Chapter 24

"I talked to Alice yesterday," replied Cindy. "We are invited to their place for a play party with the group that broke away from the BDSM club after the mess with Monique. I wouldn't mind going but I know Peter is not ready for that and I don't want to leave him alone. I was thinking that Peter could take us out. Either to the Plaza or we go to the sushi place he took me a while back and after that come back here. Maybe watch a chick flick while Peter rubs our feet and watch the ball drop on Times Square".

"Ladies, please, don't give up on any fun on account of me. I'll be OK. I'll just overdose on Western movies while sipping cognac and smoking my pipe."

"Listen buster, we are not going to leave you alone on New Year's Eve. Got that?" Roz actually punched me in the arm while saying that. Then continued, "I like the idea of the Plaza. I haven't been dancing for quite some time. Peter make reservations and book a suite so that we don't have to drive home."

"Oh I like the way you're thinking Roz. Peter gets to pay for the suite but you and I will pay for dinner and drinks, only fair."

They both looked at me and almost simultaneous said, "Well what are you waiting for? I'm sure you've the numbers on your smart phone."

I just shrugged my shoulders and said, "Yes Ma'am and Ma'am," then made the calls.

I got lucky and got the last suite in the place.

We talked a bit more but none of the usual group showed up. My guess most of them were out of town for the holidays.

"Let's go home, I'm tired. If you volunteer to rub my feet, you can come in for a night cap. Otherwise it will be off to your own place since you refused our offer to sleep with us."

"I can do the foot rub Cindy."

Roz looked a bit concerned, "Are you sure Peter? It will put you into a sort of..." I interrupted. "No, it's OK Roz as long as there are no ropes or whips involved, I don't mind."

"OK then, let's go."

I walked over to the bar, paid our bill and we left heading back to Cindy's place.

"Peter, you get started with Roz while I fix our drinks. What would you like?"

"No, never mind that. I'll give you another glass of that special Scotch but you better do a real good job on our feet or I just might forget about not abusing you and give you a taste of my crop."

Cindy was smiling but I wasn't quite sure if there was not a hint of a real threat there. It was a scary thought. I wasn't ready for any kind of rough play but it also sent a slight shiver of excitement down my back and right into the tip of my penis. Confusing to say the least.

Well, I was pretty confident in my ability to give an excellent foot massage.

"Peter, come sit on the floor and put your feet under the couch. No need for you to kneel. There, that is the perfect distance."

Roz's next move showed what she meant. She put one foot into my crotch with just the slightest amount of pressure letting me know that I was now serving them.

"Cindy, be a dear and put that hassock against Peter's back so he can lean against it when he needs a bit of rest. No need to stress our friend. After all he is just giving us a foot massage, not serving as a slave."

Roz winked at me and Cindy giggled as she did as Roz had requested.

"May I?" I asked as I lifted one of Roz's feet and started to remove her sneaker and sock.

"Of course darling, they should still be pretty clean. We both showered and put clean sox on before we walked to the bar and back. Maybe some other day..." Roz trailed off and just smiled.

I got a good hold of her foot and pretended to study it. It was well formed, extremely well cared for and her toe nails were coated burgundy red. I wondered if her boy toy maintained her feet like this.

Cindy handed me a bottle, "Here, Peter some lotion for you to use." Then went back into the kitchen to finish the drinks.

She handed Roz some fruity concoction, me my scotch and also placed a glass of ice water next to me on the floor. Then she sat down next to Roz and touched glasses.

"You too Peter. Let's drink to our friend Red in the hope that she'll recover soon from her set-back and can find some peace. But I also drink to you Peter who made a very brave effort to help her trying to overcome her issues. It failed but not for lack of trying and for that Roz and I will be always grateful to you dear friend. I hope you too can find happiness down the road. We will always be there for you and have your back."

"Wow, thank you Cindy."

I didn't know what else to say, so we clinked glasses one more time and took a sip.

I felt the pressure against my crotch increase, telling me to get on with the job. So I put some lotion into one of my hands and slowly rubbed them together to warm it up. I pulled up one knee so I could rest Roz's calf on it, then placed a quick kiss on that big toe and began in earnest massaging that feet.

