Let's Try Something New.... Part 1 [Liam/Jessie/Chris]
[Takes place on Sunday, April 9th, the same weekend as Jessie watches Chris and Liam, Jessie and Liam talking about Chris and Chris and Liam make garden plans.]

Liam steps out onto the back porch and looks around at all they'd done during the weekend. Not bad for two and a half days' work, really. They'd gotten a retaining wall built across the back half of the garden, with a concrete foundation going down a good armspan so the pup wouldn't be tunnelling under it, and a short set of steps (with a gate across, likewise to keep the pup out) leading up from the newly sodded lawn (have to have lawn, let everyone know an American lives here) to the huge raised bed beyond the wall.

Chris and Jessie had been amazed by the cost of dirt, Liam recalls with a grin, but good dirt's expensive. People who have good topsoil tend to be using it for themselves, after all, and then there's the cost of carting it to the nursery and then out to your property. And they'd needed a fair lot of it, too, but the effect was just grand. And it'd be even better when the trees and shrubs they'd planted -- and which Chris and Jessie were watering in, using the buckets with vitamin B-1 mix he'd shown them how to make up and not just the hose -- had established and grown out a bit.

There are a few trees spotted around the edge of the lawn as well, and a row of hardy roses planted along the edge of the porch, sterling silvers that'd sweeten the air across half the yard and likely into the house as well come summer. Liam'd known one or two dogs who liked to eat roses -- saw them as a challenge, he could only suppose -- but for the most part they could fend for themselves against canine grazers. And over in one corner by the house and the side fence was patch of dirt a couple of meters across with a narrow concrete border where East could dig as much as he liked. They couldn't let the pup outside for a few days to give the sod some time to establish, but once it was safe (for the lawn) Chris had plans to "plant" a few dog biscuits in the soil, to make sure East got the idea of what it was for.

Next weekend they could get a few flats of annuals and fill in the empty spaces, and Liam had more plans for next year, but for right now it was lovely, if a bit raw.

"Chris, Jessie!" he calls across the garden. "The tea's ready, and I made a bite to eat to go with it, as soon as you're done with the watering." He answers their waves, then turns to go back inside. It's good to have minions.

"He's bossy," Jessie teases, putting down her heavy water can with a thump. She elbows Chris, sweaty and supremely contented Chris, the happiest she's seen him in...years.

"I like bossy," Chris points out, finishing his share of the watering before putting down his can and straightening up with a creak. "Explains why I keep you around."

"You keep me around to satisfy your small sliver of straight."

"If that were it, I'm pretty sure I could find someone quieter." Chris ducks from the girl-punch he knows is coming; she catches him in the shoulder and he makes a big deal of rubbing the spot. "Brat."

Jessie raspberries him and starts for the house, peeling off her gloves as her long legs navigate the new layout. It's a true transformation, like one of those gardening shows or something, and she will privately admit to being very impressed by Liam's abilities -- not to mention the fact that this has so obviously been a labor of love...a statement without words of this thing with he and Chris being something with roots.

"Oh fuck me, how Hallmark," she mutters, stopping at the back door and turning back to see if Chris is coming. "Hey, your boyfriend said to come and have tea. You don't want him to get the rope out, do you?"

"I know someone who's staying home next time we go to the club if she doesn't behave herself." Liam's voice comes clearly through the half open door, receding a bit as he carries the cups over to the table.

Liam sets the cups down and returns for the platter of sandwiches -- grilled cheese, some with ham and some plain, cut into quarters and stacked up, meant to fill up a crew of gardeners who'd been working hard and tide them over until dinner.

Usually he didn't interfere between Chris and Jessie -- they've known each other longer than he's known either of them, after all, and by a good margin -- but when she brings his name into it and starts teasing about kink, that's over the line so far as he's concerned. Chris is a sensitive lad and he doesn't want anything they do together shadowed, however slightly, by memories of a friend making fun.

"Cranky pants," Jessie pouts but she shuts up pretty quickly; there's something about Liam's tone that brokes no argument. She washes her hands at the sink, splashing a little cool water on her face as she does.

