TITLE    : Ripples in a Cuckolds Pond Ch. 02
STORYID  : ripples-in-a-cuckolds-pond-ch-02
SUMMARY  : Nick, Nicole, David, and Cassidy.
AUTHOR   : JayCuck@lit
DATE     : 2015-02-22
CATEGORY : interracial-erotic-stories
FLAGS    : 
TAGS     : |interracial|voyeur|cuckold|hotwife|girlfriend|party|


<i>Please Read!!

I've started a new series with Nick and Nicole. This series will feature, creampies, chastity belt usage, lesbian encounters, dom/sub situations and of course, lots of messy sex (the best kind).  

I want to thank everyone who takes the time to read this series. I especially want to thank those of you who have emailed me or provided feedback. I really do appreciate it and I hope you enjoy this new direction. 

Troll Alert (Trigger Warning - if you're so sensitive you need it): If you don't like cuckold/hotwife stories you won't like this one. Save your energy, righteous indignation, and your ugly comments for another story. </i>





Tension is a living, breathing thing, and don't let anyone tell you differently. It grows, twists, and writhes around people, impairing judgments and worsening situations. As David stepped into my office, the simmering tension between myself and Nicole boiled over, growing and spreading malevolently. 

"Nick." David's deep voice slid under the tension. "I apologize for not calling first, and I appreciate you seeing me."

"David."

He stopped in front of my desk, standing next to Nicole. While he spared her a glance, his attention focused on me. <i>Mano y Mano</i>. Our situation could only be solved between the two of us, and we both knew it. Our eyes had locked the minute he stepped into the room, and we both measured each other's resolve. 

A classic pissing contest? Yeah. I won't deny it. Men like to pretend we've evolved past the cave, but inside we're all knuckle-dragging brutes, and some situations can only be solved by conflict. To pretend otherwise is na&#xfffd;ve in the extreme.

"There's been a misunderstanding."

"I'd say so, yes."

"Nick, I didn't realize you were unaware of the lunch meeting I had with Nicole and the phone call." He paused. "Assumptions. We all make them, and most times, they come back to bite us in the ass. I should have said something at dinner, and I apologize for not doing so."

"It's not your fault." Nicole's voice interrupted our staring contest, and she took a small step forward. "Nick. I should have told you about my meetings with David. It's my fault, not his, and you shouldn't blame him."

"We've covered that already. The end result is that you both kept something from me. Something important. I know it, you know it. You can't set a strong foundation on lies."

"I think you're overstating things."

"Bullshit." I snorted. "I'm not a lawyer, but I well aware of the truth, the <i>whole </i>truth, and nothing but the truth. I didn't get that from you two, so how can I trust either of you again?"

"Nick!" Nicole admonished, and anger flashed in her eyes. "Both of us have apologized. What do you want...a pound of flesh?"

I started to snap back at her, but David held up a hand, motioning for patience. 

"Please. If I may," he began. "I apologize Nick. I'll say it again. If we can get past this, then I will take responsibility to keeping you informed. You and I can have lunch once a week, or golf, or whatever. We won't keep anything from you."

"Agreed." Nicole said quietly. "This is just a bump in the road."

Nicole and David traded a small, quick smile, before their eyes landed on me. Silence joined Tension in the room, and made their presence felt, as I considered the situation. 

Did I believe David? Yeah, I have to say I did. I'm neither na&#xfffd;ve nor inexperienced with negotiations, and that's what this situation was, a negotiation. David's bearing, his manner, and his expression all conveyed sincerity. If he was lying, I couldn't see it. 

Nicole. How do you critically evaluate the woman you love? I'm not entirely sure, but like David, her eyes held only honesty. She wanted to restart a relationship with David. I knew it. But did I think she'd lie to me, and risk our marriage to make it happen? No. I didn't. 

The final piece of this puzzle, also happened to be the most ironic. I wanted it. No, that's not entirely correct, and if I insist on honestly from others, I needed to provide it myself. <i>I needed it. </i>Call it a perversion, an addiction, a fetish, kinky, whatever you're adjective. Slipping into the role of cuckold husband felt natural, right, and I'd craved it since our relationship with Collin ended. 

"Nick?" David's voice brought me out of my head. "How do we make this right?"

"You're fired," I replied. "If we're going to move forward, you can't be our attorney." A deep cleansing breath cleared my head, and I noticed a smile grow quickly on Nicole's face. "I accept your apologies, but know that I'm going to hold both of you accountable for making sure there are no secrets between us."

"Accepted." David said crisply. "I planned on resigning as your attorney no matter how this ended, but I'm glad we're both on the same page. I can recommend another firm, or you're welcome to find your own."

"I'll find my own, thank you." 

I barely got the words out of my mouth, before Nicole crushed me in a tight hug. 

"I love you. I love you. I love you," she whispered over and over. 

My arms encircled her, and it felt damn good to hold her body against mine. Nothing in the world felt as good as my wife. Her hair, her body, her scent. All were intoxicating. 

"I love you too."

She beamed a gorgeous smile at me, before kissing my cheek and stepping back. A sly wink flashed at me, before she stepped over to David, and melted against him. The undeniable attraction between them was so strong, that I felt it from across my desk. A physical force. It turned me on, hit every cuckold button I had, and scared the crap out of me. 

Worry, in all its forms, is the diet of a cuckold. I'd felt it before, and thought I'd gotten used to it. Wrong. Nicole had been attracted to Collin, and vice versa, but their attraction had been controlled. Not sure how else to explain it, but Collin had an innate reserve that seemed to keep things from getting out of hand. I didn't sense that same reserve from David, and it was non-existent in Nicole. 

David and Nicole had no limits to their attraction. 

As she settled next to him, molding herself against his body, he kissed her. Light at first, it grew passionate, like gasoline being thrown on a fire. My cock instantly approved, and when they broke, David whispered into her ear for a moment. 

Nicole glanced back at me, her eye found my crotch, and a knowing smile grew on her face. She whispered back at him, and they both nodded and laughed softly. 

<i>Uh-oh.</i>

***

You might remember that I told you the beginning of our relationship with David was....interesting. Well it's just getting started. Normally, I'd continue, but Cassidy's hand had made it to my crotch, and my cock was happily announcing its presence to her fingers. It would have felt amazing, and been delightfully kinky, if my wife hadn't been in the room....staring at me from the head table. 

That's right. Enough history, we're back in the present. 

David had started his speech, and I hadn't heard a word of it. He must have cracked a joke, because the audience laughed, and applause broke Nicole's laser-beam stare. Her eyes returned to David, and she smiled and clapped as well. A low-grade lust seemed to float from her eyes to David.

"Finally," Cassidy breathed in my ear. "I thought she was going to stare at you all night." With no idea what to say, I shifted in my seat a bit, and gave her a weak smile. She kissed my cheek, and removed her hand, placing it on the table. "Someone's jealous." 

"Maybe," I allowed. "Although she's probably just surprised. I don't think Cynthia mentioned anything to her either."

"She didn't."

"Is that right?" I cocked my head at her. "Something you're not telling me?"

"No. Cynthia just mentioned that you'd both be surprised."

"I'm starting to get angry with Cynthia?"

"Why?" Cassidy challenged. "Because she wants you to be happy? Because she thinks we'd be great together? You'd be here alone tonight, if it hadn't been for Cynthia. Is that what you want?"

"No," I admitted, and meant it. "I'm glad you're here."

