Jennifer and Vaughn had decided to date. They had more in common with each other than they thought, and their chemistry was off the charts.
Jennife kept thinking about Erica and Payne, though. She enjoyed the three-way enough, but was there more? Like swinging? She had read about that in her books, too.
Then she looked it up on the internet.
She wondered if Vaughn would say yes to that, but realized, in reality, that would be pushing things too far. Still, she could imagine it.
And since Jennifer and Vaughn were both social animals, why not set up a couple’s date?
She called Erica to see if there was any interest.
“That would be nice,” Erica said. “I’ll plan a dinner party here at the townhouse for Saturday night. That way, we can get as steamy as we like.”
Jennifer took that as one of Erica’s double entendres and called Vaughn to let him know.
“Sounds good,” Vaughn said. “What kind of couple is this?”
“They’re fun, like us. Totally casual, but wear something nice. We’ll have a good time.”
Vaughn thought about a double date, wondering if it might get too serious, but being alone with Jennifer was just as much of a commitment. Maybe they needed another couple to expand their social circle. Just have a fun night with some like-minded people.
So he took Saturday night off for the date.
He went to Jennifer’s apartment to meet her before they drove to Erica’s townhouse.
Jennifer opened the door, wearing a dress he hadn’t seen before.
Vaughn was pleased. “You look so hot. Are you sure we have to go out tonight?”
“Yes, Vaughn, we have to go out. I promised Erica and Payne we would be there by seven.”
“How did you say you knew these two, again?”
“Have a glass of wine and sit down first.” Jennifer handed Vaugn a glass of wine she had already poured. Vaughn sat on the couch and got comfortable. Jennifer joined him.
“So, who are these people?” Vaughn asked again. “I feel like you’re avoiding the question. Do you go to school with them?”
“No, I met Payne at work. He’s one of Dr. Prentice’s patients. He is not crazy, by the way. He’s a nice guy, a construction worker, and I think the two of you will get along.”
“We would get along because—?”
“You have a lot in common.”
“Such as?”
“Guy stuff,” Jennifer said.
“Can you be more specific?”
“Vaughn, don’t be a wiseass, you’ll get along.”
“And his girlfriend, what’s her name?”
“Erica.”
“And you met her through Payne?”
“Yes, Jesus, where is this going?”
“I like to know a little bit about people before I meet them,” Payne said. “So you know Erica, too? What, did the three of you hook up or something?”
“Kind of,” Jennifer began to squirm.
Vaugn got a moment of clarity. “You mean they’re the three-way?
Jennifer took a sip of wine and looked away.
Vaughn stood and finished his glass of wine.
“Oh my God! Are you fucking serious? I’m going to meet the guy who had two women at once? This is amazing.”
“And here I thought you’d feel uncomfortable, or ridiculous,” Jennifer said suspiciously.
“Are you kidding? I’m picturing it in my mind! I’ve got to talk to this guy. And Erica, is she hot? I bet she’s hot.” Vaughn was on a roll. Jennifer was not pleased.
“Please tell me I can watch you two make out!”
Now Vaughn had crossed the line.
“Will you stop it!” Jennifer raised her voice. “Maybe this was a bad idea. I thought you were more mature. We’re just going there for dinner, unless you want to have a three-way with Erica and Payne, and I can watch.”
That shut him up. Vaughn settled down and joined Jennifer on the couch. He put his arm around her. Jennifer drew back.
“I’m sorry, babe,” Vaughn said. “You took me by total surprise. You had to know you were going to get some reaction from me.”
“Okay. Did you get it out of your system?”
“Yes,” Vaughn said, “but now I’m all worked up. Can we have a quickie before we go? We’ve got time.”
“No, we cannot have a quickie before we go. And you promise to behave. They’re a nice couple, and I want to be friends with them.”
“I definitely want to be friends with them,” Vaughn smirked. Jennifer hit him playfully on the shoulder.
“Okay, that was the last one,” Vaughn said. “Let’s go to dinner and have a nice time. They drink, right?”
“Yes, they drink,” Jennifer said. Jennifer grabbed her purse and followed Vaughn out of the apartment.
Jennifer had never been in Vaughn’s car. “This is cool,” said Jennifer as Vaughn helped her into it.
“It’s my BMW Roadster,” he said proudly. “Got a great deal on it.”
“Very James Bond. Did I tell you Erica’s from Weybridge?”
Jennifer and Vaughn arrived eight minutes late to Erica’s townhouse. Vaughn took in the impressive neighborhood and said, “Sweet.”
Payne opened the door, and before Vaughn could say, “My man, Payne!” Jennifer hit him with her handbag.
“What was that for?” Vaughn looked at her, puzzled. “For whatever you were going to say,” said Jennifer. Payne ushered them in.
“Come in!” said Erica, standing in the arch of the great room. “It’s so good to see you, Jennifer. And this must be Vaughn.”
“In the flesh,” said Vaughn with a glint in his eye. “And you must be Erica.”
“Yes, I am,” Erica said, looking Vaughn up and down. “Won’t you all come in and sit down? I have some hors d’oeuvres in the oven and some wine chilled on the wet bar. Payne?”
