Alice II - The Honeymoon

After having our fill of hamburgers and hotdogs, it was time to mingle with our hosts. Laura dug her camera out of our luggage, and Ellie took our pictures. Some were of Laura and Ian, some of me and Ian, and lots with the three of us together. It was a far cry from any other wedding photo shoot I'd ever seen— all three of us looked exactly like one would think we'd look after a long road trip, none of us were in the mood for artful poses and there wasn't any lovely scenery to use as backdrops. Still, though, little gleams of our happiness shone through on our faces and in the way Ian held us. Something else to show the kids, I thought as we finished up and headed back to the barbecue.

I was accosted by several women after that, who must have been desperate to talk to someone outside of their usual circle. Ruth Grant, Alan's third wife, was telling me about her summers spent logging in Bountiful, B.C., when I felt a tug at my shoulder. I turned and Ian was standing behind me. He cleared his throat. "Mrs. Grant, if I may," he said, smiling and nodding at Ruth. It did not escape my notice that he was quickly picking up the local mannerisms. "Mind if I have a moment with my beautiful new missus?" Ruth blushed deeper than I did, and quickly turned away.

Ian clasped my hand in his and kissed me quickly on the cheek. Wordlessly, he pulled me far enough away from the crowd that no one but me would hear what he had to say. "Alice," Ian drew me close and kissed my forehead. Sighing contentedly to myself, I hugged him back. "I love you, Alice, you know that—"

"And I love you too." I stood on my tiptoes—Ian was 6'6" to my 5'—and kissed him on the lips. "What is this about?"

Ian looked almost uncomfortable as he drew in a breath. His hands were clasped together across my upper back. "Well, I, uh, just wanted to check in and make sure you were OK with the, uh... You know, the arrangement." He watched me nervously for a reaction.

Was that all? I widened my eyes slightly, pretending for a moment to be troubled. A look of concern flashed across Ian's face until I relaxed my expression and broke a smile. "Well, if saying yes to your proposal wasn't enough, then I assure you that no, I don't have a problem with the arrangement. It was fine in Austin, why not here?"

Ian squeezed me and kissed me on the forehead. "You know what I mean, Alice... Second wife."

"Oh, that." I shrugged. "You remember where I come from, Ian," I said softly. Ian dropped his gaze; he knew I was referring not only to Canada, but the circumstances with my ex-fiancée under which I'd left my hometown to work in the southern U.S., and what had happened thereafter. "I'd rather be your second wife than anyone else's first, and be with you and Laura. You're my family. That's why I came with you when we left the city."

"That's my girl," Ian gathered his arms around my waist and lifted me to kiss him.

I shrieked, breaking the kiss. "Put me down!"

Gently Ian lowered me until my feet touched the ground, then he took my hand, winking at me. "Come on, Alice," he guided me back towards the party. "We have a big night ahead of us."

XXX

At some point in the middle of the night's festivities, Ian disappeared. Laura and I took a break from accepting congratulations and more than a few stares, and circulated the perimeter of the park, but we could not find him.

"Dr. Grant and Ellie are MIA too," I observed. "Grant said something about a place for us to stay – maybe he and Ian are discussing that."

Laura looked frustrated. "We just met all these people today. We don't know anyone! Why would he leave us here without telling us where he's going?"

I felt Laura's pain. "I'm socially— and physically—exhausted, too. We'll have to just trust Ian... I'm sure he'll be back soon and he'll tell us what's going on."

XXX

Laura and I sat on a picnic bench, drinking our lemonade and watching the huge families gather up their broods and leave. The sun was almost completely set, and twilight was sweeping over the town, rays of deep purple and orange painting the dusty landscape like watercolors.

"I just want somewhere to lie down and rest," Laura said at last, slumping forward in her seat. "Isn't that all we asked for? Just somewhere to sleep? Christ."

"You're telling me. What a day. What a couple of days."

A short while later, Ian, Alan and Ellie finally appeared beside us. Alan tipped his hat. "Ladies." Laura and I stood. "On behalf of the Grant family, I'd like to welcome you to Phoenix. Congratulations on your marriage."

Laura and I shook Grant's hand, then we each hugged Ellie.

Ian took Laura's hand in his and put the other on my shoulder. "It's been a real pleasure, Dr. Grant. Thank you for offering such a warm welcome to Phoenix." Ian paused. "The ladies and I will, uh— be retiring for the night."

