~About A Year Later~

"I wish you could have seen it, man," Jasper said, shaking his head. "We go in there and Marcus is doing his little spiel about promoting the both of us and how does that sound. He looked so pleased with himself. And then Bella, cool as a breeze, is just all, 'Well, that sounds perfect for Jasper but you're going to have to find someone else for the Vice President of Development position. I've been offered a job by Mr. Birdy's company and I'll be putting in my two weeks notice.'"

Edward laughed, shaking his head and imagining the calm look on Bella's face as she delivered this tidbit of news. "How'd he take it?"

"Edward, it is the only time I've seen that man thrown. He gaped. He stuttered." Both men were laughing now. "It was all I could do not to crack up. But then, you know, he regroups and is all, 'I just don't think I can allow that, Miss Swan.' Next thing you know, they're volleying back and forth. I was just waiting for Bella to bend him over the table and take him from behind."

"Ew," Edward winced. "Thanks for that image."

"Hey, they're my bosses," Jasper pointed out.

"I don't know how many times I have to tell you this, mother fucker," Edward said, pouring another shot of whiskey for them both. "Girlfriend gross-out factor trumps boss gross-out factor, even squared. And I know what Marcus looks like, don't forget that. I don't want to think about Bella bending him over anything," he shuddered. "Besides. She isn't your direct superior anymore."

Jasper chuckled. "Commitment's taking the kink out of you," he accused.

"You speak lies," Edward hissed, just tipsy enough to be a little goofy. "Just because I don't want to think about Bella with another man doesn't mean I'm not a kinky bastard."

"You never think about it?" Jasper asked after a minute. He was watching ice swirl around his glass rather than look his best friend in the eyes.

"About what?" Edward asked, a little scandalized. "Marcus and Bella? Are you insane?"

"No, not that," Jasper said quickly. "I mean, you've watched Bella with another man."

"Oh." Edward stared off, taking a long, slow drink of his whiskey. "Well, of course I've thought about it." He took another drink. "Make no mistake, Bella keeps me completely satisfied, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss you on occasion." He polished off the drink neatly. "Bella and I have even talked about -"

A loud shriek from the kitchen distracted both men. The sound was more surprised than distressed, so neither of them were worried, but they hurried in the direction of the kitchen all the same.

Quite a sight greeted them. Bella and Alice had been sharing a drink at the kitchen table. Now the bottle was overturned, resting in a small puddle of red wine. Bella was sitting in a chair that had been pulled out to the middle of the kitchen floor. Face down over her lap was Alice, her skirt hiked up and her panties pulled down as Bella slapped her ass with quick, crisp spanks. The spanking was obviously more playful than anything as evidenced by Bella's grin as she 'scolded' the naughty girl and Alice's giggling between yelps.

The men glanced at each other, their eyes darkening with growing lust at the sight. And what a sight indeed. Bella's face was flushed a lovely shade of pink from the wine she'd been able to imbibe before Alice had spilled the bottle. And Alice's pert little bottom was wiggling most adorably as she kicked in 'distress'.

Edward glanced at Jasper again, his look contemplative as he watched the other man's tongue dart out, licking his bottom lip as he stared. Coming to a decision, Edward cleared his throat with feigned disapproval. "Bella," he said sharply. "What is it that you think you're doing?"

Bella's smile when she looked up at her audience was coy. She didn't stop spanking her friend as she spoke. "I'm punishing this bad, bad girl," she punctuated the last three words with slaps hard enough that Alice squealed, "for making a mess. I want my wine back."

"That's enough," Edward said, his voice demanding. "Let her up this instant. Is this how we treat guests in our house?"

That caught Bella's attention and she looked up at him, her eyes slightly wide. She couldn't immediately tell if he was actually upset with her. Edward winked and Bella relaxed slightly, putting on a scowl as she reluctantly let Alice up.

Reaching his hand out to Alice, Edward pulled the smaller woman away gently, guiding her into Jasper's arms as she rubbed the sting out of her ass. Meanwhile, he stepped over to Bella, grabbing her firmly by the arm and hauling her up.

"Hey!" Bella protested. "I'm not the one who wasted good wine."

Edward smothered a grin, glad she was playing along. "No, you're the petulant hostess who's rude to her guests."

Bella's eyes twinkled with mischief as her pout turned into a sexy grin. She brought her free hand to his cheek, stroking with the pad of her thumb. "So you can punish me for it later."