"Just wait." A sensual smile played over her face. "The nights just beginning."

Another round of applause, perfectly timed because I had no idea how to respond to Cassidy. I've never been a guy who's inspired reckless abandon in women, and I had no idea how to handle this situation. She gave me a sly wink and focused her attention on David. Her hands also behaved themselves, so I started to pay attention as well. 

The part of the speech I caught was great. Excellent delivery. David's speech dealt with the rapidly diminishing 4th amendment, and the technology that made traditional privacy all but impossible. He struck a nice balance between both sides, and kept the audience entertained with amusing anecdotes. When he ended I wished I hadn't been so distracted, because he'd done a great job, and I found the material interesting. The crowd came to its feet when he finished, and Cassidy and I joined them. Clapping with enthusiasm. 

"Race you to the bar!" Cassidy whispered. "It's going to fill up soon. Let's go."

My kind of woman. As everyone continued clapping, we made a covert extraction to the goody-room, and found the bar almost empty. One look at us and the bartender reached for the Scotch. 

I liked this guy!

Cassidy ordered bourbon this time, Pappy Van Winkle. Ouch! If she had a flaw, I had yet to find it, and she had first-rate taste in bourbon. Expensive bourbon. Since I'd splurged on aged Scotch, I couldn't fault her for doing the same with bourbon. Besides, I'd had enough stress for one night. We were at a party, after all, so I faced her and raised my glass. 

"Toast?"

"Absolutely."

I felt a reckless smile cross my face. "Here's to staying positive, and testing negative!"

"Stop it!" She nudged me with her hip. "If we're toasting, let's be serious."

"Fine." I paused. "To new beginnings."

"To new beginnings." She clinked her glass against mine, and held my eyes. "And happy endings."

"And happy endings." I repeated. 

Our eyes held, and heat grew between us. I wanted her. Yes, I'm a cuckold husband, but I'm neither dead, nor perfect, and the attraction I felt towards Cassidy surged in intensity. 

"Nick!"

David's voice shattered our moment, and we both jumped a little. 

I recovered first, and held out my hand. "David. Great speech, man."

"Thank you," he said. "I worked pretty hard on it."

"It was great," Cassidy added, shaking his hand. "I agree with you as well. Technological advances have made individual privacy extraordinarily difficult to achieve. It seems companies are hacked every day, and Edward Snowden's revelations have sowed distrust of our own government."

My mouth dropped open as she spoke, and David nodded and smiled back at her. I shook my head, and reminded myself to stop being surprised by Cassidy. 

"David," I said when she finished. "This is Cassidy. She works with me at Endeavor, and she's a rising star within our organization." The shook hands as I continued the introductions. "Cassidy, David is a close friend of mine, and Collin's." I paused. "And you already know Nicole."

"Ahh," he replied, and recognition passed over his eyes. "I've heard good things about you. I understand you just closed a big deal!"

"That's right." Her cheeks colored slightly, and she smiled proudly in response. "Although, Nick helped tremendously. Winning the account was a team effort."

"I'm sure."

I expected awkwardness to settle in, but it didn't appear. Nicole, David and Cassidy all acted as if the introductions and conversation were completely normal, and if anyone felt awkward, it was me, so I pushed it aside. 

"What did you think of the speech, Nicole?" Cassidy asked. 

"I thought it was excellent. David's funny," she replied. 

"And the material?" She pressed holding Nicole's eyes. "Do you have any opinion about the issues?"

"Yes." Nicole fixed her eyes on Cassidy, and cold water filled her voice. "The fourth amendment and the privacy it enshrines have been tested since the ink dried on the constitution. Technology has obviously changed in the two centuries since our country was founded, however the struggle to balance basic security with individual privacy remains the same." She paused. "I'm as concerned as anyone about eroding individual privacy, but the threats we face today are significant, and our government cannot sit idly by. Idealism is great, but it becomes cost prohibitive in practice."

David and I exchanged an uncertain glance, as the two women had squared off, and now faced each other. Nicole possessed a sharp mind, and she'd made the dean's list every semester in college. Beautiful yes, but beyond her beauty lay a razor-sharp mind, and I could almost hear both ladies fingernails being sharpened into claws. 

"Is that right?" Cassidy struck first. "So you're okay with giving up your rights, as long as you're kept secure?"

"No. You're oversimplifying." Nicole parried. "Rights are not lost all at once, they're lost in inches. My point is simply that the battle between individual rights, and governmental necessity is fought every day, and it's important for both sides to pick their battles." A tight smile slid over her face. "Tilting at windmills is pointless, and 'Chicken Littles' deserve to be dunked in flour and fried to a crispy golden brown."

"I see." Cassidy studied Nicole for a moment, before nodding, and flashing her a too-wide smile. "I agree, by the way, and I think perhaps you should have shared the podium with David."

"You're too kind." Nicole's tight expression transformed into a mirror of Cassidy's, and she glanced at me, and then back at Cassidy. "I'll be sharing something with David tonight, but it won't be a podium."

"What a coincidence," Cassidy replied without missing a beat. She slid her arm inside of mine, and snuggled against me. "We have something in common then." 

The two gorgeous women locked eyes, and I swear, the intensity of their gaze increased the room temperature by several degrees. Their sweet smiles merely a candy-coating for pure cyanide, and their fingernails had transformed into blades sharper and more deadly than swords. I'd rated their battle a draw, but what the fuck did I know? 

There are times when I'm intensely happy I'm a guy. When it comes to combat, guys settle things openly, and our junk is generally off limits. Women on the other hand....not so much. Sweet smiles, and light voices mask their combat which is every bit as bloody as men's. Nothing is off limits, and collateral damage is likely. 

David and I exchanged a final glance, and decided to step in. Referees, maybe, lion tamers might be a better description, and we took the same risks as Siegfried and Roy.

"Cassidy," David began. "Thank you for the compliment. I'm glad you've informed yourself on the subject." He paused thoughtfully. "Perhaps law school should be in your future."

"Yes," Nicole added quickly. "You're certainly young enough for more college."

"That's nice of you to say," she cooed. "Maybe we should both attend law school, Nicole." She paused meaningfully. "They offer discounts for older, excuse me, more mature students."

David and I rocked back on our heels slightly as Nicole and Cassidy continued their verbal combat. The ladies offered each other no quarter, and both brought enough weapons to cause serious damage. 

"Nicole," David's calm, deep voice broke the tension. "I need to speak with some associates. Would you accompany me?"

"Yes, of course." 

He smiled at her, and gave us a slight bow. "Please excuse us, and enjoy the rest of your evening."

"You as well," I supplied, and then asked. "You're going to attend the fireworks display right?"

"Correct," he replied with a nod. "In fact, I've reserved a spot for Nicole and myself." He turned to my wife. "Are you ready to head over?"

"Of course," she replied, and kissed him lightly. "Let's go."

"Take care, Nick." We shook hands, and David nodded at Cassidy. "Nice to meet you."

"You as well."

They turned and my wife, the woman I'd been married to for almost two decades didn't spare me a glance. I waited until they left the room, before taking a big gulp of my whiskey. Cassidy sipped hers, an amused expression on her face. 

"You okay?"

"Fine," I replied. "Just fine."

"C'mon. It was just some light sparring between women."

"Light sparring? It seemed like full contact."

"No," she laughed quietly. "If we'd insulted each other's dresses or shoes, then it would've been full contact."

