When Three Becomes Four

"When they get back up here we need to talk all of this out and decide where we go from here," Denise said, and I knew she was right.

Ron and Annette walked along the beach for a while and then stopped by the pile of shells as she explained to him some of the things Jeebers had taught her in their shelling session that morning.

When they came back to their blanket, Ron pulled a couple of wine coolers from the chest, opening one and handing it to Annette before opening one for himself. He sat behind her and let his hands run over her body. She just smiled at us as we followed his hands with our eyes as they came around to the front of her body, tweaked her nipples gently, and then cupped them in a loving squeeze. At last he looked up at the two of us and smiled.

I wrapped my arms around Denise and she hugged my arms to her breasts, allowing me to feel her hardening nipples against my forearms. Each couple then looked away at the waving sea grass, listening to the surf and gulls and breathing in the salt air mist.

"Can I break the spell before we have to leave for dinner?" I asked quietly, watching the two, finding it hard to believe there could be any trouble between them.

Three pairs of eyes turned to mine, and three heads nodded.

"I'm the one who got all of this started," I began, "so, I would like to be the one to break the ice and get some dialog going on what is happening with us all." Denise shifted position slightly so she could see my face, and smiled up at me encouragingly, her eyes shining . . . with pride, I hoped.

Annette pulled her legs up under her and leaned back against her husband's chest, pulling his arms around her and smiling into his face before returning her attention to me. Ron had watched Denise's body as she rearranged herself and saw that I had noticed. He smiled wryly, shrugging slightly, and I returned the smile briefly.

"I have always had a fantasy about seeing Denise with another man in my presence," I said to Annette in explanation. "I was the one who initiated the sex between Ron and Denise in the pool last year. I set it up and encouraged them every way I could until they let go and let it happen.

"You have to know, however, that I also fantasized about having sex with you, but never thought it would happen," I continued, and Annette looked a little surprised. "But when Denise said she would not stand in the way of a foursome between us – and then we saw you in the mall – I saw a way to maybe make that happen . . . and get the opportunity to watch another coupling between our mates."

"I accept all responsibility . . . and the blame for any resulting problems that may have come from these two times," I continued, raising my hand to silence Ron when he acted like he was going to speak. "But I want you to know, Annette, that I never meant to harm you or your relationship with your husband . . . I was thinking selfishly of my own pleasure." I was quiet then for a second before finishing.

"I also want you to know that today was absolutely a dream come true. You are an adorable, beautiful woman and your husband is the second luckiest man in the world. Thank you for today." I stopped then, hugging my wife as the younger woman smiled shyly at me, then at my wife, and then at her husband, looking up sweetly into his face, before returning her eyes to mine.

"Thank you, Cal, I never really thought myself to be either adorable or beautiful . . . I always saw myself as too skinny, and too hung up on social customs and rules to really fulfill any man's sexual needs, let alone his fantasies. When I compared myself to Denise in my mind I came out losing all the way around. Ron . . . and you . . . have helped me see myself differently today. I don't think we will have any more problems. In fact, the reason we were late getting back here was because I was so turned on by everything that happened today that I attacked my big teddy bear here out in the dunes," she finished, blushing slightly and looking back up at her husband again.

"I'm cool with everything that has happened, and with what has been said here," Ron said, shrugging and grinning. "I could do it again tomorrow, as long as everyone understands that our marriages and relationships with our mates is the most important thing here."

Denise just smiled for a minute.

"My husband speaks for me," she said softly. "I love him and trust him, he has shown me his love for 25 years and I am comfortable with everything that has happened. And, Ron, I will tell you, sex with you is very fulfiling, your wife has taught you what a woman likes. You did nothing to make me uncomfortable . . . you gave me great pleasure. Thank you."

"Ditto," said Annette, smiling up at me, and blushing again.

"Denise and I like you two very much," I said, picking up the conversation again. "We have talked about that while you two were playing rabbits out in the dunes." There were smiles all around. "We don't want to lose you as friends. In fact, your friendship is more important to us than any sexual pleasure we may get from days like today. We don't live that far from each other, and I think it would be great to get together at least once a month or so for fun and maybe to go out to eat. After that night in the pool Denise tells me that I was more aggressive sexually for three or four months before the images faded in my mind. It will probably last even longer this time! (More smiles.) I would like to make a suggestion: Why don't we agree to get together regularly, but limit any possibility for actual sexual intercourse . . . of any kind . . . to once a quarter. Even then, we should have some kind of anonymous vote so any one of us can cancel any sex plans if they are not in the mood, or are uncomfortable with the plans. If you will trust us, Ron and I will determine where to go and what to do, and the girls can determine the timing and where we will eat. What do you think?"

Denise nodded immediately, squeezing my arm in assurance. Annette looked up at Ron and got his smile of approval. She looked back at me, a question in her eyes.

"But can we still dress sexy and show off a little on the regular times together?" she asked, looking from me to Denise.

"If you don't, I will be totally disappointed," I said, grinning widely, and getting a shy smile in return . . . but no blush this time. "In fact, I would hope we will get naked as much as possible, and could even do some flashing and things like that . . . maybe even all have sex together, just with our own mates. Would that work for everyone?"

There were three smiles, and three heads nodded.

"Well, then, let's go get some steak and lobster," I said, glad the talking was over, and thankful we were all in agreement that saving our marriages and our friendships was the most important thing.

We gathered everything up and returned to the cars. There was no one else there as we walked to the showers, so we each took our turn stripping off our suits and showering, and then drying off, totally in the nude. There was some teasing and flirting that went on, just like four friends would do.

As we drove from the parking lot, Denise leaned over and ran her fingers through my hair.

"You were awesome today," I said. "I wish we had thought about going out in the dunes." She laughed easily.

"That's okay, we don't have anything to do tomorrow. I'm willing to stay up all night if you are."

We drove on in silence for a while.

"Cal?" she said after a while.

"Yes?"

"I enjoyed today, more than the last time, and that scares me a little. Promise me that we will back out of this if it interferes in our relationship even the least little bit."

We came to a stop light and I leaned over, looking deeply into her eyes.

"We can stop it tonight if you want."

"No, I don't want to, and that is what scares me. Just promise me that if . . ." her voice trailed off as she looked into my eyes, and then she smiled.

"I promise," I said, sincerely.

She smiled, and leaned back, closing her eyes.

I wondered what she was thinking about. I would ask her when we got home . . . it might make for a great beginning for the rest of the night.