Sixty-Nine (15 page)

They laughed.

Soon it was one in the morning.

But Magnolia forgot about the time, and about Rebe.

They sat up talking, drinking, and shutting out the rest of the adult happenings, acting as though it were a Sunday afternoon
at Denny’s.

Their conversation was perfect.

Figuratively, communication-wise, they were two peas in a pod.

The next night they would go to the Grand Lux in Hollywood, Florida, and have dinner.

They would close the place down, talking, and then go to his place.

Literally, physically, they’d be two pieces that fit well together even better.

W
hile Magnolia continued to bond with Miller at the Erotic City bar, Rebe and Armani, who’d vowed to one another to only be
with each other their first swinging time out, were outside, no longer in the Jacuzzi. They were lying on a king canopy bed
that had sheer black curtains. The bed was on the enclosed patio, next to the swimming pool, right under the heat lamps. You
could either leave the curtains open using the pullbacks, or close them completely. Closed meant do not disturb, open meant
all aboard.

The curtains were open. And the heat lamps had some competition.

Rebe was on her back, mainly keeping her eyes closed, as if she really believed shutting her lids would block out some of
the X factor of her first-time exhibitionist experience.

Block out the fact that she was getting her pussy sucked on while complete strangers watched.

Rebe tried to focus on her turn-on, to see if she could muster up an image in her own head, and satisfy herself that way,
as opposed to going further with the voyeuristic swinger crowd around her. So in her head, she decided to be extra brave and
imagined Armani fucking someone else. She wanted to know if the thought made her heart race like she was a girl gone wild.
She wondered also if the way he ate her out would make other women come within seconds, too.

Wearing only her pink peep-toe heels, Rebe’s braids rested to her left while she realized she couldn’t stay in her head long
enough to play with her thoughts, so she cheered herself on to snap out of it, and take in the real-life fantasy before her.
To her it was different from dancing on a pole. It was time to play big girl freak now. After all, she’d gotten her own curious
self into it.

She looked to her right, noticing about six people watching while Armani’s head munched on the lips of her vagina. The feeling
of being watched while having sex actually kept her two gears behind what she thought she’d feel. She needed to let go. She
fought.

Rebe turned her head to the other side, trying to focus on the actual faces of those around her. She saw that the crowd was
growing, now with four more sex-nosey onlookers, all looking like they were either hard or wet and/or ready.

Rebe looked down at Armani, who looked up at her with lustful eyes, and then she noticed a mocha-skinned younger woman getting
closer to them both. The woman inched herself to Rebe’s side, and within two seconds flat, began sucking Rebe’s stiff nipple.
Rebe’s heart jumped and her open hand closed tight. She’d never been near a woman in a bed before, though she’d seen enough
women at the strip club without their clothes on to stand in for three naked WNBA teams. She just had never had her nipple
in a woman’s soft mouth, or felt the sensation of a woman’s hair draping along her skin.

She again eyed Armani.

While he still went to work in cunnilingus and anilingus paradise, his brown eyes begged her not to push away. They told her
to let go. They told her to just relax.

Rebe forced herself to shut her eyes and simply go with the feeling.

The feeling of a woman’s flicking tongue teasing her nipple, and a man’s flicking tongue, fucking with her slit.

At the same time.

While she was in her head, there was a brief pause of action on her tittie and between her legs, and when she looked down,
Armani and the nipple-flicking female swinger had traded places.

It was now the mocha colored girl between Rebe’s legs, doing her thing just as good, almost better than Armani. Rebe tightened
up and moved her hips back a bit as if she should shut her legs and say something. But by now, Armani was whispering up against
her ear, saying “Did you see her ass? She’s beautiful. Everybody here knows her. Her name is Trudy. They call her Big Booty
Trudy. The infamous BBT. And she normally doesn’t do this. She’s usually the one who gets eaten out on the regular. People
would pay to eat her out. I think she likes you, baby. I mean really likes you. Look at her.”

Rebe eased her vision to Trudy, who pulled her long golden hair back out of the way, and looked up to give Rebe a giving smile,
adjusting her hands to really get a grip on the good parts of what she needed to attack to please her newfound girl toy. Rebe
remembered the words to the song “Poison,”
“Never trust a big butt and a smile.”
Oh hell
she said to her mind.

Trudy, like a pro, used her fingers to expose Rebe’s engorged pink button, and positioned her gold-studded tongue against
Rebe’s gold-studded clit, closed her lips around the valuable jewel, and sucked.

Rebe’s leg quivered.

Trudy stopped, moving her mouth down to Rebe’s opening to lick like she was licking a chocolate ice cream cone, using a scooping
motion and then again back up to her clit, closing her lips around it and sucking again.

