The Wager Ch. 01-04

THE WAGER

"Question of the day, Willie Boy," Ryan greeted his book seller friend as he set his first cup of coffee on their table for their weekly Saturday morning chat. "Are women as horny as men?"

"DOGS aren't as horny as men, dude!" Will welcomed his friend with a good-natured punch on the arm.

"And just like that, my dreams have been shattered!" Ryan feigned despair. Ryan noticed a couple of women

"Just the first of many times in a normal day, right?" Will had a related story to tell, but chose to hold it back for now. "If my dog knew half the thoughts that crossed my mind, it would shock him so badly that he'd run away from home!"

"You don't have a dog, my friend," Ryan sarcastically replied.

Satisfied at how easily his buddy had bit on his cue, Will agreed, "I rest my case!"

"And I drove downtown for this kind of rejection!" Ryan noticed two women at a nearby table who had been looking their way. "Don't look now, but to prove my point, there are two hot women at the table in the corner who have been checking us out since we got here."

"There's a menu over your shoulder, Einstein! They're getting ready to place an order." Will was always thrilled to dash water on his friend's observations.

"Is the menu UNDER our table?" Ryan countered.

With his curiosity piqued, Will casually turned to find the women in question. "Nice!"

"I thought I told you NOT to look!" Ryan wasn't ready to let Will off from commenting on his proposed topic of the morning. "So, what do you think about my theory?"

"YOU have a theory? Relativity has already been proven." Will continued his jab, "Or do you have new developments of why the chicken crossed the road?"

"Are women as horny as men?" Ryan pressed on, "Now that you saw those women in the corner."

"Did they come over to ask us home with them?" Now was the time for Ryan to share his news, "You may have a point, though. I'd say women want sex just as much as guys, but are way more discreet about it. This reminds me of a hot new book that came into the shop this week."

"You're the only guy I know who would change a topic from sex to books! You need to get out of your store more," Ryan replied, pleased to get back at his friend for giving him so much grief.

"Listen to me!" Will went on, "This book, called 'The Wager,' is about two guys who bet each other that they could bag more babes than the other. What they found was that women were just as eager as they were. They had just been waiting for men with the balls to approach them!"

"So, are you saying you want to bet now?" Will took the opportunity to trouble his friend. "Because I really don't understand you. You poo-pooed my idea, but now you're trying to turn it into an idea of your own!"

"Calm down, Ace! Do you think you can hold your one against me, or do you want to concede now that I'm the better man?" Will knew that would get a rise from Ryan.

"Excuse me? The better man?" Ryan was all in on the wager. "When I'm calling on stores for work, women are always gettin' a look at me! I just haven't approached them yet."

"Repelled them is more like it!" Will laughed, but knew the challenge had been accepted.

CHAPTER 2

The bookstore Will owned, "Cover To Cover," was closed on Sunday, while Ryan, a regional sales manager for a national confectionery company, wouldn't head out for his hotel until late Sunday afternoon, so both friends had time to think about the wager.

On the following Wednesday evening, Will and Brenda, his trusted assistant at the bookstore, were scheduled to reset the window display with some of the newly released books for spring. They had each chosen a few titles to read and review, before deciding which deserved the honored window display placement.

Of course, Will was quick to choose a copy of "The Wager," a popular new erotic novel he had told Ryan about on Saturday morning, after Ryan's suggestion that the two friends challenge each other to see how many women they could seduce to their beds.

It did surprise Will slightly when it was Brenda's first selection, too.

Brenda had worked at the shop since Will had bought it. She was an excellent assistant whom he also found very attractive. Nearly ten years his junior, she often flirted with Will, something he enjoyed, but had never attempted to pursue.

A part-time university student, Brenda made herself available for as many hours as Will could give her. He admired her long, light brown hair that glistened in the light. Her pleasing personality and interest in books made her the perfect addition to his store. He couldn't deny the added advantage of watching her as she moved around the shelves, restocking and assisting customers. She was a physical person who used touch to emphasize her conversation. Will enjoyed her touching his arm, encouraging contact as often as possible.

When she locked the front door on Wednesday evening, Will noticed her enthusiasm when she mentioned "The Wager." She was holding a copy as they began work on the window display.

"Did you read this all the way through?" she asked Will. "What an idea! I think it would be so hot to be part of a wager like that!"

"Wouldn't you think the challenge would be far less for a woman?" Will was eager to talk more about the thought. "I mean, how easy would it be for you to entice guys to sleep with you? You'd have them lined up!"

"Do you think so?" Brenda's tone was one of surprise, but Will felt she knew she could bed all the men she wanted. "It sounds so sensual! I've always loved first meetings and the sex that follows! I love to be undressed by a new lover, to feel his kisses all over my body. Then, of course, I love to see what he's got."

It was easy for Will to see Brenda's arousal rise as she thought of the prospects. He'd always pictured her as a sexual woman, but now that her nipples were straining against the soft material of her blouse, all thoughts were confirmed. Seeing her so into the idea also had a physical effect on the crotch of his jeans, one he hoped Brenda wouldn't notice. If this conversation continued, he had little doubt, however, that she would.

"It's funny that you would suggest your interest in a wager," Will began. "Saturday at coffee, Ryan and I talked about that very thing."

"Oh my gosh! Are you going to do it?" Brenda could hardly maintain her excitement at the mention of a wager. "You should do it!" she suggested without waiting for Will's answer. "You would win that one, for sure! I mean, I'd say yes to either of you guys, but you have the better opportunity here in the store. Plus, I know several friends who would be hanging around the store, just hoping to be asked as soon as I tell them!"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!. No, you can't tell anyone there's a contest." Will knew Ryan would see through that, but what a thought to have women lurking around the shop, just hoping to be hit on!

