18 comments/ 49982 views/ 9 favorites A Masquerade By: Tom Collins I rapped on Caleb's door, wondering how many strange, new dishes I'd be expected to eat and comment on at his afternoon tea party. It would mostly be a gossip session with refreshments, but he was a great host and a terrific friend. I never missed one of his get-togethers if I could help it. An inordinate amount of time seemed to pass, so I knocked with more force. Hearing a girlish squeal from the other side of the thick oak and a muffled call of, "Coming, darling, I'm coming," I leaned against the door jam and watched the door yank inward. "I stop breathing when I'm coming. Apparently, you pant and squeal. I'm glad I found out, so I'll know what signs to look for should we ever decide to have hot, monkey sex," I laughed while he rolled his eyes, cocking his hip at me. "You just keep dreamin', Gideon darling, and maybe some day the Blue Fairy will drift down from her little star and grant your fondest wish." Stepping inside, I scooped him up in a bear hug, making him squeal again, and spun him around. He pummeled my shoulders, yelling for me to put him down, but I knew better. He loved it when I acted butch, it made him feel small and delicate. I'm not huge, but Caleb made it easy to play the macho bodybuilder because he was a featherweight. He only came to my shoulder and weighed maybe a hundred and fifteen pounds. "That's it; I'm not waiting anymore for you to say yes. I'm taking you over to that couch of yours, and I'm gonna plow you like an Amish field," I said, walking us toward the living room. His peals of laughter echoed off the cathedral ceiling. "Like an Amish field?" he demanded in a high, breathless tone. "You stay away from my Chinese silk couch, Gideon, and what in hell does that mean, anyway?" "I have no idea. I heard it from Lonnie on this last tour, but it sure sounds good, doesn't it?" I'd been out of town, touring with a couple of other comics for the last two months, and had missed my best friend terribly. I'd only be home for a week before I'd be heading out for the last leg, which would have me on the road for another month. "I'd have to say it sounds absurd. Now put me down you brute," he laughed again when I squeezed, refusing to comply. "Caleb? Is everything alright?" I heard a smoky contralto inquire from the direction of the kitchen archway. Turning, I spied a long legged, copper haired woman gliding towards us. The hems of her off-white palazzo pants fluttered around her ankles as she walked. Pausing in the archway, she smoothed her blouse down. "Oh, Em, everything's fine. Gideon and I were just saying hello. Put me down you galoot," he insisted once more. I spit his long, dishwater blonde hair out of my mouth, and set him on his feet. My heart thumped against my ribs, and my head swirled in a sudden bout of confusion. She looked at me sidelong through her long lashes then back to Caleb. I knew I was staring at her, but I couldn't seem to break the spell. "Gideon!" Caleb said loudly, practically yelling. "Hello, earth to Gideon. I'm talking to you." I mentally shook myself out of the near trance I'd fallen into, turning my attention to my friend. "I'm trying to introduce you to Emelyne. We met about a month ago, and are becoming fast friends. I think you two will get on famously, that's why I invited her to join us this afternoon." "So, this is the infamous Gideon? Caleb never stops talking about you," the rich tones of her voice washed over me like heated honey, drawing my eyes back to her as she stepped over with her hand extended. In the mules she wore, I realized that she was almost taller than I was, and I had to glance upward to meet her eyes. Finally regaining the ability to speak, I took her hand gently and said, "It's a pleasure to meet you Emelyne. If...uh...Caleb thinks we'll get along then I expect we will." "I certainly hope so. He's been singing your praises to the heavens since we met, and I've been looking forward to your coming home, and please, call me Em." I felt myself flush slightly as a charge shot up my arm and circled my chest, making it feel tight. "Em it is then. Caleb, what have you got planned for tea? Can I help you in the kitchen?" I asked, looking to him, and trying to shake off the inexplicable arousal this woman was causing. I looked back at Em when she said my name. "Could I have my hand back, please?" she asked sweetly. There was laughter hiding in her voice, and amusement shone from her azure eyes. I glanced down to see myself still holding her manicured fingers, and let go with a stammered apology as if her touch burned. If I were honest, I'd have to admit that it did, in a way that rather frightened me. "Well, we're starting with cucumber sandwiches, which will be followed by a roasted green chile, wild mushroom and Gruyere cheese quiche, and strawberry shortcake for after. I actually could use a hand, if you don't mind?" he was excited about the