Water's Warm for a Swing

It felt off the moment we stepped into the Hollyhearst Mansion. The music sucked. The vibe was too mellow. Only a handful of folks were costumed up, and not even in couples-themed ones. We'd expected to see slutty angels and devils, perhaps a Zeus and Hera in sheer, or a Batman and Catwoman who'd made clever use of latex. The level of commitment around us was lacking.

Belle and I had put in the effort. My girlfriend was dressed as a sexy doctor. She'd gotten one of her fashion industry friends to tailor a baggy white medical coat into a tight button-up dress. Belle added white stockings and black heels. Tonight, she wore her hair in a tight bun, pairing the look with thin-rimmed glasses and a dandy stethoscope. She looked phenomenal—sultry yet sophisticated.

I dressed up as a surgeon to match her theme. I cut off the sleeves of my green scrubs so I could show off the guns. I'd also filled a thick syringe with vodka. I planned for the alcoholic accessory to be a fun way to build camaraderie with other couples. I imagined getting the chance to shoot female mouths with milliliters of booze, and hopefully it'd lead to me shooting something more creamy and viscous on them later on.

We'd been looking forward to playing tonight. Got tested and everything. Though we weren't married, Belle and I had developed a strong trust that had led us to this point. I took joy in when others found her attractive, and she felt the same when the admiration flowed my way. The lifestyle was something we'd both wanted to explore. Going into it, we'd made sure we were emotionally on the same page, and that communication and honesty were always at the forefront. So far, Belle and I'd had a few experiences that were as fun and pleasurable as promised.

Tonight, however, wasn't unfolding as we'd expected. What kind of swinger party was this? It was way too tame. We'd gotten the invite by word of mouth from one of Belle's fellow model friends. We knew none of the details other than to show up on Halloween night, which was maybe my mistake—not asking more questions. But I'd trusted my girlfriend with the logistics, and Belle had never been one to disappoint. Plus, when she'd told me the event was going to be hosted at some place named the "Hollyhearst Mansion," I got blinded by the possibility of sharing pleasures inside some extravagantly historic mansion.

Indeed, when the Uber had dropped us off, I was pleased that the house's aesthetic had matched my expectations. The hillside mansion had multiple pitched gables and half-timbered framing; the design resembled something from medieval times. The interior walls were paneled with rich wood, the floors covered with patterned rugs, and the furniture felt like it belonged in those classic literature books I had to read in high school.

It was a shame the people here weren't living up to the setting. Thirty minutes after we'd arrived, Belle and I had tried chatting with the few couples we could identify. They were friendly people, but none of them gave us a vibe that they wanted to turn small talk into something more. Belle and I tried upping the flirting, but it only had the opposite effect. Couples seemed weirded out and found ways to escape our conversation.

Were people finding us offensive? Off-putting? Impossible. My girlfriend and I treated everyone with respect. Perhaps others thought our costumes were too try-hard, with Belle's mouthwatering cleavage on display and my biceps out and about. When I'd pulled out the vodka syringe to try and break the ice with one couple, they recoiled at the sight. Did they think I was wielding a sedative for malice? The thought made me feel like a creep who deserved the electric chair.

Belle and I found ourselves in a corridor on the second floor. We'd each finished a heavy gin and tonic, hoping a punchier buzz would change our fortune with others.

"Smell me, Artie," Belle said.

"Come again?" I said.

"Do I stink or something? Why are couples running from us?"

I sniffed near her neck, and I could only smell her expensive Chanel perfume. "You smell perfect, B. How about me?" I went ahead and sniffed my armpits, but there was only the faint scent of deodorant.

"You're fine, babe," she said. Her hands fluffed out wrinkles in my scrubs. "Is it just me, or are we at the weirdest swinger party ever?"

"It can't be us," I said. "I'm starting to think that maybe this isn't—"

"Belle?!" a female shouted from behind us.

We turned to catch a young woman in blood-stained overalls walking toward us. She had blood makeup on her face too (at least I hoped it was makeup!). Her long dark hair looked intentionally messy, with a smattering of orange leaves tucked in it.

"Who is that?" I asked.

Belle took a second, then smirked. "I think it's the person we can blame."

The woman reached us and hugged Belle, and the two exchanged quick pleasantries, with the former complimenting our medical get-ups.

Belle folded me in. "Babe, this is my friend, Iris. She's the one who told us about the party. Iris, this is my boyfriend, Artie."

"Pleasure," Iris said, shaking my hand. "You two having a good time?"

Belle and I looked at each other, and I knew we both didn't want to lie in response to such a harmless question.

"Um, that's quite a costume," Belle said to her. "Not what I would've expected for this type of party."

Iris sighed in exasperation. "Oh girlie, not you too! Folks have been telling me it's in bad taste. But, at this point, it happened so damn long ago. It's past the statue of limitations."

Belle and I exchanged a look of confusion, unsure what Iris meant. I just knew she'd meant to use "statute" instead of statue.

"Iris," Belle said, "I'll just ask straight-up... How's this swinger party supposed to work?"

Iris's eyes grew wide. "Swinger party? What? Where'd you get that idea?"

"From you, silly!" Belle said. "You told me it was a swinger party when I saw you last week!"

"No, no, no," Iris said, wagging her finger. "I'd said 'Schwinger party,' as in this mansion is on Schwinger Street. Did you think I meant swinger, as in, like, partner swapping?"

Belle dropped her head in embarrassment. I chortled at the mishap.

"Oh my sweet girlie," Iris said consolingly. "You should've asked me to make sure. You didn't make the connection when I'd texted you the address?"

"Apparently not. God, I feel so dumb," Belle said, shaking her head.

Iris side-hugged her. "Don't worry, I'll keep this swinger thing between us. Your guys' business is your own. Sorry to have confused you."

"Well," I said, hands on hips, "this sure explains a lot. I figured we might be at a plain ol' Halloween party."

Belle sighed. "I guess things could be worse."

Iris said, "Yeah, you could be dead. Eee-eee-eee!" Iris mimicked a stabbing motion with her arm, trying to cheer us up with jokes. "But hey, listen, if you guys wanna feel better, check out the cigar room. It's that way." She winked at us and pointed toward our right. Iris then left us to party downstairs.

I looked at Belle to gauge matters. "How ya feeling, B?"

"Other than stupid and deaf?" She chuckled. "Schwinger. Swinger. Ugh..."

"We can still have a fun vanilla time tonight. Cheer up, Doc. It's Halloween. Let's see what this cigar room is all about."

***

We found the cigar room, but there was no one smoking cigars. A handful of folks were sitting around a low table. On it, I saw a razor blade next to skinny white lines arranged in neat rows. In the center, there was a square platter housing a mini mountain that meant tonight's snow supply was in no danger of running out.

