“Look, I ain’t gonna Out you, but you have got to stop starin’ at me.”

We were on the bow of Davidson’s Midday Sun, tying the mooring lines to the Reedville dock to pick up the tour for the day. Mike said it as he leaned over to hand off the line so no one probably heard him but I still threw a panicked look around me just to be sure. Then I tried to be cool.

“Dude, what the fuck are you talking about?”

He looked at me, his expression said that I knew damn well what he was talking about. Which, unfortunately, I did.

I had been staring at him. For like the last week. Faroud and Peter both graduated and they were the only guys I knew I could trust. I could find a girl – hell, Beth was my Top while Peter’s gone and Lisa was allowed – but by then I knew I was occasionally gonna want, gonna need, a guy to take me. I had learned – thanks to my cousin, Peter – that in addition to being practically addicted to sex with girls, I got off on guys pretty hard too.

Mike was one of those ‘guy’ guys. One of the ones you wouldn’t believe was actually gay unless you saw him bent over under another guy. He looked like he spent time in prison and could lift a truck one handed. I figured he could break me in half. I knew his partner, Bill, real well too – you know Bill’s gay. He didn’t say it, but any guy who can work a commercial boat and come home as clean as when he left, is a bit light in the loafers. Anyway, I’d known Mike since I was four years old and I’d had a thing for him ever since I the first time I saw him after I got boned.

For me strong was good. Rough was better. Mike looked both.

The last week before school started, I was working the Midday Sun full-time so that Paul could take a week off and watching Mike’s muscles ripple for five days straight was beginning to wear me down. Which was why I was staring at him and imagining him taking me hard and fast. This was the first time he’d indicated that he’d noticed.

“You can’t Out me, dude.” I tried to deflect the comment. “I ain’t gay.”

“So you just curious?”

“Dude!” I glanced over my shoulder but we were nowhere near anyone. “Shut the fuck up.”

“Alex, I don’t care. Believe me, if-n I were younger or not attached, I’d be damn flattered. Hell, I’d be damn interested. But I ain’t havin’ that discussion with your Grandfather or Bill.”

“I’m not gay.”

“Then stop starin’ at me like you wanna lick me. Capt. Ed’s bound to notice eventually – not, mind you, that he’d care either.”

He jumped onto the dock and moved down to the stern; I followed on deck and we repeated the whole procedure on the back end.

“So, what,” he asked when we again were within arms reach, “Your boyfriend dump you?”

I had no idea how he guessed so close to the truth. “You are such a fuckin’ asshole.” I snapped and damn near dropped the line.

He laughed at me as he caught the line and secured it. “Go tell Ed we’re secure. I’ll go get the passengers.” He grinned. “Honey.”

He rode me like that all God damned day. Finally, sailing home, he got me. I was on the stern looking out and thinking that I was very glad that this was my last day out. Monday, school started and I could find somebody else to jump. Mike could remain one of those fantasies I jacked off to. Mike pushed up behind me; I could feel his dick rubbing against my ass.

“My first time,” he taunted, “was under the boardwalk in Atlantic City. Where was yours?”

“On the Sunrise.”

He was silent for a moment. Then he said, “There, now that weren’t so hard ta admit, now was it?”

I swallowed hard and tried not to think about how sweet his dick would feel right about then. “Dude. Seriously. I am not gay.”

“You just like screwing around with crewmen?”

“It was a girl.”

“You told me two years ago that yo’ first time with a girl was in the back seat uh Peter’s car over by the Wicomico River.”

I went silent again.

“I won’t tell, Alex. Honestly. It ain’t that big uh deal, really. You’ll see. But if you ever need someone to talk to, you know where ta find me, right?”

He was just about out of earshot when I turned around. “I’m bi.”

He turned back to face me. “Come again?”

“I’m not gay. I’m bi.” I shrugged. “I dig chicks seriously. But I’m kinda into guys too.”

He nodded slowly. “Ok. That’s ok too.”

“I had…I had uh guy I was seeing at school only he graduated an’ left for college. He didn’t dump me but,” I shrugged again, “it ain’t like he’s around, right?”

“You’ll get over it. You’ll find another friend.” He leered. “Trust me.” Capt. Ed yelled out from the bridge and Mike slapped my ass, “Come on, we finish up here, and Bill an’ I’ll take you out for uh beer.”

When we got to the dock, I passed on the beer – not that I could drink it anyway – and went home. I talked it over with Beth. Then I called Peter.

“I want a boyfriend,” I confessed, “and a girlfriend. One kinda submissive and one kinda dominant. Not to replace you or anything. Just, you know….” I hesitated because I wasn’t sure how to say what I wanted.

“I know.” I could hear the smile in his voice. “Ok.”

I looked at the phone receiver. “Ok?”

“Yeah.” He laughed, “Look, at some point you’re gonna have ta pick your own dates, right? May as well start now.” We talked over the rules that would apply. He still wouldn’t let me cum without permission but he said Beth or Lisa could give it if he wasn’t in town. He still had final say on everything. Peter remained my Dom.

I started school pretty upbeat. Homecoming week was always the second week of school and always rocked. Games, dances, parties, every club in the school did something. I spent ninety percent of my free time on the football field. We won the Homecoming game against Warsaw and I won MVP. A week later, I also won Defensive Team Captain – which also rocked. I had to step back from the Ballroom Team, though. I still had time to dance, since that was during school hours, but I couldn’t compete in everything during the football season. Mr. Fuentes was pretty mad but he wasn’t about to argue with Coach Dutton.

I did all right in school – I was never an A student but as long as I did my homework, I kept my average above a C. The only place I ever really needed help was math. I could handle the basics fine. But once they started throwing art work instead of numbers at me, my brain fried. Beth was a rotten tutor.

I usually got most of my homework done during study hall so I didn’t have to worry after practice. Last year, I got the monitor to help with the math crap but this year, I was in one of the unmonitored groups. Which meant they trusted me not ta act uh fool, great, but sucked for my math grade.

“Why the fuck do we even study this shit!” I groaned one afternoon about a month in.

“Calculus is useful in engineering.” I glared in the direction of the speaker. “Among other things.”

Brandon Dixon. Often called ‘Brandy’ when the assholes need someone to fag bash. I had seen him around the school for years but I didn’t know him well. For the first time I noticed just how much like a girl he really looked. He had honey blond hair in thin wisps down past his shoulders, a round face, almond eyes and he was slender to the point of frail. Suddenly, I thought of Bangkok. I thought of the boys for sale there. Brandon would have made a fortune.

“Well, anyway.” Brandon turned scarlet and looked away. “That’s why they teach it.”

“Eh!” I snapped in his direction. He looked back at me. “You know this shit?”

He blushed deeper.

‘Christ!’ I thought to myself, ‘This boy ain’t submissive, he’s a fuckin’ doormat.’

“Kinda,” He said, “I mean, I’m passin’ the class.”

“Yeah? Who’s class you in?”

“Um, yours, actually. I sit two rows behind you.”

I couldn’t believe I never even noticed him before but I didn’t dwell on it. I pushed the chair next to me out and stared at him. Predictably, he got up and sat in it. I pushed my book at him. “Make it make sense.” I yanked the chair closer to me, causing him to yelp like a girl. “Brandy.”

He looked at me, clearly annoyed by the ‘Brandy’ but quickly looked back at the text. “Where are you confused?”

He tutored me for the next month. I stayed on the edge of intimidation, not ever touching him but making it clear that I was stronger and faster than he was. Every time I made him yelp – which was daily – I called him Brandy. He got to the point where he blushed when I said it. Thanks to my close association with the cheerleading squad, no one suspected that I was slowly seducing Brandon.

I wanted him bad.

This was not to say that I spent the first two months of school chasing the boy. In fact, I used my new freedom from Peter to work my way through the Cheerleaders and the Pep Squad. The great thing about those girls is that they’re all sluts so they don’t get all pissy if they catch you with another member of the squad. Beth wouldn’t let me screw anybody but she gave me unlimited oral rights. I used them constantly. Although, in truth, I received way more than I gave.

Except with Sara Weinberg. Sara insisted that I go down on her first every time. Not that I minded but it pissed me off because she was pushy enough to do that but not really bossy enough to be, well, Dom. I really wanted the Holiday dance to be the event where I had my love life settled. Instead, I gave up and planned on taking Lisa.

Sara caught me in the hall just after lunch one day. It was after Thanksgiving already and I was thinking more about the end of the football season than anything else. ‘Brandy’ was coming along nicely – he even voluntarily gave up his evenings to wait for me after practice. That was in part due the fact that I also figured out who the fag-bashing ringleader was and got a couple linemen to discuss the matter with the dick-wad. But it was in large part do to the fact that Brandon wanted me almost as much as I wanted him. I was on my way to having a boyfriend sub on the side but still had no real prospects for a girlfriend Dom and really thinking more about the upcoming game when Sara hit me with the back of her hand.

Hard. In the stomach. I almost lost my lunch.

“What the fuck?” I coughed out when I was certain I wasn’t gonna spew anything.

“Did you ask Lisa to the Holiday Dance?”

“Yeah. So?”

She sighed, exasperated. “You could have at least told me that. Damn it.” She knit her brow and thought hard.

“What? I mean, it’s not like we’re dating of something. Hell, you only talk to me when you want a little.”

She rolled her eyes. “Shut up. I’m thinking, here.”

I though for a minute too. “Wait. Didn’t Lucas ask you to this thing?”

The way she groaned, you would have thought I was the stupidest creature alive. “Yes.”

She kept thinking.

“So?”

She blinked at me. “I don’t really want to go with Lucas.”

I started to ask why she said yes if she didn’t want to go with him but decided that maybe it would be smarter if I didn’t. Then I got a clever idea.

“Hey, listen. You wanna go to this thing with me?”

She rolled her eyes again. “Well obviously.”

“Cool.”

“You’ll dump Lisa?”

Fuck no. “I got an idea. I think she’ll go for it.” Lisa didn’t care who she went with so long as she could dance. Brandon didn’t have a date yet.

I grabbed Lisa first, later, right before practice. “Hey, listen, would you mind if I take Sara an’ Brandon takes you to this dance thing?”

She looked at me, calculating. “What will you do if I say yes?”

I paused and thought about it. “I don’t know. Whatever you want for a month. Just please. Sara’s uh bitch but I think with a little push, she could be really evil.”

“And you think I’ll have a good time with Brandon?”

“I promise. If you don’t, you can do what ever you want to me.”

She laughed, “I can do that anyway. Peter said so long as you alive when I’m done, I can do what I want.”

I paused again, caught by the image of Lisa in latex making me be her personal slave. “Did he?” I finally managed to murmur.

“But, I guess it doesn’t really matter. Sure. I’ll go with Brandon. My dress this year is red.”

“Leather?” I asked hopefully.

She rolled her eyes and headed into the locker room.

Brandon was harder.

“I hadn’t planed to go actually,” he said, blushing yet again, “I’m not much of a dancer.”

We were alone waiting for the late bus by the parking lot. I pinned him, one-handed, to the wall. He gasped. If it were me, my shorts would have been tight. “You’ll learn. You taking Lisa. End discussion.”

He swallowed hard. “Ok, Alex.” I don’t let him up. He squirmed a bit and I had to resist kissing him. “Ok.”

I pulled in close to him. Closer than I had before. Jesus, God, I wanted him bad. “Maybe – after – you can stay at my place. Would that be cool?”

“Uh…uh…oh…su-sure. Alex.” He seemed to have trouble catching his breath. “I could do that.”

“Do you want to?” I asked him softly. I wouldn’t want to force him.

“Oh, yes.” He sighed.

I let him go. “Good. Come on.”

It took him a minute to catch up with me.

Eventually, the night of the dance arrived. The dance team was off for once so I actually got to wear a suit that didn’t have sequins. Dad let me take the car so I picked up everybody: Sara, Beth, Lisa, Brandon and Beth’s date, Chad – who I swear is the whitest guy I had ever seen anywhere ever. Then again, his name is ‘Chad’.

All three of the girls wore red. Beth was ultra hot as always and Lisa managed to look angelic in the color of whores. Sara must have seen my fantasies and dressed accordingly. She was wearing red leather.

“Promise me that thing comes with a matching whip and you can have me.”

She smiled slyly. “Yeah, I knew you’d like this.”

“Oh baby, you have no idea.”

Inside, Brandon did dance with Lisa and didn’t embarrass himself. Beth danced with Chad once then dumped him because he had zero rhythm – which I coudda told her – and spent the rest of the night whining about the lack of decent high school guys – which, again, I coudda told her. Sara and I danced most of the night, which was cool. At the end of the evening, Chad left with someone else, so I drove all the girls to Beth’s house. Before she went into the house, Beth leaned into my widow.

“Lisa and I were thinkin’ ‘bout havin’ a little conversation tonight with Sara. What you think?”

I tried to act cool but my heart rate was audible. “Tell ‘er what you want. You the Dom, now.”

“Yeah, I am, aren’t I?”

She swaggered into the house. Why in the fuck is she my cousin? I wondered as I watched that perfect ass sway.

I looked at Brandon. “Still wanna stay at my place?”

He looked out the passenger side window. “I’ll go home if it’s a problem.”

“Hey, Brandy,” I snap, “Grow uh pair. I asked if-n you wanna stay. Answer me.”

He faced me then and for once met my eyes. His eyes were a beautiful soft brown color. He reminded me of a sparrow. Small, light, delicate. Flightily. He had no idea how much control he could have over me if he took it. “I’d like to stay with you, Alex.”

A heartbeat went by. Two. I controlled the urge to jump his bones in the car and drove back to my house.

We spent maybe ten minutes chatting with my mother before she let us slip down to the basement and my newly converted room. Since Peter and I did most of the work ourselves, my parents never saw most of the ‘personal touches’ we added to the room. It’s a good thing. I don’t think they’d ever stop yelling if they saw any of it.

Brandon looked a little nervous when I turned on the light and the dominatrix poster at the head of my bed stared back at him. I gave him a couple minutes alone while I went to find clean towels.

“Bathroom’s in there,” I told him, “You can shower first if you want. Or in the mornin’ if you rather.”

“Alex.” His voice was just above a whisper. “Are these things for me?” He was looking at my collar and cuffs on the dresser.

I picked them up and again admired the handwork; “These were made by hand for me in Thailand. I don’t think they’d actually fit you. You can try ‘em if you want.” I held them loosely, not offering them to him but not taking them away either. He took the collar and caressed the inlaid pattern. He opened the snaps and fit it properly around my neck.

I didn’t move but I know I popped more than a couple stitches in my pants. “You think you can take me?” I tried to sound truly menacing.

“I think if you were going to hurt me, you would have done so by now.”

“An’ why you think I can’t hurt you now?”

He looked back at me, an expression of mixed calm and desire, “Will you?”

I reached out slowly and brushed a stray hair out of his eyes with my fingertips. For some reason, at just that moment, I realize that he was half Chinese – that’s why the pretty face and delicate bone structure. I never did get hold of a Chinese boy the summer we spent in Asia. I grabbed his shirt collar, not quite a chokehold and pulled him to me. I could see in his eyes that he wanted this but I paused anyway.

“Maybe.” I kissed him softly. I wanted to throw him on the floor and ride him ‘til we both broke. “Is that what you want?” I kissed him softly again.

“I don’t know.” He whispered, trembling.

“Maybe you do what I tell you an’ I won’t have ta hurt you. How you feel ‘bout that?”

“Ok.” I let him go. My arm was getting tired anyway.

“Go shower.” I told him. “I’ll be in in uh minute.”

I text messaged Peter fast when the bathroom door closed. “may have 2 dom. ok?” It felt like forever before a reply came back “up 2 u”.

I took a deep breath and undressed, leaving the collar on the dresser. I hadn’t tested it in water yet and I didn’t want to ruin the leather. I was in good shape – hell, I was in great shape – so I wasn’t worried about looking good naked. But I thought Brandon might be concerned.

I shouldn’t have worried. He was under the shower spray, dripping wet and bare. His body was slender. Thinner than any girl – definitely missing most of the curves that make a girl interesting. But he wasn’t scrawny. He was tautmostly; muscular and compact but with pecs and an ass, leaving me assured that when I bent him over, he wouldn’t break.

I opened the shower stall and stepped in. He looked surprised then his eyes traveled over me. His expression told me less than his sudden huge erection did. I’d been sporting one for a while. “Wash me.” I said. I tried to use Peter’s command tone. Either it worked or that’s what Brandon wanted to do anyway because he picked up the soap and the sponge and began lathering me up.

He did my torso, front and back completely before starting to put the sponge back where he found it. “Hey,” I snapped, “You ain’t done.” He looked at me and I drank in his image again, hair dripping, body dripping, dick dripping and it was all I could do not to take him. He didn’t want my dick in his face. I kissed him softly again and put my hand on his shoulder. I pushed gently – not forced, just suggested – then crossed my arms. He knelt in front of me, picked up the sponge and the soap and proceeded to clean my dirty parts. Only Peter’s lessons in control kept me from shooting off as soon as he touched me. He gave me enough of a hand job to test that control. When I got near the edge, I stopped him and pulled him up.

“My turn.” I took the soap and the sponge and washed him. I remembered doing this with Peter and Beth and tried to be both practical and sensual. I was shocked at how big he was; most of the Asian boys I met were on the small size but Brandon was almost black guy big. He was gonna make me feel it if I went that route. When my soap-covered hand finally touched his throbbing dick, he cried out sharply. I used the sponge to get a good lather going on him; he was moaning continuously as I repeatedly stroked his dick and balls. He was not expecting it when I squeezed his balls hard.

He screamed before I got my hand over his mouth to block the sound. “Shhhhh,” I hissed in his ear, “relax.” I went back to stroking him gently. No tolerance for pain – he damn near lost his boner but recovered it quickly enough when my fingers took the soap and cleaned his asshole real good. Soon, he was gasping and shaking, bracing himself between the wall and door in an effort not to collapse as he came all over my face. Which nearly did it for me but I managed to hold back.

I stood up and gave him a minute to catch his breath. When his eyes opened, first he looked shocked to see his jizz still covering my face. Then he leaned forward and let me kiss him. I eventually rinsed the jizz off my face and we dried off quickly.

In my bed, I cuffed his hands together in front of him. “Alex…” he started, not sure if he should be afraid or not.

“Shhhh.” I whispered again, “You gonna live ta see sunrise.” I gagged him lightly. “This is just so we don’t wake my folks.” I could see that he was just this side of terrified. I lay him down. It was like having some new toy to play with. I sucked his nipples, licking and biting and trying to keep track of how much pain was good for him and where. I slowly moved down. By the time I reached his re-born boner, he was covered in a light sweat. I licked him lightly and was glad I gagged him as he cried out again. Then I moved his dick out of the way and licked his balls. First his muscles clinched then they relaxed. I sucked them until his hips squirmed too much for me to keep a good grip on them. Then I moved his legs and licked his asshole – which was one of those things I loved doing because it was so nasty and so sick and reminded me of what a sick little fuck I truly was – I am. I willingly licked people’s assholes. I stuck my tongue up his ass and he actually jumped when he screeched. His fingers tangled in my hair and held my face in place – which was kinda funny ‘cause it was usually girls who did that. Finally, I knew I had waited as long as I could. I pulled a condom and the lube outta my dresser drawer and coated his long, fat dick with them.

“What are you doing?” he managed to pant, muffled and distorted, under the gag.

I ignored him, lubed a couple of my fingers and reamed myself. I almost got carried away but caught myself when I thought about how good his dick was gonna feel. I crawled on top of him, opened his cuffs and removed his gag. “Think you can make me feel it?” I snarled at him and kissed him hard. “Make it hurt.”

His lip curled in an expression I wouldn’t have thought possible from a guy that sissy. Then he pushed me down and rammed into me. There was no finesse, no skill just raw, carnal lust as he showed me just how strong he was. He fucked me harder than I thought he could and jackhammer fast. He last way longer than I thought he would as well. I had trouble keeping myself from making more noise than grunting deeply. I felt the first orgasm coming and pushed it back down. When he rode me to the second, I let it happen. I had the feeling that mine triggered his but in that floating unreal moment, I was never quite sure of anything.

We both collapsed, panting, sweaty, on top of my blankets. I know I dozed off. I don’t know about him.

I woke to pitch black and my phone ringing. I found the damn thing and answered it with my eyes still closed. “What the fuck?”

“Excuse me?” Even half-comatose I recognized my Grandmother’s voice.

“Oh, sh-, uh, sorry, Grandma. I did-n know’s you.” I tried to clear my eyes enough to read the clock. Grandma would not be calling me at – Jesus, 5-fuckin’-am – without a reason. “What up?”

“Clearly not you. You on yo’ way?”

On my way. The words had no significance for a minute. Then a brain cell fired and everything came clear. It was Saturday; I had duty call on the Sunset,.

“Oh, cra-“ I caught myself before I swore at my Grandmother yet again. “Yeah, yeah, I’m on it.” I sighed deeply instead of saying what I was thinking. Then my eyes caught sight of the dim form of a sleeping Brandon. He practically glowed in the dark he was so pale. “Hey, Grandma. A buddy uh mine stayed over last night. We got room for one more?”

“Crew or passenger?”

“Ima guess passenger.”

She sighed this time. I heard some paper rustle then she sighed again. “I swear I spoil you. Alright.”

“You rock, Grandma. We’ll be there soon as we dressed.”

“Just don’t be late.” She said just before I heard the line click.

Much as I hated to do it, I turned on the light. Brandon didn’t move. I climbed back into the bed and shook him roughly. “Dude. Come on. Move.”

Groggy, he covered his face and tried to pull away from me. “No,” he whined, “Let me sleep. Just another minute.”

“I don’t have another minute. Ima be late as is.”

“What?” He looked at me, confused, through slit eyes. Then he seemed to remember the night before in one rush. He looked around. “Are we in trouble? Did someone hear us?”

“Dude. Chill. I got boat duty. But it’s cool, Grandma says you can sail with us. But we gotta go now.”

He sat up slowly – with a body that was killing me and morning wood. “Oh,” he said with a yawn, “I didn’t actually bring any clothes. I’d just planned to wear my suit home.”

I tossed him a shirt and a pair of pants that would work for the day. “Put a rush on it.”

He paused at the bathroom door. “Alex, about last night….”

“We don’t discuss it outside this room – ever – but if-n you ever wanna do it again, you best not make me late now.”

His mouth hung open for a moment then he ducked into the bathroom. A minute later, I hear the flush as he emerged, dressed, and sat down to put on his shoes. I tried to be as fast.

We arrived at the dock about five minutes late and yawning and had to endure one of my Grandmother’s lectures on punctuality before she gave us our tags and sent us out. I dragged Brandon down to the right slip, waving to the guys on other crews that I knew. We were underway, with me manning the galley before Brandon seemed to actually wake up.

“Do you do this every Saturday?”

“One uh month.”

He yawned and didn’t say much ‘til we docked in Reedville. Then he shadowed me for the day doing his best to help when he could or stay outta my way. The weather was perfect and the passengers consisted of six non-fishing couples trying for the first time. They had a ball. Capt. Jay didn’t mind having Brandon along and actually let the two of us spend the better part of the day just hanging out. On the way home, as the sun was setting, Brandon and I were sitting at the stern and he cleared his throat.

“Alex…”

“Al.” he still had not gotten the hang of our family habit of shipboard-vs-land names.

“Al, look, about last night.” I started to speak, but he cut me off. “I know you don’t want to discuss it but I need to. I’m sorry. It’s just that, I’ve never…that was the first time I’ve…”

“What, you never banged uh guy’s ass before?”

“I’ve never even kissed a guy before.” He said softly looking out over the water. “I don’t know if I’m ready for a relationship…”

“This ain’t no relationship.” I chortled, “You uh toy. Shit, I expect you to use the fuck outta me and forget my number when you done. ‘Cause that’s what Ima do to you.” His jaw dropped. For a moment, I thought he would cry. “Hey. Get over it. Talk ta Beth or Lisa. They’ll tell you the truth.” I glanced over my shoulder but we were alone for the moment. I bent him backward over the railing to kiss him. He shook but I couldn’t begin to say if it was fear of me, fear of falling in, passion or a combination. I just know when we stood up again, I had an urge to drag him below and bang him hard.

Sunday, I called Peter after church and confessed my sins – including getting a boner while telling him every thing. He sentenced me to one orgasm free week but a requirement to make Lisa, Beth and Brandon all cum at least once. And Sara – if things turn out that way. As punishments go, it was pretty light. I headed over to Beth’s house as soon as I hung up the phone since I knew that by the time I got there, Peter and Beth would have talked and she’d likely be ready to make me sweat.

“Sorry, not today. I’m on.” She said shrugging.

“So?” She knew for a fact that her period meant nothing to me.

“So, no.” She grinned. Then I got her point. If I failed my “sentence” this week, I’d get a harder one next week. Possibly something painful. In a backward way, she was rewarding me.

“You uh bitch and I love you.” I kissed her deeply.

“Alex!” she pulled back. “They’re home, you idiot!”

“Oh, what ‘cause they haven’t figured it out yet?” I scoffed. “Come on, they’re old not stupid.”

“I don’t care,” she snapped, “go away and let me sip my tea in peace. Go bug Lisa.”

“Whatever. Hey, what happened with Sara?”

“Oh, right. She ain't into it. She likes the look, but really, freaked at the idea of actually using a whip.”

“Aw, man!” I had really been looking forward to her doing wicked things to me. “Actually, for a minute last night, I thought Brandon was gonna take care of it for me.”

“Yes, I know.”

I paused. “You know?”

“I had a long talk with Brandon this morning. You gave him the scare from hell.”

I snorted. “Pussy.”

“Funny. I was thinking ‘fast learner’.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means that I’m the Dom now and I don’t have to tell you anything.” She grinned, which from Beth meant she was a devious little cunt. “You should go home and suffer until Monday.”

I used to hate it when she started giving orders. I went home and suffered until Monday.

Monday, Winter break officially started. I arrived at 5:15am for duty shift on my first choice of boats – McElroy’s Joy, a commercial fisher – only to find my Grandparents arguing.

“Marcus, I have never missed a day ‘cause I was sick, and I am not about to start now. Besides, who’s gonna run this office if I’m out, you?”

“Hell, yes! You just go on home an’ I’ll handle all this.”

“You can’t handle your own job, how are you gonna handle mine?”

“Alright now, woman, I just ‘bout had it with them kinda cracks…”

“Then it’s ‘bout time that you left me to my work!” She looked at me. “Al! What are you gawking at?”

“Uh, nothing, ma’am.” I had never heard them actually argue before. Fuss at each other, yes, but Granddad was really upset, I could tell. It was disturbing.

“Hold on.” He said, putting his hand gently on hers, “What if the boy stays here with you. If you need to take a break, you can….”

“I have never needed to take a damn break…”

“…in damn near forty-five years. I know, I know but Candice, honey, humor me. ‘Sides, if-n –“ he stopped, looked at me, frowned and looked back at her, “– might make some sense to train someone as a backup.”

She glared at him. “I don’t need help, damn you. Don’t you have someone else feet to get under?”

“I ain’t givin’ on this one, Candice. The boy stays here.”

They stared at each other and I swallowed hard wishing like all hell I had come in late and missed all this. Finally, Grandma looked away and said, “Put your things in the back and clock in. You’ll be in the dock house today.”

I could hear them talking softly and waited in the back room until I heard him leave. I came back in just as the crews started arriving. It didn’t take long to see what Grandma was doing but it was amazing trying to figure out how she knew who was on which ship and when, who to call in, which boat was going where.

“I been doing this a long time.” Was all she’d say.

Later, after all the boats were checked in and all the crews signed out, she let me go home. I had always known that Grandma was the first one in; I had never realized that she was also the last one out. She looked exhausted when Granddad came to pick her up but neither of them commented on it.

Instead of going home, I went to Lisa’s house. I greeted her mother with a peck on the cheek and headed up to Lisa’s room. Lisa was on the phone with someone so I sat down at her computer and logged in – I long ago guessed her passwords – and checked my e-mails. The one I was waiting for was there. Peter was coming home Thursday. “Yes!” I quietly cheered.

I checked a couple other things – the sports page, the one porn site I can reach from here, my Amazon account to see where my Christmas order was. Finally, I got tired of waiting for her to get off the phone. I sat on the bed next to her and she scooted over so I had space. I picked up her foot – I still had orders regarding Lisa. I took off her shoe and sock and nibbled the bottom of her foot. She jerked her foot back because she hates it when I do that but she didn’t drop a note in her conversation. I held her foot firmly and began licking her toes. I didn’t worry about how long it was gonna take to work my way up her body or what I was gonna do to make her cum hard enough to tell Peter that I hit it right. I just systematically licked and sucked every inch on skin I could reach. When I got to her jeans, I pushed them up. When they wouldn’t push any further, I stopped long enough to take them off. At some point, I hadn’t noticed, but she got off the phone. I started with her calf again and concentrated on not skipping any spots. I tuned out her low moans. I held her down when she started squirming too much.

By the time I reached her inner thighs, Lisa was dripping down them. She was hot and tangy – like good barbeque, I used to tell her – and I had to consciously stop myself from attacking her clit. I could taste that she’d already cum once but she was well on her way to a second. I could feel my own boner throbbing and I groaned when I realized that I wasn’t allowed to do anything about it. I let my tongue circle around her clit and slither around her syrupy slit. Eventually, I tongue fucked her – which I knew drove her wild. I heard her muffled scream and knew she’d hit it again. Her legs wrapped around my head and held me in place forcing me to eat her through her next orgasm. I planted my hands around her tight little ass and held her as still as I could while she bucked against me. I had to pause, close my eyes and just growl for a minute when I realized I that I was closer to my own edge that I thought. Head locked, like that, though, there wasn’t much I could do to reign in. Every time I inhaled, I got the full aroma of her sex and every breath of her pussy made my dick twitch.

I gave her legs a tug but she wouldn’t move. I tried to move my face back but she tightened her legs. I pulled back harder but Lisa’s been a cheerleader since 7th grade and likely could crush lead pipes with her thighs. For a moment, the conflict was overwhelming: I wanted to cum but I was under orders not to and Lisa’s over-ripe pussy was pushing all my buttons. Being forced to stay put against my will did it. I sucked down hard on her clit as I came so bad I thought I was gonna cry. Lisa came again while I was cumming and I got a face full of girl jizz.

If I could have done it, I would have cum again.

Her legs slipped from around my neck and I rolled next to her.

“Oh, fuck.” I groaned. One more thing to confess to Peter tonight.

By 8am, everything Grandma did in the morning was done and she began showing me where to look up all the information she knew off the top of her head. She showed me everything over the next two weeks. By the last few days before Christmas, I was getting pretty good at the job over Grandma’s shoulder. Not like she was, of course, but good enough to take over when she did take the occasional break during the day. People were stunned to see me at the desk but slowly I realized that they were shocked to see anyone at the desk. Grandma was never sick. Grandma never took vacation. Grandma only took off when she had Dad an’ Aunt Hanna ‘cause Great Granddad threatened ta fire her if they was born in the dockhouse.

When the boats started coming back around 2:30 on the Wednesday before Christmas, Grandma was asleep.

“Hey, Grandma?” I called out, softly ‘cause I didn’t really want to wake her but I kinda didn’t believe she was out like a light. “Hey, Candy.” There was no way she’d let me get away with that one if she was awake. “Right.” I took the desk.

“Where’s Candy?” was the first question out of everyone for the rest of the afternoon.

“I’ve got the desk.” I answered all of them, “ID Tag?”

Everyone who checked out, checked in. Grandma slept through it all. Granddad arrived around 6pm and frowned at me.

“Where is she?”

I tipped my head toward the back room. He looked in and I saw his face pass through about a hundred emotions.

I didn’t want to ask what was going on. But when people start acting weird like that, you know bad news is coming. I didn’t want to ask him, but I knew eventually he was gonna tell me whether I wanted to hear it or he wanted to say it.

“Is Grandma sick?” I asked. It sounded loud in the small space.

He nodded slowly. I didn’t ask anymore questions. We let her sleep. I finished the daily paperwork, turned off the computer and grabbed my coat. “See you in the morning, Sir.” I stopped because I wanted to say something else but I honestly didn’t know what. Instead, I hugged him. My Grandfather was never a touchy-feely kinda guy. He was more likely to hit you than hug you in the best of times. That day, I hugged him and he hugged me back. He abruptly let me go and straightened his shoulders. I recognized the gesture immediately; I did the same thing when I was too close to an emotion I didn’t want to let out. I stepped back and took a breath. “Goodnight, Sir.”

As I opened the door to leave, he called out, “Don’t be late in the mornin’, hear?”

She needs someone here, he didn’t say. I didn’t think he had to.

Christmas Eve, officially, we were closed which really just meant that all the employees got a paid day off and family manned all the boats. It was mostly the guys but a couple of the girls turn out every year as well. That year we had a lot of orders for fresh catch because several of the local restaurants finally figured out that we actually fished on Christmas Eve day, so we needed all three boats manned. I was getting all the crew details in order when I realized that Grandma was late. I started to get up and ask where she was then I stopped. I had a kind of prickly feeling all over my skin. Grandma took the Christmas Eve shift off for the first time ever. Something was so wrong with that I didn’t even know where to begin.

I finished typing up the assignments and went out on the dock to hand them out.

There were complaints – but they were mostly good-natured ones. Uncle Ed had a standing order that Uncle Jul and Aunt Rae couldn’t be on his boat on the same shift because they’d spend the day makin’ out even if Jul was over 60. Pete and Jean spend the whole day goofin’ off if they on the same boat. Aunt Han once threw Dad over the rail so Granddad won’t let them work together any more. The boats got underway more or less on time. Grandma didn’t even call. I manned the radio alone all day and did the check in by myself when the boats got back around lunchtime. Granddad nodded when I showed him the daily reports – completed and filed – before I locked the office.

“Good work.” Was all he said which was high praise when I wasn’t on the football field.

Peter was waiting for me in the parking lot. Everyone else was gone. He hugged me. He kissed me. He smelled like sweat and fish. I absolutely couldn’t have cared less.

I wasn’t in love with Peter or anything like that. But out of all the people I knew and cared about, Peter is the only one who seemed to ‘get’ me no matter what. The fact that I literally owe him my life didn’t hurt.

“I gotta go shower.” He said. “Then, I wanna meet this Brandon.” He dropped me at home and picked me up about an hour later supposedly so we could go hang out with some of his old classmates – and actually, we did stop by a couple of people’s houses.

But when we were about twenty minutes away, I called Brandon. “You free?”

He hesitated. “Now?”

“I’m on my way.” And hung up. I couldn’t help grinning and when I realized that Peter was watching me, I grinned even harder.

“You uh total little, shit, you know that?” he was grinning too. “Where’s your collar?” I pulled it out of my pocket and put in on. “Better. Actually, it really does suit you.”

When we got to Brandon’s, Peter was a perfect gentleman to his mother. “Good evening, ma’am. I’m sorry to intrude on your holiday. Alex and I are paying our respects to several friends of ours and, as we’re going to Lisa’s next, we were wondering if Brandon might go with us. We’ll have him home in time for dinner.” How could she have refused Mr. Suave?

We went to Brandon’s room. Honest to God, I thought it was his sister’s. There was black lacquered wood everywhere and lots of pink silk. “Most of this was my mother’s before she married my Dad.” He said in that soft effeminate voice of his.

“Peter, this is Brandon.” I made the official introduction. “Brandy, Peter.”

Brandon barely responded to his nickname. He looked Peter in the eye. “A pleasure to meet you. Sir.” Then he looked at me, “Do you want me to change clothes?”

He was wearing jeans and a shirt. I shrugged, “What do I care what you wear?”

“I didn’t know,” he replied, “we haven’t discussed it.” He turned to Peter. “Do you care?”

Peter looked thoughtful for a moment. He looked at me then back at Brandon, “Alex likes pain. A lot. Do you?”

“No, sir. Not at all.”

“I care if Alex over steps your boundaries.” Peter gave him a card. “If he goes too far, call me. Other than that, I don’t care what you two do.” Peter stepped over to me and slid his fingers into my hair. “You know what too far is?” He grabbed a handful of my hair.

“Yes, Sir.”

He twisted. “I will make your life a living hell if-n that boy call me.” He pulled harder, forcing my head back. “I will come home and make you suffer in every way I can. You think I won’t?”

“No, Sir.” I gasped and bent my knees.

“You think that sounds like a good thing?”

“No, Sir.”

“You believe me?”

I knew for a fact, he could make every day a misery if he put his mind to it. “Yes, Sir.”

He let my head go and reached out to shake Brandon’s hand. “Glad to meet you, Brandon. Or do you prefer Brandy. In private, of course.”

Brandon blushed, “Brandy, Sir.”

Peter looked at his watch. “Hey, we gotta jet, guys. I told Lisa we be there around six.”

We went to see Lisa and a few other folks and dropped Brandy back home by eight. “Lovely,” Peter remarked as we pulled off again, “What are you gonna do about a boyfriend?”

Football season ended and as much as I love the game, I was glad to have time to compete in the Ballroom Dance events again. I made Brandon join the class and he turned out to be spectacular – graceful, balanced, precise. Mr. Fuentes nearly blew watching Brandy and Carolyn Scott twirl around the room after a week’s worth of practice.

Dancing with my ex-girlfriend Leigh was still a bitch though. We still seemed to push each other buttons without even trying but she barely tolerated me any other time. I didn’t get it – she dumped me. Publicly. Brutally. Why she blamed me ‘cause her love life sucked, I had no idea. My problem, of course was, that I knew what a little evil cunt bitch she was. I knew she could inflict pain. She wasn’t clever or particularly creative – usually. Every once in a while she’d think of something new and I’d be sore for a week – but really she was consistent. Even then, we’d been broken up almost a full year and she still dug her nails into me every chance she got. Every dance class, I went home with blue balls. Hell, blue-black balls.

Brandon grew a pair at school and although on the weekends and in private he was the biggest pussy I knew, he actually started standing up for himself when the jackasses in class tried to mess with him. I was actually kinda proud of him – I didn’t know if I had anything to do with it but I was glad he wasn’t letting himself get stepped on anymore. As the Sweetheart Ball approached, I gave up on finding a girlfriend in time and planned on taking Lisa again.

“My parents will be gone that week.” Brandy told me a few days later. “I have an appointment right after school today but can you come over tonight? Around 7? I want to show you something.”

“Cool.” It wasn’t like I had plans.

I did have chemistry that afternoon. Mrs. Hinkler paired us off for an experiment using lots of test tubes and open flame. I got Sheila Garcia who was one of those vampire, all black wearing goth wannabes that never crossed my path. While she set up the tubes, I got the burner going and put my hand over the flame just to see how long I could hold it there. Every time it got hot, I pulled my hand back. Peter made me promise I wouldn’t self inflict damage anymore. I got to where I could hold it over the flame – pretty close actually – for the count of 10. I was trying for fifteen when Sheila held my wrist.

“Play with fire, you gonna get burned.”

“Hey! Leggo!” I tried to put my arm back but she had a pretty solid grip. I pulled back hard and damn near yanked her across the table, knocking into our experiment. We both grabbed for the burners and test tubes before anything broke.

“Careful!” Mrs. Hinkler called out, “No fooling around this stuff, people.”

I looked at my hand to make sure I hadn’t actually gotten burned. “Bitch.” I muttered under my breath.

“Wuss.” She muttered back.

“What?” I snapped.

“What?”

We stared at each other for a solid minute then she put her hand over the flame. I watched her lips counting the seconds. Twenty-five. Twenty-five seconds before she couldn’t hide the wince and pulled her hand back. I put my hand over the burner. And left it there. At twenty, I knew it was scaled. At twenty-five, I knew my face was giving me away. At thirty-five, I gave up and snatched my hand back. “Oww.” I hissed, “Fuck!”

Sheila pulled my hand across the table and studied it for a moment. She blew on it gently. It was cool and a little soothing even as it stung. My throat went dry. Then she found some tissues in her book bag, used her Evian to wet them, placed them on my palm and curled my fingers around to hold it in place. “I’ll measure and pour. You take the notes.” She said.

My hand hurt like hell. But all of a sudden, Sheila seemed to change. She didn’t look any different and she wasn’t really acting any different but she was definitely more attractive. We started the experiment. While we waited for the chemicals to cook, I said, “So, do you burn the fuck outta all yo’ science partners or am I just lucky?”

She shrugged, “You shouldn’t take risk if-n you ain’t got guts.”

“Oh, an’ you know about risk. What, dangerous vampires?”

She glares at me. “You so shallow. You jocks think that everything is the world is either sports or not sports. At least I know what risk is – and I know I haven’t taken a real one. You have less of an idea than I do.”

“Hey, I know risk. Trust me.”

“News flash Mr. All Star: girl on top is not risky.”

“News flash Ms. High an’ Mighty: girl on top with razor is.”

She laughed and checked the experiment. She read off the first set of measurements and I dutifully wrote them down. We reset the model and ran the second test.

“You are so not into kink.” She chuckled.

“You don’t know fuck about me.” I don’t know why it burned me so much that she thought that I was so clean cut but it did. “Ima sick little shit.”

“You uh privileged little jock who’s not gonna have ta work a day in yo’ life. You will never have ta take a real risk. So of course you a little freaky now. But really, you gonna wind up in the missionary position every Thursday with yo’ blonde ex-cheerleader wife.”

I stared at her hard. It took me a minute to reign in enough to speak. “OK, first off you don’t know uh damn thing ‘bout me or my family. Yeah we got money, but we work like shit for it. You don’t believe me, I got boat duty next weekend, you can come out with me and watch me haul fish fo’ 12 fuckin’ hours. Second off, fuck you. You think you know every one ‘cause you all outsider and shit. You don’t. You wouldn’t know uh real fetish if it bit you on the fuckin’ leg.”

She was silent for a minute – which was probably a good thing. After a while, the test tube started bubbling and she read off the next set of numbers. We didn’t talk about anything but the experiment and I spent the rest of my time trying to think of descriptions for her more clever that ‘uppity bitch’.

At the end of class, she came around to my side of the table and put her foot on my chair. She rolled up her pants leg to reveal a bit mark. The faint bruise showed still identifiable teeth marks. “Trust me. When fetish bits me on the leg, I know.” She put her pants back down. “See you after lunch.”

I sat with friends during lunch but I know I missed the whole conversation. I was stuck thinking what kind of freak lets someone leave bite marks on them? What kind of twist wants to bit a living person hard enough to leave visible bite marks? I mean that kind of shit hurts. Really, seriously. Most people chicken out before the pain even starts. You’d feel the breath, maybe the lips. Then the smooth pressure of the teeth themselves. Sharp. It would start slowly and build….

“Alex?”

Beth’s voice snapped me out of my fog and I realized that my dick was throbbing from the idea of someone – of Sheila – biting me. I swallowed hard, took a breath and straightened my shoulders.

“Yeah. Hey. What up?”

“You ok?”

“Yeah. Lost in thought. Chem class was…” Hot? “…weird.”

“Yeah, whatever. Listen, I wanna go to the movies with Lisa and Raina. Take my shift on Saturday.”

It wasn’t actually an order but she was depending on my saying yes because she was Dom. “Y’know Peter never abused his power like that.”

“Yeah, y’know Peter ain’t here. Take my shift or I’ll call him an’ tell him I saw uh hand print on Brandy’s ass.”

I rolled my eyes and laughed. “You are such uh evil cunt!”

“Don’t you have a ‘no swearing’ rule?” She tried not to laugh with me. “Come on, Alex, please? I’ll take yours two weeks in uh row.”

I leaned up and kissed her cheek. “It’s cool, I’ll take it. We’ll call it punishment for a rules violation.”

“Cool.” She kissed my cheek back. “Thanks.” She put her cell to her ear. “Told ya.” She walked off yakking away.

My next class was a waste of time. I wasn’t a big history buff anyway and that day I had less interest than usual. Sheila was in my German class in the following period. History actually seemed to slow down as the class wore on, every minute seeming to take hours to pass. Mid-way through, Mr. Gannon put us into discussion groups to debate something that happened two billion years ago. I banged my head on my desk.

“Dude!” one of my classmates snapped and I tried to pull my head outta my ass long enough to participate.

Class lasted somewhere between forty-five minutes and forty-five hours – by which time I was aching to know who bit Sheila and if they would bit me.

When class ended, I damn near ran to the next classroom and waited in the hall for her. She eventually came strolling down the hall with one of her goth friends. I grabbed her wrist. “Hey. Let’s talk.”

Goth boy glared at me but Sheila just tilted her head. “It’s ok, Don. I’ll be in in a minute.” I pulled her down the hall to an empty doorway. “Ok, talk.”

“How’d you get that mark?” she raised her eyebrows. “Sheila! Come on! Just tell me.”

She shrugged. “You wouldn’t believe me anyway.” She half smiled. “I could show you.”

“Ok, so show me.”

She glanced around us. “Not here. It’d take too long, anyway. After school, you know where the smokehouse is?” a tool shed on the back edge of the school property. I nodded. “Ok, meet me there as soon as you can.” I let her arm go and she rubbed her wrist. “Quite a grip.” She seemed to be thinking of something else as she walked back to the classroom. I got through German class barely. I kept finding my eyes drawn to Sheila and wondering what other marks she was hiding. Who marked her? What she planned to do to me?

After school, it seemed the entire building was determined to get in my way. I got to the smokehouse without killing anyone by sheer act of will. When I got there, I found the wide variety of goth losers listening to The Cure and one tall black dude.

“Jay! What up?” I put my fist out to my second cousin James. If you’ve seen my Dad, you can see a slight family resemblance between me and Jay but otherwise, forget it.

“Alex.” He put down his notepad and met my fist. “How’s the family?”

“All good.” If he didn’t know about Grandma, I wasn’t gonna tell him there. “Since when do you hang out back here?”

He shrugged. “Always have.” I caught sight of the sketch he was working on. It’s a gargoyle. Not the comic book stuff he used to do when we used to hang out during church service. “Very cool.”

“Thanks.”

“Since when do you know McElroy?” a guy wearing mascara asked him.

“Since birth. We’re cousins. My grandfather is his grand uncle.”

“So why are you here now?” one of the girls asked me.

“To see me.” Sheila said from behind me.

“Dude, Sunday?” I put my hand out to Jay again.

“If I can’t avoid it.” He meant church service, not me. He tapped me again. “Later.”

I followed Sheila into the woods nearby. They were a thin grove of trees but enough to provide a little cover between you any one approaching you. It was not so much private as it was saying ‘we want to be private’.

“Sit down,” she said, “Indian style.”

I sat.

“Ok, it’s a game. And here’s how you play. Give me your hands.” She pulled my arms behind my back.

“Hey! What the fuck!”

“Shut up or forfeit.” She barked.

I set my jaw and let her tie my hands behind my back. I wasn’t sure just how big a jackass I was but if she killed me, at least Jay was nearby to identify the body and knew who saw me last. If, of course, he wasn’t there to help bury the body.

“Now,” She said when my arms where pretty well constricted, “Lean forward and bit your leg.”

“Come again?”

“It’s a gag. You gag yourself with your own leg. I’m gonna do somethin' that'll hurt and you have ta stay quiet. If you scream, everyone will know you uh wuss. If you want me ta stop, just say ‘uncle’. If I finish before you do, you win.” She had that smug look again. “Still think you like kink?”

I leaned forward and put my teeth around my leg. The position itself was a form of torture. Behind me, her soft hands slipped under my shirt and stroked my back. Then she pulled the shirt up and over my eyes. “No peeking.” She sang softly. That was the moment I knew I was gonna lose it before it was over.

She reached around my waist and undid my belt. My jaw clinched as I swallowed hard. She pushed the back of my pants down a bit.

Some thing scratched me. Something sharp, claw-like, slowly ripping skin. Not deep but definitely painful. Nothing I couldn’t handle yet but the anticipation surged through me and I grunted softly. She wiped the spot with something cool. Then fire spread across the mark – alcohol. She repeated the process, wiping the alcohol across two marks, then three, then four. Each time it burned like fuck and my teeth clinched a little tighter around my leg to keep from whimpering aloud. I dry came around the tenth mark, mewing as quietly as I could – just assuming that screaming ‘cause I came would be considered wussing out. I lost count of the marks. I came twice.

“Wow.” She said eventually. “I’m impressed. I don’t actually know anybody our age who finished.”

I was still shaking as she pulled my shirt down. It touched the line on my back and made it sting. I hissed causing the puddle of drool on my leg to bubble. I realized that I could unclench my jaw but it was too sore. It took a couple seconds and when I did, pain surged up my leg. “Oh. Fuck.” I panted. I was lightheaded. I felt beat up.

I wanted her to do it again.

“What did you do?” I finally managed to ask. She pulled out an oversize safety pin and drew a tiny line above my ankle, not long but it took a few strokes to make it more that a scratch. Then she reached into her pocket and wiped it with an alcohol pad. Fire ran through the tiny mark. I shivered and tried not to cum again. “Oh, fuck.”

She touched the visible wet spot on my jeans and felt my renewed boner. The touch made me groan. “You wet yourself?”

“I came. Twice. You goin’ fo’ three.”

She moved her hand. “That bite’s gonna be pretty bad tomorrow.”

It suddenly occurred to me that she had to have been in that exact position in the last month to have those teeth marks. “Let me see.” She knew what I meant. She knelt away from me and lifted the bottom of her shirt. In a neat little line were the letters of the alphabet A through Q. “How far did I get?”

“Z.” She looked back at me. “That’s why I’m so impressed. I know someone who finished but he’s like 30. Kids our age always cry uncle around E.”

“Peanut Butter.”

“What?”

“Peanut Butter. My safe word, for future reference, is peanut butter. If I say it, I’m not playing any more.” I got my legs straight and marveled at the prickly feeling of blood rushing through them again. “I’m allergic to peanuts so my Dom thought it was a phrase I wouldn’t forget.”

She looked at me stunned, “You have a Dominant.”

“I told you, you ain’t know shit about me.”

“You did.” She tilted her head. “So why are you telling me this now?”

“So you know next time.”

“Next time?”

I paused, realizing I’d jumped several guns. “If you wanna next time. If I can get permission for a next time.” I tried to stand and found my legs shaky but working. “Do you have a date for the Sweetheart Dance? I gotta do the Dance Club thing but after that I could be all yours. To use. Or abuse.”

“I don’t do dances.” She shook her head then looked at me. “Well. Maybe. Let me think about it.” She picked up her book bag. “I gotta go.” She looked almost shy. “See you tomorrow. Maybe.”

I had gotten almost all the way home when I remembered that Brandon asked me to drop by. I called him to tell him I wouldn’t make it but he didn’t answer. I changed my pants, sweet talked my Mom into letting me take her car and got to Brandon’s a bit late.

The house was dark. I started to knock but the door pushed open at my first touch. “Brandon? Ms. Dixon?” There was one dim light flickering in the living room. “What the fuck?” I thought. People have gotten their homes broken into in the county but not where the Dixon’s live. I pulled my cell and called Beth. I told her to hold the line. I called out again, “Ms. Dixon? Brandon? I’m comin’ in.” I headed back toward the only lit room. There were candles on every table and in the middle of the room sat a woman with the same honey blonde hair Brandon and his mom shared. “Uh, hey. Is, uh, everything cool here?”

“Yes. Thank you.” She said softly, “You are here to see Brandon?”

“Uh, yeah.”

She stood up and gestured to the couch. “Please wait.”

“Uh, yeah.” I told Beth that it was a false alarm and sat down.

The woman was slender and graceful. She reminded me of the cruise ship singer in Singapore. She returned with a glass of iced tea for me and settled down across from me. She picked up her sewing. I sipped the tea and watched her. She was stunning, but familiar. I knew Brandon had a sister I hadn’t met. “Are you Ping Chin?”

“No.”

“Is Brandon home?”

She looked at me directly and smiled shyly. She looked back at her sewing.

“Is Ms. Dixon here?”

“No.”

“Ok, is Mr. Dixon here?”

“My parents are in Hong Kong visiting my sister and my grandparents.”

“So who the hell are you?” I finally asked.

She smiled again, looking down, “You know.”

I studied her for a moment. Familiar, yes but who she was I had no clue. She was clearly related to Brandon but I hadn’t met his sister or any of his relations except his mother and she was way too young. She had the same facial shape as Brandon and the same delicate bone structure. The features that were so effeminate on a guy were gorgeous on a chick. Looking at her, I began to wonder what it would be like to kiss her. Like kissing Brandon, I realized. She was Brandon’s twin.

She smiled at me again and I recognized my error. This wasn’t Brandon’s sister. “Brandon?”

“Brandy.” he corrected me.

“Dude, you know you wearin’ uh dress, right?”

“Every year my parents go to Hong Kong for a month and I get to be myself – at least at home.”

“Dude, you wearin’ uh dress.”

“Yes, I know.”

“Ok, seriously, like what the fuck?”

“I like wearing dresses. I wish I could wear them all the time.”

I stared at him. Her. It. There was no question; he made a hot chick. But I liked guys. Or girls. I hadn’t considered mixing the two. He put the sewing down and crossed the room to me. He knelt in front of me. “I could be your girlfriend. On the weekends. After school. I would be normal at school. Then I could be a girl for you here.”

“I kinda wanted uh boyfriend.”

“But I am a boy. I would be your boy girlfriend. I’m still a boy. But aren’t I a pretty girl?” He flipped his hair over his shoulder. He was a fuckin’ hot girl. “Don’t you want me to be your girlfriend?” He slid his hand over my crotch, which got damn hard, damn fast. He leaned down and kissed my dick through my jeans. “You do like it when I do this.” He rubbed his cheek against my crotch. I let him slowly open my pants and tease my dick with his cheek, lips and tongue. I wanted to stop him but it was so twisted – so wrong doin’ it with uh guy in uh dress – that I could barely hold back. “Let me be your boytoy.”

I've given lots of blow jobs to Peter and Faroud. And I've received them from more girls than I know. Most girls, for some reason, would rather suck than fuck. But I'd only ever gotten head from a guy once and that night I was so keyed up it took like two strokes. Brandon's – Brandy's – mouth was rougher than a girl's and even though he was trying to be soft, I could tell this was a guy. That wasn't a bad thing, just different. After a couple minutes, I slipped my fingers into his hair and tried to get him to speed up.

A guy in a dress. Not just something under his clothes – like the panty thing Peter does to fuck with me – but actually, full-out dude-looks-like-uh-lady. I noticed I was growling and slowed Brandy down. I had to admit, it felt good. I am all about felt good. In all honesty, if Brandy wanted to blow me on a regular basis, I didn't really care what he wanted to wear while he did it.

He reverted to lighter, softer touches and I pulled the back of his neck down. "Harder." I hissed, "Harder and deeper." I arched my hips against his mouth and the head of my dick scraped the back of his teeth. I held him still and did it again. "Oh, yeah, yeah." I panted. I couldn't believe that I was that close again. Sheila had been barely two hours earlier, Brandy had me on edge already. I pulled his head back; he moaned as my dick popped out of his mouth. "You like this, fag?" I sneered.

"Yes. Yes, Alex. Please let me finish." he pleaded.

My dick lurched hearing him beg; That must be why Peter makes me beg so often, I thought. "You uh dick or uh pussy?" I asked him.

"A pussy, Alex, a pussy."

"If-n you uh dick, you can fuck me. You wanna get fucked, pussy?"

He pulled away from me so fast I wasn't sure what happened. He bent over and lifted the yards of silk covering his legs to reveal his bare ass. "Fuck me, Alex, fuck your pussy."

I slipped off the couch and on to my knees. I crawled up to him and rubbed my dick against the crack of his ass. I had never fucked another guy before – been fucked, yeah, but not the boner only the bonee.

Pain. I did it 'cause I seriously like pain. I like it dry. Brandon won't. I got a grip on my hormones and stand up. Lube."

"What?" he panted, confused.

"Lube. I can't do you dry, it'll hurt like fuck."

"Oh." He seemed to have some trouble thinking then jumped up and ran upstairs. He can back with a bottle of KY for Women. "I saw this on mom's dresser. Will this do?"

"I don't know." I looked at the description. For feminine dryness. "Fuck it. Bend over." I squeezed some on his rectum and smeared it around with my thumb. Then I pushed my thumb into him. He cried out and shuttered. "Too rough, pussy?"

He couldn't speak so I pulled my thumb out added more lube and pushed it back in. He whimpered. I thumbed him slowly until he began pushing back against my hand in rhythm.

"You like that, pussy?"

"Oh God!" He wriggled his ass against my hand. "Oh, God, please don't use me. Abuse me. Fuck me. Oh god, don't fuck me." His hand disappeared under the silk. I pushed the fabric further up his back with my free hand; he was stroking himself.

"You hate this, Pussy?"

"Your thumb too big. Please. Hurt me. Don't hurt me."

His verbal and physical messages were changing so fast, I couldn't keep up. "You pissin' me off, pussy." I twisted my thumb and he cried out. "Here's the deal, pussy, I don't like games, if you wanna call a time out, say 'time out' otherwise, I'm gonna ignore everything else you say 'cause you uh pussy an' you like it when I treat you like the pussy you is." I pulled my thumb out of his ass and pulled his face to me. "Do you get me, pussy? Yes, no or time out."

"Yes, Alex." he gasped. "My safe word is time out. Please don't fuck me."

I pushed him on the floor and ripped open my pants all the way.

"I'll scream." he whispered. I stuffed my dick in his mouth.

"Yeah, you will but not 'til I'm good an' ready."

He squeezed my nuts hard and I bucked against him. "Oh, fuck yeah, bitch, squeeze 'em" He tried to scratch me but he didn't have the nails for it. His hands slid up and connected with Sheila's line of cuts. "Aw, fuck!" Pain seared along my lower back. I pulled out of his mouth long enough to turn around and take his mammoth dick into mine – not the biggest I’d ever sucked but easily in the top three. We sixty-nine’d until I though I was gonna blow – then I pulled away from him.

"Hey pussy, take this silk shit off."

"You can't make me." He moaned.

I shoved him over until I found the zipper and yanked it down. "Take this shit off or Ima rip it off. He slid out of the dress quickly. His rock hard dick was dripping jizz all over the dress. I realized it wasn't pre-cum; it was his first load.

"You uh cum slut, pussy?" He moaned. "Got me an idea. How 'bout I fuck yo' ass, pussy, like uh jackhammer then I cum all over yo' face. You like that, pussy?"

"No, no." he groaned as he crawled to his knees and pulled the dress underneath himself. He started writhing a bit and I realized it was to rub himself against the silk.

I found my wallet and a condom and prepped myself. I squirted the last of the lube on his asshole and shoved my dick in without warning him. His head snapped back but his voice seemed to catch in this throat so he didn't scream.

I grabbed his hair and kept his head tilted back to kiss him. His tongue explored my mouth greedily. I let his hair go and groped around the silk until I had a handful of it and him. I jacked him while banging his ass. He began groaning – a sound like a wail – and held it as I began to pick up speed. I felt him cum; dick lurching in my hand, ass pulsing around my dick. I stopped moving and just held him to keep from letting lose myself. When he finished, I started again, banging away until he begged me to cum.

Then I yanked out of him. He turn around as I whipped the condom off and sprayed jizz all over his face and hair.

He fell back and I fell on him. Neither of us spoke for a while.

“I don’t have time to come down this week, Alex.” Peter sounded frustrated. “Can you hold off with this girl until next weekend?”

"Peter, the dance is tomorrow night."

"I know. I said I'm sorry." He sighed deeply. "Alex. No pain until meet this girl. You wanna screw her, fine. But no scars, no bruises, no scratches. Clear?"

I have a number of things I want to say but all of them are likely to get me suspended. "Clear, Sir." I answer.

The next day was a long one at school. Brandon had been down right butch since the ‘Brandy Incident’, actually looking and acting like a guy at school, but our schedules had been crossed and I hadn’t been able to see him alone. The one time we spoke, he smiled mysteriously, said things were cool, and that we'd have time to talk Friday. Sheila had agreed to go to the dance but hadn't said much more than that.

Friday night, I dressed early and went on the rounds to pick up Lisa, Brandon, Beth and Sheila. I got Beth first since she was closest. She was stunning in some pink thing.

When we got in the car, I made sure no one was watching then leaned over and stuck my tongue down her throat. "Why the fuck are you my cousin?"

“Don’t ask me; I’m trying to remember why I care.”

“We could skip the dance.”

She laughed, “You’re kidding, right? Drive.”

I was only half kidding. I drove to Brandon’s. I honked the horn and waited. When he didn’t come out, I rolled my eyes. “Jesus! What uh chick!” Beth and I went up to the door, and just to prove how crass I could be, I shouted, “Hey! Brandy! Let’s roll!” Beth hit me. “What?” I laughed.

Then the door opened and Beth gasped. ‘Brandy’ was standing in the doorway. He was wearing another one of his silk numbers – also pink – and looked like a blonde china doll.

“Sorry I took so long.” He said.

“Oh my God,” Beth breathed, “Brandon?”

“Brandy.” He corrected.

“Ok,” I shook my head, “you cannot do that tonight.”

“Please, Alex.” He begged. “Please! I’ll never get to do this ever again. Please, Alex.”

“Oh my God,” Beth repeated, “You look amazing!” Beth pulled Brandy out of the doorway and walked all the way around him. “Oh, but he’s right; you can’t go as ‘Brandy’. Everyone will guess.”

“No, I meant…” but the two of them ignored me.

“I could use my real name, Ping Lo. I never use it.”

“Look, you can’t go….” Beth didn’t even let me finish the sentence.

“Come on, Ping Lo, we just need to pin your hair in the back.” Beth led Brandon upstairs despite my protests. She redid his hair and touched up his make-up. When she was done, I would have been hard pressed to say how many girls were in the room if I didn't know better.

Beth and 'Ping Lo' chatted happily as we drove to Lisa's house. She meet us at the door – which was a bit odd but we were late so I didn't question it – and she was also wearing pink. We were almost at Sheila's house when she realized who 'Ping Lo' really was. Like Beth, she seemed to think it was just fine.

At Sheila's, I put my foot down, "Ok. You three stay here. I don't want Sheila thinkin' I hang out with a bunch uh freaks."

Beth looked at me for maybe a full two seconds before she opened the door and got out of the car. Lisa and Brandon followed suit.

"Great!" I muttered under my breath.

Sheila's father answered the door. His face said what my Dad's face would have said if a guy in a gold lame suit arrived with a harem to pick up my sister.

"Good evening, sir." I coughed and cleared my throat. "I, um, I'm Alex. Alex McElroy. I'm here to take Sheila to the dance. She home?” He looked over my shoulder at the idiots arrayed behind me. I prayed he doesn't get a good look at Brandon. "My, uh, cousins, Sir. I kinda got stuck drivin' 'em since they can't beg, borrow or steal uh date of their own." No one could have looked at them and believed that, but he stepped aside and let us in the door.

"Who was it, dear" a motherly-looking woman peered into the hallway, "Oh, you must be Sheila's date. You just come into the living room. She'll be down in just a moment." We all streamed in to a quaint little room with lots of overstuffed pillows. "I didn't realize that Sheila had so many girl friends."

"Oh, uh, yes, ma'am." Lisa and Beth exchanged looks. "Actually, could we go up? She hasn't seen Ping Lo's dress yet."

"Oh, of course, dear. Her room is at the end of the hall."

The 'girls' ran off, giggling, leaving me and Mr. Garcia in the living room. He looked at me. I looked at the fireplace.

"Quite a suit you got there." He commented.

That, at least, I could explain. "I'm on the ballroom dance team. We're doin' uh bit tonight."

He grunted non-committal-ly then fell silent. "You're not like Sheila's usual dates, are you?" He said finally.

"Uh, no sir."

"Wait, you say your name was McElroy?"

The part of the conversation I hate; people either hate us or love us. "Uh, yes, sir."

"I went to school with a couple of McElroys. You wouldn't happen to know George or Charles would you?"

"My father, sir. George, I mean."

"Huh." was all he said. We sat in silence again.

Eventually, Beth called down, "Oh Alex, are you ready?"

"Jeez! You the one wanna go ta this thing. Let's go!"

I was answered with laughter. Then Beth slowly made her way down the stairs. When she reached the base, Lisa appeared and slowly came down. I sighed deeply and looked at my watch. They were determined to make a production out of this. Brandon followed Lisa, and I had to admit, I was getting used to seeing a girl.

Then Sheila finally entered. She moved quickly down the stairs in a black lace top and black leather pants. "Can we go now?"

"Wow, you look hot." I said, standing in more ways than one. Her father grunted again and I glanced in his direction. "Nice. I mean nice."

"You look microwave-able." She rolled her eyes. "I'll be back." She stuffed some keys in her pocket and headed for the door.

"Have fun on your date dear." he mother called out.

Sheila stopped, clearly exasperated, "It's not uh date."

I look at her Dad and shrugged. "I'll have her home early, sir."

He laughed at me.

In the car, I wavered between feeling like a sultan and a chauffer. We stopped for dinner in town as always. Beth and Lisa insisted that I sit between Sheila and Brandon. "After all," Lisa pointed out "they really are your dates."

"Maybe she is." Sheila sipped her soda, "I still don't know why I'm here."

"You're here because Alex isn't allowed playmates without approval." Beth picked up a breadstick and poked me with it, "Are you?"

"No ma'am." I wasn't at all sure I wanted to have this conversation over dinner.

"You Dominant over him?" Sheila scoffed. "Oh, come on."

"No, you're right, I'm not. I'm sort of representing, uh, his Dom at the moment." "Oh, right."

I decided to end this before it really got started. "Can we do this later? I kinda don't want to discuss this here, ok?"

Beth ignored me. "So, for tonight, he has very strict rules. You can use him but not abuse him. No scars, none of those letters – his Dom is not happy about that – no real pain. After you meet his Dom, you two can figure out what's allowed. OK?"

Sheila laughed for a moment then sort of stopped. "You're serious?"

"Very." Beth actually looked very Dom at the moment.

"Ok. Sure. No razorblades tonight." Sheila reached into her back pocket and tossed Beth a slim packet. Beth opened it. Her eyes went wide. She closed the packet and put it in her purse.

"Now, another thing," Lisa added, "Fidelity..."

"I'm not." Sheila stated.

"Good." Lisa smiled, "He's not allowed to be. He does who I say he does, when I say and how.”

“You’re kidding!” Sheila practically cackled. Beth and Lisa didn’t even crack a smile and Brandon quietly sipped his tea. I felt roughly like 180 pounds of blue being haggled over down at the dock. “Ok, you’re not kidding. What, you three, the pink dominatrix?”

That got them and Beth and Lisa broke into peels of laughter, “Oh my God!” Beth exclaimed, “We so have to get jackets made!”

"So what's you're job in all of this?" Sheila asked Brandon.

He looked at me. It was somewhat fawning and a bit disturbing. "I could say to service my master's every desire."

"Hey, uh, look..." I started but he laughed shyly.

"But really, I'm just here for the ride." He looked away even as he leaned toward Sheila, "He is an excellent lover."

"Is he?" She seemed to disbelieve that.

"Oh yeah," Lisa was positively chipper on the topic, "I mean, you have to like aggressive assholes to start, of course..."

"...Thanks..."

"...but he can actually hold back until you're done. So he can make it worth your time."

"And more," Beth spoke up, "he actually cares if you hit it or not."

Sheila lifted an eyebrow, "And you know this because..."

"...because I know him."

"I see." Sheila finished the last bit of her dinner and put down her fork. "Ok, you know you guys are freaks, right?"

"You the one like kink, I thought." I didn't mean to snap but Sheila's attitude was beginning to grate. I didn't like the way she was treating Lisa or Beth and was becoming more and more worried that talking to her was a mistake.

"I am. But what are you, some kind of slave?"

I opened my mouth then stopped. I hadn't actually thought of it that way. Beth, Lisa and Peter control me – even more than my parents. If they told me to, I would eat, sleep and shit when they wanted. "Yeah," I said slowly, "I guess I am. Except for this pussy," I gestured at Brandon, "Pe-" I catch my self, "My Dom owns me. These two are just the overseers."

"So why do you need me? You have enough going on."

"No pain. They won't beat me. They would never carve into me. Shit, I can't even get them to slap me around every once in a while – a simple spanking." She looked thoughtful, "But you're all about pain. You could hurt me. Really, seriously hurt me."

"Yeah," She agreed softly, "Yeah, I could."

"No," Beth interjected, "You couldn't. You wouldn't be allowed to seriously hurt him. No permanent marks. He has one – that's all he gets until he turns 18."

"Yeah, I saw that. Cool tat. Why'd you put it there?"

"My Dom had it put there. Hurt like shit. I didn't get to pick the location or the design."

"See? That's just weird. I mean, if I just told you to poke yourself with a fork, you'd do it?"

I reached for my fork but Lisa got it first. "No. He has a rule about self-inflicted damage ever since, uh, we realized that he can't be trusted on his own."

"I was trying to make a point." I frowned at Lisa.

"T S." She kept talking to Sheila. "I don't mind sharing Alex but I want him to come back in the same condition as when I sent him out."

"What, am I for rent now?" They ignored me.

"The basic rule of thumb," Beth said, "is if they'd see it in the locker room, you can't do it."

"That cuts out a lot of stuff." Sheila noted.

"It's not a problem for the rest of us." Lisa shrugged.

"Ok." Sheila abruptly stood up. "Let me think about it. I'll let you know before the dance ends. Where's the rest room?"

They all went leaving me to flag down our waiter and pay the check. We arrived at the school with just enough time for me to get to the team but Beth stopped me as I got out of the car.

"Wait, let's do this right." She arranged us so that Brandon and Sheila were holding my arms and she and Lisa were holding Brandon and Sheila.

Sheila laughed, "Silk and satin, leather and lace." she sang.

"Black panties with an angel's face." Beth sang back.

The two of them continue with some song only they knew as I escorted them – or they took me, I wasn't sure which was more accurate – into the gym. At the door, was a booth for photos and they shoved me into the fan back chair and posed around me. Three pictures later, I was able to go find the dance team.

Mr. Fuentes was scribbling on his clipboard when I found the gold and green lame clad group. "Oh thank god!" he sighed when he saw me and began erasing and rewriting. "Ok, a little reworking, here people. Carol, you and Alex. Leigh and Frank. Gail and Khalid...." He paired us all off. "We're going to start with the waltz, then the hustle. Khalid and Carol, I want you to do that cute little jitterbug number. Then we finish with the mambo, Alex and Leigh, front and center. Any questions? Good. Ok, breathe; let me go see where we are." He rushed back into the gym, giving us a minute.

Carol and I practiced a couple of turns. "So what up with Brandon?" She asked lightly. I nearly tripped. "He called me after school and said he wouldn’t be able to make it. I know you guys hang out. Did he say anything?"

"Uh, no. He didn't say anything to me." At least that was technically true. ‘He’ didn't tell me a damn thing after school.

Fuentes came back before she could ask me any more questions I didn't want to answer. We went into the gym and did our show. I wasn't as good at the waltz as Brandon but you'd have to be a complete clod not to look good waltzing with Carol – she'd make falling down a flight of stairs look graceful. Leigh and I burned the place down with our mambo.

After, I looked for and found my 'crew' at a table in the back of the room with Sheila's usual goth cronies. As I headed over, I saw Beth heading to the dance floor with someone, and Lisa sitting at the table but no Brandon.

"Hey, where's -"

"Ping Lo?" Lisa snickers, "Someone asked her to dance already." She pointed over my shoulder. I saw Brandon slow dancing with Burk Pritchett, the seriously homophobic captain of the wrestling team. If he found this one out, I figured there would be one hell of a fight but that didn't stop me from nearly choking trying not to laugh.

Lisa stood up and fluffed her hair. Then she unleashed that devastating smile. "Alright, guys, one of you is gonna dance with me." She grabbed the arm of the first leather clad goth in front of her and dragged him to the dance floor.

I held my hand out to Sheila. She looked at it, "What? Oh, I don't dance."

"So why'd you come with me?"

She shrugged, "I don't know. I didn't think you were serious." She looked at her friends then back at me. "I guess one dance wouldn't hurt."

On the floor, she threw herself at the music. It was wild and totally uninhibited. I watched her in awe wondering if she was just as uninhibited in bed. We danced through a string of rock songs but when the music turned hip-hop, she stopped. "Eck. I hate this stuff. Come on; let's take a walk."

We drifted around aimlessly. "So let me get this straight. You have three dominants and you want a fourth?"

"No," I corrected, "I have one dominant and he has two lieutenants and one slave."

"OK." she thought about that one. "So Lisa and Beth, what, order you around? Beat you? Or is it just sex?"

"It's kinda all three. They make sure I follow the rules..."

"Rules? What kinda rules?"

"Ok, like rule #1 no running no jumping no swimming."

"What kinda rule is that?"

I hesitated. "You had to be there, I guess." I sat down on one of the outdoor tables. "But then most of the rules aren't like for a purpose, they're just to fuck with me. Like, for instance, I'm not allowed to cum without permission."

"Ok, how does that work?"

"I'm not allowed. I can make you cum. But I can't. Not 'less he say so."

"So what about like last week – you came twice you said."

I smiled, "Yeah, I'm still on punishment from that. That's why no pain at all tonight."

"Punishment?" she laughed, "That's a punishment? Is that typical?"

"Depends. What rule I broke. How. Why. This ain't a big deal 'cause it was totally unexpected. But like, if I let you hurt me tonight, I'd likely get suspended – no pain, thirty days."

"But you can still have sex." We started walking again.

"Usually, I've got requirements to have it. Like in the next 48 hours, make four girls cum so hard they scream. I really fucked up once an' he made me service everyone in the girl’s locker room that day."

"He?" She stopped and looked at me. "Your master's uh he? Are you gay?"

"No."

"But you have a master not a mistress."

I hesitate. "It's not really about sex. It's, I dunno, control. Ownership. He owns me. I'd rather have sex with a girl but he owns me."

"An' you never fool around with him." She looked doubtful. "He's not gay; it's not about that."

I gasp in frustration; I really wished Peter were there to have this discussion. "Look, it's about whatever he says it's about. I'm a submissive; I have a male Dominant. I do whatever he tell me. If he wanna fuck me, yeah, he fuckin' fucks me – usually dry so it hurts. That what you lookin' ta hear?"

"No." she looked surprised. "That's hot."

"I told you, you ain't know jack about – what?"

"That's hot." she repeated.

I shut my mouth. "You think that's hot?" I asked after a moment.

"You wanna watch two girls?" she shrugged, "I wanna watch two guys."

"Oh." I had never even thought of that. I wondered, in the back of my mind, if that was part of what got to Beth. "Oh."

"So what exactly would I be in all of this?"

That's easy. "You'd be my girlfriend."

"You got, like, a dozen girlfriends already."

"No, I fool around alot. But that would stop. Except for Lisa," I snort, "an' Brandy."

"Brandy?"

I raised an eyebrow, surprised that she hadn't figured that one out yet. "Ping Lo? She usually goes by ‘Brandy’. Whatever. But they're not girlfriends. They're... I don't know. Outlets. Stuff I can't do otherwise."

"Like?"

"Like," I hesitate. This is all really personal stuff an' I'm just tellin’ it to her like nobody else will mind. "Like, stuff they gotta tell you themselves. I probably shouldn't told you this much but," I shrugged, "That's why they don't usually trust me."

"Big mouth's should be gagged."

"Yeah. I gotta couple of suggestions."

"I thought you said no pain tonight."

"What I'm thinkin' ain't painful."

"So I'd be your girlfriend. Would you be my slave?"

"Mostly. To uh point. I won't break any real rules but you two could work that out. And I don't use my safe word often, but there is stuff I won't do."

"Like what?"

"Like I ain't goin' ta jail for anybody, so I ain't stealin' shit or y'know beatin' somebody for no reason."

"But if I asked you to letter somebody like I did you, would you?"

"Yeah, if they was into it."

We were back at the door to the gym and she stopped again. "One last thing. Kiss me."

I looked at her and wondered what kind of kiss she'd want. Something wild; overpowering but not suffocating. I stepped closer to her – toe to toe. I looked her over. She had a nice little bod and an ok face. I remembered the fact that my back hurt every time I stretched. Without warning her, I grabbed the back of her neck and tried to shove my tongue down her throat. Our tongues and lips wrestled for a few minutes until I want to grabbed her with both hands. I force myself to yank away, breathing heavy. I really want to go in for seconds but I force myself to step back. "How's that?"

"Not bad." She breathed back. She grabbed me the same way and I got my second kiss. Her hands ran rampant all over me and I coped a feel of my own. She started giving me a hand job through my pants. I stopped squeezing her tits and moved my hand down between her legs. I could feel her heat through the leather but there wasn’t much I could do outside her pants like that. Besides, I wanted get in there.

I popped the snap at her waist and she let me pop each succeeding snap until I slid my fingers inside the leg of her panties.

She was shaved. "Oh fuck." I groaned. "Lemme kiss it."

"What?" She sounded a little shocked.

"Lemme lick that pussy. Please." My fingers were coated with her syrup as I plunged them deeper and deeper into her folds. "Please," I begged, "Lemme taste it. You can cum on my face."

She moaned and I dropped to my knees and, one-handed, pushed her pants partway down. Then, I stopped. The tables were further from the door and more comfortable for her than standing. I stood up again and pulled up her pants. "Wait; over here." I leered at her as I put my soaked fingers in my mouth. For such a bad attitude, she tasted like honey. I pulled her faster.

At the table, I pulled her pants down again but not her panties. "Sit." I knelt in the grass, spread her legs on either side of the bench and sucked the juice through her panties.

I figured this was like an audition – if I got her off good here, she'd say yes, and I'd be set for the semester. And I knew I'd have to do it right since it had to be pain free. So, I went slowly at first, listening for her to moan or groan or tell me to do something. I knew she'd like it when I nipped her clit directly with my teeth. But I didn't expect her to try and actually rip my hair out when she came.

She didn't scream. She doubled over like she was in pain and grabbed the front of my head. I can't really tell which way she was trying to pull me I just know I was lucky she wasn't stronger. I tried to concentrate on the quivering snatch covering my mouth and not the pain shooting across my scalp. Both were making my dick dance.

I licked softly to hopefully let us both cool down and she let my hair go. She tried to push my head away. "Ok, I'm good." she panted. Instead, I slipped my hands around her ass and rubbed my face in her pussy. "Oh, oh hell." she gasped. "Stop."

But I could taste her juices flowing again and stuck my tongue up her slit and fucked her with it. I figured two would be good, three would close the deal. If I could hold myself back the whole time, I'd get bonus points since, as a point of fact, I had permission to cum tonight.

Her hips began pumping against my mouth in sync with my stroke. I slipped my fingers closer to her crack. I began to wonder if she'd ever been rimmed. As sweet as her pussy was, I really wanted to taste her ass. Finally, I couldn’t stand the temptation any longer. I got my fingers in to replace my tongue and licked her asshole. She made a kind of strangled sound and came, doubling over again. I pulled my tongue away from her candy-like ass long enough to suck the girl jizz leaking around my fingers. The way her anus pulsed around my tongue, I would have thought she never stopped coming. I stopped licking and looked up when I heard the footsteps.

“Well, I’m sure Ms. Garcia will never forgive me,” Ms. Karas said, “but this is absolutely forbidden on school property. Honestly, couldn’t you have found a less conspicuous spot than in front of the side door?”

“Uh,” I couldn’t quite think of anything that didn’t involve eatin’ out Sheila. “Uh. Yes, ma’am.”

“Two weeks detention. Both of you.”

“Uh, yes ma’am.” I said and Sheila echoed me. Karas waited while Sheila pulled her pants up and we both headed back into the school.

“Don’t you want to at least wash off your face?” Sheila asked as we headed back to the table.

I grinned, “Why? I love the smell uh pussy.”

“Where have you two been?” one of the Goths asked suspiciously.

“Living the life of Lord Byron.” Sheila replied. The whole bunch of them snickered. “Where’s James?”

I could answer that one, “Dancing with Lisa.” I thumbed toward the dance floor where my cousin, Lisa and Beth were breaking several school policies. For a moment, I wished that I was in James place. Then I remembered just how often I had been in that spot and I let it go. If I played this right, I was gonna be in a much sweeter spot very, very soon.

Eventually, the Dance ended. The five of us walked back to the car. Beth and Lisa chatted happily about chick shit, Sheila seemed thoughtful and Brandon was downright dreamy.

I put my arm around his waist and dragged him along as I walked, “Hey pussy, what’s with you?”

“Oh Alex.” His eyes got teary. “I don’t think I’ll ever be able ta thank you enough.”

I rolled my eyes and Sheila asked, “Why? What’d he do?”

“Tonight was my first real school dance.” Brandon sniffed as we all climbed in the car.

“Whatever.” I muttered. “You three, in the back. Sheila?” I opened the front door for her.

On the drive home, Lisa, Beth and Brandon cooed over ‘Ping Lo’s first dance’ and I tried not to retch. I dropped Sheila off first, walking her up to the door. “I had a great time.” I said trying not to grin like a moron.

She looked away and smiled, “Yeah. Actually so did I.” She blushed faintly. “I guess I’m in this now, ain’t I?”

“I dunno. Is you?”

She shook her head. “So when do I meet this man of mystery?”

“Soon. I hope.” I leaned in for a good night kiss but she pulled away.

“Uugh! You stink.”

“It’s all you.”

“Well it doesn’t work on you.” She opened the door. “Bye.” She closed it before I could argue.

I got back in the car to find Brandon makin’ out with both girls. “Hey! What the fuck?”

Brandon pulled away gasping, “I told them you wouldn’t like it. They started it.”

“Alex doesn’t get to like or dislike anything.” Lisa said pulling Brandon back.

I frowned, put the car in drive and headed for Lisa’s place. Brandon struck me as seriously gay and this was not cool. I walked Lisa to her door.

“What?” she asked, draping her arms around me.

“Nothing.”

“Liar.”

“Whatever.”

“Ok. Kiss me.”

I scowled. I didn’t care how pissed I was at her. Lisa wanted to kiss me, Lisa got fuckin’ kissed. I glued my lips to hers and pushed her against the wall. Lisa liked it a little rough and when she tried to pull away, I pushed her harder against the wall and made her squirm against me. I let her lips go eventually and hissed in her ear, “You an’ me. Sunday after church.”

“OK.” She was breathless. I let her go completely and she oozed into the house like her legs were weak.

I got back in the car. Everything was cool so long as I could make a girl melt like that. “Hey, pussy,” I snapped at Brandon, “Up front.” He hurried to switch seats. I put my hand on his chin and kiss him softly. “You know that number Peter gave you? You can call him ‘bout Beth an’ Lisa if-n they get too friendly, right?”

“Oh.” He blushes. “I’m sorry.”

I let go of him and headed to his place. “Why, they started it, right?”

