Trading Places

“I must look like shit.”

“No,” Erica said. She wrapped her arms around Franky’s neck and surveyed her red eyes and tear-stained cheeks. “I know that must have been awful. Breakups can be so painful.”

“The best things are born out of pain. Of course it’s painful.”

Erica had never thought of pain as necessary or ennobling. But Franky’s statement was not without merit. She thought of some of the bigger decisions she had made in her life. Leaving her plum job at her father’s firm. Leaving her long-term fiance. Both those decisions had been very painful, but ultimately they had led her to Franky’s arms. Maybe the best things are born out of pain.

Franky broke free of Erica’s embrace and moved hastily to the refrigerator. She grabbed two beers and placed them on the kitchen counter, flicking the tops off with a bottle opener so they scattered across the laminate. Then she walked over to the living area and took a seat on the couch. On the way she handed a beer to Erica who remained standing near the doorway.

Erica hesitated for a moment, looking over at Franky who took a sizeable gulp of her beer. She took a deep breath before walking over and quietly taking a seat next to Franky on the couch. She curled her legs up on to the cushion and turned to face her. She took a small sip of her own beer.

“Franky,” Erica asked tentatively, “I know you’ve given up everything for me. And I know how scary that must be.”

Franky turned her head and contemplated Erica for a moment. “it’s not scary,” she said matter of factly. “I’m sad that I hurt Bridget and Pauline, but giving something up to chase what I want doesn’t scare me.” Franky reached over and tucked one of Erica’s long blonde curls behind her ear. Erica smiled at her.

“There is something that scares me, but,” Franky continued.

“What is it?” Erica asked, a hint of worry in her voice.

“Losing control.”

“What do you mean?”

Franky took another gulp of beer. Her emotional intelligence had come a long way since Erica first met her at Wentworth, but some Dutch courage still helped when it came to confessing her fears. “I want you so much, Erica. Always have. But I feel as though I’m half-blinded by passion when I’m with you. Everything else seems blurred and unimportant except me and you. All my life I’ve wanted to be in control and sure of where I’m going. None of my relationships have ever diverted me from that. Now I’m with you, I feel as though I might have lost my rudder or something. I would give up anything for the feel of my hands on your body. Your hands on mine.” She took another sip. “That’s not control.”

Franky looked at Erica nervously. The blonde’s eyes had not moved from hers while she had been speaking, her expression had not changed. Franky wasn’t sure what she expected Erica would say, but she certainly didn’t expect her to throw her head back and laugh.

“What?” Franky pushed at Erica’s leg to get her to speak.

Erica’s laughter eased. She reached over and took Franky’s beer from her hand and placed it on the coffee table along with her own. She climbed on top of Franky, straddling her lap. Franky couldn’t help but smile at the happiness in Erica’s face but she still wanted to know what had gotten into her. “What is it?” she said, shaking her by the hips.

Erica pushed some dark brown hair out of Franky’s face and kissed her on the forehead. “Don’t you realise I feel the exact same way?” she said.

“What do you mean?”

“I’ve always been incredibly attracted to who you are - both inside and out. But for the longest time I didn’t trust myself around you. I was worried that my attraction and my desires would get the better of me. That I would lose control of myself.”

“Okaaaay…” Franky said the word slowly, encouraging Erica to continue.

“The thing is, losing control doesn’t scare me anymore because I trust you. I don’t feel like I would be losing control, I’d be willingly giving control to you in that moment. And I trust that you would always take care of me.”

Franky nodded. It was true she would never take advantage of Erica under any circumstance.

“Do you trust me?” Erica continued.

Franky looked into Erica’s eyes. She took a moment to think. A welcome calm passed over her. “Yeah, I do,” she replied.

“Then we both have nothing to be scared of.”

Erica leaned forward and kissed Franky. It was slow and passionate, and had a lack of urgency that both women revelled in. It was the most intimate kiss they had ever shared.

******

The following day, a Saturday, Erica had to go into the office to do some work with a junior colleague who had requested her help. Along with doing some work on some of her own cases, she expected she would be gone all day. She and Franky arranged to meet up later that evening in the city at a book shop in Carlton. A college friend of Erica’s had just had her first novel published and they were meeting there to celebrate seeing it on sale. It would be Franky’s first time meeting any of Erica’s friends.