Given the setting, the presence of nose candy wasn't surprising. For me and Belle, we'd mutually decided that we wouldn't partake in anything of the sort. We wanted the natural highs of the evening to carry us. Obviously, things had now changed given new information, but I wasn't in the mood for uppers nor downers. When I looked at Belle, she gave me the head shake that told me she wasn't interested either.

On the other end of the room, there was another clique in a closed circle—the weed smokers. They stood next to an open window while passing around a glass pipe. One of the guys saw Belle and me and waved us over.

He looked like he was in his twenties, but he dressed like a hippie from the 60s, with his tie-dye shirt, headband, and Lennon shades. I gave him mental kudos for at least putting in the effort to dress up tonight. We walked to him, and he warmly welcomed us to join his circle.

"Hey bro," he said. "Check it, so I've got asthma, right? Had it since I was really young. Medically speaking, I need to know if smoking weed makes the asthma worse. My buddy says it helps clear the lungs, but I don't believe him. What's the science?"

Belle and I looked at each other, wondering how high this guy might already be. His speech was slurred, and his legs were wobbling subtly in place.

I scratched my head. "Yeah, um, we're not real doctors. It's a costume, man. For, y'know, Halloween..."

"Ohhh," he said, laughing uncontrollably. "Alright, but you got a medical opinion, though?"

"On whether weed clears your lungs? Yeah, I doubt it," I said.

"I gotta know. Do you mind looking it up for me really quick?" he asked kindly. "I'll let you in on this pipe after. This weed's some good stuff, bro. You'll touch Jupiter."

Feeling charitable and amused, I decided to pull out my phone and google: Does smoking weed clear one's asthma? The top hit unsurprisingly said that smoking would only irritate the condition.

I turned my phone to show him the search results. "Sorry, buddy," I said, "you've been sold fake news."

He squinted to read the small font, but ended up taking the phone from my hand to bring it closer. In his haste, his clumsy grip fumbled my phone into the air. It was like witnessing a car crash in slow motion...

I watched as my phone flew through the open second-story window, disappearing from view. I nudged him aside to meet the sill. Twenty feet below, I saw my phone had landed on a stone terrace. I couldn't see the damage, but I knew it could only be bad. Fuck!

"Oh, fuck, bro," he said. "I'm high as shit right now. I'm so sorry!"

The devil in me wanted to throw this stoner out the window as matching punishment, but I restrained myself. Belle wrapped her arm around my waist, warning me to stay calm.

"Here, man, you can have my entire stash," the stoner said contritely, presenting me with a thick bag of weed.

"It's fine," I said passive-aggressively. "Just ease up on the pipe, man."

He nodded, then offered me the pipe. "You wanna hit this?" he asked.

I bristled at the offer. Belle tapped my hip, signaling for us to walk away and let bygones be bygones.

***

Belle and I went downstairs to confirm the obvious. We landed on the stony terrace facing the backyard, where we found my phone's screen in tatters. It was broken beyond repair. Glass pieces were scattered around the carcass. It was made worse by the fact that it was the latest iPhone Pro Max model. I'd only had it for a month!

For my troubles, Belle went inside to kindly make me a new drink while I cleaned up and disposed of the remains. She met me back outside on the terrace and handed me a fresh gin and tonic. I ended up squirting the entirety of my vodka syringe into my cup because why not. Belle helped me sip in commiseration as we stared at the backyard full of trees and shrubbery.

"I'll buy you a new phone tomorrow," she said, kissing my cheek while hugging my side. Her kindness helped lift my spirits.

I finished the last of our drink. "We should probably ditch this party, yeah? Do you mind getting us an Uber?"

"Sorry, babe," she said.

"For what?"

"I didn't bring my phone," she said, nervously clenching her teeth. "I didn't want to lose it. Don't be mad at me."

I took a calming breath, not allowing further frustration to color the rest of my evening. I pecked Belle's lips to let her know I could never be mad at her over such a small thing.

"I'm sure Iris can order us a car," Belle said. "Wanna head in and find her?"

An elongated yelp reverberated from somewhere beyond the brush of trees. I turned to Belle, and she gave me a questioning look.

"You heard that, right?" she asked.

"Sounded like a scream of pain? That, or someone's having a heck of an orgasm."

Belle stared at the sea of trees with worry on her face. "Maybe we should check it out, Artie. In case someone needs our help?"

"Should we?" I asked. "The staircase down is roped off. I dunno if the party wants people crossing it."

"True, but someone could be in danger. If it were us down there in trouble, I'd like to think someone would come and check. Seems like the right thing to do."

I took a moment to ponder the caring way Belle always thought of others in random moments. I remembered last month when she volunteered to help an elderly couple walk across a long crosswalk, even though we were already running late for a dinner reservation. There was also that time when she had me pull over so we could help a clueless teen replace a flat tire. If it wasn't for Belle, I don't know how willing I'd be to venture out of my way to help strangers.

"Okay, let's check it out, B." I went ahead and unlatched the braided rope blocking the staircase.

Side by side, hand in hand, we descended the stone stairs that sloped further into the backyard. A bevy of mature oaks lined both sides of our path, creating a foresty tunnel. I wish either of us had our phones to use as a flashlight, but luckily for us, the bright moon was kind enough to assist.

As we walked down, the eeriness of our surroundings started to creep in. The path felt like one of those haunted house mazes where masked performers were paid to pop out and scare you. Coincidentally, we'd gone to such a maze last week, where Belle was stapled to my side the entire time, face pointed down and hugging my arm. Afterward, she'd told me, never again! Interestingly, when I looked at her now, she looked totally calm and resolute. I assumed the prospect of helping someone in need outweighed irrational fears.

The staircase eventually segued into a flat pathway paved with the same stone tiles. We continued forward until we reached the end, where we realized we'd stumbled onto a separate plane within the backyard. On one side, there was a panoramic view of the city from our hillside elevation. The view was spectacular. Balls of light and gridlines stretched for miles.

Along the ridgeline, there was a rectangular swimming pool flanked by a tall grotto rock structure. It was situated next to a pool house. Beyond it, I glimpsed a small road that hugged the hillside. The yard's midcentury stylings looked totally different than that of the mansion. I figured it must've been a later addition by the owners, wanting to build themselves an isolated oasis.

Belle and I swiftly reminded ourselves of our mission. I led us toward the pool house, both of us trying to decipher whether anyone was in there who needed our help. There were no signs of activity from what we could tell.

Two floodlights suddenly turned on, and the entire yard was illuminated. Belle and I recoiled when we saw a couple sitting on a pool lounger, making out. They ended their kiss, and the man quickly withdrew his hand from between her thighs. The pair swiftly turned their attention to us, looking more nervous than annoyed.

