‘Oh yes, mentally and physically! But I can’t tell you how nice it is to be heading off for a few days with NO MEN in tow, just to totally switch off and forget all the stresses of real life. I cannot wait!’
‘Lucky you! I have to admit to feeling a little envious, but you deserve it. Nothing better than a few days hanging with the girls.’
As she said that, Stella couldn’t help but think that Coco’s idea of a few days hanging with girls was probably very different to hers. Stella looked at Coco as she took a sip of wine and munched a Pringle, not a care in the world. She seemed so grounded and at peace with herself, and Stella couldn’t remember ever feeling like that, even at her age. She wondered whether it was because she had been brought up in such a different environment, and her priorities were different. Stella’s England was all about class and hierarchy, where you were educated and who you knew. She had always found England a challenging place to live. How did an outsider like Coco make her way in such a cruel and judgemental country? She just seemed too nice to thrive in such a hostile environment.
‘So are you working or playing this weekend?’ Stella asked.
‘I have the weekend off, so I am just going to relax, go walking, and I am going to meet some of my friends tomorrow night for a silent disco… Have you ever tried that?’
Stella laughed, ‘Just can’t imagine how ridiculous I would look rocking out to some Eighties rock while someone else is crumping to some hiphop.’
‘That’s hilarious!’ screeched Coco. ‘You don’t listen to your own music, Stella! It’s a shared experience. Communal. And no one cares what anybody else is doing. Everyone is in the same boat. I’ll take you to one when you’re back, you’ll love it, it’s very liberating!’
They continued chatting and giggling for over an hour, with Stella increasingly surprised by how easy it was spending time with Coco, and, weirdly, how she became more and more beautiful as she got to know her. She knew that she must have flaws, nobody was perfect, but she hadn’t found them yet. In general Stella found something to resent about new acquaintances: a scent, a perfume, taste in colours or fabrics, poor application of make-up, tattoos, sound of laugh, absence of laugh. If only Jake wasn’t coming home and she could chill with Coco.
Stella stood up and firmly told Coco that she had things to do, especially as she was hoping Jake would be home any minute. She had no idea if he was coming home as he hadn’t even returned her call, but she was getting more and more stressed about the impending situation, and she knew they had to talk. Surely he had to come home at some point – he was her sodding husband! Also, they had finished off the entire bottle of wine. This was no time to be opening another.
‘Right, Coco, I am now slightly pissed and have no idea where I last saw my passport.’
Giggling, Coco offered, ‘Can I help you find it?’
‘Nope, you need to go home,’ and as Stella brushed past her, Coco caught her hand.
‘Are you sure you want me to go home?’ she asked flirtatiously. ‘Absolutely definitely?’ She pulled herself closer to Stella. ‘I mean I can go,’ she said, as she planted a soft kiss on Stella’s lips. ‘I could go right now,’ she continued as she tantalisingly teased her with her tongue, ‘or I could just stay for a few more minutes.’
Stella felt herself responding to Coco’s touch. She allowed Coco to kiss her, to explore between her lips, to gently pull her closer. It was such a tender embrace, and such a sweet kiss. There was no urgency, just understanding, openness and desire.
‘I really, really want you,’ whispered Coco into her ear. ‘You are so damn sexy and you don’t even know it. All those curves, your breasts, your need to be loved. I want to take you and make love to you. I want to enjoy you. Let me.’
Stella was speechless. What if Jake came home, or what if one of the children woke up, what would she say? And yet she didn’t want it to stop. Coco was right, she wanted to be touched by her and loved by her. She wanted to be hers. But now wasn’t the right time. And yet she didn’t stop it. Maybe the jeopardy was part of the fun. After all, he had been lying to her.
‘You are an amazing kisser, Stella. Kissing you could become my favourite pastime.’
‘Don’t get too used to it, Coco, I am married, and I really have no idea what I am doing, in any sense!’
‘Well, you seem to be doing pretty well to me,’ said Coco.
Stella was aware that if this was going to go any further there was going to be vagina contact of some kind. She really had no idea how to deal with that. And as that thought was passing through her head, Coco pushed her up against the kitchen counter and was slowly undoing Stella’s trousers, pulling them down.
‘Oh god, I don’t know, Coco. This is all moving really fast, honestly, maybe… and Jake could walk in at any minute.’
‘Shh,’ said Coco. ‘Just wait.’ And with that she swiftly pulled down her knickers and pressed her tongue onto Stella’s clitoris. The warm softness, the shock, was unlike anything Stella had experienced. She let out a cry, and she felt like her legs weaken beneath her.
‘Holy…’ whispered Stella. ‘Oh my god, oh yes, yes,’ and she held Coco’s head as she continued to lick and suck and tease Stella’s clit until she thought she would explode. Just as she thought she couldn’t take any more, Coco plunged a hot finger into her, finding her G spot in one deft move. Stella couldn’t hold back any longer. She felt a wave of the most incredible orgasm come over her, her body convulse, with Coco hungrily lapping up her juices as she came. Time seemed to stop.
Coco slowly pulled Stella’s clothes back up, and then kissed her on the lips, which was slightly eeuw.
‘Just a little hint of what’s to come. I think you might enjoy the journey,’ said Coco wickedly.
‘Wow,’ said Stella, slightly breathlessly, ‘that was unexpected, and incredible, and now slightly embarrassing!’
‘Embarrassing? No, it’s amazing. And I feel honoured to have been the first woman to share that with you. Not so bad, huh?’
‘Well, er, that’s very kind of you to say. OK, listen I really have to sort myself out, while wondering about my sexuality, so I guess it’s a good time for you to go!’
Coco laughed, ‘OK, I’m off. But Stella, this isn’t about your sexuality, it’s about what makes you happy, so don’t overthink it, OK? I’ll see you soon, have a great trip… if I don’t see you before.’
When Stella had closed the door behind her, she leaned against it, closed her eyes and stood, baffled, confused and elated. She recoiled a little at the memory of the taste of her own pussy in her mouth. Thank god she had washed, but still!
Her phone buzzed and she checked it excitedly, expecting something filthy and flirtatious from Coco.
Instead it was from Jake. He was going to have to pull an all-nighter. Deepest regret etc, etc. These clients won’t bankrupt themselves. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!
She sent him a text back saying, ‘Did you even listen to my voicemail?! FUCK YOU. I am going to New York. The kids will be with my parents.’
Knowing what she now knew, she cursed IG, cursed Jake, and cursed the bitter irony of him joking about bankruptcy and fidelity. She was afraid of the possible ramifications, but she was nevertheless elated at the warm glow that lingered in her loins, so she went upstairs to try and find some outfits for three nights in the States.