Chapter 10

Rusty noted only two place settings on the dinner table. "Isn't Sage going to eat with us?"

David poured two glasses of wine and continued to prepare the salad. "She went out earlier," David replied. "She has a date with a pretty young black woman she met recently."

Rusty lifted one eyebrow. "Oh? Is that why you let her live here?"

He grinned. "She goes both ways, Rusty. I let her live here because she's a good friend. And just about the best research assistant I've ever had."

"You look very domestic, and yet masculine," she said. "Interesting."

"Some of the best chefs are men, who are also notorious skirt chasers."

"I know. I wonder if they aren't trying to reassure themselves of their masculinity. Does Sage warm your bed?"

"Do I detect a hint of jealousy?"

She shook her head. "No. I'm just curious. Brenda Holloway pissed me off, flaunting the fact that you fuck her. But that's because I don't like her. I like Sage."

"Past tense, Rusty," he said. "Brenda is history. Sage and I don't often make it to bed. She has a little quirk. When she makes it with another girl, she needs a man badly, as soon as possible. She has a habit of getting me wherever I am."

"She might be out of luck tonight," she chuckled. "If you haven't changed your mind about having me for dessert."

"I haven't." He opened the oven door and checked the quiche. "I seldom talk to anyone about my private life. Sage, sometimes, and then not in much depth."

"I'm not prying, David," she said. "If you don't want to tell me something, don't. I ask questions because I'm interested, and want to know about you. But only what you want to tell me. Have you and Sage ever shared a woman?"

"You mean at the same time? A threesome?"

"Yeah, I guess that could have two answers, couldn't it? If you will, answer both ways."

"Yes and yes. A woman I dated a few times took a shine to Sage. I had no idea she went both ways. I began to think she did when she started asking questions."

Rusty cut in, "If you're asking me if I'm bi, the answer is no. Curious, perhaps, but I've never done anything about it." She grinned. "I'll tell you anything you want to know. You can find out all my secrets simply by asking."

"I'll remember that," he said. "Anyway, Sage and the woman had a few rounds of mattress mambo, then the three of us had a few rounds."

"What happened to her?"

"She married and moved across the country. Talking to you is a lot easier than I thought it would be. Have you ever been in a threesome?"

"Thank you. A few times. Both ways. Another woman and me with a man, and two men and me."

"Which do you like the most?"

"Well, they're both interesting. I feel useless, just standing around while you do the work. Are you sure there isn't something I can do?"

"Not much to do, really," he replied. "I'll be through in a couple of minutes, then we just have to wait for the quiche to finish baking."

"One halfway decent woman can usually wipe out the best stud, so sharing a man gives each woman one quick ride. Two men can give a good woman almost as much as she wants."

"Almost, huh?" he laughed.

"What can I say?" she said with a big grin. "You've had me only once, but you ought to know my appetite."

"So, you're saying that you prefer a threesome with two men."

"Well, not really. It all depends on the situation."

The timer and the doorbell rang simultaneously.

"Damn," David muttered. "I'm not expecting anyone. Will you take the quiche out of the oven? I'll get rid of whoever it is, and be right back. Probably that asshole Detective Gordon."

Rusty took the quiche out of the oven and followed David to the front door. "Hello, Celeste," she said.

"Hi, Rusty. I just stopped by to visit. I didn't know that David had company. I'll run along so I won't screw up your plans."

"We were just about to eat," Rusty said. "David, aren't you going to invite your sister to eat with us?"

"You don't mind?" he said. "Of course, I don't."

"No, that's okay," Celeste said. "I don't want to be a nuisance." She looked at David and smirked. "You go ahead. Three's a crowd."

"Oh, not always." Rusty smiled mischievously. "I think we can remain decent during dinner. David didn't fix a dessert, but he did cook what he calls his famous quiche. Have you ever had it?"

"No," Celeste replied.

Rusty took her hand. "Neither have I. Come along, and we'll try it together."

David swatted Celeste playfully on the ass. "You behave yourself, or I'll exercise my prerogative as your big brother and spank your pretty ass."

"Promises, promises," Celeste giggled.

David set another place and served dinner. He held Rusty's chair for her. She nodded, and he went around the table and held Celeste's chair.

"Thank you for inviting me to stay," Celeste said. "I hope I don't cramp your style."

"Are you easily embarrassed?" Rusty said.

Celeste shot David a quick look and smiled coyly. He knew she was thinking of their little escapade in front of Sage the day before. He shrugged slightly.