Franky began the day with a morning run, and as she pounded the pavement she thought about her own work and friends. She would be back at work on Monday and that, of course, was where a lot of her friends also spent their business hours. She presumed they would all be aware by now of she and Bridget’s breakup. Many of them considered Bridget their friend, also. It would be awkward seeing them all for the first time at the office when she should be concentrating on work. She would feel a lot more comfortable if she’d spoken to at least one of them beforehand. When she got back to the apartment, she dared herself and rang Sylvie.

“Franky, is that you?” Sylvie had answered the phone in quick time.

“Yes,” Franky said limply.

“I need to see you,” Sylvie quickly put paid to any concern Franky may have had that she wouldn’t have a bar of her.

“Yeah, I was calling hoping to catch up.”

“I’m stuck at my parents’ house for lunch, but are you doing anything tonight?”

Franky thought. Suddenly things seemed complicated. “I’m meeting ….er, somebody in town.”

“Where? When?”

‘It’s at a book shop in Carlton. At half past six.”

“We could meet before.”

Sylvie was insistent. They could meet at quarter to six at a bar she knew off Lygon St. When Franky arrived at twenty to six, breathless and nervous, Sylvie was already there at an outside table, nursing a glass of wine and a cigarette. When Franky approached she stood up and hugged her. “I’m glad you called me,” Sylvie said.

They sat down together. Franky ordered a wine. “I’m glad you’re glad,” she said. “I feel I’ve let people down.”

Sylvie looked at her. “Why?”

That was unexpected, and Franky didn’t feel prepared for it. She had come in order to be given a hard time, to be made feel guilty.

“There’s Bridget.”

Sylvie lit another cigarette and gave a half-smile. “Yes, there is Bridget.”

“Have you seen her?”

“Yes.”

“How is she?”


“She’s fine. You know Bridget, she’s strong. You can tell she’s heartbroken, though. Is that what you want to hear? But she will recover. Not many people die of heartbreak.”

Franky took a sip of her wine. “I hope so. I’m sorry, Sylvie, I feel as if I’ve just come back from overseas or something and I’m out of touch with what’s going on.”

There was a silence that obviously embarrassed both of them.

“How’s Clive?” Franky blurted desperately.

“He’s in love again,” said Sylvie. “Some chick named Gail. I haven’t met her yet but I hear she’s good fun.”

Another silence. Sylvie fixed Franky with a pensive expression. “What’s she like?” she asked.

Franky felt herself going red and oddly tongue-tied. She realised with an ache of something she didn’t quite understand that it - she and Erica - had been a hidden activity and none of it had ever been put into words for the benefit of others. They’d never arrived at a party together. There was nobody who saw them as a couple. Now there was Sylvie, curious for herself, but also, Franky suspected, a delegation despatched from the crew at work to forage for information she could bring back for them to pick at. Franky had an impulse to keep it secret for a while longer. She wanted to retreat back to Erica’s apartment once more, just the two of them. She didn’t want to be possessed and gossiped and speculated about by other people. Even the thought of Erica and her body sent ripples through her. She suddenly dreaded the idea of routine, of being Erica and Franky who lived somewhere and owned possessions in common and went to things together. And yet she also desperately wanted it.

“God,” Franky said. “I don’t know what to say. Well I suppose you know her name is Erica and … well … being with her has been nothing like I have ever experienced before.”

“I know,” said Sylvie. “It’s wonderful at the beginning, isn’t it?”

Franky shook her head. “It’s not like that. Look, all my life I’ve always had great luck with women. Every girlfriend I’ve had has been nice, fun to be with, good looking, good in bed. I’ve never wanted for anything in that regard. But since I’ve been with Erica all those things have gone to a whole never level. I don’t know how to explain it. We just have a connection…it’s indescribable.”

Sylvie’s well-shaped eyebrows shot up. It was strange to hear Franky speak so intensely about a relationship. “How long have you been seeing her?” Sylvie asked.