Rebe’s other leg quivered.

Trudy worked Rebe like a cat cleaning her fur, and inserted her tongue as deep as she could, making sure to leave room for
her nose so she could breathe, tightening her eyes so she could further extend her tongue inside. From down under Trudy purred,
“Sweet as Bazooka.”

Rebe opened her legs even wider.

Armani watched, seeming to take mental note, and then he stood, took a condom from the clear bowl near the bed, pulled down
his black boxers, and positioned himself strategically behind Trudy, who was world renowned for the donuts she had in her
back seat, separating her heavy, rumpshaker ass cheeks to make room for the length of his ready-to-explore dick.

From between Rebe’s legs, Trudy perched her asstacular booty in the air and asked before Armani entered, “Is that okay, sexy?”

Suddenly carefree, Rebe nodded and shut her lids, disappearing into almost climax land, in complete and total ecstasy, feeling
as though she was floating. Trudy reached up and inserted her finger in Rebe’s mouth and Rebe sucked without hesitation, sucking
like Trudy’s finger was Armani’s penis, all while Trudy got fucked by Armani while the three of them were being watched. Watched
until they heard one screaming word. “Mommy!”

Rebe’s eyes popped open. The familiarity of the voice caused her to stop her girl-girl finger sucking. She knew right away
that she was the only mommy that belonged to that voice.

Her world that only a moment ago was swinging a virgin swinger’s swing, came to an abrupt stop.

Armani said, “Trinity.”

Trudy said, “Trinity.”

And Rebe said, “Trinity.”

Everybody knew Trinity.

Only the look on Trinity’s face said she didn’t know who her freaky mother really was. Trinity gave a stabbing yell, standing
in shock while wearing only a white thong, saying, “You are the biggest, most pathetic excuse for a mother. You sex-craved,
midlife crisis, girl loving, in the closet, pole dancing, crazy ass, cougar bitch.”

G
-strings. Bras. Corsets. Bustiers. Boy shorts. Nightgowns. Negligees. Camisoles. Baby dolls. Body stockings. On and on. Darla
was in intimate apparel heaven.

Darla and Magnolia shopped and ordered and selected as they walked along the many aisles of the bustling Miami Garment District
showroom. It was a massive complex with wholesale erotic distributors, and the intimate apparel section seemed to be one of
the most crowded.

Newly smitten by her new man, Miller, Magnolia held up a pair of red-leather panties and put it in her canvas shopping bag.
“I’m gonna need this for me.”

“Looks like you may have gotten a boost of bravery since visiting that sex club you and Rebe went to. How was it anyway?”

“Wild.”

“So does wild mean you did partake, or did not partake?”

“Oh, I partook. Sort of. If you could call it that. It was a threesome without the some.”

“What the heck does that mean?” Darla asked, crinkling her nose.

“It means I helped out. Like a midwife. You’re the visual. You talk to the couple.”

“Couple. You were with a woman?”

“No. Not in that sense. But I did watch him go down on her. And I saw her ride him like she was a damn cowgirl. I’ve never
done it like that before. No wonder men like the woman on top. Damn.”

Darla looked at Magnolia like she was someone else. “Oh my goodness. And you didn’t do anything to them, with them, did you?”

“No. I had my clothes on the entire time.”

“See, you and Rebe, I need to watch out for you guys. What the heck did she get into?”

They continued to walk.

“Girl. That’s what I wanted to talk to you about. Darla, you won’t believe it. While we were there, you’ll never guess who
else was there. Who else is into swinging. Never.”

“Who? Not Randall.”

“No.” Magnolia thought,
That’s another story
. “It was Trinity.”

“Are you kidding me?” she asked with shock.

“Not even.”

Darla hurried her words. “What? Well, what happened? Tell me.”

“What didn’t happen? Trinity saw her mother getting eaten out by a woman.”

Darla stopped, shook her head and said, “No. See. That is a straight-up tragedy. I feel sorry for that girl. And what in the
hell was Rebe doing with a woman?”

Magnolia stopped. “She said the girl traded places with Armani when he went down on her, and before she knew it, she said
she got caught up.”

“See. I’m telling you. I’m glad I didn’t go. No good could ever come out of a place like that. That is just pure evil.”

“I don’t know about evil. I’ll just say it’s a small world.”

They walked again.

“So what happened? How will Rebe ever make up to her daughter after something like that?”