"Was that a good idea?"

"Good? No." Shook her head. "Necessary? Absolutely."

"Why necessary?"

She met my eyes, and her amused expression disappeared. "Respect isn't given, Nick. It's earned."

"You wanted her respect?"

"Hmmm, sort of."

"I don't understand."

Her hand slipped behind my neck, and she pulled me into a passionate kiss. Our tongues flicked into each other's mouths, and she held he kiss for several seconds, before she let me go. 

"Your respect, Nick," she said breathlessly. "It's your respect I want."

"You have it," I gasped, trying to stop the room from spinning. "You've always had it."

"Maybe as an employee," she qualified. "That's not the respect I'm looking for."

"Ummm, okay-."

"Later." She cut me off with her gorgeous smile, and a kiss on the cheek. "Let's mingle."

"Yes, ma'am."

Yeah. I know. A weak, tepid response, but this night had body-slammed me several different times, and I'd lost all sense of my surroundings. A part of me felt excited, another part felt dread, and the final part wanted to cut loose, fuck the crap out Cassidy, and see where things landed. After Cassidy's kiss, that last part led by a wide margin. I took a deep breath, focused on my surroundings, and tried to bring some sanity to this evening. 

David had settled into his role as Nicole's boyfriend, and had handled it well so far. The guest of honor tonight, he'd been besieged with fans, and well-wishers. Nicole looked in her element, and I could tell she planned on wearing David out later. Equally obvious was the fact that I wouldn't be able to watch. 

Nicole seemed pissed when she walked away, but I couldn't tell at who, although Cassidy had earned a spot on her shit list. Deliberately. I knew we'd talk later, but whether later would be tomorrow, or tonight, I wasn't sure. She'd find me, I knew it, accepted it, and resigned myself to at least one tongue-lashing tonight. 

Speaking of Cassidy, she'd appeared tonight and made it a point to surprise me, and keep me guessing all night. Respect? I already respected her. I told her that earlier. We were attracted to each other that much was obvious, but I had no idea what the future held. 

Last, but definitely not least...Cynthia. I liked her, considered her a friend, but the bitch had some explaining to do. 

***

Nicole slid away from David, her body moving in an undulating, slow-motion seductive wave towards my office door. More of a glide than a walk, her hips swayed from side to side, and the click of the door lock engaging echoed loudly in my office. 

My mouth had dropped open, as it usually did when Nicole slipped into her sultry and sexy mode. She had an indefinable quality that captivated men and women. She rotated in place, a nice slow turn, and her Christian Louboutin heels slid over the carpet as if on glass. Still standing at the door, her hand rose to her shoulder, and she unclasped her blouse. Unaware of female fashions aside from how good they look, I didn't realize how easily her clothes could be removed. The blouse slipped to the floor, and she reached behind her, and unzipped her skirt. It joined her blouse on the floor, and Nicole stood wearing little more than a smile. 

A sheer bra left nothing to the imagination, and matching sheer panties did the same. Her daily visits to the gym were clearly visible as she stood almost naked, covered only in sheer black Agent Provocateur lingerie. Thigh-high stockings completed the magnificent sight, and a desert sprang to life in my mouth. Somewhere between the blouse and skirt, my cock had sprung to life. 
<hr pg="2" />My cock? What a joke! The chances of my cock seeing any action beyond my hand dropped to below zero. Action or no, Nicole looked stunning, and my cock had no shame in his game. He liked what he saw. 



Once again she glided, rather than walked forward. Her feet stepping directly in front of her body, causing her hips to sway, and her eyes fixed on David. I'd disappeared. When she reached him, her arms circled his shoulders, and settled around his neck. Their kiss surged way past passionate, and grew in intensity as each second ticked by. 



My head started to spin, and I had to steady myself on the desk. Tearing my eyes away from the erotic sight, I took two long deep breaths. My cuckold addiction wouldn't let me look away for long however, and I turned back in time to see her maneuver David into a chair. A triumphant, sexy smile had appeared on her face. Control. Nicole had it, and she knew it. David looked as stunned as I felt. 



Without a backward glance, she lowered herself until she knelt in front of him, between his legs, and I heard the metallic 'tink' of a belt coming undone. 



David's gasp broke the silence, and announced Nicole's lips on his cock. Her head twisted back and forth, and I knew from experience, her tongue had begun playing with the tip of his cock. She loved teasing, and she excelled at it. Nicole had a small fetish for oral sex, she loved it, and frequently she'd give it without asking for anything in return. 



Today. Now. David enjoyed her talents, and judging by the heat between them, he'd be on the receiving end for the foreseeable future. I envied him. No question. I felt more than jealousy however, excitement also flowed through me, because my pleasure, a cuckold's pleasure, grew from more than a simple sex act. A cuckold's satisfaction, pleasure and fulfillment came from a deeper well. 



As my wife's head dipped deeper, and deeper on David's cock, an emotional high grew within me. Excitement, jealousy, lust, and submission all combined to overpower my senses and block out the world around me. My focus had narrowed to the point where all I saw was Nicole kneeling in front of David, her perfect ass framed by an expensive thong, and her gorgeous hair undulating rhythmically as it cascaded across her shoulders. 



"Good girl." David's deep voice spiked into my trance. "Deeper. You can do it. C'mon, deepthroat my cock, babygirl."



His hands had been resting on the armrests, until Nicole moved them to the back of her head. Unbelievable maybe, but her intentions were clear, and all of us knew it. 



"Want some help?" David asked rhetorically, as his hands pressed down on her head. The groan that escaped him left no doubt that she'd taken all of him. "Fuck! That's it, baby. Take it all!"



Nicole's head had buried itself in his crotch, held down by his hand, she remained still long enough that I started to get worried. Scared. Finally, David's hand lifted from her head, and she surfaced for air. 



"I did it!"



"Yeah," he said with a hungry smile. "But you ain't done baby. C'mon, more to do."



I heard her take another breath, and then dive back down on his cock. Her efforts buoyed by her triumph, she poured herself onto his cock. David's head rocked back, and his eyes closed, as slurping sounds and groans filled the air. Once again, my body shuddered, and I had to focus on my breathing or risk passing out. The temptation to stroke my cock felt overpowering, but I didn't know how David would react, and I didn't want to risk breaking the erotic tableau in front of me. 



From my vantage point, I didn't have a good view of his size, but if Nicole struggled with his cock, I knew he was bigger and/or thicker than Collin. A fact I couldn't reconcile, because Collin's cock rivaled the best porn actors. Barely a minute later, a long, low groan burst forth from David, and Nicole's head stopped moving. Her hands caressed his thighs, as her throat swallowed convulsively.



"Fuck! Get it all, baby," he panted. "All of it."



Her head nodded, while her lips remained locked around his cock. A quick burst of laughter jarred me out of my reverie, and David's hands settled around her head. 



"Enough!" He laughed. "It's sensitive, dammit."



Nicole's laughter joined his a second later, and she rose to her feet. "I know it is, baby, but it tastes so good."



"You'll get to taste it a lot more from now on."



Now standing in front of his, the laughter left his eyes, and a predator's hunger took over. Starting at her ankles, his eyes elevatored up her body, stopping at all the most interesting places, before he stopped at her eyes. No longer a boyfriend, he looked at her as though viewing a prized possession. 



"Take your panties off," he ordered. "From now on, you don't wear panties in my presence. Understood?"



