3 comments/ 19516 views/ 0 favorites Rehearsal By: merelyme I hate days when I run late, forgetting half of what I was supposed to grab as I run out the door. It was one of those days; I grabbed the costume and had to run back for the sewing kit. I forgot the measurement sheets, had to turn back around to go get them and then remembered while I was there that the cast list wasn't in my bag. Chaos where there should be none and normally wouldn't be had I not been running late from being on the phone. On the drive across town, my mind went over the directions from the director. He was specific about the things he needed and the visions he had for them. It was not an easy show and the parts and pieces had to be correct. Most shows can be done from a distance, but this one needed custom pieces for the people involved. I was sure that I had everything the way he requested it, now it was going to be working with the actors to make it work. Latex bases would have to be built on the actors and the costumes would have to be fitted perfectly to accommodate mechanical aspects and still look like they were not there. I finally found the theatre and pulled into the parking lot. I was a tad late but rehearsals were still going on. I sat in the car running through a mental checklist of the things that I would need for fittings while I gathered up my things. After being certain that I had everything, I got out of the car and headed to the backstage door. The clouds in the sky were promising storms, and I was hoping to be finished before they started as I ducked in the door. I stumbled around, backstage being dark as the lighting tech was working on his craft. I could hear the voices from the stage still muddling through their lines. The smells of old wood and grease paint mingled with the dry air pleasantly. I stood there thinking how much I love what I do and was secretly thrilled to be a part of all of this, even though outwardly I tried to always maintain an air of detachment and professionalism. I just stood there, lost in my thoughts, thinking of the many shows I have done and the fact that I am always in awe of what we do. Turning nothing into something and letting the audience see the fantasy that they expect. Drawing them into a story and making them feel a whole range of emotions for the characters and their decisions as the show progresses. Being true to the roles we portray, all the way down to the clothes they would wear and the way they would carry their body or speak. Suddenly, as I stood there lost in thought, someone touched my shoulder. I gasped, slightly startled as I had not heard anyone coming. In the dim light, I could see a woman's figure standing beside me. "Can I help you?" she asked in a very low voice. "I am here for first fittings; I have the Witch, the Mysterious Man and the Wolf. "Oh! I have been waiting for you. They weren't sure what time you would be here." "Can you point me toward the director? I need to speak with him and then we can get started. I brought some of the costumes that I need to fit." She led me through the theatre, being careful to sidestep the set pieces that were scattered about in various stages of completion. When we stepped on the stage from behind the curtain, the lights were blinding. She led me down the edge of the curtain, off the stage and through row after row of seating. Finally, she found the director, a balding grey-haired man, whose deep resonating voice belied his small stature. He peered at me over his glasses, annoyed to have been interrupted but warming quickly when he realized what I was there for. We had never met in person and I was surprised when he stood up that he was only slightly taller than me. "I see you have met Celia, she is the Witch. Why don't you just start with her while we finish up this scene, then I will send the others back to you. Is that alright? I am anxious to see what you have conjured up for us." "Sure," I stammered "Come on, my dressing room is this way," Celia said, turning and walking back through the rows of seats on the way back to the stage. We went backstage once more, the darkness enveloping me, the sounds from the stage ever clearer and louder since I could not see. She led me again toward the door I came in through and then down a short hall. A soft light shone through as she opened the door to a small but nice room. "Home sweet home, at least for this month," she offered, collapsing on the couch pushed against the far wall. Images of Celia stared at me from almost every angle making it seem as if there were many of her as I noticed that the room was full of mirrors. They hung on the walls, there were long ones to dress in front of, there were lit mirrors for her to put on make-up and each one was staring at me. As I stepped into the room, the contrast between us became obvious in the reflections. Her dark hair shone black in the dark light hanging in soft curls on her shoulders, where as my soft blonde gleamed perfectly straight. Her body was much longer and thinner where mine was more athletic. Her breasts were quite small and set far apart, where mine were much larger and round. The only similarities between us were our dark, expressive eyes. "Well, I suppose we ought to get started, let me grab my stuff." I grabbed the costumes I had brought and hung them on the pole hanging on the wall. "I think this one will fit perfectly, but this other one will have to be hemmed." "Alright, hang on; I think I want a drink." She grabbed a bottle from the short table beside the couch and seemed to produce a shot glass from midair. The clear liquid filled the glass and she stuffed the bottle inside a minifridge sitting nearby. She held the glass up to me and downed it in one smooth graceful movement. "Okay, let's do this; I want to get out of here." She stepped out of her loose skirt and pulled her t-shirt over her head, standing before me clad in only a pair of panties and sandals. I handed her the dress and helped her pull it on over her head being careful not to snag her long hair on the beadwork. The silky material slid down her body, sheathing her in the elegant dress. I zipped it up the side, adjusting the thin straps on her shoulders while I assessed the fit. She looked stunning in the long green gown. The black overlay with the beadwork hung in a clingy manner that accentuated her small breasts. She was dazzling even without make-up and the dress would fit the part perfectly. We trekked back through the theatre finding the director on stage. He was barking at some poor girl who still did