“Apparently, Trinity hasn’t been home in a while. Rebe even had the nerve to be upset to know that Trinity is into swinging.
She’d even played with the same girl Rebe was with. And get this. Armani, the young guy Rebe’s been seeing? It turns out he
was one of Trinity’s good friends. Not like sleeping with, from what she told me, but they are very close. From what Rebe
told me, all she and Trinity did was argue all night. It was bad.”

“Oh no. Poor Trinity. If you ask me, Rebe asked for that, I’m sorry. Why didn’t she get a private room? I mean dang. That’s
just sloppy.”

“What would you know about all that?”

Darla looked at a vendor’s selection of bras. “Please. Aaron and I went to one of those retreats when we were in Jamaica.”

“You did not.”

“Yes, we did. And we went to our room and did our thing. He wanted to know what it was like. We went one time. Have no desire
to go back.”

Magnolia asked for clarification. “You and Aaron?”

“Yes, me and my husband. I think swinging or swapping or whatever you want to call it should only be for couples, not all
these single people who get carried away and act like complete and total fools.”

“I’m shocked.” Magnolia looked like a nonbeliever.

“Don’t be,” Darla said, putting more items in her bag.

“I mean yeah, can’t believe you would do it, but also, I’m talking more about square Aaron.”

“Please. Aaron was no saint.” Darla said it like she meant it.

“I see.” Magnolia still seemed in shock.

“Anyway. So, Rebe got caught with her legs wide open. That’s jacked up.”

“Speaking of jacked up. Darla, there’s something I’ve been wanting to tell you.” Magnolia sighed.

“What?”

“It has to do with Rebe. A while back, I went to meet someone after going online to that site. And of all people, speaking
of Randall, turns out it was Randall in the hotel room. And his wife.”

Darla stopped and put her hand on her hip. “You went to a hotel room and met them. You didn’t know it was them?”

“No. Actually, I thought it was Neal. Don’t ask. But it was Randall and…”

“No, you didn’t.”

“I did the same thing with them that I did with this couple at Erotic City. Both were brief. With Randall, I was only there
for about five minutes, and I was gone. And Darla, it has been weighing on me so heavily. I can’t believe I didn’t just leave.
Honestly, if I had it to do over again, I would’ve ran out of there. But I didn’t. It was like my head said one thing and
my feet said another.”

“That’s called curiosity killed the cat. What’s up with that? What’d Rebe ever do to you?”

“Nothing. Rebe hasn’t done a thing to me. I don’t know what it is.” Magnolia proceeded.

Darla followed. “That’s bad. You’ve got to tell her before Randall does.”

“I know. I’ve been worried about that since the moment I left the hotel room.”

“Or before his wife does.”

“Even worse.”

“You know how she feels about Rebe anyway. I mean, it’s not like it was just you and Randall, it was you, him, and her. If
you don’t tell Rebe, I just see it one day coming back to haunt you when he needs something to throw in her face.”

“I know.”

“And anyway, they say people who meet like that can have cameras set up before you even go in the room. They could’ve recorded
you.”

“Oh, Darla, please. Don’t be silly. I was only there for a minute.”

Darla flexed her hand. “Magnolia, if you can live with that, fine. I couldn’t. It’s one thing that you’re doing this sex-with-strangers
thing, but now you’ve got that guilt in the back of your head. Don’t do that to yourself any longer. Man.” Darla gave a head
shake. “And here I am feeling guilty about buying sex toys at this erotica convention, and you and Rebe have all this drama
going on, just from trying to cop a cheap thrill. I don’t mean to sound judgmental. But damn, I guess I do, even though I’m
no prude, as much as you might think I am. But honestly, you two need to slow down.”

“I hear you.”

“Anything else you wanna confess?” Darla looked to Magnolia as if braced for another surprise.

Magnolia’s eyes gleamed. “Just that. The next confession will be to Rebe. And it’s not going to be anywhere as easy as telling
you.” She looked around, changing her shoulder bag from her left to her right. “But, on a good note, I did meet someone. His
name is Miller Lockhart. He’s a retired finance guy. And speaking of slowing down, I’ve seen him every night since then.”
Magnolia’s eyes were different. “I like him, Darla. And he really likes me. Likes me like he’s ready to settle down, likes
me.” She batted her lashes.

“And you know that already?”

“I can’t believe it either, but we’ve talked about everything. He said he’s through looking, and he’s shut down every woman
he was talking to.”

“Already? And you say you’ve seen him every night since when?”

“Since Erotic City. I met him at the club.”

“He’s a swinger?”

“No. He’s not. No more than I am.”

“But he was there, right?”

“He went to see if he wanted to do it, and decided he didn’t. Actually, I saved him from this woman who invited him into a
room with her.” Magnolia giggled. “She was about six foot five and muscular. I saw her, or it, and agreed with him, it was
a man.”

