The Demarcation of Jack

by Blakely Bennett

  “Chicago.”

  “Right and I couldn’t go because I was finishing my semester exams right before graduation. When I got home from school that day I found an envelope placed against a small sculpture of us I’d never seen. The letter said, ‘I always thought I could live my life alone and be happy with me and my art, until I met you. Because it wasn’t until us that I truly came to know what happiness is. Lift us up as you always do and find what my heart has for you.’”

  “How romantic.”

  “It gets even better. I’m sitting on the couch studying for my last exam and I keep thinking. Lift us up. Lift us up? I go to the statue and lift it up and underneath I find a ring. An antique ring we saw one day when we were exploring the town. I slipped it on and began to cry,” she said, looking over at Jack. “So I’m sitting there all misty eyed and he comes strutting through the door and scoops me up in his arms.”

  “But I thought he’d left?”

  “So did I, but his flight wasn’t until that night, so we spent the rest of the day making love. He had to race to the airport, barely making the flight.”

  “Wow. That is a cool story.”

  “Kokila, could you drop the sarong and turn your back to me? Strike that same pose, pulling your hair up. Yeah, just like that,” he said as he began to draw again. “Fantastic. You have a magnificent butt and legs, if you don’t mind me saying.”

  “Not at all,” she said. “So rumor has it, you guys are playing with the other couple. That’s pretty cool.”

  Jack looked over at Jenna.

  “That’s a very recent thing and we’re still figuring it out,” Jenna said, shifting uncomfortably in her chair.

  “I love that you’re so open and willing to try something new,” Kokila said.

  Jenna and Jack looked at each other again.

  “Is there a question in there?” Jenna asked.

  “Could you turn to the side, just a little bit more. Okay, right there.”

  “I suppose if I were to ask you a question, it would be how open are you two?”

  “What do you have in mind?” Jack asked as he flipped over the page to a clean sheet.

  “I was wondering if Jenna would mind posing with me,” she said. “Don’t you think we would look good together?”

  “That’s an excellent idea! Jenna?” Jack said. He touched her shoulder.

  “Umm ... I haven’t ... in a long time,” Jenna said. “I don’t know, Jack.”

  “Come on, Jenna,” Kokila said. “You look great!”

  She shook her head and said, “This trip is really pushing my limits.” She hesitated and then said, “Well, what the hell.” She rose to her feet pulling her shirt over her head. She stepped out of her shorts and panties and stood in front of Jack. “Where do you want me?”

  Jack moved around the table taking Jenna’s hand in his. He led her over to Kokila. Glancing from Kokila to Jenna, he saw the artistic potential but realized he would have difficulty separating the art from his arousal.

  “Wow. What a killer contrast. I haven’t felt inspired to paint in years. I wish I had my palette and a canvas here,” he said excitedly as he moved about posing the two women. “Jenna lay your head against Kokila’s shoulder, and Kokila bring your arm about half way up her back. Let your arms entangle. Jenna, close your eyes. Kokila, you do the same. And tilt your head back just slightly. There that’s amazing. Perfect. The contrast is excellent. I can’t stand it. Where’s the camera, Jenna? Don’t lose the mood please.”

  “It’s in the top drawer I think,” she said, her eyes still closed.

  Jack ran to the drawer and snatched it up. He turned and began to frame the women in the window of the digital camera. “Oh my god, you’re not going to believe how pretty this is.” Jack snapped three photos. “Change positions. Let it flow. Hang on, I’ll put on some music.” He flipped the switch on the CD player and Jill Scott began to sing. “This is great. Just go, more ... move, oh yeah, man, that’s fantastic.” He continued to frame and photograph their bodies moving and touching and sliding against one another.

  “Jenna, turn your back to Kokila. Kokila lean against the wall. There, now Jenna drop back on her. Oh yes.” Jack hammered picture after picture with stills and sculptures flashing through his mind as he directed the pair.

