The Club

Chapter 1

"OK, everyone, let's roll," Charles said. "I guess we might as well stop at the Safeway near campus. At least we know where everything is in there."

"Sounds good," Rick replied. "What does everyone want for dinner?"

No one answered right away until finally someone said, "How about hamburgers?" This was echoed with agreement.

When the van pulled into the supermarket parking lot, Rick, James, and Charles went in to get food and the three girls remained in the van. "Any idea what there is to do up there?" Barb asked Liz.

"Nope. At least not what to do in public." This brought a laugh. "Rick hasn't told me anything about it. And, really, I don't think he knows either. He said there's a TV and stereo. We can probably find some CDs and dance." Then she added with a leer in her voice, "That's always a good warm-up."

Laughing, Barb said, "You sound as horny as I am. Didn't get any last week?"

"Well, it has been several days," Liz said. "Rick didn't say, but I hope there are three bedrooms. Even if you two are my best friends, I don't intend to spend the night with you."

"And to think that I had been planning for us to sit around trying out new hair styles," Janet threw in. "I guess I'll just have to find something to do with Charles."

"I'll bet you have a lot of things in mind to do with Charles, don't you?" Then Liz added, "Or maybe for Charles to do with you."

"Well, I'm sure we can find something to do," Barb said. "I, for one, didn't bring a book. Did you two."

"Not likely," Janet said. "I've had enough books for a little while."

Just then they saw the guys coming back with three bags of groceries. As they put them into the van behind the back seat, Liz asked, "Did you get enough to last til breakfast?"

Charles answered, "We might have to ration it a little, but we'll survive."

Barb had leaned over the back seat and was looking into the bags. "Oh, good, potato salad. And chocolate chip cookies."

"Just hold off until we get there," James said as he climbed into the seat beside her. "You'll see soon enough."

They started out once more and soon were climbing into the mountains. Even though it was more like summer in the lowlands, and though the air was still hot even as they climbed, the woods surrounding the highway looked more like spring. The higher they went, the more obvious this was. After a little while, conversation died down and they settled in for the long ride. Janet leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes. The tension of the last couple of weeks was definitely still there, but she felt herself begin to relax a little and drifted almost into sleep. Vaguely she was aware of some movement and quiet sounds from the back couple of seats, but Charles was driving and she let herself almost doze off.

She came awake as the van slowed and pulled into a rest area. "Pit stop," Charles called. Janet sat up and looked around. It was apparent that the two couples in the rear had been necking and now began to untangle themselves.

Everyone got out and headed for the restrooms. The stop was deserted, which wasn't too unusual for a weekday afternoon. When everyone had come back out and stretched a little, they began to pile back into the van. Charles suddenly tossed the keys to Rick and said, "Here. You drive for a while. You know the directions and, besides, I want a chance to neck, too."

"Sorry," Liz quickly put in. "I'm going up front with Rick.

"I didn't mean with you, Silly," Charles said.

"Oh. My mistake," Liz kidded.

"No, he's definitely mine," Janet said. When there were just the six of them together, Janet didn't mind the direct talk or teasing. She still had a problem with opening up in what she still thought of as "public" - although campus wasn't the same as public - but she could easily trade sexy remarks and jokes with the others without any hesitation.

They pulled out of the rest area and started out again. Janet found Charles hadn't been kidding and was soon lost in a long, deep kiss with him. His hand slipped up between them and covered her right breast through her light shirt. For the next half hour or so they held each other like that, kissing or just snuggling. Finally, Rick said, "I think this is the last town coming up here."

Janet and Charles straightened up a little and Janet became aware that Barb and James in the back seat were doing the same. Through the windshield she could see a couple of houses and then a gas station, a small grocery store, and something that had fishing supplies and bait and might have sold hardware or farm supples. Then the town was past and Rick said, "There should be a road off to the right in a half mile or so."

"There it is," Liz suddenly called and Rick slowed the van and turned onto the narrow strip of asphalt. They followed the winding road for about three and a half miles until it ended in a circular turn around.

