“Probably.”
“We could always run away with each other and see.”
“We could,” she said, “but I don’t think it’d work. I’m too bossy for you.”
“And I’m too stubborn for you. But still, it’d be fun while it lasted.”
“Yeah, it would.”
“Oh, behave,” Christy said. “Both of you. You know you’re not going to leave Trip or me.”
“Never, my love,” Wren said.
“Yeah, you’re right,” I said. “We know a good thing when we see it.
Speaking of which… I’d like to see more. Hot tub?”
“Hot tub,” Wren said.
“Come on,” I told Christy, “let’s get the towels.” To the others, “Grab the wine and we’ll meet you outside.”
“Sounds good,” Trip said.
I guided Christy into the bathroom and closed the door so we wouldn’t be overheard.
“You okay with this?” I asked in a low voice.
“I think so. Just a little nervous, even with alcohol.”
“You don’t have to if you don’t want to.”
“No, I do. I… like it. I’m just nervous about Trip seeing me.”
“Why? Because we live together?”
“Yeah. I can’t explain it, but it was different with your family and Susan.
I don’t see them every day.”
“Ah, right.”
“I know you like it when I’m nude, though. And… I like doing what you tell me. Most of the time it’s things I want to do anyway. I’m not like Kendall, though, I swear! I don’t feel guilty about it. I know I want to do it.
And I’m the one who’s really making the decision. But…” She looked down and finished in a small voice, “I dunno. I just like it when you’re in charge.”
“And you’ll do anything I tell you?”
She nodded.
“Anything?” I stressed.
“Anything.”
“So… what if I told you to take off your clothes, spread your legs, and get ready for sex?”
“I’d… do it.”
“For real?”
She nodded. “Do you want me to?”
“Of course. But you know darn well I’m not going to make you.”
“You could, you know.”
“I know, but that’s why I won’t. When we have sex, it’ll be because you asked for it, out loud, without alcohol.” I touched her chin and lifted it for a kiss. She leaned into me and surrendered herself.
“Thank you,” she said at last. “But… I’m serious. I’ll do anything you tell me.”
“I believe you. And I think I’m going to enjoy finding out how far you’ll go.”
She grinned.
“But later. In the meantime, let’s grab the towels and join the others.”
“I’m kind of excited. Wren hasn’t seen my new… um… hairdo. Down there. Yours either.”
“That’s right,” I said. “And Trip hasn’t seen you at all. He’s in for a treat.”
“You really think so?”
“I told you, Little Bit, you aren’t scrawny. You’re just small. You have curves in all the right places. Time to show ’em off.”
Trip and Wren had piled their clothes on one of the chairs by the stove.
Christy and I did the same. Then I gave her one last chance to back out.
“I can do this,” she said, and I nodded.
The snow was still coming down, so I set the towels under the porch as Christy dashed across the patio to the hot tub. She made it into the water before Trip or Wren really had a chance to react. I took my time and climbed into the tub at an exhibitionist’s pace.
“Um, dude,” Trip said slowly, “I don’t wanna sound gay or anything, but you seem to be missing something.”
“Really?” I made a show of checking my extremities. “Nope.
Everything’s right where it’s s’posed to be.”
“Except your… ahem.”
Christy grinned as I felt between my legs.
“No, it’s there too,” I said. “You can check for yourself if you want.”
“Ignore him,” Wren told him. She turned to Christy and her eyes lit up.
“So you finally asked him?”
“And he said yes!”
“Obviously,” I added. Then I grinned at Trip. “Sorry, dude, I couldn’t resist. Yeah, Christy asked me to shave. And it seemed only fair, since I like her to do the same. So I’ll be sporting the Kojak look for a while.”
“Doesn’t it make you feel weird?” he asked.
“Not really. It’s a bit of extra work in the shower, but I kinda like it. More important, Christy likes it. It’s her favorite plaything these days.”
“Oh my gosh,” she said. “I’m going to need more wine if we keep this up.”
“Your wish is my command,” Trip said, which prompted a glare from Wren, although it wasn’t aimed at him.
“What’re you lookin’ at me for?” I griped. “I didn’t say it.”
“But you made him start.”
“Fair enough.” I waited till Christy had a chance to sip her wine before I said, “You wanna sit on my lap? Or are these seats high enough?”
“They’re high enough,” she said, although only her head and the tops of her shoulders showed above the water. “Besides, it’s too cold to have much more exposed.”
I agreed with a nod and accepted a glass of wine from Trip.
“So, how’s the skiing?” he asked.
“It’s good,” I said. “Miss Ski Bunny here can ski rings around me—”
“You’re a lot better than when you started.”
“—but the runs are really nice. The village is cool too. We were talking to one of the locals today, and he said…”
We told them about a big New Year’s Eve party we’d heard about. We made plans to go and then talked about everyday things. Wren still managed to turn several innocent comments into suggestive ones, so Christy was pretty flirty by the time we finished the bottle of wine. Trip had brought another, but we were several drinks ahead of them. We’d also had a long day on the slopes, while they’d been able to nap on the flight to Reno.
“I hate to be a party pooper,” I said at last, “but I’m ready to call it a night.” I wasn’t in the mood for sleep, especially after Wren’s teasing and innuendos, but Christy wasn’t ready to fool around in front of another couple.
Not yet, at least.
Wren tried to convince us to stay, but Christy had the final word.
“He’s right,” she said. “We’ve had a long day. You two stay and enjoy, though. We’ll see you in the morning.” She moved to kiss Wren’s cheek, but Wren turned and caught her full on the mouth.
Christy struggled self-consciously for a moment but then gave in to it.
Trip and I watched with a mixture of amusement and interest.
“God,” Wren said at last, “you don’t know how good it feels to do that.”
She kissed her again, tender instead of aggressive. “I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you too,” Christy said, although she darted a glance at me.
Wren saw and chose to smile. “Thank you,” she said to me. “For letting me share.”
“Love is love,” I said. “And it makes Christy happy, which makes me happy.”
“Well, thank you. And thank you, Trip, for being so understanding.”
“Like he said, love is love. Besides, you’re the best thing that ever
happened to me.”
She smiled at him. Then she gave Christy another kiss, this time on the tip of her nose.
“Be patient with her,” I said to Wren. “She’s still getting used to the idea that I don’t mind.”
“I know you don’t mind,” Christy said. “I’m still getting used to the idea that I don’t have to hide it.”
“Yeah, Trip and I are pretty open-minded.”
“A lot more than when we first met,” he agreed. “These two have really opened my eyes.”
“They’re doing the same to me,” Christy said. She squeaked and splashed backward. “And someone is trying to open my legs.”
“Ha! That’s my job, Wren.”