The Book Club

I like Literotica but it can be difficult to come up with something different and the comments are often ruthless. I try to explore alternate realities or situations with angst.
I do spell and grammar checks and proof read but bound to miss some. If that bothers you too much maybe think about reading something else.
Please check the tags, don't read it if it's not your thing. Otherwise, I hope you enjoy it, they are free and they are just stories.
Best Wishes, Satin.
***
The four of us had been best of friends since school, now in our mid-forties that felt like a lifetime ago. We married a few years apart, had families of similar ages and stilled lived close to each other. The gym and yoga helped us stay in shape, limiting weight gain to only a few pounds over the years, leaving each of us only slightly curvier. We balanced the exercise with wine and an informal book club; throughout all of that we shared details of our lives as only close female friends do.
For me 'Susan', most of that weight seemed to land on my chest, which had increased a couple of sizes to 36d. To be honest I liked that, it made me feel more feminine than when I was younger and a modest b cup. I loved classic films and favoured vintage fitted clothes, often sweeping and pinning up my long blonde curls to fit that style. I was a widow having been married to Vince before his untimely accident and had a single son Danny who I worried about constantly.
Helen had a sharp modern look which matched her personality; she was very direct and to the point and flirted shamelessly. She kept up to date with trends and changed constantly. Her black hair was worn in a variety of styles often in a chin length bob and her figure was trim. Helen's eldest Sadie was a mini version of her and had already left for college, leaving just her son Charlie at home; she worried about what life would be like as an empty nester especially as she had divorced years previously.
Jane had longer wavy auburn hair, feathered to frame her beautiful face and deep brown pools of her eyes. She had the curviest figure of us all, although far from being fat. Her style was 'business like' and professional. With two teenage girls, her life was constant drama which her husband Stu sensibly did his best to keep out of.
Dianne was the final member of the 4 musketeers, she'd been an Irish dancer when younger and still carried herself really well; she was all elegance and grace. She looked younger than her years and had what I thought was the perfect body. The curly red hair which hinted at her Irish ancestry was pulled back in a complex set of braids and knots with stray curls often hanging loose. She had twin boys who thankfully took after her rather than their pig of a father Colin.
Our latest topic was my and Helen's 19 year old sons; they were both intelligent and off to University the following Autumn. Our worries were centred on how much time they spent in their bedrooms gaming and the apparent lack of any social life.
"Honestly Helen, I can hardly get Danny out of his bedroom, and when he does he rarely communicates at all, it's mostly a series of grunts."
"It's just a parent thing, when he comes over to ours he is incredibly bright, polite and communicative. Our Charlie on the other hand is the total opposite, he doesn't have many friends, I am wondering if he might be gay."
"Is that a bad thing?" queried Jane.
"No way, we'd probably have far more in common, but I don't want him bottling things up. I just wish he'd talk to me about whatever is going on in that head of his."
Jane laughed, "He is just a typical guy, firstly there is probably nothing much going on in his head; secondly he is perfectly fine in his own world; and thirdly whatever is going on, the last people he is going to share with is his parents! Trying to work your boys out is as pointless as telling you two not to worry about them."
"God Yeah you probably right. It's ok for you, at least with girls they talk."
"Oh I don't know about that, at present it's a series of screams, rants and arguments; you don't know how lucky you are!"
"We just want to help them through things though, it's a very unsettling period of their lives and there are all sorts of horror stories about the mental health of teenagers."
Dianne seemed deep in thought, "Actually I've started reading a book on tribal traditions that relates to this discussion, I thought it might be an option for book club."
"Oh, what's it about and how come it's relevant?"
"Well I was reading about a remote Island in Papua New Guinea where they have a system for guiding young men like your two into adulthood. It's quite salacious, it sounds weird to us but there is no monogamy in their society. If a man goes hunting, he will entrust protection of his wife and children to a family member, maybe a brother or cousin. And whilst under his roof, he is entitled to bed her.
