Chapter 5

On the flight back, Karen was very quiet and Maya had time to reflect on what she’d witnessed and how much, to her surprise, it had turned her on. Would I enjoy a massage from Wes? Oh, yes, please. Did I enjoy watching Philippa come? Yes again. Would I like to watch someone else being made to orgasm like that? She gave that some consideration, struggling a little with the idea that had jumped into her head. She shrugged and gave in. Yes, I would, but only if I found the woman attractive. That admission brought her up short. Could I be sexually attracted to a woman? Enough to caress her, myself, even? Not something I’ve ever considered. Think, Maya. If Wes had invited you to join in and masturbate Philippa, what would you have done? The tingle between her thighs told her the answer. I’d have said yes. For the experience, if nothing more. It’d have to be with a woman I found more attractive than her, though. Probably won’t ever happen, but next time I feel like rubbing one out, I’ll think about it some more.

She went back to France for the long holiday. Eric came to collect her as he’d promised and they went climbing in the Alps. They’d been friends since he’d been assigned to teach her the basics of climbing, when she was fourteen and he just a few months older. Eric had never sought to be more than a good friend and she felt able to tell him about her initiation on the island. Eric listened attentively, as always. I can tell Eric pretty much anything. He never judges me. I’m lucky to have such an understanding man as a friend.

“And how is your lovelife, Eric?” Maya asked him at last. “You know all about mine, so tell!”

“It’s not so straightforward for me. I’m not as attractive as you,” Eric said.

“We’re not still on that, are we?” she asked. “Come on. Who is your current squeeze and where did you meet her? Half-way up a mountain?”

Eric blushed. “Climbing, of course. Where else?”

“But there aren’t any mountains for hundreds of kilometres from where you are.”

“There’s a climbing wall where I train three times a week.”

“So that’s where you met what’s-her-name?...”

“She’s called Marie. She’s a free-climber. I’ve learned a lot from her.”

Oh, Eric. Typical. I’m sure there are plenty of girls who’d love to take you to bed. And the first thing you tell me about is this girl’s climbing technique.

“Are you screwing her?” Maya asked. Eric jumped.

“What?”

“Going deaf from all the masturbation, Eric? I said, are you...”

“I heard! Since you insist, we’ve had sex a few times.”

“Let me guess. She jumped you, right?”

“Well, yes, the first time. But we’ve done it since.”

“I’m relieved to hear it. Now, get the map out and let’s see the route for tomorrow.”

The years flipped by quickly and Maya’s contract came to an end. She moved to Bordeaux for work and shortly afterwards, Eric was appointed there too.

“Fancy sharing my flat?” she asked him. “I have a second bedroom I don’t use, and we can both live a lot better if we don’t have to pay for two places.”

Eric was happy to oblige and they shared the two-bedroom apartment for almost a year. At first, Maya felt very comfortable, living with Eric. It’s almost like being married ... bar the sex. Does Eric really see me as a woman? I don’t think he does, and I’ve realised that I really want him to. She took to wandering around in the apartment wearing very little, but Eric still failed to comment or even stare. It bothered her more and more. I’m doing my best to be provocatively sexy, Eric. Would you mind not ignoring me? It reached a point where she had to do something about it. One evening, after a companionable supper, she went to her room, undressed completely and put on a teeshirt that was only decent if she didn’t bend down. She went back to the kitchen, where Eric, in his bed-time shorts and teeshirt, was finishing the washing up. She dried the dishes and then asked: