looked like blood. He massaged it into her breasts and Amy could hear the woman moaning. Although the woman was complacent, the man tethered her wrists and spread her arms wide, then repeated the action with her legs.
“Sex is not evil!” The man shouted into the crowd. “Sex is natural. Sex is healthy. The bible is wrong!”
He lowered himself onto the woman and began to copulate. Amy felt hands stroking her breasts, and she was pretty sure they weren’t Jason’s, because he was still fondling her in the other place, but it all felt so good she couldn’t stop it. Her head swam, and she succumbed to the thrilling sensations, her eyes remaining riveted to the altar. They were actually having intercourse! Here. In front of everyone! She had never seen anything like it, never imagined anything could be so... erotic.
The man continued to preach, but Amy coul dn’t pay attention. Fingers plunged deeper inside of her and her body exploded with her very first orgasm. She let the sensation carry her away, knowing it was wrong, somehow, but not caring. How could something that felt so good be wrong? The man was right. Sex was not a sin.
She believed him. She heard herself groaning, and she believed him.
**
Later, as they filed past the naked woman, Amy saw she was not much older than herself. As they passed, each cloaked figure bent and placed a flower on her supine body. Amy found a flower pressed into her hands, so in turn, she too bent and placed it softly above the woman’s navel. Her pubis was already covered, so the navel seemed as good a place as any. As she bent, the woman stared straight into Amy’s eyes and smiled. Her eyes were strange. Very pale, very blue.
Amy smiled back.
Later, in Jason’s car, they all remained quiet, each absorbed in thought. Amy felt the buzz of her earlier lethargy wear off, but rather than feeling tired, she was alert, excited.
“So, what did you guys think?” Jason asked finally.
“Wow,” Alex said, shaking his head. “I mean... Wow.”
Elise sounded less certain. “I don’t know. It was awesome, but.... I don’t know.”
“I do,” Amy said, speaking clearly. “This has been the most incredible night of my life.”
Jason smiled, looking deep into her eyes. “I knew you’d like it. You’re really something, Amy. Something special.”
“So are you, thanks for taking me. I can’t wait to go again. When is the next time?”
**
Usually their skills were evenly matched during their weekly racquetball games, and the close score further evidence of an aggressive, tightly played game.
Usually.
Today, Gil was trouncing Jake, winning all three games quickly and easily. And, while Jake’s sweat ran freely into his eyes and down his chest, his breath coming in rapid spasms, Gil remained steady, his own brow cool and dry.
“You’ve been holding out on me, buddy,” Jake remarked, finally collapsing into a corner. “Taking lessons on the side?”
Gil smiled slightly. “No.”
“Then what? You’re... turbo charged. I don’t know what your secret is, but if it’s legal, I want some.
Gil laughed. “Just luck. Sometimes, everything bounces just right.”
Jake shook his head. “You can say that again... but it seems more than that. You look different... healthier.”
Gil turned away. “Good night’s sleep, that’s all. Listen, I need to talk to you about work.”
Jake staged a mock groan. “Oh, sure. Beat me first, now torture me.”
“Seriously. It’s about Pluto’s Playground.”
“What? We found the error. Is there another problem?”
“Not exactly. Marketing gave it to a test group to try out in the arcade and the kids say it needs more... pizzazz. More superhero stuff. You know, magic power, more fighting stunts. You understand.”
Jake frowned. “No, I don’t. Our concept is less violence, more education. That’s what attracted me to Marvelworks. If we add special powers and fighting scenes then how is this game different from all the
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