Getting sexy. Kayla Perrin

of myself. It would have been one thing if I wanted to do it, but Adam was pressuring me, and then Jason started touching me…”

      I have no clue what to say. The first thing that pops into my mouth is, “Did you enjoy it?”

      Claudia’s gaze bounces from Lishelle to me. “Not really, no. Well, I don’t know. I guess…maybe. After he figured out how I liked it. At first he was chomping away on me and I kept telling him to slow down. It was like, ‘Hello, I still need that in the future!’”

      “I’m speechless,” I say. “I really am.”

      “I didn’t want to enjoy it, but it was a tongue on my clit and he was cute. I thought that the first time I saw him. There’s no doubt I was physically attracted to him, but I don’t go around fucking every guy I’m physically attracted to.”

      “Adam was excited?” I ask.

      “I’ve never seen Adam so turned on in all my life. Jason’s got his tongue so far inside me, and when I glance at Adam, he’s jerking off.”

      Lishelle’s eyes widen in surprise. “Holy. I can’t believe Adam wanted to share you with some other guy.”

      Claudia downs the last of her mimosa. “Adam’s sexual appetite lately is out of control. I don’t know what’s going on with him.” She pauses. “Do you guys hate me?”

      “Hate you? No,” I assure her. “We don’t hate you, and I certainly can’t judge you. And hey, this is the new millennium. I know there are lots of people out there who swap partners, and they’re happy.”

      “But I don’t want that to be me. I told Adam that. I’m not into all that crazy stuff. I just want Adam. Please don’t ask me any details about what I’m about to say, but he took me to a swingers’ club a couple weeks back—shocked me with that, too. And no, we didn’t swap partners. We watched, fooled around…But after last night, I had to put my foot down. Tell him this kind of thing is not okay with me. He swore last night was the last of it, that he wanted to live out some fantasies before we got married and he’s satisfied now.”

      “And you believe him?” Lishelle asks.

      “I have to. Beside, there’s no way when we’re married that I’m going to be saying okay to anything like this. I’m sick to my stomach admitting any of this to both of you.”

      “Maybe he’s freaking over the wedding more than you realized,” Lishelle says. “Some guys see marriage as the end of their sexual freedom. It doesn’t make sense, I know.”

      “I give him everything he wants when it comes to sex. Everything. I should be enough, shouldn’t I?”

      “Of course you should,” I agree.

      “Should is one thing. Reality is another.” Lishelle shakes her head. “Look at how David was screwing around on me. And that was a happy man when it came to our sex life. Sometimes, you just can’t figure men out.”

      “And despite being burned, you’re willing to get married again?” I ask.

      Lishelle smiles, an ear-to-ear grin. “Fucking right I am. I have no doubts. Glenn’s different, ya know? We go way back. Whether he’s been in my life or not he’s always been in my heart.” She sighs happily. “What can I say—the man’s my soul mate.”

      “I’m going to live vicariously through you,” I announce. “You’re totally in love, having great sex—right?”

      “The best.”

      “It’s a good thing I love you or I’d want to slap you right about now.” I smile sweetly. “You’re just so…happy.”

      “That’s what love does to you. And Annie, if you get laid anytime soon, you’ll be smiling like this, as well. It had been two years for me.”

      “I know. That’s why I can’t hate you.”

      “Well, I can,” Claudia interjects. But a smile is tugging at her lips. “You’re stealing my thunder, girl. It’s my wedding that’s four weeks away.”

      Lishelle mimes running a zipper across her lips. “No more about Glenn. For the next four weeks, it’s all about you and all about that fabulous wedding that will be the talk of the town for years to come.”

      Finally, the smile reaches Claudia’s eyes.

      “And that dress.” Lishelle lets out a low whistle. “I know it’s going to be spectacular.”

      “For two hundred thousand, it’s got to be.” Claudia beams. “A one-of-a-kind Vera Wang.”

      “Fit for a princess,” I tell her.

      “Which she is,” Lishelle adds. “A Black-American Princess.”

      “Enough already, guys. Stop.”

      “The point is,” Lishelle begins, “you’re going to have a fabulous wedding.”

      “I will, won’t I?”

      “Of course you will.” I pat Claudia’s hand. “And then you and Adam are going to have a wonderful life, with lots of babies.”

      “Ten,” Lishelle interjects.

      “Ten!” Claudia exclaims.

      “How ever many you want,” I say. “And you’re going to be happy forever and ever. I promise.”

THE GAMES BEGIN