Just Desserts

Thanks once again to my editor "Wires" for his efforts in my behalf. He has, once again, taken my scratches and morphed them into a story much better written and easier to read.

*****

I rang the doorbell and stepped back to await our host. I put my arm around my darling Heather and pulled her to me for a quick kiss. Oh, how I loved this woman. She had given me four of the happiest years of my life. We were once again going to celebrate our free evening with my best friend Doug Bevers. This time we were attending his New Years Eve party in his mansion. I looked forward to seeing Doug, but I looked forward more to spending the evening and night with my wife and ring in the New Year in style.

I was about to ring the bell once more when finally Doug opened the door for us. He grinned and very loudly invited us inside. I already knew from the number of vehicles parked on the street and in his yard that this would be a very large party, but I was still shocked at the number of people milling around inside his home. Doug reached for Heather and gave her a big hug then a gentle kiss on the cheek before pulling her into the house. He turned from her and shook my hand before once more stepping aside so I could enter.

A maid took our coats and disappeared with them. Doug walked between us and said, "God, I'm glad to see you two. I really hate it when my parties get this large but it just seems like I have to invite everyone. I either do business with or have social obligations to repay to everyone on my list except for a few good friends like you two. Clarissa's around somewhere, probably dodging hands from the lechers like usual.

As the evening progressed Heather and I danced, ate, and drank way more than we should have. We had no worries because we knew we had a bed upstairs when we needed it. We were one of the few couples invited to sleep over so we didn't have to drive drunk, get a cab, or have one of us remain sober to serve as designated driver.

I am moderately successful in the investment business—oh, hell, I'm one of the highest selling brokers in my office and in the top quarter of the brokers in the entire company—so I knew, or knew of, many of the people in the room. I agreed with Doug. Many of them were letches or worse. My Heather was a very beautiful woman and had to fend off the advances just as did his Clarissa. As the evening progressed I took the opportunity to network. I greeted current customers and made my pitch to some of the more well to do in the room trying to gain new customers.

As the evening progressed I also kept my eye on Heather. I trusted her fully but I have to admit I was still slightly jealous. I kept an eye on her constantly and from time to time I took it upon myself to 'rescue' her from a man who I felt was trying to be more than a charming conversationalist. Every time I had to 'rescue' her in previous parties I got a smile and gentle kiss from Heather, usually with a quiet "thank you" or "thank you for rescuing me, Honey" from her. This evening was no exception. Many times I would walk up when I saw her trying to break free from a male and take her away. I got her gentle touch and a smile before a hug or kiss on the cheek then her quiet "thank you". We would talk a moment or perhaps catch a quick dance or drink and would go our separate ways once again.

As the evening drug on many of the people left leaving only those who intended to ring in the New Year with our host. I began to notice one particular man following, almost stalking, Heather. He was never far from her and watched her constantly. I recognized his look. He was hooked on her, totally in lust with her and was taking every opportunity to press his case.

At first Heather would ignore him or even walk away. As the evening wore on she began to stay with him longer, even smiling or laughing when he spoke. Occasionally she would gently touch his forearm. This was not like my Heather. She never flirted that long with any of the men who approached her, especially a stranger.

Doug saw me watching them just before midnight and walked up to me. He said, "That's Jonathan Douglass with Heather. He's a real ass, a ladies' man deluxe. I didn't even invite him, but one of the ladies I invited brought him as her date. I haven't seen them together since you and Heather arrived."

Doug stood beside me and looked around the room carefully. He got an inquisitive look on his face then he continued, "In fact, I think Douglas' date has left already now that I think about it. She watched him following Heather around for several minutes earlier this evening, then I saw them having a rather spirited conversation. I haven't seen her since then. He's trouble, Stan; trouble with a Capital T. He's married and they're separated more than they're together. He preys on married women or women who have something he wants. Usually, he goes for the married pussy and for the single women with money he thinks he can get a hold of. I don't know why, hell, he's worth millions on his own. You need to watch him. He can talk a Nun into fucking him and make her think it was her idea and she loves him for all eternity."

