Chapter 12: Beach, Blanket, and Boogying

The beach house appeared through the coastal dunes like something from a dream — all glass and weathered wood, perched on a slight rise with the ocean stretching endlessly beyond. Jessica pulled into the gravel driveway and killed the engine, and for a moment we all just stared.

“Holy shit,” Tom said from the passenger seat. “This is the place?”

“This is it,” Jessica confirmed. “Your colleague really came through.”

I exchanged a glance with Emma in the back seat. The house was stunning — expensive, secluded, way nicer than any favor should reasonably provide. Something felt orchestrated, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on what.

“Who did you say hooked this up?” I asked Tom as we climbed out.

“Guy from Blackwood. Said he owed me for covering his project last month.” Tom grabbed bags from the trunk. “Didn’t ask too many questions.”

Emma stretched beside me, her sundress riding up her thighs. “It’s beautiful. And so private.”

She was right. The nearest house was barely visible through the trees, and a path led down to what looked like a private beach. Perfect for a weekend of ... activities.

We hauled our bags up to the entrance. The door was unlocked with a key code that Tom had to dig up from his email app. Inside was even more impressive: open floor plan with vaulted ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows facing the ocean, modern kitchen, comfortable furniture arranged for socializing.

“Okay, this is insane,” Jessica said, setting down her bag. “There’s no way this is just a casual favor.”

“Let’s not overthink it,” Tom suggested. “Maybe the guy’s just generous.”

Emma was already exploring, opening doors. “Four bedrooms! And a loft space with more beds!”

“Perfect,” Jessica said. “David and the fam should be here in an hour, and the rest of the gang won’t be far behind.”

“Your friends,” Emma said, coming back to the living room. “Who all is coming?”

“I think you’ve met most of them,” Jessica pondered. “They’re all super chill, Em. Liam and Zara work at Blackwood with Tom, Derek and Simone we know from college. We had ... some wild times back then.”

Emma looked at me. “So do they know about us? The family stuff?”

“They know we’re open,” Jessica said. “They know a few details. But yeah, they’ll be accepting. Leave your cares back home, sis.”

“Good.” Emma grabbed her bag. “Which room is ours?”

“I don’t think it really matters,” Tom said, shrugging. “I doubt anyone here’ll sleep in the same place twice. But we got here first, so we’re taking dibs on the master, with the private bath.”

“Let’s take the double room in the back, Ethan!” Emma said excitedly, and grabbing my bag from me, began taking the stairs two at a time.

“Claimed beds or not, I bet Maya makes it into yours,” Jessica grinned, giving me a teasing elbow.

Heat crept up my neck. Maya was gorgeous — mid-twenties, smaller firm build, stylish dark hair, confident as hell. We’d fooled around a few times at Jessica’s and after work, but sharing a room felt more intimate somehow. More intentional.

“I do like her vibe,” I admitted, “ ... and her body. She’s a ton of fun.” I sighed, “But man, I’ve got a lot of stuff going on right now, Jess. I don’t know if I need anything complicated.”

“Come on,” she smiled, tugging my arm. “Let’s take a beat before the gang all gets here.”

She tugged my arm halfway up the stairs, and then spoke in a low voice. “I’m really hoping I can get some time with you and David, you know ... some double-team action?”

“Jeez, Jess. It’d be an honor. We’ll try to swing it, as they say.”

The house had clearly been designed for groups — plenty of beds and enough bathrooms. The room Emma had picked out had two queens with a shared nightstand between them, simple but comfortable. I dropped my bag on the one she wasn’t sitting on.

Emma looked up at me with a huge smile. “Think we’ll have time to ... you know. Together?”

“Of course. We always do.” I pulled her into a hug. “But this weekend is also about you experiencing new things. New people. If you want.”

“I do want,” she said against my chest. “I’m nervous but excited. Is that weird?”

“That’s exactly right.”

She nuzzled against my chin, and I looked down at her eyes, our lips met. Her breath warm and sweet, eyelashes fluttering against my cheek. I ran my hand down her back and gripped her ass.

A car pulled up outside — a peek out the window revealed David’s distinctive SUV. We pulled apart a bit reluctantly and headed downstairs to greet them.

David, Sofia, Marcus, Mia, and Lily piled out with bags and coolers. The family was in vacation mode — casual clothes, sun hats, everyone talking over each other.