Edward couldn't help but lean in, kissing her lips sweetly. His grin matched hers as he pulled back. "No need to wait." Putting his fingers under her chin, he tilted her face up. "Go get your paddle. The round, leather one."

Even as her eyes went wide, Bella's cheeks flushed a deeper shade of red. Her eyes flickered from Edward to her curious friends. The smile one Jasper's face she recognized. It was the same way he used to look at her over a year before, when they were playing. And the way Alice was now rubbing her ass in slow circles, her eyes eager, made it obvious she wasn't objecting to the idea at all.

"Now, Isabella," Edward demanded, making Bella jump. She moved off quickly then before he could up the ante any. He'd recently invested in a tawse he was rather fond of...

When she got back, paddle in hand, the other three had relocated to the living room. She was surprised to find Alice and Edward sitting on the smaller of the couches and Jasper standing, his arms crossed.

Edward put an arm around Alice, stroking the back of her head like he was petting a cat. "See, Bella, it's up to Jasper what Alice gets punished for. You took that right away from him. He might have spanked her for you if you'd asked nicely."

"He does like it very much," Alice said pleasantly.

"So now you're going to ask Jasper to punish you. Nicely," Edward commanded, his voice steady.

Bella swallowed thickly, her chest rising and falling rapidly. They all knew where this was leading, and Edward didn't prompt Bella again, giving her the chance to back out if this wasn't what she wanted.

Bowing her head, Bella crossed to where Jasper stood. She knelt at his feet, offering the paddle to him. "Jasper, please punish me for punishing Alice... even though she really deserved it."

"Bella," Edward admonished sharply.

Alice giggled. "It was really good wine," she allowed.

Jasper patted Bella's head almost tenderly with one hand as he took the paddle in his other. "Stand up." Bella obeyed and he stroked her cheek, drawing his fingers down her neck, across her shoulders and down her arms. Bella stood absolutely still as he hooked a finger into the hemline of her pants, tugging her closer. His lopsided grin as he looked at her was lascivious. "I would be happy to punish you, Bella."

With deft fingers, he unbuttoned her pants, yanking them down with her panties. Bella gave a little gasp but didn't protest as he pushed the fabric all the way down to her ankles. "Kneel on the couch," he commanded.

Bella stepped out of her shoes and pants, obeying quickly. She knelt on the couch with her hands braced on the back. She jumped as Jasper smacked the back of her thighs with his hand. "Spread your legs." He ran his hands over her exposed skin as she did what she was told. "Good girl. Now stick your pretty little ass out for me."

He spanked her with his hand first, a slow even tempo slapping one cheek five times and then the next. Bella was relatively still, only gasping and moaning lightly as she bit her lip. She knew from experience that he could use more force than he was using currently. The steady increase of pain was only exciting her more, and she was sure he knew that.

Watching her lily white ass turn a pleasant shade of pink was never a turn off for Edward. His arm still around Alice's shoulders, his hand began to trace the line of her shirt collar. He was distracted, not noticing the way her collar plunged until his hand grazed her breasts. Their eyes met briefly.

Her nipples were hard.

Edward was about to apologize, but Alice took his hand, guiding it to cup her breast fully as she pressed herself tighter against him.

Bella was just beginning to lose her composure, her ass beginning to bounce a little as her breaths became more labored. But even as the pain grew steadily, so did the tight feeling coiling at her core. She wanted to beg - not for him to stop, but to call attention to her growing need.

Jasper stopped as suddenly as he began, but before she could catch her breath or plead with him to touch her, his hand was replaced by the feel of the leather paddle on her aching skin. Bella bowed her head, groaning. She dug her fingers into the fabric of the couch, resisting the instinct to straighten up and protect herself.

"Do you think it's good hospitality to hit people who come to visit?" Jasper asked calmly as he began to spank her. His tempo was quicker now, intense, filling the air with the sound of leather against tender skin.

"N-no," Bella managed to stutter between gasps. The pain was incredible, and when her hips bucked it was as much to seek some kind of pressure as it was to escape his relentless paddle.

"No what?" Jasper demanded. The paddle was falling with no discernible pattern, striking each cheek once, twice, three times in different places so that Bella couldn't get used to it or predict it.

"No sir! Fuck."

Edward nearly bit through his lip, he was trying so hard not to moan. The way Bella's ass was wiggling called to him, and he wanted to be buried deep inside her. His hands were rougher as they moved over Alice, squeezing tighter, but she must have been enjoying it because she wasn't bothering to hold back her little groans of pleasure. Alice moved suddenly, climbing onto his lap and making Edward gasp audibly as she sat. Now his hands could wander easier and as she writhed under his ministrations, her ass brushed purposefully along his erection.