menu, as usual. Cooking happened to be his favorite pastime, be it in the kitchen or the bedroom he would say. "Damn, that sounds fantastic, Caleb. You know I love playing sous-chef for you," I said, kissing the top of his head and giving him a squeeze. "Yes, well...I keep trying to get him to play pool boy for me, but that's a no go so far," he said to Em, giving me his most adorable pout. "Hush you," I said, my embarrassment deepening. Turning him toward the kitchen, I smacked him squarely on the rump, sending him skipping forward a couple of steps. "Just get in there and start cooking you cheeky, little bitch." He shrieked, laughed and headed through the archway into the kitchen. "Come on, Em, you can watch me turn him into a scullery wench." Taking her arm, I looped it through mine as if I were some sort of gallant knight, placing her soft palm on my forearm, my hand over hers. My nostrils flared, catching the scent of her perfume, and electricity shot down my spine, making my entire pelvic area tingle. This alabaster skinned beauty had completely ensnared me. This bizarre attraction was simultaneously intensely pleasurable and horrifying in the extreme. A Masquerade Ball I looked across the room at my husband, dressed in his costume; he played the part of a rogue so well. Swarthy, muscled and sexy the women were in awe of him. The yearly Swingers Masquerade Ball was another success. I watched David as he charmed the ladies and noticed he paid more attention to one in particular. She seemed to be an older woman, dressed in an elegant gown of satin and ribbons. Her hair dark, shining in curls, her upper face covered with an elegant mask. I felt a little underdressed in my barmaid’s costume. David loved it as it dipped so low my breasts were always at risk of spilling out. The blouse had full sleeves and was tight around my ribs, a wide leather belt acted like a corset and my skirt was full, and I wore pure white stockings held with ribbon garters. Looking at him in conversation with the woman made me wonder what would happen later. I never knew what David had in store for us. The night wore on with dancing and eating. Laughter could be heard through the ballroom as everyone was trying to figure out who everyone was, as we could not take our masks off. Everyone was playing the roles their costumes represented, changing their voices, and whatever it took to keep their identity a secret. It made it difficult to figure out who was who. The clock struck midnight when David came to me and tugged on my hand, "Darling wife, please come and meet someone" he said. I followed him as he pulled me through the crowd. He brought me face to face with the elegant woman he was talking to. I felt like I needed to curtsy to this woman. She seemed so regal standing there in front of me. "Megan, I want you to meet Lady Chatterly, her party name!" he said chuckling. "I am pleased to meet you Lady," I replied. Taking both our arms he started walking us to the private rooms in the club. It was time for a surprise! The rooms were ready for whatever we desired, candles lit and refreshments set on the tables; it was a swinger’s dream come true. You could always find what you wanted. I felt a little nervous in the company of this woman and I could not understand why, we have swung for sometime now and usually didn’t feel so on edge. David took my hand and pulled me close and whispered, "I like this woman, lets have some fun." He pushed me back and pulled my blouse down exposing my breasts. My bustier held them somewhat in place, I am quite endowed and the nipples peeked out enticingly. Lady C walked over to me and gently stroked my breasts, smiling softly. Untying the ribbons they tumbled out and her hands cupped them, warm against my breasts, I moaned softly. David slowly removed my skirt, while Lady C leaned down and took my nipple in her mouth, stroking the other breast. The attention to my breasts made me damp, excited, knowing pleasure was just beginning. David tossed my skirt aside and went to the buttons of Lady C’s dress. Tiny buttons that went all the way to the curve of her ass. She continued her loving of my breasts and stopping only to let David remove her dress. Her corset was a deep wine color; trimmed with lace, for an older woman she had a beautiful body. She also wore hose held by garters, and wore satin slippers. I stepped away as David knelt before her to remove her hose. His hands lovingly slid up the smooth silk stocking. I knew he was getting hot, as he loves the feel of legs in silk. She stood before him quietly letting him remove her corset; she had lovely breasts, a flat tummy and neatly trimmed pussy. The rules were we could not take off our masks until a bell was rung. This made the mystery even more exciting. David pulled me over to bed and beckoned for Lady C to join me. He stripped off his costume and sat in the chair facing the bed. Lady C reached for me placing her hands