Moments pass, feeling both honey slow and time warp fast. “I’m coming,” I inform them.

  And I am. A long, lazy but intense spasm that roils through me and shakes me. Simon’s soft cries join in and for a second there is a cacophony of release in the room. This time I’m weeping in earnest, but it’s from relief, not sadness.

  “There it is,” Christopher says. And when I buckle under the weight of what’s just happen, it’s him I cling to. And time drags again, a taffy stretch of moments.

  “I love you,” is all I manage.

  “Now that’s a state of grace,” our visitor says. Simon dresses fast and quiet and kisses my hair. “Call me if you need to,” he says to Christopher.

  My husband smiles at him.

  He is happy. It’s hard for me to wrap my mind around but true. He’s not the only one who can get into someone’s head.

  The door snicks shut and I am almost done trembling. Almost done leaking from my now tired eyes. I yawn.

  “Oh, no, Grace,” he says. “No nap for you. You have something to attend to.”

  “What?” The chill of the room is settling in and I feel my skin pebble from the cold.

  Christopher touches my nipple and I feel the tickle of arousal in my throat. He puts my hand to his hard-on and says, “Me.”

  “Seriously?”

  “Seriously. I need you.”

  I thrill all over again, inside and out. “But what if…”

  “The doc said once in a while. It’s been a while. And I feel good. I liked seeing you get what you need.”

  I drop down between his legs. Amazed and grateful to be there again. It’s been so long. I unzip and take him in my mouth, tasting the salt and tang of him on my tongue, but for one instant, I pull back and ask him what’s on my mind.

  “Do you think Simon is right, that love is the only real religion?”

  Christopher plays a finger along my lower lip, he strokes my cheek and thread his fingers into my hair. He pushes my head gently back to his cock, the way he knows I like. The way that secretly excites me. “I do.”

  Jezebel

  SOPHIA VALENTI

  It all began on an unremarkable Tuesday in the supermarket. Somewhere in between the hash browns and potato croquettes a kinky plot was set in motion, unbeknownst to my fellow shoppers.

  I’d been wandering down the frozen-food aisle when I felt my phone vibrate in my purse. Sequestering myself next to the sweet potato fries, I dug out my cell.

  “You free on Saturday night?” Derek uttered in a husky whisper. He was calling from his office and attempting to be discreet. Though honestly, he was always trying to hatch some sort of inappropriate get-together, and I doubt that was a fact he could ever hide.

  “Sure—what’s up?” I answered. I’ve never been able to resist temptation—especially when he was the one doing the tempting.

  “Rebecca’s coming over. Can you join us?”

  I’d been friends with Derek long enough to know that any invitation to his home involved entertainment of the pantless variety. Not that I minded. He and I had that sort of relationship. I will admit, though, that we’d talked about threesomes more than we’d had them. Oftentimes plans would fall through and we’d each find someone better to do. Don’t get me wrong; I enjoy his company. But long ago, we realized that sex is much more interesting for us when there’s another person—or two—involved.

  However, this time the situation was different. Usually his “events” involved strangers. But Rebecca? That was his girlfriend. The one he’d been seeing for three years. The one who had no idea what a cheating horndog he was. The one he treated with kid gloves, pretending that she needed to be protected from the world—when, in truth, he was really trying to control her. As far as she knew, Derek and I were just old friends, which wasn’t a lie. There was plenty of baggage between those two, and I wondered if I should even get involved. But as I recalled her lovely lips and pretty face, all caution fled my mind. “What time?”

  “Ten—I’ll call you Friday with more details,” he answered happily, and with that, I shoved my phone back in my bag and headed toward the ice cream.

  I knew what Derek was looking for because we’d discussed his fantasies in the past. Rebecca was interested in women as well as men, and she was often submissive when it came to sex. I knew he’d fantasized about a three-way that involved me topping her, and I will admit that I’d thought about that, too. She was the sweetest thing, with her big brown eyes and shy smile. Some people bring out the domme in me, and she was one of them.

  But silly me, thinking this was something the two of them had discussed. When I next spoke with Derek, I learned how wrong I was.

  “I’ll only need an hour of your time,” he said. “Then you can have the rest of the night to yourself.”

