Chapter 9

Becky, wearing her new Bikini beneath her light beach robe, waited for Rudy to finish getting ready for the party. He was in the bathroom, she knew, applying fresh glue to his scalp so his hair piece would stay in place.

Since he got it he spends more time in there than I do, she thought. He's as fastidious as some women I know. I wish he'd lose it in the pool ... maybe Tina wouldn't find him so appealing.

He came out of the bathroom at last. He, too, wore a beach robe over his swim-trunks. She thought he acted a little tense. She herself was quite relaxed. She had sneaked a jolt of vodka after dinner....

"That big-shot brother of mine came by the office today," he said, flatly. He smoothed his hair again.

Her heart gave a little jump. "Oh? Why are you such enemies, anyway?"

He looked at her sharply. "I don't recall that I ever mentioned his name around you."

"Honey, I lived in Spokane for years, just like you. I've heard about the Finch Motels-one of my friends mentioned it...."

He muttered under his breath. Ordinarily, she would have dropped the subject. His scowl indicated that he would like to talk about something else. But, after all, he had brought it up.

"I just can't understand why you hate him!" she said, boldly. "Did you-always?"

He flushed. "You never had an older sister who always did better than you, did you?" His voice turned sour. "Zane was always the top dog. I was always 'little brother.' I don't know why the hell he ever came through Pender, anyway!"

"I wouldn't mind meeting him sometime, at least," she went on, some of her accumulated anger leaking into her tones. "Are you ashamed of him?"

"Drop it, will you?" he snapped. "We don't get along, that's all!"

She had a sudden idea. She had made her own assessment of Zane. He liked Rudy in spite of the younger brother's resentment. He was actually going to help him. And she wanted to get in one parting shot. Like most men Rudy had an oversupply of vanity.

"Did he notice your hair piece?" she asked, lightly.

He went rigid. His face turned white. She saw his hands knot and for one wild moment she thought he was going to strike her. She had never seen him so enraged.

"What we talked about is my own damn business!" he shouted.

"All right!" she flared back. "I guess we'd better go to the party if we're going."

He mouthed a curse and snatched up the towels she had laid across the back of the sofa. "You're getting awfully damned wise all of a sudden!"

"I'm the new Mrs. Rudy Finch-didn't you know? Switchable, available Becky. Your party wife. Isn't that what you want me to be?"

"Come on," he growled.

She rose slowly. She realized she had bested him in another argument. And this seemed to peel another layer from his essential manhood. Ever since her mention of the invitation he had been eager to go over to the Walters. Obviously he wanted very much to be with Tina-and he was willing to sacrifice his pride as a husband to do it. He had to have that carpeting-and-appliance deal. That made it somehow almost respectable.

Rudy knew I talked to Zane, admired him, he would probably blow a gasket. I truly hope Zane kidded him about his silly wig. But I doubt it. Zane isn't that kind of man. He probably wanted simply to see him. What could be more natural...?

The lights about the Walters' pool were very dim and the far reaches of the enclosure lay in complete darkness. All four sat in deck chairs near the rim of the pool, drinks in hand. The portable bar was handily nearby.

Becky was pleased to have the additional vodka. She felt she would need quite a bit of it in view of what lay ahead. She hadn't yet removed her beach robe, but she sat with her legs crossed, the robe hem carelessly apart in front. Gene, sitting beside her, had been ogling her ever since she and Rudy arrived.

"Heard you got a new Bikini, Becky," Gene said slyly. "When do we see it?"

"I was thinking about a strip tease with my robe first," she answered. Be bright and gay and suggestive.

Tina giggled. She still wore her robe, too. "Why don't we give the boys a little show?"

"Hear, hear!" Rudy exclaimed. The men wore only their swim-trunks.

"Irene should have given you two a few ideas," Gene added.

Becky stood up immediately. She tried to think of something real daring to say. She glanced over at a smiling Tina, who was already leaving her deck chair. "Come on, honey! Let's give the boys a real battery-charging!"

Tina laughed. "The way you talk!"

Gene bellowed. "This girl is really getting the swing of things!"

Becky posed in front of him. She wriggled her hips and fluttered her tongue between her lips. He gulped the rest of his highball and leaned forward. Rudy appeared just a little puzzled at her words and actions.

I'll show him! she thought, the liquor fizzing in her veins. I can be just as sexy as the next girl. I'm no raving beauty but I do have a good figure!

Earlier, in the bedroom at home, she had put the Bikini on for the first time and surveyed herself in the full-length mirror that stood near her vanity. She was slim and leggy, firm-fleshed. Her bottom had a smooth roundness and the mini-halter shaped her breasts into pointed peaks of allure. She had picked a bright-red ensemble, and had worn lipstick that matched.

I'll tease Gene till he's frantic, she thought. And while I do it I hope I have some fun myself. Who around here cares about love? Maybe I can swing another big deal for good old Crest Stores ... bring around another handsome customer, Rudy! Bring on the vodka, too. What is sacred any more?

While you're about it, why not send a few needy girls my way? Maybe I can thrill them, too! What's a little lesbianism between friends ... between a husband and wife?

