Terms
Zed finally emerged from the kitchen, visibly short of breath and slightly disheveled. Seeing the girls enjoying the chocolate cake brought a smile to his tired face.
Ednin turned to greet him.
-Well, well, look who decided to join us again.
-It's getting late but I'm still a big boy, Zed laughed.
Betty blushed, but Alice scoffed, rolling her eyes dramatically as she was wont to do.
-Oh please, spare us the locker-room bravado, would ya? Alice retorted. We're all very aware of what you are, or aren't, as the case may be.
-That's right Alice. I'm not man enough for all seven of you, Zed reminded her. Have you decided who's coming back with us tonight?
Alice narrowed her eyes and glanced around the table, taking in Deb's smug smirk, Ednin's confident leer, Carla's wide-eyed innocence, and Giani's predatory stare. Flower might as well have been a wallflower. Sighing heavily, she turned back to Zed.
-Fine. If we must indulge in this ridiculous charade, I suppose... Alice paused, considering the options reluctantly. I suppose Deb and Giani can come back to the house tonight.
Deb and Giani exchanged a look as Alice continued.
-With conditions, Alice stated firmly. First, no funny business without clear, enthusiastic consent from everyone involved. Second, absolutely no sharing intimate details about tonight with anyone else, ever. Third, cleanliness and order shall be maintained throughout the premises.
-Not sharing with anyone except our readers that is, Zed said with a chuckle and a wink.
Alice glared at Zed.
-Har har, very fucking funny, Zed. I wasn't kidding about discretion being key here. One slip-up and this whole thing blows up in our faces faster than a cheap firecracker. I meant everyone, ladies.
Zed grabbed a piece of lava chocolate cake, smelling it before taking a big bite.
-Flower, we'll leave soon. I know your car is at our place and you've got to be up early for work in the morning, Zed said.
Giani smirked as she watched him enjoy the dessert.
-Mmm, you know, I put my heart and soul into that cake, Giani said. Tell me, Zeddy... do you want to taste more of what I have to offer?
-Yes, I hope we're not being presumptuous to assume you accept the invitation back to our place tonight, Zed asked Giani.
-Oh, I accept alright. How could I possibly refuse such a tempting offer? But let's get one thing straight, handsome. I'm not the type to hold back or play coy. So if we're doing this, we're doing it my way. Think you can handle that, stud?
-It's gonna be a group effort, Zed told her.
-Ooh, I like the sound of that, Deb piped in. A real team effort, hmm? Just remember, folks, you wanted this. All of it. No holding back, no chickening out halfway through, yeah? Let's show these amateurs how it's really done!
Alice clenched her fists, frustrated.
Giani started to debrief the kitchen staff as the rest of the group finished off dessert and coffee. Flower smiled warmly at Zed, finishing her espresso.
-Thank you for the delightful evening, darling. You've certainly stirred the pot quite vigorously tonight! I should be heading home myself.
-No need to run out ahead of us, Zed said. Ride back in the limo with us to get your car from my house.
Flower gently touched his arm.
-Oh sweetie, as much as I adore you and this charming bunch, I think it's best I bow out now. I have an important client meeting first thing tomorrow and I need my beauty sleep, she winked playfully.
Zed watched as Flower saw herself out for a waiting cab, hoping he hadn't offended her.