11 comments/ 34328 views/ 12 favorites Queen's Questions By: TMAJO Author's Note: Thank you all for your patience; and your comments. All is appreciated and welcomed. The story is fictional. It contains mainly F/F action as well as a plot that I hope you'll enjoy. It's a slow-churned piece and thus, gratification is everything but instant. Also, do check out the previous chapters if you want more juice on the characters. They're not listed in order but the titles are sequential as follows: (WIT)At First, Blind Borne, Escapade, Felon Failing Fallen, Just Juxtapose, Material Martyr and Nosh Nothings, and Queens Question. That said, do enjoy the story. Please don't forget to comment....it really does help the process 8D TMAJO There's always more to come. ******************* Previously... Dropping under the radar was easy seeing as they were never even on it. Mavin dropped Zeke at one of her apartments in the City with just a vague request for him to head back to the family house if he didn't hear from her by midnight. He'd argued that they were better off together where they could watch out for each other. Mavin had told him not to worry. It was too early for him to be worried. She had said a quick farewell and speed off to parts unknown, leaving Zeke to trudge up the snowy sidewalk heading to the apartment building. It was only about two hours to midnight, and waiting for Mavin wouldn't necessarily be difficult. He walked up the lobby and into the elevator. The apartment was in pristine condition, very unusual for Mavin's busy bee habits. He stripped down and began his own meticulous pre-bedtime routine. Mavin burned rubber despite the icy roads. Within minutes she was back at the twins' crib. She hadn't even sucked in the warm air from within the duo's lair when they came bursting at her. "Man oh man, do we have news for you!" They said together and Mavin felt her blood stopping in its many tracks. The tall butch sat silent for about five minutes. There were still so many unanswered questions. 'How could you?' Came to mind. 'Why?' was next in line. 'I thought we had a common trust.' Was a lofty successor. Point blank, none seemed appropriate. She knew deep down that given the twins' predilection for underhand business deals, she couldn't put it past them that they'd do something like this. Still, she couldn't help but feel immensely irked. In a flash, the twins had berretta barrels aimed at their heads. Before she could even think, her fingers were stroking the triggers; a gun in each hand. The twins didn't freak out and she didn't seriously expect them to. Sian spoke first in that high, smooth, voice of reason. "Wait Mavin, and think about this; it won't solve anything." Sam chimed in next. "Yeah man, you need our help." "I know." Mavin replied with amazement in her tone, "But I can't help but wonder why you want to help me when your primary motive is very clearly, to help yourself, even at my expense." "Mavin, it was just business." "No Sian, it was personal," Mavin muttered under her breath "personal though irrelevant at this point in time." "So why do you care?" Sam voiced, leery of the cold gun kissing her face. "How much?" Mavin asked detachedly. "What?" "How much fucking money did you get for it?" Mavin spat. Zero to sixty in 2.5. "750." Sian answered, disarming and sweet. "Just...like...that." Mavin sneered. "Yes, Mavin just like that." Sian sighed. "And what did you do with it?" Mavin whispered. "Look around doc. You're swimming in it." Sam chuckled despite herself. Mavin tilted her wrist and fired a bullet in a wayward direction. The bullet hit a server stack and it overloaded in a crackly ruckus. "I promise you Sam, the next one won't be a miss." "Fuck it Mave! That was expensive hardware!!" Sam shouted. "You sold my past to the highest bidder!!!" Mavin thundered back. "It was immaterial and can't be corroborated!!!!" Sam screamed. "So you're an expert on my past now?!!!!" Mavin bellowed. "Both of you quit it!" Sian fumed. "Mavin, I'm sorry for what happened and we should have told you sooner especially if we ever thought it could be used against you. But the fact of the matter is, it's already out there and someone was willing to shell out for it." "Who- And I swear if you give me some bullshit about protecting privacy, I'll fill your skull with lead." Mavin said through her teeth. "Who bought it?" "We only know the representative of the buyer. Her name was Natalia Wolff." "Was?" Mavin's eyes narrowed to slits. "She's dead." The twins said together. "What?" Mavin scoffed, holding the Berettas firm. "She had some sticky deals with the Russian mob." Sian explained casually; rolling her eyes at the memory. Mavin pulled her guns down and absorbed the information. "You have exactly 12 hours to find out where it is." "Fine, what are you going to do about Montgomery?" "I'm going to see the Senator. You need to keep an eye on Horizon & Beyond. I need all the action 3 days deep." "You got it." The twins watched her leave. ***************** It was all coming together now. Mavin pretended her conversation with the twins was a figment of her imagination. However, now was not the time to deal with distrustful friends. She instead, placed a call to Joann. She needed to work the inside now. She had to figure out why Jack Ross suspected her of Bellinda's kidnapping. It had to be more than just the dislike she'd assumed. Joann was very willing to help if it meant finding her best friend. She agreed to talk to the Senator and set up a private meeting on behalf of the dark woman. She would press the man hard and call Mavin back with the details. In the meantime, Mavin needed to talk to Zeke. ************ That night ************ He waited in the shadows with only the sounds of the tide to keep him company. The air was humid with the salts but still excruciatingly chill. He had to fight his bones not to get impatient. Though, that didn't keep him from cursing out loud in three different languages. "This needs to be wrapped up as soon as possible. Leave no loose ends." The voice surprised him as it came from an unexpected source. "Yes, I understand. I've been very careful. Now you have something for me?" He eyed the salt and pepper haired man in his attire that was designed to make him blend in with the dark. "Here's a third. The rest you'll get when it's done." The man handed him a parcel. "And our agreement?" He asked as he examined the content. "It holds. You'll be settled when the job's complete." "You had better be sure; I've gone through enough hassle for you already." "No, you've hassled for reward. The next time I see you, it must be finished." The man said in a low tone and disappeared in a direction. Wale sighed and stashed the parcel in his coat pocket. He had to play this game right if he wanted to guarantee his ends. He waited a bit longer before he jogged along the beach to find his car. **************** Next morning **************** "And get this: the hit put on Jose was meant for me but they didn't know that, since I hadn't officially taken over." Mavin said through a mouthful of strawberry and vanilla pancakes. She was running on about 2 hours of sleep and only slightly delirious. "Right, so if it was an inside deal, it had to be someone who didn't fully know the administrative details. Any new hires maybe?" Zeke wondered. His body too powered by adrenaline. The past four nights have just bled into each other. And now, they only spoke in terms of hours. And time was running short. They were in Mavin's uptown apartment early in the day. "A good bunch but two are most suspicious." "Okay, but how does that all tie in with Kurt Pryce?" "Remember AJ Morris? He and Kurt are bosom buddies." "Morris doesn't look like he's capable of buying a hooker, let alone a hit." "Exactly! But that's the diversion. We wouldn't expect that from him though he has Kurt's resources at his disposal. Certainly, Kurt has access to those who handle his dirt." "True. But why take such drastic measures?" Zeke shoveled his eggs and drowned it with iced tea. "You're the army general and you're asking me?" Mavin scoffed, still in a tizzy but Zeke ignored the jab. "But this is