I sucked in my gut for the upteenth time trying to get to the laces 
on the back of my boustier. Finally after some grunts and groans of 
struggle, I gave up, blowing hot air in a puff of wind that blew a 
few strands of hair from my face. I scolded my reflection in the 
mirror, "How in the WORLD were women able to get INTO these buggers 
for centuries?" Someone cleared their throat behind me and I whirled 
to find Jean-Claude watching, leaned up against the door jam. "They 
had handmaidens to help them as I recall." His voice was soft 
rippling across my skin making me shudder involuntarily. I would have 
told him to stop it, but it wouldn’t have helped, so I didn’t bother. 
Besides, that was the voice we WANTED him to use tonight. He was 
emceeing our bachlorette party for Kash. Couldn’t think of anyone 
better….well…I could, but he was already tied up in Best man duties. 
That was the story anyway and I was sticking to it.

Jean-Claude gestured with an elegant hand, "May I?" I sighed, 
resigned to my fate, and turned back towards the mirror, "Please." He
walked up behind me and began lacing me up as expertly as if he’d 
been doing it all his life. I know. He probably HAD. "I think you boys
like these lace things just BECAUSE you get the opportunity to do the 
lacing." I accused his reflection, to which he smiled. He leaned down
and whispered in my ear while his dark curls tickled my heek, "You’ve 
found me out, mademoiselle." That made us both chuckle. "Still, it
suits you quite well. I wanted to inspect it for myself to see if the 
alterations came out as I had planned. I see that they are perfect…
and that you are most becoming indeed." I scrutinized his eyes at 
that moment. I don’t know why I bothered…even with my new senses, I 
could never tell when Jean-Claude was lying through his teeth unless 
he wanted me to. Asher sometimes…but never Jean-Claude. He was the
ultimate master of guile. He finished the laces just then and I 
turned, "Do you REALLY think so? You’re not just saying that because 
of Asher?"

In response, I saw a wave of unabashed lust wash over his gaze that 
took my breath away before he once again regained his steadfast
composure, "Ma Belle Minot. It is because of Asher that I did not say 
so before. I REALLY think so." He assured me, even as he held my
hips between his hands. When I said nothing further, he lowered his 
nose until he could capture my gaze, "Am I forgiven then, cherie?" I
nodded and stared at him for a few moments more, mesmerized by those 
deep blue eyes. I loved the color of sapphire. His cologne began
to irritate my sensitive nose however and with a sudden caught 
breath, I remembered myself and turned back around to gaze in the 
mirror. I straightened the boustier and smoothed the leather down my 
legs. "Do you think he’ll like it?" I asked, turning the 
conversation. Jean-Claude stood close behind me, gazing at the outfit 
in the mirror. Almost unconsciously, I leaned back against him and he 
wrapped his arms around my torso, "I KNOW he will." He answered. I 
smiled, "Just don’t tell him you helped me get into it." I 
grinned, "He gets so possessive sometimes. ." JC gave me a little 
squeeze before releasing me. "I remember," he said softly as he 
turned. "Not that I’m complaining mind you. Its nice really to have 
someone to want me that much." I stated, covering my bum just a tad 
against any possible offense that might get back to Ash.

"Almost time?" I looked over my shoulder at him. He nodded, "I’ll 
just check to see if the gentlemen are all ready…and nobody has," he
gave me a conspirator smile, "bolted." I laughed at that last comment 
as he left. I KNEW Esther was probably re-thinking the whole pink
idea as we spoke. I’d met her a couple hours earlier in front of the 
club and she’d absolutely refused to walk through the doors unless I
promised no pink "Little Bunny Foo-Foo" costume. So I made a deal 
with her. If she helped me present one of Kash’s bridal shower gifts
tonight, I’d let her off the hook with the bunny outfit. She agreed. 
Sucker! I had actually never planned to set her up in the bunny 
outfit, but the ruse worked wonderfully to get her into doing what I 
really wanted her to do. I mentally patted myself on the back for my 
ingenuity.