"Whoops," I said. "Didn't mean to interrupt."

"Sorry," the man said. "My wife and I were just having a little fun before joining the festivities. Hey there, I'm Kevin."

"Peggy," the woman said, introducing herself with a friendly wave.

The couple looked to be in their late twenties. Kevin was shirtless, wearing only yellow swim trunks. He had a hairy chest, a thick mustache, and a shaggy hairstyle. Peggy had caramel-colored curls with a daisy flower tucked behind her ear. She wore a strapless two-piece swimsuit that also featured a pattern of daisies.

"I'm Artie," I said. "This is my girlfriend, Belle."

"Are you two okay?" Belle asked. "We heard a noise."

"Yeah, sorry, we're all good," Peggy said. "Just a little nervous, I guess. Kev and I were just trying to loosen up for the party. You two are the only ones we've seen. Where's everyone else?"

"Uhh... They're upstairs?" I said, trying not to sound condescending.

"Upstairs?" Kevin said.

I pointed toward the path that led back up. From our angle in the yard, the mansion wasn't visible past the tall trees.

"Oh shit, no wonder," Kevin said. "Peg, we must've taken a wrong turn. I told you we should've kept driving up the road."

"You're right, honey. As always." Peggy rolled her eyes, then looked at Belle, as if to say, they always gotta be right, huh?

Belle smiled. "Nice costumes. Are you two supposed to be, like, beachgoers?"

"Close enough," Kevin said, pointing to a surfboard and orange ring buoy feet away. "I'm supposed to be a surfer, and Peg's meant to be a lifeguard. Sort of."

Peggy pinched her husband. "Yeah, okay, I know my swimsuit isn't a lifeguard uniform. But a solid color isn't all that fun to wear on Halloween. I mean, no offense to your guys' costumes. You actually make a doctor and surgeon look sexy."

"That, we can agree on, hon," Kevin said. His eyes traveled up and down Belle's wardrobe, soaking in all the details. His gaze lingered on her thighs and knee-high stockings.

I glanced at Belle, and I could tell she knew she was being ogled. She turned to me, and we both exchanged muted grins. When I looked back at the couple, I could tell Peggy was now quietly checking me out.

I noticed two half-empty cocktails on the ground next to their feet. "Whatcha guys drinking?" I asked.

"Martini for the wifey, Manhattan for me," Kevin said. "I made these drinks in the pool house—the place we thought the party was supposed to be at..."

"Wait, so you haven't been upstairs yet?" Belle asked.

"Nope," Kevin said. "Glad you two arrived, though. Now you can show us where to go."

"Do we give the keys to you?" Peggy asked.

I scrunched my eyebrows. "What keys?"

"We're told someone will dump all our keys into a bowl. And then each couple picks out a random one to know who they'll swap with."

I let out a laugh. "Wait, do you guys think you're at... a key party?"

"Umm, are we not?" Peggy asked, looking both confused and embarrassed.

Belle chimed in, "Sorry to burst your bubble, but it's just a regular Halloween costume party, of the non-key variety."

Kevin disappointedly flapped his hands on his thighs, then stood up from their pool lounger. "Well, someone gave us misleading info, then. What the hell..."

Peggy stood up too. "Shame, really," she said. "We were looking forward to our first time with others."

I debated whether to mention that Belle and I had also thought this party was a swinging affair. However, I didn't know how candid I wanted to be with two strangers. I got further distracted when Kevin suddenly picked up his surfboard.

"What do you think, Peg?" he said. "Should we just split?"

Peggy blew out a raspberry. "Up to you, honey."

He simply shrugged back.

Belle and I stared at one another, and I tried reading her mind. We'd gotten pretty good at non-verbal communication, and this moment was as good a time as any to put the skill to good use.

They seem friendly, her eyes said. Should we...

I flicked my eyebrows. Keep this going? I was wondering the same thing. You want to?

Belle nodded. Don't you? It's what we came here for, right? They're both attractive. Seem friendly enough.

I smiled subtly. Yeah, I could be interested... Okay, let's see where this goes. Follow my lead.

"You guys, it's way too early to bounce," I said. "Belle and I could use a drink. You said the pool house has some booze. Wanna make us something?"

Kevin and Peggy looked at each other, probably doing the same non-verbal ping-pong. They sprouted matching smiles, then looked back at us.

"Sure," they both said.

***

Inside the pool house, Belle and I relaxed on the couch, watching Kevin and Peggy behind a counter as they mixed us new cocktails. From our distance, we couldn't hear their low whispers, but I'm betting there was only one topic on their minds.

They were probably asking themselves the obvious. Whether they thought me and Belle were attractive. Whether there was a spark of chemistry that could ignite into something more. Belle and I were whispering the same things from our position on the couch. We reaffirmed that the signs felt promising, but we needed to keep feeling it out.

Belle made the first move. She crossed her legs and made sure the thick side of her thigh faced Kevin. I snuck a glance at him seconds later, and he'd fallen for the bait. His eyes salivated over Belle's posture as he continued shaving an orange peel.

Belle began caressing my bulging tricep as she spoke to me, and I realized she was casting more bait, this time for her counterpart. I glanced at Peggy, and her eyes were drawn to my sleeveless arms that I worked out three times a week.

"It's working," I whispered to Belle.

"I know," she said. "Be cool, they're coming."

Kevin approached us with fresh drinks, one in each hand. Peggy trailed behind him and settled on the sectional perpendicular to us.

Kevin handed me my drink first. "An Old Fashioned for the good surgeon." He then glanced at Belle, eyes dropping to her juicy thigh as he extended the other drink toward her. "And a martini for the doctor. Extra dirty."

Belle took the drink, then stared at him as she took a sip. Without breaking eye contact, she pulled the toothpick from her glass and used her tongue to tug the olives into her mouth.

Kevin tried to hold back a smirk as he walked backward to join his wife on the sectional. Peggy handed him a new drink that he thanked her for with a kiss. Kevin consumed his cocktail with measure, exchanging lingering glances with Belle.

I sipped my cocktail in glee and decided to get in on the action. My eyes glommed onto Peggy's swimsuit. She filled out the bust quite nicely. When she caught my stare, I didn't shy away in shame. I nodded and tipped my glass in acknowledgment.

"So, how long have you two been married?" Peggy asked us.

Belle warmly held my hand. "Oh, we're not married, but maybe one day, when someone gets their priorities straight." Belle had said the line in jest, squeezing my palm as assurance. Kevin and Peggy hummed in unison to tease me.

I chuckled. "How about you guys? Been married long?"

"Coming up on a decade," Peggy said.

Kevin added, "We got hitched right out of high school. Couldn't wait to spend the rest of my life with this foxy babe." He leaned into Peggy to kiss her cheek.