not know her lines and the veins popped out in his short neck. When he saw Celia, he stopped, motioning for her to turn. Over my arm was slung a midnight blue satin cape and I threw it over her shoulders fastening it deftly at the base of her throat. Her eyes widened and she raised her arms, letting the heavy, billowing fabric fall from them. Slowly, she walked across the stage, her steps sure and quick. The cape billowed out around her making her look magical. "It is perfect!" the director said quietly. "I think it will be absolutely perfect." "I like it!" Celia said snappily. While she stomped around the stage, flinging her cape at other actors, I felt the blood rush back through my body. This was a huge job and the dress was not exactly what he had asked for. I felt as if I had been holding my breath for months as I stood there watching their faces light up. When Celia finally finished strutting in her cape, we headed back to her dressing room. She was laughing and holding her garments off of the dusty floor. She pirouetted around in front of the mirrors as we entered her room, admiring herself, pulling her hair up then down. "Thank God, you did something besides what HE wanted. I would have looked like a dowdy cow if you hadn't come along. This is much better." She flung the fronts of the cape over her shoulders, baring her front, showing off the plunging neckline of the dress. "Well, you certainly don't look like the witches I dressed up like when I was a kid." I stood back and looked at her. "I think I need to shorten the front of the dress just a bit. Leave it on." She unclasped the cloak, hanging it on a hangar and placing it upon the rack. She stepped back in front of the mirror, turning this way and that. The beads caught the light and cast a sparkle in the mirror that was captivating. I knelt down in front of her, pins in my mouth, carefully pinning the hem of the gown. "I was really wondering what you would come up with. I must say I am impressed. Not at all what I thought it would look like." "There. Finished. Let's slide it down so I don't lose the pins. I would hate to stick ya or anything." I reached up and unzipped the long zipper, the back of my hand brushing her breast accidentally. Color rushed up into my face and I looked up as she pulled the straps off her shoulders. The dress fell at her feet all at once, baring her breasts. She didn't seem to notice and stepped out of the dress laughing and talking. "I think we need to celebrate. How about a glass of wine?" she asked as she slipped into a short robe, leaving the front open, just covering her breasts. "Oh, I don't know, I have to drive home and it is supposed to storm. Another time?" "No. Tonight, I insist. A celebration to making a dress that not only fits, but is what I would have made if I had done it myself." I resigned myself to one glass, never one to disappoint a client. I hung the dress as she produced a bottle of wine and poured some in a plastic cup. She handed it to me with a smile. "Here's to success," she popped her cup up against mine and took a deep drink. "Here, here," I tipped the cup and took a drink, surprised at the sweet taste that flooded my mouth. "You don't have to sit in the floor. The couch is much more comfortable," she patted the cushion beside her and I rose from the floor, collapsing on the soft cushions. "I am so glad every one is happy with it, I wasn't sure." "You should have been. The dress is perfect and that cape was a stroke of genius." We chatted away about the show and then other things and before I knew it, my cup was empty. I never even considered refusing when she offered me more. She told me of being on the road and travelling with the company and I was fascinated. She talked of her husband, her time spent dancing, and all the things new friends would want to know of each other, until I looked at my watch. "Oh! It is almost midnight, I have got to go." "Okay, well it was nice to get to know you, I can't wait to see what else you have in store for the show, she stood as I began gathering up my things. "Yes, thanks for the wine, it was very good. I should be back in a couple of days to see how the rest of your pieces work." I drained my glass and headed toward the door. Before I reached the other side of the room, she was in front of me. She bent down, kissed me on the cheek, and then let her mouth cover my own. As I tried to pull back, she grabbed the back of my head, kissing me deliberately. Her tongue slipped into my mouth and I saw the women in the mirrors kissing like lovers. I pulled away from her. "I don't think..." "I do," she kissed me again, sucking at my lips, pulling me into her embrace and I found that I was kissing her back. Her robe had fallen from her breast and I wanted to touch the nipple, to feel it with my fingers. She pulled away, looking at me. Her eyes were sharp and appraising. I could feel the color rising in my cheeks again and I looked away. My mind was reeling and I couldn't believe I was standing here kissing another woman. I had never even thought of another woman that way and I could not wrap my head around it in any way. "I think... I am going to... I have to go," I stammered, trying to exit gracefully and failing in every way. "Wait," she stepped closer to me and I could smell the wine, feel her breathing against my neck. She took the garments and bags out of my hand, laying them over a chair. She leaned over to me, gently biting my earlobe, her nipples crushed into my chest. I heard a soft moan escape my lips, but I tried to push her away, stepping backward as I did. She wrapped her hand in my hair and held me there, where she kissed me once again. Her mouth was soft but so demanding, her lips searing across mine, hot and wet. She pushed her tongue into my mouth and as I tried to turn my head, she pulled my hair savagely. She kissed harder and harder until my mouth felt as if it were being fucked by her tongue. When she finally pulled away, I felt almost as if I couldn't breathe. She stepped back, looking at me, staring into my eyes again almost challenging me to defy her. Her eyes blazed with a fire that was echoed in my mind. Her long, lean body almost naked before me made me feel self-conscious and I hung my head. She grabbed my hand placing it on her breast and when I looked at her, she seemed to dare me to pull back. I didn't pull back, I wanted to touch her so badly by then. I squeezed her breast tenderly, feeling the soft skin against my hand. Her nipple hardened and she let her head fall back as I explored her breast. I