About that time, Tamara strode up behind me, "Wow. Damn Gigs. That 
outfit looks fantastic on you!" she exclaimed. I did a twirl for her. 
I was feeling good. I was feeling powerful. I was feeling sexy. 
Growl! It was about time too. Ever since I’d been ‘infected’, I had 
been working hard to adjust to my new life as a tiger. I had buckets 
of energy all of a sudden. I could hear things I’d never heard 
before. I could see for miles in the pitch dark just as if it were 
bright as day. I could smell. Well, that one wasn’t so great. You 
know, people really SHOULD shower at LEAST once a day. Peuw! My 
biggest problem had been controlling my strength. I’d pulled 
doorknobs off of doors.  Punched holes into walls. I’d broken more 
glasses than I could count on fingers and toes. I was TERRIFIED to 
touch my son. I think after this whole wedding ordeal was over, I was 
going to seriously consider buying up stock in football pads. Slowly 
however, with lots and LOTS of help from Asher and surprisingly 
Jason, I was learning to control it a little better with immense 
concentration. You’d be surprised to know that if you were a clutz in 
your normal life…that doesn’t change when you become a were. People 
always think how graceful they are and all. Nope. It just amplifies 
your clumsiness now that you have TWO sets of muscles to work with. 

Anyway, I showed off my outfit to Tamara and mentioned how hot she 
looked in hers too. I think she was gaining a lot more reckless
abandon from me now that we were merged with Asher in a triumvirate 
of sorts. I don’t know if that was good or bad. I know it was good
for me. It meant I wasn’t the only one who was getting into trouble 
these days. I'll have to tell you the time we surprised Asher through 
the marks by biting down simultaneously on some hot and spicy Cajun 
food without a forewarning. Needless to say, he was a little hot 
under the collar at us for a while. But that’s a story for another 
time. Jean-Claude returned and announced to us that it was time we 
were "On with the show" as they say. We both said we were ready….at 
the same time to which we both looked at each other and chuckled, 
shaking our heads. I took a few heaving breaths while Jean-Claude 
stepped through the curtains and opened the show, filling my lungs 
and preparing to sing my guts out. And then, on we went. 

The opening number, "It’s Raining Men" went off without a hitch 
amazingly enough. When Jason threw me to Nathaniel, I thought I was
going to lose my dinner…and that’s one big horse I tell ya. The tidal 
waves of raw, masculine, lycanthrope power that swarmed that stage
was completely intoxicating. Who needed a drink? And the audience was 
openly receptive. All the girls totally let loose, whooping and
hollering, dancing and laughing. I shimmied a collar off of Greg and 
threw it to Esther who shook her head with an amused if slightly
embarrassed smile on her face. From my vantage point, I looked around 
for Crystal. She hadn’t arrived yet. I was beginning to worry just a
little bit. I hope everything was ok. Once the song was done, Tamara 
thanked Jean-Claude for the use of the club, the entertainment, and
such. I let her take the lead, happy for once to let somebody else do 
it. Heaven knows I’d get my opportunity soon enough.

We turned the show over to "the boys" and Jean-Claude did not 
disappoint. He strutted the best St. Louis had to offer across his 
stage for us, always tantalizing the crowd with that decadent voice 
of his that made your nipples ache. Tamara and I took a seat at the 
main table with the guest of honor. Poor Kash. She looked so 
uncomfortable….but to her credit, she was being a sport. That was 
probably because whatever Richard was setting down in front of her in 
shot glasses seemed to sit well with her. She visibly relaxed after 
about the third glass and even started dancing in her chair. Richard 
had graciously offered to be a waiter at our table for the evening…
i.e….there was no way he was getting up on that stage even staring 
down the muzzle of Anita’s Browning. No big loss. She DID manage to 
get him into black spandex pants with a spiked dog collar and cuffs 
around his wrists accentuating a bare chest. There’s a REASON why 
he’s the big dog in this neighborhood. I’ll give him that.

