Chapter 26

“How did you work out that it would be okay to dress like that tonight?” Vanessa asked.

“It seemed to me that when you said you were inviting us to a rather special place, there was a certain overtone.” Maya said. “And shall we stop pretending that we don’t know that you are into the swinging lifestyle?”

“Agreed, as long as we can say that we have at least some idea of what you were doing last night!” Micky said, with a wide grin. “And we’re hoping you’ll tell us all about it.”

Maya flushed. “I guessed that you knew, but it seems to make it more real when it’s said out loud,” she admitted. “Actually, I had assumed that you were there, Micky.”

“I would have loved to be, but we had guests who aren’t as open as we are ... or you are, for that matter. Although I assume you don’t usually go out dressed like this at home?” Micky asked.

“No, I most certainly do not!” Maya declared. “I can only dare to do this because I’m the width of the country away from anyone who might recognise me! I have to admit I’m learning to love doing it, but it’s also terrifying. It’s a huge turn-on but I’m like a jelly inside.”

“Then we are honoured that you have dressed up ... or should I say stripped down, for us. Thank you Maya.”

“To tell the truth,” Eric chipped in, “this isn’t the first time Maya has been exposed in public.”

“That sounds fascinating. I hope you’ll tell us about that, as well, once we’ve ordered,” Vanessa said.

“To be honest, after the excellent lunch you provided today, I hardly need to eat,” Maya confessed.

“They do really nice tapas in small portions,” Micky reassured her.

Meanwhile, the restaurant had filled up. Maya began to feel a tiny bit more relaxed as she realized that Vanessa’s exposure and her own were only a little more daring than some of the outfits of some of the other diners. Well, that’s true for me right now, but my degree of indecency will rocket the moment I stand up. That made her shiver again and she had to put her glass down quickly.

The others followed Maya’s example in ordering and they ate a series of small, perfectly cooked and presented dishes.

A little later, Maya looked across at Vanessa and whispered: “Vanessa, you look a bit pale. Are you all right?”

“I feel a bit faint. It’s this corset. I’ve put on a couple of pounds in France, too much nice food and good wine and it’s a bit tight.”

“Why don’t you loosen it?” Maya asked.

“I can’t. It’s laced at the back. Lise fastened it for me. I need to take it off, if only for a moment. Will you come with me to the ladies and help?”

“Of course.” This is it! Be brave, Maya! She took a deep breath, put her napkin on the table and stood up. Micky’s eyes opened wide.

“You said no bra! You didn’t tell us no nothing!” he exclaimed, taking a good look at the thin line of pubic hair that led his gaze down to the displayed slot of her naked sex. “Isn’t she fabulous, Nessa?”

“She is,” Vanessa replied. Maya took advantage of the fact that Vanessa was looking a little unsteady on her feet to draw attention away from her own exposure and went to take her arm. She and Vanessa crossed the restaurant to the restroom. Their passage was marked by further appreciative noises from the other clients.

Once inside, Vanessa turned to Maya: “I hope this wasn’t too much of a shock to you and Eric,” she said, running her hand over her hairless head. “I lost all my hair ... my body hair, too ... overnight four years ago. Normally I wear a wig, but for a beach holiday, it’s not practical.”

“You have a beautifully shaped head,” Maya responded. “It makes you look even more stunning.”

“Thank you for saying that. The alopecia was one of the things that drew us into the lifestyle. Micky was fine with it but I had to know whether a bald woman was a complete turn-off for other people.”

“I bet they were lining up! You’re a different sort of lovely, very unusual and striking.”

Vanessa sagged and had to grab hold of a wash basin to steady herself.”Can you slacken my lacing?” she asked. Maya loosened and unhooked the lacing down to Vanessa’s waist.

“Oh! That is such a relief!” Vanessa said.The marks on her skin showed how tightly the corset had been laced. “The only problem is, I suppose I’ll have to be tied into it again before we go back to join the men. I can’t sit naked at the table ... although,” she added, “you’re pretty much nude, aren’t you?”

“I’m trying very hard to avoid thinking too much about how much people can see of me,” Maya acknowledged. “It’s exciting to be seen like this, but I’m scared stiff by what I’m doing.”

“You look fantastic, though.” Vanessa fell silent for a moment, then: “Would you ... could you...” She stuttered to a halt.

“Could I what?” Maya inquired.

“Would you consider exchanging clothes? You’re slimmer than me and the corset wouldn’t be as tight on you. Would you do that for me?”