It didn't take long 'til Roz started to slightly moan from pleasure. But it was not all my doing as I found out when I looked up. The two ladies were making out like a couple of teenagers in the back seat of a car and Cindy had one hand inside Roz's shirt manipulating her nipple.

Roz saw me looking and again winked at me and at the same time started to gently rub my crotch with her foot. I got as hard as I could in the confines of my Chinos and panties. Yes, I was still wearing those because I hadn't had a chance to go out and buy regular mens underwear. Or was it that I really didn't try?

After a while Roz moved her foot to my mouth, "Kiss and then go to work on the other one."

I did as I was told – it felt right. There was no pressure, no pain. I was just doing what I've done a hundred times before, even before Monique and I evolved into a D/s couple.

I took a sip of water and went to work on Roz's other foot while the two of them kept making out. By now both of Roz's boobs where in full view and combine that with the rubbing of her foot against my dick, I was close to cumming.

Cindy must have watched me closely because she pulled on Roz's leg.

"Easy there Girlfriend, we don't want him to make a mess in his pants."

They both giggled as I blushed.

Thankfully both of them refrained from commenting but had a big grin on their faces.

"OK Peter, my turn. Roz please go and refresh Peter's drink and ours while he gets started on my feet."

So I started on Cindy's sexy feet and watched as the girls sipped their drink for a bit before resuming their make out session.

I got to daydreaming – thinking of how nice it would be if these feet belonged to Red and not Cindy. I must have gotten a sad look on my face.

"Peter are you OK? You look suddenly very sad." I looked up at Cindy who had spoken. Just shrugged and concentrated on her foot.

"I know what our boy needs," came from Roz.

She got up and pulled the hassock back and before I knew it her bare ass and pussy was on my face.

Instinct and the will to live, motivated me to start licking.

Cindy laughed, "Not sure if that is what he needs." With that comment she got down on the floor, opened my belt and pulled on my pants.

"Oh my, our boy still wears the panties Red got for him."

I tried to say something but got cut off by Roz pushing her pussy hard down on my mouth and finding my nipples.

Suddenly my dick was free and pointing straight up at Cindy.

"Hmm, I like." And before I knew a set of hot soft lips was trying their very best to ban any sad thoughts into the deep recesses of my mind.

Cindy edged me several times before letting me cum at the same moment that Roz shook in a terrific orgasm, squirting lots of fluid into my mouth.

It was a new experience for me. Neither M nor Red were real squirters. Lots of fluid but not bursting out like pee.

I caught me by surprise and I almost choked. Roz lifted herself off my face and Cindy crawled up to share my cum with me before licking my face clean.

We all just sat on the floor for a moment. No need to say anything. I grabbed my glass of Scotch and sipped on it.

Cindy punched me in the arm, "Hey, what's this, you've tasted your cum before," but she was smiling. I knew they were just messing with me.

"OK Peter, go wash your face and then it's time for you to go home. I think you'll be OK again without nightmares."

"I know you haven't had a chance to go shopping, so I'm going to pack up stuff for breakfast for the three of us to take with you. We'll be over at nine tomorrow morning and expect a nice breakfast before we go and finish with Red's apartment."

I got myself back together while Cindy and Roz put various items into a couple of grocery bags for me to take.

We hugged and kissed lightly and I was on my way.

On my way home I reflected on what had happened. It was a great evening among caring and loving friends. Clearly, I was in a submissive position but it was all very gentle. Not a harsh word was spoken. No pain to speak of. I liked it.

Is this what life could have been with Red and Michelle.

That got me started on another thought. Did Red regress because Michelle pulled out of the relationship? Because Michelle was her 'security blanket'?

I certainly didn't feel that I did anything wrong. I suffered for her and only balked when Red wouldn't let up after the last ordeal when I was in dire need of a break.

Everything that happened between Red and me was controlled by Red. I did not force her in any way. I really had done nothing to feel guilty about.

I'll have to talk to the ladies about that in the morning. Maybe a thought that Roz can pass on to Doc Wetzel. Maybe a small clue for her to explore.

By that time I was at my door. I put the groceries away for the morning and took a shower.

I was still too keyed up to go to sleep. So I fired up my laptop and looked for the contact info for Michelle's old employees and their resumes.