About midway through the show, they rolled a huge wedding cake out 
onto the catwalk just in front of Kash. She shook her head amused,
groaning in mock horror. "I know what’s coming. Shall we take dibs on 
who’s in there?" I leaned over, "Who’s your money on?" I asked
her. She thought about it a couple seconds, "Jason," was her flat 
statement. I had to chuckle. At that moment "Make My Day" from C&C
Music Factory blared across the club’s sound system and Jason 
exploded from the cake completely covered in cake and frosting from 
head to foot. He shook. He gyrated. He spanked. Oh yeah…he was a 
professional all right. Kylie nearly fell over laughing her butt off. 
I was laughing and smiling so much, my jaw hurt just under my 
earlobe. Jason pulsated over to Kash and announced that since she was 
the guest of honor, she should have the first "piece." Kash turned a 
few shades of crimson, trying first to pass it up, but Jason was 
rather insistent practically straddling her lap until she licked him.

Finally she got a gleam in her eye, she downed a shot glass in front 
of her, and then leaned over and licked a line from the top of his 
thong to his navel and sucked it out. She came up for air with 
frosting on the tip of her nose to thunderous applause, squeals, 
cheers, and laughter.  One by one, Jason went around the girls of the 
main table each receiving their opportunity to ‘sample’ the cake. 
Kylie however was the only one who got to sample it from the 
wolfman’s lips. The rest…well ALMOST all the rest…was fair game, but 
the lips were all hers. "Whoo Hoo!" she screamed, "Now that’s MY idea 
of devil’s food cake!" We busted out in laughter, me holding my 
cheeks lest they crack. He came over to me next and I took my lick 
right up the center of his chest ending on a nipple. Jason leaned 
over, "I’ll be your catnip anytime, sugar." He whispered playfully. I 
grinned, chattering my teeth at him before pushing him on to 
Anita. "Oh, HO" he announced to the crowd, "I’ve been waiting for 
THIS for a long time." Then without warning, he turned around and 
bent over, offered up his ass to Anita for her to kiss. I lost it. I 
doubled over on the table laughing so hard, tears were brimming. 
Anita, just a cool as a cucumber, leaned over and bit down
hard causing him to literally HOWL in pain and ecstasy. I didn’t 
think she had it in her. I guess I was wrong. 

The rest of the guests were being offered cake and drinks of their 
choice while he wrapped up his part of the show. I noticed a figure 
by the door and smiled. Crystal had come in during Jason’s 
performance. She had a look on her face like she’d seen it all too. I 
beckoned her over to a chair next to mine and introduced her around 
the table. Then I was next up. I wiped my brow and glanced at Tamara 
one last time with a knowing look. 'Go get em, Tiger,' she chimed in 
my brain. I had to fight hard not to laugh at that. Kash had done the 
same thing to me earlier as Zane had strutted his stuff to "Stray Cat 
Strut", giggling until I had to reach clean across the table and 
smack her upside the head.  Ok, so I didn't actually smack her…just 
touched her with the pads of my fingers. Still her head bounced 
forward and back from the blow, but it didn't stop her laughter, so I 
guess she wasn't too hurt. "Whew!" I was fast becoming the brunt of 
every kitty and tiger joke in town whether there were other kitties 
around or not. Thank goodness I was a white tiger or they might have 
offered me a job as the Clemson mascot. I shuddered to think where 
that might go. 

As I made my way to the stage, some of the girls assigned to help me 
in the venture excused themselves and went backstage. Others started
with the "catcalls". By the time I reached the stage, I was laughing 
and blushing so hard it took me a minute before I could speak properly
into the microphone. I was glad everyone was having such a good 
time. "Ok, now that we've all had our cake for the evening, thank you
very much Jason," Jason had taken a seat next to Kylie still half-
covered in cake pieces. Richard brought him a towel and he wiped off
before cuddling up to Kylie. She didn't seem to mind a few smudges 
here and there. "It's now time for the presents." I announced. There
was a rush of talking and laughter from the girls in the room, but I 
put my hand up to quiet them down. "I know. Presents should really be
given at a bridal shower, but we felt that these presents weren't 
really in a bridal shower's motif, so we decided to unveil them here 
for you tonight at the bachlorette party instead." Oohs and Aahs went 
from the crowd, eagerly anticipating the "unveiling". "The theme for 
tonight's parade of presents is 'Things you need to tame a demon'." I 
announced to the anxious female audience. 