  Kokila began slowly moving her hands over Jenna’s waist and across her stomach. Jenna closed her eyes, getting lost in the rhythm of the music as they continually shifted positions. She heard Jack command, “hold it right there.” She opened her eyes to see Kokila only a breath away from her lips, leering steadily into her eyes.

  “God I love your eyes,” Kokila whispered. Moving her face close to Jenna’s ear she said softly, “You take my breath away.”

  “Keep moving,” Jack said as he gracefully and intuitively darted around the room. He jumped onto the bed to shoot from above. “Kick your head back Jenna and let Kokila kiss your neck. Get a little more aggressive,” Jack said strongly. “Let me see you two let go—go with what you’re feeling.”

  “Stop! I can’t take this,” Jenna said, pushing Kokila away. “No offense, Kokila but I’m really aroused at the moment and I need to back off.”

  “Did I do something wrong?”

  “No, not that. I was getting too—”

  “Come on Jenna. What happened to my crazy girlfriend?”

  Kokila unabashedly approached Jenna, taking her by the shoulders and kissing her generously on the lips.

  Jack forgot about the camera, as he stood on the bed mesmerized.

  Jenna broke off the kiss and they all stood there in silence.

  He shook his head and said, “Okay. That’s a wrap.” Stepping down from the bed he uttered, “You guys are so sexy.”

  “Yeah, I think we are,” Kokila said and winked at Jenna as she reached for her sarong.

  “I’m spinning,” Jenna said and then laughed at the weird expression on Jack’s face. “You okay, Jack? You look positively spent.”

  “I’m ... I’m feeling the heat,” he said, reviewing the shots on the digital camera.

  Jenna reached down to pick up her clothes as Kokila nonchalantly eased up in front of her. Jenna raised her arms above her head to slip on her shirt. The next sensation almost made her collapse as Kokila sucked her nipple into her mouth, biting down slightly.

  “Ahhh ... I can’t take this,” Jenna cried out. “Oh my god, we have to stop. I know this is going to sound crazy, but we’re somewhat committed to someone else. Jack, I feel like we’re cheating.”

  “What?” He wheeled around almost dropping the camera.

  “On Marc and Summer,” she said.

  “You’ve got to fucking be kidding me,” he said, running his fingers through his hair.

  “Whoa, I think I’m going to go now,” Kokila said. “Maybe we’ll do this again. Come see me tonight at the terrace bar. Jack, thanks for everything. I look forward to seeing your work.”

  “Yeah, not a problem. I was looking forward to seeing your work, too.”

  “See you guys later,” Kokila said, leaving the room.

  “What the fuck, Jenna? What’s the problem?” he asked, crossing his arms in front of him.

  “Jack, not now.”

  “What not now?”

  “It’s hard to explain. I’m so conflicted. I can’t even think about sex at the moment.”

  “You’ve got to be kidding. It’s all I can think about. Wait a second. You can cozy up with Marc but when we have an opportunity with Kokila, you back off? Are you even listening to me?”

  “Yes, I am,” she said, bringing her gaze from the outside terrace back to Jack. “I’m sorry. I’m just a little confused right now.”

  “Shit, I’m going to have to take another shower—a cold one.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  “So how’d the posing go with Kokila?” Summer asked as she and Marc approached the dock where Jack and Jenna stood.

  “It was cool, it went okay. Got some great shots to
work with when I get back,” Jack said as he hugged Summer.

  “Can we see them?”

  “That wouldn’t be ethical,” Jenna said abruptly. She walked into Marc’s embrace and hugged him. “I mean without Kokila’s permission.” She sat down on the edge of the dock to wait for the ferryman.

  “Do you plan to sculpt her?” Marc asked. “Summer says you have great technique. Very sensitive.”

  “I try,” Jack said. He smiled at Summer, pointing in her direction. “Thanks for the compliment.”

  “It was my pleasure—no, seriously—it was my pleasure,” she said, holding out her hands in front of her. She closed her eyes and began to feel around as if blindfolded. “Jack? Are you there, Jack?”

  “You’re getting warmer. Follow the sound of my voice.”

