I stood, there, my mind whirling. In less than two hours, I had moved through scenes that I had never imagined could ever happen to me. Of course, I knew things like this happened to other guys, that they knew who they were and what turned them on, and enjoyed it. I had always felt that I was "above" it, or "outside" it and just got some kicks, thinking and enjoying some pix on the Web. Today, Ray had shown me that he was enjoying this lifestyle and that he had seen my attraction to it, as well. I had enjoyed every moment, but now he seemed to be inviting me to go even further.

"Don't make up your mind, too quick," Ray offered, seeing my hesitation, "they won't be here for a bit. I just felt that you found a part of yourself, here, today, and might want to try a little more. Get out of that gear, while I get us a couple of beers, think about it." He pulled out the tab for the zipper, and connected it, and proceeded to release me.

While he was gone, I stripped down out of his rubber suit, toweling myself off, considering my limp equipment. While I dressed, I was going over the past hour or so, remembering the thoughts that had passed through my mind. Everything that had happened, today, was the biggest turn on I had ever experienced. I had enjoyed observing Ray's gear, when I first came across him, but I always got a rush, seeing a diver suited up. His "innocent" offer to try out the rig gave me the chance to do something I had never done, before, and confirmed all the feelings I thought were way below the surface. Ray had seen that, probably suspected it all along. He had forced me to face up to what I wanted, and I felt closer to him, I think, than anyone I had ever met. We had shared a great moment, and without him, it wouldn't have happened.

I did want "more," and the stirring at my crotch proved it to me. But, who were his friends, what were they like? I don't get close to people, easily, and more strangers made me hesitate, especially now. Was I rushing into something, even bigger than I had, already, today? Why did I hesitate?

Ray returned with the beers, having pulled on a pair of shorts, and sat down across from me. He didn't say anything, at first, and I almost decided to make as quick an exit, as I could. Luckily, he did start first: "Hey, you may have all sorts of plans, today, don't worry. My buddies were due to visit, anyway, and I thought you might want to meet them."

He paused, and interrupted me before I could respond. "I pulled a dirty trick on you, a little while ago, and you might just want to get the hell out of here. That'd be all right, getting off in rubber isn't everybody's thing, and I sorta took advantage. But I felt you needed it, from the first time I saw your eyes looking me over, suited up on the beach. Was I wrong?"

I could have escaped with a few more sentences, and been on my way, but something made me tell the truth to Ray. "You were one hundred percent right, Ray, you probably knew it before I did. I never knew I could feel so good, and wouldn't have known it, unless you took the initiative. I appreciate it, and don't regret a thing! Your rubber gear got me so horny, I couldn't believe it. Plus, knowing someone else was enjoying the same feelings really was a turn on. That was the icing on the cake."

"Know what you mean, buddy," Ray slapped my knee, "gettin' rubbered by yourself is OK, but nothing beats watching someone else doin' it with you, or havin' them do you. That's why my friends and I get together, out here. Are you game to stick around, maybe learn a little more about us, about yourself?"

Opportunities don't come around twice, I thought, and made my decision: "I think I like it here, Ray. Yes, I do want to stick around, if you and your friends can put up with me." Ray grinned, and appeared really satisfied, "I hoped you'd say that, �cause Donny and Mitch want to meet you. When I spoke to them, I didn't tell them everything about this afternoon, just that we were gettin' it on, and that they might want to join in. They know you're new to the scene, but I didn't give them any more particulars."

About that time, I could hear a vehicle turning off the road, onto the sandy drive towards the house. Behind it, I could hear a motorcycle on the road, and it, too, came closer. "That's my buddies," Ray said, "come upstairs and meet �em. They're OK guys, and you'll like �em."

Up in the living area, Ray threw open the door and yelled out a welcome, bringing his friends inside the house. "Thought you'd never get here, want you to meet Joel, they guy I was tellin' you about. Joel, this here is Donny and Mitch, real good buddies of mine." I put on what I hoped was a real good smile, and went forward to shake hands with Ray's friends.

Donny and Mitch were different types, but much the same age. I felt better that they were not young guys, but closer to my my own age. Donny was the taller, in denim jeans and jacket, while Mitch must have ridden the bike in, because he was in full leather gear. Shaking their hands, and going through the formalities, I found myself concentrating on Mitch, his leather gear exciting my curiosity, much as Ray's rubber had.

"Hey, Joel," Donny called, to get my attention, "I know you and Ray have been gettin' to know each other, today. Do you mind us stoppin' by, has Ray told you we sorta' have some mutual interests?" I didn't have a chance to reply, because Mitch sort of answered, for me, as he pulled off his helmet, and wiping sweat off.

"Glad to meet you, Joel," he said, pulling off his glove, and offering it to me, "Donny was a little worried that we might be moving in on you and Ray, too quick. Chase you off, so to speak! We didn't want that to happen. But from the way you've been checking out my leathers, I think we all have some mutual interests. Go ahead, take a good look." I was startled by his candor, and more than a little ashamed. But he seemed to take it, in stride, and sort of expected my reaction.

Mitch unzipped his leather jacket and, instead of a shirt, I saw that his torso was covered in skin tight rubber! Putting his arm around Ray's shoulder, he grinned and continued: "The guys know me, they know I like it both ways, rubber and leather, so I figured I'd let you meet me just the way I like it. How do I look, to you?"

I couldn't help imagining that rubber skin, extended down Mitch's belly and across his crotch, packed into those leather jeans, and wondering how it felt. In my shorts, I knew I felt aroused, just staring at him, and dreaming. These guys were so natural about all this, that I relaxed and felt less embarrassed than before. Donny said: "Hold on, guys, don't leave me out of this, let me get some gear from the truck."