While Jeniffer and Vaughn sat down on the oversized sofa, Payne got the wine, and Erica went to the kitchen.
Vaughn looked at Payne and said, “I know you and Erica from somewhere, but I can’t place it.”
“You served us drinks at the Ascot the night Erica and I met. Remember, she was crying? You were being nice to her, and then I stepped in and took over.”
“Oh, yeah,” said Vaughn, “I remember now. So the night must have ended well for the two of you.”
“It sure did,” grinned Payne.
Vaughn didn’t mention that he knew about the Dr. Prentice part.
Erica brought in a tray of hors d’oeuvres. “These are stuffed mushrooms. Watch it, they’re hot.”
Vaughn said, “Payne and I were talking about how I was there the night you two hooked up at the Ascot. Cheers.”
“That’s sweet that you remember, but I actually met Payne when he was putting the finishing touches on this house. I’d come to look at it, and there he was, tacking up some molding. Of course, I didn’t think about it then. He reminded me of it that night we met.”
“I think that’s romantic,” Jennifer said, picking up a stuffed mushroom cap. “I’m glad it worked out for the two of you.”
“So how did the two of you meet, Jennifer?” Erica inquired, slyly.
“We met at the Ascot bar. I was a customer. But our story isn’t so romantic as yours. I was waiting for my boyfriend, Garson. He was late, and I was pissed off. So I started flirting with Vaughn, and by the time Garson got there, I was over it. The two of them fought over me, and Vaughn won.”
“That sounds romantic to me,” Erica said. “Very chivalrous, Vaughn.”
“I’d like to think so.” Vaughn grinned.
A few more glasses of wine were had along with mushroom caps, and then it was time for dinner.
“I made lobster mac and cheese,” Erica said. “Very decadent, but delicious and easy to serve.”
Dinner led to more glasses of wine, and eventually the foursome found their way to the living room for after-dinner conversation and cognac.
“I hope you know you two aren’t driving anywhere tonight,” Erica said. “The guest room is made up, and you’re going to stay here. You’ve had way too much to drink to drive.”
“Duly noted,” said Vaughn. “I’m a professional bartender; it’s my job to take people’s car keys when they’ve had too much. And I am in no condition to drive.”
“Then it’s settled. Jennifer, let’s get you something to sleep in. Vaughn, you’re on your own,” Erica said, pulling Jennifer up the stairs.”
That left Payne and Vaughn sitting in the great room, both of them feeling no pain.
“So, Payne,” Vaughn dropped his voice to a whisper, “did you and Jennifer and Erica really have a three-way? Keep in mind, I’m open to that kind of thing, but I’ve never had one. What was it like?”
Payne beamed and smiled. The liquor had loosened his tongue. “Vaughn, let me tell you, it was the best thing that ever happened to me. I will die a happy man.”
Vaughn leaned forward, elbows on his knees, hanging on every word. “Okay, but how did it work? I mean, was it awkward? Was anyone jealous?”
Payne shook his head. “That’s the thing. The two girls were into each other. They did all the work. All I had to do was sit back and watch.”
“So nobody freaked out?” Vaughn asked.
“Nope. Erica set the tone,” Payne said. “She’s very clear about what she wants. She led the whole evening. Jennifer and I didn’t know what to do. She made everything easy. I didn’t ask, but I think she’s done it before.”
Vaughn sat back, impressed despite himself. “Damn.”
Upstairs, Jennifer stood in the guest room while Erica handed her a soft cotton sleep shirt.
“You okay?” Erica asked, studying her face.
“I think so,” Jennifer said. “I just realized I may have underestimated how curious Vaughn is.”
Erica smiled knowingly. “He seems very open. Like he’s up for anything.”
“I know,” Jennifer said. “I’d like to see how this plays out tonight.”
“That’s fair,” Erica said. “It’s up to you how far you want things to go.”
The possibility of this stirred up ideas in Jennifer’s mind.
“Cmon, Jennifer, let’s go downstairs and meet our he-men. See what they’re up to.
Back downstairs, Vaughn raised his glass.
“I have to hand it to you, Payne, you’re the man.”
Jennife and Erica came down and settled themselves on the sofas with their respective dates.
“This has been fun,” Erica said. “I’m glad you all came.”
“I’ve had a great time,” Vaughn said.
“So let’s play a game of ‘Never Have I Ever,” Erica said.
Erica filled everyone’s glass and started the game.
“Never have I ever,” Erica said, lied to a teacher.”
Payne and Vaughn drank. Erica and Jennifer did not.
“Oh, c’mon, you two,” Payne said. You must have lied once.
“No,” Jennifer said.
“No,” Erica said.
“I’ll go,” said Jennifer, “I have never slept with anyone from work.”
Everyone, including Jennifer, drank to that.
“I don’t count, said Payne. “We don’t work together.”
“Yes, but we met at work, so that counts,” said Jennifer. “Anyway, who said I was talking about you?”
“Okay, now me,” Payne said. “Never have I ever slept with two people in one night.”
Everyone had to drink to that one for various reasons, and that one got everyone laughing hysterically.
“So what do we want to do next?” asked Erica. “Strip poker?”
“I’ll get the cards,” Payne said, and the game was on.