I looked at Belle, and she was sipping her martini, eyebrows raised. I figured she was drinking in the fact that they'd been together for their entire adult lives.

"Do you like the drinks?" Peggy asked. "Kev's a bartender, y'know. I'm a waitress. We work at Thompson's Cellar downtown. Been there before?"

"Hm, can't say I've heard of it," Belle said. "You, Artie?"

"I've driven past the sign," I said. "Thought it closed down, no?"

"You're thinking of Jerry's Cellar," Kevin said, laughing. "Fuck those copycats. They tried to copy our style, but they couldn't match our spirit."

Peggy stood up and strolled over to the vinyl player in the corner. "Doctor Belle, would you like to help me find a record to spin?"

"Love to," Belle said. As she rose from the couch, Kevin stood up and sat beside me, taking Belle's seat.

Drinks in hand, he and I quietly observed the two women fifteen feet away, squatting down to peruse the cupboard of vinyls. Belle's ass was on beautiful display, stretching the fabric of her short doctor's coat. Kevin indulged in the view.

"Your lady's gorgeous," he said to me privately.

"Yours too, my friend. I suddenly have a fondness for daisies." I stared at the flower tucked behind Peggy's ear.

Kevin smiled. "Peg's got strong beliefs. But when it's just me and her, in the privacy of our home, and the mood's just right... Boy, she's something else. You wouldn't think her a pacifist."

Kevin's suggestion lit a match in my loins, and the image of his naked wife filled my mind: She'd be riding cock with that daisy dug into her caramel curls, the flower not falling loose from her constant thumping. Her hands would be cupping her tits, her tongue mouthing dirty words as she bounced like a trampoline.

Kevin nudged me with his forearm. "Glad we stumbled into you and Belle. You two seem like cool cats. Can't believe Peg and I thought there was supposed to be a key party here. How embarrassing."

I took a beat. "Hey Kevin, I gotta tell you something, man... You and Peggy aren't the only ones. Belle and I misheard too. We thought it'd be a swinger party in the mansion. Upstairs, we tried flirting with other couples, but got zero hits. Imagine our reaction when we found out it wasn't that type of party. We felt like idiots."

Kevin took a second, then clinked my glass. "Cheers, Artie. To my fellow idiot."

Kevin and I sipped our drinks as we watched Peggy place a vinyl on the record player. After she dropped the needle, I immediately recognized the classic bass line. It was The Temptations' hit, My Girl. I remembered my grandparents spinning this record endlessly in their house when I was young.

The song was now taking on a new resonance. I watched Belle take Peggy's hands to get her to dance while they both sang the lyrics. I felt a bright sense of pride watching my girlfriend take the lead. Peggy reciprocated Belle's energy, smiling throughout.

When the song neared its end, Peggy gently pulled Belle closer so she could whisper into her ear. Belle whispered in turn. Back and forth they went. Kevin and I couldn't make out their words. The women exchanged mutual smiles and light giggles. My interest was piqued. What were our ladies talking about? It felt like they were plotting something.

Both of them simultaneously looked at us. "Hey Artie, I hear you like cars?" Peggy asked.

"I sure do," I said. "Fast and shiny ones."

"Kev, honey, let's show them our ride."

Kevin finished the remainder of his drink and stood up. He extended a manly hand to pull me up from the couch. He patted my shoulder after, then said, "I got fast and shiny covered, my friend. Peg, lead the way."

***

A door from inside the pool house led directly into a car garage. We followed Peggy's lead. She pulled a metal string that illuminated a light bulb overhead, and my eyes lit up like fireworks. A 1965 Ford Mustang convertible was before me. It looked immaculate. I wooed in disbelief, snapping my fingers in delight.

"You like the wheels?" Kevin asked.

"Like's an understatement," I said. "The finish looks pristine. Original springtime yellow. Cream leather interior. You've got a beauty on your hands."

Kevin swung open the driver-side door. "Take a seat in it, Artie. You too, Belle."

I got into the driver's seat while Belle took the passenger side. Our new friends hopped into the back seat, with Peggy sitting behind me and Kevin behind Belle. They looked over our shoulders as I fiddled with the knobs and buttons.

"Wanna take it for a spin?" Kevin asked.

"Shit, I'd love to!" I said. "But I'm too buzzed, man."

"Artie's right, best to play it safe," Belle said. "... But hey, that doesn't mean we can't have any fun." Belle looked diagonally behind her at Peggy, and the two women exchanged a knowing smile.

Belle then looked at me, and I began another exercise of eye-reading.

Okay if I lead? Her eyes said, along with her smirk.

I tilted my head in curiosity. Lead how?

Belle grinned. You'll see. Trust me?

I gave her a single nod, amused by what my girl had in store.

Belle addressed Kevin and Peggy, "You know what, I've never learned to drive a stick shift, but I think now's a great time to pick it up. Peggy, will you help guide me?"

Peggy nodded and took Kevin's hand, as if bracing him for what was to follow.

I turned toward Belle, and she started by removing her glasses and placing them atop the dashboard. Then she took the stethoscope from her neck and set it aside too. Before I could ask what was happening, Belle cutely curled her finger at me, angling her chin for a kiss.

I leaned over the center cushion and met her lips. Belle opened up for some tongue, and I happily gave it to her. Meanwhile, I felt her hand reach for my waistband. Her fingers slipped beneath my scrubs and took hold of my cock. She began slowly stroking to get me hard.

"Shift the gear," Peggy said, which got Belle to tighten her grip and quicken her handjob.

"Fuck," I groaned. Whatever playful scenario the women had schemed up, I was all in. I pulled my scrubs down my thighs to give my girlfriend better access.

Belle broke our kiss. "The stick's kinda dry, Peg."

"Then polish it, sweetie," she said.

Belle didn't hesitate. She leaned over the center cushion and wrapped her lips around my cock head. I dropped my head back and let out a breath, resting my hand on the back of her neck. Belle began bobbing on my lap, slobbering my length with warm saliva and an active tongue.

From behind me, I felt Peggy's hands land on my shoulders. She was leaning forward to watch. In my periphery, I sensed Kevin leaning forward too, staring at my girlfriend work wonders on my lap. Was he imagining Belle's mouth on his own cock? I'd be offended if he wasn't.

Minutes in, I felt Peggy's hands leave my shoulders. Curious, I turned my head and saw Kevin looking relaxed, his arms resting along the top edge of the back seat. His wife was bent forward, her head buried in his crotch, sucking him off.

Our beautiful women were giving us matching blowjobs in a classic convertible. I was riled up, my engine on overdrive. I tapped Belle to get her attention. "Fuck, B, I need your pussy."