I converted it all into a zip file and e-mailed the package to Charlize. Now it was up to her.

By the time I was done, I felt tired enough and went to bed with the intentions of getting up early and go for a run before I had to make breakfast for my friends.

I slept longer than I had intended and went for only a short run. Maybe just as well since I hadn't gotten many chances in the last week.

Coffee and OJ was ready when the ladies showed up a few minutes after nine. I made pancakes topped with mixed berries out of the freezer and whipped cream from the can.

Got no complaints.

We finished with the apartment just before noon, locked up the POD and I called for pickup on Monday morning.

That's when Cindy's phone rang.

"Hi, no he seems to be doing OK," not letting on with whom she was talking. "We just finished packing up Red's stuff and were going to figure out what to do next."

"Sorry, but Roz and I have plans. Maybe some other time but I let you talk to Peter." With that she handed me the phone and said, "It's Alice".

"Hi Alice."

"Yes and no, you know similar to what I was feeling right after Monique and I..."

"Dinner, sure. Around five. Yes, thank you Alice. I appreciate that, I'll see you then. Do you want to talk to Cindy again?"

"OK, bye and thanks again. Looking forward to seeing you. Give my best to Clarence."

With that I disconnected the phone and handed it back to Cindy.

I was expecting some sort of explanation from Cindy why she had turned down an apparent invitation for dinner but none was forthcoming. Well not really my business.

I offered to pick up sandwiches from the Diner but was turned down. We hugged and I got a couple of pecks on my cheeks and then I was alone.

Really alone. That's when it hit me how messed up my life was.

Two failed relationships, loss of Greg, a very good friend. Sure I had others like Cindy and Roz but they had their own lives and while I knew that Cindy has or had an interest in a D/s relationship with me after the break up with M, I really don't think it has 'legs'. I like her a lot but I don't think there could be ever more than some 'play' and social interaction like our night out planned for New Year's eve.

Not much point in dwelling on matters. I'd better get my ass moving. Got a pile of laundry to do and I need to think about moving in the next week or two. Better check tomorrow with Cindy on the status of the apartment.

I had a couple of eggs left over from breakfast, so made myself an omelet with bacon for lunch before starting on the laundry.

After I took a shower and got ready to go to the Coopers for dinner.

With two bottles of wine in my hand, I got into my vehicle and was on my way. I stopped at a market on the way to pick up some flowers for Alice and rolled into their driveway just after five.

Clarence must have been waiting at the door for me, because it opened as soon as my car door closed.

There was an awkward brief hug because of my full hands. We looked at each other and both knew that there was not much to say. I handed him the wine and we walked inside the house where Alice was waiting.

"Dearest Peter, I'm so, so sorry". With that she embraced me and pressed herself against me. It felt good. It was like when I was a kid and got hurt and my Mom would hold me telling me the pain would go away and it would be all good.

Alice didn't say anything. There was no need, we all hurt.

Finally she released me and looked at the flowers in my hand.

"Peter, they are lovely. Thank you, as always the perfect gentleman. Maybe I need to rethink my life, upgrade from grumpy old Clarence there to a new 'model'.

She smiled brightly and winked but I could see out of the corner of my eye that Clarence wasn't all that thrilled at that moment. Was there something going on?

I couldn't imagine. Alice and Clarence had been together for over forty years. Well, not my business.

"Alice you look lovely tonight. A new hair cut?"

"See Clarence, that's what's wrong with you. You're getting old. Maybe you need new glasses. Took you three days to realize that I had a new hairstyle. Now don't just stand there. Fix us some drinks and join us in the living room."

With that she handed him the flowers, "And take care of these too after you made drinks for Peter and me."

"Yes Ma'am".

Alice shot him a warning glance. Guess she didn't like the tone.

Alice grabbed my arm, "Come let's sit by the fire. Are you finished packing up Red's stuff?"

"Yes Alice, we are done. Rented a POD and everything is ready to go. They'll pick it up tomorrow and send to where ever Marion and Dan want it. We also sealed the playroom with a new lock and labeled it 'Owner's storage'. The new tenant is fine with that.

"That must have been hard for the three of you. Especially for you, but also for the two girls. They had a special bond with Red."