The corners of Grant's eyes crinkled as he smiled at Ian.

XXX

"I'm so sorry, loves, but Grant wanted to, ah, make sure that we were settled. He offered to let JimBob help move our stuff into the trailer." We were walking along the gravel road in the dark. Ian was between us, holding our hands to make sure we didn't trip. Phoenix was even quieter and deader at night.

"Next time, please warn us when you're gonna leave us alone with the fundies, OK?" Laura admonished. "They kept asking me if I knew Satan came in the form of a serpent."

"Trailer?" I asked. "What trailer?"

Ian looked at me, then at Laura. "Grant's given us a trailer to stay in while we're here."

Laura laughed. "Only the finest in Phoenix for us."

"Is it really a trailer?" I had visions of the Winnebagos in which we'd go camping up north in my youth.

"It's really a trailer," Ian replied. "Look."

I looked at where Ian was gesturing. Before us stood a half-trailer, half-bungalow mishmash that sported the same worn-out paint and accents of every other dwelling in town. It looked even more uninviting in the dark. Ian's sports car stuck out like a sore thumb, parked in front of the property. "It looks right out of a country song," I said.

"Home sweet home," said Ian. "Come on in." There was no lock on the door—Ian waltzed right in, flipping on a light switch. The light illuminated a sitting area as drab and dusty as the land around it, furnished with a couple of taupe-colored sofas and with a few framed prints of the most generic religious art I'd ever seen hanging on the walls. JimBob and Ian had brought our purses and luggage into the room.

Determined not to upset Ian or Laura, I made an effort to make the best of the situation. "Wow, it's great that Grant and Ellie were so willing to give us a place to stay on such short notice."

"I know it's not ideal," Ian's gaze went from Laura to me. "But Grant's an old friend, and if there's—there's anywhere we won't be found, it's here." He paused. "Plus, it's the perfect place to... To do our thing."

I sensed a subtle shift in the mood in the room. Laura and I caught eyes and blushed. I smiled at her, unseen by Ian.

"Ian, Laura and I are exhausted. Where do we sleep?" This was going to be good.

"There are two bedrooms and a study, which'll be my bedroom." Ian motioned for us to follow him. He led us down the hall, flipping another light switch.

"The first bedroom," Ian stepped inside the room. There was a queen-sized bed and a very old dresser. The bed was not made, but a freshly-folded pile of linens sat upon it. "Courtesy of Ellie," Ian said, following our gaze. Looking at Laura, his eyes sparkled. "This is your room, First Wife."

The designation of First Wife was usually made by age, since it typically corresponded to the order in which the husband married his wives. Although I was thirty to Laura's twenty-five, we had decided that because Ian and Laura had been together for a longer time—three years to Ian's and my one— that Laura would be First Wife.

"Alice," Ian gestured for us to follow him. "You're across the hall." My room was nearly identical, and Ellie had left fresh sheets for the bed there also. I didn't bother to take in too many details—there were far more important events at hand.

Ian led us to the next room. "The study." This was not a regular study. It was the most luxurious room in the home. It was the size of a living room, and contained a queen-sized bed. On this one, the fresh sheets had already been fitted— courtesy of Ellie, I thought. Ian's suitcase sat at the side of the bed. On the opposite wall was a desk just like the one in Alan's office. There was even a TV stand, and I took special note of the old, boxy TV on it—even that amount of contact with the outside world surprised me, and it implied a few things that I'd have to investigate further when I got the chance.

The study was the man's domain, according to Ellie. "Your bedroom," I affirmed.

"Yes, but," Ian paused, knitting his eyebrows. "Did Ellie explain the way they, uh, do things here?"

Ellie had explained that in Phoenix, men took turns with their wives each night. Ian would alternate sleeping with us, but we could negotiate between ourselves to trade nights off, as long as Ian agreed. Although we had assigned nights, Ian had veto power at any time. If he was assigned to sleep with me but he was horny for Laura, he was encouraged to follow his divine desires and owed no explanation. Laura's face had been quite amusing during that discussion.

Even if it differed only slightly logistically from the polyamorous arrangement we'd had back in the city, I was still absorbing it all. "Yes, she did."

Laura nodded. "So what were you thinking for tonight?" she asked. Thank you, Laura, I thought.

Suddenly, Ian was almost shy. "Well. It is our wedding night. I'd like to spend it with, uh, both of you."

