The Proper Rules For Strip Poker Ch. 04

"I guess," came back the reply, "Well ... yes."

"What's wrong?" she said, looking into his eyes, puzzled, "You don't want to see me, or Joan and Linda, in our birthday suits?"

"No, no, of course I want to see. But ..."

"Good!" she said, cutting him off; and then, suddenly concerned, she said sympathetically, but sort of teasing, "I hope you're not worried that your equipment isn't up to scratch?"

"No, I'm normal, not nine inches, but normal," he replied, half laughing, half upset.

"Well, what is it then?" she demanded sarcastically, losing patience, "Are you afraid that your mommy will find out that her darling baby bunny has been playing dirty card games with naughty little tarts like me, Joan, and that disgusting tramp Linda."

Erin winked at her. Linda giggled. I couldn't help but snicker! She was like Kathy; she knew how to wind someone up!

"You know which one I'm talking about, don't you? That brunette over there; the one who flaunts her body at every guy she sees, and only has one thing on her mind; and your mommy knows what that is, doesn't she? Is that it?"

Peter was looking at the floor, the rest of us were sniggering. Finally he whispered something in Erin's ear. Erin's face underwent a change, a soft look and a slight smile took over her features. She gave Peter a little kiss on the lips.

"He's very sweet," she said to the rest of us, "because he's worried that this won't be the most romantic way to see each other without our clothes for the first time."

Linda and Jayne made little sighing "Ahh" sounds, while Kathy and Debbie were rolling their eyes at each other! Scott and Steve just looked at each other meaningfully.

"Well," she said, changing her composure, and looking directly at him, with a stern tone in her voice, "there's romantic and there's stupid! Heavens, what are you thinking? If the girl's in the mood to play strip poker all the way, let her! For goodness sake, don't try to talk her out of it. It's your duty as a member of the male sex to take advantage of a girl in her moment of weakness; not try to stop her. So, once the game starts, pay her little compliments, and reassure her a bit, but, whatever you do, make sure those clothes come off just as fast as they can."

While Peter was digesting this lecture, and its implications, Erin had moved close beside him and was holding onto his arm.

"Imagine," she said to him fondly, teasing, "having to tell a guy how to act like a guy. You should be ashamed of yourself."

"No he shouldn't, and you shouldn't make fun of him for being so thoughtful," Jayne said, gently reproaching her, "But if it makes you feel any better, Peter, the first time he and I," she continued waving in my direction, "ever saw one another in the nude was because of a strip poker game. And it turned into something very wonderful for us, and we fell hopelessly in love. So strip poker isn't just about nudity and sex ... well I guess it is," she said, with a little laugh, "but it can be about other things too."

Rick had rejoined us, he was about to go to the kitchen for another beer.

"Hold on," Joan ordered, "We're going back to have something to eat, and then we're playing strip poker. You will play strip poker with us, won't you?"

"Yes, yes," he said, with a surprising lack of enthusiasm, "I'll get the beer; I'm ready for another one."

"Fine," said Joan unhappily, "C'mon gang, let's go."

I heard Erin discussing pizza with Joan as they collected their things. On the way out the door Linda was in conversation with Jayne.

"I only put a small light on, candles are even better. Of course, that's why everyone in this cottage suffers from eye strain."

Linda sailed out of the cottage on a cloud of musical laughter.

When they had gone we reassembled in the living room, it was almost dark, only the slightest of afterglows was left on the horizon.

"Bonfire time," I announced, "and then maybe a skinny dip? It looks like it will be dark enough, just a few stars and no moon. If you want to, bring your towels, for after the fire."

There was a series of washroom breaks, and then Scott, Steve and I took a flashlight and headed for the beach. After we had the fire organized, I returned to the cottage to get some paper to help start it up. I also brought a garden pail and a shovel, to put out the fire when it was done. The girls were huddled around the dining room table, and were busy writing some sort of list.

"We'll be right there," Kathy said coyly, "we're just finishing a new game, for later."

"OK," I said, "but don't be too long."

When the girls finally joined us, everyone sat down on towels on the sand, while I started the fire. As we sat there watching it, and enjoying our drinks, we discussed the new crowd. Of course, there was lot's of speculation about virginity, and whether the proposed strip poker game would take place. It seemed that my opinion of Rick was shared mutually. Steve in particular was not impressed.