"Yes I figured as much. They seemed to have inside information while Red was down south before this latest disaster. We all hurt in some way. I'll have to find a way to get on with my life. Good thing I have a job of running the company. It will keep me distracted, at least during the day. I also have to find a new place to live. The owners of the place I'm at are coming back. In some ways, I feel like looking elsewhere but on the other hand I really like the neighborhood. I've got friends there, not only from the club but Karl, a newly minted VP in my company also lives there. That's how I met him and hired him. So there is a lot going for staying in the area but the memories will hurt. Not sure I'll ever be able to walk back into Yoshie's sushi bar. I've only been there with Red. She did her 'penance' there for mistreating me."

I took a slug out of my glass of straight vodka and held it up to Clarence for a refill. I noticed that he looked at Alice for permission but she just gave him an ever so slight nod.

Alice had made one of my favorite winter meals, Kassler and Kale with home fried potatoes. Kassler is smoked pork loin that gets cooked in the kale. A German dish that I learned from my Grandmother on Mom's side.

I had made it once when Alice and Clarence came to dinner at M's and my ... well really M's house and they loved it. It's simple but hearty fare on a cold winter day.

Conversation was light and stayed away from Red and any sort of BDSM play topics after I had filled them in on what happened.

It was a pleasant evening and I was just about ready to leave when Alice spoke up.

"Peter, you are not driving home tonight. You will stay here, you've had too much to drink. I don't want to be responsible for you killing yourself or worse, another person and I won't take NO for an answer. I don't care how early you want to get up and go home but for right now you will go to bed in the guest room."

I realized the wisdom when I tried to get up from my chair, I was a bit wobbly.

"Alice, I won't fight you on that. I'm sorry I drank too much."

Alice came over, helped me up and hugged me. "Peter, it's OK, we understand. We all have a breaking point. I'm guessing you have held it together 'til now. But now that you are finished packing Red's stuff, the realization hits that it could very well be the end of something special. At least for you. I don't have a clue how Red felt about you. We never talked about that but if it wasn't love, she certainly was extremely fond of you. Not sure what caused her to turn on you."

"Clarence, put our guest to bed and then join me in my room."

With Clarence's help I got to the guest room and crash landed on the bed.

Clarence took my shoes off, loosened my belt and put a blanket over me.

"Peter, there will be coffee ready in the kitchen by five in the morning. OJ is in the fridge and there are English Muffins you can toast. Alice has plans for me tonight and we most likely will sleep in, so please let yourself out."

"Thank you Clarence, please apologize for me to Alice. You both know, I normally do not drink like this."

"It's OK Peter, we understand. We each mourn our losses in different ways. Don't be a stranger, you are welcome here any time you feel lonely."

With that he closed the door behind himself and I was alone with my thoughts. Now what? Do I try to wait, see how Red is doing or is that a lost cause? I didn't get much further than that. Next thing I knew was that I woke up with an urgent need for a bathroom. Luckily I was familiar with the room. M and I had stayed here a few times after playing FemDomme games with Alice and Clarence during happier times.

While I was relieving myself I started thinking. Why is every relationship I have turning into shit? Is it me? Are the gods against me? I can run a multimillion dollar company but not my own life. Self doubts kept me awake but eventually I must have fallen asleep again. I woke up around five thirty, put my shoes back on. Washed my face and went to the kitchen in search of the coffee and OJ as well as some pain medication. I had a 'wall to wall' hangover. I decided to skip the muffins and just had a tall glass of OJ and a cup of coffee.

After that, I found a piece of paper and a pen and wrote a quick thank you note for Alice before letting myself out and going home.

Once home, I put on some running clothes and went off in the dark to the park. I didn't really run, my head didn't tolerate the impacts from my feet on the pavement. Just a brisk walk was all I could manage. But the clean cold air helped remove some of the cobwebs in my head and after a shower I was ready for some cereal and more coffee.

I got dressed and went to the office to the surprise of the skeleton staff.

I called everyone together in break room.

"Hi guys, I'm back. Things did not go as expected so I'm back in town. Not sure how much time I'll be here but at least a couple of hours every day 'til New Year's eve and full time starting the second of January."

"So please give me an update. How is the maintenance coming along?