"Ow! Fuck. Please," Bella begged. It was all she could do to keep in place.

"Well, naughty girl, if you were being a good hostess, your guest wouldn't have to spank you in your own house," Jasper lectured.

"I'm sorry," Bella whined, whimpering as tears pricked at her eyes. The fire in her bottom was becoming almost more than she could bear. That coupled with her absolute need to be fucked hard and fast was making her a little desperate.

Jasper finally stopped, the room becoming too quiet after the loud thwacks of the paddle. There was only the sound of Bella's ragged breaths as she tried to calm herself.

"Alice," Jasper called, extending a hand toward her. Edward had to bite back a little groan as the smaller woman slid off his lap. "Come here, baby doll." He brought her to stand where Bella knelt and guided her hand to Bella's ass. Bella let out a little yelp at the contact on her abused skin but didn't pull away. "You tell me, sugar. Do you think Bella's been punished enough?"

"Hmmm," Alice pondered, running her hand all along Bella's ass, feeling the heat of her welted, marked skin. Bella's gasps turned into little moans and she wriggled, pressing her ass against her friend's hand. "I think she looks beautiful."

"Thank you, dear," Jasper said, patting Alice's cheek lovingly. "Now you kneel right here a minute."

Alice sank to her knees off to the side a bit as Jasper resumed his place behind Bella. He kept a hand on her back, keeping her from getting up as he reached between her legs with his other hand. Bella gasped, moaning as his fingers teased her center, stopping just short of her clit.

Jasper chuckled. "You are very wet, Bella. I think you enjoyed that, didn't you?"

"God. Yes," Bella admitted, pressing back against his hand, trying to tempt him deeper.

"Do you think I punish you for your pleasure?" he asked, sliding his fingers inside where she was slick and hot.

"Um," Bella's voice shook as she answered, "yeah, actually."

Alice snorted and Edward chuckled. Jasper smirked, making Bella whimper because he stroked her clit as he withdrew his fingers. "Get on your hands and knees on the floor."

"Fuck," Bella huffed under her breath. To her credit, she obeyed quickly.

"Good. Now go to Alice and thank her for being merciful on you. I'd have turned your lovely red ass purple if she wanted me to."

Bella crawled the short distance to Alice. She bowed her head, kissing the exposed skin of the other woman's knees. Bella sat up on her knees, taking the raven-haired woman's face carefully in her hands. Alice's eyes fluttered closed as Bella leaned in, peppering kisses to her friend's forehead, along her hairline. She nibbled lightly on Alice's earlobe before marking a trail down to her parted lips. The kiss was sweet and deep, the two women using tongues and lips to communicate while their hands brushed along sensitive spots on their arms and backs.

Jasper beckoned to Edward and both the men sat on the couch, watching with rapt interest as the women kissed. There was something so unbearably sensual about two women kissing. Was it just that they knew how to touch each other? Their lips were slow and lingering as they moved, fingers feather light, eliciting sighs and goosebumps along each other's skin.

Alice's hands traveled down, cupping Bella's ass as they kissed. Bella gasped into her mouth, thrilling at the renewed rush of pain that throbbed through her body with her pulse. She stood up on her knees, crushing the other woman against her body. There was nothing gentle about their kisses now. Bella's red ass turned white where Alice was gripping her. She snaked her hands up through Alice's hair, grabbing hold so that they were both vying for dominance of each other.

That was when Jasper knew he had to do something. Though Edward had technically started it, they would all three do what Jasper bid them. If he didn't take control of the situation, the girls would soon have each other on the floor, and while that wasn't such an unbecoming prospect, his need to be deep inside the woman he loved was reaching critical mass.

Quickly, Jasper stood, dragging Edward up with him. Next, he took Alice by the arm, guiding her to her feet. Alice pouted at him. "But I wasn't done with Bella," she complained.

"You're not done with Bella, my lovely," Jasper said, stroking her cheek and kissing her lips soundly. As he kissed Alice, he reached down, pulling Bella up. Breaking his kiss with Alice, Jasper looked around at the three sets of lust filled eyes that stared back, waiting for his command.

"You," Jasper said, running a thumb over Edward's full lips, "go get your lube."

