ENTWINED on the bed with music pumping in the background, a couple slowly start to undress, kiss and caress each other’s bodies before having full-blown sex.
The scene unfolding in front of me is a far cry from my usual Saturday night watching the TV.
But tonight I am attending a high-end, exclusive sex soiree in a private members’ club in the heart of London’s Mayfair.
And the couple’s passionate encounter is designed to entice the diners in the room to put down their cutlery and follow their lead.
Welcome to Feast Of Temptation. It’s 7pm and the atmosphere in the room is already at boiling point.
By day, I’m a normal mum of two, but tonight I’ve been given exclusive access to the summer event where around 100 guests — made up of singles, couples and groups — pay up to £180 each for eight hours of debauchery.
Post dinner, there’s twosomes, threesomes and orgies, as well as bondage in the specially kitted-out dungeon.
Some of the machines there wouldn’t look out of place in my gym — and I hope those who use them are as keen on the anti-bac wipes as my fellow gym-goers
I walk nervously into the bar area, greeted by the sight of a scantily-clad woman in a giant Perspex martini glass, filled with liquid.
Sprawled on a nearby table are two women, their bodies dotted with canapes.
The guests are encouraged to help themselves, without using their hands.
There is no mistaking the kind of decadence to come.
The room is filled with guests in their twenties through to their sixties, and whilst some are dressed in kink outfits, others are the epitome of elegance, their outfits made of either lace or chiffon.
Some of the men are impeccably smart in black tie or dapper in kilts, while others are in rubber.
The air is filled with a sense of anticipation.
Organiser Zara DuRose, 35, has been putting on erotic events in London and Brighton for the past ten years.
She tells me: “There’s kink on tap, from a bed in the middle of the room to the dungeon and private corners, too, so it’s up to you what you do with that.
“We provide all the ingredients for a night of passion, but there’s no pressure to take part. Some people just come to watch.
“Many are very wealthy, we have a fair few millionaires.”
At the bar, I begin chatting to two ordinary-looking couples in their 50s, who tell me they often swap partners and are “open to anything”.
As we make our way to the opulent ball room, I’m handed a rose by one of Zara’s team.
There’s kink on tap, from a bed in the middle of the room to the dungeon and private corners too, so it’s up to you what you do with that
Organiser Zara Durose
She says that if I fancy being involved in the immersive performances, in order to signal that I want to be more than a bystander (which I don’t), I simply put the flower in the vase on my table.
I’m also given a no-nonsense booklet which spells out the rules of the night.
It states: “Consent is key, boundaries are sacred and discretion is absolute. So relax, let go and prepare for a night unlike any other. Strictly no photos or filming…”
At 8pm, guests settle down to a hearty three-course meal.
Bruschetta, roast chicken and dark chocolate pecan cake are on the menu, served with wine.
I’m far too nervous to eat, but there are empty plates everywhere.
Glam Zara Durose poses with Mel Fallowfield[/caption]
Matt, who went to the exclusive sex soiree alone, poses with the event’s organiser Zara Durose[/caption]
Rosy, left, and Margo, right, were hostesses at the private members club in London’s posh Mayfair and welcomed guests with roses and pamphlets[/caption]
Matt watches on as a performer is being fed strawberries by another woman[/caption]
It must be very good food because if I was undressing to impress, I wouldn’t risk the post-meal bloat.
However, the guests I meet here are looking for much more than just a good feed and a glass of icy cold sauvignon blanc.
Emily*, 43, a mum-of-two who’s there with her husband Ed*, 48, tells me: “This is my first time at a party – we’re always up for experimenting sexually and this was our next step.
“While I’m not a lesbian, I love looking at women and would be keen to see what it’s like to be with one, which is why we’re here.
“I’m not sure what will happen but I’m really excited.”
Any nerves she may have had as a first timer certainly melt away and I spot her later letting another woman wind a rope seductively around her thigh.
I chat to another couple, shop owners Corinna* and Richard*, both 42.
Mum-of-three Corinna tells me: “I’m bisexual and Richard enjoys watching me with another woman. We used to see an escort but feel safe enough to branch out a bit.
“We are happily married and this is just part of our relationship.