“Yes.” He said softly. “But I suggested it.”

I stared at him then remembered that I was driving. “I thought you didn’t like girls.”

“I’ve never actually tried girls.” He looked away from me and twisted as stray hair. “You were my first.”

“Oh.” Then I thought about it. “Wait. After the Holiday Dance? That was your first time?” He nodded shyly. “First time with uh guy or first time ever?”

“Ever.”

“Oh fuck!” I almost swerved the car. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Why, would you have stopped?”

“No.” Beth snorted from the back seat.

“Yes.” I countered.

“But I didn’t want you to stop. That night was,” he sighed deeply, “a revelation. But, tonight, it occurred to me that I’ve always been the girl and never the boy. That maybe I should try it at least once.”

I glance at him. “So what you think?”

He actually blushed. I reached over and grabbed his crotch; his dick was like a rock. “They did that? Or was it the whole out in public wearin’ uh dress thing?”

“Some of both, I think.” We stopped at his place and he looked first at me then at Beth. “Would either of you like to come in? My parents aren’t home.”

“Either or both?” Beth asked, leaning over the seat.

Brandon looked away, “Which ever you prefer.”

“What do you want?” Brandon shook his head but Beth persisted. “Seriously, you want me to go, it’s totally cool.”

“Actually, I was thinking…” He licked his lips and took a breath. “I mean, I know…Never mind. It’s a bad idea.”

“Let me guess, Brandy.” I leaned in so close I could practically feel his heartbeat. “You wanna watch me fuck Beth before I fuck you.”

“Alex…” Beth’s tone was more irritated than outraged but Brandon moaned softly.

I started rubbing him through the dress. “You can’t wait, can you? You just prayin’ Ima take you hard.”

His eyes closed and groaned, “Oh please don’t do this to me. Not in front of her.”

Got him. “Ima take you, Ima take you where I wanna. You want me ta do it here?” His eyes went wide. “Yeah you’d like that, wouldn’t you, pussy? You’d ‘bout die if-n I shoved mah dick up yo’ ass right here, wouldn’you?”

“Alex.” His voice quivered a bit. “We have neighbors. I don’t want…”

“We go inside you gonna fuck Beth.”

“…what?” His eyes actually spread wider.

“What?” Beth added from the backseat.

“Yeah, we both gonna do her then Ima do you.”

“But I’ve never been…” his voice trailed off and his eyes darted between Beth and I. “…I mean, you’re beautiful. I couldn’t ever…. Alex, she wouldn’t want to…”

I pushed him against the car door. He was shaking and I wanted him so bad I could barely keep my hands off him. “In o’ out? You uh pussy or uh dick?”

“In.” He whispered, eyes still darting between us.

I put the car in park and started to open my door.

“Hey, don’t I get uh vote in this?” Beth snapped.

I looked at her and tried not to grin, “Are you sayin’, seriously, that you don’t wanna fool around tonight?”

“I’m sayin’ that uh lady oughta be asked such things.”

I tried not to laugh too hard as I got out of the car. “Doofus.” I muttered shaking my head. Like she qualified as a ‘lady’ by any standard. A moment later, Brandon was struggling to get his door key in the lock and Beth was still hitting me. “Hey, quit it! Swamp witch! Ugly! Cross-eyed! Ow!” I could keep this up for hours.

When the door finally closed behind us, I pulled Beth close and kissed her deeply. After a minute or so, her giggles stopped and she was kissing me back hard enough to nearly over balance us. After another minute, I remember Brandon and pulled away from Beth to look for him. He was standing – stunned – at front door. I reached out to him and hypnotically he joined us. I kissed him then Beth. Then Beth kissed him. I put my arms around both of them and as much as I like makin’ Brandon suffer, Beth was there and it’s always the same way with her: slow, soft, sweet. Treat her like a national treasure, Peter told me once. It’s not like that’s a bad thing.

We took turns sucking face until Beth began unzipping Brandon’s dress. “Oh God.” He sighed, “Should we…we should…oh God…” His dress slipped to the floor. Underneath, he had on a bra, panties, stockings and a boner like a canon.

“Ooooh, impressive.” Beth cooed in that breathy fuck me voice she has. “I was worried that there might be a girl under all of that.”

“First time ever I was glad there wasn’t.” Brandon panted back. “I got, uh, supplies upstairs.” He gathered his dress and led the way to his room. A small lamp by the bed shed a pink glow on his black lacquered furniture and gave us just enough light to strip and find the bed. Out of a dresser drawer, he provided lube and condoms.

“Alright,” Beth said, taking charge of the evening. “Me first. Come here, Brandon.” She stretched out and pulled him to her side. I moved to the other side to mirror whatever she had him do. “You’re a pretty good kisser so we can go on an’ move down. I don’t know ‘bout boys but on most girls, everything like bein’ kissed.”

“Like this?” He leaned in and kissed her neck and ears. She shivered.

“Oh yeah.” She sighed. I smiled. I loved watching Beth squirm. I wished Peter were there; the only time we had ever made her cum hard, there were three of us. I leaned in and began working on her neck as well. I let my hand fondle her tit and she gurgled happily. “Oh, yeah, do that.” Brandon and my fingers meet as Beth put his hand on mine so he could feel what I was doing. Under us, Beth was cooing and arching which made my dick jump. I moved my lips down her chest too quickly but I wanted that nipple bad. Brandon followed suit and Beth shuttered.

Her hand groped down and landed on my rock hard dick. She ran her nails up and down me a couple times before grabbing hold and stroking me. I groaned and tried not to bite her too hard.

I heard Brandon groan too. “Oh jeez! Can I…? Stop.” I looked up and saw him grab her hand and stop her from jacking him off too. “Can I keep moving down? I don’t know how long I can do this without…”

“Here.” I pulled one of her legs wide and he got the other. I kissed the inside of her thigh and nearly choked on the overpowering scent of her. “Taste her.” I told him.

He took one sniff and frowned and I couldn’t help grinning – such a fag – then he tentatively flicked the tip of his tongue against her shaved lips. After a few very short minutes he was crawling between her legs to get a better angle and she was holding her legs open for him and saying things like “suck it hard” and “oh God yes”. She grinned wickedly at me and rubbed her pussy all over his face – knowing I was gonna enjoy cleaning him off. Then she wiggled her tongue at me. I crawled over stuck my dick in her mouth. She knew how to use her teeth just how I like it and almost before I knew it, she damn near took me over the edge. She let me go and gave Brandon a tug.

He came up panting. “Oh my God!” he gasped. I kissed him and licked Beth’s juice of his chin and nose. He started madly squealing and groaning as I felt Beth’s hair brush against my thigh. From the rhythmic way she moved, I knew she was blowing him. I waited maybe a full minute then dropped down behind him and spread his ass cheeks. When my tongue touched his anus, he screamed and shook. A few frantic seconds later, he came down Beth’s throat. I think he thought we would stop then and moaned with surprise and rapture when we kept licking and sucking until he was hard again.

Beth pulled away from him first and pushed him down. Brandon grabbed my dick and sucked it hungrily as Beth put a condom on his. When she slid down on him, he gasped. “Oh fuck!” She and I both laughed and after an embarrassed moment, Brandon did too. She rode him slowly and I watched his eyes roll back in his head with too much bliss to even moan. I leaned sideways and wedged my head between them so I could suck her clit while she rode him. She went wild. Brandon’s arms slipped under me and I felt him grab Beth by the hips and try to lift her. When he couldn’t get her to speed up that way, I felt his hips bucking against her. Beth was good at control, though, and kept lifting herself higher than he could reach. He groaned with frustration causing vibrations down the length of my dick, which was still in his mouth. I moaned and licked Beth’s clit that much harder.

“Oh God, I’m close.” She whispered. I moved fully on top of Brandon and held his hips down; if Beth was close, she needed to control the speed. Brandon grunted, having my weight suddenly over him but didn’t stop sucking me. We stayed that way for long enough for all of us to work up a sweat. Finally, Beth swore and gave my shoulders a tug. “It’s not working.”

“Crap.” I wasn’t surprised just disappointed. Beth hit it so rarely, it was a special event when she did. “Ok, what do ya want.” Brandon fluttered and I realize that I was probably crushing him. I rolled beside him and let him actually breath.

“What’s wrong?” He panted.

“It ain’t working fo’ Beth.”

“Oh God, did I do something wrong?” he seemed to panic.

I reached over and held him down to kiss him. My face was covered with Beth’s juice and I rubbed most of it on Brandon. “Relax, pussy, she always have uh hard time.”

Beth got up and turned around – without warning Brandon. He gasped as her amazingly tight ass slid down around his dick.

“Don’t cum.” I hissed at him. “Do not fuck this up, pussy.”

“Alex!” Beth snapped at me and I moved quickly to find another condom.

She was so wet, sliding in her was almost frictionless. I pulled her sideways so that we didn’t crush poor Brandon again. It only took a few strokes before Brandon caught the rhythm and we had Beth happily grinding between us. I could feel Brandon rubbing against me inside her and I groaned. “Baby, I can’t do this long. You feel so good, baby, Ima cum hard.”

“Wait…” she hissed, “harder.”

I grabbed her hips and tried to ram my dick through her. Brandon’s hands landed next to mine as he did the same thing. I could hear him practically growling as I whispered to her how unbelievably hot she was. “Ima cum.” I heard myself say and wished I could stop it. “Ima cum. I can’t hold it. I can’t. You so good. I….” My train of thought derailed as physical response took over and I fairly exploded into her. Distantly, I heard Brandon inhale sharply then let out a string of curses I didn’t think he knew. Beth bit down on my shoulder so I knew she got damn close if she didn’t actually cum.

I woke to the strong sensation of needing to pee really, really badly. I staggered out of Brandon’s room and found a bathroom. I relieved myself and staggered back, climbed into bed and went back to sleep.

Sheila and Peter finally meet on the next weekend. Capt. Ed let Beth, my older sister Gracie and I take the Sunset up to Georgetown and pick him up. I let Sheila ride along. Once we were under way, I showed her what not to do with fishing gear – which in her case is actually a what to do discussion – and we spent most of the trip poking each other with sharp objects.

“So why you draggin' me ta pick up your cousin, anyway? I thought I was gonna meet your Master?” She asked me when we were nearly there.

“He prefers Dominant and you’ll find out.”

She shook her head and poked me again. We didn’t get too far into it when Gracie started callin’ out orders and I actually had to do some work.

Peter was waiting on the dock when we pulled in. He hugged Beth and Gracie, shook hands with Sheila and made me carry his luggage. After we cast off, Beth and Peter went below with Sheila and sent me into the wheelhouse with Gracie.

“Question.” She said looking out over the water.

“Yeah?”

“Are you ever gonna tell Mom and Dad you been sleepin’ with Beth?” My mouth dropped and I stared at my sister. She turned, looked at me then her mouth dropped. “OhmyGod! You really are sleepin’ with Beth! I thought I was imaginin’ things. Figured you’d tell me what was goin’ on if I said that. Alex tell me you ain’t….” I swallowed hard and tried to think of something to say. “Alex, lie to me. Say something.”

I opened my mouth and still no words came out.

“Oh my God, boy! Anybody find out, they gonna kill you! Are you crazy! What, you ain’t got enough girls chasin’ you?”

“It just sort of happened.” I said lamely.

“It better not ever just happen again! Oh my God.” She looked back at the river and steered the boat away from the bank. “Oh my God.” She repeated.

Sheila came in a saved me from having to finish the discussion. “You busy?”

“No.” I answered quickly and rushed out of the wheelhouse. “So?”

“This is so gothic romance it’s not even funny.”

“What is?”

“You’re like some dark prince indulging in carnal pleasure because you’ve been curse by some illicit act and will suffer eternal damnation.” In one sentence, she summed up my whole life. She laughed. “You should see your face.” She pinched me. “Relax. I’m in. I can be the femme fatale that torments you. Until I leave for college, at least.”

Six month. Roughly. Brandon was a senior too. So, I had six months to enjoy this. I nodded. “Cool. Definitely cool.”

“Good.” She held up a bottle of anchovy oil. “Beth tells me this stuff is great for your skin. Especially feet.” She grinned. “Come on.” I followed her below deck and spent most of the trip back giving her a foot massage.

Monday, after school, Sheila was waiting for me after dance practice. “You two are pretty good.” She said as Brandon and I meet her at the doorway. “You guys busy this afternoon?”

“I can disappear,” Brandon said, “if you want some alone time. I don’t mind.”

“Actually, I kinda wanted you ta hang around.” She said mysteriously. She looked at me and raised an eyebrow.

I shrugged. “Hey, you want me, I’m yours.”

“Good.” We went back to her place and hung out in her backyard. She had one of those sheds that used to be a playroom but had been converted for goth use. The inside was painted black – although along the floorboards, you could see where it used to be pink – and everything was covered in velvet. “Ok, so this is the vault, right? Nothing said or done in here leaves here, ok? Not ever – not with you guys and not with anybody else. Got it?” We both got it. “Cool. Ok, so Brandy,” Brandon jumped; it was the first time she’d called him that, “are you gay, bi, straight, or what?” His mouth opened but nothing came out. She went on without him. “Well, I guess we can leave out straight, really. So I guess the real question is are you in the closet or out?”

I sat down; I used to think I was tactless but Shelia has me beat hands down. Brandon looked at me and I shrugged. “She know all ‘bout me – she met Peter.”

He nodded. “I’m out, I guess.” He said softly, looking down.

“Hey!” I snapped. “Brandy! Grow uh pair. If you uh fag, be uh fag. Just be uh man ‘bout it.” But even while snapping at him, I couldn’t hide the grin and anyway, he knew me well enough to know what I meant.

He blushed, rolled his eyes and looked at me. “Yes, I’m gay. I don’t make public announcements but, I ain’t exactly hidin’ the fact that I don’t date girls.” He looked back at Sheila. “That what you wanted?”

She frowned. “Not really. I was hoping you were bi. But it’s not like it’s my life. I don’t care who you fool around with. But I know you cross so I was curious.”

“Oh.” He said looking a little stunned.

“So.” Her glance went between us. “Are you guys fooling around together?” Neither of us answered; I didn’t know what Brandon was thinking, but it seemed pretty obvious to me. “You should be bi. All the really talented guys are bi. Keats, Shelley, Byron. Shakespeare.”

Brandon shook his head. “I’m not really good with girls.”

“You good with guys?” she asked. “I bet you two really hot together. You should do each other and let me watch. I could write something ‘bout it – a poem or something.”

Brandon turned scarlet. “I, uh, that ain’t…I should go.” He reached for his book bag but it was closer to me and I got it first.

“What up, Brandy? You don’t wanna play?” I wasn’t going to do anything, I just liked teasing him.

“This is really awkward.” He glanced around the shed. “I mean, ain’t this kinda weird. All…what it somebody comes in?”

I looked at Sheila and she shook her head slightly. “Ain’t nobody coming in.” I dropped his bag beside me and took a couple steps closer to him. I wasn’t really in the mood to fool around – I just liked the way he looked when he was all flustered. He got flush and breathless – actually when he got nervous, he looked a lot like he did when he was hot for it. A whole lot. “Stay uh while.”

His eyes darted to Sheila then back to me. “Is this something you two planned?”

I took a step closer. “Don’t matter.” I loved watching him sweat like that. He looked innocent but I knew for a fact that he wanted to be taken hard. He liked being forced – he wanted to say ‘no’. I grabbed his arm and pulled him to me.

He licked his lips. “I’ll call Peter.” He said softly.

That paused me but only for a moment. My heart had started pounding at some point and he was close enough now that I could rub my boner against he thigh. “You sayin’ No?”

“Yeah.” He shook his head, “I mean, no. I mean, Alex, stop. I – I…” He looked over my shoulder at Sheila. “This is y’know, just between us.”

“Hey, don’t tie him down, right?” Sheila sounded a little shocked behind me but I ignored her; besides, I was just teasing. I wasn’t going to do anything.

“We just playing. He know how to stop the game. Right, Brandy? You wanna stop?”

He swallowed hard. I wondered briefly, in the back of my mind, what the hell was so hot about weak guys when weak chicks pissed me the hell off. Brandon looked utterly fuckable, panting, flush, I could even feel the heat radiating from him. “We shouldn’t do this.” He whispered.

“Hey!” I snapped. “You wanna stop? Stop me.” I gave him a minute but he didn’t say ‘time out’. “You know what I’m lookin’ ta hear, right?”

“Yes.” He whispered.

“You sayin’ it?”

He looked down and for a second – just a split second – I wasn’t sure if he was playing or not. “No.” he whispered again.

“Alright, then.” I pulled him back to the couch next to Sheila. “Si’down.” I glanced at Sheila; her eyes were bright as she watched us and she looked pretty fuck-able just then too. I leaned over and kissed her hard. “What you want him to do?” I asked her.

“Suck you.” She breathed. “Make him suck you off.”

I skipped my belt, and unzipped my fly. It was a tight squeeze getting my rock hard boner out like that but scraping against the teeth of the zipper made it worth the effort. “Take it, pussy.” I rubbed my dick across Brandon’s mouth. His eyes locked on to mine as his lips slowly parted and my dick pushed in. He nipped me with he teeth a lot and I groan every time he did it. “Oh, yeah pussy, eat it.” I couldn’t resist slipping my fingers in his hair and I may have started pumping his mouth a little harder and faster than I would have if we weren’t playing or if Sheila weren’t watching.

And she was watching intently. She moved to the back of the couch and stared at my dick sliding in and out of Brandon’s mouth. Every so often, she reached out and squeezed my nuts, mostly with her nails I could tell even through my pants. Finally, I couldn’t take it any longer. “Ima cum, pussy. Ima cum an’ you gonna swallow.” I heard Brandon moan as I held his face still and let loose.

Sheila pulled me out – bending my dick painfully and scraping me harshly between Brandon’s teeth in the process. I screamed with mixed pain and rapture as she held me and I came all over Brandon’s face. She didn’t give either of us time to recover. “Brandon, do him.”

“What?” he sounded confused.

“I wanna see him in pain. Do him.”

“Oh, yeah.” I moaned and fell to my knees. Somehow, Sheila and Brandon unbuckled my belt and Brandon knelt behind me. I groaned again and he pushed that long stick of his deep inside me. It probably should have hurt more but I was all but high on hormones. Brandon’s dick felt like it was pushing into my stomach and I gasped every time he thrust it all the way in. I was hard again before even I expected it.

The totally unexpected thing was when Sheila knelt in front of me. I opened my eyes just as I felt her warm, bare skin rub my dick. She looked serious, which for her was seriously hot. Then her hand stroked me and my eyes fell shut again. She angled me between her legs and then into her. I groaned again as I realized that none of us was wearing a condom – not that I was going to stop the proceeding to do anything about it. We stayed that way for long enough for me to forget where we were and get completely lost in being bone-er and bone-ee at the same time. Then, she came and I came immediately after. Brandon lasted another minute and drilled me hard until he finally let loose and filled my ass with jizz.

We all kind of fell, in a mass, on the couch. Then, Sheila got up and grabbed a box of baby wipes. “They’re really good for this kind of clean up.” I’d never actually seen a girl clean up after sex so I was riveted to watching Sheila for a minute or two. Then I felt the uncomfortable feeling like I was gonna let one and went through the surprisingly embarrassing experience of trying to wipe my ass in front of someone else.

Sheila walked us to her front door once we were all dressed again. “Listen, Alex,” She said hesitantly. “I don’t really want to be your girlfriend but watching you guys is totally hot. I have so many ideas for my next poem you wouldn’t believe it. Can we not date, just do this sometimes?”

I shrugged. “Sure. Whatever you want.” I was feeling too good to be put out by it.

“Good. Hey, next time, can I tie you down? I wanna try something.” Next time. I shrugged again.

“Cool.” She kissed Brandon like she searching for something then let him go suddenly. “I’m just gonna write everything like you bi, ok?” he was too stunned to answer her. Not that she waited for a reply from either of us. She closed the door with out even a pretense of goodbye.

Sheila lived closed enough to school that walking back there was no big deal. Brandon didn’t speak as we walked and it started to bug me. “You wanna tell me what up?”

“Nothing.” He mumbled.

“You such uh pussy, man! Shit, grow uh pair!” I knew he was upset; I could practically feel it vibrating out from him. “What the fuck?”

“No swearing.” He muttered, still not looking at me.

I made a rude noise but knew he was right about the rule. “Whatever. Dude, just say it.”

“If I had said it,” He stopped walking but still refused to look at me. “If I had said it, would you have stopped?”

“Duh.” But part of me wondered that too; I hadn’t even planned to do more than tease him in the first place. “Of course!”

“I need to know that, Alex. I really need to know that.”

I looked around us. We were way too close to the school – and possible witnesses – for him to go all emotional on me. “Dude –“ I took a couple steps closer to him and lifted his face to look at me. “Seriously, if you say ‘time out’ I will absolutely stop. Totally.” Tears started to well-up in his eyes. “Dude,” my chest got tight. “why didn’t you just say it?”

He swallowed hard. “I –“ he shook his head and pulled away from me. Suddenly he was running down the street.

“Fuck!” I ran after him. This doesn’t look at all like two fag havin’ uh damn spat, I thought. I caught him and yanked him to a stop. “Jesus! Dude! Getuhfuckin’grip! You totally got off on that, what is the deal?” He whispered something I couldn’t catch. “What?”

“I liked it.” I thought he said.

“Dude, it’s sex; you supposed ta like it.”

“Not the sex.” He was shaking. I took a moment to glance around, weighed my reputation against my friend and swore under my breath as I put my arms around him and pulled him out of sight behind a parked car where I could just hold him.

“What, dude?”

“The rape.”

The word hit me like ice and my whole body went momentarily numb “The what?”

“You have to promise me you’ll stop. If I ever say it, you’ll stop.”

I sat back and stared at him. This was what it means to be Dominant. This was what Peter’d had to live with – all my fears and desires, wrapped up and handed to him with all my trust and faith that he’ll never go too far. Now, Brandon was asking the same thing of me. I was suddenly overwhelmed. I just wanted a guy I could fuck on occasion not responsibility – that was Peter’s job. He was the responsible one.

Then, I got it. If you have a submissive, you have to be the responsible one. I didn’t want to be the responsible one. But I couldn’t look Brandon in the eye and say that. I swallowed hard; it wasn’t as if I planned to really hurt Brandon. We played games – we just pretended that I hurt him. But like today, sometimes games go further that you plan them to and sometimes accidents happen. If he told me to stop, I’d stop. I didn’t need to promise him that. Except that even in my own head, I could hear the little voice asking ‘what’s too far, Alex’? Peter asked me that once and I couldn’t answer. I always go to the edge and then take another step. I always go too far. I looked at Brandon again. He knew how stupid I was, how close to falling in I always was but he was still willing to trust me not to go too far if I promised that I’d stop.

Just a promise to a friend.

I took his hand and took deep breath. “Brandon, if you tell me you need a time out, I promise you I’ll stop. My word…” I thought fast; oaths were always taken on the bible and I didn’t have one handy. “…as a Christen.” Not that anyone ever believed that. I thought of one better. “My word as a McElroy. I ever go too far, you can have my company shares. I’ll get my Uncle ta write the contract – we can sign it an’ everything. Deal?”

He stared at me. “You’d do that?”

I nodded slowly. “Yeah.” I should do something similar for Lisa and Sheila too, I thought.

He smiled. “You don’t have to. I believe you. I trust you, Alex.” He stood up, wiping his face. “I guess we should hurry up if we gonna catch the late bus.

“Yeah. We cool?”

“We cool.” He looked away shyly again and we headed for the school parking lot again.

Shelia over me – occasionally – and Brandon under me. And me being responsible in between them. I figured, even I can be responsible for six months. But I don’t know what I’m gonna do next year.

Prologue - Homecoming Week

Alex

Tuesday, Lisa wasn't in class. I really wasn't paying that much attention because we only had one class together that quarter and she was on so many committees and clubs, there were at least a dozen reasons why she might miss class. She wasn't at the rally either - and that was odd. She had been cheering squad leader since seventh grade and she'd never missed an event before.

I remember getting home. Everything was normal. Just normal. As I passed the living room, Dad was flipping past the news and I heard and saw a flash of the story before The Wall Street report started.

"A community mourns a tragedy tonight…" the announcer said as Lisa's face winked on then suddenly off the screen.

The whole world switched to slow motion. I picked up the remote and flipped back. Dad yelled but it sounded far away and hollow. Lisa's face filled one half the screen again and the mangled wreck of a car filled the other. The announcer was talking about how great a student Lisa 'was' and all the extra curricular activities she 'used to' do. Lisa's mother was shown in their living room weeping.

"Oh my God." My mother said from somewhere very far away.

Dad stood up, "I'll drive." He said.

Lisa Danielle Hunter was gone. I remember sitting down next to Lisa's mom and her crying and holding me like she was going to drown if I let go. I remember Doug Alsop - Lisa's current boyfriend - saying something to me but I couldn't tell you what. I know I went to school at least one day, because I remember being sent to the school councilor's office. Ms. Chakrabarti - Ms. Pat to most of the student body - asked me how I felt about Lisa dying.

"Very sad." I remember saying. I wasn't trying to be a smart-ass; I just couldn't begin to tell her how profoundly Lisa's death affected me. She didn't ask me any more stupid questions and I think I went back to class.

The world began to take some shape again at football practice on Thursday. We had a team meeting in the locker room - players, cheerleaders, everyone. The coach went over some pointless administrative things - the season schedule, the new coaching staff, the team captains. I'd been the defensive team captain last year. I did not expect to win Team Captain this year.

"It was unanimous, McElroy." The coach said, without even an attempt to be cheerful. "Congratulations."

"Thank you, Sir." I didn't feel thankful.

"We got one more thing to decide today. We can cancel tomorrow's game, in light of the circumstances." The Homecoming Game against Essex was only six hours after Lisa's funeral. "You all tell me what you wanna do."

Half the girls began to weep. Someone said cancel and quietly, most of the group agreed.

"No." I said.

"McElroy…" someone started but I stood up.

"No. If Lisa could stand up, she put on that uniform and cheered. Her Dad beat the shit outta her but you never saw her sit in the locker room and cry 'cause she upset. We attend the funeral - in colors - an' we hand Essex their asses when we get back here." I swallowed hard because I couldn't believe I was about to say what I was thinking, "Our lives didn't end just 'cause our friend's did."

The room fell silent after that and I sat down again. Finally, the coach said, "Hands up who wanna cancel." I didn't look up. I didn't want to know how many people thought I'm an asshole. Lisa would have said play the game. "Ok, then. Suit up. We got a lotta work tonight." People started moving, lockers started opening and about a dozen people slapped me on the back. It was a couple of minutes before I could stand up and find my locker.

Once I was in uniform and on the field, it seemed better for everyone - it's easier to get your mind off even a death when a two-hundred-pound guy is running at you like a freight train. At the end of the night, we all staggered back to the locker room bone raw.

The next day, she was on the morning news. Our school gave a half-day to any student who wanted to attend the funeral.

My whole family went - all 21 of us. I think most of the school was there as well, judging by the number of people wearing green and gold uniforms. I hugged and kissed Lisa's Mom again at the back of the church then I made my way toward the front. At the first pew, I was met by Peter, Beth, Brandon, and Trina - Lisa and my closest friends. Together, the five of us viewed the body. That was honestly the last thing I remembered clearly until much later.

Alex - Before Class

Life in Reedville, VA is not exciting by any stretch of the imagination. Not even for a family like mine, which has enough money and influence - thanks to a two-century-old family fishery - to do damn near anything we wanted. It was a small hick town in the middle of nowhere on the edge of the Chesapeake Bay. Lisa had been my ex-girlfriend, but she was more than that; she was one of the four people in the world who knew me. The real me.

Two years ago, roughly, Lisa and I were dating - I thought pretty seriously but I didn't realize what a complete dick I was at the time. Lisa broke up with me and I hit her. Hard. My cousin Peter pulled my arm out of the socket for it. A couple days later, I tried to drown myself. The whole thing was not one of my happier memories.

Peter saved me.

After that, Peter became my Dominant and I submitted to his control totally. He told me when to sit, what to say, how to dress and made me miserable when I disobeyed him. He's not into pain - although I am big time - so we didn't do a lot of that, but between Peter and his younger sister Beth, I learned all about being a submissive male. Ah, incest - the game the whole family can play. When I found Brandon a year later, I got to learn about being dominant. But Peter kept me submissive even then.

Lisa made me walk the line between the two and even though we weren't dating any more - hell, she and Doug had been going steady at least six months - every so often, she let me have a 'conjugal visit'. Lisa made sex fun. Hell, Lisa made my life fun. Outside of Peter, she was my best friend. And she died in a car wreck. It was senseless, but then, so much of my life didn't make sense I wasn't surprised. Just hurt. I tried to be philosophical about the whole thing; tides roll in, tides roll out and God decided what comes and goes with them. I really believed that - I still believe it - but it wasn't helping me to feel better about knowing the rest of my life would be Lisa-less.

I saw later that the Saturday paper after the funeral had this great picture of me kissing Lisa's hand and Peter and Trina (Lisa's best girl friend) standing by. It got picked up by a bunch of other papers and online too. And we did beat the pants off Essex - 26 to 0 in our first shut out in school history. I did not attend the Homecoming Dance; I never even asked if they held the damn thing.

Monday morning, about a month later, when I arrived at the school building, I was sent to the principal's office. When I got there, there were nine other students waiting - including my cousin Beth, Peter's sister and my 'substitute dominant' while Peter was in college. I knew a couple of the others but I wasn't in a particularly social mood. Nobody was. Nobody had been for a while, it seemed. When Principal Giles called us in, Ms. Pat, the school counselor, was with him.

He started with some speech about this being a rough period for everyone and the need for things to return to 'normal' - like that meant something - and here's the brochure for the new program. I wasn't really paying attention but, the picture of the butt naked people on the pamphlet just reminded me of how much I enjoyed making out with Lisa and that I never would again.

I tuned back in when I heard Beth's voice, "My father agreed to this? You a lie." I watched Giles flip through a stack of pages on his desk and hand her one. Her face went a shade paler. "Oh my God." She looked at me, "Dad signed it."

I shrugged. If they needed a permission slip for a new sex ed class, I was sure my parents signed it too.

Someone handed me a laundry basket. "What's this for?" I asked.

"Your clothes." Ms. Pat stated simply.

I must have missed something - well, something relevant at least - because I didn't see any other clothes in the room or anyone my size to trade with. "So what am I supposed to wear?"

"Alex." Beth almost has her older brother's 'command' tone but not quite, "Read the program title."

I looked at the pamphlet I had dropped. 'The Naked in School Program'. "What the fuck?"

"As I said, Mr. McElroy, if you do not feel up to participating, we will select another student and move your participation to later in the year."

Around me, the rest of the students were slowly, nervously, undressing.

I could feel the spark of the first clear emotion I had felt in days welling up inside me. Rage. "Why would you pick me now?"

"We selected the first round of students last year because we knew the program might be a bit traumatic until everyone adjusted to it. So we want the first students to participate to be ones with confidence and student leadership to, well, lead the way. You were already on the list but after the Homecoming game we had hoped.…" His voice trailed off as he saw me staring at Beth.

He was right about the rest. The senior and junior class presidents and vice presidents were here and as were the captains of the boy's swimming and girl's volleyball teams. The guy who had the lead in the last four school plays was sitting next to the girl who won last year's all school talent show. That left Beth, who was gorgeous and I would otherwise have immensely enjoyed watching her ass naked for a week, but was not what you'd refer to as a 'school leader' compared to the rest of the room.

"We, uh…", he cleared his throat as Beth sank into a chair and put her face in her hands; she and everyone else realized that Lisa - head cheerleader and school social butterfly - was supposed to be here.

Lisa would have loved this. She had a great body - she would have cheered naked if they had let her. That thought almost got me - that this week they would have let her cheer naked. But if I cried - ever - it sure as hell wouldn't be in front of these assholes.

Lisa would have done it and she would have told me to do it, so I stripped. I was likely going to have to have a long talk with my Dom about this but Beth was Peter's 'Lieutenant' so I guessed I wouldn't get in too much trouble with him. Soon, I was down to nothing but my shoes and socks. Ms. Pat began the 'we're very proud of you speech' and I tuned her out and sat next to Beth. I put my arm around her and she hugged me back. She wasn't crying but she seemed close to it. Holding her like that, however, reminded me of one important detail that I seemed to have overlooked when I sat down.

Beth is fucking hot. I mean I've banged my cousin more times than I can count thanks to a cruise we went on last summer and I still get a rise seeing her naked. From where I am, I can see everyone else well. This is a hot bunch and not particularly shy. No one was attempting to hide themselves - except Tiffany who's shirt was around her shoulders mostly because of the AC. I also kind of got the feeling that I was the only one in the room who didn't know this was coming.

Finally, they dismissed us to get to our first classes - with instructions that we were to eat lunch together every day that week. In the hallway, traffic stopped as ten naked teens wandered to their lockers and classrooms.

Beth - First Period

"I want your work today to tell me something I didn't know about the human form." Ms. Cates said as she wandered around the classroom.

Brenda Tyler and I sat on stools, with a two-handled vase between us in front of the art class, naked. Our classmates alternated between staring at us and staring at their canvases. Ben Meyer had posed us that way and Brenda and I agreed to drop the vase on Ben's head when class ended.

Still, it was less uncomfortable than the walk from Principal Giles' office to class had been.

"I am so glad we have first period together." Brenda said as we left the rest of the group and headed for our lockers.

"Me too." I noticed as we walked that most of the teachers were in the hall that morning. I felt a little more secure until we ran into Jimmy Dixon and his crew.

"Oh, shit, yeah!" was where the degrading comments began.

Without asking, they began pawing us. I tried to pull away but Brenda grabbed my arm and calmly said, "You supposed ta ask reasonable requests respectfully but so I guess we'll allow this. But we don't want ta be late for class, so you have ta touch while we walk. Right, Dr. Bovell?" The physics teacher was just down the hall and the crowd of guys calmed down a bit to let us pass.

The whole trip to the art room was like that. I was shaking like a leaf but Brenda - pudgy, short, Brenda - walked like she was the only one dressed. No wonder she won junior class president by a landslide. When we got to the classroom, we both stopped by the door and took a deep breath.

"Oh my God," I said, "I have never been so scared!"

"You?" Her eyes went wide, "At least they want ta see you naked. You look like Barbie come ta life. I look like Petunia Pig."

"You do not. But you braver than I am. I thought I was gonna die a fright."

"You didn't act scared."

"I was trying to be like you. You my new hero."

She smiled, looked away and bushed a little.

At which point Ms. Cates called us to the front of the room and explained to the rest of the class what the program was, and reiterated what a 'reasonable request' was. Ben made a smart-ass comment about reasonable and relative dick size and Ms. Cates made him come down to the front of the room with us and analyze the best way to pose us in the morning sunlight. The tent in his pants by the time he was finished ensured that he kept the rest of his comments to himself.

It was clear, as well, from Ms. Cates speech that she was not supportive of the program. Naked art, she didn't mind. "But this program borders on exploiting the sexual rights of the student body and I - and others - feel that you should be free to bare or cover your bodies as you choose." She gestured to Brenda and I as Ben worked out our position. "These two young ladies, lovely though they may be, are being used by a male-dominated system…" I stopped listening as the ache in my shoulder had already started. Most of the rest of the class didn't seem to be listening either.

"This is the second most embarrassing thing that's ever happened to me." I whispered to Brenda.

"What was first?" she whispers back, shocked.

"I got my foot caught on a dock rope one time, only instead of falling in and causing a real panic, I swung by my ankle over the water."

"Ouch! That must have hurt."

"Not as much as my pride! The whole family could hear me yelling but no one could find me!"

I could see she was trying not to giggle - even I had a hard time holding it in - and finally, we both burst.

"You're posing, Ladies." Ms. Cates said sternly, "Do not disturb the artists." She went on with her favorite lecture about the creative process. Eventually, class ended and we put the vase down with a groan. As everyone else left, she stopped us. "Are you two ok with this?"

"You mean the program?" Brenda asked.

"The program, the timing, your participation. I want you to know that the faculty does not wholly support this program so if you need some support extricating yourselves, you can get it."

"Actually," Brenda looked thoughtful, "Some girls my size kinda uncomfortable with themselves. So if this helps them be, y'know, more ok, then I can take a little embarrassment."

I took a small breath, "Lisa was a really good friend." I could feel my eyes tear up despite the fact that I was trying not to cry. "I'm honored to do this in her place."

Brenda put her arm around me and they both let me cry for a few minutes. After a while, I realized that the smudges on Brenda's shoulder were my mascara. "Oh, damn." I half cried, half laughed, "I need a towel, I think."

"Oh, Beth!" she scolded me but gently. We headed to the bathroom and stopped at the girls' room door. There was a sign reminding all students that The Program required naked students to use the opposite gender's facility. "Ready, partner?" she said.

"No." I laughed. We walked into the boys' room anyway.

Every urinal was in use and the amount of swearing and sudden attempts to hide made us laugh even more. In maybe a minute, every boy cleared out of the room.

"You think with all the bragging they do at least one of 'em woulda stayed!" Brenda snorted. She turned to the sink and our breasts rubbed together. The touch sent an unexpected shiver up my spine. Brenda gasped and quickly turned on the water. I could see her blush in the mirror reflection.

"Are you ok?" I asked. I didn't think she was homophobic. "It was an accident. I don't mind."

She actually blushed deeper. "Yeah. Good. Hand me a paper towel, please."

I got the towel but instead of handing it to her, I wet it and begin cleaning my makeup off her shoulder. Her eyes fell shut and I began to guess the problem. "Brenda…", I began conspiratorially, "…did you like it when our tits touched?"

"If you trying ta get me ta admit I'm a dyke, it's not a secret."

"Oh." I grinned a bit sheepishly, "I didn't know."

"Really? I though everybody knew."

"Nope." I took a deep breath. Alex once suggested that my 'problem' might be that I needed a girlfriend. "May I make a reasonable request?"

Brenda looked at me stunned then closed her eyes, "Thank you, God."

"Should I take that as a yes?"

"The Barbie doll wanna touch me. Beth, you can make any request you want, anytime, anywhere." Brenda's usual demeanor returned and she laughed, "Just don't wake me - this dream too good."

I wet my hands and got a hand full of soap. Then I washed her shoulders and neck. Slowly, I let my hand drift down over her heavy breasts - which were not as big as I expected - and her rock hard nipples - which were huge. I got more soap and let her nipples slip against the palm of my hand. She groaned and I had to admit, it was pretty hot.

The door opened suddenly and a boy stopped cold and stared at us. His eyes nearly popped from his head, "Oh fuck", He fairly moaned.

"Come in and join us or go away and let us finish." Brenda said. He sputtered then backed out of the door, "Well, that scared him off!"

"Poor boy. I thought two chicks was a big deal?"

"Is ta me." Brenda breathed. "You keep that up much longer, I'm gonna need ta shower."

"Oh. Sorry."

"Don't be."

I rinsed off my hands and awkwardly rinsed Brenda's chest. Then, once she was dry again, I impulsively kissed her nipples. I could feel my own pussy contract as she moaned. "Oh god, don't do that."

"Was it ok?"

"I can't walk. I'll never make it ta my next class."

I bit my lip. "Good."

I picked up my books and she got hers. As we left to all but run our separate ways or be late for our next classes, she arched an eyebrow at me, "You realize, of course, that this means war." I was the one blushing after that.

Alex - Fourth Period

Tiffany was in my Biology class and I was a bit surprised to see her looking flush already. "You ok?" I asked her.

"Uh, yeah." She looked down the hall oddly, "You know, people always tell me I'm smart, but nobody's ever said I have a tight ass before."

"Oh." Actually, I'd never noticed. Tiff was the senior class VP and one of those super smart girls that avoided most of the jocks. As we headed to our seats, I looked out of curiosity. She did have a tight ass - very compact. We didn't get to sit down; Ms. James called us to the front of the class.

"Are either of you in need of relief?" she asked, looking like she'd rather eat molten lead then do it.

Tiff damn near turned purple. "Um, I, uh…"

Ms. James sighed, "Would someone like to volunteer to assist Miss Walker-Reddy with relieving herself?" Hands went up before she could finish the question. Tiff picked one of the book geeks and a few derogatory comments followed him down the classroom. "And you, Mr. McElroy? Do you…?"

My Dominant gave me some real specific orders before he left for college. One of 'em was that I still wasn't allowed to cum without permission. There was no way that was gonna work this week, but I hadn't talked to him about the program - I doubted he even knew about the thing - so I was hoping to get through the day without "relief". Oh, I was going to be a hard, dripping, aching, blue-balled wreck when I got home, but that was part of the fun.

"No." I said before she could ask but I felt the hand on my shoulder.

"I'll take care of Alex."

I had forgotten that Leigh was in this class. "Don't." I told her. Behind me, I felt the sharp, cold, metal bite of the straight edge of a wooden ruler slide across my ass. "Don't do this Leigh."

"Nice tattoo, Alex. New?" I didn't have a second; the ruler smacked down - probably right on it - and hurt like shit. The tat was a 3-inch high replication of the St. Andrew medal that Peter and I both wear. (It's a family thing - St. Andrew's the patron saint of Sailors and my Great Grandmother gave the medals to us the morning we sailed for the first time as crew.) Peter let me get in while we were in Bangkok - a reward for very good behavior. Since is was just above my butt crack, at the base of my spine, I'd never actually seen it but I was guessing that Leigh was getting a pretty good look at it while she landed the rest of her strikes square on my ass.

Peter had officially ruled play with Leigh off-limits while he was gone. Period, no exception. Leigh was my very ex-girlfriend and just about the only person still in school who knew my pain fetish - how deep it really went. She dumped me two years ago in a public humiliation that still bugged me. She hadn't forgotten anything. She hit me hard and fast. After the first 10, I was leaning on the desk in front of me, groaning. After the next ten, I was begging her. "Harder, bitch, harder."

Finally, I heard the ruler drop and she pushed me on to the floor, "Fuck me, Alex." Beating my ass always got her going too.

Vaguely, I heard the class gasp but I wasn't really paying attention. I was on Leigh in a flash, skirt up, panties ripped. I lasted maybe three condom-less minutes before we were both screaming. After a couple minutes, I could hear and think again and I realized that chaos reigned around me. Tiff coming hard beside me was part of the noise; the rest of it was half the class hovering over Ms. James who was passed out on the floor. A couple minutes later, the school nurse appeared with smelling salts. It took about ten minutes for the whole story to come out. Leigh and I got sent to the principal's office for Program Rules violation. No intercourse on school grounds. I grabbed my bag, figuring I was going to be there a while.

Leigh was a bitch.

As I stalked back to Giles, I realized that I was more mad at myself than at Leigh. Lisa's barely cold and I was already getting laid. Proof yet again that I was a fucking satyr. Satan. A soulless fucking bastard. I dialed Peter as I walked through the halls but I got his voice mail. He had a life now. I didn't leave a message.

Giles read us the riot act. "We said it expressly several times this morning Mr. McElroy - this program is not license to have intercourse on school grounds." He went on about bad examples and unsafe behavior and who gives a crap what else until he got tired of hearing himself talk. "In school suspension." He finally snapped at us. "And if you both weren't in that damn ballroom competition this week, I'd expel you for the week." I groaned silently - I had forgotten about that. The week just kept getting better and better. "Do you have anything to say for yourself, Mr. McElroy?"

"No sir." I tried to keep my voice level; the less I fought him the sooner I could go back to class. He sent Leigh back to class but sent me to Ms. Pat's office. I went without arguing since it was all a waste of time anyway. We stepped out of the office just as classes were changing so I had to weave through the gauntlet of students. Someone asked if they could make a reasonable request. I just stopped and let them do what they wanted.

I was ashamed to admit that I'd been rock hard since about mid-way through Giles' berating - I was (am) sick, but I like being punished. Being pawed like some kind of pet in the school hallway was pushing my control. It was inappropriate in light of Lisa. It was embarrassing to be used like a tool in public, which was exactly what got me so hot about it. Most of the girls caressed me. Some of the guys thought they were being clever or perverted and pinched or hit me. But, all it did was make me harder - I had long since accepted that I was bi. Part of me resented the treatment - hated everyone involved.

But most of me was enjoying every sick, twisted, perverted second. Hurt me, use me, abuse me. I stopped paying attention to what people did to me and found myself wallowing in the shame and glory of it. Peter was right; I so need fucking therapy. Eventually, I made it to Ms. Pat's office.

Her eyes went wide when she looked at me. "Do you, uh, need relief, Mr. McElroy?"

Oh God yes. "No ma'am." I sat down. It stung; my dick jumped. Lisa would have laughed at me. I was a fucking satyr.

"Ok." She sat at her desk. "We're worried about you, Alex."

So was I. "I'm fine. Can I go back to class now?"

"That depends. Will we have another performance like this morning?"

"No ma'am. Leigh will not do that again."

"Leigh will not. And you were just a helpless victim."

"No ma'am. I was the Submissive." She started; no doubt, she didn't expect that. "I'm the one who got spanked."

"I see." She said cautiously. "Alex, how much do you know about sexual spanking and things of that nature?"

I thought for a minute. She didn't need to know everything about me. But I didn't want to have this discussion again. "Enough to know the quirks of my own fetishes- " I exaggerated the 'es', " -and have a safe word - which I use if I need to. Leigh caught me off guard and knows enough about me to take advantage. She will not be doing that again."

Ms. Pat looked a tad uncomfortable, "You're the 'submissive'. Are you sure you're using the term properly?"

Jessie. Lisa. Brandon. "I know when I'm the Dominant one. I'm a little more…aggressive." It might have been my imagination, but Ms Pat seemed to go a shade paler. "May I go, now?"

"Yes. Please do." She looked pained, like she hadn't meant to say that. "I mean, of course. I realize you need to get back to class. Please, Alex, come speak to me if you need to."

I looked at her as I open the door. She tried, but she was just too weak. The type who whine all day 'cause she broke a nail. "Yes, ma'am." Hopefully, I'd never have to see her again. "Thank you, ma'am."

Beth - Lunch

We naked few hogged one table for ourselves at lunch. "How's it been?" Stephanie asked first.

Everyone had at least one 'horror' story so far except Alex. But Alex's story had spread through the school like wild fire so when he shrugged and said "it's cool" the others left him alone about it.

"I can't tell who more embarrassed in the bathroom - me or the girls." Khalid commented.

"The girls." Tiffany stated, "Guys are supposed to be disgusting. We're supposed to be dainty. We don't do foul things."

"Oh, so the used tampon was my imagination." Jared said with an exaggerated wave, "Whew! I was worried."

"Ok, that's lunch for me!" Brenda pushed her tray away.

"Oh, stop!" Gail hit Jared shoulder.

"No, really." Brenda laughed, "I have ta start watching my girlish figure.

"Since when?" Zach reached for one of her French fries and she smacked his wrist.

"Since it occurred ta me this morning that someone might actually see it." She winked at me and I couldn't help blushing.

"Hey, it's not just you. Somebody behind me said my ass sags." Van-Chi lamented. "There's a comment that makes a guy self conscious."

"Oh, come on…" The discussion degraded into who had more to lose in the war between the sexes. I expected Alex to speak up at some point but he seemed to be distant from the whole thing.

I saw him tune back in, though, when Tiffany spoke up. "I just don't like the pinching. The jocks are just too rough."

"Who?" he snapped at her.

"What?" she actually jumped.

"Who was too rough?"

"Oh, a couple of the wrestlers. Nothing big. It was ok. Really."

Alex got up. When he turned around, I could see that his ass was still red but Leigh hadn't left a bruise.

"Hey!" Stephanie tapped the table to get my attention, "Is he ok?" They all looked at me.

"Not…really." I hesitate. "He really a lot closer to my brother, but Peter had ta leave the day after the funeral."

"Well, that sucked." Khalid looked disgusted, "You'd think he'd hang around a bit."

"Oh, give him a break," Stephanie snapped, "He got a life of his own."

"Lisa was Peter's friend too, you know." I jumped in, "This was hard on both of them but Peter has swim meet next week so he's in training and Alex understands that; Peter left and I'm keeping an eye on Alex."

"Well look, if I can help," Steph shrugged, "Lemme know. 'K?

Alex came back before I could reply. With him was the defensive line. "Guys," he said and gestured to the wall of jocks behind him. "Williams, Wilson, Douglas, Trucker and Schaefer. If anyone makes you feel 'uncomfortable' again, tell one of them. They'll take care of it." He sat down and finished his lunch.

"Our own private security force," Jared openly eyed the players, "Well, I'll be needing relief soon. I don't suppose one of you will want volunteer?" He stood up, grabbing his tray and his books. "'Cuse me; I have to use the lil' girl's room." He stopped short. "You know, that's the first time I ever said that and meant it." He walked off shaking his head.

Gail stood up as well, arching her back unnecessarily, "Actually, I could use an escort to my locker - if you're free, Wilson." She and Ron were a known item so no one was surprised when he picked her books and slipped an arm around her shoulder. Slowly but surely, everyone finished their lunches and heads off in their own directions. I watched Alex. Brenda and Stephanie were the last two to leave.

"See you later, Barbie." Brenda said with a grin. I blushed uncontrollably.

"So, she solve your problem?" Alex asked softly. I started; I hadn't though he was paying attention but he was looking at me with a slight smile.

I blushed even more. "No."

"Pity." He looked back at his lunch. "I was hoping you'd at least get off in all of this."

"No, I mean she hasn't tried." He arched his eyebrows and I blushed even deeper. "Alex! Stop! Yes, I might let her try. There. Happy?"

"Only if you let me watch." I rolled my eyes and he almost laughed. "I'd have to be a whole lot more depressed than this to say 'no' to you, Beth."

In a mild panic, I looked to see if anyone heard that. "Alex, shh, don't say that."

"Oh please, we live in ass fart, Virginia. You know how many of these trailer park hicks doin' their sisters? We likely the most normal family in school!"

"Maybe, but can we just pretend that never happened when we're here? Please?"

He smiled again, "Yeah. I'm cool. But watching you walk around naked is rough."

"Rougher than watching Stephanie?"

"Hell yeah! That ass I can tap. Yours forbidden fruit."

"Augh!" I threw a napkin at him, "You're hopeless."

"Yeah." He looked wistful for a moment. "Yeah. Hopeless. Evil. Depraved. Goin' straight to hell."

"Alex?" The expression seemed to fall from his face and I couldn't read him. "What's rule number one?" Peter said to ask him that any time I started worrying about him.

He seemed to refocus. "No running, no jumping, no swimming. I know." He took a deep breath and flexed. "Come on. I'll walk you to class."

Alex - Seventh Period

I disliked Sociology to begin with; it was one of those filler classes they came up with when they realized we didn't have enough bullshit wasting our day. And I didn't like Mr. Irwin because he was one of those two-faced jackasses who'd do whatever Giles told him to do except when a parent got in his face - then it was 'I fought the decision, I told them not to'. He kissed so much ass his lips were brown. So when Irwin called me to the front of the room at the start of the period, it was just one more irritation in a day full them.

"Yes, sir."

"Don't take that tone in my class, young man."

I would be happy to leave the class, I thought to myself, but giving attitude to teachers was a suspend-able offense from my Dom. I took a deep breath, remembered I was already on thin ice with Giles and tried again. "Yes, sir."

Apparently, I said it better that time because he turned his attention to the rest of the class. "You all have a tremendous opportunity this year, with the advent of the NiS Program to not only get to explore your own views about yourselves but to understand how an enormous number of views co-exist in our society." He droned on. My classmates took notes. I tried not to fall asleep.

I knew my week was gonna suck. It was not even the naked thing - I mean, that would be kind of cool if Lisa were there. I tried not to think about her but I couldn't. She'd made it pretty clear that we'd never be more than fuck buddies, but that was ok because she wasn't one of those girls who would say something like that then get pissy if you went out with someone else. Shit, she used to set me up with other girls and I used to pick guys in the locker room I thought had tools she'd dig. She was just very, very cool. And gorgeous - inside and out. She made sitting through Irwin's class almost worth it. Hell, she made going to school worth it just because I'd met her. Every good thing about me, I owed to either her or Peter. Without them, I wasn't worth shit.

"Mr. McElroy!"

"What?" I snapped, suddenly realizing that I had no fucking clue what the hell was going on around me.

"Have you heard a word of what I've said today?"

I had enough good grace to know when I was the idiot. "No, sir."

"Do you think that's appropriate in my class? To waste my time and everyone else's?"

"No, I…" I was not getting into it then. "…sorry, sir. I kinda got lost in thought." I tried to maintain the same attitude - the same respect - I'd show at the dock, if this were Granddad or one of the boat captains. He's not, but if I could be cool, I could get through it.

"OK, so then, what do you think about this Program so far. You've had most of the day. Do you think we'll learn from it?"

No. "I…I'm participating 'cause I was told to." It was the only thing I could think of. "I guess I'll learn something."

The smug bastard seemed to enjoy that answer. "Just following orders, McElroy? I thought you were morally opposed to that." He walked around me, calculating. "So, you don't have any problem assisting your classmates with this grand social experiment?"

"No, sir." I didn't care about the program one way or another.

"Good." He turned to the class. "Everyone line up. By the door, I think. Yes. Jenkins, pull out that voting booth, I think that will serve our purpose today." I must have missed something. They set up the voting booth - a little curtained shell - next to his desk and he gestured for me to go in it. "I will remind you that this is not an opportunity for you to garner relief. You will each have sufficient time. I am not going to time you individually, but let's not take advantage of the situation."

Trisha Robinson stepped into the space with me and Irwin closed the curtain behind her. We were not quite squeezed against each other but it was close.

"What the fuck?" I whispered.

"You really weren't listening, were you?" she shook her head. "Everybody has ta touch you and write a paper 'bout human connection and how clothing helps or hinders society.

I laughed. I couldn't help it. It was the biggest bullshit excuse I have ever heard for getting felt up by a bunch of teens. Under different circumstance, this was the kind of shit Peter would do to fuck with me. I put my arms out as far as the tent would allow. "Sure. Touch me."

She bit her lip. "I've never…this is just weird." She whispered. She took a breath and placed her hand tentatively on my chest. I could feel her shaking slightly.

"What are you, nervous?"

She frowned, "You such a dick." Her hand didn't move but her arm shook a little more. It occurred to me that, she might not ever have seen a naked guy before never mind touched one.

"Sorry. It's cool, really." I kept my voice down, "I promise I won't bite. I'll keep my eyes closed." Her hand did a slow pass down from my chest to my thigh. Then she closed the last inch between us and hugged me. I reciprocated because it made sense.

"Let's not keep everyone waiting." Irwin said from outside. Trisha let me go and hurried out.

Jake stepped in. He was on Special Teams this season and we grinned at each other because I'd wager he was thinking what I was thinking. I put my arms down; he put his hand on my shoulder and stepped out again.

"Stop." Irwin ordered. "You could not have actually made a connection that fast." Jake and I both protested. "In. Connect. Otherwise, this exercise is pointless."

"Oh, right." I muttered as Jake pulled the curtain shut.

He rolled his eyes and looked at me. I shrugged, "Touch me, dude."

"No offense, right, but touchin' you messed up."

Funny, I was thinking I needed to take a better look at the Football team next time I was in the shower room. Jake was pretty hot. "Trisha hugged me." I lifted my arms slightly.

He rolled his eyes again and muttered something I couldn't quite catch. We embraced - hips as far apart as the space would allow. Jake re-opened the curtain.

"Did you two connect?" Irwin asked.

"We're life mates now." Jake answered.

"Good; every girl in the school can breath easier now. Next."

Kelly came in next. She licked her lips as she closed the curtain and put her hand directly on my dick. "Let's connect." She cooed in my ear.

Kelly blew me during study hall once, under the fucking desk with the teacher in the damn room. "Hello." She had Mr. Happy's full, dripping, attention.

"Miss Eubanks," Irwin voice interrupted us, "I should remind you that this is not an opportunity to provide Mr. McElroy with relief. This is non-sexual contact with an unclothed person. You need to make a connection with him, not his genitalia."

She blushed and moved her hand from my dick. And stopped. "He's naked. How can we connect other than…y'know?"

"That, Miss Eubanks is part of the question," Irwin responded, "Has your life prepared you to make connections with people - men and women - that are not based on their surface. Can you touch someone without touching their exterior - can you touch their person?" Kelly struggled to touch me non-sexually - especially hard, since I was nearly a rock - and Irwin ranted on. "I encourage you all, while you have the opportunity, to chose a girl in the NiS program later today and touch her as well - non-sexually, gentlemen - to add that perspective to your papers tonight."

Kelly's hand finally landed softly on my cheek. I couldn't help smiling at her. She blushed again. Under her light brown skin, it gave her almost a peachy color. She looked thoughtful then left. That moment froze in my memory - that look, her cheek color. Shit. I hated it when bullshit assignments turned out to have a fucking point.

I got through the whole class that way. Some people had no trouble and caressed, hugged or touched me without any kind of funny feeling. Some seemed to have as much trouble with the non-sexual part as others had with the sexual part. The weird thing about that was that it was both guys and girls. I guessed it was attitude, not gender.

At least with everybody but Tank.

I stopped counting how many people were coming but I knew there couldn't be too many left when Tank came in. He was, bar none, the biggest human in the fucking school. He was the poster child for the big dumb jock, but he was a nice enough guy. His family owned a fishery too - not as big as ours but they weren't hurting.

I waited for him to touch me but he didn't move. After about thirty seconds, I realized this was different. He was already practically hyperventilating and sweating bullets. "Dude, chill," I whispered, "I don't fuckin' bite." Well, I did, but not there.

"I can't do this," he moaned softly.

Closet fag. The words bounced against my skull. I looked at him again. If he were proportional, he would rip me a new one. My dick, which had flagged as the afternoon wore on, suddenly burst to life again. The curtain was long enough to hide it, so I put my hand on his crotch and he let me stroke the cannon between his legs. "Later." I mouthed and blew him a kiss. His eyes nearly bulged from his head. I tipped my head and he left the small space in a hurry.

"Did you connect?" Irwin asked him.

"We better had." He answered gruffly.

Soon thereafter, the last person hugged me and left. I waited a couple seconds the emerged myself. "Can I sit down now?"

"Just a minute." He looked at me steadily, "So bullshit or real assignment?"

Right outta the god damn gate. "Real. I guess. I dunno."

"Ok." He nodded. He was so damn smug. "Take your seat. Spend the rest of the class period writing. Turn those in on Wednesday, I'll have them back Friday. Three page minimum, double space, 12point please, thank you. When the bell rings, you may leave."

Beth - Eighth Period

"We have a major problem this year." Mr. Renaldo addressed the group of us around the worktable, "How do we produce a yearbook that doesn't get rated NC-17?" He was looking at me and trying not to stare.

I thought it would get easier as the day wore on but each class was yet another group who hadn't touched the last naked person or hadn't seen the last naked person or didn't believe there were naked people. I kept getting the same shocked looks, leering stares, uncomfortable attempts to not look or total avoidance. No one seemed able to just treat me normally - like I was just a student in a class. It was off-putting and tiresome. I wanted to put my clothes back on less because I was uncomfortable myself and more because everyone else seemed to want me to put my clothes back on. Needing 'relief' hadn't been an issue - I felt more like a freak show than a sex goddess.

Yearbook was one of my favorite classes last year so having this stupid Program mess it up just made my day. I listened to the others talk about suggestions for how to eliminate or at least blur naked teens caught on camera.

Then I remembered something I thought I read in the flyer. I dug through my book bag and found it. Yearbook photography is specifically required by the program. I pushed the other design notes out of the way, surprising my classmates. "Here's what we do." I put the flyer in front of them. "We select a dozen pages in the middle of the book, put this - in summary on the first two pages - and we fill the rest with whatever pictures we can't edit. I mean things like the Ballroom Dance competition this week, Alex is in it and he'll probably place again and right there is a trophy winner we'd have to edit. Or we can make a big NiS section, and put his naked butt there."

"And the rest of the book?" Ronny asked.

"Blur anybody naked in the background."

Renaldo nibbled his thumbnail - which he did whenever he was weighing odds he might have to go up against school administration. Then he just stopped and started taking notes. "Ok. Some new assignments. Ronny, you're still head photographer but make sure every photo gets tagged as NiS or Non-NiS. Beth, you just got promoted to NiS Section editor. I want you, Ronny and Scott to get me a complete preliminary layout by the end of the month. I know we don't go to press until April but you'll be shocked how fast the time will go."

He got the rest of the class assigned and disbursed. I started a list of the current group of NiS students. We'll need week by week group photo - probably that first day, in Giles' office just to get it over with. Mr. Renaldo sat down next to me.

"I want statements."

"What?"

"Excerpts from students. How they feel about the program, what they remember. I've got Zach and Gail doing interviews for the school paper along the same lines. Get with them and pull some quotes to intersperse with the photos. We're going to have to work to keep this somewhere between school spirit, administrative politics, parental morality and good taste. Think you can handle it?" He actually kept his eyes on my face the whole time.

"Yeah." No, not really. Not even close. "I got this."

Later Scott and Ronny sat with me. We looked at the layout we had started last month and tried to figure out what to move where.

"Hey, Beth, what if…" Scott covered his eyes again, "Jeez, could you please just cover 'em up 'til class ova?"

"With what? Principal Giles took my clothes this morning."

"I dunno! Use yo' hands or somethin'. I can't think with 'em starin' at me like that."

I wrapped my arms around myself, and we awkwardly continued the discussion. Scott did seem to concentrate on the layout more but they both had to be my hands.

"What's the problem here?" Mr. Renaldo came and stood over us. "Beth, are these two doing something inappropriate?"

We looked at each other. "No. Why?"

"Then why are your arms crossed like that. I'm sorry, but it's a violation. I can discipline these two if need be but you can't cover up like that."

I uncrossed my arms, "Sorry, Scott."

"I can't hardly sit still, Mr. Renaldo. Ain't nothin' I can do 'cept look at 'em." Scott put his head in his hand.

"Well, gentleman, you are now beginning to see part of the point of this Program." Mr. Renaldo sighed deeply. "Whether we want to or not, for heterosexual males, breasts are distracting. You gonna have to learn to look past them."

"Yeah but they ain't usually" Ronny gestured vaguely at my chest, "all out an' open like that."

"No." Mr. Renaldo's eyes dipped for just a moment, "No they're not." He cleared his throat. "You boys just gonna have to learn to look at 'em and think rationally at the same time. 'Cuse me, I need to check somethin' a moment." He headed over to one of the other groups.

"Was it just me," Ronny sounded scandalized, "Or was he just checkin' out yo' tits?"

"How could he not?" Scott lamented, "They just all out an' all."

I rolled my eyes, "Scott, if you wanna touch 'em, just make a reasonable request and touch 'em. Get it over with."

"Oh god, I couldn't."

"Why not?"

"Cause I'll never stop."

"You'll stop. They not that interesting." I picked up his hand and cupped it under my breast. "See?"

Scott bit his lip. "Yeah, nothin' to it." He's voice cracked a bit. "Can I, uh, y'know, sorta feel around?"

"Sure." I picked up the athletics section of their plan as Scott's hand slipped past my nipple. I tried not to jump as a tingle passed through me and continue with the planning session. "Now, every year, we do this alphabetically. How 'bout this year we do it in sequence?"

"What? Yeah. Sure." Ronny eyes were glued to Scott's hands. "Uh, Beth, would you mind if I…I, uh…"

I took his hand and placed it on my other boob. We weren't gonna get a damn thing done until this was out of the way. "What is so fascinating about them?"

"I don't know." Ronny said distantly, "Their shape, their size. I look at 'em and I just wanna touch 'em."

"Only touchin' 'em makes it worse." Scott added, "Make me wanna suck 'em…" he leaned over and kissed my nipple and I swallowed a gasp.

I didn't know what's so fascinating about looking my boobs, but playing with them was another subject. "Guys, we not gonna get a thing done…" I stopped as Ronny leaned in and sucked the other one. I couldn't believe they are doing this in the classroom with everybody right there. I couldn't believe I was naked and two guys were making out with me in school. I must have fallen asleep. It had to be a dream.

"Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! I said deal with it." Renaldo suddenly interrupted us. "Not make out in the middle of class." We all looked a bit guilty. "Gentlemen, why don't you go take some photos or something. Take a walk; cool down."

"Yes, sir." They sheepishly left and I glanced around the room to see who had watched me make a whore of myself. I was surprised to see the room empty.

Mr. Renaldo sat on the table in front of me then scooted back as if he was afraid to be too close. "Beth, look, I, uh. This program's pretty new and the rules are a bit different. Did, uh, anyone mention teachers to you?"

"Teachers? No. What about them?"

"Well, uh, actually," He stood up and took a few steps even further away. "Teachers allowed - teachers are allowed to provide you relief - if you want. If-n you request, I mean. I mean we can't just push ourselves on you - we can't make a reasonable request. It would be improper, of course. But this exercise for the student learning process and we would be remiss - as teachers - if we didn't offer our experience and skills to the students in all facets of their education." He struggled not to look at me but from where he was sitting, I could see the tent in his pants.

I wondered just how innocent he thought I was. "So if I had a question, like about a specific act, like how to do it, I could ask you and you'd show me?"

"Well, I didn't mean just me." He shifted forward a bit and stared intently into my eyes. I could see his eyes occasionally flicker down. "But, eh-hem, if-n I could answer any questions for you, I'd be…happy to."

I bit my lip artfully. Peter once said when I do that, I look virginal. "What if it was kinda dirty? I mean, y'know, nasty?"

He swallowed hard. "I wouldn't do anything that put you at risk. And, of course, we'd have ta use a condom if appropriate. But, I'm sure there's nothing truly," he paused, "filthy... that you could think of. I mean not at your age."

I couldn't hold back the laugh completely. "I can think of a lot, Mr. Renaldo."

"Can you?" He loosened his tie.

"I mean, I could ask you to kiss me," I looked away for a second, "down there."

"…yeah. I'd - I'd do that for you…"

"Or, even put your thing in my mouth."

"…ohhhhh…."

"You wouldn't want that, would you?" He was actually breaking a sweat. "I? A little, inexperienced girl like me putting my mouth all over your great big boy parts?"

"I, uh, I, uh, uh, you." He shook his head as if to shake the image out. "I don't want anythin'." His voice squeaked and he cleared his throat before he went on. "I want you ta just consider what you want and if-n you have questions, you just know that you can turn ta whoever you want for answers." He stood up. "Now if you'll excuse me, I just need ta find a refrigerator…"

"Actually, I do have a question."

"Yes, of course." He tried to look at me and smile normally.

"What would I have to do to get you to take me here and now?"

"I" he swallowed hard again. "Uh."

"On your desk." I stood up and walked slowly around the table to him "Or against the blackboard." He shook when my hand touched his tie. "From behind."

"Beth…"

"Do you think you could teach me how ta cum, Mr. Renaldo?"

"You don't - don't know," he seemed unsure where to look when I put his hands on my ass and rubbed my chest against him. "You seem to be, uh, well…versed…" our lips met briefly and I shivered. He was much more attractive that either Ronny or Scott. "I, oh God. Beth. Somehow I don't think you need lessons in that."

"Oh but I do, I do." I really did.

He gradually worked his lips down my neck and shoulders and I shivered with anticipation. "The problem with your peer group's that they don't know what they doing yet." His lips reached my nipple and sucked gently - much better than Ronny and Scott. "No skill set ta get the job done."

"Do you?" I whisper.

"Oh, yeah." I could barely hear him as he seemed to fixate on my breasts and spent more time there than anyone but Alex. When I moaned, he pushed me gently backward and kissed down my stomach while easing me down on the table. I reached back and shoved the papers and book out from under myself as he proceeded to 'kiss me down there.'

I nearly bolted out of my skin as Mr. Renaldo proceeded to caress my clit unlike anyone else. He pushed me further to the edge, faster, than anyone ever had. But not over it. At first, I thrashed and groaned - positive that he would send me crashing through an orgasm at any second. But the longer I stayed, suspended just above that release, the more frustrated I grew.

After twenty minutes, I found myself watching the clock and wondering when the bell was going to ring. He was good, no question, but not good enough. I was being to get a little sore when he paused.

"How many high school boys do that?" He asked, leering at me.

I started to say, 'quite a few' and then realized just how hurt he might be if he realized that I didn't hit it. "None like that." I replied instead. "You're really good." Which was true.

The bell rang and we both jumped. He suddenly looked almost scared. "You should…"

"Yeah, I, uh, probably should." I flipped my leg over his head and started packing my backpack.

"Beth," He said nervously. "I hope that was educational for you. I don't want you to think that I - I…"

I kissed him quickly, taking a quick swipe of my own juice with my tongue. "It's ok, Mr. Renaldo. I'll tell the others; I'll bet Steph, Gail and Tiffany will all have questions too." I headed out of the classroom before he could ask me to 'grade' him.

Alex - After School

Tank caught up with me on my way to get my clothes from the front office hallway.

"What's with that faggot shit, McElroy?"

"I don't know, Tank. You a fag?" I tried not to think about how much it would hurt if he beat the shit out of me. Tank could actually rape me; I was always the rapist, I'd never been the victim. I tried not to think about how much I wanted to be his victim. I like being Dominant sometimes, but at heart I was such a submissive it wasn't even right.

"Fuck no."

"Me neither." Well, not technically. "So what happened in class was just part of class, right?"

He stopped walking, "Yeah. Yeah, just part ovuh bullshit assignment."

"Unless you think you might need some help with that paper, right? I could come over ta your house tonight an' we could do some homework. And if we gotta repeat the whole stupid thing we did in class, well then it's homework, right?"

"What's wrong with yours?"

"You wouldn't like my room." Although he could tie me up…I shivered and tried to not to dwell on that thought either. Unbelievably, my dick twitched. I wasn't sure I was going to make it home, my balls were so sore. I felt like I was dripping like a faucet. "We could use it, but you wouldn't like it."

"I'll be there at 8." He shoved past me despite the fact that there was plenty of space.

I dialed Peter and got his voicemail. "I might be in some pain tonight; I may not be able to avoid it. I'll call you back later or hit me up in the mornin'. Later, Sir."

When I got home, I told my folks Tank was coming over to do homework. If they signed the permission slip, they likely already know about the program so I didn't see any need to mention it to them.

Tank got there at 8:30. He was big. 6 foot 6 at least and a good 350. He towered over my Mom when he shook her hand politely. We head down to my room in the basement. As I expected, the Dominatrix poster over the bed stopped him cold.

"What the fuck's that?"

"That is my dream girl. Every night, I go to bed wishing someone would do that to me. You ever have dreams like that, Tank?"

He looked at me oddly, "You fucked up, dude."

I grinned. "You have no idea." I had a worktable in the middle of the room and I dropped our sociology books on it. "We can work over here."

He sat down, still a bit leery but I was so keyed, I was about to burst. "Ok, so in class, how come you let me touch you, you ain't a fag?"

"I dunno." He looked away from me. "Why you touch it you ain't a fag?"

"'Cause I wanna." I didn't look at him; he was stressed enough as was. "I like girls. A lot. Right?"

"Yeah. Shit yeah."

"But ain't nothin' wrong with guys, ok?"

"What you mean?"

"I mean," I moved closer to him, "I mean if you close your eyes, you can't tell if you getting blown by a guy or a girl, right?" Actually, you can but I was betting he didn't know that yet.

"Oh."

"So, in the dark, who knows if you a fag or not."

"Yeah." He said slowly. "'Cept…"

"'Cept?"

"'Cept you gotta close your eyes 'cause I gotta do my class assignment - y'know touch - touch" he took a breath, "touch a naked guy."

I opened my mouth and stopped. Naked? "You want me ta get naked again?"

"It's for class, right?"

"Yeah." I nodded slowly and took off my shirt. "It's for class. This ain't about you or me - this was Irwin's idea." I unbuckled my belt. My pants caught on my boner. I closed my eyes and stood next to him - literally quivering with anticipation. "Touch me, Tank." I whispered.

There was nothing for a moment. Then I felt his breath on my dick and I moaned. His lips closed down around the head and my knees shook. After a minute, I buried my fingers in his hair and pumped against his mouth. Tank was blowing me - could my day get any better? And he was good at it - this wasn't his first time; Tank Reese, wrestler and weightlifter, was gay. Who would have suspected? I didn't hold back at all - I was likely to get suspended by Peter for it anyway, so what was one more rule? I groaned quietly as I emptied my jizz into his mouth. I couldn't believe he actually swallowed.

I dropped to my knees and kissed him. He was stunned, but in the chair, he couldn't really get away.

When our lips unlocked, he whispered, almost chanted, "I'm not gay. I'm not gay. I'm not gay."

"Dude." I held his face still and looked him in the eye, "Ain't nobody need ta know who you fuck 'cept who you fuck."

"I don't wanna be gay." I thought he was going to cry.

"You like what you like, Tank. I ain't wanna like this -", I showed him the one scar Peter left, "but I did. Came like hell. Get hard thinkin' 'bout how I got it."

"How did you get that?"

"You ain't wanna know." I crossed the room and unlocked my toy drawer. I showed him the cigarette clips. I clipped one to my own nipple - biting back a sigh. "I wear these when I don't have football practice." I clipped the second one to his chest. He shouted and swore; I removed it and put both clips away. "I didn't wanna be like this but I am. I learned ta live with it. Shit, at least gay guys on TV; shit, some stuff my Dom do ta me considered assault an' battery. Look, I ain't gonna tell nobody 'bout today, right? And we can forget it ever happened. But I'd rather call you once a month and let you fuck me."

"I don't wanna fuck guys." He finally said softly, "My Dad'll fuckin' kill me he find out."

"So don't fuck your Dad."

He looked at me. It was very intense. I wasn't sure what he was thinking. He stood up and started to open his belt. When his zipper went down, his dick popped out. It wasn't overly long but it was as thick as my fist. "Oh, fuck." I moaned.

"I been wan'in' ta fuck you since I saw you at lunchtime."

I got on the bed, on my knees, and spread as wide as I could.

"You got any oil?" he asked.

"Dude, just do it."

"You sure? I'm kinda wide, right?"

"Oh yeah."

I felt his fingers first, actually pulling me open. Then ripping, the chaffing, the burning. I was whimpering like a baby before he got all the way in.

"You ok?"

"Oh my God. You have no idea. Do it again. Please."

He whipped out of me and slowly drilled back in. "Oh, God, oh god, oh god oh god…" I chanted. It hurt so good. "Faster, Tank, faster." He sped up. It was like a bowling ball was being shoved up my ass. I couldn't even tell if it was pain or pleasure I was feeling because it was already so intense, I couldn't think. Tank was so big, every time he thrust down his weight fell on me and I gasped. He was either going rip me in two or crush me. Suddenly he whipped out of me and dribbled jizz all over my back. He didn't scream; actually, he sounded like he was speaking in tongues at church. Which was the thought that sent me over the edge. Somehow, I didn't think I was his first for this either.

"Jesus Christ, forgive me." I groaned quietly into my comforter.

"Uh. I gotta go." I heard Tank behind me yanking his pants up and knocking things over.

"Tank, relax." He stared at me like I was crazy. "Look you go in without your paper, they ask what you did all night and you say…?"

"I…uh…uh…"

"Right. Sit down. Write the stupid thing. Always have an alibi."

He actually looked scared. I got up, found my pants and skipped my boxers. My ass ached pleasantly and I was already wondering how I could get him to make this a regular thing.

"What do I write?" He asked after a few minutes.

"Did you feel like you connected with me when we touched?"

"I don't even know what that means."

"It's probably bullshit."

"My old man say most-uh this garbage bullshit."

I sat on the bed and tossed my football at him; he caught it easily. "The trick with Irwin's figure what bullshit he wanna hear today and spit it back to 'im."

He tossed the ball back. "So what, he wanna hear we all fags?"

"Nah. Likely that, I dunno, that touching a guy wasn't weird and it was like having a brother or some shit."

"I do that to my brother, he fuckin' punch my teeth in." He started to look nervous again.

"Shit, Dude! Don't think about blowin' me! Don't think 'bout doin' me. Think like the whole night's been just like this. We just sittin' around, tossin' the ball and talkin' 'bout Irwin's bullshit. Right?"

"Yeah, right."

"So, what's your brother like, I mean, if he ain't punchin' you?"

"He alright, I guess." Tank spun the ball for a minute before tossing it again. "I think he kinda mad 'cause they adopted him then had me."

That was some fucked up family shit I did not need to know. I had enough of that of my own. We tossed the ball in silence for a while.

"Alex? Sweetie?" My Mom yelled down and Tank jumped.

"Be cool," I hissed, "Yeah, Mom?"

"I'm not coming down." Tank and I both relaxed. "I'm cleaning the kitchen. Do you boys want anything before I put everything away?"

Tank shook his head. "Nah, we cool. Thanks."

"Homework going ok?"

"Yes, Mom."

"Tank, honey, will you need a lift home?"

He seemed to panic again. "Uh, no, Ma'am. I uh, I got a car."

"Alright, you two. Behave." The upper door closed.

"Oh, shit." Tank looked back toward the door.

"Mom's cool. She won't come down without sayin' somethin' first."

"What about your Dad."

"Dad only come down if the house on fire."

We sat silently for another few minutes then Tank got antsy again. "I should go, dude."

"You know what you gonna write?"

"I'll make up somethin' outta the text book." He grabbed his books and I tossed on my shirt.

"Hey listen," I said as I walked with him to his car, "Tonight doesn't have to be a one time thing…"

"DUDE!" He started to pull his fist back and dropped his books.

"Chill!" I hissed as we picked everything up. "Dude, you know how many fags in our school?"

He started to answer then stopped and looked at me. "No." He started to really think about it.

"Yeah, you don't. Be cool. Nobody need ta know who you fuck 'cept who you fuck, right?" I glanced to make sure we were alone, "An' dude you can fuck me anytime."

Alex – Before School

I was in the shower. A guy’s supposed to have some damn privacy. Instead, my mother walked into the bathroom, “Alex, Honey? I’m not looking.” She said, shielding her eyes. “Lizzie said that Beth told her you two were in the – OH MY GOD! What the hell did they do to you?”

I looked up to see Mom looking at my reflection in the mirror. The shower curtain was see-thru but I couldn’t tell what she was looking at. “Mom? What?”

She pulled the curtain aside and turned me, “Oh my god! George!” she shouted and I rolled my eyes, “George, get in here!”

“Mom! Jesus, come on, I’m showerin’ here.”

“Stacy, what’s – whoa, boy, towel.” My father had the decency to stay in the hall. “Hon, what the hell?”

“George, get in here and look at what they did to your son.”

“Oh jeez!” Dad and I said at the same time. I turned off the water and let Mom turn me all the way around so that Dad could see the bruises on my side. “Mom, I’m fine.”

“Hellova hit.” Dad said calmly.”

“Yeah, caught me and the pad shifted.”

“So you weren’t naked?” Mom sounded less freaked out.

I shrugged. “Pads only. Jock. They don’t stay in place as well without my uniform but I wasn’t naked.”

“George…” Mom started but Dad raised his hand.

“Ok, I give. I’ll call Dutton today.”

“You will go down to that school this morning at talk to Principal Giles.” Mom said anyway. “And you will talk to Coach Dutton. They are not turning Alex into a mass of bruises just because of some sexual fantasy the school board got pushed through.

“Hon, you supported this Program. You an’ April went on an’ on ‘bout self esteem an’ sexual responsibility.”

“Don’t change the subject. This isn’t about the Program, it’s about not seeing your son get beat up.”

Yeah, because I needed this. “Can I get dressed now?”

“Please!” Dad said with some relief.

I slipped out of the bathroom while my parents fussed at each other. I dressed and checked my e-mails. There was one from Peter.

“Talked to Beth last night,” it read, “answer your damn phone. She told me about the program. This week only, no rules just rights. I'll leave my phone on in case you need to call.”

All of which was good news since I'd broken just about every rule in the previous 24hours. Lifting the rules meant I could actually start accepting relief – I didn’t think I could go a second day naked without cuming. Well, without cuming a lot. It also meant that I could pick my own partners instead of sticking to the pre-approved list; Beth and Brandon, my ex-girlfriend Shelia.

Lisa.

Thinking about her took the strength out of my legs and I landed on the bed trying to hold myself together. Making out with Lisa was so good. She was a total exception because she liked making me cum and then making me swallow my own jizz and Peter got off just thinking about it. She’d get me off but keep just the very tip of my dick between her lips. Then she wouldn't swallow but would kind of coat her tongue with it and then kiss me and push all of it into my mouth. I'd be a fucking rock again before she finished.

I could feel myself trembling, so I took a couple of deep breaths. I couldn't fall apart then. Not then. I didn't know when, but not then. I pushed it all back.

I did what I always did when I needed control. I remembered the Peter’s Rules.

Rule one. No running, no jumping no swimming.

Rule two. Full disclosure; I tell Peter everything, always.

Rule three. No cuming without permission.

Rule four. No swearing.

Rule five. No partners without permission.

Rule six. No pain without permission.

Rule seven. I have a master; I call him 'sir.' He owns my dick.

By the time I finished my little mantra, I was feeling more steady. I hit the kitchen for breakfast where Mom spoiled me rotten. Dad drove me to school.

His eyes popped when Stephanie and Beth join me in striping in front of him at the school’s front door.

"Hey, Uncle George." Beth kissed his cheek. He swallowed hard as she walked away. It was sick watching my Dad stare at my cousin's ass but since I usually did the same thing, I could hardly blame him. I led him to Giles' office and waited outside while they talked. A few minutes later, Coach Dutton showed up and they all talked some more.

After I was late for class, they called me in to tell me that I would be wearing my uniform for football practice and games – if I was on the field. On the sidelines, I ha to be naked.

Dad said all the right things and they let us leave so he could get to work and I could get to class. He stopped me just before he left the building. "Oh, an' about Leigh..." I was really hoping he wouldn't hear about that. "...I don't have time ta tell you how many things wrong with that one. You grounded – next week. I'd do it this week, but," He grinned sadistically, "it wouldn't do for you ta miss out on all the school events an' what not, would it?"

"Thanks, Dad. You're all heart." He let me get away with the tone. My Grandfather would have popped me.

"Glad to see you could join us, Mr. McElroy." Mr Wilson, my Lit teacher said, "Take your seat. Alright, so what do we think of Angelo?” No one responded. “OK, of the Duke? OK, did anyone actually do last night’s reading?” A few hands went up around the room. “Well, at least you’re an honest bunch. Mr. Phelps, please tell us the gist of the plot. Just the basics.”

“This Duke wanted ta leave town but couldn’t or something so he got his vice ta cover for him and the guy does uh nun an’ this other girl.” He answered.

