The Tangle In Toronto

By Reese Currie

It's Creigh's 50th birthday, and his wife Natalia has a few big surprises in mind, including a surprise party at Melvin's restaurant in Toronto. Unfortunately, Creigh's enemies have some surprises in mind as well, surprises that will put the entire agency in jeopardy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Reese Currie
• Release date: Dec 11, 2020
• ISBN: 9781005661915

Reese Currie

Reese Currie has had the creative writing bug in his soul from a very young age. Now in his middle age, he is finally releasing the floodgates on his passions, including his passion for fiction writing.

Book preview

Chapter One

I think I’m going to quit going to these sessions, Natalia said.

It was night-time and she was driving my Lincoln Continental back home from a Sexaholics Anonymous meeting. I looked over at her and waited for her to elaborate; her face was illuminated by the light of the instrument panel in a bluish hue. She glanced over at me, then back at the road.

I feel like my whole sexuality is being demonized, she said.

See, I think that was literally true before, I said. You saw what Barren really was.

She shook her head. I don’t know that she was a demon, she said. You and Frank Leard are convinced. What if she really was just an alien, who projected the appearance of a Tall White to be more attractive to you? I mean, who knows what a succubus really looks like, anyway?

Lucinda had blown Barren’s brains out before there could be an exorcism, so it really was something of an open question.

You’re still having sex with Lucinda, aren’t you? I asked calmly.

Natalia froze, which sort of answered my question before her words. Yes.

Is Dean still involved? I asked in a conversational tone, as if I was discussing the weather, not my best friend fucking my wife and her girlfriend in threesomes.

No, Natalia said. It was just that one time, never again.

He’s not even with Lucinda? I asked. I had Lucinda looking after Dean for a few days after he sustained a serious concussion at the hands of Barren.

No, Natalia replied. He’s still trying to train her now that he’s getting better. He hasn’t been able to tolerate the sound of gunfire at the range yet, though.

I sighed and looked at the fake wood on the dashboard in front of me.

I’m sorry, Natalia said.

I’m glad you were honest about it, I replied.

We sat in the relative silence of the quiet car for a few moments.

Maybe we should cancel that Toronto trip for my birthday tomorrow, I said.

No, Natalia said. People are—people are coming to see you.

I looked over at her face. She glanced at me, then shrugged one shoulder. This was supposed to be a surprise, but we have Melvin’s restaurant booked for a birthday party.

I looked out the window; I felt my eyes burning, watery.

You’ve helped a lot of people, Natalia said quietly.

Who’s coming? I asked, staring outside.

"Please, let there be some surprise, Natalia said. I don’t know for sure who is coming, anyway."

Who did you invite?

"Creigh, please," she said.

We arrived at the house; Natalia pulled into the driveway, then into the garage, and shut off the car. It’s hard getting used to using a push button instead of a shift lever to put the car in park, she said, trying to change the subject.

We sat in silence.

Do you really need to know that badly who’s coming? she asked.

Nah, surprise me, I said, and continued sitting.

Natalia sighed. It’s me and Lucinda, then, that’s bothering you.

That, I said, is not a huge surprise. I suspected it.

Natalia shook her head. It’s impossible to keep secrets from you, she said. Are we under surveillance?

No, I replied. There are just signs.

I opened my door and Natalia put her hand on my bicep.

There hasn’t been much intimacy between us, I know, Natalia said. Do you... do you want to make love tonight?

"That’s the last thing I was expecting," I said.

Well, now you know my secret, I’m not hiding it from you anymore, Natalia said. "Lucinda and I, we don’t want it be to exclusive, especially not exclusive of you."

I’m just not enough for you, I said.

"You’re not a woman, Creigh, Natalia said. I want a woman in my life, and a man. The only man I want is you."

I sat back in the passenger seat and looked at her.

I want to experience the whole range of my sexuality, Natalia said. I don’t want to be cutting off parts and leaving them on the floor at these meetings. I feel like I’m killing myself.

I don’t want you to feel that way, I said, shaking my head. I didn’t know what to do.

You can have me to yourself tonight, if you want, Natalia said. Or, if you want, I could call Lucinda and get her to come over. That might be more healing, for her and for you.

I pictured Lucinda’s dark body, naked in bed with us, and swallowed. I closed my eyes and thought back to the meeting we had just attended. How those people were so trapped by their sexual desires, how their desires controlled them. Not just them. Us, too.

Maybe just us would be better for tonight, Natalia said.

Call her, I said, my voice sounding rough. Or, do you want to go pick her up?

Natalia sighed nervously. She can take the van over.

Okay, I said. Whichever way she wants it.