civilian business!" He almost chuckled and pushed his plate away. "Yeah, well Kurt is into a lot of uncivilized dealings, so I'm not surprised." "But then, why go after you...or your girlfriend?" "I'm guessing that error was made back when the wrong head got shot." Mavin paused as the memory cut through her fresh. "Then again, her father's the head of the HELP committee." "And Pryce is looking to add another member of congress to his menagerie." "Well, that makes sense but he can't possibly expect to get away with kidnapping the senator's daughter. There's gotta be some bargaining point that we're not seeing." "That's where I come in." "You? How?" Zeke's brows flew up. "Hassan Bakare." Mavin said slowly. "Aww shit. How did that get dug up?" "You'd be surprised at what some women are capable of." "So...wait, that's in the open now?" Zeke asked again, truly surprised. "Yes it is." Mavin mumbled, her mouth suddenly going sour. Or at least it felt that way. "Wow, man. Can't imagine what you did to prompt that." Zeke chuckled, "Did you fuck her sister AND her best friend at the same time, and she caught you, in her bed?" "What?!" Mavin rolled her eyes. "What the hell are you talking about?" "I mean, for whoever leaked it to have done it, they must have had a serious grudge. And with you, there are only so many reasons a woman would have a grudge with you." Zeke explained. "No, bro I didn't fuck anyone over." Mavin sighed at the irony as it had been the other way around. "I'd certainly feel better if I had." "Well, what's the plan now?" "I'm gonna speak with Senator Ross within the next 3 hours pending my inside hook up. I want you to scope out Pryce and keep an eye on his kid too. I want to know everything. I have this sinking feeling that we're running out of time." "Alright, I'll get on that. What about this Montgomery guy I keep hearing about?" "You don't know him?" "He's not of my unit. I may know of him but we're not pals or anything." "Well, since that's your line of work I'll let you decide how much you want to know about him." "Aight, let's get going. I want to try and save as much of this holiday as I can." "I thought you were having fun." "Ah you know what they say; there's a fine line between-" "Yeah yeah, cap it. Let's finish this." ************ Senator Ross' office *********** "So you see Senator, it's not so much a question of gain, but a situation whereby we can both serve the masses to whom we are so dedicated." Kurt Pryce paused, while the Senator perused the file on his desk. "I hope you realize how utterly irresponsible this notion of yours is. In fact what gave you the idea that I'd even be interested in this sham you call a bill?" "Well, I cannot stress enough how beneficial this will be to you and your Washington cohorts. With your help, this bill has the potential to enable multi patent transfers and expand research clauses to allow focus testing." "'Focus testing', so that you can further justify dastardly side effects and use people as guinea pigs?" Jack Ross sat in his comfy chair eying the squeaky-shoed man before him. "Oh come now, Senator. This is after all, America." Kurt smiled, "It would behoove you to consider the benefits of my proposal." "I already have and it's wanting. Now Mr. Pryce, you may show yourself out." Ross had had enough. He was rarely surprised at much these days but for a second, he could feel the vestigial twinges as Kurt Pryce tried to dress up a bribe in 'good deeds'. "And if you don't mind, do so in a timely manner. I would not want to hassle my security detail." "Very well." With a smile, Pryce rose up from his seat opposite the senator. "I must apologize for my forwardness. Perhaps another day, you might see the good in us working together." "Or perhaps not." Senator Ross said, and just then two of his guard detail appeared at the double doors. Without much else, Kurt Pryce gathered his case and made his exit. He felt sullied by the encounter but took solace in the tens of other worthy senators who would be willing to share his pie. ****************** Zeke tapped his fingers on the wheel as he eyeballed his sister. They were parked in the middle of an empty lot, speaking over the purr of their engines. "Okay, I'm going to speak with the old man." Mavin said slowly to Zeke, snapping away the cigarette that had been burning without much help from her. "We'll meet up later, D-town." "You'll be good?" Zeke let his brain absorb the perimeter in periodic intervals. "Subjectively... Yes." Mavin smirked as she saw Zeke's eyes do their paranoia jig. "Alright, I'll go maintain." Zeke nodded, "Keep me posted, though." "Sure." Mavin sighed and shifted gears. Zeke nodded again, and revved his engine. "I'm thinking Tokyo, for the summer?" "Amsterdam in the fall..." The butch leaned back in her seat. "I can hook it up." Zeke confirmed, and held out his fist. "Do your thing, I'll catch you later." Mavin pounded it with hers and pushed her shades down from her hair. With that, both fired their engines and pulled off in opposite directions. *************** Moments later... *************** It had begun to rain buckets by the time Mavin arrived in Staten Island. She was cleared through security and soon found herself being ushered into the Senator's abode. And of course, no sooner had she laid eyes on Senator Ross, when he began on a tirade delivered in a thick brogue. Mavin stood still and allowed him to run his mouth. She figured he was being protective. Besides, to whom else could he possibly turn his anger? He was just as much in darkness as anyone else. But as she stood there, her ears began filtering his speech, and she consciously began registering his tone. She immediately took note of his posture. His words became clear and she realized, he was accusing her of something. Mavin thought her stomach would be fall through her jeans. But she held her composure. There were far more important things. And it seemed the old man needed to get his story right. "Senator Ross..." She cut in, and did not spare the chase, "I have some intel on where she might be." Mavin said in her timbre. "Of course, you would! I ought to arrest your murdering ass right now." He was pacing now, "Tell, me what do you want? You want money? That's always the case in these things." Mavin rolled her eyes and slipped her thumb and middle finger in her mouth. She forced her breath and sent a piercing whistle through the room. "If I may have your attention, Senator: We are short on time, I don't do screaming matches and I'm not in the mood to negotiate your ignorance. Granted, I'm sure you feel helpless. But make no mistake about how much I care for your daughter. I've been looking for her and as promised, I have some useful details that you might be able to use better." Mavin waited for input from the dark haired man, "Senator?" "Why do you sound like that?" Ross responded. "Unrelated history." Mavin said with finality that few would test. Jack's features relaxed into a poker configuration. He took in the tall dark, woman. And she was tall. Built like a bloke and yet there was a well-worn softness about her. And he had questions, but decided they could wait. His beloved daughter was far more important now. "What do you know?" "I have coordinates of about three possible locations. But based on the timeline, I'd say the closer two would be the most likely." Mavin said mirthlessly. "What do you need me to do?" Ross asked. "Whatever you can, these guys are connected and whatever step we take needs to be covered. I need you to not speak to the press. Not yet." "Well then, who are these people?" "I have to consider the head of a new pharma company as a suspect." "Does the head have a body, possibly with a name attached?" "Yes. But the less you know the better. You must trust me on this." "I must say, you give me very little to go on. But for Bellinda and Joann..." Mavin held her breath as the Senator mulled his thoughts for a few moments. "All right." "Okay." Mavin smacked her palms together. "I'll need a direct, cold line to you. Nothing tapped, nothing bypassed. Otherwise, we'll have communication issues." "Yes, yes. Call my hand mobile." "Alright, for your