on the sides of my face and kissed me softly. Her lips hot against mine as her tongue slipped inside and toyed with mine. Our breasts brushed up against each other sending tingles to my lower regions. Her hands slid down my arms and down my hips pulling me closer to her. David’s eyes were on us, his cock swelling as he stroked himself. Her hand slowly massaged my hips and worked her way to my wetness. I kissed her tits and sucked on her nipples one at time slowly running my tongue around their hardness. She slipped a finger up into my pussy and stroked my clit with her thumb. I trembled as the pleasure built up. I rolled her nipples between my fingers pinching softly, she moaned as she put another finger in my cunt. My husband was watching intently as his cock grew even harder. He shifted in the chair, I knew he was getting so turned on watching as another woman made love to his wife. Lady C moved down and kissed my shaved pussy, moaning I opened my legs more for her. Her tongue flicked across my clit, then she started sucking it hard between her lips. I gasped at the sensations that ran through my body. My hands in her curls, she looked up with her mask in place and smiled. She lowered her mouth to my pussy and slowly put her tongue where her fingers were and sucked my juices into her mouth. The orgasm hit me hard as she put a finger into my ass. I moaned loudly and she fucked me with her tongue and worked my ass with her finger. David could not wait any longer and put his hands on Lady C’s ass and drove his cock into her wet pussy. His hands reached down for her tits as she continued her assault on my ass and pussy. David worked his cock like magic in her pussy and she was moaning into my cunt. I moved from her and slipped to their side and let my fingers play with her clit as David pumped his rod into her. She was so wet I could feel her juices as I gently rubbed her clit. David’s throbbing cock glistened as he thrust in and out of her pussy. Lady C was almost to the edge of ecstasy as I continued rubbing her clit, crying out for David to make her cum. He pushed his cock in deep as he exploded into her cunt. I watched my husbands face as he kept his cock buried in her pussy, the joy in his face. His hands touching her ass, her tits, it was like he couldn’t stop touching her. He emptied his cock into her wet pussy and finally pulled away. I quickly knelt in front of him and took his cock into my mouth and licked and sucked until I cleaned all their juices from him. Lady C collapsed onto the bed breathing hard. David pushed me to her pussy, for me to taste her and his juices. I licked her clit and dipped my tongue into her cunt, tasting them, their juices mixed together. I then leaned up and kissed her to have her taste them on my mouth. David joined us on the bed as the bell rang through the rooms. We looked at each other with smiles. David pulled off his mask, as did I. Lady C slowly reached up and removed hers. Our mouths fell open as the woman was revealed. Sitting on the bed with us was his… MOTHER! David started laughing, looking at the 3 of us naked in bed; he was in his glory. “I couldn’t figure out why I was so drawn to you, now I know why. You changed your voice, I didn’t know you with that accent!” His mother just smiled and suggested the three of us head for home and more fun. A Masquerade "Why don't you kiss me like that anymore?" I heard a slightly dumpy, fiftyish woman in line ask a man who was sporting an impressive beer gut. "I'd kiss you like that if you still looked as good as she does," he said, staring at Em as we passed them. I cringed and Em gasped in outraged. I couldn't keep from turning to look at them. I call it Homorubberneckus, the inability to prevent your self from gawking at a horrific accident. Whether you notice it's about to happen, or are witnessing the aftermath, you can't help but stare. He'd said it loud enough that most of the people in line heard him. The woman looked thunderstruck. "I know someone who won't be getting any for quite some time," a fellow about five spots back said just as loudly. The line broke out in laughter, some of the men cat calling after him. "I feel terrible for that poor woman," Em said as we wandered off down the fairway, my arm around her shoulders. "I feel sorry for him," I said. Em looked horrified until I continued, "Just think how long he's gonna be in the doghouse for that one comment. How many roses and boxes of candy is he going to have to buy? And even when he thinks she's let it go she'll still be holding it over his head. When he least expects it she'll pull it out of her arsenal. Five years from now they'll be having an argument about something or other, maybe he's tired of having meatloaf every Saturday night or something, and she'll shriek, 'Well, why don't you just have your little Ferris Wheel strumpet cook your dinner from now on!' and he'll be completely flummoxed. He won't have a clue what