"Anything I can help with?" she asks, almost politely, as Chris walks in, boots and gloves left outside and dusted off.

"You wouldn't know where the sugar is, would you?" Liam asks her, with a glance past her toward Chris. "I poked around a bit but didn't run into any and I've a sneaking suspicion there might not be any in the house."

Chris points at Jessie, who's already rummaging around in a cabinet near the fridge. "She can't eat cereal without sugar...mind you, it already has sugar in it."

"You missed your calling Chrissy, you really should be someone's grandmother." Jessie keeps the tease light and flashes a full watt smile at Liam as she hands him the small tin of sugar.

"Excellent," Liam says, taking the tin from Jessie with a smile of thanks. He sits down at the table, pours himself a mug of tea and adds sugar. "So, the watering's done, then?"

"I finished my share." Chris disappears into the small bathroom off the kitchen to wash his hands. He calls through the door over the water. "Not sure Jessie did," he teases.

Liam turns and raises a teasing eyebrow at Jessie. "Slacking off, are you?" He takes a sip of his tea and grabs a sandwich, one of the ones with ham. "Do I have to go out and inspect?"

"I'll go back out and finish after we're done. You called us in! I was just...you know, obeying." There's a teeny bit of sass to her words as she sits down, taking a sandwich for herself and wolfing it down quickly.

"Oh yeah, he believes you I'm sure," Chris says, walking to the table with a pause to lean down and kiss Liam on the cheek. "Thanks for this," he murmurs. "It's really great."

"I'm sure I said, 'as soon as you're done,' but perhaps I'm mistaken," Liam says mildly. "The trees won't die in half an hour, however, and I'm sure we can think of something to occupy ourselves while she's outside finishing up." He winks at Chris as the lad sits down, then pushes the sandwich platter a bit nearer to his plate.

Chris picks up a sandwich (making sure it's veggie first) and looks over at Jessie's pout.

"You hardly had any left in yours Jessie, shouldn't take long at all," he says helpfully, eyes moving from Liam to his friend in quick succession.

Liam glances at Jessie's patently exagerated pout and says, "She's playing you, lad. Of course, if you want to let her then that's another thing."

Jessica drops the crusts of her sandwich on the plate.

"Whatever. Chrissy knows me okay? He knows me better than you. And he can tell when something actually you know, hurts my feelings, Mr. Know It All." She picks her plate up and puts it in the sink. "I'm leaving -- I'll get a hotel room so you two can be alone."

Chris swallows his sandwich, a giant lump in his throat as he stands up. "Jessie, c'mon, relax okay?"

"Jessie...." Liam puts down his own sandwich and turns to look at her. "I'm sorry, lass. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. I'm a terrible tease -- ask Chris."

"He's just joking around Jessie, come on." Chris coaxes her back to the table, seeing that she really is upset and that worries him. He sits her back down, rubbing her back for a few minutes. "He teases you because he likes you."

And his eyes shoot to Liam's as if pleading for confirmation of this.

"Of course," Liam says with a nod. "I don't bother teasing folk I dislike. I didn't mean to hurt you and I do apologize."

Chris drops a kiss on her head as he goes back to his seat, reaching under to squeeze Liam's knee as soon as he sits down.

"Sorry," she mumbles, rubbing her forehead and clearly embarassed by her outburst. "I'm just feeling totally third wheel right now and it's getting on my nerves."

Liam glances over at Chris for a moment, then repeats, "I'm sorry, Jessie. I don't mind at all having you about but if you'd be more comfortable elsewhere, then of course that's up to you. I didn't mean to just... move in, but Chris and I get so little time together that I didn't stop to think." He does so now, though, and adds, to Chris, "We could always go to my place, let Jessie stay here?"

"We could do that," Chris says softly, suddenly in the place he didn't want to be -- the middle.

"No, please. You guys deserve alone time and this is Chris' house. I'm just being cranky." She plays with her hair, staring at the empty place her plate used to be. "I'll go take a shower, see a movie or something."