They also have something called a 'generations' ceremony. Boys coming Sahabet of age at 18 undergo various tests and rituals before they are regarded as a man of the village. It is mostly hunting, skill tasks and living alone in the jungle but their mothers arrange for them to be placed with a wife who has passed child bearing age. They often choose friends or even relatives, and it involves a lot of negotiation and bartering."
I interrupted, "So the husbands have to accept the younger generation taking their wives?"
"Sounds good to me so far," laughed Helen.
"It is a great honour for women to be involved in the ceremony, it involves a massive tribal gathering, that whips everyone up into a frenzy, they talk about dream fires, smoking herbs and trance like states. The elders instruct the young men to drop their gourds. The wives then walk up to them and escort them back to the shelters. They stay with them and have sex every night until the wife declares them competent; it can be days or even weeks. At some point the wife says you're a man now... walk with confidence. She remains as a sort of advisor and sponsor until he finds a wife of his own."
The three of us sat slightly bemused as Diane finished her tale.
Helen ventured, "Well we'd better get that added to the book club."
"Don't you think it's a bit creepy?"
Dianne responded, "To us maybe, but remember their culture is different. Oh my God, imagine if you had to choose one of us for your Danny!"
Helen sniggered, "I wouldn't mind that," when we protested she added, "Oh come on; don't look so shocked... he is a hunk."
"He's only 19 for God's sake!"
"Even better... anyway the sponsor/ advisor thing sounds like a smart idea. And sex with an experienced partner the first time would have been a lot better than what I went through at 17 in the back of my boyfriend's car; that's was nothing short of traumatic."
Jane replied, "You're so bad; what if it was your Charlie, who would he want and who would you chose?
"Oh that's easy, Susan is an absolute cougar and he has always liked her."
It was my turn express surprise, "Has he? I thought you said he might be gay?"
Jane scoffed, "Oh come off it Susan, he is certainly not gay, he's always ogling you, he can hardly tear his eyes away from your big tits."
"He does no such thing; he is a lovely well-mannered young man."
"That's true," mused Diane... "With a hard on for you."
I blushed in embarrassment and just a hint of gratification as they all burst into laughter.
***
Helen caught me the next day, "I have been thinking about book club, you know... that story. And well, I think it might have some merit, not the sex, just like as an advisor and someone to talk to."
"How do you mean?"
"Well our kids don't talk to us, but Danny chats away to me and I meant what I said yesterday about Charlie liking you. So we arrange a couple of times where we accidently bump into the boys alone and have a chat to find out what is going on with them."
"We could try it I guess, they do clam up if it's mum asking, I joked about it but I am worried about Danny. We could try talking, see if that helps them open up and confide things. We need to boost their confidence and encourage them to go out more."
***
I was surprisingly nervous waiting for Charlie, Helen was sending him around to help me 'fix' a broken gutter that I just couldn't reach. At least I pretended I couldn't reach it again, having spent ages unclipping it.
Charlie sorted it in only a few minutes, by which time a cold drink and sandwich was waiting as a small thank you, he was too polite to refuse it. I sat with him and we chatted easily. Jane was right he was checking me out... quite a bit actually, I didn't mind, it was natural at that age.
I had some old music on, Charlie asked what it was and we talked about that for a while. I thought I would have to explain vinyl to him, but he said he had a deck and went to vintage music fairs. I explained we had boxes full of old records in the garage and attic, he was welcome to look through them, I just couldn't bring myself to throw them out, despite streaming everything these days. We chatted easily about school, friends and social life.
"So is there a girlfriend anywhere on the horizon Charlie?"
"Not really, there is a girl I like but it's not quite happening."
"Any reason why?"
"It's hard to talk to her you know, guess I am just shy, really shy actually."
"Well you're talking to me just fine, can't you just be yourself?"
"It's different with you, you're always so nice and I don't have to think about it."
"Tell you what... why don't we practice; imagine I am her at a party, what could you say to me?"
"I, I have no idea... see I am useless."
"You just need a bit of practice, are you pleased to see her there?"
"Well yeah... of course."
"Great, why not start there then... go on, give it a go, if it was me what would Sahabet Giriş you say."
"Well Mrs Robinson..."
"Try Susan."
"Ok, so maybe: Hey Susan, it's really nice to see you."