in hell she's talking about, and out of the blue it's turned into World War Three in their dinning room. I can see the poor bastard in my mind. There he is, trying to dodge her verbal scud missiles and smart bombs, but he won't have a prayer." Em was giggling helplessly by this point, "It'll be no holds barred. She'll bring up every grievance she's ever had and he'll be thinking, 'All I said was the green beans were a little salty.' while she's yelling about how he ogled her bride's maids at the reception." Em looked to be on the verge of collapse. "Stop!" she squealed breathlessly, pounding my chest. She looked around desperately for a second then streaked off to a near by Port-A-John. Luckily, it happened to be unoccupied. I followed her over and leaned against the side to wait for her. When she came out, she conceded defeat on which of the two deserved our sympathy. I tried to win her a huge panda at the dart booth, but I only managed the medium sized camel before giving up. She kept distracting me by rubbing against me or blowing in my ear while I was trying to concentrate. We wound up leaving later than we should have, but she didn't seem to care that she was going to be late for work. I walked her to her door, and we shared another mind-bending kiss on her stoop. She invited me in to keep her company while she got ready, but I told her that if I went inside with her she'd never get to work. A Masquerade "Probably not, but he might if you blew him," he made a face. "Blech...I'd rather fuck 'em." "What? I thought you were straight?" "Hey, man, a hole's a hole, and we're talkin' about weed. If doin' a hole gets me a new connection for primo shit then I'm there, man. And don't fuckin' look at me like that, Gideon. I know what yer thinkin'. That it's cold that I'd use him like that, but he'd be usin' me just as much. It'd be a symbiotic relationship; ya dig? I'd be getting' what I want, he'd be gettin' what he wants, we'd both have a new buddy and everybody'd be happy." I just shook my head and went back to mingling. Finding Tony at the wet bar, I thought to warn him about Jesse. They were both my friends, but I'd known Tony a hall of a lot longer. His reaction shouldn't have surprised me, I suppose. "No shit? He told you that? Wow, thanks for passing the word, Gideon, you're a true friend. Gonna get some tonight," he practically sang the last sentence, and started whistling Mack the Knife as he grabbed their drinks and headed for Jesse. Again, all I could do was shake my head in astonishment and circulate some more. Sylvia, a transsexual who'd yet to see the sharp side of the knife where the 'boys' were concerned, had a perfect Dolly Parton going. The enormous breast implants and equally huge, blonde wig definitely helped, since they made it difficult to focus on anything else; the effect was almost hypnotic. I was chatting with her about how uncomfortable my corset was when I heard the distinct sound of Em's laughter behind me. I turned just as she said, "Oh my God...I can't believe he got you into a dress." I froze when I saw her. "That little bitch lied to me," I said indignantly, "He told me he couldn't find a Robin Hood costume when there was no way he'd have gotten me one if he could because he knew that's what you were coming as. You two planned this between you, right?" I took her in, and caught myself faintly wondering which the illusion was, the man standing in front of me, or the woman I'd kissed on the Ferris Wheel. She crossed the ten feet separating us, "No, chéri, I had no idea what costume he would pick for you. He asked me what I planned on coming as and I told him I was going to be Errol Flynn in his role of Robin Hood. I actually expected him to get you Will Scarlett, or maybe Little John. This never crossed my mind, I swear." "He's a twisted, little shit. He's playing Will tonight," I said, pulling her against me and seized her mouth for a hello kiss. Holding her tightly, caressing her back, I decided that I liked the way she felt without a bra breaking the smooth lines of her spine and ribs. ¬I was nearly lost in her taste when Sylvia violently cleared her throat to get my attention. When I broke the kiss to look at her she said, "Aren't you going to introduce me to your new boyfriend, Gideon? Where have you been hiding him, anyway?" I looked into Em's eyes, while I responded, "I'll introduce you as soon as I'm ready to share her company," I took her hand and lead her to the refreshment table. On the way, I whispered, "You look fantastic in those tights, by the way." "I do?" "You know you do," I said with a grin. I spotted Caleb across the room and caught his attention so that I could shake my finger at him as if he were an errant child. He snickered and looked very proud of himself. As we circled the refreshment table, picking out choice tidbits, I began noticing little things about her that raised questions, and caused a gradually deepening suspicion to