipped up and grabbed both their plates. It was too much to hope for, for him to wash up, but at the least he had taken her plate, and grabbed them a couple of beers from the fridge. He flicked the TV onto a raucous wrestling channel and settled himself in. She didn't mind that - the wrestling was unintentionally funny, and they laughed together for once until they both went to bed. Sunday afternoon and Kate took a long bubble bath. In the middle of the day too - such largesse! She ran her hands down her body, luxuriating in the bubbles - made a change from washing up - and sank below the warm water, her knees and nipples poking above the surface. She daydreamed about her visitor later. She knew full well it'd be Jess, but she fantasised about the mysterious "Leo". Maybe he'd turn up, all smouldery and sexy at the front door. She shook herself mentally and laughed - he was a therapist, so he'd probably be 50 if he was a day, with a stained beard and wire rimmed glasses. If he even existed. She got on with her bath, then wandered to the bedroom looking for something appropriate to wear. No point dressing up for a girls' night in, but it wasn't often she got to wear nice things anymore. At least, that's what she told herself, pushing all wistful daydreams of a handsome stranger to the back of her mind. She sat downstairs at ten to six, waiting to hear Jess's barely subdued giggles from behind the front door. When the knock came, she smiled to herself. "Knew it!" she yelled, so Jess could hear her. She opened the door, laughing - and shut her mouth abruptly. He smiled slowly and proffered a bottle of wine. "Hello, Kate. I'm Leo." "Erm.. well.. I wasn't really expecting..." "I said I'd come at six, didn't I? So of course you were expecting me. May I come in? We have a lot to talk about." His eyes took her in, top to toe and back up again. She caught the movement of his eyes, and thought she detected appreciation. She put her head to one side (that'd be the couple of glasses she'd sank before Jess arrived - Jess? Ha!) and looked at him herself. Only fair. He was tallish, 6'2" perhaps, and dressed in soft jeans, boots and a black t shirt. Not snug, but not baggy on him. The arm holding the wine out to her was browned and not heavily muscled - more sinewy, as if he did a lot of work with his hands. He was dark haired, and dark eyed, with an almost angular face and a hint of stubble. He was confident, cocky almost. She couldn't say he was cute, but he was certainly appealing. Wordlessly she stepped back from the door and gestured for him to enter. He passed her and moved to the sofa, and she caught a hint of some tantalising scent - nothing heavy, like a teenager that had OD'd on the Lynx, just a mere hint of.. spice, citrus and something else less tangible. She sat at the opposite end of the sofa and refilled her own glass - she was going to need it - and raised her eyebrows at him, offering him a drink with a movement of the bottle against the glass she'd laid out for Jess. "Yes, please, Kate. Only.. you haven't said a word since I walked in. I'm a stranger." He smiled over the rim of his glass. "A stranger in your home, drinking with you, and you don't have all kinds of questions?" She did. She had a million. But she was too distracted, head slighly fuzzy from the wine and that scent. She realised she was staring at his jean-clad legs, stretched out from where he sat, leaning back, seemingly quite relaxed and at ease. She dragged her eyes up to meet his face. There didn't seem like much point asking things like who, where, what and how. "You said you can fix it." "I can. You should feel better about yourself. It's not your fault, you know. He's just lost sight of things, lost sight of you. I can make him see how good you are. Make him appreciate you more." "How?" she drained her glass. Leo uncorked the bottle he'd brought and poured her a refill. It was red - deep, rich and not at all harsh like the cheap stuff she sometimes picked up for cooking with. She held his gaze. "I'll fuck you." She almost spat the wine over the sofa. Funny how it always came down to this, with men. All the same. "Ha! Yeah. Cos that'll make him love me so much! I really need the added complication of a roll in the hay with a dark stranger. I don't cheat, and I don't know why you turned up here if that's all you want. I'm sure you can get whatever girl you like in a nightclub somewhere, so why don't you just go and do that?" "Because that's not what you need, and it helps no-one. I'll make you feel desired and wanted, and it won't be cheating, because he'll know all about it. He'll be watching - and after I'm finished showing him how amazing you are, he'll