Belle stopped her blowjob and gave my cock head a parting kiss. She maneuvered her body to straddle me, kneeling over my lap. She lifted the hem of her doctor's coat and hurriedly pulled her thong to the side. I could feel the heat between her legs. I held my base steady as she split her pussy with my tip. She sank slowly, filling up her insides, and we both blew out breath.

Belle began gyrating her hips, working my cock inside her walls. I loved how tight she felt, how wet she got with others watching. Her hands were on my chest; she pressed them into my scrubs, using me for balance as she steered our friction.

As she grinded, I took my thumb and began rubbing her clit, getting her to purr under her breath. When I looked into her eyes, I realized they were drawn to the backseat. I turned my head and saw Kevin gazing at Belle, both of them engaged in a steamy staring contest while his wife continued her blowjob on him.

I smiled in delight. Wanting to turn up the heat, I unfastened all the buttons on Belle's doctor's coat, then flared open the flaps to showcase her lingerie. I eagerly returned my thumb to Belle's clit. I continued pleasuring it, tuning my tempo in response to her body language. It was only a matter of time before her legs were writhing, her open mouth letting out a long moan.

I glanced behind me and was surprised to find Peggy now bent in doggy, her swimwear pulled down, with Kevin's cock thrusting into her pussy. His eyes gravitated between his wife's ass and my girlfriend's lingerie. Belle's bra and thong featured see-through lace, and I'd bet good money it was getting Kevin to already leak pre-cum.

I felt my chin being swiveled. Belle had me face her. "God, you know how hard you made me come?"

Before I could respond with something witty, Belle brought her lips to my ear. She whispered, "Babe, save something for Peggy."

"I can do that," I whispered back. "How's this: I'm thinking we can play separately, get some one-on-one time first. Then reunite later for group play."

"Okay, let's do it," Belle said, pecking my lips. "I'm gonna have some fun with it. Watch this. Play along."

Belle rolled off my lap and demonstrably cleared her throat. It got Kevin and Peggy to pause their fucking and give her their attention.

"Peggy," Belle said, "I'd like to write Kevin a prescription. Can I?" She winked at her.

Peggy looked intrigued. "Um, sure. As long as it's okay with Artie?"

I smiled, realizing my girlfriend was playing up the whole doctor bit. "Only if it'll make Kevin feel better," I said.

"Oh, I guarantee it will," Belle said sexily. She grabbed her glasses and stethoscope off the dashboard, then stepped out of the car from the passenger side, not bothering to button up her coat. Her lacy lingerie and white stockings were a sexy contrast to the calm manner in which she folded her glasses and slid them inside her coat pocket.

From the same pocket, Belle pulled out a tiny rectangular notepad, like the ones doctors used. She reached for her hair and removed the ballpoint pen that held her bun; she used the pen to write something on her prescription pad.

In the backseat, Kevin was brimming with curiosity. He'd pulled up his swim trunks, as did Peggy with her swimwear. Both of them were now sitting side by side, awaiting further direction.

"Don't worry, Peggy," Belle said. "I'll be sure to take good care of him. Kevin, come out and read this."

Kevin looked to his wife first, and she kissed his lips before nudging him to meet Belle just outside the car. Peggy and I stayed in the Mustang and watched as my girlfriend tore off the prescription note to hand to him. He read it and immediately broke into a grin.

"Sure, we can turn on the pool," Kevin said.

"What's it say, honey?" Peggy asked.

He flashed the small paper that featured a lone word: Breaststroke.

Kevin then turned toward me. "Artie, this is all cool, right?"

"Doctor's orders, you should follow them," I said, giving him a thumbs up.

"Take care of Peg for me, will ya?" he said, before turning to his wife. "Peg, I love you. See you in a bit?"

Peggy nodded with a smile. "Love you, hon. Have fun with Belle."

Kevin turned toward my girlfriend, who was offering her hand to him. He took it and drew a deep breath. Belle blew us a kiss before she and Kevin both walked back inside the pool house. They closed the door to the garage behind them, giving me and Peggy some privacy.

***

I was still in the driver's seat, while Peggy remained in the back. She shifted to the opposite cushion to better meet my eyeline. I took a quiet second to reset and gauge where she was at mentally. I remembered that she'd alluded to tonight being their first swinging experience. I wanted to make it as comfortable for her as I could.

"How're you doing?" I asked.

"Honestly, I think Kev and I are having more fun with you two than we would've had at a full-blown key party. This feels more intimate. Less eyes, less pressure."

"Good to hear. I told Kevin this earlier, but Belle and I also thought we'd be coming to a swinger party. You guys aren't alone."

"Are you two pretty experienced with sharing?" she asked.

"We've been dipping our toes," I said. "The times we've played with others have been so far, so good."

"And has the lovemaking changed? Between you and Belle."

"Yeah, I feel like we've unlocked a new level of intimacy. A primal passion. Deeper connection."

"That's what I'm hoping Kev and I will get to experience. We've been talking about it a lot. We feel like we're in a good place to start exploring."

"You said you guys have been married a decade?"

Peggy nodded. "We got married really young and were each other's firsts. We never really got the chance to date others, which is not something either of us regrets. But us being ten years in, we realized we wanted to add a little spice to things. When we made love, we talked naughty about swapping with another couple. The orgasms were intense."

"I know the feeling," I said, offering Peggy my hand as a show of goodwill. "Any speed you wanna go tonight, just let me know. We can do whatever you're comfortable with."

"Appreciate that, Artie. I think Kev and I will continue following your guys' lead. This whole car thing was Belle's idea, y'know? She suggested it when we were chatting at the record player. Gave me those saucy stick shift lines. Your girlfriend's a good guide. I like her."

"So do I," I said with a smile.

"What do you think she and Kevin are doing in the pool?"

"Mastering the breaststroke, I'm assuming," I said. "That's okay with you, right?"

"Yeah, I know I signed off on it," she said meekly. "But, um... I'd be lying if I said I wasn't feeling a little jealousy right now."

"It's natural. I also feel it, and I bet Belle and Kevin do too. My tip? Just lean into it, but don't let it consume you. It's all about trust. Know that we're all here for a good time."

Peggy nodded agreeably, and I sensed she was in the right mindset to keep this night rolling along.

"Hey," I said, "I think I'm gonna need a new drink. Think you can make me one in the pool house?"

"What are you craving?" she asked.

I looked Peggy's body up and down, then gave her eye contact, unable to hold back my grin.

***

Back inside the pool house, Peggy stood at the counter where she and Kevin had made our drinks earlier. A peeled orange rind lay on the laminate surface, the cap to the bourbon sitting beside it. A new glass had ice in it, but no liquid. I hadn't let her finish making my drink.