set it. Her hands reaching for crescent pastry; they seemed slender and delicate next to mine, but compared to another woman's? Her deep, smoky laughter; it wasn't unheard of for a woman to have a deep voice, but I'd known men who could be mistaken for a woman if you weren't looking at them when they spoke. She deliberately bumped her slim hip against mine, joggling my plate on purpose; she was slender, almost breast less, but plenty of women had a boyish figure. The look on her face that last night flashed into my mind's eye; at the time I'd thought she was stunned to find out I'd never been with a woman, but what if her surprise came from finding out that I thought she was a woman and she didn't know how to tell me she wasn't? All of it was circumstantial, but when put together with Caleb's reaction to me asking her out that first day, these facts shaped themselves into an equation that just might add up to a different sum than I'd believed. Speaking softly into the shell of her ear, I told her that I desperately wanted a moment alone with her, would she mind coming into one of the bedrooms where it would be quiet. Letting her precede me into the room, I shut and locked the door before gently guiding her over to the bed. I looked her over closely, noting all the small details, facial features that undisguised by makeup now, shape of shoulders and hips, the fingers nervously fiddling with the bowstring cutting across the flat chest, taking it all in. She had a strange, almost frightened, look in her eyes as she stood there. "Gideon—" "Shhhh...not yet, Em." Stepping forward, I got her to sit, knelt in front of her, and let my hands roam up her ribs to her chest, feeling carefully the whole way. I didn't detect any constraining garments under the close fitting tunic, but I did feel a flat, masculine chest, and I actually felt his nipples harden under my thumbs. Looking up into his Mediterranean blue eyes, I couldn't hide my smile. "I knew it," I said. "When?" he asked, the breath he'd been holding gushing out of his lungs. "Just now, at the refreshment table, but I wasn't positive. At that point it wasn't more than suspicion, but it explained my inexplicable attraction to a woman." "I thought you knew because of the way you were acting toward me. I knew you were gay from Caleb, and he knew my gender, so I concluded that you did." "I know, Em, I figured that out after rethinking what was said in my living room. I'm not upset, not in the least. By the way, what's your name?" "Emelyne is my taken name, my given name is Emory." "Emory...that's nice. I like both, and having people call you Em is smart," I said with a chuckle. I was looking at him, really seeing all of him, the man under the woman's mask, the femininity that allowed him to portray a woman so successfully. I saw both Emelyne and Emory, the two together were just Em in my eyes now. I saw one complete person and I wanted him more than ever. His eyes dilated suddenly, "You're looking at me that way again...like you did in Cuisine De Pays," he breathed. "Am I?" he nodded, "I guess that's because I don't want to look at or be with anyone but you for the foreseeable future." He made a strange sound of longing in the back of his throat and slid into my lap. Wrapping my arms around him, I met him halfway in a Ferris Wheel kiss. We locked in a sweet, slow waltz of tongues, lingering caresses of lips, while our bodies moving against and with each other's. I don't know how long we stayed like this, but I finally broke the embrace out of frustration. "I can't stand it," I panted, "I can't feel your body with mine through this damned dress. Help me out of it, baby." "Should we be doing this here?" he asked, looking worriedly at the locked door, while helping me with the catches on the corset as I pulled my hat off. That hat had been pissing me off since Caleb put it on me; I threw it across the room. It made the most phenomenal bang when it hit the door. "Yes, right here, right now and I don't give a flying rat's ass who hears us." Just then, someone knocked on the door, startling us both. "Is everyone alright in there?" we heard a muffled voice ask. "Yes, everything's fine," I answered. "Are you—" "Go away!" I thundered as the last two hooks came loose. We heard a startled squeal and the sound of spiked heels clacking quickly away on the hard wood floor. "That was mean, chéri," Em giggled, "Who was it anyway?" "Sylvia...umm...Dolly? We were talking when you got here. I don't care if it was mean, she was hanging around hoping we'd come back out soon so she could try to glom onto you. She likes the pretty boys," I finished and stood to pull the gown over my head. I dropped it and knelt back down while working the skullcap off and digging the pins out of my hair. "Fat chance, those things on her chest are as big as a baby's head," he snorted, "You think I'm pretty?" "Quit fishing for compliments, baby," he chuckled at my response as