had never felt another woman's breast before and I was amazed as I watched my fingers touch her. She grabbed my head pulling it down to her chest and I kissed her tentatively, letting my lips touch her only where the swell of her breast began. Her nipple had turned into a tiny hard nub, darkening to a rosy brown that contrasted nicely with the creamy white skin. She lifted her breast and pushed the nipple against my mouth. I opened my mouth and sucked it as if I were nursing pulling the tiny nub longer and longer. I grazed it with my teeth just scraping the fragile skin. Her body shuddered against mine and she clamped down on my head so I could not move. I let my tongue flick back and forth against her nipple and wrapped my arms around her waist as she moaned. I don't know who led who to the couch, but that is where we went. I sat down beside her, kissing her again. I wanted to taste her. I wanted to kiss her all night, feel those wonderful breasts against me and in my mouth. I wanted to please this woman who seemed so much worldlier than me. She pushed me back against the arm of the couch and lay me back, her lips locked against mine. It seemed as if she were going to devour me and I eagerly awaited it, offering myself by merely laying there and not getting up and running away. She was like an animal kissing my neck and my shoulder, biting me until it was almost too much to bear and then letting go and kissing the mark that it left. She stood up and dropped her robe then lay down beside me, her legs wrapped around my own and I wanted to be naked, to feel that hot skin against my own, but she did not let me move. Her body wedged against me and I was trapped, kissing her, wanting her. After what seemed an eternity, she let me remove my shirt, her hands tugging it off of me. She pulled one breast out of my bra and began sucking it desperately. Her mouth was so wet and scorching against my nipple. I moaned loudly, embarrassed to not be able to stop. She shifted her weight and straddled one of my legs, thrusting her hips against it until I pulled my knee up so she could grind herself against it. I lay there panting as she writhed against me, sucking on my breasts, kissing my neck until I could stand it no more. I pushed her off of me and when she stood up, I tugged her panties down below her ass. She wiggled them down her long legs, stepping out of them and tossing them on the couch with her foot where they puddled beside me. She looked down at me with an almost haughty air, watching me look up and down her body, posing with her legs apart. I looked up at her as she straddled my body where I sat, pinning me as if I were her prey. "You want me, you know you do," she purred at me, "nobody has to know, you know. It's okay. I want you too." "I have never done anything like this," I mumbled to her, my mouth pressed against her shoulder. "Mhmm, I guessed as much, but I know you want me, just go with it. I will teach you how," her words were whispered so low I could barely hear them, but I answered the only way I could. "Yes." She bent down as she straddled me, kissing me again, a little softer this time. I almost felt as if her mouth were coaxing me to stay, her tongue beckoning me to know her better. Her elbows rested on either side of my head as she ran her tongue along my jaw line and behind my ear. I stretched my neck so she could get to me better, but she did not need my help, she went wherever she wanted to go on her own. It seemed as though her mouth knew what would make my body shiver even better than I did myself. I stroked her waist as she nibbled my ears again, letting my hands finally rest on the swell of her exquisite ass. I lay there with my skin oscillating between hot and cold, my head thrown back on the couch, my pussy getting wetter by the minute. She let her mouth trail to my nipple and I felt my breath catch in my throat again as she sucked. "I need to go. I wanted to beat the rain... I should be home working," I croaked. She pulled back away from me, taking her wonderful mouth from my skin. "Do you want to leave?" "No," I whispered "Then quit. I think you could be fun, but not if you won't relax. Let it happen, just chill. There is nothing here to hurt you, it is just us. We can go on or you can leave. Nothing holding you here if you don't want to be." She climbed off of me looking nonchalant, as she spoke. "No! Come back, I didn't mean it that way; I've just never done this," my voice trailed off to a whisper. "I want you." She looked at me splayed out on the couch, naked from the waist up. Her eyes narrowed as she assessed me, lingering on my breasts. "Take off your jeans." I rose from the couch and took them off, standing before her clad only in a pair of panties that would not have been the ones I would have chosen for her to see me in. I felt silly and had the almost irresistible urge to cover myself, but I slowly realized that the mirrors in the room left no angle of my body invisible to her. She reached down and lowered my panties, leaving them around my ankles and I knew she was watching my ass in those mirrors as I stepped out of them and bent down to pick them up. "Nice," she said as she reached out to touch my arm, turning me a bit. "Thank you," I stammered. "Are you sure this is what you want to do?" Her eyes seemed cold and hard, and I felt as if she could see the lust in my soul. "Yes," my voice so soft that even I could barely hear it. "Good." She sounded so matter-of-fact. She pulled me to her and embraced me, our naked bodies pressed together for the first time. Her arms wrapped around me stroked my back and she kissed me more gently this time, but her hips pushed into mine. Her hand reached down, caressing my belly and her nails scraped lightly over my hips. Her body shifted slightly and her fingers touched the cleft of my shaven pussy. My gasp turned into a moan and I parted my legs, hoping she would not stop. I let my mouth drift to her neck, tracing the taut muscles with my tongue while she soothingly touched me, her fingers softly fondling me. I backed her up against the table, and she hopped up on the edge, her ass just resting on it. Her legs parted a bit and I caught my first glimpse of her tight pussy. She was shaven as well and the lips tucked up tightly, hiding her a bit. When I parted her knees with my hand, I could see the wetness between her thighs and I was filled with a new kind of hunger. I stood between her legs, my eyes riveted on her pussy when she reached down and slid a finger between the lips of her pussy. She opened it