Yes, David," she replied huskily. 



The thong panties slid over her hips, and she bent over slowly as she lowered them down her legs. She stepped out of them, when they reached her ankles, and she straightened, holding them in her hands. 



"Give them to your husband, and then get dressed."



Steel filled his voice, and it didn't allow for any questions or disobedience. Nicole gave every indication that she loved his dominant, direct manner, and if anything, it made her more submissive, more seductive as though fulfilling his demands increased her arousal. 



Our eyes met, and I knew I'd reached the right conclusion. A starry-eyed lust, laced with happy submission, filled her eyes, and she smiled dreamily at me as she handed me her feather-light panties. Our eyes met, and in that moment, we knew each other's thoughts. 



We'd both wanted this, needed it in fact, and both of us intended to revel in it. 



Nicole turned from me without a word, and glided back to her clothes. I couldn't take my eyes off her, and seeing my wife, all but naked in my office, flipped a switch in my brain. Any thoughts of resisting this lifestyle, resisting David, fled without a backward glance. I stood alone, on the precipice of another cuckold relationship, and without hesitation I leapt into the unknown. 



Embracing whatever came next. 



"She's beautiful, isn't she?" David's voice, right next to my ear, washed into my brain. As my attention had been captured by Nicole, he'd walked over and now stood next to me. "She's beautiful, and she's mine, Nick. Look all you want, but remember your place."



His words strengthened as he spoke, and they wrenched my attention away from Nicole. I met his eyes, and saw resolve reflected back at me. 



"I respect you." His voice barely a whisper. "Your job, your marriage, and your family. You proved today just how important all of them are to you, and I know you're not a pushover."



My voice had caught in my throat, and my mouth remained dry, so speaking wasn't an option. I merely nodded, and held his gaze. 



"You are a cuckold however, and you need to accept your place, your role in this relationship. Your wife belongs to me now. Mine." A slow confident smile grew on his face. "I'm in charge, Nicole is next, and you follow both of our instructions. That's how it's going to be moving forward. Me, Nicole, and then you. Understood?"



I gulped, and offered a jerky nod. As difficult as his words were, I needed to hear them. Collin had been right, this type of relationship worked best with a chain of command. 



"Not good enough, cuck," he hissed. "You need to say it out loud. Accept it. Embrace it, and Nicole needs to hear it from you."



Nicole stood next to the door, fully dressed now, waiting for David and I to come to a resolution. David's voice had been too low for her to hear, so the next words I spoke would cement her understanding of our relationship. 



She smiled at us both. 



"If you want this, Cuck. Now's the time," his voice pierced my ear again. "It's important to Nicole for you to agree, without reservations, otherwise I doubt this will work."



I'd managed to work enough moisture into my mouth and throat that forming words now became possible. No easy feat. Another long, deep cleansing breath helped me center myself. I also acknowledged the truth in David's words. A cuckold relationship had to work for everyone, otherwise it would eventually wither and die. 



"David." I started with him, and deliberately chose formal words. Unsure as to why, they just seemed to fit the situation. "I accept your role as leader in this relationship. I'll abide by your direction, unless I view it as dangerous to my job, family or health." I paused and met my wife's eyes. They beamed with happiness. "I further accept that Nicole belongs to you, and that you've placed her in a position over me. I finally agree to the position as cuckold husband, and accept your leadership, and Nicole's, in our relationship."



Silence filled the room, absent tension this time, after the last word left my mouth. My statement, formal and delicious, hung openly in the silence, and all of us let those words cement themselves in our brain. We'd crossed a threshold, the first of many I suspected.



Happiness beamed from every part of Nicole as she rushed over, and embraced me, her arms tight around my body. The light scent of her perfume filled my nose with vanilla and lavender, and I buried my face in her hair. A sweet moment. 



"Thank you, Nick." 



David's voice sliced between as Nicole pulled back. His right hand stood out from his body, a sincere expression of gratitude, and respect, reflected on his face. Nicole stepped back, glancing between the two of us. A smile grew on my own face, and David matched it with his own. We shook hands, and he clapped me on the shoulder. 



A guy thing? Maybe. But we'd successfully worked through our first challenge. 



A bumpy start, but we'd all take it.



***



Cassidy and I threaded our way through the crowd towards one of the dessert stations located outside on the patios. Dinner had included coffee and cookies, but the hotel also offered an additional dessert complete with complimentary champagne. My date hadn't eaten much of her meal, and wanted to see what sweets were on the table. 



My head still spun from our unusual conversation, and a fantastic kiss, so dessert seemed a pretty safe and neutral territory. Guests had spilled out of the hotel and now started to fill the outside areas. Fire pits were burning, and the full moon glinted off the lake sitting next to the hotel. 



Romantic. Perfect.



A beautiful evening, and I had an even more beautiful woman on my arm. 



"Nick!"



A thick, heavily-accented voice reached me over the chatter of the crowd. The accent was German, and I recognized the voice even before I saw the man. Finally, I caught sight of him, descending a stairwell, and smiling widely. 



"Gunter! It's good to see you." We shook hands enthusiastically. "Are you in town for a game?"



"Nein." He replied with a shake of his head. "Collin mentioned you were coming, and gave me his ticket." He shrugged. "Since I leave tomorrow, I wanted to talk to you tonight."



"I see," I replied and glanced at Cassidy. "Gunter, this is Cassidy. She works with me at Endeavor."



"Nice to meet you." He shook her hand. 



"Likewise."



"Gunter is the owner of a professional soccer-."



"Football!"



"Sorry," I added quickly, and winked at him. "Football team."



He nodded his satisfaction, and muttered something in German. Cassidy immediately replied in the same language, surprising both of us with her fluency. Gunter laughed again, and responded, which set off a full-blown conversation in German, leaving yours truly to stare blankly at both of them. 



"Your German is excellent." He barked a short, self-deprecating laugh. "Better than my English."



"Thank you." She inclined her head. "My grandmother will be glad to hear it."



"I didn't know you spoke German," I said, once again surprised by the young, beautiful woman next to me. "You never said anything."



"You never asked," she quipped lightly. "Surprised?"



"Impressed," I snapped back lightly, and followed my response with a smile. "Again."



"You two talk." Her eyes twinkled with happiness, and she motioned at Gunter. "I'm going to check out the desserts."



Gunter and I watched her walk away, and he gave me a wry look out of the corner of his eye. "You are lucky man, Nick."



"Thank you," I replied, and then tore my eyes off Cassidy's retreating frame. "What did you want to discuss."



An excited expression appeared on his face. 



"Yes. To business." He motioned at my glass. "What are you drinking?"



"Scotch."



"I thought so, and where do you find good quality scotch in San Antonio?"



"Uhhhh," I replied, and considered his question. "Most liquor stores carry Scotch and Whisk-."



"No," he interrupted. "Not everyday whiskey. High quality, limited edition, and hard to find bottles."



"Gotcha." I shrugged. "We have a few specialty wine shops that stock some rare whiskeys."



"Right," he nodded. "A few bottles. That's it. Over-priced of course, because they have big number on the label, but you and I know age doesn't mean quality."



"Agreed." I narrowed my eyes at him. "Where are you going with this, Gunter?"



"Whiskey is very popular. Worldwide whiskey is preferred, not just the everyday stuff, but high-quality as well. The market is poorly served."



"Okay. And?"