Mr. Wilson nodded his head, “OK, you at least cracked the spine. Can anyone else give us a clearer picture? Ms. Hall?”

“Didn’t he do the nun ta keep from killing her brother?” Mr. Wilson nodded, “Except it wasn’t the nun in the bed, it was like his ex-girlfriend but he didn’t know it an’ tried ta killed the brother anyway.”

“Close. Ok. Good. Why did he want to kill the brother? Anyone?”

Slowly, the plot of the play came out. Some of it sounds familiar. I had opened the book and flipped the pages but it wouldn’t be accurate to say I read it. I looked at the words. Sex and dirty politics. “Sounds like last week’s headline.” I cracked to the guy next to me.

Wilson heard me. “Say again, Mr. McElroy?”

I shrugged, “I said it sounds like something out of the current news.”

“So would we agree that this is nothing new, a politician breaking the very law he passed?” the class agreed. “Would we say that this plot, then, is fairly timeless? That sex and politics was the same then as it is now?” The class agreed again. “This, Ladies and Gentlemen is why we still read Shakespeare. Extra credit assignment: Find me an article in the news – any media – that typifies the themes in the play.” He went on until break time.

Since Tuesday/Thursday classes are half hour longer than Monday/Wednesday/Friday, we got a ten-minute break in the middle of them. I went to the nearest girl’s room and waited. A couple girls let me cut the line in front of them and for some reason, despite the fact that there were a dozen girls in line, all the ones in the bathroom were doing their hair – all six stalls were suddenly empty.

I looked at the line, shrugged and used the john. “I got uh sister,” I said as I washed my hands, “I know girls fart.” As I left, there was a mad dash for the stall doors. I shook my head.

When I got back in the classroom, Wilson was calling people down to the front of the room. “Mr. Phelps, The Duke. Mr. Janey, Claudio. Ah, Mr. McElroy, Angelo.” I grabbed my book and joined the group down front. We didn’t read the whole thing, just enough to get the point of each scene. Wilson made us get up and kind of act out each bit. It was lame, but it was better that sitting there and listening to him lecture. Jeannie Jessup read Isabella. Jeannie was painfully shy anyway, but standing next to me, she was damn near shaking. I guessed the naked thing unnerved her. Either that or my near constant boner.

“I am come to know your pleasure.” She read and the room erupted into giggles and guffaws.

When I said “sweet uncleanness”, Jeannie took a step back and, almost unconsciously, I grabbed her arm and held it. I held her still through the next couple of lines about how she’d rather die herself than sleep with me. I smiled. I liked this Isabella; she’d fight back; Jeannie could learn from her. “You must lay down the treasures of your body.” I read. Jeannie, actually was pretty hot. Somehow, I didn’t remember noticing that before. She yanked her arm away from me and took a serious step back. I got a grip on myself and remembered that I was reading a play in lit class – not playing ‘rape’ with my ‘boy-toy’ Brandon. “It kinda goes on like that, right?” I asked, hoping Wilson got the hint.

“OK. Yeah.” Wilson looked at me, at Jeannie and then started flipping pages. “Yeah, so Angelo makes an indecent proposal, Isabella categorically refuses him. Let’s pick up on Act three, scene one. Claudio, ‘what’s the comfort?’.”

I sat down and used the book to cover my erection. I didn’t stand up for the rest of the reading; no one argued the point. After class, naked Brenda, sat next to me, “You ok?”

“I’m cool.” I didn’t want to discuss it but since I could see Wilson talking quietly with Jeannie, I figured I was going to be in Ms. Pat’s office shortly. “Look, Brenda, Jeannie just pushes my buttons, right? Was it that bad?”

“Brought the script ta life.”

“Shit.”

We watched Jeannie leave the room and Wilson moved quickly to us. “Look, this NiS Program is going to take some time for us all to adjust to. This was my fault – I shouldn’t have had you read Angelo; you’re just such a perfect cast…” He stopped short like he hadn’t mean to say that aloud. “Look, give Jeannie some space this week; that whole scene made her a little uncomfortable, OK?”

“Yeah,” I tried to sound more relaxed than I felt, “no problem. It’s all good. I’ll e-mail her an apology.”

“Good.” He started to pat me on the knee and stopped awkwardly. His hand landed on his own thigh. “Good. You two have class, now, right?”

We did. We left the room and in the hall Brenda snickered, “I had no idea.”

“What?”

“Wilson. I didn’t know he was gay.”

I stopped and looked back at the classroom. “Wilson?”

“Ok, lots of guys avoid looking at me dressed, but naked, even guys who’ve harassed me about being fat can’t help looking. But I don’t think Wilson’s eyes got above your waist all class.” She laughed outright. “I guess I thought that the faculty would be immune ta our charms.”

“Why?” I shrugged, still thinking about Mr. Wilson. “They get horny too.”

“Yeah, I guess. Gotta run. I got PE next, an’ I’m already failing it.”

“How do you fail PE?” I asked. She’s not that big. Actually, Peter was actively trying to hook up with her until we found out she’s a lez.

“Tell the instructor that you disagree with the program on the grounds that it makes weight a moral issue.”

“Oh, Christ.”

“Oh yeah, teachers love it when you interrupt class with crap like that.” She laughed again; she had a really easy laugh. “See you at lunch.”

Beth – Third Period

Actually, I enjoy history class. I like modern more than ancient and this semester we were covering World War II thru Korea; I was looking forward to it.

As I came through the classroom door, Mr. Davis called me down to the front of the room. Jared was already there looking mortified. “Why don’t you two just stand here until the rest of the class gets here?” He was sitting behind his desk, watching us. Jared and I stood there silently for a while, both occasionally looking back at Mr. Davis. He was actually leering.

Jared leaned over to me. “Ok, is it just me, or does Davis creep you out?”

“Oh yeah; he makes my skin crawl.” I whispered back. Jared nodded and went back to standing there.

When the bell rang, Mr. Davis got up and closed the door. “Ok, Naked in School. We have a new program called Naked in School.” He was disturbingly gleeful as he made his way around the classroom. “Jared, turn around. Let them all see you.” Jared turned slowly. I could see that he enjoyed this even less than I did. “Now you, Beth. Now, Beth is what we used to call back in the day a brick house ‘cause she’s nicely build.” There was a nervous titter around the room. “I don’t know about men. What do we think ladies, is Jared a male brick house? Good looking? Packing?” There were a few murmurs of agreement.

I looked at him. Mr. Davis was making everyone uncomfortable but it wasn’t going to get any better if we didn’t play along. “I think Jared’s pretty hot.” I said. Jared looked at me surprised.

“Really?” He’s expression was doubly confused.

“Really.” I said with my expression trying to get him to play along.

“Oh. Uh, yeah. Beth’s sorta hot too. For a girl. I mean, she’s hot, I’m just not that way.”

“So you’ve tried it with a girl and just found you like boys more?” Mr. Davis asked. “You did some experimenting?”

“Uh.” Jared’s jaws got tight. “No. Not really. I just, I just always knew.” He glanced at me. “Do we have to do this?”

“It’s important for your own development.” Mr. Davis said. “It’s important that your classmates understand.” Jared sighed and I mouthed ‘sorry’. “So you don’t like girls.”

“No.”

“At all.”

“They’re friends. I mean, I don’t hate girls but no, I don’t want to do it with them.”

“But you’ve never tried it.” Jared shook his head. “Well you should try it.”

“Oh, uh, no…” Jared started as I began, “If he doesn’t want to…”

“Nonsense. You both need relief, you’re both young, attractive, naked…I think you should try a girl. See if maybe you haven’t made a mistake.”

“Did my father put you up to this?” Jared sounded frustrated.

“Now why would he do that?”

“Listen,” I jumped in, “I don’t really need relief this morning so…”

“Yeah, I’m not in need, really, either.” Jared said, but he had a hard-on as he said it.

“Use my desk.” Mr. Davis said. It had an air of finality about it, as if he expected us to just do it.

Jared and I looked at each other. Finally, I shrugged. “I’ll do you.”

“You don’t have to.” He said. “He can’t make us.”

I half smiled and told the truth. “Actually, I’d volunteer for you anyway. I mean, if you’d want. Not like this…”

“Oh.” He grinned shyly. “Thanks. Uh, should I lean or do you want…”

“Oh, I can sit. Well, not. I guess you should…”

“Stop!” Mr. Davis shouted. “Beth, I’ve seen you in every corner of the building. I know you know how to do this.” I blushed more from anger than embarrassment. He came down to the front of the room. “Come here girl and lie down.” He had me lie on my back on his desk. “Now, you get on top.”

Jared bulked. “69? I thought…”

“That’s her doing you. You need to do her. Get up here.”

Jared rolled his eyes, looked apologetically at me and climbed on the desk. Mr. Davis sat in his chair and leered at us. “Well, go on.”

Jared’s dick hung over my face. He really was reasonably well-hung – not too big, not too small – and had very little hair. I put my fingers on his shaft and stroked up and down. He shivered. It wasn’t as if I didn’t like sucking a guy off. I did and I liked Jared too. I was even almost ok with doing it in front of a classroom. But Mr. Davis ogling us like some porno made the whole thing feel somehow wrong. Then suddenly, Jared’s tongue licked my whole slit from one end to the other and I shivered. It felt glorious. I put my lips on the crown of his dick and sucked deeply. Someone in class swore. It may not have been true that Mr. Davis had seen me all over the building but I couldn’t deny that I knew how to blow a guy.

Jared moaned and I could feel the vibrations through his lips. I groaned in response and made sure he could feel me. He responded by sucking my clit like a little dick. It was very intense and after only a few minutes, my hips were bucking against him. It was too intense, actually, and I sucked on him hard to try to draw his attention away from me. I could hear distantly the quiet gasps of my classmates and the slightly sickening groans of my teacher but I just tried to focus on making Jared feel really good.

Suddenly his face pulled away from me. “Oh geez! Oh! Oh! Be-be-be-th!” He went inarticulate and came in my mouth. I had just enough space to swallow without choking. He collapsed and then rolled beside me. He lay gasping for a moment. “Wow.” I couldn’t help blushing.

I sat up and wiped my mouth. As I did, I glanced at Mr. Davis. He head was leaned back, eyes closed and he was fondling his own now-limp dick. Jared must have seen him as well because he sat up and turned away from our teacher. “I did not need to see that.” He muttered. He glanced at me. “Was that, y’know, good?”

I smiled. “Very good.” I lied. “Anytime you wanna switch sides you just let me know.”

“Uh, yeah.” He looked traumatized. “I’ll do that.” He got up and made an awkward gesture like he wanted to cover himself but had nothing to cover with.

Behind us, I heard Mr. Davis zip up. “Ok, people. Let’s get to today’s lesson.” I slipped off the desk and hurried to my seat.

Jared sat beside me and leaned close. “Would you mind terribly if I never mention that that happened?”

“Sorry.” I whispered back. “I wouldn’t have gone through with it if I’d known it would be so traumatic.”

“No, not that. I mean, Steven’s kinda touchy ‘bout this kind of thing. His last boyfriend went straight on him and I don’t want him to think, y’know…”

I had forgotten that Jared actually had a boyfriend. “What about the Program? He knows about relief this week, right?”

“He ain’t happy ‘bout it.”

“If you two want to try that again,” Mr. Davis interrupted our conversation, “I can turn the floor back over to you. I’m sure that once Jared has enough experience, you’ll revert to more normal behavior.” We pulled away from each other. “No? Well, be prepared to try again on Thursday.” He went back to Germany and the aftermath of WWI. I started trying to think of ways to get out of Thursday’s class.

Alex - Lunch

“Figures.” A familiar voice snapped behind me. I looked around and saw Doug Alsop in the cafeteria line. “Naturally, he takes the last calzone.”

I had just been picking up lunch but I actually looked at the counter and he was right. “Take it.” I wasn’t really hungry anyway.”

He scowled at me. “You’ve given me enough.” he sneered. He dropped his tray and stormed past me. I hadn’t seen Doug since the funeral and I’d never given him anything so I had no clue what he was talking about. I followed him out through the lunchroom and into the hallway. When he realized I was following, he whirled on me. “What now?”

“You tell me.” I snapped back. “What the hell is your problem?”

“Me? My problem?” He got in my face and I felt the muscle in my arm twitch. “You. That’s my problem. You and the fact that you even stole her death from me.” I knew he meant Lisa but I still didn’t know what he was talking about. “Oh, don’t give me that ‘poor Alex’ bullshit. You could care less about her – you just lost your favorite cheerleader to bone.”

“Excuse me?”

“Save it! You took advantage of her ‘cause she just wanted someone – anyone – to pay attention to her. She was totally stuck on you and you totally abused that.”

“Hey! You don’t know shit ‘bout me an’ Lisa.” But the comment did strike a little close to home; I’d wondered why she kept me around.

“You think I didn’t know you still doin’ her?” He gestured around us. “Whole damn school know. She’s the first girl I ever went steady with an’ you stole her out from under me. Poor fuckin’ Alex. His girlfriend died. She was my girlfriend, asshole, mine!” He shoved me like I was deny it.

“Hey!”

“She wasn’t special to you. She was just one more hole.”

Which is when I started pounding him. A couple shots into it, he grabbed me and we both wound up rolling around on the floor. Someone yelled, “fight!” and someone else yelled “naked fight!” A minute later, several someones pulled us apart. We got sent to Giles’ office and from there, to Ms. Pat.

She looked at us for a few minutes. “So. Are you going to tell me what this was about?” Doug and I glared at each other and shrugged. “Ok, united front. Heaven forbid either of you actually believe I’m here to help. Let’s start with I’m not stupid – I know this is about Lisa Hunter. Do you want to share some specifics or do I schedule counseling sessions for you two for the rest of the semester?” Doug and I shrugged again; she sighed. “Ok. Fine. Doug, let’s see you Monday’s at 9:30. Alex, Monday at 10. I’ll inform your teachers and your parents.” She made some notes on her calendar. “Now, if you two can shake hands, I’ll send you back to class.”

Doug and I let our hand pass each other’s in a vague un-hand-shake like manner but it was enough to get her nod of approval.

“Just a minute, Alex.” She said before the door could close. “This was your last strike, you know. I talked Mr. Giles out of suspending you for three days but I won’t be able to do that again. And apart to the damage it would do to your status on the football team and to your grades, you would have to repeat your NiS week. So as it stands, Mr. McElroy, you owe me.” She smiled – a bit smugly – over her glasses and I decided that, first, she wasn’t half bad looking and second, I still didn’t like her.

“So how you aim on collecting?”

“A little faith that I’m not your enemy? You know, I thought we were past this. You were like this years ago. Then, you just stopped.” She paused and looked at me oddly. “You told me you were submissive; was Lisa your Dominant? Is that part of what’s going on?”

I laughed outright. “You ain’t know Lisa real well, did you? She ‘bout as dominant as you is.” I made the comment rather off-hand but once I said it, I realized that it was true. She was a naturally submissive woman, which was part of what bugged me about her – I never could stand submissive girls. Submissive boys were a different subject but I liked women who knew how to bust my balls. Lisa was a special case; I couldn’t resist her. Women like Ms. Pat, however, generally, push all the wrong buttons with me. They make me want to see just how far I can push them. I closed the door and took a step toward her desk. “Who’s your Dom? Principal Giles?”

She blushed and looked away. “My personal life is none of your concern, young man.” She licked her lips and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

I moved around and sat on the corner of the desk right next to her. My rock hard – again, still – dick was practically in her face. “You up in my business, Pat. Figure I can ask ‘bout yours.”

“It doesn’t work that way.” She kept trying not to look at It but she was so looking at it.

“Hey Pat, you like what you lookin’ at?”

She cleared her throat and began shuffling papers on her desk. “Ms. Pat, thank you. Don’t you have a class to get to?”

“I can be late. You gonna write me a note. Right, Pat?”

“I think you should leave my office now.” Her voice was a little rushed and I could see her tits heaving like she was breathing heavily. I figured it would take twenty minutes to peel those panties all the way off. I used to be a really good guesser at things like that. “You shouldn’t speak to me like this.”

“Yeah, but you like a man tell you what to do.”

“We’re not discussing what I like.” She finished with the papers and began sorting paper clips.

“Hey, Pat,” I almost felt her heart and mine beating in tandem. “I bet you real good with them lips.” I hadn’t noticed how full her lips were before.

“Alex!” She stood up suddenly. “I realize that the program makes some allowances for faculty-student interaction,” I have got to read that brochure, I thought. “but this would be unacceptable even under those circumstances. This is not something I could pursue in the manner you are suggesting.”

Got her! “I ain’t suggestin’ nothin’, Pat.”

She closed her eyes and summoned some resolve. “You need to go to your class now, Alex.”

“You getting’ all worked up, Pat.”

“Stop calling me that!”

“What you want me ta call you, Pat?”

“I want you to go to class now.”

I could see the clock on the wall behind her and did a little mental math. I could either stay here and maybe get lucky or I could get to class on time and be guaranteed ‘relief’. I stood up and took a step back. “Alright. I’m going.” I headed for her door and paused just before I opened it. “We can pick this up Monday 10am, right?”

Beth – Fifth Period

I stood in the front of the class, arms and legs spread, while my classmates pointed to body parts and named them in French. My assignment was to make up a sentence each time they named a part correctly.

Mes seins ont froid dans cette pièce.
Je m'assieds sur mon bout.
Non, vous ne pouvez pas embrasser mes pieds.
Mon cou est élégant.

I was trying to think of a sentence that uses ‘vulve’ when Madam Spradlin said, “Nous ne discuterons pas la vulve de Mme McElroy dans cette classe aujourd'hui.” She tapped my arms gently and I put them down. “I think that’s enough. Tres bien. Merci, Mme McElroy, Vous pouvez prendre votre place.” Class moved to the more textbook area of ‘re’ verb conjugation.

I tried to concentrate on my verbs and not Hank Kliever, who was on the boy’s swim team that year, and was staring at me from diagonally two seats away. It wasn’t that he was bad looking or anything, it was that I wasn’t used to being stared at with such undisguised lust. I sort of assumed that nothing really dangerous would happen – could happen – on school grounds during the Program. But the way he was staring made me think of all the unsupervised corners of the school and vow to avoid them.

The rest of French, I realized that Hank wasn’t the only one staring. I had declined Relief to several disappointed groans and now most of the boys in class were stealing glances at me. Some of the girls were too but I’d been in the locker room with most of them over the years so they were a little more subtle.

The Relief thing was becoming a problem. So far I had let three guys try it and none of them had done anything more than get me hot and frustrated. I had hoped that this week would end my little ‘problem’ but it was shaping up to be more of the same.

My problem was that I didn’t orgasm. Or at least not easily. My brother Peter, Alex and I had spent a couple years trying to ‘flip the switch’ and most of the time, I’d just wind up wet and sore. We did find the magic button once. We went to Sydney the same year Peter went to the Beijing Olympics. We met this college guy who was hung like a horse. Alex thought big might help and he seemed to be right. I was the center of a four-way and came so hard I passed out. But after that, the only way I’d hit it was if I was trashed. And I only get trashed with Alex. I tried it with my ex-boyfriend Shawn but it just didn’t work with him. So, my choices were to fool around and not get off myself or get ripped drunk with my cousin and let him do me. Somehow, it just didn’t seem fair.

“Mme McElroy!” A ruler landed on my desk and I jumped with a screech. Most of the class laughed. “Vous aimez prendre un petit somme?”

I tried to translate the question. “Uh, non, j’aime prendre un grand somme?”

“You don’t want to take a nap, you want to go to bed?” Madam Spradlin said as some of the better students laughed. “Are we boring you or is being dishabille very tiring for you?” She tiled her head. “Dishabille means…?”

“Uh,” I thought a minute. “Undressed?”

“Tres bien.” She moved away from my desk and went on with the vocabulary lesson I had missed. I glanced around the room; Hank was still staring at me. He looked away when he saw me looking at him. I just prayed class – and the week – would end soon.

Alex – Sixth Period

Khalid was in the Ballroom Club. He wasn’t on the team, but he was in the club.

“Do either of you need relief?” Fuentes asked as we came through the door.

I couldn’t help thinking of Brandon who graduated last year and was a phenomenal dancer. Oh fuck yes, I thought, once was not enough. Ms. Pat was still on my mind. Leigh was in the back of the room but thankfully, she didn’t move – I couldn’t handle that twice. “Uh, yeah, I could use uh hand.” Khalid shrugged.

Fuentes waved his hand. “Alright, five minutes.”

“Don’t we get volunteers?” Khalid asked.

“You got five minutes ta show off. Then I get my class back. Neither uh you need any help, I’m sure.”

I could see Leigh trying not to smile too broadly. I’ll bet she loved that. I closed my eyes, grabbed my dick and thought of Brandon going down on me. I didn’t worry about finesse or putting on a show, I just beat off as fast as I could. That’s right fuck toy, I thought, jack off for everybody amusement. I could hear Khalid next to me groan softly. Then, out of the blue, it hit me.

I didn’t want to be first. I knew it doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things and whatever. I didn’t want to be the three-minute man all semester. I slowed down my stroke and held back. I started picturing things that were good but wouldn’t tip me over the edge. Getting blown by a cheerleader right after a game. Beth, nude sunbathing when we were in Bangkok. I steered my mind away from the trip to Asia – I wanted to slow down not speed up. Instead, I listened to Khalid and tried to figure out how close he was. I snuck a peek at him and bit my lip to keep from gasping. Right then, I officially subscribed to the stereotype that black guys are bigger. He wasn’t the tree trunk that Faroud – my first gay fling – used to bone me with but I had to stop my hand for a minute and pull back from the edge. I went back to stroking slowly. Khalid hissed; I figured he must be close. I sped up a bit. After a minute, I knew I was fast approaching that moment of no return when I was going to blow whether I wanted to or not. I also knew that I was not going to stop myself this time so I might just have to live with being first. Then Khalid swore and one of the girls squealed. I forced my eyes open just enough to see that Khalid shot his wad far enough to hit Genevieve with it. I was an evil shit; I narrowed my eyes and tried to hit her as well. Khalid and I stood there panting until Fuentes clapped his hands twice.

“Ok, people, shows over. Partner up and let’s put all that passion to work.”

I caught my breath, found Leigh and prepared to waltz. I had to admit it – I loved this dance stuff. I hated dancing with Leigh, but I loved the dancing itself. The problem was that Leigh and I had at least placed in like 80% of the competitions we entered so Fuentes made us work together. As a team, we always did very well on technical precision, and we ran through the paces when it was our turn like clockwork. Fuentes knew we were dating, knew we’d broken up and didn’t fucking care. “Suck it up.” Was what he told us when we – separately – asked for new partners. Fuentes was more interested in winning trophies that our happiness and knew we both had too much ego to lose on purpose. We didn’t talk much anymore when we dance. Much to my pleasure that day, jacking off before I touched her took a lot of the curse off dancing with her. It was still hot, but I was only at half-mast when class ended.

Genevieve fixed that problem though. “Hey, Alex.” She cornered me as we all left class. “Earlier. That was really hot.” She blushed and ran her fingers through her hair. “See ya ‘round.”

I headed to football practice stiff as a board.

Beth – Seventh Period.

Every time I got out of the water, the guy’s team stared at me. I thought it was my imagination the day before, but no, it was still happening. I might have said something but every time Van-Chi got out of the water, the girl's team lost a lap staring at him – myself included. I didn't get it. I saw him everyday, wet, wearing nothing but a pair of tight Speedos. What was so fascinating about seeing him officially naked? It wasn't even his package I was staring at. Not that I hadn't looked at it. It was obscenely drawing attention to itself – much to Van-Chi's credit. And I totally disagreed about his ass – it was definitely firm enough.

But something about watching a naked man swim.... I dove in again and swam another lap, trying to think about my stroke and my form and not the hungry eyes that were going to greet me at the edge of the pool.

When I finished the lap, the whistle blew and we were dismissed. I groaned; I'd have to face the shower room again.

Yesterday had been embarrassing but not horrific. After staring at me swim for two hours, the boys had been content to watch me wash myself. But when they had changed before class today, I had seen some of them whispering and had a suspicion that no good would come of it.

When I came in, I knew I was right; they were all waiting for me – no one was dressing yet.

"Hey, Beth," Hank seemed to be their spokesman, "Listen, we know this is kinda rough on you but," he shrugged, "some of us got uh reasonable request and we figure we gonna ask you."

"A gang bang is not reasonable." I said quickly.

"Shit yeah it is!" Someone in the back said. I took a step toward the door.

"It's not like that, Beth, come on," Hank cut in before I could run. "Look, we just figured maybe we could all get one of them out of the way together."

"How?" I swallowed hard. If they were all in on it, there was no way I could get out of here.

"We wanna watch you jill off."

"Come again?"

"You play with yourself in the shower, we watch."

It was too easy. "And then what?"

"Well, I mean some of us gonna jack off," Fred pointed out, "You gotta keep it up til we all done, right?"

"Yeah," Hank added, "But nobody touches you today, ok? You don't touch anybody and nobody touches you. Tomorrow, everyman for himself. How's that sound?"

Likely a con, I thought but I really didn't see much of a choice. 18 horny teenage boys were in a room with a naked girl – what could possible qualify as a reasonable request under those conditions. "Ok, I don't touch any of you, you don't touch me. You just watch."

"And wack off." Fred said again.

"Je-sus, Fred!" Larry rolled his eyes in disgust, "get a grip!"

I went to Van-Chi's locker - we had just exchanged for the week - and got my shampoo and soap. Then, I went into the shower room and stepped under as soon as the water was warm. I started lathering immediately.

"Hey!" Someone yelled out, "What are you doing?" a hand grabbed me.

As I turned around, Hank grabbed the hand and pulled it off me. "Don't touch!"

"She's startin' without us." Barry whined.

"I'm showering!" I snapped, "I smell like chlorine. It's not sexy, OK? Jeez! I won't start til you guys tell me to, ok?"

"Yeah, Beth, cool." Hank pushed Barry back. "You won't miss anything, right?" Then he yelled out, "Yo, Get in here!"

I was shampooing my hair and trying to settle my nerves when Hank came up beside me. "OK, we're ready when you are." He stepped aside.

I swallowed hard. I couldn't think of a situation in which I would less like to masturbate. Close your eyes. I told myself. Imagine you’re alone. I flung my hair back for a final rinse. Under the shower spray, I actually couldn't hear anyone else so it was easier to imagine that I was alone. The water streaming through my hair always felt good; I wished someone was washing it for me. Maybe tomorrow I’ll get one of them to do that. I ran my hands down my neck, over my breasts, and around my stomach and hips. Slowly, I thought. What do I like to feel? What do they want to see?

What I like, the thought can back. They want to know what I like - what any girl likes. I caressed myself, slowly, all over. Every thing I could reach. I imagined Alex, Peter, and Shawn were my audience. I stroked my breasts, feeling the weight of them. They were round and soft. Not perfectly pert like a model but not actually saggy. Nice, Shawn always said. You got nice tits. I squeezed them gently. Shawn was always too rough. Peter, oddly enough, wasn't rough enough. Alex. Alex could give lessons. Something about the way he held them. It made me shiver thinking about it. I was surprised to find my nipples swollen when I ran the palm of my hands across them.

Someone moaned. I had almost forgotten that there was an audience. I opened my eyes; almost all of them were stroking themselves. At least they were enjoying themselves, I thought. I closed my eyes again and let my fingertips play around my nipples. Shawn may be too rough when he fondled them but he knew exactly how to suck them. What to do with his tongue and lips. He could teach Alex about that. Maybe the two of them together. And Mr. Renaldo – the three of them doing their best work on my breasts. I sighed and shivered.

Playing with my breasts was nice. Very nice now that I was getting in to it. I wanted to see if I was wet yet but, not yet, I thought, they want a show. I let my hands follow my thoughts, taunting myself with the idea of touching my slit but really just letting my fingers glide through the hair of my mound. I went back and forth about shaving. At moments like this, unshaved was good. It gave me something to play with before I played with myself. Playing with my pubes, everyone knew where my fingers were going next.

I heard Fred cum. "Ah, Ah, Ah! Shit!" he cried out. A moment later, I heard the squeaking of the fixtures and one less shower spray. He came watching me; the thought made me shiver again. How long would he have held out if he had touched me? How long would I have lasted? If they all weren't trying to just screw me - if they all wanted to make my happy while getting their own. I bit back a groan. Maybe a gang bang wasn’t that bad an idea. I had done Peter and Alex together more than once. And to be honest, the only time I ever came was when there were three guys involved.

Of course, they were different. I let my fingers slip down between my legs and over the lips of my slit. I knew when I let my fingers go in, it would be wet and I was going to moan aloud. Peter and Alex knew how to touch me down there almost better than I did myself.

I let the tip of my finger in and found, as expected, that I was gooey and slick. I couldn't stop the moan that escaped my lips. I heard another shower spray stop. I opened my eyes to see who was leaving and was stunned to realize that half the boys had left. I had been so lost in my own thoughts, that I hadn't noticed the boys finishing and leaving. Hank was still there, I noticed, staring at me the same way he had in class. Hank was the only one not playing with himself although he was clearly hard. His dick looked huge and was plastered to his stomach but his arms were crossed and his hands locked under his elbows as if he was refusing deliberately to touch himself.

I closed my eyes again. Why arrange all this if you weren't going to participate? Maybe he was gay and was really watching the guys. Maybe he thought he should watch me and make sure no one touched me. That was nice, if it were true. I caressed my clit with two fingers imagining that it was someone's tongue. I moaned again. Someone else came.

I spread my legs a bit more and slipped my fingers inside myself, biting my lips. I was getting close to that point. That frustrating point where I was so close but just couldn't tip over. That a guy couldn't do it was annoying but not unheard of. That I couldn't do myself was infuriating. But trying felt so good. Just a little longer, I thought. Almost there, please be almost there. I heard myself growl in the back of my throat and someone else swore. Both my hands were busy – one inside myself, one on my clit – as I tried to push myself over the edge to no avail.

"You can let it go now, Beth." Hank's voice sounded hoarse. "We're done."

I worked my fingers feverishly until I finally gave up and groaned in frustration. I let myself fall back against the shower wall and tried to catch my breath. After a minute, I opened my eyes to see Hank is a similar position.

"You ok?” I panted.

"Oh, yeah." he gasped, "You?"

"Uh-huh." I noticed he was still hard. "Again or still?"

"Huh?" I pointed to his boner and he sort of laughed. "Oh. Still. I didn't want ta miss any of it. You, I mean. So I waited."

"Oh." I smiled, "Can I watch?"

He laughed again, "It's gonna be quick."

"That's ok. I won't hold that against you."

He chuckled again and closed his eyes. He touched himself and groaned. He was longer than Alex and thicker; thinking about it, he was probably the largest guy I'd seen erect. He started slowly as if familiarizing his hand with the texture and feel of his dick. Then his hand rapidly shot up and down his shaft. His face contorted like he was in horrific pain. After only a minute or two, jizz shot out across the shower room. A lot of it. He moaned and gasped for a moment then reached up and turned off his shower. The room was silent except for the two of us breathing heavy and the sounds drifting in from the locker room.

"I, uh, should get dressed, I guess." he finally said.

"Yeah, I guess I should too." I laughed, "Well, my shoes at least."

"Yeah."

We headed into the locker room and I put on my shoes and left quickly. I then hurried to the main entrance and my clothes. Some of the other NIS student were still there dressing as well.

"I think today was harder that yesterday." Zach sighed. "I feel raw."

"You didn't look raw in Health class." Stephanie giggled.

"You didn't look reluctant."

Van-Chi walked up to the group. "Heard you put on quite uh show, Beth."

"Meaning what?"

"Yeah," Zach perked up, "What?"

"She stood in front of the guys shower and wacked off for like half an hour."

"Ok, it was a reasonable request and anyway, what was I supposed to do? Like twenty naked guys were there."

"Yeah," Brenda looked thoughtful. "That's not cool. That coulda gone way bad. I don't think they considered that when they set this program up."

"We could bring it up at the student council meeting next week." Zach said.

"After someone's already been raped?"

Zach thought a minute. "What about the Alex plan? Get the captain’s of the teams and clubs to use their people as informal monitors. We could promise them, I don't know, like a guaranteed request with the NIS of their choice if they just keep an eye on people in bad situations."

"That could work." Brenda nodded, "let's run it past the NIS group at lunch tomorrow and see what they think."

When we got outside, dressed, Hank was waiting.

"Hey Van. Hey Beth, I got my car today. I could give you a lift?"

I glanced back at the others. Van-chi rolled his eyes; Brenda stuck out her tongue. "Sure. Thanks." I pulled my phone and called Alex. "We usually ride together." I explained when I hung up.

"No problem. Do you need to get straight home? I usually stop by Pauly's after school."

The local pizza place. "Oh Lisa and I used to hang there all the time." I looked out the window; I hadn't been there since Lisa passed.

"Oh, uh, crap. Look, we could go to the mall instead, it's..."

"No." I took a deep breath. "Pauly's is fine. I have to go back someday, right?"

Alex – After Practice

Football practice was rough. The cheerleaders were very gentle helping me peel outta the pads and check the bruises.

At least until Dina smacked my ass, “OK, that’s enough. I got uh request you best not refuse. Come on.”

She led me back to the last row of lockers. Half the squad was standing around the new girl; she looked nervous and I started wondering what was going on.

“Ok,” TC was squad second, “We all started comparing notes a couple years ago, an’ figured out you done every girl been uh Northumberland Indian since you made the team. So, we thought we’d save you the trouble uh sweet talkin’ ‘em.”

“What?” I was really not sure I followed this one.

“Lisa always said you were a girl’s best first, anyhow.” Mandy shrugged and tucked a hair behind her ear, “You were in my case.”

Mandy was one of Lisa’s recommendations. As I looked around the room, I realized that more than half of them were. “Wait. Lisa set me up with like half uh you. You sayin’ I was first? For all uh you?” They looked at each other and nodded. “What the fuck?”

“It was Lisa’s idea,” TC looked thoughtful, “I though you kinda a bit much but Lisa said you just fine when you followed her rules an’ so far,” she looked around and giggled, “nobody had no complaints.”

A couple others giggled, a couple others blushed. I looked around again. I fooled around with cheerleaders; football players screwed cheerleaders. That’s the fuckin’ law of high school. But I didn’t know I was deliberately being used as a stud to break the new girls in.

Peter knew. Lisa never set me up with anyone without Peter’s permission. That was the rule. “And you guys all cool with that?” they all nodded.

“McElroy, what’s the problem?” Dina had no patience, “I mean, obviously, you wanna do it.”

I been hard most of the day, so that wasn’t really an indicator. Well, not a specific indicator – the girls were hot, I had no problem with that. “Yeah, but, ain’t it kinda y’know, weird like this? I mean you know an’ all?”

“It’s better than us fightin’ over some stupid boy.” Dina shrugged.

“More like a harem than a squad.” Mandy observed.

I could dig a harem.

“Oh, no!” Dina put a stop to that idea.

“Yeah,” TC agreed, “you don’t get ta just pick-n-choose like we fresh fruit. You do what we say when we say.”

“We are not yo’ harem.” Dina pulled me in front of the bench and pushed me to my knees – not that I was fighting her – “You our toy. Right, girls?”

A chorus of agreement rang up around me.

Mandy put an arm around the new girl, “A lot of the guys aren’t as good as Alex, so if a guy hits on you, remember this and only say yes if you think he’ll be better. You can always have Alex.” She stood up. “You’re taking Carol out on Friday. You’ll take her someplace nice – not one of your cheap dates.”

“And not some lame family cookout.” Dina added.

“Yeah.” Mandy nodded. “You’ll take her someplace nice, show her a good time and make her feel like cheering the team on on Saturday. Got it?”

I looked at the girl sitting in front of me. “Uh, yeah. Got it.” Right, stud, no pressure. “Uh, hi; what you want me to do?” Lisa’s last request: be a living fuck toy for the squad. One more reason to love her.

“I don’t know.” She whispered.

I groaned inwardly – I just went through this with Ms. Pat. I hated wimpy chicks. Submissive dudes, I loved; them I couldn’t get enough of. But submissive chicks just irritated me. They pushed all of my aggressive buttons. They wanted to fold an’ I wanted to make them. I liked girls who pushed me when I pushed them. Girls who let me push them over….I was (am) a sick, twisted, fucked up asshole. The idea of abusing Carol was making me harder than usual. “Yeah. OK. How’s a movie an’ dinner? OK?”

She shrugged and seemed to find a bit of a spine. “OK. Sure. That’s simple.”

“Cool.” I looked around the room. “So, anybody got any requests – reasonable or otherwise?” They laughed which I should have expected since most of these girls had already done some pretty unreasonable things to me. I grabbed my soap and a towel and hit the shower. By the time I came out, most of the cheerleaders were gone and the room was filled with the freshmen volleyball team. They stared at me in awe and I had a momentary rush of ego. Mr. Happy responded by waking up and plastering himself to my stomach while I tried not to imagine them all piling on me.

As I walked by, half of them tried to cover up – likely because I was staring at them as hard as they were staring at me. I got back to my locker and waited for someone – anyone – to ask a request.

Finally, a black girl came over – with three other girls trailing her. “Hey. Didn’t you used to go with Michelle?”

I thought about it a minute but couldn’t remember her. “I don’t think so.”

The girl sucked her teeth. “You know. Michelle Wallis. Braids. She graduated last year.”

Michelle Wallis. The first girl me and my cousin Peter double-teamed. “Right. No, she dated my cousin Peter. I knew her, though. She pretty cool. Why?”

“She my aunt.”

“No kiddin’?” I could just see the family resemblance now that I was looking for it.

“So…” she glanced back at her friends. “I wanna make a request.”

I tried not to grin. “Yeah?”

“Yeah. My aunt say white boys go down there. That true?”

I shrugged. “This white boy do. I don’t know about the rest.”

She lost a little of her bravado. “Do you like it? I mean, y’know, like it?”

I felt my cheeks flush a bit. Nobody ever asked me that. “Yeah, actually.”

“Ain’t that nasty? I mean, ew.”

“Uh, yeah. Well.” I thought about it. “It can be. I mean, if they don’t shower an’ wash right an’ all. But most girls, it’s pretty cool.”

She looked back at her friends. “So how can you tell?”

“In advance? Shit, you can’t.” I shrugged. “You just gotta go down there an’ hope. Girls that don’t do it right usually smell pretty bad.” Which has never stopped me from eatin’ them but I know some guys who won’t.

“So.” Suddenly she got real nervous and I took a guess what her request was. It occurred to me vaguely that she should be touching me, but, hey, it was all in the name of education, right?

“I could check for you.”

She opened her mouth but nothing came out. She nodded slightly and I could just see a blush under her dark skin. I knelt down in front of her and lifted her skirt. She came prepared – no panties. “Some guys like hair like you got and some guys don’t.” I combed my fingers through her thick dark curls. “I don’t care at all so long’s I get to see it.” She smelled ripe like she’d been wet since the conversation started. I used my fingers to part her lips and they separated with a wet smack. I sighed slightly.

“Is that jizz?” One of the other girls asked. I wasn’t sure if she meant me or the girl.

“Yes, ma’am.” I took my first lick of Michelle’s niece and groaned. She tasted sweet and I remembered Michelle in detail. That had been a good night.

“Can I touch it?” Some one asked.

“He has to say yes,” Someone else answered. “He’s in the program.”

A finger touched the tip of my dick and I shuttered. I licked Michelle’s niece’s pussy again. And again. And stopped paying attention to anything but the ripe little clit throbbing against my tongue and her fingers pulling my hair. Several hands were touching my dick and balls. I could hear voices but I wasn’t interested in anything except making this girl cum as hard as I remember Michelle cuming. I swiped my tongue up and down her folds and over her clit. I could feel her shaking. It only took a couple minutes to make her cum all over my face. She tilted sideways against the lockers panting.

I couldn’t see a thing with her skirt in front of my face but I could feel several hands stroking me. I was very close to cuming myself. My hands slid down her legs and I leaned my head against her thigh. The unseen hands were yanking me in odd directions and giving each other instructions about the best way to do it. I let them squabble – it all felt good to me just then despite the occasional painful pulling and twisting. Or maybe because of it. Either way, they finally did enough of it that I swore and sprayed whatever was in front of me. Someone squealed and a general ‘ew gross’ rang up from the crowd.

Michelle’s niece found some strength and stepped over me to sit on the bench just about the same time I could hear their coach coming into the locker room. “What is going on in here? Someone said a boy…” She turned the corner and gasped at me. “Mr. McElroy! Just what do you think you are doing?”

“Uh, sitting?”

“Don’t get smart with me! What are you doing in this locker room?”

I shrugged. “They told me I had to use the girls’ room.”

She stopped suddenly. “Oh. You’re in this new Program, aren’t you.” Her voice went flat and she frowned deeply.

“Uh, yeah.”

She looked at the girls around me, some of whom were trying to wipe my jizz off their hands and face. “Alright, Ladies. You should be showering and dressing. The buses won’t wait all night.” She waited until the girls disbursed. Michelle’s niece was the last to move. “Are you alright, Renee?”

She sighed contentedly, “Oh yes, ma’am.” The coach’s frown deepened as Renee joined the others.

“Are you here for a purpose or just loitering to take advantage of the circumstances?” She snapped at me.

“I was just leaving, ma’am.” I grabbed my shoes and put them on as fast as I could while she watched disapprovingly.

As I left the locker room, she muttered, “Damned McElroy boys.”

Beth – After School

Hank drove. It wasn't far. He got a slice, I got a soda. We sat at a table by the window.

"Ok, I don't know if I should say this, right? But that was the most amazing thing I've ever seen. Ok, I probably shouldn’t have said that.”

“No, it’s ok.” I looked away, not quite sure how I felt about sitting with a guy I just masturbated in front of. Especially when earlier that day I was sort of thinking he was kind of a creep. “Nice to know it was appreciated.”

“Very.” He fell silent and took a couple bites. “Look, I wanted to tell you…. I know I’ve kind been starin’ at you an’, well, I didn’t want you ta think I’m some creep. I just…” He looked away, clearly embarrassed. “You beautiful an’ I can’t stop lookin’.”

“Oh.” I felt myself blushing.

“That’s all. I know you goin’ with Evans an’ all.”

“Not any more.” I looked at him then. “It was too hard. We couldn’t ever actually go out ‘cause of the age thing.” Shawn was twenty-one now and Dad really would press charges.

“Oh.” He finished his slice and wiped his hands. “So you not actually seein’ anyone right now.”

I looked at Hank more closely. I didn’t know him well; I’d been around him for years but that’s all. I hadn’t really ever noticed him. I knew he looked good in a swimsuit. And as of today, I knew he knew what self control was. “No, no I’m not. You think I’m beautiful?”

“Anybody with eyes think you beautiful.” He smiled. “But I think it’s more-n just yo’ face.”

“I guess walking around naked gave you a good view.”

Hank blushed this time. “Shower was better.” He frowned. “Can I ask you…you don’t have ta tell me, but did you cum?”

I shrugged and lied. “Of course.”

“Oh.”

”Why?”

“I dunno. You looked kinda frustrated at the end. I wasn’t sure if you needed help – I mean I know we said no touchin’ an all, so I didn’t – but I didn’t know, you kinda seemed like you wanted….” He shrugged. “It just didn’t seem right. We all got off but you ain’t. But if you did…” He shrugged again.

“I didn’t.” I finished my soda. “I usually don’t.”

We sat in silence for a while longer. I glanced at my watch.

“I can run you home now, if you need ta go.” He offered quickly.

I didn’t want to rush off but at the same time, I didn’t know what else to say. We got in the car and I directed him to my house. When we got there, we sat for a moment longer. ‘There’s nothing like the right kiss.’ Grandma Rachael always said after kissing Granddad – and they kissed a lot. I figured I would be bold and leaned in to Hank only to have him move at almost the same moment and our foreheads instead of our lips met.

“Owwww!” We both swore then looked at each other and laughed. “Maybe I’ll just see you in class t’morrow.” Hank said rubbing his head.

“Yeah, that might be safer.” I picked up my books and got out of the car. I couldn’t help rubbing my head as well.

“Put some ice on that.” He said just before he drove off.

Every other naked girl gets kissed, I thought. I get knocked in the head.

Beth – Before Class

I got to school and joined the stripping at the school’s side entrance, already in progress. Stephanie was poising naked for several guys – and a couple girls – who brought cameras. I noticed that one of them was Ronny. “That for the yearbook?” I asked.

He looked startled, like he hadn’t thought of that then nodded excitedly, “Yeah!” He started snapping pictures of everyone undressing – including Van Chi and Tiff, who had been staying toward the back of the group.

“Hey! Quit it!” Van yelled, trying to shield himself from the lens.

“Program rules.” Ronny answered. “Photography required.”

“Pervert.” Van muttered. He moved in front of Tiffany and finished undressing. As they headed into the school building, Ronny stopped them and took a full frontal of the two of them.

“Ok, Beth,” someone yelled out, “your turn.” I rolled my eyes. Photography was required and all I could think as I stood there was that these dick wads were going to spend the rest of the semester jacking off to my picture. Some of the guys taking pictures didn’t even look like students.

“Lookin’ good, B!” Alex’s hand landed with a loud smack on my butt cheek and I jumped with a squeak.

“Alex!” I snapped at him. “Quit it! This is embarrassing enough.”

“Look pretty good ta me.”

I huffed then got an idea. “Hey Ronny – if this is really for the yearbook, you have ta do the guys too.”

“Yeah, ok.” He sounded mildly disappointed. “Alright guys, your turn.” Alex and Jared moved in front of the camera and after a couple minutes, seemed to get as much into posing as Stephanie did. Zach, Gail and Brenda arrived at about the same time and got just as much camera attention.

Just as the first bell was ringing, Steven Leonard arrived. “Having fun with your new girlfriend, Jared?” he glared at me.

“Steven, can we talk ‘bout this later? We got class now. I don’t wanna be late.”

“Really? Who gonna relieve you today?” Steven batted his eyes. “Some new girl waitin’ in the wings?”

“Steven!” Jared shot a look at me, not like I was at fault but like my presence wasn’t helping. “It’s not like that. I didn’t ask her for that.”

“Oh, but you didn’t have any trouble complying.” He glared at me again. “Enthusiastically, I’m told.”

I felt someone step up behind me and looked over my shoulder to see Alex standing protectively next to me. “What up?”

“Jared and I had ta relieve each other in Mr. Davis’ class.”

“Steven,” Alex interceded, “Dude, chill. It’s the program. If it was a reasonable request, they had ta do it.”

“Yeah, Stevie, com’on, you know I’m not hot for Beth.” Jared reached for his hand but Steven stepped away.

“You could have told him that it was unreasonable.”

“Steven,” Jared sounded exasperated, “you just bein’ jealous. You know I don’t wanna do this. You think I like walkin’ around like this all day?”

“I think you love being the center of attention!” Steven shot back. “You get such a kick!” He gestured at Jared’s erection – which was when I realized that I’d gotten so used to seeing the guys naked, I no longer noticed them. “You love this. But fine; you want to play with every…” he glared at me again, “… thing in the building? Go play! I can make reasonable requests too!” Steven stomped off into the building.

“Stevie!” Jared went after him and the argument seemed to continue.

Alex let out a sigh. “Too much drama.”

“Seriously.” The second bell rang and we hurried into the building. I had found that after the second bell, the number of reasonable requests went down. Getting to class and seeing the floorshow apparently beat out a quick feel. For most people, at least – someone stopped Alex to give his nuts a squeeze and just before I got to my classroom, someone stopped me to stroke my butt. Actually, it felt pretty good. I called the request unreasonable when she asked about spanking me – Alex may love that sort of thing but I have no tolerance for pain.

Alex - First Period

I froze at the doorway of the Algebra class; Jared was standing in front of the class and Steven was seated in the front row. I swore under my breath and hoped that they’d put the argument away for now. I should have known better. I took my place at the front of the room next to Jared.

Ms. Keene, the only math teacher I ever liked, was a hot, young thing just out of college – she’d only been teaching two years. She looked Italian and seemed to enjoy the fact that every boy in school got a boner in her class. I’d finally gotten around to reading the Program brochure and had every intention of asking her to relieve me today.

“Would either of you like relief this morning?” She asked.

Once my clothes came off, I stayed hard so I always needed relief. “Yes, Ma’am.” I answered. “Could I ask…”

“I have a reasonable request.” Steven said, standing.

“Of course, Steven.” She said sweetly. “What is it, dear?”

“I’d like to relieve Alex.” The entire class seemed to suck the air out of the room and she looked just as stunned. Jared’s jaw hit the floor as he stared at his boyfriend. “That is reasonable, right?”

“Well, I,” She hesitated. “The program doesn’t prohibit it. It would be up to Alex, I think.” She looked at me. “Now, I don’t want you to think anyone thinks you’re homosexual or take this out on Steven…”

I stopped her. “Ms. Keene, I’m not homophobic. My Aunt Hanna queer. I just…” I looked at Jared who was still staring at Steven. “No. It’s not cool.” I shook my head.

Jared suddenly recovered. “No, Alex, let him. Steven’s always had a bigger thing for athletes than actors.” He glanced around the room. “Annie, sweetie, you wanna act out that love scene for real?” Annie had played Cleopatra to Jared’s Anthony; she came down to the front of the room. Jared looked at me. “He’s all yours.”

“Alex, if you’re uncomfortable about this…” Ms. Keene began but I shrugged.

“No, I’m cool. ‘Bout time somebody showed ain’t all jocks fag bashers.” Besides, when was I ever going to get another chance to get blown by a guy in class?

Steven knelt next to me and took hold of my dick like he knew what to do with it. His cool fingers sent the right kind of shiver up my spine. He ran his thumb up the underside and used it to smear the fresh beads of pre-cum over the head. I swallowed hard. Steven looked up at me and I looked down at the brightest blue eyes I’d ever seen. He ran his hand up and back a couple times and I saw his eyes flick toward Jared. Then, he leaned his lips forward – keeping eyes on his real intention – and kissed the head of my cock. His tongue took a quick taste of me and I consciously kept my hand from grabbing the back of his head. I heard Jared moan softly but couldn’t pull my attention away from Steven’s hand job. He definitely was only using his tongue to keep me well oiled and letting his hand do most of the work jacking me off but I wasn’t going to complain since it worked. “Oh, yeah, baby.” I groaned. He caught my jizz in his hand and used it to keep pumping me until my knees shook and I grabbed Ms. Keene’s desk for support.

He took one more swipe with his tongue before standing up. “Mmmm. Tasty.” He looked at me finally, then back at Jared.

“Hey.” I turned his face back to me. If he were a girl, I’d have kissed him. Then I thought, why not? I looked at my still mildly stunned classmates and at Jared who was just then coming. Steven’s expression fell as he realized that his little tact to make Jared jealous had failed and I made up my mind. I pulled his chin forward and kissed him. I even used a little tongue. I’d kissed plenty of boys before but Steven didn’t know that and neither did Jared who nearly shit a brick.

“Hey!” I felt his hand on my shoulder and I let Steven go. “You got a problem, McElroy?”

“Dude, chill.” I put up both hands in innocent defense. “He’s yours, right?”

“Damn straight.” Jared took Steven’s hand and damn near dragged him to their seats.

I grinned on the way to mine as the class applauded our performance. Unfortunately, Ms. Keene had to eventually start class and the joy of orgasm quickly got lost under the a plus b plus c of quadratic equations. I swore to myself once again, that once I got out of high school, I would never look at another math problem that didn’t have dollar signs in front of it.

“Ok, people.” Ms. Keene suddenly said with that evil-soaked-in-syrup voice of hers. “Pop quiz.” I wasn’t the only one who groaned. “Number a blank sheet of paper from 1 to 10 and show all work for the following.” She pulled down the second chalkboard to revel ten problems. #1: Happy Place High School has to put all of its senior class through the NiS program by the end of the school year (32 weeks) How many students must participate each week if the school has 400 seniors? #2 Do the same calculation for 3,556 seniors. #3 Do the same calculation for Junior and seniors over a three year period, in 36 weeks (1,200 students.) All the questions were NiS related. Someone near me whispered, “You think the school board did this?”

“Yes, they did.” Ms Keene answered. “And no talking during a test.”

Eventually, she called time up and we handed our papers forward. Annie leaned over to me. “That looked painful for you.”

“Yeah, well, I hate math.”

“Need a tutor?” she offered. I grinned and she frowned. “Just math. You not that cute.”

My grin didn’t fade. “That thing with Steven didn’t put you off, did it?”

“No.” She blushed a bit. “That thing with Jared was…I’m not easy, ok?”

“Nobody said you was.”

“Are we interrupting you?” Ms Keene’s voice cut over our conversation. “I can wait if you’d like.” We both sat back in our seats and Ms. Keene went on.

Annie leaned over again. “I could meet you at lunch.” She whispered.

“I gotta eat with the naked people.” I whispered back. “But I could probably meet you for half of it.” She nodded and sat back. I looked at her. She was cute, brunette and slender. Not at all like…I swallowed hard. So much for my effort to go a whole class without thinking about Lisa. After the fight with Doug, I wasn’t even sure I had a right to be upset anymore.

But he was wrong; I did care about Lisa. I didn’t just take advantage of her – hell, she took advantage of me more often. And she told me she was tired of him anyway. She was thinking about dumping him and…. “Oh shit!” I groaned as I realized what most likely happened – Lisa broke up with Doug and he thought it was to get back with me.

“Problem, Alex?” Ms. Keene paused class again.

“No Ma’am.” I was going to have to find Doug and find a way to…I didn’t know what I was going to do but I knew I needed to do something.

“Why don’t you come work problem number 5 for the class.”

I groaned again. I hated math.

Beth – Third Period

“Do you need relief?” Mr. Wilson asked as I entered Lit class. The desks were arranged in a circle because, since this was the Advance Placement class, we only used ten of them. Wilson liked us to be face to face so that we interacted more with each other than with him. With his desk included in the circle, the only place to ‘relieve’ myself would be in the center of the ring. I didn’t really feel like being frustrated but Khalid was my chemistry partner and for second period, Mrs. Hanes had him relieve himself into a cup and we used the sample in class. We actually needed a little more so midway through class, Mrs. Hanes gave Khalid a hand job. Since she was near fifty, I thought it would be gross watching her stroke him. But it was still kind of hot and Khalid confided to me that what she whispered in his ear while she did it was hotter than her hand and that he was going to meet with her in the teacher’s lounge during his study hall period.

So I really wanted to but at the same time I really didn’t want to. Then I saw Hank; he had his hand raised from the wrist like he wasn’t trying to be seen raising it. He looked really hopeful, though. “Uh, yeah.” I said, feeling more obligated than horny.

“Do you need a volunteer?” Wilson asked. Several hands shot into the air and I felt mortified.

“Uh. Hank?” I tried to smile at him. He smile back broadly and moved his desk to step into the middle of the ring with me. Someone handed over a chair and I sat down.

Hank knelt in front of me and parted my thighs. Suddenly, I was too embarrassed to go through with it. For some reason, I didn’t want my first time with Hank to be a public spectacle. He stroked the inside of my thighs with his fingers and I jumped. “Sorry.” I mumbled. “Tickled.”

“It’s ok.” He said, kissing the same spot softly. “Just relax.”

“Ok. I’m relaxed. Just do it quick.” He used his fingers first, parting my exterior lips and brushing up and down gently. I my mind, though, all I could think was come on, come on, come on…; he was trying to take his time when I just want it over. His finger caressed my clit and I groaned softly. I wanted to tell him stroke it harder but I also didn’t want to embarrass him. He was doing what he thought I’d like; I could just wait out the five minutes. Then it occurred to me that in five minutes, he wasn’t going to get me over the edge but he would be upset if he didn’t. I had faked enough orgasm with Shawn. Feeling a little guilty, I spread my legs a little wider. “Oh, Hank.” I said a little louder than necessary. Encouraged, he brushed my clit again, softly. I squirmed in the chair. “Oooh, yeah.” Then, unexpectedly, he slipped two fingers inside me. I gasped – it felt really, really good. But, he twisted them around a little and pulled them back out again and went back to gently stroking my lips and clit. I groaned more in frustration than lust but Hank kissed the inside of my thigh and kept going. I realized that I was going to have to end it soon. I waited until he slipped his fingers in again and I caught his hand. “Oh, Hank! Right there!” I tried to sound like the other girls I’d seen. “Yes! Yes! Ohhhhh!” Peter had told me once that he could feel it when a girl came so I squeezed my kegels a couple of times and then leaned back panting.

Hank pulled his hand away, smiling. “See?” he said softly.

I smiled and nodded too, feeling a little sick. Mr. Wilson gave us a box of tissues and I mopped up before going back to my seat. Hank grinned and licked his fingers. “Next time.” He mouthed, taking his seat.

“Well,” Mr. Wilson cleared his throat. “That’s gonna make Chaucer a whole lot less exciting.”

Through class, Hank kept looking at me only instead of being creepy, like in French, it was a little goofy, like he was embarrassed by the whole display – but a happy kind of embarrassed. The more he looked, the worse I felt. I decided; that was it – I didn’t care how horny I got the rest of the week, no more relief.

Alex – Lunch

By the time I got to the cafeteria, word had gotten around about the scene with Steven. People kept coming up to me and either calling me ‘fag’ or saying how brave I was. I ignored the ‘fag’ because most of the girls were the ones saying I was brave. Being on the football team helped and all the cheerleaders – including Dina, much to my surprise – gave me a kiss. Some landed on my cheeks, some on my lips, some a little lower. A couple guys I didn’t know were fags winked at me.

Tank didn’t. Tank glared at me as I headed to the naked table with my tray. I nodded at him, I thought, in a non-attractive, guy kind of way. He said something I couldn’t hear at that distance and the whole wrestling team looked in my direction. Oh, fuck, I thought, this can’t be good.

They caught up to me before I could get to the table. “What the fuck you lookin’ at?” goaded Burkhart Pritchett, wrestling team captain. He also suffered from one of the world’s worst cases of ‘short man’s disease’. He was constantly trying to prove that he was big enough or man enough or something. He was one of the guys I had caught last year fag bashing and me and the offensive line had done a little bashing of our own. He never could prove it was us – nobody who knew anything was willing to come forward – but the incident had pretty much ended fag bashing at our school. It had also started a huge cold war between the football and wrestling teams. I didn’t have to see my guys to know that the team had my back.

But this was a fight that I did not want to be in. This would get me suspended from school and probably a couple games. I did not want to see Pat – Ms. Pat – again today. “I’m not lookin’ at nothin’, Burk.” I kept my voice level. “I’m just sittin’ down for lunch.”

“You finally come out the closet, queer?” One of the other guys asked. “We know all you football queers.”

“Wilson!” Someone behind me snapped.

I glanced over my shoulder. “Be cool, guys.”

“Yeah, be cool, queer.”

Ron Wilson had a real short fuse. He had the school record for unnecessary roughness calls. So, I wasn’t too surprised when it was him who knocked into me trying to get to Burk. Someone got a hold of Wilson before he could throw a punch. Unfortunately, when he knocked my arm, he launched my lunch in Burk’s face. Ok, maybe it had a little help in the aim-and-direction part of the scenario. Burk launched at me and rather than get busted for fighting two days in a row, I took the hit. He hit me square in the gut – making me glad I hadn’t eaten yet – and knocked me into a support pillar. The unexpected pain woke up Mr. Happy; I never dreamed I’d get off on getting beat up but I was hoping I wasn’t about to find out. Not that I couldn’t knock the shit out of Burk and not that he didn’t deserve to be pounded into sand. Burk was a bully in the worst possible sense – more of a dick than I’ve ever been and that’s going some. Still the idea of getting beat up by a little punk like him was irritating in that way that made me really want it to happen. I’m twisted like that.

“Hey Burk,” Tank pulled him off me before he could do any real damage. “Teachers comin’.” They and their team stalked back to their table.

The guys crowded around me, asking if I was alright and promising to get even. “I’m good.” I assured them. They helped me to our table – the football team, not the naked people – and glared at the wrestlers from there. “Guys, drop it.” I said in huddle tones. “They just mad ‘cause they all dick-less. ‘Sides, Burk’s a senior – he’ll be naked soon enough. Get him then.” There was some less than good-natured agreement to that.

“Hey! You gonna give us a show, Babe?” One of the guys asked and I looked up to see Beth frown at him.

“You see enough.” She moved over to me. “You ok?”

I was really glad that she was there but I was having a little too much of a macho adrenalin rush to actually show her that. “What, you my momma now?”

She pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes. “No…” I’m your Mistress the expression said.

“I’m good. Don’t worry. Little Burk just gave me a love tap.”

“Hey, let’s give her a love tap.”

I looked past Beth to glare at the speaker – a second string kicker no less. “Talbot, you know she my cousin, right?” To judge by his expression, he did not know. I took a breath. “Guys – I gotta talk ta the naked people, right?” I walked Beth back to the NiS table and went through the ‘I’m alright’ conversation with them. “Why we gotta have lunch together anyhow?”

“So we can talk about things that happen ta us.” Zach said. “Y’know, comin’ Out, getting beat up, stuff like that.”

“Hey, I ain’t comin’ Out, what the fuck – ow” Beth pinched me, “I’m not gay. Just, I mean, Jared said it was cool.”

“You didn’t have to do it.” Jared glowered.

“Dude! Chill! It’s cool. I’m not tryin’ ta steal your man. Jesus! Give me a break. I thought the whole point of this was to try new stuff. Y’know – be open. ‘Sides, you let a girl do you twice.”

“Yeah,” Jared said glumly, “I know. Now everybody think I’m really straight. It’s a nightmare.”

“How bad can being straight be?” Steph asked.

“You don’t know my Dad.” Jared sighed. “He’s not gonna let this drop. And Steven’s still mad.”

“He’ll get over it.” I shrugged. Jared sulked and Zach shook his head. “What?”

“You just makin’ trouble.”

“He is not.” Steph said. “I think it’s kinda hot.” She smiled at me. “Sides, nobody said anything when me and Brenda ‘relieved’ each other.”

“That’s different.” Zach muttered.

“How?” Beth asked. “Steph’s not gay; neither is Alex.”

“It’s different for girls.” Zach insisted.

“How?”

“I don’t know, but it is.”

“No, it’s not.”

“Yeah, it is.”

“Oh, you are so sexist!”

“It’s true! Girls can fool around but guys can’t.”

“Yeah, seriously, girls can bump nasties in public, they just playin’ but let a guy so much as hug another guy longer-n three seconds, he a fag!”

“Oh, bullsh…”

I let the debate rage around me. I wondered how bad it would be if people in school knew I was bi. We had a pretty open school over all; I mean, we had a few fag couples every year at the prom even though the school officially banned them and nobody gave them too hard a time. I couldn’t think of anybody else who admitted to being bi but I didn’t mind being first. I didn’t think I’d mind being first. If it came out this year, I hoped I wouldn’t mind being first.

“Alex!” I snapped out of my thoughts; Beth, Steph and Annie were all standing over me. “You listening ta any of this?”

I shrugged again. “No.” Beth rolled her eyes and smacked my shoulder. “What?”

“You started the whole thing!” She gasped at me. “You could at least back Zach on this!”

“On what?”

“He’s gonna let a guy relieve him.” Steph smiled at him. “Which is very open minded of him.” Zach rolled his eyes and she kissed his cheek. “Maybe I’ll let you make an unreasonable request after.” She picked up her tray and headed out.

Annie fluffed her hair. “You still wanna study Algebra?”

“Sure!” I was glad she remembered; I had forgotten already. She sat down and opened her textbook. She didn’t seem fazed by the nakedness at all. If she wasn’t going to mention it, neither was I.

I did catch Burk glaring at me as the wrestlers left. No doubt, he was jealous.

Beth – Sixth Period

Zach and I walked to our Virginia State history class together. It was a long walk – it seemed everyone wanted to fondle some part of our anatomy that day.

“Hey, Zach!” A familiar voice stopped us. I turned to see Brenda hurrying through the hall toward us – slapping hands away from herself as she moved. “They want ta call an emergency student council session t’night. You free?”

He shrugged. “I gotta be, don’t I?”

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you!” she laughed. Then she smiled at me. “Hey, Barbie.”

I couldn’t help blushing. “I wish you wouldn’t call me that.”

“Zach, do she or do she not look just like a damn Barbie come ta life?”

He looked at me and tilted his head. “Nah, more like one of those whore dolls – whatchacall’em, Brats?”

“Yeah, but I like Barbie more.” She leered at me. “Classier.”

“Very funny.” I was trying not to crack a smile myself but Brenda’s good humor was infectious. “If you two are done, we likely got a million more reasonable requests before we get ta class.”

“I got one.” A guy behind me I didn’t know stepped over to us. “How ‘bout you two kiss?”

Zach grinned. “That sounds reasonable to me.”

Brenda looked at me oddly. “I don’t mind, Barbie.” A crowd sprang up from nowhere and I glanced around. I never kissed a girl before – not a real kiss. “Sides, I owe you.”

I wanted to say no but people were beginning to coax. A chant of “do it” slowly began to build and I rolled my eyes, knowing that I wasn’t going to get out of it. “Ok.”

A cheer went up as Brenda put down her book bag and took mine as well. She stepped up close enough to me that our whole bodies touched and I felt my nipples tighten even more than the cool air of the hallway had them. She looked very intent and swallowed hard as her fingers brushed a strand of my hair back over my shoulder. “Ready?” she whispered.

“No.” I whispered back. My heart was suddenly pounding. What if I really enjoyed it? What if Brenda was what I was looking for? Her lips touched mine softly and in the distant background, I could hear whooping. After a minute, I felt her lips part gently and I parted mine as well. The tips of our tongues met and I couldn’t help sliding my arms around her. It all felt good – her lips on mine, her body against mine, her leg between mine, everything. Her arms embraced me and I felt as well as heard her groan into our kiss. Her tongue began exploring a bit more and I could feel us both getting hotter. And then I realized it. It was nice kissing a girl and Alex was right, it might be fun to fool around with one. But I didn’t really feel any passion for her. It was nice but that was all – just nice.

Still, when Brenda and I pulled apart finally, we were both panting. “Wow.” I whispered, meaning it.

“Wow.” She agreed. “I need a cigarette and a shower. That just made my year.”

I felt myself blushing. “Glad I said yes.”

“Did none of you hear the second bell?” Mr. Lambert stepped out of his classroom. “Nothing out here could be that interesting.” Most of the crowd laughed at that but they disbursed quickly. Lambert looked at Brenda and I – still holding each other – and frowned. “Well, maybe. Ms. McElroy, Mr. Smith, please take your seats. Ms. Tyler, I presume you have a class of your own to get to?”

“Yes sir.” She sighed.

“Then I suggest you get to it.

Still blushing we let go of each other but not before are eyes met and we realized that each of us had a wet spot where we’d been rubbing against each other. Zach moaned slightly.

“I so need relief.” He hurried in to the front of the classroom. I followed. I’m gonna have to solve this relief problem and damn soon, I thought.

Alex – Seventh Period

I handed in my homework and was planning to pass on relief – I was saving myself for the locker room – but Irwin told me to stay in front of the class. “Ok, homework tonight: three pages on personal risk. What is it, do you take them, do they hurt or help society as a whole. Mr. McElroy, you can either write the paper or share your thoughts with the class now. I have to admit, I am actually impressed. I was afraid that you didn’t have the conviction of your high ideals about acceptance and equality. Your action today might be the single bravest personal act I’ve seen in this school.”

I looked at him for a minute trying to figure out what he was talking about. “What, you mean Steven this morning?” He nodded and I sighed. “Look, the fags were havin’ a spat, an’ I don’t know, Steven volunteered an’ I just thought ‘what the fu-uh, fudge’? That’s it. I got off, that’s all I was lookin’ for.”

“And the much discussed kiss?”

“Your attention please.” The PA system flared to life. “Would McElroy, Alex please report to the Office. Would McElroy, Alex please report to the Office.”

I so fuckin’ owe you one, God, I thought. I gestured vaguely in the direction of the speaker. “Sorry, dude.”

“Fine.” He sighed. “You still have to write the paper.” He started the class before I was all the way out the door.

I hurried to the office figuring that I was in it for the lunchroom fight. I wouldn’t say Northumberland High had strict rules on fighting and stuff like that because I’ve gotten out of punishment way too often. But Giles could make this really fucked up for me. A suspension for me right now would screw with football season, which would screw with my college admission stuff. Peter went to George Mason University and I had planned on joining him there but to get in, I had to keep my grades up and my athletics in good standing. Dad would fucking kill me if I didn’t get in because of something stupid. I hurried to the office and hoped I could talk my way out of whatever Giles threw at me.

Sure enough, when I got to the office, Burk was already sitting there waiting for Giles.

“Actually, Alex,” Mrs. Ogden, the school secretary said, “Ms. Pat wanna see you.”

I swore under my breath and went down the hall. This was getting old. Still, I couldn’t help but notice that my dick went from half-mast to flagpole in the brief trip. I had to wonder did Ms. Pat the councilor want me or did Pat the submissive want me. Her office door was open and I walked in to find her looking damn hot behind her desk. Her hair was pinned up and she was wearing a high-collar kind of Victorian style shirt. She told me to close the door and sit down. She gestured to one of the chairs; I moved some papers and sat on the corner of her desk.

She frowned, then sighed and came out with it. “I heard about what happened in the lunchroom today. I wanted to see if you were ok.”

“You sure ‘bout that?”

“I think I know why I want to see my students.”

“You sure? I think you can’t wait ‘til Monday.”

“I think you really have an inflated self image.”

“Yeah, but you like that, don’t you?” I didn’t know why pushing her was making me drip but I was doing mental math again. Another ten minutes of banter to feel her out. Then fifteen, maybe twenty minutes to bully her on to her knees. I didn’t know how good she was at sucking a guy off so I couldn’t guess that part. I figured I could do her and be done in time for football practice. “You know you do.”

“We are still not discussing my preferences. What happened this morning?”

“Steven wanted ta make Jared jealous. I let him.”

“And that led to the fight with Burk?” I shrugged. “I understand you didn’t defend yourself. Why not?”

“Ain’t worth it.”

“The witness said you tried to keep the peace.” I shrugged again. “Why with Burk and not with Doug?” Lisa. I didn’t say that, of course. Instead, I shrugged yet again and she sighed yet again. “What am I going to do with you?”

“Com’er, I’ll show you.”

Her eyes paused on my boner before making it back to my face. “I should let you get to class so you can ask for relief. I’ll write you a note.”

“Why don’t you do it?” She froze, her hand on the desk next to my thigh. “You know you wanna.” I put my hand on hers and felt her resist slightly as I picked it up and put it on my leg.

As soon as I let her hand go, she pulled it away from me. She grabbed a pen and paper and started scribbling something. “Here. Go.”

She held the note out to me but I grabbed her arm instead. Immediately, she stiffened. “Ima go.” I took the note with my free hand. “But Pat, we ain’t done yet.” I pulled her arm hard and the back of her fingers brush my dick. I forced her hand around me and instantly began dripping more pre-cum. I wiped her hand in it. I could feel her shaking; she wanted this as much as I did.

At least, I thought she did. Peter once asked how I knew when I’d gone too far and I couldn’t answer him. I was really really totally sure that Pat wanted me to force her – that she was submissive by preference. If I was wrong, though, it was rape and as much as I liked playing the game, I played with people who wanted to play not people who had to. I let her hand go; she moved it away from me slowly. I got up, took the note and left.

Beth – Swimming

Since I didn’t have to change clothes, I was in and out of the locker room before practice pretty fast. I swan laps until the rest of the team got in the water. It was a good practice – we swam races and I won more than usual. I don’t know if it was because I was naked or what but it was good. My older brother is an Olympic medalist so the coach always says I should get pointers from him and he loves swimming naked. Then again, he loves swimming open water – oceans not pools – so I don’t always follow his swimming advice.

But after practice, I headed back to the locker room with everyone else and Hank grabbed me at the door. “Hey! Beth! Are you avoiding me or something?”

“No. Why?”

“Well you ran out earlier, you wouldn’t talk ta me after Lit or at lunch. What up?”

I shrugged. “Nothing.” Maybe I had been avoiding him a touch.

“I got my car again today. You want a lift?”

I hesitated but couldn’t think of a good reason to say no. “Sure.”

He looked concerned. “What’s wrong? Did I do something?”

“Nothing’s wrong. What makes you think there is?”

He looked over his shoulder and then back at me. “Well, I was kinda hoping…y’know.” He looked sort of expectant by I didn’t know why. “Lit class?”

“What about it?”

He looked stunned. “I thought…I mean…you said you didn’t, y’know so I tried to…”

Relief – or lack there of. “Oh, right!” I tried to smile. “Yeah that was great. Thank you so much.”

His expression turned to confusion and then turned dark. It was like watching storm clouds move in from the horizon. “You faked it.”

“What? No! We should go shower now.” I tried to go into the locker room but he stopped me.

“You faked it!”

“Hank!” I gasped. “Ok, yes. What was I supposed to do?”

“You coulda told me what ta do!”

“In front of the whole class? That’s not working, Hank, sorry.” I quipped. “I was already dying of embarrassment, I didn’t want ta kill you too.”

“You coulda said something! I been going ‘round all day…”

“Telling people?” my voice went shrill.

“No, not telling people. Not really.” He looked away. “I just, well, I kinda thought that if I…y’know….”

“No. I don’t. What?”

“I told a couple people we datin’ now, ok?”

“What?”

“I jumped the gun, ok? I figured if I did what no one else did…”

“That I’d just fall inta bed with you from now on? Is that it?”

The shocked look returned. “No! I know you not like that. This program thing got everybody actin’ crazy.”

I sighed, suddenly very tired. All I wanted was to get dressed and go home. “Hank, look, I’m sure what you did was just fine, but I just need more. Ok?”

He shut down. It was as if he flipped an emotional off switch. He nodded. “Sure, Beth, I understand.” He turned and walked off. I headed for my clothes not sure if I won the argument or not.

Alex – After football

Program rules or not, there was no way Coach Dutton was going to allow me to relieve myself before practice – especially knowing that once we finished, I’d be showering with the girls. So, I put on my jock and my shoulder pads and headed out on the field to run laps and do the whole obstacle course thing. Wednesdays we usually drill like hell so I didn’t take any bad hits which was good because the bruises from Monday were fading and I still had to face dancing naked Thursday night. I was trying not to think too hard about that or about the game on Saturday. Playing naked made me think of all the guys I’ve injured over the years and how many might like a little pay back. I play Cornerback, which means my job is totally about shutting down runners. I’d take a shot at the naked guy; I was expecting every Back I was up against was going to take a shot at me.

Playing naked felt kind of cool, actually. Peter likes to swim naked when he can but swimming is non-contact. I figured football would be different. But Peter was right; I felt more connected to the ball and the field – at least I did after I got used to getting hit without full padding. I got tackled twice and nearly blew my wad it hurt so good. Being a masochist playing naked football had it moments.

After practice, I headed into the girls locker room – something I would definitely miss when the week ended – and showered.

The girls’ showers actually had stalls unlike the boys’ which was a few shower heads in one open room. Why chicks needed more privacy, I’ll never know. But the girls had stalls and curtains – well, the rods for them at least – and hooks where towels stayed dry. As a result, I never got a really good look at all the girls naked at once but the views I did get were awesome. So, when Dina, TC and some others came in, I looked up to see who was going to be in the two stalls I had the best line of sight for. TC and Kerri Bridges who I’ll bet most people thought was too fat to be a cheerleader. But she could do all the moves including a full split and I learned years before that fat girls had tight pussies too and usually spread easy. Naked, Kerri was soft and saggy in spots. Her tits were big but droopy and her thighs were thick. All of this sounded bad but meant nothing in the dark with a willing girl. Her eyes met mine and I smiled slightly; she turned bright pink and turned away. Then she must have realized that gave me a stellar view of her, wide fat ass because she suddenly turned off the water, grabbed her towel and covered herself as she raced out of the shower. It was impossible to shower without stroking myself; maybe that’s what unnerved Kerri – me, staring at her and stroking my boner. She wouldn’t be the first girl who thought I was a complete dick.

I looked away from the now empty shower and turned my attention to TC. She was smirking at me as she turned off the water. “You an asshole, you know that, right?” she was pretty slow wrapping her towel around herself. TC was built like a standard cheerleader

I smirked back. “Yeah. So?”

She didn’t answer but crooked her finger in the classic ‘follow me’. I turned off the water and dried my hair as we walked. She led me back to her locker and pulled out a bottle of lotion. Then she spread her towel on the bench and lay on her stomach, fully stretched out. I waited a minute and when she didn’t say anything, assumed she wanted me to apply the stuff. I put my towel on the floor and knelt beside her feet. I opened the lotion.

Funny how smell hits you. Lisa used the same stuff and she used to make me massage her with it too. Start with my feet, she’d order, and work your way up. I don’t think I ever once got past her hips but she didn’t care. She loved it when I lost control. Like a storm, she said once. Being with me was like being in a rainstorm – she was scared silly but felt great at the same time. She said it was too much for all the time, but once in a while you need a good storm to clean out everything. I was her rainstorm, her once in a while.

I felt my whole body shaking; my chest and throat were both tight. I had a hand full of rose-scented lotion that kept blurring in my vision.

But when someone’s arm went around my shoulder, I shoved them and everything else away as I stood up. I am not gonna cry. I kept telling myself over and over although I suspected I was lying to myself.

“Alex?” TC definitely sounded worried and I was pissed off that anyone other than Lisa was worried about me – which was stupid, but there is was.

“I gotta go.” I said. My voice didn’t sound normal.

“What happened?” she asked trying to touch me again.

“Shit, Lis, back off!” We both heard the Freudian slip. TC took a step back and I grabbed the nearest towel and wiped the rose-scented memory off my hand. “I gotta go.” I said again without looking at her. I found my locker, put my away my pads, grabbed my shoes and hurried out of the locker room.

My Father was waiting in the hallway which brought me up short. My Dad is one of those workaholic types that goes in early, leaves late and volunteers on weekends. Every time my Dad’s been waiting for me after practice, somebody’s died. Of all the people I wanted to see at that exact moment, my Dad was flat last. I felt suddenly naked – I mean, not just nude but actually bare of pretense. Like for a couple minutes, every weak, lame, stupid piece of me was right there and everyone could see just what pathetic little shit I really was. But if my Dad saw any of it, he didn’t say it. He frowned for a moment, clearly seeing something was up but didn’t comment. “Your Momma’s spendin’ the night with your Aunt Hanna. Thought you an’ me could make a night of it. Grab a pizza, go bowling.” He looked at me and raised an eyebrow. “You was older, I’d say you look like you could use a beer.”

I swallowed hard trying to calm down when what I really wanted to do was hit something. Or get hit. Or collapse into a crying heap on the floor. I nodded and turned toward the building exit.

“Hold, up boy. You had pants when you left the house. That bare ass ain’t going nowhere near my leather seats.”

I struggled with that one. I wanted to burst but I couldn’t tell if I was going to laugh or cry. I swore under my breath, wiped my face with my arm – the only thing available – and led the way back to the main entrance of the school and the Program student’s lockers. I dressed; Dad seemed to be trying not to watch me. It was weird – we’re not a prudish family but we don’t discuss some stuff openly. I mean, we got incest, fags, lezzie, and BD freaks in the family and it’s all ok but nobody discusses it. It’s like ‘oh, those handcuffs belong to your Grandfather; your aunt must have left them downstairs by mistake. I’ll just put those out of sight.’ We all go on like nobody’s fucking around but I know me, Peter and Beth aren’t the only ones doing stuff we don’t want to get caught doing. So having Dad watch me dress without trying to watch me dress was downright creepy and on top of everything else, I did not need the feeling that my Dad was as big a pervert as I am.

In the car, we sat in silence as we left the parking lot. “So,” he said finally, “What you wanna do?”

“Whatever.” I didn’t look at him; I figured he’d eventually tell me what was really going on.

He shot a glance away from traffic to me. “What, you ain’t wanna spend some time with your old man?”

I shrugged. “I just don’t wanna hear it today.”

“Hear what?”

“Who died.” I sighed. “You ain’t leave work early just ta hang out with me.”

He was silent for a while and just drove. I wished like hell Peter was there. I couldn’t do it – I couldn’t be alone like this. No Peter, no Lisa, no Gran-Gran, no whoever it was this time. Why couldn’t it be me? I felt myself shaking and – like the wuss that I was – I started crying right there in the car. Dad pulled me close and I started to struggle away but gave up fairly quickly – if he wanted to crash the car, I was ok with that. I leaned against my father’s chest and cried. Dad just kept his arm around my shoulder and let me. It was a while later, when I was pulling myself together, that I realized that he’d parked the car. I wiped my eyes with the heal of my hand and my nose with my sleeve and felt like a complete pussy. I will never ever ever admit that I felt a little better after having myself a good cry. I sat up but couldn’t actually look Dad in the eye.

“Uh…” I started but he shushed and kissed the top of my head like he used to when I was a kid.

“You don’t have ta say a word, son. I ain’t want you in this damn Program anyhow. I knew was too damn soon.”

“Then why you sign the permission slip?”

His face soured. “I ain’t sign that. Yo’ Uncle Julius did.” My jaw dropped. Why the hell would my Grand-Uncle sign instead of my parents. “You wanted it that way, so yo’ Momma an’ I figured you had a reason.” I could see he wanted to say more but he didn’t.

And then the hamster found the wheel and started running. My brain had two working cells and they managed to make a connection. Two years ago, when I first started this masochist stuff – the same day I punched Lisa, actually, I torn myself up pretty good and Coach Dutton was going to put me on injured reserve until he talked to my parents. Instead, I made a deal with Uncle Julius – who’s into bondage himself, don’t ask me how I know that – to be my attorney and cover the whole mess up. He did. I didn’t realize that I had signed over any parental rights in the process – hell, I didn’t think I could sign over any parental rights. I closed my mouth and let the hamster run for a little while. Dad started the car again and drove somewhere. I loved my parents. Hell, I worshiped my parents. But I wasn’t like them; they were normal, moral decent people. They didn’t know what kind of demonic creature from hell they raised and I’d just as soon they never knew. I also never wanted them to know about the deal with Uncle Julius; I didn’t want them to think I didn’t trust them. I did. I didn’t want to hurt them. “Oh” was all that came out finally.

“But we gonna settle things with Julius tonight and get you out this Program.” He shook his head. “Shoulda never let him take over in the first place. I’m right sorry ‘bout that, son.”

“Settle things with him how?”