part, you need to go about the dailies as usually as you do. I'll get to the bottom of this." "Forgive me if I'm speechless." The senator said and Mavin took that as the end of their meeting. She turned with the aim of making a quick exit. Meetings was always left her wanting an antacid. "But you can't expect me to sit around doing that." Jack Ross said aloud when Mavin was out of earshot. In the next moment, he was snatching up the receiver and placing a call to Montgomery. ****************** The ride had been ridiculously bouncy. At the same time she couldn't really conclude that she'd been moving. Suffice it to say, she was slipping in and out of consciousness and felt like there was a heavy blanket of something viscous weighing down on her. That sensation was quickly juxtaposed with the feel of cold, prickly and somewhat moist texture on her face. She tried to open her eyes but the white was impossibly bright. She would've tried again had she not succumbed to the heavy blanket. ***********Few hours later*************** She couldn't be sure of how long had passed. But the texture had certainly changed. And she seemed to be floating through a tunnel of blinking lights. Again, the blanket took her to depths unknown. *** Outer borough freeway *** "I don't think your plan worked eagle one." Mavin almost swerved her Jeep when she heard the interruption cutting abruptly through the silence in her wireless earpiece. Before she had time to recollect her composure, Sam she could tell, made haste to inform her that the 'Old Man' had set his dog after the dark butch. Mavin didn't bother to blink. She had been expecting the worse and that was about close to it. Now she just had to wait for Zeke to confirm his end of the gig. In the meantime, she gave the Twins their orders. She was still nicked about the Bakare situation but, she would rather conclude, business was business. She couldn't believe the Twins would have a personal vendetta in that regard. Still... "Get him off my tail." Was all Mavin was inclined to say. Truth of the matter; it was all she had to say. "Right on." The link was severed and Mavin had her silence back. She drove casually for a while, teetering on her edge but waiting for her brother's call. It finally came as she made a third entry onto the freeway. She had nothing to worry about, she was certain the Twins had jammed local grid communications, in just the right pattern. With new access to the satellite and its functions, the main grid would remain intact but Mavin's route would be selectively shrouded. Zeke came in on the open communicator. "I'm all set here." "And that other thing?" "I put Riky on it." Zeke replied. ***********Pyro-Maniac's Lair************ "I still think she overreacted. If I didn't know better I'd assume she was guilty." Sam was saying aloud, to no one I particular. But as lifelong habit, Sian responded anyway "Given the circumstances, I think she did pretty well." "She fried almost half of the servers." Sam grumbled. "Could've been worse." Sian replied in a singsong tone. "Well, it's locked in history as is, so it's already at worst." Queen's Questions "Fine, she overreacted." Sian said in a deadpan tone and then, sighed. "Ha! You can't beat my logic." Sam giggled with exaggerated amusement. She truly enjoyed the playful banter between them. Sian smiled to herself. But it disappeared quickly when the dead-tone scanner picked up a fuzzy signal. She moved into action; backtracking through the fuzz. She pinched it into a range and then used the expander module to stretch it out and record it, and all in the blink of an eye. "Fuck Sammy, I got something!" Sian shouted. "What?" Sam perked up even though her fingers were already clacking away at her keyboard. A beep told her that Sian's recording had been transmitted to her system. She immediately put the rerouted SINKLAIR into action and in an instant got the device coordinates of the main signal generator. With a small back channel hack that would make the Pentagon weep, she extracted the MAC addresses of the transmitters. That they were cellular phones made it all too easy to find exactly where the speakers were. "Got 'em!" Sam replied. "Okay, can we get surveillance?" "On it." Sam continued, now that she had the hot spots, she pinpointed the most local video satellite to the region and had it capture the image feed. "We have live feed." "It's a bit grainy. Do you think you can clean it up a bit?" "Hang on." Sam went on and bounced the feed back through the SINKLAIR satellite. The returned signal was more isolated and less distorted, all for a clearer video stream. The twins watched in silence as the live video showed two individuals offloading a wrapped up bundle onto the yielding side of a mountain road. It was apparent that they weren't leaving the bundle to get help. And because the communication frequency was just shy of military range, the twins knew it had to be the woman they'd been searching for. "Alert the usual parties and then call her." Sian said slowly. She didn't want to think it was too late. They couldn't confirm the identity of the wrapped up bundle. They weren't even sure it was a person. But given the circumstances of the intel, they had to assume. "Why not just call her?" Sam whipped her head towards her sister. "Because this way, we can have confirmation before we get her hopes up. And not to mention, if she finds out first and goes gung ho for rescue, the locals will wanna know how she knew to look there. And then that's just an unnecessary story to tell. So we're protecting all parties here." Sian explained. "Oh, well I just hope she sees it that way. I don't wanna spend my next week fixing server bits." Sam replied and moved to hit the local panic buttons. *********************** There was flashing...lights, she could see them. But each burst felt like explosions behind her eyes. And the cacophony of tiny noises too was a headache. She heard the sirens, and then the voices. All were muddled and underwater-sounding. She felt heavy and breathing was becoming more and more difficult. Some fire running up her left arm and infecting her body. And soon she knew no more. ************************** On their feed they could see the emergency workers doing their work. At the same time they had to keep the press at bay. At least until Mavin had been informed. Once they were sure that she'd been found in savable condition, Sian put a call to Mavin. "We found her." Was all Sian had to say; the coordinates had already been sent. Mavin cut off the freeway and headed for the interstate. She called Zeke on the two-way and told him they were headed to Tyrone, Pennsylvania. **********Back in town************ "What do you mean you lost her?" "Just that Sir, we had everything rigged, and the minute we activated our systems, everything got fried." "What the- was there a power surge?" "No, we checked with other local systems and nada." "Well, seeing as there's no other explanation for this, I'm holding you personally responsible. Find her." "Yes Sir!" ************** The drive to Tyrone Hospital was officially the longest trip she ever made. Even more than the 10-hour flight she'd been contemplating recently. If she could remember, Mavin would know that she felt some sense of relief that the redhead had been found. But that feeling was drowning amidst the anxiety and anger. She was anxious, and worried, and trying to remain composed. But the closer she got her destination, the more acutely irritated she became. And before she could even catch herself, the hospital was looming ahead and beckoning. They quickly found parking and moments later, the tall butch found herself beyond the hospital doors. Zeke would wait and keep an eye out just in case. She was barely two yards in when she suddenly realized that getting in to see the redhead would pose a small challenge. Especially if the stubborn senator did as she knew he would. Did he even know? What about the press? She decided to test the waters first. The receptionist made eye contact and then did a double take. Mavin smirked and made her way over. "Hi, I was wondering if you could help my cause." "Sure, what's your