“We’ve taken everything very slowly in our journey as we don’t want to jeopardise our relationship or our kids’ lives.
‘Women are in charge‘
“But it’s something we both love. I was so nervous before I got here, I didn’t know what to wear or what it would be like – but I’m loving it. So far I’ve kissed a blonde woman and I’m going back for more now!”
Oddly, the event is not seedy at all, but I’m intrigued to find out more about the men who attend alone.
I meet Matt, 59, a funeral director from south London who is by himself.
He says: “The last time I went to one of these events a woman invited me to the playroom and we ended up on the bed with ten other couples all having sex.
“I get very excited prior to parties. This is my third one.
“Between my work and looking after my mother with dementia I’ve been single for years. This is my way of letting off steam. You never know what might happen, and that’s fine. I’ll enjoy the spectacle anyway.”
There’s certainly plenty to watch as a stream of half naked performers take to the stage, including a woman and a man who go by the names Bunny and Felix.
I was so nervous before I got here, I didn’t know what to wear or what it would be like – but I’m loving it
Mum-of-three Corinna
I wince as I watch their erotic fire show but 37-year-old Jerry, an accountant from Milton Keynes, sitting on my table reassures me: “I’ve had that done to me – it’s not painful or dangerous, it feels a bit like having hot wax dripped on you, a fleeting sensation.”
A performer lies down and is dotted with canapes to encourage guests to help themselves, without using their hands[/caption]
It’s not something I’ll be repeating at home with my husband.
Jerry goes on to tell me the event is very much underpinned by what the female guests want to happen.
“It’s all about consent, women are in charge,” he explains.
“Even if you’re getting down to it, it’s vital to check in at every stage that she’s still happy to carry on. I’ve been naked on a bed with a woman who wanted to stop and that’s fine.”
As the performances wind up with the live sex show, everyone starts to mingle.
Permission is key here, and men ask for mine just to sit beside me. How chivalrous!
The last time I went to one of these events a woman invited me to the playroom and we ended up on the bed with ten other couples all having sex
Matt
Whilst chatting to Jerry, I notice that a couple sitting close by are certainly in the mood as he starts stroking between her legs.
Next, I head to the playroom which is seductively lit and the moans of pleasure are punctuated by the thwack of a whip.
Meanwhile, Matt is having hot wax dripped onto him.
Matt eating off a performer’s body at the event[/caption]
Lady Catnis holding a rose at the event[/caption]
Performer Ada is suspended during the kinky soiree[/caption]
It’s quite the sight but one which is well policed. Zara explains: “We have staff everywhere to check that everything is safe and consensual.
“We particularly keep an eye out for people being too drunk to consent. If they’re with someone who is sober, we’ll ask them to take them home. Not as a punishment but so they don’t do anything they’ll regret.
“Otherwise, we’ll sit them down and give them water until we think they’re ok to go home alone. I’ve only ever had issues with a handful of people, most recently someone who thought having sex with performers was part of the ticket price.”
In the ballroom, four people are on the bed and other chairs and unusual contraptions are occupied too.
Standing in the centre of the room is a stunning blonde woman who enthusiastically whips men who approach her, whilst her husband watches with lust in his eyes.
It is one sight too many for my tired eyes and I decide I have seen enough for one night
In time-honoured fashion I make my excuses and leave, alone of course.
My usual Saturday night of chocolate buttons and The Big Bang Theory awaits me.
And after a night of moans and whips, I’d never been so happy to hear my husband snoring.
Two women putting on immersive shows for diners[/caption]
Guests are handed a rose by the hostesses, which is used as signal to request to be involved in the performances[/caption]
What is Swinging?
SWINGING, also known as partner swapping, is a sexual activity where partners in a committed relationship engage in sexual activities with other people.
All parties involved must give explicit and enthusiastic consent.
Open and honest communication between partners is crucial.
Many swingers engage with a community or attend events specifically for swinging.
Such activity can enhance intimacy and trust within the primary relationship.
It provides an opportunity to explore sexual fantasies and desires.
But it is not suitable for every relationship and requires a strong foundation of trust.
Jealousy and emotional challenges may arise and need to be managed.