"I know a friend who would jump at the chance to accept my challenge to her." Brenda was caught up in the idea. "Maybe the four of us could set up a challenge together! You know Mandy, right?"

Oh, did Will know Mandy! A busty blonde who wore the highest jeans. She oozed with sexual desire that Will had difficulties resisting. And now, Brenda was suggesting bringing her into a sexual wager with herself, Will, and Ryan. Wait until Ryan hears this!

The evening was, from that point, filled with sexual tension, as Brenda and Will gave "The Wager" a prominent place in the window display. Brenda was very ready to begin the contest, and Will was sure she could be an easy conquest tonight, but he decided to cool things down a bit. If for no other reason than to heighten the anticipation.

As they turned out the lights and prepared to lock the store for the night, Brenda kissed Will's neck and cheek, leaving him with a seductive smile as she headed out the door. Will sighed heavily as he watched her walk to her car. There was little doubt she'd seen the erection she'd left him with. She, too, seemed willing to let the anticipation build.

CHAPTER 3

Ryan had the advantage of the 90-minute drive to the hotel he was based at through most weeks. Drivetime was often spent in thought. This afternoon, thoughts of the wager he and Will had discussed dominated his drive.

He pulled into his usual parking space at the Drury Inn just after 4:30 on Sunday afternoon. Looking at his watch, he was pleased to see he would have time to check in and unpack before happy hour. It was one of the perks that made this Drury location his main destination as his home away from home. Centrally located in his territory, he enjoyed the three complimentary drinks each evening, along with the soup of the day, usually chili, potato, or vegetable soup.

Normally, Ryan came downstairs to get a drink and soup to take back to his room while he worked on reports or watched the Cardinals' game on TV. This evening, however, he decided to sit at a table and do some people watching. There were usually several attractive women during happy hour and breakfast the following morning. He liked to speculate on their occupation, but more often, he wondered about their personalities and what they'd be like in bed.

Sunday evening happy hours were usually busier than most nights, something Ryan attributed to business people, such as himself, arriving for their weeklong stay. Tables quickly filled up this evening, leaving him with a guilty conscience for occupying a table alone. But that soon worked to his advantage when a pretty brunette searching for a table to enjoy her soup and drink paused her gaze at Ryan's table when he smiled and gestured for her to the empty chair beside him.

"Are you sure you don't mind?" she asked. "They're very busy this evening."

"Please, join me," Ryan happily offered, while noticing her ample cleavage as she set her soup across the table from him. "I'm Ryan. Yes, Sundays are busy."

"Hi Ryan! I'm Linda. Are you a regular guest here?"

"Yes, on most weeks. I'm a territory manager for Wrigley." Ryan explained. Columbia is in the middle of my territory. Drury has been good to me, so I usually stay here. Is this your first stay?"

With a smile that could break any man's heart, Linda replied, "I'm a sales rep for Kitchen Aid, newly transferred to this part of the state. I usually stay out all week, so I'll be hunting for my next hotel home."

Trying to tame his enthusiasm at the thought of sharing drinks with this cute lady, Ryan suggested, "You could do a lot worse than Drury. Once they see you becoming a regular, they try to give you the same room on each stay. This is my second year with Drury, and they've given me a suite at the price of a double."

"Nice! That must give you plenty of room to work and also relax." Ryan noticed Linda's eyes roving across his eyes, arms, and shoulders as she spoke.

"Yeah, I haven't been too social yet, so the suite is nice. I watch ball games and an occasional movie, usually taking my drinks in my room." Ryan was instantly mad at himself for failing to invite Linda to his room for drinks or a movie some evening.

"With the suite, you should invite ladies to join you for drinks or whatever. You're an attractive guy, and women get lonely sitting alone in their rooms." Linda believed in the direct approach when she saw what she liked. Ryan and the possibilities intrigued her.

"Well, you've just discovered another reason to make Drury your weeknight home!" Ryan resisted the urge to walk her to the reservation desk to book the next months in advance.

CHAPTER 4

On Thursday morning when Will unlocked the bookstore's front door, he was amazed to find no less than six women waiting to get inside. Each of them would have no trouble turning a man's head, as they ranged from attractive to knock-outs. They were dressed seductively with matching demeanor.

Brenda wasn't due for another hour, but he had no doubt she'd made some phone calls after leaving the shop last night. He couldn't imagine her staying away long and missing the activity she'd orchestrated. And sure enough, before Will got back to the counter, he was met by the smiling face of his assistant.

"Brenda!" he began. "What happened to not telling anyone about what we talked about last night?"

"You CANNOT tell me you're not secretly ecstatic to see these women at your door this morning!" Brenda continued, "Especially knowing that each of them are hoping for sex with you. A couple of them might do it with you at the same time! Isn't that every man's dream?"

Astonished, Will asked, "Do you really believe if asked, each of these women would that easily consent to sex with me?"

"Of course I do! You KNOW I would!" Brenda emphasized her point by caressing his forearm and then his chest.

Not knowing what else to say, Will walked to the counter to work on an order, when Mandy asked him where the erotic books are kept. "Maybe you could take me there?" she suggested.

Deciding to prove Branda wrong, he took Mandy's hand and said, "Sure, come with me." Once in the aisle in a secluded corner, Mandy wrapped her arms around Will and held him close while kissing him deeply.

"You don't know how long I've dreamt of this moment, Will. I'm so much looking forward to having you in my bed tonight!"