- Loving Wives
- Trust
- Page 3
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Click hereShe finally said, "Well, if that was it, it was a spectacular ending."
He looked at her, with her hopeful face. He said, "Yep. We always had that...maybe not so intense. But...I don't know. I have a lot to consider, and so do you."
"Okay. That's true. I want to say that, even though I know how you are, I'll never fuck up again."
He smiled at her. "They always...you mean that...now. I'm going for a walk. I'll be back. No need to follow me."
Joe was gone for three hours. He walked, jogged, walked. He tried to analyze what it would be like if he stayed in the marriage. He knew that he'd always mistrust Ann. Maybe right at this moment she would be true to her vows. Maybe. But, say two or three years down the road some other guy attracted her. She'd have been in a marriage where all her moves were suspect. She might want out. She might try another subterfuge. He would have to protect himself against such a thing, which he believed was a distinct possibility. It would have to be emotional protection. He'd have to harden his heart to her, and treat her like....a friend with benefits. One who might leave at any time.
He did not believe that he would be capable of doing that with her. With some other woman, yes. Not with Ann. They had too much history. Too much....love. That's what he had to protect himself from. Love. You love someone, they fuck you over. Every time.
Meanwhile, Ann was pondering her situation. She tried thinking as if she were Joe. The Joe she knew. What would he be weighing?
Her line of reasoning generally paralleled Joe's. A feeling of dread began to creep into her, and she found that she was crying. He was going to leave her.
She fought off her depressed feeling and thought about what it would be like if Joe decided to stay in the marriage. That line of thought put her right back into a depressed state. It would be like being in a straight jacket. Free floating suspicion. And she was unsure if she could live like that. Her analytical core was telling her to run.
Joe came back, in a sweat. He closed the door. Ann was sitting on the couch, facing him. They looked at each other.
Joe said, "I need a shower." He started past her. But Ann stood up and stepped in front of him.
She said, "I know you've decided to leave."
He nodded.
She said, "Remember when we first met? How tentative we were? Both of us."
"Yeah. So?"
"We just kept plunging ahead. It was because we could see how well we fit. I overcame my....coldness. You overcame your fears. All so gradual."
"Well, the children helped. That won't happen again."
"We're thinking about what continuing would be like. Neither of us like it. But what would it be like if we split?"
Ann gently pushed Joe onto the couch and sat across from him.
"I'd never find another man that fits with me as well as you. And I'd have bad sex."
Joe said, "You were looking forward to sex with James."
Ann looked down. "Yes. Maybe to start he'd have been okay. But you and I have had it for years. Even today. We'd both miss it."
"Okay. I have to agree. But, Ann, sooner or later...."
"I won't, Joe. But, I know you don't accept that. Still, what about you? You'd never trust any woman. I mean after this."
"Friends with benefits. No need for trust."
"I could be that for you."
"No. I thought about it. It wouldn't work."
Ann frowned. "Because...?"
"I love you. So, you could hurt me again, like everyone else."
"Oh. I love you, too. Isn't that worth the risk?"
"No. Anyway, you couldn't stay with me all the time suspicious."
"I....I could..."
"Yeah. For a while. Face it, I can never trust you, and you'd always know it."
"But, Joe, I....I only want you. Stick around for a couple of days. We can fuck in every room of the house. What do you have to lose - a few days. A week maybe."
He nodded. He said, "Well, let's start right here."
He stayed the week. They had sex two or three times a day. He was in good physical shape, but she wore him down. She was slutty, obsessed. And she won. He stayed another week.
They cooled the sex some. Not much, though. She knew that the sex was a big cornerstone of their entire marriage. Probably the single most important thing. So, she went with her strength.
Joe was not comfortable with what was happening to him. He felt like he was being weak. He was being weak. She was leading him around by his hard dick.
He stayed for a third week. The kids visited on that weekend. So, Joe and Ann confined the sex to their bedroom.
When the kids left, the two of them resumed the room-by-room sex. They both found it very interesting. They did it on the outdoor patio, at night. They liked that, and so it became a regular thing. There were two neighboring houses that were within range to see and hear. Both occupied by younger couples without children.
One Saturday in the second month that Joe was home from the mountain, their doorbell rang. Joe answered. He saw both young couples outside. He invited them inside.
