Charli made a face at Natalie. And she’d thought she was competitive. Poor Dawn looked totally cowed by the dominatrix from hell. “I don’t know, Tim and Dawn have aced everything so far. My team, on the other hand…”
Dawn smiled gratefully. “Well, I only have to worry about one man, Charli. I don’t know how I’d handle…um… No offense.”
“None taken.”
Charli glanced over her shoulder, slipping a salsa-laden chip in her mouth as she studied her “team”. Rafael and Eric were talking intensely, Raf’s dramatic hand gestures telling her he was on the offensive. Simon stood beside them at the bar, nursing a beer in silence. He looked different. Distant. Had it already begun then? The change she’d been dreading?
“Ma’am?” It was Florenz. “May I talk to you for a moment, in private?” She nodded, excusing herself to join the handsome guide in a far corner, away from listening ears. “Your friends, the ones who paid for your excursion? They instructed me to give you this note now.”
Another note? Great. What now? “Thank you, Florenz. And please, for the sake of my sanity, call me Charli.” He stood over her, hiding her from view of the others while she read it.
My dearest,
If you’ve made it to this point without running back to the boat and “cracking some skulls”, bravo! I’m proud of you. The boys have always been mad about you, and so protective, I knew you’d be fine. The last challenge is a doozy, but if you’re as brave as I know you are, you’ll take it. Yes, yes, I know what you’re thinking. I’ve run this race before…isn’t it divine? Don’t be mad at Connie, I talked her into it. And I wasn’t alone, but that’s the only clue you get from me.
I’ve always wanted you to be happy. It may be a little unconventional, but you know what I always say, the more the merrier.
Love and Kisses,
Aunt Kelly
“I think Shelly might be looking for you.” Simon stood beside Florenz, a threatening smile on his face.
The young guide backed away, hands in the air. “I’m sure she is. Good luck on the rest of the race, you two.”
“That was rude, Simon. And entirely unnecessary.” Charli handed Simon the note. “What do you think she means, she wasn’t alone?”
Simon shrugged, shoving the note in his pocket. “Who knows? Lee maybe? It’s not really his style though. Besides, he’s been way too distracted with his wedding to plan something like this.”
He took a swig of beer, looking over her shoulder. “Does it matter how we got here? I’d think you’d be more concerned about what happens next.” He laughed. “Don’t look so surprised, Chuck. It’s not as if we’re total strangers. No one knows you better than I do.”
“I know. What a mess.”
He turned to face her. “Is it? Eric and Rafael are talking again, and we’ve all been having a hell of a time. You certainly seemed to be enjoying yourself.”
She blushed. “I am, it’s just—”
“Just nothing. Enjoy it, Charli. Let us make you feel good. And, if along the way, we win a thousand bucks to play the tables on the ship, all the better right?”
“Yeah. All the better. I think I need another drink.” She walked over to the bar, away from Rafael and Eric, away from the other players. She didn’t want them to see her face, or they’d be on her in a heartbeat. She felt like she’d been sucker punched in the stomach.
She’d just discovered something. Simon didn’t know her that well after all.
Chapter Five
It was nighttime now. Somewhere nearby there was a party going on. Charli could hear the music and cheers. She’d have to come to Cozumel again someday, maybe actually see the city, as opposed to the strip clubs and kinky back rooms. She chuckled to herself.
“We’ve arrived at the last challenge! Hopefully the food and drink revived you, because you’re going to need a little more energy to get through it.” Shelly beamed and looked at Florenz, who continued for her.
“No clue, we will just tell you straight out. You’ve opened your minds, allowed yourselves to trust your partners, and this last part is about giving in. Regardless of time or place. Regardless of worries and rules. Totally giving in to pleasure.”
He smiled at the excited murmurs of the group. “If you look behind you, the warehouse you see belongs to the creator of The Race Erotic. On the other side of the building is where you’ll begin. For legality reasons, we can’t have this challenge just anywhere. And for your own protection Shelly and I will remain here. Go and, well, let yourselves go.”
Charli and Eric shared confused looks. “What does that mean?”
“It means we’re going to have sex.” Natalie rolled her eyes, dragging her miserable-looking boy toy toward the far end of the building.