cause?" "A woman was brought in a while ago, was found by a roadside. Could you tell me where she is?" "Does she have a name?" "Yes. Bellinda Ross." "Are you family or kin?" "Yes." Mavin said and the receptionist eyed her over her glasses. "Okay, let me see." The receptionist typed at snail speed, spelling out the letters of the name and checking with Mavin for accuracy. "Hmm...doesn't look like we have her." "Could you please check the emergency logs?" "I did, we have 2 Does, and they're male so..." "Okay, is there a doctor on the floor I could speak to?" "Not right now." The receptionist secretly eyed Mavin up and down. "Alright, is there restroom nearby?" "It's down that hall to and all the way down to your left." Mavin nodded and moved away from the front desk. She cut through the space in the direction but quickly slipped away towards the elevators and up to the wards. She wasn't sure where to go, but she was determined to search the whole building if she had to. "That was pretty good back there." Sian's voice was suddenly in her head. She realized she still had her earpiece on. The twins were still in action. Her sense of relief was replenished, but only slightly. "Okay, based on our feed data, she was transferred from ICU to a spare room on the east side of the building. You'll need to get to the fifth floor." Mavin didn't respond. Instead, she just cut back into the stairway and ran up the flights. "Fifth floor, now what?" "Make a right, pass the two halls and make a left down the third. Head all the way down. It should be the last room to your right." Mavin stood at the door. **************** The slow, steady beeping woke her up from her stint in nothingness. She opened her eyes and snapped her lids back together in a hot squint as the bright lights assaulted her. Flashes of a bleached white room spinning in her mind forced her eyes back open. Her vision blurred and slowly came into focus. She looked around with furrowed brows. There was someone dozing in the corner closest to her. She could feel the air being pumped into her through the mask. She looked down the length of the bed she was lying on. She had a needle tapped to her left arm, dripping into her vein with something. She tried to sit up and the woozy feeling wriggled through her nerves and made her heave. She coughed hard and pulled off the mask. She tried to speak but her throat felt so dry and her lips were definitely bruised. She turned to look for a call button or phone. The beeping had picked up its pace. She found the cord with a buzzer at the end wrapped around the metal frame of the bed. She reached for it and tapped the device. Moments later a nurse came in to the room with a tray carrying a sweaty pitcher and glass of cold water and a bendy straw. "I see you're awake," He smiled and checked the machines, then moved to examine her. "Follow the light please." Bellinda complied as he flashed a more focused light in her eyes causing them to tear, "Very good. Here, have some water, you must be thristy." The nurse gestured to the man in the corner as the redhead sipped. "Don't be alarmed about him. He's here on your father's orders." Bellinda nodded as swallowed with relief, "H-How long have I been here?" "About four days." He watched as realization set in for the green eyed woman. "Do you know where you've been?" Bellinda thought for a moment and shook her head, "No. I don't." Her throat felt incredibly dry and itchy despite the drink. Not wanting to provoke any stress, the nurse smiled, "Well it's alright, and you'll be just fine. I'll get the doctor on call and she'll explain all you need to know before you're ready to leave." Bellinda's brows furrowed and she felt dizzy again for a minute or so. The man in the corner had been jarred awake and was whipping out his cell phone to call Senator Ross. ***********About 2 weeks later*********** Bellinda lay in her room resting. She'd been lodged at her father's house since her release from the hospital. She wasn't sure how she'd ended being there. Her memories were shady and she knew she was missing chunks of information spanning days. She knew she couldn't force herself to remember and thus had given in to the doctor's advice that she relax and try to pick up where she left off. It would be better than agonizing what may have happened to her or why. Still, there was always a chance of it all coming back. And that was the root of her fear. She refocused her mind on the catalogs in front of her. Against her father's wishes, she had asked Joann to bring in the winter art catalogs so that the New Year's show could go on, albeit horrendously behind schedule. She contemplated naming it something else but that could happen later. There was still plenty of work that needed doing. It was the only way she could relax and not wallow in her lack of recollection. She thumbed through the thick binding and mumbled things to herself, made notes on a pad and tried to not think of what she couldn't remember. She was missing over two weeks of information. The doctors hadn't given her any guarantees and did their best to not aggravate her even though they hinted that whatever happened might have been so traumatizing that her brain just dumped the experience in the back waters of her mind somewhere, never to be processed. She didn't really buy into that. Though that would explain her minor injuries; bruises and a sprained wrist, - but she was healing up well. Her father took a week away from his precious D.C. schedule to dote on her. But she had convinced him that she was alright and needed to get back to her life. He had vowed to get to the bottom of it all and most importantly forbade her to see Mavin. That had perked her right up in all the wrong ways. She hadn't just thought of Mavin. She'd dreamt and worried and felt all manner of things. The primordial emotion was guilt and a dash of shame. She wasn't ready to get back into Mavin. She craved the dark butch but in her condition, she wasn't up for it. She wanted to make heads or tails of things and at least have possible answers to Mavin's probable questions. Still... It was nerve wracking. She had last seen the dark woman at the club. Her brain had no trouble rehashing that data. She remembered the woman coming out half naked with a barely dressed Mavin swaggering behind. She recalled storming off. Then there had been her uncle's burial. Mavin had shown up, paid her respects and then left without a word. There were other minor things after that but they were fuzzy and disjointed. "Fuck!" Bellinda gritted her teeth in frustration. She didn't want to think about any of this. She dragged her focus back to the page staring at her. It was a sculpture by Neo Savyen. She had seen it only a few times in private but now it was available to show in public. She made her notes quickly. She still had her own paintings to blaze through; about eight unfinished pieces and one more of her uncle that was still in the beginning phase. She sighed tiredly and slammed the catalog shut. She knew she had to be careful and not overwhelm herself. Especially now, given her condition. What she needed was a distraction. She couldn't get distracted by herself and in concluding so, she began thinking of what kind of distraction she could do with. Joann had been around almost everyday giving her the gossip on their social circle and updates on the gallery. Work was progressing well and Adam was busy overseeing the rest of construction. He'd visited many times as well but was always quick to let Bella know she had nothing to worry about concerning the show. According to him it was one less thing to worry about. That left her father who was busy with his politics and while he checked in on her regularly by phone and had security monitoring her surroundings, Bellinda didn't want to deal with eggshells. That left Mavin. She hadn't called Mavin and had asked her friends not to. She wanted to get her head together first. She was physically feeling better but her head was still jumbled about a few things. She hadn't seen Mavin. She wanted Mavin. She was angry with the butch because she hadn't even called to find out where she was. It wasn't