Thirty-four

THE RECEPTION WAS BACK AT THE HOTEL. Sandra had everything ready for guests by the time we were out of the receiving line. The four of us rode in the limo taking a long route instead of the direct two blocks to the hotel. We drove about a mile along the lake and through downtown with people on the sidewalks waving at the “Just Married” sign on the back of the limo. The two brides sat opposite Wendy and me and kept looking at each other and giggling. It was infectious.

“Old Nebraska blessing say, get a room, you two!” I laughed.

“We’re going to,” squealed Melody.

“You have to make an appearance at the reception,” Wendy said. “Then you can rush off if you want to.”

“Oh, we won’t rush,” Lissa said, kissing Melody on the forehead. “We have the rest of our lives.” They kissed again. Lissa motioned Wendy to switch places and Melody kissed Wendy while Lissa explored my mouth with hers as if she’d never tasted me before. Her hands were busy rubbing my growing erection as mine sought out her smooth, perfect breasts.

“I feel so evil, molesting the bride on her wedding day in her gown,” I said. Lissa jumped up and switched places with Melody. Before we made the turn from the lake up to the hotel we were in as hot a clinch as Lissa and I had been moments before.

“Both brides want the Best Man and the Maid of Honor to fuck them before they leave on their honeymoon,” Melody whispered.

“Are you sure? It is kind of your special night.”

“Mr. Ames and Miss Martin, Mrs. Ames and Mrs. Ames request the honor of your presence in the bridal suite to witness and participate in the deflowering of the brides,” Melody laughed. “God! I’m so full of love it’s going to run over on everyone!” She switched with Wendy and Melody and Lissa were in another clinch that had their gowns nearly around their waists when we arrived at the reception.

“Tony, you remember Jonathan, don’t you?” Allison asked.

“Jonathan, it’s nice to see you again. When Allie asked to bring a date to the wedding, I didn’t expect you! Does this mean... ?”

“Oh no! Still gay as old Paree,” Jonathan laughed. Allie had quickly become a leading lady in his theater here in Seattle and did guest gigs in Portland. “I wanted to plant a bug in your ear and hope we could get together soon,” Jonathan continued. “I am so in love with the painting of Allison that I’d like to show it to more people.”

“Jonathan is going to produce my one-woman show this fall, Tony. Isn’t that exciting?”

“That’s great! When?”

“Labor Day weekend,” Jonathan said. “It’s not the best timing, but we have to work around schedules and since her show will be intimate, we’re not expecting thousands. But it will showcase Allison and I think it might give her a boost. I can’t keep her tied up in Seattle forever.”

“That’s generous of you,” I said. “So, what does that have to do with showing more people my painting?”

“We’d like to use it as the poster and even sell your limited edition prints at the show,” Jonathan said.

“If it’s successful, Tony, Jonathan says we could take it on tour. You’d get both licensing and sales revenue,” Allie said.

“That’s generous and exciting,” I said. “Can we set up a time to talk with my agent next week? She’s over there and I know she always has business cards with her.”

Things had quieted down after dinner. People were still dancing and drinking champagne when Melody and Lissa kissed everyone and headed for their suite with a whispered, “Give us an hour, okay?” I held Wendy in my arms as we danced, swaying almost without moving our feet. It was beginning to get dark and everyone except the brides went to the waterfront to watch the fireworks. I kissed Wendy softly.

I don’t know what inspired me, but suddenly I wanted to have the same thing that Melody and Lissa had. I looked into Wendy’s eyes. “Let’s...” I rephrased quickly. “Do you want... ?” Still wasn’t right. “Wendy, will you—” She silenced me—not with a finger, but clamping her whole hand across my mouth with a look of panic in her eyes.

“Tony! Don’t ... Ever ... Ask me that question! Don’t ever!”

“But...”

“If I gave you the answer you want, you’d always wonder if it was what I wanted or if I felt I had to. And I would wonder, too. If I said ‘no,’ I would have to leave. I couldn’t stay. Please don’t ever ask, Tony. I’m yours, but you aren’t my husband. You are my master.”

“I want you to be part of our family forever,” I said softly. “I don’t want to lose you like Kate.”

“I am part of our family. I will be forever,” she said kissing me. “And so is Kate. You’ll see.”

We walked hand-in-hand with the rest of the wedding guests and watched the fireworks.

“Makes you wonder what kind of fireworks are going on in the hotel,” Amy laughed slipping up beside Wendy and me. I put my arm around her and she hugged me.

“Oh, I have a suspicion. They’re just waiting for the big bang to cover their screams,” I laughed. “When are you headed for LA?”

“I’m not going.”

“What?”

“I kissed them goodbye after their party last weekend and said, ‘Have a nice life.’ I’m not going.”

“What happened Ames?”

“There are entirely too many people here with that name,” she laughed. “I can’t be what they want,” she continued. “I was going to just give myself to Thor and join them, but after ... I couldn’t do it.”

“It was that bad, huh?” I said, thinking of making love to Amy on Memorial Day.

“Tony, you were everything a girl could want in a man—not just for her first time, but as a friend and lover. You were kind and gentle—and hard. My pussy felt stretched for two days. But you’re a guy. When it comes down to it, that’s a deal-breaker. I couldn’t convince myself that I was bi. I love Thor and his boy-bits don’t offend me, but they don’t do anything for me, either. And when it came down to it, Sonia just wanted a playmate. She’d chosen her life mate. I was never going to be part of what they have. So, I said goodbye.”

“That’s brave of you,” Wendy said reaching across me to take Amy’s hand. “It’s hard to be who you are when everyone wants something else.” She squeezed me as well and I understood. It was as impossible for Wendy to stop being submissive as for Amy to stop being gay.

What was it we were asking Kate to be that was just as impossible?