“Well, I don’t want to have sex with her.” Rafael made a face and Shelly laughed, walking over to whisper in his ear. “Oh. Oh. Now you’re talkin’.” He took Eric and Charli by the hand, dragging them and laughing. “Hurry up, guys and gals, it’s the main event. Come on, Simon. I know you’ll like this.”
“What the hell is going on, Raf?” Simon tromped slowly after them, hands in his pockets, looking morose.
There was a small walkway between the warehouse and the ocean. Charli could see their cruise ship lit up in the distance. Along the warehouse there were four spaced-out spotlights, the rest of the wall in shadow. “What now?”
“Totally giving in, sugar. Means exactly what it sounds like. As close to making love in the middle of the road as we’re probably ever going to get without getting arrested.”
Charli stepped back from Rafael, looking around. Dawn was all over Tim, the shy girl she’d met replaced by a wildcat, nearly ripping the buttons off from her beaming husband’s shirt.
Natalie had her young slave on his knees, kissing her ankles. “Ugh. I am so not feeling it.”
Simon gripped her shoulders and pressed her against the wall. “Feel this.” His kiss turned her brains to mush. Hot and hard, full of fire, when he pressed his growing erection against her she moaned, wrapping her arms around his neck.
“You should just be naked all the time. Then we wouldn’t have to keep dressing and undressing you.” She heard Rafael’s smiling voice as he and Eric stripped her clothes off. She didn’t care. Didn’t care who was watching, didn’t care what happened next, as long as Simon kept kissing her.
“Share the wealth, man.” Eric pushed Simon out of the way, his mouth covering hers. Softer, gentler. Eric. She melted into his arms. She helped Rafael undress him, heard the rustling around her as Simon took his shirt off and unbuttoned his jeans.
Simon pulled her away from Eric, guiding her to Rafael. She kissed him blindly, her body so sensitized after all she’d experienced today, she was already on fire with need. Rafael bit and sucked at her lips, growling playfully when she sucked his tongue into her mouth.
They were turned around with Simon against the wall, behind Charli and Rafael. Charli felt Simon’s steel-hard cock press against her hip, and she whimpered against Rafael’s mouth.
“Shh, sugar. It’s going to be amazing. What do you need, man?”
She heard the sound of foil tearing and her eyes closed. Oh my God. It was really happening. “I need the extra lube you pocketed, and I need Chuck to be a good girl, bend over and suck both your cocks.”
He caressed her back in soothing motions, and her eyes flew open. Both? Eric and Rafael sent matching grins her way, coming to stand side by side in front of her. Rafael tossed him a small bottle. “Knew this would come in handy.”
Simon’s hand firmed between her shoulder blades. “Come on, babe. I need you.”
Her heart stuttered at the tender, open expressions on her friends’ faces. Her men. She allowed Simon to press her forward, until her mouth was level with Eric’s thick girth and Rafael’s dusky length. They had gorgeous cocks. She licked her lips, mouthing the tip of first Rafael’s, then Eric’s penis.
“Fuck.”
“Yeah, sugar. Suck us both.”
Their hands were in her long brown hair, gentle, without pressure. Loving. Charli sucked Rafael’s dark shaft deep into her mouth, gagging a little at the length, before relaxing her throat to take more. “She sucks so good, Eric. She may be better than I am. Sugar. Just like that, Charli.”
“Show me, Charli. Let me feel your mouth on me.” Charli turned her head and took Eric’s silken width into her mouth, opening as wide as she could to take him all. Delicious. “Ahh. Baby, fuck. How did you learn to do that? Shit, Raf, that thing she’s doing with her tongue is killing me.”
Eric moaned, and Charli heard them kissing above her. God, that was sexy. She slid her hand between her legs, pressing her clit to get some relief from her own arousal.
Simon leaned over her back to whisper in her ear. “Don’t, Chuck. Or I’ll tie your hands behind your back. We’re going to be the only thing you need to come.”
Rafael pressed his cock beside Eric’s and she gripped both shafts in her hand, taking the heads of their cocks into her mouth and sucking them. Together. “Holy shit, Charli!”
