A Close Shave - Part 2

A Close Shave - Part 2 [part 2 of 2]
By: JustAskMe (redgimen@yahoo.com)

A Close Shave, Part II

Probably best to read Part 1 first. This is the final chapter of the story.

"Sam, don't say a word."

"You still want to deny that you played personal barber to Missy?" she taunted me.

"I'm serious Samantha. We'll have a nice long talk about all of this after I get rid of Missy, but for now just keep quiet."

Sam looked irritated at my tone, but sat down and finally shut her mouth. I never call her Samantha, largely because she hates it. No doubt there'd be hell to pay once I got back upstairs, but at least she realized I wasn't kidding around.

"Allen, it's rude to keep a guest waiting," my mother called up.

I hustled downstairs, hoping that Sam would stay in my room and keep quiet. Her obvious curiosity about what was going on seemed unlikely to wait long, so I was determined to get Missy out of my house as fast as I could manage.

I can't believe I just fucking said that.

The most beautiful girl in school comes to my house unannounced and all I can think of is getting rid of her. I'm a sick, sick man. Of course the only other thing I could think about her was how close we came to fucking our brains out two weeks ago, and that road was dangerous. If for no other reason than I didn't want my mom to see me sporting a giant erection.

I opened the front door and no one was there.

"We're in the living room, honey."

I walked with trepidation towards my mom's voice and saw that she had not only invited Missy in, but had also gotten her a glass of tea and biscuits, er, cookies. See my grandfather was British and my mom loved having tea. Of course she grew up mostly in the Southern U.S. (long story), so it was Sweet Tea instead of the traditional British ... OK, you can probably tell by my rambling that I was nervous as hell.

"Allen, you never told me that you were friends with Missy," my mom playfully scolded in that way that mothers do when a mate they think is out of their son's league is in the house.

"Well, we, um...," I stammered.

Missy thankfully saved me from having to come up with something between a bald faced lie, and a truth that would make my mother do a spit take on the living room carpet.

"I had a chance to do some modeling last weekend Mrs. Jacobi. It was a great opportunity, but I was soooo nervous about it. Allen really helped to boost my confidence."

"Well that's just wonderful," my thankfully clueless mother enthused.

I should mention that I hadn't really seen Missy up to this point because the couch she was in had its back to me. As I rounded the corner to take a seat in the chair opposite her I found all thoughts of getting rid of her fled immediately because every thump of my escalating heart rate jammed more blood towards my quickly swelling crotch. Luckily my mother was looking at Missy and not me so I was able to adjust myself while sitting to cover my arousal.

The luscious beauty had apparently come from dance class because she was sporting a black leotard that left little to the imagination. Clearly a bra was not part of the equation as I could see her nipples poking out proudly in the cool air of our house. The only other piece of clothing she bore was a pair of should be illegal cut off jean shorts that made Daisy Dukes look like granny panties. When she shifted to either side I caught a glimpse of the slim strip of satiny black covering her pubic mound, and judging from the lack of foliage she had managed to maintain the close shave I gave her, on her own.

Unless she'd gotten help again. Hm, maybe from one of her girlfriends. After cheerleading practice. Or fresh off a hot, sweaty, sexy dance class...down boy! Mom in room. You're supposed to be trying to lose the erection, not take it to new levels of hardness.

The truly amazing thing was how innocent and wholesome Missy made the whole getup look. It should have seemed like hooker chic, but the way she carried herself, even while reclined, made her dangerously tempting look appear to have no intent to cause dirty thoughts. Not that it was working.

"So what brings you to our house today, Missy," my mother asked politely.

"Well I've got a big math test on Monday, and since Allen was so helpful with calming my nerves before the shoot, I was hoping he might help me settle my nerves down once again."

"Isn't that nice," my mother replied. "You were just studying your math upstairs weren't you Allen?"

Uh, no. I wasn't. And my mom knew I never studied on a Saturday. She also didn't know Sam was over because Sam had snuck in through my bedroom window like she's done ever since we met. I was starting to get the feeling she was trying to play pimp for me. And believe me I appreciated having a mom that cool, but since my goal was to get Missy out of the house as quickly as possible, mom's timing was less than ideal.

"Oh great!" Missy enthused. "Can I come up?"

"Um, I wasn't really getting much done, and this new stuff is pretty challenging. Maybe if you let me look everything over tonight and then we could meet up tomorrow or something."

Lame, I know. But I really needed to get some damage control in effect with Sam, and I was terrified of what state they would find my corpse in if Missy suspected I'd purposely shared what happened.

"Stop being modest Allen Thomas Jacobi," Ugh. Thanks mom. "You haven't had trouble with math since, well ever. I need to go run a few errands anyway. This way you can study and not spend another Saturday all alone in your room. Goodness knows you never seem to want to spend time with me anymore."

And then it got worse as mom turned to Missy to conspiratorially share, "I guess as a boy grows up his affection naturally shifts from his mother to other women."

Oh God this was a nightmare. On the plus side, my boner had died along with my pride.

"I know my older brother spent less time with my mom his senior year in high school," Missy helpfully replied. "It was just because he was less comfortable telling her how much he loved her. But he always loved her the most just the same."

"Aren't you the sweetest thing. Allen you ARE going to help Missy with her math or so help me I will disown you."

Missy smiled at me and I swear I felt like a gazelle getting an appraising eye from a lion.

"So," mom said as she got up, "I shouldn't be gone more than three hours, but if you two end up getting hungry and I'm not back, feel free to order some food in. Allen you can use some of my petty cash if you don't have any."

"Mom, it's really not necessary..."

"Not another word darling. Missy I've heard a lot about your dancing, and of course I've seen your cheerleading, but it is so nice to finally meet you."

"You too Mrs. Jacobi," Missy sweetly replied.

And with that my mom grabbed her purse and swept towards the door.

"Have fun studying you two." My mom winked at me. "But not too much fun."

The door closed and Missy jumped up to the window to watch until my mom left. Then she turned to me with a giant grin.

"You're mom is soooo sweet, Allen. It's obvious where you get it from."

"Thanks. Look, it's great to see you, but I'm actually working on a personal project and I won't have time to help you with math today."

Missy's smile got even wider. "You really are dense about some things, aren't you? I didn't come here for math help. I came here to see you. Ever since you shaved me I haven't been able to get the thought of you out of my mind."

That caught me off guard.

"Really?"