Natalia withdrew the cell phone from her purse. I got out of the car and went into the house, to give them some privacy. I went into the kitchen and leaned against the counter, waiting for the results. I looked at the replacement cabinet door—Dean’s head had broken the last door, when he was thrown by Barren, and his head had impacted the counter and the floor on the way down.

Was I courting the same kind of problem again? Or was Barren in no way connected to our personal sexual practices, as Natalia believed?

It was taking a while; perhaps Lucinda was not as comfortable with this as Natalia had hoped.

I looked down at the floor

where Barren’s body had lain, dead, devoid of the illusions she had cast into our minds

and looked up suddenly when Natalia entered the kitchen.

She’s on her way over, Natalia said. My mouth went dry. No matter how many times we’d done this, it excited me every time.

Natalia held out her hand. Come on, let’s get ready for her, she said.

I took her hand, gently. My hands were not as bad as they had been as the swelling had gone down in my forearms, but they still had a sort of continual ache to them. She led me upstairs to the master bedroom, the one Jack had designed to have no windows. I had added my own sexual accessory, wall climbing bars, which Natalia and I had used a couple of times for bondage after she had first moved in, before the current sexual drought.

Getting ready, for me, was just a matter of taking my clothes off and putting on some nice boxers. Getting ready for Natalia was switching to some lingerie, a black bra and panty set that had a black, see-through veil hanging from the bra. She picked up some black stockings and held them up. Yay or nay? she asked.

It’s just more to take off of you, I said.

Like opening a Christmas present, she said. Yay or nay?

I looked at her thick legs; I loved them. Yay, I finally said, and watched raptly as she pulled up each of the stockings.

Okay, she said, standing and smiling at me.

I felt a cold, tingly thrill go through me when I heard the van rumbling in the driveway down below. The rumbling stopped as Lucinda turned off the ignition.

I’ll go let our guest in, Natalia said. Why don’t you lie down in the middle of the bed?

I positioned myself appropriately while Natalia turned. I watched her ass and the white strip of skin between her panties and the tops of her stockings as she went out the door. I heard her pad down the stairs in her stockinged feet and go to the front door in the kitchen. There was a low sound of the women talking, and a sound like a shopping bag crumpling. I heard them cross the living room, into the downstairs bedroom, which was now vacant. The door closed down there, and I heard feet padding up the stairs again.

Natalia came in the bedroom door. She’s getting ready, she said.

Getting ready?

She has some lingerie, too, Natalia said.

It’s like you two planned this, I said.

Not exactly, Natalia said. We had hopes that we might all be together again.

I heard Lucinda padding up the stairs. Natalia smiled, seeing a preview of what I would be seeing momentarily. I hope you like this, Natalia said.

Lucinda entered the room in her lingerie. It was the same as Natalia’s, except red instead of black, and she also had this long, pink feather. She looked over my body, gauging my reaction to her.

All right, Lucinda said. Let’s get this party started.

Chapter Two

The ladies lay on either side of me, and Lucinda began slowly running the long feather up and down my body. She could reach all the way to my toes with it, but mainly she ran it over my thighs, over my boxers, up my chest to my nipples, back down again. I looked over at Natalia and she kissed me; I looked to Lucinda and she kissed me. She was not stopping with the feather and it was heightening my senses to a fever pitch. When they judged that I was fully hard, the two of them gently took down my underwear.

Who’s first, sugar? Lucinda whispered to me.

Wait, I said. Take off each other’s stockings and panties.

I looked over to my bedside table, and grabbed a loose coin I’d left lying there as they positioned themselves. I watched Lucinda slowly take down Natalia’s stockings, her white legs emerging from beneath the black material. Then they switched and Natalia did the same for Lucinda.

I love seeing stockings come off, I groaned.

I know, Natalia said. Before we take off panties, who’s it going to be?

Heads, you, tails, Lucinda, I said.

They smiled, and I flipped the coin onto my belly, slapping it down so it didn’t fall off. I picked up the coin. Tails.

You happy with that, or disappointed? Lucinda asked.

Happy, I said, and Natalia pulled Lucinda’s panties slowly down her legs. After tossing the panties on the floor, Natalia gently pushed Lucinda’s legs open, and brought her head down to their juncture. Lucinda’s eyes closed and her legs shuddered as Natalia’s tongue made contact, and her hand flew to the back of Natalia’s head. She opened her eyes and stared into mine as my wife pleasured her from below.

She’s gettin’ me extra wet for you, Lucinda said, and licked her lips.

Natalia sat up and wiped her mouth, and Lucinda moved up the bed to straddle me. She put her lower lips on either side of my cock and slid up me, and in a deft move, took me inside her without ever touching me with her hands. Natalia started up the bed toward me as Lucinda raised and lowered herself on top of me.