"I seek partners for a business venture. Liquor destinations, not stores, but destinations." He squeezed my shoulder and lowered his voice. "Disney World for Whiskey Drinkers. We will make a killing. I'm sure of it."



"Hmmm," I replied thoughtfully. 



Disney World for whiskey drinkers? Okay. That was a bit much, but his idea sounded intriguing. I could envision it in my head, and at first glance it sounded good. Walk into any liquor store, and the employees will have a limited knowledge of spirits. Their selection limited to 'named brands', and easily sold bottles. In most cases, store employees simply memorized what the distributor told them. 



Product placement. Success would depend upon the placement of the stores. Locations where the surrounding area had disposable income would be critical. Marketing? It had to be on point, and effective in order to compel the right buyers. Gunter watched me carefully as I turned the idea over in my head. I liked it, and he could see it. 



"Tell me more." 



He smiled, bent nearer, and by the time he finished, I was almost ready to sign a check. Fortunately, he was still in the planning stages, so we had a little time. He'd located individual locations in San Antonio, Austin, and the Dallas and Houston suburbs. The initial commitment wasn't as high as I expected, and he explained that Collin had already committed, and recommended he speak with me. The three of us would be partners, sharing equally in the profits, and with the initial investment, we'd have enough capital for eighteen to twenty-four months of operations. Securing a line of credit wouldn't be difficult, and a liquor license would be a formality. 



"I leave tomorrow, but I will be back next week. Will you setup a meeting with Collin, and we go over details?"



"Absolutely," I replied. "Thank you for thinking of me."



"You're welcome." 



We shook hands, and Gunter left, explaining that he needed to leave for the airport. After wishing him well, I turned and looked for Cassidy. Nowhere to be found. Not at the dessert table, and I didn't see her in any of the groups. 



I had just started back inside, when I noticed three guys standing in the corner, laughing and talking with someone. One of them had two drinks in his hand, and he was doing all the talking. His two stooges kept glancing around the crowd, as if they were trying to see if anyone was watching. 



Odd. 



Dressed in tuxedos, sharp-looking, I nevertheless got the sense they were scum. Frat-boys, resting on family connections, and used to getting what they wanted. Each of them wore a hungry, arrogant, almost dirty expression. I wandered closer, not taking a direct route, but approaching obliquely so I could over hear their conversation before being noticed. 



"-totally cool. The manager of the hotel is friend of my family's. He'll close off the hot tub and pool area, so it'll just be us."



"No, thank you."



"Really?" His voice sounded casually disappointed, but not deterred. "You won't be the only female there, I promise. These guys have dates, but I'm all by my lonesome, and I hoped you'd come with us. You'll be totally safe, and it'll be fun. If you want, we can go to a club later."



His voice oozed charm, confidence and reassurance. The guy speaking was the tallest, dark brown hair, fit, and his body language approached that of an animal stalking its prey. He talked with his hands, and slipped forward as he spoke, as though it were perfectly natural. The other two were mirrors of him, but shorter, and dumber-looking. Followers. Hangers-on. The worst sort of person, who'd stand by and watch as really shitty things happened to someone else. 



Jumping to conclusions? You bet, but I knew a bad situation when I saw it. Two drinks? Who the fuck carries two drinks? 



"Guys, listen. I appreciate the offer, but no, I'm here with someone. Now if you'll excuse me-."



"It's cool," he interrupted her. "But at least have a drink with us, while we wait for our dates to come back from the restrooms. They travel in packs." All of them laughed. "Here, it's an appletini, and I had the bartender make it especially for you."



I'd gotten close enough to see it was Cassidy they were speaking to, and rage exploded inside of me. I'd been willing to step in before, but now I prepared to wade in with fists flying. It made me even angrier to see Cassidy accept the drink with a defeated smile. 



What the fuck was she thinking?



My glass of Scotch found its way to a nearby table, and I stepped closer, intending to stop Cassidy from drinking anything from the glass he'd just handed her. The expressions on the guys faced clearly indicated something wasn't right inside that glass, and I doubted these guys even had dates. 



"Thank you," she said meekly, accepting the glass. "Appletini, huh?"



"Yeah. The bartender's a friend of mine, and he makes great girlie drinks," he replied. His voice sounded oilier by the second. "I'm serious. He's won competitions and everything. You'll love it."



Cassidy raised her eyebrows, impressed, and brought the martini glass to her lips. The guys exchanged glances, and shit-eating, predatory smiles. The leader smiled in anticipation as well, and motioned for her to drink. She paused as the glass met her lips.



She winked at him, and then her hand shot forward.



Appletini flashed in the air until it covered the leader's face. Direct hit. The contents of her glass caught him squarely, and splashed his friends for good measure. Cassidy's eyes flashed with heat, and anger, and she threw the glass to the concrete where it shattered with a loud clatter. 



Heads turned, and voices died around us.



"You can take your spiked drink, and shove it up your ass! I said no, and I meant it. Now leave me the fuck alone."



"Bitch!" 



His voice smoldered with anger, he wiped his face, and then balled his hands into fists. Cassidy's anger matched his however, and I had no doubt she'd withstand whatever he did next. It didn't matter though, because I wasn't about to let him advance on her. 



"Back away from the lady." My voice felt like a cauldron, a foundry of iron, steel and intense head. Part of me hoped, he'd make an issue of it. "Now!"



His head snapped around, until he spied me. Bluff and bravado filled his eyes, and he wiped his face again, and slicked his hair back. He stepped in between me and Cassidy, blocking her from my sight, and his friends closed in behind him. 



"Relax, pal." He gave me derisive look. "Nothing to see here. My date's just upset, that's all."

<hr pg="3" />"Walk way, kid," I advised. "And you can save what's left of your dignity. Keep this up, and it'll get ugly real fast." 



"You have any idea who I am? Who my dad is?"



"Spoiled rich kid? First name-last name, the third?" I threw out my own derisive smirk, and glanced around. "I don't see your dad here now, and if you don't leave the lady alone, it won't be your dad who catches a beating."



"Beating?" He forced a laugh. "By the time my dad's done with you, you'll be working here as a janitor. Now get the fuck out here, before I call security. I know the manager."



The time for words had ended. Whoever this kids dad was, he'd obviously bailed him out of enough trouble, he'd grown convinced his dad would always be there for him. That sort of protection had hindered him, given him a confidence born of reputation, not actions, and the dumbass didn't realize it. He also didn't realize that hard lessons couldn't always be avoided. I took a step to the side, and made eye contact with my date.



"Cassidy," I said loudly. "Walk towards me. The two toadies aren't brave enough to stop you."



She laughed loudly, and I saw her try to step around the nearest buddy, but he moved in front of her. She glared at him for a split-second, and then reared back, and decked him squarely on the jaw. He staggered several steps, before losing his footing, and falling awkwardly to the deck. She calmly stepped around the leader, and fell in behind me. 



"We're leaving. If I see you near her again tonight, I'm calling the cops."



He laughed and motioned behind me. "They're already here, dumbass."



I turned to see two security guards, and two police officers approaching. Security looked scared, and the cops looked bored, but all of them approached carefully. 



"Craig," the leader began quickly. "Officers. This gentleman has been bothering me and my friends. He's obviously a troublemaker. Would you get him out of here?"



I had no idea which one was Craig, but the chances of me going anywhere were nil. One of the security guys nodded however, and braced me. 



"Sir. If you'll follow me."



