Order

The rhythm was slow and deliberate. Betty cried out. Alice watched, her fingers digging into the cushion.

Zed reached out. He covered Alice's hand on the cushion.

She flinched. Tensed. Then her fingers uncurled. She turned her hand. Grasped his. Desperate. Palm damp.

She looked at where he was joined with her sister.

Betty’s hips moved. A small circle. The climax broke her. A high, broken cry.

Zed squeezed Alice's hand hard. He let go. Release pulsed deep inside Betty.

Alice crushed his fingers. Sharp intake of breath. Rigid.

Then it was over. The aftershocks faded.

Alice’s grip loosened. Her hand slipped from his. She stood up. Unsteady.

She paced to the window. Her back was tense. The rain-streaked glass reflected her face. Conflicted.

-Fuck.

Zed carefully shifted Betty off his lap. She settled against the cushions, drowsy and content.

-The girl that came with the rain.

Zed laughed. He looked at Alice.

She turned slowly. A sharp, bittersweet smirk.

-Yeah. And now the rain’s stopping.

-What are you thinking?

Alice watched him adjust his clothes. Jaw tight.

-Thinking I should hate this.

-Do you?.

-No. That’s the problem. You got under my skin. Both of you.

She looked at the window again.

-Now what?.

-Well, how long is the rain supposed to last?

Zed reached for his cellphone. The weather app.

-Don't.

Alice’s voice was sharp.

-Just... leave it. The app won't tell you what matters.

Zed stood up. He walked over to her. He placed his hands gently on her hips. Her love handles.

-What does matter?

Alice’s breath hitched. She went rigid for a split second. Then she leaned back into him. She didn't pull away.

-This.

Her voice was low.

-Not the fucking forecast. This, us. Whatever this is.

Zed leaned in. He kissed her neck from behind. Working up to her ear.

Alice gasped. Her head fell back against his shoulder. Her hands came up to grip his wrists. Holding him there.

-Fuck. Don’t you dare stop.

Zed slid his hands forward. Onto her stomach. He pulled her closer.

-God, yes, like that…

His hands moved lower. Under the waistband.

Alice bucked against him. A guttural sound. Her head thrashed back against his shoulder.

-Don't stop, please

She ground herself against his touch. The rain pattered against the glass in front of them.

-Let go, Zed whispered in her ear.

She seized up, she moaned.with a shattered cry.

She trembled violently. Her knees buckled. She would have collapsed if he wasn’t holding her up.

Alice sagged against him. Breath coming in ragged gasps.

Zed slowly withdrew his hand. Her eyes followed the movement.

He brought his fingers to his mouth.

Alice made a weak sound.

-Unbelievable.

Betty watched from the couch, hand pressed over her mouth.

-You really don’t hold back, do you?

-Me?

Zed brushed the damp hair from Alice's face.

-Yes, you. Who else just, does that?

Zed pressed a finger to Alice’s lips.

She froze. Jaw tight. Then she parted her lips.

Her tongue darted out, tasting herself on his skin.

From the couch, a soft voice.

-I, I want to taste too.

Zed turned. Betty’s eyes were wide.

He walked to her. Extended his hand.

Betty didn't hesitate. She leaned forward. Her tongue traced his fingers. She moaned softly.

-Oh.

-Have you tasted her before?

Betty shook her head. Dazed.

-No, never. Sorority sisters get into the wild things, but never like this, we promise.

Alice watched from across the room.

-You really don't hold back.

-What kind of host would I be if I didn't oblige?

Zed traced Betty's lips.

Alice laughed. She dropped her arms.

-A shitty one.

She took a step closer.

-But you, you’re not shitty. You’re something else entirely.

-I'm not shitty, Zed repeated for himself amusingly. It's a low bar but I'm glad I cleared it.

Alice’s smirk softened.

-You cleared it by a mile. Congratulations, men.

She took another step closer.

-Now what?

Zed glanced at the window.

-It's still raining.

Alice followed his gaze. The rain pattered steadily. A slow, wicked smile spread across her lips.

-Good. Then we’re not going anywhere.

Betty let out a soft sigh from the couch. Zed turned to her.

She pushed the blanket aside,

-Come here.

Alice leaned along the window pane. Her posture relaxed.

-Go on. Don't keep her waiting.

Zed walked back to the couch. He stood over Betty. He caressed her hair. She leaned into the touch. Eyes fluttering shut.

He brushed a wet strand from her face. Tucked it behind her ear.

-You’re so gentle.

Her voice was barely a whisper.

Alice shifted on the window pane, inhaling sharply.

Betty caught Zed's hand. She pressed his palm to her cheek.

Alice moved. She stopped behind him.

Zed leaned down. He touched his forehead to Betty's.

She let out a sob.

-Don't cry, he said, wiping the tear away.

-Happy tears. I promise.

Alice’s hand landed on his shoulder.

Zed covered her hand with his. She twitched and tried to pull away. Then stopped. She gripped his hand instead.

-Don’t.

Her voice raspy.

-Don’t make this, fucking beautiful.

Betty reached up.

-It is.

Zed turned to face Alice. He squeezed her hand. She stared back.

-We can take a pause, he said. Step back.

Alice’s grip tightened.

-No. Don’t you dare step back.

-Why the urgency?

She breathed hard.

-Because if we stop now, I'll have to admit I want this. That I fucking need it.

Her voice cracked.

-And I hate needing anything. Especially you.

-You don't need me, he intoned.

Zed kissed her gently. She went rigid. Then she grabbed his shirt and pulled him in for a kiss.

He pulled her backward. They fell onto the couch next to Betty.

Alice landed half on top of him. Knees bracketing his hips.

-Liar. You know I do.

She buried her face in his neck. Shoulders shaking.

-I hate this. I hate how much I want you.

Zed wrapped his arms around her. He reached a hand out to Betty.

Betty took it. She wrapped her other arm around Alice’s waist. Completing the circle.

Zed closed his eyes. He stroked their backs.

Alice’s body went heavy against his chest. Betty snuggled deeper into his side.

Their breathing synced. Slow. Steady.

They drifted off.