"Perfect, nice and friendly."
"Yeah but what then, that's where I dry up."
"It's easy, just ask about her, everyone likes to talk about themselves and maybe drop in a compliment or two."
"So like: I haven't seen you around, have you been up to much?"
"See it's easy, you've got it. She'll probably tell you about what's happening or what she's been up to that day and you ask more about those things from there."
"I am not sure about the compliments though, they always sound so cheesy."
"Just find something genuine."
"So something like: Your dress looks really pretty."
"Ok that's not bad but try something about the person; it can be either looks or personality, as long as it's genuine."
"Well Mrs... sorry Susan; do you know I've always liked how considerate and understanding you are and that you make time to talk to me."
"Thanks Charlie that is a lovely compliment and it's no hardship, I like talking to you as well, you're great company."
Charlie pressed on, "Or something like: I think you are very attractive Susan, you're so warm and friendly."
"Oh yeah that's better, want is it you find attractive?"
"Everything, you look gorgeous and you have a fantastic figure. Your eyes are beautiful, that yellow circle in your iris sets off the green... oh ermm sorry."
We sat in silence, both feeling embarrassed, that detail was so...intimate. I had forgotten all about the small yellow fleck in my eye colour. I was flattered and didn't want Charlie to feel awkward when he was making so much progress.
"Well that's lovely of you to say, thank you. And here's me thinking you struggled to flirt with women, that was pretty smooth. If I was a girl listening to that, you would have captured my attention."
"You said to go with something honest and it just felt natural to say it. I can't seem to do that with girls, I know with you the reaction will always be kind."
"Most people are kind and trust me girls dream of getting compliments like that, you should talk to your mystery girl."
I suggested Charlie pop back to check through the old records, he seemed very keen to do just that. I was now in a surprisingly good mood and more than a little flustered, the yellow fleck in my eyes was an extraordinary thing for him to notice.
***
I met with Helen a couple of days later, we'd arranged a similar chat between her and Danny and were keen to compare notes.
Helen led the way, "Right well... I found out loads: Danny is like an open book and what a lovely young man you have. He is really ambitious, he has his courses and a career all mapped out and just from the way he spoke, I am sure he'll get there."
"Wow really, he never mentioned a career, his college choices seemed a bit random."
"Nope, the mix of Science and Maths is because he wants to work as an engineer, probably in renewable energy."
"What about his social life, I never see many friends about?"
"It sounds like he has a lot of friends at college and talks to dozens of them online; it's just different to our days. He is very bothered about you and doesn't like you worrying."
"Wow thanks Helen... that really is such a relief!"
"It's no problem; actually it was a lot of fun. What about you and Charlie, I've got to say, he is smiling more and hanging out with us a bit."
"Right so, first of all he is definitely not gay, there is a girl he likes but he doesn't have the confidence to talk to her. I talked him through what he might say to her and encouraged him to ask her out. He is extremely shy but was absolutely charming."
"Aww that's great to hear."
"I think I should keep going, help build his confidence and coach him through things."
"Absolutely, he is a changed man; just keep doing whatever you're doing."
***
I arranged for Charlie to come over again under the guise of going through our old records. I found myself wanting to look nice, getting ready in a light bra and dress, realising they made my tits bounce all over the place! I was about to change into something more conservative when the doorbell rang.
Charlie seemed to appreciate it, despite some heroic efforts not to look too obviously. We had a marvellous afternoon listening to old records with me explaining who the artists were. It was such a nostalgia fest for me, reminding me of happier times with Vince; whilst Charlie couldn't believe how many old records he heard through sampling onto newer tracks.
Charlie talked to me easily, confiding in me and seemed to hang on my every word of advice, "Is there anything else your nervous about with the girl Charlie?"
"God all of it: what to do on the date, how to act and well... kissing."
"Just be you, act naturally and don't try and force or pretend anything, Sahabet Yeni Giriş remember she'll be going through the same things."
"What is it that worries you about kissing?"
"Well, I haven't really done much of it, not properly, just a few pecks really."
"Oh that is such a shame; you'll love it once it happens."
