The Bet: Part 7

Hello everyone!

I'm here today with an extra long edition of "The Bet" since I skipped this weekend.

Lots of teasing and tension building in this part, but I promise that something explosive will happen next chapter... but what? That's up to you to decide!

I hope you enjoy this chapter!

...

“No way,” said Claire with a wide smile, “that can’t possibly be true.”

“It is!” protested Dan emphatically, humorously playing it up a little. “Why would I lie about something like that? I’ve never had anyone but myself do anything to my toenails, let alone polish them, or whatever it is they do here.”

“Your mom clipped them when you were a kid,” said Claire confidently, with the air of a woman laying down a trump card. 

“Not that I remember,” replied Dan stubbornly, having fun with the playful, bantering fight.

Claire threw her head back and laughed. She looked… good. Relaxed. They were both in fluffy, comfortable robes, waiting patiently for the pedicure session that was part of the all-inclusive couple’s package that Dan had purchased. 

It had been a lot harder to convince Claire to come today than Dan thought it would be. Even he hadn't realized how stressed out and wrapped up in her work his wife had become. But, in the end, he had managed to persuade her to come, and even managed the more difficult task of convincing her to leave her phone in the locker with her clothes. 

She looked better already. Her eyes twinkled as she reached out and threaded her fingers through Dan’s, her smile warm and loving as she said, “Well, here’s to exploring new experiences together then.”

Dan was just congratulating himself on doing the exact thing that his wife needed when disaster struck, in the form of a brash, obnoxious voice splitting the hushed relaxation of the pedicure room. 

“Hey, hey! My two favorite lovebugs! Fancy seeing you here!” 

Claire stiffened with horror, all of the stress and annoyance dropping back onto her shoulders like a heavy weight right in front of Dan’s eyes. They both turned to see Zane, looking squat, ugly, and confident as usual.  His fluffy robe was open almost to the belly button, showing off a crop of frizzy blonde chest hair. 

But, although he could tell all of Claire’s hateful focus was drawn by Zane, Dan found himself distracted immediately by the woman on Zane’s arm.

Leah. 

It had been a long time since Dan had seen her, but even years later, after they were both married, Dan suddenly felt like the same tongue-tied kid, charmed and dazzled by the snarky, feisty girl he met on his freshman dorm floor. 

Motherhood had changed her body a little of course. He probably shouldn’t have, but Dan realized instantly that Leah’s hips and butt looked a bit wider and fuller now… her tits just the slightest bit bigger. It was easy to make the comparison when he had spent so many nights fantasizing about her body back in college. But her honey-blonde hair, worn in her usual braid was the same, and so was her smile, toothy and genuine, with always just a hint of mean-spirited teasing in it, no matter the context. 

And her eyes were the same too. Sharp. Hazel. Lively. 

“Hey Danny boy,” said Leah with a wink, her arm threaded through Zane’s. “Long time no see.”

…

Claire had opened her mouth to angrily address Zane, who was quickly becoming a sort of nemesis to her, but she halted in confusion, glancing over at her husband’s stunned face, then up to Leah with a frown. 

“Wait,” she said, her brows wrinkling, “aren’t you…”

“Nice to see you again, Claire,” said Leah flippantly. “I’m not surprised you don’t remember me that well. I was pretty busy on the only day we met.”

Grace looked over to Dan for help, and he flushed red, murmuring, ‘Ummm, it’s Leah, sweetie. We went to her wedding.”

Claire’s mouth fell open as she turned back to Leah, noting the glittering gold ring still proudly displayed on her finger as she cuddled up to a man who definitely wasn’t her husband.

Jesus. How low could this man possibly sink? Well, Claire would give him one thing, he had a talent for sniffing out sluts, apparently even if those sluts were married. She turned deliberately away from Leah, already mentally writing her off, and back to Zane. 

“Mr. Kruger,” she said coldly, “I don’t appreciate you following me around outside of work.”

Zane chuckled, his hand slipping down to rest on Leah’s round butt and idly squeezing. Next to Claire, Dan for some reason cleared his throat and fidgeted in his seat, but Claire didn’t have time to babysit her husband right now. 