Missy stepped closer and slipped her lithe arms around my neck. Leaning in she whispered in my ear, "Really."

Sam waiting impatiently upstairs or not, there are certain situations your body could give a fuck what your mind is thinking and just takes over. My arms encircled that slim waist and our mouths met in a kiss that felt a lot more intimate somehow than the ones we shared while mostly naked the last time. Missy used the fingers of one hand to stroke my neck and gently ran them through my hair. I let my hands drop down to her perfectly sculpted ass and felt her press her body urgently into mine as our kiss deepened.

"I've been able to keep it shaved," she told me, sex dripping from her lips.

Then she took her free hand and pulled one of my wrists around to the front. She quickly unbuttoned her shorts and pushed my hand inside the elastic of her leotard. I was surprised at how wet she was already, but indeed the skin was smooth as silk.

"Do you think I'm doing a good job Allen?"

"Um hm," was all I could muster as we sank into another soul-sucking kiss, and my hand played with the drenched eager folds of Missy's swollen pussy.

It didn't take long before she was thrusting her hips hard as my searching finger teased and toyed with her straining clit. I felt her arms and legs stiffen as her body leaned into me for support and I knew she was about to be rocked with an orgasm right here in the living room of my...

"Allen, stop," Missy breathed heavily as she stepped back from me, panting.

"I'm sorry, did I go to far?" I asked with concern.

"No silly, but I've got plans for you and the living room isn't the best place for them. Let's go up to your room."

I honestly don't know if this was playing out better, or worse than I could have imagined. Missy then ran playfully up the stairs.

"Missy wait," I tried, but failed to delay her.

"Which room is yours?"

I hoped she'd guess wrong and buy me some time, but no such luck. I could see her opening the right(wrong) door as I crested the top. Then I heard confirmation that I was going to be in trouble.

"Oh my God. What the hell is this?"

Girding my loins for the confrontation that was about to happen I soldiered into my room to man up.

"You just didn't give me a chance to tell you that ..."

I looked around my room puzzled because Sam wasn't there.

"Tell me what," Missy asked?

"Uh, nothing. What were you asking me?"

"What the hell is that?"

I followed Missy's finger to my blood spewing K.I.S.S. fountain and breathed a sigh of relief.

"My dad was a huge K.I.S.S. fan, and when he died I wanted something in my room to remember him by that wasn't too morbid."

Where the hell had Sam gone? Did she sneak out? Was she too pissed to stay around and bust my balls about the whole situation? If so I was in major trouble.

"That doesn't strike you as morbid?" Missy looked at me bemused.

"I think it's just kind of silly truthfully, but by morbid, I just meant I didn't want an urn with some of his ashes in it or anything like that."

"How long ago did he..."

"Four years ago," I cut her off. This wasn't a subject I was fond of exploring.

Missy walked over to me and placed her hand gently on my arm.

"I'm sorry, Allen. I can't even imagine." With that Missy hugged me close and I definitely felt a lot better.

"Don't worry about it," I told her.

"I've been wanting to talk to you since the party," she told me with a serious tone.

"I figured. I understand it was a one time deal. I mean if you want to come over and make out occasionally then that's more than fine by me, but I get that anything that happens between us has to stay between us."

"That's not what I meant Allen. It's just that I've always dated within a certain social circle at school and..."

"Missy, really, I get it," I cut her off. Just because I was aware of how high school cliques worked didn't mean I wanted to hear all about how I didn't fit the mold. "Maybe you should just leave and we can leave well enough alone."

I moved to show Missy out, but instead found her body pressed tightly to mine, her tongue plunging down my throat while her hands guided my hands to her beautiful ass. Shocked stupid I just stared at her in my arms when she finally broke the kiss.

"I don't want to see less of you silly. I want to see more. I've been thinking about that night every day since it happened, and I really want to finish what we started," she leveled me with.

You know how people say stupid shit like "I'm still going to go to work" when they win the lotto. Well I was a moment away from joining that category of can't believe my ridiculously good fortune so let me toss out a moronic line.

"You want me to shave your head, too," I grinned.

Missy hit me in the arm. Ow. Girl's got a punch.

"No stupid. I want to have sex with you. You were so amazing, and then when you wouldn't do me even though I told you to, I just couldn't believe a guy that great exists."

"I'd made a promise. I'm sure most guys would have done the same in that..."

"No," she stopped me. "They wouldn't have. And it would have been fine, don't get me wrong. If you've got a woman on her back saying "Fuck me", then fuck her. But you kept my original request in mind even though I changed my mind about what I wanted. That's something special."

I'm pretty sure I was blushing at this point, which was quite a trick given that very little blood was left in my face.

"I'm not asking you to get serious. I'm not even sure exactly what I want between us Allen. But I do know I want you to take those clothes off and lay back. Let me kiss you and suck your yummy cock and fuck your chivalrous brains out. We can figure out the rest of the stuff later."

I don't suppose I have to tell you that this offer was not one I even considered turning down. I was going to lose my virginity to Missy Coverdale in my bedroom. YAY!

I quickly stripped down despite the distraction of drinking in Missy's perfect body while she shed her shorts and shimmied out of that leotard. Gazing at those gorgeous breasts, the subtle swell of her hips, and that glistening quim that I had shaved mere weeks ago had my surging manhood in a state that was approaching painful.

"Lay back, Allen."

Those immediately became the three favorite words I'd ever heard. I wanted to watch what the brunette goddess before me was about to do to my rod, but as soon as her lips engulfed me I had to let me head fall back at the indescribable pleasure coursing through my groin. Up and down, soft tongue licking and curling around my shaft. Her lush tresses tickling my stomach and thighs. Life. Was. Good.

Then she stopped. And sat up. I can only hope women get less confusing to me as time goes on.

"Are you really a virgin?" she asked while steadily letting her fingers drift over my cock.

"Yeah."

"I can't believe no girl's gotten lucky enough to have you yet."

"I'm consistently amazed at that myself," I joked.

Missy fell silent for a moment, and my room seemed to join her as everything in the world became about the feeling of her hand gingerly toying with my virgin staff.

"What about Samantha?"

"Um, what about her?"

"You guys are best friends right?"

"Yeah."

"So why not with her?"

"Because we're too good a friends to risk screwing it up I guess."

"You guess? So you would have had sex with her if she'd been willing?"

"I don't kno...," Missy picked that moment to take me back in her mouth in a manner that was far more effective than sodium pentothal. "Yes, yes I'd have sex with her if she wanted to."