"No." I replied quietly, and made eye contact with the officers. Craig, the super-duper security guy would be a waste of time. "Officers, the gentleman over my shoulder detained this young lady, and tried to force a drink on her. I suspect it was spiked with something. I also believe if you search the men behind me, you'll find a controlled substance." I motioned to people standing nearby. "Please consult the people around us, they'll confirm that these gentleman instigated the problem, and are the real source of the trouble."



The officers stepped forward, and their eyes grew suspicious when the words 'controlled substance' left my mouth. The officer who spoke had a no-nonsense expression, and his voice rang with authority. 



"All of you," he motioned in a circle that included the three stooges. "We're going to step away from the crowd, and discuss the situation. Keep your hands out of your pockets, and step this way."



Cassidy and I led the way. The officer directed us to a conference room off the main hallway, and all of us gathered inside. Once the door closed, the security dickhead Craig started the music. 



"Officers, I know these three gentleman. They're from prominent families, and they've never caused an ounce of trouble. I find the accusations against them hard to believe."



"You lying, brown-nosing sonofabitch!" Cassidy snapped, before I could stop her. 



An amused expression passed over the officer's faces, and they studiously ignored Craig. The lead officer turned to his partner. "Would you get Chappy?"



"Sure thing," he nodded and left the room. 



"We're going to sort this out in a calm, deliberative manner." His eyes made contact with everyone, before he continued. "I will ask the questions, each of you will answer them. Understood?"



"Officer," the lead douchebag started. "If I could just make a call, I believe we could end this rather quickly."



"Shut up, kid. I'll get to you in a second." 



"Am I under arrest?" He puffed out his chest, and righteous indignation filled his voice. "I'm a lawyer, so you should consider your answer carefully."



"Counselor," the officer replied. "This is officially an investigative detention. As you probably know, you're not free to leave, but you don't have to show any identification." He motioned at Cassidy, before turning his full attention back to douchebag lawyer. "An accusation has been made that the lady was detained against her will, and there could be controlled substances on the premise."



"I'm not consenting to a search, officer. So don't bother asking."



"We have a canine unit on the premise, sir. Its standard procedure for a gathering like this, and my partner will be back shortly. In the meantime, I'm going to question the young lady. Sit quietly."



Canine Unit. 



Blood drained from the douchebag's face when those words were dropped. He glanced at his friends, and their expressions were equally as worried, and I could almost see beads of sweat popped out on their forehead. A canine unit could produce probable cause without a direct search, and the arrogant ass knew it.



"Officer, that won't be necessary-."



The door opened, and the partner stepped in leading a beautiful German Shepard. Another officer had joined him, and now the room held three officers, two security goons who looked increasingly nervous, three supremely uncomfortable douchebags, and myself and Cassidy. She leaned up against me, and held my hand. 



The dog started barking almost immediately after entering the room. Only he wasn't barking at the douchebags. Craig the security guy backed up against the wall, holding his hands up, and blubbering. 



"Stay there! Don't move!" One of the officers ordered. 



The other officer led the dog around the room, allowing it to sniff me first, then Cassidy, and then he moved it over to Larry, Curly and Moe. The dog went nuts. Cassidy and I couldn't help busting out with laughter, because all three stooges started talking at once. Fingers pointed, curses were exchanged, and then the steel bracelets came out. 



The next ten minutes saw Craig unburdened of a large bag of Marijuana, which wasn't legal in Texas. The three douchebags were also holding goodies, and when all was said and done, several small bags of ecstasy, cocaine, and more marijuana lay on the table. Cassidy and I gave our statements, and were allowed to rejoin the party. I'm not normally a petty guy, but I couldn't resist giving the head douchebag a little wink as I left the room. 



David and Nicole met us almost as soon as we left. When I explained what happened, David nodded, and left after whispering to Nicole. Nicole stayed and her eyes traveled over Cassidy, and then myself. She couldn't miss Cassidy holding my hand, and her body pressed against mine. She pursed her lips, but then took a deep breath.



"Nick, may I speak to you a moment?" Her eyes found Cassidy's. "Alone."



"Would you mind if we wait until David returns?" I phrased it as a question, but my tone made it clear I wasn't leaving asking permission. "I'm not comfortable leaving Cassidy alone." 



"Of course," she replied. "Are you okay, Cassidy?"



"Fine." She pressed closer to me. "Nick saved me."



"You didn't need saving," I objected. 



"No," Nicole emphasized. "Cassidy's right. Stop being modest."



"Fine," I relented, and tried to change the subject. "Let's not let this ruin our night. Did we miss the fireworks display?"



"No," Nicole replied, and checked her watch. "We have about five minutes."



"Great."



David rejoined us a moment later. "I apologize for leaving, but I know one of the men the police arrested tonight. His father needs to know what happened."



"Why?" My tone made it clear I didn't agree. "Daddy going to bail him out again?"



David's expression went flat, hard, and he met my eyes "Any parent would want to know if their child had been arrested, Nick. I think you'd understand that."



"Depends upon the circumstances, doesn't it?"



"His father is a close, personal, and long-time friend of mine," he replied. "I've known his son since he scooted around on his ass in diapers. Those are the circumstances. If you don't agree, fine, but I'm not asking for your approval, and it's none of your business."



Anger flashed through me, and we faced each other. 



"His son tried to drug Cassidy tonight." I made no attempt at tact or decorum. "He and his buddies also had enough drugs to get the entire crowd high tonight. It's obvious his dad has saved his ass before, and you're helping him do it again." I stepped forward. "What happens next time, David? What do you tell the next woman he drugs? That you golf with his dad? He's a good buddy? His son is just misunderstood? You going to represent him?"



"Fuck. You!" David stepped forward as well, and we were less than six inches apart. "I'm not going to apologize for making a phone call, or being a good friend."



"Nick." Cassidy took my hand again. 



Nicole did the same with David. "Honey."



As usual, the presence of females calmed our tempers, and we both took a breath, and stepped back. We exchanged a look and nodded a truce at one another.



Was the matter settled? No. 



Would it ever be? Probably not. 



David felt he'd been looking out for a friend, and his son, who he'd known since birth. He would never see it as enabling the young douchebag. For my part, I'd never understand his point of view. The spoiled brat needed a stint in jail. He needed to have the consequences of his decisions fall squarely on his shoulders, not daddy's, and when it came to mistreating women, I'm old-school. 



I don't tolerate it.



"Did you still want a word, Nicole?" 



"No." She met my eyes. "You and Cassidy have fun tonight, Nick. You've earned it."



Our eyes held for a moment longer, and a smile of acceptance appeared on her face. She ended our staring contest with a wink, before turning her attention to Cassidy. 



"Take good care of him tonight, Cassidy."



"I will," she beamed back at my wife. 



"I'm glad you're okay," she added, before slipping her arm inside David's. 



They walked away, looking every bit the happy couple. Cassidy waited until they'd turned a corner before she pulled me into another kiss. Every bit as nice as the first one, it lasted long enough to excite both of us. We struggled to regain our composure when it ended. Neither of us knew what to say, and we stood for a moment, exchanging awkward glances. 



"Hey, how about those Spurs?"



The inane, sarcastic question broke the awkwardness, and we both laughed. Cassidy kissed me again, light, quick and nice. 



"Let's go watch the fireworks," she suggested. 



"Sounds good."