until she heard her father's accusations that she understood why. Still, she could have called anyway. Bellinda stared at her ceiling and sighed. She would surely go insane if this roundabout mental meandering kept up. She picked up her phone and looked at it. Thinking for a second in a million directions, she tossed it to the side. Thinking for a moment; what had she to lose? Was she ready to dismiss everything between them over a shady incident at a crowded club? Maybe the lights had been playing tricks on her. Did Mavin mean what she'd said? "Only one way to find out..." Bellinda sucked in her breath, picked up her phone and began to dial before she had another chance to think. *************** "Mavin?" The voice sent searing waves of heat through her soul. She became tongue tied and replayed it in her head a few times even as the voice made it's shaky utterance again, "Mavin are you there?" "I-I'm here." Mavin responded after a short while. She could hear the breathing, the tremors, "Where are you-" "I'm at my father's. I need to see you." Butterfly wings flapped madly beneath her heart. "B, I don't think it's best for me to be in the vicinity right now." Mavin breathed deeply to keep from passing out. "We can meet up somewhere, I'll have Jo come with me so that my dad doesn't freak. I know he thinks you have something to do with all this but I told him it was impossible." "It is." Mavin agreed and sighed, "Okay, have Joann escort you to the family house. It's a lot safer and even if your father decides to detail you, they won't have much cause for alarm." "Don't worry about the detail; I know how to get around that. I'll be there." "I'll be waiting." Mavin licked her lips as her mouth got drier. "It's so good to hear your voice baby." Bellinda whispered. "I can't wait to see you." Mavin replied heatedly. "Well, I guess I should get off the phone and head out." "Yes." Mavin eyed a nearby clock. It was late in the evening. "Okay, see you soon." Bellinda said and hung up, not wanting to start with goodbyes. That would just feel so wrong. Mavin slouched back into her La-Z-Boy. She was sweating cold. The call pulled her out of the nightmare she'd been drowning in. Even after getting up and pacing, she couldn't shake the heavy jitters in her gut. It just couldn't be over. Her memory jogged itself back to that day at the hospital. She had practically barged in and lunged at the bed where the redhead lay. Just as immediately, the sight before her froze her. Once caramel-kissed, freckle dusted skin was now various shades of blue and purple. The redhead's lips were cracked; her neck bruised up along her jaw, and from what the butch could bear to see, the bruises didn't stop there. There was a light cast on one wrist and upon that discovery; Mavin felt her rage rise within her like festering bile. She aimed for the nearest deep bin she could find and hurled her innards. When the retching stopped, she began re-inspecting the redhead, searching for missing toes, fingers and tallying the damages she did find. She bounced the idea of a full examination around in her head for a few seconds before deciding that she couldn't live with further violating the redhead. But since the redhead wasn't in a position to vouch for her wishes, Mavin thought it over and decided it was better to know. Lifting the sheets, she made it past the bruises on Bella's thighs, and just as quickly decided that she had seen all she needed to. She moved to redhead's side and allowed herself the relief of the moment, filling and bitter as it was. She realized the voice in her head was Sian's attempt to soothe her and keep her from doing the next thing that came to mind. "You know you have to wait it out. At least now she's in safe hands. Besides I don't operate a sick bay here." Sian was saying. Mavin didn't bother to respond. Instead she placed a kiss on Bella's temple, and couldn't help but notice that even her hair was lacking its fiery luster. A few more kisses later and a fight to resist scooping the unconscious woman in her arms, Mavin made her way out. She hurried to where Zeke was waiting. He just started the engine and sped off. The drive back to New York City was long and tense. Zeke knew not to ask questions yet, so he drove her to the family mansion and let her have some space. It wasn't lost on him that his sister was visibly trembling. "It's not over." She had told him at dinner later that night. "I want his head, deep fried on a platter." She had said and Zeke just nodded. Of course it came as no surprise that Mavin then locked herself in her wing of the mansion. When she emerged two days later, she simply informed Zeke that she would be ordering some new furniture and gym equipment. She sighed and shook her head clear. She felt nervous and anxious and totally disgusted by the flapping in her gut. In attempt to steady her head she slid to the floor of the den and lay on the spread duvet. While her mind ran a million races, her body succumbed uneasily to sleep. *************A while later************* Bellinda and Jo pulled up to the Bright's home in Westbury New York. "Wow, check this out." Joann whistled, "Nice digs!" "Well it is a family home." Bellinda replied as Jo turned off the car. They remained silent for a while, feeling the winter chill seep in now that the engine was off and cooling. They hadn't talked about what happened, mostly because Bellinda wasn't fully sure of things, if at all. Not wanting to stress her friend out and just being very glad that the redhead was back in good safety, was enough to keep Jo from prying. Still, she couldn't help being worried about her best friend. "You know Bee; I'm here for you whenever you need me. For anything; if you need to talk, cry, decompress...I'm always here." "Joann..." Bellinda leaned back into her seat. "God Bee, I was so worried! The thoughts in my head, of not knowing if you were alive, and the helplessness compounded by how I imagined you were feeling..." The normally playful blond felt her skin flush as the little saline drops of moisture pooled at her eyelids and cascaded down her face. "Oh Jo..." Bella pulled Jo into a tight hug. "It's okay, I'm okay. We're gonna be okay." "I know. I'm sorry. I should be consoling you. God I was so scared!" "Ssshh...It'll be alright." Bellinda smoothed Joann's sunny hair, "Hey, hey listen...whatever happened is over now, we can get on with our lives. I'm truly lucky to have a good, caring friend like you and in your shoes; I'd have been just the same. I appreciate you so much Jo and don't you ever forget it. I love you like my own blood, and in ways beyond words you already are my own blood." Queen's Questions "I love you too Bee." Jo sniffled over Bellinda's shoulder and both women squeezed each other comfortingly once more before pulling away. "Now let's get inside before we freeze to death. You can relax by the fireplace, I doubt Mavin will mind." Bellinda said with a smile. "Okay," Jo breathed and placed a kiss on Bella's forehead, "Let's go, my nipples are tingling." Giggling like naughty undergrads Bellinda and Jo walked arm in arm to the door and rang the bell. Jo silently marveled at the subtle lavishness of the mansion. Well, the part that wasn't buried in snow anyway. Her attention was snapped back to the door when a woman greeted them. It wasn't Mavin, and thus Jo was a bit confused at first wondering if they were in the right place. Her confusion was elated when the woman gestured them in and then pulled Bella into a tight hug. "Oh sweetheart, I'm so glad to see you Cherie." Becca pulled back and kissed the redhead on both cheeks. "My goodness, look at you! Here, let me take your coats ladies." "Thank you Becca," Bellinda smiled genuinely and motioned to Jo who had been watching the interaction while trying to hide her puzzled expression even as they both peeled off their winter coats, "Becca, this is my best friend Joann. I hope you don't mind us, I didn't think you'd still be around." "Oh nonsense!" Becca proceeded to hug and kiss Jo as she had Becca. Jo accepted the affection gracefully. "You are family now. This is your abode as well. So then, don't let me keep you