They were Eldon and Joyce Brown, and Henry and Mauve Blake. The four were all quite attractive. Eldon was a medium complected black man, medium height and build. Joyce was a curvy blond, tall and vivacious. Mauve was a slim, dark-haired beauty. Henry was big, brown haired, brown eyed, and looked strong.
When Ann came out from the kitchen, she offered drinks, and all four had beer. Joe was wondering what the visit was about.
Joyce Brown began the serious discussion. She said, "We, all of us, have become aware of the activities you guys engage in on the patio."
Ann said, "Oh. Well...."
Mauve interrupted. "We don't mind. At all. In fact, I mean, we wondered if you'd like....company."
Eldon said, "No pressure. We like watching. But, it's hot, and we just wondered, you know."
Ann said, "You're all younger. Tell me, do you....consort with each other?"
Mauve said, "Yes. We swap. Maybe once every two weeks. Just us. For now."
Joe said, "What ever made you think that.....we'd do that?"
Joyce smiled. She said, "Well, you do put it right out there. It's kinda kinky, doing it on the patio like that, for us to see."
Ann said, "We thought you couldn't see, you know, because it's dark." She seemed amused, not embarrassed. Joe noticed.
Eldon said, "We heard. One night when we were all together. So I got some night vision things. And, you know, we've seen since then."
Mauve added, "And we liked what we saw, so here we are."
Henry had been largely silent. But now he said, "I have to say that you're both quite fit."
Joe laughed. "Thanks. I...well, I don't believe we can make a decision right now. But stick around a while. We've not really gotten to know you guys since you moved in."
Ann was very surprised when Joe said that. But she went with the flow. She was, even now, far from certain that Joe would be home much longer.
The six had a nice time getting acquainted. Eldon was a music engineer, self-employed. Joyce worked selling houses. Henry was a personal trainer, and, it turned out, had just purchased the gym where Joe and Ann worked out. Mauve had two hair salons. Joe liked them all. They were lively conversationalists, and they laughed a lot.
Ann also liked the four. But she was a little fearful about the entire situation. Her marriage was decidedly not on solid ground. Before her 'mistake' she would have assumed that Joe would turn down a chance to swap, even with these nice people. That was her view of his stance on fidelity. Early on they'd had explicit discussions of it. Now, he hadn't turned them down right off. It made her uneasy. She did find the two guys attractive - especially Henry. So big and strong. But, she was truly petrified at what could happen if she had sex with some other guy, even if it was a swap.
Eventually the four neighbors left, with the invitation still on the table.
When the front door closed, Joe and Ann looked at each other. Ann was determined to say nothing at all that might indicate any willingness to accept their offer. She was frightened.
Joe said, "They seem like nice people. They didn't call the police on us."
Ann smiled, "But they spied."
"There is that. How do you feel about the spying?"
"I...it happened. So, I don't believe I mind so much. It wasn't their fault. Ours, mostly."
"Except for the night vision. But, I admit, I might have done that."
"Me, too." She giggled.
Joe had been hard almost the entire time the four neighbors had been at the house. He moved on Ann. They did it right there in the living room, with her bent over the back of the couch, rubbing her clit on the upholstery as Joe pumped her. After, they relaxed on the couch.
Ann said, "I was so lucky to find you."
Joe said, "Thanks. What should we do about those four?"
"Well, I'll say this, you were hot the whole time they were here. And I got fucked."
"You can always get fucked."
"You want both of those bitches. Don't lie or evade."
"Was I that obvious?"
"Yes. Yes, you were. And both of them knew it."
"What about you, Ann? Because both husbands want to fuck you."
"Oh. Well, I...Jesus, Joe. I'm...."
"Just say what's true, Ann. I understand your reticence."
"They're both attractive. I won't lie. But, I do not believe we should play with them."
"Why?" Joe sincerely wanted to know.
"Because...we could lose what we have. That would be so easy, all things considered. And, Joe, I know I made that mistake, but I love you so much." She started crying.
Joe held her and let her cry. A tenderness toward her filled him. He knew, for sure right then, that she was the best he could ever do. He had to risk it with her. He knew she could kill him, but that was a chance he had to take.
The end.