  Summer placed her hands on his chest and face. She then took his hand in hers and began to stroke it from the wrist to the tip of his middle finger and said, “Proportions, got to love them.”

  Jack snatched his hand away from her and stuck it in his pocket.

  “Good day. How is everyone doing?” said the ferryman as he climbed down into the small boat.

  “Off to the island of iniquity.” Jack winked, pointing out toward the coral isle.

  Everyone climbed on board for the short trip across the bay.

  “Thanks,” Jack said, upon arriving. He stepped off the boat into the water and helped Jenna steady her footing. He reached up to help Marc step from the boat and then lifted Summer under her arms over the rail.

  Summer decided to wrap her legs around Jack’s waist to avoid getting her Capri pants and shoes wet. Jack lost his balance, causing them both to fall back into the water.

  “Thanks,” she said sarcastically. “We need to work on that.”

  “What the hell was that?”

  “I thought you would catch me,” Summer said, laughing.

  “You could have at least warned me.” He chortled, wiping the water from his face.

  “God they sound like an old married couple, don’t they,” Marc said to Jenna as he led her toward the pool.

  Summer and Jack stayed in the water bantering.

  “Look at my clothes, they’re soaking wet,” Jack said.

  “So take them off for god’s sake and lay them in the sun. Hello! We’re on a nude island!”

  “Would you do my laundry for me?” he said, feigning innocence.

  “Shut up and get naked!” Summer ordered. She stood up and climbed out of the water, disrobing and hiding behind the bushes to wait for Jack.

  “Hey fella,” she said, jumping out onto the path in front of him. “Need a date?”

  “You’re I big trouble,” he said, chasing her down the path. “I’m going to spank you!”

  “Well then, I’ll stop running so fast.” She turned around and tossed her clothes to him and said, “Catch.”

  Jack managed to collect all the clothes in his arms.

  “Could you hang those up for me? It is your fault, after all, that I got soaking wet.”

  “That is so flawed, Summer! It was completely and totally your fault, but I’ll hang them up, just for you,” he said, maneuvering the clothes to one arm and reaching to spank her naked butt.

  “Too slow,” she said, skipping off toward the pool.

  Summer joined Jenna who was already at the swim-up bar. “Hi Cornelius, how’s it going?”

  “Ah, my lady, I’m doing fine on this lovely island day. Shall I pour the rum shallow or deep my lady?”

  “Let’s start in the shallow end, Cornelius,” Summer said as she got settled on the stool next to Jenna. “Take good care of me, will you? Don’t let me go into the deep rum too soon.”

  “Ya mon. Not like your husband, he’s strong,” he said, smiling a toothy grin. “Dat mon can handle his rum.”

  “Yeah well. He has this ability to stop before it gets out of control.”

  “That’s a good thing,” he said. “Keeps ya from trouble, irie.”

  Jack swam up next to Summer placing his chin on her shoulder.

  “Jack, did you find a clothesline?” she asked. “You did rinse the clothes in fresh water in the bathroom didn’t you?”

  “No. Why?”

  “Our clothes will dry into salt packs, Jack,” she said, rolling her eyes. “Show me where you hung them up.”

  They left the pool for the gazebo on the north end where Jack had laid the clothes over the sparkling white rails. After a rinsing and letting the garments flap in the breeze, Summer cornered Jack against the outside tower wall.

  “You did such a good job, I want to give you a little reward.” She pressed her naked body along his, wrapping her arms around his waist.

  “Can we do this here?”

  “Shut up and kiss me,” Summer said.

  Jack circled his arms around Summer, pulling her breasts firmly against his chest.

  “I think you like this, Jack.” She could feel him hardening against her mound.

  “Shut up, Summer,” he said and then kissed her fervently.

  When they finally came up for air, Summer said, “Now that’s what I’m talking about.”

  “Come here you,” he said, turning her to smack her bottom.

  She bent forward, smiling over her shoulder, and then quickly trotted away.

  Jenna joined Marc against the wall of the pool. “Marc, I need to say something to you and you need to tell me if this is part of the experience you and Summer have had.” She took a deep breath.