Missy leaned back again and smiled.

"Well, her loss. Better for you though. I mean I don't want to sound conceited but I'm much better looking."

"What!?" I heard shouted from my closet. Fuck! Sam hadn't left.

I can't quite describe how surreal it is to find yourself buck naked on your bed with one gorgeous woman you don't know all that well servicing your cock, while another beautiful creature who is also your best friend charges out with fury in her eyes. But it's really fucking surreal.

"Listen you bitch," Sam fumed. "You're not all that believe me. Hell, you can't even shave your own fucking snatch you stupid whore!"

Naked or not, Missy was not about to be intimidated. She leapt up, leaving me to cover my incongruously happy dick, and try to find protection from the ensuing catfight.

"What do you know about it? What did Allen tell you? What did you tell her Allen?"

Shit, I did not want all this pissed off estrogen focused on me. Luckily Sam stepped in and saved me.

"He didn't tell me a goddamn thing. He wouldn't even share your stupid little secret when I offered to give him some of this prime ass as a prize. So don't you dare get mad at him."

"Prime ass?" Missy countered. "More like fat ass you stupid cow! Who the fuck would be tempted by that?"

Have I mentioned that Sam, confident and sexy as she is, has some serious issues with the size of her ass? I mean, it's perfect, but she used to get teased a lot and those insults can leave pretty deep scars. So I was not at all surprised when Sam hauled back and sent her fist, no girlie slapping here, her fist straight at Missy. I was a bit surprised when Missy deftly blocked the punch and managed to slide her body behind Sam and catch her in a Full Nelson. I have to admit I wasn't getting any less turned on as I watched Missy, naked as you please, manhandling Sam whose shirt was now riding up over her substantial rack. I guess if you're staring at your demise, it might as well be a good show.

Sam finally managed to get one arm free and wrapped it around back trying to pull Missy off of her. The struggle continued like that for a while, when I noticed that Missy was starting to buck and thrash. Following the curve of Sam's arm I realized that she had taken advantage of her assailant's vulnerable state and had slipped her hand between Missy's thighs. Given how turned on Missy was when this all started, it's no surprise that Sam was finding it easy to distract her with some well placed rubs.

What can I say, the girl fights dirty. And it was working. After one particularly large shudder passed through Missy's aching body Sam was able to wriggle free and push Missy back against my wall.

"You filthy, horny slut," Sam fumed as she inspected the womanly juices nearly coating her hand now. I grew slightly concerned when Sam stepped menacingly towards Missy.

"What am I going to do with you?" Sam asked rhetorically.

"I guess you could kiss me," Missy smiled.

Wait.

What!?

The two women within the space of an instant had their limbs entwined again, but definitely not in anger this time. Their mouths seemed eager to crush each other as I caught glimpses of dueling tongues and wandering hands.

"Then I could fuck you," Sam offered as she pulled back slightly.

"Oh God yes, please," Missy whimpered.

Now my brain was of course on total meltdown, but in the best way possible. It was time to stop worrying about what was happening and just go with it. The two girls hugged tightly and turned to me.

"Allen, you've proven that you're a very good boy," Sam threw out.

"And we're going to reward you for that," Missy added.

Don't think. Just pitch.

"What the hell is going on?" I asked for no defensible reason. Dumb ass brain.

ONE WEEK AGO

Missy looked herself up and down in the changing area mirror and smiled. Her first swimsuit of the day was a simple two-piece purple bikini with green stripes, but it showed off her figure to outstanding effect. The lean, toned lines of her dancer's body were made for swimwear, and her proud firm breasts just added more perfection. They weren't quite large enough to be called generous, but they certainly were a far sight more substantial than most women who were as athletic as Missy.

She turned to check out her ass and smiled at the effect of the tight swimsuit bottom snugly shaping her already well formed backside. She knew it'd never have the plate-balancing amplitude of a Vida Guerra, but it fit her frame to a T.

Saving the best for last, Missy pulled up a chair and leaned back in it so she could inspect the womanly intersection between her legs. Her lips curled in a wry grin as she thought of the party and Allen's help getting her into shape for the shoot. Of course she'd had to touch up the job he did that night, but after his expert tutelage it was surprisingly easy. Just thinking about him threatened to get her juices flowing so Missy tried to clinically appraise the area instead of creating an embarrassing situation where one notable part of her suit was darker than the rest.

The skin all looked smooth and clean, almost like that was its natural state. Missy had to laugh knowing full well how much effort it took to tame her wild nether locks. One unexpected effect of the job Allen had done was that she could see just the faintest outline of her lips through the bikini bottoms. She assumed that would get PhotoShopped out if it was too prominent, but she also liked the idea of men and boys straining to determine the difference between shadow and reality as they got excited looking at her pictures.

After all, that is what most bikini shots were for wasn't it? She knew the photographer was legit, having researched his work extensively. She was excited for the opportunity, but also knew full well there were plenty of scams out there looking to trick young women into compromising situations. Do whatever makes you happy Missy felt, but don't be stupid about it.

Besides, a representative from the major department store catalog this shoot was for was on site and seemed to be more nervous about any kind of shenanigans than Missy might have been.

Wonder what the rep would think if she saw Missy right now, legs splayed lewdly causing the bikini fabric to pull tight across her bare center. It would be nice if she could have Allen down there again. She had to wonder if he really was as inexperienced as rumor around the school had it. He'd seemed awfully expert at getting her off for a virgin.

Missy realized that she was getting wet. Not the first time this week that her body started craving the attentions of a boy that until a week ago she'd never thought of as more than a semi-anonymous face in the high school crowd. Maybe she could just ease out of the bottoms quickly and get herself off. It wouldn't take long in her current state, and it might just be what she needed to have an extra glow for the shoot..

Yep, just ease the bikini down over her hips and...

"Missy, you about ready," a voice called from outside her tent.

Ah well, maybe between the next change Missy thought. She pulled her suit back in place and headed out into the mid-morning sunlight. A harried looking assistant gave Missy a quick once over, nodded and shuffled her down towards the beach where the photographer was set up.

The next hour seemed to fly by as little more than a whirlwind of crashing surf, shutter clicks and warm sun. It was a ton of fun to just prance and pose, always trying to hit the exact spot, or look that the photographer wanted. He was definitely not her type, but Missy could see why so many models went for those guys. They were so in control. So commanding, demanding. It was a pretty heady mixture.