“Well, first off, you gonna tell me what kinda deal you got with him. Then we gonna take his damn contract an’ shove it down his damn throat. It ain’t enforceable, you realize. Never was – you only 16 when you signed it. He said he only made you sign it ta see how serious you were an’ since he put the money in the trust fund, I didn’t think too much harm’d come of it. But he an’ yo’ Momma decided ta sign you up while you on that damn cruise and the notice about it bein’ this week went ta Julius ‘steada us. Shoulda put a stop to it when he told me that, but yo’ Momma said let it go.” He railed for a while which meant the Dad was about as mad as he gets. But one question popped into my head and I couldn’t get rid of it.

“Why were you waiting at school?” I asked, cutting him off mid-rant. He could just as easily meet me at home after he got off work.

He frowned then looked a little awkward. “Well, I am yo’ Dad an’, well, damn it, I wanted ta have the talk with you – deal or not.”

“What talk?”

“Bout the only thing in this damn program I do agree with. Parents supposed ta talk with their kids; see how they feel ‘bout it. I thought I’d take you where Granddad took me for a real man-at-man talk.”

We were almost to Uncle Julius’ house. I loved my Father but I already knew that I was going to need that contract with Uncle Julius to stay in force. I didn’t know he put the money Peter and I paid back into our trust funds. I promised myself that paying it back would be the first thing I did when I turned 18. But more than anything, having a man-to-man talk with Dad, especially after this week so far, sounded pretty cool.

“So where did Granddad take you?”

A very sly grin crept over his face. “You don’t need to know that.”

“Ima find out when we get there anyhow.”

“Don’t matter now; you ain’t gonna be in that damn program by tomorrow.”

“Maybe I should be.”

He shot me a glance. “Come again?”

“Maybe we should talk and stuff first. Then,” I took a breath, “maybe we talk ta Uncle Julius.”

He thought about that. He looked at me. Then he u-turned about a half mile from the house and headed back into town. We wound up parking in the lot of a strip club in Tappahannock called Teasers. The place was notorious and was closed about once a month for every violation you could think of. Out front, they had a billboard advertising their fine steak and seafood platter. Yeah, because anybody going in the place was interested in dinner. Dad headed for the front door. I stopped cold.

“Granddad brought you here?”

He smirked. “Not yo’ Granddad, mine.” My Great Grandfather – the legendary Alexander Llewellyn McElroy. Well, maybe not where you are, but trust me, around here, Grandpa was infamous.

I caught up with Dad. I couldn’t believe it, but my dick was twitching at the thought of what went on inside. “You know I ain’t gettin’ in, right?”

“Course not.” He said casually as he stopped at the door where a gorgeous woman with half a transparent shirt checked his ID and took his cover charge. “We friends of Starry Sky’s. Stan around?”

“Back office.” She said, popping her gum. She stamped Dad’s hand and then reached for mine and stamped it. Then she went back to her book.

Dad glanced back at me as we entered the place. “You know that won’t work, you not with me, right?”

“I can’t believe it just worked now! What you do?” If he answered, I didn’t hear him. He opened the door to the inner sanctum and the stereo drowned out his voice.

There was a bar, a lot of tables, a few patrons and three round stages with poles in each. One had a blonde girl, wearing nothing but some jewelry, doing a perfect split against the pole. Mr. Happy drooled. Dad had to pull me to keep me walking; we sat at a booth in the back with a decent view of all three stages but far enough from the speakers that you could hear yourself think. I watched the girl collect tips from the audience by letting them insert bills into various openings. When the song ended she left the stage and I could think again.

“Grandpa brought you here?”

“Your Grandpa was one hellova guy.” He took a sip from a beer I didn’t see arrive; there was a pop in front of me. “Miss him like hell.” He grinned. “Mind you, likely I’m the only one. Here, order something.” He tapped the menu in front of me.

They did have a varied selection and since no one was dancing for a minute, I could actually read it. I glanced up. “You said we was friends of…”

“Starry Sky.” He chuckled at the name.

“Who’s that?”

He swished the beer again. “This between us, right? This ain’t no heart-ta-heart, son. Man-ta-man. Ima tell you some things, you gonna tell me some. You done spend three days stickin’ that thing everywhere, I figure, you know what you doin’.”

I thought about that for a minute. Dad was trusting me with his mistress – which I didn’t know he had. “Yeah. Dude, it doesn’t leave this table.”

He nodded. “Starry Sky’s yo’ Aunt Lizzie.”

I spit soda across the table and coughed for a full minute before I could say anything. “You sleepin’ with Aunt Elizabeth?”

“What?” He looked shocked. “Hell no! What’s the matter with you, boy? You lost yo’ damn mind? I ain’t been with Lizzie since I knocked yo’ Momma up in high school.” Even that was news to me but I concentrated on mopping up the table and he took another swallow of beer. “Lizzie used ta dance here, back then.”

“High school?”

“Yeah. Stan got busted for it too but it ain’t stop him from hirin’ an under age girl from time ta time. Granddad used ta get me in here by reminding Stan who bailed him out.”

“Aunt Elizabeth dance here and Grandpa bailed him out?” I was not following any of it.

“Long story. Just trust me, you put the names Starry Sky an’ McElroy together and Stan don’t ask no whole lotta questions.”

A waitress came over in the same transparent half shirt the girl out front was wearing and took our order. The music started again and another woman took the stage. She was wearing a seventies style jumpsuit which went with the 70’s style wack-a-chicken music they were playing. The suit had holes over her nipples and crotch and she started playing with herself in time to the beat. My dick started throbbing to it; I nearly lost it when she made herself cum and slowly licked her fingers.

“Ida thought you’d seen enough of that.” Dad said.

“You can never see enough of that.” I replied and he nodded.

Dinner arrived and the girl left the stage. “Alright. So what had you all upset today?”

I took a bite. “Lisa.” I said finally and he nodded gravely.

“Figured. You right fond of her.” He took a bite and waited a minute. “Some folk think this week’d help move you past it. They right?”

I shrugged. “I guess. No. I don’t know. I mean one minute, I’m gettin’ lucky and the next she’s all I can think about. I mean, how would she feel, me messin’ around and she ain’t here anymore.”

“Well you knew her better than me,” He said slowly. “but I can’t think but she’d want you happy. Not spendin’ your whole life greivin’.”

“Yeah.” She would.

“But as I hear it, you ain’t havin’ trouble gettin’ past it for a moment or two.”

I tried not to blush. “Yeah, well. Some of these chicks…” I shook my head. “I mean, come on.”

“Yeah.” He remembered. “I swear, high school girls ain’t look like that when I was young. An’ they damn sure weren’t naked. That one child, with Beth yesterday mornin’…”

“Stephanie.”

“Jesus, God!” He grinned. “Been a long time since I was late gettin’ ta the office ‘cause of yo’ Momma.”

“Cause she made you take me ta school?”

“Cause I stopped home after.” It took a moment for me to connect the dots then I groaned; I did not need to know that my parents still did it. I mean, I was glad they were in love and all but, I didn’t need to know about it. Another reason I was glad my room was in the basement. Dad laughed. “Come on, boy. You ain’t all that naive.”

“I just don’t need ta hear it.”

“You think I wanna hear ‘bout you an’ this program?”

The music started again and a black girl came out in a sequined thing that made my jeans that much tighter and then proceeded to make the pole on stage melt.

“Grandpa brought you here?” I panted when she finished and left the stage.

“I’d already knocked up yo’ Momma. He figured this ain’t nothin’ new for me.” Dad took a couple bites. “He wanted ta tell me some things my Daddy wouldn’t. Like that there ain’t nothin’ wrong with likin’ women. But there is somethin’ wrong with disrespectin’ your woman. Grandmamma knew he came here; knew what he did here when he came. He ain’t tell me – an’ believe you me, I ain’t ask – but they had an understandin’ ‘bout it. That’s what I wanna tell you, son. This program givin’ you a chance ta try a few things and be comfortable with what you like. I wish yo’ momma had been in a program like this.” He looked toward the empty stage. “I think she’da been happier in the long run.”

“Dad?”

He shook it off and smiled at me. “Point is, you in this program. You gettin’ a chance ta, you know…experiment an’ what not.” He hesitated. “Julius told me about this boy…” he stopped and took a bite.

Dad would not be this cool about it if he found out about me and Peter. I tried to think of what other boy Uncle Julius knew about. “What boy?”

Dad shrugged. “This mornin’.”

“The fuck?” I exploded. “What, he spyin’ on me? Jesus fuckin’ Christ!”

“Watch yo’ mouth, boy.”

“One time! Steven asked an’ I thought it’d be, y’know, whatever!”

“Calm down.” Dad glanced around to see if anyone was watching us. “The school keepin’ tabs on all-uh you. They called Julius ‘cause that’s what your little contract says. He called me ta see if I wanted ta handle it or if he should.”

“And you wanted ta handle it.”

“I want you ta know, if you that way, ain’t no shame in it. Me an’ yo momma still love you.”

“Bullshit!” It popped out but Dad didn’t react. “You can’t even say ‘fag’. I come Out, I may as well jump in the river on my own. If-n you don’t drown me, Granddad will.”

Dad stared at me, that hard flat look he gets when he’s trying not to show just how pissed off he is. “Boy, I don’t…” He stopped and took another bite. After a minute, he spoke again. “You think Ima turn you out just ‘cause you rather fuck Adam than Eve, maybe Julius best keep your confidences after all.” He finished off the beer and we sat in silence. Another girl took the stage and did unchristian things wearing a nun’s habit.

“Dad…”

“You do what you want, boy – you always have anyhow so you ain’t need me tellin’ you that. But you think I care…” he stopped and shook his head. “Hell, boy, how many sailors I know? Hell, mah sister gay!” I had forgotten about Aunt Hannah. “Ain’t much I can say, you don’t trust me by now.”

“Dad, I trust you! It’s not that, it’s…” I stopped. “It’s…it’s not…ok, yes, Steven’s not the first boy I’ve fooled around with, ok? But I would so totally rather get with that –“ I gestured at the stage and paused as the nun showed us where she was hiding her rosary. “God damn!” Dad snorted and I remembered that I was supposed to be confessing. “Uh, yeah, uh. Bi, Dad, I’m bi. I’m sorry I ain’t tell you before but some shit went down that I ain’t want ta come out.”

“Oh, ‘cause yo’ momma an’ I gonna go tellin’…”

“Not you! Dutton! Giles! This go on my school record, I may’s well print signs! Uncle Julius don’t have ta tell nobody shit, he just say, ‘client privilege’ and it goes away, no records. I ain’t know they cut you out. I’m sorry ‘bout that. But Dad, I mean, shit! You my Dad!”

He swallowed hard, sniffed dryly and cleared his throat. “Good. Right. I am. So, you gonna tell me – really – what got you all upset today?”

I shrugged. “Every time you pick me up from school, it’s cause somebody died. I was thinkin’ ‘bout Lisa, saw you and, well…” I shrugged again.

He nodded once. “Ain’t nobody die. I came ta see you.”

We finished eating and the waitress cleared out plates. She brought over two beers. “Stan says ‘hey’.” She winked at me. I hesitated before reaching for it but Dad shrugged and drank his. He didn’t comment when I took a sip. Another girl took the stage and I learned what flexible meant.

We didn’t talk for a while, just drank and watched the girls. I thought I was going to wet myself, some of the girls were so hot. It was a struggle not to beat off while sitting there but doing it with Dad sitting there too was just too weird. Finally, I looked at him. “How long we gonna sit here?”

“We can go when you ready.” He kept watching the stage.

“How you do that?” He looked at me curiously. “Watch them without, y’know, bustin’ a nut.”

“Who say I don’t?” He grinned. “I’m just waitin’ for Bunny. She look like yo’ Momma. Got this act with a soccer ball…”

“Stop! I do not need ta see that!”

“Yeah,” he laughed. “me neither. Yo’ momma ain’t gonna be home when we get back. I watch Bunny t’night, Ima have a sore arm in the mornin’.”

Either the beer was getting to me or I was getting used to sexual references from my Father. I took another swallow of beer. The music started again and this time two girls came out – on separate stages – and I had a hard time watching both.

“Lisa know ‘bout this bi thing?” Dad asked suddenly.

“Shit yeah. Hell, she used ta watch.” He nodded.

“That Asian boy you was hangin’ with last year?” He asked.

“Yeah. Total fag. Cross dresser too.” He nodded again. “But I was doin’ Sheila and Lisa at the same time, so, like I said. Bi.”

Bunny was unmistakable – for a minute, I thought it was Mom. She was wearing a soccer uniform and came out kicking a ball around. Then the music started and she systematically stripped down to pasties and a g-string and fucked the ball. Honestly, for a minute, I thought she might actually be able to push it in. It was hard remembering that she wasn’t my Mother and I keep swinging from ‘this is sick!’ to ‘Mom’s hot!’ I glanced at Dad; he was practically drooling. Finally, the music ended and as everyone cheered, Dad waved toward the stage. If Bunny saw him, she didn’t respond.

“She ain’t actually related ta Mom, is she?” I asked him.

“Nah. Just coincidence. She from round here, though. Known Bunny a long time.” He took another swallow of beer. “I ain’t never cheated on yo’ Momma.” He looked like he was going to say more but he didn’t.

I couple minutes later, Bunny was back in the soccer outfit and sitting at our table. Up close, I could see it wasn’t Mom, but they did look a lot alike. “George, he look just like you,” She cooed. “Back in the day, I mean. You just come visit or I’m I gettin’ lucky?”

“Aw, you know I just come in ta watch you shake it. However,” He nodded to me, “the Boy makes his own decisions.”

“Oh.” She purred and slipped into the booth next to me. “Well, is the boy a man yet?” her hand caressed my aching dick and I shivered trying not to embarrass myself. “Oooh, like father, like son. We could go upstairs, you like.” She whispered in my ear.

“Jesus.” I sighed. I caught Dad’s eye from across the table and he gave me a half smile. Her hand continued to rub me; my eyes rolled back in my head.

“Bunny!” Dad snapped. “Take the boy upstairs an’ put him out my misery. We been sittin’ here an hour waitin’ on you.”

She grinned, stood up and pulled me out of the seat. I glance back at Dad but he was waving over the waitress. Bunny led me up a back staircase to the second floor. There were six doors; the one she opened lead to one of those bedrooms you see in movies about brothels. She wouldn’t let me kiss her on the mouth but she let my lips go everywhere else. She was still wearing the pasties but she’d taken off the g-string. I didn’t question why, I just took advantage of the naked pussy and sucked it. She tried to move away before she came but I held her still and sucked and licked until pussy juice actually dripped off my chin.

Then I leaned back on the floor – we hadn’t actually made it over to the bed – and she clawed at my pants until my dripping dick was in her reach. She didn’t bother sucking it – she just lowered herself on it. I grabbed her hips and prepared to fuck her hard but she lifted off me again. I swore and she giggled. “I just wanted to feel it right for a sec. But we gotta do the right thing now.” She produced a condom from a drawer and as much as I wanted to do it raw, I knew with the condom, I’d at least last longer than a minute. Not much longer but somewhat. She put the condom on me expertly and lowered herself on me again. This time, she let me bang her hard. When I could feel my balls begin to squeeze, I moved my thumb to her clit. She yelled louder than I did. She collapsed on top of me and for a second, she looked like Mom again.

I just fucked my mother, I thought because I knew, in my mind, that’s who I’d been thinking of. Sick, twisted, fucked-up, evil, demented…

“Wow, you are yo’ daddy’s boy!” she smiled at me. “You get tail like he used ta?”

“My Dad used ta get tail?”

She giggled and pulled off me. “George McElroy was the king of tail, back in the day.” She started dressing. “Oh, he all married an’ moral now, but don’t let him lie ta you. That boy was a player.” I thought about that while I disposed of the condom and fixed my pants. Bunny dropped me back at the table and kissed Dad on the cheek. “You bring him back ta visit real soon, you hear now, George?”

“We’ll see, Bunny. You take care now, hear?” When she left, he grinned at me. “Feel better?”

I had to laugh. “Oh yeah. Hey – how come you ain’t tell me you a player in high school?”

He sipped his beer. “I knocked up yo’ Momma; I ain’t think it need be said.”

“She the only one?”

He shrugged. “That I know of.”

“So Bunny ain’t….”

“Nah, she got knocked up senior year but I was already married ta yo’ Momma by then.”

“She said you the king of tail, back in the day.”

He smiled at the memory. “I had low standards. That was a long time ago.”

“So how come you come here?”

He smiled. “Best steak in town.”

“Bullshit!” I laughed.

“Ok, the floorshow ain’t bad.” We both laughed then watched the next set of girls. All three stages were in use and the music was getting louder. The crowd had picked up as well. Our waitress brought over another set of beers.

“Ok, seriously,” I finally asked. “You cool with me, y’know…bi?”

He finished the bottle. “Boy, I ain’t tried it. But I’ll tell the truth, I’d had this Program I was yo’ age, I mighta.” He leaned across the table toward me. “See, me an’ Charles spent a lotta time alone and, well, mighta been nice ta have something more than my right hand.”

“Way too much info, Dad.”

He laughed again.

We hung out until closing when they threw us out. Dad left a hundred on the table and slipped a second bill to the bartender after a short conversation. We staggered to the car and he drove us home. We were both trashed so it’s a damn good thing we live in the backwoods. We couldn’t have passed a sobriety test – hell, I doubt either of us could have even taken a sobriety test.

As we got home and started to head to our own rooms, he stopped me. “Son, about this sex stuff. Don’t get all caught up in the who of it all. If you enjoyin’ the what an’ ain’t nobody gettin’ hurt – I mean non-consensho – consents – hell, y’know, they want it like that – look, don’t cheat on yo’ wife, don’t get arrested an’ don’t have no babies. Everything else, just gettin’ laid. Clear?”

“Clear.” He nodded and turned toward the staircase. “Hey, Dad?” He looked at me. “You pretty cool.”

He swallowed hard and smiled oddly. “You too, boy.”

Alex – Second Period

I was pretty hung over through most of my Lit class but Mr. Wilson took pity on me and let me vegetate through the rest of Measure for Measure. Alcohol = bad; lesson learned. My hang over had faded to a mild headache by the time I got to Home Economics.

It was not my idea to take Home Ec. But my Dom hated cooking, so he told me to take it and that I’d damn well better pass with flying colors. Actually, truth be known, I was a pretty damn good cook. Especially with fish; then again, we owned a fishery so I’d had lots of opportunity to practice over the years. The trip to Asia last summer got me really interested in Vietnamese and Thai stuff but our class stuck to mainly baking chicken and making edible lima beans. I was, of course, the only guy in the class but that had worked out pretty well last year so I didn’t mind at all.

Gail was in that class with me, and Tuesday she just watched while one of the cheerleaders blew me. It was not as cool as I’d hoped and I was still a little off about it; something about all those bodily fluids around cooking utensils – it seemed unsanitary. I didn’t mind the sharp, hot, poking, dangerous things – I liked the sharp, hot, poking, dangerous things – it was the whole food thing I didn’t get. I was kind of boring that way, I guess. I’d do any thing with anybody any where on the body but not with food. That whole lick-the-syrup-off-her-body thing turned my stomach. Go figure. Anyway, ‘relief’ while cooking was the one I was going to pass on except that by the time I got there, I was dripping. Somebody who saw me and Leigh on Monday thought a spanking in the hallway would be a neat idea. Or something – I didn’t know; I hadn’t really paid attention to the excuse, I just let her spank me. She didn’t do it very hard but it was enough to turn my butt cheeks red; by the time I got to class, I was ready for action.

I was a bit surprised when I arrived in class though. The room had been slightly re-arraigned. All of the small counters we used in 3-person teams had been pushed together to form one large counter top and a second table had been wheeled in. It was covered with a large sheet but you could see all the “secret” ingredients in vague shapes underneath. Very Iron Chief. Mrs. Clark used to do a local cable access cooking show so she liked doing the occasional dramatic presentation for no good reason. She was old as dirt but I had never met anyone who would turn down one of her meals.

Finally, the bell rang and Mrs. Clark started class. “Alex, Gail? Would you both come up front please? Now, I’m not going to allow you relief today – sorry, Alex but you’ll be ok, I promise. Instead, we’re going to do something a bit different. Sit here please.” She indicated the top of the counter. I lifted Gail, who blushed slightly, and then hopped up next to her – which I shouldn’t have done because it made my head throb again. “Today’s class discussion is on Erotic Foods.” Mrs. Clark pulled away the sheet and revealed a table full of samples. Everything phallic shaped – bananas, carrots, cucumbers, etc. – plus strawberries, cherries, oysters, chocolate, honey, whipped cream, and anything else sticky, wet or spread-able.

“Today we’re going to discuss food and sexual safety in handling these things and I’ll let you try out a few on our participants. You don’t mind insertion, do you? That’s reasonable for both of you?” She didn’t give either of us a moment to answer but started with her lecture. She started with what you can’t do – like no oily or sugary things in the pussy or anus and what should be thrown away not eaten afterwards.

She held up the strawberries so they looked like little tits and the ass-shaped peaches. Then she displayed some raw oysters next to Gail’s pussy and I realized that they did look really similar. “No wonder I like ‘em raw.” I said. Most of the girls laughed but a couple looked thoughtful.

Then Mrs. Clark started with the dick shaped stuff. I looked pretty bad next to the summer sausage she held up but it seemed everyone knew it was a joke. They put a condom on a cucumber and Gail didn’t seem to mind as they tried to insert it in her pussy. I nearly blew; in part watching it go part way in her but mostly wishing it was going in me. They had better luck with the condom covered zucchini. Watching Gail cum with that thing in her made me shake.

“Now, boys can take insertions as well, and if you know him well and he’s comfortable, the slimmer things work better – hand me that carrot, oh, yes that one’s perfect. Again, use a condom – especially if this is for tonight’s dinner. But really, anything in the rear should just be thrown away and you certainly shouldn’t – bend over Alex Dear – you certainly shouldn't use anything anally then vaginally but of course you all know that, I’m sure.” The carrot rammed into my rectum like she forgot what she was doing – and she did forget any kind of lube – and I swore as it hit that magic spot with no warning. I held my breath and tried not to cum. There was no reason not to except that I didn’t want to interrupt Mrs. Clark’s presentation.

Finally, she put on a pair of latex gloves and picked up the jar of honey. “Now this is fairly easy; you can pour or paint or draw. I like to just use my fingers and draw a light coating, just like this but you could get a nice scoop – see? – and just drizzle like this. Or – hand me that pastry brush – you can use both the honey and the brush to tease your partner – a very effective method, as you can see – and the brush handle can also be used. Oh, but once you do that this goes in the bedroom, not the kitchen, for good. Alright now, let’s pick a condiment and a spot and just practice. And taste! Of course, taste – the warmth of the body, the location and the individual will change each flavor subtly. You should try….” I lost the thread of the lecture when someone started licking the honey Mrs. Clark had painted on my dick. I was beginning to re-think my stance on food and sex

Wet things began dripping on me and fingers began spreading them on different parts of my body. It was like being on the bottom of an orgy with everyone cumming on me. Someone asked, can I use hot sauce? I groaned in response. A minute later, one of my nipples lit up as something tingly landed on it. Then a warm, soft tongue cleaned it off. Hot sauce is a good thing, I thought. The hot sauce landed on the head of my dick and I gasped – for a second, I thought it was burning through. I was still trying to hold back but when the tongue cleaned me this time I dry came.

There were questions – most of the girls had never actually seen a guy cum before the Program had started and none of them had ever heard of this before. “It not, like rare,” I said, “but it is supposed ta be uncommon. I kinda try to make it happen sometimes.” Can I cum the normal way? Of course, but this is more fun. Why? I grinned at her. “Lasts longer.”

“Oh my.” Mrs. Clark said. “I’ll have to read up on that one. What got him to do that, anyway? Salsa?” She gasped. “Oh, peppers! We need to discuss peppers.” As pepper burns the tongue, so it burns other sensitive parts. “Condoms please always – the hotter the pepper, the stronger the burn. And soap and water will not remove it completely.” She shuddered. “Believe me.”

Mrs. Clark let Gail and I leave a few minutes early so we could get down to the locker rooms and shower before our next classes.

“I don’t have any shower stuff today!” Gail lamented on our way down.

“Use mine.” I offered.

“We’ll be in opposite rooms.”

I looked at her – she looked downright edible. “I got a reasonable request. Come on.” I pulled her into the girls’ locker room with me. I grabbed soap and a couple towels and started the shower spray. The stalls were too tight for us to be anything but right on top of each other. I put soap on my hands and began washing her. She did the same to me. I had sort of wanted it to be non-sexual but that idea ended the second my hands touched her tits. The nipples pushed against the palms of my hands and I pushed them back. Then I moved down over her stomach, getting the sticky residue of jam off. She seemed to have a little trouble getting the chocolate syrup out of what little chest hair I had.

I don’t know when we started kissing but I rubbed soap up and down her ass crack while we did. She was so short, I had to lift her up a bit.

“I’m on the pill.” She whispered unexpectedly and rubbed her thigh against my dick. I took that as an invitation and lifted her a bit higher. When she reached between us and pulled me into herself, I leaned her against the wall and we did it. We both gasped – Ms. Clark was right about those peppers! Gail was lucky that it was mild salsa.

I had been holding out for so long, I wasn’t sure if I could hold back much longer. She made it easy for me. “Faster”, she whispered. I didn’t argue and rammed her. I lasted maybe five minutes and then dumped my load in her. She wrapped her legs around mine and inhaled my tongue. After a little while, she released her legs and slipped off me. We took another couple minutes to clean the sex off then turned off the water.

“Do you think Ima slut?” She asked as we dried off.

I started to say no while thinking yes. But then I looked at her. Gail was pretty and talented and walking around naked while most of the school felt her up. I’d been horny for four days straight and figured it was a reasonable bet that she’d been that way too. This wasn’t her choice. “No.” I said seriously. “Not even close.” The funny part was that I meant it.

Beth – Third Period

The hallways seemed to be getting worse and the teachers were becoming more strict about us not loitering in the classroom until the second class bell. I admit, maybe I would have enjoyed it more if the reasonable requests were, well, interesting or unique or at least arousing but how many clueless high school boys found ‘nice tits’ to be the highlight of their day? My breasts felt like every boy in the building plus a few extra had squeezed them. Alex once said I had a ‘perfect pussy’ but apparently, he was in a vast minority of one – the rest of the guys seemed to think my body stopped at my waist. I had started to feel like finger prints were beginning to show. I caught up with Tiffany at the side door to the school and we walked to our lockers together. We grabbed our heavy-duty aprons and happily started to put them on.

“Hello Ladies.” Ms. Pat stepped out of her office. “You know you need to wait until you get to the garage to put those on.”

“But we have ta cross the parking lot.” Tiffany looked more than a little worried. “Anybody can see us.”

“I know, but that’s the rule.” We looked at each other mournfully but took off the full frontal cover. “Actually, I need to speak to the two of you. Step in for a moment.” We followed her into her office and she gestured us to sit. “How are you two doing with the Program? Any problems?”

We exchanged a look. “No ma’am.” I said. “It’s weird but there’s no problems.” I wasn’t about to get into my issues with the Program.

Tiffany shrugged. “I thought I was used ta bein’ watched but this just freaky. I mean, I am not looking forward ta Sunday. But I’m not gonna drop out the Program, if that’s what you mean.”

“No, I didn’t think that. I just wondered if you were both getting the full benefit of the program. Or if perhaps you might be suffering from a case of stage fright.”

We looked at each other again. “Stage fright?”

“Yes.” She picked up a folder. “Alright, girls, I’m going to be frank. You are not receiving relief as often as the others and I was just concerned as to why.”

“We you can’t expect us to keep up with the boys!” I exclaimed. I tried that one week – tried to match Alex, partner-for-partner and he beat me and Peter combined.

“Yeah.” Tiff agreed.

“I don’t mean the boys. The other girls in the group are averaging four requests a day. You two are only once a day – and Tiffany, no one reported you receiving relief at all yesterday.”

“Reported?”

“Oh, well of course. We must monitor what’s happening, when and to whom. Otherwise, there’s nothing gained from the program, is there?” I kept silent on my opinion of that. “So, is there a problem?”

“No ma’am.” Tiffany said softly. I nodded.

“Good! I expect today and tomorrow that you two will take full advantage of the program. I do want to remind you that if you don’t complete the Program satisfactorily, you will have to repeat it later in the year.” She closed the folder. “Oh really you two, smile. I’m not telling you to go do something unpleasant. I would think you’d enjoy the chance to have some honest, open, guilt-free sexual gratification.”

We faked a smile as the second bell rang. She dismissed us – we wouldn’t want to be late, would we? – and we grabbed out aprons and headed out.

It’s not the naked part that’s getting to me and if we had longer than five minutes, all the ‘reasonable requests’ might be ok. What gets me, however, is the lack of choice. I mean, I’ve never been afraid of my body and I’ve always known what I liked and didn’t like – although, I have to admit I’ve learned new stuff so far this week – I’ve always been kind of selective about who got to see what. The Program, though, means that everybody gets to look, anybody can touch, I don’t control what happens. And I definitely don’t like that. I want to be in control, always.

Shop class this semester – specifically car engine repair – was held in a garage on the far side of the school property. The aprons were actually safety gear and Tuesday, I had been overjoyed to have some kind of protection in there. Mr. Ballard was roughly nine hundred years old and looked like Santa on a bad day but he was practically MacGyver. Give him an hour, a two-by-four, and a pack of gum and he could build the Taj Mahal complete with a working fountain and shuttle service. Most of the time, he ran Ballard Auto Repair over in Tappahannock, but twice a week, he taught at his old high school – he and my Grandfather had been classmates.

I was taking engine repair because that past summer, me and my only other girl cousins – Jean and Joan – had gone on an all girl fishing trip and the engine on my Uncle Wilton’s beat up old cabin cruiser broke down and we had to call my Uncle, Capt. Ed, to come tow us home. After he finished berating us for not checking the boat out thoroughly before we went out, he laid into the boathouse staff for letting the boat get into such disrepair in the first place. Joan and I decided that we’d never get stranded again and both started to learn how to fix engines. Jean decided to stop fishing and go work in the company front office. So far, the class was pretty cool; Tiffany, me and Penny Gilliam were the only girls in the class and Mr. Ballard made a point of treating us just as he treated the guys.

On Tuesday, Ballard just about had a coronary when Tiff and I walked in naked. He flat refused to allow us relief – not that we asked, but the guys in the class were pretty disappointed – and had us and Penny work on an engine block behind a makeshift screen. When we walked in to the garage Thursday, however, he was frowning. He pulled us aside. “Now, girls, that Giles boy done tol’ me ‘bout this here new Program he done put you in. I must admit, I gave him a hard way ta go on it, but, well, I talked ta Julius” He nodded to me, “Ida talked ta Earl too, God rest his soul,” He told Tiff, “an’, well, he seem ta think this one a them things done pass us by. So’s I guess if it’s alright with him – an’ they gonna make me anyhow, I guess – I won’t make a fuss. But, now look; I’m not gonna just let them boys manhandle you right in fronta me! They can’t treat a damn engine with any care, I doubt a one-of-em know what to do with a woman. So you just leave that part ta me.” He smiled at us both and under different circumstances, it might have seem Grandfatherly – if, he hadn’t just said for us to leave our ‘relief’ to him. He started to walk by us but stopped and smiled kind of wistfully at Tiff. “I ever tell you how much you look like yo’ grandmamma? Ida had ta work on Saturday ‘steda Friday night, I mighta been your granddaddy ‘steda Earl.” He gave her hand a squeeze and moved around us to address the rest of the class.

“Was that the grossest thing ever?” Tiffany whispered to me.

“Close.” I whispered back. She didn’t have Davis for history this semester. But then, Ballard wasn’t looking at me and picturing his old flame.

“Alright now, boys,” Ballard started. “Ima big enough man ta admit when I’m wrong. What you boys said about these girls – well, ‘bout this here Program, anyhow – well, you was right.” A couple of the guy cheered and they all moved a bit closer. “Simmer down, now. I wouldn’t let a one-uh-you touch my truck, I ain’t about ta let you have at these two without at least a word or two.” He beckoned us forward and arrayed the boys around us so they could all see us; kind of the way he’d have done around an engine block. He made Penny join them. “How often you gonna get a chance to see this from the outside, so ta speak. Now. What’s the first thing you do ta an engine you ain’t never worked on before?”

The guys looked at each other before someone finally ventured, “Look at it and make sure you know what’s what?”

“Got it in one.”

“I already know what what on that engine.” Art Trucker scoffed but Ballard looked hard at him.

“You tellin’ me you know all there is ‘bout ever’ woman out there. You kin make these two – both of ‘em, now – spill like you struck oil?”

“Yeah.” He smirked at his buddies and nodded. “Sides my Dad say all that bull ‘bout the female orgasm a lotta hot air dykes made up.”

“Yo’ Dad been divorced three times, ain’t he?” observed Mr. Ballard dryly. “I wouldn’t go taken a whole lotta advice on women from him.” He looked at me and Tiffany. “So what you think? You think it’s a bunch of hot air?”

Tiffany and I both turned scarlet red. “No.” I finally managed. It might be elusive, but it definitely wasn’t a myth. “And I wouldn’t go out with a guy who told me it was.”

“Well, now. Ain’t that an interestin’ fact, gentlemen?” He had the guys look at us in detail. They made the obvious observation – that my tits were way bigger that Tiff’s were. But they all went quiet when he asked “Now what does that tell you ‘bout pleasin’ either one of them?” He answered his own question. “Not a damn thing, boys. Just ‘cause they big, don’t mean a thing except she likely ta be a good nurser you have a mess of kids with her.”

He talked about the difference between stroking, caressing, squeezing and mauling breasts and then let them practice on us. After a couple minutes, he had them all step back again. Nearly all of them tried to hide the tent in their pants and I found myself trying to check them out on the sly. It was odd because I had practically stopped looking at the naked guys. Well, maybe that wasn’t quite true – more, I’d gotten used to them being over-aroused. Peter once mentioned something called traveling erogenous zones – where what skin you can or can’t see at any given time is the sexy part. If everyone always wears long sleeves, the girl with exposed elbows is the hot one. I could suddenly understand the theory – for a minute, even Trucker looked pretty hot.

Ballard then had us turn around and let the guys do the same exercise on our butts. I could feel myself getting aroused even though I really didn’t want to. I glanced at Tiffany; her eyes were closed but she was biting her lip and her skin had that flush color like they were getting to her too. Luckily, Mr. Ballard didn’t let that go on too long either.

“Alright now, that’s enough uh that. You find a girl and practice on yo’ own time. Grab a couple them towels – the clean ones, you idiot – put ‘em on the hood uh that old Caddy.” He nodded to Trucker. “Give the little Miss a hand.” He indicated me then proceeded to sweep Tiffany into his arms and gently place her on the car. I stopped Trucker from following suit but let him give me a hand to keep the towels under us straight. He had us lie on our backs on opposite sides of the car with half the class around either of us. Then he had a couple guys apiece hold our legs open. “Gently, damn it! Ain’t no way ta buff a dent outta that paint job.” I had no idea what he was talking about but one of the guys holding my ankle asked if I was comfortable so I guess they got Ballard’s message. “Now boys, an engine don’t run if it don’t got…?” Even Tiffany and I said ‘Lubricant’ with the rest of the class. He had drilled that message into all of us.

“Right. Lubricant. If she ain’t wet, boys, she ain’t interested. Pack up an’ go home. How we doin’ so far?”

Penny smiled kind of sheepishly at me and touched my outer lips. “She wet.” She said simply.

“God damn.” One of the guys beside her breathed. “They get like that?” A few other guys made similar comments. I was mortified; Peter and Alex had both commented on how wet I get – it was why they were so confused as to why I rarely cum – but to have a whole class make a study of my vaginal juices was more than embarrassing. Another thing I didn’t want to share with everyone in the world.

Mr. Ballard then had the class open our outer lips and talked them through touching the inner lips and suddenly I realized that I hadn’t heard anything but Ballard’s voice and me and Tiff panting for a long while. My whole attention was on the feeling of random fingers stroking my private parts. Then Ballard started discussing our clits; a warm shiver ran through me. Someone remarked that mine looked like a tiny stiff dick and Ballard suggested that they treat it like one. The next thing I felt was a tongue wrap around it and I could not stop the loud groan that slipped out. A few more tongues passed over me and I wondered if this might actually push me over the top. And when I heard Tiffany beside me nearly scream, I knew I would hit it at any moment. Then I hit that damn plateau. Silently, I swore to myself and faked it for the class. Not that any of them noticed. They all congratulated themselves and more than a couple guys had wet spots on their pants.

“Still think it’s hot air, boys?” Ballard asked and received a chorus of no’s. A few vowed to practice on their girlfriends. A couple switched between Tiffany and me to compare stats. I heard Tiff moan and looked over my shoulder. Two of the guys were trying again. Then someone grabbed my ankle and a tongue raked my clit. I couldn’t help gasping with a little frustration. The first tongue moved and a second took over. Then a third. Then a fourth but it was both softer and more insistent than the others. It not only went up and down more swiftly but it pushed into my slit more deeply than anyone else had. Once inside, it sort of swiveled around like in was licking my insides which was a new feeling. Distantly, I heard Tiffany coming again. And it seemed like I heard one of the guys too but it was hard to think about anything other than the tongue that was pushing me way closer than I’d been in a long time.

Then I felt my muscles contract and knew I must have finally hit it. Except that the pleasure – the shivers, the explosion of nerves, mind numbing indescribable sensation – wasn’t there. It was as if my body just gave up and faked the orgasm without my mind playing along. I lay there panting, like I’d run a race – trying not to cry with the frustration of it all. Finally, I leaned forward to see who it was who got me nearly there.

Penny sat between my legs wiping her face with a wet paper towel. Several guys around her were wiping themselves off or zipping their flies. I wasn’t sure how to react – it wasn’t that I had a problem with it. But I wasn’t all that comfortable with the idea that a girl had done what no guy this week had. The guys actually applauded and Penny blushed. “Um. Thanks.” I closed my legs and scooted off the car hood.

A door closed and Mr. Ballard emerged from his office drying his hands. “Alright, now, boys. That’s enough of that. Somebod’ get the mop an’ clean up this here mess. The rest of you break inta teams and change the fluids in all uh them vehicles. You should have just enough time for that. Go on, get movin’.” He looked at Tiffany and I. “You two alright now?”

“Yeah.” We both answered.

“Fine, fine.” He cleared his throat. “I…uh…good…fine. Well. I best, uh…you two go on, get ta work.”

“Yes, sir.” We put the towels in the dirty rag bin, grabbed our aprons and joined our teams.

Alex and Beth - Lunch

“Here.” Stephanie handed everyone a flier. “I’m having a party Saturday – after the game. It’s clothing optional!”

“Isn’t your Dad gonna be home?”

“It’s his idea!” She fairly glowed. “Actually, we’re thinking of making our house a clothing-free zone.”

“Eeewwww!” and “Cool” vied around the table.

“Are you commin’, Alex?”

“You gonna have beer?”

“No! Dad’s liberal, but come on!”

“Yeah, well I’ll think ‘bout it.” But he was grinning.

“We’re inviting you guys – the whole senior class, really – and a couple other juniors and some people at Dad’s office, and oh yeah, tell your folks – Dad wants parents ta come too.”

Khalid frowned. “Not mine. My Dad’d burn the place down. He’s lectured me every night this week about American immorality.”

“You actually believe all that camel-jockey BS?” Zach taunted.

Khalid took it as a joke. “Yeah, pope-boy, I do.” He shrugged. “Well, some of it, anyhow. Most of it. It makes more sense if you read the Koran itself though. Some of the stuff gets really warped in translations.”

“Yeah, the same thing happens at our church. What the bible says depends on which minister you ask.”

“Well, my Dad’s the pious type.”

“Should we be worried?”

“Pious, not militant. He thinks Americans don’t pray enough.” That got a laugh around the table. “I just hope I can get into college before he finishes this contract.”

“Why?”

“Cause if I don’t, I’ll have to go back to Algeria with him and Mom next summer.” He put an arm around Steph. “And I like American immorality. I’ve already talked to my Mom about getting me a permanent Visa.”

“Cool.”

“Very cool.”

“What about you, Gail? You comin’ Saturday?”

Gail looked across the table at Van Chi. Something passed between them and she looked back at her untouched lunch. “I don’t think so.” She said softly. Van looked at his lunch and nobody asked about his Saturday plans.

“Jared?”

“Can I bring Steven?”

“Only if he’s naked. You two back on?”

“No, but I haven’t given up yet. Beth, just do me a favor – don’t talk to me for a while!”

“Look, I’ll talk ta Steven if you talk ta Hank.”

“Hank? So the rumors are true?”

“Rumors?” She groaned. “Just what I need.”

“I heard a rumor.” Brenda dropped not so casually. “Penny for your thoughts, Barbie.”

“Oh!” Tif said with sudden surprise. “That’s who it was.”

“What?” Alex perked up. “Who was?”

“Penny went down on Beth in Shop today.” Brenda said grinning. “Art told me it was so hot even Old Ballard had ta bust a nut.”

“Oh Jesus!” Beth buried her head on the table under her arms.

“And I missed it?” Alex exclaimed. “Damn! Anybody get photos?”

“Eeeewww, Alex!” Tiff laughed. “Gross!”

“What? I’m just lookin’!”

“It’s a vile implication, Alex.” Van observed sternly. “But not surprising coming from you.”

“Oh, relax, dude, I’m kiddin’!” Alex laughed and poked Beth’s arm. “Doin’ her’s like doin’ my sister or something. “Sides,” he smirked at Steph. “I can think of better ways ta spend my time.”

“Yeah?”

“Definitely.”

The bell rang and most of the room began to move, gather trash and books and heading for the fourth class of the day. Van Chi put a hand on Alex’s arm. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”

“Yeah. I gotta get my guitar out my locker. Walk with?”

Alex – Fourth Period

We stopped by Van’s locker first and he got a CD, then by mine for the guitar. Today was ‘show and tell’ in Music Appreciation – bring you favorite make out music, either a piece you’ve done it to or something you like to and be prepared to discuss why it would make good intimate background music. The guitar was my A+ for the day – nothing beats playing something for a girl you’re trying to nail. Compare her to the instrument and to the music; works every time.

He didn’t say anything at first. We had a couple requests as we moved through the hall and I noticed that he considered any thing more than a quick stroke or a light squeeze ‘unreasonable’. I also noticed that it didn’t take much more than that to get him rock hard.

When we had a minute alone – comparatively speaking at least – I asked him, “Dude, you ok with this?”

“It’s a graduation requirement.”

“No shit! When they do that?”

He looked at me. “How did you miss the whole debate and all the announcements about this?”

“Dude, when all this came down? I was on this fuckin’ amazing cruise. We went to Bangkok and we saw this…”

“I do not need to know what you saw in Bangkok.”

“We spent a couple days in Vietnam too. Fuckin’ awesome place, dude.”

He nodded. “Khalid doesn’t want to go home but I can’t wait until I turn 18 and can go back.”

“None of that answered my question, though. You seem kinda uptight ‘bout this whole naked thing.”

“It is immoral.”

“I thought Buddhist weren’t that uptight.”

He pointedly held up the thin gold crucifix around his neck. “In case you haven’t noticed, I’m Catholic, you idiot.”

I had forgotten. “Right, dude, sorry! I just keep…you know. It’s a bad habit.”

“It’s racist.”

“Hey! Hold up. I maybe stupid, but I ain’t racist!” I laughed. “Ima equal opportunity lay!”

“American immorality.” He stopped walking and looked at me. “Exactly what I wanted to talk to you about.”

“Yeah?”

I saw a lot of things pass over his face before he spoke again. “Why Gail?”

“Why what Gail?”

He let out an angry bark. “You don’t even remember. One more for the tally.”

He headed for class again and I realized what he was talking about. “What this morning? Shit, I dunno! She was hot, dude, and we were showering and oh–“ my brain caught up with my mouth, “- Dude, you an’ she aren’t, like, an item, are you?”

“I guess we aren’t.”

“Dude, you cannot count anything that happens this week. I mean, if you can do…”

“I haven’t…done…anyone.” He snapped.

“Oh, come on! After school, you ain’t had any ‘relief’ offers?”

He stopped again and glanced around us. “Not all of us have ‘done’ every girl they know.”

“Yeah, but if you an’ Gail…”

“Not Gail.” His chin trembled just slightly and he looked away. “We haven’t been going together that long.”

“Oh.” I said and shut up for a minute. “You not a…” He nodded. “She…?” He nodded again. Fuck. “Hold up, I thought she was doin’ Ron Wilson?”

“She was dating Ron.” He growled. “She’s never ‘done’ anyone.” He sighed deeply. “They broke up on Monday.”

“Fuck! Dude I had no idea – none of it! If Ida known any of that – dude I am so sorry! It was just, kinda, y’know, shit! Dude!” There was no way I could make it right. There was no way I could have known – I mean Gail started it – but I felt like shit. Utter, complete shit. “Dude, I am so, so, so, you have no idea how sorry I am!”

He shook his head as the second bell rang which meant we had to hustle or be late. “Don’t be. You won her.”

“What? Wait – you not gonna dump her ‘cause of this? Dude! Oh, come on! What happened ta forgiveness?”

“Infidelity is a cardinal sin.”

“Breathin’ a cardinal sin, you do it right.” I got in front of him and stopped him. “Look, blame me.”

He shook his head. “It wasn’t just you; she said she wanted it.”

“You didn’t see what they did to her in class. I damn near lost it just watching.”

“She wanted you.”

“Dude, she wanted the moment. You had to be there.” I winced realizing that was exactly what he was likely thinking. “I mean, it was just that kinda thing. She wasn’t really into me – likely she was thinkin’ ‘bout you anyway.” She could have been.

“We’ll be late.” He said and moved past me.

Great! I thought. I wonder how many more couples I can break up this week.

We got to class and both said no to relief. Mr. Jacobs sighed, “Oh well,” and a few people giggled at him. “Alright. Who’s first?” A steady procession of make out music ensued. Toni Braxton. Marvin Gaye. Prince in abundance. Van brought a copy of the Moonlight sonata which could have gotten him half the phone numbers in the class if he had been willing to take them. Nope; he’s a one girl kind of guy. And I banged her first.

I’m a complete shit.

“OK, McElroy.” Jacobs cut into my thoughts before I could get to complete self-loathing. “Are you just carrying that thing or can you use it? Oh, and the guitar as well.”

I had to blush. It’s not often you get hit on by a teacher. And Jacobs was in pretty good shape considering that he was, like, forty. I picked up my guitar and strummed it lightly. Then I made a bit of a show tuning it. I smiled at the girl closest to me. “I don’t do this often, right? I mean it’s one thing for like the dance team or at church. But for you, it’s kinda, well,” I paused, “intimate.”

“That didn’t sound rehearsed at all.” Jacobs chuckled.

Ok, so maybe I’ve said it once or twice. But how else would I know this works? I played a couple cords. “I’ll just play; you say when I should stop.” It always sounds kind of Spanish / kind of samba rhythm. I love the samba; it’s like sex standing up. “This is gonna sound stupid,” I said picking up my rap again, “but I kinda feel like I’m holdin’ you like this. Strokin’ you. Makin’ you…”

“Oh, that’s good.” One of the girls said.

“Yeah, that’d work.” Another replied.

“Ok, that’s enough.” Jacobs said, fanning himself in an exaggerated manner. “There are still laws on statutory rape in this State. Ok, so presentation aside, what did we think of the music?” We talked about the difference between a live performance and a recorded piece, the pros and cons. First off, with a recording, your hands are free. “But there’s something about a musician.” Someone sighed.

“Look, we’ve got about another five minutes left and I wish I could ask for relief after all that. So, guys, I’m going to give you another chance. Still saying no?”

Lois Phelps looked at Van coyly, “If you do, I’m making a reasonable request.”

“I’ll take that offer.” I said instinctively. Internally, I kicked myself a few times. What kind of selfish prick am I?

“Oh, no!” Yvette Jessup took my guitar from me and lay it down gently as I protested. “Front of the room.” I shrugged and followed. A minute later, Van and Lois followed as well. I had a feeling he would – Lois was taking advantage of the fact that Van’s brain was more moral than his dick.

The two girls lined us up and then both got on their knees. “Uh, no!” Van sputtered. “Wait!” Another first, I thought, I’ll bet he wanted to share that with Gail too. I, on the other hand, closed my eyes and thoroughly enjoyed the feeling of Vette’s tongue sliding up and down my shaft. Van moaned a lot, mostly trying feebly to get her to stop. Then he started making very different sounds. “Oh, God! Oh God! Please…wait…stop! I’m…I’m…” He nearly fell over jerking and shaking as Lois swallowed every drop. She let him go with a loud smacking sound. I felt Vette sucking hard on my dick but as good as it felt, it wasn’t enough. I reached down, put her hand on my nuts and squeezed firmly. She took the hint and about a minute later, I was groaning and cumming too.

Jacobs dismissed class but before he could leave, I called Van. I gave a pleading look to Mr. Jacobs; he got the hint and slipped out. “Look, dude, I am so, so sorry ‘bout this morning. I had no idea that you two were…”

“We’re not.” He said flatly.

I had to laugh. “Dude, you way too pissed off not to be seein’ her!” He made a rude noise but he got my point so I went on. I didn’t know where I was going but I didn’t want this break up on my conscious – been there, done that, didn’t like it the first time. “Thing is, ok, Ima whore, right? So I don’t do that goin’ steady sh-stuff. An’ I stay away from other guy’s girls. I mean, they come ta me – that’s on them, but I don’t steal.” Borrow on occasion, maybe.

“Then you haven’t stolen Gail.”

“Dude, look, ok. Gail is a sweet girl, and no doubt, she is smokin’ hot but tomorrow, I’m gonna be lookin’ at someone else an’ if she thinks I’m gonna do her again, she likely right. But Ima do whoever is there. An’ she’s gonna be hurt. So, you can either dump her, an’ let her be hurt – by you an’ by me – or you can be a good Christian, forgive the sin an’ love the sinner.”

He sagged and sat on the desk in front of me. “I’m just as bad.” He gestured toward the front of the room. “I could have said no. I should have said no.”

“To Lois? Dude, trust me, she wasn’t takin’ no for an answer! ‘Sides, all she did was get you off.” He looked horrified. “No, seriously. Do you care about her?”

“Well…” he swallowed hard.

“Come on, that coulda been your right hand for all you care ‘bout her, right? Truth?” he looked away. “Now how you’da felt that been Gail down there?” He didn’t have to look at me – his dick answered for him. “Yeah, that’s what I figure.”

“So no one’s deserving. I’m just as tainted as she is.”

“Sorry ta tell you but you ain’t Jesus.” He glared at me but he got my point. “So you both sinners? So what? OK, look.” I took a deep breath. “I know a lot ‘bout sin. About sex. But I don’t know shit about love. Only thing I know is what my Granddad told me. He said if you love a woman – I mean fuckin’ rings and white dress and all that, love her – she can’t do anything really wrong. He said you may not agree with everythin’ she do and you may fight like all hell but that don’t stop you from lovin’ her. Now truth dude. Seriously, I don’t care if I see Gail tomorrow or not. Do you?”

He sat there for a minute without saying anything. Then he got up and left the room. I followed; I didn’t know if I said anything worth hearing, but I had to say something.

Beth – Fifth Period

“Do you ladies need relief?” Mr. Griggs asked as I came through the door.

Stephanie sat near the front of the class anyway and was sitting on her desk posing for some of our classmates. “Yes, please.” She said, hopping up quickly. I thought about what Ms. Pat had said about us being monitored and sighed deeply as I moved to the front of the room as well.

“Volunteers?” Mr. Griggs asked and nearly every hand in the room went up.

I could understand why. Stephanie was stunning; she was tall and thin but not a twig. She had pert breasts that had stiff pink eraser-like nipples all week. Her tan was perfect without a line of any kind – but then, she had already mentioned in passing that her Father was a big supporter of the Program. “He’s an Endocrinologist, so he has a lot of patients with body issues.” She told me. “He said if you had a great body, be happy – show it off!” Tuesday, she confided to me, “I love being naked in public. I wish we like those other schools where if you have NiS, you can go naked anywhere.” With her perfect body, though, who wouldn’t? She didn’t have an ounce of fat, her ass was high and round, she had shapely legs, she was just perfect. Next to her, I was short with saggy tits and a big ass. Everyone always said I looked good but standing next to Steph, I was no competition.

And she wasn’t stuck up either. She was very open and nice, reasonably smart and had a killer serve on the Volleyball team.

“Andre.” Steph picking the foreign exchange student as her volunteer. “How do you want me?” She asked. She had taken to posing for her volunteer’s fantasy moment – over chairs or desks, standing on her head for one, on the floor, wherever they wanted her. Andre wanted her against the black board so we had to move Mr. Griggs’ desk so that most of the class could see.

“And you Beth?” Mr. Griggs asked me. Most of the hands in the room were still up. Most. I could see that a hand – other than Andre’s – was missing. I stepped back and saw Hank, arms crossed, leaning back in his chair. I had forgotten that he was in that class too. Suddenly, I didn’t want to go through with it at all. “If you don’t need a volunteer, that’s ok Beth.”

“I, uh, I changed my mind. I don’t really need relief right now.”

Mr. Griggs frowned. “You sure ‘bout that, Honey?”

“Yeah, I’m sure.”

He paused. “I’ll have to mark my list. I’ll do that if you want.”

I thought about that; if I said no, he’d have to notify Ms. Pat. But I just didn’t have the energy to face it again. “Ok, do it.”

“What?” Mr. Griggs went pale.

“Do it.”

“Me?” I suddenly had the feeling that we were having two different conversations. He put his pen down slowly. “Ok.” He wheeled his chair to just off center of the room. “I guess we won’t block Stephanie here.” He gestured to the chair and I realized what happened. He though I wanted him to do my relief. Mentally I groaned and sat down. Mr. Griggs was a nice guy and not too old – not as old as Mr. Ballard and that had worked out ok. He had a full beard and mustache and I confess, I was really curious about how that would feel. He did huff a bit getting down on his knees in front of me. “Do you have a preference, Honey?” He asked softly.

“Oh, no. Whatever.” I said. Just please, God, get it over with!

I could hear Stephanie behind me, almost finished as I was just getting started. Mr. Griggs parted my neither lips with his fingers and stroked me up and down with one. We both groaned; I had no idea of how wet I was until he did that. He more or less coated his fingers with my juices before slowly inserting his fingers in my slit. Stephanie cried out loudly, and inside, I was seething with jealously. Why don’t I feel that? Mr. Griggs leaned forward and I felt his bushy face rub softly against my inner thigh. When his tongue traced the same route his fingers did, I decided to cut my losses and fake it. “Oh yes!” I moaned, “That’s it!” He flicked his tongue against my clit a couple times and a real gasp or two slipped out among the fake ones.

He sat back on his heels and sighed. “Glad to see I haven’t lost all my charm."

“No sir.” I sighed back. “Thank you.” I got up and hurried to my seat. Stephanie took a little longer – she had some trouble walking.

Mr. Griggs taught the rest of Geometry with a fairly big grin on his face. After a while I started wondering if maybe I hadn’t done an inadvertent good deed; Mr. Griggs certainly seem happy. But as the bell rang and Mr. Griggs dismissed us, he asked me to wait a moment. Hank didn’t even pause on his way past me.

“I’m curious, Beth.” He said when we were alone. “Why did you ask me to relieve you if you didn’t want it?”

“What?” I tried to act like I didn’t know what he meant.

“These teenage boys may not know if a woman’s had an orgasm or not – many adult men don’t know – but I’d bet my salary you didn’t.” I couldn’t meet his eyes and looked at my hands. “You didn’t, did you.” I shook my head. “I thought not.” He hesitated. “Was it – did you not want me to…”

“Oh, no sir. It’s me, not you.” I looked up at him; at least I could say that honestly.

“I see. Is the Program too much?”

I shrugged. “No, not really. I just…I have this…problem.” I could feel myself turning scarlet.

“Ah. Well, let’s see. Is it physical? I mean, when you’ve been touched this week, have you enjoyed some of it?”

“I’ve enjoyed all of it.” I sighed. He nodded, sitting on the edge of his desk, and I sat on one of the front row desks. Mr. Griggs seemed very easy to talk to. “I just can’t…y’know.”

“Can’t? Hmmm. Were you, how can I ask this – how experienced were you before this week?”

“Uh,” I blushed even deeper, “uh, very.”

“Oh.” He seemed to think about that. “Did you enjoy it in the past? I mean, have you previous partners brought you to an orgasm?”

“One. Well, two but I have to be…” I looked at my hands again. “I have to be drunk.” I whispered.

“Ah.” He said. We were both silent for a moment. Then he cleared his throat. “Tell me. Do you rely on condoms? Or are you using another form of protection?”

“Condoms.”

“Condoms always?” I nodded. “Honestly?”

“Always!”

“Even when you’re drunk?”

I paused. “I think so.”

“I see.” He reached over and pat my knee gently. “I think you may be like my wife. She had a lot of trouble reaching orgasm before we met. It took time to learn the right combination of touches and timing and now,” He smiled, “she doesn’t have that trouble any more.”

It was the most hopeful thing I’d ever heard. “Really?”

“Really. Would you like to talk to her about it?”

“Oh, I don’t know…”

“Here.” He reached into his desk and gave me one of his cards. “Call her. She knows about the program and we talked about the possibility.” He smiled gently. “It’s not that uncommon. Now, you have swimming now, don’t you? Go on. I’ll see you Tuesday.”

“Thank you, Mr. Griggs.”

A wide grin spread over his face. “No, actually, thank you.”

Alex – after school

Thursday night, Northumberland hosted the Southern Conference Ballroom Competition in the school gym. The first of many times Leigh and I were going to have to dance in public that semester. I wasn’t the only NiS program student, luckily; there were seven of us all totaled. Before the event started, a couple of them found me and we compared notes about the program. I guess I’d been pretty lucky overall – some of the others had been raked over the coals at their schools. The real surprise was actually how many adults asked me if I was ok with the program or if I minded competing nude. One guy stared at my dick the whole time he was talking to me which kind of weird-ed me out – I finally told him to either get on his knees and suck it or quit staring at me. He turned all shades of red and vanished into the stands. A couple girls asked if they could make Reasonable Requests, so I guessed they had the program at their schools. Of course, I said yes; getting felt up was the best damn part of this whole program.

Just as Mr. Fuentes started rounding us up and pushing us into the locker room to dress, I heard my Mom yelling. She ran over, “I got them!” and handed me a package.

“What’s that?” the coach asked.

“Protective gear for my son, thank you.”

The coach sighed, “I know you’re concerned about him but…” While he attempted to argue with Mom, I opened the package.

Inside were four custom-made jock straps – one to match each of my usual competition suits. “Thanks Mom.” I cut into their conversation and kissed her cheek. Fuentes examined the jocks and nodded. Mom smiled smugly.

“Break a leg, honey. Your Dad and I will see you at the end.”

We started the night in our tacky solid green outfits. I looked just plain silly wearing green shoes, socks and jock but I matched the team. A couple of us slipped out to watch the competition. One of the naked girl’s was just naked – and the team lost points for appearance. On another team, a naked guy was wearing a regular jock. They also lost appearance points but not as many. “Tell your Mother I own her one.” The coach told me.

Later, Leigh and I had the Green Room to ourselves. She was wearing a green sequined thing with gold ruffles circling her legs; I was wearing a green jock with a gold trim. I could hear the music for the couple before us; actually, they were using one of my favorite pieces. I was trying to get my focus on the dance routine and off the fact that I couldn’t think of anything I want to do less than dance just then. Besides, the fabric was definitely not made for a jock strap – it chafed. Normally that’d be a good thing but right then, I just wasn’t in the mood.

“Why’d you dump me?” Leigh asked out of nowhere. “Was she that much better than me?”

I looked at her for a minute, stunned. “You dumped me.” In a very public event in which she yelled every insult she could think of at me and I simply took it because I was having a very bad life at the moment. Her dumping me was the last thing I needed at the time.

“No, I just said it out loud. You dumped me when you came back from that swim meet with Peter and stopped even touching me unless you had to.” She paused. “That really hurt. I thought you liked me.”

It never occurred to me that she might have seen it that way. “I’m sorry. I had some things going on.”

“Yeah, you said. Was she that good?”

I swallowed hard to keep from yelling at her. “It wasn’t like that.” It was hard to keep my voice down. “Yes, there was another girl. Woman. But it wasn’t….” I glanced at her; her lips were clamped together like she was going to cry. “We did it once. After I got home, it was almost a month before she called and said she wasn’t pregnant. Later I found out she was – she still won’t tell me if the baby is mine or her husband’s.” She stayed silent, absorbing that. “I was really upset. I was kinda freaked out about touching anyone – not just you. I just didn’t know how to handle it.”

“You had no problem touching Lisa.”

“Lisa –“ I closed my eyes and silently counted to ten. “Lisa knows me. Knew me. An’ anyway, Peter told her what was going on.”

“Why didn’t he tell me?”

“Because he knew not telling you was killing me.” I snapped. “Because at least if you knew we both figured you’d yell at me or something an’ he figured I’d get too big uh kick outta that. He wanted me to suffer an’ he sur-in-Hell got it.”

“Why do you let him do that to you anyway? I swear he’s the only person who bullies you like that.”

I looked at her again. Peter was hard on her too. “Peter saved my life when I tried to commit suicide once. Over Lisa.” Her jaw dropped. “I’ve been his Submissive ever since.” I didn’t know if she actually got that fully but it was true.

The music stopped and there was a lot of applause and someone opened the door, “Northumberland, you’re up.” As we reached the edge of the dance floor, I could see her trying to shift into character. I realized that it was the first time in a long time that I felt like dancing with her.

“Hey,” I whispered as they introduce us, “I ever tell you what an unmitigated bitch you are?” I liked pain; Leigh got off on abuse.

Her eyes went wide as I pulled her not so gently on to the floor but they narrowed at me as the strum of the guitar started. Our tango was 4 minutes, 50 seconds – just under the 5-minute maximum – and we put every complicated move we could in it. She dug her nails into me in every tight turn, scratched me with every light touch. My grip got tighter every time I caught her and every time her ear was near me I call her the filthiest things I could think of. I was glad Mom had cups reinforced ‘cause otherwise, I’d have been a flagpole. As it was, I was so hard the elastic was sagging. We were both breathing hard but I didn’t think it has anything to do with the exertion of dancing. On the last strains of the guitar, we were supposed to kiss – a peck – and freeze for two beats before taking our bow. Instead, I dipped her – unscheduled but we’d done it in other routines – and let my lips hover over hers. “Cunt.” I whispered before yanking her up. She spun and froze next to me in a sweeping curtsy. The applause around us was thunderous. I gently lifted her and escorted her off the floor but I don’t think we made it all the way past the stands before her nails were digging into the back of my neck and I had her pushed against the wall. I couldn’t remember if her mouth always tasted that good or if it was just after we dance that I wanted her that badly.

Mr. Fuentes pulled us off each other and shoved us over to the judging table for our scores. We both had to struggle to look composed as they read our scores and notes.

“There was actual fire watching the two of you. You are certainly more passionate about the dance than most pairs your age.” One judge commented.

“Or at least about each other.” Another added.

“Technically, you were very precise as well. Overall, very well done.”

We scored a 9.78 out of 10, which is good enough for first place – but there are four other couples after us. If there were two or more teams within 0.25 of each other in the top three, there would be a second round. We headed up to the stands but the coach stopped me. “Keep her hot.” He said deadpan. I’m stunned – it’s the first time any teacher had ever given me permission to tease a girl in public.

We took seats and watched the next team. They were good. “Bet he’s thinkin’ uh eatin’ you while he’s holdin’ her like that.” I whispered in her ear. She shivered. Her hand slid around my thigh and her nails dug in to the soft inner flesh. I gasped and my dick jumped.

“No scars.” The coach said from behind us, making us both jump. “Appearance still counts.”

Leigh looked at the coach then at me. She licked her lips and all I could think of was the last time she blew me. It was almost two years ago. She leaned over and whispered, “See that sequined scarf she has? I’ll bet that’d leave a mark if I snapped it across your ass.” Yeah, I bet it would.

In the end, there were four teams with scores cluster-fucked between 9.66 and 9.78. The judges decided to have all of us dance at the same time, freestyle, traveling. We all took classic waltz poses to start and waited for the music. My dick was pounding against Leigh’s body.

“Oh, God.” She whispered and rubbed her cheek against my bare chest. If I don’t fuck her soon, I thought, we’re both gonna lose it.

“Wait for it, bitch.” I growled.

“Dream ‘bout it, loser.” She countered. The music started – a hustle – and we moved smoothly into the proper step. We did a complete circuit starting with the textbook proper moves then adding our own flare until the music segued into samba and my hips lead Leigh’s into all but having sex on the dance floor. I struggled to keep her controlled – keep myself controlled. This was what Peter was for – restraint. I tried to imagine him telling me to pull back, keep focused but it was hard not to let go of the crowd and the music and the competition and just do her. Here. Now. Hard. Against the wall. On the floor. The judge’s table. The music changed again to a waltz. I turned her into my arms and looked into her eyes. For a moment, she was so beautiful my heart ached – it was that good. The only time we lost eye contact was when she spun.

Finally, it ended. It was hard to let her go. My cup was stretched obscenely. I was probably going to be the last NiS student allowed to compete. I no longer cared who won, I just wanted to take Leigh. I actually didn’t even hear our score, I just know they announced it because her grip on my hand tightened. When they announce the last score, the crowd went wild and Leigh threw herself around my neck. “Oh, fuck.” I snarled, “Let me go or fuck me.”

She pulled away crying and laughing and we walked to the awards podium. She lead me to the first place spot but honestly, I didn’t care. I forced myself to smile during the photos. Then, the worst-case scenario: we had to dance again. I got a five-minute break to pee – which I couldn’t do because I was so fucking hard – and get a cup of water. We both changed clothes – from green with gold trim to gold with green. This jock was actually smaller than any on the others. The back had sequins as well so the already chafed skin of my ass crack was irritated even more. I was going to have to suggest that to Peter the next time he wanted me to slow burn all day. It was torture – but for me that’s a good thing.

Leigh and I re-entered the gym to cheers I was only used to hearing on the football field. Mr. Fuentes figured – since we could select our ‘victory lap’ – that it was a good time to do our cha-cha. Especially since we didn’t rub our hips together much during it. On the one hand, I agreed. On the other hand, I really wanted to fuck Leigh. Really. Totally. Seriously. I did get to smack her ass as part of the chorography but when I did, she ad-libs a reciprocal slap. I nearly missed a step trying not to pop right then. We finished. There was applause. Then a speech – a long one, almost three full minutes. Then the whole crowd descended on us lead by my mother and Leigh’s Dad. Beth sidled up to me. She was naked, wearing high heels; it was excruciating after what I’d been through with Leigh.

“What, is that just ta kill yo’ Dad?” I said under the crowd noise.

“Dad’s on tranquilizers this week.”

I could smell her perfume. My dick twitched. “You need to get away from me.” I really needed to find Leigh.

Beth, however, was evil. She hugged me tightly, her tits rubbing against my chest and I felt my dick twitch again. Aloud she said, “You guys were so good! Wait’ll I tell Peter – he’s gonna be so sorry he missed this.” I couldn’t help groaning into her shoulder. “I’m just glad Robert caught it on tape.”

“He what?”

She pulled back, “Yup. Whole family’ll get ta see you in all your glory. I’ll bet the crew’ll get ta see it too.” She grinned and I felt my face turning red. It pulled some of the blood away from my aching erection but not much.

“Good job there, boy.” My football coach slapped me hard on the back and Beth laughed off into the crowd. I got assailed by a bunch of guys from the football team. Then some other classmates and parents. And strangers. And the rest of my family. By the time I got back to the locker room, I was a sore and horny wretch. I put on my street clothes and headed to find Leigh; she was waiting just outside the locker room door. She was still wearing green and gold and looked good enough to eat.

“Nice moves, partner.” She said shyly.

“Yeah, you too.” I leaned down to kiss her but she stepped back.

“Hey, listen. Um, tonight was,” she bit her lip and sighed, “tonight was hot. But, but, I don’t think we should-“

I turned slightly, pinning her against the wall, “Don’t think we should what? I want you Leigh. You want me. What’s the problem?”

She was panting, “This. I don’t want this. See, I kinda forgot – after all the bad feelings – why I sorta wanted to break up with you anyway.”

“What?”

“Yeah, see, I like, y'know, all the fun stuff – the spanking and the scratching – but then you get all aggressive and it’s like you wanna tie me down or something and sometimes, it’s a little freaky, you know?” she shrugged and looked away, “I gotta go. My Dad’s waiting.” I stood still while she slipped out from under me and out of the building. After a minute or so, I punched a nice fist-sized hole in the plaster next to the lockers.

It didn’t hurt enough.

Beth – After school

“So, that was some show, wasn’t it?” Mom asked for the third time. “Robert?”

I glanced back; my younger brother was snoring softly in the back seat. “Out like a light, Mom.”

“Finally! I’s hoping we’d have a minute ta talk without him.” She glanced at me and caught my surprise, “Well, alright Miss Naked, so what’d you think?”

“Uh?”

“Oh, stop. Yo’ Daddy may think you a virgin, but I know you too much like me not ta been under the bleachers with that Evans boy. Hell, he make me wish I was twenty years younger.”

“Mom!” I really didn’t want to think about Shawn right then. The whole Program was driving me crazy!

“So, really, is all worth it? This naked program. Are you gettin’ anythin’ outta it – ‘cept lucky?”

“Mom!” I must have turned scarlet and looked back to make sure Robert was still asleep. “I don’t know. I guess so. I’m not afraid of being naked in public anymore, that’s for sure.”

“Uh huh.”

I think for a minute then say honestly, “And I think I’ve had my fill of boys trying to impress me.”

“Uh huh.”

“Because they keep missing the mark, y'know? At this point I’d rather go out with Brenda or Penny than any uh them.” I realize how that sounded and glance at Mom but she doesn’t say anything. “I mean, not that I’m actually interested in Brenda. Or Penny. Not that I’m interested in any girls. I mean…”

“You like boys, honey, ok. Don’t mean you can’t have a playmate on occasion.” Her eyes flicked to the rear view mirror. “You ain’t the first girl in the family ta see what all the fuss about. Besides Hanna, I mean.”

Aunt Hanna was lesbian, I knew but not about anyone else. “Oh my God – who?”

“Oh, no! I ain’t tellin’ tales outta school. You just know, you can play with who you like. You just play safe.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“So.” She grinned at me “Since that Evans boy ain’t here, who’s been takin’ care uh you this week?”

“Mom!” My face was burning. “I don’t-” I stopped. That was not something I wanted to discuss my mother.

“Oh now don’t tell me ain’t nobody in that school offered ta help you out ‘cause I ain’t about ta buy that one. I know all ‘bout ‘relief’.”

“Well, no.”

“And I ain’t believin’ fo’ one minute that you don’t jill off on occasion.”

“I don’t. It’s not that, it’s…complicated.” I finished lamely.

“Sex ain’t complicated. Dirty, yes. Wet, yes. Awkward, sometimes. But complicated? No.”

“I kinda don’t…you know…finish.”

“Whatcha mean ‘finish’?”

“You know, happy ending? All smiles?”

“Oh, you ain’t never had an orgasm? Oh, hell, I ain’t had my first til –” she stopped short, “Well. I was ‘bout your age. And it took a man of the right size ta do it the first time.”

“The right size?”

She giggled. “Ok, now honey, you have surly noticed that boys come with small, medium and large equipment?”

“Well, yeah but, I mean, Ms. James – our biology teacher, she says that size really doesn’t matter.”

“And if we was discussing biology, I’d say she absolutely right. But this ain’t biology, this sex and in sex, personal preference makes uh whole lotta difference. Now for me, personally, bigger is better. But your Aint Stacie…” she stopped and looked at me, “Ok, you have ta promise she don’t ever fin’ out I told you this…”

“Promise.” I suspected in a minute I was going wish I hadn’t heard this.

“Ok. Stacie says that it’s a good thing George ain’t bigger than uh stick uh gum ‘cause she ain’t interested in anything she can’t swallow whole.”

“Oh god!” I moaned “I did not need to know that.”

“Oh, now, don’t worry ‘bout it. George ain’t big but he kin get the job done, trust me. It ain’t about size per say. It’s ‘bout the right size.” She looked at me again. “So your quarterback ain’t doing it for ya, huh?”

“Mom!” but after a second, I shrugged, “No.”

“He the biggest?”

I wished I could sink through the car floor. “No.”

“Ok, who was biggest?”

I almost said ‘Alex’ aloud which wasn’t even true, just the first name that popped into my head. But while Mom was liberal, I didn’t think she was that liberal. “Uh, Gar.” I said then realized that name was a mistake too – considering that he worked for our company and was a friend of Dad’s.

She didn’t say anything for a minute and glanced back at Robert. “Try ta stay away from the crew, honey. Word do get around those boys. That’s the last rumor yo’ Daddy need ta hear.”

“Yes ma’am.”

“Ok, so, you need ta stay out of the shallow end of the pool. I got uh toy you can borrow, see if-n that’ll do the trick.”

“Oh, Christ!” I cannot believe my mother just said that.

“Watch yo’ mouth. An’ speakin’ of mouths, you sayin’ Gar ain’t go down on you?”

“Mother! Please!” I took a deep breath. “Gar didn’t but other guys have.”

“An’ that ain’t do the trick?”

“No, it did not. And yes, before you ask, yes, they both knew what they were doing and yes it felt really good it just wasn’t …. ‘it’.”

She looked at me again, then frowned. A couple minutes later, we turned into our driveway. She reached back and shook Robert. “Come on, baby, we home. Go on in and tell yo’ Daddy all ‘bout Alex dancing. Beth an’ me need ta have a little mother-daughter talk.”

“Ok.” Robert shuffled into the house yawning and I looked at Mom wondering what could be left.

“I been lyin’ to you baby.” She said. I waited for her to go on. “You remember when you had that real bad rash right after you joined the swim team?”

“Yeah?”

“Well, you ain’t allergic to the cleanin’ fluid. You had poison oak.”

“Poison oak? So why do I have to get an allergy shot every month?”

“That ain’t fo’ allergies. It’s Lunelle. It’s uh birth control injection.” I opened my mouth but nothing came out. My mother had been secretly giving me birth control injections for years. “Now, they’s a reason I ain’t tell you. You ain’t never kept a secret from yo’ Daddy and if he knew you was on the pill or something, he’d never let you out the house. Once I saw you in that swimsuit, I knew some hound come sniffin’ ‘round. I want’d you ta use condoms ‘cause they smart but, well, I know accidents happen an’ I ain’t want you ta follow in my footsteps.”

I opened my mouth again but my brain was still not engaged.

“It occurs to me tonight,” she went on, “that ain’t but two more shots fo’ you turn eighteen. It’s yor body. You can decide what you want from then on. But well, you seem to uh handled yo’self pretty well up ta now. So, I wanted you ta know. Forgive me?”

I was still thinking when she got out of the car. She was pretty damn devious. How much had she done behind my father’s back, I wondered? Still, when I was freaking out two years ago about not cuming, what crazy things would I have done if I hadn’t been scared of getting pregnant? Peter and Alex were very understanding – and had condoms. I might not have been as selective if I had known. And if I hadn’t been in the habit of using them, how different would the cruise to Asia have been? How many times did Alex and Peter fuck me? I shutter at the idea. Still, It would have been nice to know at the time and that did explain all the trouble I had with my period while we were aboard ship – and probably why I didn’t get pregnant those couple of nights that I didn’t use a condom.

A tap on the glass made me jump. It was Dad looking all worried. He had my bathrobe with him.

“You ok, baby?”

I laughed. I couldn’t be less of a baby but he always called me that. “Yes, Daddy, I’m fine.” I got out of the car and put on the robe. I realized suddenly that it was for his comfort, not mine. One thing the Program had taught me was that I was ok with how I look. Being naked – and seeing other people naked definitely didn’t bother me any more. At the door, I stopped and put my hand on his arm. “Dad, can I tell you something?”

“Of course, baby. What?”

“I’m not a baby. I mean, I’ll always be your baby, ok? But, me – I’m not a baby anymore.” His face fell and he looked suddenly mournful. “Ok, Dad? Is that ok?”

He cleared his throat and nodded. He tried to speak then cleared his throat again. “Yeah, baby – Beth – I know. You’re not a baby. I just….” He paused and cleared his throat yet again. “Does this mean I should start being nicer to Evans?”

I giggled, “No. My Daddy told me not to marry a quarterback.”

“Good advise.” He kissed my forehead. “Especially one who can’t even break your old man’s records.”

Mom was waiting near the door as we come in. I kissed her cheek as I went by her. “Forgiven.” I whispered.

Alex – Before Class

Friday morning, we were all pulled into Ms. Pat’s office before we could strip. All of us except Tiffany. Ms. Pat closed the door as Gail pointed out that she was missing.

“Tiffany won’t be here today, I’m afraid. That’s what I want to discuss with you. We’re canceling the program, effective immediately.”

“What?” Steph was appalled

“Why?” Zach asked.

Ms. Pat sighed deeply. “Tiffany was attacked last night.” Everyone gasped; there were only two questions, though: how was she and who did it. “She’s as well as can be expected; Ervin Reese stopped him before any physical damage was done.”

“Ervin?” Van asked confused. I didn’t know the name either – no one seemed to.

“Tank.” Tiffany said from behind us. I turned to see her standing in Ms. Pat’s doorway, naked much to my shock. “Tank saved me.”

Gail and Beth were the first ones to her, hugging and comforting her. Something about her expression, though, told me she didn’t need comfort. If anything, I’d have said she needed a target.

“You didn’t need to come in today, dear.” Ms. Pat told her. “And you certainly didn’t need to undress.”

“I wanted ta finish the Program. I definitely don’t want ta do this next week.”

“We’re canceling the Program.”

Tiffany actually gasped. “But why? Not ‘cause of that asshole Burk?” I gritted my teeth; I should have beat the crap out of Burk when I had the chance.

“He’s been expelled.”

“Good.” Brenda spat. “I hope the jerk rots.”

“But what about the Program?” Beth asked. “I mean, did we just spend a week embarrassing ourselves for nothing?”

“You will, of course, get credit for completing the Program if you need it – if you transfer schools – and it will reflect on you transcripts for college. But the administration feels, in light of this – this incident that….”

“That everything has ta stop because of me.” Tiffany said mournfully. We all protested but she shook her head. “No, everyone’s gonna blame me. Especially if Burk ain’t here. But you can’t stop the Program; some of us need this.” She hesitated. “I did. In a way, what happened last night was ok.”

“Oh, Honey…”

“No, wait. See, before, well, I’m – I was – I was afraid of sex. I was afraid of everything about it. I like being on stage – people look at me but they can’t touch me. Not physically or emotionally. Sex is supposed to do both, so, I was scared. I didn’t know how scared. I thought I could just smile and ignore it this week – I mean, I knew I’d be nude, but I thought, I’m at school and they can’t, y’know, do me. So I just thought….” She hesitated and Gail hugged her. “I figured I could make it just another role. Just put on a character and act my way through it. I didn’t think I’d feel it. I didn’t think I’d like it. I’d never had a – a – an orgasm. This week, I’ve had four. Last night, when Burk – when Burk attacked me, I didn’t want it, but it suddenly occurred to me that it was just sex. I mean really, just the…the…staged part…like I used to think it was and not how it really is. The Program showed me that there is a difference between touching my body and touching me and even if Burk had gotten that far, he…he couldn’t touch me. And that, I could get thru it.” She giggled. “I don’t even think it woulda been good sex. And I’m so glad Tank came by when he did but I would have been ok if he hadn’t. And last week, I wouldn’t have been. So please, please don’t cut the Program.”

Stephanie stood up and began stripping. “You can’t cut the Program. If Tiff’s in, I’m in.” Zach and Khalid started as well.

Gail looked at Van Chi. “I’m sorry.” She said then started to undress. He didn’t look happy but undressed too.

I decided I wasn’t going to be last on this and stripped myself – everyone did. Ms. Pat looked stunned. “Are you all sure? I mean, I think we’ve proven that this is a dangerous idea.”

“The Watchdogs have worked out ok,” Brenda said. “Well, other than this. But we can work something out, I’m sure.”

“The Watchdogs?” Ms. Pat was definitely confused.

“The football team. They started calling themselves that after Alex asked some of them to keep an eye on us.” Somehow, I hadn’t heard that one but then, I hadn’t been in the locker room all week so I likely missed all the good gossip.

Ms. Pat looked thoughtful, “Hmm. If we can make that permanent somehow, that might help.”

“Yeah, but it’s gotta be more than the guys.” I pointed out. “I mean, if we at practice, or playin’ or somethin’…” Like last night, most of the team was watching me dance.

“Yeah, I say Tank’s a dog now.” Jared said. “And I’m sure you can get more of those athletic types.”

“Alex, would you be point man for the Watchdogs?” Khalid asked. “I mean, all year not just this week.”

“Cool.” Kind of like letting the fox guard the hen house but I didn’t say that out loud. “But what about next year?”

“You’ll just have to train a replacement as well.” Tiff said. “Tank’s a junior, by the way.”

I couldn’t help grinning. “Right. Tank. I’m sure he’ll say yes, anyway.”

“Are you all sure about this?” Ms. Pat was truly stunned. “I mean, Brenda, Khalid, you two haven’t even spoken to the student council. They may want to cancel the program.”

“Actually, we discussed that yesterday.” Brenda smiled. “They want ta adjust the calendar. Some of the girls figured out the way it’s set up now, you could get called on your period and nobody happy about that.”

“And they want an exclusion for serious religious reasons.” Khalid nodded at Van Chi. “Some families just cannot get behind the program and it’s not fair to get someone kicked out of their house for a school requirement.”

“I suppose we can discuss that.” Ms. Pat said thoughtfully.

Brenda and Khalid exchanged looks. “Discuss it.” Brenda repeated dryly. “Yeah.”

Beth spoke up. “And can we set up a special councilor for specific issues?” She blushed scarlet. “I mean, I’m not saying that you ain’t good, Ms. Pat. Just that, some stuff kinda specific and, I don’t know, it might be nice ta have a, I dunno, a sex therapist or somethin’ ta talk ta.”

“I’ll bet my Dad could recommend one.” Steph perked up. “He has a couple on staff at his clinic. I’ll bet Daddy’d even come talk ‘bout weird sex stuff to the whole school.”

The bell rang and Ms. Pat threw up her hands. “Why did I opt for a high school? OK, you win – I’ll tell Mr. Giles. He won’t be happy. And he can still override you…”

“Yeah, but we’ll all still be naked.” Steph pick up her clothes, waving her round ass in my face – which I didn’t mind one bit. “And I’m going to ask around – see who got letters for next week. I’ll bet we can keep this going anyway.”