treat you very differently. It works, believe me, Kate. "I know you need it. I can tell you need to be touched in a different way - and the way you've been looking at me tells me you wouldn't mind at all if I was to do it. Kate, you are gorgeous, and you deserve to feel like that. Let me make you feel good." She flushed. She felt her cheeks burn - damn, he'd caught her looking, and the cockiness she'd felt from the wine was leaving her now. She wasn't going to deny it though - he was achingly sexy, and inches from her on the sofa now. Her pulse raced and she wasn't at all sure what to do. He was a total stranger, in her house! But god, his low voice was hypnotic, and that smell... Wait a minute! "He'd know"? What was Leo going on about? Jon would know about them screwing because he'd watch?! That was madness. As if Jon would agree to that - it was all a bit too kinky for Jon. He was plain vanilla all the way, didn't know about the porn sites she frequented, and looked on people that swung, or did dogging, or wife swapping, as some kind of distasteful habit. Like chewing, or spitting. He'd never approve of watching other people "at it" - certainly not when one of those people was his own wife! He couldn't be serious. Bloody Jess... "I think it's time you left, Leo, or whatever the hell your name is. Jess has had her fun. I'm sure it's a big joke for you both, but I don't like a joke at my expense." She stood as she spoke, and looked directly at him, cocking an eyebrow, inviting a challenge. "Look, I know you find it hard to believe. But I'm here, I brought you something good to drink, and you don't often get nights to yourself, do you? I've spoken to Jess. We.. are acquainted, that's true. She told me about Jon and about how he's let things slide. The pub, the cheap cider, the laziness, the bad habits. About how since he got that ring on your finger, you've been little more than a drudge, a housekeeper. Jess, you're more than that. I've only been here for a few minutes and I can tell that you're intelligent, quick witted, daring, exciting, a challenge... You just don't get the chance to explore that side of you. And if you stay like this, you'll stick in that rut and things will never change," He sipped his wine, a half smile on his face. "What do you want, Kate?" She couldn't answer. For a moment she was struggling, trying hard not to give herself away totally to this strange, hypnotic man sitting on her sofa. I am not crying, she repeated to herself. No way. Not in front of him. He slid closer, almost imperceptibly - she was too occupied with her thoughts to notice his movement. "If it makes you feel better, give Jess a call. She'll vouch for me. I'm not some madman, Kate, I swear." He pushed his mobile phone into her field of vision. "Kate? Call her, if you're worried,". She focused on it, remembering what they were discussing. "Sorry, I was just... Um.. Yeah. Look, I don't.. It's okay. I don't really know what to do here," she fumbled. Suddenly she was off guard. She'd been thinking of Jon; of how what Leo had said was right, as soon as that damned ring was on her finger it was like he'd won a trophy, and now it could sit on a shelf and just... sit there. She sighed. The Bad Husbands' Club Ch. 02 Hi folks, thanks for the nice comments thus far. I'm new at this, it's only my second story and the premise has been brewing for a while... I'm getting the juicy details worked out as I go along! Hope you like it. More to follow. ***** FROM: Kittykate TO: JezCaJess SUBJECT: Men Have to Learn Jess, you need to level with me. This Leo guy says he knows you.. I mean, really knows you. Is he serious? And what exactly has he got planned? He reckons he knows what I like... What the fuck is that all about? Help me out here Jess. I'm afraid I might have agreed to something stupid. He's coming over on Friday night. And he wants Jon to be here... I'm confused. Help. Kate ----- FROM: JezCaJess TO: Kittykate SUBJECT: Men Have to learn Chill babe. I kno it sounds weird but it's kewl. He's hot :P And he's smart. I h8 to break it 2 u but ur in 4 sum fun! Srsly. It can help u. Trust me on this 1. Jesssss *mwah* ----- Standard Jess, no real information in there, just annoying text speak. Hey ho. It was too late now... Friday was here. She'd opened the door to an empty house, yet again. She kicked her shoes off after a long day at work, and her shoulders slumped. She didn't have long before he got here. She rummaged in her bag and wrinkled her nose at the sandwich she hadn't had time to eat during her lunchbreak. It'd have to do; no time for anything else. Jon wouldn't be pleased - although he was always limited on the gratitude front, she knew that