- COMMENTS
I liked this story very much, unlike most on here most of it ( yes most of it, not at all sure about the young neighbours bit) could be true. I have worked with happily married woman who have let younger men seduce their minds and yes strayed, luckily no marriages have been ruined,, but it happens. They did right staying together 5* It is very rare for this author to let us down
I liked the way it ended, playing sounds fun (and can be) but for many it causes problems in the marriage. Good tale, good main characters. Thank you.
somewhere east of Omaha
Liked the story, but the ending seemed to come too quickly after the swapping offer.
Since one of the guys now owns the gym where they work out, it's only a short time before Joe catches her with the neighbor. 4 stars.
I am working my way through your stories, one by one. You are a consummate story teller, very inventive but plausible. Thank so far for many enjoyable hours. I’ve given them all five stars.
He knew she could kill him, but it was a chance he had to take. Perfect line.My parachute and my motorcycle are the same as my wife. Perfect .
The only thing Joe can do is “TRUST BUT VERIFY”!!
It wouldn’t hurt for him to get a complete physical examination if he blanks out from stressful situations!!
Thought you were going off the rails again at the end, but you pulled them back from the brink.
Monday train to NYC. Wednesday train back. "It was only for the weekend" Where do they live that the weekend is Monday to Wednesday?
She also knew that she'd have absolutely no shot at a return to some sort of marriage if she actually had sex with James. She still wanted to do that. But she was not going to do it.
====> most spouses who have just been outed and their affair derailed, either while in progress or before it is consummated, would not still say they "still wanted to do it", if they gave a damn about their marriage. Usually their feelings for their obsession woukd turn to utter sh$t as they shareable to save their marriage and assuage their guilt. Hence it was "gracious" of her to decide to f$ck James after Joe departed and left their house.
That being said, it is one of the author's best stories as with exception of the swap test, it comes off as quite realistic. Wife got entitled, afraid of losing her desirability as she aged once an empty nester, James seduced her with a slow touch, and she had a serious brain fart. I didn't mind the swap test, they passed, just seemed somehow not in rhythm. Was a unique relationship given his past. Glad they worked it out, but it was more about Joe realizing she was rhe best he could do and he would continue to trust, but verify. 5 stars.
When the swingers showed up, I thought the story would end poorly. I hate stories that end in threesomes or swinging. This one ended well. Good job!
I liked it. One thing I don't understand about this and many similar stories is why no post-nup? They could still swap if both agreed to it, but a post-nup would increase the possible losses for the betraying spouse.
"He had to risk it with her. He knew she could kill him, but that was a chance he had to take." He should have voiced this to her letting her know his life was in her hands. There would never have been a greater way for her to understand what he was giving her.
It's what readers like myself hope for when we start reading a story.A good realistic,entertaining tale, I enjoyed it because of that...5 stars...JZK
Well developed and paced to create some emotional complexity. Loved it. Thanks. 5 stars.
: You might not want to accept this, but Anons can be people too. I agree with the Anonymous poster. The story was well written and engaging but the swap test was anticlimactic. Don't see why assigning 4 stars to this story means the person woukd be laughed at on this site. Personally I give it a 5 only because I can look past the silly swap test. Just like I can look past your large ego.
For goodness sake it's a story, no wonder those last two comments were anons. If they had posted their names they would have been laughed out of lit by everyone that knew them. I like another anon. wanted to gives it 4.5 because it ended rather hurriedly for my liking, but it was worth more than 4 so like the same anon I gave it 5. I will try another story by this author and be harder with my markings, harder but still fair.
Good story until the swap test. Yes it was clearly set up or instigated by Joe to see her reaction and she passed. The raw emotions as soon as she comes home and knows he left her was quite impressive. They are both extremely intelligent people. Their dialog when they came back was fraught with emotion and nuance. Btw normal conversations between people in intense discussion with strong emotional drama are often stilted. The reverse the long uninterrupted soliloquies and polished dialog is unrealistic in such situations. Look she was tempted. He didn't even try to stop her. He left. She saw he had gone and knew she had screwed up badly. She cancelled her trip and fired James and did what she could to get him to come back. Every day they spent together before the end wss a.blessing to her. And it wasn't jsut the sex, but that was a strong tie that she coukd reinforce. As she realized later, if they split what woukd they have. Her side was telling. It was the flirtation and thr fantasy that got her in trouble. The actual sex while maybe exciting at first would pale to what she list with Joe leaving her. Not to mention the emotional aspects of their marriage. She would never find anyone better. And she owned up to what she did. The real challenge was he breached trust which given his experiences wa the most he had ever given anyone. Expiring that wss nigh impossible. If she had screwed James, she would have been divorced with no way back. As it was it was very nearly no way back. In the end he decided he would never find anyone better for him either. Swap test came off as anticlimactic but rest was written well and engaging.