“A few weeks.”

“And you’ve been in bed the whole time.” Franky didn’t reply. “You’re already moving in with her?”

“It looks like it.”

Sylvie puffed at her cigarette. “So it’s the real thing.”

“It’s something. I’ve been knocked sideways by it.”

Sylvie leaned forward with a roguish expression. “You should be careful. It’s always like this at the beginning. You’re all over each other, obsessed with each other. You both want to fuck all the time, you’re telling her to sit on your face, that sort of thing -“

“For fuck’s sake, Sylvie.”

“Well, you do,” she said pertly, relieved to be back on familiar territory, reckless Sylvie talking dirty. “Or at least metaphorically. You should just be careful, that’s all. I’m not saying you shouldn’t do it. Enjoy. Do it all, go wild, as long as neither of you is actually put at a physical risk.”

“What are you talking about?”

She looked prim all of a sudden. "You know."

They ordered more wine and Sylvie continued to grill Franky, until she looked at her phone and saw it was just a few minutes until half past. She reached for her wallet. “I’ve gotta go,” she said quickly. After she’d paid, Sylvie followed her out on to the sidewalk. “So which way are you going?’ I’ll come along with you, Franky, if that’s all right.”

“Why?”

“There’s a book I need to buy,” she said brazenly. “You’re going to a book shop, right?”

“It’s fine,” Franky said. “You can meet her. Doesn’t worry me.”

“I just want a book,” Sylvie said.

It was only a couple of minutes’ walk away, an independent bookstore that was renowned for stocking Australian authors.

“Is she here? Sylvie asked, as they walked inside.

“I can’t see her,” Franky said. “You’d better go ahead and find your book.”

Sylvie mumbled something doubtful and they both wandered around. Franky felt a touch from behind and then arms around her, someone nuzzling her neck. She turned round. Erica. She put her arms around Franky in the way that felt as if they were wrapped around her twice. “Franky,” she said. Franky was surprised at how openly affectionate Erica was being in public. Pleasantly surprised.

Erica let her go and Franky saw there were two women with her looking amused. The were both attractive and sophisticated-looking, like Erica. One had very light brown, almost blonde hair, smooth skin, prominent cheekbones. The other was darker, with very long wavy brown hair. Erica gestured to the blonde woman. “This is Deanne,” she said. “And this is Kate.”

“Good to meet you, Franky,” Deanne said. She sounded foreign, Scandinavian maybe. Erica hadn’t introduced her but they knew her name. Erica must have told them about her. They looked at her appraisingly, Erica’s lesbian lover. Franky stared right back, willing herself to hold their gaze. She felt a presences at her shoulder. Sylvie. “Erica, this a friend of mine, Sylvie.”

Erica smiled. “Good to meet you, Sylvie.”

“Yes,” Sylvie said. “I mean, hello.” She stared at Erica, mesmerised, but Erica turned her attention back to Franky. “Deanne and Kate might seem a bit out of it. They’ve just returned from a trip to London.” Erica took hold of Franky’s hand, entwining their fingers. “We’re going to the bar round the corner. Want to come?” This last was addressed to Sylvie and she looked back to her.

“No,” Sylvie said, almost as if she had been offered a very tempting, but very dangerous, drug. “No, no. I’ve, er, got to …”

“She’s got to buy a book,” Franky said.

“Yes,” she said, falteringly. “And other things. I’ve got to.”

“Some other time,” Erica said, and she and Franky left with Deanne and Kate. Franky turned and gave Sylvie a wink, as if she was on a train that was pulling out of a station and leaving her behind. Stacey looked aghast, or awestruck, or something. As they walked Franky removed her hand from Erica’s and placed it possessively around her hip.

When they arrived at the bar the foursome sought out a table and sat down. Kate went to the counter and bought a bottle of wine and returned clutching it and four glasses.

“So you guys are old friends?” Franky asked.

“Yes, we shared a dorm at college,” Deanne said.

“Kate and Deanne were lucky enough to take interesting classes like Literature and Creative Writing while I was stuck in the Law building,” Erica added.

“What’s your book about, Deanne?” Franky asked.