Missy had an early call, so she wasn't all that surprised when they sent her to change to see that a number of other models were now milling about. She was surprised to see someone she recognized though. Samantha Swan, a girl whose body had curves like a racetrack was lounging off by herself in a one-piece pink number that made her already pale skin glow. The suit was conservative, but with a girl built like Samantha nothing short of a potato sack was going to look chaste.

"Samantha, what are you doing here?" Missy asked as she ran over to the girl.

Samantha looked embarrassed to be recognized, and the reason was simple. She didn't want anyone at school, especially Allen, to know that she was doing this. She just wanted to make some money and then go about her business. Running into Missy Coverdale at the shoot was not part of the plan.

"Oh, hey Missy. I didn't realize anyone else from school was here," Sam said trying not to sound too pissed off about it.

"Me either! It's kind of cool though. Maybe they'll pair us up."

"It's not that kind of shoot."

"What, no..." a blush shot across Missy's cheeks like a sunrise," I didn't mean it that way. I meant like having us throw a Frisbee or something."

"Relax Missy, I was making a joke," Sam assured her. Although that blush made Sam wonder if the bi- rumors she'd heard about Missy really were true. She'd dismissed them as horny teenage boy fantasy fueled by jealous high school bitches, but perhaps she'd have to re-evaluate.

Sam didn't really like or not like Missy Coverdale. She certainly didn't feel the catty jealousy of most of the women in their school, because Sam knew she had a rocking body of a completely different type. They just lived two completely different lives that would continue to wind their own separate ways as soon as this damned shoot was...

"...and I was wondering if you and Allen are still close?"

What? Sam had barely been listening to Missy's friendly banter, but the mention of Allen caught her ear. Why the hell would Missy be asking about him?

"Uh, yeah. Why?" Sam asked.

"Nothing, I just wondered if he'd said anything to you about me," was the cryptic response.

Like Nancy Drew, Sam knew when something was up, and also could not let a mystery go. Plus she thought wryly, there was the added bonus that she could legally have sex. Stay on target Sam. What's going on between Missy and Allen.

Sam had learned early that if someone thought you knew something, the more evasive you were in your answers the more they would tell you in order to get you to admit what you "knew".

"We talk about so many things it?s hard to remember. Was there something in particular?"

The suspicious and embarrassed look on Missy's face made Sam's heart sing a little.

"Oh I don't know. I saw him at Marcus' party last weekend. I thought he might have said something to you."

"Hmm."

Missy studied Sam's face for a few moments, trying to read the inscrutable expression. Sam was doing her best to go over the ingredients of her favorite cereal to keep her face randomly engaged, but Missy read it as more of a Mona Lisa smile.

Suffice to say Missy sucked at poker.

"He told you didn't he?" Missy whispered.

"Even if he did, I certainly couldn?t admit it could I?" Sam decided to gamble.

"I knew it was too good to be true." Missy huffed.

Sam was surprised to see that Missy looked genuinely put out, but also, almost broken-hearted. Naw that had to be wrong. Certainly not about Allen.

"You didn't tell anyone did you?" Missy inquired pleadingly.

"I'm not a gossip no matter what information I'm privy to," Sam replied non-committally.

"Samantha, we need you down at the water," a voice interrupted.

Perfect timing as far as Sam was concerned. Let Missy stew for a bit. Plus she needed some time to piece things together.

"We need to talk when you're done," Missy insisted.

"OK. Wish me luck," Sam offered happily as she danced off down the beach. She did love a good mystery.

2 HOURS LATER

The shoot went better than Sam could have imagined. The warm sun felt delicious mixed with the rough wet sand and slightly cool ocean. She'd done some solo shooting but then got paired with another model who seemed more than happy to push the envelope for this "family friendly" catalogue shoot. Playful kisses and little tickles and squeezes became a slow turn on for Sam during the hour they shot together.

She wasn't even into girls so much as being into people being into her. The mere fact that this chick wanted Sam got Sam horny. Not that she was unfamiliar with how quickly her body responded to the right stimulus. They say that men are like a light switch when it comes to sex, and women are like a crock pot, but Sam could personally testify that there were exceptions to that rule. She got revved hard and fast, and had gotten into more than one situation that she regretted in the morning when a little alcohol impaired her judgment just enough to let her body reach a boiling point from which there was no turning back.

Fortunately those had mostly happened at college parties to which she had no shortage of invites given her shapely form and open mind. The only one she'd almost lost it with in high school was Allen, and there was no fear of him sullying her reputation because he was as close a thing to a real gentleman as Sam believed existed in the world.

Allen probably didn't even know that on three different occasions he'd nearly lost his virginity to his best friend, but Sam knew all to well that Allen had a natural gift for finding the spots on a woman that made her most likely to do whatever he wanted. He'd probably be better than the four other lovers she'd had actually, but somehow it felt more special to Sam that their friendship had never gone there. She'd have likely been willing, even eager if Allen ever pressed the issue, but for now she enjoyed having a friend who didn't just see curves and lips.

Speaking of which, Sam's mind drifted back to the feel of her model/partner's teasing exploration of her curves and lips when the photographer changed film and lenses to prepare their last shot. It had all been pretty innocent technically up until that point, but when Sam and this dark Greek enchantress with no name splashed their way into slightly deeper water the sneaky vixen swung around Sam and embraced her from the back, kissing lightly on the nape of Sam's neck at a spot that always made her want to explode.

Taking the sigh from this Teutonic goddess as a green light, the temptress slid one hand down to cup Sam's thong exposed bottom while slipping her other hand to the front. Her finger delicately dove under the fabric and found her prey's engorged clit nestled between slick lips.

Sam had been caught off guard by the kiss on her neck, nearly paralyzed with the feeling for a few moments, and before she could recover, or register any form of shock, she felt those fingers assault her pearl. While this was not what Sam had expected on the shoot, she was certainly not one to deny herself pleasure. It felt good, and it was already happening, so fucking go with it was her attitude. Especially as she felt the first trembling in her stomach of an orgasm gathering like a storm.

Pushing her further onward was the insistent pressure against her back entrance as Greek model girl pulled up on her thong, causing it to press tightly into her crevice. This had always been a sensitive spot for Sam and the mixture of sensations was driving her wild. One of these days she was definitely going to try anal sex, but hadn't worked up the nerve for that quite yet.