There were four small gravel roads leading off from the end of the asphalt. "We're supposed to follow the second one from the right," Rick said. "The cabin should be about 1.2 miles from here." With this he swung the van onto the track and, at about fifteen miles per hour, started down the narrow trail.

The track led through the woods with no sign of civilization except the road itself and a set of wires on poles along side. "Should be almost there," Rick said. "Probably around that turn up there."

The van swung around the turn and emerged into a cleared area. Rick pulled to a stop and everyone climbed out and stared. In front of them was a cabin, all right. If you could really call this building a cabin. It was log construction, but looked in perfect repair. The porch in front ran the width of the building, about forty feet. They could see a large deck behind the building, about half of it enclosed in screen. The entire building was set on a hillside and the rear deck was about ten feet above the ground. A set of stairs led down from the open part of the deck and onto a path which continued on down the hill through a grassy field to end at a wide wood dock at the edge of a lake. Looking out at the lake, Janet decided it must be at least a mile or two long and probably almost a half mile across. She could see no other sign of people and the only structures were a couple of other docks, the nearest nearly hidden behind a point a good half mile distant.

"Is this really the place?" Barb asked. "I mean, we didn't stumble into some millionaire's private estate, did we?"

"Nope, this must be it," Rick said. "There on the porch. See the sign? 'Richardson'" That's Joe's name. If this key fits, we'll know for sure."

The six headed up the front steps and waited while Rick tried the key. It turned without a sound and he opened the door. He turned and grinned at them and they all went inside.

Janet found herself in a large living room facing a huge stone fireplace off to her left. There were two love seats, a couch and several chairs arranged facing the fireplace. She also noticed over to the side of the stonework, a large wood cabinet which probably held the entertainment center. A wide expanse of windows looked out onto the woods and over the lake. Directly in front was a large dining table which could probably seat ten. To the right as she entered she could see through a door to the kitchen. There was a set of stairs just to the left of the door which led up to an upstairs area with a balcony overlooking the large room. The balcony surrounded the room on three sides and two doors stood at the two ends. Janet guessed these led to bed rooms.

The three couples began to explore. The kitchen had new looking appliances: A good sized refrigerator, a gas stove, and a stainless sink. A large bath was located off the kitchen. A second door led from the kitchen through a pantry/storage room and on out onto the covered part of the deck. The two upstairs doors did, indeed, lead to two bedrooms which were located above the screened deck, each with its own bath and shower, each with its own spectacular view of the lake. Even from up here she could only see the two docks she had noted earlier. The rest appeared to be undisturbed woodland.

After wandering around awhile, the guys went out and brought in the groceries and while the girls put stuff away in the kitchen, they returned for everyone's packs. As the men came back in, Liz was reaching for the last small sack. She reached inside and pulled out two bottles of Champagne. "Ah, I see you are planning to get us drunk so we'll let down our inhibitions. Then you'll probably want your way with us, you cads." She spoiled it by not being able to keep a straight face and soon everyone was laughing.

"I didn't think you had any inhibitions, Liz," Barb said. "I doubt if they'd need the Champagne for that."

"Well, whatever the reason, I'm glad they got it," Liz replied. Here, I'll put it in the fridge for later.

The guys had set all the packs in the corner of the living room. "Come on, let's go take a closer look at the lake," Charles called, and everyone headed down the slope out back.

They all gathered on the wood dock, which was nearly twenty feet long and ten wide. "That looks awfully inviting," Barb remarked. "I'd love a swim, but no one said to bring a suit."

"We don't mind," Rick said. "Go ahead."

"I don't think so," Barb replied.

"What's the matter? Never been skinny dipping?" Charles teased. "You can always keep your underwear on." Then he added maliciously, "That is, if you're wearing any."

"You men go ahead if you want," Barb said. Then, looking at Charles, she added, "That is, if you've got the nerve."

The challenge hung in the air for a few seconds and then Rick said, "Come on, guys. Let then stay hot and dry if they want." He started to unbutton his shirt and Charles and James quickly joined him.