up to me, showing me the tiny clit, her dark pink vagina, all of her. I felt my own pussy flood as I watched her fingers explore herself. She plunged a finger inside her pussy and pulled it out, leaning forward and pushing the finger into my mouth. Rehearsal I tasted the sweet, musky taste of her. I wrapped my tongue around her finger and sucked her juices from it. She pulled her finger from my greedy mouth and grabbed both of my hands. One hand she placed on her breast, the other she lay on her thigh, keeping her own hand over it. I just stood there between her legs, letting her guide my hand over her thigh. The skin beneath my fingers was as soft as velvet. I pulled back away from the soft skin as my hand got closer to her pussy. I drew back from the wetness and the part of her that wanted me the most, my fingers recoiling from the moisture that signaled a primal need. My mind reeled at the thought of her wanting me, that I was creating the need in her body that seemed to so closely match my own. She would have none of it. She snatched my hand and placed it squarely on her mound, almost grinding it into my palm. She made me feel the wetness of her, made me let her cover my hand with it and I found that I wanted to taste her again as I saw it on me. I knelt before her, her cunt in front of me, begging to be played with, I let my fingers sweep over the lips of her pussy and rest on her clit. I circled it with my finger, feeling it harden hearing her moan softly. Encouraged, I slid my fingers down the wet slit and pushed one in. I felt the supple walls of her cunt close around me and I slipped it in and out of her clumsily. She reached down and showed me a steady rhythm and I soon found that I was slipping another finger deep inside her. She grabbed my head and pulled me into her writhing crotch as I fingered her, crushing my lips and nose against her where she ground against it ferociously. She held me against her, grinding into my face until I touched her with the tip of my tongue. She stopped suddenly and just pulled me into her, closer. I let my tongue wander over her clit and she dropped back onto the table further, sprawling out in front of me, urging me with her hands. I explored her with my tongue, letting it slide from the top of her crotch to the deluge in her pussy, and then plunging it inside of her. The heady fragrance of her invaded my nostrils and I breathed deeply. The sweet, sharp taste of her excitement poured over my tongue, and I wiggled it in deeper to taste more of the wonderful treat. Her long, lithe thighs were splayed out before me with that skin that I wanted to lick and touch. As I knelt before Celia, my knees screaming out from the hard dressing room floor, I licked her. I licked each delicate fold of skin, tracing the lips with my tongue and flicking it over the hard little nub of her clit. I listened to her soft cries as I nibbled at that clit, grazing it with my teeth. The longer I licked her, the wetter I became and my moans were almost as intense as hers. My pussy was wet to overflowing and my fingers drifted down to relieve myself. As I rubbed my clit, I licked hers and soon we came, almost simultaneously. I lay my head down on her flat pelvis, mentally and physically exhausted from the whole experience. I needed to rest for a minute and gather my thoughts. My first experience with a woman had been passionate and consuming. Celia finally set up, pulling me up with her. "That was nice," she said. "Yeah, thanks," I panted, still struggling to catch my breath. "Well, I guess you should get going." She rose from the table, pulling her robe around her and all I could do was stare. My hair was hanging in sticky strings around my face and my face was still covered in her cum. She threw me a towel. "I will see you when you get the hems in?" Her demeanor was so dismissive and I was very confused as to what I should do or say. "Yeah, I should have them done in a couple of days," I stammered. She kissed me on the forehead and handed me my garments as I handed her the towel, almost ushering me out the door. I grappled with the bulky garments and found myself at the door to her room. "Thanks for everything," she said, a hint of a smile played at her eyes. "Yeah." I didn't even know how to feel at this point. "We should do it again sometime. " "Yeah." "Well, be careful going home. 'See you in a few days." She opened the door and the light from the room flooded the area backstage. I pulled the garments up higher, not wanting them to drag and headed toward the door leading to the parking lot. I turned suddenly, hearing a noise, and came face-to-face with a tall, handsome man. He was smirking a bit and moved past me to open the door. "Good night," he called, as I opened the car door. "But, then, I think you have already had one." "Huh?" He closed the door to the theatre as I answered, but the smirk on his face was burned in my mind. I climbed inside the car, listening to the thunder rumble in the distance, pondering the events of the night. Rehearsal "Look, Henry, all I was saying was, we are playing two characters who are deeply in love and they have a very hot sex scene in the second act, so we need to be convincing lovers for the audience." "I know all that, Audrey," Henry said, "I've read the manuscript, twice, and my part through twice more since we were selected for the roles." "It's a big part for you, Henry." "I know, it's the biggest I've ever done, I just hope I can deliver." "You'll be fine, you and I are in it pretty well all the way through, start to finish. If anyone can do it, you can, Henry." She squeezed his hand. "We were made to do this, darling, fate has brought us to-" "No, that's not exactly right, Aud, you are there because Madge Allnut was caught shop-lifting a Kindle Fire, which was found in her shopping bag when she went through the scanner at the Asda exit. Her court case comes up in a fortnight. Meanwhile, Reg Mellow, who usually plays most of the male lead roles, came out in a debilitating rash because of some allergic reaction, so I wasn't the first choice either." "There you go, fate has definitely brought us together." "But what you are suggesting we do, Audrey, in order to enhance our performance, is nothing short of crazy. We are not method actors, after all is said and done this is only amateur dramatics!" "But Henry darling, this is embarrassing for me to say," she whispered as low as she could, as a stage hand walked by carrying a prop, "But I have played roles similar to this in the past, before younger actresses like