"Whatever you like, lass," Liam says, his voice low and serious. "So long as you know you are welcome."

"Welcome to what? Stay but out of the way?" Jessie sighs and stands up again. "I have the case of the envies and I'm not afraid to admit it." She makes a gesture with her hands. "Go, be in love. I'm gonna go upstairs and sweet talk my vibrator...after I finish watering, of course."

Jessie gives Liam a shrugging half smile and kisses Chris on cheek before she disappears outside.

Liam watches her head back outside, then sighs and tilts his head toward the ceiling, his eyes closed. "Well," he murmurs, "that could have gone considerably better."

"She's got this sensitive streak. Never quite know when you're going to hit it." Chris reaches over to squeeze Liam's arm. "It's okay, she's just...maybe it's not easy being around two people who are all crazy for each other when you don't have anyone, well...I mean not really." He doesn't point out she used the l-word and he doesn't mention that when Liam isn't around, he and Jessie have each other. "She'll be okay."

"Perhaps we should go to the club this evening," Liam says, sitting up and taking a sip of his tea. "I realize that if what she's missing is someone who cares for her, that won't quite fill the bill but even just sex with a friendly stranger can be a powerful distractant."

Chris blinks. "So like...all of us go there and we find someone to have sex with her?" A wave of protectiveness wells up inside him.

"I was thinking more along the lines of giving her a chance to find someone she wants to have sex with. She seems to be fairly enthusiastic about going to the club and that's more or less what it's for, no?" Liam can tell that Chris has tensed up and he's not sure what's wrong.

"Right." Of course that's never been what Chris has used it for, unless you count Liam and Jessie and it doesn't really count since those were more than just...finding someone to have sex with. He reaches for his tea and takes a few sips, feeling Liam's eyes on him. "She mostly likes to go to watch...other people," Chris blurts out. "She hasn't picked anyone up yet."

"I see," Liam says, nodding thoughtfully. "Well, voyeurism is a legitimate way of participating too. And there's more than enough for anyone to watch on a given evening. What do you think? Would it make her feel better to go? I'm happy staying here with you, but I'd rather not have in the back of my mind the thought that Jessie's moping about feeling bad. She's a nice girl -- lively but with no true malice in her. She's been patient with us all weekend and I'd like to do something she'd enjoy."

"We could ask her," Chris offers, fingers drumming on the side of the cup. "See what she thinks...I'm honestly not sure what she'll say." He hates her moping around too, especially since she's been his goddamn rock and bunk mate for these past few weeks, giving him whatever he needed while he sulked over Liam. She needs his attention -- but he's far too selfish to give up Liam's focus right now. "I...I really appreciate you thinking of her. I uh, owe her a lot you know?"

Liam nods. "And I appreciate her keeping you company. We do owe her, I think. I'll ask her when she comes back in."

"She's not coming back in. She'll finish and go around the front," Chris says dryly, leaning over to kiss Liam on the cheek. "Believe me. She's got too much pride to walk back through here."

Liam slides a hand around the back of Chris's head and pulls him close for a longer, more thorough kiss. "Much better," he says with a smile. "What do you think, then? What should we do?"

"Mmmm...tempting as it is to go hide upstairs...maybe we can go outside and invite her to the Club? If she doesn't want to do that, maybe we can pick something else to do together?" Chris asks, hopeful and shy at the same time. "I know it's not exactly how you want to spend your time but...."

"I don't mind, dear heart, honestly. Although I would have no problem doing nothing but make love until we're both worn out, it's also true that I've had more sex in these three days than I've had in the last four months and I honestly don't mind doing something else this evening." Liam gives Chris a sideways smile and adds, "And if we do go to the club, we can find Miss Jessie a good place to sit and watch and then go get a room for ourselves if that's where the mood takes us. Or we can stay with her and watch together, whatever we want to do at the time."

"Thank you," Chris murmurs, dragging his chair closer so he can brush his lips against Liam's cheek. "No matter what we're doing, so long as we're together, I don't care...."

"Well, we'll figure something out, then." Liam leans over and pulls Chris closer, brushing his lips across the soft skin just below his ear.