child. Mavin is in the den. If you'll excuse me I need to go find the girls, they have immunization appointments today and have been hiding from me. Carry on this way," Becca ushered them towards the den, "Would like something warm to drink, hot tea or chocolate...have you had something to eat all day?... you look awfully wan my dear." Becca dotted, slipping into her nurturing mode instantly. Joann smiled and decided then and there that she liked the robust woman with her spicy French accent. "Oh Becca, it's alright we'll find our way around, you go ahead. It wouldn't be wise to have to reschedule or drive too late with this weather." Bellinda implored. "Well, then I'll get going. Make yourselves at home. I should be back by seven." Becca said and hugged the women once more before she disappeared around a corner. "I like her." Joann giggled, "She's very bubbly." "Oh yeah, that's Becca alright." Bellinda smiled as they continued towards the den. They arrived at the den with Bellinda's heart racing and Joann's senses absorbing the decor. They found Mavin lying on a duvet that was spread on the carpeted floor. The tall dark woman seemed to be napping. Bellinda moved to her and knelt by her heaving form. She studied the expression on Mavin's face for a moment and leaned down over her. "Hey sleepy," Bella nudged the napping woman. She roused slowly and took deep breaths to awaken her senses. Mavin caught the familiar scent of the redhead and her hazel eyes popped open. When she realized Bellinda was about two inches away from her, Mavin crested her body into a sitting position as Bellinda jumped into her open arms. Mavin felt the warmth of Bellinda's skin wash through her, she couldn't even fathom letting go. She embraced the redhead fully, as much as her sitting position allowed. It seemed like ages ago since she'd held the redhead. Both of them desperate to feel close and secure in one another snuggled more into the other and their tussling wound them rolling on the duvet and then settling with Mavin sprawled over Bella and the redhead's limbs secured tightly around the dark woman. "Oh Baby..." Mavin said and gulped for air in the closeness of Bella's body, "Bellinda." "I'm here." Bella replied and wallowed in the serenity of Mavin's arms. She felt safe and so happy that she barely registered what Mavin was saying at first. The vibrations of Mavin's voice however clued her in. "What did you say?" "Who did this?" Mavin was asking. She had seen the bruises; bluish and greenish on the redhead's jaw and neck, dark circles for eyes, and some healing cuts where skin had been broken. Bellinda felt Mavin's body trembling; she looked to Joann who was still at the mouth of the den. Mavin turned around and followed her gaze and caught the blond, registering her presence for the first time. "I don't know. I-I c-can't remember anything from it." Mavin nodded slowly though her body still shook. She moved them both to their feet and pulled Bellinda closer to her body. She observed the redhead in her arms once more, acknowledging the harm done and then Mavin turned to Joann, "Thank you for bringing her Joann." "Oh...it's no sweat. Besides, if I didn't she'd have driven here by herself." Jo said honestly with a smile about her lips. "How are you holding up?" Mavin asked, wanting to be sure. "I'm better now thanks." Jo smiled and glimpsed a flash in Mavin's dark eyes. She wondered at the strip of oddity holding the conversation together. "If you want to hang a while, there's plenty of room. The entertainment room is down the hall to your left. Bathroom's a little further down on the right. Geraldine is the high chef and head of staff...hold on a sec." Mavin moved to the near wall of the den where the intercom was for this room. She tapped the right button and buzzed into the system. "Geraldine, please some to the den." "On my way." The response buzzed back. As they waited for the chef to arrive, Bellinda pressed her body closer to Mavin. The tall butch responded in kind and held the redhead even closer as she ran her fingers through the strawberry drenched hair on Bella's head. "You called?" Geraldine peered around the corner. "Yes, I don't believe you've met Bellinda and Joann. They'll be here for a while. Do make us something light and filling for dinner," Mavin turned to Jo, "Unless you'd prefer something else in particular?" "No, that's good." Jo said quickly and then added, "No peanuts though, I'm allergic to those." "Very well, anything else?" Geraldine made her notes. "Joann will be in the entertainment lounge. I'd give her a tour right now but-" "It's okay really, as long as you have good cable and popcorn, I'll be just fine." Jo said with a laugh and Mavin smiled thankfully. "Alright then we'll leave you to your devices. Make yourself at home and if you need anything, just buzz Geraldine. If you need me, tap the green button on this side." Mavin showed Joann where the button was on the intercom and then put her hand out waiting for Jo to take it. "Thank you again Joann. It's really good to see you too." "No problem." Joann lost her palm in Mavin's and then turned to Geraldine, "Hi, I'm Joann. It's a pleasure to meet you." "Pleasure's all mine." Geraldine smiled warmly and turned to leave the den, "Come with me Joann, I'll give you a tour." Joann followed and disappeared with Geraldine around the wall. Mavin sighed and grasped the woman standing next to her again. "Shall we?" Bellinda nodded and moved with Mavin toward her wing of the mansion. They got to Mavin's master suite and settled in her living room. So many questions, so many thoughts, so many other things pounded through both of them. Mavin took note of Bella's attire of fitting jeans and a simple top with a hooded sweater for added warmth. Her feet were clad in winter boots of some fashionable style- that didn't immediately look like road kill; and Mavin let her eyes wander back up to Bellinda's face. She moved to touch Bella's skin very gently and her twitching began once more. "It's okay I don't really hurt too bad. Just my wrists feel sore and I've got few bruises here and there." Bellinda said as she watched the butch take in her body. "I'm going to find who did this..." Mavin said in a deathly final tone. "Whoever it is will... I promise." "Baby, I don't even remember much, if any of what happened." Bellinda moved closer, "And I sure as hell don't want you going on some rampage when all I want is to enjoy our time together and put all this behind us." "You don't remember anything?" Mavin asked, a bit puzzled by this new detail. "No. But I remember the row we had at the club. I never got the chance to apologize for that and I guess I'm apologizing now." Bellinda said wanting to steer the conversation in a direction she actually could relate to. "No, that was my fault. I can't expect you to understand what happened." "No I should have trusted you." Bellinda said and a silence fell between them. "You know what, I don't want to argue." Mavin breathed. "I'm happy to see you." "You have no idea. When I woke up at the hospital I was looking for you but I was a bit out of it." "Oh babe," Mavin pulled the redhead into her lap. She didn't want to rehash any details of the days of Bellinda's absence. Still, the feeling in her gut told her there was more to the story yet to unfold. Bellinda squirmed in Mavin's arms as she got comfortable. She felt the butch's chest rise and fall with her deep breaths. She heard the rhythm of Mavin's thudding heart and let it soothe her. They sat there for a good while, just feeling each other be. Mavin breathed in Bella's scent, filling her lungs with it. The aroma was with a hint of vanilla. Sweet and creamy and a touch of her natural musk; Mavin felt the buzz spread through her like a drug. Bellinda sighed contentedly, with her arms around Mavin's neck with the tall woman's head angled in her bosom. Bella didn't mind it one bit. She was too busy enjoying the feel of Mavin's firm body wrapped around hers. She moved slightly and placed a kiss on Mavin's right temple. She pressed her lips to the dark woman's head and felt the pulse pumping through. It tickled her, awakened her. Mavin