Suddenly Liz said, "Oh, what the hell. Come on girls, you aren't afraid to show your tits, are you?" She pulled her tee shirt over her head and her large, firm breasts were suddenly free, standing out from her chest. She made no move to hide them and all three men stared at her. She unfastened the zipper on her shorts and let them drop to the ground, leaving her in only a skimpy pair of bikini panties. She turned to the other two women and said, "Look at them, just frozen there. I guess they're just all talk. Come on, let's the three of us go for a swim."

Barb shrugged her shoulders and began to unbutton her own shirt. Janet hesitated a second and followed suit. This seemed to break the spell and the three men resumed removing their own clothes. Soon the three women were all down to their pants - and none of them wore much in the way of panties: Liz's were typical. They dove off the dock and were followed seconds later by the men. Although they were trying to hide it, Janet - and she was sure the other two - saw that the men all seemed to have something pushing their briefs out. She giggled to herself. At least they couldn't see her excitement.

For the next half hour the six young people splashed around, each of the couples playing a little grab ass and kissing a bit. There was no real sex and soon everyone relaxed and settled down to just have fun. Finally, Liz went back to the edge of the dock. "I don't know about you guys, but the water still seems pretty cold to me." With that she pulled herself up onto the dock and stretched out, face down, in the hot sun. "Ah, that's definitely better," she said. "Now if I just had someone to rub my back."

Rick took the hint and pulled himself out. He moved over and lay down beside Liz and began to rub her back. Soon the other two couples came out and each moved to their own spots in the sun. Janet lay on the warm wood, the hot sun drying her back, and Charles gently stroking her from shoulders to waist. He made no attempt to do anything else, and, in fact, neither did any of the others. They were just six friends relaxing in the sun. They just happened to be nearly naked. Janet was aware of the warm wood surface against her bare breasts, but surprising, wasn't really bothered by the presence of the other two couples. Still a little puzzled by her own reaction, she drifted into a half sleeping state until finally she heard Liz say, "I'm going for one more quick swim and then get back inside. It's beginning to cool off a little.

Janet lifted her head and watched as Liz stood, quite comfortable with her own near nudity, stretched and then dove into the lake. She started to swim out from the dock and Janet looked over at Barb who was also watching Liz. A look was exchanged and almost together the two girls stood, stretched, and followed Liz out into the lake. The men just watched as the three lovely young women swam out and back and then clung to the edge of the dock. Rick suddenly stood and went to give Liz a hand climbing out. Charles and James were only seconds behind him. They picked up their clothes, but didn't put them on and soon all six were climbing the hill back to the cabin.

Once inside the three girls grabbed their packs and headed into the big bath with it's large shower, leaving the men behind. Rick just shook his head and looked at the other two. "Come on, I guess we can use the showers upstairs."

In ten minutes or so everyone - now once again dressed in shorts and shirts - started to drift back into the living room. When everyone was there, Rick said, "I suppose we should pick out rooms so we can get our stuff out of the way. The big couch in here opens out, so we have three rooms. Who wants what?"

"Tell you what," Charles said, "let's draw for them." He pulled a pad of paper from the table top and tore off three small sheets. "I'll mark them 'up-south, up-north, and living room' and we can let the girls draw. He wrote on each sheet and then folded them. Someone handed him a mug and he put the three sheets inside and handed the mug to James who held it out for the women. Liz reached in and drew a paper slip, followed by Janet and Barb.

As they unfolded the sheets, Liz turned towards Rick and said, "Looks like we get the couch, lover. But, then, that means we have the fireplace, too, so I guess that's fair." Everyone moved their things, Janet and Charles to the north room, Barb and James to the south. Liz and Rick moved their packs into the corner of the living room.

"OK," Barb said, "If one of you guys wants to start that nice gas grill I saw on the deck, we'll get some burgers ready." The three women headed into the kitchen and the men started on out towards the deck. In about ten minutes the women carried out the food: potato salad, some fruit, a couple of kinds of chips, and a plate of hamburger patties. Barb took the hamburgers over to the grill while the other two put the rest of the food on the long picnic-type table in the screened part of the deck. They went back inside while James started grilling the meat and soon returned with some cold drinks. "The wine is for later," Barb said as she put the cokes onto the table.