"Why am I still standing up here you might ask?" I teased Kash and 
the table a bit. She cocked her eyebrow at me, smiling and KNOWING
I was up to something. How could I disappoint. "Well, its because I'm 
the lucky one who gets to read the cards!" The audience laughed
while I mock fanned myself and shook my chest a bit, laughing. "So, 
without any further ado, lets have the first present please!" I 
shouted.  The sound system started hammering out the "strut" 
percussion and Micah emerged from the curtain in his black spandex 
waiter suit, bare chest, and diamond kitty collar with a white card 
tucked precariously in his waistline. He made his way over to me 
using a graceful saunter, really playing up to the crowd much to 
their delight. He wasn't shy. Saucily I slipped the card out from his 
pants, "Thank you sweetie," I beamed at him and was rewarded with a 
kiss on the cheek and a nice rub of beastly presence just under our 
skin. He turned and strutted back through the curtain and I visibly 
shuddered for the crowd causing a chuckle. "Let's see. This first one 
says 'Demons come from a very warm climate. Maybe this will help cool 
him down.'" I pursed my lips at the crowd and turned to watch the 
curtain open revealing the larger stage. 

There stood Emily dressed in a Black sequined cat suit and black toe 
shoes holding an ice-blue nightie. It was very scant with a white boa
and icicle-shaped ribbons flowing from interesting layers. Emily had 
gotten very into this when I'd first asked her to help me present 
Kash's gift. She even choreographed this whole number to properly 
show off the gown. She went into a modern ballet dance that was a 
feast for the eyes, twisting and turning, bending and flexing. She 
pirouetted and jumped around as graceful as a swan, but with her suit 
being black, it almost looked like the gown was doing the dance all 
on its own. She was awesome! When the dance was over, she flitted 
down to Kash's table and presented the gown to the blushing bride. 
After a few expressions of pleasure and approval, the crowd turned 
back to me to see what was next. "Can we have the second present 
please?" I beckoned over the loudspeaker. At that moment, we heard a 
whip snap behind the curtain. Oops. Esther must have gotten stuck or 
something. I played it up, "Uh, Hey Nat! You find yourself a date 
back there or something sweetie?" The ladies laughed and Nathaniel 
came through the curtains as the "strut" music began anew. He had on 
a leather harness contraption about his torso that held the little 
white card tucked about his chest level. He smiled shyly at me as I 
retrieved the note and kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you baby." I 
purred. His eyes light up and he scampered back behind the curtain. 
Uh, oh. What have I done now? 

I shook a worried thought from my head and turned to the crowd 
reading, "This gift is to help "whip" your demon into shape should he 
see fit to get "out of line." I made a silent Oooh look at the crowd 
and turned as the curtain opened again revealing Esther in a scantily-
clad safari outfit. She had on khaki hot pants and a button down 
shirt tied up JUST under her bust line as well as hiking boots 
and "the hat". Ya'll know the hat I mean, right? Greg stood opposite 
her in a leopard spandex pair of pants and bare chest with an emerald 
collar. He dodged around the stage for a while as Esther tried 
to "whip" him. Poor girl. I don't think she'd ever used that thing 
before in her life. She was holding it like it was a snake going to 
bite her. As she passed me by, she gave me a look that said, "I'm 
going to get you for this." I just returned her look with a cheesy 
grin that said, "I know you're going to try." She presented her gift 
to Kash and looked mightily relieved to sit down. I was highly 
amused. 