Jeez... no one seems to realize that it was a test... Joe probably set it up to see what and how Ann would react... she passed... storyline was decent but the writing was quite stilted and jerky... it needed a better flow. 4⭐s.
Why do some commenters think this means they will swap? It was a larger scale re-enactment of what she was trying with James. Now both are tempted. He asked to answer honestly. She said no. He asked why. She told hi they could lose what they have. He trusted her answer enough to give her another chance. He knew now that if was tempted again she would fear losing Joe. That us why he is willing to risk his life and love with her again. It is pretty obvious. So why then do some readers think it is open ended with they might swap with the neighbors?
I liked it, but wanted to give it 4.5 stars. Instead I gave it 5 stars. I felt that the couple still had unresolved issues that they needed to work out before joining a swinger group. They were good for each other, before she decided to be selfish.
I gave it five stars because I think I understood the characters. Having them both be slightly emotionally aloof helps in this format.
I think some counseling (both marital and personal) would be ideal just to get both characters to the right frame of mind to continue. Overall, good effort on the story.
A difficult one to score.
Rather unbelievable early life, but interesting plot, so a 4 for me.
The telling was a little to metronome to/for me. However still readable and did hold my short attention span! Only issue is after developing two strong leads who exhibit strength of decision and action they fall short of their conviction settling into twilight zone union, hinting at it still failing sooner than later. oh well lots of stars still. Thanks
I liked that they didn't start swapping at the end. Very well written. Keep it up.
Interesting characters and story. The ending left me somewhat unsatisfied, and I'm not sure why. It wasn't the question of will they swing or won't they; Joe and Ann just don't seem emotionally resolved. To this reader, anyhow.
Many comments seem based on the belief the offer to swap has been rejected. That is not true. It is far from certain that Joe and Ann will not have sex with their swinger neighbors. Condoned extramarital sex might reduce Joe's fear of betrayal considerably. If he can embrace swapping and accept that his wife's body is no longer solely his to enjoy, he would have less to fear with respect to Ann cheating in the future. Of course, that decrease in anxiety would come at the cost of his wife being less special to him, but she has already let that horse permanently depart the barn whether they swap or not.
I liked the ending. Kinda like a stress test that resolved his issues and her fears, more or less. well done. 5 stars
Interesting twist at the end.
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In Joe and Ann, you wrote about two people who were like magnets. Facing correctly, they powerfully attract; facing the opposite, they repel with the same force. Both were damaged in their own ways, yet they adapted.
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In the end, therapy for both and a post-nuptial from Ann, which essentially goes scorched earth on herself if she cheats will surely cement the rift she opened with James.
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Very well done, especially at avoiding the cliché, which is the main plot device on this site!
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To "muskyboy:" understand that the inner conflict she felt beforehand is suppressed remorse. The essential strength and weakness in we fallible humans is our ability to feel both of the aforementioned and learn from them. Yeah, she messed up, but in the end, she did the right thing, albeit with help from Joe, but her remorse was real, which makes all the difference.
Kinda real as everyone through their lives get opportunities, especially women. It’s to keep your loyalty to your spouse . The flirt keeps people happy and know that someone else wants to fuck them but never lose your way and break your vows. It’s the emotional cheating that is real and should never let to happen. I don’t believe in male and female friendships evolving at work to the point of lunch every day and venting about life or in this case husband. That’s when the guy will know the cracks and go for the kill. The male / female relationships should be kept at arm’s length when married or in a serious relationship. The only thing left out here was the guy got off easy. For me a simple rule is when I was single that never try to seduce another’s wife because even though guys will try to do it to you it’s bad carma
Pair of mental defectives, yet meant for each other.
Thanks for something different.
I wonder how their kids and their outlooks.
A lot of back-story isn't needed, especially in Lit (you're not expected to be considered a writer of literature, are you?).
Yes, ending was a bit rushed. But the temptation of swapping was an effective device.