“Tank’s on the list.” Tiff said. “We can start with him.” She and Steph headed out without waiting to be dismissed. Van and Gail left as well – holding hands I was happy to note.

“Hey Van, talk to the swim team, “Beth said as she kicked my feet out of her way, “see if any of them want to join the Watchdogs. Hey, Zach, you think we could get somethin’ in the school paper?”

“Yeah! Libby Baskin’s real good a comin’ up with logos too…” They seemed really excited about the idea.

Slowly, they all left except me. I stayed put. Part of me wanted to do Ms. Pat and figured now was a good time. Part of me was really scared that I was the real reason they wanted to cancel the Program. She and I sat in silence until the second bell rang.

“No.” She said finally.

“No what?”

“No, I won’t give you relief.” Her tone was pretty flat.

I figured I could force her if I really wanted to but, if I did that, it really would be because I’m a shit. I waited another minute, then realized that I wasn’t waiting for any good reason – maybe to talk myself into something I’d seriously regret – so I started to gather my clothes.

“I have to tell you that it’s not because I don’t want to.” She laughed slightly, “Oh, you nailed that dead on. It’s because my Dominant said no.” My jaw dislocated it dropped so far. “She told me that I can’t do anything with you and that I must tell you why I’m saying no and that you are completely allowed to abuse my attraction to you in any way that doesn’t involve me receiving any gratification from it. Which is actually a rather short list, I’m sorry to tell you. Close your mouth, you’ll attract flies.”

I closed my mouth. We sat in silence some more.

I couldn’t think of anything intelligent to say about this. “What?” was what finally came out.

“I don’t understand the question. I thought you’d be thrilled.”

“Yeah.” I would have thought I would be too. “Why?”

“Why would she do this? Because she knows that this knowledge gives you an inappropriate hold on me. That I am now partially submissive to a 17-year-old boy and she gets genuine pleasure out of seeing me subjugated. That this is so ethically compromising that I could lose my career over it probably gets her off in and of itself.”

It suddenly clicked in – her Dom was using me as a tool. Tormenting Pat got me hot, got Pat hot, got her Dom hot.

And nobody was getting hurt so long as we were all quiet about it. Nobody needs to know who you fuck except who you fuck. I got up and gathered my things. My dick was rock hard and bouncing as I walked around Pat’s desk. “So I could jack off on your tits and you can’t do a thing to stop me?”

She blushed. “No; that would definitely afford me some gratification. I told you – it’s a short list.”

I looked at her for a minute, wondering how I could satisfy all of us. Then I saw it – her hair was always pinned up. I unpinned it. It was that long dark lush East Indian stuff. There was a girl in Samoa who used to wrap her hair around my dick while she blew me. It felt amazing but she would never let me cum like that. I took a handful of Pat’s hair and wrapped it around my dick. “What are you doing?” She asked and then when I started pumping in earnest, she groaned. “Alex! Don’t do that – I’ll have to try and wash my hair! I can’t walk around like that all day. Alex, stop – you’re pulling my hair.” I ignored her – well really, her pleas were speeding me up so I wasn’t so much ignoring her as just not listening. “Oh God, you’re good.” She gasped. Which was what pushed me over.

I clinched my teeth and tried to not to make too much noise as I poured a couple gallons of jizz in her hair. I used her hair to wipe me clean too. White globs stuck in one part of her hair. It made me want to do it again and cover her whole head.

“You look so hot like that.” I said.

“I look like I’ve been used.”

I shrugged. “Same thing, right?”

“Oh!” She huffed then pulled out a note pad and scribbled out a quick late note. “Go to class. And in the future, red means stop, you know that, right?”

“Huh?” Then I got it – her safeword. “Right. Red.” I thought about it all of two seconds. “I’m allergic to peanut butter so it’s easy for me to remember mine. Peanut Butter.” She smiled. I smiled. “Monday?”

“Monday, 10am sharp.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Beth – Second Period

Khalid and I arrived at Chemistry at about the same time – which was just after the second bell. Ms. Hanes was waiting at the front of the room. “Khalid, my dear boy, let’s not keep the class waiting.”

“No ma’am!” He dropped his books by the door and practically ran to sit in her lap. I was halfway to our workstation when she called me back.

“Oh yes, Beth, you should take relieve too.”

“I don’t need…”

“Nonsense. Besides, you are on the List.”

“What list?” someone asked.

“The list of students who might not complete the program satisfactorily because of non-participation. Now, young lady, choose a volunteer and begin.” She whispered something in Khalid’s ear and he moaned. Her hand pinched his nipples and I stopped watching and turned my attention to the class.

I didn’t even like most of these people. The only person, other that Khalid that I halfway got along with was Jon Lottman. Jon’s older half-brother swam on the team at the Aquatics Center with Peter last year – both of them being too fast to swim on our school team – so he and I used to see a lot of each other. “Jon?” I asked hesitantly. He almost knocked over his bunsen burner getting up.

“Sure!” He hurried down to me. “Do you want to sit down?” He asked.

“No, standing’s fine.” He was at just the right height and actually better looking than I remember with a short cut ‘fro and very kissable lips.

“OK.” He stood there a moment, and then I realized that he was blushing. “What should I do?” He whispered.

“Ok.” I said slowly. I’d never talked anyone through this. “Uh, put your hand on my breast.” He cupped it gently. “Now slide it up. Yeah, like that.”

“That’s good?”

“Actually, that’s very good.”

“Yeah, feels good ta me too.”

“Now, slide your hand down slowly.” I figured it won’t help me, but I might as well make sure he knew what to do next time. “Don’t rush – most girls like stuff slow.” His fingers touched my pubs and he jumped. “It’s ok…”

“Not too fast?”

“Not now. I mean we only have five minutes.”

“Oh, right.” He played with my hair for a while, which was nice. “I like this.”

“I do too. You can go further if you want.” He wanted; his fingers followed my hair around my lips. He began caressing the crease between my lips and my leg. “Jon? That’s sweet, but if you want the real spot, move a little to your left.”

He blushed again. His fingers moved and suddenly sank into my pool of wetness. “Oh!” He gasped with a start and pulled his fingers back.

I grabbed his wrist before he could move them far. “No, that’s what you supposed ta do.”

He was panting slightly. “It’s all slippery. Slick.”

“That’s because you doin’ this right, Jon.”

“Can I kiss your neck?” He asked suddenly as his fingers explored my pussy more deeply.

“Yes.” I whispered. He was getting to me. I realized what I wanted – being fingered only frustrated me. I wanted to be fucked; that didn’t get me off either but at least it felt great. Still, Jon’s lips on my neck send shivers up and down my spine and somehow he discovered the perfect rhythm for stroking my clit. “Oh Jon,” I moaned honestly, “that feels so good!”

We stayed that way while I listened to Khalid begin moaning louder. When he began speaking in Arabic, I knew he must be damn close. A moment later he shouted, “Al hamdu lillah!” I couldn’t see him with my face buried in Jon’s chest but I presumed that was it.

Slowly, I stopped Jon’s hand. “Thank you.” I whispered.

“That’s it?” He looked a little confused and I had to laugh.

“We don’t have time for me ta do all that. But you’re really good.”

“Really?”

“Really.” I kissed him because it seemed like a good idea. He practically crushed me in response.

“OH GOD!” He groaned and I could feel his cock throbbing even through his pants. He held me for a moment, gasping. Then swore.

“Maybe you should make a quick trip to the bathroom.”

“Uh, yeah.” He said sheepishly. He tried to keep his back to the class as he hurried out of the room.

I looked over at Khalid and Ms. Hanes – they were kissing passionately, Khalid spent but still sitting in her lap. Eventually they stopped but not before the whole class had plenty of material for the rumor mill. “Shukran. Shukran. Shukran.” I heard him whisper between kisses as he stood up. He fairly floated to our workstation; I stopped by the door and got his forgotten books.

Alex – Fourth Period

I may not have seemed like the type, but I liked reading. I didn’t do much of it during football season but I tried – too much time reading playbooks or in the gym. I liked classics, and truth be known, I kind of leaned toward the romantic crap – Austin, Bronte, Tolstoy – because, well just because and that’s all. I wasn’t nearly as big on writing as I was on reading because I didn’t always know how to say what I was thinking in any way that made sense to other people the same way it made sense to me. So, I wound up acing all my Lit classes but just getting by in Composition. That semester, however, Comp was pretty easy – come to class with a topic, write an essay, turn it in. At the end of the semester, a ten-page paper on anything was due with bibliography and footnotes. Ms. Cummings was mostly there to suggest topics and warm the chair for an hour.

Cummings. What a name for a high school teacher! Let’s just say her body didn’t live up to her name. Ms. Lumpkin would be a better fit.

Anyway, I got to class and took my relief with Jennifer Shickles offering me a hand job. Four classes, four girls, four messes; I wondered if I could actually do every class. I did have a pretty quick recovery time if I just let myself go and didn’t try to hold back. Peter preferred to make me hold back until I damn near passed out but this unrestricted jacking off was a nice change of pace. Still, there wasn’t much jizz left when Jen pushed me over the edge and I was kind of thinking even I had to have limits.

I did find, when I got to my seat, that I didn’t have any brain cells left. I stared at a sheet of paper – Cummings made us actually write those damn things – and couldn’t for the life of me think of a topic. I got up and went to her desk.

“I’m dry; I got nothing.”

She smirked. “I noticed.” A cum joke from old Ms. Cummings; just what I wanted. I started to reply then found myself blushing. Old people have sex too, I tried to remember. I knew that to be a fact – Uncle Julius was 62 when he married 20-something Aunt Rachael. Cummings managed not to giggle at me. “Paige actually is having trouble today too. Why don’t you two chat for a minute and see if you can’t spark some ideas.” Which was a pretty standard suggestion from her. She waved Paige down and let us step into the hallway to chat.

Well, I tried to chat; Paige stared at me – part of me at least. “Does it hurt?” She asked in the middle of my sentence.

“Uh…does what hurt?”

“When you, I don’t know, grow. Does it hurt?”

“No. Why would it hurt?”

“It looks painful. All swollen like that.”

I glanced down, and realized that it wasn’t arousal that was starting the conversation; it was my bladder finally squeezing past my libido. “It’s not but I gotta use the john. Well, the jane, I guess.” I headed for the girls room and Paige followed.

“Can I watch?”

I almost tripped. “Watch?”

“Uh-huh.”

“You wanna watch?”

“Uh-huh. I’ve done it but I’ve never watched it.”

I let that line play back and forth in my head as we stepped into the empty girls’ room. I went to the handicapped stall – bigger, since both of us would be in there – and aimed at the bowl. Done it but never watched. What the fuck…. My thoughts were derailed completely – as was my action – when Paige’s hand joined mine. “Uhhhh….”

“My Uncle won’t let me touch his.” She said casually – like there was nothing unusual being said or done. “He likes it when I wee on it but he won’t let me touch it.” Wee? I still didn’t have anything more insightful than ‘Uh’ so I said that again. Suddenly I guess my bladder overcame my shock or shyness or whatever because urine started flowing. She let her fingers play in it a moment. “OH! It’s warm! That’s nice. He won’t wee on me ever but I want him to.” She looked at me and our eyes meet and – unfortunately for me – locked. “Do you like to wee on people?”

“No.” I heard my own voice say but really I was thinking ‘wee?‘ still. “I guess…uh…no.”

“Oh.” She shrugged then looked back at my dick and gave it a well meaning but painful shake. She took some toilet paper and dried her fingers.

We both stepped out and washed our hands. I was very, very, very glad this all happened before lunch because I’m pretty sure I would have lost mine.

“So do you have any topics yet?” She asked handing me a paper towel.

“Yeah,” I nodded numbly, “like you never know what people are really like. I mean this program…. I am learning so much shit I ain’t ever need ta know…”

“Really? God, I wish I could do it this year! I so can’t wait!”

Don’t ask, I told myself. Do not ask this. “Why can’t you do it this year?” I heard myself say out loud.

“Age. I’m only fourteen and you have to be at least fifteen to participate. I skipped 4th grade. I would have skipped 6th too but Mom said it would be bad for me to go to college at sixteen.” Smart fuckin’ Mom. “Hey! Maybe that’s my topic – it’s unfair that I can’t do the Program this year. Thanks, Alex!” She kissed my cheek and bounced into the classroom.

I’m pretty sure I got an ‘F’ on my essay. I couldn’t get past the thought that you never know what some people are like really. You just never ever know.

Beth – Fifth Period

Alex caught me just before we got to Civics – our only class together this semester. He pulled me into a nearby doorway. “Hey, I haven’t asked – how you been this week?”

I looked at him and couldn’t help the laugh. “You ask me that now? Friday afternoon?”

He looked at his hands. “I have been kinda wrapped up in myself. I guess I hadn’t been thinking about how you been gettin’ through this. I mean, ain’t like you ain’t been naked before and ain’t like you afraid of doin’ it. But you get funny, sometimes.” He smiled softly then shrugged. “I shoulda asked before now, so I’m askin’ – how you been?”

The trick about Alex – and what had made him tolerable over the years even when he was a complete dick – was that underneath it all, he actually cares. He really just wanted people to be happy and he was truly upset when people he loved were hurting. Alex used to cry at the end of sappy movies; that’s why he refused to watch them anymore. “It’s been fine.” I said lightly.

He grinned. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

The grin turned a bit feral. “You uh fuckin’ liar.” Which was what you deserve for lying to someone you’ve known as long and as closely as I’ve known Alex. I mean, we shared a crib at one point.

“We don’t have time ta go into it now.” I said and turned toward class.

He grabbed my arm and turned me back. “We got time.”

I sighed. “It’s been weird. I been worried ‘bout you for a start. And I still haven’t cum.” Which sounded bitter even to me.

“Not once?”

“Almost but no.”

“Shit!” I pinched him; he ignored it. “Fuck it; call me when we get in here. I’ll do it.”

The tempting part was that he just might have. But, even though we’re only second cousins, an open incestuous relationship was a bit much for me. Not something I wanted the whole school knowing about. “Not…here. I just wanna get thru this afternoon and go home. This has been an unnerving week.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah.”

He looked at me for a moment then kissed my forehead, tenderly. “Ok, Baby. Whatever you want.” He grinned. “Ima find an excuse ta come over this weekend, you know that, right?”

The grin was infectious. “Alex!” I could feel myself blushing. “Yeah, I know.”

The second bell rang and we hurried into class. There was a small knot of boys clustered near the door. Alex snickered.

“Mr. and Ms. McElroy,” Mr. Irwin said. “Are either of you in need of relief?”

Alex glanced at me. “Yeah.” He said giving me a slight tug toward the front of the room.

Mr. Irwin pursed his lips; I suspect he could read Alex a little better than most people. “OK. Alex, do you need a volunteer? Or is your intent to give the class a new social taboo to discuss?” If I could have seeped through the floor, I would have.

Alex gestured to me. “Ladies choice.” There was some uncomfortable tittering as several people realized that Alex had deflected the question rather than answered it.

“I don’t really need…” is as far as I got before Alex cut me off.

“Hey, Trucker. Come here.” He waved Art over, ignoring my protests; the guys by the door grumbled as they went back to their seats. I glanced at Mr. Irwin but he was watching Alex as if he couldn’t wait to see what he did next. Alex pulled Art into a huddle and whispered something. Art looked at me, nodded and they whispered a bit more. Then they slapped each other on the back and Art pulled out Mr. Irwin’s chair for me. As I was sitting, I heard Alex call Maria Luciano as his volunteer.

Art knelt in front of me and smiled warmly. “What did he tell you?” I asked suspiciously.

He just shook his head. “I promise I won’t bite.” He kissed my knees just as I heard Alex moaning Maria’s praises. Art pulled gently and I parted my knees. One more fake and then I should be able to get through the rest of the afternoon saying ‘no’. Thank God it was Friday; I didn’t think I could take much more of the Program. Art slowly kissed his way up my legs, alternating sides. If he was planning on making me squeal for the class, he was a little off the mark. I glanced at Alex; he had his head thrown back and his hands buried in Maria hair. I could see his ass clinching as he pumped her mouth with short strokes. I remembered exactly what it felt like to be in that position with Alex.

As a point of fact, I would rather have been in that position with Alex. Then I realized, that there was no reason I couldn’t do it with Art. I tapped his hands. “Stop. Switch.”

“What?”

“Stand up.”

“What?” He wasn’t following me at all.

“Never mind.” I pushed the chair back and pushed him to the floor. “This will do.”

“UH….” He looked from me to Alex to Mr. Irwin. “Can we do that?”

He looked at his watch. “You have three minutes left to decide.” Art got his pants open fast.

There’s something I find very powerful about blowing a guy. I had him completely at my mercy – I could make him joyous or make him suffer and it’s all my choice. Art was very responsive and clearly, he was on the joyous side of the equation. He groaned as my lips slid up and down, making me very glad I switched positions. One of us should get relief, I thought, why shouldn’t it be him? I did notice though, that I was getting as aroused as he was. Much more than I would have if I was the one being allegedly relieved.

“If we could wrap this up…” Mr. Irwin asked no one in particular.

When someone made me feel really good – usually Peter or Alex – there was this trick I liked to do, sort of a thank you. They usually got off pretty quick so I thought, why not? I didn’t know Art particularly well so I really hoped it went over as well for him. I swallowed his head and he gasped, nearly doubling over. I pushed one hand between his legs and slipped a finger into his hole. I kept my fingernails short for exactly that purpose but it was later – much later – that it occurred to me what I might have found doing that! But at the moment, I didn’t think of that. All I was aware of was Art suddenly nearly screaming, convulsing like crazy and then shooting off so hard I really did choke on it. I coughed for a moment while he lay there panting ‘oh god’ and our classmates actually cheered.

Peripherally, I saw Alex help Maria stand as he kissed her deeply. I knew that was largely because he liked to taste his own jizz. I looked at Art who was staring at them with an odd look. He looked at me and flushed a bit. “Uh, you mind if I don’t do that?”

Actually, I minded a lot, kissing afterward was part of the fun. “No problem.” I said trying to smile. I started to stand up and Mr. Irwin sprang to life and gave me a hand.

“You ok?” He asked softly. His usual non-pulsed expression looked very ‘pulsed’ for once. “What did you do to…” He stopped and actually blushed. I thought teachers outgrew that. “Never mind.” He gestured me to my seat. “Gentlemen, if you will?” I looked back in time to see Alex give Art a hand up and the two of them whispered and chuckled back to their seats.

I didn’t pay much attention to class, I confess, with Art’s taste turning sour in my mouth and curiosity to know what Alex told him killing me.

After class, I waited for Alex in the hall. I had to wait, really, I had a sudden glut of requests – most to find out what I did to Art. I didn’t tell them about the prostate trick; I’m not entirely sure why, I didn’t but I was really uncomfortable about it. Art paused on his way out and asked me if I had plans for the night but I turned him down. He shrugged and kept moving. Finally Alex came out – one arm around Maria, one around her friend Lucy. He kissed them both before letting them move on without him.

Then, without asking why I was waiting for him, he hurried me over to the nearest dark corner and kissed me deeply. Honestly, if his tongue could have cleaned out my lungs, it would have. Still, it would be a lie to say I didn’t respond in kind. We both pulled away panting. “Closest Ima get to the defensive line, likely.” He grinned. “Trucker said you laid him out. He’s taken 200-pound linemen that didn’t drop him like you did.”

“That a compliment?”

“Fuck yeah.” He turned serious. “I told him ta take in easy on you – that some jerk had been kinda rough and you were kinda sore.” I don’t know what I expected him to say, but that wasn’t it. The first bell rang. “Look, I gotta date tonight. I’ll stop by your place on my way home. Cool?”

“With Mom, Dad and Robert there? Definitely not.”

“You need relief. You deserve some. Especially after that! That was hot!” He shrugged. “I’ll come by.”

“Thanks. No.” How am I having this conversation? We argued for a few minutes about whether it was a bad idea for him to try and spend the night in my room. I left out the fact that I just wanted him to do it – it seemed to prove his case not mine. Finally, I convinced him that both our Fathers would kill him if we got caught.

“Ok. But you need relief so who?”

Hank. I don’t know why he popped into my mind but I owe him at least a real explanation if nothing else. I kissed Alex on the cheek. “I think I know someone. OK?”

The second bell rang and Alex swore. I pinched him and he grinned. “You got it reversed, punishment is withholding pain. Ok. Ima call you on my way home; you best not be able ta breathe, ok?”

“I’ll be fine.” We both raced to the classes we were now officially late for.

Alex – Seventh Period

I was actually glad I was late getting to Art class. I walked in just as Zach was dribbling jizz all over some freshman girl’s hand – he never seemed to shot it with any real force, but it left him just as breathless and shaken so I guessed it didn’t feel any different to him.

“I was wondering if you would join us.” Ms. Cates – the bitch dyke from hell – said.

“Oh, uh, Beth…needed…”

Zach focused much quicker than I did after. “She cool?”

“Oh, yeah. Nothing big.”

“Fine.” Cates cut us off. “Then you may take your positions, please.”

A couple girls groaned in disappointment but I was kind of glad because in all honestly, I wasn’t sure I actually could get it up again today. Six in one day might be my limit. I didn’t know what I was going to do about my date with Carol; if she was actually expecting me to ‘perform’ that is. I hadn’t put any thought into that because it was just too odd to think about. I went straight to the front of the room and waited next to Zach.

Art – Cates aside – had been very cool. We’d been class models all week. I have no talent whatsoever so any excuse is good enough if it keeps me from having to try and draw something. Zach didn’t seem to care one way or the other. But the cool part was that since Cates lets everyone work in their preferred media – paint, draw, clay, whatever – they’ve had to compromise on our poses so every class has started with the whole group of artists pawing us into a position they all like. Today, they set me like I was at the line of scrimmage – the classic three point stance, crouched, right leg back, right hand down, eyes front. I couldn’t see Zach from where I was.

Then we stayed that way for an hour, being stared at. It made me hot. But it was funny because it wasn’t like the way I normally get stared at. I’ve had girls stare at me because they want me and that’s cool and all but it’s very direct and not, I don’t know, it’s not…I like it but it’s normal and ok, but basic. Then there’s the way I get stared at on the field or when I’m dancing. They don’t know it’s me; they’re staring at a good dancer or a good interception and that feels…amazing but impersonal. It’s not me, it’s the guy in the suit at that moment who just happens to be me. I’ve even gotten a couple girls – and yeah, one time a guy – being the anonymous guy they were staring at.

This modeling though; they didn’t see me at all. They saw the painting or the sculpture. I was just the subject. They looked through me; at me but not at me. It wasn’t that they were ignoring me and yet they were absolutely ignoring me at the same time. I didn’t matter; their art did. And I couldn’t respond – I couldn’t move or anything to make them see me. They yelled at me if I twitched. It was a submissive’s dream job. Do as you’re told, don’t interrupt the master, be the center of attention and yet not even acknowledged at the same time. About mid-way through class, I stopped worrying about Carol – now the question was could I behave close to gentlemanly and wait until after dinner to bang her. It didn’t help that I was getting a leg cramp. I wanted to cry – well, cum then cry – when my back muscle started locking as well.

Sandra, who does amazing things with clay, stopped working and stepped around to just the edge of my peripheral vision. I could see just the elbow of her blue smock standing there and I started to turn and see what she was looking at. “Stop!” She barked at me and a shiver went through my body, aggravating the cramps. Why am I like this? I wondered for the umpteenth time. I was actually having to hold back; I was so close to cumming it wasn’t funny. “Do you need a break?” Sandra asked.

“Uh, yeah.” I gasped and moved my foot slowly. The leg cramp fired and I groaned as I tried not to dry cum then. I’d never be able to get back in position and hold it if I did. I stretched slowly which helped ease other cramps that had gotten lost behind the pain in my calf. I didn’t let myself relax, though, and got back into position quickly. Another half hour and I could go see if Carol had a free minute before practice – and by the time I got to her, a minute was all I was going to need.

Then, the hand touched my ass. I don’t even know who’s. A hand came out of nowhere behind me and stroked my ass – circling both cheeks slowly before sliding down my crack….I really did grey out and lose a minute and came to gasping ‘oh god’. Half the class was standing over me asking if I was ok.

“Yeah.” I panted. “Yeah.” My heart was still racing, and my dick was still throbbing hard and I couldn’t remember the last time I had cum that hard. I wasn’t sure I had ever cum that hard before.

Ms. Cates came over, took one look at me and smirked. “I think we’re done for the day, class. Alex, do you need to see the nurse? Or perhaps Ms. Pat?”

“Uh, no.” I sat up muscles whining but ok. “No, I’m cool.”

“I wasn’t aware that you were prone to…” she paused. I looked up at her and realized that she knew exactly what just happened. “…seizures.”

“Uh…” which seemed to be my catch phrase for the day.

“Perhaps you should see Ms. Pat.”

“Uh, no. I got practice next.” I finally caught my breath and was beginning to think more clearly. “I’ll be cool.” A minute later, the bell rang and I escaped to the locker room. It was empty. I kept going, out to the field. A large coach bus was waiting by the fence. The coach, the team and the cheerleader were all loading luggage and themselves on it.

“MCELROY!” Coach Hodges, our defensive coordinator, practically screamed in my ear. “Boy, if-n you don’t have a permission slip hidin’ where the sun don’t shine, Ima tan your hid myself!”

I thought hard for a minute but I couldn’t think of what I’d need a permission slip for or even when I’d gotten one to take home. “I don’t…”

“GOD DAMN IT BOY!” he roared. “They been in the locker room a week!”

“But I been in…”

Hodges proceeded to let out with a string of oaths that would make any sailor proud as he grabbed my arm and dragged me to Head Coach Dutton. He took one look at us and sighed.

“No slip?” I shook my head and he sighed again. “Who can you get ahold-a fast?”

“Who you need?”

“Somebody who can sign this now.” He handed me a form. It was twice the length of our usual permission slip. Saturday’s away game wasn’t just out of the county, it was out-of-state.

“Easy.” I said and dialed Uncle Julius as a matter of habit. Then, during the first ring, I hung up. I dialed Dad’s office. “Hey. We got an away game tomorrow. Need a permission slip signed. You mind?”

He was silent for a minute before he quietly said, “That’s what Dad’s do, right?”

“Yeah. I just needed a reminder.”

“Yeah.” He cleared his throat. “Put Dutton on the line. I’ll fix this.” I handed the phone to the Coach and immediately saw his stress level go down a hundred points. He hung up the phone, gave it back to me and started yelling orders – starting with me to get on the bus.

“But I don’t have anything – my gear, clothes…”

“Hodges, make sure we get his pads out the girls’ locker room and as for clothes,” he shook his head, “the trip’s a school event so…”

So once I get on the bus, I’ll be naked until I get home – no clothes allowed.

The Coach leaned over and said quietly, “You may wanna go relieve that before you load up. We gonna be four hours on the road.” He and Hodges headed off to yell at someone else.

I called Beth, left her a message and got on the bus. I could wait four hours. I hoped.

Beth – Swimming

“Hey Beth!” I heard as soon as I set foot in the guy’s locker room. I looked over to see Teddy Godfrey calling me over.

“What?” I slumped over to him. Teddy wasn’t a bad guy; I’d just had my fill of reasonable requests.

“Who’d you rather go out with – me or Oren?”

“What?” I looked between the two. Oren was a little taller, Teddy was a little leaner. Neither was better than average looking, neither was more than average anything as I thought about it. “Neither. Why?”

There were a few snickers as guys around us listened in.

“Aw, come on.” Oren seemed serious. “We gotta bet goin’. You gotta pick, which?”

I looked at them again and shook my head. “Honestly, guys, you even ta me.”

“You just sayin’ that…”

“No,” I protested. “I just don’t pick based on looks only.”

“Like what else…?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know. How he looks at me, what he says, how he talks. Stuff like that.”

“An’ we the same on all that?”

“Basically. Oh, come on, guys, don’t look at me like that. I mean it’s not like there’s something wrong with you or something.”

“Oh, so you been checkin’ them out this week?” Freddy put in from behind me.

I blushed slightly but this I could handle. “You been checkin’ me out; I been checkin’ out all of you.”

“I ain’t seen you look.” Freddy tried to sound cool but it’s not easy to hide a blush wearing only a pair of Speedos.

“So? I mean, what, you thought that you’d look at me an’ I’d just close my eyes?” His mouth opened then shut again. “I looked. I just wasn’t all crass about it.”

“Ok, so who would you go out with?” Someone else asked and a few voices perked up to know the answer.

“In here?”

“Yeah.”

I glanced around; he wasn’t there. “No one here.” I couldn’t keep the note of disappointment out of my voice and it sounded bad even to me.

“So who?” The door opened and Hank came in. He walked past us without turning his head even slightly and went to the back row of lockers. “Oh. Him.” Someone said. The group disbanded before I could think of something to say in response.

I went out to the pool. He didn’t even look up as I walked by him. People were already getting in the water and warming up. I sat on the bench and waited. I’m the one who made things weird and unpleasant. I’m the one who should apologize. Hank came out just before the coach blew the whistle to start practice. Van and I had both turned down relief every day this week so the coach was startled when I stopped him.

“I – I think I want relief today. Please.”

“Oh. Ok. Uh, well, ok. Go on an’ do...” He gestured sort of vaguely, “…whatever you do.”

“I’d like a volunteer.” Almost every boy put his hand up and a couple girls too. The one hand I wanted, however, was down but I reached out and took Hank’s anyway.

“I’m not doin’ this.” He said tightly as I lead him to the edge of the pool.

“Just sit, Ok? Please?” He sat and I got in the water.

“What are you doing?” He asked at the same time the coach did. I ignored them both and came up on the railing between Hank’s legs. His trunks went from bulging slightly to fully tented in only a couple seconds. “Beth…” I felt myself flush as I pulled him just over the waistband of his trunks. Not embarrassed for once, though, excited. “…uh…stop that…” I kissed the tip softly. “Ohhhhhhh.” He sighed. It was the last coherent sound I heard from him as I first licked the length of him – trying to ignore the occasional splashes of chlorine water – then sucked his dick into my mouth. It was hard to hold myself up high enough to stroke without splashing too much but I managed to keep a steady enough rhythm. Sooner than I expected, Hank was trying to push me back and gasping. “I – I – I…st…Oh jeezzzzzzzzzzzz!” He came hard – much harder than I thought he would – but I was ready and swallowed most of it. He was pushing me back hard when I realized that I was more turned on than I had been all week! I didn’t want to stop but I knew I had to. I looked up at him and saw a sweet, crooked little smile. On impulse, I pushed up to kiss him.

Only to have our heads crack together again. I slipped back in the water, groaning. Damn, Damn, Damn!

Hank slipped into the water and put his hands on either side of my face. Then he kissed me.

Wow.

I knew there were other people around us but I couldn’t hear or see or feel a thing except Hank’s strong but gentle hands holding me still and his lips first pressed against mine then pushing my mouth open and the tip of our tongues touching. Oh, and my whole body feeling like I was set on fire – I felt that too. He seemed to like his own taste. He seemed to like the feel of my teeth too. He seemed to like everything.

Then the waves started pushing us over and we had to pull apart. The rest of the class was swimming laps in the lanes around us.

“If you two done yet, you can join the class now.” the coach called out. Hank and I both blushed but we joined the lines and took our turns in the relays. I don’t know about him, but I was slower than usual. I kept being distracted.

After class, we walked to the showers together. No one had any reasonable requests as Hank and I move to the very last shower in the corner. It wasn’t anymore private than any place else in the room, but everyone seemed to give us a wider berth. Hank washed my hair. Then we washed each other’s bodies. It was very, very intimate and I was very wet by the time we were done. Hank was a flagpole but when I began stroking him in earnest, he stopped me. “Not here.” He said with a glance at the distant but still present witnesses.

“We should make them do it.” Some one muttered as most of them went to dress.

We dried off quickly and Hank gathered his clothes under one arm and took my hand with the other. “You not gettin’ dressed?” I asked.

He shrugged. “I got the letter. I’m in next week; may as well get used to it now, right?” He grinned, “Sides, it’s only till we get to your locker. I think I can handle that.”

Alex – After School

I got razzed a lot on the bus. The guys had had a whole week to think of good zingers and shot me with as many as they could. I tried to be good-natured about it and mostly the guys were just giving me a hard time about being naked and sticking to the seats and crap. I was fine until the fag bashing comments started.

“You wanna say that again?” I asked Davis, one of our bigger Offensive Tackles.

“Dude! Get that thing out my face!” He tried to lean away from me as I leaned over him.

“Hey! Hey!” Coach Dutton got up. “Enough! Sit down, McElroy. Alright, listen up alluh you. You may have noticed that we had an extra form this time out. That’s ‘cause this game’s against Westport; that a school over in…Joe, where the hell are they anyhow?” Hodges shrugged and Coach Dutton went on. “Well, wherever. Anyhow, this is an exhibition game for teams across the country whose school’s are in The Program – and don’t ask me how we got picked ‘cause I got no friggin’ clue – just you ladies remember that this whole reasonable request thing applies down the line. Just ‘cause she’s naked don’t mean you can touch.

“Now, I been hearing rumors ‘bout this Watchdog thing, and I gotta tell you. I’m right proud uh you boys. You stepped up and did right by your fellow classmates. And I know it ain’t just the girls ‘cause I saw two uh you playin’ defense for that actor kid on Wednesday.” I stored that away; Jared hadn’t mentioned having any trouble. “Anyway, you all done good.”

“Blame McElroy,” Trucker said. “It was his idea.”

“Hey, I was just coverin’ my ass. I didn’t know you all were in on it.”

“Good call, boy.” The Coach nodded. “Now, look. I want you guys ta keep it up while we out there, here? Aside from the fact that some of these Program schools are from more, well, open areas, some things they list as reasonable just don’t sail in our little river, if you get my meaning. And they got laws on assault you may as well get used to; the State ain’t passed ‘em yet, but they’re on the table. Joe, pass out that handout. Anybody break one of these, you out for the season – we clear?” We all nodded. “Good. Finally, they play naked – some of ‘em. We won’t know how many or what positions ‘til game time tomorrow. So watch where you put your hand when you reach for that ball. And get used to this. We likely gonna play this annually from here on out.”

There was a little more conversation after that but generally, the bus broke down into three sections: the cheerleaders up front, the guys in the back and anyone who wanted to sleep in the middle. I hated bus trips. Hate them. Will likely always hate them. Especially like this when I didn’t even have time to grab a book or a game or something! I wasn’t interested in getting more shit from the guys about being bare-assed and I wasn’t likely to get to play grab ass with the girls right in front of the Coaches so I opted for sleep. I picked a seat, leaned against the window, put my feet up and closed my eyes.

Lisa was there, beautiful – sexy – laughing at me. Poor boy, she giggled, all dressed up and nowhere to go! She stroked my dick bringing it to full attention in seconds. You didn’t really want me – not forever. But she said it lightly, sweetly and I kind of knew what she meant. Lisa was really important to me but we weren’t ever going to get married and have kids and stuff. She was just as close to sweet as I could tolerate; I was a rough as she could handle. She started our relationship and she ended it. When we first went out, I pushed her around a lot. I was really guilty about that for a while. But I couldn’t understand why sometimes she’d shut me down hard and sometimes she’d be all weak and let me practically knock her around. I don’t like it rough all the time she told me finally. When you want me, she whispered, hard, I like that. I wish I could make you turn it on and off, like a light switch. She twisted my nipples making me groan and break a sweat. She sat on me, rubbing her wet pussy up and down my shaft. I wasn’t your first, I won’t be your last, she said. And you weren’t mine. Who was, I asked her but she laughed again. So let’s do it now, I said because she was driving me crazy but she laughed again and anyway, I couldn’t catch her. Every time I tried to hold her, she wasn’t there. And where we were kept changing; we were in my room but it looked like her room except that it had Brandon’s bed and it was moving.

I woke suddenly when the bus stopped, with ‘morning’ wood like you wouldn’t believe. I was damn near dripping. Somebody yelled my name and I looked up; the Coach was looking at me from the door. “You need a minute? We here.”

“Uh, yeah. I’m commin’.”

Coach Dutton smiled slyly. “You been sayin’ that one a lot this week, ain’t you, boy?”

“Oh Jesus!” I groaned. Last thing I needed was sexual innuendo from a guy who was my Grandfather’s close personal buddy. “Not you too.”

“Sorry, boy. Couldn’t resist.” He left and a minute or so later, I followed.

Most of the team was gathering in the lobby waiting for room assignments and I got laughed at yet again for the obvious wet dream. I turned away from the group and watched eight naked teens walk through the hotel lobby and out the main door. Someone behind me let out a low whistle and someone else let out a heartfelt “Holy shit!” I did not need to see that after the wet dream I just had.

“Get a grip, you all.” Coach Dutton chuckled at us. I didn’t hear the initial comment but someone muttered, ‘must be too old’. “No,” The coach said smoothly, “I just ain’t fixin’ ta get arrested. ‘Sides, my wife’s one hellova shot. Now when I call your name take a key and go get settled in. I want you all back here in 30, clear? Good. Adams, Andersen. Arnold, Butler…” He called pairs of guys alphabetically; we started pairing off, knowing how the list went. Eventually, he got to “…MacDonald, McElroy…” I took the key and gave it MacDonald. “I’ll wait down here. I like I gotta unpack.” He frowned and left. I found an empty couch, and watched the scenery.

There were naked kids everywhere. Alone and in groups, all sizes and shapes, most walking around like this was nothing new.

“You’re going to strain something, staring like that.” A voice behind me said. I turned to see an Asian girl – a naked Asian girl, mind you – with a group of kids waiting politely aside.

“Yeah?” I said. “Lookin’ real hard’s better-n what I wanna do.” Have I mentioned my undying passion for all things Asian? This one was Chinese, I think, and had that slim but strong build of an athlete. I think I actually heard my dick hit my stomach.

“You look like you need some relief.” She said seductively.

“You look like you offerin’.” I stood up slowly, wondering just how fast I could move on this naked, clearly willing, china doll.

“MCELROY!” I closed my eyes and mentally called Hodges every name I could think of. “You burnin’ time, Boy! Get ova here!”

“That’s you, I take it?” She asked.

“My team waitin’. You gonna be ‘round later?” I asked, hoping to salvage this.

“Maybe.” She said, turning back to her friends.

“Xing gan.” I said and watched her slowly turn back. I only learned about ten words of Chinese when we were in Beijing but “sexy” was one of them. She smiled; I smiled. Hodges yelled again and I hurried over to our group.

Beth – After School

Hank gave me a ride home. We didn’t talk much but we blushed a lot and looked out the windows. It was awkward and wonderful at the same time. I wondered the whole ride if this was what falling in love felt like. It sounded crazy but I hoped it was true. We pulled into the driveway just as Mom and Robert were coming out of the house.

“Hey, Beth!” My younger brother called out. “Mom! Beth got a new beau!”

I must have turned scarlet. “Shut up!” Hank and I got out of the car as Mom came over to see us.

“I know you.” She said. “You one uh them swimin’ boys.” Mom’s not anywhere near as dumb as she like to make people think she is.

“Uh, yes ma’am. I swim with Beth.”

“Mom, this is Hank. We just came here to do homework.”

“Homework.” She repeated slowly. “I see. Well, I burned dinner again and Granddaddy been fishin’ anyhow so we all headed to the house fo’ dinner. You welcome ta join us Hank.”

“We should get some homework done first.”

“I see.” Mom said. She looked him over brazenly – I could not believe my mother was checking him out. “You not in this little Program, are you, Hank?”

“Uh,” Hank looked at me, also scarlet. “No, ma’am. I’m in it next week.”

“Well, remind me ta drop by the pool next week. I could use some work on my, uh…stroke.” She sighed deeply and looked at her watch. “Now, yo’ Daddy’s going straight ova ta the house after work so you all oughta have the place to yo’selves for a while. I’d think dinner be on the table by 7 or so. You all think you can have ‘homework’ done an’ be at yo’ Granddaddy’s house in three hours?”

“It’s just homework, Mom!”

“Honey, the boy standing right in front uh me. You just doin’ homework, you really do need this here Program.” She pat me cheek gently. “Come on Robert. We gonna go see Granddaddy.” They got in the car. “I don’t know how long I can stall yo’ Daddy so if you not gonna make dinner by 7, you best be sure ta call, here?”

“Yes, Mom.”

She drove off. “Subtle.” Hank observed dryly.

“OMG! You have no idea.” We went in. I offered him a soda and a snack and he accepted both. We moved to the living room and an awkward silence arose. “So,” I said finally, “What do you want to do?”

He shrugged. “We could do homework.”

“We could.” I looked at my hands.

We sat for a while longer. “Can I ask you something?” He said suddenly.

“You just did.” We both grinned shyly and I looked away again. I didn’t know why I was so nervous around him. “Sure. Ask.”

“What’s going on?” He must have seen the confusion in my face because he went on. “I mean, you didn’t mind jilling off in front of everyone but you get nervous if I try to kiss you. You say you like me, you even went down on me –“ He turned red and grinned, “And that was – was – a-maz-zing –“ which made me blush, “but you won’t go out with me. Is something wrong or what?”

I sighed. “It’s just me. It’s, well, God! This is so embarrassing!”

He moved next to me. “Don’t be embarrassed. It can’t be that bad.”

“I can’t cum.”

“Come where?”

I put my face in my hands; if that wasn’t precious, I didn’t know what was. “Um, I mean the other spelling.”

“Oh.” Then he got it. “OH! Oh! Uh, you sure?”

“Well, not can’t, really. But it takes a long time – too long.” I took a breath and looked down again. “And usually three or four guys to do it.”

“Three or four guys…?”

“I’m not even close ta being a virgin, Hank.” His face fell as I shattered one of the myths he clearly had about me. “Not by any stretch.”

“Oh. OK.” He nodded. “I am.” We sat in silence again. “So, I guess I’ll have ta learn a lot ta keep up.”

“I’m a slut. You don’t care?” He shrugged. “I’m not even a good slut. I mean, I enjoy it. Really. Sex feels good usually but I don’t get off. So all that screaming and yelling? Not me. It’s pretty dull.”

“Shawn didn’t find it dull.”

“I faked with Shawn! He didn’t have a clue.”

“Really? I thought you two had gone out for a while.”

“Two years.”

Two years? And he never noticed?” Hank laughed. “Was he stupid?”

“I don’t think he ever really cared.” I shrugged, a little sad actually thinking about it. “I guess that’s why neither of us was really upset when we broke up.” He was silent. After a minute or two, I looked at him. He was looking at me with an expression that was kind of a mix between anger and sadness with something else in between. “What?”

“Two years and he never really care about you. I never really liked Shawn; now I know why.”

“Give him a break; it’s not like I told him.”

“You should have.”

I shook my head. “Shawn wasn’t…he didn’t take criticism well. My Dad commented on his passing form once and Shawn refused to pick me up here anymore.” Dad the ex-quarterback and part time coach. “Anyway, it’s not like I was ever serious about him; it was just, y’know, ego. The Quarterback and all.” Hank nodded. “The guys know.”

It’s shocking how fast the temperature in a room can change.

“The guys?”

“Uh…” How do I explain Peter and Alex?

He laughed and shook his head. “Don’t tell me. Just don’t. You are nothing like what I thought you were like.”

“It that bad?” Of course that’s bad – he didn’t think I was a slut before.

“Last week, I would have said yes. Ask me again next week – after I’ve been through this Program. I think…I don’t know, I think it had more of an effect on me than on you. I used to think you were innocent, Van was a rock, Alex was a complete dick, and I have four classes with Tiffany and before this week, I don’t think I ever even saw her! I mean, the truth is,” He hesitated, “I wouldn’t uh even asked you out if you hadn’t been so nice after Tuesday.”

“So nice?”

“The guys wanted to do a lot more than look but I thought you were still, y’know, and I didn’t want you to get traumatized like that – I guess it would have been better for you if I hadn’t stopped them.”

“No. A gang rape would not have been good.” He looked mildly confused. “The difference between a group and a gang is that I get ta choose who I share myself with.”

He nodded. “Good point. Anyway, I knew we kinda put you on the spot but you did it and it was incredible and after, you were still sweet and – and – and I don’t know. I just thought, if I didn’t find you and ask you out I was gonna miss something. Something I was gonna regret not having.”

“You didn’t know me yet.”

“I still don’t. But I still think I’ll regret not trying.” I looked at him. A girl could fall in love over that speech alone. He put his hand on my collarbone. “Oh no! You don’t kiss me!” He laughed at my expression. “I still have a headache. You just stay – right – there.” He put one hand on each of my cheeks and kissed me.

Wow. Just wow. I mean…wow. Better than Peter. Better than Alex even. Better than…wow. What’s better than Wow? Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious ver3.5 for Windows Vista Wow.

We just kissed. For more than two hours, we just sat on the couch and kissed. Ok, maybe our hands roamed a bit but that wasn’t the important part. The important part was the Wow part. We only stopped because we couldn’t stopped giggling at Mom’s phone message.

“Hey, Beth, it’s me – don’t pick up, Honey, I know you busy doin’ homework an’ whatnot. We ain’t call it homework way back when – maybe homefun, but if what you doin’ is work, you ain’t doin’ somethin’ right. Anyway – I just wanted ta remind you that you got ‘bout a half hour ta finish up an’ wash the, uh, ink off an’ get over ta yo’ Granddad’s for dinner. Ms. Rachael wanna meet this Hank boy too, so best bring him along too. If you outta mouthwash, they’s some in my linen closet. I expect I’ll see you both soon.”

We lay on the couch until the giggles subsided. He grinned at me. “I guess I should call home and tell them I’ll be late.”

“I best erase that before Dad gets home.” I grinned back.

I did pause to find the mouthwash; Mom would actually ask more questions if we didn’t come in looking freshly showered than if we did. Hank just laughed and shook his head about that one too.

Alex – After School

We had dinner as a team in the motel restaurant buffet. It sucked but it was free and there was a lot of it. Ok, maybe the food wasn’t that bad but the fish was dried out and in all honesty, it wasn’t food I was hungry for at the time.

Finally, the coach let us go on our own recognizance. Be back, in your room, in bed – sober and alone – by 10:30. Anyone not there, then, gets cut. Not that I have ever even heard of Dutton ever cutting anyone from the team but who wants to be first, right?

I was standing in front of the motel in a minor crisis. We were between to small strip malls that clearly catered to the local teen crowd. On one side of me was a bowling ally, a pizza place and just behind, a skate park. On the other side, was an arcade, an old style ice cream parlor and a store that sold skateboards and related junk. Neither China Doll or anybody with her gave me any idea where they were headed. I didn’t even know if she was from around there or not.

“Hey, um, Alex?”

I turned to find Carol a few feet behind me. Right. Date. “Hey! Carol!” I stepped back to her, thinking fast for what to say. I’m not in the mood tonight for a plain Jane white girl when I can have hot Mikado monkey love. Can I do you next week? I didn’t think that would go over well.

OK, yes, she’s Chinese, Mikado is Japanese. Whatever. She’s hot, she’s Asian, use your own reference.

“Carol…”

“Look, about tonight…”

“I promised you a nice dinner, right?”

“Oh, I don’t mind about that…”

Got it! “But I do. I don’t wanna take you someplace cheesy. Fionna's.” My ace in the hole – Fionna’s was expensive but was a Davidson Fishery client so nine times out of ten, if I gave them my name at the door, I got a table without a reservation and dinner on the house.

“Fionna’s!”

“Yeah. I want our first date ta be special. Not here. OK?”

“You don’t have ta…”

“But I want ta.” I kissed her cheek. “Next Friday. Promise. ‘K?”

“Ok.” She said shyly. Lisa would have broken the date altogether. Shelia would have called me a fucking con artist. Even Brandon would have said something. Carol blushed and bit her lip. I picked the skate park to start my search for a China doll with more spine than Carol.

It took two hours. Two freaking hours to find her and her group. It might have been faster if I hadn’t stopped for every reasonable request. None of them were interested in giving me relief – teasing me out my fucking mind, yes, and checking out the tattoo (they really aren’t that uncommon, people!) yes. But finally, I found her and her friends in the bowling alley. I almost came then just from the relief that I hadn’t imagined her – I was beginning to wonder.

But there she was, a slim graceful form with all that silky black hair flying, that giant ball and those great big ugly shoes. I must have a shoe fetish to go with all the rest – naked with bowling shoes is sexy as all fuck. I leaned on the rack of balls behind the lane she and her friends were in. Someone spoke and I said something – I hope – but I know my eyes never left that firm little backside. She hit nine then picked up the spare. There were no Asian names on the scoreboard over head but ‘9 /’ was placed in the box next to ‘JJ’. When she turned around, she saw me and walked over to the scorekeeper. After a whispered conversation, they glanced at me and then on the scoreboard, a new player was added – ‘Stalker’. She looked at me, raised her eyebrows and waited for my response.

Bowling – the sport of the suburban lame. Do I look like I bowl? Yeah, right. I looked at the front door and looked back at her.

“We’ll make it interesting.” She said over the general noise. “Frame by frame, for every pin more you hit than I hit, I’ll give you a minute’s worth of relief.”

OK, the truth is that from the time I could hold a ball until I started dating, my parents used to take me and my sister Gracie on ‘family bowling night’ every Sunday after church. I hated it but I wasn’t bad at it. Gracie, however, could have gone pro and happily wiped up the floor with me every chance she got. Bowling alleys reminded me of arrogant, pushy, demanding women. I was getting light headed from the blood loss – I didn’t think all of my blood could even fit in my dick at one time but there it was.

“You’re up.” She said.

“No shoes.” I said.

She looked at the counter. “We’ll wait.”

Arrogant, egotistical, bitchy, aggressive, dominant…. It took about five minutes to get my own pair of ugly shoes and a ball the right weight. I told the scorekeeper to change ‘Stalker’ to ‘Alex’ and I started to aim. Then I stopped and looked at her. “I win, you do me, you win, I do you, right?”

“Yeah.”

Never let it be said that I don’t play by the rules. I threw two gutter balls. I turned to the group and shrugged. “Ooops. Guess I owe you ten minutes.”

“Payable now.” One guy behind me said. When I looked stunned, he shrugged. “She said frame by frame.”

She did, didn’t she? I couldn’t help smiling as I offered her my hand.

“What?” She asked confused. Her friends were all watching us; one even had a watch ready to time us.

“What, you mean here?” I heard my voice squeak and tried to relax. “Uh, right here? Kinda public, ain’t it?”

“Well, where do you guys do relief? In a closet?”

“Well, no but not in, y’know, public.”

“Oh what, nobody gets busy doing Outreach?” the guy with the watch snickered. I wanted to tell him to mind is own business since he was only one of three people in the group dressed but I figured it wasn’t worth the fight.

“Uh, look, I don’t know ‘bout you all but we ain’t had the Program uh full week. Ain’t nobody in Northern Neck doin’ Outreach – you can bank on that.”

“Oh!” JJ’s smile was a little more understanding. “Well, if you’re really shy, we can find a dark corner but, you know, the Program is all about sharing the experience…”

There was nothing but strangers in the building. No one familiar – no one to cover my back if something weird happened. No Peter to tell me this was ok – or not. Was I a little freaked out about it? Yeah, a little. Was I totally turned on by the crowd, by the novelty and by my own fear? Yeah, a lot. I was shivering, I think, when I knelt in front of her. “You wanna do it here, we do it here.” I stroked my hands up and down her legs; I could hear the debate behind me as to whether they should start the clock or not. All discussion ended when I kissed the bottom of JJ’s foot. Doing both legs, it took me ten minutes to get to her thighs.

“Time!” Watch-boy shouted gleefully. Several of the girls groaned and as I glanced over my shoulder, I saw that three other guys were following my lead.

“I will so get you for that, Mike!” JJ practically snarled.

“Just playing fair.” The timekeeper laughed. “You’re up again, JJ.”

She smiled, smoldering, at me and took her turn – a strike. There were four other players between us but we just sat and grinned at each other while they bowled. When they called me, I got up then stopped. “JJ?” I questioned.

She got what I meant. “Sun Jiao.”

“Jiao.” I repeated, remembering first name last. She arched an eyebrow. Jesus God it was hot when she did that! That must have been why I threw two more gutter balls. “Must not be my night.” I grinned at the group. “I keep losing.”

I back tracked a bit and started with her knees but waited until Mike called time to kiss her nearly hairless lips. Her smell alone was killing me but even without Peter standing over my shoulder, I knew the rule – I don’t cum until she does. We both needed a minute before she could get up and bowl – another strike. “Hurry up, Cari!" She snapped at the next girl up as she sat back in front of me.

On my next turn, I couldn’t help it – I’m a dick. I couldn’t get the strike but I did manage a spare – tying us for the frame. If looks could kill, I’d have been fried on the spot. She marched out on to the lane before I left it and I grinned at her. “I wouldn’t want you to think I was deliberately losing.”

“I hadn’t even considered it.” She hit another strike. I began to suspect that she was a ringer and was glad I hadn’t put money on the game.

We went through all ten frames like this, her having a damn near perfect game and me throwing mostly gutter balls. On frame four, I finally opened her lips and practically had to drink her pussy – and almost couldn’t stop myself when Mike called time. On frame eight, I pulled her hips forward and reached my tongue back. I don’t know if I’d call her ass ‘sweet’ but ten minutes was not nearly enough time to find out.

On the tenth frame, Jiao threw three strikes – 30 pins if you’re not keeping track and more importantly 30 minutes. I got up determined to finally end this game take her some place where I could finish her hard – and I was pretty sure she was just as hot for me by then. I grabbed the first ball my hand hit and threw it practically without looking. I went to grab the next ball so that I’d be ready when the pins reset and saw the laugher break out among the group. I glanced back and swore. Of all the times to hit a damn strike! I threw the next two balls, I deliberately – carefully – threw two gutter balls to the applause of the group.

“You lose.” One of the girls teased.

“Funny, I thought he won.” Mike countered.

I leaned down over Jiao, “I dunno. I win or lose tonight?”

“Oh you won.” She said, snaking her arms around my neck. “You have so won…” Anything else she might have said was cut off by the kiss.

It was a very quick trip back to the hotel and up to her room. Their room – Jiao and Mike’s room.

“You two together?” I stopped at the door.

“We were program partners last year.” Mike said giving Jiao a loving smile. “We’ve been together ever since.”

“But we know how to share on occasion.” Jiao said. “It’s ok. Really.”

“Yeah,” Mike added, “I’m just here to get my Mp3.”

I watched Mike get the player, his wallet and kiss Jiao. As he headed past me, I made a quick decision. “You don’t have to go.” I told him.

He chuckled. “I don’t want to be in the way. You two might set a fire.”

“We three likely set a bigger one.”

That paused him. “You didn’t strike me as that…type.”

“Yeah? Well, I’m a bit more…flexible than most folk think.”

He glanced at Jiao who had possibly the sexist smile I’d ever seen. “You sure?” He asked me.

“I’m sure you over-dressed.” I replied.

“Yes you are.” Jiao made short work of that.

After that, I forwent the pleasure of finishing off Jiao for the pleasure of finishing off Mike. He’d never been blown by a guy and I think he discovered that he definitely enjoyed it. When he came in my mouth, very surprised at how fast I got him off, he grabbed Jiao and kissed her hard. I let go of him, swallowed the last of his seed and buried my face in Jiao’s pussy. At the bowling alley, I was going for time. Now, I wanted speed. Her lips clamped to Mike’s didn’t give me much sound to go by but the suddenly uncontrolled flailing of her limbs told me pretty clearly when she hit it.

Then they both fell on top of me – I didn’t even have to beg. Mike was a bit tentative – which I guess makes sense if I was his first boy – but Jiao was aggressive enough to make up for it. When she finally sat on my dick, I could not hold back and came hard inside her.

“Oh my God! I needed that.” I groaned. Jiao was tight and already squeezing me back to life. “Oh that feels good.” She moved around on top of me slowly and faster than I expected, I was hard enough to play again. This was no lovemaking or any of that shit – this was fucking purely for the fun of it. The few seconds at a time I could keep my eyes open, I could see a perpetual grin on Jiao’s face that told me she was having fun too.

But I didn’t know where Mike had gotten to. On her next down stroke, I held Jiao still. “Hey Mike – you still here?”

“Oh yeah.” He gasped. “Just enjoying the view.”

I tilted my head until I could see him – sitting on the bed, stroking himself. For a minute, I thought ‘Alex sandwich’ but figured ‘Jiao sandwich’ might be better. “You guys ever do back door?”

Jiao groaned. “Once.” Mike admitted. “It, uh, wasn’t pretty.”

“Fuck pretty. Did you get off?”

He chuckled darkly. “No but she did.”

“Mike!” Jiao glared at him. “I think he’s giving you a hint.” She looked back at me. “Or making an offer.”

“Either.” I said. “But if you do me, I’m not gonna last long.”

Mike frowned briefly. “No offence, but she’s got a better ass.”

“Hey, no argument from me.”

They must do it more often than they admit because Mike had lube in his suitcase. I felt him slide into her because it felt like he was rubbing against me directly. We all groaned. I didn’t know who started moving I just knew it started and we fell into rhythm. None of us lasted long after that.

It was hot – it was damn hot – but it wasn’t…ok, you know how when you go to a restaurant but you don’t see anything on the menu you really want but you order something that sounds good anyway and it’s good but it’s just not what you had a taste for? I mean they were great and they were great together and all the sweet stuff was very sweet and all the spicy stuff was very spicy and I totally got off. But….

But I don’t know. It wasn’t that it wasn’t Peter and Beth – actually, it was kind of nice finding out that other people are into three-ways. I was getting a little worried about that. And it wasn’t the Lisa-ain’t-here thing again – Lisa did not do anal; hell, she wouldn’t even let me lick it! It was just weird. I’d never felt empty after sex before. Even when I kissed them both good night and they smiled at me and at each other – Jiao had that satisfied glow of a well-fucked woman. I could tell something was different then, because I didn’t feel satisfied. Or smug. Or pleased, or ashamed, or anything else. It was good but it was done; oh, look South Park’s on. I usually felt something.

I made it back to my room before Dutton did a bed check and wondered if I should wonder if there was something wrong if I suddenly stopped feeling something after I banged somebody.

Alex – Early Morning

I woke up early Saturday. Too early and too suddenly. It took a minute to piece together everything. There was light – streetlights outside my window – because I was in a hotel room not my basement bedroom at home. That funny smell was the hotel sheets. The weight on my back was the left tackle who fucked me last night.

And if you think that’s not an odd thought to have as you are waking up, try it tomorrow morning.

I lay there and just, well, lay there. Donté MacDonald was heavy but not uncomfortably so and there was something nice about the feeling of someone warm wrapped around you. Even if he did play offense. I had had no idea that he was gay but given the way he all but broke down when he confessed it at, like, 2am, I suspected I might have been his first. A very hesitant reasonable request had become very happily, very unreasonable before either of us got any sleep. I could feel his dick pressed against my crack and a slight flex of my cheeks told me I wasn’t the only one with morning wood. I wondered if he was planning to use it.

He was not. He didn’t wake up until the phone rang with our 8am wake up call and he immediately ran for the bathroom. When I heard the shower, I tried the door. Locked.

When he finally came out, he was wrapped in a towel and looking sheepish. “Uh, McElroy,” Last night it had been ‘oh Alex’. “uh, look. ‘bout – about – uh…”

“Dude, save it. You ain’t Out an’ I ain’t either. If you think Ima be the love of yo’ life, get over it.” He looked stunned. “I ain’t sayin’ we can’t, y’know, hit in on the down low every once in a while. But if you lookin’ for uh boyfriend or some shit, it ain’t me. Cool?”

“Uhh….”

I went into the bathroom before he could get any further than that. Ok, harsh maybe but true nonetheless. Better he hear it now than leave this room expecting something that’s never gonna happen. By the time I got out of the shower myself, he’d left the room. I saw him again at breakfast; he was laughing with Trucker, Davis and a couple other offense guys. I nodded to the table, got a tray and grabbed some breakfast. Carol smiled at me, TC whistled and Davis recommended we use Mr. Happy as a goal post. Apart from the naked references, it wasn’t all that different from any other team breakfast before an away game.

As we were finishing, I saw Jiao and Mike come in, hand in hand. Mike waved; I waved back. That was the end of it.

Beth – Early Morning

I woke up early – before the alarm clock – and couldn’t go back to sleep so I got up and did all my morning stuff. It was a warm morning and there were early morning birds singing. My favorite cable knit sweater smelled fresh. I caught myself humming. I guess I was in a good mood.

Dinner at Granddad’s had been…wonderful. Just wonderful. We had…something; probably fish and some vegetables. I know Grandma Rachael was there because she’s very pregnant – less than a month to her due date – and everyone spent the evening telling her to sit down. Everyone consisted of…people, family members I was sure but I couldn’t begin to say who. Hank. Hank had been there, holding my hand, stealing a kiss when we thought no one was looking, and never doing anything else he couldn’t do in front of my Father. Who actually liked him! Daddy and Hank got along; that was virtually a miracle in and of itself.

I drifted down stairs, grabbed my purse and Mom’s car keys and headed out. It was only 4:30am but there was no reason I couldn’t get to my shift on the dock early. Besides, I found myself musing, the stars are lovely.

Ever since I was eight years old – tall enough and strong enough to throw a ring over the top rail – I’ve been working on the family dock at least once a month. I cut bait and showed tourists how to bait their hooks. It’s been once a week for the last few years and full-time most summers. All my siblings and cousins do; the family always has for as long as anybody can remember. Even my Great Grand Father said that his Grandfather had worked the boats as a child. I didn’t mind doing it – apart from the pre-dawn hours at least – because I planned to work for the Fishery when I graduated from college anyway. I like the fact that I was one more McElroy in a legacy of them. My Father worked for the company, my Grandfather did, even Grandma Rachael did until she couldn’t fit a lifejacket any more. I didn’t plan on working on the boats forever; somebody needed to be CEO and I was planning on it being me.

But I liked working the boats occasionally especially the commercial fishers without the tourists. Then it was just four or five of us, the water, the sea gulls and a whole lot of fish. The only down side today was that I wouldn’t see Hank again until after we docked around 3 or 4 pm.

I got to the dock, still humming, checked in with my Aunt Candice, who’s been Dock Master since 1957 (well officially, it wasn’t until 1967 when she married Uncle Marcus but everyone who knew her back then says it’s been her dock since the day she set foot on it.)

“You a bit early, Beth.” She said mildly. She said everything mildly but nobody was fooled by that. Aunt Candice was one of those women who was tall and heavy but not actually fat. Thick, Uncle Marcus, always said. She was dark skinned and, unfortunately, often reminded me of Aunt Ester from Sanford and Son. But it was just proof that there’s someone for everyone. “My goodness, we must have uh air leak round here somewhere.” She grinned at me and I realized that I was sighing.

“Sorry.” I blushed.

“No cause for it. You may as well get a move on. Good thing you early ‘cause you got a trainee today an’ I want you ta see he trained right.”

I started to argue but the last time I did that, I got a month of charter boat assignments. “Yes, Ma’am.” I sighed again and headed down to my ship.

Ron Conahan waved to me from the bow of McElroy’s Joy, the middle sized of out three commercial fishers. It had six nets and a below deck big enough for a four-man crew to go out for a couple days without trying to kill each other. Since it was Saturday and we were really only going out for the restaurants that we fished for daily, there were only three of us – Ron, Capt. Phil and myself. Four with the trainee. Ron was in his fifties and was one of the hired hands that had been around long enough to earn corporate shares as part of his salary just like the family did. I’d known him, and Phil for that matter, my entire life. It was the only reason my Father wasn’t worried about me spending a day on a boat in the middle of the bay with two self-described dirty old men. Of course, I got all the best dirty jokes from them.

“How’s it look?” I asked as I swung myself over the rail. Yes, there was a gate but nobody used it.

“Fair ta midlin.” He tilted his head toward below deck. “Trainee’s makin’ coffee. Oughta be bout ready you wanna cup.”

“Thanks. Capt up yet?”

He pointed behind me with his chin. “Oughta get an early start this run.” I glanced back and saw Phil sauntering up the dock.

“Cool.” I clapped his shoulder. “I’ll get the cabin boy strapped down then get the aft ropes.”

Ron cracked a smile and shook his head. “Come ta think of it, I best have a word with him.” He all but flipped over the rail and chuckled to himself has he headed to meet our captain du jour.

It was odd but not outrageous. I shrugged and went below. In addition to coffee brewing, I smelled eggs and bacon. I stepped into our small galley and nearly smacked into Hank and a spatula.

Hank. Or as his name tag proclaimed him “Trainee”.

Alex – Morning

I’ll put it like this: I used to have serious anger management problems. Serious. Fighting in school and at home. On the field and church were about the only two places I wasn’t in some kind of trouble. Peter said he used to figure it was only a matter of time before I got arrested for something. Even on the field, I was responsible for more injured running backs than anybody would like to accuse me of. Full contact sport, right? Guys get hurt. When I hit Lisa, all of that ended. Peter took control of me and forced me to take control of myself. Turned out, he said, I needed to receive the pain more than I needed to dish it out. I didn’t know if he was right, but it seemed to work.

But, as you may have noticed, Peter was about 130 miles away. Last season he was just as far but Lisa was around. This season, no Peter, no Lisa and today no Beth even. Just me and my ability to control myself.

Did I mention the ‘high’? Playing football got me high. It was the rush – not drugs; even I’m not that stupid – the adrenaline, the endorphins, the hormones, that kind of shit. Sometimes, by like half-time, I can barely see or hear and I can’t feel pain. I can play – that’s the only thing I can do. It’s like if it doesn’t involve putting that guy with the ball wearing the wrong uniform into the ground, I can’t understand it. On the one hand, the coach’s love it when I’m like that because some of the other guys pick up the focus from me and we play better – when I’m in the zone like that, we usually win. On the other hand, injuries and penalties go up too.

The real trouble for me personally comes after the game. The guys avoid me in the locker room until I’ve had time to come down. And even then, after I’m dressed and picking up Lisa – she was always waiting after a game, well before Doug anyway – I was aggressive; I had a hard time accepting ‘no’. What I wanted was what I wanted.

I never said I was a nice guy. I’ve never pretended to be. I’m more like a mostly trained pit bull. Once of these days, I’m going to get lucky and someone’s going to put me down.

No running, no jumping, no swimming. Peter’s rule number one because I ran to a cliff, jumped and tried to drown myself. One of these days, I’m not going to remember that rule before I try it again.

Football. Right. Focus.

Coach Dutton was resolute about it – before the game, I was in the locker room with our guys, program rules or not. There’s just stuff that happens before a game I needed to be there for even if I didn’t have to suit up completely. Conversations, meetings, butt-slaps, shit like that. I always tape Jakobs’ ankles. I always stretch out with Williams. I always lead prayer for the Defensive Line – yes, we pray before every game and the school board can get fucked if they don’t like it. Most of the game got a little hazy after that.

I did see Mike, wearing the wrong uniform just before the starting kick off. That pissed me off. And the running back I was man-to-man with was almost totally naked. Flat shoulder pads instead of the bulky ones, a jock, elbow- and knee-pads, helmet and cleats. He out ran me twice. When I got to the sideline, I stripped off as much as Dutton would let me. If that sonovabitch thought he was going to run me all day, He’d better think again. If he was trying to run away, then he was the prey, which made me the predator. Which is the kind of mindset that takes out kneecaps – but it also shuts down the run. Next play, I took him down at the line. The play after, I nearly had the interception off him. That stopped the passing game to the right for a while.

Here’s stuff I did know happened – although not necessarily the order in which it happened. We lost 21 – 18. That’s no big surprise because we suck as a rule. I did get two interceptions – not out from under GazelleBoy – him I only managed to hold to one god damned touchdown – but they pulled him and Mike and put some limp-wrist-ed jackass in instead and made it easy for me. I know Mike was quarterback because the reason they pulled him for a while is that we sacked him twice in a row. When he came back, he hammered us like all hell but we got all three of our touchdowns while he was gone. Their second stringer couldn’t move the ball for shit and our defense held for once. Our offense isn’t all bad when they get going which is why we end most seasons 6-6 and how we managed two touchdowns back-to-back. I came twice on the field. The dry seizure kind. The first time, I was on the bottom of a stack of guys and had pretty well recovered before I had to stand up. The second, Hodges held me off the field for a couple plays because I was bleeding or some shit. When the whistle blew, Hodges sent me the opposite direction from the rest of the team. To the girls’ locker room.

I walked into a room full of naked, sweaty pussy. I took off the helmet and dropped it. I wanted to get fucked – to bleed off all the adrenaline and whatever in the fastest most carnal way I could think of. I was hard, I was pumped up and I was naked in front of a dozen naked, hot, sweaty babes.

I’d really love to blame someone else for what happened next, but there’s no one to blame but me.

Beth – Midday

We were empting the nets and sorting fish – big ones in the hold, little ones back in the water – when I couldn’t take Hank looking at me and laughing to himself any more. “If you don’t tell me what’s so damn funny, Ima throw you ova!”

“I’m sorry.” He grinned. “I just never imagined you lookin’ like this.”

“Like what?” I looked at myself. Jeans, sweater, knit hat, work gloves. My hair was mostly stuffed under the hat but it never all fit. I was a bit sweaty but then, it was noon so we’d been at it for a good six hours. I probably smelled like fish – which would make sense since I was standing in them most of the day. “I look like I been fishin’ all day.”

“That’s the hard ta believe part.” He laughed at my expression again. “I can’t – couldn’t – imagine you doing anythin’ less lady-like than, I dunno, serving tea.”

“Oh, please!”

“Seriously! You always seems so…girly. I would have never guessed you do this on your weekends. I wouldna even guessed you’d want ta.”

“Well, I do.” I looked away, trying not to blush. It was bad enough that he kept embarrassing me to myself but even worse that every time Phil or Ron caught him at it, they’d ring the deck bell. “And I’m good at it.”

“I’m being trained by the best? Good!”

I heard that damn bell ring again. “Quit it, Ron!” I yelled out. I stopped myself before I started to called him what I wanted to call him; watching me work like a sailor might be more fun than hearing me swear like one.

I turned back to sorting fish. It was the last load of the day and Phil had already turned the boat toward Reedville. Ron was setting up a pair of huge crates for our two biggest customers. After we sort by size, two of us would actually get in the hold with the fish and start sorting by species. If we worked it right, we’d have 15 orders sorted by weight and species ready a good 45 minutes before we got to the dock.

“OK, Hank.” I said when Ron got in the hold, “You stay up here. Ron and I will toss you a fish and tell you which bin to toss it in: Fionna’s, Warf’s or other. The others, just fill up, it doesn’t matter what goes in them. Got it?”

He looked in the hold. “You’re getting in there?” He shook his head. “No way. You sort the bins, I’ll toss fish.”

“What?”

“You gonna reek of fish all day. And anyway some of them fish damn heavy. I’ll do the hard part, you stay up here.”

I stared at him for a minute. Then I hit him. When he protested, I hit him again. “What?”

“Hey Ron!” I yelled, still glaring at Hank. “If I wanted ta pull rank on this boat, what I’m I?”

“Well, lesee. You own the boat, still, right?” Technically; there’s a document in the office that states the commercial boats belong to me and my brothers if the fishery ever divests its assets. My Grandfather bought it; he decided who owned it. “Me an’ Phil both officially first mates so you actually want it, officially you Captain. Senior Captain, come ta think of it – don’t you outrank Al?”

I nodded. “Yes, I outrank Alex by a full year at sea. Phil’s at the wheel ‘cause I’d rather fish than steer but if anything goes down, it’s on my watch. You may not care ‘bout whether Fionna’s get trout or bass but I damn sure do so unless you tellin’ me you can tell the difference, you best shut up an’ put the fish where I tell you to. Is that clear?”

Hank tried to suppress a grin and failed. “Aye, Captain.”

I jump in the hold and heard that damn bell before I landed. Ron snickered then recovered himself and started throwing Hank our catch for the day.

Alex – Midday

More than anything else, I remember her heart beat against my chest. Pounding. I could feel it sometimes in tempo with mine, sometimes out of sync but nearly the whole time, primal. Like drums. No one choose drums for make out music Thursday. We all should have.

I’m not sure how we wound up alone in the locker room. She was wearing a towel around her body and a second one, turban style, around her hair. I pulled them both off. She looked like a goddess. Round and soft, her dark hair loose and wild.

She didn’t say no. A lot of coy ‘Alll-leexx’ and ‘someone will see us’ and ‘are you sure you should’s. But never a definitive ‘no’, ‘stop’, ‘quit’, or ‘that’s not what I want’. I’m sure of that. If she had said ‘no’, I’d have stopped. If she said it and meant it. You know when they don’t really mean it – when she says ‘quit it’ and giggles and doesn’t pull away. When she says it while she’s got your dick in her hand. I hate girls who play games. Say yes or say no; don’t say maybe. What the fuck am I supposed to do with maybe? Maybe kiss me, maybe fuck me? I told Carol, “Say no, you wanna say no.” and she didn’t.

It wasn’t like that. It wasn’t. I’m sure it wasn’t…y’know…that. I’m not Burk; a girl says no, I stop. But she does have to say no – I’m not a mind reader.

And especially when I’m like that – right off the field, naked, and she was just un-fucking-believable. I don’t know why I hadn’t noticed how absolutely, overwhelmingly, incredibly fuck-able Carol was. Everything about her was a turn on. The way she looked at me, eyes wide and bright. The hot, slick feel of her skin – I didn’t know if it was sweat or water but she smelled like, like, like I didn’t know what I just know I couldn’t stop licking and kissing and sucking. Everything – her tits to her toes. She moaned while I sucked her toes. I almost stopped and plowed into her right then but it was always better if she’s cum at least once before I do. Then they don’t bitch if it’s fast; I figured by the time I got in her, it wasn’t going to last long. And I knew when she hit it. Shit, the way she screamed, the whole fucking stadium likely knew. I love the taste of pussy. I didn’t used to but I must gotten used to it or something because now, I can’t get enough of it. I didn’t know how long I spent down there but I only stopped because she tried to rip my hair out.

“Too much.” She panted.

“Cool.” I whispered, sliding up the bench and over her. “Let’s do sumethin’ else.” She gasped as I slid my rock hard dick into the hot pussy I’d just mopped up. Hot – oh my God hot – and way, way too tight; I’ve felt looser condoms. Even as wet as she was, it was a couple of strokes before I could move in her easily. She didn’t respond at first, just a faint moan. I kissed her, deeply, and she seemed to join me eventually.

“Oh God!” she kept moaning. She’d say ‘stop’ but then she’d lift her hips to meet mine. I did stop moving for a couple of strokes but she pushed against me until I started again so, like I said, it wasn’t like…that. I’m not like Burk. She wanted it.

She put her legs around my back – she wanted to, I’m sure. Then she slid her arms around me and dug her nails in. And that’s what set me off. I hammered her so hard, we almost fell off the bench. A minute, maybe – two at the outside – and I came hard inside her. She shrieked in my ear so I think she hit it again too. I lay there with her long enough to catch my breath.

I’m not at all sure what Carol did next. I went and showered and slowly began discovering a whole bunch of aches, pains and newly forming bruises that I was probably going to have to show the team doctor. And Peter. Sure enough, I spent most of the bus ride home with Hodges taping my ribs because of a bruise that looked damn ugly even to me. It hurt like all fuck; he didn’t ask about my boner and I didn’t offer any explanations.

Beth – Evening

Stephanie’s party was in full swing when I got there. Hank was waiting by the door for me. We had both gone home to shower and change.

“You’re dressed.” He observed.

Barely. A halter top and shorts. I wanted something sexy but definitely covered. “Disappointed?” I had spent an extra hour picking my outfit and doing my hair.

He grinned. “Of course not.”

We went in together and I gasped. Half the room was naked. And not necessarily the good half. Teachers, parents, grandparents. There were some naked kids, of course, too but I had not expected to see quite so much flesh.

“Hey Beth! Hey Hank!” A naked Stephanie yelled out as she slipped through the crowd to us. “There’s food out back, sodas in the kitchen, den’s open in the basement and if you change your minds ‘bout clothing optional, there’s a rack all set up in my room upstairs. Have you seen Ms. Pat yet? She got this big ol’ hand print tattooed on her ass!”

Stephanie’s father was a doctor, a specialist in aging and development, and apparently a pretty well known one at that. The house was huge with a backyard big enough for a pool and a volleyball court and a barbeque and patio set between them so you could actually watch both without getting splashed or dusted with sand while you ate. Most of the volleyball girls were there and playing naked so there was a crowd watching the game. A naked Ms. Pat was whispering to a dressed Ms. Cates; and yes, there was a handprint on her butt.

“Talk about an embarrassing tattoo!” Hank chuckled in my ear.

Gail was lounging by the pool in a light blue wrap that was very transparent in the afternoon sun. It was clear she wasn’t wearing a swimsuit under it. “Hi!” I sat next to her and Hank scooted in next to me. “Decided to go bare today?”

She blushed. “Stephanie told me that if I walked through the door naked, she’d have something Van would like for me to wear all day.” She waved her hand at the wrap. “I should have known.”

“Did Van like it?” Hank asked. “I would have.” I pinched him.

Gail blushed a bit more. “Yeah. He kinda did.”

There was a splash from the pool as Van popped out of the water. “Hey.” He too was nearly nude. “I thought you two’d join the nudist.”

“A week’s enough for me, thanks.” I answered.

“And I get my turn next week.” Hank added. “Got any advice?”

Van thought about it seriously. “Avoid Lois Phelps. And stay away from the smokehouse at lunch time.”

Hank nodded. “Good to know. What about…y’know?”

Van shrugged. “You’ll have less trouble with the physical issues if you keep your mind on your classes and not your classmates.”

Hank smiled at me. “Easier said than done.”

Van actually laughed. “Yeah, I admit I had trouble at times too.”

“Not too much trouble.” Gail smiled.

“Enough.” They seemed to forget Hank and I for a minute. We took the opportunity to see who else was wandering around. Mr. Griggs and his wife were there, both nude. Mr. Irwin and a woman he introduced as Ms. Moore were both dressed. Khalid, Brenda and Zach were all naked; Tiffany, Tank, Jared and Steven were all dressed – although Tiff was wearing another one of Steph’s see-thru wraps.

Around 5pm, the cheerleaders arrived en masse and all still in school sweat suits. Some of the football players arrived as well. Mandy and Kerrie saw me and nearly pounced. “Is Alex here yet?”

“No. I thought he was with you guys. I haven’t seen him today.”

Kerrie seemed to relax some. “Good. Maybe he won’t come. The jerk.”

“Uh, hello? Family?”

“Don’t defend him just ‘cause you related.”

“I don’t.” I said, just a little offended. “But he’s not a jerk.”

Mandy cocked her head slightly. “You haven’t heard what he done yet, have you?”

“Oh Lord, now what?” I rolled my eyes.

“He attacked Carol in the locker room after the game.” She leaned toward me and lowered her voice. “I mean attacked.”

He wouldn’t. He absolutely would not. Alex liked playing rough. He tried it with me once and scared the hell out of me – but he was playing. He stopped as soon as Peter told him to. He would have stopped if I had said it but I was too rattled to….

Mandy expression turned smug as mine sank. “See? You know he did it.”

I shook my head. “No. He couldn’t. He…where is she? Did you see him do it?”

“I heard her scream. He did it.”

Hank put a hand on my shoulder but I pulled away. Alex raped a girl while I was supposed to be watching him. Peter told me to watch him, especially on game days. He was naked and in the girls gym and I was on the boat hanging out. It’s as much my fault as it is his. “Where is she?”

“She went home. She ain’t wanna see him here!”

Of course not. Alex, I thought, I need to talk to Alex. I raced around, looking for some place I could make a private phone call. Finally, I found an empty bedroom. Hank closed the door behind me and put his hand over my phone before I could dial. “Let go!” I tried to pull away but he wouldn’t let go.

“Beth! Calm down! You freakin’ out.”

“This is my fault.”

“Whoa! How’s it your fault Alex an asshole?”

“Peter told me to watch him especially after a game.” Hank looked thoroughly confused. “Alex has…problems. Issues. Peter was taking care of him and when he left for college, I promised I would. Me and Lisa. She was so much better at this. She would have been there.”

“Of course. She was a cheerleader. You were working – you couldna have been there if you wanted.”

“I got seven cousins coulda worked this mornin’. Hell, Daddy’d done it I told him I had ta be at the game.” I tried to pull the phone away. “I need to call Peter.”

“Shouldn’t you call his parents? He’s not your problem.”

“You don’t understand.” I was glad Peter’s number was in speed dial. “He really is.”

“Hey Cross-eyed!” Peter’s voice was obscenely chipper.

“Hey. Have you talked to Alex?”

His tone changed immediately when I let the childhood taunt go unchallenged – and, for the record, I’m not cross-eyed. “No. Why?”

“Mandy and Kerrie say he attacked one of the other girls.”

“WHAT! Shit! Hold on.” I heard some rustling and conversation in the background. “Ok. Come again? What did Lisa say? Fuck! Stupid question.” We were both silent for a minute. “Ok. Start from the beginning. What happened? Where is he?”

“I don’t know an’ I don’t know.”

“Ok so why you callin’ me?”

“Alex rapes a girl while I’m on The Joy? Who else should I call?”

“RAPED? HE DID WHAT?”

“Attack! She said attack! But she made it sound like…”

The phone was taken out of my hand. “Hello?” Hank said. “Listen, she hasn’t talked to Carol and she hasn’t talked to Alex so she’ll call you back.” He hung up the line. “There. Done.” I was going to light into him but he talked over me. “We go find Alex, and we ask him what happened. OK?”

It did make more sense than me and Peter yelling at each other for no reason. I swallowed my anger – and a little pride, “Ok.” Then after a pause. “Thanks.”

We went downstairs again and search the now packed house. There were more nude people than dressed people by then. Even Gail and Van had shed what little they were wearing. Alex was nowhere to be seen. I did find Art Trucker.

“Oh, he and Llewellyn both looked like they cracked a couple ribs. They took ‘em in for x-rays.”

“Oh my God! Was he ok?” It’s possibly the stupidest question ever asked but it’s so instinctive – if some one gets hurt, you ask if they’re ok now.

“Well, Llewellyn likely got sense enough ta go home. But McElroy kinda twisted you ask me. I’m surprised he ain’t here now.”

Hank pulled me away. “Hey! Relax! Call your brother. If Alex broke a rib playing, he definitely ain’t attack nobody.”

Unless he was in full masochist mode. Then a broken bone would likely just have gotten him off faster. I shook my head. “I gotta find Carol.” I went looking for one of the cheerleaders to see if they knew where she lived. After a little badgering, TC told me and Hank just rolled his eyes and produced his car keys. We were just starting the car engine when Carol herself opened the front gate.