“Wow.”

“And Rebe, Miller is almost sixty.”

“Magnolia. He’s old enough to be your father.”

“Oh, and one more thing. He’s white. And you know I am down with the swirl, girl.” Magnolia snapped her fingers.

“Now see. I’m gonna stop, because that’s the best thing you’ve said so far. As far as that’s concerned, I do think we should
go beyond our normal boundaries. I told you guys before, I’d be open to any race myself. So, whether you met him at a swinger’s
club or not, congratulations.”

“Well, thank you.”

“Besides, you dated that guy back in college who married that porn actress. Who was it, Gabe, right?”

“Yep. Plus, Miller had a black girlfriend years ago before he got married. It’s no biggie to us.”

“Wow. Then I say go for it.”

“We’re in the honeymoon phase. It’s all good. Very good, actually.”

“I’m happy for you. I’ve been so busy trying to get this store opened in the next few months, and you and Rebe have all of
this stuff going on. It’s like watching a soap opera. But heck, at least you met someone. And once Rebe works through all
this with Trinity, and you tell her about your little rendezvous with her ex-husband, we’ll be cool. We’re too close for secrets
like that.” She looked Magnolia up and down. “Dang, remind me to never leave you alone with my man if I ever get one.”

Magnolia joked, “Maybe you need to go back to a swinger’s event. You might find him there.” She grabbed a black garter for
herself.

“No thanks. Never again. I wouldn’t go back even if I had a man. I’m too jealous for all that madness.”

“I can understand that. Me, too.” They walked down the last aisle. “Darla, aside from all this, honestly, I am proud of you.
And I still can’t believe you, getting that check in the mail. I mean, damn.”

“I’m doing okay. With or without all the screwing you two are doing. All I know is, you need to talk to Rebe.”

“I will. I have to.” Magnolia thought hard. “You think if she knew already she would’ve called me on it by now?”

“Ahh, yes. Rebe Palo-Richardson wouldn’t let that mess go.”

“Shit. Let’s just hope when I tell her she doesn’t try to kill me.”

“Knowing Rebe, that’s just what she’d try to do. Our friend is a hothead from way back. Crazy Rebe comes from a long line
of ass-kicking women.”

“Literally. But, I’ll find the right time to tell her. And soon.”

“Good. Just make sure I’m nowhere around.”

That same day

All the talk about the swinger’s club and sex and lingerie and couples and cheating and going down and new men and freaking
and watching took Darla on a walk down memory lane as she drove home from downtown Miami.

Even as she’d said the words, telling Magnolia she’d been to a swinger’s retreat, it felt odd to even speak it to anyone.
She’d kept it to herself for ten years. It was her and Aaron’s little secret. It was their one time to let their hair down
and get buck wild while away on one of their annual vacations.

Thinking back to it seemed like a dream, like it wasn’t even real. Aaron, who looked so conservative on the outside, had his
fantasies like any other man. He’d been a bad boy without Darla before, and she knew it, it’s just that once they agreed to
freak, she’d told herself it was time for her to be bad with him. It was her time to push the limits as a married woman, but
with her own husband. And she gave herself permission to do it, feeling certain she’d be okay if she just followed his lead.

It was August 1999, and Aaron and Darla had taken a three-day trip to Jamaica. It wasn’t their first time, but it was their
first actual Hedonism trip. Hedonism, an adults-only resort, was all about exploring, experiencing, and getting naughty, grown
folks style. This trip was to a SuperClub, all inclusive meals, drinks, accommodations, activities, entertainment, all situated
on the tip of Negril’s seven-mile beach in Jamaica, which had two private sections. One of the sections was a nude beach.
And that’s the section they stayed at. It was an X-rated Fantasy Island.

The breathtaking sandy beach glistened sugary white, and the dazzling, calm water was so clear you could see down to the bottom
of the ocean at the multicolored sea life. The night before, they soaked in the flavor, walking hand in hand along the shore
in their white swimwear, but tonight, they were at a party wearing rainbow togas. At exactly midnight, the togas were removed
and everyone got nude.

Oh my God, how did I end up going for that?
Darla asked herself as she reflected back.

Back then on that warm, still, anticipatory night, she was concerned about her shape since she’d just started to gain weight
around that time. Aaron always convinced her she was beautiful so she shook it off, and took it off. The more she saw other
people around, lying on the lounge chairs, and standing around talking, drinking, fully naked, the more she was able to shed
her inhibitions and just relax. To her this was the easiest part she’d agreed to. The difficult part was yet to come. But,
she sipped on a cherry piña colada and let go.