Table Talk
Giani got excited once everyone had sat down, and stood behind Zed, holding his shoulders as she addressed the table.
-Let us begin our gastronomic journey, sí?
Giani leaned down to whisper in Zed's ear, her ample bosom pressing against his neck.
-I must say, Zed, I've heard quite a lot about you from Ednin here, Giani purred.
-I must say, Zed started as he grabbed a piece of bread to dip it in some olive oil, I've been very excited about what Ednin's told me about you, bella.
Giani giggled.
-Mmm, I can see why Ednin thinks so highly of you, she said.
Flower noticed the interaction and leaned over to Betty.
-My goodness, Zed certainly doesn't waste any time, does he? she stage-whispered playfully.
-Will you be sitting with us? Zed asked as he pointed to the open seat at the other head of the table. May I walk you?
Giani smiled, placing her hand atop his as he got up.
-What a gentleman, she praised, allowing him to lead her around the table toward the empty seat beside Flower and Betty.
Alice observed the exchange with a mix of amusement and skepticism. Betty blushed as Zed held out Giani's chair for her.
-Isn't he just the sweetest thing, sis? Betty cooed. So tall, dark and handsome...
Alice snorted derisively.
Deb leaned over to Carla and whispered loudly enough for nearby ears to pick up.
-Looks like Mr. Tall-Dark-and-Handsome has moved on to his next conquest, Deb said. Typical male, no loyalty whatsoever!
Zed turned from Giani to Deb and caressed her hair.
-I'm loyal to all of you, darling, he said as he let her rest her cheek on his crotch.
Deb blushed deeply at the public display of affection, glancing around awkwardly.
-Zed, not here, she stammered quietly, squirming a bit under the stares.
-No, Zed said as he put his other hand at the other side of Deb's head, holding it in front of his crotch as he stood behind her to address the table. I want all you girls to hear this. You're all special to me, and I don't want to hide anything from anyone.
Giani raised an eyebrow at the bold declaration.
- It's refreshing to meet someone so open and honest about his affection, she said. Too often men hide behind false pretenses. But you, you wear your heart on your sleeve for all to see.
-It's a very big heart, Zed chuckled as he leaned down to kiss Deb on the top of her head before walking back to his seat.
Deb blushed as Zed kissed her forehead. Feeling emboldened, she rose gracefully to follow him.
Flower leaned over to murmur in Betty's ear.
-Well, well, it seems our host has quite the generous spirit. I must admit, witnessing such raw honesty and appreciation for diversity in companionship is rather stirring. It reminds me of the old adage: Why limit oneself to a single blossom when one can cultivate an entire garden?
-Cultivation is a great word, Zed said as Deb sat in his lap while he started to eat.
Giani leaned forward, elbows resting on the table.
-Zed, mio caro, you speak of cultivation as if tending to a lush, verdant paradise, Giani said. And why shouldn't you revel in the bounty of such a diverse garden of delights?
-Yes, Zed said. Why not?
Alice narrowed her eyes suspiciously at the increasingly flirtatious exchanges.
-I don't know what kind of 'cultivation' bullshit they're spouting now, Alice muttered under her breath to Betty.
-Oh stop being such a spoilsport, Ali! Betty giggled. Can't you see everyone's just having fun, celebrating life and love in all its wonderful forms? It's not 'bullshit', it's honesty and openness!
Noticing Alice's discomfort, Giani decided to engage her directly.
-Why don't you come join us here, hmm? Surely a smart cookie like you must have fascinating thoughts to share with our little gathering, she said.
Alice looked irritated.
-Oh, I'm sure whatever 'fascinating thoughts' I might have would bore you to tears compared to discussing gardening metaphors for fucking, Alice retorted sharply, taking a defiant sip of her drink.
-I'm fascinated by what's in your mind, Zed said to Alice, breaking away from rubbing on Deb’s back.
Giani laughed heartily, undeterred by Alice's hostility.
-Alice, please, try to be civil, Betty pleaded under her breath.
Alice scowled and shrugged off Betty's hand, glaring at Zed.
-Fine, you want to know what I think? Alice snapped. This whole setup is nothing but a power trip masquerading as enlightenment. Each of you puffing yourselves up, posturing like peacocks, thinking you're so progressive and open-minded...
Ednin listened intently before intervening calmly.
-Alice, I understand your reservations, really, Ednin said. But maybe instead of attacking, consider observing the positive aspects here. People coming together openly, communicating honestly about desires and boundaries, isn't that a step beyond typical repression?
Flower took a slow sip of her wine before turning to Alice with a gentle smile.
-Imagine this gathering less as a spectacle of ego and more a brave attempt at authentic human connection, untethered from prescribed conventions, Flower suggested softly. Here, we are all simply seeking to appreciate and celebrate the beautiful tapestry of human emotion, desire, and intimacy in its myriad forms.
Alice opened her mouth to argue, but hesitated, taken aback by Flower's calm reasoning. She chewed on her lower lip.
-Fine, she admitted. I suppose there is a certain raw honesty to all this, twisted as it may seem, Alice sighed heavily. Still, I can't help but feel like it's all going to blow up spectacularly in everyone's faces soon enough.
-Is that foreshadowing? Zed asked Alice with a smirk.
-Don't flatter yourself, pretty boy, she shot back. I'm just calling it like I see it---
-Exploding in everyone's faces, Zed finished for Alice.
-Perhaps our dear Alice has a point, all this openness could very well lead to... fireworks, shall we say, Giani said, her gaze turning to Zed.
-Listen, I don't care if you two find this little soap opera sexy or exciting, Alice said flatly.
-What is it that you do care about Alice? Zed asked.
Alice frowned, caught off guard by the direct question.
-I care about authenticity, plain speaking, and not sugarcoating things to spare feelings or avoid conflict, she replied. I call bullshit when I see it, because dancing around issues only breeds resentment and misunderstanding.
-Well, Zed said, I certainly don't want to dance around any issues. My heart's big enough for all of you, but my bed's not, not on any given night that is, he added.
Ednin chuckled at Zed's bold statement.
-I must warn you, she told him, juggling so many beautiful, intelligent women... it requires finesse, patience, and an impressive amount of stamina.
-Maybe even a scheduling calendar, Flower said, laughing heartily at her own joke.
Alice scoffed, rolling her eyes once more.
-Oh please, spare me the cute innuendos. We're talking about managing a literal harem here, not planning a pot luck dinner, she retorted.
-We are talking about that aren't we, Alice? Zed offered. You and Betty are staying this week, so I suppose who ultimately joins us in bed tonight is up to the two of you.
Betty's eyes widened at Zed's brazen suggestion, a deep blush spreading across her cheeks. She looked to Alice uncertainly.
Meanwhile, Alice just stared at Zed incredulously.
-What exactly are you suggesting, pretty boy? Alice asked.
-I'm suggesting, Zed said to Alice as he gestured to the girls seated around the table, that you pick from these delights while Giani prepares dessert.
-Yes, dessert is almost ready, Giani said, getting up from the table. Zed, would you join me in the kitchen to put on the final touches and make it special?