She looked almost pleased to see me when I ran up to her. “Beth! Is Alex here yet?”

“No! Oh My God! Are you ok?”

“Fine. Is he coming?” She looked worried suddenly. “I really need to talk to him.”

“So he didn’t hurt you? He didn’t try anything?”

She looked away. “It wasn’t what everybody thinks. He didn’t mean ta be like that.”

I looked at Hank. “Give me your keys.”

He didn’t want to but he did. I pulled Carol into the backseat with me. “OK. Alex had some…problems. So if he hurt you, somebody really really need ta know.”

“He didn’t…it, it was ok. Really.”

“Carol, you ain’t gotta say that.”

“I don’t wanna get him in trouble…”

“Oh, he already in trouble. He’s is so suspended.”

She gasped. “But they’ll kick him off the team! I don’t want him suspended ‘cause of me!”

“Not from school!” I tried to calm her. “From…from somethin’ else. Family thing. Look, Alex not allowed to do some things ‘cause he…he hurt someone once and nobody wanna see him do it again.”

“He didn’t hurt me.” She said softly.

“Would you tell that ta someone else?”

“I’ll tell anybody just so long as he not in trouble.”

“He in trouble for breakin’ one of his rules already. You just who he broke the rule with. Here,” I dialed Peter again, “hold on. Peter? I found Carol.” I gave her the phone and got out of the car.

Hank was leaning on the hood; I went and leaned with him.

“You gonna tell me why any uh that yo’ business?” I shook my head. “Do I even wanna know what all this about?” I shook my head again. He sighed deeply. “They was throwin’ a couple steaks on the grill last time we went by. Ima see if I can grab one. You want somethin’?”

“Oh. Uh, no.” I glanced back at Carol; she was still deep in conversation with Peter but at least it looked like she was actually talking to him.

“You sure? You not vegetarian, is you?”

“What? Oh. No.”

“Good.” He smiled sweetly. “I couldn’t date a girl who don’t eat meat.” He kept grinning and suddenly I realized that he didn’t mean anything on the grill. I blushed scarlet. He laughed and kissed my cheek. “I’ll bring you a soda.”

I stood there, no longer worried about Alex. I was wondering if I’d have a little ‘meat’ while he had his steak. I was so wrapped up in imagining taking Hank back up to that quiet bedroom and getting my lips around him that I jumped when Carol handed my phone back.

She wiped her eyes. “He said call him when you find Alex.”

“You ok?”

“Yeah. I guess. I guess I was a little more upset than I thought.”

“Well, don’t worry. Alex is gonna get so punished for this….”

“Oh no! He promised Alex wasn’t gonna get suspended or anythin’.”

“He what?”

“I told him just what happened. I didn’t know about him an’ that other girl, that cheerleader that died, but he told me all about it and I see why you so worried. But it’s ok. Is he here yet?” I shook my head. She looked so calm. I wondered what Peter actually told her. “He’s takin’ me ta Fionna’s Friday. I hope.”

“Oh. Good.” I realized I was the one now going into shock. “The squad’s here. I saw Mandy an’ TC out back a little while ago.”

“Oh good. I best tell them I’m ok too.”

She was not ok. She was nowhere near ok. Unless ‘Ok’ was short for ‘future victim’ Carol was about as ok as Meredith Baxter Burney in a Lifetime movie of the week. They could even call it ‘She Said She Was OK’. The plot would be about how some evil man mistreated her.

Hank came back with a plate piled with ribs. “Missed the steak but I figured we could share these.” He looked at me sharply. “You ok?”

To which I had to laugh.

Alex – Evening

As soon as we got back to the school, Hodges, Dutton and Dr. Patterson dragged me and a couple other guys to Patterson’s office to run a few quick e-rays, call our parents – well, Uncle Julius and then my parents – and other related crap. They decided pretty quickly that I was only bruised but Llewellyn really had broken his rib. They put us both on injured reserve. Mom and Dad both came down; Mom in a panic but Dad was cool since he’d seen worse.

It took a lot of talking but I talked them into letting me go to Stephanie’s party anyway. “Dr. Childs asked us ta come, anyhow, Stacie.” Dad pointed out.

“When did he do that and why on earth?”

“Got an e-mail over at the office. He want parents of the current nekked bunch around. May as well drop by.”

“Alright, fine. But then I want to get him home.”

“I’m right here Mom.” I reminded her from the back seat, leaning over the front. “I’m fine.”

“Sit back, Alex. And put your seat belt on!” She shook her head. “It’s like having a six-year-old, I swear. Alright, George, we’ll stay a few minutes. And before you say a word, clothing is not optional.”

I saw Dad smirk at that. “Aw, com’on, Mom!” I teased her. “You pretty hot for an ol’ lady.”

“Alex! George! Do you hear your son? Do something!”

Dad glanced at me in the rear view mirror, still grinning. “Sit back, boy. Yo’ Momma ain’t old.”

“George! That’s all?”

“Boy’s right ‘bout you bein’ hot. Can’t fault him when he’s right.” Dad tried to keep a straight face but Mom slapped his leg and he broke.

“You’re both a pair of letches.”

“You the one supportin’ this whole naked thing.”

“Well I didn’t mean me.”

“Good enough for the boy oughta be good enough for us.”

“In high school maybe, but not now.”

“So this one uh them do as I say things?”

“George you can stop it right now. I am not going to this party naked.”

My whole life, my Mom has always won the arguments. Either they agreed to begin with or Dad gave up and did it her way. So I have always wondered how he con’ed her into bed and knocked her up in high school. In the car ride to Stephanie’s I finally saw it. He teased, coaxed and grinned her into going topless. I saw it for the first time; Bunny was right, Dad was a player back when. At least I got it honest.

Dad got out of the car and stripped. I wasn’t expecting my Father to drop his pants in front of me so I he caught me completely off guard. I’d never seen him naked. It was weird; he looked like me, kind of. A little more narrow and definitely needed to hit the gym. I avoided looking at his package – which made it even harder not to look at his package.

“Oh fer pete’s sake, boy! Ain’t gonna bite you.” He chuckled. “You been lookin’ at ‘em all week. Mine ain’t no different.”

“It’s cold out here!” Mom snapped – it wasn’t, it was like 70 – and hurried toward the front door with her arms wrapped firmly around her chest.

Dad nodded to her retreating backside. “Take me ‘bout an hour ta get them pants off.” He gave me a conspiratorial clap on the shoulder. “Com’on.”

Just in side the door, Beth was waiting, phone in hand. “Peter wants you to call him. Now.” She looked pretty pissed. I took the phone and went back outside.

“Who’s Carol?” He asked without so much as a ‘hello’.

“I don’t know. Carol who?”

“Carol the cheerleader?” He snapped. “What were you doing in the girls’ locker room anyhow?

“OH! That Carol!” I shrugged and winced as I realized that my ribs really were beginning to hurt. “I gotta use the girl’s facilities for this naked program thing. Who told you I banged Carol?”

“You should have fer uh start!” he shouted.

My throat went dry. Peter was pissed. Peter pissed at me was not a good thing. “Yes, sir.” I said hoping to avoid suspension. “I should have.”

“You ain’t called all week, point uh fact.”

“I haven’t had…no, sir. I haven’t.”

“I have ta come down there?”

If Peter made a special trip down just to discipline me, he would make me suffer. He never used pain; he was much more devious than that. “No sir.”

“What the fuck you doin’, boy?”

“Ok, see, it’s like this.” I found myself talking fast to get it all in. “I was suppose ta take her out Friday only there was this Chinese girl and…I mean, we had the away game, right? An’ I met this Chinese girl so I told Carol I’d do her this Friday….”

“Why were you even talkin’ ta Carol in the first place?”

“I don’t know! Shit, she uh fuckin’ doormat but she’s unbelievably fuckable…”

“Swear at me again.”

“Uh, yeah, sorry, sir. Uh, sexy. She very, very sexy. The squad set me up with her.”

“The Squad?”

“Yeah. They figured since I ‘bout done ‘em all an’ Lisa used ta set me up with ‘em we may as well, y’know, keep up the tradition.”

“The whole Squad.” He repeated to himself. “Hold on.” I heard him put his hand over the receiver and talk to someone behind him. “…and close the door. Ok, Alex?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Lisa didn’t talk to you about Carol, did she.”

“No.” But to judge by the new tone in his voice, she did have a chance to talk to Peter.

“Right. Ok. Look, I talked to Carol a little while ago.”

“You did?” There was a time when that would have pissed me off.

“Yeah. She’s a little stunned. You didn’t give her much time to react, you know.”

“She didn’t say no.”

“Alex, you barely gave her time to say anything!” I held my breath as my heart rate started to make my chest ache. I’m not Burk….”She wasn’t sure what to do much less what to say. Not the way to handle a God damn virgin, Alex.”

“She was?” Shit! “Oh, uh…shit.”

“Yeah. Lisa didn’t want you anywhere near her. She was worried you’d overwhelm her.” He sighed deeply. “You a god damn hazard, boy.”

“Yes, sir.” I replied nodding. He’s said that before.

He paused. “She likes you’s the trouble.”

I rubbed the tape where the bruise was beginning to throb. “She does? You kiddin’.”

“Yeah, well, y’know. Smart women, foolish choices.”

Even I had to chuckle at that. “No doubt.”

“I don’t know whether to make her off limits or make you go steady with her.”

“Sir?”

“You really, really pushed the line.”

“It was cool.” I said trying to sound reassuring.

“Yeah? How many time’s she say no?”

“She didn’t.”

“Funny. She think’s it was the first word out her mouth.”

I tried to remember what she actually said. “Nah! It was something lame like ‘I gotta wash my hair’ or ‘my hair’s a mess’. Something like that.”

“Was it ‘rape me in the locker room’?”

“No! It wasn’t…” I hated that word. “She didn’t say no.”

“Did she say ‘yes’?” I didn’t answer that. “Yeah. What I thought. But like I said, she was totally overwhelmed. She didn’t know what she wanted. You damn lucky she still likes you, Alex. That’s about the only thing savin’ your ass this time.” I nodded. “You hear me?”

“Yeah. Yes, sir.”

“This too far?”

“Yeah. Yeah, I went too far.”

“Glad you got that much. Carol isn’t pressing charges.” My whole body trembled at that; I hadn’t even considered that she could. “Point of fact, she still wants you to take her out Friday…”

“She demented?”

“…and I don’t really know whether to let you or not. So, here’s what I’m gonna do. You decide if you takin’ her out Friday. You also get ta handle whatever happens next. I don’t think TC an’ Dina too cool with you ‘bout now. After Carol, new rule – no submissives. Period. You lost that privilege.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Why do you keep hissing?”

“What?”

“You keep hissing. What, you hurt or something?”

“Aw, dude – Peter, I mean – Sir, I got f-ed up! I played naked an’ damn near got my ribs cracked.”

He snickered. “Hazard.” Then he stopped suddenly. “OH, I get it. You had a rough game then shortly after…”

“Uh, right after.”

“Right after? Straight from the field to the girls’ shower?”

“Yeah.”

He was quiet for a minute. “Y’know what? I am damn glad I graduated last year. This naked program gonna be a right mess.”

“Yeah. Kinda wish I’d missed it too.”

“Yeah? Hey…hang on. What?” his hand covered the phone again. “Sorry. Midterms next week. I gotta bunch of folks in the living room.”

“Oh, man! I’m sorry! I ain’t know…”

“It’s cool, Alex. You more important.” I wasn’t but he thought if he kept saying it, I might buy it one day. “Ryan gettin’ a bit testy down there.”

“Ryan? Who’s Ryan?” and why would she be getting ‘testy’?

“I’ll tell you when I’m home for Thanksgivin’. I gotta roll. You cool?”

“Yeah.” No, not really. “I can handle it.”

“Good. Ima call after church tomorrow. You can give me full disclosure for the week, right?”

“Peter, you are not gonna believe this week.”

Beth – Sunset

A lovely fall day turned to a cool evening as the sun set in the distance. Dr. Child and his daughter briefly conferred in the lavish kitchen before he announced, “OK a truce has been reached. The adults lay claim to both bars so no one under 21 admitted to the basement or the living room. The rest of you lot can claim the rest. Kitchen is neutral territory.” He kissed Steph’s forehead. “Don’t let your friends wreck the house.” He smiled lovingly then led the remaining parents and faculty downstairs. An hour or so later, I realized that the original naked ten of us plus a select few were hanging around the fire pit. I was leaning on Hank. To our right, were Van and Gail still mostly absorbed with each other. Next to them, Khalid and Zach were still eating, along with Tank. Alex was beginning to show signs of wear and tear – which is something of a testament to how much pain he must have been in – but Carol, of all people, seemed to enjoy babying him. It was a very odd sight. Tiff, Steph and Brenda were engaged in a deep but quiet conversation. Jared and Steven were in the chaise lounge, cuddling. They had vanished for a while and came back smiling and hadn’t stopped since.

“Hey, guys.” Brenda pulled away from her conversation and got the group’s attention. “Since we all here, we should talk.”

“What up?” We all looked up.

“Ms. Pat wants us to mentor the next NiS group.”

“No prob.” Zach shrugged just as Van was shaking his head, “I don’t want to be involved.”

“Hey, like it or not, I think we stuck with this niss thing.” Khalid said.

“Niss?” Steph repeated. “Blah. NiS sound like some government agency but niss just – yech.”

“Yeah, we gotta call it something better than that.”

“Like what?”

“I don’t know. Nise? Nice?”

“Bad. How ‘bout NISG?”

“Adding a letter does not help.”

“Actually it might, kinda, if we can make it a word.”

“Not G then. I’d been thinking ‘group’ but yeah, it doesn’t work.”

“Niss works. N-I-S-students.”

“Drop niss – it sucks.”

“Bite me.”

“Hey, how bout Team?”

“N-I-S-T?”

“Nist?”

“Nest.”

“How you get nest outta n-I-s-t?”

“Don’t be so pedantic.”

“What, you actually read a book this semester?”

“Blow me. I like nest. It’s kind of cozy. You get naked with your nest. You get freaked out, you go find your nest.”

“Yes, well, you forgive me if I’m tryin’ ta get out the nest.”

“See? Even that works! I say NiST. All in favor?”

There were groans around the group.

“Who cares what we call it, the question is: are we going to help the next,” Brenda shrugged and sighed, “the next NiST?”

“Why do we have to be involved?”

“What would we have to do?”

“Not much, really. Keep an eye on them, offer advice, make sure the always have at least one volunteer. Stuff like that. The Guard Dogs are good for keeping the unwanted attention away.…”

“Very good for it.”

“…but they haven’t been through it so they don’t know, y’know, the awkward stuff. Ms. Pat wants us ta be someone they can talk ta.”

Most of us nodded as we mulled that over.

“I have no intention of talkin’ bout this ta anyone.”

“Maybe my therapist.”

“See, we do this right, you won’t need uh therapist, just a NiST.”

“What ‘bout a real counselor?”

“Daddy’s got an intern who’s gonna come in all day on Wednesday from now on. She’s actually already a licensed sex therapist but she’s finishing her MD.”

“Yeah, but she hasn’t done this.”

“Yeah, she has. She graduated from Central – that school that started the whole thing.”

“Look, just think about it, ok? We could make this a lot easier for next week’s group.”

“NiST.”

“Whatever!”

Alex

I stood before the mirror and admired the view. Me, dressed. Gray suit, white shirt, blue tie, black shoes. Hair combed, my St. Andrew medal visible - I even found the cufflinks Great Aunt Claudia gave me for Christmas a couple years ago. I looked sharp. I looked good anyway, but when I dressed for it, I looked damn good.

Mom tapped on my door, "Sweetheart, come on, we're going to be - oh, my!" She stopped and admired the view. "We're going all out this Sunday, aren't we?"

"It works?" I asked her.

She nodded. "It works. You'll have to spend some time fixing your father's closet someday."

We both laughed as we headed downstairs. Dad was already in the car.

We did not go to church late in our household.

I loved my church. I loved everything about it. I loved that I was related to three of the five ministers. I loved the choir. I loved the every curve of every pew. Ok, I wasn't so fond of the lack of air conditioning. But we'd open all the windows and doors and deal with it for a couple hours.

I wasn't one of those guys who was always in the church, mind you. I used to sing and play guitar for the children's choir because my Grandmother made me and my sister join. But that's as far as I got. The church wasn't my life, it was just a really cool place. Oh, and all that God stuff was cool too - love thy neighbor and whatever.

At that moment, however, going to church was just the bonus. I was really just happy to be dressed again. The naked thing, on reflection, was kind of cool and kind of not. I mean, they are just bodies and people shouldn't freak out just because people have sex. But at the same time, we don't need to see all that all the time. I had to laugh at myself; who would ever have thought that I'd think there's a time and place for naked?

We didn't live far from the church so it was a short trip. Dad's a deacon, so he barely parked the car before he hurried for the office. Mom went off to do whatever she does before service and I wandered around to see who else had arrived. I saw Uncle Edward and his family show up - Jean and Joan were in their choir robes.

Beth managed to sneak up on me. "Found a suit that fits?"

I turned planning on saying something in kind but the comment died unborn. Beth looked hot. The dress was perfect on her - it highlighted her figure just right proving that naked isn't always best. It was probably too much cleavage for church but I wasn't about to criticize. "God damn."

She turned slowly. "Thank you. You think Hank will like it?"

"Like I care. Com'on; let's go round back."

"Alex!" She laughed and blushed. "I like Hank."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah." She tried to stop grinning but couldn't. "Don't look at me like that!"

"Hey," She didn't like many guys, really, "you want me ta, y'know, kinda lay low for awhile?"

She looked a little uncomfortable for a moment. "Maybe? A little? Just until I know if Hank and I are, y'know, something."

I hugged her. She wasn't expecting it but hugged me back. The ribs hurt like hell but I wasn't about to stop her. I kissed her cheek and let her go. "He hurt you, Ima break his fuckin' kneecaps."

"Alex!" She laughed. "You a hazard."

"Yeah, whatever." I laughed and winced.

"Still hurts?"

"Oh, yeah."

She tilted her head. "And I've lost track. Is this good pain or bad pain?"

"Both." I grinned.

"Sick." She shook her head then looked over my shoulder surprised. "Well that's unexpected."

I turned to see Stephanie and her father arriving for service. Dr. Childs looked normal enough but Stephanie was naked again. "I hope she ain't plannin' ta attend service that way. I mean, com'on! Give it a rest."

"That's what I thought." Said a voice behind me. I back to see Steven standing next to Beth. "I knew Jared was tellin' tails."

"About what?" Beth looked a little suspicious.

"Oh, he said you all had ta be naked ta-day. Said it counted as a school event."

"It's church." I pointed out.

"Yeah, but something must be up." Beth observed. "Too many people here who ain't regulars. I know the Deckers don't usually come here; aren't they Baptists?"

"How the hell I know?" I went to service once with Sondra purely because I was trying to sleep with her at the time. I did know that Doug Alsop wasn't a member of our church so I should not have seen him opening the door for some elderly attendees. "What the fuck…."

Beth pinched me and yelled out, "Jared!" She waved him over. "Why are you naked?"

"The choir concert." He said, pointing to the school bus just arriving. "Didn't you guy know? Our choir is singing so it's a school event."

"This is church." I pointed out again, since everyone seemed to miss that fact.

"Yeah, but it's a school event."

"Yeah, but it's fuckin' church." I blocked Beth's hand. "Don't pinch me again; I ain't playin' now." Clearly, they weren't either. I could see the choir unloading from the bus. Both Gail and Tiffany were naked. "This is not funny." My ribs were throbbing in time with my heartbeat. They itched under the tape which might be very soon the only thing between me and scratching them.

"It's not meant to be."

"There is no fuckin' - freakin'? - there ain't no freakin' way Ima attend Sunday service naked. That's right out."

"Alex…" Beth, I noticed, had made no attempt to undress either. She looked past me and her face fell. "Dad. And Ms. Pat."

Uncle Charles looked just about as dark as I'd ever seen him as he and Ms. Pat headed straight for us. "Alex, Beth, honey, I'm sorry but you gonna need ta head home now. What with your school choir here - didn't even think, been on the calendar uh month, now. Anyhow, you gonna have ta strip if you stay so…."

"OK."

Uncle Charles and I both looked at her with pure disbelief. "Come again?"

She shrugged. "Ok. I don't want to miss service and I wanna hear the concert. OK."

"Oh no now, Missy, I done had enough of this." Uncle Charles looked at me. "You drive?"

"No, but I can borrow Dad's car."

He nodded. "Take her home an'…."

"Mr. McElroy," Ms. Pat cut in, "I must point out that your daughter wants to stay."

"Don't see your point, there."

"My point is that this is part of the program - to adjust our perceptions about ourselves. Not just as individuals - which Beth has done admirably, you should be very proud - but as a community. Rev. Johnson has been very supportive…."

"You uh lie." I snapped. "Rev. Johnson ain't gonna let no naked people sit up in his church on Sunday mornin'."

"Rev. Johnson has been one of the early supporters of the Program." She looked a bit smug.

Uncle Charles rolled his eyes. "Old Rev. Johnson. Young Rev. Johnson not so hot for it."

Except that, Old Rev. Johnson's opinion counts a billion times more than his son's does - even if the younger's been pastor now for a good five years. I'm still not going to service naked but…but I'm still not going in naked.

"Dad?" Beth took a step closer to Uncle Charles. "Remember what I said Thursday night?"

"Beth, this ain't got nothin' to do with who you wanna date…"

"No, Dad. It's about making my own decisions." She reached back and unzipped her dress. Not even a full second later, she was in just bra and panties. Uncle Charles' blood pressure must have gone from 0 to 60 or whatever blood pressure does because his face turned purple. She was a little pink herself as she unhooked her bra and let that fall. Her panties - a silk pair I bought her actually - followed.

"Wow." The voice behind us made the whole group jump. I looked up to see Hank had joined us.

"Somethin' you need, boy?" Uncle Charles growled at him.

"Uh, no, Sir." He took a step back. "I'll just go in now." He headed for the church. Beth scooped up her clothes and followed in a rush.

"Honey!" was all my Uncle got out. "God damn it."

"She'll be fine, Mr. McElroy." Ms. Pat said.

"Say that when it's your little girl runnin' 'round these hounds." He glared at Jared and Steven, who both took a step back. "Well, boy?" He turned his look on me. "You best undress an' keep an eye on her."

I looked at him for a second before I realized he was serious. "Aw, com'on! I just got dressed! It's church!"

"Alex, you don't have to undress." Ms Pat's tone was not quite deceptively sweet. "You can attend service, dressed. And repeat the Program later in the school year."

"I finished the f-in' Program." I stated flatly. "Today is Sunday; this is church, not school."

"It's a school event being held at a church."

"My church."

"Your church?"

"Yeah. Mine. My home church."

"Your church? Where they know you and love you and accept you for who you are?" She asked. Uncle Charles looked thoughtful at that. "Where they will understand that you are not being disrespectful by being disrobed?"

"Yeah." He said for me.

"They don't know me." I wasn't whining. But the truth was that none of them really knew me. Even God must not really know me otherwise he'd have struck me down by now.

"Alex," Uncle Charles stroked my hair, almost like my Dad would have, "they don't know you in there, ain't a soul on God's earth know you." He chuckled. "An' God seen you naked by now." He looked at Ms. Pat. "This the last time the boy gotta go through this?"

"The last event."

"Ima hold you to that."

I came to church so I could have one sin-free day a week. I really needed that this week - some place I wasn't worried about what I'd done wrong that morning or what I was going to do wrong that afternoon. I repented, God redeemed. At least for now; Hell to pay didn't even cover what God was likely to do to me after this life. But the point was, God had little enough reason to love me. I didn't need to go in his house and sit naked on his bench. I looked at my uncle and Ms. Pat. "I'll wait in the car." I said finally. The car, of course, was locked. I sat on the hood. I think I would have killed for a cigarette.

Beth

I found Alex in the parking lot, sitting on the hood of Uncle George's car. He looked miserable even from the back. He glanced over his shoulder at me then looked at the churchyard again. "What?"

"Service about ta start." He didn't react. "I could order you, you know."

"Peanut fuckin' butter."

I stood there for a minute. I really had no idea what was wrong with him and I really felt terrible that I didn't know. "Maybe you should call Peter…"

"Maybe you should just go in already."

"Just…what is it? Maybe I can help."

"Beth…" he sighed, "…you can't. Thanks. It's just me. I'm fucked up."

I thought about it for a minute then made the offer I didn't want to make. "Would you go in if I got dressed again?"

"You can't go in you get dressed. You'd have ta re-do the whole damn week."

"I know."

He looked at me. Then he got up, came over and took my hands. "You 'bout as sweet as they come, you know somethin'?" He kissed me and for a minute, I really forgot where we were. He pulled back before I did. "Go on back in. Ima be fine."

"Life'd be a lot easier we weren't related." I sighed.

"Amen." He took a step back from me. "You best go on back in or Ima do more-n that."

I shrugged. "I'll just hang out with you."

He looked at me oddly. "Thought you wanted to see how this Hank thing work out."

"What, I hang out with you we gotta fool around?"

"You hangin' out like that? Oh yeah."

I blushed. "Jerk."

"You the one all hot."

"You the one all bothered."

"So that make us both hot an' bothered, right?"

"I'm not bothered a bit." I said glancing backward. This could get really awkward if anyone actually noticed us. When I looked back at him, he'd turned serious.

"Yeah. You not. You should be." He sat back on the hood again. "Go on back in. Hank waitin', right?"

"Likely." I wasn't going back in without him.

He looked at me; I looked at him. The church bells rang - in fifteen minutes service would start.

"I'm not goin' in there naked." He said. "You can forget that."

"Ok." I didn't know what to say to that. I really didn't get it - he'd been naked all week. Then it hit me - he had been naked all week. School - even the away game - hadn't bothered him a bit. It was only here, at church, that he was resisting at all. I tried to think of all the times Alex, Peter and I talked but I couldn't remember anything that would explain it. Peter would know, I thought mournfully, Peter would get this exactly. "Maybe Peter…."

"Peter can't fix this." He looked at the ground. "No one can."

"Fix what?"

"Fix me."

"Fix you?"

He sighed. "Forget it. Go on in. Ain't no point in both us missin' service."

"You'll miss the choir." I tried - he loved our choir. "Aunt Candice is singin'."

He looked almost longingly at the building. "Open a window for me. I can listen ta Grandma from here."

I started to get frustrated and I could hear the organist begin. People would be moving toward their favorite seats; Dad would be looking at the door again. "Alex, just tell me. There's nothin' 'bout you need ta be fixed. You already been naked a week; how's a couple more hours gonna make a difference?"

"I was naked at school."

"So?"

"So who cares? Those people don't make a difference - fuck 'em! That's damn near our whole family in there, Beth! Ima know these people my whole life! I don't want them ta know what I really am!" He got up and started pacing in the small space between the cars. "I mean, shit! Ima dick, I know that and at school who the fuck cares? But here - these people matter. Shit, God matters! Dressed, I look like everybody else. I go in there naked, they gonna see what I really am. They gonna see Ima fucked up little shit!" He threw himself against the roof of the car and I grabbed him. He was shaking. He was crying and saying things like 'I'm going to hell' and 'God hates me'.

"God loves you, Alex," was all I could think to say to him. "An' even if he doesn't, I do."

He laughed, even through the tears, and sniffed loudly. "Oh yeah; that's just the same thing. My fuckin' cousin loves me." He dropped his arms around me and hugged me hard for a minute.

I could hear the choir softly in the distance - their version of "Storms of Troubled Times". Aunt Candice must have a telepathic link to Alex. I slipped my hands down and began unbuttoning his jacket, then his shirt. He loosened his grip on me and let me undo his tie. In one move, I took all three off his shoulders. I tried to smile at him and he sniffed loudly but put his arms down so I could take everything off. "Alex, the only thing they gonna see in there is a teen with a bandaged chest." The last time I undressed Alex, we fucked for hours; it was a bad thing to think about just before church. I got his pants and boxers down to his knees and somehow avoided rubbing my cheek against his very not-erect penis - a first in my experience - as I squat down to make him step out of them. "With really expensive shoes. Aren't those Peter's?"

"He gave 'em to me."

"Gave?"

He almost smiled. "Ok. Lent an' ain't been back home ta take 'em back."

I took his hand and lead him to the church door. We stood in the doorway listening to the last chorus of the song. "You right, Alex. Everybody you love, practically, in this room. But did it ever even once occur to you that we all know you a jerk and we love you anyway?"

He made a weird choking sound and looked away from me but his grip on my hand tightened. I saw him wipe his face. "Bitch." His whispered but the tone was anything but angry. I tried to find Hank in the crowd but couldn't tell the back of his head from any other. Alex tugged slightly and we started to turn toward the side aisle.

Old Rev. Johnson stood up and took the podium as the choir sat down. "Would the members of the new school program please come join me?"

Alex and I exchanged a look. "Fuck." He muttered. I'd have pinched him if I hadn't wanted to say it myself. We were joined down the center aisle by the whole group. Even Van-chi had come.

"Look at what God has made." Rev. Johnson said. "These are your children, all colors, all gifts. And they are beautiful and they are good and they are worthy. God has blessed us with them and through them." There were a few quiet 'amen's as the Rev began preaching about how noble we were and how the Program was nothing the community should fear or reject. "To those of you who fear the gifts God has given us I say we are all naked before the Lord." The congregation gasped and I looked behind us at the podium. Rev. Johnson was picking his robe up from the floor, naked as we were. Young Rev. Johnson was covering his face in a gesture of abject exasperation.

The Reverend picked up the mic and had the two boys nearest him - Zac and Khalid as it happened - to move the podium next to the choir stand. Then, he asked the congregation to turn to a chapter and verse. He began his sermon. I couldn't remember the last time the old pastor preached but I guessed it would be a long time before anyone forgot this service! Old Rev. Johnson was in his early 70's and looked it. He looked almost brittle but he preached with energy that seemed to come from somewhere outside himself. He seemed more alive than I'd seen him since Granddad's wedding. It made me wonder if the reason he always seemed so old and tired is because he wasn't preaching - that maybe that was what had given him energy in the first place. He certainly was still a brilliant minister; by the time the choir sang their second song, half the congregation was on their feet and shouting their 'amen's.

Some of them were even naked.

By the time our regular service ended and the choir concert began, there were a lot of naked people. Not too many, of course, but more than a handful which was a shock at that. There were four guest choirs and each did three songs. Then they all joined together and sang "Amazing Grace" as one group. It was overwhelming to hear all those voices at once. I glance over at Alex, his head bowed and hands clasped, and was happier than I could say that he hadn't missed it.

Finally, everything ended and most people began to move either to the parking lot or to the dining hall, Daddy found me in the crowd. He nearly picked me up and hugged me. My Daddy was one of the naked people. I don't know why. I just hugged him back.

Alex

My suit was still on the ground by Dad's car when I finally got out to it after service and dinner and everything else. The car next to ours had been careful not to drive over it as they pulled out of the space. I picked it up and debated if there was any point in putting it back on. Steph had invited a bunch of us back over to her place and she and her Father had been butt naked when they walked home.

I thought about that morning and all the stress I went through. I realized there were some things I needed to think about. I really thought Peter had fixed me. I was wrong. Going into that church naked scared the fuck out of me. If Beth hadn't been holding my hand I could not have done it. Could not. Almost didn't anyway. Rev. Johnson's sermon just made me feel more like satan's spawn. I wasn't entirely sure, but I had the sneaking suspicion that Beth likely saved my life that day. It was an unnerving idea that I didn't like any more than any other idea I'd had that day.

I realized that I was still staring at my clothes and decided on a course of action for that at least. Shirt and pants. I had Mom's keys so I threw the jacket, tie and my boxers in the trunk. I thought about taking one of the painkillers they gave me but I was kind of enjoying the throbbing pain that had settled around my chest. If it got any worst, I could probably find so aspirin somewhere.

I headed back to the dining hall. Immediately I knew Uncle Charles and Aunt Elizabeth had left because Beth and Hank were kissing by the doorway. I leaned in close to Hank's ear. "Hurt her an' Ima break you inta bait-size pieces." He jumped back from her and I cracked a smile as I walked away in search of Mom.

I found her, Grandma and Aunt Rachael gossiping with Ms. Johnson and a couple other old church women. She took her keys but held my hand. "Where are you off to now?"

I shrugged. "Hang out a minute then head ova ta Steph's."

"It's a school night."

"Yeah, Ma, I know." I rolled my eyes. "I'll come home or I'll call."

She rolled her eyes. "I'll come home or I'll call." She mimicked. "When did you get grown?" She brushed some dust from my shirt. "You take your meds?"

"Yes, Ma."

"Really?"

"Yes, Ma!"

"Such a liar." She brushed more dust. "Are you sure you don't want to go home and change?"

"Ma…."

"Ok! Ok! Wear the pollen covered shirt, I don't care. You'll be home by 10?"

"Or I'll call. Yes, Ma."

"Ok. Love you."

She tiled her chin up and I took the hint and kissed her cheek. "Love you, Ma." For an instant, I wanted to really kiss her. Sick, twisted, perverted….but….Bunny…. Yeah, I needed serious help. "Later." She let me go and I wandered off to see if any one going to Steph's party was still around.

I found Doug Alsop offering to give Carol a ride over. My Carol. My fucking Carol.

"I should find Alex." I heard her say. "I don't think he even knows I'm here."

"Alex." Doug repeated. Just the name I'm sure he wanted to hear. "Y'know, he's…he ain't…never mind. Let's go find Alex." He turned and saw me. "Oh look, there he is." His voice was virtually dripping with venom.

My first instinct was to drop him like a bad habit. We weren't at school; pounding him wasn't as likely to get me suspended. He deserved it - moving in on Carol just the way he moved in on Lisa. That was what got the paperweight I use as a brain started.

I actually did feel kind of bad about Doug and Lisa. And I wasn't sure how I felt about Carol - jealous instinct aside, let's face it. At some point, I was going to get tired of her being a total wimp and dump her. It was probably better to get rid of her now, if I could. Carol was talking but I ignored her - girls like her are easy to ignore anyway. "Doug, dude, listen. About last week. Totally my fault, right?" He started it but I wasn't going to hold that against him if I could pawn Carol off on him. "Look, you hear 'bout this Watch Dog thing?"

"Yeah. What about it?"

"We need more guys an' I figure you know trouble when you see it. I mean, you spotted me, right?"

He seemed to think it over like I was serious, and actually, as I really thought about it, he was a good choice. "Who else?"

"Most of the football team. An' Tank. An' I don't know who - I'm supposed to figure that out. Actually, I kinda need help with that. I was hoping, y'know, since we both gotta be in the office Monday morning, we could talk about it then."

He looked at Carol then back at me. "You are in charge of the Watch Dogs?"

I shrugged. "My idea. I think it's kinda fox guardin' the hen house, myself."

"Yeah. Kinda." He shook his head. "Yeah, I'm in. I guess Monday's ok."

"Cool." I glanced at Carol. "Hey. Later." I walked off, knowing she was stunned and hurt and hoping that Doug was as nice a guy as I thought he was. Carol didn't follow me, which I took as a good sign. I found myself headed back to the main door and figured it might be best to just walk over to Steph's place. I started in that direction and had only gotten a block or so - a long block, according to my ribs - when a horn honked and someone called my name. I looked up as Van, Gail, Tiffany, and Tank pulled up next to me.

"Need a lift?" Gail asked as Tiff opened the back door.

"Hop in!" She said cheerfully. "I can sit in Tank's lap."

She moved over and I watched Tank's face turn twelve shades of red.

"How's it hangin' Tank?" I asked. I had to restrain the temptation to reach under his leg and check myself. "You two pretty tight these days; you two, y'know, a thing?"

"Al-lex!" Gail and Tiff had the same timing and inflection.

"Just askin'."

"We haven't even gone out yet." Tiffany blushed.

Gail leaned over the front seat. "Implying that you planning on going out?"

"Gail," Van poked her shoulder, "you're blocking my view."

She settled back into the passenger seat. "Are you?"

Tiff looked at Tank and blushed again. "I don't know. Maybe."

"Why Tank!" I bat my eyelashes at him. "I thought you were taking me out!"

Everyone laughed except Tank and Tiffany bat my shoulder. "Al-lex! I swear!"

"Ooo, you hit hard. Maybe I oughta ask you out before he does."

"I'll just say no." She smiled at Tank. "I waiting for the right invitation."

Judging by the look on Tank's face, she'll be waiting a long damn time. Tiff was clearly smitten and utterly blind to Tank's discomfort. I was spared trying not to say anything stupid by Van parking in Steph's driveway. Food was out back as usual and Steph found me a couple aspirin when I asked.

On my way back to the party, I passed a couple making out in one of the bedrooms. Khalid I recognized but not the girl. I tried to get a better look and the floorboard creaked and they both looked up at me. Ms. Hanes the chemistry teacher. The old lady teacher, I mean not some hot, young, just out of college thing; Ms. Hanes had to be forty at least. Khalid sprang up and pulled me into the hallway.

"Dude, look…."

"Ms. Hanes? Dude, Ms. Hanes?"

"Vivian is…."

"Vivian?"

"Alex! You cannot tell anyone about this. I mean anyone! Look," he glanced around us then lowered his voice. "Vivian has agreed to be my guardian starting this year. My parents have already started the paperwork."

"What does that mean?"

"It means I'm on the fast track to getting my citizenship instead of depending on my Dad's visa status! You cannot tell anyone about us. It would totally screw everything up."

"Dude, she's like, 40!"

"I don't care how old she is, Alex, I love her."

I opened my mouth and stopped. "Dude!" then after a pause, "Are you shittin' me?"

"No, I am not shitting you!" He snapped. "My parents leave next year. I have to get through three more years and then we can get married."

"To stay in this country?"

He hit me in the back of the head. "To stay with her dumbass!"

"Dude that is fucked up!" But I had to grin. "You do her yet?"

He hit me again. "Are you gonna tell anyone?"

"Hey you the one makin' out with the door open." His face fell as he thought about how many people could have seen them and I did laugh at him. "Just keep the door shut." I shook my head as I headed back downstairs. "Doofus."

Beth

Dr. Childs left only a few minutes after Hank and I arrived. Stephanie immediately declared the swimming pool and the volleyball court clothing free zones and badgered anyone still dressed into stripping.

Then she announced Relief.

"I don't know about anyone else, but I haven't had any relief in two whole days and I'm going crazy! So, new Child house rule: Anyone naked can ask for relief. I need a volunteer!" There were several offers but she chose Clay, one of the guys in the choir. He had her sit on the backyard table and began eating her without any hesitation. A small crowd gathered around them.

I looked at Hank - I had stayed naked after church and he stripped when we arrived. "Getting any ideas?"

"No." He said calmly.

"Oh." I sat there for a minute. It hadn't actually occurred to me that he wasn't interested in doing more than kissing me. Then again, I am a slut so why would he want to do more than that. I got up and slipped into the pool to swim a few million laps. When my hand touched the side closest to him again, someone grabbed it. I looked up to see him holding my hand.

He got into the water and slipped his arms around me. "I'm not getting any ideas watching Stephanie because I've had the same idea ever since you stripped for me this morning."

"I didn't strip for you."

"You didn't see it from my angle. Looked like you planned it just for me." I couldn't help blushing. "But I don't wanna do something you don't enjoy."

"Like what?"

"Well, I mean, if you don't, y'know, O, I don't want to just do something that's frustrating."

"Oh." Actually, just standing in the water with him was pretty nice. "I enjoy everything. I just don't explode."

"It's not annoying?"

"If it goes on too long, yeah, but it can be just nice."

"What's too long?"

"I don't know. An hour? Like that."

He laughed. "An hour? After watching you in class, I was thinking like three minutes was too much! An hour?" He lifted me up onto the edge of the pool - with me fighting and giggling. He stopped the giggles when he pulled my face down to his. I was getting used to letting him initiate all kisses - it was certainly less painful for my forehead. While we kissed, I could feel his fingers gliding up and down my thighs. I shivered at the thought of him touching me 'down there'. When his fingertips finally parted my lips, I groaned deeply. He replied with a groan of his own. I couldn't reach anything but his hair but he had full access to me. When his fingers gently twisted my clit, I gasped. He let go of my mouth and switched to my nipples. I moaned and noticed - distractedly - that a crowd was beginning to form around us. I couldn't focus on anything other than his fingers and his lips and tongue. He was very deliberate, each time his fingers moved, it was to do something specific to me, not just to generally stroke or caress. It made me crazy. I whimpered when his lips finally release my nipple and didn't grab the other one. But my disappointment was short lived. His lips touched my thigh as his arms pushed them a bit wider. His hair brushed against the inside of my leg and I actually quivered. When his tongue lapped my slit, I fell backward. Someone behind me caught my shoulders and lowered me back onto a towel. I arched and wiggled as Hank's tongue and lips explored my every crevice. I heard someone moan and couldn't tell if it was me, Hank or someone else. I hated getting so worked up but it felt so good - even without the big orgasmic finish.

Or at least it did until the muscles in my legs began to cramp. I gave Hank's arm a tug, realizing that we hadn't decided on a signal. He got my message any way and lifted himself out of the water beside me. He gave his face a rinse before I could kiss him and grinned at me. "Shawn though that was dull? Wow!"

"Nothing happens." I shrugged. It was all I had the strength to do.

"Plenty happens. I gotta do that more often."

I almost said 'that's what Alex always says' but I managed to keep my mouth shut. I also began to realize that the moaning hadn't stopped. I sat up on my elbows and looked around us. Hank did too.

"How did I miss that?" He said astounded. Around us, most of the party had broken into couples and were in various stages of making out. Nearly everyone was naked. There were two other couples around the edge of the pool and one in the hot tub. Every deck chair was in use. Stephanie was still on the table but Clay had been replaced by Andre. There were couples on the grass and in the sand. Couples and triples. And a quad. I realized that it would be long before this officially became an orgy. My heart skipped a beat.

"Hank, let's play voyeur for a while." I took his hand and stood up. Actually, I wanted to join in but the stunned silence on Hank's face told me he wasn't quite ready for that - despite the enormous erection he was sporting. We slipped into the house where the couples were a little more discreet. Except in the basement. The basement was Romanesque. There were several wine glasses scattered about the room and at least eight people in the pile on the floor. I couldn't tell who was doing who.

Hank leaned over to me. "You said you done a lot." I nodded. "Like that?" I didn't respond; I was remembering the three nights in Sydney. Like that and then some. I discovered that if you have the right furniture, one girl could have eight happy partners. Ten if two have a foot fetish. Hank tugged my hand and we went back upstairs. "Maybe we should go." He said. "I'm not this, uh, open, I guess."

"Where's Alex." I said almost before I thought the words. In all those bodies, I hadn't seen Alex. He had been there when we arrived and I sincerely doubt he would have left when the sex started. "As soon as I find him, we can go. Ok?"

"Beth, believe me. If anyone will be ok in this crowd, it's Alex. You really don't need ta find him. You likely don't wanna know what he's up ta. He likely on the bottom of that pile downstairs."

"Gettin' his ribs cracked all the way?" Unfortunately, I could see that exactly. I went back downstairs and looked more closely at the pile.

Zach, Dory Willis, Kerri Bridges, Marshall and Chelan Ross. Clay. Brenda and Penny. No Alex.

Penny grabbed my wrist. "You should let Brenda have a taste. You teased her all week." Brenda's eyes were closed as someone in the pile was doing something to her. Then, Penny's eyes lit up and she pulled out of the fray - giving me a push toward Brenda. "Hank!" She rubbed against him. "I used to have the biggest crush on you. Back in 5th grade." Hank looked at me and swallowed hard.

"I'm kinda seein' Beth, right now." He sputtered.

"Actually," I moved over to him and kissed his cheek. "If you want to play, I'd like to watch."

"Watch?"

I nodded. "Watching someone get off - especially someone you like - is almost as much fun as doing it yourself."

He swallowed hard. "This is the whole problem with Relief, isn't it?"

I smiled. "It's hard to say no." I reached down and stroked him. He shivered. "It's ok, Hank. Play a little."

"Oh God." He groaned. "This is not how I envisioned my first time."

Penny giggled as she knelt in front of him. I stood behind him, tweaking his nipples with my fingers and watching Penny lick his cock. "Does it feel good, Hank?" I whispered. He nodded. "Good. I want you to feel good."

"Feel better if it was you." He sighed.

"How 'bout if it was both of us?" He shook again. I knelt down beside Penny and she and I shared Hank's shaft. Shortly, I felt a hand caressing my butt. I did not look back. I felt Penny's breasts rub against mine periodically as we vied for Hank's throbbing cock. The tongue that slipped between my legs found me incredibly wet. I pushed Penny out of the way and inhaled Hank, knowing it would be the only thing that kept me from screaming. After a few minutes, Hank slowly knelt down - careful not to dislodge me - and someone stepped over him. Very shortly after that, he came shooting several jet of cum into my mouth. I looked up to see a blissful looking Penny, sitting on his face.

I turned around to kiss whomever had been eating me and found a please looking Brenda. "Hiya Barbie!" She grinned. After exchanging a heated kiss with me, she crawled over and kissed Penny. The girl shook fiercely, mewing, then pulled away from a panting, sweating Hank.

I crawled on top of him, feeling his rebirth as I went. "Hank." I kissed him, tasting an unfamiliar girl's juice on his lips. "I want you to do me."

"Now?" he gasped.

"Now." I reached back and rubbed his head against my slit. His eyes fairly rolled back in his head.

"I…I don't…are you…Jesus! I can't think while you do that!"

"Don't think." I said slipping him in. "Feel."

He was the biggest guy I'd seen erect. Or felt erect. My whole world came down to the feeling of his cock sliding inside me, pushing deeper and deeper. Bigger than Peter. Bigger than Alex. Bigger than the guy in Australia - the one that did it. I lay on Hank's chest and moaned. Then I lifted myself up and slid back down him again. I wanted to cry he felt so good.

"That feel good?" I asked him.

"Oh God yes." He whispered. "How's it for you?"

"The best ever."

His eyes opened. "Don't lie ta me Beth."

"What?"

"Don't lie. Not now. Please, don't lie."

"I'm not, Hank. I'm so close right now you wouldn't believe how close I am. I wish…." I stop that before I tell him what I want. "Do me, Hank." I roll over, pulling him on top of me. "Slowly."

His eyes closed again and he leaned down until his forehead gently touched mine. "Oh, Beth." He lifted his hips and brought them back down slowly. I moaned; it was incredible feeling him so deep inside me. He repeated the stroke slowly for a while. A brief while. He began to pick up the pace, groaning with each thrust until he was banging into me hard and fast. I hate hard and fast - I get nothing from it. His size was a big help - he felt better than anyone else - but I knew that unless he could keep that pace up for half an hour, this was going to be another disappointment. "Oh Hank." I heard myself whisper. He growled in response and when even faster.

Don't lie to me he asked. He'd be made as hell, I thought, if I faked it again.

I didn't even get a chance to. Without warning, He cried out and I felt him burst deeply inside me. The feeling gave me a warm shiver. Pleasant and lovely and definitely something I'd like to repeat. He collapsed on top of me, panting and sweating.

"Oh Jesus!" He gasped after a minute. He kissed me deeply. "Tell me that was amazing for you too."

"It was wonderful, Hank." I smiled.

He looked distraught. "Not amazing? You ain't, y'know, cum?"

"I still felt good, Hank."

"But it ain't right if I do an' you don't."

"I never do. It's not you. There's something wrong with me."

"No there's not." Brenda brazenly cut in on the conversation. We both looked at her suddenly aware that we were still in the middle of an orgy. "You know most women don't cum during sex, right?"

"Of course they do." I know my face showed disbelief. "That's what sex is for."

"No, most women feel good and enjoy it but orgasms for women take a lot more time and effort."

"Trust me, I put in time an' effort. It don't work."

"Has it ever?"

"Yeah."

"How long'd it take?"

"I don't know. Few hours."

"Few hours?" Hank gasped. "I don't know…."

Brenda nodded. "Yep. Some women need all night."

"All night? Jesus! I barely got five minutes!"

"You'll just have to work on it." I said grinning. It had been three or four hours - three guys, over time. I was sure, however, that Hank and I could find a way around that. "Maybe we'll get you some vitamins."

He raised an eyebrow as he looked me. "You wanna try that again? With me?"

"Oh yeah."

"It wasn't too fast?"

Honest he said. "It was way too fast. But the fun's in workin' it out."

He shook his head. "I don't understand a damn thing." He grinned, "But I'm damn glad I didn't miss you."

Alex

I woke up in a dark room to soft hair rubbing against my shoulder and cheek, tits against my side, an arm across my chest and a knee resting just below my groin. An easy one – I was in bed with a chick. Good news. I had no idea who she was or where I was but in bed with a chick was always a good thing.

I thought back for a minute to piece together what I could. The hair I could see was blonde; I recalled being at Steph’s house and the girl’s height was about right. Ok. I was in bed with Stephanie. I was dressed still so I doubted I’d fucked her. There was a window in the room so I was likely still at her house. The last thing I recalled clearly was going upstairs. I had asked Steph for another aspirin – the first dose had worn off and the bruise was aching badly. She asked what the doctor had prescribed and I couldn’t remember except that it was a prescription. She gave me two pills and a cup of punch and told me to go lie down for the five minutes it would take for them to kick in. It didn’t even occur to me that they might not have been aspirin that she gave me. I took the pills, swallowed the punch – spiked I realized after the fact – and lay Steph’s bed for a minute.

Or, maybe more than a minute.

I tried to look around for a clock without waking Steph. I moved, she shifted, moving more of her weight on top of me and her knee up. I finally saw the clock and shifted again to read it, which pulled my shoulder out from under her, which woke her.

“Shit.” I whispered. 1:30am. I promised Mom I’d call way before that, I was fairly sure.

“Sorry.” She whispered back.

“Oh. Sorry. Not you. I was supposed to be home by now.”

“Oh. Beth said she’d tell your Mom where you at.”

“Why she ain’t just wake me.”

“We tried.” She yawned. “You ain’t budge. I always figured I’d eventually be in bed with you but this ain’t what I had in mind.”

“Hey, you willin’, I’m up.” Which was true. I had ‘morning’ wood like you wouldn’t believe.

She stretched. “Oh, I’m kinda sore now after all that earlier.”

“All what earlier?”

“Everybody.” She chuckled.

“Everybody?”

“Every –“ She stopped short and gaped at me. “Oh. My. God. You slept through it.”

“Slept through what?” It is never good when someone says something like that.

“You slept through the orgy.”

“Oh, please. I would not…I didn’t…Stephanie tell me you are shittin’ me.” She shook her head. “Aw come on!” I fell back on the bed. “God fuckin’ hates me.”

“I can’t believe you slept through the whole thing!”

“What the fuck kinda aspirin you give me anyhow?”

“It was some super Tylenol Dad keeps for really bad headaches and stuff. I mean, it is prescription, but like, two isn’t dangerous. I mean unless you allergic ta codeine or somethin’.”

I shifted to look at her. “And how you know I ain’t?”

She tilted her head slightly. In the glowing light from the moon – I’m guessing, it looked moonlight-ish – she was pale and a bit fairy. Gorgeous. “Are you allergic?

“I dunno but it put me ta sleep damn fast, I’ll tell you.”

She smiled, kind of sexy, smoky, smoldering. “Well, I’m sorry you slept through the fun. I’ll make it up to you.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.” She ran her hand over my chest. “How you feelin’ now?”

I hadn’t really noticed but the bruise wasn’t throbbing. It was a bit sore which might had been because she was leaning on it but that wasn’t anything I couldn’t handle. “Pretty good, actually.”

“So you could do anything you want with me?”

“Or you could do me.” I countered.

“You don’t have some wild fantasy you wanna act out?”

I grinned. “You wanna tie me ta the bed and whip me?”

“Eeew! No. I mean sex, freak, not like, weirdness.”

“What’s the difference?” She laughed. “OK. No, whatever you wanna do’s cool.” I was beginning to drift a bit. If she didn’t start soon, I was going back to sleep.

“You really don’t have somethin’ you always wanted ta try?”

“Oh, yeah, of course! But I like it when chicks tell me what to do.”

“Really?” She bit her lip and thought a minute. “How freaky are you? Seriously.”

“Freakier-n you wanna know.”

“You ever heard of creampie?”

“What, like Boston?” I knew she meant something else, but at the moment, I couldn’t recall what it was.

“No. Like, when you lick it after not before.” If the light were better, I’d say she was blushing. “Y’know, after…”

Her meaning clicked in. “Oh, you wanna be dessert not appetizer.”

“Something like that.”

Cum covered pussy? Oh, yeah, I’m that twisted. “Can I lick it ‘fore I stick it anyway?”

“Yeah, see, the thing is…” She hesitated, “…I ain’t showered yet…”

I was beginning to feel a little uncomfortable. I realized it was because I was too hot, dressed and under the covers and because my heart was pounding tightly under the bandages. Steph was naked and still covered with some guy - guys - stuff. How hot was that?. “So you pre-loaded, huh?” She bit her lip again, grinning. “Well, come up here an’ let me see if I can guess who.” I gave her butt an encouraging squeeze.

“Seriously? You really wanna do that?”

“Please Steph, I really wanna.” The longer I thought about it, the harder I got. “You gonna make me beg?”

“You don’t have ta beg…” But I was already crawling over her, out of the bed to kneel on the floor beside her.

“Let me lick it, please?”

“It’s really nasty.” She was holding the sheet over herself, sitting up.

“I want it nasty. I like it dirty. I wanna clean it. I wanna suck it clean.”

“I don’t think it’s just one guy. I mean, I was pretty much in the thick of it.”

“Oh God, Steph, please! Just a taste. I promise I’ll make it nice an’ clean. I’ll get you off, totally. You don’t hit it, You can fuck someone else an’ I’ll do it again. Just let me try, please.” My mouth was actually watering at the idea of eating her out; if she had said no at that point, I’m not sure I would have listened to her.

So I guess I’m very lucky that she slipped her feet out from under the sheets. “Now I feel kind of silly. I really should shower first.”

“No, please! Let me!” I took her foot in my hand and kissed the top of it. Then I lifted it and kissed the bottom. I sucked her toes as she giggled and moaned. I did the other foot the same way. “Ima work my way up.” I said as I licked the back of her ankles. “When I get ta that pussy, I want it ripe. I don’t care every boy in school been up there, I wanna suck it out you.” It didn’t take long to get her knees apart but there was dried jizz halfway down her thighs. “Oh Jesus!” I sighed. It really was kind of nasty but that’s what made it so good to me. It was sick. It felt depraved. The only thing that would have been better was if she were actually forcing me to do it – holding me down and smothering me.

“Oh God!” I groaned and tried to pull her a little forward. She was delicious. It didn’t take long to clean away the jizz – so mixed in to her, I couldn’t begin to guess how many guys there were – and get down to fresh girl cum. It was hard to keep from just jumping her because I knew once I unloaded, she was going to let me eat her out again. I really tried to pay attention to her body cues – when she’d push hard against me, when she’d lift up, when she’d grab my hair and pull – but mostly I was caught up in how good she tasted and how good it was going to feel to have this tight, wet, hot pussy throbbing around my dick.

Finally, she pulled my head upward and I let go and followed her hands. She kissed me and I kissed her back and we both fought with my shirt for a minute. The bandages were in the way. I told her I wanted to feel her chest against mine and she helped me get them off. Then my pants had to go. My dick was leaking pre-cum by then but if my pants were stained, I didn’t notice. She was pulling me down on top of her and I couldn’t think of anything beyond sucking those glowing tits.

“Oh God that feels good!” She gasped. “I love it when you do that!” I switched and sucked her other nipple. She gasped again then stopped me. “Alex, do you love that?”

“I love it, Steph! I love your tits. I love you pussy. I love your lips and your shoulders.” I tried to kiss everything as I named it. At the moment, I would have said I loved Hitler if I thought she’d let me fuck her. “I love everything, Steph.” I had just enough presence of mind to stop there; there are some lies even I don’t tell.

“You wanna do me?”

“Oh please! Please, Stephanie, please!”

She slipped her arms around me and pulled me down. I moaned as the pain in my side matched the throbbing in my groin. We were both slick with sweat and her hand glided easily down my back and over my ass. I got my hand down around her hip and lifted her toward me. We spend a few minutes angling and rubbing and missing before we both began giggling. I let her hips go and with one hand held her chin to kiss her and stop the giggles and with the other hand, guided myself into her. Then we both groaned.

Screwing around with guys was fun and easy. But nothing – nothing ever – beat that moment when you first slid into a girl. That…that complete feeling like that was were I was supposed to be and everything fit together. I figured that if it was this good with any girl, it must be mind blowing with the right one. I mean, I knew I didn’t seem like I’d want to settle down and get married and that shit but then again what kind of girl wants a guy who wants to be beaten like hell one minute and then wants to nearly rape you the next? God must hate me – why else would he have made some one no one could love?

But Jesus God Steph felt good! Whether I deserved love or not, I had lust down pat and Steph felt like fucking heaven at that moment. Slow, I kept reminding myself. Stay slow. Let her rhythm set the pace. I could hear Peter’s voice in the back of my head – if she can walk, you ain’t done. I grabbed the sheet and wiped the sweat out of my eyes. I could tell when she hit it – I thought I could tell at least – when she dug her nails into my shoulders and scratched down my back. Well, that’s when I got off, at any rate. I couldn’t think, I couldn’t breathe for a minute of two after that.

We both lay there, panting, and I nearly dozed off. “Hey.” She ran her fingers through my hair. I love that. “I thought you were gonna…y’know.”

“Fuck.” It wasn’t that I didn’t want to I just didn’t want to move yet. “K.” I rolled over on my back and reached around her. “Com’on.”

“Where?”

“Com’ere.”

“What? 69?”

“Ooww. Yeah, you want?”

“No.”

“Aw, com’on.” She made a face and I let it go. “Whatever. Com’on. Lemme do this so I can get some sleep.”

“Well, don’t let me keep you up.”

“Steph! Com’on! I’m too tired ta beg again. Lemme lick it, please?” She hesitated another minute then straddled my waist and inched up. “Further.” I teased tugging her thighs. She moved up a bit more, squeezing my ribs. “Oh baby!” I hissed. She apologized and carefully moved over my shoulders.

“This feels weird.” She lamented. “Shouldn’t I be doin’ somethin’?”

“Just tell me when you hit it.” I folded the pillow under my head and didn’t even have to reach up to lick her. My jizz was already dripping out of her. I stuck my tongue in and scooped some of it out. She gasped and trembled. Soon she was grinding her slit against my mouth, forcing me down, pinning me. It was incredible. When she fell back and away from me finally, I was lightheaded. “Whoa.” I tried to sit up and couldn’t. “Oh jeez!”

Steph crawled back and fell on me. “You right good at that, y’know?”

“No shit.” I sighed. All of whatever was in my system had apparently worn off and my rib cage ached like no end of hell. “Other side. You tryin’ ta kill me here.” She rolled over me carefully.

“You want anything?” she asked.

“Just let me lie here.”

She tucked herself into the crook of my arm. A couple minutes later, she was breathing deeply.

I don’t get it, God, I thought lying there. I don’t get it. Why am I so fucked up? The side with the bruise felt as good as the side with the girl. If I bruise both sides, can I get two girls? I kissed Steph’s forehead because it was there and smelled good. Being smothered by her actually felt better than taking Carol. Peter’s right – no more submissive, wimpy, spineless girls. Only girls who know what they want. Only ones who say no and stick by it. Only those…

…only those like Stephanie. It wasn’t like I was going to find the mistress of my dreams in Reedville. How long had I known Steph and not even seen her? Years.

I twitched my shoulder until she woke up. “What?” she whined.

“Question. You make it with other chicks?”

“No. I mean, y’know, not regularly. I did last night. Why?”

“You cool with it?”

“I guess. Why?”

“What about guys with guys?”

“Screw who you want.” She snuggled into my arm again and tried to adjust the blanket. I stretched, groaned and pulled it over us both. “Sleep.”

“One more.” I wrapped both arms around her. She likely missed all of that but we could discuss it again in the morning. “You like Fionna’s?”

Beth

Grandma Rachael went into labor on a Monday around 2:15 in the afternoon. After swimming, Hank and I went straight to the hospital to wait with the rest of the family for the good news. Can I point out how odd it is to have a 27-year-old Grandmother or to say that your Aunt and or Uncle is/are 18 years younger than you? Yeah, it’s weird.

Anyway, there we all were for a few hours. She delivered, finally, a girl around midnight and then a boy almost an hour later.

“So what you think?” Hank asked me while we were taking a walk to get away from the family for a moment.

“’bout what?”

“’bout this whole family thing. Having babies, gettin’ married, y’know.”

“I don’t know.” I looked up at him. “Why? You plannin’ somethin’?”

“No. Just curious.”

I shrugged. “Married? One day, maybe. But he has to like fish.” I had to laugh. “Both kinds.” Hank smiled. “Kids – I don’t know, they just seem like a lot of effort and no reward.”

He stopped. “You don’t think your parents love you?”

“I think they put a lot more in than they got out.”

“How can you say that?”

I shrugged again. “Just my gut reaction. I mean, I love them and I know they love me but, well, the whole kid thing…” I shook my head. “I don’t think I’m cut out for motherhood. Peter wants kids.”

“Yeah.” He nodded. “Me too.”

We walked in silence for a while. “So,” I said finally, “how was today?” It was his first day in the Program.

“Unique.” He blushed. “Merci beaucoup for French.”

“C’est faire rien. Any time.”

He was quiet again. “I didn’t expect to feel so…exposed. I mean, I knew what to expect – I thought. And being in the girls’ bathroom was…unnerving.” This time I nodded. “And the touching…ok, I guess I could get used to that. But you’re right; there’s a difference between choosing to show and being on display.”

“I kinda liked the view.”

“You would.” He teased gently.

We were back in front of the maternity ward doors.

“Look, about this week…” He started but I put my fingers on his lips.

“I choose to share. Maybe Friday we’ll just be friends, maybe we’ll still be more. I’m through faking and I’m through trying to make things happen that don’t need to. I’m just going to enjoy this – us – for as long as it lasts. OK?”

He laughed and shook his head. “OK. But I’m not gonna understand you any more on Friday than I do now.”

I didn’t think I would either; but then, I was no longer stuck on the idea that I had to.

She jabbed me with a pen – that’s how we met. She jabbed me with a pen because I was blocking the aisle and she couldn’t get to an empty seat. Just to the left of my lower spine; hurt like all hell.

I think I must have fallen in love right then.

“Most girls would say excuse me after hurtin’ uh guy like that,” I said looking around to see what just sent my motor from zero to sixty thousand in one shot.

“Most women wouldn’t have had to move a little boy like that.” She stressed the word ‘boy’. Physically and verbally abusive. And pretty. Not conventional – a little short, a touch thin except in the seat. Dark hair, dark eyes, deep voice for a girl; especially for an Asian one.

I turned away from my conversation – in truth, I didn’t even remember to whom I was talking or what about. She had my full, undivided attention. “You’re new, aren’t you?”

She pursed her lips and narrowed her brows. “You’re observant. Observe this.” She poked my chest with the pen and pushed her weight against it. Even through my shirt, the sharp point stung and I hissed even as I smiled. “Sit down, little boy, and leave me alone.”

“Oh, yes, Ma’am.” I sat down, pulled my cell and text-ed Peter. ‘Breaking a rule. Fell in love. Sorry.’

In the middle of class, the response came back. I saw ‘WTF’ just before I turned it off.

College was turning out to be easy. I got a scholorship dispite my best efforts to avoid one so the money was even less of a problem than it might have been - which was none given my family's finances. I was living with my cousin Peter in a house off-campus that my Great Uncle Julius let us use. Living with Peter was amazing. He was my Dominant in addition to being my cousin and my best friend. I'm not saying living with him was perfect but it's hard to beat living with a guy who beats you hard. Living with a chick who beat me - that could be better but I hadn't meet a willing girl. Yet.

At the end of class, I made a point of blocking her path again. The second time she used her nails on my arm directly. “Oh, yeah,” I hissed and turned on her quickly catching her wrist tightly in my hand. “You wanna go out tonight?”

She stared at me blankly. I knew I was holding her too tightly; I knew if it didn’t actually hurt, it was damned uncomfortable, but she didn’t even blink. From behind me I heard, “Hey, Alex, what’s the hold up?” but I didn’t want to let her go ‘til she answered.

Then I heard Peter distinctly, “Alex. Let go.” Programmed response; my hand actually released before my brain registered the words. I couldn’t directly disobey him – not that I actually wanted to. I stepped aside and let her pass then watched her ass as she left the room. Then I caught sight of Peter’s expression. I didn’t know if he was gonna beat my ass or put me on suspension. Suddenly, I couldn’t breathe.

He stood next to me while I tried to pull myself together. “Well, I haven’t seen that in a while.”

“Seen what?”

“You, in ‘asshole’ mode.”

I looked at him, “Did you see her?” I get my books stuffed into my bag and show him the four crescent shaped marks in my arm, “Christ! I am so breakin’ uh rule tonight.”

“I’ll let that go, I think. But you don’t touch her again. Hear?”

I looked at him; he was totally serious but he didn’t make that an order. I took it as one anyway. “Yes, Sir.”

He glanced over his shoulder then bit my lip, quick and hard. He headed out of the room leaving me a little shaky again. I followed him out. I so needed to get fucked that night.

Tuesday and Thursday quickly became my favorite days of the week. All day spent knowing I was gonna see her at 3:25pm. I made a point of getting there early so I could do something for her – move someone else out her way, sharpen her pencil, get her a bottle of water. She barely registered my presence. I didn’t actually talk to her until we got assigned our group project together. Three weeks into a sixteen-week class, I learned her name.

Ame. Ame Wilson. Pronounced ‘A-me’, short for Amelia.

I didn’t know who the fuck the other two were. She took charge of the project immediately – what our topic was, who did what, when we met outside of class, all of it. She wasn’t just strong and smart. She was aggressive. Masterful.

I was beginning to think that real female masters were a myth. Outside the clubs, at least.

Saturday afternoons got added to my favorite day list – since it was off-season and I was free, we scheduled our group meetings for 3 to 5 at the library. After the second meeting, she stopped me with tilt of her head. The others left and she asked, “I don’t suppose you have a suit, little boy? One that fits.”

People hear my accent and think ‘poor’. “I have two tailored Armani’s – one navy, one black. If those won’t do, I can rent a tux.” It might tap my petty cash for the rest of the month, but I could do it.

She looked surprised but recovered her indifference quickly. “The navy, I think. Pick me up at Stratton Hall at 6:30. Do not be late.” She started to leave.

“Ame.” She paused and looked at me. The look would be withering if I didn’t want her to whip me. “I don’t like ‘little boy’. My name is ‘Alex’.” I didn’t have many limits but that’s one of them.

“I don’t like ‘Alex’.” She said flatly, “I am not calling you that.”

I tried to think that through; Peter usually solved problems like that – that’s why he was the Dom.

“Don’t hurt yourself, little boy.” She sighed. “I suppose ‘little man’ is just as bad?” I nodded and she sighed again. “Fine. I’ll think of something. Don’t be late.” She walked away, ass swaying hypnotically.

I dialed Peter as soon as I got a clear signal.

“We talked about this, Alex. You don’t have to ask permission for every date.”

“Yeah, but this ain’t just any date.”

“Alex, I’m busy here. If I’ve given you a specific rule about the girl – person, whatever – then follow it. Otherwise, go have fun. In fact, fuck ‘em – you have permission to cum tonight. My treat. All other rules apply. G’bye, Alex.” He hung up.

I contemplated this new freedom until I realized that I had less than an hour to get to the house, shower, dress and get back ta campus. Uncle Julius’ house was nice, but sometimes it was too damn far away. Still, I made it back with almost a minute to spare.

I paused in her lobby to admire my own reflection. McElroy men clean up well an’ I was better than most.

“You’re late.”

Her voice seemed to promise pain to come but I knew that’s just my fantasies talking. Besides, Peter only gave me one rule for the night – I couldn’t touch her. Of course, if she tied me down, I couldn’t touch her if I wanted to. I stopped that line of thought – especially because I caught her reflection. “Wow.”

She was stunning in a simple dark blue shimmering thing. No ruffles, no frilly crap, just her wrapped in something that accentuated how round her ass was which most girls didn’t consider a compliment but kept my attention for hours on end.

“You look fabulous,” I said turning and smiling my best you-know-you-want-me smile.

“You look late,” she said, not smiling.

“So punish me.” I should not have said it. All I could think of after was her doing terrible things to my body.

Instead of answering my prayers, she walked to the door and waited. Belatedly, I opened the door for her. I got the car door before she had to ask. As I got in, she handed me an invitation to gallery opening reception in Old Town. I didn’t know the area but that’s what GPS was for.

We drove in silence; I tried to start a conversation and she ignored me. By the time we arrived, I was beginning to wonder why she asked me to bring her. Apart from opening doors, hanging her coat and getting her drink, that is. She vanished into the crowd and I stood and waited near the bar, drinks in hand, trying to decide if I should cut my losses and go home.

She finally re-appeared on the arm of a tall republican-looking guy. “There you are, Mac.” Like she was happy to see me. “Thank you.” She took the glass I gave her, sipped and turned back to the republican. “So, are you going to the gym twice a week like you’re supposed to?”

“Most weeks.” His laugh sounded a bit staged like someone who’s used to being in front of cameras. “Now Amelia, aren’t you going to introduce me to your friend?”

“Oh of course, how foolish of me; sometimes I forget he’s around.” I knew my face registered that one but she ignored the look, “Daddy, this is Mac. Mac, this is my father, City Councilman David Wilson.”

“Pleased to meet you, Mac.” He put out his hand and I debated doing something to embarrass her thoroughly.

Instead, I meet his hand with a firm – but not aggressive – grip. “And you, Sir. Thank you fo’ invitin’ me to this event.” ‘ Mac’. I figured I could deal with it for one night.

“A pleasure, son. Anything to keep Amelia happy.”

I smiled at that. “Couldn’t agree more.”

“Ah, I see you’re a local boy,” he said and I laughed. Try as I might, I will never have Peter’s polish. “From where do you hail?”

“Northern Neck, Sir. Accent give me away every time.”

“Oh, it’s not that bad. I used to fish out that way when I was young.”

I couldn’t help laughing again, “Ain’t nothin’ else ta do but fish an’ drink!” He laughed with me but I could see Ame’s smile wearing more than a little thin.

“Well, hello.” A delicate female voice joined us and I looked over to see one of the loveliest women I have ever seen. “And what is all the laughter about?” She looked at me and bright blue eyes did a blatant appraisal. I must have made the grade fast. “Who is your friend, Daddy?”

She was blond and pink and wearing a neckline that must have been glued in place. And she was Ame’s sister. Amanda. Of course. I glanced between the two and suddenly my presence there made a lot more sense. I politely kissed Amanda’s hand as we were introduced. Then I looked at her and smiled. I fucked half the girls in my high school; I knew how to smile.

“I didn’t know Ame had a sister,” I said in my most charming voice.

“She hasn’t mentioned me?” She coyly flipped her blond curls over an enticingly bare shoulder.

“Not one word.” I let the smile fade then turned it on Ame, “Of course, we’ve had more interestin’ things to discuss the last few weeks, haven’t we?”

Ame didn’t even flinch. “Yes, I guess we have.”

“And just how do you know my daughter, Mac?” I recognized the tone – it was ‘Angry Dad’ but that was ok since I knew what game I was playing.

“We’re,” I hesitated and looked at Ame before I said, “classmates. Teammates. We have a group project together.” I looked back at Wilson, who did not believe a word of it, “That’s all.”

“And just how long have you and my daughter been ‘classmates’?”

“The beginnin’ of the semester, Sir.” I looked at Ame in that longing way lovers do, “Seems longer, somehow.” I stepped over to Ame and slipped the half-full glass out of her hand, “I’m sorry, dar-ehem, Ame. I was talkin’ so much I didn’t notice your glass was empty. I’ll get you a fresh one. Won’t be a moment. Sir?” I nodded formally at her father then looked with mild puzzlement at her sister. I gestured weakly, “I’m sorry…”

“Amanda. ‘Mandy’ to my friends.”

“Amanda,” I repeated and smiled back at Ame, “How could I forget that? I’ll be back soon.” I started to kiss her nose but stopped myself. That might have been going too far. And anyway, that’d break uh rule.

I was in line at the bar when Ame’s nails dug into the back of my neck. The unexpected pain sent an electric current down my spine and into my groin. “Oh Fuck,” I groaned before I asserted some self-control.

“What was that?” She snapped.

“What was what?” I didn’t look at her because I knew I couldn’t keep a straight face.

“My father and Amanda both think we’re sleeping together, now.”

“Is that a bad thing?”

Her grip tightened. I wanted to find a hotel room – hell, a secluded corner would do – and let her dig those nails into every inch of me. “Yes, little boy. It’s a very bad thing. I’m the good girl. Mandy’s the little tramp. Now fix this.” She let go of me and stomped off.

I got myself another drink and went to find her father. He was talking to another republican who looked very familiar.

“Ah, Mac.” Wilson managed to keep his fatherly hatred of me well wrapped. “Son, this is State Senator…”

“Wallace. Good evening, Sir, I thought you looked familiar.”

“Why then, you have me at something of an advantage, young man.”

“I’m Alex McElroy, Sir. My Great Uncle is Julius McElroy.”

“You one uh JD’s kin?” he shook my hand excitedly, nearly pulling it off in the process, “Well, pleased ta make yo’ acquaintance, son. An’ how is that Uncle uh yors? An’ that pretty little wife uh his? Never in all my days have a clue how he caught her, not one clue,” he continued on, not letting Wilson or I get a word in edgewise. Finally, one of his aides pulled him aside and the Senator excused himself.

I couldn’t help but exhale loudly and was surprised to hear the same sound from Wilson. I half smiled, “That’s why I remember him.”

“That’s why everybody remembers him.”

“Yeah.” I cleared my throat and jumped in. “Look Sir, I – uh – just want to say that I think very highly uh Ame – Amelia – an’ – uh, well, Sir. I don’t want you getting’ the wrong idea. Frankly,” I shrugged, left with nothing but the truth, “this is our first date. We really are just classmates.”

“Really?” I wasn’t sure if he believed me or not.

“Yeah. She told me after we finished at the library to pick her up an’ had me bring her here. I was hoping ta get a second date out of it but I kinda think she’s pissed off.”

“You’re interested in Amelia.”

“Yes, Sir.”

“And Amanda?”

I shrugged again; why would he care if I wanted to do Amanda? “She’s pretty, I guess.” I threw out when it becomes apparent that he’s waiting for something.

“My daughters think I’m blind but I see more than I tell them. You’re a handsome young man. Too handsome for Amelia, frankly, and Amanda is not going to let her have you without a fight. My daughters have been fighting since they were both old enough to have things. Any ‘things’. First, it was toys, and then it was friends. Now it’s boys. You have sisters?”

“One, Sir.”

“Now there’s a sane number of girls to have in the house – one.” He finished his drink in one last swallow, “Actually, I wish you were sleeping with Amelia. That might keep Amanda in check.”

“Sir?” He looked at me. I looked back levelly, “I have no interest in any woman other than Ame. I hope to be seeing more of you in the future. If you’ll excuse me, I think I’ll go find my not-girlfriend now.”

I scanned the crowd and found Ame. She was the only one actually looking at the gallery art. I joined her.

“Got me uh baby aint kin do that in crayon ona kitchen flo’.”

She gave me a look that was more than confused. “English is your second language, isn’t it?” After a moment of studying the abstract painting on the wall, she added “Baby aunt?”

“Yep. Aint Willow an’ Uncl’ Caesar. They ‘bout six-an-uh-haff.”

She looked at me again. There was no humor about it at all. “I understand that you are a provincial. But if you can’t speak in proper English, don’t speak.” She moved on to the next painting.

“Yes, Ma’am,” I murmured. Peter would not have meant for me to have conflicting orders; he wouldn’t have said ‘fuck her’ and ‘don’t touch her’ on the same night deliberately. Of course, this had happened on rare occasion before. If I handled it well, Peter beat my ass until I shot dust – or he let me spend a weekend at The Crack which a sex club in DC we go to on special occasions. Either was worth a lot of extra effort. If I could fuck her without touching her…. I clasped both hands behind my back, Morpheus style – and vowed to keep a foot between us for the rest of the night.

We looked at the art. I didn’t give a shit about art.

“You can leave with Amanda any time you want,” she dropped casually during our third circuit of the display. “I can take a cab from here.” We did another circuit. “Ok. Thank you. You may go; I’m sure she’s waiting for you.” After another circuit, she actually looked at me. “Enough. You are dismissed.” She was confused either because I was not chasing Amanda or because I was not following instructions. I could see just a hint of that confusion behind an otherwise nearly flawless emotionless mask. How long had she been hiding like that, I wondered, and what else did she hide. She studied me like one of the paintings then she moved on to the next.

About half way around the display again, I leaned close over her shoulder – I could smell her perfume but I didn’t touch her neck and I didn’t nibble her tempting little earlobe. I whispered, “I have no interest whatsoever in Amanda. I want to take Amelia home.”

She pulled away from me with a visible shiver. I pushed my libido back into its cage. No touching, I reminded myself.

We re-joined the reception as it was winding down. Only minutes after we entered the main room, Amanda slipped her arm in mine and rubbed a surprisingly tantalizing body against mine. She must have been waiting besides one of the oversized plants blocking the doorway. I hoped the plants were blocking their Father’s view. Both daughters may be more of a fight than he wants tonight.

“My god,” she exclaimed, “What muscle! Amelia you’ve snagged yourself quite the he-man this time.”

I pat her hand gently as Ame muttered something vague. “Yes, well, enough years of football will do that.” I pointedly pulled my arm away from her and moved a bit closer to Ame. I aborted my reach to put my arm around her and looked at my watch, “Oh, wow, boy. Look at the time. Let me know when you’re ready to head out, Ame.”

“Actually,” Amanda’s voice poured like honey, “I could use a lift. If, of course, you’re going my way.” She was short, like Ame, and stacked. I’d lie if I said I didn’t want to do her – then again, I’ve never met a woman I wouldn’t do. Even fat girls got tight pussies. She probably never said no – she sure in hell wouldn’t say it to me. But that was her problem – there’s nothing worth taking, nothing to fight for ‘cause she’d given it all away. An’ anyway, I disliked honey almost as much as I hated peanut butter. I glanced at Ame; she was watching me with very mild interest and I decided that it was time to end this issue.

“Alright, Manson…”

“Man-dee.” She corrected me sweetly.

“Like I fuckin’ care.” She looked shocked. “Look, if-n I wanted you, Ida had ya five minutes after ya dripped down my leg. I ain’t interested in easy. So, Ima say it nice once. Blow.” To illustrate my point, I grabbed Ame by the chin, which afforded me one brief stunned look from her before my eyes closed.

Ame’s lips were cool and tasted faintly of the merlot she’d been sipping all night. Her lips parted beneath mine and I let go of her face and used both arms around her tiny waist to lift her up slightly, pulling her closer to me. I’d have inhaled her if I could. One of her hands slipped into my hair sending sparks down my nerves. Then I felt her fingers curl, grab and pull.

Just like Peter did. My knees almost gave way. I can’t tell if she’s trying to pull me closer or pull me away but either way it got me rock hard damn fast.

I moaned into her lips until I had to pull back or lose a patch of hair. “Oh God, Ame, I’m sorry,” I whispered, “I’ve just wanted to do that fo’ so long. I just couldn’t wait any more. I just….” I couldn’t help hissing but I managed not to cry out when she tightened her grip and pulled harder. My dick actually jumped. She had to be able to feel it throbbing against her thigh.

“If you ever do that again without my permission, I will cut your balls off with a razor blade.”

“Oh, shit, woman. Is that supposed ta be uh threat or an enticement?” Her eyes narrowed at me and I smiled thinly back, “In case you haven’t noticed, I enjoy pain.” She adjusted her grip on my hair again and pulled a bit harder. I had to twist my neck to compensate. “Ame, I swear, you keep that up, I’m gonna take you where you stand.”

Her eyes darted away from me to Amanda and back again and she let go. I suddenly realized I’d been holding her in my arms the whole time. I could have just throw her down and taken her. Hard. Fast. Hot. She was too little to put up much of a fight. She woulda tried. Bit, scratched, tore at me with everything she could. She’da drawn blood. She’da left permanent marks. I’d win in the end but she’d make me fight for it.

She was a prize worth fighting for.

I leaned in to kiss her again. Peter an’ his rules could go fuck themselves.

“Let me go, little boy.” Her voice didn’t waiver.

She wasn’t bullshitting; she didn’t want me. She wasn’t interested. Not whining, not coy, just flat ‘no’. I wanted her so badly I couldn’t see straight but she could not care less. Reluctantly, I let her go. Stepping away from her was the hardest thing I think I’d ever done. I clasped my hands behind my back again.

“Take Amanda home,” she said and walked away from me. It was a direct order. I watched her leave.

I’d never taken direct orders on dry land from anyone but Peter. I lost Lisa because I too young to know what I was doing. I lost Leigh because I was too stupid to know what I wanted. I wasn’t about to lose Ame for either damn reason. If Ame wanted to give orders, I was taking them.

I looked at Amanda and reminded myself that I could not take my frustrations out on her. “This way.” I said in the most controlled voice I could manage. While we were driving to her place, she slid her hand between my thighs and up to my groin. It felt unnecessarily good. I grabbed her wrist hard. “Don’t.”

“Oww. Let go, that hurts.”

Ame wouldn’t have reacted. Ame would have stared at me until I let go, crushed by the sheer force of her will.

When we got to her building, though, Amanda was still trying. “Are you sure you don’t want to come up?”

I un-latched my seat belt and leaned toward her. She smiled seductively. I put my hand gently on her collarbone and shoved her against the car door. I had to lunge over the center console and caught her completely off-guard. With her seatbelt still latched, she was pretty effectively tied down. “You pushin’ me, honey. You keep pushin’ me you might get what you askin’ fo’.” I bit her lip; not hard enough to bleed but harder than I’d wager she was used to. She gasped and whimpered. She was shaking, so I pushed her a little harder against the door. I doubted very much that she had a fantasy about being dragged to her apartment and raped. I knew I was dangerously close to doing it anyway. I released her seatbelt and let her loose.

“Still wan’ me ta come on up?”

She got out of the car damn fast.

Since I was relatively close to it, I drove to the Georgetown waterfront, got a table by the water and nursed a beer. Peter wouldn’t answer his cell. A pair of very cute girls asked if they could join me. I told them I was waiting for someone.

It was unlikely that Ame was gonna join me there but I could dream.