  What? I thought incredulously. Am I supposed to swoop in like some sort of kinky caped crusader, do the deed, and leave via the fire escape? I could feel my ire building as he continued.

  “She won’t even know it’s you. She’ll be blindfolded and tied to the bed—”

  “No,” I answered flatly, interrupting his monologue.

  “W-what do you mean?”

  “I don’t play like that.”

  “So you won’t come?”

  “Not unless she knows I’m coming and I know she wants this—then I’ll come. Then everyone will come.”

  In my mind, I could almost see his face scrunched up in thought as he absorbed my words and came to terms with my terms. I’ve known him for a long time, and I know he likes to push women. But I’d never allowed him to push me, and I wasn’t about to start now. And I certainly wasn’t going to be party to violating someone else’s limits. I wasn’t entirely familiar with Rebecca, but I knew enough about her to recognize that this wasn’t the sort of surprise that would thrill her.

  “Okay, okay,” he finally relented. He seemed to be reworking the evening in his mind, the X-rated puzzle pieces shifting and reforming into another illicit configuration.

  “Don’t worry, Derek,” I purred, “we’re still going to have a good time. Have I ever disappointed you?”

  “Never,” he answered, his voice dropping to a sexy timbre.

  “Then we have a date.”

  I’ve never been much of a planner when it comes to a scene, and that night was no different. I packed a variety of implements and toys, not giving much thought to what I might use and when. Every scenario is different; I like to have the evening evolve organically, letting my whims and my desires lead the way.

  But this time, even I was surprised by where they took us.

  As I entered Derek’s apartment, I immediately spied Rebecca on the couch—and the second my feet hit the living-room carpet, her eyes were on me. They trailed from my leather boots upward, taking in every inch of my body. I wasn’t wearing porno fetish wear, just a snug-fitting back dress. I call it city-chic domme—an outfit that can take me from the desk to the dungeon.

  Rebecca and I exchanged greetings, the unspoken subtext lingering in the air between us. We’d met a few times in the past, but always in a roomful of people and never in a situation so intimate—one that was charged with such erotic potential.

  I took a seat next to her, and Derek wandered into the kitchen to grab me a drink. I was glad; I wanted a few minutes alone with her. Her gaze flitted from her wineglass to my face and back again.

  “No need to be nervous,” I said, pushing a lock of her long brown hair behind her ear. “We’re all friends just looking to have some fun.”

  Those words seemed to relax her, and I caressed her cheek as I took in the details of her face: her olive-toned skin so smooth and soft, her warm eyes gazing up at me through her thick lashes, her lips full and red. Something about her did me in. Suddenly, I wasn’t so much interested in dominating her as I was in having her learn how to master her own world—and how to master Derek. I could see the potential in her; she just needed someone to show her the way. And that someone was me.

  Derek returned and handed me a drink. I took it from him without looking in his direction. I kept my attention on Rebecca, who was telling me about her catering business. She’d built it from the ground up, and her pride in her work was obvious. I liked seeing her brimming with confidence. It was a look that suited her.

  Out of the corner of my eye, I could see an impatient Derek fidgeting on the loveseat, repeatedly glancing toward my black leather bag. I liked making him wait. I didn’t speak his name until our glasses were empty.

  “Derek, more wine,” I called out, briefly looking over my shoulder. At having been addressed directly, he sprung up from his seat to fetch our glasses.

  As Rebecca and I chatted, I made a point of touching her arm, stroking my fingertips along her soft skin. The first time I did so, she shuddered slightly. I let my hand linger, and we looked deeply into each other’s eyes. It was an inherently lustful connection. Before long, all of her nervousness appeared to be gone; I was pleased.

  I drank my second glass of wine slowly, and Rebecca paced herself to match me. Her smile soon took on sensuality that I found alluring. She was ready.

  As we’d talked, Derek had occasionally tried to jump into the conversation, but I never responded to his gambits. And when I finally called his name again, he sat up with a start. “I want you naked—in the bedroom,” I directed him. “Get on your hands and knees on the mattress, and wait for us.”

  “What?” he asked, sounding thoroughly confused, though I noticed his semi-erect cock tenting the front of his black slacks.