The kiss goes on for a few minutes and Chris is easily distracted -- but he can still smell Jessie's lingering perfume in the kitchen.... He sits up enough to break the kiss, keeping his forehead leaned against Liam's.

"Let's go outside before I forget what a nice guy I am...."

"Mmm, probably a good idea." Liam sneaks in a last quick kiss before pulling back and takes a deep breath in an attempt to clear his head. He finishes his tea in a couple of quick gulps, then stands up and grabs the sandwich platter. "I don't know about you but I'm still hungry." He winks at Chris and follows him toward the door.

With one hand he grabs one of the ham-and-cheese quarters and drops it behind his back into the waiting mouth of East, who'd been amazingly quiet and patient all day long, especially with his people spending most of the day out in the yard and not letting him come out to "help."

"Yeah that one bite of food didn't really satisfy," Chris says dryly, hearing the heavy chomp of jaws as East gets a present from Uncle Liam, the spoiler. "Geeee, maybe I should feed East before we go outside," he teases, opening the door and stepping out.

"I'm sure the pup would appreciate it," Liam says with a perfectly straight face. "He's been a very good boy, after all." He takes a bite of another ham-and-cheese bit himself before setting the platter down carefully on the porch rail. "Next shopping trip we get you a table and some chairs for out here."

"And some of those chairs you can lay out on. Not that I'm expecting to get a tan or anything." That's why God made the art of make-up.

Jessie is doing what she said, finishing the watering and tidying up as she moves along the line of freshly planted earth. When she hears their voices, she looks up then ducks her head back down with a sigh. She should have known nice guys wouldn't leave her out here all in dramatic distress. Even nice guys who were perpetually horny.

"Definitely," Liam agrees. "We'll have to look around and see if we can find a double-wide chaise. Something nice and sturdy."

Chris turns around and laughs. "Gosh Liam, whatever do you have in mind?" He reaches out to poke his lover then strides across the yard to where Jessie is hunched down and clearly avoiding him.

"Three guesses and the first two don't count," Liam murmurs to himself. He watches Chris's extremely attractive backside moving away across the yard, just enjoying the view before following.

Jessie looks up and purses her lips as Chris looms over her.

"If I tell you this is because of PMS and my period and other icky girl things, will you go away?"

"Mom, two sisters, known you for a long time...nope. I'm a seasoned veteran." Chris gets down to her level, looking at her kindly. "Listen, I understand. It can't be easy when we're like...together all the time then Liam comes and you're sort of shoved aside. I get how hard that is. I also know it can't be easy seeing me with Liam when you know, I think you're looking for something...like what we have."

She just stares at him. "What, did you swallow Dr. Phil while you were in there?"

"I'm serious."

"I know you are, that's why I'm glaring at you like this."

"Liam had a suggestion."

Jessie looks up as Liam approaches, his large form casting a shadow over her. "Does it involved hogtying me and dropping me in the Thames?"

"No," says Liam, who's come close enough to hear her last question, "but if you'd like to try that we could ask around at the Club this evening and find someone willing to do it for you." He steps up next to Chris and slips a casual arm around his waist.

"Ah." Jessie finishes and stands up, brushing herself off. "So is that the idea? Go the Club?" Somehow the appeal is worn off when she knows they're going so she can find someone, get occupied and leave them alone. She shrugs, gathers her stuff. "Sounds good. I'll go take a shower."

Liam watches her walk away into the house and leans against Chris. "Well, that went over beautifully." He sighs and adds, "Any ideas? Because I have to admit I'm fresh out."

"She said it sounded good?" Chris offers weakly, wrapping his arm around Liam's waist. "I say we get showered and dressed and go to the Club. At the very least we can have a nice dinner...have her watch a few naked people and she'll cheer right up."

"Well, let's do that, then," Liam agrees. "At the very least, we'll have a good meal with someone else doing the work and cleaning up after us, and perhaps we'll see a few things that are inspirational, hmm?" He sneaks a kiss onto the tip of Chris's nose, then steers them back toward the house.