when he stumbled in from a late afternoon's boozing, he enjoyed something good to eat. Well, tough. Tonight was about Kate.. well... she hoped so. She flipped the computer on and decided with a private grin to check out some of her favourite sites. She found a new photoset on one; a fairly normal looking girl, starting mildly with a spanking that had reddened her arse cheeks. The next photos got harder - one man using a soft suede flogger on her breasts, and the other guy still spanking her arse. The girl's hands were bound at the small of her back, and a rope led from them up to a hook in the ceiling. Kate felt a warmth spread through her. That lucky girl... she'd get a thorough spanking, yes, and that was enjoyable enough in Kate's books, but the photos later on in the set just got naughtier. No plastic, over-glossy, fake porn boobs here - she was a normal looking girl, but there was nothing normal about how she was handling the two men. One had his cock jammed deep into the girl's throat, as she was sitting astride the other's. Lucky, lucky girl, thought Kate. A good fuck would be one thing, but a good fuck with a couple of hotties that knew just what they were doing, and just what she liked? Well, apart from being strictly on the not-allowed list, no-one ever got chances like that. She legged it to the shower room, slapping on the CD player on the way. She was determined to have a bit of fun, and though she was worn down from work, she belted out tunes in the shower in an effort to lift her own spirits. She decided to drag on a dress for a change. It wouldn't be long til Leo was here, so as she preened (what an indulgence!) she necked a cheeky glass of wine. Dutch courage.. she still had no idea what he had planned. Bad Husbands indeed. Hell, he was hot, and there couldn't be anything naughty planned - he knew full well Jon would be back later on. A bit of a flirt couldn't be so bad could it? Jon might get a strop on about her dressing up, but he couldn't say much when he could see with his own eyes that nothing was going on. She sung meaningless words as she applied mascara, and danced about a bit. Like a teenager getting ready to go out, she thought, and grinned to herself. She stopped in her tracks when there was a knock at the door. She tottered down the stairs in the sort of heels she used to refer to as "car to bar". She opened the door and her eyes were drawn to that V of his neckline, the triangular hollow at the base of his throat. She had to force her eyes upward and smiled at him. "Come on in, Leo". Damnit Kate, don't simper, you idiot. She did a double take then. It wasn't just him. Hanging back slightly, lounging against the garden wall, was.. "Kate, this is a friend of mine. His name's Nick. You don't mind some extra company, do you?" Nick gave her such a distinctly mischievious grin that she couldn't help but giggle. He proffered a bottle, and she rolled her eyes. "In for a penny, I suppose... Nice to meet you, Nick," She stepped back allowing them both to pass her, and Leo headed for the sofa. She wandered into the kitchen to grab an extra glass. "Friend of Jess's as well, are you, Nick?" "Oh, we're acquaintances!" He actually winked at her. Kate laughed. Leo leaned forward and filled three glasses, and Kate grabbed one a little bit too eagerly. She saw Leo note her actions, but he didn't say anything. She downed a big gulp and visibly relaxed. "Any man that can wink at a girl and get away with it can't be all bad. So how exactly do you three know each other?" Leo stayed quiet, sitting back, with a small half-smile playing across his lips. "You don't know? Typical Leo. He likes an air of mystery. Me, I'm a bit more blunt. We did Jess a favour a while ago. A naughty favour! And now she's done you a favour too! 'Cause you need some fun, and Jon needs to learn, and... " "How do you know Jon then?" Kate looked bemused. "We don't," said Leo. "But we know his type." Kate looked doubtful and chugged a bit more wine. How could guys like this know anyone like Jon? It was something Leo had alluded to before and she couldn't see it; this well-spoken, educated man socialising with the sort of man that liked bellowing at the TV when the ref made a bad decision? She caught herself - Jon was educated, he'd been to uni, and he was pretty well-spoken - less so when nursing a sore head, sure, and that was most of the time these days, but still.. She sighed. "Awh, come on Kate!" bounced Nick. "Seriously! I know this is gonna set things on a new track for you! And I've got a really good surprise for you..." Nick winked at her again. Leo just smiled that mysterious smile. "Okay, okay.." she rolled her eyes, "Fess up, you two. What