Madge came along, and believe you me, it can make a huge difference to the actual performance on stage." "You mean," Henry leaned so close that he was almost overcome by her heady scent, "You've slept with the leading man before?" "Almost," she breathed through her crimson lips, her hot breath fanning his ear, "Every time, darling." "Oh, and you think it makes that much difference?" "Immeasurably." "I don't know," Henry sounded doubtful, flicking over a page and pointing to some odd line hoping that onlookers would assume they were quietly discussing the finer points of the script, after all the pair of them carry the whole weight of the play. He continued, "I have never done anything like this before, you know I haven't." "It's just like falling off a log, darling, at the very least we should get together for a quickie, just to break the ice between us. Then we can relax when we get it all together, sizzling like very familiar practising lovers on the stage." "Look, Aud, you are a beautiful, very desirable woman, but I am married, you are married, we can't possibly do this." "Tosh! Henry, it's just sex, darling, it won't mean anything to either of us other than a relaxing pleasure, ensuring we achieve sublime artistic integrity!" "I couldn't do that to Bernie, not that I know him all that well, Audrey." "You'd be doing Bernie a favour," she leaned in even closer, dropping her voice lower still, "He wouldn't want to be aware that I've told you this but Bernie can't, you know, get it up anymore, so he really doesn't mind." "Oh." Henry thought about it for a moment. "Anyway, I still can't possibly, what would Libby think? She's been your best friend since, well, forever." "Pooh and fiddlesticks," Audrey scoffed, "We'd be discrete about it, darling, I could get us a hotel room, we could do it over lunchtime or you could miss one of your precious football games. I would be the very model of discretion and Libby will never be any the wiser. Consider it, if you will, as part of the rehearsal process." "No, impossible, it's our twentieth wedding anniversary in two weeks' time and I've already got a surprise planned for the evening. Sorry Aud, I couldn't possibly cheat on Libby, no matter what. If it is a problem for you, I'll happily step down and let the understudy take the part." "I'm very disappointed, Henry. You know I think you are a hunk who I've lusted after for years. Have you really never thought of having sex with a woman other than your wife?" "I can honestly say I never have, with any woman, no matter what their charms. You are a very attractive woman, Audrey, I've even said as much to Libby. I'm sure many would jump into your arms like a shot, and clearly some have, but I do not desire you significantly more than any other woman and certainly not more than my wife. I think you can guarantee that I'm a one-woman man." Henry held Audrey's shoulders for a moment, while Audrey put her hands on his hips and pulled herself in close with her arms around his waist. Henry kissed her on the cheek, before exiting stage left. Audrey watched his firm round butt cheeks as he strode purposeful off the stage and sighed, thinking he was definitely a hunk but it was pretty certain now he'd made it clear he would never be her hunk. Just then a hand on her shoulder made her jump and turn around. "Libby!" she exclaimed, "What are you doing here?" "Watching you seduce my husband!" her friend laughed, "I just saw you two kiss and squeeze each other, so when are you both getting together to do the dirty deed, then?" "Oh, Lib, it was just a kiss on the cheek as old friends, there will be no getting together. He just doesn't want to make love to me." "No?" Libby's euphoria evaporated and her face took on a crestfallen look, "I thought you wouldn't let me down, Aud." "Sorry Lib, I tried every trick in the book to bed him and he simply doesn't want to know. Normally when I flutter my lashes at a man he gets at least a semi on, I rubbed my firm thigh up against your hubby's nut sack, after trying everything else and he was as soft down there as farm fresh brie. Nice package he's got though, by the way." "O God!" Libby looked ashen, "What am I going to do now? You were my last hope." "Honey, I know you told me not to ask questions when you requested that I seduce your husband and I was more than happy to oblige, but I've got to ask, what the hell are you playing at?" said Audrey in exasperation, "Henry has admitted to me that you are the only woman he has ever been with since your marriage and the only woman he will ever be with. He is simply not interested in bonking his leading lady or any other lady. Sweetheart, he is a keeper, one in a million, so why are you throwing another woman at him? Unless he is crap in bed, which I doubt, especially after you have boasted about him for at least the last twenty years, you could lose him!" "That's the last thing I want, Aud," Libby began sobbing now, "I couldn't possibly live without Henry. As for crap in bed, he's nigh on the perfect lover, considerate, gentle, loving, but can be as passionate as any Casanova can when he is on a mission." "Like your anniversary?" "Oh God, that's only two weeks away." "So why this, trying to palm him off on your friends, after nearly twenty years of marriage?" "Just because it is nearly twenty years, that's the big problem." "Lib, I can't understand, he's got something special already set up for your anniversary, he's already said so, you always look forward to it." "I know, I always sneak looks at the credit card he uses for surprises that he thinks I don't know about and saw that he has booked a show, restaurant and hotel room for the weekend in the West End. It's going to be brilliant." "Lib," Audrey shook her head, "I can't understand you." "It's Enrique!" Libby blurted out. "Who?" "Enrique the stripper" Libby elaborated. "The stripper at Julia's hen night last month?" "Yes, I slept with him." "But you didn't have time! I was the designated driver that night and drove you home straight after. I know you were out of your head, sucking him off like that, you wicked woman you! Anyway, it was a hen night, it was just oral, so it doesn't really count, and us girls will make sure Henry never finds out about it. We all have too much to lose." "I know, I couldn't believe what I did when I was sober the next day, but when he called me -" "What? How did he call you?" "I must've passed him my mobile number, I can't remember," Libby wailed. "So he called you?" "Yes, the next day while I was still under the influence and what