As they ate and watched the sun go down over the lake in a spectacular array of color, the high pressures of finals' week seemed to dematerialize and the tension leaving the six was an almost visible thing. When the food was finished, Barb and Liz cleared the dishes and brought out more coke and chips. Although the cabin was fully equipped with electric lights, they preferred to remain sitting in the growing darkness watching the emerging stars. The woods began to fill with the sounds of the spring peeper frogs and a variety of insects. About nine the moon, now a few days past full, began to rise. When it's light hit the lake's surface, a pearly glow seemed to fill the surrounding forest.

All six were dressed in shorts and light tops. Finally Liz, who was wearing a very short pair of cutoffs and a thin shirt which ended below her breasts leaving some six inches of bare midriff, stood and said, "Well, even if no one else is going to say anything, I'll give you guys two choices: Either we move inside and build a fire in the fireplace or I'm going to go put on some more clothes." Janet and Barb murmured agreement.

Immediately Rick replied, "Definitely a fire."

He was followed hardly an instant later by Charles, "I'll get some wood." and James with, "A fire, by all means."

The three girls laughed and picked up the remaining food and headed inside closely followed by the men.

Ten minutes later as the fire was beginning to take hold Janet was looking through the cabinets next to the fireplace. There was a TV, stereo, and VCR, but there were also a number of other items including cards and some board games. Suddenly she spied a familiar blue box and pulled it out. Turning to the others and holding it up she called, "Hey, guys, look what I found."

The six of them had spent many evenings in answering the thousands of questions contained in the Trivial Pursuit game and they all enjoyed it. Half the fun was in the competition and the other was in the wisecracks they made in response to the questions and answers. Upon seeing the game, everyone made enthusiastic responses. The three men pulled a small, round game table over in front of the fireplace and Janet began to set out the game while Barb and Liz went into the kitchen to get some more snacks. They quickly returned with bowls of chips and nuts as well as six glasses and one of the bottles of chilled Champagne.

They usually played as teams, men against the women, and decided to do the same this time. The first game was closely fought amid storms of laughter and some increasingly ribald comments as the tensions of the last few weeks finally disappeared.

Some time during it, Rick went for the second bottle of wine and, while split between six people, two bottles couldn't have any real effect, it did considerable to relax them. When the girls gave the correct answer to the final question winning the game, the men called for an immediate rematch. Everyone agreed and then, while the pieces were being set up again, Barb said, "We should have a bet to make this more interesting, What would you guys like to loose?"

Charles started, "I doubt if we'll be the ones losing, so what do you suggest?"

The girls had started to put their heads together to come up with a suggestion, when Rick suddenly said, "I've got an idea. Let's play for clothes."

Everyone turned to look at him as, still flushed with the effects of the wine - as was everyone else - he said, "You know. Like strip poker. We'll play short game rules and each time the losing team has to take off an article of clothing."

Liz answered, "We're only wearing three pieces." Everyone had taken off their shoes and socks and were now dressed only in shorts and tops. The third item was underwear, and, as the girls didn't have on bras, men and women were evenly matched.

"That's right," Rick answered. "What's the matter? Didn't mind skinny dipping, but afraid you might lose now?"

Liz turned and looked at the other two women. Slowly she drawled, "Well, how about it girls. Want to see what these guys were hiding this afternoon?"

This seemed to be moving awfully fast to Janet. The six of them had done a lot of things together, but never anything like this. But then they had never been swimming half nude before this afternoon. Janet wasn't sure if it was the wine or, more likely, just the surreal atmosphere of relaxed tensions after the past few weeks of intense concentration, but whatever the reason, the idea excited her. She looked at Barb who seemed to be thinking along the same lines. Then she turned back to Liz and said, "All right, but the loser can't just take it off. He has to stand up and show."

A mild look of surprise crossed Liz's face for a fraction of a second, but then she looked at Barb and got a look of acceptance, if not wild enthusiasm. She turned to the men and, smiling, said, "OK, you guys, it's a bet. We play until one side is stripped all the way down."