We sat down, waiting for Donny to return, and I felt my apprehensions returning. Yeah, these guys were comfortable with themselves and each other, but where did I fit in? This was like a fantasy, but these guys were real. What was expected of me? I'd been tempted to come on to other men, especially like these guys, but never had the nerve. What were they like, what were their thoughts? Ray seemed to know what he wanted, and had learned what I wanted, what about his friends?

As Donny came through the door, with two duffel bags, he turned to Ray: "I'll just take these downstairs, OK? Be right back." He tossed the bags down, and came back up the stairs, and sat down next to me. "Joel, what've these guys been doin', while I was gone? Got to keep my eye on them, don't want them to spook you." I answered, as best I could, with a neutral sort of �macho' bravado. "Nothing, Donny, we're just relaxing, and I'm getting to try and see what all this is about."

"Now that's real easy," Donny said, "ain't it, guys?" He looked for confirmation from the others, and got, in nods and grunts. Funny, they seemed to be almost as hesitant as I was, almost as on the edge, as I knew I was. What was the intent here, was I imagining everything I sensed around me?

Donny turned sideways on the sofa, and continued: "Fact is, we know what we're about, but want to know about you. Ray feels that you share a lot of the ideas we have, but Mitch and I just met you, and need to know a little more. Mitch, here, thinks every dude is undressing him, when he gets geared up, like that, but he's in love with himself! We don't want to get you in too deep, unless you want to."

"No way," Mitch jumped in, "I told you to wait so I could change my duds, for a reason. I wanted Joel to meet me, just like this. I think it broke the ice. He sure looks like he's impressed!" He went on: "What Donny is taking so long to spit out, is that we enjoy what we do. We're not ashamed of it. Every guy who has a complete set of equipment between his legs knows what it's like to get off, when he wants. Hell, we've all known that for a lotta years. Gettin' turned on is in the back of a guy's mind, all the time, just different ways to do it, is all. Gettin' turned on and gettin' off! What we wanna' know, is what about you?"

Ray added: "I think Joel fits the description, and I think he knows exactly what you're talking about. Don't forget, we spent some time together, today, before you guys arrived. That's why I called you over to meet him. Why don't you let him talk?" I didn't know what I was going to say, but I thought I knew what was expected of me. Funny, I almost felt I was mouthing someone else's lines, but they weren't false.

"I think I proved something to myself, today. Actually, Ray proved it to me. If he hadn't pushed me, I'd be back in my motel room, jerking off to a dream. I'd be imagining what might have happened, but it did happen. Ray put me into the dream and showed me that the real thing is a lot better. A LOT better! Sharing the action turned me on more than I would have imagined. Is this what you guys mean? Am I making an ass out of myself? Help me out, I'm fumbling."

Donny and Mitch both jumped in, smiling and at ease: "That's it, getting turned on by something you know will work." ... "Makin' it better, dreaming and then puttin' it into action." .... "Knowing what the other guy is thinkin', watchin' him suit up." ... "Gettin' it on, doing the same thing to him that he does to you." They were really spilling over each other's words, like they were confirming something important to them. It was obvious, from the adjustments being made to their crotches, that even just talking about it made them warm up. I couldn't keep my eyes off Mitch, as he leaned forward, leather creaking, and his hand at his crotch! Next to me, Donny was actually rolling his hardon through his jeans. I wished I had the nerve to be that comfortable!

Ray slowed them up, laughing at the outpouring of words. "Don't forget the biggest turn on of all, guys, Joel and I were just starting to consider it, when you came. After some really hot and heavy action, the thought of getting into your buddy's gear, slipping on his skin, gettin' into where he was, don't forget that!" This created another round of agreement and consensus, for it obviously was shared by all of them. Hell, I shared it, too, remembering Ray's suggestion that we exchange gear, getting me hard, even though I'd have said it was impossible. That exchange or sharing was a powerful image, and it took hold of me, again.

Donny reached over and grabbed me by the shoulder. "How �bout it, do you think you're into our party, today? Come on down and watch, at least, maybe we can get you interested. Can't hurt, might be good for you." Mitch added: "Ray saw we were all about the same size, at least for the Sear's catalogue! Makes it easy to get into trouble. Let's see what happens."

They all stood up, and started for the stairs. Ray held back and put his arm around my shoulder. "Come on, these are great guys. What we started before, you found something about yourself that you liked. Keep it up, see what happens. No one gets hurt, could be great fun." I looked him in the eye, and said "Lead the way, I'm right behind you."

Downstairs, the outer door had been closed and more lights turned on. Mitch was peeling off his leathers and tossing them on a workbench. I still found it hard not to eye that jacket, and the leather jeans and boots, but when he stood there, in a rubber skin from his neck to his feet, I did! His rubber crotch showed an erection that must have been building, and it matched my own growing boner. Donny had stripped to the waist, and was pulling items from the duffels: another rubber suit, hoods, gloves; even one or two gas masks! He looked up and saw me, watching. "See if this might fit you," he laughed, tossing something, "could be a good start." I caught it in my hand, and found it to be a hard rubber jockcup, with heavy straps and buckles. I just stood, there, casually examining it, all the while imagining myself tucking my cock and balls into it! That'd feel great!

"Looks like you might join the party, after all," Mitch called, "don't want to mess up those slacks, do you?" He gestured, smiling, to my obvious erection, and included all of us in his solemn announcement: "Let the party begin!"

To be continued...