It was almost comical how quickly Edward ran off. When he came back, he dropped the lube in surprise, any blood he had left in his body quickly rerouting to his cock.

Bella was lying on her back on the couch, her hand tangling in Alice's hair as the other woman kissed her way down the brunette's neck. Alice's small, nibble fingers worked at the buttons of Bella's shirt and kissed her skin as it was exposed. She undid the front clasp, lowering her mouth to lick and suck at Bella's nipples, one at a time, as Bella writhed, tangling Alice's hair between her fingers.

"Jesus, God," Edward mumbled, running his hands through his own hair and squirming because the amount of clothing he was wearing was getting uncomfortable.

Jasper appeared out of no where, grabbing Edward and pulling him close roughly. "You know that it's polite to bring a gift for the host?"

"Is that right?" Edward asked, his eyes straying to the lovely display on the couch. Jasper grabbed his chin, forcing him to concentrate. Edward was startled to find the other man's face only an inch or so from his. The atmosphere between them was warm and familiar. It was like coming back home from college after being away. Sure, moving on with your life wasn't a bad thing, but home was always some place he'd be be welcome.

"Mmm," Jasper assented. His hands stroked the length of Edward's back, down over his ass and then around to his front. He ghosted his lips across the other man's chin and cheek. "You know what I'm going to give you?" he asked, taking Edward's hand and guiding it behind him. "I'm going to give you a piece of this fine ass. What do you think about that?"

Edward chuffed, tugging Jasper's lower lip between both of his. "What if I said no."

Jasper snorted. "Well, I have a bottle of Gentleman Jack in the car," he taunted, running his finger along Edward's cloth covered length.

"Fuck." Edward kissed him again. "You want me to fuck you?"

"That's the idea," Jasper confirmed, unbuttoning Edward's pants. Eager, he shoved them down along with the other man's boxers. Edward moaned as Jasper took his length in one hand, pouring a generous amount of lube into his palm. "Do you want to fuck me, Edward?" he asked as he stroked, spreading lube from his tip right down to his balls.

"Yes. Now," Edward gasped, unbuttoning Jasper's pants as he spoke. The mens' kisses were quick now as they undressed each other, tugging away clothing as they stumbled over to the couch.

"Bless you for having a low armed couch," Jasper muttered. The women were watching them now, Alice resting her back against the couch as Bella, nude now, stroked her hair with a Cheshire cat grin.

"Should I have a complex about this?" Alice whispered conversationally to Bella. "I know sometimes he just wants a good, deep fuck but he won't let me buy a strap-on."

Jasper pulled Alice to her feet, clamping a hand over her mouth. "Woman, if I didn't already have plans for that pretty little mouth of yours, I have half a mind to ball gag you." He turned her around, pushing her face forward over the arm of the couch. "Bella, scoot up here so my pretty little darling can make better use of that wagging tongue of hers."

"Shit," Bella cursed, her whole body flushing with want. She did as she was bidden, whimpering lightly as Alice pressed kisses to the inside of her legs.

As she worked, Jasper stood behind her, spreading, teasing her entrance with his length. Alice's moans vibrated along Bella's skin, as Jasper thrust into her. When he was buried deep inside the woman he loved, Jasper reached a hand back, beckoning Edward forward.

Edward circled the pad of his thumb, well lubed, around Jasper's entrance, eliciting gasps of pleasure from the other man. He replaced his thumb with the tip of his cock and pushed forward carefully.

As Jasper's walls closed in tight around his cock, making Edward shudder with pleasure even as the other man chanted, 'yes, fuck, yes', his eyes went to Bella. She was such an exquisite creature. Her head was thrown back, her full lips parted as she mewled her pleasure. She had one hand on her own breasts, squeezing and brushing her fingers over her nipples as Alice licked and sucked at her clit. Watching her ecstasy would have easily made him come on its own. Between that and his his cock sinking deeper and deeper into his best friend... Edward didn't think he was going to last very long.

Jasper was in much the same boat. Every sensitive nerve in his body was being titillated and stimulated simultaneously. As he worked in and out of Alice, his hands pushing her shirt further up the silk contours of her back, Edward matched his rhythmic thrusts. He remembered when it was Bella between him and Edward and wondered if this was how she felt - so filled and pushed the extremes of the pleasure his body was capable of.

"Fuck. Baby, yes," Jasper murmured, though it was unclear who he was speaking to.

"Alice. Oh, God. Alice," Bella gasped, her hips bucking up off the couch.

