Chapter 43 - Nadia

“That was incredible,” Andy said.
We were strewn across the stage, totally nude. I was resting across Andy with my head on his chest. Ryan lay on his back next to us, his legs tangled sensually with mine. Ryan’s hand caressed up and down my back, feeling the bumps in my spine.
“You certainly enjoyed yourself,” I whispered into his chest, too content to move.
“I hope that was okay. And not too, you know, rough. The way I—”
“Shh,” I said. “It was wonderful. If it was too much I would’ve told you.”
“Communication,” Ryan announced. “Communication is the key to any good relationship, whether physical, emotional, or both. Andy, don’t fuck my mouth so hard. That’s what she would’ve said.”
Andy vibrated with silent laughter. “I was not sure if I would be into that. But knowing you were being fucked by Ryan while I was in your mouth…”
I kissed him gently on the bare chest. Muscles pressed against bone underneath my lips. “It’s even better on the receiving end, trust me.”
Ryan’s fingers stopped caressing. “You think maybe next time we can try…”
I grinned. “I was just thinking that we should have tried it.”
“Baby steps.”
“What?” Andy asked. “Tell me.”
Next time one of you can fuck me in the pussy while the other fucks me in the ass.
I leaned up and kissed him slowly on the lips. “You’ll see. It’ll be a surprise.”
Andy got a goofy grin on his face. “I like surprises.”
“You’ll definitely like this one. I’ve seen the kind of porn you watch.”
“Dude,” Andy said to Ryan.
Ryan raised his hands. “We just double-teamed Nadia together. You don’t have to be embarrassed, bro.”
“Still.”
I looked at my watch, then rose. Both of my lovers’ eyes watched my nude body as I stretched my arms over my head. “As much as I’d like to stay, the bed at home is too comfortable for me to sleep on this hard stage. Even if the company is good.”
Andy said, “You’re going to miss out on us catching the saboteur.”
“And we’re definitely not sharing credit if you’re not here,” Ryan added.
I bent down to put my pajama pants back on. “I’ve had my share of excitement today. I’ll leave you two to the heroics this time.”
Andy rose too. As if suddenly remembering that he was nude in front of his friends, he quickly pulled on his clothes. “I’ll walk you to the train station.”
“It’s only a few blocks,” I protested. “Stay and watch for the saboteur. If Ryan’s alone when they come, he’ll insist it was a ghost.”
Ryan stuck his tongue out at me. I blew him a kiss back.
Andy didn’t walk me to the station, but he did have to lock the door behind me, so he followed me through the theater and into the lobby. Without lights, the area was awfully creepy. But I wasn’t afraid since I had him with me.
“I had a lot of fun today,” Andy said when we reached the door.
I kissed him on the cheek, a teasing little joke about our first date. “So did I. Maybe next date we’ll have normal sex.”
“Like, in a bed?” Andy asked. “Gross.”
We embraced in a warm hug. The kind of hug that meant more than any kiss, both of us holding tight and not wanting to let go. Our potentially serious relationship had made a few leaps today. Sex in Central Park, then a threesome on stage in the theater where we all worked. So much for taking it slow.
Fortunately, Andy was all grins when he looked down at me. “I…”
He’s going to say I love you.
For a brief moment, my thoughts raced inside my head. Was it too early for us to say it? I didn’t think I was ready—not after a few weeks. And I wasn’t the kind of person who would say it back without meaning it. Which meant he would say it, and then I would have to say something other than that magical phrase, and our relationship would be emotionally lopsided and uncomfortable until I did say it, putting awful pressure on each of our dates…
But Andy surprised me by saying, “I am very fond of you, Nadia. I’m glad you were the one to answer our Tinder profile.”
I smiled with relief and happiness. “Don’t be so sure. There’s probably some much hotter, smarter girl out there you guys could’ve landed.”
“I don’t mind settling.”
I cocked my head at him. “Why, Andy. If I didn’t know any better I’d say that was another joke.”
He adjusted his glasses. “Enough time has passed since my last one. It felt right.”
I pointed back the way we had come. “Seriously, though. Keep an eye on Ryan or he will make up a story about spirits or demons. Keep him straight.”
Andy unlocked the door and opened it for me. “Easier said than done.”
I stepped outside, and froze.
There was a shadow moving up the wall above us and to the left. Climbing the fire escape to the roof.
I stared, dumbfounded. “Uhh.”
“Changing your mind about being walked to the train?” Andy joked from inside. I grabbed his arm and yanked him outside, then pointed up.
The shadow froze on the wall.
“I don’t…” he began, then trailed off. He pulled out his phone and whispered, “I’m calling the police.”
As if the figure had heard us, it suddenly began climbing back down, feet banging on the metal fire escape. When it was halfway down it leaped over the railing and plummeted the rest of the way, landing softly on the ground like a cat.
Then it sprinted down the street away from us.
“Hey!” I screamed, suddenly giving chase. “Come back here! Stop them!”
There were few people on the street, and those who were there weren’t in any mood to help. Wearing pajamas and comfortable shoes, there was no way I was going to catch them. I slowed to a stop as they disappeared around the next corner.
“Fuck!” I shouted. “That had to be the saboteur!”
Andy had put his phone away. “What’s that?”
I looked where he was pointing. An envelope like a birthday card lay on the ground where the figure had landed. I reached down, carefully picking it up by the edges so my fingers wouldn’t touch the surface.
I held it up to the light by the door to the theater. A single name was written across the front in flowing cursive script:

Tatiana