“Awwww, come on, Claire Bear,” said Zane jovially, “You aren’t the only one who likes a spa day every now and then. It’s a coincidence. Besides, is it so wrong for us to hang out as friends? We practically have a little college reunion going on here.”

That was right… now Claire remembered. Dan had talked about his old college friend Leah before. Based on his guarded speech, Claire had easily inuited there had been deeper feelings there at some point, but she was mature enough not to feel jealous about things like that. In any case, that must be why Dan looked sick to his stomach now. It would be hard to see any friend with Zane like this, let alone someone you once had feelings for. 

“No, Zane,” said Claire, a little heat creeping into her voice. “As my husband made very clear last time he spoke with you, you are no longer a family friend. Just a business contact.” Claire could tell based on the wide smile on Zane’s face that something was wrong. She glanced over to Dan in confusion. Her husband now wore a sheepish expression of guilt. 

“Reeeeeally?” asked Zane, voice dripping with amusement. “So Dan told you that he broke off our friendship? I don’t remember having any sort of discussion like that.”

Claire snorted in derision. Of course Dan had told Zane their friendship was over. He had told her as much. Right?

“Babe… maybe I didn’t say those words exactly. But I think the context of our conversation made it pretty clear that…” said Dan nervously. 

Claire put her head in her hands, unable to even look at Dan right now.  She had been going toe-to-toe with Zane’s rudeness for weeks, and Dan hadn’t even had the balls to face up to him for one fucking conversation. She stood up. Dan reached for her hand, but she slapped it away, breathing heavily. She didn’t want to be around Zane, but right now, she didn’t want to be near her husband either. Without a word, she strode to the other side of the room and sat in an unoccupied chair, staring daggers across the room. Dan gave her a wide-eyed, pleading, apologetic expression as Leah and Zane sat next to him. 

Let them have their little college reunion. The prick, the slut, and the wimp. She had no desire to be part of that company. 

…

“So, things are going well for you, I hope?” asked Leah sweetly as the spa employees knelt at their feet, buffing and clipping and massaging. “I mean, besides today, of course. Jeez, wifey seems a little mad, doesn’t she?”

Dan still felt off balance from seeing his old friend, let alone just casually chatting. This was the woman he had pined after for so long that her face felt burned into his brain forever, even after finding the love of his life. It felt bizarre to talk to her again, especially after his discovery the other day. Leah might be producing porn with Zane, a man she used to hate. And now here she was, arriving arm-in-arm with Zane without shame. It had to be a misunderstanding. Or some sort of trick.

“I… well, everything is going just fine,” he said shakily. He glanced across the room to his wife, sitting all alone, her lovely face like a thundercloud as the technician worked on her nails. “How are things going for you? You’re right, it’s been forever since we talked.”

“Things are great,” said Leah happily. As she spoke, Zane’s fat hand reached over from where he sat on her other side, gently massaging her thigh. “Bella is starting kindergarten in the fall. I’ll have to show you a picture, she’s growing up to look just like her Dad. But cuter obviously. Bill just got the promotion he’s been after, and my career has really been taking off as well.”

Dan watched with fascinated horror as Zane’s pudgy hand rubbed higher and harder, slipping beneath Leah robes. Then, with a sharp movement, she stopped him, her wedding ring glittering on her finger as she grabbed his wrist. Even though it was silly, Dan felt a wave of relief. He had misunderstood after all. Zane was trying to fake him out by making him think he had converted Leah into some sort of slut, but this was actually some sort of platonic day out for them. He should have known better. Why would she gush about her husband and daughter while openly hanging out with her lover? 

But his blood ran cold and his relief drained away when he heard Leah whisper, “Down Boy! Not in front of everyone. Wait until you get me alone in the couple’s massage room… I have a little surprise for you.”

It was low enough to keep the room from hearing, but Leah seemed to make no attempt to hide it from Dan, rolling her eyes and giving him a wry smile as if to say “this guy… right?” 

Oh God. It was true. Leah wasn’t just here with Zane. She was here… with Zane. Even with all the evidence before now, Dan hadn’t quite believed it. But as Leah leaned over and gave Zane a brief, but tongue-heavy kiss to tide him over, he couldn’t deny the truth any longer.