Still the dual fore and aft dexterity being applied to her lower half was overwhelmingly tasty. So much so that Sam felt herself beginning to crest even sooner than usual. Perhaps there was something to be said about a woman's knowledge of a woman's body. With steadily increasing breaths Sam clenched against the massive forces building up inside her when...

"Back to work you two."

They got fucking interrupted. It looked like everyone on the beach had been too wrapped up in their jobs to take notice of what the duo had been perpetrating. It struck Sam as funny and sad that anyone could be THAT busy. Primarily though she felt ready to collapse from her need to cum. She was not a girl who liked waiting, or being unfulfilled. Tragically the last shot with her Mediterranean mama was captured quickly and Sam was told she was done for the day. The other model had to stay out for her solo shots, so that little adventure was at an end. The girl blew a kiss and winked as Sam walked back over to the changing tents.

Only after she neared them did the remembrance of her Missy mystery pop back into her head, and while it didn't replace a good long satisfying orgasm, Sam was suitably delighted to have something to look forward to.

The only problem was that she couldn't find Missy. Missy who had seemed so eager to talk was gone as near as Sam could tell, and was able to quickly verify at the model's sign out sheet. What a bummer of a fucking day. At least she could look forward to getting home, taking a nice long shower and addressing the urgent wetness between her legs. Sam grabbed her bag and almost missed the scrap of paper that fell out and drifted down to the floor.

- SAM, COME STRAIGHT TO MY HOUSE WHEN YOU'RE DONE WITH THE SHOOT. I'LL HAVE PIZZA AND MARGARITAS WAITING. WE REALLY NEED TO TALK

MISSY -

Well this was a fine pickle. Sam hated to be told what to do, and she really wanted to get home, get showered and get off. But she also had a mystery to solve, one that involved her best friend and the most popular girl in school. Apparently the secret was big enough that Missy needed some liquid courage to discuss it. So despite being mildly put out, Sam realized that her mouth was watering at the prospect of what she might discover more than her nether regions were soaked with need.

MISSY'S HOUSE

Sam arrived at Missy's doorstep and knocked. Her body was on fire between the excitement at the end of her shoot and the thrill of being onto a big secret. What Sam said about not being a gossip was true, but she had an insatiable desire to know about everything, especially the things that no one told others about. Besides, if something had happened between Missy and Allen that her best friend had decided to keep from her than she just HAD to know. And extract suitable punishment of course. Allen should know better.

It was less easy to think with the thrill of the chase and her surging hormones filling her ample body, so Sam's plan was simple. Be aggressive from the start, bluff that she already knew, and get Missy to spill the beans quickly. It would be too easy to get distracted otherwise, and Sam had no idea how much time she'd have any way.

That was the plan at least.

The door opened and Sam found herself pulled in quickly by Missy. The brunette beauty had a towel wrapped around her, a drink in one hand and a mischievous look on her face.

"Geez, what's the rush Missy?"

"I'm trying out a new swimsuit and I don't want the neighbors to see. Check it out."

Missy shucked the towel wrapped around her body to the ground and left Sam in stunned silence at the obscenely tiny, barely there bikini. It was clearly one of those microkinis she'd almost had to buy and wear to the beach after a bet with Allen that she couldn't hold her breath for two minutes. Instead Allen found himself stuck in a banana hammock for one excruciatingly embarrassing summer day. It was one of Sam's favorite memories because Allen rarely went into the water, but spent all day splashing around with her to avoid being out in the open with his bait and tackle on clear display.

The whole suit was a simple white, but the top essentially consisted of dental floss and Band-Aid sized fabric. Not only did it expose the full swell of Missy's lovely breasts, but also did nothing to hide her semi-erect nipples. The bottom, if possible, was even less substantial. It wasn't even big enough to call a g-string as the thinnest possible strips formed the thong and the patch "covering" Missy's mound really only covered a little bit more than her actual lips. The outer swell of Missy's womanhood was clearly visible. Sam had to admit that the outrageously inappropriate outfit was also sexy as hell on Missy's toned and flawless body. A brief stab of jealously ran through her before she regained her bearings and remembered why she was here.

"That's quite a swimsuit Missy."

"I know," she gushed. "I got it on a dare but never had the guts to wear it. I promised myself that since I have the house to myself until tomorrow that I'd wear it around and try it out. You don't mind do you?"

"Of course not, but I'm here to talk about you and Allen, not swimsuits right?"

"Right, right," Missy answered dismissively. "Go upstairs to shower and then come join me in the Jacuzzi out back."

"Look Missy, I really can't stay that long so why don't we..."

"Here, have a margarita. The pizza's on its way."

Sam did not like being told what to do at all. She was about to give Missy a firm piece of her mind to regain control of the situation when Missy fixed her with a serious stare.

"Sam, don't try to rush off. You seem to know my secret, and I certainly know yours, so let's get to know each other a little better and discuss how to handle our shared knowledge," Missy said in a tone that was clearly not a request.

Oh shit Sam thought. Missy must have seen her with that Greek girl. So with a forced grin she took a big swig of the margarita. Oh man that was strong, and good!

"Alright, have it your way."

Missy clapped and hugged Sam tightly. Then she sauntered off into the back, presumably to get into the Jacuzzi while Sam headed up stairs to wash the sand and salt from her very weird day off her body.

Missy listened for the start of the shower and then snuck up stairs. She had been crushed at the beach when she thought Allen broke his promise, but the more she thought about it the less she believed it. Especially since Sam hadn't made any comment about Missy's obviously well shaven pubic region when she showed off her ridiculously small bikini. Missy knew she was taking a risk by pushing things in this direction, but after the near orgasm she witnessed Sam have at the shoot she had leverage.

What Missy hadn't expected was the arousal she felt at making a power play against one of the smartest girls in school. A girl with a body that Missy could hardly believe existed outside of men's magazines. The mixture of thinking about Allen, already being on her second strong drink and the thought of all those soaped up curves in her shower right now threatened to make her forget her goal.

But determined to see this out Missy crept into the bathroom and grabbed Sam's discarded clothes, leaving only a shear sarong for the girl to wear when she emerged. Her plan in place, Missy snuck back downstairs just in time to pay for the pizza from an open mouthed young delivery guy. Then she headed out to the Jacuzzi to soak in the warm jets while she waited.

Sam found herself a lot hornier than she'd realized when she slipped under the soothing warmth of the shower. It was one of those wide heavy jet heads that just caressed your body and made you want to melt. Typically these types of showers made her want to finish up and take a nice long nap, but her body was so damn keyed up from the days excitement that instead of relaxation she found another source of wetness emanating from her core.