I gestured at Lucinda’s bra and veil. Take it off her, I breathed. I want her naked.

Natalia knelt behind Lucinda and worked the clasp on the bra. Lucinda lifted her arms up straight and Natalia removed the bra and its veil from her body, and gently lay it down beside the bed. Lucinda returned her hands to my belly, and Natalia laid down beside me. She ran her fingers up Lucinda’s side and took her breast in her hand, turned, and kissed me, plunging her tongue into my mouth.

When our mouths parted, I nodded at Lucinda’s breast, encircled in Natalia’s hand. You can lick that if you want, I said. Natalia sat up and took Lucinda’s nipple into her mouth; Lucinda made a surprised sound of pleasure and her hand encircled the back of Natalia’s head. She looked down into my eyes, her mouth slightly open, and nodded her thanks.

I rested my hand on Lucinda’s thigh, and got my other hand beneath Natalia’s veil, running my hand up her back. I unfastened her bra one-handed—a good sign that my hands were improving. Lucinda paused to lift the bra up and over Natalia’s outstretched arms, then everyone resumed, Natalia with Lucinda’s breast, and Lucinda moving up and down on me.

Oh! Move aside, move aside, Lucinda said, gently pushing Natalia away from her nipple. She lowered herself over me, putting her hands on my shoulders, and began grinding on me with increased gusto, while Natalia watched us from the side. I was surprised to hear a slapping sound from down there, and realized that Natalia had slapped Lucinda’s ass. Lucinda’s reaction rippled through her; I could feel it inside her.

Again, again, Lucinda said, followed by a second loud slap, and then Lucinda’s body was shaking on top of me as she rode her orgasm. I fought my orgasm, wanting to save that for Natalia, but the sight of Lucinda’s come-face made it difficult. I turned my eyes away from her face to her beautiful, chocolate shoulder, and her breast pressed up against my chest, and lost it anyway, crying out with the power of my orgasm as I emptied inside her clenching pussy. I pressed my forehead into that aforementioned beautiful, chocolate shoulder, and rode her orgasmic wave with her.

When her orgasm was over, she laid on top of me, just breathing heavily. Am I crushin’ you, sugar? she asked breathlessly.

Not in a bad way, I replied, equally breathless.

She pushed herself up to a sitting position. That finally finishes what we started in that run-down, fuckin’ white supremacist’s motel, she said, still panting a little from the exertion, and a little sweaty. My dick jumped a little inside her, and she smiled. I’m glad you like what you see. Your hands gettin’ any better?

Yeah, I said, looking up at her. It’s slow, but they’re improving.

That’s good, Lucinda replied as she dismounted.

Push over a little, Natalia said, lying down next to me. I moved over to give her space. She pulled off her own panties and tossed them; they hung on the climbing bars beside the bed.

She reached up her arms for Lucinda, who came in and pressed down on her, their breasts pancaked together, their lips connected, their tongues moving from mouth to mouth. Lucinda moved down Natalia’s body, bringing her mouth to Natalia’s nipple. Natalia turned her head to me—her dark eyes were sparkling, radiant.

I have everything I want, Natalia said, and I kissed her, long and hard. When our lips parted, I looked down to see Lucinda’s tongue darting into Natalia’s navel, a small taste of what was to come. She moved her shoulders to the other side of Natalia’s thighs, lowered her head, and began giving her oral. Looking down Natalia’s belly to Lucinda’s face, I was seeing it from the same perspective Natalia was seeing it. This perspective caused my penis to jump in excitement. I moved my mouth down to Natalia’s nipple and flicked it with my tongue, but soon the sights and sounds of the women making love had me fully erect again, much to my surprise.

I sat up, and the eyes of both women widened when they found that I was hard.

Let’s change places, Lucinda said, moving out from between Natalia’s legs.

Is that what you want? I asked Natalia, who nodded quickly. I turned her on her side so she could more fully interface with Lucinda, put her right leg up on my left shoulder, and entered her, splitting bamboo style. This was less likely to give her a panic attack, since I wasn’t pressing down on top of her.

The women kissed, then looked up at me as I thrust into Natalia, Lucinda randomly running her hands over Natalia’s belly and breasts. Natalia’s eyes closed and she moaned as Lucinda took a nipple into her mouth.

Masturbate her, too, I instructed Lucinda, and her hand snaked down between Natalia’s legs. I felt her fingers grazing the side of my penis as we both worked toward Natalia’s orgasm.

Despite it being my second time this evening, I soon found I wasn’t going to be able to hold out, and was going to come before Natalia did. I leaned against her leg and squeezed as I started coming, crying out with a sort of agonized groan. Luckily my orgasm triggered hers, and she pulled Lucinda’s head into her breasts while she came.