Although I had expected that that was coming, I couldn't help but to blush. Unlike probably all the women in Phoenix, my wedding night would not be my first time, not even with Ian. But it would be the first time with Ian and my new sister wife. I glanced at Laura, whose eyes were wide as saucers. I imagined similar thoughts were going through her mind.

Sensing that to move this forward, he needed to take the lead, Ian took us each by the hand and led us to the bed. I climbed on and sat cross-legged. Taller Laura sat on the edge of the bed.

Laura and I waited for Ian to make the next move. He began to unbutton his shirt. When it was off, he approached, swooping Laura into his arms. Laura yelped and giggled as he pinned her down briefly, next to me. Then, Ian lay down between us and pulled me down with them.

Giggling and glancing at each other across his chest, we cuddled up to Ian's shoulders.

"My ladies..."

"Yes, sir?" Laura was the first to speak up.

"Oh, fuck, Laura," Ian growled. In one swift move, he had rolled onto her and enveloped her in his arms, and was kissing her face and neck aggressively. Just as quickly, Laura's hands were busy trying to unbuckle his belt.

Feeling my face flush, I turned away, hiding from the two of them. I had expected something like this, based on what Laura had told me in the past about the very different dynamic they had in bed, but seeing it was something far different.

Laura was giggling in between Ian's kisses. "Alice, help me here!"

I turned back to face them and saw what Laura was asking for –she was pinned and unable to remove Ian's pants. Laughing, I sat up and grabbed onto the back of Ian's waistband; it was easy to slide down, as Laura had managed to loosen his belt. At the sight of his bare butt cheeks, I could not resist lightly slapping him, causing Ian to flinch and Laura to burst into a fit of giggles.

Growling, Ian held Laura down, clutching her in his arms. She was grasping onto his shoulders for dear life, and Ian was fucking her with short, fast strokes. The tired, old bed squeaked with every thrust. I was familiar with Ian's moans and grunts of pleasure, but listening to him with Laura was all new. I busied myself with taking off my clothes and underwear, pulling up the sheet to cover my naked body.

It wouldn't be appropriate to interrupt this moment for the two of them, but I thought of something that might just make it more memorable. Now, Ian was ravishing Laura's breasts with his tongue, dividing his loving attention between both nipples. Unnoticed by the lovers, I sat up and began rifling around in Ian's suitcase, which sat at the end of the bed.

I found it. Yes. Laura will love this.

They were so into their lovemaking that I could have screamed "FIRE!" and they probably wouldn't have noticed, but I was as quiet as possible as I moved back up to the head of the bed, holding the short-tailed leather whip. So as not to interrupt the passion, I gently nudged Ian's left hand, which was clutching Laura's shoulder. I surprised him enough to loosen his grip, at which point I pushed the whip's handle into his hand. Immediately, Ian realized what I was doing. He grinned at me.

"Laura," Ian panted in her ear. "On your knees. Now."

Clearly not expecting this, Laura paused for a moment before wiggling out from under Ian. She did as he asked, briefly casting a sidelong glance at me that I pretended not to notice. Laura grasped onto the pillow, and Ian positioned himself on his knees behind her. The whip lay next to them.

Ian bent forward to whisper something in Laura's ear that I could not hear. I think they shared a joke, but I couldn't be sure. Seconds later, Ian had grabbed onto Laura's thighs and plunged himself deep inside her.

Both Ian and Laura moaned with pleasure as he pushed inside her as far as he could go. I shivered, remembering how indescribably good it felt to switch from missionary to doggie. My face flushing again, I draped the sheet over myself and lay back, idly watching the lovers but gazing enough out of the way that I could not be accused of staring.

Ian knew I was watching, though. Tipping a wink at me, he picked up the whip and held it just above Laura's lower back.

"Are you gonna be a good girl for me, Laura? ... Yes?" Ian smacked the whip against her upper buttocks.

Laura cried out more from surprise than pain. "Yes, Ian, yes."

"I didn't hear you." Ian smacked the whip again, lower down and harder this time.

"YES!" Her voice quavered.

"That's it, girl," Ian moaned. His voice had that edge to it, the one that meant he was close. They were in their own little world now, Ian cracking the whip over Laura's buttocks as she cried out, "Sir, please sir, more!"

Fuck, this is hot. When will it be my turn?

"Uuunnnnhhhhh..."

I recognized that sound; Ian, and probably Laura too, were both about to come. The squeaking of the bed became irregular as Ian lost control of his body's rhythm.