I did still fresh and obsessive in my mind. And so I agreed that we met up in a hotel room." "You dirty, lucky bitch!" "No, it was god-damn awful," sobbed Libby, "He was abusive, slapped me around making me feel like the slut I was. I thought it was going be exciting as I had done nothing like this before but it was terrible." "Oh honey," Audrey embraced her best friend, who was now crying openly, "Henry will never find out, we'll make sure of that, so best just chalk it up to experience." "You don't understand," Libby cried, "Enrique has pictures and is threatening to show Henry." "How did he get photos?" "He booked the hotel room for the day and set a couple of small cameras up that were taking stills ... of us doing it." "Is he after money?" "Not yet, he's after more sex or will want paying off, or he promises he will tell Henry, if I stop giving it to him." "What do you mean, 'stop giving it to him'?" "He's blackmailing me to continue seeing him." "How often?" "Once a week, but he wants to step it up to twice." "So how many times have you been with him?" "Three times," she sobbed, "And he's shown me more photos that he has taken since, so I can't go to Henry and say I made a single mistake, unless I can catch Henry doing the same thing." "So that's why you want me to seduce Henry?" "That was the idea, throw you two together so you have an affair, I find out and forgive Henry, so then he has to forgive me. That's why I followed Madge a couple of weeks ago and slipped the Kindle I stole into her shopping bag on her trolley while you kept her occupied in conversation about the upcoming play. Then I slipped an irritant in Reg's shower gel when I used his bathroom, so that you and Henry would be cast together in this play." "How the hell did you get into Reg's bathroom, you and Angie hate one another, right?" "Damn, Aud, this gets worse," Libby admitted, "I had to seduce Reg to get into his bathroom, and now he's pestering me for more sex as well!" "I despair of you sometimes, Lib!" *** Henry left the side of the stage a little puzzled, having turned back to check the timing of the next rehearsal. With mobile in hand he pressed the one-touch key and held the phone to his ear as it rang. The other end picked up on the second ring. "Hello H," the speaker squawked, "You on your way to the pub?" "No can do, tonight, Fred, although I was dying for an ale or two-" "Yeah" interjected the distant voice, "I bet prancing about on the stage like a right tart all evening makes you posers really thirsty." "You're right!" laughed Henry, "I could murder a jar or three and still thrash you at a game of arrows with one arm tied behind my back!" "Ooo! Get you, Shirley Temple," came the retort in an affected camp accent, "I bet you theatricals loved being tied up!" "As it happens ..." Henry laughed back with a similar affectation, "No, Libby's back from her girls' night early, really early; so I better get back to the old homestead. I'll see you at the match on Saturday." "OK, see you then, H," Fred replied, "I take it you've not told her yet then?" "Nah, I told you, Fred, we gotta get this anniversary outta the way, then leave it a couple of weeks for her to come down from her high, and then I'll tell her. You understand that, don't you?" "Yeah, you sensitive old fart, you," the voice came back, then more affectionately, "Don't forget I love you, man." "I know," said Henry softly, "Love you lots too, big boy." THE END. Rehearsal Indeed 'Great job everyone, let's do notes." the director called. 'I just have to run to the loo." she said as she dashed out and up the stairs. She had to get away for a minute to try and calm herself down. Her "little crush" on the actor playing directly opposite her had grown in strength from week to week, not helped at all by the writing of the play, which included several steamy kissing scenes. It had reached the stage where she could barely look at him without picturing what it would be like to kiss her way down his naked body. "Stop now!" she told herself sternly "you're a professional -- get it together." She splashed her face with cold water and made her way back to the rest of the cast as quickly as she could. It was to no avail, as soon as she walked in the room, she felt a distinct throb between her legs as she saw him. Trying to ignore it, she sat quietly and tried to concentrate on what her director was saying. As soon as she could she leapt up and started making her way out, just wanting to get away before she said or did something stupid. "hey, come for a drink with us!" various people called out to her and she knew she had to spend some time with her fellow cast and crew before the show opened, in order to get to know them all better before they spent the next 6 months together every night, regardless of how she felt about him. Taking a deep breath, she walked into the theatre bar and ordered a large drink before joining the rest of her group in the corner. "Just my luck!" she thought to herself as she saw the only available seat was next to him. She sat down carefully with a brilliant smile and tried to avoid touching him -- she was scared it would prove to be her undoing. The evening passed in a haze of talking and laughing and, as she realised whilst making her way slightly unsteadily to the bathroom, too much drinking. As they were all leaving the theatre, she realised with a start that she'd left her script in the rehearsal room, in the other block and, having told everyone where she was going and bidding them all goodbye, went to get it. "I'll come with you -- I want to check if I left my sunglasses there." he said. Trying her best not to blush and stumble they made their way over to the room. They made small talk until they were there and she quickly found her script and picked it up. Turning around, she found him standing close behind her, startling her. "Have I done something to upset you? You've been avoiding me for days." He asked. "Oh, no of course not!" she replied "So then," he asked with that cheeky grin of his "what's the problem?" She felt the heat surge up her chest to her face as she stammered trying to think of something, anything to say. She fell silent as he looked at her and to her embarrassment, meeting his eyes caused her nipples to harden almost immediately -- a fact which did not go unnoticed by him. He reached out and put his hand on the back of her head, pulling her to him, his mouth descending gently onto hers. At the first touch of his lips, her entire body trembled with a surge of lust and she put her arms around his