Something cool and liquid slid down the crack of her ass. Lube. It was quickly followed by Simon’s thumb. “Did you use the plug before you came on the cruise, babe? Nod.”
She nodded.
“Good. Cause I don’t think I can be as patient as I’d need to be if you weren’t used to something filling your ass.” He spread her cheeks with his hands, the head of his condom-covered cock pressing insistently against her.
She moaned low as the two cocks slid against each other inside her mouth. Simon made a hoarse sound, as if in pain. “I’ve been dreaming of this for so fucking long. My hands full of your ass, my cock filling you up, Charli. My cock. Ours. You belong to us, Chuck. Nobody else. Never forget it.”
She lifted her mouth taking a deep breath as Simon’s rigid shaft pushed through the tight ring of muscles. It felt better than her toys. Better… Amazing… More. “Yes.”
“You like that? I knew you would, babe. Knew you’d love it. Want more?” Simon’s gravelly voice went through her like heat lightning.
“Yes, Simon. Please. I want more.”
“Jesus, Charli, you are so fucking sexy.” Eric’s voice was far off in the distance. All she could do was feel. Simon pushed deeper, and her body struggled to accept him.
“Big. God you’re so big.”
“Hot and tight. Ahh, Charli, love, that’s right, take all of me.”
She felt hands holding her shoulders, rubbing her breasts, felt Simon’s hands gripping her waist, his hips pressing against her ass. Pain, pleasure, she felt everything, and it felt so damn incredible she thought she might die.
“Eric, take her.”
She was being lifted, Simon still deep inside her, shifting with the movement. She cried out. More foil wrappers, and then her arms and legs were being wrapped around Eric, and he was kissing her. “Breathe, baby. Love you, Charli.” He pushed inside her sex with his thick cock. She was wet, but the fit was still tight.
“Shit, Simon. I don’t know if she can take us both.”
“She can take us. Can’t you, Chuck? You were made to take us. Breathe baby. Let us take care of you. Let us love you.”
Charli leaned her head back on Simon’s shoulder, loving the sound of his voice. Eric was making shallow thrusts into her pussy with his thick cock, stretching her, filling her full. So full. “Shit.”
“Are you okay? Charli, tell me you’re okay or I’ll stop.”
“No! Don’t stop, Eric. Nobody stop. Fuck me. God, it feels good.”
Simon bit her earlobe and thrust his hips. “That’s my girl.”
Eric and Simon started a rhythmic drag and thrust inside her. Tears slid down her cheeks. Relief? Happiness? She wasn’t sure what she was feeling, she just knew she didn’t want it to end.
A flash of white made her focus. Rafael smiled over Eric’s shoulder and bit it gently. “Don’t go leaving me out.” Eric stilled and Charli instinctively clenched her muscles around him, holding him tight.
“Charli, fuck. Raf, I just… Oh hell, be gentle.”
Rafael turned Eric’s chin toward him. His beautiful face filled with love and joy. “Always.” Eric tensed and jerked against Charli, shouting as he buried his face in her neck.
Rafael gripped Eric’s shoulder and thrust slowly, pushing Eric’s hips against Charli, Charli against Simon. “Oh God, you’re fucking all of us.” It slipped out of her mouth, but it was true.
“Now you know my evil, ah yes, plan.”
Their sounds of pleasure filled the night air. Charli had her legs wrapped around Eric and Raf, her head turned to accept Simon’s kiss. It was heaven. She’d never been so full, so taken.
“Oh. Fuck.”
“That’s right, Eric. Love. Fucking. You.” Rafael pumped his hips harder against Eric, faster. “It’s been too long. And you feel…so good. Tough to be gentle.”
Charli pulled her mouth from Simon’s to catch Eric’s expression, his smile more a feral bearing of teeth. “I release you from your promise, Raf. Don’t be gentle. Fuck me hard.”
“Yes.”
Simon growled against her neck when their movement pushed him harder inside her, deeper. “I have to move, babe. I have to come.”
“Anything, Simon. I’m close. I can’t—it feels…”
“Charli! Shit, baby I can’t wait.” Simon slipped his hand around her body, where it was joined with Eric’s, and rubbed her clit.