I called her number and got a voice mail. I talked until the machine cut me off. Finally, I had moped as much as I could for one night without violating the ‘no running, jumping, swimming’ rule and I took myself home.

At home, at the base of the staircase, was a scarf followed a few steps up by a woman’s shirt. Peter’s shirt and tie were hanging neatly on the end of the banister at the landing. Her skirt was only a foot or so away from Peter’s pants – she must have been hot ‘cause his pants weren’t folded, just dropped on the floor, forgotten. His boxers were in front of my door – no doubt tossed there. Her bra and panties were on his doorknob.

I was – I am – a pervert. I checked the bra size – 32A – and sniffed the panties. Both I was guessing belong to Peter’s latest girl, Gwen – he could get a date, he just couldn’t keep one. The longest on record was almost two years, but most didn’t last two months. I didn’t usually keep track of the names but this one was around a lot. The room was quiet so I peeked in. I could see Gwen’s head asleep on Peter’s chest. His cell is on the floor, flashing. Several missed calls from me. I put the phone on the nightstand; that’s where he’d look for it in the morning.

“Hey,” his voice was so soft, I wasn’t sure I heard it, “time’s’it?”

“Late,” I whispered back. I stole a light kiss, “Go on back ta sleep. I’m jus’ bein’ nosy.”

“Cool.” He tightened his grip around Gwen and I felt a pang of jealousy. I really needed Peter that night. His eyes opened. “Did’n you ha’vuh date t’nigh’?”

“Yeah.”

“How’s’it?”

I sighed. If I told him it was a fiasco, he’d get up. I’d get his attention, true, but he looked real damn comfortable ‘bout then. I kissed him again. “Tomorrow, Peter. I’ll give you the blow-by-blow after church tomorrow. ‘K?”

“’K.”

“How was your night?”

“Fan-fuckin’-tastic.” He smiled sleepily.

High fuckin’ praise, from Peter. Gwen shifted in her sleep and nuzzled her head against his chest. He kissed her forehead. I knew when it was time to leave.

“G’night, Sir,” I whispered, stole one last kiss and went to my room.

Neither Peter nor I wanted to join another church when we left for school and after checking with a couple of others in the youth ministry we took up a collection and bought a webcam for the church. About twenty of us attend Sunday service on-line. With the live chat hooked up, it was a pretty cool way to go to church and keep in touch with everybody. Peter and I usually “arrived” before service started – in whatever we slept in – and had breakfast watching the service on the giant plasma screen Uncle Julius bought for Aunt Rachael.

Gwen joined us – which was worth like about a million gold stars for Peter. Afterwards, the three of us went mall crawling until even she was tired of shopping. She came back to the house with us an’ Peter told me to cook. It was not that I minded cooking, or even that I minded her hangin’ around; I just really needed Peter that day.

“I should make fuckin’ peanut butter sandwiches,” I muttered loud enough for him to hear.

He got the message. “Be right back, babe.” He kissed her forehead and followed me into the kitchen. “Do we have a problem?”

“Yeah!” I snapped back. “Is she ever going home?”

“Maybe not. So what?”

My stress level was really pushed. I took a deep breath and flexed every muscle. It didn’t actually relax me but it did usually keep me from saying the first thing I thought of. He waited while I pulled myself together. “I just really need to talk about last night.”

“Why?” Then, after a pause. “Wait, my last night or your last night?”

“Mine. I broke, I don’t know, like twenty rules.”

“You didn’t have any.”

“Yeah, well. It was that kinda night.”

He looked away from me, at the door back to the living room. When he looked back, he was trying to be cool, “Ok. I’ll send her home an’ we’ll talk.” Peter had the worst poker face I had ever seen. Blind men could read it.

“Don’t. I just need a couple minutes alone then you two can fuck all night.”

He didn’t want to look relieved but he was. “So what happened? Wait; start with why you called me. I should have paid more attention. Sorry.”

“Peter, not even.” Like he ever needs to apoligise to me. “I called ‘cause the date was with Ame.”

“... who is?” Peter asked, clearly not remembering her.

“The one with the nails.” He still didn’t remember her. “The one you put a very specific ‘no touch’ rule on.”

“Oh. Rules conflict. Fuck her, but don’t touch her. Tricky. Did you?”

“Fucked up any chance I had with her. Does that count?”

He winced. “Sorry. I take it you are not cool about that.”

“She’s perfect. She’s like…she’s like…” only Peter would understand the truth. “She’s like Lisa. That first month. Before I fucked things up with her.” I turned and started pulling food from the fridge. Something quick. “Lisa’s strength an’ looks but Leigh’s claws.” I hoped Gwen liked sausage ‘cause I wasn’t in the mood to really cook. When I turned back to Peter, his mouth was still hanging open. “What?”

“That’s the first time you’ve mentioned her in almost five years.”

I shrugged. “I think of her damn near daily.” Lisa death was traumatic to say the least.

“Yeah, I kinda figured.”

I went back to cooking and let him work out my dilemma. That’s why he was the Dom.

“Do you really think every chance is gone?” He asked finally.

“Shot ta hell.” I looked at him over my shoulder. “Did I mention that I pissed off her father and tried ta rape her sister as well?”

“Excuse me?”

“Well, ok, her father’s likely not that mad. Actually, he like as not the only one who don’t hate me – least ‘til he hears about Amanda. The sister – Amanda – total bitch. I just threatened ta rape her just ta get her out the car.” I smirked. “She looks like a walking victim. I cannot believe she’s even related to Ame.”

“How much of the sister was empty threat?”

I thought for a moment and could feel the smile growing. Big tits, long hair, bitch needed to be hurt….

“Never mind.” Peter shook his head. “Jesus.”

I shrugged. “Sorry, Sir. But I told her to back off. I was even nice the first time.”

“Ok. Let me think.”

He thought; I cooked. After a while, he shook his head again. "You apologize – in writing – to the sister. And then you leave the whole family alone. Sorry."

I nodded. That's about what I thought he'd say. "I have ta see Ame; we got uh presentation in two weeks an' another ten weeks uh class after that."

"You are a walking hazard, you know that?" He was only half joking.

"Did I tell you her Dad's on uh city counsel?"

"Yeah? Which one?"

"Oh, 'cause I asked,” I quipped with a shrug. “I totally impressed him, though."

"What, the money or football?”

"Actually, I didn't get to either. Sen. Wallace was there."

"Chesapeake Bay's finest." He groaned laughing.

"Yeah, Jesus! What uh mouth! I mentioned Uncle Julius an' couldn't say another word for like an hour. Wilson – her dad's – standin' next to me just waiting for him ta stop."

"How'd you get away from him?"

"He wann'ed ta talk someone else's ear off." I mimicked the man, "Let me jus' say uh few words ta..."

"Few!" Peter laughed, "Ok, so you won the Father. Mother?"

I shrugged, "I wasn't introduced ta one an' she wasn't mentioned."

"Passed away or ugly divorce."

I thought for a second. That would fit. "Yeah, likely. Plates?" he set the table while I looked for some vegetables to steam. Seeing a bottle of wine on the counter reminded me. "I did have one spectacular moment, though."

"Yeah?"

"Oh yeah. I kissed her."

"On a 'don't touch' night too. I should suspend you..."

"...yeah..."

"Maybe I'll let it slide."

I leered at him, "Sicko! You just wanna spank my ass."

He took a step closer, "You need ta be spanked."

"I need more than that." Pent up frustration threatened to overwhelm me and I grabbed him.

He twisted my arm back and pulled me close. He was still stronger than me although not by much. Enough.

"Careful." He whispered. I shivered involuntarily. He still got to me like no one else, "If you can't be cool, I'll make you wear your leash in public."

My breath caught. I would hate that which was exactly why the idea made my knees weak. I swallowed hard and tried to breathe normally.

"You cool?" His lips brushed mine.

"Yes, Sir," I breathed.

"Good." He kissed me softly. Slowly. "I'd hate to think you can't hold it together." He lowered his lips to mine again.

"Peter?"

He sprang away from me like he’d been shot or something as Gwen's voice called from the next room. "In the kitchen, Honey."

She came in and I turned back to the stove. It took a minute to steady my breathing so I could ignore them cooing. I got dinner and myself together and the three of us ate in the kitchen.

After, I made my excuses and headed to my room. I hit the books for a while, and lifted weights and turned off my cell phone when I found myself waiting for it to ring.

Monday/Wednesday were late days for me. Peter still swam every morning at 5am but I didn’t do that kind of crap. My first class Monday was at 11:45. Still, that Monday seemed unusually long with everything dragging on. I was just glad when I got home and had the house – and the TV – to myself. Even that got old after a while and I called Peter just to bug him. He didn’t answer. Tuesday was more of the same until 3:45.

I got to class late – mostly 'cause I didn’t want to meet her at the door – and sat on the opposite side of the room. I got started talking with the girl next to me, Maya, who was cute – very athletic looking – and asked her out after class. By the end of class, I figured it was safe to look in Ame's direction.

It was not.

She was looking at me. Cold. Closed. My throat went dry and my heart raced. Her head tilted slightly.

She could not want to speak to me. Luck like that I did not deserve.

When everyone else had left the room, she was still waiting. I thought fast. She liked strength, it seemed. I turned back to my desk and packed my stuff as if I didn’t want to crawl over on my knees and beg for her forgiveness. I tried to settle my nerves as well as my books. When I walked over to her, I hoped I looked calmer than I felt.

"Uh..." I couldn't think of the first word to say.

"I didn't get my water today." She looked away from me and slowly, methodically, put away her books. "You were late."

"Uh, yeah, I, uh..."

"I dislike late."

"...uh..."

"Don't be late again."

A second chance! She gave me a second chance. She liked me – enough to give me a second chance. "Yes, Ma'am." I tried not to grin; tried to be as cool as she was but I knew I was failing miserably. I didn’t care.

"Alex!" Peter burst in which was a surprise as much for the ‘who’ as the ‘how’. "Alex, dude, you are not gonna believe--" He stopped short when he saw Ame. My cousin's a bright boy and it only took a few seconds for him to regain his usual composure. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt. Alex, may I see you in the hall for just a moment?"

He was all but bouncing. He wasn't this jazzed about the damn Olympics. "What? Peter, you 'bout ta burst!"

"Yeah, yeah, hey is that Ame?" He was grinning.

"Yeah, so what up?"

"Cute. Very cute." He was actually fidgety.

"Peter! What the fuck is up?"

"Ok. So I haven't discussed this with you yet - totally unexpected - so if you don't agree, it's not a problem..."

"Peter, you don't have ta ask me anything." I stepped forward to be sure we were out of Ame's view. "I'm the sub. You want it, do it."

He turned serious for a moment, "I know you say that but what you want counts. And this is big. Gwen's dorm's closing at the end of the semester."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah, so how would you feel if she moved in with us?"

Like someone had just hit me with a lead pipe - and not in a good way. Things ended badly when we tried that with Yvette. I tried to smile anyway. "You master uh the house an' all. You want uh mistress uh the house, ain't my place ta say."

He pushed me against the wall, reminding me of just how long it had been since he'd had me. "This is not about you an' me. She didn’t get any 'rights' to you just 'cause she's living there. She an' I are together and I wanna live with her. If you object to living with her, that's fine, ok. But you are not some toy that I just pass around 'cause someone else in the house. We clear?"

Clearer that he knew. He couldn't do this. He couldn't with Yvette; and I knew he wouldn't pull it off with Gwen. He couldn't hide how he feels and that kills it every time. I didn’t think he knew that. "Clear, Sir." I kept my voice low and his eyes darted to the classroom.

He let me go and cleared his throat. "Come on. We're meeting Gwen at Legal’s."

I got my books. Ame was waiting and although her face was composed, I knew she wasn’t waiting patiently. "Uh," I glanced back at Peter who had already crashed from his emotional high – thanks to me – and looked back at Ame. "Uh, look, I gotta go..."

"Yes." She lifted her eyebrows. "You have a date."

"Well, dinner anyway. Peter's – oh yeah, you haven't met Peter -"

She cut me off, "You're meeting Maya at the student union in –" she looked at her watch "45 minutes."

I had forgotten her that fast. "Oh shit."

Peter groaned and shook his head, "You uh walking hazard."

I found my cell and canceled the date. She wasn’t too upset so I suspected going out with me wasn't a high priority thing - which was good. I hung up in time to hear Peter invite Ame to dinner with us.

"It sounds lovely, thank you. What time should I meet you?"

She and Peter worked out the details and I watched them with this weird sense of seeing double. She said goodbye to Peter, picked up her bag and left without so much as a glance at me. Like the old song said, 'hate to see her go but love to watch her leave.' That was an ass.

Peter's fingers pulling my hair got my attention back quick. "Now, tell me the truth. Do you mind about Gwen?"

"Peter, agh, look, I don't wanna fuck her an' I don't care if-n she gives orders. I'm cool."

"Are you sure?"

"Peter, if-n the girl I was bangin' wanted ta move in, you'd find out when she got there."

"That's because you..." he leaned in and kissed me "...are a shithead."

"Asshole." I whispered; I was flirting with a suspension.

"Careful..." His lips teased mine again. He must want me almost as much as I want him. I started to wonder how far we could go in a classroom.

"Eh-hem." An unfamiliar voice caught our attention and we looked up to find people coming in - a few giggling - "Get a room. Another room."

I grabbed my books and we left in a rush.

"You know any of them?" Peter asked as we feign nonchalance down the hall.

"Uh-un. You?"

"Nope. Just glad we never got carried away like that back home."

"No shit."

We looked at each other.

And laughed all the way home.

We picked up Gwen and Ame at their respective dorms. The conversation in the car and as we settled in at the restaurant was mostly the two chicks deciding if they could got along. I could never read those things but Peter seemed happy, so whatever. After we ordered, there was a lull so I figure it was as bad a time as any to jump into the conversation.

"Hey, Gwen, you moving in fo' summer or you gonna wait ‘til fall?"

Three things happen.

Peter hit me - sharply - in the back of the head. That was the official non-verbal 'suspension' sign.

Gwen's jaw hit the floor. Belatedly, I wondered if Peter had actually asked her yet.

Ame sipped her water and said quietly, "I detest that red-neck jargon. Speak English or I'm going home."

"Ok." I looked around the table; that was not what I expected. I cleared my throat and thought for a second or two. "Ok. Gwen. I'm sorry, I, uh, thought Peter had discussed moving in with you already. Since we have extra space, you're welcome to use it." I glanced at Ame; she nodded slightly. First down.

Gwen stared at Peter and me while Peter, who at first was hyperventilating, was simply holding his breath.

"Is that what you were trying to ask me at lunch?" she asked.

"Basically." He cleared his throat. "I had more intended to ask if you would move in with me."

The difference in phrasing and intent was not lost on any of us. Dinner was pretty silent for a while after that.

"You're right, Peter," Ame pronounced.

"I'm sorry? About what?"

She tilted her head at me. "He is a walking hazard."

The three of them got a good chuckle at my expense.

"Funny." I shrugged, "Well at least it’s been asked now. So, if she'll just answer, Peter can breathe again." And I could go back to worrying about impressing Ame.

"The downside about the house," Peter said casually, "is that I can't actually throw Alex out, so you'd be stuck putting up with both of us."

Gwen looked at me then at Ame, "A girl could do worse than live with the two of them."

"True. At least they look good." She took a bite of her salad, "Have them both is like having two little black dresses – you always have something cute to parade around." They both found the comment terribly funny.

I found myself smiling over the fact that Ame thought I was cute. Then I tried to get a grip – what was I, still in high school?

Over dessert, Peter pointed out the fact that we wouldn’t actually be in the house over the summer but in Reedville working the family fishery.

“Oh, yeah,” I agreed. “We don’t actually have much of a choice ‘bout that. About that.”

“Really?” Ame looked me in the eye and I almost forget to respond to her question, “Why is that?”

Her eyes were gorgeous. Dark brown and just slightly almond shaped. Her face was gorgeous – her skin a pale almost peach color, her lips small and delicate – I wondered how I missed how delicate she is. Peter kicked me under the table and I coughed to cover the half-yelp. “Excuse me. Sorry. Uh, why’s that? That’s because the rules on Davidson shares haven’t changed in two hundred years.”

“Literally, two hundred,” Peter threw in.

“You get 10 shares at birth, everything else, you earn.”

“Boat, dock or office,” Peter nodded, “although, Uncle Marcus signed off on my education outreach plan so if your Dad can budget it, I’ll be teaching this summer.”

“Very cool.” We talked about home for a while. Filling the girls in on what it takes to run the fishery and what kind of work we usually wind up doing. “Last couple years, I’ve been in the dock house more than on the boats. Letting my Grandmamma take some time off for once.”

“I usually work the commercial boats,” Peter grinned, “like to insure I always out-rank Alex.”

As if there’s any chance of that changing, I thought but I didn’t say.

“So is that the split; guys on the boats, girls in the office?” Gwen asked.

“No.” Peter chuckled as I said “Hell, no.”

“It’s like anything else.” Peter said, “Some stay in the office – Alex’s sister for one – some stay out on the boats, some do both.”

“Beth.” I nodded.

“Yeah, my sister would rather do the office than the charter boats but she works the commercial boats every chance she gets.”

“She also sleepin’ with the first mate on one of ‘em.”

He laughed, embarrassed for her, “Ok, true, but that’s not why she’s out there. And she’s better at the helm than you are.”

“I’d be better at the helm if I were sleepin’ with the first mate.” I countered.

“Would you sleep with the first mate?” Ame asked.

I paused. “I’ll sleep with anybody you tell me to.” I didn’t mean to say that over dinner but there it was.

“Really?” Peter’s voice fairly dripped with innuendo and I thought fast to try to recover.

“Of course,” I chuckled, “I slept with half my high school so really, I’ll sleep with pretty much anybody.”

“Female, male,” Peter began listing as Gwen giggled, “dog, cat, panda, gold fish, lamp post…”

“That would be novel,” Ame jibed.

“…soft serve ice cream…”

“Too cold,” offered Gwen with a shiver.

“…dry wall, bricks, other construction materials…”

“Dry.”

“Scratchy.”

“Enough!” I could feel my face flush not entirely from the embarrassment – some of his suggestions might make it to my next wish list. “Ok, I have a healthy sexual appetite. We don’t need to make a public spectacle of it.”

“No, we certainly would want to do that, would we?” Peter’s voice was reasonably flat but I’d have wagered he was thinking of any number of times he had specifically made me perform in public. I tried to hide the shiver that passed up my spine.

“Anyway,” I changed the subject, “you guys should both totally come out this summer. Spend some time on the boats.”

“Maybe,” Gwen chirped as Ame deadpanned, “That will not be happening.”

Peter covered dinner. We took the girls back to campus and I walked Ame to her dorm door. I really wanted to kiss her but I’d all ready been luckier than I deserved.

“Tomorrow,” she said, “I have a manicure at 9am. Pick me up at 8:30.”

“And if I have plans?” I asked. I leaned in but resisted stealing the kiss. “What if I have a class?”

“You don’t,” she stated matter-of-factly. “And if you made plans, change them. Tomorrow is my Father’s birthday. We’re taking him out to dinner.”

“We?” ‘We'?

“He likes you.” She paused then added, “Don’t be flattered; he likes anyone who can fund his campaign. Oh, and regarding Maya – I don’t want you seeing her. As a point of fact, I don’t want you going out with anyone – male or female.”

I risked pulling even closer. “So does that mean I’m going out with you?”

She pushed me back. “It means you will not be going out with me if you do see anyone else. Gwen is fine. She has no interest in you.”

“Oh, thanks.” I was only partly factious. “Do I get to kiss you good night yet?”

“No.” Her hand stayed firmly on my chest, “And in the future, don’t ask. I will tell you if and when you have permission to touch me and how. Is that clear?”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

“Is that how you would address me on board?”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

“So that’s why you call Peter ‘Sir’ – because he outranks you?”

I couldn’t help grinning. “Yeah, yeah. That’s roughly how that got started.” I was not going into that whole story right then.

“Very well. You may address me that way from now on.”

“Yes Ma’am, Ms. Am, Ma’am.”

“Ame.”

“One syllable. ‘Aim’. Shipboard, I’m ‘Al’, he’s ‘Pete’, you’re ‘Am’.”

“A-me. I will tolerate Amelia. You should stick to ‘Ma’am’ then. I will not be shipboard.”

I grinned. She was so damn pushy – so demanding – so gorgeous. “Yes, Ma’am.”

“Very good.” She looked at me for a moment. “You were reasonably well behaved tonight. You may kiss me goodnight now.”

“Yes, Ma’am.” She didn’t mention ‘touch’ and I didn’t want to press my luck so I brace my hand on the door behind her and leaned down. She was so short; it seemed to take forever for my lips to reach hers. After only a second of contact her lips parted and the tip of her tongue brushed mine. I braced my other hand and pushed her against the door. I wanted nothing more than to carry her upstairs and take her hard. Instead, I let my tongue explore the cool after-dinner-mint taste of her mouth.

Her hands tightened at my waist then her nails dug in, pulling me even closer to her body. I groaned into our kiss. She was pressed hard against the door but I could no longer tell if I was pushing or she was pulling. Slowly her nails loosened their grip and her hands travel up my body. After resting on my chest a moment, they pushed me away with one hard shove.

“Good night,” She said simply as she slipped under my arm and calmly entered the building. I was on fire. She wasn’t even warm. I slumped against the door and tried to breathe again.

Peter was on the phone with Gwen when I got to the car. They exchange one of those silly ‘you hang up first’ goodbyes. Then he looked at me and grinned. “She said yes.”

“Excellent.” I could still feel the sting of her nails.

“We were thinking of maybe not waiting ‘til summer, though.”

“Cool.” I was so hard right then I was surprised I wasn’t ripping through my pants.

“I was kinda thinking ‘bout next weekend.”

“Good, good.” I could feel my head nodding but I knew I wasn’t paying attention.

“Are you ok?”

“She let me kiss her,” I said. I shook my head. “Totally hung up on this one, Peter.”

“Yeah?”

“Oh yeah.”

When we got home, I took the stairs two at a time.

“What’s the rush?” He asked.

“Early ta bed, early ta rise. Got me uh breakfast date.” I started up again, “Oh, yeah and uh dinner date.”

“And no time to play?” I stopped cold. “Downstairs?” I turned and faced him. “I think you deserve it.”

Downstairs, in the basement, was Uncle Julius’ playroom. A little sound proofed room with an adjustable padded table, a freestanding frame and a dresser full of toys. He let us use it. Peter was very good. He followed me down the staircase as I grabbed the keys and unlocked the doors. I got my collar and cuffs, and then laid out my ‘wish list’ of toys: the whip, the paddle, the alligator clips, the candles and matches. Peter didn’t have to do anything but fix himself a drink out of Uncle Julius’ premium booze and relax in the recliner.

When I finished preparing the room, I stripped and put on the collar and cuffs. Then I stood at parade rest and waited. I was shaking more from anticipation than the slight chill in the air. He let me stand there which he knew made me crazy. Patience was never my strong suit and waiting for sex was an easy way to put me on a short chain.

He finished his drink before he got up and inspected the table. He picked up the whip and walked over to me. My dick was standing at full attention as he walked slowly around me.

“You,” he hissed from behind me, “are having an affair.”

“What?” I started to turn around but remembered that I was supposed to stand still and turned back. I swallowed hard.

He whispered in my ear, “Are you taking orders from Ame?” he stroked the whip handle down my spine.

“Uh. Yes, Sir.”

“And you didn’t tell me?”

“Oh, uh, shi-oot.” No swearing rule. Full disclosure rule. “No, Sir, I didn’t.”

“And why not?”

I shrugged helplessly, “Uh, forgot to, Sir.” If he had put me on suspension at that moment, Ida dropped dead.

“Do you think she’ll be a good Dominant for you? Think she can handle you?”

I paused. I hadn’t actually considered it. “She has so far.”

“But she hasn’t seen all of you yet, has she? He draped the whip around my neck and let it slowly drag across my shoulders. It didn’t hurt but it reminded me of how much it would hurt if he used it. “She doesn’t know what a dick you can be does she?”

“No, Sir.”

“You can only have one of us, you know.”

“I know,” I whispered. Then what he actually meant registered on my brain. “No! Wait!” I did turn and face him. “I’m not choosing her over you. No way. No Sir, that’s not…”

“Alex!” He snapped and I shut up. “It’s ok. I want you to find someone who enjoys this as much as you do.” He stroked my cheek with the back of his hand. “I don’t mind being yo’ lover but I hate being yo’ master.”

He’d always hated that.

“I know.” I thought about what I knew about Ame so far. I shrugged. “I haven’t fucked her yet. I don’t know how she’ll handle that. I’ve been sticking to most of her rules so far.”

“Rules?”

“Uh, yeah, well kinda. She says stuff like ‘I hate it when you’re late’ and I kinda take it as a rule.”

“Really?” He continued to stroke my body with the coiled whip. “And why’s that?”

“I donno. Something in her voice has the same kinda tone you get. ‘Cept that you tell me it’s uh rule. She makes these statements and I just have to figure out if it’s a rule or not.”

He bit my earlobe. I bit my lip. “So are we breaking one of her rules now?”

I had to smile. “Oh, yeah. Big time. She told me specifically she didn’t want me seeing anybody else – male or female.”

“And you haven’t told her about us?”

“Fuck no!” I blurted out then groaned. “Sorry Sir. Slipped out.”

“I’ll let it go. It would be sort of cruel to send you upstairs now.”

“Yes, Sir. Thank you, Sir.”

“So this might be our last time for a while. Once Gwen moves in, we’re going to have to be a bit more circumspect.” He kissed me softly. “She doesn’t know about us either.”

“Oh. Right.”

“So. Down.”

“Down?”

“Down.” He put his hand on the top of my head and pushed until I was on my knees in front of him. I knew what to do from there and got his belt and zipper open. His dick was only at half-mast but a couple of laps from my tongue and he was ready to go. I sucked him like it was the last time I was ever gonna do it – which I realized it might be. I let him fuck my mouth hard, savoring his taste. I switched between sucking his dick and his nuts until he held my head still and unloaded. Then I waited instead of sucking him dry and he dropped down beside me and sucked my tongue into his mouth. He liked the taste of his jizz as much as I did. We rolled around on the floor kissing and groping until he was hard again – I never lost it.

He pulled back panting. "What's your record with the paddle?"

"32."

"That's all?"

"It reminds me too much of that first day on the boat."

"Yeah? How long would you last with a wooden spoon?"

I shivered. "Oh God. Two."

"We should find out," he purred, standing me up. He clipped my cuffs to the freestanding frame and went upstairs. I had to control the urge to blow when I heard him searching through the kitchen drawers.

He came back down with his hands behind his back and walked slowly behind me. He stroked my back, my ass, my legs with a wooden spoon and I nearly blew again. The first time, the spoon broke and left splinters, I was bruised and sore for days. I didn't know I could cum so hard. Now, I knew – he knew; I wasn’t gonna be able to bend over when he was done with me.

He tapped me, gently, two or three times then whipped it against me four times fast. It stung.

"Oh sweet Christ," I moaned.

I got to forty-five but I had to stop him twice before I got there – asking permission to come and being denied. "Oh god, Sir, please say yes. Please, please," I beg. Sometimes he let me if I begged.

Instead of replying, he unclipped my cuffs and pushed me on all fours. He was gonna fuck me. I whimpered.

I could hear him behind me opening the condom but I found my voice again, "Peter, please. This time, just you."

"Come again?"

"Bareback." I took a deep breath, "If-n this is our last time, I wanna really feel you."

He didn’t say anything for a long time. Then, his fingers jabbed into me, dry, with no warning. I howled and dry came. With Peter, that happened a lot.

When I was a shaking, whimpering mass, Peter pulled out his fingers and slid in his dick. He was slow for the first three, maybe four strokes. Then he picked up speed. I think he ripped something but it felt so good – so bad, so good, I couldn't tell the difference anymore – I didn’t care. He started moaning and reached around me to grab my dick. We both stroked my shaft in rhythm to him tearing my rectum in half.

When he came inside me for the first time ever, my whole body seems flooded with the warmth of him. I blew hard maybe a second later. We fell asleep on the basement floor.

Thank god for Peter's wrist alarm otherwise, neither of us would have made it out on time the next morning. He actually kissed me goodbye on the way out the door.

"Fag," I said with a slight smile.

"Pussy," he teased back.

Half an hour later, I was frantically dialing his cell.

"I got two minutes. What?"

"What do you wear to a manicure?"

"Excuse me?"

"Ame gets pissy about how I dress. She's got a manicure this morning. What should I wear?"

"Hmm, tricky," he mused. "Yeah, that is a tough one. Oh wait, I know. Clothes." He hung up.

"Asshole," I muttered at the dial tone.

I picked something and got to Ame's dorm early. I was waiting in her lobby when she got off the elevator. She didn’t actually greet me, but she almost cracked a smile.

At the spa, she greeted the receptionist in what I guess was either Korean or Vietnamese. I didn’t speak either – well, not more than a few words, at least. Ame paid up front then we were ushered in. There were more Asian women; I was the only guy of any group.

"Ok, so I'm gonna find a coffee shop or something..." I started but she cut me off.

"Sit down over there."

I sighed silently and sat in the indicated fancy massage chair. One of the women got it started for me. Then she started taking off my shoes.

"Whoa, whoa! Not me, uh, her!"

Ame gave a frustrated gasp, "Take your shoes off and put your feet in the soak." She was doing the same. My feet actually felt pretty good in the bubbling jets. Ame had tiny feet – a proportional match for her delicate features and small frame. It was unexpectedly intimate; the first bit of her I'd seen naked. I sat back and watched as another woman began rubbing and buffing Ame's feet. Very erotic. So much so, I didn’t complain when I felt them start with mine. I hoped this qualified as foreplay 'cause if they had uh place, I could make time.

I watched as the woman applied bright pink polish to Ame's toenails and glanced down to see what they were doing to me. She'd already applied the same color to half my foot.

I almost kicked her in the face trying to pull my foot away, "Hey! Hey! What the fuck..."

Ame hit me with the magazine she was reading. "Sit back or you'll smear it and she'll have to start over."

I looked at her, mouth open to argue. She looked back with her usual nearly blank expression.

Then I felt it. The same warm tingly feeling I got when Peter made me do something embarrassing but secret. Like wear my collar and leash under my shirt all day. Or the extensive lingerie collection he had just to fuck with me. My dick lurched as I sat back and watched the woman apply bright pink polish to the rest of my toes.

I had been marked. It was not permanent, but it was very visible.

"How long is this gonna last?" I asked her.

"A month or so. Unless I re-apply it." She almost smiled again.

I concentrated on keeping my breathing level, on not letting on how much it turned me on. Peter didn't mark me for two years and even then, I had to beg him for it. Of course, that one was permanent. This was...different. A bit emasculating, which from her was...?

Hot. Very, very, very hot.

When they finished with our feet, they gave us a pair of flip-flops and sat us at separate manicure stations. This time I paid close attention as the woman massaged, cleaned, moisturized, trimmed and filed my fingernails. When she reached for the polish, I pulled my hand firmly away. "No." After a brief hesitation, she put the polish down and picked up another tool. Warily, I gave her my hand back and she buffed my nails ‘til they shined. It didn’t look like polish, but my hands did looked Polished. Now I knew what to give Peter on his next birthday; he'd love that kinda shit.

I sat at the nail drying station and only waited a couple of minutes – flipping through an old issue of Cosmo – before Ame joined me. Her nails were a delicate, pale peach. "Pretty."

"I thought so. Ngoc is very talented. Hands?"

I showed her my hands and she got her approval.

"Are you actually reading that?"

"No," I laughed, "I'm a pain slut not a sissy."

"You won't be spending much time with me if you cannot be less vulgar."

"Ah. Right. Sorry." She was stuck sitting with her finger spread under a heat lamp. "Can I get you anything?"

"No. About tonight. Amanda will be attending with Foster who is her fiancé – despite the behavior you witnessed from her. He is black. I trust you have no racial issues?"

"What, you mean with the Asian girl I'm chasing or my black grandmother?"

"I hadn't realized."

"Yep." I pulled out a photo of my redneck grandfather and dark black grandmother. "Got married as soon as it was legal."

She nodded as if this news met with her approval. "My mother was Vietnamese so Father is very concerned about race relations. It’s still a very large issue in Alexandria.”

"That where his council seat is?"

"Yes."

I nodded. "Your mom gonna be there?"

Her body went stiff and a fleeting look of pain crossed her face. "No. We don't discuss her," she hesitated before adding. "She died in childbirth when my sister and I were born.

"Oh. Uh..." Of all the thoughtless...she even said ‘was’.

"You needn't panic. You couldn't have known. It was a perfectly reasonable question."

"Yeah, but still, I'm-"

"Please. Drop it." I closed my mouth and nodded once.

"Thank you. Now, Foster has political aspirations so he and father will get mired in the topic. Please don't feel obligated to join in – I'd rather you remain silent than be drawn into a debate you are ill equipped for. Father is a football fan so if the opportunity comes up feel free to discuss sports."

I listened to her go on. Uncle Julius made sure that we were all versed in politics and I did actually read a newspaper on occasion. I didn’t know how stupid she thought I was but I hoped I’d surprise her.

"Do you dance?" she asked suddenly.

"Oh we square dance up at the holler..." I started but her look stopped that.

"Not cute. I will ask again, do you dance?"

"Yeah. I mean formal stuff. I was – ok, don't laugh – I was on my high school Ballroom Dance Team." My Gold Cup high school team to be exact.

Her look changed to one of disbelief. "Really? Waltz? Tango?"

I shrugged. "It was on a bet with Peter." I remembered Leigh and smiled "Then my girlfriend joined and it kinda stuck."

"Good. The restaurant has a live combo. I was hoping to dance with you rather than Foster. Foster, I should warn you, is what Father expects in a son-in-law so expect comments to that effect from Amanda. Is there anything else you need to know?"

I shrugged. I didn't need to know any of what she'd said so far. "What to wear, where to be, what time."

She made me write those details down. Then she surprised me and asked about the fishery. I glossed over the physical labor and when into detail about the front office stuff - just 'cause it bored me didn’t mean I didn’t know how the company works or how much we pulled in. But I figured Ame would care more about how many dollars than how many fish.

After twenty minutes or so, she checked her nails. "I'm dry," she said over me. "We may go."

"Ok." I had to admit, being ignored was beginning ta bug me. It was threatening to outweigh my attraction to her. I drove her, silently, back to campus. She opened her own car door.

"You will pick me up, here, at 6." she walked off and I debated standing her up just to teach the rude bitch a lesson.

Instead, I was in her lobby, properly dressed, at 5:45 - feeling like a complete pussy. With pink fuckin' toenails under my designer wingtips. At six on the dot, she stepped off the elevator and nodded to me. I opened all the doors, drove where she told me to and hung her coat when we got there.

"By the way," I said as I got the coat check tag, "you look lovely." She'd look great in a sack but the suit’s cut was perfect and flattered her figure. I'd been checkin' her ass every chance I got.

She tilted her head at me, "You mean that, don't you?" I shrugged; I wouldn't have said it if I didn't mean it. "Thank you."

At the bar, I saw Wilson, Amanda and a guy the size of the Viking defensive line – not one player, the whole freakin' line. Ame greeted them cordially. I shook hands with Wilson.

"It's a pleasure to see you again, Sir."

"Mac." He looked surprised to see me. "Good to see you as well." Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Amanda whisper something to Foster but I had one thing to take care of first.

"Actually, Sir, 'Mac' is an Ame thing. My name is Alex."

"And no one calls you Mac?"

I glanced at Ame and nodded. "No one."

"Alright." He seemed to realize that he was taking sides on this one. "Alex it is. Alex, you remember Amanda, my other daughter. This is her fiancé, Foster Lawson. Foster, Alex McElroy."

The mountain stood up and offered his hand. He didn’t look happy so I figured Amanda'd come up with a couple lies about our encounter. I smiled anyway.

"Pleasure to meet you."

He rumbled some response and the waitress escorting us to a table spared me any further awkwardness.

For the most part, over dinner, I let Wilson lead the conversation. He was pretty liberal compared to the generally conservative bend in my family but on a few points he and Granddad saw eye-to-eye. I followed Ame's instructions and kept my mouth shut until they started talking about the watershed bill and lifting some of the restrictions.

"Whoa, now, hold up."

"You have an opinion?" Foster intoned.

"Damn straight. The Potomac feed straight inta the Chesapeake. You screw with those watersheds, you affect everything as far south as Norfolk, and the Maryland side too." Ame tried to stop me but I gestured her silent. "Quiet, Woman. Neither uh you ever made your livin' off the river. We take a more holistic view." We spent the next hour batting back and forth the commercial needs on both sides of the issue before Amanda stood in a huff.

"This is boring, Foster. If you won't dance, I'll find someone who will." She marched off. After a moment, Foster excused himself and followed her.

"I'm sorry, Ame. We were kinda rude. Would you like to dance?" I asked her.

"I wouldn’t want to interrupt." She looked at her Father, "You seemed to be enjoying the conversation."

"I was. But your sister, I think, needs a break."

Ame stood up and I gestured to Wilson, "Sir?"

Again, I think I surprised him. "Thank you." He said thoughtfully and guided Ame on to the dance floor.

I watched them move - both pairs. Foster and Amanda looked like they are trying not to have a public argument. Ame and Wilson were having a Daddy-Daughter moment. I could see it in the way she looked at him. They adored each other. I was glad she loved someone and showed it. It gave me hope.

As the first song ended, Wilson looked in my direction and I gestured him to stay put. He smiled and continued dancing with his daughter. It was actually pretty touching.

But I wanted ta dance with her eventually. During the third song, I wandered over to the bandleader and, when he had a second to acknowledge me, requested a Samba next. I loved a good Samba; it was like public sex.

I came up behind Ame - Wilson could see me but she couldn't - and signaled that I'd like to cut in. He twirled her almost perfectly into my arms.

"I don't recall saying we could dance." She was actually haughty.

"Dance," I said as the Samba started, "is non-negotiable. I lead." I started with the basic step just to see how well she followed me. Each time she tried to lead, I pulled her firmly back into step. I was not All-State Top-5 two years running to have her lead me out now. Once I was sure she was in-sync, I added a few small changes. Then a few twists. She kept up. As the next song flowed into the next and the next, we didn’t talk. We didn’t need to; the conversation was between our eyes and our hips.

I am so doin' her tonight, I thought.

A tango started and she stopped moving, "Not tonight."

It was so symbolic, I had to laugh, "Yes, Ma’am." I presumed that meant vertical as well as horizontal. I walked her back to the table.

"You two are pretty good," Wilson said.

"I danced some in high school." No need to brag right then. "Hey, Foster, tell me you play ball."

He rolled his eyes but conceded, "Center line, actually. But I'm trying to be a politician not an ex-athlete."

“Oh yes,” Wilson’s eyes lit up. “Amelia mentioned that you're playing for George Mason this year, Alex."

"Yes Sir. Defensive end." The conversation moved to football. Foster played two seasons as a benchwarmer for the 'Skins; just enough experience to say he played pro but not enough to be anybody anybody's heard of. For a guy who wanted to be a politician, he still talked a good game. I wound up inviting them both to come fishing. "We'll take a boat, spend the mornin' lookin' at tributaries, spend the afternoon drinkin' beer. Give you some real insight on these watersheds."

We were discussing possible dates when Ame cleared her throat loudly for like the third time, "What?" I snapped at her.

She lifted her eyebrows and stared at me blandly. This is one of these damn tests, I thought. Then I caught sight of the band packing up for the night. I took a guess, "You have an early class tomorrow, don't you?" Her expression told me I hit it, "Sir, it's been a pleasure..."

"...But duty calls. Please, the pleasure’s been mine." He picked up the check but Ame took it from him.

"Please, Daddy, it's your birthday. Let me." She handed the bill to me.

I looked at the offered billfold for a moment before looking at Ame. Once again, her face was nearly unreadable. I wasn’t sure what kind of test this was but I didn’t like it. Still, when Wilson reached for it again, and Foster offered to pay half, I didn’t give either of them a chance to touch it.

"I wouldn't hear of it, Sir. Please." I slipped my card into the billfold and waived the waiter over while both men made a polite protest. "Honestly, consider it my gift." Then after a pause I added, "Ame an’ my gift. Happy Birthday and many, many more."

Ame and I got in the car, and got almost a mile before I pulled over and turned on the dome light. "What the hell was that about?"

"Don't worry; I'll reimburse you the cost of the meal," She said nonchalantly, "It's late. I need my rest."

"Hey, I'm cool buyin' yo' Dad dinner so keep yo' damn money. I am not so cool with you tryin' ta spend mine. What the fuck?" She gave me that arched look. I guessed the 'no swearing' rule applied. "Sorry. Look if you was testin’ my bank account, yes, I got one."

"I honestly have enough of my own."

"Then what the hell was that about?"

She looked at me then sighed impatiently. "You may have noticed that my sister and I do not get along well?"

"Yeah? So what, you tryin' ta one-up her?"

"She'll have to go some to get Foster to willingly top that. He knows we compete this way." I absorbed that one and she sighed impatiently, “Yes, I used your ignorance for my own purposes. If that bothers you…”

“I didn’t say that.”

“Then what is the problem?”

“Look, I don’t know what you what from me, but I’m not stupid, right? I mean, I can take a fair amount of abuse, but I’m not about ta let you take advantage of me, ’k?”

“What exactly is the difference between those?”

“Ok, yeah, let’s go ‘head an’ have this conversation.” I took a deep breath. This was usually the last conversation I had with a girl. “I’m submissive, usually, by preference. I like pain. I got a serious fetish. Hard core. No permanent marks –” I couldn’t help smiling, “– I’m saving that for marriage. But if it hurts, I’ll try it. I’d rather receive than give but I’ll do you if you want. Really, I’m…aggressive if I lead. I mean, I like a bit of a fight.”

“Bondage?”

“If you can tie me up, be my guest. I don’t wanna tie you, though; I don’t like uh girl who can’t say no which is why I ain’t into your sister but you….” I looked her over again, “…I’ll bet you say no all the time.”

“I see. And you felt the need to share this with me because…?”

”Cause I got uh feeling you an’ me on the same page, roughly. You just don’t know me well enough to know my limits.”

“Which are?”

I shrugged. “I ain’t buyin’ you the damn world, for one. I ain’t goin’ ta jail. If I actually use uh safe word, I ain’t doin’ it – whatever ‘it’ is.”

“You have a safe word?”

“Peanut Butter.”

“I see.” She nodded to herself. “Alright.”

“Alright? Alright what?”

“Alright, I heard what you have to say. Please take me home now; I’d like to get some sleep.”

I looked at her for a moment and when I realized that was all she had to say, I flipped off the light and re-started the car. My own damn fault; I should have let her bring the subject up. I drove back to her dorm and opened the car door for her.

She stood and paused. “I think you may kiss me tonight.” I pecked her lightly figuring there was no point in pushing the issue. She grabbed my hair and kissed me fiercely. Then she yanked me away so unexpectedly that I nearly fell back. “Good night,” she said as she walked up the stairs.

I sagged against the car. This girl’s gonna give me whiplash, I thought to myself.

For the next week, she acted no differently. I fetched and carried for her in class and she issued occasional orders for me to run her on errands or take her out. Gwen moved into the house, cutting Peter and my time together to nil.

Much to my surprise, it got to both of us way faster than I expected. Little things that Peter would have spanked me for seem to crop up constantly and it was as if not being able to do it was driving us both crazy. Gwen was not nearly as observant as Peter’s last live-in, however, so she didn’t catch a bit of it. In a matter a days, it became a game for Peter and I – how long could we keep makin’ eyes at each other without Gwen noticing ‘fore we slipped downstairs an’ screwed around? I actually was getting up to get the basement door key when my phone rang.

“We are going away this weekend. Pack very lightly.” Ame hesitated then added, “bring whatever you need to feel comfortable afterwards.” She hung up before I could respond. I called her back but it went straight to her voice mail.

I thought about it for a day. Ame never mentioned the call in class or anywhere else and cut me off if I started to ask about it.

Thursday, I got a couple minutes alone with Peter while I cooked dinner. "Ame wants me to go away with her this weekend. She wants me to bring what I need to feel comfortable after. Any idea what the hell that means?"

He frowned, "No. You sure you want ta go?"

"A weekend with Ame? Shit yeah."

"Language."

I grinned, "Fuck off. You ain't the boss uh me."

"Wanna bet?" He leaned against the counter. "Think I can't still kick yo' ass?"

"Can you two be left alone for even a second without fighting?" Gwen wandered into the kitchen and Peter and I stopped flirting. "Honestly, how did you not break anything before I got here?"

"I have no idea, sweetheart." Peter slipped his arms around her waist and kissed her cheek loudly. She giggled and tried – unsuccessfully – to push him away. "But you have definitely made us more civilized."

I went back to cooking and she left the kitchen. After a minute, Peter asked. "What?"

"Nothing."

"Bullshit. What?"

"Nothin' Sir. Peter." I stopped and faced him. "I like seein' you in love, ok?" I turned back to the stove. "Faggot," I muttered under my breath.

I felt him come up behind me. He pressed against me and moved my hair to kiss the back of my neck. "Yeah, I love you too. I hope she works out." He left. I finished cooking.

Just before bed, Peter knocked on my door. "I think I know what she was talking about." He had that 'this is serious' look on his face. "You an' me, we've always been about control. But some D/s relationships are about humiliation and pain. The sub needs recovery time not just physical. A day to actually be able to walk without crying. Not just band aids, iodine and burn cream. Psychological shit. Not Jessie, Barb." He paused then cleared his throat. "I don't want her doing anything like that to you. You trust her?"

I opened my mouth and stopped. It occurred to that nobody but Peter had ever really hurt me. A couple of girls had teased and poked; but the serious shit – whips, fishing hooks – that shit had all come from Peter. With him, I had no fear. I trusted him with more than just my life.

Ame, however, was not bound to Peter's rules and didn't have Peter's reasons for hurting me – helping me.

"You think, maybe I shouldn't go?"

"I think, maybe, you oughta be damn sure about her if you do."

He sat beside me on the bed and put his arm around my shoulder. "What you wanna do?"

"I-" Gwen tapped on the door.

"Hey, everything ok in here?" I knew she was trying to be nice but I didn't need her right then.

Peter cleared his throat then switched to command mode. Gwen may not have recognized it yet, but she learned it later and fast. "Gwen. Go on to bed. I'll be in shortly."

"Is everything ok? I wouldn't-"

"Fine. Personal. You don't need to worry. This is an Alex thing. Good night."

She looked a bit put out when she closed door.

"Sorry," he said and moved a hair out of my face. "Do you want to do this?"

I take a breath. I hadn't been scared about this stuff since that first night at Uncle Julius'. I tried to think of all the things she could do to me and twin rushes of fear and lust whipped through me. "Oh God. Yeah. Sir, Peter, I know you want me ta be safe an' dude, I love you for it, but I don't care if she kills me, I wanna feel every excruciating minute of it."

"I doubt she gonna kill her ride home. I’m worried 'bout you comin' home scared for life by some emotional mind fuck."

I smiled at him. "Ain't nothin’ she kin do, you can't undo. She just unother cunt – you own me."

He held me tightly then kissed my forehead. "Get some sleep."

"Yeah, you too."

Friday, after class, Ame gave me an address in Shenandoah. It took about three silent hours to get there. We stopped at a secluded cabin in the woods. It had a phone, and electricity and not much else. There was an eat-in kitchen, which was nice because judging by the nearest neighbor, delivery would have been damn slow. There were only three rooms: the kitchen, the bedroom and the living room. The living room had a couch and loveseat, a fireplace and a hot tub. The bedroom had a king-size bed and not much else.

"Get the bags from the car," she told me, "and put them in the bedroom." I obeyed. I had only brought a shoulder bag with two clean shirts and two pair of briefs. Ame brought three full-sized suitcases. She stood in the door as I put down the last one. "Put the blue one on the bed. Then strip."

I froze, not quite sure I heard her. "Come again?"

"Was your last mistress in the habit of repeating herself?"

"No Ma’am." Not often, at least. Strip. "Yes, Ma’am." I put the case on the bed and took off my clothes.

"Face the window and kneel." I did that too. Behind me, I could hear the case opening. "Have you ever been bound?"

Oh my sweet lord Jesus. "No Ma’am." I tried to keep my voice steady; to not show how excited and in honesty how scared I was. Mr. Happy did not want to cooperate and I had a raging hard-on but I couldn't do anything about that.

She pulled a leather mask over my head. There were small holes so I could breath and hear but there was no way for me to see or speak.

"Say 'peanut butter'." she ordered. I said it. "Again. Fine. I can hear you. Stand up." She walked me a few steps to...somewhere else. "When you are with me, this is how you will be – naked and masked. Even when you are dressed, in public, you will behave with me as if you are naked and masked. I will abide, temporarily with your request for no permanent marks because, frankly, I don't think you will last the entire weekend. I will also honor your safe word – again, for the time being. You may say 'peanut butter' at anytime and I will stop what I am doing. That, however, is the only thing you may say until I give you permission to speak. If you understand and agree, put your hands behind your back, and we'll begin."

I hesitated for a second. Not because I was unsure, I wasn’t. Mentally, I said goodbye to Peter. I knew this would change me - change us. I put my hands behind my back.

Ame bound me - I found out later, that the method she used was Japanese - but she used one piece of rope and managed to link my wrists, ankles, neck and abdomen. Shifting any of them more than half an inch, constricted the others. She left me tied for days it seemed. I could hear distant movement but nothing I could identify. The mask became hot and sweaty very quickly. After a while, I started to cramp. Every time I tried to stretch, I choked myself. "Shit!" I swore.

Almost instantly, something searing hot pressed against my foot. I swore again and it was pressed against both feet. I bit my lip and forced myself not to swear a third time. Unbelievably, my dick twitched. My legs cramped badly and I simply groaned rather than choke myself again or disobey the no talking rule. I mistakenly let two other words slip out and was rewarded with two more searing touches. If this were Peter, after the second, I would have begged him to let me cum. Since I couldn't ask, I just held back and whimpered.

At some point, she tugged the bonds and I hissed. "You may say one word. What hurts most?"

"Legs." It was an easy answer; they were cramping so much, I was considering saying peanut butter over it.

She released my legs and massaged them gently. I moaned but I wasn't sure if it was relief or bliss. Not until her hand grabbed my nuts and yanked. I dry came, convulsing helplessly.

"Well, that was unique." She observed blandly, when I stopped shaking. "Explain. What was that?"

"When I hold back, sometimes, I cum but without the j-" language I reminded myself "-ejaculate."

"Can you orgasm on command?"

Oh shit, now that's uh skill. "No Ma’am. I can't cum - orgasm - without permission. My old Dom wann'd me ta learn control. We didn't know 'bout dry cummin' ‘til it started happening."

"So she told you before hand if you had permission or not?"

"Sometimes. Sometimes I had ta beg for it."

"She made you beg for it." she sounded intrigued. "Now there's an idea. The next time you think you're going to orgasm, say ‘jelly’. I may let you beg for it. Now, what's this?" Something sharp pointed against my sac.

"It look like uh scar where uh nail was pushed through?" I asked.

"Yes."

I nodded. "It's the scar where a fish hook was pushed through."

"I thought no permanent marks."

"It was kinda an accident. We were fooling around below deck an' hit uh storm. I was trying to talk him into sticking me with the thing an' we both got knocked over. I'm just lucky it went in the skin 'steada my nut."

"Alright. Stand."

Conversation has ended, I guess, I thought and stood up. My legs were a little tingly but not bad. She pulled my arms and I hurried to keep up with her or choke. I could hear the crackling of the fireplace and felt the warmth on my lower half. Something behind me clicked. Then I heard the snap of a whip. I shivered. Peter only whipped me once – too much risk of scaring. Several tendrils of a leather cat-o-nine popped against my legs. Not hard enough – not nearly hard enough – but it made me quiver anyway.

Ame whipped my back and sides, hard enough to sting. I figured I would probably have some welts by the time it was all said and done.

Then I felt the whip on my dick.

"Jelly." I said.

"You want to climax when I do this?" She whipped my dick again.

"Jelly." I swallowed hard. If she did that again, I wasn't sure I could hold back.

"Ok, beg me." she pulled at the mask and a mouthpiece opened.

"Oh, God please let me cum. I'm so close. You do that again Ima cum anyway. I'll be good. I promise. Please. I'll do anything you want."

"You'll do that anyway." Her voice was deep and breathy. "Enough. From now on, you may orgasm at will. I will let you know before we begin if you have to beg for it." She re-sealed my mouth and hit my dick twice hard with the whip.

I whimpered knowing that the next hit would send me over the edge. It didn't land and I took the respite to try to pull back. The longer I last, the more games we could play, I thought.

Then two whips hit me – one across my ass, one across my dick. She seemed to be crisscrossing them as fast as she could. I tried to move but discovered that my bonds had been anchored and the movement nearly choked me again.

I came hard. I came so hard I cried. Or maybe it was the pain - just 'cause I got off didn't mean it still didn't fuckin' hurt.

I stood there trying not to fall over, feeling wasted and exhilarated when she opened the mouth of my mask again and I could smell the pussy before her fingers touched my lips.

She tasted sweet and hot and must have been dripping wet. I lapped at her fingertips because it was all she would give me. I decided to take a chance. "Let me lick yo' pussy, Ma’am."

She pulled her fingers away and closed the mask. "No talking." The searing hot thing was pressed against my spine and I swore silently. "I knew your mouth would be your downfall. Now stay silent or I will glue your lips shut."

I debated whether she would actually do that for all of maybe a second and a half before I resolved to bite through my own lip before saying another word.

Ame had more toys in her suitcase. Toys that stung. Toys that pinched. She asked me very few questions. I had to say peanut butter once – when she re-bound my legs and I lost sensation in them. After that, she unbound me completely except for the mask. I could hear the hot tub jets running soon after. She put me in it and let me soak for an hour or so. I could smell something piney-medicinal in the water. I fell asleep and woke to her prodding me.

She un-strapped the mask. We were in the bathroom with the lights out. "This is your first opportunity to stop this entirely. Take your time; bathe, relieve yourself. When you come out, we will have dinner. You may speak normally at all meals. You do not have to wear your mask." She left the room.

I turned on the light and immediately turned it off again. Way too bright for my eyes. I tried it again and squinted for a few minutes in the glare. I looked beat up. I did shower and the rest and felt almost human after. I also studied the mask for a moment. It must be inhuman - no eyes at all, just a nose and a patch over the mask.

She said I didn’t have to wear it at meals. I figured that was probably a good idea. She hadn't left me any clothes. I was smug enough to figure that was to see her handiwork on my body. Even bruised, I look good.

I joined her in the kitchen. I could smell the fish sauce. "Pho Tai? I didn't know you cooked."

"Pho Chin. I didn't presume you knew anything about Vietnamese cuisine."

“We spent a summer in Asia.” I shrugged. "I'm better with Thai but I got some passable cooking skills."

"Thai? Doesn't that use a lot of peanuts?" She cocks her head. "I thought you had an allergy to those."

"I leave 'em out when I cook, usually. I've managed ta make a full meal with 'em without killing myself."

"Excellent. Next time, you can cook."

"Excellent. Next time I will." I glanced out the window as she served us and realized that the sun was just beginning to set. We arrived at dusk. "Did I lose uh day?"

"Possibly." she sat down and began eating. "It's Saturday evening. I had planned to test your tolerance for heat then go to bed early. If you're up to it."

"I'm up ta whatever you wanna do. I just don't like not seeing you. Be uh whole lot more fun if I got ta watch you c-uh-orgasm."

She looked thoughtful. "Perhaps next time. But you have got to learn not to speak out of turn."

"Yes, Ma’am." I nodded, just talking about it made the scalds on my feet and back itch. "I have a question." She looked at me blankly and I hoped that was permission to ask. "What do you get out of this?"

"You derive pleasure out of receiving pain," She shrugged which was the most casual movement I had ever seen her make, "I derive it from causing pain."

"Ok, see, I get that part – I like giving a good spanking on occasion instead of gettin' one. But you ain't let me touch you at all. I..." I hesitated, "I just wanna be sure you gettin' off in all of this. That it ain't just me."

"Sweet." Her voice was flat. "When I desire your assistance, I will notify you of what and how. Until that time, you will have to enjoy what I allow you."

I looked at my bowl. "Yes, Ma’am."

"What about you?" she asked. "Are you getting what you want out of this?"

"So far." I smiled. I was getting more than I dreamed of.

"I was thinking – if this weekend works out for both of us – that we could do this once a month."

"I'd rather do it once uh week."

She paused; clearly, I caught her off guard. "How often did your last mistress abuse you?"

I shrugged. "We lived together for a while. It was whenever he thought I deserved it."

"You must have needed quite a bit of punishing."

"Actually, it was a reward."

"Really. You keep saying ‘he’. You had a Master not a Mistress?” I opened my mouth but nothing came out. Of all the stupid slips. “If you’ve actually gay…”

“No!” I exclaimed. “I mean, I like guys, too. I’m…” I was sort of embarrassed. “I’m bi. Really.” She gave me that arched look. “Yeah, my last Dom was uh guy. I’ve never had a Mistress. I’ve just always really wanted one.”

“Are you still seeing him?”

“No.” I shrugged. “You said you ain’t want me seein’ anybody else. I figured that included him.”

“Tell me about him."

I thought for a minute. "There's not much I can tell. See I can't tell you who it was 'cause, even now, it would cause all kinda hell for him back home."

"Your little Reedville has a BDSM community?"

"Not that we ever found but we ain't go looking for it. Anybody ever find out about us, it'd be the biggest stir in uh hundred years."

"Because of your family or his?"

"Both," I chuckled. "We had to keep the whole thing real damn quiet."

"I suspect my father is aware of my preferences but has been circumspect about it."

"Hell of uh dude, your Dad."

"Thank you." She put her napkin on the table. "Clean the kitchen then join me in the living room. Bring your mask."

Break time over, I guess, I thought. "Yes, Ma’am." I cleared the table and washed everything. Not a chore I was used to – if the dishwasher broke, Mom took us out to dinner. But I managed to scrub everything eventually. I retrieved my mask from the bathroom and used the facility one more time. I had a hunch I wouldn't get another break ‘til morning.

Ame was lounging in the hot tub when I came in. I knelt in front of her, presuming that was my standard starting position.

"Well, you may have too much mouth, but you take physical training quite quickly." I thought that was meant as a compliment. "You even seemed to adjust to being naked fairly easily."

"I had NiS in high school."

"I did not say you could respond to that." I winced and she sighed deeply. "I suppose I'll forgive that outburst; in the future, if you have your mask in hand or physically on, you are only allowed to speak when specifically addressed. Do you understand, yes or no?"

"Yes, Ma’am."

"Good." She stood up, dripping wet and naked. Glorious. I know my jaw dropped and dick jumped.

"Jelly." I said, hoping that was still ok.

She smiled thinly, "Not the response I was expecting but flattering none-the-less. Anything else you'd like to say before I seal you in?"

I run through all the things I'd like to say looking at her tiny, delicate body, "Nothing you wouldn't consider vulgar, Ma’am. Permission to speak freely?"

"Denied. You will have to learn not to be vulgar." She stepped out of the tub and dripped over to me, taking the mask from my limp hand. The last thing I saw was her nearly hairless pussy as it circled behind me and her round, fat ass following it. She led me into the bedroom, I thought, and lay me down on the floor. She tied me eagle spread.

Something cold touched me. Ice or maybe ice-cold metal. Whatever it was, it made the spot where it touched numb after a few minutes. That made me a bit nervous. I had done a lot of nearly permanent damage to myself after numbing stuff. The worst was when I used a numbing cream on my nipples and attached a pair of serrated clips. I didn't feel them sawing into my skin until I took them off and saw the blood. Peter suspended me for two months after that shit.

She said she'd honor no scars. I trusted her. I took a deep breath and tried to stop twitching. She stopped touching me after a while and I heard the shower run a few minutes later.

I lay on the floor and waited for whatever came next. It came slowly. The cold spots began to warm, then, become hot. There were two on my chest – likely those damn nipples – one on my side, a couple on my legs and one on my balls. I groaned which didn't help. I twitched but the spots neither relieved nor moved. I knew my groaning got louder. Fuck, I thought, this hurts. Seriously. She's really, really hurting me. I pictured that body again. That delicate creature was causing me severe pain. I whimpered and tried not to actually say anything. The pain seemed to get worse. I couldn't tell if it was because of how long it was continuing or because something was actively increasing it.

I felt like I was going crazy. Like if something didn't release the pressure soon I was gonna scream. Or explode. Or both.

It just kept hurting. Oh God, I thought, I can't hold it. Oh god. Oh god, I kept thinking over and over. Don't. Don't. Don't. I was being burned alive outside in and inside out. I grit my teeth but groaned loudly anyway. It hurt so much and yet, I felt alive.

When I came, I came hard again. It felt like dying. Like all the darkness inside me had been purged and the light of heaven filled my soul. Retribution and redemption all in the same instant. Like I wasn't a sick twisted little evil shit. Like I was right. Good. Fixed.

Peter 'fixed' me once. Peter once beat me so hard I was bruised for weeks. He made me feel like God might still love me. Only Peter. My Saint Peter.

I realized distantly that the pain had stopped and Ame was disconnecting something. "Oh, fuck," I whispered. "Wha'd you dotame?" I was babbling and realized that I was probably about to get scalded again but I didn't care. I wanted to hold her in my arms and tell her that I loved her. I wanted to kiss her and never let her go.

I woke in darkness, on the floor with a blanket over me. The mask was gone. Ame's arm hung over the edge of the bed, just within reach. I found the leash around my neck let me move next to the bed so that her fingers touched my cheek. I stole a kiss from those fingers. I briefly thought of all the things we hadn't discussed. Was she into water sports? Probably not. Would I ever get to fuck her? Shit, at this rate I'd probably never get to even eat her out right. Was I hooked for life? Was I the kind of sick shit that liked being chained to the floor like a dog?

I found myself smiling at that image and pulling the blanket over my shoulder. Alex the Dog. Woof.

The office moved downtown, to one of the five-story buildings that are as close to skyscrapers as Reedville is likely to get in the next hundred years. The sign on their ‘penthouse’ suite reads ‘WVS Innovations’ which explains why I had so much trouble finding the new address – Ame made partner while I was gone and they changed the company name. I’m not complaining ‘cause I think the fact that she’s a partner is cool. I grin at the sign for a minute before going in.

I greet the perky receptionist, ask for Amelia Wilson and admit that I do not have an appointment. She calls Ame and I watch her face as she announces me. Whatever Ame said must have caught little miss perky off her game because her eyes nearly pop out and she gives me the same smile you give when you find out that the murderer is standing next to you.

“I’m sorry Ms. Wilson is tied up at the moment. She’s asked if you would make an appointment and come back on another day.”

I lean on the desk and smile at the girl, “Tell Ms. Wilson if-n she don’t get’er lil’ round ass out here in five, Ima come back an’ get it.” She pales a bit. “Go on back an’ tell ‘er. I’ll wait right here fo’ ya.” She gets up and briskly scoots into the back office. Three minutes later, she and a pissed off Ame enter the room.

Her hair is twisted into a bun on top of her head and held there with a chopstick. It exaggerates how slender her neck is. She is the picture of a conservative executive. She’s already launching in on me about how dare I barge in to her place of business or some similar bullshit but I couldn’t care less. I completely ignore her. I grab her arm, pull her up to me and kiss her. I pull her hair down letting the sticks fall where they may and let go of her arm in favor of holding her head. I have been waiting – dying – for this since I left her.

When she crushes my nuts, I let her go. She squeezes so hard and so unexpectedly I nearly blackout. She asks, “Are you listening yet?” a couple times before I can answer. “Good. You may go home. When I call you, if – if I stress – if I call you, it will be there. Do not come in to my office without permission again.”

I watch her high heels exit the room and will myself to calm down. The pain was excruciating but I want to go, grab her and screw her on her desk. It’s a couple minutes before I can pick myself up off the floor. The receptionist is stunned, terrified. I shake my head. Already I can feel transfer from pain to pleasure.

“Thank you.” I manage to say to her – from out of reach of her desk, so that she’s not worried that I’ll attack her. “If Ms. Wilson asks, tell her that I’m staying with my Grandfather until I’ve made more permanent arrangements. I believe she has the number.” I can’t help groaning as I turn to the door.

“Umm, do you need some help? A doctor, maybe?” She seems torn between genuine concern and utter fear. I love southern girls.

“No, I’m fine.” I give her a half smile, “Believe it or not, that went better than I expected.”

“It did?”

“Oh, yeah. She threatened to cut ‘em off. With a razor. I figured she wouldn’t have one handy here, but you never know with that one. You take care now, here?” I take the elevator down because the stairs would be just a little more than I’m ready to face. I figure she won’t call today. Maybe next week. If she really missed me, she’ll call the day after tomorrow.

It’s a month.

I come home from the dock. Granddad is on the porch chatting with one of the neighbors, which is a good thing because I was beginning to think he was becoming a hermit.

“Hey, Mr. Hodges. Hey, Granddad; you take yo’ meds on time t’day?” Always have to ask him that.

“You aughta know.” He sneers at Mr. Hodges, “Sent his little barracuda ova ta’ check up on me.”

“Sent who?” Usually, if I send anyone, it’s Beth or Gracie since they’re in the office and close by. I didn’t send either today.

“That little witch you was seein’ up north. The little oriental one. I don’t know her name. Hell boy, need a god damned database t’keep up with all yor wimen.”

I stare at him for a moment. Granddad’s a bit off his game, but he’s not senile. “She was here? You sure?”

His eyes narrow at me, “I look senile ta ya, boy? Woman was here, checked ma meds, watched me take ‘em, said you kin call her, an’ left. You’d think George’d raise the boy with some respect.” He grumbled to Mr. Hodges.

“It not you, Granddad. I just didn’t think she’d visit. I’m a bit surprised.”

“Me too. Thought you’d rid yo’self uh that one.” He shook his head, “Never liked her. Cruel. You know the type, Ed, you ain’t never sure if-n the knife in her hand is for you o’ the fish.” They both laugh.

I clap him on the shoulder, “Yeah, she’s kinda like that. You ok out here?”

“Yeah, boy, I’m fine. Junior may be ova fer a spell this evenin’.”

“Ok. I’ll be back in a minute. I, uh, need ta make a phone call.” I drift inside.

She came by. She checked his meds. I take the steps two at a time.

When she picks up, all my smooth, planned greetings go flying out the window. It’s actually a couple seconds before I can even say hi.

“Pick me up. We have dinner reservations and we’re already running late.” She hangs up before I can respond.

It’s another minute before I realize that I need to get moving, shower, change and get to her place. I hope she hasn’t moved otherwise I’m sunk. Granddad laughs at me as I run past him. I stop just before I start the car and get out again.

“Uh…” I hate leaving him alone all night.

“If-n you plannin’ on doin’ yo’ business with that one, you’d best get a move on.” He says chortling.

What can I say about Granddad? “You the best!” I call out and break a speed law or twelve getting’ to Ame’s. She hasn’t moved. She doesn’t speak but then she rarely speaks in the car. The reservations are at Nam Tran – the only Vietnamese restaurant in town. She’s dressed to kill making me doubly glad to took the time to change clothes. After she places our drink orders, she looks at me and I find myself lost in those beautiful, hypnotic eyes.

“If you’re going to moon, you can leave right now.” Her tone is acidic and I snap to attention.

“Yes, Ma’am.”

“Now. You’re Grandfather looks well.” She sips her wine. “Charming as ever.”

“Yeah, he’s holdin’ up pretty well, all things considered.”

“I trust your parents are doing well also?”

“Oh, yeah. Mom’s retired but Dad’s still at the Fishery. Actually, my cousin, Jean – you remember Jean an’ Joan? – anyway, Jean’s gone into Accounting too an’ she’s working with him now.” I talk about the family for a few minutes until I realize that she isn’t even vaguely interested. “Yeah. Ok. How’s Amanda?”

“Well, I’m sure.”

“Good. Good.” I look at the menu. After she orders for us, we sit in silence until she’s ready to tell me why we’re there.

“I wanted to tell you first, how absolutely inappropriate your behavior in my office was. It was vulgar and rude and intolerable.”

“Yes, Ma’am.” I say softly, keeping my eyes on my plate. I love it when she berates me in public – it makes me all tingly.

“Secondly, you seem to have forgotten that you may not touch me without my express consent. I trust you were reminded of that?”

“Oh, yes Ma’am.” The thought makes me twitch and I sip my wine to cover the grin that threatens to break out.

“Finally, you should know that I am seeing someone.”

I nearly choke on the wine and barely avoid spewing all over the table. I get my napkin over my mouth in time and cough violently for almost a full minute. She waits patiently while I recover. When I find my voice again I only want to know one thing, “Who?”

“I cannot imagine why that should be any of your concern.”

“I wanna know who.”

“None of your concern. Lower your voice.”

I take a deep breath and flex. I can already feel the tension creeping along my shoulder and around my neck. “Why?” I ask again in a quieter voice.

“When you announced this football thing, did I not tell you that if you chose football over me, I would consider our relationship at an end?”

“Ame,” I gasp, frustrated to have this discussion again, “Do you know how many guys get a chance to play NFL ball? What was I supposed ta do – throw that away without trying? I didn’t choose football over you; you could have come with me.”

“Uproot my life to follow you around the country like a puppy with no purpose of my own?”

“It wouldn’t have been like that.” I say weakly. But I know, for her, it would have been exactly like that.

“Was I not clear?”

“You were clear.” I can feel the tension in my jaw now. Most likely she can see it in my face by now.

“Are you then upset because you’ve spent the last twenty-four months thinking of no one but me?”

“As a matter uh damn fact, I have.”

“Alone?”

I look back at my plate. I though of her nightly. But not alone.

“I knew there was no earthly way you could be trusted out of my sight to be anything approaching faithful, so I didn’t ask you to try. Why should I?”

I start to answer that but I catch myself before anything stupid comes out of my mouth.

“I thought I at least owed it to you to tell you in person.” She pauses as the waiter serves our meal. “That’s all. You may leave when you’re ready. Tonight I will cover the check.”

I wave the waiter back over and give him my credit card. “Please start an open tab for this bill. I may need to leave early and I don’t want my friend to be imposed.” He trots off and brings the card back a moment later.

“You didn’t need to do that.” She says.

“Yes, I did.” I eat my meal. “How’s the firm doing?”

“Well.” We talk about her work until the tension in my jaw make it almost impossible for me to speak.

“Is it serious?” I cut over what she’s saying.

She pauses mid-word. “They are all serious.”

“Are you planning to get married?”

“What would that have to do with anything?”

“Just curious.”

She’s silent for a while. “No.” she finally answers. “Were any of yours ‘serious’?”

“No.”

“Did any of them last more than a night?”

For the first time ever, I am actually ashamed to answer that question. “No.”

“Well. You must have had quite a time.”

“It was just sex.”

“Oh, surely you’re not going to tell me there’s a difference between having sex and making love. I thought you didn’t believe in such a thing.”

“I didn’t.” I take a deep breath; if this is hopeless, I might as well go with full disclosure. “I worked my way through all the cheerleaders, the groupies, the girlfriends, hell, a bunch of the wives. Fat chicks, skinny. One girl teaches yoga and we did it in a locker just ta prove it could be done. I tried a couple guys just for old times sake. I tried slow and soft. I tried rough. I…” I hesitate, “I tried a couple things I’m not sure I’ll ever forget or forgive myself for. I went back to ‘Alex’ before you met me an’ I was an evil little shit back then. But here’s my point. No matter what I tried, I still couldn’t find anything that felt as good as watching a movie on your couch.”

“Touching.”

“Not cute.” I snap at her. I take a breath and calm myself. “Here’s my problem: I love you.” She lifts her eyebrows in mock surprise. “Don’t give me that look.” I snap again, “You know damn well how I feel. I love you, I’m in love with you. I can’t figure out how I lasted ten minutes without you let alone ten months and I come back to get you – to sacrifice everything I am to you – an’ you say you seeing someone else! Amelia, please, tell me you don’t love him.”

She shrugs. “I don’t.”

If I’d been standing, Ida fallen. “I…you don’t?”

“No.”

“I thought you said it was serious.”

“It is. But it’s not emotional.”

“Then you still love me?” my heart’s pounding like I just ran a thousand yards.

“I never said I did.”

I close my eyes and flex again. She being deliberately evasive. “Amelia, how do you feel about me?”

“Again, I can’t imagine why that would matter.”

“Because it does.” I slam the table with my fist and the everything shakes. Several heads in the room look at us and I put my hand in my lap to avoid any further outbursts. “I need to know what you feel.”

“And I don’t see how that’s relevant.”

“You don’t see how your feelings may be relevant to me?”

“I don’t see how my feelings could be relevant in light of the fact that our relationship ended two years ago.”

“Ame! Who fucking cares when it ended? I’m here now and I want you back. Do you want me on my knees?” I push the chair back and crawl beside her, “Here, humiliated in public for your amusement.”

“Get up.” She hisses, “People are staring.” I sit back down in my chair. I want to pick her up and fuck her on the table but that likely would not help my case. “I don’t feel anything, if you must know.”

“Bullshit.”

“Excuse me?”

“You maybe denying it, you may be hiding it but you feel something. For me, about me, whatever. Don’t tell me you don’t. I love you, Amelia. An’ I’m brave enough to admit it. You go on about strength, but without a few guts, there ain’t much ta be strong about. So, I’m going home now. When you figure out how you feel, call me. I promise, I’ll be waiting. I don’t have any choice ‘cause –“ I have this weird welling up feeling, like something inside me’s gonna burst. I swallow hard and push it back down. “You just call me when you know some thing.”

I get up and find our waiter, sign the bill and leave.

At home Uncle Julius and Granddad are drinking bourbon and reminiscing about the ‘old days’. Ordinarily, I would run screaming to my room. Tonight, I pour myself a glass and sit down. They stop talking for a minute.

“Finally got you with that knife uh hers, eh?” Granddad says softly.

“She just wanted to tell me that she’s seeing someone else.”

They both wince.

“Ain’t no woman the only woman.” Uncle Julius says after a while, “They’s always another one out there, somewhere.”

“I’ll tell Aunt Rachael you said that.” I muse, refilling my drink. I gesture with the bottle and both of them hold up their glasses. I pause for just a second before filling Granddad’s – some of his meds should not be taken with alcohol. Then I pour. If bourbon kills him, he’s not plannin’ on living much longer any how. “Bitch.” It slips out and I spend the next ten minutes calling her every name I can think of. They let me go on.

“Yeah, that’s about what I said when I found out ‘bout Ms. Rachael an’ Wilton.” Granddad states.

“Wilton?” I stare at him, then at Uncle Julius “Uncle Wilton? Yo’ freakin’ son, Wilton?”

Uncle Julius knocks back the rest of his drink like it was water and Granddad shrugs. “Sorry, Junior.”

“No need.” Julius refills his glass, “It was uh long time ago, now. I’m ova it.” He’s over it and I’m over Ame. Right. “Just ‘bout had heart failure at the time. But you learn ta move on eventually.”

“You uh lie.” Granddad says. “He ain’t never got ova it, he just too in love with Ms Rachael ta stay away. She coulda slep’ wit’ four-five men, he’d’uh taken her back if-n she was on fire.”

Uncle Julius purses his lips but doesn’t say anything for a moment. Then he looks at me, “Marcus wants to act like he ain’t just the same but you name me one thing yo’ grandmomma coulda done that’uh had him packin’.”

I think for a minute. I can only think of one thing. “I donno. Shot him. Had an abortion.” Granddad’s pretty far right on the topic.

Uncle Julius get an odd kinda grin – like I said just what he was looking for – and looks at Granddad, “Yeah, Marcus. Think you could forgive her that?”

Granddad looks away for a moment. “My Candice was a saint. Ain’t nothing she coulda done woulda torn me from her side.”

“Amen.” I say.

Uncle Julius pats his shoulder, “She’s uh good woman, Marcus. We all miss her.”

We go through another round of drinks, each of us getting that much more depressed.

“She won’t even tell me who.” I lament aloud.

“Whatcha need ta know that for, boy?” Julius asks.

“So I can beat the living shit outta him.”

“Might be why she ain’t tell you.” Marcus observes.

“Yeah.” He has a point. “Shit.”

We have another round before Aunt Rachael comes over to collect Julius. We’re pretty trashed and she’s pretty mad. I do manage to get to my room on my own but I wake on the floor when my alarm goes off.

I make it to the dock house by 4:30am and I’m not hung-over.

I’m still too drunk to be hung-over.

Aunt Rachael arrives while I’m trying to figure out how to make coffee.

“Give me that.” She takes the filters and coffee away from me and makes a pot. “Now, before I send you home, I had the two of them nicely trained. Two drinks, then JD comes home. So what happened last night?”

“Ame dumped me.” She coos and hugs me. “I’m cool. Ain’t no woman the only woman, right?”

“JD and Marcus told you that?” she chuckles “The two who’s vows were ‘until death do us part and then some’?”

I think about what I remember of last night’s conversation. “Actually they made a pretty good case for forgivin’ her and takin’ her back. Which isn’t actually an option.”

She frowns, “So what did they tell you, exactly?”

“I lot uh stuff I ain’t wanna know, for starters.” She looks a bit pensive, “Nothin’ I would hold against you or Grandma, that’s for sure. ‘Sides, you an’ I already know way too much ‘bout each others personal lives.”

“I guess that true.” She doesn’t look at all reassured.

“Hell, if-n I had the chance, I’d do Wilton, too.” She looks stricken. “Aunt Rae, I’m sorry. It’s a joke.” Mostly. I jump up to try an console her – or something – except I’m still not quite steady so I overbalance and knock us both to the floor. She laughs, which is a good thing.

Aunt Rachael’s a hot little freak even if she is pushin’ forty. Being tangled on the floor with her is way more temptation than I need. I push away from her as gently as I can.

“Yeah, so, anyway. Ame an’ me had this stupid fight about me bein’ in love with her an’ her not givin’ a damn about me – which is stupid anyway since she’s already seeing someone else, so what the fuck. But I came home an’ they was drinkin’ an’ I told them an’ it kinda went from there.”

She sighs heavily, “That would explain it.” She catches my confused look, “JD was pretty upset by the time we got home and we exchanged a few words.”

“Oh. Oh man.” My buzz is beginning to fade and with the clearer head is coming a horrible headache. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean ta start an argument. Marcus brought it up and Julius said it was ok.”

“You boys did get chummy, didn’t you? ’Marcus’ and ‘Julius’ now?”

I kinda blush. My family’s always been very formal about those kind of things. “We got pretty trashed.”

“I saw. Well, don’t worry about us. He’ll get over it. I just wondered what brought it up.”

“I’m really sorry.”

“Alex, it’s ok, relax.” She ruffles my hair – like she used to when I was a kid, “You look wrecked. Skip the coffee.” She gives me her keys, “Go to the house, get some sleep. Come back when you can stand up straight for more than three minutes at a time.” I start to protest but she stops me. “Quit arguing. The crew will start arriving any minute. Shoo.”

“Aunt Rachael, you rock.” I kiss her cheek, take the keys and walk to her house.

I take a handful of aspirin and crash in the living room. I wake several hours later to the smell of bacon. It takes me more than a minute to figure out where I am and why. I wander into the kitchen feeling better than I did at the dock house. Uncle Julius is making breakfast for Willow and Caesar. I give him a hand. He doesn’t mention last night so neither do I.

As we all sit down, I get an odd thought, “Hey, how come she ain’t ‘Julia’?”

Uncle Julius is perplexed by that one, “Come again?”

“Julia, Caesar.” I say pointing at the kids.

He thinks for a minute, “Now that woulda been right clever.”

It sparks a big long discussion about all the names in our family and lasts even as Uncle Julius is ushering them out to the car and off to school. I clean the kitchen for him and head back to the dock house. I send Aunt Rachael back home and take over the desk. Not that there’s much to do at this hour – the boats are out and aside from a bit of filing and the phone, not much happens til they come back. Unless the weather changes.

Then it’s a whole different day. I wait until the last boat docks and every crewman signed out for the day, signs back in. Grandma told me that back in the 50’s and 60’s – when she first started working for the fishery – there were too many days that her last task of the day was to call someone’s family. We still have a trunk for doin’ a burial at sea – without a body. I confess, every time a boat is late, my eyes glance at that trunk. I’ve had a couple late nights on the dock, but I haven’t had to end any of them with a phone call. I pray I never will.

The next couple weeks are pretty much more of the same except Granddad an’ I start arguing about everything. The two of us pretty much argue with everyone. Finally, Peter meets me at the dock house as I’m leaving one day.

“Can I give you a lift?” he asks.

“Nah. Kinda in the mood to walk.”

He pauses, “Let me rephrase that. Alex. Get in.”

I look at him. He hasn’t use that command form since he married with Gwen. “This for my benefit or yours?” I ask him.

He doesn’t answer. He grabs my shirt and pulls me to the passenger door. I could make it a bigger fight for him but – I gotta admit – he still pushes all the right buttons for me. Of all places, he drives to the river.

“What’s the rule?” He asks as we get out of the car.

“No running, no jumping, no swimming.” I answer grinning. I had forgotten what a genuinely beautiful spot this was. How much we shared up here. “How’d we find this place anyhow?”

“Made a wrong turn heading home one night.” He’s looking at a tree where we carved our initials. I sit on the hood of the car like I used to and look at the water and the sky. And think of Ame.

I should have brought her out here when I had the chance. She hasn’t called, she hasn’t come by, she hasn’t sent a damned e-mail. I miss her so much, it hurts.

Peter sits next to me. “So. What’s up?”

I shrug, “Nada. Same old, same old.”

“Wanna try that again?”

“What?” If he wants to fuck, fine, but I’m not in the mood for twenty questions.

“You an’ Uncle Marcus fighin’ – what a shock. You an’ me? Again, no surprise. But Alex, you been fightin’ everybody. You yelled at yo’ Mom…”

“….Granddad was bein’ uh prick an’ she wouldn’t fuckin’ leave.”

“…at the crew? Crews?” he emphasizes the ‘s’.

“Shit heads.”

Ok, so what did Willow do?”

I don’t remember yelling at Willow. You have to a complete dick ta yell at Willow. She’s that kinda kid. “I don’t know! What the fuck?”

He hits me in the head, “Language.” He snaps.

I stand up, “Fuck off.”

He grabs me by the hair and twists my head back. “Is that the problem? Are you just so sexually frustrated that you can’t act civil anymore?”

“No.” I gasp. But really, I can feel the warm rush as the pain sweeps through me. Peter won’t hurt me – not the way Ame would – but his touch, the strength, the familiarity, makes me burn.

