“Yes.”

“And ...?”

“Jude, you have to understand what I told you a while back. Sex is just sex. Frida and Andrés are a very committed couple who have a very clear understanding about what they like sexually. Together, we’ve gone to swingers’ clubs and have enjoyed trios and orgies. But when they come home, they continue being themselves. Andrés and Frida. A couple. The three of us love to play the game, to be curious and experiment, but once it’s over, we respect one another as people. As a matter of fact, the party we’re invited to tomorrow is ...”

“A party where everybody plays, right?”

“If you don’t want to go, we don’t have to.”

For a while, we both stay quiet until we float back to the steps.

“Here,” he says, and takes my hand, “let’s get into the Jacuzzi.”

I follow him.

“It’s so warm,” I whisper as I wade in.

“It’s too hot.” Eric presses a few buttons, and seconds later, the water cools.

We’re quiet while bubbles burst around us, until he draws me to him again and has me straddle him anew.

“See what you do to me?” he says as he squeezes my sex against his penis.

“Yes.” I smile, but I can’t help it and have to ask, “What would you have liked to have happened in the pool?”

He leans his head back.

“Oh ... love. I would have liked for many things to have happened.”

“Such as?” I press.

Eric raises his chin.

“Mmm ... I would have probably liked to see you and Frida together. I like the way women do things. It excites me to look at them.”

“What about men?”

“Men don’t do much for me.”

That amuses me.

“I was asking if your fantasies only include women.”

“No, my fantasies are broader. I adore seeing two women making love, although I like to share them later with other men.”

“And do you see yourself sharing me with other men?”

“If you’d like, yes,” he says, smiling.

Just talking about it excites me. It arouses me much more than imagining myself with another woman. Eric looks right at me.

“Your pleasure is my pleasure, and if you ask, I will share you. But when the moment comes, I will be the one in charge of the game. You’re mine, and I want that to be very clear.”

“You said you and Andrés have played with Frida?” I whisper. I’m getting restless.

“Yes.” He brings his mouth near my ear. “Do you want me to share you with another man?”

Just imagining it arouses me, disturbs me, stimulates me.