***  



Nicole and David returned to other side of my desk, and stood holding hands. The tension that had filled the room earlier, had evaporated. All of us felt better about our situation, and the path forward. If nothing else, we'd clarified everyone's role. 



Believe me, it helped. 



"Nicole will be joining me for the rest of the day," he said. "I understand your oldest daughter has an event tonight, and Nicole will definitely be there. I'll drop her off, and you can take her home."



"Good."



He turned to Nicole. "Are you ready?"



"Definitely." 



"Why don't you leave first?" He suggested. "It might look odd, if we leave together. I'll meet you in the parking lot?"



"Sure." Nicole smiled at me once more, before she walked out of my office. 



"Thank you again," he said, after she left. "I appreciate your understanding and I meant what I said, I'll make sure you're informed of everything."



"Good. I appreciate it."



"To that end, I wanted you to know I will be fucking your wife for the rest of the day." 



I let that statement hang in the air. It excited me, sure, but I also had questions. 



"Y'know," I replied slowly. "For a guy who's new at this, you seem pretty sure of yourself."



"I'm a quick study, and I've been doing a lot of research." His expression sobered, and he leaned forward. "As much as I'm looking forward to diving into this relationship, I want you to know that I respect your family, your daughters, and I'll respect your family's space. I know I said that earlier, but it's important enough to say again."



"Thank you. I appreciate it."



He nodded. "I would like to meet your daughters though, and I hope you'll consider introducing them to me sooner rather than later. Everything I've read indicates that these types of relationships draw everyone close, and I think we can balance our intimate relationship and your daughters."



"I'll consider it, David. Let's see how things go."



"Good," he replied, and gave me another perfunctory smile, before walking towards the door. He turned back when he reached it. "Oh, one more thing."



"What's that?"



"Chastity. I'll expect you to wear your device full time, starting on Monday." He paused for a moment. "Enjoy your weekend."



David didn't wait for my response, and a second later he'd gone. 



Gone. 



With Nicole.



My wife. 



I walked over to my windows, and stared out at the rolling green hills. Oaks, elms, and cedar trees covered the landscape. Beautiful. How long I stood there, I don't know, my mind ran in an endless circle of excitement, worry, and lust. All of my emotions were overshadowed however, by an ominous sense of dread, as if I'd willingly boarded the Titanic knowing I'd be aboard when it slipped beneath the waves. A soft knock at my door finally brought me back to reality. 



"Nick?"



I turned. "Hey, Cynthia. How's it going?"



"Fine," she cocked her head at me. "Looks like you're thinking deep thoughts over there. Everything okay?"



"Nicole tell you about David?"



"Her current obsession? Yes. Why?"



"We started a new relationship with him." I hesitated, and then plunged in. "Like the one we had with Collin."



"Ahhh." She walked up next to me, and squeezed my shoulder. "Are you alright with it?"



"Yes."



"But?"



"No buts." I shook my head. "I know what I'm getting to...at least I think I know what I'm getting into anyway. I just wish I knew what the future held."



"I don't know David very well. What's he like?"



"Intense. Intelligent. Used to getting what he wants."



She offered me a smile. "Sounds like you."



"Maybe."



"And Nikki?" She asked. "How's my girl handling it?"



Our eyes met, and we both smiled. 



"She's loving it, isn't she? Throwing herself headlong into the deep end of the pool."



"Yep!"



"Figures," she chuckled. "That's part of the excitement though, right?"



"A big part, yes." I cleared my throat. "Like fire I guess. Keeps you warm, draws you in, but it you get too close..." 



"Third degree burns."



"Exactly."



"I can't say I understand this type of relationship, but I've personally benefitted from it, so I can't criticize either. Not that I would, I care too much about you and Nicole to ever criticize." She took a breath. "When you two were with Collin, and later with me, I got the sense you enjoyed it, but also felt left out. Am I right?"



"Yeah." I said after a few seconds. "It's unavoidable though, because Nicole and David deserve some time together. Can't exactly form a relationship without private time."



"Makes sense, but I meant to suggest that maybe you should have someone too."



I glanced over and found her studying me. Cynthia and I had been lightly intimate with each other before, but she preferred women, so I knew she wasn't hitting on me. Still, I had no idea where she was headed. 



"What are you saying?"



"Duh!" She slugged my shoulder. "Find someone for you. It doesn't have to be serious, but someone who can help you through the lonely times."



"I'm not sure," I hedged. "Nicole doesn't share well, and not many women want a guy whose cock is locked up."



"Maybe it's time she learned, and I'm sure you can negotiate some free time." When I glanced at her dubiously, she winked. "Besides, the chastity thing is kind of cute, and you still have other ways to satisfy a woman. Believe me, I know."



"Right," I said, drawing the word out, and I deliberately ignored the last part of her comment. "Nikki might become homicidal if I found a girlfriend, and besides, I think that would put us on the road to divorce, right? I mean, someone has to stay centered, protect the marriage, and the family."



"Nick." Her voice changed, and became harder. "If Nikki isn't protecting your marriage, she has no business being with David."



"You're right, but I trust Nikki to draw the right boundaries with David."



"You're such a guy."



"What's that mean?"



"For women." She took a breath. "It's not always about the things we gain, it's also about the things we may lose. Nikki's focused on what's new, what's she's gained, and I don't think she realizes what she may lose." She studied me for a long moment. "Like you."



"And you think my having a girlfriend will remind her?"



"Yes. Nikki needs some competition. It'd certainly stop her from taking you for granted." 



"I see. Seems kinda dangerous. I mean it could blow everything up."



"Maybe." She nudged me with her hip. "You're already playing with fire, Nick. At least this way, David and Nicole will feel some heat as well."



She had a point. Although finding someone as understanding as Cynthia seemed unlikely, and I wasn't about to start hitting bars. The only woman I'd known, and actually considered getting intimate with was Sheila, and she hadn't talked to me since I left my last company. 



No emails. No cards. No phone calls. 



I'd tried to connect with her on LinkedIn, but she hadn't accepted my invitation. I guess my leaving affected her more than I realized. Why it still bothered me, I can't explain, but it did. Ultimately, I didn't matter however, because contacting her just to setup a sexual relationship wasn't going to happen. Not fair to her. 



"I'll think about it." 



"You're a good man, Nick. Nicole should remember that, especially if she wants to go all the way with David."



"All the way?" I snorted. "Are we in high school now?"



She met my eyes, and her expression held no humor. 



"No. I mean having another baby. David's baby."



My mouth dropped open, and I stared blankly at her. 



"Ummm, what?"



***



Fireworks. Everyone loves fireworks, young, old, cynic, and trusting soul. There's something about bright explosions that just draw the human species. Cassidy and I were no exception. We found a nice spot, and watched as the colors lit up the sky right above us. Outstanding. The fireworks company earned a bonus that night. 



Cassidy started by slipping her arm inside mine, but as the display continued, and everyone's attention focused skyward, her hands started to roam. She ran her fingers through my hair, rubbed my back, and finished off with a little squeeze of my ass. I didn't mind or stop her. 



Hey! I'm a guy. 



We'd been watching for about fifteen minutes, when in between blasts when she pressed her lips against my ear. Her body followed, and soon her entire body had pressed itself against me. It felt amazing.



"Take me upstairs."



