~ Marcus:  Introductory post inside Marcus’s bedroom<br/><br/>Standing at the window of his bedroom, Marcus Steele let his gaze travel out over his island, taking in its rugged beauty.  Steep sloping mountains stood off in the distance, their imposing presence a constant reminder of the stark beauty that surrounded him any time he was at Castle Laidir.  His eyes drifted to the rocky shoreline directly ahead, the weather beaten rocks sharp and jagged looking from this distance but most likely smooth from the constant beating of the waves against the island’s shores.  The land had been his personal retreat for the past twelve years, providing a home away from home when life became too crazy for him to handle.<br/><br/>He was used to chaos in his life, having grown up in a powerful, wealthy family of movers and shakers.  Once he was out of the nest, the chaos hadn’t ended because he went on to be the star quarterback of the Boston College Eagles, national champions all four years running.  One would think that he’d have been ready to retire from the limelight after that but he wasn’t, moving from the competitiveness of football to the competitiveness of the business world.  With the leadership skills he’d learned growing up and in college, he’d launched an import/export business that had become wildly successful, earning him his first honest million by the age of 23.  By 28 he had amassed enough wealth to do whatever he wanted in life and so he did the one thing he’d always wanted to do – purchased the rugged island off the coast of Scotland and updated its centuries old castle into a warm, comforting retreat.<br/><br/>Turning from the window finally, his gaze drifted around the room, noting the four poster bed and the warm brown tones on the walls and the furniture.  Seeing the deep red cloth covered chair, a smile spread across his face.  It was a gift from his friend Angus and he absolutely hated it, though he’d never tell him that.  Turning slowly, he surveyed the rest of the room, his eyes finally falling on the closed door, sending a tingle through his body.  Through that door was the possibility of freedom; freedom from a loveless life, from society’s moral constraints, and from the pressures of life.  It was a lot to ask for, he knew that, but he could still hope.  He took a step towards the door, then another one, finally forcing himself to stop before he took a third.  It wasn’t time yet.  With a groan, he turned and entered the en-suite, stripping his clothes as he went.<br/><br/>Once under the warm spray of the shower, he was able to relax a little bit, letting some of his tension drain away.  Lathering up the soap, he began to wash, his hands flowing over his skin in a slow caress.  As his eyes drifted closed, Marcus lost himself to the motions, massaging his aching muscles one by one while cleaning them at the same time.  Down over his chest and stomach to his thighs, scrubbing as he went then drifting between his legs.  The touch of his hand against his shaft drew a strangled moan from parched lips.  Wrapping his fingers around the slowly hardening muscle, he began to stroke himself, his hand moving slowly so that he’d feel every touch.  Up and down he moved, his wrist twisting slightly ever few strokes, going from base to tip and back down again.  As his grip tightened and moved up to tease his swollen head, images began to flood his mind, bodies coming together and the sounds of shared pleasures; women and men, all inside his house, enjoying the company of each other in the best way possible.  As each image flashed through his mind, he stroked faster, harder, the movements more urgent, rushing towards release.  He was almost there, so close to nirvana, when the knock came, followed by the loud voice.<br/><br/>Marcus’s eyes snapped open and he released his hold on his cock, falling back against the wall of the shower with an exasperated grunt.  “I’ll be right out, Angus” he called with a husky, strained voice.  He quickly washed his hair, willing his shaft to wilt, and then stepped out, drying off immediately.  Moving into the attached dressing room, Marcus pulled on briefs and a pair of dress slacks then a pale blue dress shirt that he left open at the collar.  Finally done, he re-entered his bedroom and saw Angus standing at the window.  Hearing him approach, his friend turned and smiled.<br/><br/>“It’s good to see you again, Marcus” he said, shaking his hand.  “Everything is set and in place and the women have arrived.  Now we’re just waiting on the men.”  Marcus nodded, his nervousness evident in his posture, causing Angus to speak up again.  “Are you sure this is what you want?  It’s not too late to stop this.”  Marcus moved passed him, walking back to the window and staring out at the day.  Stop this?  No, this was what he had wanted for a while now and there would be no stopping it.  For years, Marcus had searched for the perfect individual and the perfect relationship and known only disappointment.  He’d experimented with group sex next and found that more to his liking but something was still missing.  He realized what it was the day he’d learned about polymory on the web and the idea for this moment had been born.<br/><br/>The guests that were arriving were told they would be part of a polymory experiment and had been hand selected after he’d reviewed information from psychological testing, expert dating professional input, and his own likes and dislikes.  His goal was to create a family with a lasting bond who would want to stay together after the six month “experiment” ended and it started today.  Turning back to Angus, he grinned.  “I’m sure, Angus.  I’ve dreamed of this day for years but I admit that I’m a little nervous.  What if this doesn’t work?”<br/><br/>Angus looked at him for a moment and then stepped forward.  “It will work, Marcus.  I know it.  It might take a while and it will have its ups and downs, but it will work.  You’ve never failed at anything in your life that involved more than one person and you won’t start now.  I know it.”<br/><br/>Marcus laughed, more of his tension flowing out.  “I’m glad you have such faith in me, my friend!”  Clapping him on the shoulder, he turned him towards the door.  “Now get out there and double check that everything is in place.  I want tonight to be perfect.”  Angus nodded and left the room, closing the door softly behind him, leaving Marcus to his thoughts.  As he moved back to the window and stared out at the sea, his hand idly rubbed the stubble on his chin.  Tonight was the next step in his life journey and he couldn’t wait.<br/>