For the third time that evening I walked up to separate Heather and Jonathan. He glared at me as he did most of the earlier times I separated him from Heather and made a condescending remark as I walked off with her. This time Heather did not thank me. She gave me an upset look and said, "Stan, what's the matter with you tonight? You could tell I was enjoying talking to Jonathan. Why did you feel the need to separate us? He's not like most of the lechers you save me from. He's a really interesting guy and has some of the funniest stories. He's running for Mayor and has been telling me about some of the people he meets and has to deal with in his campaign. When he found out I work in my company's public information and advertising section he began asking me questions about how to better get his mayoral message out to the voters. I think he might offer me a job, Honey. I really need to network more with him. Just think what could happen if I could get a position in his administration."

"I don't really care, Heather. I don't trust that asshole and I don't like him around you. Doug says he is trouble, a real womanizer. I've also heard some really bad things about him and I want you safe. From what I've heard, the position he is interviewing you for would require you working on your back."

Heather glared at me for a moment. I could see the anger flit across her face and was scared I had blown it, but then she smiled. As she leaned in to kiss my face she said, "Awww. That's sweet. I actually think you're jealous! Well, you have nothing to worry about, Honey. You're all mine." We had already separated again in the swirl of socializing people before I realized she said I was all hers, not that she was all mine. When the thought hit me I stopped a moment and wondered if it had just been a slip of the tongue or if she was trying to tell me something subconsciously.

Three months later I had reason to recall that night in painful detail. The past two months things were rough in my home. Shortly after the party Heather began running late getting home from some of her meetings or visits to her parents. When I questioned her about her tardiness she became angry, defensive, saying she either lost track of time or she had to finish up a project or something before she could leave. She also began volunteering for the local Republican Party after work and that took up her time. Heather is the manager of her section and her skills in that area are almost legendary. She became the local campaign headquarters voluntary office manager and gave advice on public information initiatives. From the little I heard she made the chaos go away and became a very popular volunteer.

Like many other unknowing cuckolded husbands, as she began staying away from our home more often I began to notice our sex life suffering. I was refused more, and when I got some sex it wasn't as good. Now, she let me fuck her where before we made love, sometimes for hours on end. Oh, she always had a reason, such as she was tired, or it was too late, or we didn't have time but the fact remained where before she had been a willing, enthusiastic, passionate participant in our lovemaking now she seemed to do it grudgingly as if it was a disliked duty if we had sex at all.

One day I was talking to Doug about the recent problems in my marriage. He gave me a worried look. Finally, he said, "Stan, I'm getting worried. I may have been the cause of your marriage going under. For the last few weeks I have been hearing Jonathan has found another married whore to play with. Rumor has it he met her at a New Year's party and we both know where he was and who he spent most of his evening with on New Year's Eve. She is supposedly a volunteer in his campaign for Mayor, as well."

I felt myself get dizzy and I lost my breath for a moment. Doug looked at me and continued speaking. He said, "Stan, what's the matter? All at once you're as white as a sheet."

I sat looking at Doug a moment then I said, "Heather has began volunteering for the Republican Party in their office an hour or so after work and on Saturdays. She's always late getting home and refuses to talk about anything she does any longer. It seems that whenever I bring it up she becomes defensive and angry. The evenings she is latest she becomes angry if I even get near her and is almost violent if I try to see her naked or make love to her."

Doug sat back in his chair and pressed his lips together for a moment, then said, "Stan I'm going to find out what's going on for you and if-no, let's just say I intend to make him pay if he abused my hospitality by beginning an affair with the wife of my best friend. I would be angry if he picked up on any married woman at one of my parties, but abusing my hospitality by taking your wife is even worse. I should have made him leave when his date did but I was too worried about being a good host. If I am the cause of your problems, my friend, I promise to make it right for you to the best of my ability."