Edward groaned at the breathy sound of her voice, slamming into Jasper hard enough that the other man gave a strangled cry. With his hands on Jasper's waist, keeping them both steady, Edward increased the pace of this thrusts, almost pulling out before he pushed back in. But when Bella's eyes flitted open, meeting his, his breath strangled.

Though they weren't physically connected, he felt her under his skin. Her lips turned up, the noises she was making better than the finest piece of music to his ears. It was a whole other kind of pleasure, and it was too much. Edward gripped his friend's waist hard, pulling him back against him. "I'm going to come. Fuck. I can't -"

Jasper's body was pushed and pulled. Alice's body drew him in, Edward's hands pulled him back. Jasper merely road the wave, entirely out of control for once. He abandoned his actions to instinct, letting Edward's hips push him into Alice at the other man's pace.

Edward came first, jerking and bucking against Jasper's back, buried deep inside him, but Jasper wasn't at all far behind.

The moment the boys were in control of their senses again they moved. Jasper dropped to his knees, resting his head on the pert little bubble of Alice's ass as he replaced his cock with his talented fingers. Alice let out a long, loud moan because Jasper knew just how to touch her to drive her insane. Her groan was muffled against Bella's skin and the vibration made the other woman moan in return.

Edward sat behind Bella, pulling her up to lean against his body. His lips went to her neck, kissing, nipping and licking as he reached around her, taking her breasts in his large hands. He rolled her nipples between his fingers as Bella laid her head back on his shoulder.

Alice got too distracted as Jasper's fingers worked inside of her, hooking and finding that sweet spot inside of her as he left little bite marks on the pinked skin of her ass. "Oh, God. Jasper. Your fingers. Christ I love your fingers."

"Fingers, yes," Bella said in vague agreement as Edward's hand snaked down her body, his fingers circling her clit to pick up where Alice left off.

The men reclaimed their women, bringing on their release like they were playing instruments. The girls' caterwauling made for a surprisingly sweet harmony given that their words were nonsensical. Alice's little body shook and Bella writhed against Edward.

Still breathing hard, Jasper helped Alice up, rubbing her shoulders as he sat with her on the couch. Bella was still sprawled against Edward and he pressed tender kisses to her cheeks and chin, finally claiming her panting lips.

"That was amazing," she mumbled against his lips.

Edward chuckled, caressing her face adoringly. "You're such a deviant, my Bella."

Bella just snorted and kissed him, her hand running through the disaster area of his hair.

"I've been thinking about ... that for a long time," Jasper admitted, cuddling Alice close.

Opening one eye lazily, Edward eyed his best friend. "Was it everything you thought it would be?" he asked lightly.

"Mmmmhmm," he hummed. "Maybe..." he began at the same time Edward said, "I wonder..."

"No," Alice said firmly. "It was ... wonderful. A wonderful night with two amazing friends." She reached back, stroking her fingers along Jasper's cheek. "Let's not tempt fate."

"I agree," Bella murmured.

There was silence between the two couples, a little sad, but mostly sweet as the heat drained from the room.

Bella and Alice sat up first, their hands reaching for each other. Bella kissed the other woman's cheeks before kissing her lips. It was a small kiss. A thank you and a good bye altogether, and watching the women, Edward and Jasper knew they were right.

Their relationships were strong and solid, growing deeper as the months passed. They were all successful professionally. A happy future lay out for all of them - marriages and BBQs on the weekend as their kids played together.

Their friendship had begun with the innate connection between people when they trusted their bodies to one another, but it couldn't keep on that way and they all knew it. Better to have this one sweet night and leave it at that.

Edward and Jasper smiled at each other, nodding in a silent pact. With the girls pressed tight between them, the boys shared a final kiss, resting forehead to forehead.

"Stay," Edward said when they parted. "In the guest room, I mean. Wouldn't want you out on the road with how much we've been drinking."

"Yeah," Jasper agreed. "Anyway, I'm worn out," he said with a wink.

Edward laughed. "I can't imagine why."

Laughing and comfortable, the couples unwound themselves, picking up clothes and pulling them on.

"Fuck," Bella hissed as she pulled her pants up. "Jesus Christ. I won't be able to sit for a week."

"Don't pretend you didn't like it," Edward teased, smacking her ass playfully enough to make her yelp.

Hand in hand, both couples went up the stairs and to their own rooms.

A/N And that's all she wrote. Thank you so much to everyone for your support. I'm glad you enjoyed this little foray into the smut-laden center of my brain.