Chapter 1: Introduction
Perapian itu berkedip-kedip dengan tarian lembut oranye dan kuning, memberikan bayangan hangat di dinding ruang tamu kami yang nyaman. Secangkir kopi yang baru diseduh dusun mengepul di atas meja kopi, aroma meninggalkan yang lembut dan mengundang di udara. Jam di atas mantel berdetak pelan, menggemakan irama detak jantung kita.
Amanda meringkuk di sofa, kakinya terselip di bawahnya, kaos mengenakan tua saya yang dia suka curi. Matanya, kolam-kolam hazel indah yang bisa membuatku meleleh dalam sekejap, bertemu dengan mataku di atas cangkirnya.
Dia menyesapnya, tatapannya tidak pernah meninggalkanku, seolah-olah dia mencoba membaca pikiranku. Mau tak mau aku tersenyum, bersandar kembali ke kursi berlengan mewah, kursi yang dia minta agar kita beli tahun lalu. Itu adalah caranya mengatakan kami pantas mendapatkan sedikit kemewahan.
"Jadi," katanya, suaranya kasual, namun ada sawah yang membuat jantungku berdetak kencang. "Aku sudah berpikir."
"Tentang apa?" Saya bertanya, cangkir kopi saya berhenti di udara dalam perdalan ke bibir saya.
Dia menyesap lagi, ibu jarinya menggosok tepi cangkirnya dengan penuh pertimbangan. "Kami. Kami ...
?" Saya mendorong, keingintahuan saya meningkat. Dia mendapat perhatian penuh saya sekarang, kata-katanya tergantung di udara seperti janji rahasia yang manis.
"Kehidupan seks kita," katanya dengan blak-blakan, pipinya memerah warna merah muda yang halus. "Sudah ... dapat diprediksi akhir-akhir ini."
Aku terkekeh, menggerakkan rambutku. "Dapat diprediksi? Anda menyebut petualangan kami dapat diprediksi? "
Dia memutar matanya, tetapi bibirnya melengkung sambil tersenyum. "Kamu tahu maksudku, Firman. Tidak seperti dulu. Ingat ketika kita pertama kali bertemu?
Setiap sentuhan adalah hal baru, setiap ciuman merupakan petualangan. Aku rindu percikan itu, ujung itu. " Dia berhenti, matanya mencari mataku. "Saya pikir kita perlu sesuatu ... berbeda. Perubahan kecepatan, mungkin. "
Saya bersandar, kopi saya terlupakan. "Berbeda, ya? Seperti apa?"
Dia menarik napas panjang, jari-jarinya mengetuk irama di cangkirnya. "Seperti ... mungkin mencoba sesuatu yang baru. Sesuatu yang belum pernah kita lakukan sebelumnya. "
Saya mengangkat alis. "Seperti?"
Dia menggigit bibirnya, lalu berkata, "A threesome."
Ruangan itu sepertinya masih.
The fire crackled softly, casting dancing shadows on the walls, as if the very atmosphere was holding its breath. I stared at Amanda, my coffee growing cold in my hand.
"A what?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
She leaned forward, her elbows on her knees, her eyes intent. "A threesome, Firman. You, me, and... someone else."
I couldn't help the laugh that escaped me. It was nervous, surprised, and maybe a little intrigued all at once. "You're serious?"
She nodded, her gaze never leaving mine. "Dead serious.
I've been thinking about it for a while now." Amanda's voice was steady, her eyes searching my face for a reaction. "We've talked about spicing things up before, right? This could be a way to do that. A way to reignite that spark we used to have."
I ran a hand through my hair, still trying to process the idea. "But... a threesome? With who?"
She hesitated, then said, "Chloe."
My gaze flicked to her, surprise widening my eyes. "Chloe? Our Chloe? The one who's been our best friend since college?"
Amanda nodded, her expression serious.
"Yes, Chloe. She's always been open about her... curiosity. And she's trustworthy, someone we both care about. Plus, she's stunning, Firman. You know that."
I did know that. Chloe, with her fiery red hair, striking green eyes, and a smile that could light up a room, was undeniably beautiful. But this was Chloe, our best friend, the one who'd been there for us through thick and thin. The thought of her in our bed was... strange.
"But... but what about... feelings? Jealousy?
Confusion? What if something goes wrong?"
Amanda reached out, her hand gently covering mine. "Feelings are a part of life, Firman. But we're not talking about a relationship here. Just a moment, a shared experience. We're all adults, we can handle it."
I pulled my hand back, my gaze dropping to my coffee. "I don't know, Amanda. It sounds... complicated."
She sighed, leaning back into the sofa. "It could be, if we let it. But it doesn't have to be. We set the rules, we control the situation.