For some reason, he felt his cock stir beneath his fluffy robes. 

He cleared his throat uncomfortably and tried to change the subject. “So, um… your career is doing well? Baking, right?”

Leah laughed, her lips quirking up at the corner in a way that Dan was all too familiar with. The smile that meant that he was the butt of the joke. “No, I gave up baking about a year back. I’ve taken up a new career that I find much more… fulfilling.”

Dan’s mouth was dry, and Leah’s Hazel eyes bored into his. He felt the question bubbling up inside him, unable to be stopped. And he could tell that Leah, his old friend, his crush that he still carried a flickering torch for even after moving on long ago… she wouldn’t hold back. She would proudly tell him every filthy detail. No matter how devastating and arousing that would be for him. 

But he was saved at the last second. Dan had been so wrapped up in the conversation with Leah that he hadn’t realized the pedicure had wrapped up, and the spa employee guiding the couple’s day announced that they would be moving on to the sauna experience, which, of course, would be separated by gender. 

Dan had been hoping to catch his wife and apologize, but Claire followed the guide quickly, her face still annoyed, not even glancing back. 

“It was good catching up, Danny,” said Leah with a smile as they stood. Without warning, she pulled him into a close hug. Even with the thick robes, Dan couldn’t help but think about the fact that they were both naked beneath them. “We’ll have to do this again sometime. Soon.” With that, she waved and followed the rest of the women out of the room, leaving Dan with Zane, who gave him an aggressive thump on the back. “Looks like it’s just you and me for now, buddy,” he said with a manic grin, “And I think it’s about time you and I caught up as well.”

…

The guide told the half dozen men entering the sauna that they could choose to keep or remove their robes. 

Dan chose to keep his on, but Zane instantly whipped his off without a care in the world as he plopped down onto one of the wooden benches. 

It felt like a power move, and Dan instantly wondered if maybe he should have removed his as well. He couldn’t now, obviously. It would look like he was trying to copy Zane. 

He tried hard not to look at what Zane was packing between his legs, but, well, it was extremely… present. Zane cock swung thick and long between his legs even when soft, radiating the dormant power of an elephant’s trunk. Even with the briefest glance before his eyes flicked away, Dan knew immediately why Zane had no problem whipping off his towel. He might not measure up in looks to the rest of the guys in the room, but he had nothing to be ashamed of beneath that robe. 

“So!” said Zane, slapping the bench next to him to indicate that Dan should have a seat. “Let's talk. I'm sure you’re eager for a little progress update on our bet.”

Dan sat gingerly as Zane lounged back, his piggy little eyes gleaming with smug assurance, his thick cock hanging long and soft between his spread legs. “No. I don’t really have any interest in…” protested Dan. 

Zane cut him off with a snicker. “Really? You aren’t curious about how close I am to claiming your wife’s sweet pussy? Well, buddy, I really shouldn’t be giving away free info to the enemy, but the answer is closer than you think.”

Dan flushed red in the hot, steamy air. This bastard was so cocky. He remembered again why he had made this stupid bet in the first place. It would be so satisfying when Zane lost. He couldn't just let Zane taunt him and Claire like this. “Not from what I've seen,” he fired back angrily. “Claire hates you even worse than she did when you started! You’re moving backward, dumbass.”

Zane just shook his head with a pitying look. “Is that what it looks like to you? God, sometimes I wonder how you landed a fox like Claire. You’re lucky she likes Betas, dude.”

Dan was so stunned that he couldn’t even respond to the open insult before Zane continued. “I mean, the proof is in the pudding, bud. I used the exact same method to claim the pussy you weren’t man enough to win. Remember, sweet little Leah used to hate me too.” 

Dan was speechless with a sort of weak, helpless rage. His eyes flicked down and then away again to see that Zane’s cock had started to grow. 

“She liked you a lot more than me…” continued Zane in a taunting voice, “and where did that affection get you? Clapping and smiling like a good little boy while she married and bigger, better man.”