The leather whip hit Laura's buttocks again, halfheartedly this time. "Fuck, Laura...Ahhh..."

"Oh, Ian..." Thump, thump, thump. The headboard was creaking with Ian's final strokes.

"It's too good Laura... Fuck... So good..."

The last sound I heard was their bodies collapsing together onto the mattress.

Ian and Laura lay entwined for a while, catching their breaths. He brushed little strands of hair out of her face, whispering things about what a good girl she was, and Laura nuzzled her head against his neck. Finally, he rolled off of her and onto his back between us, and the two of us lay again, each cuddled up to Ian's sides. I pulled the blanket up around us.

Only about ten minutes passed, but it felt like an eternity. Unable to wait anymore, I twisted onto my side and grabbed a handful of Ian's shiny curls, bringing his face to mine. "I want you."

"Alice, get over here..." Ian's voice was husky. He grabbed my wrists and pulled me to him, pinning me down with his body against the bed.

"Ia—" I was cut off by his aggressive kiss. He thrust his hips against mine, pressing his erection against my groin. I could not believe he was so hard again. "Ohh, Ian..."

He was nibbling my earlobe now. "Alice... I've missed those tits... Let me taste those nipples..."

I couldn't help pressing my hips against his. Tugging on his hair, I guided him to my right nipple, the more sensitive one. He took my cue and closed his lips around it, gently licking and sucking with exquisite softness. The sensations were incredible— I could feel myself getting more and more wet for him.

"Unnnhh, Ian..." I moaned, clutching at his shoulders. Ian paused for a moment and looked up at me with that crooked smile, nipple still between his teeth. "Ian—"

He let go of the nipple, grinning wickedly. "Laura, love, c'mere." In my peripheral vision I saw Laura stir and move towards us, her manner hesitant and her limbs still unsteady.

"Look at these nipples. Aren't they gorgeous? Puffies." Ian nuzzled his cheek against the hardened right nipple. Grabbing Laura's hand, Ian pressed it to my left breast with his palm. Both Laura and I yelped in surprise; a look of incredulous arousal flickered across her face, and I felt an unexpected twinge between my thighs.

That was the reaction Ian was looking for. "There." Ian had a glint in his eye. "Good girls."

Not missing a beat, he slid himself inside me to the hilt in one stroke. I was left gasping for breath as he began with his hard fucking, grunting a little with each thrust. As soon as he found an unsteady rhythm, I realized that the novelty of having both of us in bed was almost too much for Ian to handle.

My amusement at Ian's pleasure overload was interrupted by Laura. I realized she was alternately poking Ian and and myself on our forearms, nervously hoping to get the attention of one of us.

"Mmnh... mmnh... Ian," I pried my lips apart from his. "Something... going on," I murmured.

Following Laura's gaze to the doorway, I got a glimpse of a cowboy hat that I'd know anywhere. I screamed, startling Ian enough for him to flinch and turn his head quickly. I felt him stiffen against me.

"Grant! I see you!" Ian's body vibrated with fury as he rose to a more dignified position than between the thighs of one of his new wives on his wedding night. I was so mortified that I could only keep my gaze down as I scrambled blindly for the blanket, feeling Laura pushing it towards me to cover my nakedness. She had the same look in her eyes that she'd had when Grant handed her the sheet—a look that reminded me of a belligerent neighbor whose front lawn I'd been caught trampling.

Grant shrank in the doorway as he appeared to be genuinely embarrassed. To be caught?

"I'm—I'm so sorry. I—I just wanted to come by and make sure you were comfortable in your new place." His voice faltered.

Ian stood at the foot of the bed, sheet wrapped around his waist. Having been so intimate with him only moments earlier, I was still attuned to Ian's emotional vibes. He was livid.

"What the hell made you think it was OK to sneak in here— to—to spy— on us? I didn't invite you, did I?" He glared at Grant a moment, then looked around the room, finally grabbing the whip that still sat on the bed. "We were quite—quite comfortable until this intrusion, thank you."

Laura and I exchanged a look that was equal parts horror and amusement.

Grant's eyes widened and he tensed at the sight of Ian advancing towards him, holding the whip menacingly. "Get out." Ian's tone was threatening. "Now."

It was quiet enough to hear a pin drop. I held my breath.

Grant backed away slowly, slinking down the dark hallway. A moment later, the front door of the trailer slammed shut.