Tina glided over in front of Rudy. The stage was set. Becky wasn't sure just how she would proceed, but she let her imagination work. Everyone had seen Irene perform; perhaps the boys would appreciate something a little different!

She decided also to try to find out before the evening was over whether Tina or Gene had sent those combustible pictures. Someone who knew her had a mean purpose in mind.

She unbelted her beach robe, took one fold in each hand and, while she rolled her hips around, gave the boys flashes of her nearly nude figure. Tina watched her, giggling, and did the same for Rudy.

"I can't see enough!" Gene protested.

"You will before long, honey!" she answered, arching her breasts forward, opening the halves of the robe and then closing them again. The sway of her hips seemed to come easily, naturally. She began to feel mildly stimulated.

Even in the subdued light she saw Gene's manhood enlarging itself inside his swim trunks.

She moved a little closer, curving her loins inward as though she were receiving a lover....

"Great-great!" Gene exploded.

"Take it off!" Rudy said to Tina.

Becky noticed that the blonde's robe was wide open now and she was churning her hips at Rudy in a wildly suggestive series of gyrations. Her full breasts bobbed up and down, barely remaining inside the restraining band of yellow cloth.

Finally Becky dropped her robe.

Gene whistled.

"Rest time!" Becky cried, a little breathless from the stimulative squirmings. "I need a drink!"

Tina laughed, shedding her robe, too. "Good idea, honey. Make the boys wait a while!"

Gene reached for Becky, but she retreated, smiling, toward the bar. Tina followed.

"Isn't this fun?" the blonde asked, standing close to Becky. She whispered. "You're very lovely tonight, sweet!"

Becky remembered their hectic few moments in the bathroom. Tina's jasmine perfume reminded her of what they had done.

With the liquor giving wings to her thoughts she admitted now that she had enjoyed it-that she would even welcome it again. Why not? What did anything matter? She would be cheating on Rudy in a different way....

She had heard somewhere that slender leggy girls were more inclined toward lesbianism than the more rounded plump types, but she didn't really believe it-she thought perhaps there might be latent tendencies in nearly all girls. Who thought anything about two girls chumming intimately? Light kisses, touching hands ... and no danger of getting preg?

The way I feel now I don't want Rudy's child....

And where was Zane? Miles away now, and she would never see him again ... I know he could give me a wonderful thrill! Why were things always so mixed up?

"I like your Bikini," Becky whispered.

Tina giggled, swaying against Becky. The touch of her soft hip was naughtily exciting.

"After a while let's give the boys a real show," Becky suggested.

Tina's green eyes sparkled. "I'm for it. What'll we do?"

"I'll clue you in."

Tina's velvety hip pressed Becky's again. "I want to go in and freshen up pretty soon in the bathroom. Okay?"

Becky knew what she meant. "All right."

"Shhhh! Here come the boys...."

Becky winked at the blonde. She realized that the last time with Rudy had left her disappointed, frustrated ... Perhaps her experience with Tina had caused part of that, but right now she didn't care. The wiggling and weaving had warmed her body, her thoughts. All systems were go. Be a space-age girl! Have fun, fun!

Gene came up behind Becky, his arms sliding around her waist. She weaved herself in a flirty manner.

"Mix me a drink, honey," she said.

"That little Bikini of yours is driving me crazy," he murmured in her ear.

"Never rush a good thing," she said boldly so that Rudy could hear. He stood beside Tina, his hand on her curvy bottom. She giggled as usual....

After two more drinks apiece, and more horseplay, Becky announced that the girls were ready for another show. She placed the men in chairs facing the tiled edge of the pool and drew Tina with her to their impromptu stage. Slow, draggy music drifted from the Walters' stereo, a portable set up outside for the occasion.

The air was still warm. A few stars spotted the evening sky. The faint roar of an invisible jet came from far away.

The fresh supply of vodka made Becky feel extremely reckless. She was used to wearing her mini-Bikini, now. A relaxed party atmosphere added to her feeling of elation.

"Now, we'll show you boys how two girls can dance!" Becky said, laughing.

Gene whooped and applauded. Rudy's grin was very wide. She could tell that he was getting potted. Tina had been mixing his drinks, making them very heavy. Gene was more conservative with his consumption of alcohol.

Becky faced Tina and began to rotate her hips in time to the music. The blonde laughed and caught on right away.

Becky moved closer. She swung her body freely, eyes fastened on the bounce and sway of Tina's breasts, on her soft, parted lips, on the curve of her femininity so clearly outlined by the patch of yellow cloth.

Tina spread her thighs just a little, her hips arching forward-and Becky experienced a sharp wave of longing. Her breasts firmed and her nipples tingled.

I'm getting hot, Becky thought.

"Man, oh man!" Gene exclaimed. "You gals ought to hire out for stag shows!"

"We're just starting," Becky cried, imitating Tina's suggestive hip-thrusts. The girls were only about a foot apart now.

A memory of those glossy photos ran through her, and she felt a stab of naked lust. She began to wonder if perhaps she might not enjoy Tina more than she would her husband!