“This place is unreal,” David said, taking in the house. “Who scored this for us?”

“Mystery benefactor through work,” Tom said. “We’re not questioning it.”

Sofia hugged Jessica, then me, then Emma. “How are you doing, sweetie?” she asked Emma. “Haven’t had any more trouble with the family stalker?”

“Not so much anymore,” Emma said. “Not since Ethan gave her a good talking.”

“Well she’d have to burn some gas money to get out here,” David assured her. “And I don’t see her affording anything nearby.”

Lily bounded over and grabbed Emma’s hand. “Come on! Let’s get changed and hit the beach!”

The girls disappeared upstairs, Mia following. Marcus and I helped David unload while Sofia and Tom started organizing the kitchen. Afterwards Tom and I grabbed beers and headed to the deck.

“So,” Tom said, settling into an Adirondack chair, “Ready for the swingset to get messier?”

“Ready for what?”

“Maya’s pretty into you. Like, more than just hookup into you.”

I took a drink. “Yeah, I’m getting that sense.”

“You into her?”

“I am. Which is complicated.”

“Because of the family stuff?”

“Because I don’t know how to balance it. I love my family. I love what we have. But nothing’s stable for me right now, and she does demand attention. I’d hate to not be able to give it to her.”

Tom nodded. “You can love more than one person, you know. In different ways. That’s kind of the whole point of this polyamorous stuff.”

“I know. I just don’t want anyone to feel like they’re not enough.”

“Not too hard if you communicate. You can discuss with Maya about your needs. You can let the rest of us know if things shift. It’s okay for this stuff to evolve. And none of this works without chill and clarity.” This is good advice, I thought, feeling some new respect for my sister’s husband.

Two more cars pulled up. Jessica’s friends. My stomach flipped with anticipation and nerves as we looked into the house and saw them open the door into the foyer.

Maya was immediately recognizable in cutoff shorts and a loose crop that showed her toned arms. Derek, tall, dark and lean with an easy smile. Simone beside him, curves wrapped in a sundress. Liam with his perpetual messy hair and quick wit. And Zara — striking, Persian features, professional even in vacation clothes, an air of mystery about her.

“Ethan!” Maya called, spotting me on the deck. She jogged through and pulled me into a hug that lasted all the way into awkwardness, her body pressing against mine deliberately. “How is the prodigal son of the fuckiest family I know?”

“I’m having a blast,” I said, meaning it.

The others came up, handshakes and hugs all around. Liam clapped my shoulder. “Looking good, boy-o. Nice change of pace from the office, huh?”

“Oh I can’t complain about the office. You?”

“Ready to not think about work for three days. Hope to keep the daily exercise regimen up though,” he was looking around at everyone, clearly pondering his favored form of exercise. He pulled his sunglasses down as he stared into the house, “Oh boy, that’s, uh ... a lot of teen girlflesh, huh?”

Maya gave him an elbow to the ribs. “Be a good boy, Liam! We’re lucky to have them here, they set the pace.”

Emma emerged from the house in her black bikini, Lily beside her in purple, Mia in black. Maya noticed Emma and smiled.

“You must be Emma,” Maya said warmly. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Emma blushed but met her eyes. “Good things, I hope.”

“Of course. Jessica talks about you very warmly.”

“I’m lucky to have the family I do,” Emma glanced at me, pleased.

Introductions went around. Emma met everyone, clearly a bit starstruck by the older, confident group but holding her own. Zara in particular seemed to take an interest, smiling at her with affection.

“Fifteen, right?” Zara asked.

“Yeah, but I’m trying to stretch myself,” Emma said.

“That’s a great age. Old enough to start figuring out who you are, young enough not to be locked into anything yet.” Zara’s accent was subtle but present, her English perfect. “Don’t let anyone tell you you’re too young to know your own mind.”

Emma practically glowed. “Thank you. That’s ... that’s exactly how I feel.”

“Come on,” Lily said, pulling Emma toward the beach path. “Let’s get in the water before the adults put us to work.”

Adults, I thought, shaking my head. Like all teenagers, they didn’t realize the rest of us were still confused and winging it, too. And the oldest ones here were only David and Sofia, most of the rest in their twenties.

The girls kicked off their shoes and laughed their way down into the sand, and the rest of us started settling in — claiming rooms, unpacking, changing into swimwear. The house buzzed with activity and anticipation.