exactly is it that you've got planned?" "Oh, you're gonna -..." Leo silenced an excitable Nick with a warning glance. Nick looked disappointed, like a little boy denied sweets. Leo looked Kate in the eyes, leaning closer to her. "Right, Kate. I know this is mad, but you need to trust me on this. Because whatever happens, you're going to come out of this happier. I am going... We are going... to take you upstairs, and then we're going to fuck you in all manner of ways. You're going to fulfil a few fantasies, you're going to be the centre of attention, you're going to get fucked silly and you're going to scream. You're going to come over and over, and you're going to love it." Kate almost spat her wine in his face. Nick was grinning. "Are you mental? I'm bloody married, I don't know you from Adam, and you think you can solve my marriage issues by getting me to cheat on my husband? What the hell are you even on?!" "It works, Kate. Believe me on this. It's what the Bad Husbands' Club does. We know it works, cos we were both bad husbands once. And it's not cheating on your husband, is it... Not if he knows exactly what's going on, right?" "Look, I'm not like that. I don't cheat. I don't know what the hell you are on about anyway. Much as I like having two hot guys sitting on my sofa, you're pushing things too far." Nick was looking anxious, bouncing one knee. Leo looked unruffled. Neither of them though made any move to leave. "You're not cheating. He'll know. That's sort of the point; he watches," "What? You really are insane!" "No, Kate, he's insane. Insane to let a woman like you go to waste. You're stunning, and I've seen the things you look at online; Nick might act like an idiot but there's nothing he can't do with computers. You're going to be dynamite, and with us two showing him just what he's got - Jon's not going to think about you in the same way again. He's going to realise how amazing you are, what you can do, and how special you are." "You have to be fucking kidding me..." She got up, shook her head slowly, stated to pace. Swiped the wine glass and bottle off the side table and poured herself another big glass. "There are a couple of major flaws in your plan, boys," "First up, how the hell do you think he's going to react to that? You think he'll sit back and watch you bone me senseless, and then make the tea afterwards?" Nick giggled. She ignored him. She headed to the kitchen, wondering if there was a bottle of white in the fridge. Yep, thank heavens. She was going to need it after this - it wasn't every day that two fit guys rock up in your living room, proposition you with fantasy-fulfilment-fuckery, and damnit she was having to turn them down, which was a shame because they were both so hot, and she'd always wanted to try... She wandered into the front room again and almost walked smack into Leo. He took hold of her elbows, firmly but gently, steadying her. He looked into her eyes. She wobbled slightly, trying to hide it. God, those eyes.. "You know you'd enjoy it, Kate. Let us take care of Jon. If he doesn't change the way he feels about you, this will change the way you feel about yourself. Either way, you win." He plucked the bottle and glass from her hands. "He'll watch, because we'll make sure of it. He won't be happy about it to begin with, sure. But we've handled guys like him before - and he deserves it. He deserves someone to make him listen. He's been a bastard to you, Kate, and it stops. Tonight." "Tonight? How.. Oh, god. What have you done?" "Something in his drink, that's all. Make him amenable to things. A bit more.. pliable. But still himself, he'll still remember everything." Nick piped up "We have friends down at the club too! Honestly, Kate, we've done this before. He's safe, you're safe, and wow are you going to enjoy things..." "Next up, what makes you think I..." She trailed off hopelessly as he moved closer to her. "What makes me think you're going to go along with this? Because you have been left alone for too long. Because I can read your body. Because when I get close to you, you flush slightly. Your lips part. You keep touching your hair. You're drinking a bit too fast to hide it, but I can see it. I know you want it, that's why you're going along with it," "And," grinned a perky Nick, "I have a surprise for you, and who doesn't like surprises?" She couldn't help it; his enthusiasm was infectious. She'd drunk more than she should, and... "Fuck it. How can things get worse?" Kate grabbed the bottle of cold white, and her glass, and made for the stairs, giving them both what she hoped was a devil-may-care grin over one shoulder. The two men exchanged amused glances and made to follow her.