I was standing behind her with my forearms hugging her sides, and my palms squeezing her bare tits. I'd tugged her strapless top down to her ribs, her bikini bottom down to her thighs. Beneath the level of the counter, my cock had been sliding along her slit for minutes, getting her nice and wet for me.

I inched closer and brought my tongue to her neck, the sensitive area right below her ear. I licked her skin and got her to sprout goosebumps. She shivered at my touch. It was the same response I got from Belle whenever we got frisky in the kitchen.

"Mm, put it in me," Peggy begged.

I guided my cock and slowly penetrated her in standing doggy. Peggy was so slick for me. I started pumping, and her pussy warmly hugged my girth. I continued groping her tits as I mined her insides with the precision of an actual surgeon. She puffed out heavy breaths, her hands covering mine, pressing down on my hold.

"Fuck, Artie. Your fingers too."

I recalled what I'd done to Belle in the car, with me strumming her clit to orgasm. I was happy to give Peggy the same treatment. I leaned forward and moved one hand to her button, then began rubbing her while fucking her sweet pussy.

"You like that?" I whispered in her ear.

"Oh god, you're gonna make me come. Keep going!" She swept away cocktail items on the counter, then leaned her forearms atop the surface, trying to steady herself.

I pressed my palm into her back and dealt her a fresh round of thrusts, giving it to her harder and deeper. Her pubic hair tickled me at our angle, but it only added to the sensation. I kept at it until Peggy unleashed a scream. She reached for the far edges of the counter, and I lodged myself deep and kept still, letting her ride out her orgasm.

I gently combed her curls away from her neck so she could cool down. She slowly stood up straight, and I withdrew myself and took a step back.

"God, Artie," she said, exhaling loudly, leaning back on the counter. "That was dynamite! Did you come too?"

"You got me close."

"Can I finish you off?" she asked. "Kev says I give great blowjobs."

I smiled. "I'd love one, but let's save it for later. We should join them in the pool."

Peggy surprised me by suddenly stripping, removing her daisy swimsuit entirely. I guess she wanted to skinny dip, which I was wholly in support of. Her naked body boasted lovely curves alongside her hairy pussy. I lusted over her figure as I shed my scrubs.

With both of us nude, Peggy led us to the closed doors of the pool house. As she opened it, I took her by surprise and picked her up. I carried her under my arms and rushed toward the pool. She laughed as I cannonballed us into the water. I expected the pool temp to be cold, but it was warm and cozy. When we resurfaced, she playfully splashed water at me as payback. I smiled and splashed her too.

I noticed that the daisy that'd been in her hair was now floating in the pool, its petals scattered across the water. It made me think about how Belle and I were basically deflowering Peggy and Kevin when it came to the lifestyle. Typically, people's firsts aren't their best. I hoped Belle and I were proving that adage wrong for them.

I looked around the pool, realizing that Peggy and I were the only ones in it. And yet, there were other items in the water. I saw Kevin's surfboard and his swim trunks floating close to Belle's lingerie and stockings. Her doctor's coat, on the other hand, was folded neatly and sitting on a pool lounger, her black heels right below it.

"Where'd they go?" Peggy asked.

My focus honed in on that huge grotto on the far end of the pool. There looked to be a cavernous space beyond its wide waterfall, the details of which were blurred behind the falling water.

I grinned in anticipation. "I think I've got a hunch."

I gestured for Peggy to follow as I began swimming toward the grotto. My heart rate was climbing with every arm sweep and kick of water. I was eager to discover what kind of scene we'd come upon. When we reached the waterfall, Peggy and I dove under and propelled forward to dodge the splash.

When we came up, our eyes made out a flat surface inside the cave. Kevin was sitting on a bench carved into the rock. Belle was kneeling forward, situated between his legs, both of them naked and wet, illuminated by an indigo light from above.

Belle was facing away from us, but based on her hand placement, I knew what she was doing. She was holding up her breasts and rocking her body subtly, giving Kevin a titfuck. I chuckled to myself, realizing this was her prescription for a breaststroke.

Kevin looked hypnotized. When I noticed his hands, it seemed like he was holding something to his chest; it was the circular chestpiece of Belle's stethoscope, pressed over his heart. The tubing led to eartips that were in Belle's ears. The visual was both unusual and arousing. I figured this had to be my girlfriend's idea, her wanting to hear how his heartbeat changed the more she slid that cock of his between her tits.

Kevin glanced in our direction. He smiled at Peggy, then leaned forward, as if wondering whether he should pause matters. I saw Peggy gesture with her hand for him to keep going. Her smile told me she wanted to keep watching. Another minute went by as Belle continued pleasuring him. I knew Kevin was in heaven, watching his tip poke through my girlfriend's cleavage, his length enveloped by her luscious rack.

Belle giggled randomly. "You got a lot of pubic hair, my friend. It tickles when I drop."

"Let me return the favor then," Kevin said, grabbing his cock. "I'm gonna tickle that pretty pussy of yours."

"Cute line, buddy. How do you want me?"

He grinned. "Stand up. Turn around."

Belle stood and hung her stethoscope on her neck. As she spun to face away from him, she finally noticed me and Peggy idling nearby. She blew us a kiss, then spread her legs on either side of Kevin's thighs in reverse cowgirl. In his sitting position, Kevin held her hips and guided her descent.

When his cock speared Belle's slit, a surge of adrenaline electrified me. I was standing in water up to my ribs, and aggressively getting hard below the surface. I glanced at Peggy, and she looked equally mesmerized; I reeled her closer and got her hand to stroke me underwater. I groped her breast while watching my girlfriend ride her husband.

Belle looked incredible. Hair wet, body dripping, she wrangled Kevin's cock like a rodeo rider, bouncing on his lap with complete control. Her pussy lips were stretched around his shaft. The suction looked airtight, and the sheen along his length told me my girlfriend was hot and wet for him.

When Belle flung her stethoscope aside, I knew the time for silliness was over. She wanted to focus on fucking him properly. No more props and distractions. She planted her palms on the top of his thighs for balance, then drove her pussy down harder with force. Kevin groaned in pleasure. Their skin slaps were so loud they drowned out the waterfall.

"Ride him, Belle!" Peggy shouted. "How's her pussy, hon?"

"Juicy, baby!" he said.

"How's that cock, B?" I asked.

"Thick and hungry! Just how I like it," she said breathily.

There were more minutes of bronco busting before Kevin slowed proceedings. He tapped Belle's thigh and got her to detach and stand up. He stood too and got our attention. "Tell me why we're all in a dim cave. There's a million-dollar view out there. Follow me!" he said excitedly.

I watched Kevin exit stage left, walking through an archway that led back outside. Peggy waded over and climbed onto the cave floor, following him out. Meanwhile, Belle remained standing, waiting for me to join her side.

