Call Tami to tell her the action's here, and then try to patch things up with Loni

Linda pouts as you slip out from under her and awkwardly try to get your pants back on over your erection. "Don't go anywhere," you reassure her, "I just have to try to clean up your mess." You pick up your jacket from the arm of the sofa, and head back to the bathroom, leaving Linda reclining and fingering herself.

In the bathroom, you call Tami on your cell.

"What's up?"

"Linda decided to start the party here. How soon can you get to her place?"

"Her place? You mean Linda and Loni's apartment?"

"Nobody seems to have mentioned to me that they live together. Linda arranged for Loni to catch us..."

"Shit, Linda's played some games before, but never anything that in-your-face. And Loni's got a bit of a temper. You're asking me to rescue you?"

"No, I'm asking you to join the party. Maybe bring some toys."

"Confident guy. If this works out, I'm going to owe you big time."

"I confess I'm not doing this solely as a present for you, but I'm sure you can think of a suitable reward."

"Give me five minutes. Ten tops."

You draw the source of your confidence from your jacket pocket. Despite your reservations, it seems like the only way to smooth things over with Loni. Since your previous applications have proved excessive, you spray just the smallest "puff" into your palm, rub your hands together, and then both hands over your neck and wrists.

You leave the room and knock on the closed bedroom door.

"Loni? It's me, John."

There's an immediate THUMP as she throws something not-too-heavy at the door, but you continue coaxing until she comes close to the door and answers.

"What the hell do YOU want?"

"I want you to know that I came here planning to go to the Beef n' Beer with all you girls tonight. Linda had other intentions and... I certainly didn't mean to hurt you."

You still don't know how much Tami's feelings for you are due to the aftereffects of the AXE, but you're counting on there being some echo here as well -- such that Loni won't really want to be angry with you. When you hear the door unlock, you figure you guessed right.

Loni cracks the door to face you. Her eyes are teary, and she looks equally upset and angry. "I just... That BITCH! She's ALWAYS flirting with my men, but THIS!"

"Wait a minute now..." you step a little closer, smiling. "Not that I'd object to the title, but I wasn't aware you considered me YOUR man."

She stammers a bit. "I... I don't know. I've never done anything at all like the other day. And then, today, when we heard what people were saying at the office. I felt so cheap. Just like my CHEAP WHORE ROOMMATE!" she yells for Linda's benefit.

Her breathing deepens noticably, and you suspect that the spray is reaching her, even if she can't discern the scent. Her dark eyes connect with yours, and she continues. "But at the same time, it didn't feel like something cheap. It was so powerful. Like we shared something really special... the three of us."

You reach out to take her hand, and she grasps it warmly with both of hers, before blurting out "which made it hurt more when SHE STABBED ME IN THE FUCKING BACK!"

You repress a chuckle before responding softly, hoping it will help quiet Loni down. "You say she's done this all the time... gone after your boyfriends. And yet you're still roommates... and friends... how is that?"

The anger in her eyes dulls a bit, and she looks more consistantly sad. You put your arm around her, wondering, as with Tami this morning, whether the sympathetic sorrow you're feeling is real, or an effect of the spray, and whether there's really any difference.

Loni puts her arms around you and holds you progressively tighter as she speaks. "She always apologizes... she seems so sincere... does chores for me... I've been friends with her for years... I can't stay angry with her... or with you, I think." Her dark eyes look more hopeful now than sad. "I want it again," she whispers in her sexy accent, grinding slowly against your leg.

With a flash of inspiration, you see the way to tie the evening up with a bow. "I think Linda wants it too," you whisper. "I think part of why she flirts with your guys may be that she's jealous of them... with you... plus I think she gets a thrill out of it when you get angry and 'punish' her."

Loni grinds a little harder against you as she listens, her breathing deepening, and she manages a smile.

"Would you like to punish her now?" you ask. "Would you like me to help you?"

"Oh, God yes!"