"What a jerk," he said, with some vehemence, "Debbie, did you see him trying to catch a look at your breasts underneath your blouse? I mean, c'mon; I like to look at partly naked girls as much as the next guy, maybe more, but he's ridiculous. He couldn't even be part of the conversation; he was so busy checking you and the other girls out. What does Joan see in him?"

"Beats me," I said, agreeing with him, "Joan is fairly savvy, I don't know why she's even with him. She's had lots of other boyfriends."

"The other couples are nice," Jayne said, "although that Ron is pretty quiet."

"I don't think Linda is quite as shy as she's letting on," Kathy noted, "Debbie, what did you think?"

"I agree, if they do play strip poker, she'll find a way to take her clothes off, quick like a bunny! She's just ready and waiting for this. I hate to admit this in front of a bunch of guys, but some girls like to fake being all shy and modest, but deep down they really want some action, and are prepared to go get it, in the right situation. Of course I was never like that myself!"

"Right," said Kathy sarcastically, "it was more than you could manage to flash your naked body at poor unsuspecting Steve that night. I noticed how terrified you were."

"I like that Erin," I said, changing the subject.

"So I saw," Jayne said, cutting me off with a smirk, "and you didn't notice her figure at all, I'm sure."

"No, no," I protested, "she reminds me of Kathy, because she's funny; but she can also be sincere."

"And I can't be," challenged Kathy, "Is that what you mean?"

"Wait, what I meant was, well, Kathy, ah ..." I implored, searching for words.

"It's alright," Kathy said, in a wounded tone, "Now I know what you really think of me."

"Now just a minute," I said, trying to extricate myself, "what I was trying to say ... "

"Deeper and deeper!" Debbie said, showing no mercy, and not letting me get another word in.

"Steve; Scott! " Jayne asked with a chuckle, "How long will it take you to dig a grave with that shovel? I think we might need one."

"Give it up man," Scott said, "You're done. Where should we dig Steve? Not too close to the water, I think."

"Maybe over here?" Steve replied, with a huge grin, pointing with the shovel.

The girls were practically rolling in the sand with mirth at my discomfort!

Having taken more than enough abuse, I stood up, stripped off my swim trunks and shirt, and ran down to the water, wading out far enough to dive in. I heard a few catcalls following me. It wasn't long before I heard splashing beside me. It was very dark; I could just make out the outline of a person right beside me; however, the way back to the shore was clearly marked by the embers of the now dying fire, and the lights of the cottage; up the small hill.

"Who's that?" I asked.

"Kathy"

"I better apologize," I said sheepishly, "I never meant to imply that you didn't have a serious side to you. I hope you know that. In fact I've seen you show incredible tact on many occasions. It's just that your sense of humor is so sharp, that people sometimes miss that other part of your personality. And I don't need to tell you how beautiful you are. Erin may be nice, and fun; but she'd be the first to admit that she isn't close to your league in the looks department, or for that matter, compared to Jayne or Debbie as well."

"You're forgiven," she whispered to me.

She was right beside me in the shoulder depth water. And then without warning she put her arms around me, and started to kiss me with some urgency! I kissed her back for a bit, feeling her naked body touching mine under the water.

And then I broke it off, "Wait!" I whispered, "What about Scott, and Jayne? We shouldn't be doing this."

"Oh, don't worry about Scott, "she answered, speaking quietly into my ear, "He and I, and Debbie and Steve, agreed in the car coming up, that with everyone going away to different places for school, that we would all be free to be with other people. Scott and I have discussed this before, if we still want to be together by next summer, then we'll commit to that, and won't date anyone else. I talked it over with Jayne, and she agreed with our decision."

"But," I said quietly, feeling lousy, "I'm in love with your sister, and here I am kissing you. I'm a bigger jerk than Rick."

"No you're not," she said sincerely, "I started it; you just kissed me back a little. And anyway, Jayne knows I have the hots for you. And now you do too, if you hadn't figured it out already. Don't worry; she and I have talked about it plenty. And after you find out what we have planned for everyone for later, you'll think this is nothing!"