The three of us stayed in the same position for a prolonged moment as we recovered, then Natalia released Lucinda’s head, and I pulled out of her, and sat at the end of the bed by the girls’ feet.

Man, you gonna be fifty tomorrow an’ you can still go twice, Lucinda said. That’s damn impressive.

I laid down across the foot of the bed. "Whether I can do that when I’m actually fifty remains to be seen," I said, looking at the ceiling. The bed shifted as Lucinda got off and walked around the end of the bed to the climbing bars.

Natalia tol’ me about these, Lucinda said, running her hand over the bars. She looked at me. Usin’ them for bondage, huh?

On occasion, I confirmed.

Hm, Lucinda said, running her hands over the bars again. I may have to be here, one of the times you two is tryin’ that.

Yeah, you might be the one tied to it next time, Natalia said.

Lucinda smiled thinly. Don’t mind if that’s the case, she said. You want me to go home?

Do you have your clothes for the trip tomorrow? I asked.

Natalia suggested I put my luggage in the back of the van, Lucinda confirmed.

The downstairs bedroom is free, I said. I glanced over at Natalia. I could go down there.

The clothes I was wearin’ are down in that room already, Lucinda said. I’ll see you all tomorrow mornin’.

She left the room, stark naked, and both Natalia and I watched her butt with equal appreciation as she went. I took the empty place beside Natalia.

She grabbed my face in both hands. I love you so much! she said, and peppered me with kisses. Thank you for understanding me!

I smiled and returned her kisses, until they became long kisses, cheques that I couldn’t cash tonight. Then we turned out the lights and went to sleep.

Chapter Three

After breakfast in the morning we stopped by Dean’s place to pick him up. I opened the trunk from inside the car and he dumped his luggage in. He closed the trunk and tried to open the Lincoln’s back door, but both of the ladies were already in there. He opened the passenger door, and, to his surprise, saw me in the driver’s seat.

Are you driving today? Dean asked.

Birthday surprise for myself, I said, holding up my hands. I’ll finally drive my own new car on a long trip.

Dean sat in the passenger seat. Works for me, he said, putting on his seat belt. He looked in the back seat again. I’m surprised you’ve got Lucinda already. Didn’t you need to backtrack to come get me?

Ah, we, ah, had her stay over last night, I said. Really slick cover story, I thought sarcastically.

Oh, I see, Dean said.

And he did see, and I could tell from the look on his face. He knew we’d had a three-way with Lucinda the night before, but from all appearances, he wasn’t that surprised and didn’t really care.

It helps that there isn’t a gear stick, I said, pressing the D button to put the car in Drive.

Cool feature, Dean commented. You know, it’s not the first car to have it. Some of the old Chryslers had push buttons, back in the, mm, mid-50’s I think.

Really? I said.

Am I not a font of useless information? Dean asked.

After we’d been driving for five minutes, I said, The buttons worked with Chrysler’s PowerFlite transmission.

Dean laughed. You bastard. You knew all along.

I’m more surprised you knew, I said. Not too many Chryslers in England.

None at all, really, Dean agreed.

I navigated an on-ramp and we were suddenly on the highway. I goosed the accelerator pedal and we were rapidly up to speed. Damn, this is fast.

I told you you’d like it, Dean said. Rides like a dream, too.

How are you doing? I asked.

His eyes clouded over a little. Not that good, to be honest.

What’s wrong? I asked. I heard about the problem with noise at the range.

Yeah, well, that’s actually the less disturbing part, Dean said. I’m pretty much assured the noise thing will get better.

What else is wrong? I asked.

I—can’t smell anything, Dean said.

Really?

Dean nodded. You could shit your pants right now, and I’d be none the wiser.

I smiled. The girls would let you know.

Dean chuckled momentarily. Taste is gone, too. Taste has to do with smell.

Shit, I said. Really? I added stupidly.

Yeah, I can’t tell a Guinness from a Budweiser or a Coors Lite, Dean said.

That has to really suck, I said. You’re a beer aficionado.

Yeah, and now, spread that out to everything you eat, Dean said. Everything’s insipid. There are consistency differences, but no taste difference. I can pick up a little bit of a difference with spicy foods.

You never really liked spicy stuff, I said.

I still don’t, but at least there’s a hint of a flavor difference, Dean said.

All that scent stuff in the brain, it’s like, right where your nose is, I said. I mean, you couldn’t have hit it in my kitchen.

I know, and yet, here we are, Dean said.

Any theory at all as to how it happened?

Dean shrugged. The doctor thinks it may have gotten damaged from the swelling.

Any chance it will get better in time?