“That’s right,” said Dan, trying to regain his footing while Zane seemed determined to trample over him verbally. “She married. That’s awful. How could you?”

Zane gave him a blank look, and slapped his knee as if Dan had just made the funniest joke in the world. “Is that supposed to be some half-assed condemnation, or are you literally curious about my methods?” He asked in a sneering, fake-cheerful voice. He suddenly leaned forward, getting uncomfortably close. 

“It was easy… Leah was doing this baking class at her local community center, and anyone was welcome to join. So I did. And do you think that I spent my time sucking up to her and trying to make her like me?”

Zane’s pale blue eyes seemed to almost glow with wicked delight in the dim, steamy room. “Of course fucking not. I pissed her off every chance I got. I fucked my way through every married suburban milf in her class. I made myself an irritating, unforgettable nuisance while showing off my dominant nature every chance I got. She hated me worse and worse every day. And with all that tension and frustration in her mind… while her body absorbed all the signs of a powerful, virile male… Well, tension needs relief at some point. She snapped, just the way I wanted her to. Our hands all over each other. Kneading that ass like bread dough. Letting her sample my baguette. Doing my best to pop a bun in her oven… I could go on all day, I’ve got a million of ‘em. That’s the difference between you and me, pussy. You jerk off and cry and worry about how bad you want a girl, then watch another guy take her away from you… And I see that same hot piece of ass, I make a plan, and I get that fucking pussy. Simple as that. Anyway, I sent Leah home to hubby with big floury hand prints all over her chest and that luscious milf ass. Mission fucking accomplished”

“Her husband… You broke up a happy marriage,” said Dan, suddenly aware of an erection pressing against the front of his robe. God, he was glad now that he hadn’t removed it. 

“Did I?” asked Zane, raising an eyebrow with a cocky grin. “I still see a ring on her finger, don’t you? She wasn’t just bullshitting when she talked about her and Bill.”

Dan shook his head, unable to understand what Zane meant. “But… if you and Leah are… Then why are they still together?”

“Well, buddy,” said Zane with a chuckle, laying his head back on the bench above and closing his eyes, luxuriating in the infernal heat, “I would tell you alllll about what happens to inferior men after I claim their wives… but I wouldn’t want to ruin the surprise.”

Dan stared at him questioningly, but it seemed like Zane was done talking. 

What the fuck was that supposed to mean?

…

Claire couldn’t help but sneak a little peek at Leah’s body as they both removed their robes. The short blond was carrying a little extra weight around her hips and butt, but she wore it well. The kind of heft that drew male attention. 

Claire tried to sit on her own, but, annoyingly, Leah followed and sat right beside her, settling in and sighing with pleasure from the moist heat. They sat in silence for a long few minutes, Claire prickly and annoyed, Leah comfortable and relaxed, at least on the surface. 

“You can ask, you know,” said Leah eventually in a languid, drawling voice, crossing her thighs to bounce one foot lazily in the air. “I’m not embarrassed to talk about it, and I can tell you’re curious.”

“I have no idea what you mean,” said Claire stiffly, crossing her arms tightly over her impressive chest in a defensive gesture. 

“I mean,” said Leah with a sharp grin, “You want to know why a woman like me is fucking a man like Zane.”

Claire snorted and rolled her eyes. “Oh, please. That’s no mystery to me. You have sex with that little troll because he pays you and you have zero self-respect. There’s no other possible explanation for walking in with that pathetic pervert on your arm and not immediately dying of humiliation.”

Leah took the withering barb with a soft laugh and a shake of her head. “I see a lot of myself in you, Claire,” she said warmly. “I would have said the same thing a year ago. But I have plenty of self-respect. Why wouldn’t I? I have the best of both worlds. A sweet, obedient husband at home and a dominant lover who knows how to make me cum my brains out.”

“That’s the difference between you and I,” said Claire with a superior sneer. “I chose a good enough man that I don’t need to seek out strange dick.”

Leah gave her a knowing sidelong glance that made Claire’s blood boil. “Did you though?” she asked slyly. “Is Danny really… scratching all your itches?”