She, gave me another kiss, but a tiny one, and swam away.

As I half swam, half floated a little further, full of confused thoughts, I sensed another shadowy person nearby.

And then there were a familiar pair of arms around me, hugging me from behind.

"Are you out of the doghouse yet?" Jayne said, "I told Kathy to find you, and give you a chance to apologize. Did you?"

"Yes, I did," I said, "And then she kissed me, and I don't mean a little peck. I told her it was wrong for us to do that. I'm sorry."

"I see," Jayne whispered thoughtfully, "she's starting the new game a little early. Oh, well, don't worry about it. She's been after you all day long; it's not your fault, because you don't know what we have planned."

"She mentioned something about that," I whispered back in reply, "what's going on?"

"The other four are going to break up for the school year, so they can decide if they want to see other people. It's a sensible thing to do. If they still want to be couples after that much time apart, then it's serious."

"Now, you and I are different, we're in love, really in love, and I just know, deep down, even though you haven't asked me, that we are going to end up married. But I'm determined not to end up like my mother, being groped by someone else's middle-aged husband, while you do something to his wife, because both of us are curious what it would be like to have sex with another person. So tonight, I need you to promise me something."

"What?" I whispered, very puzzled.

"There's going to be a special game. Kathy and Debbie and I have agreed. And you Steve and Scott are all being asked to promise to do some things with any of the girls that you happen to be paired with. No complaining, no jealousy. Because this is the only group of people I trust enough to satisfy my curiosity. And I want you to have the opportunity to experience other girls, just this once. So years from now, when some sweet young thing at the office starts flirting with you, you won't give in too easily. Can you promise me to do as you're asked and not get jealous?"

"I guess so," I whispered, with a resigned tone of voice, "But it makes me a little sad. I don't mind so much you doing things with Scott and Steve. They're both very decent guys. If I wasn't around, I would want you to find someone like either of them. Someone who would treat you the way you deserve to be treated. But are you sure?"

"Very, I have been thinking about this ever since I had that talk with my mom. I am more certain about this than anything, except how much I love you. This isn't about us, it's about sex, and how things will be years from now. Please promise me, please!"

"Alright," I whispered, "I'll do whatever I'm asked. But try not to have too much fun with the other guys. Because the not being jealous part isn't going to be easy!"

"Oh," she laughed very quietly, "You'll be way to busy to be jealous, I hope. And Kathy might get her wish, which would be good for her, so she can get you off her mind once and for all. Because she can't have you, except tonight; you're taken, so there!"

She moved around in front of me and we shared a very passionate, but loving kiss.

"Ready?" she said gently.

"Yes."

"Everyone," she called out loudly, "Time to come in. Besides I'm turning into a prune!"

I heard laughter coming through the darkness, and splashing.

We go out of the water and congregated around the remnants of the fire. You could just make out the various nude bodies as everyone dried off.

"I'll kill the fire if you guys get the rest of the stuff," I volunteered.

The rest of them picked up various items of clothing and drinks from the sand.

"I've got your stuff," Jayne said to me.

When they started to walk up towards the cottage I spread the remnants of the fire with the shovel, and poured several pails of water from the lake on it. When no further traces of hissing red coals could be seen, I heaped sand on the cooling embers; piling it up to a fair height to be sure they were extinguished. The beach was plunged into darkness, except for the small amount of light coming from the cottage. I used it to make my way back, a towel wrapped around my waist.

When I entered the cottage, I saw Steve and Scott in the kitchen, fixing drinks; while I heard the sound of hair dryers.

"I made you a drink," Scott said with a grin, "I think you'll need another one. I know I will. Jayne said to just put on your swim trunks. She put them there, on that chair."

I accepted the drink and went into the living room. I took off my towel and pulled on my swimsuit. Shortly, Steve and Scott joined me. Then we heard some thumping on the stairs, and Debbie and Kathy appeared before us, wearing their blouses, and from what we could see from the sides, where they weren't covered by their shirttails, their panties, and probably nothing else. At last Jayne appeared; wearing her beach cover up, which was semi-transparent, and left no doubt that she was naked except for a pair of panties underneath. Even though I had seen her nude many, many times, I gulped; God she was beautiful! She had a piece of paper and a butane lighter in her hand, and some short glasses with slips in them, and the egg timer from the kitchen.

