by Neil, Louisa
“Be careful, my friend, I’ve a feeling we just literally unlocked Pandora’s box. I’ll bet she’ll have more uses for those toys than just on herself.”
“I’m game for anything she can think up. Dex, if we cross your tolerance line, you have to say something. I won’t know, and I don’t want this to blow up for the unknown.”
They wandered to the bedroom and saw Thea had dropped her robe by the bedside. The covers were turned back, and she was sound asleep in the center of the bed, a pillow crunched under her neck.
“What a sight,” Dexter said, dropping his robe and going to his side of the bed. Russell dropped his robe and slid in on her other side.
Dexter woke first, startled to find himself in a soft bed, the image of the crushed plane hull disappearing from his mind. He glanced at the clock and saw it was early, before dawn. Thea was still where he’d left her last night, sound asleep on her belly, her pillow supporting her neck. Russell lay beside her on his belly, facing away from her. One leg was bent at the knee, hanging off the side of the bed. Dexter moved from the bed as quietly as he could and used the bathroom. Slipping back beside Thea, he wrapped his arm around her waist and snuggled closer to her. He still couldn’t believe that last night had happened. With Russ in their bed, he knew it had been real. He had no regrets sharing either of them, felt no jealousy as he was afraid might happen. Letting Russ use his wife had felt natural. Letting Thea use Russ as she wanted was a dream come true. Dexter felt sleep overtaking him and moved his hand to her breast, just holding her.
When he woke a second time, it was because the telephone was ringing somewhere in the distance. It took a few seconds to acknowledge the noise and then trace around the room to find it. At the same time, Russell was sitting up, sleepy eyed and stretching. Thea was standing at the window across the room, her naked back facing them. She was the one who found the annoying noise and quieted it. Dexter could hear words but couldn’t make out the conversation. She glanced over her shoulder at the men and brought her index finger to her lips, an action to keep them quiet.
“Yes, Alex, when they wake up, I’ll tell them so they’re prepared. We were thinking about going into town for lunch. I’ll see what I can pick up from the newsstand.” She turned her back to them again. “When we get back, I want to set up physical therapy sessions for both men. Dexter’s leg and Russell’s arm both need therapy. Okay, we’ll see you next week.”
Dexter wasn’t sure he heard right. He thought they were going to leave early and head home, like tomorrow. Apparently, Thea had decided she wanted to stay a bit longer.
“No, we’ll be in touch. See what you can do to defuse the situation. But, Alex, I still wonder if it wouldn’t be best to just let it alone, run silent, as they say, instead of giving out statements in rebuttal. Yeah, I love you, too. Give Dad and Grace a hug for me. And, Alex, hug Lucas for yourself.”
Russell glanced to Dexter, who just shrugged.
“Yes, I knew you two would get along once everything else was cleared from your view. Yeah, it’s been obvious to me for a while, but I was watching for it. How are Dad and Michelle doing?”
“Alistair and Michelle,” Russell mouthed to Dexter. Again, Dexter just shrugged his shoulder.
“I’ll call in a few days. Stay safe and thanks for your help.” She pushed buttons and tossed the cell phone on the bureau. Then she turned to face them.
“Good morning,” she said, walking past the men in bed to the bathroom. They waited until she came out to ask about her conversation. Dexter was surprised she was still naked.
“What’s going on, Thea? Why did Alex call so early?”
“To warn us,” she said, kneeling on the foot of the bed. “Lloyd has put out a few new statements. He claims we’re all away to cover my being in drug rehab. And that you two are in intense therapy for the psychological problems you came home with. Lloyd claims you were both unstable before the crash and are using him to cover your incompetence.”
“Let him say what he wants,” Russell said.
“Better that story than telling the world that the three of us are screwing our brains out while we’re away in the mountains.” Russell dropped back to the bed and stretched.
“Are you embarrassed by all this, Dexter?” Thea asked.