Claire flushed, her face growing even hotter in the boiling room. Leah's little question hit a bit too close to home after their disappointing experiment with rough sex the other night. “You don’t know me,” she said in a low, dangerous voice, glaring at Leah. “Don’t pretend you do.” 

“You’re right,” said Leah lightly. ‘I don’t know you that well, Claire. But I know your husband. Oh yes… I know Danny Boy very well. You know he had the most adorable crush on my all through college, right?”

Claire remained silent, and Leah nodded. “I can see the idea doesn’t shock you at least. He thought he was sneaky about it, but everyone knew he had a thing for me. I could have picked up Dan any time I wanted. And I almost did. Let me tell you the story, Claire. It might make things a little… clearer. You don’t need to say a thing. Just listen.”

Claire thought about speaking up, or even just standing up and moving away. But she was curious despite herself. Dan was a good looking, charming guy. If Leah was unattached, and knew Dan was interested, why had she rejected him?

“It was May of our freshman year,” began Leah, shifting her wide butt a little on her seat, making her C cup breasts jiggle with the movement, and dislodging a trickle of sweat to run down her naked body from her collar bone down her soft belly between her legs. “The weather was warming up, so Dan and I and some of our other friends decided to do a little hike up to a quarry near our college. It was supposed to be pretty. Crystal clear water.”

The attendant put another ladle of water on the coals, sending up a hissing cloud of steam as Leah went on. “Anyway, in the end, everyone cancelled except for Me and Danny. We went anyway, and we had a lot of fun. I knew he liked me, and we flirted back and forth on the way up to the quarry. And, even though I had hesitated in the past, I had such a good time and felt such nice chemistry with him that I said, hey, why not? I was ready to give him his shot.”

Leah chuckled warmly at the memory. Maybe it was the intense heat and the odd vulnerability of her nudity, but Claire found herself totally absorbed in the story, holding on to every word. 

“I’ve always been a bit of a tease,” said Leah with a cheeky grin. “So when we reached the quarry, I worked the conversation around to wild things we had done… and specifically, skinny dipping. He said he had never done it, and neither had I. So without even asking him, I tore off my clothes and took the plunge, down into the cool, clear waters of the quarry. Totally nude, daring him to do the same.”

Claire could imagine it. The first heat of summer. The deep blue sky. The adrenaline rush of young attraction. How must Dan have felt to see his crush flirting so brazenly? To catch a glimspe of her naked body as she jumped into the water?

“And to his credit, he did,” said Leah with a laugh. “Stripped off his clothes and took the plunge to join me. We were both there, feet away from each other in the water. Totally naked and all alone, without another soul for miles. And you know what happened then?”

‘What?” Claire asked, forgetting her disdain for Leah for just a moment in her curiosity. 

Leah’s smile dripped with mockery as she hissed, “Fucking nothing! Poor Danny boy was feet away from his desperate crush, wet and willing and naked, and he just floated there for a few awkward minutes with his teeth chattering, making small talk. I practically hung a sign over my head saying “come fuck me”, and Dan was too much of a pussy to go for it.”

Claire shook her head uneasily, looking away. “He was just young and nervous. Anyone can make a mistake.” It reminded her uncomfortably of what had happened the other night, when Dan hadn’t pursued her despite obvious signs.

“If he had taken me right then, had the balls to swim up and kiss me… I would have let him have me. Let him have anything he wanted. He could have thrust his cock deep in my tight, wet pussy all afternoon. And… well, who knows what the future might have been? Maybe we would have been dating by the time we got back from the hike. Maybe I would be the one with his ring on my finger. But he didn’t. And the week after that, I met Bill at a party. Dan was too much of a loser to take what he wanted. You know, I remember it clear as day: I saw his cock when we got out of the water. His stiff little prick could have cut glass. He could have fucked me silly with it right then and there, but he chose jerking off alone later instead. The safer choice. The beta choice. I’m sure he yanked that little hard-on all night to the memory of how he could have fucked me… if he had only been man enough. That night and a hundred nights since then, I would guess.”

Now that the story was over, Claire felt her anger flare up again. “Don’t speak about my husband that way. Maybe he could be more assertive sometimes, but he’s a wonderful man. Far superior in every way to a creep like Zane.”