“No?”

“No, Sir.” I can’t help it; it’s programmed response.

“So if I made you blow me, you wouldn't feel better?” I swallow hard. I can’t breath. “You don’t want me ta bend you ova this car and fuck you hard?”

“OK!” I burst, “Yes! Shit, fuck me.” Instead, he lets my hair go. I collapse at his feet. “I am so fucked up.” I mutter.

“So just call her.” He sits on the ground next to me and strokes my hair.

“It’s not me this time. I told her how I feel. She’s seeing someone else. She couldn’t give flyin’ fuck if I’m pissed about it.”

“I’m sorry, Alex, I really am.” He pulls my head to his shoulder and I do something I rarely if ever do. I cry. In Peter’s arms, the only place other than my mother’s where it’s ‘safe’ to do so.

He waits til it’s out of my system and I try and push away from him. “Fag.” He teases with a light kiss.

“Takes one ta know one, pussy.” I answer back.

“Now here’s the plan.” He’s still holding me tightly, “I’m gonna let you go an’ you gonna find a branch I can beat your ass with. Then, you an’ I gonna go to dinner so you can tell me what the hell’s up with Uncle Marcus.”

I find a stick that’s heavy and twisted and he beats me til I cum. It doesn’t take long. It’s been so long since I’ve been truly hurt, I don’t think he gets to twenty before I am moaning and twitching. I blow all over the fall leaves, panting and growling. “Oh fuck!” I moan, “Oh god I needed that.” He gives me a few minutes to recover then, we head into town. My ass stings pleasantly all through the car ride and dinner.

“So, what’s with Uncle Marcus? They change his meds?”

“Nah. Livin’ with me likely getting’ under his skin.”

“It ain’t just you. He’s been in the office twice this month, poking around and actin’ like he own the place. Uncle George didn’t mention it?”

“Ima skip pointin’ out that he still do own the place.” Peter rolls his eyes. “And no, Dad, hasn’t mentioned it. He, uh, he an’ Jean both kinda pissed at me.”

He nods. “Yeah. That’s goin’ around I hear.”

“Alright! I’ll make some apologies. An’ Granddad’s most likely just bored. I’ll take him fishing this weekend. See if-n I can get Dad ta go with us.”

The conversation gnaws at me. The fishing trip is fine – Dad and I bury the hatchet – but I watch everything Granddad does like a hawk. As a result, he actually keeps me from hookin’ myself twice – which is good ‘cause it means he’s firing on all cylinders. Dad an’ I agree that he an’ Mom should come over for dinner more often. Just to say hi. That’s all. My Aunts all start dropping by during the day and taking him on errands or out to lunch.

Nobody wants to use the ‘A’ word.

Not until he shows up at the dock house looking for Grandma.

I call Dad. “Get down here.”

“You got uh problem son?”

“Yeah, Granddad wants ta know why Grandma ain’t workin’ the desk.”

“Come on, George,” Granddad says casually, looking at me, “just tell me where yo’ mama at.”

“Did he just call you ‘George’?” Dad asks, clearly shocked.

“Yeah.” I’m more than a little off put by that myself.

“Five minutes.” He hangs up.

I get up and guide Granddad to the bench. “Uh, Sir, I’m Alex, not George.”

“Alex?” he sounds confused and stares at me. Then he nods slowly, “Alex. Right. Oh God.” He chokes, “She gone.” The life seems to drain from him as he all but relives the day she passed.

Dad nearly skids at the door, “Dad?”

I gesture helplessly, “He remembered.” The radio flares and Dad takes over Granddad while I deal with the boats.

Even then, nobody wants to use the ‘A’ word. We just all think it real loud.

Aunt April - the nurse - manages to squeeze a series of appointments in for Granddad and Dad and Uncle Julius spend most of a day at the hospital with him. The Wednesday before Thanksgiving is traditionally a day off for the crews and the family all take the commercial shifts. Granddad shows up – on time – at 5am and works First Mate to Uncle Edward. As they pull out of dock, I wonder if this is his last time out.

When I get home, there are two messages on the machine – one from April. The second simply says, “We have dinner reservations at 6pm. Don’t be late.”

I thought I was self-absorbed. I thought I was spoiled and cruel and uncaring. I erase the message and call Aunt April.

“It’s very early stage one. Honestly, most people don’t even notice it at this stage; it’s usually lost under normal aging. We’re just all so used to him being so easy going most of the time that it sort of stuck out. But there are some short term things we can do – some prescriptions, memory exercises, get him out on the boats every so often, keep him as active as we can.” She goes on like that. I try to hold together. Men don’t cry; they break things. “Alex? You still there?”

“Yeah. I’m here.” I take a deep breath and hold it. Then I let in out in one huff. “Ok, look this stays between you an’ me til Monday. I don’t wanna screw up Thanksgivin’ for the whole family.”

“Ok.” I hear the call waiting tone and put April on hold. “Hello?”

“It’s 6:30. Should I presume that you are not coming?”

I bite my lip. There’s so much I wanna say to her at once, I can’t even think straight. Finally, I just blurt out, “wait”, switch calls and hang up with April. I take a deep breath before switching back. “Ame? Four months.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“Four months since I have seen or heard from you. Four months. Then all of a sudden you wanna have dinner? Sorry. No. Not available.”

“If you have other plans, cancel them. I will…”

“No, you cancel them. You cancel any plans you have with me. Honest ta God, I don’t know what the hell I ever saw in you...” eternity and bliss, “...but it couldn’uh been worth the hell you put me and ever’body else through.” worth that and more. “Don’t call me.” please call me. “Don’t ever call me again.”

“I take it your plans this evening are important, then.” She says, cool as ever.

“Yeah. Tonight, I’m having dinner with my dying Grandfather and who ever else show up. Since ever’body been cooking fo’ tomorrow, Momma’s bringin’ ova big bucket uh greezy fried chicken. Most like we’ll sit on the livin’ room floo’, eat with our fingers, an’ smack like the savages we is. Uncle Julius will drink too much an’ Dad will tell a staggerin’ly bad joke an’ Willow, Caesar and Robert’ll run around like wild animals. And you know what, join us. What the fuck – come over for dinner tonight, Ame. But if you say one thing to insult my family – anything – so help me God I will punch your teeth in. If you can’t – just for once – put my needs before yours – just once – just, just go away.” I hang up.

“Good man.”

I turn around; I hadn’t heard the door but half the men in my family are standing there. Granddad claps my shoulder and give me a shake.

“High time you told that one what’s what.” He heads into the living room, “When yo’ Momma getting’ here with that chicken, boy?”

“Does yo’ Momma know she commin’ with a bucket of chicken?” Dad asks as he passes me.

Peter is already dialing his phone.

Two hours later, the scene looks more or less the way I described it with Granddad monopolizing the conversation – as usual, as always. April and I stick to ‘the results aren’t back’ and everybody leaves it at that.

I’m playing my guitar – something I haven’t done in years – when I hear her voice.

“Where should I put this?”

Ame’s in the doorway holding a box. Mom gets up and helps her, “Well, now that would depend on what it is.”

“Black-eyed peas, collard greens and some sort of squash casserole. I hope there’s enough; I didn’t know how many would be attending this little pot luck.”

“Here, I got it.” Uncle Charles grabs a plate in one hand and the box in the other and leads the way to the kitchen.

Beth pokes me.

“Quit it.”

“Was that Ame?”

“Yeah.” I start tuning my strings. That requires a great deal of concentration. Beth pokes me again. “Quit it.”

Peter grabs the guitar and pulls me up.

“Go on an’ set her straight, boy.” Granddad says. The whole family is waiting for me to go in there. “An’ fix me a plate while you in there.”

I can’t help laughing, “Ok. Alright, I’m going.”

In the kitchen, Uncle Charles and Mom are chatting with Ame about the design firm. Mom catches my eye and picks up a serving plate, “Well, I should get these out while they’re still hot. Charles, why don’t you help me?”

“Soon as I’m done.”

She swats him and hisses something in his ear. “Oh. Oh!” He says suddenly. He grabs his plate and the casserole and holds the door for Mom.

I am alone with Ame for the first time in two years. I had almost forgotten how stunning she is.

“I hope those are appropriate dishes.”

“Yeah. Thanks. You, you didn’t have to bring ‘em.”

“I would never attend dinner in someone’s home without bringing something.”

“Oh, yeah, that would be rude.”

She looks away. “I should go.”

“No. Wait. Sorry.”

We stand in silence for a while. She looks nervous. I’ve never seen her look nervous before. She tilts her head toward the living room. “Do you actually play the guitar or was that for show?”

A challenge like that, I can handle. I open the door for her, shoo my sister out of a seat for Ame and pick up the guitar again. Then I start playing – the flamenco pieces that I played so much of in high school. I’m actually surprised how much of it I remember. I remember Leigh as well – I haven’t thought of Leigh in ages. I get lost in the music trying to remember the cord progression for one of Leigh’s favorites when I finally hear a piece of the conversation.

Gracie stands up suddenly, “I know where that is. I got it.” A minute later, she reappears with Grandma’s photo album. She hands it to Ame.

“Hey, whoa, she doesn’t need to see that.” I protest.

“No, really, I think it would provide some insight to your childhood.” Ame says with a slight smile.

“You in it now, boy.” Uncle Edward says, “Come on, April. We got an early day t’mo’row. Who’s on deck?”

I answer that one before anyone else can, “Pete, Rob and Chuck.”

He nods, “Ya’ll best be on time. I wanna be in on-time for service.”

Aunt April makes sure Granddad takes his meds then they leave. Shortly thereafter, people start filtering out. Half an hour later, Gracie puts Granddad to bed and the last of the family leave.

I lean against the living room doorframe and watch her as she sips one of Uncle Julius’ mint juleps. She seems lost in thought and her features in profile show her heritage plainly.

I ache for her.

“I came to answer your question.” She says softly.

“What question?” I think back but I don’t know what she means.

“You asked how I felt about you and told me to call when I had an answer. I believe I have one. Of sorts. I still don’t know how I feel about you but I did realize something that-“ she pauses and takes a breath, “-that perhaps you were right about. I may have been denying to myself.”

“I’m stunned. I might actually have a valid thought.”

She looks at me sharply, “You always have.” I smirk and her attitude changes, “When have you ever said ‘no’ to a request and I did not honor it? Even without you reverting to ‘peanut butter’ to get your point across. You have limits and I respect them.”

“Yeah, right…”

“You prefer to lead when you dance – even when dancing with me. You don’t mind spending money if you have a rough estimate of what you’re expected to spend, but you will not give cash outright. You will do almost anything in public so long as it does not risk damaging your family name and I’ve seen you do a great deal if you believe you have somehow dishonored it. Or if anyone else treads too far upon it. Your Mother, Peter and your Grandparents are beyond reproach. You are downright territorial about men who pay any attention to me. And the only name you will answer to is Alex. Which is why I never call you anything else.”

“Come to think of it, you don’t call me anything.”

“You know when I’m speaking to you.”

I nod. I always do. I move closer to her and stand behind the couch. “So what’s the answer?”

“I need you.”

I think about that. I don’t know what I expected. Another evasion.

“Well.” She stands up suddenly, “That’s all. You asked a question; I determined the answer. I know you have an early morning so I won’t keep you.” I grab her arm before she can move out of reach. “I don’t recall saying you could touch me.”

“You didn’t. But you not gonna tell me you need me then walk out.” I turn her to me and her face is like ice. Closed, virtually non-expressive. “What are you, made of stone? What does it take to get through you?”

“There’s nothing to get through. Please don’t make this more than it is.”

“Don’t make this….” I can’t believe she actually said that. “Amelia, I would spend the rest of my life at damn near your beck-an-call. Don’t you make this less than it is.”

“Relationships like ours are not permanent. They degrade as power or confidence or simple interest changes. I’d rather end it now while we both appreciate each other then wait until later when it dies and we’ve lost any respect we had. Believe me, I’ve seen it happen.”

“I’d rather not. I’d rather marry you and have a bunch uh kids and see how long we can make this last.”

She laughs, “Children? Oh, I’m not having children. We’re incompatible. There maybe passion but it will never last.”

“Try it. See how far we go.” I sit down and pull her gently next to me. “Why do you say you need me?”

She hesitates. “No one says ‘no’ to me. Apart from my Father and my sister, at least.” She looks me in the eye, “You do. You set limits. You obey the rules, usually. But I know, one day, you won’t.”

“And you need that?”

“I can’t submit.” She stands up sharply and paces – which is a stunning statement of her distress, “It’s my own personal psychosis. I have never meet a man who’s limits I couldn’t eventually break down. I would have let you go to training camp, you know, once you missed the flight to be with me. I just wanted to see which you would choose. Everyone before you has chosen me. Over tennis tournaments, an ambassadorship, money. Submissive men can be spineless to the point of absurd.” She looks at me again, “But not you. You said, ‘I’ll be back’ and you left.”

“I had to.”

“That’s my point. You can submit to me without losing your whole self. And I need that. Because I can’t submit. So while ordinarily I have to be in control, on rare – very, very rare – occasion, I need to be taken by someone who won’t back down.”

I know an opening when I hear it. I stand up and pick her up.

“Put me down.”

“Not tonight.” I kiss her as I head for the stairs and bang the hell out of my shoulder on the doorframe. “Ow.” I mutter into our kiss.

“Alex. Put me down.”

My heart is pounding. Alex. From her, it’s the most erotic thing I’ve ever heard. I take my eyes off her long enough to find the staircase. Then I use my elbow to navigate up and to my door. I don’t put her down until I reach the bed.

I rip her shirt – which is something I’ve always wanted to do but never had an excuse. She pushes back but I pin her arms down, hold her, kiss her, climb atop her and force her to moan as I suck her tiny little breasts with those huge, dark nipples. The smell of her skin drives me on.

She sweats. Delicate, composed Ame sweats like a pig when she gets really goin’.

I kiss my way down her smooth, flat belly, hold her legs open and eat her. No second hand taste this time. I ignore her protests and the scratching and hair pulling add to my enjoyment. She floods my face twice before I let her legs go; the second time, screaming for me to stop. While she’s lying there to exhausted to move, I strip, lie beside her, take her into my arms and kiss her again. She responds fully this time – rubbing her face and body against mine, digging her nails into my shoulder blades. I kiss every inch of her I can reach. She doesn’t stop me, just mews and whimpers and drips like a damn faucet. I’m working my way back up her body when I decide, I want a blow job. By the time my lips reach hers again, the desire is overwhelming.

“Ame” I murmur between sloppy, wet kisses, “it’s your turn.”

“No.” she sounds breathless, almost ethereal, “I can’t.”

“Yeah, you gonna.” I put my hands on her shoulders and push. She resists but I’m stronger. Her nails dig at my waist and she slides down my shaking body. She scratches my thighs and I wince. I grab a hand full of her hair and pull her face toward my dick.

She bites. Hard. “Oh, Jesus fuckin’ H Christ!” I scream. She lets go and laps me like an ice cream cone. She then proceeds to alternate between teeth, tongue – pain and pleasure – until my body is twitching, and my head is spinning. I do not let go of her hair. Not until I can feel the pressure, the imminent release. “I’m gonna blow, baby, where do you want it?”

“I don’t.” She says stroking the shaft with her hand.

“Tell me where you want it or you gonna swallow it.” I snarl.

“Oh, God.” She moans, “Please.”

I do not have the patience for this right now. I push her flat, shove my dick back into her mouth and fuck it. She moans and whimpers then digs those nails into my ass. I spasm, jerk and growl, cumming hard. I can feel her swallowing my jizz and that only prolongs my orgasm.

“Oh shit.” I finally breath. Then I realize how horribly I just used her. I try to pull back from her but she sucks hard and scrapes the head with her back teeth. “Oh – my – God. Oh…Ame…” She sucks until I’m hard again – hard and sore. When she pulls back to use her tongue, I push away and lie on top of her. I brush her hair back from her face and kiss her deeply, tasting my own seed, “That was one of the most evil things you have ever done to me. I’m gonna fuck you til you bleed.”

I hold her wrists in one hand over her head. With the other hand, I part her legs. I glide my fingertips up the inside of her thigh and find it wetter the higher I go. Her pussy’s so drenched I’m not sure it isn’t sweat pooling. Not til I slide a finger into her. Even as wet as she is, it’s a tight fit. Virginal tight. I finger fuck her for a while enjoying her squirming and moaning under me. When I switch to two fingers, she winces and her brow knits. I let my hand rest until her face settles then move slowly until she’s writhing with pleasure again.

“I wanna fuck you, Ame.” I hiss, “You wanna get fucked?” She groans. “You like this, don’t you?” She groans again. “Tell me you like this.” I’m getting nervous. If she not enjoying this, it’s rape.

“You make me like this,” she whispers, eyes closed. “You make me cum over and over. I don’t want it. I don’t need it.”

More adrenaline floods my nerves and I ram my fingers into her savagely. She jumps and another river of cum soaks my hand, “You don’t want me to slide my cock – my big hard cock just waitin’ fo’ yo’ slick wet pussy.”

“Oh god.” She pants over and over.

I position myself just at the entrance. Not in but where she can feel me. “Amelia. Tell me you love me.” Let my lips rub past hers.

“Please don’t make me.” She arches her hips but I have leverage.

“Say it or I’ll get up right now. I’ll get up and I’ll leave and I’ll never see you ever again. I love you, Ame.”

“I love you, Alex. I love you I love you I love…” I cut her off by clamping mouth against hers and plunging in. She fairly screams but I can’t stop now – I can’t even slow down. I hammer her hard and fast and when I cum, we both cry out like wild things.

I collapse beside her and let her arms go. She doesn’t move just lies there panting. When I can move again, I roll over and put my arm around her. She pushes it away.

“I’d like to shower now.” She says calmly, “Get me a towel. And change the sheets while I’m in there.” She almost favors me with a smile. “You may sleep with me if you shower as well.”

People think I’m crazy. Ok, maybe not crazy but they think something is definitely wrong with uh guy who lets a woman treat him like Ame treats me – in public, no less.

She tones it down when we’re around the family – her active ordering me around, at least. I still have to follow the rules of behavior when she’s there. And she won’t go to church with us because she is not a believer an’ won’t be disrespectful. But if you catch us at home, and I’m naked, that’s your lookout.

That’s not everyday – Ame’s not completely insensitive to Granddad so on days when he’s actually up, I stay dressed – but so long as this is her home, I follow orders.

I sleep on the floor. Two years ago, she gave me a dog bed for Christmas. Everybody figured we’d be getting a big dog soon. I still laugh when someone asks about it. Ame gets the whole queen-sized to herself most nights. Once every other month or so, the occasional holiday, my birthday, other ‘special’ special occasions, I get to sleep with her. I get to be Dom and she submits to any filthy, disgusting thing I want. Of course, usually all I want is to eat her out and fuck her hard, but we don’t do that often. Normally, it’s whips and muzzles and electrical charges up my dick.

Pain. In as many ways as she can think of without out leaving traces that get the police involved.

So, people think I’m crazy but mostly, I think they’re jealous. I have the perfect life. I have a job I love, a home near a close family I adore, plenty of money and a woman who makes me believe that God is good and thank him every day for bringing her to me.

This is not to say that it’s flawless. Working the fishing dock even for the family business can be hard and stressful. And Granddad has reached the final stages of Alzheimer’s. We’ve had a live-in nurse for years but now the family has to decide if we want to put him away. I hate living with him like this but I can’t stand the thought of his last years being with a bunch of strangers. Ame, gracefully, has left the matter in my hands – although that may be because it causes me emotional pain and any pain is a good thing to her.

But on balance, my life is good. I think about all this on my way home one summer afternoon. The business is doing well and the family is doing well. The only thing I don’t have is what the evening mail reminds me of.

A wife.

A wedding invitation from one of my high school buddies. Not a big deal. But it reminds me that Ame has said no for four years straight. No marriage, no kids, no ties. She wants to be available to walk out as soon as she gets bored. But she’s not bored. And she makes just as many long term plans as I do. She’s the one who wants to remodel the basement and install a pool out back. Those are not temporary or cheap. We argue about who forgot to pick up the dry cleaning and who goes to the ATM too often and other married stuff. Hell, we have a joint bank account. All I want is a ring and a photo to go with it. And a son.

I get to spend the first hour of my nights with Granddad. I’m rarely alone – my family drops by often and without warning – but Ame again is very gracious about the whole thing. I won’t bore you with the details of my visits with Granddad but imagine watching the strongest man you have ever known slowly wasting away to less than nothing and you pretty much can fill in the details. If I didn’t have to pull myself together and do things for Ame, I don’t know how I would keep from curling up into a fetal ball and crying every night.

But, I do have to. So. I undress. And put on something house appropriate – leather collar and leash, ball-gag, anything that leaves most of my body bare but shows that I am someone else’s property. Then I cook dinner. We eat together and discuss our day. Then, after I clean the kitchen, I do something to pamper her. I went to cosmetology school for like two semesters – on the very QT – to learn how to give her a manicure and a pedicure. She likes me to paint my toenails the same color as hers (which is a fucked up thing to explain at family outings). I also give her deep tissue massages, wash and condition her hair, give her facials and – very, very rarely – enemas to keep her clean and happy and comfortable. And lovely – which she would be even if neither of us did a damn thing.

Then later, after we watch a little TV or whatever else needs to be done in the evening, we go upstairs and she causes me pain. I came so hard once, I threw my back out.

Tonight, as I lie in my dog bed and revel in the ache and pains still lingering down my body, I have to ask again. “Ma’am?”

She doesn’t respond at first. I’m not actually supposed to speak at this time. “Yes?”

I sit up. “I want to marry you.”

“We have discussed this and…”

“I know, I know. You keep sayin’ no. But, I don’t want Granddad ta pass without a great grand son. I don’t want Mom ta keep sayin’ ‘I won’t ask, I promise’ when I know she really just wanna know if we ever getting’ hitched…”

“…we’re not…”

“I know. You say that and I know but please, Amelia, do this for me. Marry me. Have one kid. I will never ask another sacrifice of you again. You can use me as a toilet from the second you say yes ‘til they put me in the ground. I will do anything, to be your husband. You’d actually have paperwork that say you own me.”

“No, you’d have paperwork to own me. Marriage enslaves the bride not the groom.”

“We’ll rewrite the vows. I’ll love, honor, cherish, and obey. Hell, I do it anyway. I just wanna do it publicly; I wanna do it so that everybody in the world know how we feel about each other.”

She looks thoughtful – which was a first for this conversation. “And would I finally be your only mistress?”

“You already are. Unless you mean God.”

“You know who I mean.” She sits down at her dresser and starts combing her hair – a stress habit despite how relaxed she looks. “Would I finally out rank Peter?”

The world goes silent as that name echoes out of my ears and across the state.

“Peter was never my…” I start but I cannot look in her direction and finish that sentence. She has never asked me directly. I wonder how long she’s known. “You always have.” I lie softly.

“Really?” She pulls a few more strokes. “What’s rule number one?”

I pause then say, “Don’t be late.” Her reflection stares at me and I break quickly. “No running, no jumping, no swimming.”

“Because…”

“Because it was the rule Peter set the day after he saved me.” I whisper it.

“I will not marry you, because I will always be second. I cannot compete with someone who owns not simply your body but your actual soul.” She counts another ten strokes. “Now, if he gave you to me that would be another matter. But it’s taken you five years to admit it was him. I sincerely doubt he or little miss priss would ever hand you over completely.”

“He would – he will.” I rush, crawling halfway to her. “Far as he concerned, he gave me ta you back in college.” I take a breath and control myself. “He has not taken advantage of my lingering issues. And Gwen has never had any authority. Hell, she lived with us for two years an’ never figured it out.”

“Did you cheat on me?” She asks, her hand pausing in mid-stroke.

“The night you meet Peter, the four of us went to dinner. You remember that?”

“Vaguely.”

“You told me you ain’t want me seein’ any one else. Well, that night, me an’ Peter had our last session. He said, I couldn’t have two so I had ta pick one of you. And I picked you, Ame. It’s been you since we meet.”

I can see her considering this. She puts down her brush. “Braid.” I crawl behind her and braid her hair into one thick loose braid to sleep in. I’m almost finished when she says. “I didn’t know. I suspected. For a while, I mean. But at school, I really didn’t know.” I don’t say any thing; my mouth is my weak spot she often reminds me. “You were just insubordinate enough to look like siblings not lovers. Beth, I suspected about and you as much let slip once when you were entirely too drunk. But Peter…I couldn’t quite confirm it.” She got up and climbed in to bed. I did like wise as she turned out the light.

Then, in the darkness, she says, “Tell me about him. Everything.”

There isn’t much to tell. Peter was the Dom, I was sub. He said it, I did it. “He rarely do more-n spank me because he ain’t into pain. But, I don’t know, something ‘bout the way he would look at me when he gave me an order. I just knew, if he wanted, he’d make me pay if I didn’t do it. I fucked this married girl once – teacher – he ‘bout killed me. Once uh year or so, we’d take uh boat and go out, just the two of us.” I find myself unconsciously fingering the scar on my scrotum. “That’s where he’d extract any real pain. You the only one ever made me scream like that. ‘Course, you only one ever done uh whole lotta shit ta me.”

She doesn’t respond. I’m awake most of the night trying to figure out which of them I’ve just been more disloyal to. The next morning, I’m up and out by 5am. I’m just a touch grouchy, which most people presume is due to trouble with Granddad. I was the same way just before Grandma died.

At lunch, my phone rings. “I want to meet him.” Ame says.

“You already know him. We have dinner like once a week.”

She’s silent and suddenly, I realize what she means. She doesn’t want to meet Peter, she want to met My Dominant. She wants to see him run me through my paces and humiliate me in front of her for his own amusement.

“We don’t…” I start but I don’t finish. It’s true, we don’t but even a look from him still gets me. “Gwen.”

She hangs up.

After dinner, she goes to bed. I find my dog bed at the top of the stairs. I’ll be honest; I can take this treatment from her for about two days. Then I will literally beg her to take me back. It’s happened on rare occasion before. There is no point in me trying to prove I’m a man. With her, I’m not. I’m a pussy-whipped little punk who will take whatever shit she gives me and thank her for it.

The next night, I don’t go home. I go to Peter’s.

“Hey, what up?” He greets me at the door, still in his swim trunks. I can’t help but take a glance around for Gwen then feel him up. He smacks my hand away, “Come on, dude,” He laughs, “my wife’s around here somewhere. Go on out back. I’ll grab uh couple beers.” He smacks my ass hard as I go past him. How Gwen doesn’t know we used to fuck, I have not a clue.

I’m there for about an hour before I finally blurt it out. “Ame knows about us.”

He chokes. “Come again?” he coughs out.

“I asked her to marry me and she asked if she would out rank you if she said yes.”

He gets that hard, cold closed look. The one that made me start callin’ him ‘Sir’ in the first place.

“What did you say?”

“Sir-” It slipped out and he glares at me. I gesture helplessly, “Peter, what could I say? She wants to meet you. I mean, ‘you’ you. Y’know…”

“I know what she means.” He stops me before I get too wound up. He sits still for about another minute then he picks up the phone. “Ame. I guess we need to talk.” He quiet for a long time. Then he looks at me. “Yeah, ok.” He says. “I can do that. Let me check my calendar and get back to you.” He hangs up and takes a deep breath. “Go home, Alex. She and I will handle this.”

It’s ok, little boy, mommy and daddy will make it all better. Run along and play.

I want to break something.

I have one trump card in my house. When I get home, I play it. “Get dressed.” I tell Ame. “We’re going out.” When I’m mad – really, truly, utterly, pissed off – we go dancing. I lead, she follows and we stay on the dance floor until I say we sit down. I take her to my favorite club and we salsa for a good two hours before I yield.

“Do you want to discuss it, now?” she asks as we find a table and catch our breaths.

“I don’t appreciate you an’ Peter treatin’ me like I’m ten.”

“But that’s what you are.” She states plainly. “A child being taken care of by a Dominant and a Mistress. You make no decisions for yourself. I do. Or Peter does. I don’t know how often you turn to him instead of me.”

“Never.” I hit the table then pull my hand in before I go too far. “You are it now. Only you.”

“But you never really stopped obeying Peter, did you? He just stopped giving you orders.” I could claim that those are the same thing but they’re not and I know they’re not. “I can’t marry you if he could countermand at any time. If I become your wife – if I give you that kind of authority – I want to know that I am the only one.”

“Ame, what’s the difference? Why are you making this so damn hard?”

“Once we are married, people will make assumptions. Man and wife. He finally won her. You will become publicly, the master. I don’t want to place myself in a position where you might think you have some power.”

“Ame,” I laugh, “I have so little power. If you told me ta slit my wrist, I’d likely do it. All I want is to be able to show publicly that you love me as much as I love you. Give me that ring, and I’ll do what ever you want ‘til hell freeze over.”

“I want to watch you and Peter together. I want to see what his hold over you is and I want him to give you to me.” She looks away from me. “Do that and I might say yes.”

“You will?”

“But I plan the service…”

“…of course…”

“…and I will not say traditional vows…”

“…say anything you want so long it end with ‘I do’…”

“…And you will be collared.”

I trip on that one. “At my wedding?” Then I let it go. “OK, sure. Whatever. You sayin’ yes?”

“I’m thinking about it.”

“If Peter give me to you and I do all the rest, will you marry me?”

“If. I am not making any promises.”

“If. Ok, if. Amelia,” I get on my knee beside her and take her hand. She hates these kinds of public displays but I can’t help myself. “Amelia Da’o Wilson, if I promise to be a good slave and love and honor and cherish and obey you, will you marry me?”

She actually blushes. She looks at everything around us. She tries to pull her hands away but I won’t let them go. “Yes.” She finally whispers.

I don’t stop grinning for two days.

Despite herself, I keep catching Ame grinning too.

She won’t let me make a big public announcement but a couple days later, she mails out very tasteful announcement cards. I know the family starts receiving them when my Mother jumps me on the dock as the boats are coming in. She’s waving the card and yelling. “Why didn’t you tell me!” She hits me hard after she kisses me.

“Mom! We on the dock –“

“I don’t care! Oh, Baby, I’m so happy! When are you having the service?” She takes a breath and comes up short. “Or is this another of Ame’s ‘things’. Does she not want to have a service?”

“We’re having a service.” I grab the rope tossed at me. “Mom. Let me finish up here, ok? Ame and I will come by later tonight, ok? You two can figure out all the details. Ok?”

It was useless. In the next half hour, all of my aunts show up at the dock house pestering me and half the rest of the family calls.

I had to call Ame. “We gotta go to Uncle Julius’ house tonight.”

“We have to?”

“If Ima get any more work done here today, yeah.”

She’s silent for a moment. “Fine. I’ll meet you there.” She hangs up.

Since I was a ten-minute walk from the house, I beat her there by a couple hours and relate the edited version of how I proposed a good fifty times. All my cousins show up. A couple of them know how things really are with Ame and I and ask what Peter thinks of all this. I tell them if Peter doesn’t like it, he can go fuck himself. I almost believe it.

Beth, Peter, Gwen and Darrell arrive together. Beth, Peter and I slip upstairs for a couple minutes.

“I owe you guy everything.” I say. It was the only thing I could say. They just hold me.

By the time we make it back downstairs, everyone but Ame is there. “Don’t make a big deal about it.” I keep saying. They get some of Caesar and Willow’s construction paper and put up a big congratulations poster.

Willow and Caesar are actually the ones who greet Ame at the door. Even she can’t resist hugging them. “You two are wrinkling my suit.” She complains but she doesn’t push them away, I notice. “All of this is really unnecessary. I would hardly think this is unexpected. Honestly, how long can anyone live with him pestering them on a daily basis?”

“Not long.” Peter agrees. “But still, congratulations.” He kisses her cheek and whispers something to her.

Over dinner, the conversation never strays from where, when and how the ceremony will take place. Aunt Rachael offers the front yard and to my shock, Ame accepts. I’m getting’ married under the traditional family willow tree. The colors will be peach and lavender. One bride’s maid, one groom’s man.

“Dude?” I say.

“On it.” Peter answered.

As if there was any question.

“I’m sure I don’t need to tell you all that I do not intend to have a traditional service or say traditional vows?” Ame asks.

“This is a family wedding.” My mother starts but Dad cuts in.

“Ame, I think so long as you keep in mind that the children will be present, we can be very flexible.”

“George!” Mom snaps, “Don’t you men have something to do with yourselves?”

“Not if I’m cuttin’ the check for this I don’t.”

“Dad, it’s cool.” I hadn’t even thought about cost. “We got this. Right, Hon?”

“Of course.” Ame looks annoyed – she always is by money. “The bride’s family pays for the wedding traditionally. I would never dream of asking you to pay for it.”

“Yeah, but yo’ Daddy ain’t here.” Uncle Julius spoke up. “So we’d be please ta fill that roll in this case. An’ although, I hate ta bring up such things, but ya’ll need ta have yo’ attorneys draw up pre-nuptials an’ what not.”

“Daddy!” Aunt Elizabeth got up and took his empty plate. “Now, you hush up all that foolishness! This is uh celebration. Thay can talk ‘bout all that non-sense later. You just let them enjoy bein’ in love fo’ just un minute.”

“He can’t help it.” Aunt Rachael laughs. “If there isn’t a contract, it isn’t true love.”

“Hush up, woman.” He grouses.

“Uncle Julius, I appreciate your offer,” Ame wipes her mouth delicately. As soon as her napkin, fork and knife hit her plate, I’m up and clearing her dishes. “But he and I are quite able to afford what I have in mind.”

“Ya’ll can hush up with that foolishness as well.” Uncle Julius booms over her. “Marcus an’ Candice ain’t here ta give ya’ll uh proper send off. Least I can do for my brother is see his grandson get uh proper weddin’ an’ honeymoon. Now I’m not hearin’ unother word on who payin’ fo’ what, you jus’ best get with George an’ Charles an’ yo’ personal attorney an’ see ta them legal details. Hear?”

I go into the kitchen. Ame is stubborn but Uncle Julius always wins. He is not above playing dirty to get his way. By the time I return, Ame is thanking him for his generosity and Julius is looking smug.

“Thug.” Aunt Rachael kisses him as she finishes clearing the table.

“My house, my rules.” He says, settling back comfortably. “Now, you got any idea when you wanna have this here weddin’ or you still workin’ that out?”

“September.” Ame doesn’t even hesitate.

“Oh, the fall will be lovely.” Mom’s eyes light up. “But why so soon?”

“We met in fall. It seems appropriate.” She sees the look on Mom’s face. “Oh. No, there’s only one announcement here – we’re not with child.”

“I never even thought that.” Mom denies and snickers pass around the table.

“Oh, you so did.” Aunt Elizabeth teases. The rest of the evening is taken up with discussions of proposals and short engagements – in my parent’s case one week – and past weddings.

We are on our way home when it hits me. I actually stop the car in the middle of the street – there’s no traffic but Ame stares at me like I’m crazy.

“You ain’t seen Peter an’ me yet.”

“No. So?”

“But you send out the announcements. You started planning.”

“Yes.” I stare at her, grinning ‘cause for once, I think I won. “Peter stopped by my office a few days ago. We had lunch and discussed a few things. We will still have our private ceremony but Peter was able to convince me that his interest in you is…familial.”

“Private ceremony?”

“Yes. Sunday.” She looks away; Ame’s not good with emotional stuff. “We’ll have a public service to satisfy your family in September. I’m sure that will keep your mother and my sister happy. But our wedding will be Sunday. Just those who need to be involved.”

“You, me, Peter.” I’m shaking. I’m getting married on Sunday.

The rest of the week is a fog. I’m getting married on Sunday. But I can’t tell anyone that. The crews all give me shit about having cold feet three months before the wedding being understandable if you about to marry the wicked witch of the fuckin’ east.

Sunday, after church, Peter goes home with me. Ame is reading to Granddad when we get there. He doesn’t seem to know who reading or what but we all take turns doing it anyway. She joins us in the living room when she finishes the chapter.

“How do you want to do this?” Peter asks her.

“I want to understand. I can never replace you. You’ll always be right there. But if I understand what he gets from you, then maybe I can provide it.” She looks thoughtful. “Part of it. I suspect some of it is the masculinity; I can never provide that.”

“You could find him a boyfriend.” Peter suggests. He’s joking. I think.

“Or I could let him play with you once in a while.”

“Me?” Peter looks at me. I don’t say anything; she came out of left field with that one. “Gwen would never go along with that.”

“Does she approve of today?”

“She doesn’t know.”

“Then why tell her about anything else?”

“She’s my wife. Look, Ame, I’m only here because marrying you is Alex’s favorite subject. If this is what it takes, then fine. But I’m not endangering my relationship with Gwen just ‘cause you wanna watch two guys fuck.”

“Eloquent.” Ame purses her lips.

Peter’s face gets that set look. Oddly enough, I realize that Ame has almost the identical expression. “Alex.” He goes straight to ‘command form’ like he’s never stopped. “Do you still have your collar and cuffs?”

“Yeah.” They cost too much to toss but I have no idea where they are. “Somewhere.”

“Get them.” I head upstairs. “And your leash.” I start with the most likely place and get lucky. All three are wrapped neatly in a protective case. I look at them for a moment. The leash we bought at Petco. But the leather collar and cuffs were handmade in Bangkok. They’re beautiful. I hope to God they still fit – Peter will have no qualms at all with choking me today. I’m almost out the bedroom door when it dawns on my that I’d better get the metal collar, cuffs and chains that Ame lets me wear on special occasions. And I remember to grab her purse – she’ll want that if we go out today.

In the living room, Ame and Peter seem to have worked out the initial tension. Peter shows her the leather pieces and tells her about the day we got them. He shows her my tattoo – which she’d already seen – and explains why the St. Andrew design and why on my spine. He puts on the collar and cuffs. They’re a bit tight but I’ll live.

“I never made him wear the leash in public, but I threatened to.” Peter smiles. “It’s amazing how well behaved he can be when he’s got uh boner.”

“Yes. I’ve found that too.” Ame strokes the collar. “It’s beautiful work. Do you mind if he keeps it?”

“Not at all. I’d planned to hand delivery them to his new master or mistress but, well, things didn’t quite work out that way.”

“Why didn’t you want to tell me?”

“Incest is a touchy subject at best.” He shrugs. “And when it became apparent that you were in it for the long haul, it just seemed better ta let it die.” Peter sits down. “Did he tell you how it all started?”

“That you rescued him from drowning and one thing led to another.” She looks at me. “He was a bit vague about the details.”

Peter tells her everything. In minute detail. Lisa. My suicide attempt. The very first beating. I sit and listen. It all sounds sort of unreal; no one’s life is that jacked up. Ame leaves the room.

She returns with a wooden spoon. My dick jumps. I can’t help it. I can’t even cook with wooden spoons without thinking about getting beat with one.

“You never mentioned that to me.” She strokes my cheek with the head of it.

“No, Ma’am.” I manage to keep my voice level.

“I think I’ll save this for later.”

I swallow hard. I cannot wait for later. Peter goes on with my life story. Jessie. Brandon. Lindsey.

“He had this aggressive streak. It became apparent real fast that he didn’t know what consent meant.” Peter looks at me. “My biggest fear still is that one day you’ll just forget. You’ll get drunk or angry and rape someone. I worried about you, Ame, for a long time. I don’t know how you’ve kept that demon of his in check for so long…”

“I haven’t.” she says simply. “I let him unleash it on me occasionally.”

“…Oh.” Peter stays quiet for a few minutes absorbing that one.

I open my mouth then shut it. If they want my contribution to this, they’ll ask. I’m uh sub, be uh sub.

“You thought I’d castrated him completely.”

He starts to deny it then nods. “Yeah. Whole family does. Most of ‘em pretty upset over it.”

“What would I do with a tiger with no teeth?” Ame looks at me almost fondly. “The whole fun of it is that if I lose control of him, he’ll win. If I actually break him, there’s no sport.”

“So what if you do manage ta break him?” Peter’s voice goes quiet. I open my mouth again but, again, my input is not required. It’s maddening sitting like a piece of furniture but I should be used to it. I’m not, but I should be. “Will you just walk out on him?”

She seems surprised by the question. “Of course. I told him I didn’t want to make this permanent. He’s the one who wants the marriage. He’ll have to take the emotional risk that I’ll leave.”

“You sure ‘bout this, Alex?” Peter suddenly asks.

“Yes, Sir.” I look at Ame and smile. “I’ve never been more sure about anything. I love her.”

“He loves anything that hurts him.” She shakes her head. “It’s a wonder he’s not more self destructive.”

“He used to be.”

She frowns. “I haven’t eaten yet. Make us all lunch.”

I wasn’t expecting that. “Yes, Ma’am.” I check on Granddad; he’s asleep. I make something quick for him and his nurse and something nice for Ame and Peter. I set the table; they’re still talking softly. I come stand at the door ‘til she acknowledges me. Sometimes I feel like such uh pussy. I used to have balls.

“Yes?” She finally says impatiently.

“You want lunch or what?” I snap back. Internally, I wince. Peter never minded if I broke a little discipline so long as I didn’t break a rule. Ame is considerably more strict.

She gives me that arched look and I wait for it.

“The holster.” I bite my lip not to swear. “Go put it on now.”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

One leather strap goes around my waist. Another, thicker one goes down my ass crack and splits my nuts. Between them, a leather cup holds my dick against my stomach. It’s barely noticeable if I’m soft but if I get hard, it hurts like all hell because the damn thing doesn’t give so I just get crushed. I get hard half the time puttin’ the damn thing on. Today is no exception.

I come down stairs and find them having lunch.

“Join us.” She points to my seat.

“Thing is, Ame,” I serve myself and wonder which of them actually brought the food out. “Peter, knows me real well but he won’t do the things I want. Not like you do. He can never win me back, you know.”

“I’m sure that thought is keeping him up nights.”

“Oh yeah.” Peter chuckles.

“Look, seriously, Ame, I love you. I can’t deny – I don’t want to deny – that Peter has been an important part of my life but you’re who I want now, right? Future ain’t promised to nobody, right? I could fall off the dock an’ die tomorrow. You could get hit by uh car. I’m not tryin’ ta worry about one uh us gettin’ bored in the future, I just want us ta be together now.”

“We are together. How much more together could we be? We don’t need to be married.”

“Sorry, Ame.” Peter says. “McElroy men just the marryin’ kind. Not uh whole lotta single men in the family, you mighta noticed.”

“And children. You might as well tell your mother now that I’m not having any.”

“So we’ll adopt. One son won’t kill you.”

“What you got against kids, Ame?” Peter asks.

“Nothing. But could you imagine what sort of children I’d raise?”

“You seem alright with Willow an’ Caesar.”

“It was one week while their parents were away. I didn’t kill or corrupt them.” She got a funny look across her face. “Not that Caesar is corruptible.”

“Still. You’d do fine an’ anyway ain’t like half the family wouldn’t raise it for you come to that. Make Alex do all the work.”

“I have no problem if Alex wants to carry and deliver a child. But I don’t want one. Clean the kitchen quickly; we’re going out as soon as you finish.” She stands up. “Peter, would you join me upstairs for a moment?”

When I finish in the kitchen, Peter and Ame are waiting in the living room. Ame is wearing her leather bustier and mini skirt with the thigh-high boots. All of which needs some assistance for her to get into. She’s the Mistress, he’s the Dom. They can both sleep with who they want to. I fight back the wave of jealousy.

Peter drives to our old spot in the river. The chain’s been replaced and a ‘No Trespassing’ sign has been put up but we ignore all that. Then we go to Lisa’s gravesite. It’s almost dark by the time we get home.

“I never knew what I should do.” Peter fixes himself a drink. “So I made Alex set up everything. Get whatever toys he wanted me to use, strip himself, put on the cuffs and wait ‘til I was ready.”

“He does all the labor and takes all the punishment. Efficient.”

“I tried to be. Alex. Ame tells me you got quite uh collection uh toys these days. I’m not whippin’ you and I’m not using electricity. You come back down when you ready.” He took his drink, sat down on the couch and put his feet up. Ame pursed her lips then sat beside him.

“I trust everything is going well at the center?” She asks him. They start talking about his job.

The holster feels like its cutting into me as I go up the stairs to set up a playroom for Peter. It doesn’t take long. We only have a couple paddles or claps that Peter would even touch, let alone use on me. I strip except for the collar and cuffs but I add the leash.

I go down stairs and wait for Peter to acknowledge me.

“Y’know Ame,” he says after ignoring me for I don’t know how long. “The easiest way to make him crazy is to make him wait. He hates being ignored. Right now he’s likely seething but too well trained to say it.

“Really? Are you seething?”

Peter expects me to say no. Ame wants the truth. “Yes, Ma’am.”

“Would you be upset if I said stay here while Peter and I went upstairs and indulged in something carnal?”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

“Would you stay here?”

Peter and Ame. I open my mouth and stop. I think I would. I don’t know. Peter and Ame without me. I close my mouth. I don’t know. Ame didn’t say anything about her and Peter without me.

“Well, I guess it’s a good thing that’s not in my plan.” Peter says standing and stretching. “I’m not sure he’d follow that order.” He gestures me up stairs.

In the bedroom, he says “Down.” I kneel in front of him with my head down and my hand behind me. Then I remember this is Peter and change positions – edge of the bed, ass up, hands visible. They let me suffer while Ame points out the features of the various crops and paddles I’ve laid out.

Then without warning, something smacks me ass hard and sharp. Peter is all fucking hell kinds of stronger than Ame is and the strike reminds me of this. “God damn!” I gasp as my eyes actually water. Peter beats me for a few minutes. That’s all it takes. “Please, Sir, may I cum?” It’s a struggle to hold back after years of Ame allowing me to cum at will.

“No.” He says flatly. “What’s rule number 1?”

“No running, no jumping, no swimming.” I gasp out. “Please, Sir, may I cum?”

“No, wrong answer, try again.” I think hard. That’s always been rule #1 – even before I had rules. He grabs my hair and pulls my head back. “You sayin’ five years and she ain’t set uh rule yet?”

“Oh!” I try and get my breath back. “No, Sir, she has. Rule #1, don’t be late.”

He pops me. “Good. Number two.”

“No sleepin’ around.” He pops me again. “No vulgar language.”

“I’ve always liked that one.” He pops me twice.

I shudder and try to hold back just a bit longer. “No touching the Mistress.” Pop. “I am responsible for the house.” Pop. “I may not wear clothes in the Mistress’ presence.” Double-pop. “Oh, god, please sir, may I cum? There are uh whole lotta little rules ‘bout me bein’ uh gentleman an’ openin’ doors an’ doin’ her nails an’ please I can’t name ‘em all. Oh, God, please just let me cum.” Pop. “Oh, shit I can’t do this any more.” Pop.

I can feel the sensation in my balls and know I’m not gonna be able to hold it back much longer. I try to remember, kinda in the back of my mind, the last time I did that dry cum thing. Ame likes making me clean up my own jizz so she likes me to cum hard and often. I’m getting’ old – I used to be able to cum ten times a night. Now, I’m maybe three times – maybe.

Of course, this is in the back of my brain. Most of me doesn’t care how often I get relieved so long as I can cum now. Right now. Please God. Now.

The next strike never lands and I realize that Peter’s just giving me time to pull myself back off the edge. Relax. Take it easy. Plenty of time; it will all feel good in the end.

The riding crop lands hard across the back of my legs. I blow hard. Just like that. For a moment, I’m not even sure I’m conscious.

I fade back to reality with the startled realization that I’m still hard. “Oh, fuck.” I mutter. I’m going to be so sore in the morning it won’t even be funny.

“I can never get him to do that.” Ame observes.

“It’s in the timing.” Peter’s so fucking arrogant, I find myself thinking. I laugh because I know it’s only frustration speaking. “Let him build then give him time to back off before building again. Eventually, he’s so torn between coming and not coming, he literally bursts. I’ve never been able to do it myself but this one,” he runs his fingers through my hair, “this one has always been lucky.”

Lucky he says.

“Usually, I’ve pretty much exhausted my tolerance for pain by this time.” Peter goes on.

“Really? That looked like a simple warm-up to me.” Ame replies. “That was actually one of the hard parts connecting you two. You don’t seem like the Sadistic type.”

“I’m not. But Alex needed someone to do this and I’m incapable of saying no.”

“Hence the reason you’re here tonight.”

“Hence the reason I’m here tonight.” His fingers stroke my back. Ame would have use nails – carpenter not finger. “He calls and I come running. Sometimes I wonder who the sub actually is. Well, was.”

“Oh, these relationships are always mutual. Masters need slaves as much as a good slave need his Master. Just not in the same way.”

“True, I guess. Anyway, by now, I’m tired of just hurting him and want to get some pleasure myself out of this.”

“Why should he have all the fun?”

“Why, indeed?” He sits on the bed beside me. “Alex, you know what’s next.”

I do. My mouth waters as I rush to open Peter’s pants and blow him. I’m moaning at the taste of him. How long has it been since I blew Peter? He’s still talking to Ame but I’m lost in the moment and the taste and the sensation of his dick in my mouth and his fingers tangled in my hair. It takes me right back to high school. That’s got to be fucked up – blowin’ uh guy reminds me of high school.

Unexpectedly, he yanks my head back. “Not yet. Ladies first.”

He’s gonna make me eat Ame. I can feel the smile growing across my face. “Oh, fuck yeah, Sir.”

“What?” Ame’s behind me but I bet she just jumped through her skin. “Oh, no. I’m just an observer for now.”

Ame hates it when I do her. It makes her crazy. She loses any semblance of control. She sweats, she’s loud, she shakes. Her body absolutely betrays the cool, calm exterior she has spent years cultivating. She can whip me and cum and not make a peep. But if I get in there, she loses it.

“Ah. You still don’t understand the nature of this.” Peter may look like a saint but he’s fuckin’ Satan when he wants something. He does not take ‘no’ for an answer. Then again, neither does Ame. I watch Peter cross to her, wondering who is gonna win this one. “I make Alex do things. I used to control what chores he did, what girls he dated, what hobbies he had. We had a rule – if a girl could walk when we stopped, we weren’t done yet.”

“He never mentioned that.”

“I imagine he couldn’t without telling you it was me.” Peter’s fingers are lightly tracing the line of Ame’s neck. I would get smacked for that but she’s closing her eyes and arching her neck for him. I wish I had a video camera.

He kisses her neck softly. “Won’t your wife disapprove of this?” She sighs.

“I won’t tell her.” He catches my eye and looks down. ‘Get her feet.’ I’ll wager.

I crawl across the floor and unzip her boot.

“No, wait. Stop.” She almost too swept away to speak.

“Ah-ah. He’s still under my orders, right? You can have him back.” He kisses her neck again. “Soon.”

I pull off her boots. She has tiny delicate feet. Sensitive feet the few times I’ve been able to touch them. Kiss them. Suck her toes and lick her arches. Peter pulls her away from me long enough to pick her up and put her on the bed. I think I’m gonna cum just listening to her groan. Slowly, I work my way up as Peter works his way down. The skirt laces up the side, so as I make my way up her legs, I don’t take it off, I just undo the lacings. The back of the skirt is damp. I get it unlaced and off her; I hope it isn’t permanently stained ‘cause it’s one of her favorites and it’s gonna be uh bitch getting’ it cleaned.

The insides of her thighs are wet. I lick them. Her pussy is sweet. She makes a hooting sound when I lick it. She makes an even more animal sound when I lift her legs apart and lick her asshole. She squirms and I can hear her incoherent protests. Peter probably has her mouth covered. I stick my tongue up her ass until she convulses. I pull back for air and Peter is grinning fiendishly at me.

“Make her do that again.” He says.

“Yes, Sir.” I respond. Yeah, I needed an order to do that. Normally, she won’t let me make her cum like that because she hates being at my mercy. Today, she’s at Peter’s. When it comes to sex, he has none.

I go back down, this time focusing on her pussy. The outer lips. The inner lips. The clit. The slit. They’re all soaked in her cream and I happily suck them all clean. My dick jumps when she wraps her legs around my head and rubs against my face. I blow when she pulls my hair trying to pull me deeper inside herself. I can feel myself getting a little lightheaded and I realized that I really am smothering here. I can’t quite bring myself to care. I can feel her muscles clinching around my tongue and I open my mouth just a bit wider to scratch my teeth against her clit. She floods my open mouth.

Then I feel Peter’s dick jam up my ass. He’s dry and I haven’t had anything that big shoved up there in years. I scream into Ame’s pussy. Ame cums again. ‘They are trying to kill me’ I think. Peter rides my ass, Ame rides my face; I have no choice at the moment but to take it.

I realize that the aching I’m feeling is my dick throbbing. I think I may cum before either of them. Peter’s hand reaches under me and squeezes the head of my dick hard, preventing me from cuming. I can’t take it any longer and struggle to either push Ame back or untie her legs but she’s locked in place. Peter’s reaming is shoving me against her, so even if I could disengage her, I have no place to go.

The whole thing starts to have a disconnected feel like I’m there but not really. Peter and Ame are fucking the hell out of me but I can’t even contain it all. This moment is better than winning MVP. Better than getting drafted by Phoenix. Better than damn near every sexual experience of my life – and I’ve had some good ones. Not better than the first time she beat me. But better than the first time I banged her. I start becoming aware than something’s about to happen, like my body’s response is so strong it can reach me even here on this disconnected plane somewhere. Ame’s coming again, hard. I’m going to miss it because I think I’m falling asleep.

Then Peter lets my dick go. Full sensation floods my nerves. Everything flares as the three of us climax is perfect sync.

Then everything goes dark.

My first thought when I wake up is ‘Rebirth.’ I don’t know why I think that, it doesn’t seem to connect to anything but, lying in the dark, that’s what I think. Then I realize, it’s not just dark – I’m wearing my mask.

Sensations occur to me slowly and I begin to piece parts of my world together. My wrists are cuffed, as are my ankles. A slight shift tells me that the chain runs from the back of my collar, through the wrists, to the ankles. I moan as much from the stiffness of waking up in this position and the ecstatic joy of being chained.

Ame’s voice is muffled; she must have covered my ears. I cannot see, speak clearly, hear or touch. I can only feel. I feel the clamp around my nipples when it gets attached and again when it gets twisted. I know I made a sound – a whimper, a groan, I’m too overwhelmed to know anymore. I know I screamed when she added the weights. I thought she was actually trying to pull them off. When she pierced them, I came. I cried, but I came.

The weights are removed almost immediately and something cool and soothing is placed against my chest. Peter must still be there, I think, ‘cause Ame would never let me off that easy. One of them begins stroking my dick – has got to be Peter, I think. He strokes me like he wants me hard fast which he gets. Then, I feel the hard, metal ring slip into place.

I knew that was too easy.

I have no idea what to expect next. Ame loves cock and ball torture – it’s a wonder I still have a working set. But all this metal makes me wonder if she’s pulled out the electrical set. It’s neither, I learn quickly. Pins being poking my genitals. Acupuncture.

Some them merely hurt when she twists them. I can whimper my way through that. Some of them, however, feel like she’s actually ripping my skin off. After the second time if feels like she’s pushing a knitting needle through my dick, I start begging her to stop. I’m not at the ‘peanut butter’ stage yet. In all honest, I can’t tell if one more would make me cum or not. I just don’t know if I want to find out.

There is one more despite my pleas – in my scrotum. It doesn’t hurt quite as much as some of the others but it’s enough to set me off. I can’t believe that I am crying and moaning and begging her to hurt me again. Or at least trying to. Between the mask and the fact that I can’t form a coherent thought, I doubt I’ve said anything audible in hours.

Again, something cool is wrapped around my injured flesh. Mask is taken off. In the low light of the bedroom, I can see Ame’s tear stained face smiling down at me. Peter looks confused more than anything.

I reach out to Ame. “What’s wrong sweetheart?” I can help it – I get all mushy when she abuses me.

She actually kneels down beside me and kisses me. It’s a rare treat. “Can you stand?” she asks.

I stand. I’m shaky and I feel like I want to fall down, but I stand.

In the mirror I see what all happened. Barbell diamond and steel studs are piercing my nipples. “Oh, baby. That’s hot.”

“Look down.” Peter says, amused.

He moves the bandage loosely wrapped around me and I see three bead-hoop piercing on my dick. One just below the head, the second at the base and the third beside where Peter’s fish hook caught me.

“Once they heal,” Ame says softly, tugging each one painfully, “I can run your chains through a series of loops. And I’ve already bought the cock rings for these two.” She twists the first two hoops causing me to shake. “For our honeymoon.”

I feel my eyes tearing up. Not because of the pain – that’s nominal at this stage. But the piercing are Ame’s. She has marked me permanently. Even if I took them out right now, I would carry the scars for the rest of my life. “They’re beautiful.” My voice cracks. “Amelia. Thank you.”

“You’ve been a good slave.” Her fingers tease the barbells. “You deserve something special.”

“Thank you, Mistress.” I whisper. She slides her arms around me. I hold my sweet, delicate, evil wife in my arms and kiss her deeply.

Until death do us part.

My new husband and father-in-law are waiting downstairs for me to change clothes. Shortly, my new husband and I will head out on a weeklong honeymoon to begin our lives together.

My new husband.

I never thought I would say those words. My new husband. Part of me feels like a sell-out; as if I've given up on a fundamental battle of my individual rights and freedoms. The larger part of me keeps saying it - My New Husband.

How did I find him? I wonder yet again. What fate or chance brought us together?

I glance at the clock; I only have another few minutes to change or we risk being late. Alex's father is probably waiting patiently. Alex is no doubt chafing at the bit. No patience. No patience, precious little self-control, and a mouth that can only truly be stopped with a gag.

And yet, I love him. I hate admitting it because it leaves me so exposed but I do. He's a willing slave to my whims, loyal and loving, and - when I release him - an animal. When he takes me, it's overwhelming. It's as if my entire being is nothing to the storm of his passion. I can let go completely - in fact, any resistance is futile. And when he is sated and spent, I replace the collar and my mad dog becomes an obedient pup again.

I wonder for just a moment, what it would be like to live the other way. With that passion free all the time, without my will controlling it.

And then like lightening, the idea takes me. Alex has no idea where we are spending our honeymoon - no idea that my suitcase contains many things but no clothes.

I could give him this week, as a wedding gift. One week of submission. Even if I wanted it, he doesn't have it in him to be cruel. He will not push my limits as I push his. Most likely, as he would say, most likely he will simply want to have sex a lot. And perhaps make me do some publicly embarrassing things. I planned to have him chained the whole week. Maybe I should test myself and spend a week with him unleashed.

I smile to myself. Alex unleashed.

The idea has at least resolved my question about what to wear to travel in. I have a light cotton dress in pastel blue - a gift from a cousin who doesn't know me well. I kept it largely because I felt a twinge of guilt throwing it away but I have never worn it. I pull it out and am relieved to discover it fits. I find a simple pair of sandals and leave my hair up. Perhaps it is pointless symbolism, but only he gets to see my hair unbound.

Alex stands as I enter the living room. I can see his face as he searches for something appropriate to say.

"You look amazing." He finally comes out with.

"Really? Is that better or worse than 'unbelievable'?" 'Unbelievable' was how he described me in my wedding dress.

"Don't answer that one, son." his father cut in, "less you wanna fight 'bout it the next twenty years."

"Right, yeah." he reaches out, stops himself and pulls himself to a more formal pose. "You looked lovely earlier and you look lovely now."

I almost can't hide the smile. Every so often, he says something irresistible.

It doesn't take us long to go from there to the car and out to the highway. The trip to the airport is far too long so I pretend to sleep so that Alex and his father can have one last man-to-man conversation before we go.

"You sure about this, son?" His father asks suddenly in the midst of discussing the family business.

"What, crew shifts? Oh, Ame. Yeah." He laughs, "I'm totally sure."

"It ain't too late. You can get this annulled."

"Dad. I'm sure. I love her. An' she really does love me."

"I gotta ask, how in the hell can you tell?"

"I just know."

"Yor Granddady never approved uh her."

"Yeah, despite the fact that she'll go out her way ta take care uh him. An' Grandma woulda loved her."

"Well. Momma woulda admired her strength, that's sure." He hesitates. "She at least, y'know, keeping you happy, right?" I can hear the quotes around 'happy'.

Alex nearly chokes laughing. "You have no idea. Every night. Twice on Saturday."

"Yeah?"

"Oh, hell, yeah. Grandma woulda loved her strength but she ain't be to cool 'bout what we done on her furniture."

"Ok, ok, let's not share too much information, right?"

"Cool."

"I mean, I just wanna make sure, when she paintin' yo' toenails that you gettin' rewarded fo' it." he paused, "You are gettin' rewarded fo' it. Right?"

"Dad! Yeah. Ame's not uh prude she's just quiet. Still water, right? She goes deep. Real deep."

"Ok, ok."

There silence for a few minutes.

"Hey, does Mom still...?"

"You god damned right she does."

There's a beat before they both have a fit of laughter. Then Alex remembers that I'm sleeping and they quiet down. "She's had a long day."

"Why? She ain't do much. Walk down the aisle, castrate you, had one drink, one dance an' gets ta sleep to the airport."

"...Dad..."

"'Obey', boy? You promised ta love honor cherish an' obey? That's the woman's part - I don't know if you was payin' attention at any other wedding on God's green earth."

"...She an' I agreed..."

"An' what the hell kinda uh vow was that from her? 'Do you Amelia accept this promise from Alex?' 'I do.' What the hell was that?"

"...Dad..."

"She ain't promise you uh damn thing boy, not uh damn thing."

"No, Dad, she didn't. She won't. That's the deal." He chuckles, "I told her she could say anything she wanted so long it ended with 'I do'."

"That's where it start and end." He huffs. "She ain't even wear uh damn ring."

"Dad, look, I know she loves me 'cause I know why she ain't wanna get married in the first place. The fact that she showed up at all is proof enough fo' me. I know she ain't the woman you'd uh picked..."

"...damn straight..."

"...but she's the woman I love. Let me run my own god damn life. I ain't marry ma high school sweetheart..."

"...Watch yo'self boy. Don't make 'er uh widah on her weddin' day."

"...Dad, damn it just listen! I meant Lisa, ok, not you an' Mom. Jees! Get uh grip! I ain't never met anybody who made me feel right - just right - in my own skin. She treats me the way I want her ta treat me."

"I ain't raise you ta..."

"You an' Mom raised me fine. I'm real glad you my folks. I can't thank you enough. But, look, remember you told me once that the right answer and the answer everybody want ain't always the same answer?" My Father-in-law grunts. "Well, she's the right answer. I know she ain't what everybody want, but she's trying ta fit in, Dad. give her uh break, Ok? She's my wife."

There's more silence. I had no idea his Father felt that way about me. Other family members had been more vocal; George had always been very cordial, almost vacuously so.

We eventually arrive at the airport and Alex wakes me. I tell him which airline and send him off with the luggage. George moves to go with him but I touch his arm.

"He'll manage. May I speak with you?"

He watches Alex for a moment. "Of course, Honey. What's on yo' mind?"

"I just wanted to thank you."

"Fo' drivin' out here? Oh, that ain't nothin'. Glad ta see ya'll off. I just wish..."

"No, not for the ride, although, thank you for that as well. No. For," The words catch and again, I find myself irritated by the fact that I can't do these things easily. I can pitch million-dollar design proposals to complete strangers but I can't tell someone I love them. And thanks to Alex, I discovering that more and more often. I'm not sure if he should receive a good beating for that or not. "I mean for him." I say eventually.

"Him? Alex? My son, Alex? That him?"

"Yes..."

"'Him' got uh name. We got uh lotta 'him's in the family. Givin' 'em all names kinda sort it all out."

"Yes, Alex, your son. Thank you for Alex."

"Why?"

"Just...just...just, thank you."

He mulls that over for a moment. "Yor welcome. When you done with him, give him back in one piece."

I consider it a moment longer, then take a breath. "George, do you know why I married him - Alex?"

"Honestly, I can't say that I do."

"My Father's death was very sudden."

"I recall that. I'm sorry he couldn't be here."

"So am I, deeply so. Dad liked Alex. He asked me frequently when I was going to break down, give in and marry him. In one of our last conversations, he told me he was going to stop asking me that because he had decided that it was a forgone conclusion. He started to call me and leave voice mails for 'Ms. McElroy' just to tease me. One day, I realized that Dad was right. That night, by sheer chance, Alex asked me again. I couldn't refuse."

We both look away from each other. George seems to realize how difficult it can be to share. "Well, I uh, guess that uh better reason than why I married Ms. Stacy." I wait a moment and he answers the unspoken question. "Knocked her up."

"Not unheard of. And given what, thirty years and you're still together, perhaps an act of fate."

"Act uh God, Ms. Ame. You gonna have ta get ta church more often, young lady, if-n you gonna be uh proper member uh this family."

"So he's told me. Often."

"Well, now you best start listenin' to yo' husband."

Which is exactly the attitude the pushed me away from marriage in the first place. Luckily, before anything can escalate, Alex returns with our boarding passes.

"'Ey mon, what you hold up me bride fo'?" He shouts exuberantly with the most appallingly bad Jamaican accent ever heard.

"If you ever do that again, I will glue your tongue to the roof of your mouth." I snap.

"Yeah, boy, you ain't from no island." George shakes his head.

"Ima drink rum 'til it run out mah ears." he hands me back the paperwork. "Dad, thanks for everything, dude." He hugs him. It amazes me how Alex can so freely and openly connect with virtually every human being he meets. And with his family, his holds nothing back. Alex promises to take plenty of photos and bring home lots of junk and to have a great time.

When they're done, George takes my hand, "Now, Ms. Ame, you gonna have ta keep him in line more-n usual. You think you up to it?"

"I shall bear the challenge." I hold his hand and kiss his cheek. "Goodbye, Dad. We'll see you when we get back."

It's the first time I've called him that. I don't give any of us a moment to respond to that. I let him go and walk into the airport. Alex has to hustle to catch up. He knows me well enough to not ask what just happened. We wait in silence at the boarding gate. Alex is fidgety but handles it reasonably well by trying to meditate.

Alex meditating is actually laughable but the fact that he took a class - twice - was a testament to his earnestness in finding a way to calm his over-active nature. He doesn't see what I see.

A paragon of masculine beauty virtually sculpted of muscle - he is required to workout once a day to stay in the same shape as when we meet. I do as well but I haven't told him I live with the same restriction. But the barrel-chested, energetic man wrapped, coiled like a spring. Strength, power, speed, and, at my will, direction. Hurting him is sex; controlling him is foreplay.

"Perhaps drugs would help." I comment, largely just to needle him. I see his jaw working to hold back what he wants to say and I can barely resist a smile.

Eventually our flight boards. Once we are settled into our first-class seats and served our glass of champagne, I call the flight attendant. "Would you tell me when we have left the US. I don't need the exact moment, just when we're over the ocean in fine." Alex is bursting to ask me why but know he will suffer if he misbehaves in public.

After take off, I finally ask him. "Was that what you wanted?"

"What, the service?" He smiles broadly, "Yeah that was it. Was it ok for you? I mean, goin' through it?"

It was surreal. My Wedding. "Actually, it was quite pleasant." I don't complement him often, but he deserves one. "You and Peter looked quite handsome." He and Peter looked like Olympians.

"Yeah?" he's always surprised when I admit any kind of physical attraction for him. "'Cause you were utterly amazing."

"Really? And what exactly amazed you?"

"I was amazed by this intelligent, talented, stunningly beautiful woman walking down the aisle and agreeing to spend the rest of her life with me."

"Oh no, you are the one who made promises."

"Yeah, an' you accepted them." He smiles smugly. "I ain't totally stupid an' I know you. I pledged for better or worse an' all that and you said 'I do'. You just as stuck with me as I am with you."

He's right of course. In theory, by accepting his promise, I am obligated to allow him to love honor cherish and obey. I wasn't sure if he'd been aware of that this morning. Once again, I find myself please that I found a good-looking, passionate, intelligent slave.

Without warning him, I kiss him. His mouth tastes like chocolate and champagne. I'm beginning to look forward to a week as his love toy. I pull away from him, sit back and pull out a book. He's always a bit stunned when I do that, always has been even when we were in college. The flight is only four hours long but I'm hoping to finish some technical reading before we land.

I can't read. Every time an attendant walks past us, I'm waiting to hear that we've crossed the line and his gift starts. I could always simply not do it. He wouldn't know one way or another.

But I would. And I know that this is as much a gift for myself as for him. Finally, as they are passing out the headphones for whatever bad movie we are stuck watching, the woman says, "I just got word from the captain. We are officially in international waters." I thank her kindly and when she moves on, I look at him.

My New Husband. Alex. "I have a gift for you. Of a sort."

"Yeah? Actually, I got one for you too. It's in my suitcase."

"Mine is this week."

"Why? Where are we goin'?"

"A small resort on the southern end of the island. I'm sure you've never heard of it. But it had two qualities that I thought made it ideal. First, it caters to the life style."

"Oh, baby. I love you. I's afraid I'd have ta take the chains off this week."

"They are, in fact, the only things you'll be allowed to wear outside of meals - it's a nudist resort."

"Now that's uh gift. One week uh you, naked."

"Actually, no, that's not the gift." I stop I don't know how I want to say it. "I will always be your Mistress..."

"...Of course!"

"...but for this week, I will consent to be your submissive." He looks confused as he mulls that over. I take my hair down and let it fall unkempt past my shoulders.

"My submissive." he says.

"Yes, Alex." his eyes flicker when I call his name. He's so Pavlov-ian, I'll bet he also just got an erection. "For this week, you may use my body when ever and how ever you chose to."

"Just this week?" He looks doubtful.

"I am hardly sacrificing all future control simply because we got married."

"And I don't want you to. We got a good thing; I like things the way they are. You lead, I follow."

"I will still lead. But for this week, when you want me, take me."

He's on me almost before I finish the sentence, pushing me against the window. "Like this, Ame? You don't mind if I take you here like this?"

"Not the most comfortable position." I point out. Really, I'm holding my breath. He pulls back and sits down properly. "Yeah, ok. We'll see."

I can't read at all. I keep going over the same paragraph. Alex removes one earplug to ask me what's wrong.

"Frankly, I keep waiting for you to attack me."

"You can stop worrin'," He says with a laugh, "I'm not gonna attack you."

"Have I lost my appeal already?"

"No. it's just too cramp ta do anything fun on uh plane." He goes back to the movie. I put my reading away and wonder for the rest of the flight if I hadn't made a huge mistake.

We get through the airport and onto the resort shuttle fairly quickly. There is only one other couple riding with us. Alex tentatively puts his arm around me - normally he's only allowed to touch me with explicit permission. I scoot a bit closer to him.

"You really mean this, don't you?"

"Letting you have your fun this week? Yes, Alex, I do."

"Quit callin' me that. It makes me hot. Like Gomez Addams and French."

"You must spend a great deal of time 'hot' if calling your name does it."

"Not every body. Just you."

"You get hot only when I call you 'Alex', Alex?"

"Now you just doin' it on purpose." he grins, kisses my forehead and looks out the window.

I find myself at a loss. I had expected the whirlwind he usually unleashes if I allow him even limited access to my person. This disinterest is unnerving. He's not guileful. If he's not acting, it's because he's not interested.

The drive to the resort is almost two hours through lush tropical mountain forests on streets as wide as the average doorway in traffic that looks like L.A. The couple in front of us spends the time nearly conceiving their first child. Alex never does anything more outré than stroke my arm.

I absolutely do not understand. Alex ordinarily has the libido of rabbit. I even gave him underside penile piercing because it was the more common view. It's not possible that he's not aroused. If he's breathing and conscious he's either building or recovering. The man never stops. I find myself glancing repeatedly to see if I can tell if he is erect but the loose-fitting shorts give me no clue. There is no subtle way I can reach down and check.

Then I remember the chains. Through a series of hoops, they connect his collar to his nipples to his wrist cuffs and down through three groin piercings, to his ankle cuffs. He took off the ankle and wrist chains when he changed clothes but he's still wearing the rest. When they are on, they form a sort of continuous feed loop for him. If he looses his erection, his flaccid penis pulls on the chains causing pain in several of the piercings. Pain re-establishes the erection.

"Is something wrong?" I finally ask.

"Wrong? With what?"

"I give you carte blanche to behave like an animal and you don't take the opportunity. It strikes me as unusual."

"Oh." he continues to look out the window. "You ain't submissive."

"I will be. For this week."

"You ain't submissive." He repeats. "I ain't marry uh submissive woman. I ain't want uh submissive woman. Submissive men? Oh hell yeah, I love that." He smiles in memory. "Remind me ta tell you about Brandon." He frowns, "But I have never liked submissive women; they piss me off. You want me, you don't want me, I don't care but tell me. Clearly. I don't care if you rip my shirt off or if you tear out my eyes, I don't want you to ever just lie there and submit to me."

I look at his face. He's so earnest; so straightforward and open. Behind those dark brown eyes, there is nothing but love. It's frightening. No one but my Father loved me so unquestionably. I don't want to love him and yet five years of abuse could not quench it.

He shrugs and looks out the window again. "You gonna submit, I don't wanna play."

"You do not want to simply take me at will wherever, whenever and however you wish?" I would be stunned if the answer were 'no'.

"Oh of course I do. I want it so much, it's hard ta think of anything else." Which I found oddly reassuring. "But if you just gonna lie there and not join me or fight me or somethin', what's the point. I've never been interested in corpses."

"I see. Perhaps I misspoke; that was never my intention." He looks at me. "I had planed to be an active participant rather than passive article. And of course, this only applies to your sexual appetite. I have no intention of allowing your behavior to run amuck this week."

"So," He looks thoughtful, "I gotta behave as normal unless I wanna bang you. Then I can just take you an' I won't get punished?"

"Yes."

"An' you may or may not let me?"

"Ultimately, I will let you this week. I may or may not make you work hard for it."

He tilts his head, considering the idea. Then he drops his full weight against me, forcing me down on the seat and crushing his lips against mine. I twist to get free of him but he has me completely pinned.

And there is his mouth to contend with. Forcing mine open, tangling with my tongue. Exploring and pushing and inhaling parts of me as I did the same to him. He is so heavy I had little choice but to try and push him off me but I crave his mouth at least as much as he craves mine. More - he has denied me for hours. He owes me the pleasure. And just like magic, there it is - that tingle that runs through me from the very first time he touched me in Marketing 101. Every time I let him touch me, let him kiss me, let him caress me, it's like some badly written love story and my heart acts like that of a lovesick ten-year-old.

Our mouths shift and I gasp for air. He shifts his position to allow me to breath but not move. I put my hands on his chest to push him away. I can't; I can't budge him and the harder I try, the more aggressive his kiss becomes. I don't want to give in. Not here, in the van, before anyone knows that I own him. He doesn't own me. I'm not a slave to his passion. I'm not, I tell myself. I'm not.

His chest could be sculpted of marble. My fingers run down it swiftly losing this battle to him and my baser self. Then, I feel the barbells and salvation. I twist them both hard.

"Ah! Shit!" He nearly leaps off me. "Oh, man."

"'Ey, you alright back ther' mon?" The driver looks back at us, ignoring the death-defying traffic for a moment. The other couple, as well, stops cooing long enough to see what made him shout.

"Yeah," Alex pants, "All cool." When they all turn away, he leans in to me again, "Oh God, did I tell you how much I love it when you do that?" He pushes me back toward the window, not kissing, really, more nipping and licking.

I pinch one nipple through his shirt, "This gives you pleasure?" I twist it slowly. He whimpers. "What about both?" He moans.

"Please. Stop. I don't wanna cum in my shorts. You make me so crazy, Ame, You don't know." He pushes his hand between my legs, pushing up my skirt.

"What do you think you're doing?" I hiss. I think I already know the answer, sadly.

"Makin' you as crazy as you make me."

He forces my legs apart and I twist him nipples harder. He grimaces as his eyes fall shut. His fingers pull aside my panties and push into me.

I'm lost. I gasp. I'm so weak. My body won't respond when I tell it to resist. His mouth smothers mine again and I try to stop him. But it's no use; I've already lost control of motor functions, I'm already shaking and moaning and wishing for that release he pushes on me. He makes me feel so good. I can't bear it. He makes me helpless. He makes me useless. He makes me scream over and over. I have no control, no power, no will.

And then he stops.

Before the release, he lets me go, leaving me confused and breathless. He grins at me as he sits up straight again and licks his fingers.

I'll kill him, I think. As soon as I can sit up. I have to clinch my jaw shut in order to keep from whimpering but I sit up.

Before I can put my fingers around his neck, however, the driver stands up. "Welcome to Paradise. Thank you fo' ridin' with us. You porter here will take you bags. Have a wonderful stay."

He helps us all exit the van and I see Alex slip him a $20 despite the no tipping policy. They chat and laugh for moment or two then Alex offers me his arm and escorts me into the cool lobby of the resort.

From the front desk, none of the resort is visible. We are checked in carefully before the porter takes us and our bags to the Bridal Suite. The couple that rode with us turns green with envy but neither Alex nor I is poor and I intend to enjoy my honeymoon.

The porter, Barrington - who is also our 24/7 butler gives us a brief overview of the layout as he takes us to our room.

"Thank you Jesus." Alex mutters. I look past him to see a naked all-girl volley ball game. He has probably waited his whole life to see just that.

Our suite comes with a king-sized bedroom, living room, duel-shower bath with private hot tub, private wading pool, enclosed balcony and all-access pass. We are additionally close to both the main pool/bar and the main beach.

When Barrington finally leaves, I glare at Alex. "On your knees." He sinks, trying to repress a smile. I pick up my suitcase - the blue one, the one he was only too glad to see came with us - and sort through the toys I packed until I find the short whip. 15 lashes outside his clothing is more of a tease than anything but it's exactly what he deserves at the moment. "Now," I say putting the whip away, "strip and put your chains back on."

"Yes, ma'am." he says softly, so excited he's practically shaking. He's oozing pre-ejaculate. I take off my dress, hang it and am reaching to take off my bra when he steps out of the bathroom fully chained. "Good Lord!" He exclaims. I start to ask what the issue is until I realize that he's staring at me.

Then he crosses to me and picks me up. Kisses me. Carries me to the bed. He eats me, this time finishing the job and forcing me to scream incessantly. When he's done, he lies beside me kissing me softly. I don't want him, I don't need him. I didn't ache for him every moment he was in Arizona; I didn't watch every game pleading silently for him to come home to me.

He rolls over, on top of me, poised to enter me but not yet. "Say it." He urges. He always makes me say it before we make love, always has to hear it at this moment. I think he knows it's the only time I can say it easily.

"I love you, Alex." He enters me slowly. We both sigh as our bodies merge. His kisses are more loving now, less fire and more smolder. He keeps his movements slow, deliberate. He has learned some control, and has put it to good use.

But mine erodes, evaporates into nothing as I rise closer and closer to the orgasm he is leading me toward.

This week, I think, this week I have got to learn how to resist this. He touches me, I quiver. He kisses me, I melt. He's the slave, I'm the mistress and yet, here I am, falling under his power. He touches me - neck, breasts, clitoris - as if he reads my mind and knows just what I need to push me over the edge. Orgasm is a series of chemical reactions, I try to tell myself but I can't think beyond how good I feel when he does that to me.

When He does it. No one else. Never has anyone made me so mad with desire - cliché as it is. He was first. He was my first, although I suspect he does not realize it.

I lie there, with his arms around me until my body stops tingling. I have to shower after we have sex - I'm always a sweat-soaked mess. When I come out, he has all his chains properly attached and is fixing his hair. How did I find a man who looks like that? I wonder as I appraise both his rear and reflected front views. He is worth appraising.

He catches me staring at him and grins. It's that silly, arrogant grin of his when he's trying to be seductive. He has no idea that he's much more effective when he's serious. "You sit a lot during the day, don't you?" I ask mildly as I pick up the room key. He tries to look at his butt in the mirror and it's so cute watching him frown that I actually have to turn away or laugh. "You look fine. Let's go."

I open the door but he doesn't move. I turn back and find him staring at me. "What?"

"We goin' have uh whole lotta trouble if you gonna walk around like that for uh week." He shakes his head. "I wanna jump you again already."

"You may, if you like. But I want to at least see the property once before we leave and I suspect if we don't go now, I won't see it at all." I leave the room and head down the path to the main bar.

After a moment, he follows. I can hear his chains rattling softly. I makes me shiver. Perhaps, when we return to the room, I'll pull out his mask....

The patrons at the bar and around the property are a mix of nude and semi-nude figures of all shapes and sizes. I am thrilled to find an outdoor torture chamber in a plaza between the pool and the tennis courts. A number of people stop us to admire his piercings - which is when I realize that I forgot his leash.

"You forgot your leash." I say as we pass a rack that's not in use.

"Damn!" He says, snapping his fingers. "It's on the dresser next to your gift."

"At home?"

"No, here. Seeing you come out that shower distracted me." He looks at me again, calculating. I shiver. "You said anywhere."

"You left your leash." I say sternly and his attitude changes - although his dick gets harder, I notice. I clip his wrists to the rack. "Stay put. Try not to sunburn."

I go back to our room, giggling. On the dresser, are his leash and a box. Inside the box is one of the gaudiest pieces of jewelry I have ever seen.

I've seen it before - it was his great grandmother's. A two-inch faceted crystal cut in a ball shape hanging from a thick silver chain. The last time I saw it, it was in his sister's custody. I can't imagine why he would have thought I would want it. I pull it out of the box and find it tangled with a silver armband. Not tangled, I realize, welded. It has been converted. The chain split almost in half; on one end hangs the ball, on the other, the clasp of the original necklace. There is a note at the bottom of the box.

"An old ball and chain for my new ball and chain."

It's so sweet I could almost cry. I pull myself together and start to put the band back then my eyes see the clasp and the leash in the same glance and I get it.

The clasp is the same size as the last decorative link on his leash. I fit them together; if I'm wearing the arm band, he can not be more that five feet away. I do shed a tear or two. I give my eyes a few minutes to clear up before I put on the armband and take the leash back to where I left him.

He has a small crowd.

"Is there a problem?" I ask.

"You know, it's really not safe to leave him in the sun like that." One woman observes. "He could get heat stroke, sunburn, anything. And those chains...."

"Those chains are his design," I point out, "and none of your concern."

"Well, it's really bad for you to..."

I turn away from her and look at him. "Are you suffering?"

He shrugs - as best he can given his position - and considers the question briefly. "Only because she won't shut up. I wouldn't mind uh hat you wanna do this again." He brightens up. "Hey you found it! You like it?"

"I think it's horribly tacky. But it is an admirable attempt to modernize a family heirloom." I look at it again. "I can't imagine how you convinced Gracie to part with it."

"I got the piece she really wanted; it was an easy trade. Once I thought of it, at least."

"I'm impressed." He beams.