I mussed my hair to make it feel more natural, and pulled him into my lap. Grabbing the pointed bill of his cap, I flicked it away. "Oh—" he squeaked watching it fly before I captured his mouth, kissing him hard. I could feel his body with mine now, and it stoked the fire into a roaring blaze. His hard on and his belt buckle were both pressing into my bare stomach. I slid my hands down, cupping his firm ass, and rolled my hips against his, rubbing our straining shafts together through my boxers and his tights. I slid one hand into the back of his tights, while reaching around with the other to get his belt off. I played my fingers along his crack as I tossed his belt to the side. Wrapping my arm around him again, I slid my hand under his tunic and trailed my fingers up his spine. The fingers of my other hand delved into his warm cleft, seeking a bundle of nerves hidden within. He panted into my mouth, each breath a whine of need. I found the hot, crinkled flesh I was looking for, and pressed my fingertips against it firmly, massaging in tight, little circles. His pelvis thrust into my abs, and I could feel his thighs quivering where they pressed against my hips as he grunted loudly. His head fell back onto the bed, his chest bowed up and his hips twisted and ground his ass against my pulsing cock. I needed to see all of him. I got him out of his costume as quickly as I could without damaging it, tossing the various pieces without regard for where they came to rest. He was beautiful, his face flushed, and his chest heaving and damp with sweat, nipples small, flat disks peaked in hard pebbles, his abs tight and his cock, slightly curved toward his stomach. I wanted to consume all of him at once, and couldn't decide where to begin. I stopped thinking and did whatever came to mind, starting with his nipples. I dragged the flat of my tongue over one then the other, sucking and biting lightly between swirling licks. His hands were clutching my back and running through my hair, while he humped against my stomach, caught in the clutches of need. I couldn't wait much longer; I desperately wanted to sink myself into him. I got him to turn around, pushing his shoulders up onto the bed. Pulling his cheeks apart, I dove in, not wasting any time. My tongue immediately breeched his outer muscles, eliciting a constant stream of mewls that grew louder by the second. I worked his pucker hard with my tongue and fingers, needing to get him ready for me a quickly as possible. Soon neither of us could wait any longer. "Gid—eon...puh-please..." he pleaded between sobbing breaths. His whole body shook as if from a violent chill. Lifting myself up, I pushed my boxers to my knees, and pulled him over my lap by his hips. He hovered above my streaming cock, while I smeared my pre-cum over the shaft. I'd only rubbed the spongy, mushroom head over his hole a couple times when he suddenly lunged down onto me. I grunted in surprise, and heard his wavering keen as his ass slapped against my pelvis. "Shit, Em," I said, clutching him so he wouldn't move, "Did you hurt yourself?" I could feel his body adjusting itself around my aching shaft and almost couldn't keep from thrusting. "No...God no!" he growled, as he began rolling his hips as if he was astride a horse at a fast walk, "Oh damn, chéri...fu-uck me...h-hard," he demanded, somewhere between a groan and a growl. Such a raw demand made in my sweet, soft-spoken Em's sultry contralto broke the last shred of my control. Raising my ass off my heels, I clutched his hips and surged into him hard. I rode him fast, and a quavering wail exploded from his lungs every time my cock hammered over his prostate. My balls were beginning to pull up, and a tingling spread down the insides of my thighs and over my ass as a tightening sensation built in my stomach. Reaching around, I took the slick head of his heavily drooling cock in my hand and rotated my fist around it, matching the speed of my thrusting hips. His body clamped down on my swelling shaft and quivered in ripples that tried to pull me deeper into his burning depths just as the rest of him froze. I felt his cock pulse in my hand a second before the first jet burst into my palm and through my fingers. His sudden stillness ended as abruptly as it had begun and he writhed on my cock, his tight ass milking me. My own orgasm hit like a blinding cannon barrage, ripping through me with an intensity that verged on pain. Our individual cries of mutual release blended into a chorus of sound that must have traveled through the whole house. I came back to myself lying on Em's back, his torso still braced on the foot of the bed. Grazing my palms over his abs and up to his chest, I cupped his pecs and stroked his nipples, while trailing a string of open mouthed kissed across his shoulders to the nap of his neck. He shuddered almost imperceptibly, and looked over his shoulder, smiling sleepily at me. "Let's crawl up on the bed