Thanks. I enjoy reading your stories.
I think the story makes more sense if both might be atypical. Well written, an interesting idea, like most I have read from you.
Ann decided to become a betraying slut because she thought she could get away with it. Ann refrained from becoming a betraying slut ONLY because she got caught. This woman demonstrates great survival instincts, but no morals, no ethics, no virtue. She is full of regret and remorse only because her husband now understands her lack of character and substance. The only bond between them is their sexual attraction. Their children are just props, collateral products of regular fucking. Any real family would be discussing this situation as a family; they are not a family.
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Their marriage is over because Ann revealed that it never really was a true marriage. She got the hots for another guy, so was going to fuck him. Now she's got the hots for her neighbors, and is cautious about fucking them ONLY because it might disrupt what she hopes is a very slight chance to hang on to the man she wants to keep in the husband role. So what happens when that changes?
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Joe has been living with a time bomb since he married Ann. And she's still a time bomb. If another man comes into Ann's life that offers more than what she has with Joe she will abandon Joe like the Titanic. No loyalty, no commitment, no personal integrity. And she'll blame Joe, for never trusting her or forgiving her. She'll tell him that he's better off without her, blah, blah, blah, as she walks out the door to her presumed better life. And Joe will deserve all the shit she dumps on him if he stays with this selfish greedy bitch. Write that sequel.
Another great story from a great storyteller. I like your stories because they are different. They take you into another verse, not the usual here. Thanks for the tale.
Too much narration.
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I have no problem with the ending - they decided not to swap, and that they were better together.
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I thought they'd go for the swapping, a way to get outside sex without going outside the marriage.
I’m sorry, but anyone who thinks that was a well written and constructed story needs to go take a high school creative writing course. The writing was boring, simplistic, and uneven. The dialogue was childlike and scattered. The other barely touched on important emotions but spent excruciating detail on superfluous information to serve as dull filler for a confusing plot.
Enjoyed the story & liked the reconciliation. She admitted her mistake & the husband, I suppose after a while, would forgive her. However, I thought the buildup (his history) was a bit much, as in too long. Good to have that read, but after a time.... 4 stars Bob
Nope, sorry couldn’t get through it. Way, way too much irrelevant detail in a way too long intro.
Great story, l enjoyed it and liked it a lot. You normally write good stories, a hiccup here and there sure. But you are definitely improving in your storytelling.
I score this effort of yours 5/5, lMHO it’s one of your best because of the intriguing characters you created.
Well done!!
More like this please.
Great story but an epilogue of, oh, ten years later, would have been magnificent.
"Thing is, though, you're just like all the rest."
Yup, they all are. They all relate to males as potential system maintainers. Transportation, domicile, sex, income, child care, family. All are systems that they need maintained. They say that it was sex, not love, and that they only love you. You ask 'em why and they say they don't know. They say that it was all separate from you. And it is to the extent that the systems can be separate. They are separate, but all braided together for the sole purpose of supporting her. Hubbies can maintain several systems simultaneously, but can be replaced when they flag or when a better option presents itself. To her, all men are interchangeable. She is the only absolute at the center of the universe...everyone's universe. The love thing can make it appear differently, but it always fades. It's not good or bad, it's just the way it is.
Ann kept Joe around for a little while longer by telling him what he wanted to hear. What's changed? Absolutely nothing. They should both have trusted their first instincts and ended it. Having sex all over the house and outdoors will eventually get old. The only thing they will have accomplished is to have delayed the inevitable. When trust is gone so is the basis for a partnership. 5 stars for a story well told.
Good story. Both of the main characters are a little strange Joe needs to take off from this situation.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Joe asked the 2 couples to proposition them, as a test of Ann’s loyalty. It’s a little cold, emotionless, I expected a more visceral reaction from Joe. Nonetheless it’s quite good.
You made her just barely salvageable, although not feeling any remorse until AFTER she got caught did not help her case any. If she had felt guilt about her plans to fuck James, called them off and then confessed to Joe and begged his forgiveness i would have been more excited about the ending. I wish you had explained a little better about why she was cheating, and she was cheating even though she didn't actually fuck James. Not fucking James kept her salvageable, but I thought Joe caved pretty easily. Without knowing why she cheated in the first place it is impossible to evaluate the wisdom of Joe's decision but my fingers are crossed for him......