Jessie mucks around the guest room bath, showering and messing with her hair for awhile. She can hear them come upstairs, hear them disappear into the bedroom and a whole lot of noise tells her they're cleaning up and dressing each other.

At some point.

She wields the curling iron over her hair, bitching under her breath about stupid men and stupid feelings and stupid jealousy.

Maybe she will hook up with someone at the Club, get out of Chris and Liam's hair for awhile. Hopefully the someone will be patient when Jessie has no idea what the fuck she's doing....

Liam is dressed fairly quickly, even with Chris's assistance (fun thought it'd been) since he has a rather limited selection of clothing from which to choose. Of course, it's more than he'd arrived with, having dashed out his door on Friday with only Chris's presents and the garden references.

And doubtless leaving a trail of jellied brains splashed along the sidewalk between my house and his, he thinks with an inner eyeroll. A quick trip back home that evening had let him pick up a few things of a more practical nature for a weekend visit, but there still isn't such a wide variety that deciding what to wear could be any kind of significant chore. Which had left him dressed and ready and leaning against the wall watching Chris -- always a rewarding occupation.

Chris slicks his hair back with some gel and splashes on some cologne. The untucked white dress shirt over khakis isn't his most dressed up look but loose clothing is key at the moment since he's sporting The Knot of Chastity as well. He slides the St. Christopher's medal over his neck and smiles sideways at his audience.

"So what are our chances the girl is ready?"

Liam glances in the direction of the spare room and raises an eyebrow. "Well, common lore says we'll be waiting at least another hour or so. I haven't been in a house with a female getting ready to go out since I was a lad, however, so I've no personal experience to draw from. How long does she usually take?"

He steps over to Chris and pulls him into a hug, one hand sliding down to bring the lad's hips in close contact with his own.

"Depends on her mood," Chris smirks, inhaling sharply as he presses against Liam. "I'll go knock on the door...in a few minutes."

"No hurry," Liam agrees. "The place'll still be there whenever we arrive." He just stands for a bit, enjoying the feel of Chris pressed up against him.

"Soooo...is it almost time for ah...you know?" Chris blushes and ducks his head against Liam's shoulder. "To ah, remove the...knot? I'm pretty sure I've learned my lesson. And then some...."

Liam smiles down at the top of Chris's hair. "Are you sure? I wouldn't want it to be all for nothing, now. You've done so well, after all." He runs a teasing hand down his lover's side, sneaking a couple of fingers over for a quick brush against the lad's still-hard cock.

"How long did you have in mind?" Chris asks, trying not to squeak the words out. "And that's dirty pool," he exhales, pressing himself flat against Liam. "Feels great but dirty pool...."

"I was thinking some time this evening. Not too much longer." Liam's hand withdraws and moves higher up to slightly safer territory.

"I'm coming in! Is everyone wearing pants?" Jessie's voice echos through the doorway. She pokes her head in the room, one hand over her eyes -- fingers parted so one eye can see.

Liam looked up and gave the peeking eye a teasing smile. "All appropriately trousered, aye. You'll have to be quicker next time."

Jessie snaps her fingers and steps fully inside. "You both look quite handsome, not that you have any choice in the matter." And I've seen you both naked, thanks Liam! she thinks, trying not to smirk. "Are we ready to go boys? I need to get foisted off on some hot sugar daddy after dinner."

"Shut up," Chris says, with love, of course, leaning forward to kiss her on the cheek. "You look gorgeous. I'm sure we'll be beating off guys as soon as we walk through the door."

"Only each other this time, I think," Liam protests with a straight face. "If you want to involve other men in public sex, let's save it for next time? I'd rather the first time be just you and me."

Chris turns to Liam, his cheeks bright red. "I can't believe I'm saying this but I kinda hope you're talking to Jessie!"

Which makes her laugh hysterically.

"So you don't want to start beating off other men as soon as we walk through the door?" Liam pulls Chris into a hug and gives him a kiss and a tickle.

"No, I meant public sex!" He ducks his head and makes an ARRRGH sound as Jessica laughs louder.