Dean shook his head. The doctor won’t commit to it.

Damn it, Dean, I said. I’m so sorry.

Dean squinted. Why are you sorry?

If it hadn’t been for me falling for that demon, Barren, this wouldn’t have happened to you.

Dean shrugged. Evil beings... evil people, for that matter... they’re bound to get after us, doing what we’re doing. We should be counting our lucky stars we all got out of that whole thing alive. That doesn’t happen every time.

True enough, I allowed. I had seen plenty of situations go the other way, and had lost plenty of friends over the years. I hoped that kind of thing would never happen again.

Dean looked in the back seat. Hey, I didn’t thank you for looking after me through the concussion.

You’re welcome, Lucinda said. I ain’t thanked you for the trainin’ yet, either.

Thank me when it’s done, Dean said with a smile.

How’s that going? I asked them.

Well, it’s been right on schedule, from my perspective, Dean said. Well, up until this damn concussion. But, we’re only behind on guns. Which reminds me, are you carrying today?

Er, no, I said.

Get a load of this, Dean said. I thought you’d really like this.

He reached down and unbuckled an ankle holster. This is a Sig Sauer P938 Legion nine-millimetre micro-pistol. It’s all metal and it’s single-action only, like a 1911. You carry it cocked and locked, just like a 1911.

I glanced at it. That’s really nice. Totally illegal in Canada, though.

Except for us prohibited license holders, with concealed carry permits, Dean said. It weighs 454 grams, comes with three seven-round magazines. Do you like it?

I took another, longer look at the pistol, then looked back at the road. "That is really nice."

Happy birthday, Dean said.

Oh, really? I said; I felt my face beaming. What a nice present! Thank you!

It’s one way to keep you from using a five-shot revolver for your concealed carry, Dean said.

I laughed. I really appreciate that, I said. I like a 1911-style gun. I didn’t know there was anything like that in a micro-pistol.

There’s a magazine in it, I have two other magazines in my pocket, Dean said. I’ll give you those when we get to Toronto.

Am I depriving you of your carry piece? I asked.

No, I’ve got a Ruger LC9 on my other ankle, Dean replied. I like striker-fired guns. I don’t need something 1911-like.

Well, I really appreciate it, I said.

Dean looked into the back seat. "Every one of us—well, those of us who are agents, I mean—should have some kind of carry piece at all times."

Why? Lucinda asked.

Because we can, Dean replied. "It’s remarkable what a dangerous position Canada puts its citizens in by denying them armed self-defense with arbitrary and stupid gun control. Everybody who legally can should be carrying."

He sniffed and added, It’s why I left England. It’s why terrorists thrive there, with acid attacks and whatnot. The government is basically complicit through the stupidity of their gun control laws.

We listened to the road noise for a few moments while we continued down the highway.

By the way, Natalia, Dean continued, did Creigh tell you he likes Trudeau?

Natalia laughed. He did not mention that, she said. Man, he likes Trudeau, he’s willing to call Frank Leard ‘Father.’ Did the aliens replace you with a clone?

I was actually really glad she could joke about the aliens now.

I met the Prime Minister to see about keeping the agency going, on Carl’s behalf, I said, hearing the defensiveness in my own voice. And yeah, I did like him. Do I like every single policy? No. Did I ask him to lay off on gun control? Yes.

"How do you think that went?" Natalia asked.

Eh, remains to be seen, I admitted. He said I’d always be able to get what I wanted, but that doesn’t help anybody else.

Chapter Four

We arrived in Toronto, found a parking garage and parked. I put on the ankle holster with my new Sig P938, pulled down my pants-leg to hide it, and accepted the two extra magazines from Dean.

I had never carried concealed in my life; it had never been legal for me to do so previously. I wondered why Jack never extended these privileges to me, then remembered that Jack was a sadistic son of a bitch.

Dean and I followed the girls around one of the malls.

I’m having a hard time getting used to walking around carrying, I admitted to Dean.

Mm-hm, you keep waiting to get tackled by law enforcement, or for the gun to be detected, Dean said.

Exactly, I agreed. How does one get over that?

I don’t know if you ever do, Dean said. Just remember, you’re one of the very rare Canadian citizens with licensing for this stuff.

We stayed in the hall and watched Natalia and Lucinda go into a store and start browsing through a display of summer dresses.

Do you know about the thing tonight at Melvin’s place? I asked.

Yeah, that was supposed to be a surprise for you, Dean said. How did you find out?

I thought back to my conversation with Natalia. I, uh, suggested cancelling this trip, and she told me that people were coming to this thing tonight.

Dean examined my face curiously. Why?

I don’t know, I guess somebody likes me? I said.