and rest, baby," I suggested, gently disengaging myself from his heat, making him groan softly. Music started playing in the living room, and I realized that I hadn't heard any for a while. I laughed involuntarily. When Em asked what was funny I told him, and laughed harder when he turned bright red. Once we'd settled ourselves on in the middle of the bed, we cuddled and talked quietly about nothing in particular until I thought to ask how Caleb had known Em's gender when I hadn't twigged to it. It turned out that they'd met at a drag club downtown. They'd been there to see a mutual friend perform and he introduced them between shows. Our conversation meandered into other areas, "I had to have unconsciously known you were a man all along. You know why?" "Why's that, chéri?" he asked, nuzzling his soft lips against the stiffening peak of one of my nipples. "Because I was so attracted to you that even your perfume turned me on, and I usually hate cologne made for women. It's just too sweet and flowery for me," I replied, making a slight face. His hearty laughter startled me, "Sweet, sexy man," he said, kissing me softly several times. "I wear male pheromone cologne underneath whatever perfume I happen to decide on for the day. It puts the straight men off and attracts the gay boys, though neither group understands why," he winked and laughed again at my expression. "Of course, it does confuse the straight ladies as well." I couldn't stand it, I rolled him onto his back and proceeded to tickle him breathless saying, "You're a devious, little daemon, Emory. You're evil, and must be destroyed." After a while we felt recharged enough to return to the party, and I asked him if he'd slip down the hall and get my street clothes from Caleb's bed because there was no way I would put that dress back on. He seemed nervous about leaving the room alone, but after I checked to see if the coast was clear for him, he hurried down and back. It didn't take long to make myself mostly presentable. We made a quick stop in the bathroom to clean up a little bit before joining the crowd of revelers. I led Em through the press of people toward the refreshments, my arm around his back, my hand cupping his hip. Just a couple of feet into the room, the people began noticing us, and parting like the Red Sea before Moses. The music became nearly inaudible, submerged under murmurs, giggles and snickers. Em was clearly mortified. "Don't let it bother you, baby," I whispered to him, "They're all jealous because I've got the prettiest, and smartest person in the state on my arm after having made boisterous love to him, while all they got to do was listen," he flushed and grinned then nuzzled my ear and kissed my jaw. Caleb met us at the refreshments, "Where's your costume?" he demanded. "It's in the spare bedroom. There was no way I was going to squeeze myself back into that damned thing. I don't feel like being uncomfortable the rest of the night, and everyone's seen me in the damned thing anyway. Besides, you have Robin Hood here to keep your costume company." He pouted at me, and I shook my head, "Don't even bother. It's not going to work this time. This is just the beginning of what you owe me for that little trick you played on me." Seeing that I meant it, he gave up. "What did I do?" "Don't try to play innocent. You know exactly what I'm talking about, Caleb. By the way, I've got a little present for you." He looked extremely suspicious, but asked what it was. I told him to wait there and went out to the driveway to my car. When I got back, Caleb was introducing Em around. Em seemed to have gotten over his embarrassment, and looked to be having a good time becoming acquainted with our friends. "Here, these are for you," I said, handing Caleb a small stack of books. The look on his face as he read the titles was the funniest thing I'd seen in days. "The Low Down on Going Down: How to Give Her Mind-Blowing Oral Sex, The Joy of Sex and The Kama Sutra? Why are you giving me these?" he said, sounding completely disgusted, and tried to give them back to me. Refusing to take them I said, "Those are your punishment for letting me think that Emory was a woman, when you knew perfectly well he wasn't. I read those books cover to cover twice because I didn't want to make a fool of myself in bed. I expect you to read them cover to cover at least once, as payback." His expression was becoming more comical by the second, and everyone in our part of the room was tittering and snickering. "Not only that, you have to study the pictures...in detail. You'll get these back after you've passed a test on the material contained in those books," I finished, holding up his VHS and DVD copies of The Princess Bride. He squawked and tried to snatch them from me, but I held them over my head while everyone around us roared with laughter at his feeble attempts to wrest his one addiction back from me. He wouldn't get them for some time.