Deanne chuckled. “It’s a police procedural. Lots of sex and violence. Short stories have always been my passion but eventually I sold out.”

“It’s a great book though,” Erica interjected. “You’d love it, Franky.”

“Are you a big reader, Franky?” Kate asked.

“For sure.”

“What’s your favourite book?”

“Umm…” Franky thought for a moment. “I’d have to go with Madame Bovary.” She turned and winked at Erica who smiled and blushed slightly. They both remembered when Franky first read that book when she was at Wentworth. The story of a woman who has adulterous affairs to escape the banalities and emptiness of provincial life - the parallels with Erica’s situation at the time were undeniable.

Franky took a sip of wine, leaned back and watched the conversation about favourite books continue. She felt a glowing pleasure in seeing Erica and Deanne and Kate discussing a topic that was of great interest to them. She liked that all the books were ones she had read herself and also enjoyed. She sneaked a glance at Erica’s face. The enthusiasm in her expression reminded Franky of something and then she remembered. It was the expression she had worn when Franky had first spoken with her. When they discussed the possibility of Franky completing her HSC at Wentworth.

Later, after they had gotten into bed, neither of them bothering with the pretence of pyjamas, Erica asked Franky about Sylvie. “What did she say?” she asked.

“She wanted to know about you,” Franky said. Erica nodded. Franky gave her a kiss, biting her full lower lip slightly, then harder. “And she said I should enjoy it. So long as no one got hurt.” Franky’s hand that had been caressing Erica’s back suddenly held her down on the bed. Her lips were against Erica’s ear. “But I think you might want me to hurt you.” She dragged her teeth along Erica’s earlobe. “Just a little bit.”

Franky pushed herself off Erica and knelt up on the bed. She instructed Erica to get on her hands and knees and Erica nervously obeyed. Silence and anticipation filled the room. Then suddenly a sharp sting radiated from Erica’s behind as a loud crack echoed off the walls of the bedroom. Erica yelped. She screamed again as a second swat thrashed against her flesh. This time she felt Franky’s hand affectionately caress her after the impact. Another one came, then another, and another. Each time the wicked sting was followed by soft massaging touches on Erica’s now flaming skin. By the tenth swat Erica’s cries had turned into erotic moans of pleasure. The spanking aroused her in ways she had never experienced. Each slap was torturous pleasure. The hardest of Franky’s spanks came crashing against Erica’s now sensitive bottom with enough force to make her fall face down on to the bed.

Franky was unperturbed. “Lay on your back and get comfortable,” she said. “And close your eyes.”

Erica gingerly turned over and settled in the middle of the bed. She lay motionless with her arms at her sides, her punished behind burning beneath her. She closed her eyes. She heard Franky’s footsteps, then a long period of silence.

“Spread your arms and legs out.”

Erica stretched her arm toward the sound of Franky’s voice. She felt something cold wrap tightly around her wrist. “What is that?” she asked.

“Shh! Just trust me. Keep your eyes closed.”

Again Erica heard Franky’s movements, then felt another foreign object wrap around her. This time it was around her ankle. She heard footsteps on the opposite side of the bed. The same objects were now wrapped tightly around Erica’s other ankle and wrist.

“You can open them now,” Franky said.

Erica opened her eyes. She turned her head to the side and caught a glimpse of a black cuff attached to her wrist with pink rope tied to it that disappeared under the bed. Erica pulled on her wrist but it barely moved. Turning her head to the other side, her other wrist was restrained in the same manner. Looking at the foot of the bed, she saw her ankles were also bound. Franky was standing at the foot of the bed between her legs.

“What are you doing?” Erica whispered.

Franky only smiled in response. She climbed onto the bed, crawling seductively on top of Erica’s naked body. She stopped with her face just inches from Erica’s. Her dark hair draped down around Erica’s head, providing a barrier from the outside world as they stared into each other’s eyes. Erica smiled, her eyes glistening. “Kiss me, Franky.”