"I think you two should do that," she smiles, lewd and innocent at the same time, wiping her eyes. "Now let's GO. Go, go. The quicker you help me get the edge off, the quicker you can get back to the slap and tickle stuff."

Liam laughs out loud and steers both youngsters toward the door. "I agree. If Chris is that eager for public sex then we should get to the Club as soon as possible."

"Wait, what?" Chris trips down the stairs gracefully as Jessie darts ahead, her heels clicking on the floor.

"Maybe I should bring a camera. You know, capture the memories of his first time?"

"Do you have one handy?" Liam asks, following at a more sedate pace. "I don't mind pictures if Chris doesn't."

"You can stop yanking my chain at any point. Really. I'm all laughed out." Chris' warning goes unheeded as Jessica grabs her purse.

"I have my digital in here...."

A comment about stopping at his place on the way and picking up a suitable chain passes through Liam's mind but he manages to suppress it, at least so much so that all that shows is a smile. Instead he says, "That should be adequate," and herds Chris to the door to make sure he doesn't balk.

Jessie follows, blowing kisses to East as she locks the door behind them. Okay, maybe this WILL be a fun night...particularly if the goal is to tease Chris, but gently because she'd really rather not piss Liam off again.

A little frown finds its way onto her face but she wipes it away as she reaches Liam "nicely" manhandling Chris into the car.

Liam slides in behind the steering wheel with a comment about knowing which is the proper side of the road to be driving on, and as soon as everyone's buckled in they head out. Traffic isn't bad for a Sunday night and they make good time across town.

Jessica makes a big, loud deal of fooling with her digital camera until Chris turns around and politely threatens to tell the front desk of the Club that she's there for a piercing seminar "and not the fun kind." She sticks her tongue out at him and kicks his seat but the camera goes back into her purse....

She's getting a little nervous, twitchy, staying out of the traffic discussion of true couplehood that Liam and Chris are having. What if someone DOES try to pick her up? Part of her is gung-ho times ten and part of her just wants to die at the possiblity. What if she sucks? What if she can't be what someone is expecting?

As they hand off the car to the valet at the club, Liam moves over beside Jessie and leans down to talk to her softly. He'd noticed her getting more tense and quiet the closer they got.

"You know you're welcome to stay near us this evening," he murmurs. "I don't want you diving into anything that makes you uncomfortable, and you'd be doing no service to anyone you went with if your heart wasn't in it. If you're invited to join someone or something you think would be fun then by all means go and enjoy yourself but don't do anything you'd rather not just to leave me and Chris alone." He gives her a quick, one-armed hug and a kiss on the temple.

She could cry, seriously, swallowing at the kindness of Liam's words and gesture. Managing to quell the sniffle, Jessie reaches around as far as she can and one-arm hugs him back.

"Thanks," she whispers back. "And um...if you guys want to be alone, like really a lot, I can just go sit at the bar or something. Just give me the high sign."

Chris turns around and sees them talking...quietly. Heads tilted together and he'd be worried except something about the expression on their faces tells him this isn't about tormenting him.

And yeah, a big fat swell of love for Liam explodes in his heart, followed by a slightly smaller one for Jessie.

He waits for them to join him, just barely resisting the urge to throw his arms around them both.

"If the urge becomes overwhelming, we'll work something out." Liam gives her a smile and a wink before they catch up with Chris. He slips his other arm around his lover and they enter together, heading through reception and towards the bar.

They settle down in a booth to one side -- it has a nice view of the room but isn't front and center where they'd be subject to too much scrutiny themselves. A waiter brings them drinks and then leaves them alone.

Liam glances at the various activities around the room and asks, "So if you didn't have to worry about embarassing yourself or making mistakes or having anything come back to haunt you, if you could do absolutely anything you wanted with no consequences whatever, what would it be?" He meets both sets of eyes to indicate that he's talking to both of them.

Chris gives a look to Jessie like, "leave me out of yours" then leans against Liam's arm, thinking over what that might be. "Hmmm....I don't know. Maybe...maybe...." He licks his lips nervously, giving Liam a shy smile. "Maybe crawl under this table and make your night," he gets out finally, laughing at his own reluctance to say it.

