Page 27 of Cupcake

Elsie was laughing so hard now that tears were streaming down her face. ‘That’s so beautiful.’

Tom leaned forward. ’We both ended up in a heap on the pavement, and I had to help her out of the costume as it was all twisted. That’s when I saw her smile for the first time, and that’s when I fell in love... With a hot dog.’

‘That’s amazing,’ said Elsie as Anna sat down, the laughter fading.

Elsie put down her fork, the last to finish her pudding. There was a long silence around the table as she dabbed again at her lip with her napkin, delicately licking at the errant splash of chocolate sauce that had escaped her spoon.

There was an undeniable chemistry in the room. It was electric, flammable even, as though one spark might set the room alight. She felt hot and she grinned as she squished her thighs together in an effort to quell her arousal, pressing her hands deep into her crotch and sensing how wet she was.

They were looking to her to move things forward. This was her chance, she hoped.

‘Shall we move to the lounge? The fire’s still going… We should be cosy in there?’

Flashes of memory of making love to Alice burst into her mind’s eye and she stifled a grin.

‘I’d love that,’ said Anna, smiling as her foot brushed softly against Elsie’s. ‘Lead the way.’

‘I’ll go get some more drinks,’ said Cole, standing up.

‘This is so nice,’ said Anna as she stood too. ‘I’m so glad we met you both.’

‘I’m glad we met too,’ said Elsie, resisting the urge to take Anna’s hand.

‘I’m interested in this fireplace,’ said Tom, interjecting, standing up beside his wife and looking out toward the lounge with curiosity in his eyes.

Elsie smiled at them both as she stood at last and beckoned for them to follow, her whole body tingling with taboo exhilaration.

*

‘Now it’s Tom’s turn,’ said Anna, cradling her drink as she sat nestled next to Elsie on the carpet, a blanket over them both. Tom and Cole had taken up an arm chair each, facing toward the fire as the girl’s sat to the side.

The fireplace roared, warming Anna’s back and soft arms as she brushed against Elsie’s thigh with the palm of her hand.

After finishing their meal, Elsie had led them through to the lounge and Cole had busied himself bringing through drinks and then stoking the fire, returning it quickly to its full force as Elsie grinned, memories of her and her husband’s first time with Alice, right here on this same rug two years ago at the forefront of her mind.

Tom had questioned her about the history of the fireplace - she refrained from telling him about her personal history with it - and she had relished the opportunity to share some of her findings, and for a few minutes they had chatted easily, until at last they had all settled back down, drinks in hand, to finish the game.

‘Ok,’ said Tom, his deep voice and natural charm focusing the room. ‘Are we ready? Never have I ever… flashed someone.’

Elsie burst out laughing and drank as Anna’s eyes widened in surprise. ‘Oh my goodness, I did not have you down as a flasher.’

‘Pretty sure half the boys I went to Uni with have seen my tits,’ she laughed, wiping her lips. ‘They were not an uncommon sight on a night out.’

Cole laughed and then pointed at Tom as he subtly drank, almost as though he was trying to hide it. ‘You too?’

‘What?’ said Anna, her neck turning so fast it was a blur. ‘Who the hell have you flashed?’

‘Erm,’ he laughed, turning red. ‘So… we used to play this game at Uni, called Cock or Ball.’

‘Oh good grief,’ shrieked Anna, hiding her face. ‘Who did I marry?’

‘What’s Cock or Ball?’ said Elsie, confused.

‘You expose a part of your… anatomy,’ said Tom carefully. ‘And then everyone else has to guess if it’s… well, the clue is in the name.’

‘No! That’s awful!’ she laughed, covering her mouth. ‘Moving on.’

Elsie sat upright on her knees, it was time to up the ante a little further. The first round of questions had to be a little tame, and she had eased them in with the last few. It was time to capitalise on this. ‘Never have I ever... had sex at a party,’ as soon as she said it she drank.

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