The Cherished Wife

Noelle pulled a wry smile. "I'm not nervous, just feeling a tad awkward!"

"What's the burning question everyone's dying to know?" Steven chimed in. "Sean, you're up!"

"Okay, here goes!" Sean clapped his hands together, touched his nose, and beamed innocently. "Where was your first time with Charles, and how long did it last?"

Noelle gasped, her smile turning strained.

It was not just Noelle. Everyone else sucked in a breath too, giving Sean looks that were part admiration, part 'good luck with that.' With a mischievous grin, Sean prodded, "Come on, Noelle, spill the beans!" "Um... I'll take a drink!" Noelle reached for her glass, but Charles held it down. "As for duration, how about we see how long you can last if I start throwing punches?"

Sean was speechless.

filled the

a chuckle, giving Sean a knowing shake

for her!" Sean protested. "Besides, talk is cheap. You say you're all that, but who can back you up?" He

I worked you over," Charles said as he stood, shrugged off his jacket, and handed it to Noelle, who took it without a fuss. He cracked his knuckles, his

were just playing a game, how did it escalate to this? Hehe, don't you trust me?" Sean backed down. "I'll take this

"You know, I've been really curious about your moves, Sean. Haven't seen you in years-have you gotten any

right now!" Sean chugged the drink in his hand. "Who's up next?

drink meant for her, like a warrior making a tough sacrifice, and she could not help but swallow

seat and spun the

at Sean. Noelle paused, a bit shocked, and, then the faughter around her broke out. Peter

lips curved into a sly smile as she leaned in and whispered something to Charles, whose narrow eyes gleamed with a teasing light Sean's expression tightened he had