Decision time. Cassidy didn't intend to watch HBO when we got to the room, and I had Nicole's permission. Could I do it though? I hadn't been with a woman, I mean really been with another woman, since I'd married Nicole. My equipment worked just fine, and I'd earned a weekend outside my chastity belt, but I'd never crossed this threshold, not once in almost two decades. As our eyes met however, I knew deep inside, I wanted to be with her.



"Let's go."



We stepped away from the railing, my hand on Cassidy's lower back. No, not her ass, her lower back. As we walked inside I noticed the hotel had started serving champagne, several tables were laden with bottles of bubbly, and the staff was busy filling flutes. Cassidy caught my eye, and a sly grin appeared on her face. She grabbed two empty flutes, and I snatched a bottle of champagne, and we hurried to the elevator giggling like teenagers. 

<hr pg="4" />Don't get me wrong. I planned to let the hotel know tomorrow, so they could charge me for it, but for tonight it made for some playful fun. We got lucky, and caught the elevator as it opened, and had it all to ourselves. As soon as the doors closed, Cassidy pushed me against the wall, and our lips met again. With no limits, no more worries, or onlookers, the kiss took on a life of its own. Everything about Cassidy felt good, and as our hands explored each other's bodies, both of us realized we could go as far as we wanted tonight. 



A fierce sense of freedom welled up inside me, and I got a sense for how Nicole must feel when she's alone with David, or how she felt when she spent time with Collin or Cynthia. She would spend tonight with David, and I'd accepted their relationship, but now the tables had turned, or at least balanced this evening, and now I had an opportunity to spend a night, or more, with Cassidy. 



Ding!



The elevator doors opened, but we didn't separate. Cassidy pulled back, and hit me with her vicious, beautiful smile. "I've wanted to do that all night."



"Me too."



"Really?"



"Yes."



"Good. Now follow me."



The elevator doors had just started to close when she stopped, and pulled me out of the elevator. She'd always been smart, and assertive, but I'd never seen her like this, and I wondered if I'd end up in the corner whining like a puppy when she finished with me. Whatever happened between us, it looked to be memorable. 



"Here we are."



She didn't give me a chance to respond, she juggled the flutes, her purse, and the card key, and had the door open in record time. A beautiful suite greeted our eyes, large, spacious, nicely decorated, and just big. The champagne flutes found a spot on a small table, along with her purse. She stepped out of her heels, and gave a huge sigh of relief. 



"Let me guess? Cute, uncomfortable, and perfect?"



"Exactly." She stepped forward, kissed me again, and then nodded behind me. "Restroom. Why don't you take the champagne out to the patio, and I'll join you there."



"Sounds good."



As you can probably imagine, the view from the balcony was like the rest of the hotel. Fantastic. Our patio looked away from the fireworks, but the lights from the explosions still lit up the rolling hills of the Texas Hill Country. As I stared into the night, I could help second-guessing.



"What the hell are you doing, Nick?" 



A gorgeous woman in my hotel room, and my wife's approval....hell, I'd won the lottery. I knew I should just go with it. Enjoy it. But if you've read any of my previous work, you know that I'm cursed, or blessed, with the ability to second-guess just about any situation. 



Good or bad. 



A perfect trait for someone who'd made a career insurance, unfortunately it didn't lend itself well to situations like this one. I also didn't know any lottery winners, and this wasn't a game show. 



The fierce sense of freedom, started to get weighed down by reality. Whatever happened tonight wouldn't end here. It couldn't. We worked together. Cassidy knew Nicole, and she'd met my kids. I'd be kidding myself if I thought we'd have casual sex with no consequences. 



"Hey, handsome." 



Cassidy's voice and smile brought me out of my head, a place I felt happy to leave. 



"Hey, back." I motioned with the champagne bottle. "Are you ready?"



"Absolutely."



Pop!



Unlike TV, the champagne didn't flow out of the bottle. I'm better with liquor than actors are apparently, and I filled both flutes. 



"Are we toasting again?" I asked. 



"Yes."



"Okay. You choose the toast this time."



"Ooooh. The pressure of a good toast."



I laughed. "I think you can handle it."



"Fine." She narrowed her eyes, and pursed her lips. "Here goes."



We held up our glasses. 



"Here's to those who've seen us at our best, and seen us at our worst, and can't tell the difference."



"Good one."



"It's borrowed, but I think it fits."



"Agree."



We clinked glasses and sipped our champagne. Not bad. Not great, but not bad. I'm not much of a champagne guy anyway, so I'm probably not the best judge. We sat down on the bench seat, and she snuggled against me. An easy silence fell between us. The bonfire in the elevator had dissipated, and left a nice warm fire burning. One that didn't threaten to consume us, but rather left us enough mental capacity to enjoy the moment. 



"You're wavering, aren't you?"



I knew what she meant. "Maybe a little."



"It's okay with Nicole."



"I know." I sighed. "But I'm not thinking of Nicole."



"Oh?"



"I'm thinking about you. About tomorrow, and where we'd go from here."



"So I'm not a one-night stand?"



"No. Never. I could never see you that way, Cassidy."



She raised up and kissed me again. "Thank you."



"You're welcome."



Her fingers slid through my hair. "So where do you want us to go?"



"I'm not sure, but I can't be casual with you," I replied, and met her eyes. "I'm not good at casual."



"I see."



"What do you want? It's not all about me, y'know."



"This." She rested her head against my chest. "I want to be with you. I'll take the same type of relationship Nicole has with David." She pinched my leg. "But with you obviously."



"You want more though, don't you?"



"Yes. I won't deny it."



"I....I can't offer you more, Cassidy."



She removed her head from my chest, and sat up. Her eyes were steady, not hurt or angry, steady. Her negotiating face. "Where is Nicole?"



"Cassid-."



"Just answer the question."



"With David."



"And before David?"



"Cynthia." My voice grew tighter. "Then Collin."



"That's right," I replied steadily. "I explained our relationship already. We're unique."



"An open marriage isn't unique, Nick. But that's not what you have. Nicole sleeps around, and rubs your nose in it, and then calls it some sort of dom/sub thing. Her boyfriends do the same, and you convince yourself you like it."



"Easy, kiddo." I warned. "You covered a lot of ground there, and none of its true."



"Nick-."



"No." I held up my hand. "It's my turn."



She sat back and folded her hands over her chest. Getting naked would've been easier, but I suspected it would've made this conversation harder. 



"Nicole see's other men, and women, with my approval and consent. She has never seen anyone without my approval first. She's not, and never has, slept around. Please don't say that again."



"Fine."



"Cassidy, it's true." I leaned forward, and put my hand over hers. "I'm a willing, and active participant in everything. No one rubs my nose in anything. I can't believe you'd think I'd put up with that kind of situation."



"Then do it with me." She stated flatly.



"I'm sorry."



"Stop it, you heard me," she snapped. "Do it with me. If you like to watch, I'll be with other men for you, and I'll treat you better than she does. I won't disrespect you, and I will always put you, and your family first." She paused, put her hand on my chest, and kissed me again. "Give us a chance, Nick. I can fulfill your needs better than Nicole."



"Uhhh."



She didn't wait for me to get my mental act together. A naughty smile crossed her face, and she stood, reached behind her body, and unzipped her dress. The beautiful garment slipped from her shoulders, and pooled on the patio. Cassidy stood in front of me, completely naked aside from a smile, and she held her hand out. 



"Let me show you how good it can be between us."







****Note****



<i>Thank you for reading. If you've enjoyed reading, please see my profile page for additional stories, and also my published works.



JC</i>