"I'd probably offer to do the same thing," Jessie says, completely without thinking.

That gets a blink, and then a smile. "My thanks to you both. I'm flattered, honestly." He leans into Chris so the arm he has around the lad can reach far enough to rub Jessie's shoulder for a few moments while Chris gets a kiss. "And mayhap we'll do something about it later on if you're serious.

"What else, then? Anything you've wondered about? Might like to try if you knew more about it? Jessie?"

"More than one person, at a time," Jessica says quickly, taking her glass in hand and gulping a few times. She looks up, smiles at Chris' slightly shocked expression. "What, he asked!"

Liam nods to Jessie and says, "That can be fun, certainly. Usually when a three-way happens, two of the people already know each other. They'll approach the third, or sometimes vice-versa. Or a couple might hire one of the staff. Or a single person might hire two of the staff although that can be dear."

He grins at her and takes a sip of his drink. "Usually the mix is two subs and a dom -- two doms can clash unless they know each other well and have agreed how things should go. Things are easier for the subs -- they just follow instructions. The trick of it, as usual, is making sure you're comfortable with the people you're playing with before things get complicated. If you're not, then 'No, thank you,' is never the wrong answer. Or you can ask to talk for a bit first; if the others don't want to do that then they'll say so and that's the end of it. Everyone here should be polite and accepting of what you need to be comfortable, even if they don't want it themselves. And if you run into someone who's not polite about it, they're not someone you want to be playing with anyway."

Jessica looks out at the crowd of people, moving and talking in couples and small groups. She wonders if any of them would look at her and think "we want her."

"I only know you guys so...." She smiles and shrugs. "At some point, when I get to know people." To take attention off her flushed face, she pokes Chris in the ribs. "Your turn."

Liam smiles encouragement at Jessie before leaning into Chris.

Chris gives Jessie another blink then turns to Liam again. "I'd like...to see some of the rooms. The uh...theme rooms." He coughs. "I'm an actor, I wouldn't mind some improv, a set...."

"They've some very nice theme rooms," Liam says with a nod and a lopsided smile. One of his hands strays down to Chris's thigh and starts gently stroking. "There's one done up like a house of ill repute which is particularly amazing in its detail. There's also a doctor's office and a schoolroom, and a room they'll dress for you to order if you want something in particular. I've not been up to any of them in a while but I'd not mind at all if you wanted to use one some time."

Chris considers those possiblities and decides he might very well have a fantasy about the school room and Mr. Liam Neeson as the stern headmaster...he coughs into his hand and drinks heartily until he can speak.

"I'm thinking I like all of those but the doctor's office...I'm thinking this place has stirups or something."

"Hey, that sounds like a good idea. Get the guys used to what women go through," Jessie offers.

A memory of the room in question flashes through Liam's head, making him laugh and nod. "Aye, it definitely has stirrups. Particularly sturdy ones, with locking bands to 'help' the patient keep their feet in place."

He ducks his head down and whispers in Chris's ear, "Wouldn't you like that? Your legs high and spread for me, strapped in so you can't move...? You don't have to roleplay if you don't want to -- we can always just use the room for the sake of the equipment in it without 'playing doctor.'"

It's great he's sitting down, firmly planted in the seat, sandwiched between Liam's overwhelmingly strong frame and Jessie's warm one. Because were he standing up, he'd have cracked his head open on a sharp corner as he went down....

"You could put me on a rack...just as good but without the harsh glare of flourescent lighting...."

Liam chuckles and presses a kiss to the soft skin behind Chris's ear. "But a rack doesn't generally have a vertical component, you see -- there's a difference between having your feet spread and in the air and having them spread but flat. And I'm sure we could turn out the lights and ask for some candles if you prefer softer lighting."

He sits back a bit and takes another sip of his drink before adding, in a more normal tone of voice, "But if the medical atmosphere doesn't do anything for you, I could work out something close enough to the requisite aparatus in my playroom at home. You've never been there, actually -- we'll have to remedy that one day."