A few others strutted their stuff for me and gifts were presented by 
Crys, Seri, and Lyza each in outlandish style per the performer. I
schooled my statement when "The Bird" took the stage. She smelled 
like food to me, but Ash had forbidden me to eat her. I just didn’t 
trust her at all. She had her sights on my territory and I didn’t 
appreciate that one bit. But hey, I can be civil…at least until the 
wedding’s over.  ‘Oh yeah?’ Tamara echoed in my brain, ‘Then why are 
your eyes glowing a VERY jealous green?’ Crap. The last present of 
the evening came with a tag I think I personally won't soon 
forget. "Can we have the last present of the evening, please?" I 
hollered. The lycanthrope power surging over me was starting to take 
its toll. My voice had deepened somewhat and my heart was beating. 
Was it merely the preternatural power or just the plain lust that 
filled the room? Who knew? I scented when Luce and Asher entered the 
building. I could smell my beloved’s cologne even up on stage and it 
made me swoon slightly. I also could not possibly mistake the burnt 
sulfur smell of the demon.  I mentally rolled my eyes. He MADE that 
smell specifically to get to me. I knew that hell didn't actually 
smell like that. Kash had told me so.  Still, he did it to rub my 
nose in it so to speak, amused that I always clung so tightly to my 
ideals whenever he was around. 

Suddenly Pug appeared in front of the curtain and I about died of 
laughter. He had on a little red devil spandex suit complete with 
pitchfork.  But the most hilarious thing was that he had 
literally "hung" his little white card on his pants. Yeah…right 
there. You know what I'm talking about. He had the hugest, unabashed 
grin on his face as he sauntered up to me. I roared with 
laughter, "You're a brat. You know that?" He responded by grinning 
even wider, nodding his head enthusiastically, and thrusting his 
pelvis in my direction. I looked at the ladies, "You really want to 
know what's in that card?…I don’t think I do." They hooted and 
hollered, encouraging me to "rip" it off. From the back Kash
bellowed above the crowds, "Get the card, Gigs. WITH NO HANDS!" My 
eyes widened as I looked back at her. My mouth was wide
open, but my shoulders shook. 

She nodded smugly wanting me to grab the card with my teeth. I looked 
back at Pug and he seemed happy with the suggestion too. He
thrust his hips suggestively once again. I licked my chops and went 
for it, making a show of placing my hands behind my back. I leaned 
over with my butt to the crowd. I shot a quick mental note at 
Tamara, ‘This is just for you, babe,’ and then proceeded to "wiggle" 
my butt in a pre-pounce fashion. I could hear her literally "cackle"…
and I do mean cackle. With an amazing modicum of grace, that even 
surprised me, I snatched the card with my teeth. The crowd roared and 
I came up to find Pug playing to the crowd with his tongue flicking 
in and out of his mouth like he was getting some. "Get outta here, 
you horny little devil you!" I pushed him towards the 
curtain. "LITTLE!" I heard him whine.  "She called me little." I 
could just envision the sexy little pout that made ya want to nibble 
his lip off. Imp.

I turned once more to the audience smirking, "Ya never know when 
these little things are gonna pop up from time to time." That earned 
me a rolling laughter and round of applause. I bowed acknowledging 
the lady of the hour, having complied with her wishes. "And the last 
card for the evening says," I cleared my throat stretching the 
anxious anticipation, "If looks can kill, he’ll be lying on the floor 
in VERY short order."  With that, the curtain opened one last time to 
reveal Anita standing there with a shiny new Seacamp in her grasp. 
She did a little exhibition cross-firing across the stage at various 
targets the popped up. She was careful not to hit the friendly 
targets such as Stephen, Damien, and JC himself. It was most 
impressive indeed. I looked over at Kash and she was salivating over 
the weapon. I could have SWORE, from the whiff in the air, that she 
practically had an orgasm over it when Anita finally rested it in her 
hands. You’d think it was a holy relic. "And that concludes our 
parade of present for "Things you’ll need to tame a demon. Thank you 
ladies, and now I’ll turn it back over to our emcee to commence with 
the second half of our show." Everyone cheered as I left the stage 
and Jean-Claude announced the next act with a sultry lilt.