"Scott, please light that," she commanded, giving him the lighter and pointing at a pillar candle on the coffee table, "Steve, would you mind turning off all the rest of the lights?"

When this was done, we all sat there, bathed in the light of the one candle. I could feel the excitement in the air, equal to that second strip poker game, which everyone but Steve participated in. But there was also something else, a tangible aura of sexual tension, unlike anything I'd ever experienced in a group setting.

"Now then," Jayne explained eagerly, "Here's how the game is going to work. There's no point in playing strip poker, we've all done that. So Debbie, Kathy and I have come up something new, like the dares part of the game, but mixing people around. On this paper is a list of increasingly sexy dares. We're going to roll this dice to see who goes first, and then sit in a circle in the correct order of play; boy, girl; boy, girl. Then each of us will pair up with someone chosen by chance, and do one of the dares from the list in front of the group; some with the candle burning, some in the dark. So Scott, keep that lighter where you can find it. As we move down the list, there will be new pairings, again by chance. And, finally, there is one special dare to finish with, which has different rules. I'll explain it when we get there. Everyone understand?"

"How do you choose who you do a dare with?" I asked.

"This is the guy glass," she said, setting one of them down at one end of the table, "and this is the girl glass," she added, setting the other one down, "You draw for your dare partner."

"But what if one person keeps getting drawn all the time?"

"We thought of that, so all of the dares will be done by everyone. So when one couple does one, then a new couple, selected by chance, does the same thing, and so on. The list isn't that long, but all of us will be in on the ... fun," she said with a suggestive look.

Just then we noticed a flashlight on the beach. The beam started to come up the hill towards the cottage.

"Who can that be?" I said.

Jayne got up and slipped out of the room into the hall towards the bedroom. Kathy and Debbie went into the kitchen and stood behind the serving counter, so their state of undress below the waist would not be visible from the door through the long open concept kitchen/dining area. Scott turned on a light just as we heard a knock on the glass; I went to answer. I could make out two figures behind the flashlight. It was Erin and Peter.

Erin, Peter, what are you doing here?" I asked as I opened the door.

"We were walking on the beach and we saw a flickering light, and the rest of the cottage was black. We were afraid that there might be a fire or something," Peter said, turning off the flashlight.

"Oh," I said, laughing a little, "We were just about to start a naughty little game the girls cooked up, and they insisted that it be played by candlelight."

I looked at Erin, now that I could see their faces; she seemed to be close to tears.

"What's wrong Erin?" I continued, "Why don't both of you come inside for a minute?"

Scott and Steve had come over to join us, so the five of us were standing at the door. Debbie and Kathy were leaning with their elbows on the serving counter, listening. Erin and Peter came inside, and I closed the door.

"Well ..." Peter started; but just then, Jayne came through the living room arch.

Of course Peter was immediately distracted by the sight of her in the cover up. To say she looked fetching would be a huge understatement. Traffic stopping would be a better description!

"Jayne," Erin exclaimed, her troubles momentarily forgotten, "Do you know you can see right through that?"

"Yes," she replied, in a matter of fact way, "It's a bit late for false modesty with this crowd; after strip poker games, and topless sunbathing, and skinny dipping. Anyway, who cares? I'm sure Peter has seen a woman's breasts before; and mine aren't much compared to yours."

As he stared at the blonde vision before him, the intent look on Peter's face belied that this was in any way usual for him, no matter what Jayne thought! Erin noticed his obvious interest. Hell; you couldn't miss it!

"Peter," she said sharply, "Stop staring! Sorry Jayne. I'm afraid my boyfriend lacks a little experience; in fact he lacks a lot of experience, in the female nudity department."

Peter started to blush, and tried to say something, but apparently couldn't get any words out!

"Don't worry, Erin," Jayne said, lightly, "I know from earlier that Peter's a pretty sensitive guy; so it doesn't bother me if he gets to see a few things."

Peter was still blushing, but looked flattered. Even Erin looked a little pleased.

Then Jayne added with a serious edge to her voice, "Now if it had been Rick here tonight instead of Peter, no way I'd let him see me like this; he's no gentleman; in fact he's disgusting!"