Ian relaxed his shoulders and sighed. He set down the whip on the night table and got back onto the bed. First he wrapped his arms around Laura, kissing her tenderly and whispering something in her ear that made her smile. He then turned to me and pulled me towards him in a tight hug, kissing me hard on the lips. "I'm sorry, Alice."

I kissed him back. "Pretty sure it's not your fault, Ian. You didn't invite him, did you?"

"You know I didn't, baby." A mischievous smile spread across his face. "'Cause if I had, Ellie would've been here too."

"Ian!" I swatted him lightly on the shoulder. "You do know that is not appropriate talk for the marital bed, especially on our wedding night?"

Both Ian and Laura giggled. I felt the last tension from the Alan encounter melt away at the sound of my two best friends so happy.

"My loves, come here." Ian put one arm around each of us and guided us to cuddle him on either side. Laying down, I suddenly felt very, very tired.

"We've committed to joining this community for now. It doesn't mean we have to believe in their Prophet," – Ian laughed—"we just have to respect their, uh, beliefs and culture."

"Unless that culture involves Peeping Toms?" Laura interrupted.

Laughter again. "Grant hasn't heard the last about that, believe me," Ian said finally. "And the first thing I'm gonna do tomorrow is figure out how to secure that door."

Allowing himself to forget about Grant, Ian drew us closer. "We'll start the schedule right away." He turned to Laura. "Laura, as First Wife, you, ah, you will take me to bed with you tomorrow night." He kissed her on lips, and I could see her cheeks redden.

"And Alice," he turned to kiss my cheek, whispering softly. "The night ends at nine AM the morning after. Then I'm-I'm all yours." I felt warmth rising between my legs as my mind raced ahead, imagining the conclusion of what was so rudely interrupted tonight.

Laying back into the pillows and squeezing us both on the shoulders, Ian yawned. "Sleep well, my loves, sweet dreams."

XXX

Weak sunlight fell across the bed through the curtained window. It was early morning, and the three of us were still sleeping off the previous day's excitement. Ian snored lightly and Laura and I had our heads nestled on his shoulders.

I'd awakened in the early hours after a dream in which Laura and I had been slaving for hours by ourselves, barefoot and pregnant, clad in prairie dresses, in an industrial kitchen, to feed a horde of hungry fundie men and their huge families. I knew well enough that it was just a dream— albeit one that probably said a lot about my deep-down anxieties about where I'd found myself—but I couldn't fall asleep again after waking up.

For a little while I lay drifting between thought and slumber, until I felt Ian stirring beside me. "'Morning, love," he whispered, brushing his lips across my forehead. He turned to Laura and gently kissed her on the hair. She was still fast asleep.

"You okay, Alice honey? Bad dream?"

I nodded and buried my face in his neck. "Kind of," I whispered.

Carefully maneuvering so as not to disturb Laura, Ian pulled me into a tight hug. His lips found mine and he started kissing me passionately while gently rolling me onto my back. Picking up right where we left off last night, I thought.

Laura stirred from sleep and, hearing muffled noises, turned to face us. For a moment I could feel her gaze, and then the mattress shifted as Laura started to get out of the bed. Ian stopped and held out an arm, grasping her. She froze. "No." There was a bit of an edge to his voice, which caught us both off guard. "Stay here, Laura honey."

I caught Laura's eye for a brief moment as her expression registered sleepy confusion with interest, but in an instant, Ian was kissing my neck. "I'm so sorry about last night, baby," he whispered, nipping my earlobe and making me start to squirm. "Let me make it up to you."

All I could muster in response was a moan as he kissed a trail to my left breast, pausing to lick and briefly suckle the nipple. He pressed his hard morning erection against my belly. I began to moan and squirm as I always did when Ian licked my nipples, but this time he didn't stay there for long, moving his head to kiss my belly. Immediately I reached down and grabbed his shoulder, startling him. He looked up at me, puzzled.

"No, Ian, come back up here," I coaxed, grabbing a few curls and tugging. Instead he sat up.

Laura, who'd been observing this whole time, scooted over to Ian's side. She grinned at me and then whispered something in his ear, cupping her hand around her cheek so I couldn't hear.

"She won't let me, Laura."

Laura shifted her gaze to mine, a look of shock on her face.

"You won't... let him, Alice?"

I felt my face warm up at Laura's tone. "I...um, I find it too sensitive and um, ticklish. I'd rather..." I trailed off, lifting my right hand to grasp my right breast.