“Not when it’s just us, but to the outside world, well, our sex choices should be private. It will get worse when we go back. We’re all going to be under a microscope until Lloyd is dealt with.”
“Then we’d better use our time here to the fullest. I told Alex we decided to stay a few extra days. That was for my benefit,” she said and started to laugh. “I also think it was a good idea for Russell to rent that apartment in the same building as we did all those years ago. At least his comings and goings won’t be monitored inside like they would be outside.”
“I need to pee and get coffee,” Russell said, obviously shaken by the news from the outside world.
“I’ll start the coffee,” Thea said, pausing to grab a robe from the pile on the floor beside the bed. Dexter watched her pull it around her and snug the belt. She turned and blew him a kiss before leaving.
Dexter sat on the bed, his head in his hands. “What are we going to do?” He didn’t expect an answer but realized Russell had come from the bathroom.
“If things were different, I’d say we’d use our morning erections, but you’re not in the right headspace.”
Dexter tossed a pillow at him, which Russell deflected. He grabbed a robe and headed out of the room. Struggling to get the sleep from his being, Dex used cold water to splash his face and decided not to shave. He pulled on a pair of boxers and headed to the living area.
“You okay, Dex?” Thea asked, walking toward him with a cup of coffee. He took it from her and sipped at it.
“Yeah, just a bit of reality pissing me off.”
“Russell and I were thinking we’d skip breakfast and head to town. We could have brunch, do some shopping, and get copies of the tabloids so we’ll know what we’re doing with our downtime here.” She didn’t hold back a smile. “Come on, Dexter, you knew this was a possibility. Since we can’t change what Lloyd does or says, let’s just ignore him and enjoy what time we have together.”
“Russell, do you have a problem with all this?”
“Seems to me the more we argue with Lloyd, the more credibility we give him. I’m with Thea on this one. Screw him at this point. When we get back, we’ll deal with him. Until then, I’d rather remember our times here for different reasons.” Russell looked down to Dexter’s crotch and smiled at his boxers, tented from his hard-on.
Thea laughed. “I’m going to town for toys. You two can stay here and mope around or help me pick out our new dildos.” She put her mug down and headed to the bedroom. “Anyone going to come into town with me?”
“Yeah, let’s get brunch. At least we won’t have dishes to clean up.”
“That, my friend,” Russell said, “is the smartest thing you’ve said all day.” He headed toward the other master bedroom where he’d been staying.
“I guess they’re right. Why worry about that crap now when I’m having the time of my life that I never knew I wanted.” Dexter refilled his coffee and headed to the bedroom to get dressed.
Chapter Eleven
Thea made a blatant attempt to keep the guys from worrying about what was going on at home. “Do you guys want to wander around while I shop or do you want to come with me and help pick out our new toys?”
“I’d like to shop with you,” Russell said. “You never know what we’ll find.” He winked at Thea, and she felt her cheeks heat with embarrassment.
“I’m not sure letting you two alone in a toy store is a good idea.” Dexter gave them his lopsided smile, and they headed out of the restaurant.
Inside the store, Thea paused to shop for lingerie. She glanced at a few nightgowns and robes when her eye caught what she wanted at the back of the store. Heading directly to the large display, she had no problem
with embarrassment when selecting her new items. She noted neither man came to the back to help her, so she chose what she wanted. When a salesclerk approached and asked if she needed help, Thea started piling items into her hands.
She and the clerk were laughing when they finally got to the register and saw the pile of her purchase. Another clerk behind the desk told her that her husband decided to wait outside. Thea thought she might be embarrassed, but instead, she glanced at each item as it was being rung up and added a few bottles of lubricant that were on a counter display.
“Thank you, ladies, have a good day,” she said as she was leaving the store. She didn’t have to look back to know what they were thinking, most likely along the lines that she was the one going to have a good day.
Outside, the afternoon sun was warm on her face. Dexter and Russell were sitting on a bench across the street. There was another shopping bag beside Dexter from the same shop. Apparently, he’d shopped while she shopped. Thea dropped her bags beside Dexter and stood tall.
