Chapter 7
The morning sun shone brightly into Lance's face. He turned facing away from the sunlight into a mass of wavy blonde hair on the pillow next to him. Where am I? He blinked and looked closer at the room. Oh no! How did I end up in this predicament? I remember. I came over after my fight with Gwen to talk to Vivian because she sent me a text. She claimed that she wanted to explain why she left Sunday morning, but it was a ploy to get me into her bed.
Lance began to slowly ease himself off the plush bed with pink accent pillows. He glanced around the room trying to remember where he disrobed. The den! He began to creep out of the room when he heard a familiar cough. Caught!
"Where are you headed off too?" Vivian said groggily.
"Work, a place I should have been an hour ago. It is Monday morning Viv, not everyone has a trust fund." Lance said irritably with his back to Vivian.
"You might as well call in sick and stay in bed with me." Vivian said disregarding Lance's attitude.
Lance turned to fully look at Vivian. Her bright blue eyes danced with desire at his sculpted naked body in the sunlit room.
"Vivian, don't look at me like that." Lance said with more anger.
"Like what?" Vivian innocently asked.
"Like a predator."
Vivian giggled. "Lance, I'm not a predator."
"I don't know about that Viv. I pretty much felt like your prey from the moment I stepped through your penthouse doors finding you dressed scantily."
Vivian slowly sat up against her headboard on her king size bed with her sheets sliding slowly down her chest showing off her perky breasts.
"Lance, if I was a predator, then I would have devoured you."
"As I recall, you did devour me last night, many times." Lance smirked.
Vivian laughed out loud. She smugly replied to Lance. "That was cute, but you know that I turn you on more than you've ever been turned on."
Vivian pulled back the sheets to reveal the rest of her body. "That's why you salivate every time you see me. Why don't you rejoin me in bed Lancelot? There are other skills that I need to show you."
Lance had to turn away quickly before he actually started to salivate. He had to resist the temptation. How can I be totally turned on and infuriated by this woman?
"Vivian!" Lance screamed breaking the spell that she held on him. "You and I know that what we did was wrong for so many reasons."
"What? It's not like this is our first time." Vivian said smiling slyly.
"We broke the swap rule, remember. Rule number one was that all swap participants had to agree to swapping again!" Lance replied.
"Calm down," Vivian said calmly.
"I can't! What we are doing isn't right!"
"How is it not right? We both know that what we have is explosive! I have never had a man make my body feel as you do. That is the reason why I had to leave your apartment early Sunday morning. It was too much for me to handle."
"What about Gwen?! She is your best friend and the woman I proposed to yesterday?" Lance said incredulously.
"She doesn't have to know. I'm not trying to take you from her. I just want to have casual mind-blowing sex with you. Think about it Lance, you and I having fun and great sex. It will be an adventure."
"Yes, until someone finds out about our tryst and gets hurt!"
"If we are careful, then no one will find out. We can go to secluded motels, hotels, parks, or go out of the city."
Lance ran his hand through his hair contemplating about what Vivian was saying. It does sound like a good idea.
"What do you think Lance?"
"I don't know Vivian."
"Why are you hesitating?! I know that Gwen is boring to you in bed! She blushes when I tell her that I dream about being handcuffed to the bed and spanked."
Lance blushed envisioning Vivian handcuffed with him spanking her. His manhood started to stiffen.
Vivian pointed toward Lance's crotch. "See, he is even tired of boring, cold, Gwen," Vivian cackled.
Lance looked down at himself, and back up at Vivian's twinkling blue eyes. He wanted to say yes, but the picture behind Vivian hanging on the wall changed his mind. It was a picture of Gwen and Vivian smiling at graduation. "I can't continue this."
Lance turned from Vivian and briskly walked to the den to collect his clothing. He stood in the foyer of the penthouse staring in a mirror hanging by the door trying to fix his shirt. He turned when he saw Vivian's reflection creeping up behind him wearing nothing but an opened robe.
"Vivian, they make belts with robes for a reason." Lance said continuously adjusting his shirt that was missing two buttons.
Vivian grinned. "Why do you care if I tie my robe or not?"
"I don't." Lance said finally deciding to leave the shirt alone and walk to the door.
Lance opened the door to leave.
"Lance."
Lance turned to face a too close Vivian. She took her hands and grabbed Lance's head kissing him with a desire that ignited Lance's body. His hands reached for Vivian's waist beneath the robe. He grabbed and rubbed her bottom as he kissed her passionately.
Lance finally broke away from Vivian panting. He stared at her a mixture of desire and guilt. He couldn't keep doing this he had to stop this before it got out of hand.
"Vivian, we need to stop this." He spoke softly to her.
"Why? No one has to know."
"Think about Gwen. I asked her to marry me and I can't just continue doing this behind her back. I love her."
"Humph."
Lance stepped away from Vivian shaking his head with frustration. "I do love her Vivian. You just don't understand."
Lance turned and walked down the hall to the elevator.