Ian chuckled as Laura sighed in frustration. "Alice, we know about the tit stuff, but fuck, you're missing out." Glancing at Ian and then at me, she moved back over to my side. I could feel Ian watching us as Laura leaned over and whispered, loud enough for Ian to hear, "Alice, here's your nipple grabbing, now let Ian work his magic." She nodded to Ian, and he dipped his head down.

I gasped as I felt Laura's thumbs hesitantly press my nipples just as Ian brushed his lips against my inner right thigh. I felt him settle into position, his strong hands holding my thighs in place. Now his lips were gently pressed against my lower ones, his tongue probing. I shivered and groaned at the sensation— or was it the electric shocks of pleasure zinging towards my very core every time Laura pinched both my nipples? "Uuuunnnnhhhhhh... Laura... Ian..." I moaned.

My eyes flickered open and I caught the glance that the two of them shared. In my state I didn't catch exactly what they said, but I could swear I heard Laura whisper "...the alphabet." I saw Ian grin and, and his cheeks reddened slightly.

What the hell?

Before I could think further, Ian's mouth was between my legs again, this time licking me in earnest. He was tracing something over my lips—I could feel his tongue deliberately swirling in all different directions, slowly, quickly, softly and then firmly, drawing little circles and then long, wide strokes. I nearly jumped out of my skin at the sensations, but he held me in place. "Ahh! Oh my god, Ian!"

Ian didn't acknowledge me, but Laura giggled, cupping my breasts in her hands. "I told you you were missing out, girl!"

"Ahh! Ahh! Oh! Oh my god... Oh my god..." I bucked my hips involuntarily, and Ian paused for a moment. I heard myself groan in frustration. "Mmmnnhhh..."

"That's it, girl," Ian's voice was rough with arousal. A moment later, I felt him slide two fingers deep inside me, all the way to the third knuckles with one stroke. "Ah, fuck..." I hissed, bucking my hips again shakily. Ian steadied my movements by burying his face between my legs again. This time I was panting, desperate for his touch. He resumed the firm, steady strokes with his tongue that had brought me to this point. Laura sat still, stroking and pinching my hardened nipples, taking in the scene before her with amusement and glee, the doubts that had registered on her face a minute ago completely gone.

At last, it was too much. "Ohhhhuuuuhhhhhh..." I moaned, and I felt Ian's muscles clench; he knew I was close. Laura's fingers kept up a steady rhythm massaging my nipples. "Ahhhhhh...aahhhhh...!" I arched my back against the bed as a burst of pleasure radiated through me. I closed my eyes and rode out the waves, sighing heavily as I felt myself relax against the mattress.

Laura drew her fingers away and I heard Ian chuckle as he moved up to kiss me. "Thank you, Alice honey," he whispered against my lips. I could taste myself when he pressed his mouth to mine.

"Unnnhhhh, Iannn..." I was almost beyond words. Ian paid this no mind, moving his hips into position between my shaking thighs. He kissed me again, and I felt him nudging against my wet lips. I pushed forward to encourage him; I was more than ready for it. Ian slid himself inside at long last, groaning with relief at the contact with the warm wetness. His hips immediately began to find a quick, sharp rhythm, and I could tell he wasn't going to last long.

I wrapped my arms around Ian's shoulders and pulled him towards me, kissing his lips and then moving my attention to his earlobe, giving it the little bites that always drove him crazy. In my peripheral vision, I saw Laura drop into a lounging position alongside us. I felt Ian start as Laura grabbed a handful of his curls, turning his face towards hers to kiss him roughly on the lips. I gasped as Ian's thrusts deepened.

"Oh, fuck, my girls..." Ian hissed against Laura's lips. He inhaled quickly, and soon I felt the warm wetness exploding inside. "Uuuunnnnhhhh..." Ian threw his head back and moaned as he bucked his hips against mine one, two, three times. A moment later he collapsed on me, enveloping his large frame around mine, and I could feel both of our heartbeats pounding as he lay on top of me.

We lay still for a few minutes, just breathing, and then Ian squeezed my shoulders in his arms and kissed my forehead and hair. The deep pressure made me sigh with relaxation, and soon Ian loosened his grip and rolled onto his back between me and Laura, who lay on her side facing us. Ian pulled Laura close to his other side and kissed her on the lips. "Good morning, my loves," he said at last, running his hands along our hair and down our backs.

Laura and I exchanged a look across Ian's chest. Good morning, indeed.