  “Sure, what is it?”

  “This morning Kokila came over and one thing led to another and I mean nothing, well something, I mean nothing big happened but I was like freaking out that we ... I mean, I was being unfaithful to you and Summer. Or more to the point, you.”

  “That’s interesting,” Marc said as he dropped into the pool to cool off. He came up wiping the water from his face. “Well, we’re making progress if you feel like you’re cheating on us,” he said with a smile.

  “Don’t be smug.”

  “No, really. I love that you thought of us, but what if Kokila is a person that you should get to know better, not necessarily sexually but as a person?”

  “I only know her sexually so far and that’s pretty intense but not really sexually. I mean we didn’t ... oh god, this is ridiculous. I don’t even like women. What’s gotten into me?”

  “It sounds to me like you’re opening up to different possibilities. There’s a lot more out there than maybe you’ve come to know so far.”

  “That’s an understatement,” she said, as she dropped below the surface. She blew out her air and sat on the bottom in the quiet of the water until Cliff trudged through the pool stepping a mere foot from her face. She shot up from the bottom and said loudly to Cliff, “You should warn a girl when you’re coming up on her like that.”

  “Sorry, didn’t see you there. I often get that reaction. In the beginning Becky would say ‘what am I going to do with this thing?’ and smile. Now she says ‘what the hell are we going to do with this thing?’”

  “Cliff,” Becky shouted from the bar, waving for him to come back.

  “Be back in a few. Sorry again,” Cliff said as he swam to meet up with Becky, Jack, and Summer.

  “What do you think about me and Kokila?” she asked after Cliff swam out of earshot.

  “Do you want to spend time with her?”

  “No, I want to spend time with you. Jack wants me to spend time with Kokila. This is getting very complicated.”

  “It’s only as difficult to sort out as you make it, and believe me, people can make it very complicated. I think Kokila is intriguing and you know how I feel about you. My thought would be that all of us should get together for dinner at some point.”

  “That’s not helping,” Jenna said, lowering her shoulders.

  “Why? It’s the truth. I think it would be fantastic with all of us. Summer thinks Kokila is very pretty and I think you’re delicious. I get the feeling that Jack a
nd Summer knew each other in another lifetime,” he said, chuckling. “So how bad could it be to get together and see what happens?”

  “God you make it sound so ... simple.”

  “And you make it seem very perplexing.”

  “I think I should talk to Summer about this.”

  “That’s a good idea.”

  *****

  “What’s up?” Summer asked, taking Jenna’s hand as they strolled down the path.

  “I’m having a hard time making sense of everything that’s happening. On the one hand, I want to let go and enjoy everything and then—like I was saying at the bar—it all seems so problematic.”

  “Did something else happen? Is this about our kiss last night?” Summer pointed to the lounge chair under the gazebo.

  “No. It’s about this morning and Kokila,” Jenna said. She sat on the lounge and looked out over the ocean.

  “Kokila? Oh my god. What happened? I’m so jealous.”

  “Well you know she came over this morning to pose for sketches.”

  “Right. And?”

  “Well, it was going pretty normally. She’s gorgeous.”

  “Yeah, I know.”

  “So I watched Jack sketch her. While she was posing, she asked us some questions, like, how we met and—”

  “Yeah, I’d like to hear that story.”

  “—and then the conversation turned to her hearing a rumor that the four of us were playing together.”

  “Yeah and?” Summer said, sitting on the edge of her seat.

  “And she told us how cool she thought we were ‘cause we’re so open,’” Jenna said and laughed. “Then somehow it led to her suggesting that I pose with her.”

  “So you posed with her? Naked? Oh my god! Why didn’t I come by this morning?”

  “So Jack puts on music and starts taking pictures of us in different poses. Skin touching and all. Then I got so turned on.”

  “You’re turning me on...”

  “Then she kissed me and I lost my mind. I was so into it. Me? I don’t know who I am anymore.”

  “Is there more?”

  “Yes. So then we stood there looking at each other,” Jenna said.