When I met her, Belle pulled me close, then tiptoed up to kiss me. "I missed you. How'd it go with Peggy?"

"Great! How was swimming with Kevin?"

"Ooh, I've got stories to tell you. But later, babe. We should join them."

"Do we have a game plan?" I asked. "You wanna make him come with your pussy?"

"I wouldn't mind that. His cock feels amazing. Did you already come with Peggy?"

"Not yet."

"Okay, we're gonna take care of that," she said. "Let's go."

When Belle and I stepped through the archway, we saw a staircase carved into the exterior of the grotto. We ascended it, and at the top, we came upon a patio area that was smoothly paved for walking. Huge slabs of rock lined the perimeter, which served as a railing.

Our eyes were immediately drawn to the same killer view when we'd first entered this part of the yard. Grunts and moans then caught our ears. It appeared Kevin and Peggy were already taking advantage of the view. The couple was facing the glittery cityscape, where, atop a flat slab of rock, Peggy was on all fours, kneeling on a folded towel while Kevin plugged her from behind. Next to them was another folded towel, meant for me and Belle.

We joined their side, where Belle started by sucking me for a good minute. When I was hard and ready, she arranged herself on the slab and assumed the same doggy position as her counterpart, a foot away from us. I gripped Belle's hips and wasted no time. I plunged her pussy, and the sensation was like listening to my favorite song I could never tire of.

Kevin nudged my elbow. "Look at us, eh?" he said. "What a life."

I glanced at him and gave him a fist bump, never stopping my hips with Belle.

When my attention returned to my girlfriend, I was amused to find her and Peggy leaning into each other. They were making out, kissing while they both got reamed. Their hands weren't shy. They reached to rub and squeeze each other's breasts.

After minutes of fucking, I got Kevin's attention. I gave him the hand gesture that asked if he wanted to swap.

He grinned and tapped his wife's ass to alert her. "Peg, wanna swap, hon?"

"Mhmm," she said enthusiastically.

"Belle?" I asked, and my girlfriend was already nodding in excitement.

As Kevin and I traded positions, Peggy and Belle undid the folded towels beneath their knees and laid them out on the rock slab so they could lie on their backs. The women spread their legs for us, and we inched up to meet them.

"Hi again," Belle said to Kevin. "My pussy missed your cock."

Peggy laughed. "I was about to say the same thing to Artie."

Kevin helped himself to Belle's tits. He massaged them as he shoved his girth back inside her. I did the same with his wife. The sight of my cock piercing Peggy's hairy pussy was picture-perfect. If fucking Belle was my favorite song, then banging Peggy was the late-tracklist gem that always delighted.

We altered positions again, maintaining our swap. Peggy remained on her back, while Belle got into doggy. My girlfriend aligned her face over Peggy's nipple so she could suck it, while Kevin hopped atop the rock slab and squatted behind Belle. Kevin reentered and continued drilling my girlfriend from behind. He was so relentless that Belle couldn't even focus on sucking Peggy's tits. As Belle moaned, Peggy kindly offered a hand grip of support to help Belle endure the pounding. The visual aroused me so much, I had to slow down inside of Peggy to make sure I didn't have an accident.

Kevin looked determined, sporting gritted teeth. "I wanna come on you so bad."

"Do it," Belle said.

"I need help. Artie, mind if I borrow my wife really quick?"

"Of course," I said. I withdrew from Peggy, and she quickly sat up.

Kevin reached for his wife. "Peg, I need your lips, baby."

Atop the rock slab, Peggy sidled up to Kevin and found his tongue. She kissed him fervently, while he continued fucking Belle. Their kiss grew more and more passionate, and I heard my girlfriend's moans echo alongside their saliva smacks.

Belle turned to me, supporting herself on her hands and knees. "Come here, babe. I need your lips too."

I crawled along the slab and bent low to engage Belle in a kiss of our own. I had to hold her face steady from how hard Kevin was fucking her.

"That's it, honey," Peggy said.

I glanced up to see Kevin pull out of Belle. He wore a strained expression as he stroked his cock, jerking himself violently until he sprayed streaks of cum onto my girlfriend's back. Even though Belle couldn't see it, her wide-eyed reaction told me she could feel the aftermath steaming on her skin.

"Fuck yeah," Kevin said, out of breath. He turned to his wife. "Peg, look what she made me do."

Peggy smiled. "I can see that, honey. Belle's a naughty, naughty girl."

Belle reached behind to swab some of Kevin's cum with her thumb, then sucked it off like a pacifier.

Kevin took a seat to relax. "Artie, you're one lucky S. O. B., you know that? Now it's your turn. Peg, wanna do the honors?"

Peggy was already inching closer to me.

"God yes, make him come!" Belle said, cheering her on.

I sat myself on the edge of the slab. Peggy knelt between my legs and gripped my shaft, beginning a blowjob that I'd yet to sample from her tonight. Once she started, I realized what I'd been missing out on. Her technique was so good she had me blowing out air to pace myself.

Like Belle, Peggy knew how to work her tongue to make my cock head vibrate. I dug my palm into her hair, then twirled her curls as she vacuumed me up. I glanced at Kevin, and he was nodding like he knew exactly the joy I was experiencing. I'd say he was one lucky S. O. B. as well.

"Where do you want it?" I asked, ready to burst.

"My body," Peggy said.

I stood up and fired thick bullets of cum all over her tits. I covered her chest like Napoleon conquering the map. She was thoroughly drenched. Peggy's shocked reaction matched Belle's and Kevin's. They couldn't believe I'd come that much. After multiple sessions tonight without a release, I knew I was due for a deluge.

"Kinky," Peggy said. Her fingers played with my cum.

Kevin met Peggy and got her to stand, and they locked lips again.

I sat back down and leaned on my elbows, drained and satisfied. When I looked at Belle, I could feel her giving me a mental high-five. I think we were both feeling a rewarding sense of success, having made Kevin and Peggy's first swing hopefully one to remember.

The couple looked at us with smiles of gratitude. Kevin spoke, "Artie, Belle, you guys are far out. You might as well be real doctors, the way you saved our night. We owe you."

"We had just as much fun," Belle said. "The proof's dripping down my back."

"And down my front," Peggy said, laughing. "What an unforgettable night. We're truly grateful. Feels like Kev and I can die happy. Thank you, you two."

Kevin took Peggy's hand. "Now, if you both don't mind, I think my wife and I are going to cool down in the pool. While the water's still warm. Rest easy, friends."

The couple walked lovingly hand in hand toward the edge of the grotto overlooking the pool. In unison, they leapt and disappeared from our view.

Belle and I now had complete privacy. We remained atop the grotto, turning to face each other.