“I’m going to the newsstand to get the newspapers. Do either of you want anything special?”
“Chocolate,” Russell said, “lots of chocolate, with and without nuts, any and every kind.”
“Okay, a sugar rush for Russell. Dexter, what about you? Cravings?”
“Oh yeah, but not for chocolate.” He gave her body a once-over and then a second. There was no need for words. He was horny and debating how they’d have sex tonight. Let him think, she decided, knowing she had a scenario she wanted to watch tonight. After that, her men could direct the evening, after she was satisfied. The guys waited outside while she grabbed the papers and chocolate. On the way back to the car, they stopped and grabbed a few bottles of wine. As usual, Thea drove.
“So tell us the truth,” Russell said from the back seat. “How bad are the headlines?”
Thea glanced to Dexter when he tensed at Russell’s question. “I didn’t stop to read the articles. The headlines are pretty much what Alex told me. I’m in drug rehab, and you two are emotionally crippled from the crash and the world finding out you’re both incompetent pilots.”
“I thought the judge ordered all of us not to discuss this with the press?” Thea knew this was weighing heavier on Dexter than Russell.
“He did, and Alex is petitioning the court to sanction Lloyd for these very interviews. But, once they’re out, he’s made his point. He’ll be quiet for a while.”
“Too bad we can’t do our own interviews,” Dexter said, his sigh of disgust unmistakable. “Then again…”
“At least the photos they used aren’t too bad. The ones of you and I are from our wedding announcement. Russell, they’re running the one of you from the award banquet before your trip.”
“Yeah, our trip to hell.”
“Dexter, let it go.” Russell’s tone was adamant. “We discussed this on the island and knew when we got back it would be like this. So let them say what they want and we’ll enjoy being home. When this all winds up in court, the truth will be out.”
“Maybe you should call your parents to check in, just to say hello and let them know you’re okay.” Thea suggested.
“Yeah, I probably should.” Russell handed Dexter his cell phone when he realized Dexter couldn’t find his.
She added, “Tell them I said hello.”
The rest of the ride was calm, Dexter’s conversation with his parents taking priority over the radio or their bantering. Thea decided to take a different road home, which gave them beautiful scenery but took extra time. Once back, they unloaded their purchases, and Russell made a pitcher of margaritas.
“Just one more thing I missed on the island,” Russell said, handing around glasses of the frozen concoction.
“Ice.” Dexter added, “I missed ice in any drink.” He sipped and pulled the glass away quickly. “Brain freeze,” he said with a laugh. Soon his depressed mood disappeared, and they were all on the deck, enjoying their frozen drinks and chatting like the old days.
“I guess I should start the grill or we’ll never have supper.” Thea stood on shaky legs and accepted the laughter around her. “Keep laughing. Let’s see how steady you two are when you try to get up.”
“How about you show us what you bought today,” Russell said.
“How about you show her what you bought her today,” Dexter said.
“Russell, you bought me something?” She watched his neck and cheeks go red with embarrassment.
“The bag’s on the sofa,” he said.
“You stay. I’ll get it,” Thea told him and headed inside. She returned to the deck with the shopping bag and placed it on the empty lounge, pulling out the most beautiful silk nightgown she’d seen in a long time. What struck her was the color. It was an exact match to her aqua eyes. “It’s beautiful, Russell, thank you.” She held it up against her body and smiled, and then she walked to him and kissed his lips.
“You’re welcome. Why not ask Dexter what he bought you today?”
Thea turned and looked at her husband. “It’s in on the bed.”
“Goody, more gifts.” She left the men and came out with a small box. Again she laid it on the lounge and lifted the cover. Inside was a beautifully embroidered bra and panty set. “Dexter, this is beautiful, too. Where was I when you guys were shopping?”
“Fixated on toys and dildos.”