"You have a playroom in your house? That's awesome...." Jessie pokes Chris in the side again but quickly leans her head on his shoulder like a winsome little puppy. "You need one of those, Chrissy. You can put a nice chrome rack next to the rowing machine...tell everyone it's a pilates machine if they ask."

"I've some catalogs I can loan you if you'd like to do that," Liam says with a perfectly straight face. "You need a good contractor to install anything that needs a sturdy support -- manacles, slings, suspended cages, that kind of thing -- but the club has a list of discreet lads who are accustomed to this sort of thing and will neither crack jokes nor sell the blueprints to the tabs."

"Suspended cage!" Jessie claps her hands together.

"Okay, if we get a suspended cage, that's your new bed," Chris says, giving her a playful headbutt. "God you're both nuts." Of course he's blushing and sweating and hard because he recalls something about being suspended from the ceiling in the bathroom.

"You can get custom bedding made for them," Liam offers, hiding his grin behind his glass.

"You can pretend I'm your pet...I read about that. Human pets. I can be a kinky parakeet."

That one gets a chuckle. "I don't think I've ever known anyone with a parakeet girl before, but I'm sure you could do a splendid job of it." He raises his glass to her before taking another drink. "The more common animals for pet play are puppies, kittens and ponies, although I knew a lad who had a ferret once and there's no reason you couldn't do something else if you and your partner wanted." He leans over and bumps shoulders with Chris and asks, "Fancy a parakeet?"

"Can we stuff her mouth with birdseed so she can't talk?" Chris asks, all but crawling into Liam's lap. Jessie kicks him but he deftly moves his leg...closer to his lover.

"Watch out before I peck your pecker," Jessie responds, lifting her chin to smile at Liam. "I think I could do that. Be a good pet. A fat lazy cat sitting in the sun...." Her nose wrinkles though and she leans forward to whisper, "They wouldn't make me use a litter box, would they?"

Liam tightens the arm around Chris, pinning him tight against his side while the other continues stroking his thigh. "Most likely not," he says to Jessie. "And certainly not if you seriously didn't want to. Elimination play is one of those things that's on most people's list of hard limits. Makes it a little tough on the folk who enjoy it, but that's what the database is for -- finding people with like interests. But no, you'd probably not have to worry about a litter box."

Chris mutters a "fuck it" under his breath and pretty much sprawls into Liam's lap, lounging like the pets they're talking about. He kicks Jessie again but rubs their ankles together a second later.

"You'd look good in a leash," he says to her, half-joking. Only half though. "With a fancy collar...I mean it. All sleek. Like...a pet panther. But louder."

Liam shifts just enough to accommodate the welcome weight in his lap, then goes back to petting Chris, his hand wandering between his thighs and his shoulders. "We could get a set for each of you," he suggests with a raised eyebrow aimed down at his lover, "since it seems to interest you. There's a shop here -- have you been through it? -- that has just about anything one might want in the kink area. I believe they even have those leashes the dog-walkers use, with multiple leads attached to one handle? Although if you'd be likely to bicker in tandem then that'd likely not be a very good notion." He frowns and stares up toward the ceiling, pretending to ponder.

"Uh Liam? I said she would look good in one. Wearing one...on one...not me. Me, I'm more a free rover."

"I'll wear a leash if I get to watch Chris playing fetch," Jessica volunteers, draining her drink with a giggling slurp. "Refills all around? I'm feeling suddenly daring and willing to go up to the bar all by myself." She leans over to smack a kiss on each of the men in turn. "Uh...watch my back though."

"Ah, well, you seemed to be taking such an interest, I must've become confused," Liam teases. He's keeping one eye on Jessie's retreating back and the other on Chris's blushing face. "Or... does 'free rover' mean you would be interested in playing fetch while she lounged on her leash?"

"Depends." Chris' eyes are working in the same direction as Liam's -- Jessie, his lover, Jessie, his lover. "What sort of stick am I fetching?"

[Continued in Part 2.]