If only there was a matching detachable shower head then Sam knew she could get herself off in minutes and then get focused back on how to handle things if Missy had indeed seen her romp with the other model today. Instead she ended up getting lost in the sensation of rubbing body scrub and a scrunchy all over her very excited form. In fact she started to wonder if she'd ever spent this much time cleaning her volumous chest before. The slick feel of running her hands over those soapy mountains was so much more pleasurable than she'd allowed herself to self explore in the past.

As nice as it felt, it wasn't until she made the mistake of running her fingers over her engorged nipples that Sam felt her knees nearly buckle. She'd never thought of herself as having particularly sensitive breasts, but right now they were throbbing like they had a direct connection to her clit. Each tug and pinch of the erect nubbins sent waves of pleasure cascading throughout her body, and to one area in particular.

Detachable showerhead or no, Sam was going to have to take care of the fire between her legs or she'd be completely unable to think straight. With urgent care she thrust one hand between her thighs as the other continued it's wet, sudsy assault on her chest. Within seconds she felt her legs begin to tremble and her whole body shake as an orgasm hours delayed simply consumed her body. She felt a pressure unlike any she'd ever felt in her tunnel and then a jet of wetness splashed out of her body.

Overcome Sam slid to the floor of the rough tiled shower, her hand still vigorously frigging her button. It was only seconds later when she felt another surge of unrelenting bliss tear her apart and send hot lusty juices splashing into the air again.

Sam laid there, water descending over her god sent form and tried to catch her breath, but realized her hips were still pumping urgently at her now plunging fingers. It seemed impossible to her that she still needed more, but her body was not concerned with anything other than the pure bliss of this unmatched experience as she felt the tightening in her loins start again. Nearing the point of exhaustion Sam attacked herself with all the strength she could muster and then felt it, like a whirlpool drawing her down into depths unimagined, only to be followed by a volcanic explosion, her voice crying out in nothing but a guttural scream of pleasure.

"AhhhhhhhooohhhhhhhhgooooodddddddddffCCCCCCKKKKKKKKIIIIIINNGNGNGGGGHAHAH HHHH!!!!!!!!"

Weak and depleted Sam got herself up after a few paralyzed minutes and did her best to wash away the evidence of what she had just done. It took most of her will power to turn the jets off and step out so that she could dry off with one of Missy's luxurious towels. The soft smooth fabric cooled her skin and helped her regain some sense of composure.

Until she looked over and saw that Missy must have come in during the shower because Sam's clothes were gone and all that was left for her to wear was a light maroon sarong. Fuck. Had Missy heard her? Set her up? Sam did not like being the one wondering what the other person knew. But she had made her bed and the only way to find out what was going on exactly was to lie in it. She wrapped the admittedly beautiful garment around her body.

It clung seductively to her curves. And the loose feeling of no undergarments brought fresh awareness to Sam's growing nipples and still hungry center. Shit, this was getting out of control. She took a long drink of her margarita, steeled her nerves and headed downstairs to join Missy by the Jacuzzi.

Missy almost clapped to herself when she saw Sam come outside, body bound by nothing but the tiny wrap she'd left in the bathroom. The way it molded to Sam's still slightly damp body was as beautiful a sight as she'd seen in some time. If they were going to play mind games then Missy wanted Sam feeling as vulnerable as possible. Plus it came with the added benefit that she could check out that amazing shape. Missy considered herself opportunistically bi-sexual, and she certainly didn't mind the thought of this turning into an opportunity.

With the practiced grace of her dancer's body she slipped the nearly empty glass from Sam's hand and quickly gave her another, slightly stronger margarita.

"Do you want some pizza?" Missy asked.

"I'm not that hungry right now," Sam told her.

Sam had noticed the nice move Missy pulled off in getting her another drink. And a quick sip confirmed what she had expected. This one was stronger. The clever bitch was trying to get her drunk. Another sip and Sam thought wryly to herself that the Missy's plan was working.

As Sam considered what to say next she found that another surprise awaited her.

"So I guess Allen told you he shaved my pussy huh?" Missy blurted out as she dropped her miniscule bikini bottoms to the ground.

Sam did a movie quality spit take as she was truly caught off guard for maybe the fifth or sixth time in her life.

"What?!" Sam blurted out.

"Guess not," Missy grinned. "I thought you might have been playing me earlier."

Sam wasn't about to try and recover from the obvious exposure of her ploy. But she sure as hell was going to find out how this chick ended up getting her kitty trimmed by HER Allen.

"Allen. Allen Jacobi shaved you?"

"Yep. Hey you're not jealous are you? I thought you two were just friends."

"No I'm, I mean we're just...why did you need Allen to shave you?"

Sam was surprised to discover she WAS a bit jealous. Not that she had any physical claim to Allen, but there weren't too many girls that Sam seriously considered hotter than herself so she felt on some level that she was the best Allen could get in no consequences fantasy land. But if he was hooking up with Missy Coverdale, or even ugh, sleeping with her, that meant her gentle friend could easily get distracted into drifting away.

God, in the space of 30 seconds she was turning into some neurotic teenybopper. Unacceptable Samantha Jane Swan. Get it together. Especially since Missy was clearly no pushover in the brain department and Sam was not ready to field more questions about how she felt towards Allen right now.

"I knew he was too sweet to break his word," Missy smiled.

"He's a real gentleman."

"You have no idea how right you are."

What the hell did that mean Sam wondered?

"So if this is supposed to be a big secret between you two, why did you tell me?" Sam queried. "You could have easily tripped me up without telling the truth."

"Yes, but I've been dying to talk to somebody about what happened. It was soooo hot. Plus I saw that model frigging you at the beach so I know my secret is safe with you."

"Good point. So what did happen?"

"Let's get in the Jacuzzi and I'll tell you all about it."

Missy shed her top and lithely sprung into the churning water. Clearly she knew Sam didn't have a suit and did not view that as sufficient reason to avoid the hot tub. Fuck it Sam thought. She had a great body, and if Missy was going to lounge in her birthday suit then Sam was not going to be outdone. With a quick tug she let the sarong drift to the ground and strode over, naked and proud, to get in.

"Wow, I knew you had a nice body Sam, but really, you're gorgeous."