Shocked and surprised- a Demander story which didn't end in a mad orgy of everyone involved. Congratulations, enjoyable read, and I'll admit to a chance I was wrong on Demander.
I liked it a lot - 5*****! Ignore the critics who wouldn't know an adult relationship if they were dropped into one. I was afraid the author would take this into a swap and the story would degenerate into just another wankfest, but the author had the guts to play it right and focus on saving the fragile marriage. Excellent effort.
I was reading the script to the movie " Good Will hunting. " 1\2 star.
It was a pretty good effort to sell a reconciliation. One of the few I didn't completely hate on this site. Not really my kind of story, but it was thought out and executed well; and the ending was a bit of an unexpected twist.
I gave it 4 stars (3.5 but decided to be nice and round up); first because the story didn't actually address the very valid points the story itself raised. She'd feel smothered sooner or later; and he is setting himself up for pain because she didn't care about his pain before, so eventually the uber-smart woman would decide she can get away with it.
It was an enjoyable story about trust and what happens once it is broken. 5*
Brilliant. I thought 3* after the swapping scene but really liked the ending. 5*.
You shorted the ending, but otherwise it was well-written and a good read. Thanks for sharing.
Hooked
Was a 5* ended a 3*... never got the kids involved either.
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After +25yrs of marriage Joe never sought a shrink to overcome his phobia, shame.
Four stars. The premise was good, but the story telling was stilted
It leaned toward three stars, but I nudged it to four.
JPB
That was a well written and interesting story. But it seems incomplete. I hope you continue it. Thanks for posting.
Enjoyed the story, thought it was well written. If Joe, always kept watch on Ann how did it get to the point of what she did? Thanks for writing 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A good story - about two basically cold people finding love with each other. Well-drawn characters (him more than her). Deserves more than current avg. score (effect of BTB crowd?).
A very rough but mostly good story.
While I understand your reasoning behind the scene with the neighbors, it didn't fit with the character of Joe we saw in the story up to that point. For one thing, he would have seen the neighbors using night vision to spy on them as another betrayal. Had the neighbors been able to see what they were doing due to light coming through the patio doors it would have been their own fault, but using night vision is a deliberate violation. For another, as somebody who has been given the short shaft when conditions changed, he never would have even considered allowing additional players into their relationship. As written, he didn't object to James because it was one sided or even because she tried to keep it secret. The reasons he objected to James would apply to swinging just the same and thus his response as written doesn't work.
Was ok I'm glad they stayed together but again nothing happened to other male. He should have had to pay price and didn't. It feel rushed but I don't get the swapping part at the end.
Demander can be a good author at times but this read like a tale about a relationship between a vacuum cleaner and a floor buffer with all of the emotion that implies. She felt old 'like mouldy bread' but in reality 'she was still an attractive woman, even at forty four'. Why would she not be? We don't live in medieval times when any woman who lived that long was a toothless hag. James certainly didn't seem to think that he would kick her out of bed, so where did that nonsense come from? The KO blow for a story that was already struggling was that asinine scene with the neighbours in which Joe did a complete U turn on his hitherto rather conservative attitude to sex and relationships. Sorry but not one of your better works, D.
As usual a demander story that starts out pretty good then goes tits up and hurling into the abyss.
What an interesting couple and story. Perhaps there is someone for every person. Just finding them is the problem. 5*.
I like the story, and was at a 4, but it is better than a 4, but not quite a 5. Why? only because while I was engaged in the characters, I didn’t have much feeling for either of them. But the writing is too good for a 4, so a 5 it is.
Well done, a very enjoyable read. A realistic exploration of Joe’s psyche, though more on Ann and her inner coldness would have been good to know. I think the ending was a bit unearned, however. A man as damaged and traumatized by life as Joe would be very likely to have extreme difficulty recovering from a betrayal like this; it would take more than a few weeks and a ton of sex for him to get over it. And Ann would need to examine her inner motivations which allowed he to so calculatedly decide to betray Joe. And I think the temptations offered by their swapping neighbors could have been explored a lot more, particularly as to how joining them would have impacted Joe & Ann’s marriage, All in all, a well done effort, with very good writing and a high level of adult emotional sophistication. Maybe a Part 2, hopefully?