"One crazy night," I said. "Penny for your thoughts?"

"Where to start?" Belle said. "I really enjoyed playing with them, Artie. It's cool to think we were their first."

I nodded in 100% agreement. "Is now a good time to share stories? Would love to hear about you and Kevin, pre-grotto."

"Get comfortable," she said, which got me to smile in anticipation.

Belle scooted up to sit beside me on the slab. "He was definitely timid when it was just us in the pool. I think he was worried about what you were doing with Peggy, which I told him was totally understandable. I said that she was in good hands with you, and that he should focus on having a good time with me. I was happy to be the one to initiate things. He followed my lead, and he found my wave soon enough. I found his too."

"You found his wave? Meaning what, you rode his surfboard?" I flicked my eyebrows, proud of my wordplay.

"Yeah, I literally did," she said. "I sat on his board in the shallow end, where he stood next to me—fingering my pussy. I encouraged him throughout. Talked a little dirty to get him going."

I blew out a breath, imagining the visual. "And how'd the lingerie come off?"

"That came next. We ditched the surfboard and moved to the deep end. I challenged him to unhook my bra while I treaded water. Same with my thong and stockings, though those took him a while. I had to submerge while he pulled them off my legs. He got quite handsy in the process." She winked.

"You took off his trunks the same way?" I asked.

"Yup, and in faster time too, which I teased him about. He argued that it wasn't fair that he only had one article of clothing in comparison. I told him to grab my stethoscope then, meet me inside the grotto, and I'd make up for the injustice. I gave him a nice titfuck, and then he wanted my pussy. When I stood up and turned around, that's when I spotted you and Peggy. Hope you two enjoyed the show."

Belle's retelling was threatening to resurrect my cock. If I hadn't already come, the reclamation sex right now would've been bananas.

"How about you and Peggy?" she asked. "Did she join you in the front seat after me and Kevin left?"

"We chatted a bit, then I steered us back inside the pool house. I groped and teased her while she made me a drink. Spoiler: she never finished making it. I fucked her from behind, played with her clit, and got her to come."

"Hot! Was she timid at all?" she asked.

"A tad, but I made sure she felt safe and comfortable. I already expected you'd be doing the same with Kevin. You're a good model."

Belle lent me a closed smile. "Why do you make it so easy to love you?"

"Hey, I'm just glad you got us to walk down here. It was the right call, B."

Belle pulled me in for a kiss. Afterward, we took the nearby towels and dried ourselves off. I attempted to rub her back clean, though it looked like Kevin's cum had already dried off.

Without a phone, I mentioned that we should probably ask our new friends for a ride home. Belle agreed and said that we should also exchange contact info to set up a future get-together, if not for group sex, then maybe just to hang out as friends.

We walked down from atop the grotto back to ground level. When we came upon the pool, we noticed our friends weren't in there anymore. Belle's lingerie and stockings were still floating in the water alongside orange leaves. She retrieved her stethoscope while I collected her clothes with a pool skimmer net.

After Belle put her heels and doctor's coat back on, she followed me inside the pool house, where I picked my scrubs off the floor and got dressed up. With Kevin and Peggy not in the pool house, Belle and I checked the garage and were surprised to find that their car had left.

"They just dipped?" I said. "That's kinda rude?"

"They probably had a good reason," Belle said, always believing the best in people.

"Alright, well, it's late. Let's walk back up to the party and find Iris. Maybe she can get us an Uber."

***

Belle and I traveled back up the stone staircase. We reentered the mansion looking for Iris, but couldn't find her. We decided to just wait outside the front of the mansion, where hopefully we'd run into a fellow partygoer on their way out.

As luck would have it, the first person who walked out was Iris herself. She told us she was heading home, and we explained to her our lack of transportation. She happily let us tag along in her Uber. When her car arrived, the three of us settled in the backseat, with Belle seated between us. We took off from Hollyhearst Mansion.

"So did y'all indulge in the cigar room?" Iris asked.

"Not quite, but we had other fun," Belle said, glancing at me with a secret smile.

I leaned forward to meet Iris's eyes. "How was the rest of your night?" I asked.

Iris rotated her upper body to flaunt her blood-soaked overalls. "My costume was a hit with this one guy. I dunno, he must've been a bored tech bro with cash to burn. Get this: he actually paid me to chase him around the party with my fake knife! It was like a glorified game of tag, I'm not even kidding. I was laughing my ass off the entire time!"

Belle and I exchanged a brief look of confusion before she turned toward Iris. "I don't get it. What's the deal with your costume? Are you supposed to be someone?"

"Hellooo! I'm the crazy old lady from the 60s. Halloween night at Hollyhearst. Ring a bell?"

"Not really," Belle said, glancing at me for my reaction. I shook my head, looking just as lost.

Iris went on, "Story goes that there was some exclusive party at the mansion, but this one couple must've taken a wrong turn; somehow, they ended up in the backyard. It was a case of wrong place, wrong time. The crazy old lady had trespassed earlier. She'd been camping out in the pool house..."

"To do what?" I asked, though it was slowly becoming obvious.

"It was brutal," Iris said. "First was the man in the garage, then his wife supposedly ran out of the pool house crying for help, but there was no escape. Psycho lady got some thirty stabs in—each. Both were dragged and dumped into the pool after. Why do you think tonight's party roped off the terrace stairs?"

"... Iris, um, are you messing with us?" Belle asked.

"Huh? Why would I do that?" Iris said sincerely. "Look it up when you get home. It's well documented. The judge gave the bitch the electric chair."

I heard Belle visibly gulp. I tapped her leg to get her attention, and she shivered in response. She slowly rotated her head to meet my eyes. We quietly stared at one another, trying to make sense of our night. She narrowed her eyes as if to say, there's no way, right?

"We must've been drunk," I said to Belle, desperate for logic. "That heavy vodka-gin tonic, and our drinks from earlier..."

"Plus that smoke," Belle said. "Cigar room. Must've inhaled it. Secondhand high?"

Iris chimed in, "What the heck are you guys babbling about?"

The next five minutes of our car ride were completely silent. Iris busied herself with her phone, while Belle and I stared blankly out the window.

I looked down at my lap when I felt a touch. Belle had delicately rested her palm on the back of my hand. I turned to face her, and her spooked expression had now been replaced with one of silver-lined hope.

"Artie, I dunno how to explain it, but... I feel like we ended up giving them what they came for. Maybe... Maybe we can take solace in that."

I took a beat, and ideas of redemption and release fluttered through my mind. I turned my hand over, palm facing up, and met Belle's soft grip. "Yeah, B, I like that." I tenderly kissed her head, then returned my eyes to the window with a sense of quietude. Rest easy, friends.

*** *** *** ***