  “You heard me. The bedroom—now!”

  Rebecca was unable to stifle a charming giggle, and Derek, his face still registering his shock, walked to the bedroom without another word. I felt wave of pleasure course through me at having him obey me and I knew it would only grow as the evening progressed.

  I turned toward the brunette beauty; her cheeks were flushed becomingly.

  “As I’d said, we’re going to have some fun tonight.” I leaned in closer to her. “Are you ready to play?”

  “Yes,” she answered breathlessly.

  “Good girl,” I said as I stood and scooped up my bag, then taking her hand, I led her into the bedroom.

  Sure enough, Derek had done as I’d commanded. His toned body was positioned perfectly on the bed. His defenseless ass was facing our direction, his thighs were slightly parted, and his erection was dangling between his legs. His cock was as hard as I’d ever seen it; clearly my game agreed with him. He stayed as still as possible, and there was the slightest bit of tension in his body, just enough to define his muscles and give him a deliciously expectant look.

  I dropped my bag to the floor at the side of the bed and pulled Rebecca toward me. Trailing my fingers down her back, I pulled her close for a kiss. She practically melted in my arms, and all of her soft, perfumed sweetness filled my senses. I grabbed her hair at her nape and pulled gently, leaning her head back so I could draw my tongue up her neck. She whimpered, catching Derek’s attention; he whipped his head toward us.

  “No one invited you to look,” I snapped. Derek blushed and turned away guiltily. Reluctantly parting from Rebecca, I reached inside my bag to pull out a blindfold. “Since you can’t control yourself,” I said to Derek, “I’ll have to help you.” I slid the black satin over his eyes, and Derek sighed with resignation. He was a study in contrasts: his exasperated noises reflected his disappointment, but his unflagging erection told an entirely different story.

  I turned back to Rebecca, caressing her breasts through her thin top as I kissed her neck once more. When she sighed, I pinched her nipples firmly—enough to make her gasp for Derek’s sake. She knew what I was doing and flashed me a look of naughty appreciation. We continued kissing and caressing each other as we gradually stripped out of our clothes. Naked, she was perfect: tea-cup sized breasts topped with dusky nipples that were temptingly erect and slender hips that tapered to long, shapely legs.

  “Rebecca, dear,” I said as I admired her nubile body, “Derek’s been so very bad, and I could use your help punishing him. Would you like that?”

  “Yes,” she replied, her voice filled with awe. I could tell her interest was piqued, but she still seemed shy about taking control.

  “Come, now, say it like you mean it.” I dug into my bag once more and turned to her, offering her a black leather paddle. “In fact, say ‘Yes, I’d love to spank Derek with your paddle.’”

  She bit her lip for a moment, and then said with conviction, “Yes, I’d love to spank Derek with your paddle.”

  She was a natural.

  Rebecca took the toy from me, regarding the rectangular-shaped implement for a moment. She was no doubt considering its weight in her hand as much as she was considering the implications of her actions—and of what it would mean for their relationship. Meanwhile, Derek didn’t speak or move, his inaction making him complicit in his submission. It was a beautiful thing, seeing the two of them blossoming before my eyes: Rebecca discovering her dominant side and Derek submitting to a woman he’d taken for granted for too long, his selfishness having kept her from being the powerful woman she was meant to be.

  I positioned Rebecca by the side of the bed and whispered instructions into her ear. She followed my words to the letter, spanking him softly and then gradually increasing her speed and intensity. Derek’s only response was to lower his head and exhale loudly whenever the paddle met his flesh—and whenever I stroked his straining cock.

  When his ass was blushing cherry-blossom pink and his breath had become panting gasps, I stilled her hand. Gently, I caressed Derek’s cheeks and his heated flesh warmed my fingertips. “Lovely,” I murmured, before turning to rummage in my bag once more. I pulled out a red-leather harness and took my time strapping her into it and attaching a beginner’s-sized dildo, a cock he’d be able to feel but one that wouldn’t hurt him—too much. After grabbing a bottle of lube and squeezing some onto my fingers, I slowly slid them down his crack. One, two, three swirls around his tender hole—and then I honed in on it and worked my fingers deep inside. Derek moaned, dropping his head onto his folded arms as he surrendered and began gently and rhythmically rocking back toward me, revealing his hidden desire.