I suppose I should say a little more about Doug here. He is my best friend. I would trust him with my life. Hell, I would trust him in a room with my naked wife if they had both been without sex for a year. He would never do anything to hurt me. We were closer than brothers.

Doug is smart, probably much smarter than anyone I have ever met. We were both in the same class in high school. He was Valedictorian; I struggled to graduate in the top ten percent of our 223 person graduating class. He went to one year of college and decided it was a waste of time. He never had to study and missed almost all of his classes but still made a 4.0 GPA. Finally, he just took a couple of finance courses, then began teaching himself all he needed to know about investing and finance.

Of course, the reason he needed to know about business and finance was because when he was in his first year of college he inherited a little over $70,000.00 when his grandparents passed away. Unlike most young people, when he got the money he did not blow it. He did buy a better used pickup truck, then he invested the rest in the stock market. His first two stocks he purchased were on the recommendation of a broker. Of course, they were the current 'flavor of the day' and the only ones who made money were the broker and brokerage house. This pissed Doug off big time so he began studying. He watched CNBC, he read, and researched. He decided to open up an account at a discount on line brokerage. He moved his entire net worth into the account and began investing on his own.

From the first trade Doug made on his own he began to make money—much more money than he made using the so called experts. Of course, it didn't hurt that he began investing in the late 1980's during the Tec boom and the dot com craze. He got into and out of many of the high flying stocks. No, he didn't make money on all his purchases, but he did manage to grow his nest egg exponentially. Wisely, he was smart enough to bail out when things started going to hell. He moved his investments into safer, more mainstream, stocks and rode the market up with them. He bought Berkshire Hathaway at a little over $17000.00 per share and sold out when it reached $72357.00 per share three years later. By that time he was a multi millionaire and was doing business with others, either in venture capital mode or other investments including real estate.

I finished college and worked as a salesman for a restaurant supply chain for four years. I didn't like the travel and was becoming very serious about Heather so I became a stock broker. I managed a small part of Doug's millions. He gave me some of his investments to manage when I started in the business. I suspected he did it to help out a friend and I felt guilty about him doing it. I knew he didn't need me to advise and manage any part of his portfolio and felt like it was charity. He convinced me I was needed. His reasoning was twofold. One, he wanted some of his investment in different brokerages for safety. Two, he felt like someone in the business might hear of good deals or bad information about some of his companies before he did. No, neither of us even for a moment considered anything that could be considered insider trading, but still from time to time I did find a pearl of wisdom I could share with him. We both prospered. He sent me many of his friends or acquaintances if they wanted to use a full service brokerage. I then made money making trades for them.

Doug did not work outside his home. He worked eight to ten hours a day and worked very hard, but only for himself. He researched stocks for himself, traded, and lived life large. He tried to bring me and Heather into his circle fully. We went to many charitable events with him at his expense. Of course, from time to time I did foot a bill for some gathering because I had an expense account as a broker also. We went to political meetings with Doug and rubbed shoulders with the movers and shakers in our area. I think we attended every party Doug held at his home.

The Friday evening after Doug and I had our talk we were scheduled to go to a $500.00 per plate political rally with Doug and his lady. Once again he was treating Heather and me. This time for some reason Heather was even more unwilling to go with us than normal. I am afraid I insisted she accompany me and to this day I am sorry I did. I suppose the train wreck that our marriage was rushing toward would have come as soon as Doug's investigators watching Heather made their report but I would have at least remained unknowing a while longer. That meal was the beginning of the end for us, however.

When we arrived I saw we were at a meal where an incumbent candidate for the State Senate was to speak in support of other state and local candidates. The money paid for the tickets went to the State Republican Party although some of it would support the local politicians. What I did not realize was that the candidate for Mayor of our fine city was to be the guest of honor. Of course it was none other than Jonathan 'asshole' Douglass.