Maybe it was just the hot water mixed with the alcohol streaming through her system, but Sam felt a slight blush redden her cheeks at the compliment.

"Thanks Missy. You too."

As Sam sat she noticed a subtle movement of Missy's hips just under the water that made her wonder what the girl was doing. It became clear as soon as Sam settled though, because she felt the hard pressure of the underwater jets strike her exposed backside and all those feelings of urgent arousal from earlier returned with a vengeance. A bit shocked she lifted her hips slightly and it was the exact motion she saw Missy engaged in.

What now caught Sam's attention was the rush of pressure between her slightly parted legs. The warm jet caressed her lips, swollen and parted from her vigorous shower session. The stream of teasing pressure caused a deep sense of need to begin its slow growth through Sam's body. Judging by the look on Missy's face she was experiencing a similar awakening.

As strong as the sexual urge is in human beings. There is always a point where you decide to either go with the situation or walk away from it. It's never a specific physical act, rather a desire point. A recognition that if you go any further, or stay any longer, then your want will overcome any other consideration. Sam knew her body and knew this truth more consciously than most.

At that point she finished her margarita, sat back down to revel in the sensation of water pushing hard against her back entrance, and fixed Missy with a comfortable smile.

"So tell me all about what happened."

"Well, I was at Marcus' party and I was freaking out because I knew the shoot was coming up..."

Thirty minutes later Missy finished relating the night's events and both girls felt their bodies, high off the alcohol, heat, pulsing jets and sexy tale ready to explode. At some point before the climax of the story Sam's fingers had made their way between her legs and began slowly teasing her straining clit. The other hand split time between twisting her eager nipples and slipping into her drenched center.

From the occasional breaks in Missy's storytelling it was obvious she was also pleasuring herself under the water.

"That is the hottest thing I've ever heard," Sam breathlessly admitted. "I can't believe Allen didn't fuck you on the spot."

"I was kind of mad in the moment. I mean how could he say no to this. But your best friend may be some sort of sexual savant because I haven't been able to get him out of my head for that very reason. I gotta tell you I want to fuck him so bad my body hurts."

"I'm pretty tempted to go right over there and fuck his brains out myself."

"Hey, I got him first," Missy laughed while playfully splashing Sam.

She then slid over and pinned Sam to the Jacuzzi wall, reaching back to spread Sam's ass open and allow the full force of the jets to blast her dark hole. Sam's body immediately stiffened under the assault and she felt yet another orgasm building within. Missy let go of one cheek and reached between Sam's legs to lightly dance over her parted lips.

Sam wrapped her arms around Missy's neck and pulled the brunette beauty to her. Their searching lips found each other and locked together in an intimate kiss. The soft exploration of mouth and tongue was accompanied by a slow escalation in the urgency of their movements together. Hands and fingers pushed and pulled, tugged and twisted, flicked and rubbed in a way that neither girl had ever experienced before.

Soon Sam felt Missy's body press hard against her as an inevitable orgasm washed over that beautiful, lean dancer's body. The tone and musculature of her youthful athleticism pulsed in blissful contentment. That was until she became so overcome with the opiate like joy coursing through her veins that Missy collapsed onto Sam, plunging her finger deep into Sam's core as a result and setting off a similar chain reaction in Sam's overheated being.

As the girl collapsed on her and Sam felt that final thrust of unspeakably deep penetration her mind blanked. It seemed possible that she was headed for an out of body experience at the hands of another woman, but just as quickly as she felt herself departing, every bit of Sam's excited libido was drawn sharply back into her tunnel, inflaming her from womb to swollen lips, followed by a rushing of fluid that dwarfed her earlier session in the shower.

Missy actually found herself thrust backwards by the strength of Sam's bucking core. The curvaceous blond goddess almost looked like a seizure had overtaken her as she somehow ended up on her back on the wooden deck surrounding the Jacuzzi. Her feet dug into the planks and her whole body lifted into the air, leaving only her head and feet to touch the earth.

Spent as Missy was she couldn't help but gape in wonder as Sam's heavenly body tried to ascend from its mortal coil, and then exploded in a sight that both shocked and turned Missy on more than anything she'd ever seen. Jets of fluid shot out of Sam's quivering hole with a force that seemed hardly natural. A fountain of lust and passion rained down on both of them while Sam's glowing form convulsed in slowly diminishing aftershocks.

Both women laid back trying to catch their breath.

It was Missy who moved first, pouring herself a fresh margarita and quickly devouring a piece of the pizza that ?til now had been sorely neglected. After a minute or so she felt soft hands embrace her from behind causing a smile to ride across her face.

Missy turned and kissed Sam lightly on the lips.

"That was amazing. I've never seen anything like it," Missy admitted.

"I've never felt anything like it," Sam grinned.

Sam also got herself another drink and some pizza. After some time to enjoy the afterglow she looked over at Missy with an unspoken question behind her eyes.

"Ah yes," Missy exhaled. "What should we do about Allen?"

"Got any ideas?" Sam asked.

"Maybe one or two..."

PRESENT - ALLEN'S ROOM

"We've decided it's time for you to lose your virginity, Allen," Sam shared.

We?? We!! Wheeeeeee!

"Now you're getting this treat because you are such a gentleman Mr. Jacobi," Missy smiled. "But that doesn't mean we want a gentleman right now. You've got two hot women ready to fuck your ever loving brains out, so let's not have any protests."

"I feel like the luckiest guy who ever lived," I admitted honestly.

They both looked at each other and smiled.

"That's the right answer," said Missy.

She sinuously detached herself from Sam and took my angry red cock back into her mouth. It was heaven as her velvety tongue swirled around my glans and then sunk all the way down until my shaft was totally engulfed in warm, wet sensation.

I would have closed my eyes at that point, but Sam had now sidled over to me and let her long blond locks tickle my chest while her hand playfully rubbed and pinched my nipples.

She leaned further over and whispered in my ear, "Is this alright?"

"Um hm," was all the response I could muster.

Sam smiled and leaned in, allowing her lips to lightly brush mine. I reached up with one hand to stroke her hair while my other wandered to her perfectly outstanding ass. Sam broke the kiss and leaned her head back for a moment. I took the opportunity to kiss her neck on a spot that I had discovered in middle school made her knees quake. She'd never let me touch it again after that. Until now.

As soon as my lips brushed that spot her body stiffened slightly and then she attacked me. That first light kiss was all but forgotten as Sam thrust her mouth upon mine, kissing me hard and deep while pressing her substantial chest hard into my body.