Dean laughed. No, why did you suggest cancelling?

Before we go there, do you know who all is invited? I asked.

No idea, Dean replied. Natalia managed all that. Why did you want to cancel?

I sighed. Natalia said she wanted to quit going to the Sexaholics Anonymous meetings. In the course of the discussion I verified that she was still having sex with Lucinda.

Oh, Dean said.

Did you know? I asked.

No, Dean replied. I, uh, haven’t touched either of them since Barren was killed.

I didn’t doubt that, but thanks for saying, I said. Nothing, ah, no flirting ever happened, when Lucinda was looking after you?

Dean sighed. Even if I’d wanted a roll in the hay with Lucinda, I couldn’t have done it. My brains were just killing me. But, no, there was no flirting either way.

Dean started to say more but winced, and clammed up.

What? I asked.

It’s not a nice thing to say on a guy’s birthday, Dean complained.

Nah, tell me.

When we had our threesome, I, ah...

You came inside Natalia, I said.

I should have known you knew that, Dean said.

I shrugged.

Anyway, that demonstrated that I was more interested in Natalia than her, Dean said. I— he started to add, then trailed off again.

What?

I was inside them both, but finished with Natalia, Dean said. His face was red with embarrassment.

We were all under Barren’s influence, I said.

I don’t know if we were, Dean said. All of our sexual boundaries were gone, I know that.

Mine, too, obviously, I said. I was the one fucking what I thought was an alien.

I was mad about that, Dean said. Maybe my anger at you was part of why I participated in that threesome with them.

Barren was interested in having us all at loggerheads, I commented. I forgive all that, you know that, right?

I know, Dean said. That’s why I’m still on this side of the sod.

Hardly, I said. I wouldn’t have done anything violent, but I think if I tried, I’d be the one who’s dead.

You’re better than you think, Dean commented. After a pause, he said, Given that we’re all here together, I guess they invited you in to their relationship?

Yeah, I said, shaking my head. I took them up on their offer last night.

I figured the sleepover was not without sex, Dean said.

I could tell you knew as soon as you heard about it, I replied.

You’re still doing everything you can to keep her, I take it, Dean said.

Yeah, I said. Natalia’s my weakness.

Your strength, too, Dean commented.

I nodded my head. Yeah, I guess you’re right about that. I sighed and added, I don’t know what I’d ever do without her.

Not something to contemplate before you have to, Dean said. So, I guess you don’t think your threesomes with them pose any danger of drawing demons anymore?

I don’t know, I replied helplessly. She offered me sex, then said it would be more healing for me and Lucinda if she was there to participate.

So you made the decision to bring Lucinda in for the threesome, Dean said.

Yeah, I admitted, then shook my head.

What if she wants to stretch the boundaries further? Dean asked.

What do you mean?

What if she wants to be with women beyond Lucinda, or even men?

I think I’d have to draw the line at men, I said.

But women?

I considered this silently.

The lines you draw are pretty dotty lines, Creigh, Dean said. This might go places you don’t want it to go.

I know, I said, sounding agonized.

You have to be honest with her when what she wants makes you uncomfortable, Dean said.

Well, I don’t know that it will ever go beyond this tripod, I said. Last night, during sex, she said that she had everything she wanted.

Maybe it does stop here, and that’s all she wants, Dean said. Are you comfortable with it? In your heart of hearts?

You want to know what she said? I asked. She said she wants to experience the whole range of her sexuality. She said she feels like she was cutting off parts and leaving them on the floor at the meetings. She said she felt like she was killing herself.

Whoa, Dean said, quietly.

I can’t let my wife feel like that, I said. "Maybe bisexuality wasn’t a part of her when we got together, but it is now, and I don’t think I have the right to deprive her of being who she is."

But, by insisting on having a female partner for herself, is she not doing that to you? Dean asked.

I don’t know, I said helplessly. I mean, I’m going to be honest with you, I really enjoy the sex.

I’ve told you that before, Dean said. You like having two women in bed with you. The problem is that religious guilt you get from doing it.

Yeah, I said. "I certainly can’t give up my faith, but I can’t give up Natalia either. And the two things are sort of bound together, right? I have a vocation to her, to love her and protect her. I’m her husband. I can’t let her feel like she’s killing herself, giving up—"

I paused, unable to continue, knowing how ridiculous what I was going to say next would sound.

Sex with women, Dean finished for me.

I hung my head. Yeah.

Dean shook his head. I don’t know, maybe you should talk to Father Leard frankly when you get back home.

You know what he’s going to say, I said.

Maybe he can give you more things to think about, Dean said. The girls are coming.

I looked up and Natalia and Lucinda came out of the store, with a new dress each.