I was in my room pulling on swim trunks when Maya appeared in the doorway, dropping her bag and pulling her shirt over her head, beautiful tits framed nicely in a pink brassiere.

“Something tells me the loft is gonna be a bit too much of a party,” she said, matter-of-factly, and unclipped her bra. “Thought I’d come in here and make my case as a roommate.”

I admired her breasts as she shook it off and opened her bag, dropping it in and digging out a swimsuit.

“Well coming in here like that certainly makes for a compelling argument,” I smiled.

She held up a red bikini and grinned a little too predatorily, and then started shimmying out of her shorts and panties. She knew what she was doing, and I really liked that about her. I couldn’t resist a light ass-pinch and she swatted at me, pulling the red bikini on.

“Great,” she said, kicking her bag so it slid over next to my duffel, “You’re sold!”

“Looks like it.”

She walked towards me, backing me against the bed. Her hand found my chest, sliding down to my stomach. “That means I’ll have easy access to you. All weekend.”

“That the plan?”

“Part of it.” Her hand dipped lower, cupping my cock through my trunks. I was already hardening. “But I also want to actually spend time with you. Talk. Get to know you better.”

“I’d like that. But Emma’s in here too, hope that’s cool.”

She squeezed me gently, her eyes locked on mine. “It’s cool. She’s cool. You’re cool.”

“I’m just me.”

“That’s what I like.” She kissed me, her tongue pushing into my mouth. I responded immediately, my hands going to her hips, pulling her against me. She moaned softly and ground against my erection.

“Maya,” I breathed when she pulled back. “If we start this now, we’re not making it to the beach.”

“Later then.” But she kissed me again, deeper this time, her hand stroking my cock through the fabric. “Just wanted you to know what you’re in for.”

A knock on the doorframe made us separate. “You two coming?” Jessica called. “Everyone’s heading down!”

“We’re right behind you” I called back, adjusting myself.

She looked at my tented shorts, and Maya in her swimsuit, and shook her grinning head.

The beach was perfect — wide stretch of sand, gentle waves, warm sun beating down. Someone had brought a frisbee, and Derek started a game. Maya and I joined, along with Marcus, Tom, Liam, and eventually Sofia.

The game was casual and flirty from the start. Every time Maya threw the frisbee, she chose to throw it at me but followed up by flashing her breasts, trying to distract me from catching it. When Derek caught it anywhere near Simone, she’d try to tackle him to the ground. Sofia and Tom were the only ones trying to have a regular game, but everyone was laughing.

“You’re all terrible at this game,” Liam observed, just before a frisbee hit his shoulder when he was busy watching the teenagers splashing each other in the surf.

“We’re excellent at this game,” Derek corrected. “Just depends on what game you think we’re playing.”

Down the beach, the younger crew — Emma, Lily, and Mia — were running in and out of the waves, occasionally calling out for a frisbee pass. I kept half an eye on Emma, making sure she was comfortable, but she looked happy and relaxed.

Maya jogged over to steal a catch, and I batted it out of the air away from her, making her stretch. She tried to dive for it, but I wrapped my arms around her from behind, my hands settling on her stomach.

“Dirty play,” she accused, leaning back against me.

“You started it.”

Her ass ground against my hardening cock. “Maybe I did.”

My hands slid up to her breasts, cupping them through her bikini top. She gasped and pressed back harder.

“Ethan,” she breathed.

“Yes?”

“Take me in the water. Right now.”

“Hey!” Tom called. “Throw the frisbee back before you start ripping off each other’s clothes!”

I picked it up and tossed it, and then we broke from the group and waded into the ocean. Once we were waist-deep, Maya turned and jumped on me, wrapping her legs around my waist. We kissed deeply, my hands gripping her ass, her body grinding against mine.

“I want you so bad,” she whispered against my mouth.

“Tonight,” I promised. “We’ll have all night.”

“I’m going to hold you to that.”

We made out in the water for several minutes, the shrieks of laughter around us, waves splashing against our thighs. After a bit Mia pulled us back to the beach, and the group had expanded—David and Zara had joined the frisbee game, while Jessica, Simone, and Sofia were lying on towels, chatting. Liam was hunkered down, and he waved me over, holding up a tin.

“Got some Cialis. And some edibles,” he offered. “No worries, I wasn’t going to offer anything to the younger girls.” I looked at him and took one of the yellow boner pills, saving it for later.