wasn't complaining so she continued. Her fingers in their place had easy access to Mavin's ears. She caressed them and felt Mavin shiver in their embrace. The tall woman pulled back and sighed as she looked up into the Bellinda's green eyes. "Join me for a warm shower." She said after a while of staring at the woman perched in her lap. Bellinda was mildly shocked at the request but it came just as quickly to her why Mavin had asked, "If you wanted to see my body you could have just said so." Mavin smiled a little and smoothed her fingers through Bellinda's fire tinted hair. "Well, I also want a warm shower and don't intend on letting you out of my sight so what'll it be?" "I don't think I have a choice." Bella laughed and got up from Mavin's lap. "Let's go." Bellinda led them to the bathroom and once the door shut behind them, they stood facing each other. Bellinda reached for the hem of Mavin's t-shirt and began tugging the shirt up. Mavin lifted her arms and helped to pull the shirt off. Bella flung the shirt away as the sight of Mavin's chocolate body greeted her. Tentatively, the tall butch also began removing the redhead's sweater and then her top. There were mild bruises and scrapes all over her torso and Mavin fought to swallow her rage. Still, the caramel cream skin called to her. She ran her palms over Bella's shoulders and caressed the redhead's clavicle. The jet heads in the shower were on a timer and burst to life behind the pair. Bellinda turned to the distraction and smiled at Mavin. "I think that's our cue." The redhead shucked her jeans and Mavin again bit down her bile-flavored rage as she saw the bruises on Bella's thighs and buttocks. Bella set her emerald gaze on Mavin and saw the void of Mavin's expression. "You don't have to be so quiet." Bellinda's voice quavered, "I don't remember what happened...but I have my fears too!" Having removed her sweatpants, Mavin stepped into Bella's space, leaning into her back and feeling the unsheathed warmth of the woman's soft skin against her chest. "I'm sorry baby." Mavin whispered, "Come on, let's get in." as she bodied the redhead into the shower. The warm water hit them with delicious force and the tall butch couldn't keep the moan from escaping her lips as she surrendered her aching body to the liquid massage. Mavin's hands followed the streams of water dripping down Bella's warm skin. She kneaded the flesh of Bella's neck and shoulders, being careful not to pressure the bruises too intensely. Mavin had questions running amok in her head. She couldn't absorb it quickly enough that Bellinda was in her arms, their bodies beginning the dance of one. Still the memory of Bellinda in that hospital bed plagued her. What tests were they compelled to perform? Had she been assaulted as she feared? Over and over, her mind churned but she bit her tongue. She wanted to enjoy the moment. But the moment was so tainted. The vision of Bellinda's bruised flesh did not sit well with the dark woman. The thought of how they came to be was unsettling. The prospect of Bellinda having been violated... "Mmmm..." Bellinda moaned under the jets of steamy water as Mavin's strong fingers coaxed the tension from her body. She felt the deft hands moving down her body, unclasping her strapless bra and tossing the wet material off to the side with a splash. Bellinda felt her nipples harden immediately as the kiss of cool air circled with rising steam. She felt Mavin's palms snaking up her sides to her breasts, cupping them and squeezing tenderly. Bella arched her back and craned her head to expose her neck. Mavin took the invitation and pressed her lips to Bellinda's wet skin. Bella moved her hips back and felt Mavin's slick body pressing into hers. The feel of Mavin's groin hairs brushing her ass sent electric prickles up her spine. The tall woman's lips played at the redhead's neck; sucking, nipping and tasting Bellinda. "I've missed you so much." Mavin groaned into Bella's shoulder as her need escaped the confines of rationale. She pressed her hips forward, desperate to feel more of Bellinda's plump ass against her. Her fingers toyed with the redhead's peaked nipples; tugging, twisting and feeling Bellinda. Bella grabbed Mavin's head and whimpered her approval. Her left hand moved to Mavin's palm over her breast and dragged it down her body to the enclave between her thighs. "I need you." Mavin hugged the redhead closer, sealing the remaining space between them as their bodies fit together within the rising vapors. The waters pelted them from all angles except the wall with the doors. And the shower room looked big enough to hold about twenty people. Bellinda faced the door and Mavin stood glued to her back, with the jets streaming at them. Bellinda sighed and shoved Mavin's hand deeper between her legs. Mavin sucked hard on Bella's neck and followed the redhead's desire. She felt the bush of Bella's sex graze her fingers and a hot tingle made her own hips buck. "Fuck!" Mavin gasped as a sweet ache permeated her fingers; driving them further between Bellinda's wet thighs. "Oh Mavin...don't tease me." Bella pleaded in a strained voice as she felt Mavin's fingers kissing her clit. Mavin felt the hot blood pooling in her loins; being in the shower made her feel deliciously dirty; being ensconced in hot wetness made her head spin and Bella's breathy voice in her head rattled her lust. Bella's legs quivered as the tall butch's fingers caressed her folds back and forth; spreading around the sticky slick moisture that had been gathering there all along. The fingers were strong and determined yet, they trembled with staccato tension in the intent of Mavin's tenderness. Bellinda sensed Mavin's nipples poking her back and the tall woman's torso twitching as her hips bucked slowly. "Take me...now," Bellinda craned her neck and turned her head to face Mavin, pressing her hot breath into Mavin's ear, "Please." Mavin could hardly be told once. Her fingers ached to reacquaint themselves inside Bellinda's warm body. Her mouth watered as though the gallons cascading over them weren't worthy. Her body trembled in anticipation of Bellinda's release at her doings. And in the back of her mind, she could hear Bellinda screaming and pleading. "Mmmm...ohh..." Bellinda panted as Mavin slipped inside her; first with one long finger then with two. In and out, Bellinda's walls tried to keep Mavin inside her, "Deeper...I want you deep inside me." The tall woman clenched her hips into Bella's ass, liking the slippery feel of the redhead's skin pressed into her throbbing clit. She pinched Bella's right nipple once more before moving her hand down to join the other. "You just don't know." Mavin muttered against Bella's cheek as the redhead turned to press her mouth to Mavin's tongue. Bellinda sucked Mavin's tongue into her mouth. The height difference between them allowed Mavin to angle her body just right. Mavin's tongue danced in Bella's mouth, happy to find its mate wriggling in the moist orifice. In and out, Mavin's fingers drilled on one hand while the other went in soft circles pressed lightly over Bella's stiff clit. In and out, the dark butch's tongue snaked inside the redhead's hot mouth while Mavin's hips pressed tight circles into Bella's juicy ass. Mavin flexed her left arm and thrust deeper, almost lifting Bellinda off her feet. She felt Bella's walls vibrate and tapped her right palm on Bellinda's clit. "Mmghm..." Bella mewled through the kiss and sucked Mavin's tongue deeper into her mouth. Mavin kept up her actions, increasing the tempo of her tapping and thrusting deeper and deeper. Bellinda's body tingled as she spread her legs wider. Mavin thrust faster, the jets drowning out the sounds and yet, the walls amplifying them all with acoustic resonance. She felt her fingers sliding in with real ease and began rolling both wrists in opposite circles. Bella broke the kiss to suck in some air, "Oh god!" "Does that feel good baby?" Mavin whispered hotly as she too heaved for oxygen. "Yesssss..." Bellinda's eyes rolled into her head, "Yesss...fuck me!" "So...tight..." Mavin panted with her effort, and doubled them. She rolled her thrusting