"How far do you go on a date, it's a bit of a minefield these days. What if I do something she doesn't like and she reports me."
"Well the first date is usually just a kiss goodbye."
I could see he looked uncertain, I am not sure where the words came from but I heard myself say, "We could practice... would that help?"
His eyes lit up and I smiled in response, "I guess that's a yes."
"Ok, come and sit a bit closer, imagine you're in a car about the drop her off at home. So keep eye contact, yeah like that and lean in, tilt your head slightly and close in..."
We kissed; it felt good, really good. I was lost for few seconds before we broke apart both blushing, "There that was perfect for a first date or goodnight kiss."
"What about the second date, would that be French kissing?"
"Yes usually."
"Could we practice that?"
"Well hmm I guess we could, that should be ok. So start the same as last time and follow what I do."
We moved closer and kissed as before, after a few seconds I opened my mouth and slid my tongue into his. Our tongues touched tentatively and then with more certainty, twirling around each other. The kiss surprised me again, sending sensations all over my body. I hadn't kissed another man for over 20 years, it was so.... erotic.
His eyes opened, "Wow!"
"Yeah wow indeed."
"I am sorry if I went too far, it's because I am so attracted to you."
The large bulge in his trousers confirmed this. "It's fine, we both participated but we had better leave it at that."
The kiss played on my mind... why did it feel so good? To be desired was hot but it felt like more than that, maybe reawakening something inside me, passion and desire perhaps. It had been so long since Vince, I had not allowed anyone to get close since him.
***
I dreaded the catch up for coffee with Helen. Thankfully we exchanged some non-specific information initially before I gave her a few more details about Charlie.
I hesitated looking around before whispering, "Yeah he's absolutely lovely, it's sad that he hasn't worked things out earlier, he has missed out on so much. He shared a secret with me, he's never had a serious girlfriend! I feel so sorry for him, at his age it's just not right; it's the shyness that gets in the way and now it's built up into a major hurdle for him, he is so nervous. I don't think he has been out much and I am determined to help him find and keep a girlfriend. I am trying to talk him through it, he is doing well."
Thanks Susan you're a great friend to me and support for Charlie. I am still talking to Danny; he chats easily enough and seems really well adjusted. I think it's shyness with him as well, although I get the feeling he just hasn't met the right girl yet."
I had to tell my friend the truth, "To be honest Helen, it's gone a bit further with Charlie, I hope it's ok, we've been doing a bit of flirting; he's so shy, so I think it will help."
"Well his confidence certainly seems to be improving. He has no problem checking you out and chatting to you."
"I think it's because I am older... it's safer."
"Nonsense, it's a lot more basic than that, he was very excited to see you again, tell me you aren't enjoying the attention?"
"Is it ok if I say 'yes', it's nice for me, having been alone for so long since Vince."
***
We arranged our usual girls get away to Dianne's parents cottage in the Lake District: good food, wine and a hot tub... bliss. No kids, the husbands were looking after the remaining straggling children.
The four of us were chilling in swimsuits around the hot tub, with wine of course; when Danny and Charlie turned up. They claimed to be nearby and decided to call in to say hello, which seemed unusual but not completely implausible.
I could see Charlie was looking at me, I realised my nipples were prominent but didn't bother covering up. I thought Danny was glancing at Helen, Dianne and Jane, they weren't too subtle about it, maybe that shyness was easing off to some degree. Dianne insisted they had dinner before deciding what to do. There was plenty of space in the cottage, but it was supposed to be a girl's weekend.
We changed, shared the making of dinner and sat around a table enjoying both it and the company. It was lovely to see Danny and Charlie so at ease and communicative.
We were relaxing after dinner when Danny brought up the true reason for their visit, "We realise what you have been doing, the chats and support seemed a bit odd, once me and Charlie compared notes it made more sense."
"Sorry, what do you mean?"
Charlie continued, "Its fine we really appreciate how much you care and you have been a tremendous help to me Susan."
Damn we were caught but continued to play dumb, before Danny added, "Then we noticed the book you've been reading as part of book club and well we're wondering what you had in mind?"