When we entered I saw Jonathan standing near the front of the room smiling and visiting with several dignitaries. I felt Heather pull back slightly and turned to see what was bothering her. She was standing staring at Jonathan. Her face glowed like a woman in love. I suspected then that I had lost my wife. I said, "What?"

I saw Heather give herself a little shake then she gave me a wan smile. "I'm sorry, Honey, I just didn't realize who this supper was for." She looked so guilty I wondered if that was true, but I said nothing. She should have known Jonathan would be there since she worked part time at campaign headquarters. I thought, now I know why she was so resistant when I insisted we attend.

I looked at Doug and saw him watching our little conversation. He turned and glared at Jonathan before fixing a smile on his face and placing his hand in the small of Heather's back. He guided her to her chair and pulled it out, helping her seat herself. He then seated Clarissa in a chair that was to be at his left. When I walked past him as he was doing that, he said, "I'm sorry, Stan. I didn't know he was one of the recipients of our largess when I invited you. I saw her face, Bud. I hope I'm wrong, but, well, I have an appointment Monday with a friend that I would like you to meet. Can we do lunch? Say about 11:30?"

After she finished her meal, Heather excused herself to go to the restroom. I noticed when she left the table Jonathan rose and exited the room through a different door. I thought a moment then started to rise and follow. Doug placed his hand on my arm and said, "No, Stan. It's taken care of and if it's her it's too late anyway. Just wait until Monday. Please?"

Later that evening I once again lost track of Heather and went looking for her when I returned from the restroom. I managed to find my way onto the stage and behind the curtains. I heard moaning and quiet gentle voices. One of them I recognized immediately as Heather's. I felt an instant surge of anger and began walking toward the voices. I stumbled on a rope and made some noise.

I heard Heather's voice whisper, "Oh, someone's coming. I have to get out of here, Honey. It wouldn't do either of us any good to get caught right now. See you at the office. I love you." I heard a quick smack as if she had given a fast kiss then rapid footsteps fading away toward the other side of the stage. I followed but was much too late to catch what I assumed was my cheating wife and Jonathan.

I was slowly making my way back the way I came when I ran into Doug in the hallway. His face looked like a thundercloud. He grabbed me and forced me to stop and look at him. He said, "Damn it, Stan, I told you to let it be. My people need to gather information for you before you do something stupid. If she is really cheating on you, and I believe she is, we need information, proof, so we can plan and exact the proper revenge against this asshole and so you can get the best deal in a divorce if that is what you want. The way you're trying to do it the only thing you would get is screwed by the legal system."

After he calmed me down somewhat Doug continued, "I saw them hurrying down the other hallway from back here. They stopped at the door into the auditorium and she looked around trying to find you. When she didn't see you she became scared and told him she thought it was you wandering around trying to find them. Now, you have a suspicious cheater on your hands and it will be more difficult to get the goods on them."

When we returned to the table we made a production of it. We made sure Heather and some others saw us laughing and passing a pocket flask back and forth between us. Heather glared at me when I took my seat by her and asked where we had been. About that time Clarissa came up to Doug and wrapped her arms around him. She smiled at us and said, "OK, you two. Next time I catch you sneaking out to the car for some booze I either get to go with you or I turn you in. Now give me a hit on that flask."

We watched as Heather relaxed a little, then she turned to Clarissa and asked, "Oh, my God. Is that what these two have been up to? I wondered where they were when I couldn't find them."

Clarissa laughed and said, "Oh, Yeah, I tried to get to them for my share before they got inside, but as you can see they outran me."

Later, during the dancing, I took my turn with Clarissa. She melted into me and once when I tried to turn to survey the room behind me she refused to follow my lead. She gave me a gentle kiss on the cheek and said, "No, Stan. You really don't want to look over there. Just dance with me and try to enjoy the evening. I know what you're going through right now and believe me, it will get worse. Just remember, Doug and I are here for you and we will always be here for you."