Chapter Five

Our next stop was the hotel so the ladies could change into their new dresses before the party.

You got yourself a present for my birthday, I joked.

"Yeah, I’m hoping your present will arrive at the party," Natalia said as she put on her dress.

I frowned and stroked my beard, trying to think of what my present might be. That’s kind of expecting pinpoint accuracy from a delivery service, I said. And after five, too.

Nah, nah, nah, Natalia said with a smile. You’re not going to coax this out of me and ruin your surprise.

I sighed. You like to keep me guessing.

No, I want you to stop guessing, Natalia said. There’s no way you’d get it right anyway. How do I look?

It was a little black dress on the moderate plus size. It showed shoulder and cleavage, and stopped high on the thigh. Pretty sexy for a birthday party, I commented. Wait—is this my present? Do I get to unwrap you later?

Stop guessing! Natalia admonished me, holding up her finger, but smiling.

I thought it over and said, "You and Lucinda?"

Natalia looked at me sternly. Stop guessing.

I playfully threw my hands up in the air. All right! I said.

Just then there was a knock on the door. I was up, and closer to the door, and I checked the peephole. Lucinda.

Okay, let her in, Natalia said.

Lucinda entered the room. She had on the same dress, except in white.

I blew out my breath. Yin and yang, I said.

The girls did little turns so I could see them all the way around.

You know, I’d hate to be late to my own party, but, I joked.

You keep your yang in your pants, Lucinda replied, but she was obviously pleased with my reaction. So I take it you think we look good?

Oh, yeah, I agreed. Really good. Very sexy.

Thank you, sugar, Lucinda said.

I look under-dressed to be hanging out with you two, I said, looking down at myself.

I put a nice suit in the trunk of the car, Natalia said.

My rescuer, I said.

And, she really was, you know. I rescued her from being a werewolf, and she rescued me from Jack’s thugs in Collections.

Whew, Lucinda said.

What?

I know I’m the second banana in this little thing we got, but man, I would love it if a man ever looked at me like you just looked at Natalia, Lucinda said. Natalia blushed.

I’d better go get my suit, I said. I hope it still fits. I’m expanding a bit.

It’s—the suit in the car is new, Natalia said.

"And that’s my birthday present," I replied.

Not entirely, Natalia said, but, it’s the first part. Happy birthday.

There’s more? I said.

You’ll see later, Natalia said.

I sighed in frustration. All right. I left the room to go to the parking garage and get my new suit.

# # #

You havin’ any second thoughts? Lucinda asked.

No, Natalia said a bit uncertainly, then followed up with a more definite "No. I’m going to do this. We’re going to do this."

Well, it remains to be seen if we’re gonna be successful, Lucinda said. You know, that was some serious look he gave you. We might have as much fun just havin’ a night with Creigh, or, you and Creigh by yourselves.

Natalia shook her head resolutely. No, I liked your idea, and we’re going to try it. I want to open up a new horizon. He might not like the idea at first, but he’ll warm to it. He always does.

Lucinda sighed nervously. I know it was my idea, but I’m worried he might think we’re takin’ him for granted.

Natalia walked over to Lucinda, grabbed her face in her hands, and gave her a quick kiss. He’ll be fine with it. In fact, he’ll love it. It will turn him on as much as it does us. For all his religious sentiment, he’s as pervy as either of us. Moreso, even.

Lucinda chuckled. Look, if you decide you want to abort at any time, I’ll go along with it.

No, even if I have to abort, you can carry on, Natalia said.

Yeah, but, if he don’t like what I’m doin’, I want to be able to get back in his bed, too, Lucinda said.

Natalia held her shoulders firmly. It will be fine. Then she pulled Lucinda in and hugged her tight. It’s such a good idea. He’ll love it. Maybe not at first, but ultimately, he’ll love it. It will charge him up as much as it does us.

She released Lucinda and looked her up and down. You really are hot in that dress.

Yeah, it seriously works on you, too, Lucinda said. We could—

We could what?

We could just give up and do Creigh together when he gets back, Lucinda said. "That is a sure thing. And a hell of a birthday present."

It’s not as good as what he’s going to get, Natalia said. Believe me. You’ll know when you see.

All right, Lucinda said.

Maybe you have a little bit of nerves about it yourself, Natalia said.

Don’t you?

Yeah, I’m nervous as a schoolgirl, Natalia admitted. But the nervousness is part of what makes it exciting. Like, what a reward we’ll have if they agree and it happens.

Lucinda flapped her hands in front of her face. It feels like we’re a couple of groupies.

Natalia smiled. We’ll be fine.

There was a beep as Creigh’s key opened the lock.