Leah just laughed again. “Listen, Claire. I know that a lot of things are subjective and based on preference, but don’t say “every way.” I know at least one way that Zane is far, far superior to poor Danny Boy. I saw your husband’s cock when we got out of the water, remember?”

“Dan’s just fine,” snapped Claire irritably. “He’s average.” 

“Why settle for second best?” said Leah mockingly. “Tell you what, Zane and I are booked in room 153 for the massage. Stop by and take a peek if you want to see the real difference between Zane and your husband.”

“Why would I want to watch some whore sneaking around on her husband?” said Claire with a smirk, bringing out the big guns in her discomfort. 

“Bill?” said Leah with a confused tilt of her head. “Oh, he knows I’m here. He even knows that I’m here with Zane. My husband is a cuckold, darling.” 

Claire recoiled with a silent look of disgust, and for the first time, Leah looked mildly annoyed. “Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it,” she said sharply. “Anyway. based on what I know about Danny, I think he might be a little more receptive to the idea that you are.”

“How dare you?” said Claire furiously, finally rising from her bench. “My husband and I aren’t hopeless perverts like you and Bill apparently are. Dan would never enjoy something like that.”

“Are you sure?” Asked Leah calmly, her cool amusement apparently restored by Claire’s outburst. “Here’s a suggestion, sweetie… Tease Danny Boy a little next time you’re in bed. Not about you, that would make it too obvious… about me. Ask him about the story I told you and about Zane and I’s relationship and see how he reacts. It might surprise you.”

“I don’t have to listen to this,” said Claire in disgust, grabbing her discarded robe and turning to leave. She paused for one last second though. Leah wasn’t a reliable source of information, but it couldn’t hurt to ask. 

“What is Zane’s game exactly?” Claire asked sharply. “Why is he being such an asshole to me and Dan?” She was afraid that she already knew the answer, but she didn’t want to say it. Didn’t even want to think it. 

In any case, Leah was no help. She simply smiled enigmatically and said, “Sorry darling, I could tell you… but I wouldn’t want to spoil the surprise.”

What the fuck was that supposed to mean?

…

Claire stalked through the halls of the spa, glaring at any member of the staff who tried to assist her. Today was supposed to have been a day of relaxation, but instead she was more stressed and furious than ever. 

Furious at Dan for lying to her. He had never told Zane that their friendship was off like he promised to. Couldn’t even handle one moment of confrontation. 

Furious at Leah for her smart mouth and her knowing eyes and the filthy implications of her words.

But most of all, furious at Zane for refusing to leave her alone. For pushing and pushing and needling her to the breaking point. 

Technically, she was supposed to report to room 123 for her couples massage with Dan, but she wasn’t sure that she wanted to see him right now. 

What should she do?

Option A) Maybe she should just attend the couple’s massage with Dan. She had some questions for him about what Leah had said… and despite her disgusted reaction to Leah’s suggestion, she was a little curious what Dan’s reaction would be if she teased him about Leah. If only for her peace of mind, to be certain he had no cuckold tendencies. Maybe she could fool around with him a little and see what effect teasing had on him…

Option B) Leah had told her what room she and Zane would be in, and implied that it would be quite a show if she stopped by. Well, maybe she should. Not because she thought it would be erotic in the slightest, but just because the sad, disgusting sight of a troll like Zane trying to fuck a beautiful woman like Leah might give Eliza a mental image she could picture the next time Zane tried to act like a big shot.  She was sure it would deflate his image in her mind and make it easier to treat him with contempt.

Option C) Claire didn’t want to see anyone else right now. She wanted to be alone. Or no, better yet, she wanted to find a hunky guy and flirt with him (harmlessly obviously, she wasn’t a whore like Leah). Maybe she could go get a solo massage with the cutest masseuse in the building and wind him up a little bit. Show that she was a woman who was desirable to men who weren’t liars like Dan or disgusting perverts like Zane. Just a little cathartic flirting to blow off steam, and then she would leave the hunk with blue balls and return to extract a thorough apology from her husband.