Chapter 4

Marty lifted his glass and drained it as Ray leaned across the table and lowered his voice.

"But it has to be understood that this is just a trial deal-one night with no obligations either way."

Marty set his empty glass down and smiled.

"Hell, it would have to be that way anyhow. Who knows, maybe Sheila and I won't dig making it with you and Lola. I strongly doubt that that will be the case, but you never know."

Ray nodded slowly and sat back.

"Okay, we'll expect you over about eight tonight."

Leona found herself humming as she finished up her housecleaning; and when she realized it, she smiled and sat down.

She couldn't remember when she'd been this happy. All the frustration and emotional strain seemed to have been wiped out by the hot session the night before. It was good to feel that she had found her place in life again.

She leaned forward and pulled a cigarette out of the pack on the coffee table and lit it up; then she exhaled slowly and settled back into the chair.

She had been entertaining Vern's suggestion of swapping partners most of the day. The idea of having sexual relations with another man appealed to her now; she seemed to have almost completely reversed her outlook since the night before. It surprised her a little, but she was ready and willing to keep an open mind when it came to sex, after the very satisfying session with Vern, and she wasn't about to let any inhibitions get in her way, not after coming this far.

Swapping with Sheila and Marty had its good points. Firstly, she would be able to get all the experience she needed to satisfy Vern; and secondly, she would know that he wasn't out chasing some strange piece because she'd be with him when he was getting his kicks. As a matter of fact, she'd be getting her own fair share.

The more she thought about it, the more she liked the idea, and she reached forward to crush her cigarette out in the ashtray, then got up and moved across to the phone. She hesitated for just a second, reevaluating her thoughts; then she dialed Sheila's number.

Marty had no appointments for the afternoon, and he was eager to tell Sheila the good news about Ray and Lola agreeing to swap; so instead of going back to the office, he headed home early.

He found Sheila reading a magazine in the living room. She looked up as he came in, smiling broadly.

"No wonder I couldn't get hold of you at the office."

Marty grinned and crossed over to the bar. "I've got some good news." He glanced over at her. "You want a drink?"

Sheila nodded and leaned back as he fixed them and carried them across to the couch where she was sitting. Marty handed her a glass, then sat down beside her.

"Ray and I had lunch together again today, and guess what he and Lola are ready and raring to do; we go over at eight tonight."

Sheila broke out in laughter, and a puzzled expression formed on Marty's face.

"What's so funny?"

Sheila shook her head slowly, taking a second to get her laughter under control before she spoke.

"Nothing, except that we're supposed to go over to Vern and Leona's tonight because they're ready for it, too."

Marty shook his head and leaned back.

"Oh, Christ, that's just great. Who do we back out on?"

Sheila shrugged.

"It better not be Vern and Leona; they're ripe for the plucking." Marty frowned.

"So are Ray and Lola . . . and I'm afraid that a delay might make them change their minds. Damn it, why couldn't they have held off for another day?"

Sheila raised her hand, cutting him off.

"Hold it a second; why do we have to stand up either of them?"

Marty looked up at her.

"I don't follow you."

Sheila beamed triumphantly.

"It's easy; all six of us get together."

Marty paused for a second, rolling it over in his mind.

"Hey, you know, it might just work. We'll probably have to do a little talking, but they might go for it. We could all go over to Vern's; that way we could use the pool and really have a ball."

Sheila felt a wild trembling sensation move through her at the thought.

"God, that would be wild; phone Ray and see what he says."

Marty glanced at his watch.

"He won't be home yet. I know he doesn't like to talk swapping over the phone."

She stood up, cutting him off.

"That's okay; I'll call Lola. If she and Ray have agreed to swapping, I'm pretty sure that I can get her to go for the idea of making it a sixsome."