neck, pulling herself in closer to him, wanting to feel him against her. As she tentatively parted his lips with her tongue, a gentle groan escaped his throat and he began to kiss her harder and deeper, his hands in her hair to hold her face close to him. She broke away, breathing raggedly. "We can't do this here, " he said "someone may come in. We need somewhere that locks and we are going to go there right now." Grabbing her hand he pulled her urgently out of the room and upstairs to the bathrooms. He locked the door and turned to look at her. She leant back against the wall, trying to steady herself on legs that felt like jelly and he came over to her and pinned her there with his arms. He bent his head and began to kiss and gently bite his way up and down her neck as his hand came up, stroking her still hard nipple through her shirt. She whimpered softly, her back arching against him, trying to get more of her breast in his hand. His leg slipped between her thighs and he opened her legs, his hand moving down, lifting her skirt and stroking her hot, achy pussy through her panties. His mouth met hers again, hungrily, desperate and with a jolt she realised she was close to cumming. She pushed him away and dropped to her knees in front of him, wanting his hard cock in her mouth right away. She snapped open his trousers and pulled them down with his underwear, his dick springing free to rest against his belly, throbbing gently. With a hum of appreciation, she leant forward and ran her tongue round the head of his penis and slowly down and up the shaft before taking him totally in her mouth. She pumped her hand up and down his length, swirling her tongue around and around the head, occasionally pausing to tease the sensitive underneath with the tip of her tongue. His hands gripped her hair and he started moaning with delight, sending red hot sparks directly into her cunt. As she got more and more involved in her task she began moving faster and faster, enjoying the feeling of his cock throbbing against the roof of her mouth. Abruptly, he pulled her to her feet, his eyes glazed over, panting and roughly turned her and pushed her against the wall. He lifted her skirt up and pulled her panties down and she bent over in anticipation of what was to come. Holding her open with one hand, he guided himself into her hot, tight pussy with a noise that was almost a growl. She gasped in pleasure as his whole length went into her and they stood like that for a moment, savouring the feel of each other. His hands went to her hips and gripping her tightly, he began to slowly move in and out of her, pulling almost right out and pushing his whole length back in again. His rhythm picked up slowly and he slid one hand around to her sensitive clit, rubbing it in tempo with his fucking. Gasping and squeaking, she came, her cunt spasming around him like a milking machine. His hands went back to grip her hips as he furiously pounded into her until with a shudder he came, his cock jumping against the confines of her. They stayed in that position, while they recovered their equilibrium and breath before his now soft and sated cock slipped out of her. She turned to look at him and, without warning, started to giggle with sheer delight. After a moment of surprise he started laughing too and they cleaned themselves up, occasionally breaking into fresh bouts of giggling. They made their way down the stairs to the car park once they had regained their composure and before they walked out the door, he pulled her into him and kissed her lingerly, his finger tips running down her back. "See you tomorrow." he said with a wink as he left her. She dreamily got in her car and drove home, thinking to herself that it certainly looked like being a fun show indeed... Rehearsal Kiss Note: This story is pure fiction. It is also a prelude to Back Stage Bliss by Tabby JJ Kitty. It was a very wacky play written by a good friend of the director. Everybody was a good friend of the director. He was just one of those guys. His name was Fred. My then boyfriend, Steve, would come to rehearsals sometimes when Fred needed an extra pair of eyes for a scene. Steve was also going to design the set. I was stage manager, costume designer, shoulder to cry on and bearer of bad news. Originally the cast was 14 but we kept loosing actors to TV shows and film shoots. By the second week of rehearsals it was down to 7 actors playing multiple roles. The lead actor, taking on 5 roles himself, was a deep eyed, dark haired broody fellow who would sit just off the side from the reading table and offer his lines and sarcastic comments under his breath every now and then. Bitter, broody and hot - dangerous - he was. His name was David. We're still friends...sigh. He was a brilliant actor, funny, intelligent - and hot. I didn't know that he noticed me. I ran around rehearsals in short skirts and mini dress, tight tank tops, tight jeans handing out script changes and sundries. Not your usual stage manager wardrobe, but it was all that Steve would let me wear. One night Fred was unable to rehearse and I was late. It was pouring rain and the roof of my mid 80's Toyota had sprung a leak, thereby raining on me from Santa Monica to North Hollywood in rush hour traffic. Then the thing died entirely - 3 blocks away. Steve was going to have to pick me up later. By the time I made it to the theatre, an hour late, I was a drowned rat. We were only rehearsing the guys that night. There were only two women in the cast but they didn't show up until act 2, so we often worked without them. I was also going to take the opportunity to do some measurements for costumes. I entered the rehearsal room and there was a sudden silence. I stood in the door drenched, tiny clothes clinging to me like tissue paper, two giant bags on my shoulders, arms full of wet script changes. All 5 men stared at me in a way that I knew that I had been the topic of conversation for the past hour. I laughed and entered the room, throwing my stuff down o the table. "I see you boys have been productive...!" I said. David was leaned up on the piano, head down flipping through some old script form another show. He looked up at Howard, an older man with a bad memory, "20 bucks." said David. " You're on!" said Howard. Justin, the youngest cast member snickered to himself. I looked around the room at the men's guilty faces. "What's the bet fellas?" I asked in my best film noire way as I set up chairs to start a scene. The all looked like guilty children at confession. "What's the bet? Maybe I want