"Maybe we should slip into one of those rooms just to have a quick check... you know... to make sure you're actually telling the truth"
Ben had needled with a mischievous grin.
I met his gaze as he raised an eyebrow questioningly, testing to see how far this was going.
The truth was I didn't really know. But I did know that I was horny... and frankly loving the attention that the two of them had been lavishing on me throughout the night.
"That's right! She could be just lying"
Dylan nodded in mocking encouragement.
"Maybe you want to just hike it up right here and let us see"
he goaded.
The New Years Eve party raged below us from our vantage point on the top landing of the luxurious stairwell. It curved upwards from the living room of my friend Maren's (beautiful) house. As was custom she had invited me to her annual New Years party. Her and her husband were unequivocally the best party hosts and their NYE gathering was always raucous and lively. There were apparently over a hundred of their friends enjoying themselves under the one roof that evening.
I'd initially turned down this year's invitation but she had insisted that I come.
"Emily! Forget him babe! He's an asshole! You're so much better off without him"
I knew that she was right. Max had been controlling. He had a temper. I'd felt suffocated by my relationship of two years. At 30 I'd finally decided that I needed to be single again and try to reinfuse my life with a sense of self.
Reluctantly I'd agreed to attend. There would be friends there.
"and new people!"
Maren had reminded me encouragingly.
- -
I chose a simple light blue dress, applied the bare minimum of makeup, and matched a pair of shoes before ordering an Uber to her house.
"We're friends of Noel's"
Dylan had explained loudly over the thumping music. After a couple of attempts at stunted conversation I'd directed them towards the kitchen where the volume diminished enough to at least allow for conversation. I'd needed a refill of my wine glass anyways.
I'd had no idea who 'Noel' was until it was explained that he worked at Maren's company. Dylan and Ben were visiting him over the holidays and Maren had happily invited them along to her soiree. I guessed them as younger. 25ish?
They bore some resemblance. Tall, square shouldered. Similarly styled hair (Dylan's dark, Ben's a dirty blonde). Both were clean shaven and had easy, confident smiles and matching personalities. Both had opted for dress pants and shirts, eschewing ties for open necked collars.
We talked about work for a bit before they asked if I wanted to join the crowd dancing in Maren's large main room.
It had been a while since I'd danced. A while since I'd done much of anything in fact. In the dust of my split from Max I'd focused on work and catching up on reading.
The end of my relationship had caused a couple of guys that I was casually friendly with to take a chance on asking me out. I'd politely turned both down in fear of disappointment and also desire not to rush into anything else just yet.
A few months in I was beginning to reconsider my approach there. The lack of ANY male involvement in my life was beginning to seem a bit stark. It had gradually become common for me to surreptitiously reach for the drawer in my nightstand before bed. The small green vibrator worked deftly around my clit to bring some temporary satisfaction. The dildo that I owned had taken up permanent residence in my shower. With it affixed to the back wall I frequently found myself sheepishly bending over and trying to envision who the long appendage might belong to in a perfect world as I pushed it deep within me.
So... I was in an unsettled state by the time we reached the end of (what had been a fairly depressing) holiday season.
Not wishing to be seen an easy target I allowed Ben and Dylan to flirt with me casually, providing enough information to keep the conversation engaging, without allowing too much. It felt nice to be up against them on the dance floor amid the energized crowd. I didn't protest when a hand was occasionally placed at my waist or around my shoulder. I even allowed my own hands to wander occasionally to the chest or back of one of them as we danced to the familiar playlist of pop and R&B songs.
I had anticipated a point where they would separate, a silent agreement between two guys that one would press on with his efforts while the other went to look elsewhere. However, they stayed. I rationalized later that given that they essentially knew no one at the party, that it was probably more natural to just hang out together with me.
As the first hour passed and we topped up our drinks I was finding it more difficult to maintain my 'distant' approach. They both seemed like nice people. There was no doubt they were flirting with me, and the banter had become increasingly more direct and even risquΓ©. However, they were going slow, being respectful, and showing a genuine interest in the things I had to say.
By the time it reached 11:30 we'd decamped to the top landing of the stairwell. It afforded a view of the revellers below and a break from the action of the party. The three of us were in close, giggling and laughing, a drink in each of our hands as the clock ticked towards midnight.
Ben had teased, asking which one of them I was going to select to kiss when the clock struck. I gave him a mock glare and suggested that I didn't think either of them deserved it.
"Maybe the two of you need to compete"
I suggested impishly taking a sip from my wine and turning my view down to the party.
The two of them consulted in hushed tones for a moment before coming back, smiles ready. They suggested that if they could correctly guess something about me I'd have to kiss whomever got it right.
"and if you BOTH get it right?"
I prompted.
"
Well, then I guess we both get lucky"
Dylan shrugged with a smile, clearly aware of the suggestiveness of the phrase.
I turned away from them for a moment, contemplating what I had told them about myself and trying to wrack my brain for something they would have no way of knowing.
I still have absolutely no idea why it popped into my brain... or why my brain allowed my mouth to say it. With hindsight I'm sure it had something to do with the wine.
"Why don't you try and guess what color underwear I'm wearing?"
It even caught them by surprise and idiotic grins broke out across both of their faces. They were clearly pleased at their luck that I had suggested something so brazen.
Realizing that I had played my hand and was now stuck with it I tried not to blush and returned to a more aloof air of confidence.
"Ok ok... I've got this"