“Christ, Simon.” Eric bit his lip, his hips pumping deep inside Charli’s sex. Suddenly there were too many sensations, too much pleasure, and Charli felt her body catch fire and burn like a newborn star.
“She’s coming. You’re squeezing my cock like a fucking fist, baby.”
“I can’t wait anymore.”
“Charli, babe.”
It was amazing. She could feel them all coming against her, in her. Together. Her body was alive in a way she’d never experienced before. Climbing, white water rapids, nothing came close to this exhilaration. Every nerve ending was tingling, her blood pumping through her veins. Alive. And hopelessly in love.
But with who?
“Wow. There is no way I can compete with that. You two have my vote for winning.”
“Tim.”
“Well, they do.”
Charli tried to hide her body, blushing furiously as the magical bubble burst around her and she realized where they were. Outside. In public. A public that had apparently stopped having sex themselves to watch them.
“You’re a jackass. Anyone ever tell you that?” Rafael went to stand in front of her, Simon and Eric spreading out to surround her on all sides so she could get dressed.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know she was shy. I mean, the four of you were—”
“If you don’t shut your mouth, I may have to shut it for you.” Simon’s growl was menacing. Charli pulled her shorts on with trembling hands, grabbing her tank top and patting Simon’s back at the same time.
“Calm down. We weren’t hiding or anything. It’s fine. It’s over anyway.” Simon tensed beneath her hand, as if sensing her train of thought. She was a wreck. She just needed a moment to breathe. To be alone.
“I’m going to go, freshen up, okay? I’ll be back.” She ducked under Eric’s arm, eluding Simon and racing around the corner.
“Charli!”
She refused to look back, diving headfirst into a waiting Florenz. Shelly was right beside him, and they both looked a little mussed, as if they’d been participating in the last challenge themselves. “You okay, Charli? We heard what happened, couldn’t help but hear. I’m sorry if one of the other racers embarrassed you.”
“It isn’t that. I think my experiment with the wild side just got a little too…wild. Could you get me a cab? Alone?”
Her guides shared a look over her head, and Florenz disappeared around the corner. “Of course. Florenz will go see to the others, and I’ll get you back to the ship.” Charli let herself be guided by the now-subdued young cheerleader, wondering where she was running. Aunt Kelly? Connie?
The people she’d always gone to for advice were the very ones she couldn’t face right now. If she’d been with other men, maybe. Maybe then she’d tell them that what she experienced tonight had shattered her. Changed her. Made her want something she’d realized she could never have. And that plain and simple truth had transformed her world forever.
How could she live and work, day in and day out, wanting and never having? Watching them move on, maybe Raf and Eric getting together, maybe Simon finding another curvy blonde, his usual favorite. And Charli. Alone and in love with her best friends. Friends. Plural. She laughed a little hysterically, and Shelly squeezed her hand.
“The cab is here.”
“Thanks.”
“Charli? Are you sure you’re all right?”
Charli slipped into the cab and tried to smile, but it came out like a sob. “No. I don’t think I am.”
It took less time than she imagined it would to get on board and talk to the purser. She was on her way to the airport in less than an hour. Charli told herself it was luck that had her in the air and on her way to Denver before anyone came looking for her. She was happy they hadn’t come.
The stewardess handed her a complimentary tequila midway through the flight. Maybe she wanted to ensure that the other passengers stopped complaining about the woman who wept the entire flight home.
Chapter Six
“Damn it, Charli, if you don’t open up this door, and I mean now, I’m going to break the thing down.”
He wasn’t going to stop. She knew Simon too well. He’d shred her door to pieces, and she’d have to explain it to the super. She stomped over to it and flung it open. “Don’t you dare!”
Charli took a breath. He looked awful. He hadn’t shaved, his eyes were sunken and heavy. She’d never seen him like this. “Simon?”
He pushed past her and into the living room. “We all took a flight home the next day, did you know that? Kelly, Eric, Rafael, even the newlyweds.”
“Aunt Kelly phoned. I wish they hadn’t done that. I didn’t mean to ruin the honeymoon.”
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