Hi. Well written, thank you. The pedantic side of me questioned some fine details: Two years for a Degree? An extra 2 to get a Phd? Was this at a Mickey Mouse College? For FULL degrees it is normally 4 years, with an extra 1 or 2 for a Masters. Then an additional 4 or so to complete a Phd. Meaning around 8/9 years of full time study to get a Doctorate. Just saying... (Yes, I'm aware that often the US bestows a "Degree" on a Two year course that the rest of the world would call a Diploma)
why even mention the kids by name, they never saw the day of light in this ramblings. Other then to mention them, they really were not necessary as part of the story. Who cares they went to college?????????
This is really a non-story and not realistic at all.
It was difficult to “root” for Joe. He was so conflicted and unable to truly give himself up to anyone.
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Which made what Ann did so utterly risky and stupid. She KNEW what he was like.
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Interesting conclusion to have a couple swinger couples approach them to “play”, and use that invitation to get Ann to be able to show Joe that accepting would end THEM…and in her telling Joe that they should not do it, allowing him to finally manage to trust Ann — to “take that chance”. Nice job with the ending, given the premises of the rest of the story.
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4 strong ****
Good plot started with 5* but ended with 2*, ruined by the swapping shit totally incoherent with the MC profile and all the previous events.
It is the nature of all human relationships that there are secrets--some large, some infinitesimal. We all like the idea of "what if...", as our imaginations can always conjure up variations on a theme.
The underlying idea of this story (as stated upfront) is trust. As written, that underlying idea was explored from the viewpoint of one man's lifetime experience with the world, and with his wife in particular--(although the circumstances which led to him having the later life that he had rested squarely upon the shoulders of the mathematician who picked him up and gave it to him).
(A quibble: Why was there no mention of that professor at any point later in the story and WHY was he never cited as a counterweight to the mistrust Joe had for everyone, including his wife Ann? It would seem he would loom large in Joe's psyche.)
That Joe and Ann (the MC's) would most certainly have "issues" as their life together continued is a given, since all couples do even when the over-riding Gorilla of marital fidelity is missing--there are an infinite number of possibilities in a lifetime's bonded mating that there will always be "something" that needs to be talked about. But that's what COMMUNICATION facilitates--and, as written, Joe and Ann seem (at this point) to have absolutely arrived at an understanding of its absolute necessity.
I liked this story; no, I LOVED this story. It dealt with hard facts about life and love and did so without shying away from the potential destruction if the wrong decision is made--at any given moment. It contemplated infidelity but had the potential cheater step back when faced with the catastrophic consequences of the act. It posited two lives whose future hung in the balance and gave hope that that bleak landscape would never have to be lived in. The ending was perfect, leaving the couple (and the reader) with the knowledge that THIS relationship--whatever its future crises (and there would be others)--would deal with it together.
One of the best scenarios I have seen written about on Literotica, and so well written that I never once had to re-interpret what I'd read because of some error in syntax or meaning or spelling--it was always clear.
Well done. VERY well done. 10 out of 10. More please.
MLJ
Quite a good Femdom agitprop story, but with a weak and implausible HEA. Still, a good read.
Nice. It’s a breath of fresh air when an author puts in the effort to craft a nuanced tale and resist the urge to wallow in wish fulfillment infantilism.
When the BTB scumbags start laying into you, just remember that pissing off terrible people is a point of pride.
I'm glad that the group swapping at the end was "just a test" for Ann. If it had actually occurred, I'm sure that divorce was definitely in their future and I'd have given this story a very bad rating. The ending could've been better. It felt rushed and too short. Overall, not a bad story. 4*
Her love and the. need to stay with Joe outweighed the desire to swap. He saw that as a reflection of her mindset to stay true.
with, I hope, the tolerance of the author,
To suggest Conversations 20, by SleeperyJim.
Actually, I like quite a lot of his stuff. And in 20, it was easy to get into the guys head.
Green-something
What about his sister? He earns good money and doesn't chase her down? What an asshole.
One of your better stories when considered in total. Lots of plot lines intertwined, subtle foreshadowing and a nice twist at the end that brought it all together. 5*
Both seemed to be somewhat autistic the way this is told,esp Anne. Even when she is expressing emotion she seems to be cut off from them, like someone trying to describe emotion without feeling it. It is why she could so easily plot w James.