"Think about my offer and call me." Vivian called out to Lance.
xXx
Lance took a taxi back to his apartment feeling shameful and angry. He unlocked his door trying not to recall the weekend, but it was hard. He could still smell Vivian's perfume wafting throughout his place. Lance walked to his bedroom, stripped out of his clothes, and proceeded to take a long shower to wash away all of Vivian's scent and the vivid memory of their encounter. Lance leaned against his tiled shower wall thinking. What am I going to do now?
After a long shower, Lance dressed in a pair of khaki cargo pants, a green polo shirt, and a pair of sandals. He walked into his kitchen, reached for the phone on the wall and called his job saying that he was feeling sick and could not come in. It's not a lie. I feel totally repulsed by my actions.
Lance began to rummage through his fridge in search of food to soothe his mind. Lance walked into the living room sitting in his recliner ready to eat a hearty bowl of cereal, he heard a buzz. Who could that be texting me? Lance walked back into the kitchen to retrieve his cell phone off the countertop. It was Merlin.
: Can we meet later?
Lance exhaled staring at the text. He contemplated whether he should reply. He was tired and really didn't want to talk to anyone, not even his closest friend. He was confused because he loved Gwen. However, being honest with himself, he enjoyed being with Vivian. Being with her was always explosive and exciting. Gwen had never allowed him to be so free with her sexually. She always seemed too restrictive. Lance sighed. He knew refusing to meet with Merlin, would be suspicious.
: When?
Merlin rapidly texted back.
: How about at the Albion Gym around five on Wednesday? We can get something to eat at the café there.
Lance wondered curiously why Merlin chose the gym to meet. He hated working out. Maybe, he liked the food that the café offered. He was too tired to think it through. He loved Merlin, but he was cryptic at times.
: I'll see you there.
xXx
Merlin stared as Arthur sparred with his personal trainer in the boxing ring. He was hoping that his plan wasn't going to backfire on him. He had to do something. His friends were a mess. Gwen's conflicting feelings were causing her work to suffer and she needed clarity. Lance was very distant lately. Arthur was still upset with Lance for lying, and grouchy for reasons he wouldn't discuss. The only silver lining was that Vivian was surprisingly not around to be annoying. Merlin sighed. How many times did I tell them that this swap was a TERRIBLE idea?! I knew that this was going to cause their relationships and friendships to suffer.
"Merlin, are you ready?" Arthur called to him while getting his gloves taken off.
"Yeah." Merlin said with a sad smile.
Arthur glanced back at Merlin while walking toward the showers wondering what was going on in Merlin's head.
Arthur dressed. He searched the lobby and the locker room for Merlin. Merlin always sat somewhere playing those silly games on his phone or tablet. Then, it came to him. Merlin was probably in the café eating. Merlin loved their chef salad with the special house dressing. Arthur walked confidently into the café. He spotted Merlin. He laughed seeing Merlin chomping on a chef salad in the back of the room.
"Merlin! I thought that you said that you wanted to eat at that sushi restaurant Vivian was expelled from."
Merlin looked at Arthur as he continued to finish chewing his salad and smiled at the memory of Vivian being escorted out. "I did, but I got a craving for a salad."
Arthur laughed relaxing into a chair opposite Merlin.
A waitress came over to get Arthur's order. He politely declined, looking across the table at Merlin dribbling dressing on his shirt. Arthur laughed. His thoughts drifted to Gwen as he smelled the scent of flowers from the arrangement near them. He couldn't admit it to Merlin how quickly she had consumed his thoughts.
"How's Guinevere?" Arthur asked coyly. He had called her numerous times, but she never returned any calls. He was worried that their friendship was over especially with her agreeing to marry Lance. Secretly, he was praying that she would say no. He wanted a chance to get to spend more time alone with Gwen. If she married Lance, then he would never get the opportunity.
"I don't know," a familiar voice called out behind him. Arthur clenched his jaw and stared across at a sneaky looking Merlin.
"Hello, Merlin and Arthur." Lance greeted.
"Sit down Lance." Merlin said cheerily avoiding Arthur's gaze.
Arthur kicked Merlin in the shin under the table as Lance pulled out a chair between the best friends.
"Lance, what brings you to the gym?" Arthur asked curiously.
"Merlin texted me to meet him here around five." Lance said staring at Merlin and then turning to look at Arthur.
"Merlin, what have you planned?" Arthur asked.
Merlin placed his fork loaded with salad back into his plate and reached for his glass of water trying to buy time. Arthur reached over and took the glass from his hand.
"Answer me Merlin." Arthur commanded with a hardened blue gaze.
Merlin gulped.
"I wanted you both to talk."
"That's a great idea." Lance interjected before Arthur could say anything.
Arthur looked at Lance. Lance smiled back at Arthur knowing what he had to do.
"Arthur, I want to apologize," Lance said with a pleading gaze.
Merlin reached for his glass of water taking a sip as Arthur spoke.
"For what? Lying to me? Or could it be for sending Elyan over to ruin the swap and causing Guinevere to cry?" Arthur said angrily.