I made my way back to my chair where I was congratulated for my act 
of bravery (or was that brazenness) with Pug. I leaned over and
asked Crystal if she was having a good time. She nodded, having just 
sipped on a tropical concoction Richard had brought her. I smiled at
her. "You ain’t seen nothing yet. The best acts are yet to come. Glad 
you made it in time." Anita, Lyza, Esther, and Emily all gradually 
made their way back to their seats at the table. I had Richard bring 
me a Bahama mama and we spent the rest of the night chatting, 
laughing, and generally enjoying the show. When Jean-Claude finally 
announced Edward’s routine, Tamara shot me a thought, ‘Come on. We’re 
gonna have to hold her down.’ I cringed slightly, but did get up and 
walk around the table to place my hands as lightly as I could on 
Kash’s shoulders. Everyone who knew me could probably have seen the 
level of concentration and effort I was using not to exert too much
pressure on her by the look on my face. Everyone else just probably 
thought I was either crazy or drunk. 

About midway through, Jean-Claude slid up behind me and lightly 
touched my elbow. Instantly the effort became a little easier and I 
looked at him somewhat bewildered, but he just winked and continued 
to "watch" the show. He traded a couple of comments with Tamara and
even I felt I could watch. I even leaned down at said, "You know, I’d 
almost swear he’s done this before." Tamara snatched Jean-Claude’s
hanky and handed it to Kash which made me chuckle. Still I sighed 
relief when the routine was over and I could return to my chair. I 
lightly fingered my glass as the lights went down and the final act…
acts were announced, "Bon soir, mademoiselles. We hope you have 
enjoyed tonight’s entertainment. And now, to close the show, we have 
not one, but two special performances." It was Asher. I smiled 
warmly. Just the sound of his voice did things to my insides that 
were just indecent…and yet intimate in a way I hoped never to share 
with another being. I cocked my eyebrow at the mention of two 
performances though. I thought only Luce was left.

Jean-Claude had joined us at the table, sitting between Kash and 
Tamara on the opposite side. I could hear through the marks as he
whispered in her ear, "We altered your plans slightly, cherie. This 
is to thank you for such a glorious 'feeding'." The light grew mid-
stage until Asher stepped forth from it in regal form. A French 
courtier…what else? I chuckled. ‘What else indeed,’ Asher invaded my 
thoughts. "A D’or Prince perhaps." I could feel the temperature in my 
cheeks rise as I watched him strut across the stage and down the 
catwalk. I watched him move from pose to pose like some art neu 
vogue, divesting himself of each piece of garment as he went along in 
noble fashion.  ‘You’re supposed to be dancing to music, my love.’ I 
chided him. He responded by starting to sing "Cat Scratch Fever" in 
my mind. I snorted. As his clothing became more scant however, I 
allowed my eyes to wander over his body and delight in its beauty 
once more. He was sporting his "scars" as he usually did when in 
public. Long story, that. But I knew better. My mouth watered with 
memories of intimate details that only I knew…ok, so maybe myself and 
Tamara….and maybe Kylie through Julianna…and JC, but that’s it.

When he stood at the end of the stage in nothing but a white thong, 
his muskateer hat, and boots, he gave me a look of unbridled lust and 
I licked my chops. ‘Je t’adore, ma cher’ I whispered. He tipped his 
hat and then did something I would have NEVER expected. He turned
before the crowd and dropped the illusion of his scars to reveal his 
perfect, beautiful body. My eyes went wide with astonishment and I
sucked in air between my teeth. Before I knew it, the glass in my 
hand shattered into a million pieces. Damn. And I’d done so well all 
night.  Richard quietly held out a towel for me and I quickly wrapped 
it around my hand. The reaction seemed to amuse Asher and he smiled 
that knowing smile. He stepped off the stage and glided over to us, 
holding out his hands. "Ma rose d'acier, ma belle chat...come to me." 