in!" I said with a shiver and a sneeze. "How rude we are!" said Howard handing me a dirty blanket form a bin of random dusty things from old shows, " you must be freezing." he stood behind me rubbing the dirty blanket on my skin and clothes. It was scratchy and gross but warm. "Thanks Howard" I said flatly dismissing him. Disappointed he went back to his chair. "Come on guys! What's the bet? Obviously it's about me." I said form the middle of the room, hands on my hips. David started to giggle and looks over at Justin who shook his head as if to say "me?". I scanned the room Joseph had not stopped staring at my chest like it was a calculus theorem. "My chest?" I asked. It was as if red dye #2 poured into each man's cheeks. I laughed so hard. "You looser heads wasted an hour debating my bra size didn't you?" I laughed hysterically as they each nodded then shamefully bowed their heads. "That's so silly!" I laughed. "Ok, tell you what, lets rehearse, then you can share your guesses. The one who's on the money may - MAY get the opportunity to see it during a fitting. NO TOOUCHING and OLNLY IF you're right on the money and that's a definite MAYBE. Ok? Now, act one scene 3 - Places!" I said flopping with the blanket into an easy chair, still laughing. I have to say it worked well. The guys were focused and we got a lot of work done. After rehearsal, I heard their guesses without revealing a winner. David was the only one who didn't venture a guess. He remained next to the piano deliciously feigning disinterest. I measured each one of them chest, neck, arm, inseam, head. Some of them were a little nervous at my proximity. They all looked d down my shirt when I knelt before them for the inseam, but on the whole the measuring was quick and painless procedure and they left afterward - all except David. Because he had so many roles, I was going to measure him last. I also had a few things for him to try on. After the others left I bent over one of my bags to pull out some of the pieces for him to try. Stealthy, he walked up to me, gingerly placed his hand upon my ass and whispered in my ear "34HH". Right on the money. Then he kissed my ear gently, hovering so that I could hear his quiet breath. I stood up to face him. He was so very close to me. He looked deeply into my eyes and smiled. "Did I win?" he asked. I raised an eye brow and then I raised his arms to measure his chest. "I know I won." he said with his deep low voice. I measured his neck - tightly. He was married. I knew his wife. I was very businesslike and silent. He kept his face close to mine until I dropped down to measure his inseam. He looked down my shirt like the others but this time there was a growing bulge in his pants. He placed his hand upon my head. I got nervous; my hands shook as I raised the tape against his thigh. The bulge got bigger. He tipped my head back with his hand and looked me in the eye. "You're such a beautiful woman," he said. I moved away form him and made some notations, my head down. I was seated on the floor next to my bag. I picked up one of the costume pieces for him to try on. It just happed to be a loin cloth. Shit. He laughed and took it from my outstretched hand. My head was still down - I couldn't look at him. Hot as he was, he was married. My relationship with Steve is in a great place... "Well, you're going to have to look at it at some point...!" he laughed. He was right, I would have to look at it. I had to see if it would work. Shyly, I looked up. He stood in the middle of the room completely disrobed except for the loin cloth. Oh my god. Not only was he amazingly built but the loin cloth was too short for his expanding hard on. I gasped shivered. He smiled and said, "Your clothes are still wet. You'll be warmer if I can get my prize." "Prize?" I asked, eyes glazed with wonder, forgetting. "The right answers gets to see...you said...!" he was grinning. Damn it! Why'd I say that? The man's married, naked and full staff. " I said MAYBE," was my answer. He laughed again. " So you're going to stay in those wet clothes? " "Steve will be here in a minute to pick me up." I said coldly and stood to pack my bag. He walked toward me. Don't do that! I thought. He placed his hand on my shoulder and turned me toward him. His face almost against mine, penis nosing under my little skirt. "Tell me I didn't win" he whispered, stroking my cheek, my shoulder, the top of my breast. I didn't answer him. My ears were open for Steve's entrance. David brushed my cheek lightly with his lips. "I won didn't I? Let me see" he was almost silent with his words. I shivered again but said nothing. "See, you're still in these could wet things." he kissed my cheek again barely touching the flesh. He then curled his fingers under the hem of my damp top and slid it over my body. I offered no resistance and stood before him stoic in my bra. " So pretty," he said dancing his fingers across the lace, and tops of my breasts. Next thing I knew he's undone all 4 hooks, the bra was off and there I was topless in a mini skirt with a man naked except for a too small loincloth. It was my turn to flush with red dye #2. "Wow..." he said. "J, you're delicious!" he pulled me close to him and kissed me:"Cinnamon coffee..." he breathed, gazing at my brown skin. Oh god! It was one of THOSE kisses. One of those knee buckling spine melting toe curling balance removing kisses. Long and slow and deep and soft, it really was like he was tasting me and thought I was delectable. He was delectable. Jeeze. It was the most erotic kiss I'd ever had at that point of my life. His penis found its way under my skirt. It teased my clit thorough my panties - thank goodness I had some on! I moaned as my spine gave way into his arms. He slid a hand across me to cup and kneed one of my heavy boobs. His penis felt my panties moisten. Then I heard the lobby door slam closed. Steve! I grabbed an old raggedy shirt and ill fitting jacket form the bin of random dusty discards form old shows. David dressed quickly then grabbed my am, kissed me again, deeply but fast. "This can never happen again" he said. I agreed. Grabbing my bags and books and notes and damp top. David slowly picked up his belongings and tossed me the loin cloth "it's a little small, I think" he said, flatly. Yes, yes it was. Steve entered none the wiser. I ate a cracker and popped a mint in my mouth. "Hi baby, " running late? He asked. "Yes, I said." He and David shook hands and nodded at each other. And did the "hey man" thing. David left. I locked up. This was not our last encounter...