wrist once more and went back to delving deep within Bella's honey walls. She rubbed Bella's stiff clit in fast circles now and the redhead's body began to convulse. "M-Mavin..." Bellinda moaned and jerked her hips with the butch's cadence. "You like it like that?" Mavin growled as her clit throbbed against Bella's palpitating ass. The tall butch curled her fingers away from their bodies so that they brush Bella's back wall on the way out and nosed into her spongy front wall on the way in. "Ay...aaa...ahhhh!" Bellinda panted and moaned; every nerve in her body firing as Mavin's body glided hotly against hers. Mavin pressed her body further into Bellinda and thrust a few more times, she added just a bit more pressure going in; tapping the small, firm area in the redhead's hot secret and Bella came undone. "YeeeaaaahhhhhH!" The redhead screamed as her muscles clenched violently, "Oh fuck...fuck...fuck YEAH," trapping Mavin's fingers inside her. Her thighs, trying to clamp down on Mavin's wrists but the butch kept thrusting, lifting Bellinda off her feet as she humped the redhead's luscious ass. The slickness of Bella's derrière rubbing her hard clit, even as it pressed into Bellinda's cleft was enough to set Mavin off. "Uhn...fuuuuck...yeahhhhh..." Mavin hissed and kept her motions up, helping them both to a long ride on the climax train. Aftershocks be damned; Mavin struggled to keep their balance and managed to wedge them against the far wall with the doors. Her fingers were still lost in Bella's paradise, moving very slowly and her clit was still quivering over Bella's slick ass. "You feel so good." "Ohh..." Bellinda panted and slowly allowed her body to relax. Mavin didn't pull away for another few minutes and when she finally did, she pulled the redhead into a wet kiss before licking her fingers slowly. Bellinda felt her nipples screaming again and dragged Mavin's lips back over hers for another tongue dance with her own juices as flavor. Queen's Questions "I can't get enough of you." Mavin admitted in a steamy daze as she broke the kiss and held Bellinda close. Her hands unable to stay in one place continued to roam the redhead's flushed skin. "I want to taste you." Bellinda whispered hotly into Mavin's chest and ran her hands over Mavin's dark tempting body. The water still pelting them both and sending tingles through their nerves. Mavin had no power, will nor desire to refuse. Not now. She turned and held her back to the doors and her eyes pinned to Bella's emerald pools. Bellinda moved languidly, her legs still rubbery. She placed her lips on Mavin's chest, licking the smooth skin and caressing the defined muscles with her tongue. She would savor those later, now she wanted one thing most in particular. She slowly crouched to her knees taking a bite of Mavin's quivering abs and a lick of her navel; her eyes never leaving Mavin's hazel orbs except when she had to snatch her gaze to level with Mavin's groin. Bella's mouth had already been watering and now she was practically drooling. She pressed her nose into Mavin's hairs and breathed deep, the fresh aroma making her pussy spasm; her delicate hands moving around to cup the back of Mavin's thick thighs and firm derriere. She saw Mavin's joy button sitting proudly between its blankets of fleshy folds; much larger than most she'd ever seen in her immediate experience but well proportioned to the rest of the tall butch. It thrilled Bella nonetheless. She gazed at it, all engorged and primed to have her tongue wrapped around it. She looked up into Mavin's hazel eyes and watched as the butch bit her lip in careful anticipation. She dug her fingers into Mavin's backside and hungrily pulled the dark woman's hips towards her. Her lips connected with Mavin's stiff clit and instantly sucked it into her mouth with a loud slurping sound. Mavin gasped and jerked her hips forward. Bella sucked hard and released the small but sizable bundle of nerves. She ran her soft tongue over it and then stole it back between her lips. "Huhhh..." Mavin muttered, chest heaving as she saw the redhead's lips clamp on her clit. The sight made her dizzy and crossed eyed, she had to blink tightly a few times. "Mmmm..." Bellinda slurped, lapping her tongue around the swollen head of Mavin's sensate organ as she savored the butch's fresh taste. Mavin's fingers found their way into Bella's wet hair. She raked her fingers over Bella's scalp as she felt warm air from Bellinda's mouth washing over her pulsing clit. She felt the warmth spreading and enveloping her again as the redhead's soft tongue lashed at her from side to side. "Ohh...yeah...suck it." She couldn't remember the last time she was treated to a hot mouth, it felt so good. Bella tasted the change in Mavin's flavor; more slippery and a bit muskier. She pressed her tongue deeper through Mavin's hot folds, brushing through the underside of the hard clit jutting at her. She slicked her tongue through the moist fleshes, nosing in for more of the musky nectar. She teased the folds, licking and sucking them, her face jammed in between Mavin's powerful thighs. She breathed in the sticky scent; basked in the heat. She let her tongue drag back and forth as Mavin's juice pooled on her tongue. "Hssh..." Mavin breathed deeply as waves of electricity sizzled through her, radiating through every nerve and making her body ache with unbridled need. "Aahhh...Bella." "Mmm...mmmm..." Bella moaned and hummed and smacked her lips in delight. She could feel Mavin's silky fluids running down her chin in slow sensual drips. "Baby..." Mavin's breath quickened as the sensation pulsed faster with each dizzy lungful of air, fraying her nerves. "Uhhn...fuck...I'm gonna..." Bellinda caressed the back of Mavin's thighs, making sure to drag her short nails over the taut skin. Sending more shocks for Mavin's brain to process. Bellinda leaned up and caught Mavin's gaze falling into hers through wet strands of her neatly locked hair. "Come for me." ***************** Mavin's arms were roped around Bellinda's voluptuous frame. She was awake, just watching the redhead's breathing. Her stomach churned, biting at her for food. "Shit!" She remembered Joann was probably still in the house somewhere. Still, she didn't plan on moving from where she lay. As if sensing her thoughts, Bellinda began to stir from sleep. Moaning and mumbling as was habit after a long nap. She snuggled back into Mavin's warm body, wiggling her ass in the process "You're up babe?" "Hungry." Mavin groaned and her stomach grumbled in agreement. "Hmm...want to go down and see what's cooking?" "Are you up for it?" Mavin pressed her body closer to Bella's. "I could eat." Bellinda said and turned in Mavin's arms to face her. She ran the tips of her fingers along Mavin's jaw and moved in for a kiss. Their lips greeted and gave way to their dancing tongues. Mavin slipped her right thigh through Bella's legs. Bellinda's mind flashed back to moments earlier in the shower. How Mavin's pupils had dilated in pleasure. Her jaw tense at first and then going lax seconds later as her whole body stiffened and trembled. Mavin's juices gushing into the redhead's mouth and sliding warmly down her throat. Bellinda felt her loins tingle again, pulling her lips away for air. "You're okay?" Mavin groaned. Bella's hot sex was pressed right over her thigh, concerting to drive her insane. "Mmm...I love the taste of you." Bellinda smiled; a gleam in her vibrant green eyes. She didn't wait for Mavin to respond. Instead, she shifted her body and straddled the dark butch. "Oh baby..." Mavin sighed now, hunger for food slightly forgotten; hunger for the redhead burning anew; the feeling of Bella's moist heat kissing her abs shriveled all other thoughts from her brain. All her senses committed to capturing the green-gazed woman in every way. Bellinda dragged her nether lips back and forth over Mavin's abs, coating the rippled slab of muscle with her juices. She leaned forward and placed her palms on Mavin's chest for support. Her radiant green eyes were focused on Mavin as she took her pleasure on the dark woman's body. *************** To be continued. End of Chapter 9