Merlin coughed. Lance reached over and patted Merlin on the back. Merlin exhaled glad that he wasn't eating at the moment when Arthur posed that question. I'm going to have to finish eating after this conversation is over.
Lance turned back to stare at Arthur. He was livid at the way Arthur spoke to him.
"Arthur, I'm not going to argue with you. Will you accept my apology or not?" Lance said through gritted teeth.
"Before I accept or not, why did you lie about anything? Why send Elyan over ruining my swap and causing Gwen grief?"
"Arthur, I know what I did was wrong. It's just that Gwen is sweet, innocent, and naïve at times. I couldn't stop thinking what if Gwen was to make a decision doing the swap that she would regret. And I know how you are with women Arthur."
Arthur stood up infuriated at Lance's implication. "I have had only THREE girlfriends Lancelot! Can you make such a claim while you're pretending to be a saint?! And Gwen is capable of making her own decisions, good or bad. Maybe, you don't know Guinevere as well as you think."
"Who are you to school me about my fiancée?! One weekend doesn't make you an expert on Gwen!" Lance said standing up furiously.
"I think that I'm a better expert on her than you are." Arthur argued in Lance's face.
The patrons of the crowded café turned and stared at the three men.
Merlin stood up getting in between the two feuding friends. "You guys are making a scene."
"Is there a problem?" The manager came striding over staring at the three with indignation.
"No, we were just debating basketball and it got a little heated. We won't cause anymore commotions." Merlin lied.
The manager walked away believing the lie, turning occasionally to watch the trio.
"Sit down now." Merlin turned and furiously whispered to his friends.
Arthur and Lance remained standing, trying to see who would sit first.
Merlin with anger in his voice said "I'm calling Gwen to settle this."
The men both looked at Merlin, neither wanting him to include Gwen into their spat. They sat down simultaneously.
Merlin took over the conversation after they sat down.
"Arthur, why…" Merlin began his question.
"Why do I have to be the first to answer a question?" Arthur whined.
Lance shook his head wondering what Vivian saw in Arthur. He appeared dense at times. He even felt stupid for thinking that Gwen could fall for Arthur. I should have left them alone and stopped trying to interrupt their swap. Gwen could never fall for Arthur.
Lance laughed out loud causing Arthur and Merlin to look at him with curiosity. "I apologize for the laughter, but this is crazy. We are friends Arthur. I was insecure, should have trusted Gwen, and left things alone. I love Gwen and want her to be my wife. I was paranoid that my sweet innocent Gwen might fall for your charms and do something she may regret."
Arthur laughed. My charms weren't the only thing Gwen was falling for and liking, you arrogant ass.
Merlin smiled coyly knowing the whole truth. He waved the waitress over and asked for a takeout container. He was going to end this meeting on a high note. It was time to call Gwaine and Leon and play a round of Call of Duty to ease his mind. At least Lance and Arthur were speaking now.
xXx
Gwen laid on her couch staring at the diamond ring on her finger thinking about her decision. It would be nice to finally have Lance as her husband. They have been together for a few years and he knew her somewhat. He still didn't remember her mother's cardigan, or that she loved to go bowling when she was feeling angry, sad, or depressed, but Arthur remembered. Gwen took the ring off and laid it on the coffee table. She hopped up off the couch and decided that she should have fun and go bowling. Gwen grabbed her bowling bag and shoes. She checked her watch and knew that she still had two hours to bowl her problems away.
At the bowling alley Gwen inhaled the scent of popcorn, pizza, and pretzels. She loved the smell and feel of the bowling alley. She walked down to lane seven sitting down to replace her scandals with her socks and bowling shoes. Her eyes scanned the lanes to see if she recognized anyone. She didn't. She stood up and grabbed her black bowling ball. It had a red dragon on it roasting the bowling pins with flames. The nickname Pindragon was inscribed in calligraphy on the ball and bag. It was a birthday gift that Merlin had designed just for her years ago. He said that it was beautiful and one of a kind like her. She smiled at the memory.
She stood at the end of the bowling lane and eyed the pins. She ran down the lane, pulling back her ball, and released it feeling the tension leave as soon as she heard the ball hit the floor. The ball rolled down the lane and connected with the middle pin causing a domino effect. She smiled thinking that her problems were going to fall down like the pins.
She walked back to retrieve her ball to bowl more, but a hand gently touched her shoulder. She could smell his cologne, and feel his breath on the back of her neck, forcing her heart to pound with the ferocity of a charging cavalry. She could feel his arms encircle her waist and her eyes drifted shut with the lovely sensation. The heat that radiated off him caused her to want to melt and she could feel her knees going weak. She turned in his arms, gazed from underneath her lashes at Arthur's smiling face.
"Nice to see you Guinevere."
"It's nice to see you too, Arthur."
A/N: I want to apologize for not updating lately. Forgive me. And thank you to everyone who have favorited, followed, and reviewed. Also, a special thank you goes to my incredible beta, Embrasia!