"No, not really," Celeste replied.

"David and I were talking about threesomes," Rusty said. "Did we cover the subject to your satisfaction, dear?"

"This is the second time in two days that two women have trapped me," David said.

Rusty lifted her eyebrow. "Oh, really? You must tell me about the other one. Not that I intended to trap you this time. I was merely bringing your sister up to speed on our conversation. Conversations are like movies. Arriving in the middle and not knowing what's going on is awkward."

"You have a mischievous streak," David said. "We could talk about something else."

"You ought to know that I can be downright naughty, darling," Rusty laughed. "I want to finish our conversation about threesomes before we talk about something else."

Celeste opened her mouth only to put food in it. Rusty had confirmed that she and David were lovers. She had no idea what Rusty was trying to do, but suspected it would be interesting.

David knew when he had lost the battle. He did the intelligent thing, and retreated. "Well, let's see," he said. "I asked if you preferred two men, and you said it depends on the situation."

"Celeste, do you live an active life?" Rusty said. "Are you adventurous? Or would you rather not answer in front of your brother?"

"I don't mind answering," Celeste said. "I've been trying to convince my brother that I'm a grown woman. I think I made a little progress yesterday. I have nothing to hide from him."

"I've heard that before," David mumbled. "I had no idea that women who barely know each other could be so much a-like. Is there a book you all read? Or maybe it's in your genes. Will one of you explain it to me?"

Rusty ignored his question. "This progress you made yesterday, did it involve Sage?"

"Sort of," Celeste replied. "She helped, but she was basically only an observer."

"You're rambling," David said. "Is there a point to this?"

"I'm not rambling, dear," Rusty said. "I'm gathering information. But there is a point. Celeste, have you been in a threesome?"

"Yeah, a few times."

"What was the composition of the group?"

"The first time, another girl and me with one guy. The others were two guys and me. I also went to one orgy." She chuckled. "Most of the people got tangled up in all sorts of combinations. Mostly, I went one-on-one with different guys. Once with two guys."

"Now, we're back to my conversation with David. Most of the time, you've done it with two guys. Is that the way you prefer?"

Celeste paused for a moment. "I never thought about it. I guess it just worked out that way. I've got several girlfriends, but I'm not real tight with them. I would have to like the other girl really well to share that with her. You know, you have to be willing to give up some of your pleasure to her."

"Yes, that was the point I made to David."

"I believe you said that one halfway decent woman could wipe out even the best stud," David said.

"I believe that," Celeste said. "One woman can handle more than two guys can give her if she's really turned on."

"You two don't give a guy much to look forward to," David said.

"Oh, I don't know," Rusty said. "That's what I meant when I said it depends on the situation. Some of us can be flexible, dear. For the right man."

"And limber," Celeste giggled.

"Speak for yourself, dear," Rusty laughed. "You'll learn different when you're a little older. Personally, I think men overrate their abilities when they think they can handle two women at a time. So what? If they like the man well enough, they can work it out. This quiche is very good, by the way. Will you share the recipe with me?"

"Sure," David replied. "I hope I have the opportunity to share a lot with you." He looked at Celeste. "How about you, Sis? Do you like the quiche?"

"Very much. I like just about everything you do. So far. I have some more exploring to do."

Rusty smiled and winked at Celeste. "I liked you before tonight, dear. Now, I like you a lot more. You're a woman after my own heart."

"I'll clear the table," David said. "You two go commune or whatever women do with each other. There's a bar in the den, Rusty, and a bottle of fifty-year-old cognac. I'll bring coffee."

"Fifty-year-old, huh?" Rusty said. "That's pretty good stuff. If I had known you keep it on hand, I would have been here sooner."

"I don't keep it on hand. I bought it today. In honor of your visit."

"Sounds like you're pretty special to my brother, Rusty."

"Yes, it does. I am honored," Rusty said. "Deeply honored."

Rusty and Celeste were standing in front of the picture window, sipping brandy when David joined them.

"Gorgeous, isn't it?" Celeste asked.

"I never tire of looking at it," he said. "There's no place in the world like the mountains. I don't think I could ever live any place else."

Celeste wandered across the room and sat on a stool at the bar.

"The food was delicious and the wine was excellent, darling," Rusty said. "Now, I believe it's time for dessert."

David nodded toward Celeste without speaking.

Rusty chuckled softly. "What's the matter, darling? Can't you eat two desserts tonight?"