It was at this moment that Missy decided to start sliding her hand up and down my slick rod at the same time as her mouth worked its magic. The pleasure nearly overtook me, but as though she sensed I needed some distraction, Sam swung one leg over my face and brought her swollen folds right down over my mouth. I was way too turned on for subtlety, and after licking her from top to bottom a couple of times I latched on to her clit and began sucking and licking as hard as I could.

Obviously Sam was as turned on as I was because it didn't take long before I felt her body shaking over my face. She seemed to collapse forward, likely ending up with her head down near Missy's current assignment, but I couldn't tell for sure because Sam's beautiful ass was staring me right in the face.

The female backside that I had wanted to play with for as long as I had wanted to play with girls was now hovering over my face and subject to my whims. Unable to resist I pulled those gorgeous cheeks apart and stuck my tongue right into her sensitive backside crevice.

I felt Sam jump a bit at the unexpected intrusion, but then she pushed back at me, and I took my time exploring her dark center. A second mouth started to work my dick and I was completely lost in the moment. So much so that as I plunged my tongue into Sam's ass, and felt her respond by taking me down her throat, I didn't even have time to warn her before I unleashed my seed straight into her waiting mouth. Luckily Sam didn't seem to mind as I felt her throat contract and pulse around me, trying to draw all of it down.

I slipped two of my fingers into her open tunnel as she continued to milk my cock dry, unsatisfied with anything other than every last drop being hers.

The addition of my fingers quickly brought Sam to the edge again, but before I could get her off she dismounted and joined Missy at the foot of the bed. Both ladies looked at me with Cheshire grins and then took each other into a passionate embrace, letting their tongues duel aggressively while their hands rubbed each other, my legs, and occasionally checked in with my semi-deflated cock.

It didn't take long for the Sapphic show at my feet to get my blood flowing south again. In fact I was hard for a good couple of unattended minutes while these two beauties got lost in each other and forgot all about me. What the hell I figured, might as well enjoy the show, but as soon as I reached down to stroke my cock it seemed Missy sensed I had sprung back to life.

"Ooo, looks like he's ready for some more Sam."

"Sure does," my until recently mostly platonic friend replied.

"Sam and I flipped for it Allen. You're going to fuck me first."

"You lost the coin flip, eh?" I joked.

"Hardly," Sam replied. It almost looked like a flash of regret passed over her face.

"Don't worry," Missy added," You'll be making out with Sam the whole time. Nobody gets left unattended at this party."

And so Missy situated herself on my bed letting her legs hang over the side. Sam placed herself on Missy's chest, but facing me. She could move forward a bit for kissing, or move backwards a bit to get some service from Missy. Like I've said - clever girl. I guess I should have been nervous as I prepared to lose my virginity, but the day had already gone so far out of bounds that I was just going with it at this point.

I lined myself up and slowly slid into a velvety grip that defied every expectation I'd managed to come up with. If you've felt it then you know what I'm talking about. If you haven't, well I highly recommend you go get some because it's the best feeling I've ever known. Except for what happened next.

As I softly thrust into Missy's core, and her appreciative moans reverberated in the room, Sam leaned forward and kissed me in a way that shot straight through my soul. Pressing back she looked me in the eye seriously.

"No matter what Allen, I love you."

"I love you too Sam."

And it was true. When Sam kissed me again it was more than just lust or love, it was a promise. A promise that there may always be other people, but we would always be together in a way that no one could separate.

Then Sam pushed her herself back towards Missy's mouth and grinned at me.

"Enough of this mushy shit. You better fuck this girl hard Allen. She wants it bad."

I didn't need to be told twice and began thrusting harder and harder into Missy's slick folds. My earlier orgasm gave me enough control to avoid losing it immediately, although at this pace I certainly wasn't going to last very long.

It sounded like that wouldn't be a problem though, because Missy, even with her voice was muffled by Sam's womanhood, was clearly reaching a fever pitch. She began thrusting her hips back at me, easily matching my intensity. I pumped, Missy humped, and Sam bumped up and down as the three of us somehow connected on a matching rise to release.

I felt the explosion start when the delicate walls of Missy's slick tunnel started to flutter and clench my thrusting cock with the most amazing pressure I'd ever felt in my life. The grip increased exponentially in intensity and soon I felt like I was being sucked into her body, as though her coming orgasm would force my to physically become one with her. Her body began a mad convulsion of pleasure which caused her ministrations on Sam's clit to grow with each passing moment. The rictus of joy on Sam's face was incredible and only became deeper as each second took us all to greater and greater heights.

And my own urgent need felt like a flood ready to burst. When it happened, I swear that angels sang. Missy nearly flew into the air when the first hot streams of my cum blasted her inner walls. At the same time Sam leaned forward, bucking and thrusting her hips up and down as her whole body was consumed with pleasure. I continued to shoot load after load into the dream like vice of Missy's flaming center as she pulled and milked me for every last drop I could provide.

It seemed to go on forever and ever, my cock pulsing liquid fire, Missy thrashing about as she drank it all in, and Sam, dear Sam, lifting her head to mine and pulling me into a kiss that defied the best of the ages as I felt the whole of her exploding magnificence pulse into my body. Three beings completely and perfectly combined as our bodies found the ultimate release with each other. We had no choice but to ride this unstoppable wave of pleasure together, castaways on a sea of fulfillment, partners in what felt like the best orgasm the world had ever known.

And then we collapsed. Three sweaty, spent bodies thrown together like driftwood. Enveloped in an afterglow that almost eclipsed the physical experience. I'm not sure how long we lay there, but I do know it was Sam who finally broke the silence.

"Missy, I don't think I want to share Allen anymore," she said matter of factly.

3 MONTHS LATER - EPILOGUE

Sam rested her head gently on my shoulder as we looked up at the stars from my front porch.

"Allen, do you ever wish it was me that you lost your virginity to?"

I smiled as this was a question Sam had asked at least once a week since that one amazing day the three of us shared.

"Of course baby. But you guys didn't exactly give me a choice."

"I know. At least the way it worked out I got to have you all to myself the first time we made love."

Missy had been surprisingly cool at Sam basically kicking her out of my bed that day. We all remained friends, in the way that you can only be with someone that you've shared a life changing experience with. The first time with Sam had been wonderful, as had every time since. Nothing particularly acrobatic, or even all that creative I suppose, but the joys of exploring