Erica got her wish. They closed their eyes and their soft full lips pressed together. The tip of Franky's tongue entered Erica's inviting mouth and she accepted it by sucking it inside. Erica pulled against her restraints, cursing the fact she finally had her lips pressed against Franky but couldn't fully embrace her. Erica whimpered when Franky withdrew from her. Franky ran her fingers through Erica's hair then stroked her cheeks with the back of her hand before going in for another kiss. A deep, hungry tongue-filled kiss.

Franky pressed her body against Erica's and nuzzled into her neck, taking in the sweet scent of Erica's hair then started kissing, licking, sucking. The slow rhythmic grinding of their bodies together was driving Erica crazy. The tickling sensation of Franky's tongue running the length of her neck felt incredibly erotic.

Franky sat up then straddled Erica's waist. She smiled down at Erica as she ran her fingertips across her restrained lover's skin. Down her neck, across her collarbone, along her arms and back again. Everywhere Franky touched made Erica's skin tingle.

Erica gasped and exhaled deeply when those fingertips ran across the tops of her breasts. Franky's delicate touch changed to full caressing palms that grazed across Erica's sensitive nipples, making Erica's body twitch involuntarily.

"Sensitive?" Franky grinned.

Erica nodded. Her breathing intensified. She let out a soft mewl as Franky played with her breasts, kneading, squeezing, grazing just the palm of her hand against her swollen nubs. Despite the restraints, Erica was able to squirm just a little bit. Each time she did, Franky revelled in Erica's delightful torment.

Franky gave Erica a quick kiss on the lips, then made a trail of kisses from her neck slowly down to her breasts. First she kissed the left nipple several times then softly sucked it into her mouth, seductively staring into Erica’s blue eyes. Then she grasped Erica's right breast firmly, hungrily sucking her other nipple, finishing with a slight nibble.

Erica's frustration mounted. The restraints held her in place, and Franky took pleasure in Erica's denial of release. Erica bucked and moaned as Franky toyed with her breasts. She was completely at Franky's mercy.

After Franky feasted on Erica's breasts for what felt like forever, she trailed her tongue down her sternum to her flat stomach. Erica wiggled against her, hoping she wouldn't stop there. She gasped when she felt a hand cup her between her thighs. Three fingers slowly rubbed against her slick folds. Franky knew exactly where to touch, how hard, and how fast. Erica whined when Franky's hand retreated.

“You’re so wet," Franky said, and examined her glistening fingers. She seductively sucked on two of her fingers, closing her eyes as she savoured the taste. “But you’re not the only one.”

Erica watched wide-eyed as Franky crawled on all fours up her body. Once she reached Erica's face, she planted her knees on both sides of her head. Erica had an up close and personal view of Franky's sex, but she it was just out of reach of her mouth. Franky brought her own hand down and began playing with herself, her fingers rubbing in circles around her swollen clit. Erica watched, captivated, as Franky slid two fingers inside herself, moaning softly as she did. Erica tilted her head forward as far she could but still could not reach her goal.

"Do you want to taste me?” Franky asked.

Erica nodded.

Franky traced Erica's lower lip with a slick index finger. Erica licked Franky's juices from her lips before Franky stuck both fingers into Erica's eager mouth. The taste of Franky's nectar was blissfully intoxicating.

"Do you like it?" Franky asked, pulling her fingers from Erica's mouth.

Erica was completely under her spell. "Yes," she hissed. "I want more. Please."

With a few small scoots forward Erica could feel the heat coming from Franky's sex. She stuck out her tongue, trying to lick the moist cunt that was perched above her lips, but it was still barely out of reach. "Please," Erica whined.

"Please, what?"

"Please! Let me taste you properly!”

Finally, Erica’s request was fulfilled. Franky lowered herself and Erica wasted no time running her tongue up the full length of her slit, taking her essence into her mouth. She savoured Franky's taste before exploring further with her tongue. She found Franky's clit and gave it a tender lick with the tip of her tongue.

“Yeah, right there,” Franky cooed.

Following Franky's guidance, Erica flicked her tongue repeatedly across Franky's clit. Franky moaned between short pants of breath when Erica encased her clit with her mouth.

“Don’t stop, Erica.”