Tamara was by his side instantly. Well, she was on that side of the 
table. I took a little longer to get there. He drew a lingering kiss 
from her lips while I made my way. Then he turned to watch me and I 
grew instinctive. ‘Chanteuse, that outfit is magnificent!’ he 
whispered into my brain and I returned a heated smile to him, my gaze 
never leaving his. When I was by his side, he drew me too into a 
long, passionate kiss that made my toes curl. Oh God, I wanted him 
then. He spoke a couple words to Kash, preparing her for the last act 
of the evening before announcing to the room, "And now for tonight's 
finale.


Allow me to introduce...Luce." Then he drew us to a more private 
table just for the three of us. Tamara sat by his side, but he drew 
me into his lap. Then, without warning, his presence entered me and 
began to stroke my beast. ‘Your power has been surging all evening, ma
chanteuse.’ He teased as I started to purr uncontrollably. ‘It has 
made my appetite for you…..grow.’ He shifted under my bum and let me
know exactly what PART of his appetite had grown too. I closed my 
eyes in wanton delight. ‘Sheesh, Asher…get a room’ came Tamara’s
mock irritated voice through our marks. I smiled and withdrew, once 
again concentrating on the performance before me. I was vaguely
aware when Asher captured Tamara and took her down. 

Meanwhile, Luce stood at the back of the stage on a set of stairs in 
shiny black armor from the waist down, boots that would have given
Gene Simmons a run for his money, and crossed arms over a bare chest. 
His hair was blazing and his stare mesmerizing as he looked over
the crowd. A HUGE black cape billowed around him. "Good Evening, 
ladies." His voice thundered through the room with the heat of a
volcano almost. He took a step down one stair and his boot made the 
sound of a sledgehammer hitting an anvil. "I understand you’ve been
extolling the virtues of everything my bride is giving up in her 
marital vows to me." He took another step and again a heavy hammer 
fell.  "Well, I’m not one who enjoys being outdone by any means." He 
took another step, another anvil rang. "So I thought in all fairness 
I should show you what she has to gain." He reached the final step 
and the music "I’m too Sexy" started to play over the club’s sound 
system and Luce moved. He maneuvered that cape in expert precision, 
making each pose powerful and dangerous. He moved slowly closer to
Kashauna stalking his prey until he was right in front of her face, 
staring down at her with intensity and heat that made even me blush. 

Then he swirled off his cape and twisted it around his body a couple 
of times before holding it right in front of his body. When he let the
garment drop, Kash literally fell out of her chair. The loin plate to 
his black armor had been removed and there covered only in a thin 
black undergarment was the groom….all 12, 13, 14 inches of him fully 
extended. I couldn’t help it. I busted out laughing and nearly lost 
my own seat. Asher had to tighten his hold on my waist although I 
don’t think he came up for air with Tam. Kash was on the floor dying 
of laughter. I briefly wondered if he’d borrowed his "prop" from 
Arturo or something. Nope. The groom would not be outdone this night. 
Luce definitely had a exquisite, if twisted, sense of humor. I had to 
give him that. Good God!

 
*****
 

We sat around the table talking until the wee hours of the morning as 
the party wound down and people started leaving. "What are your
plans for the day, Gigs?" Crystal asked me. "Well, I think we’re 
gonna take the boys back to The Circus and tuck them in for the day. 
And then I’m gonna go up on the roof, find myself a nice sunny 
secluded spot, curl up and take a nap like the good little kitty I 
am." I smiled at her. "I will definitely second that notion. I could 
use a good sunbath myself." Kylie chimed in. "Count me in as well," 
Tamara piped. We watched Micah and Richard move about the tables 
cleaning things off and setting things back up straight. "Should we 
help them clean up first?" Kash questioned, not really looking like 
she wanted to…but felt the obligation to offer none the less. "Nah. 
We can come back and clean up tomorrow." I waved it off. Everyone 
agreed. "So did you have fun your last night as a single woman, 
Kash?" Tamara inquired. Kash pondered that for a minute. Then with a 
definite gleam in her eye that made me just a tad nervous, she 
brandished her new Seacamp and said, "Yeah…I really did."