“Oh, well thank you, both, for the presents. You both have to wait until tonight to see what I bought.”
“If we have to wait, I’m going to make another pitcher of drinks.” Russell left them alone on the deck.
“Dexter, are you okay with all of this? Did it sound better in theory than it is in real life?”
“No, my aqua queen. I’m thrilled that you didn’t punch me and walk away forever. You’ve given me the gift of understanding. You’ll never know how much I appreciate that.”
“You can show her later. For now, drinks and dinner.” Russell was standing in the doorway holding a large pitcher. “I’ll start the grill,” he said after topping off each of their glasses.
“I’ll get the rest of the meal going.”
“I should help,” Dexter said but didn’t move. He watched Thea look to Russell.
“Did you really think he was going to help us with the cooking or dishes? No matter how long you’ve been away, my husband doesn’t do dishes, and he only cooks under much duress.”
“Some things never change,” Russell said, adding, “Others you can’t change back.”
“I’ll drink to that,” Thea said before heading inside to start their meal.
Thea had excused herself from the table, leaving the men to clean up. While she knew Dexter loathed the job, she decided it was time to retrain him a bit, just as he was retraining her to his new likes.
She brushed out her hair and slipped into the gown Russell had bought her today. She had to admit the color was very similar to her eye color. The satin gown was held up by thin straps that slid down to a simple sheath style with no other adornment. The back was a low-cut scoop style that barely covered her ass. It was beautiful in its simplicity. By the time she reentered the living room, the dishes were cleared. She didn’t ask by whose hand.
“Wow,” Dexter said, “you look amazing.”
“Thank you,” she said and glanced to Russell. “Thank you, too.”
“You’re welcome, but I think it was more of a present for me and Dex than just for you. You look beautiful.”
“I especially like the way it shapes to my breasts and then tightens at my waist.”
“So do I,” Russell said, his eyes not leaving her body.
Thea used her hands to run up and down her body, pausing to cup her breasts and sliding down to her hips. When she turned her back to the men, she heard them both gasp. “I assume you both agree it’s a flattering cut.” She glanced at them over her shoulder.
“Like nothing I ever dreamed of seeing.” Russell was staring at her. Dexter was staring at her and rubbing his
crotch.
“Dex, it seems I triggered something, namely your hard-on. Russell…” He turned to face her, and it was obvious from the taut denim that he was erect, too. “Oh my, I guess the gown has hit its target.” She walked to Russell and reached for his hand. When he gave it, she guided him to the living room. “Can I turn off the television?”
Dexter grabbed the remote and scanned until he found a music station. Russell was up, putting a lit match to the waiting kindling.
“That’s much better, but…” She went around the living area, turning out lights, leaving them with only the flame from the fireplace to see by. “I’ll be right back,” she told them.
Before she left, she went to each man and placed his right hand over his erection. When she returned, she carried a large bath towel folded over several times. She made a production of laying it on the coffee table before the men and, with a bit of flair, pulled back the covering layer of terry cloth.
Thea knew she’d gone a bit over the top with her purchases, but she saw the display and decided what the hell. Now, with her men staring at her new toys, she knew she’d done well. There were six toys and two bottles of lubricant. She dropped to the floor before the table with her back to the fire. She lifted first one then the next toy, holding it and weighing it in her hands.
She’d purchased two of each. The first ones were slim plastic dildos. The next two were more realistic cock-like vibrators. The last two were large dildos, ones that might have intimidated her before this vacation, but not anymore. She was done with being intimidated by sex, love, and lust.
“You both stopped stroking your cocks.” Thea continued to stroke the dildo she held as if it were a live cock. When she brought it to her lips, she watched for their reactions. Dexter seemed in shock, and Russell was smiling.
“You both have way too much clothing on. Why not strip down so I’m not the only one that’s all but nude?” Thea sat back and watched as the men struggled out of their clothing. “That evens us out a bit.” She licked the dildo. “What I really want is to watch you both stroke your cocks.”