# # #

I came in with my new suit in its garment bag. I looked at the ladies and they seemed sort of flustered. What’s up with you two? I asked. Thinking about my offer?

They glanced in each others’ eyes. Well, we did discuss it, Natalia admitted, but we’re really excited to see you get your present.

I shook my head. You’re going to torture me with that until I get it, I see.

It’s like a fine wine, Natalia said. You don’t open it before its time.

Hm, I said. That’s reminiscent of Orson Welles.

Natalia laughed. It is?

Yeah, he did some commercials for wine where he said something like that, I said.

I’ll take your word for it, Natalia said. It’s before my time.

It is not, I said. It was the late seventies, early eighties.

It’s before my time, Lucinda chipped in as she sat down in a chair.

Are you just going to sit there and watch me change? I asked.

"Ain’t nothin’ I ain’t seen before, an’ nothin’ I don’t like the look of, ’specially on your body," Lucinda said.

I paused, looking at her.

Hey, I’m showin’ you my stuff, she added, gesturing at all the flesh her dress showed. Why don’t you show me yours?

I sighed, shook my head, and started taking my clothes off, down to my underwear; then I put on the new suit, which was nice black suit, with a white shirt and a black tie.

The ladies both came over and gave me a good once over.

This looks great on you, honey, Natalia said.

Well, let’s call Dean and get going over to Melvin’s place, I said.

Chapter Six

Wow, you two are looking good, Dean said when he joined us in our room.

What am I, chopped meat? I asked.

Black suit, BFD, Dean said dismissively.

BFD?

Jesus, Creigh, get with the modern world, would you? Dean said. It means ‘big fucking deal.’

He surprised me into laughing—my body shook with laughter. We all laughed; I’m not sure we all shook. I think the ladies’ dresses hugged their bodies too tightly for anything to jiggle, even if they did shake.

Well, you’re looking good even if I’m chopped meat, I said, gesturing to his suit. I didn’t know you brought a suit.

Of course, Dean said. I’m not a fucking Philistine, like some people I could mention.

I didn’t even have a suit that still fit me, I said. Well, except for funeral home suits. This one is a birthday present from Natalia.

Well, in that case, I guess I should say it’s very nice, Dean replied.

It’s a down payment on your birthday present from both of us, Natalia said.

Oh? Dean said. What present is that?

Ah, she won’t tell us, I said. Unless, you’re willing to tell now that Dean’s here?

Natalia frowned, crossed her arms, and comically tapped her toe on the floor.

I guess not, I said.

Natalia smiled. You’ll love it more when you get it.

I gave an exaggerated sigh. All right.

I looked around at all of us and said, I wish we had valet parking. We all look a little too good to climb around a parking garage.

I had to go a little cheaper on the hotel to be a little closer to the restaurant, Natalia said. It’s not that far. We could walk.

I looked at Dean, who shrugged. There might not be parking any closer to the restaurant than here.

I looked down at the women’s feet. You okay walking that far in new heels? I asked.

"It’s really not that far," Natalia replied.

I really don’t know how close it is, I said.

Inside of five minutes walk, Natalia said.

"I just don’t want sore feet, um, precluding any activities later," I said.

"Oh, I thought you was thinkin’ of us," Lucinda joked.

I smiled. "Well, I am, in a way."

Yeah, I know you are, Lucinda said, and ran her hand down my forearm.

I’d say get a room, if you hadn’t already gotten a room, Dean interjected, and we laughed.

I’m good with walkin’ if you are, Natalia, Lucinda said.

I am, she confirmed.

Well, then, let’s go, I said.

Dean pointed at my ankle. Do you have my present?

What, do you think I’m going to leave a prohibited weapon in the room? I replied. Please.

He continued looking at my ankle. I sighed and lifted my pant-leg to show the Sig. Satisfied?

Completely, Dean said. Let’s go.

We left the room and went to the elevator. The door opened and there were other people going down. We got aboard and didn’t do any talking. One of the men checked out Natalia’s legs. I didn’t take offence; they were there to be seen. We got off the elevator and headed through the lobby. The guy who had been gawking at Natalia’s legs ran into someone’s luggage.

When we came out the doors I said, Looks like your dress is working.

What? asked Natalia.

That guy who just bumped into someone’s luggage? I said. He was checking you out.

Oh, Natalia replied, and laughed.

Your legs, specifically, I added.

Do I have nice legs? Natalia asked.

Yes, Dean and I said in unison.

Do I? Natalia asked Lucinda.

I think so, too, Lucinda replied.

Natalia paused and looked down at her legs. I didn’t realize they were ‘nice’.

We gonna talk about your fuckin’ legs all the way to the restaurant? Lucinda interjected.

There was a moment of shock, in which we