  Rebecca was wide-eyed with lust. I eventually slipped my fingers out of him and motioned her over with a toss of my head. Knowing what she needed to do, she poured some of the lube into her palm and jacked the silicone cock like she was born with it. I held his cheeks apart for her, saying, “Take him, honey. He’s yours.”

  Balancing herself on the bed, Rebecca nudged her cock against his hole. I felt him shudder under my hands as she pushed forward. Once she was balls-deep, I leaned forward and kissed her, sliding my tongue against hers as she moaned into my mouth. Leaving her to take the reins, I settled myself at the head of the bed and grabbed Derek’s blond hair, directing his face between my thighs. He dove into my pussy, his pent-up lust making him eat me with wild abandon as he repeatedly thrust his body backward to take more of his girlfriend’s cock. The feeling of his tongue sliding along my slit and the sight of Rebecca slamming her dick home were a wonderfully dirty combination. I could see her confidence and arousal build with every stroke of her hips. It was like watching a butterfly emerge from a cocoon—strong, beautiful and free.

  My eyes fluttered closed as Rebecca cried out, and I let my own orgasm overtake me. I floated away on those sexy feelings, pleased by the knowledge that I’d helped her take flight and that her world would never be the same.

  About the Authors

  ZACH ADDAMS is a San Francisco queer whose work has appeared in several erotic anthologies including MASTER, edited by N.T. Morley.

  RACHEL KRAMER BUSSEL’s (rachelkramerbussel.com) books include The Lesbian Sex Book (second edition); Up All Night: Adventures in Lesbian Sex; Glamour Girls: Femme/Femme Erotica; Naughty Spanking Stories from A to Z; and A Spanking Good Time. Her writing has been published in over forty anthologies including Best American Erotica 2004, Best Women’s Erotica 2003 and 2004, Best Lesbian Erotica 2001 and 2004, Best Bondage Erotica, and Juicy Erotica, as well in AVN, Bust, Cleansheets, Curve, Diva, Girlfriends, On Our Backs, Oxygen, Penthouse, Playgirl, and The Village Voice.

  M. CHRISTIAN is the author of Dirty Words and Speaking Parts. He is the editor of The Burning Pen, Guilty Pleasures, the Best S/M Erotica series, The Mammoth Book of Tales of the Road, and The Mammoth Book of Future Cops (with Maxim Jakubowksi). His short fiction has appeared in over 150 books including Best American Erotica, Best Gay Erotica, Best Lesbian Erotica, Best Transgendered Erotica, Best Fetish Erotica, and Best Bondage Erotica. He lives in San Francisco.

  DANTE DAVIDSON is the pseudonym of a professor who teaches in Santa Barbara, California. His short stories have appeared in Bondage, Naughty Stories from A to Z, and Sweet Life 1 and 2. With Alison Tyler, he is the coauthor of Bondage on a Budget and Secrets for Great Sex After Fifty. Currently on sabbatical, he is living in Rome.

  SHANNA GERMAIN (shannagermain.com) claims the titles of leximaven, she-devil, vorpal blonde, and Schrödinger’s brat. Her work has appeared in places like Best American Erotica, Best Erotic Romance, Best Gay Romance, Best Lesbian Erotica, and Dream Lover.

  REBECCA HENDERSON has published poetry, short stories, essays, and travel stories. She works full-time in public relations, takes classes sporadically, writes obsessively, and adores her three children. She lives in St. Louis, Missouri.

  MICHELLE HOUSTON (eroticpen.net) is a member of the Erotica Readers and Writers Association and the author of the e-books Bedtime Tales, Bi Sexual, and Naughty Whispers.

  MARILYN JAYE LEWIS is the founder of the Erotic Authors Association. She is the author of the erotic romance novels When Hearts Collide, In the Secret Hours, and When the Night Stood Still. Her forthcoming books include Lust (the complete collection of her short erotic fiction), the novels Twilight of the Immortal and Greetings from the Dream Factory, and Freak Parade, a memoir.