Erica basked in the pleasure she was bringing her lover. Each blissful cry of pleasure that came from Franky's lips only drove Erica to intensify the movements of her lips and tongue. A scream of pure ecstasy filled the room that sent Erica's mouth into overdrive. She sucked on Franky's throbbing clit hard, sending shock-waves of pleasure throughout Franky’s entire body. The pressure of Franky's thighs on Erica's face deprived Erica of oxygen but in that moment she didn't care. All that mattered was Franky's orgasm, and she was well rewarded as Franky cried out her release.

"Holy shit!" Franky said as she leaned backward, breathing heavily. “I think you have a gift for that.”

"You know, you're pretty gifted at it yourself," Erica not so subtly hinted.

“Aww," Franky pouted between breaths. “Are you ready to come too?” Erica quickly nodded her head in response. “It’s too bad you’re tied up and I can do what I want.”

“Come on, Franky! I can't take much more of this…”

Franky gave her a devilish grin. "You're so cute when you beg.”

Franky climbed off the bed then crawled back in between Erica's stretched legs. She leisurely ran her tongue from Erica's knee to her inner thigh. Slowly, she kissed from that spot up to Erica’s sex. She blew air from her mouth directly onto Erica’s clit.

"Fuck! You're such a fucking tease!" Erica cried in blissful agony.

Erica quivered as Franky traced her index finger around her aching clit. Franky sucked on her index finger then reapplied it to Erica's button, harassing her further. Erica bucked against her, pulling at her restraints, wishing she had the strength to pull them loose. "Please," she whimpered. Franky leaned forward, took in a deep breath, then blew a long slow breath against Erica's slick pussy. The chill sent shivers up Erica's entire body. "Please!" she wailed loudly.

Erica felt the tip of Franky's tongue graze her nether lips, teasing her with slow full licks. She heard Franky hum with delight as her tongue went between Erica's wet folds. ”Oh fuck!" Erica gasped as Franky's tongue touched her clit. Small light strokes were followed by rapid flicking of Franky's tongue.

Franky stopped, climbing atop Erica's body. She kissed Erica lustfully, both of them tasting each other's essence on their tongues. Franky kept a hand on Erica's pussy, rubbing her as they tangled their tongues together.

Franky plunged two of her fingers deep inside Erica, making her gasp for air. With her eyes rolling into the back of her head, Erica wailed as Franky fucked her hard with her fingers. She moaned with delight, coming ever closer to catastrophic orgasm. Franky kissed her, letting her moan into her mouth. Erica tensed and Franky suddenly stopped before Erica reached the edge.

"Fuck! Don’t stop!"

Franky sucked her coated fingers, smiling down at Erica. “Just wait. I want to make you come with my mouth.”

Franky slid down Erica's body, moving straight to her sex. Her lips engulfed Erica's clit, sucking at it. Erica bucked against her mouth, screaming Franky’s name among strings of obscenities. Erica was consumed by lust as Franky went down on her. Finally, her exquisite torture was at an end.

With Erica's orgasm imminent, Franky used her fingers to fuck Erica as she continued sucking her clit. “Oh God!” Erica wailed as her orgasm came crashing in like an unmanned freight train. She came hard but Franky didn't even slow down. She continued to lick, suck, and fuck Erica earnestly. A few seconds later Erica's orgasm returned, even harder than the first. "Fuuuuuck!" she cried and pulled against her restraints. Franky doubled her efforts. She inserted a third finger and fucked Erica as fast as she could. A steady stream of Erica's cum flowed out of her the third and final time orgasm wrecked her body. Franky slowed down, lapping at the abundant amount of juices flowing from Erica.

Erica's heart pounded. She could hardly catch her breath. Franky unfastened the ankle restraints then crawled along Erica's body to free her wrists. Erica turned her head as Franky cuddled her naked body against Erica's side. They shared several intimate kisses, coming down from their sexual high. With her arms now free, Erica wrapped them around her lover, pulling her close. "I love you, Franky Doyle,” she said. “And I’m so happy for it to finally be out in the open."

Franky grinned, her eyes starting to tear up. "I love you, too.” They held each other, cuddling, kissing. They basked in their mutual satisfaction of one another, cherishing the moment they had taken so many years to achieve.