Love and Whiskers

by Olivia Myers

  “I can help fix this.” Kalinda told her and pulled her cell phone out. All it would take was one phone call to her mother. Kalinda never asked for anything, and her mother would do it for her without a second thought. “Let me help, Amber, please?”

  “Are you doing this because you want to sleep with me, or because you truly want to help?” Amber asked. She poured herself another drink, eyeing Kalinda over the glass.

  “I would do this for you because you’re a good person. You’re working hard to get through school and you don’t deserve to have people judge you for your sexual orientation. The fact I have feelings for you doesn’t hurt me wanting to help you though. I won’t lie to you, Amber, even if you don’t always like how I word the truth. I promise you honesty. I want to help you, and I would do it even if we hadn’t slept together, and if I hadn’t told you all my secrets.”

  “Fine. If you think you can fix this, be my guest.” Amber poured another shot.

  Kalinda walked over and took the bottle from her. “Drink some water or coffee, or both. Go sit down on the couch and let me make a couple of phone calls, and behave yourself. Don’t do this to yourself just because you’re upset. Let me help you.” Kalinda gave her a push toward the couch. She hadn’t taken Amber for the type to drink under stress, but she supposed when everything she worked for was being threatened, she could understand the reaction. But Amber didn’t have to deal with this alone, and Kalinda wouldn’t let her go down that path if she could redirect her.

  “All right, fine,” Amber muttered and went to sit on the couch.

  Kalinda dialed her mother, explaining the situation and her relationship with Amber. She’d expected more from her mother than a few moments of silence while she absorbed the news. Her mother was a pretty accepting woman in a lot of ways, yet Kalinda had never told her about her ability to shape shift. It was a secret she’d never told anyone, until Amber. That alone told Kalinda how special Amber was to her. She tried to impress that fact on her mother without giving details.

  “I can handle this. That poor young lady,” her mother muttered into the phone. “I cannot believe in this day and age they would treat her like that. What bigots!”

  “I know Mom, she deserves better. She’s a good person and she’s a hard worker. I appreciate you dealing with this for me.” Kalinda was amazed and grateful that her mom was being so accepting of everything.

  She didn’t get out unscathed, though—she got snagged into promising to come home for Christmas, and bringing her new girlfriend so her parents could meet her.

  Kalinda answered, “I’ll invite her, Mom, but she’s been pretty private up until this point about her orientation. This is why this whole situation is destroying her emotionally. It’s not fair.”

  “Life isn’t fair, Kalinda. You’ll learn that the hard way, but don’t give up.” Her mom talked for a few more minutes about other stuff, and promised to call back the next day to confirm that Amber’s scholarship was safe and she didn’t need to worry about Mary and her friends anymore.

  Putting her cell back in her pocket, Kalinda went out to the couch and saw Amber crying. Not saying a word, Kalinda curled up behind her and wrapped her arms around Amber. She just held her for a while, giving her closeness and comfort.

  “I’m sorry. I normally don’t drink this much, but it’s been a hell of a last couple of days,” Amber finally said, sniffling.

  “It’s okay. My mom will confirm that your scholarship is safe tomorrow. She’s going to handle it, okay? You are going to be fine, your education is safe, I won’t let anyone harm you.” She meant it. She was surprised how possessive she felt about Amber already, feeling the need to protect her fiercely. It was strange, because she’d never felt this way about anyone before.

  “You feel like you are too good to be true,” Amber said and then turned in her arms. She looked Kalinda in the eyes, searching her face for something. She must have found what she was looking for, because she threw her arms around Kalinda’s neck and kissed her hard.

  Kalinda kissed her back, letting her hands wander over Amber’s body. She stuck her hands up Amber’s sweatshirt. Sighing when she realized that Amber had no bra on, she cupped her breasts and played with her nipples, rolling them between her fingers and thumbs.

  “I don’t know what it is about you, but I can’t resist you, Kali,” Amber whispered as she pushed her body against Kalinda’s. “I can overlook the cat thing, I can overlook you spying on me, but whatever we have brewing between us, we need to figure out what it is. I don’t want another broken heart.”

  “I have no intention of breaking your heart, and I’m hoping you won’t break mine. I’m here because I want to be. I’m here because I think you’re pretty freaking amazing. I’m here because I want to do things to your delectable little body that if I whispered the fantasies in my head out loud, it would curl your toes before I even touched you. I’m willing to put my heart on the line.” Kalinda told her and kissed Amber’s shoulders and neck, pressing her fingers into the plump mound of her breasts and working her hands lower. Pushing the waistband out of the way, she put a hand between Amber’s thighs. Finding Amber wet, Kalinda closed her eyes and groaned for a moment. She wanted nothing more than to bury her face between Amber’s legs and make her scream with multiple orgasms, but first, she needed to focus on talking to Amber.

  “I want a chance at having a real relationship with you.” Kalinda told her as her fingers started stroking Amber’s clit, and every now and then would delve between the slick folds to get her fingers wet before going back to the swollen nub.

  “I’ve never really been open about anyone I’ve ever dated; my family doesn’t even know I’m a lesbian,” Amber said. “I think my mom would have a heart attack, but my dad would probably laugh and say he’s not surprised.”

  “My mom wants me to bring you home for Christmas,” Kalinda said, dropping the news as she pressed her fingers against Amber’s clit hard, rotating them in a circular motion, pushing Amber closer to climax as she talked to her. “I’d like that too, if you’re open to joining us.”

  “I think I might be willing to do that.” Amber said and let her head drop back as Kalinda’s fingers made all logical thought almost impossible. “You’re so good with your hands.”

  “A girl gets a lot of practice on herself.” Kalinda giggled and then bit Amber’s shoulder, claiming her. Wanting to leave a little love bite on her in a place where only she’d know. Amber didn’t stop her, instead turning her head further away to give Kalinda better access to her flesh.

  “Don’t stop, please,” Amber whispered and dug her fingers into Kalinda’s thighs. Normally Amber was the aggressive one, taking charge, making demands, but right now, she was at Kalinda’s mercy, begging with desire, needing her to take her over the edge.

  Kalinda whispered, “When I’m with you, I feel like everything’s going to be okay. I was lost before I met you, but you make me laugh and smile. You make my body feel so good. Just being around you feels better.”

  Amber whimpered. “I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. It’s scary.” She gasped when Kalinda touched her, moving her fingers with gentle deftness. “I don’t know if I’m in love yet, but I’m definitely falling in that direction.”

  “Come for me Amber,” Kalinda said. “Let me feel you get your juices all over my fingers, because I want to lick it off.” Kalinda pressed two fingers inside of Amber, going deep and stroking them in and out as her thumb massaged Amber’s clit. Taking Amber’s lips with her own, she shoved her tongue between her teeth and finger fucked her hard until Amber nearly screamed inside her mouth. Amber’s climax rocked her entire body, causing her to shudder and shake, arching her body back against the couch. She shook in Kalinda’s arms as her muscles contracted.

  When Amber was done shuddering and could open her eyes again, she blushed slightly as she watched Kalinda follow through on what she’d stated about licking her juices off her fingers.

  “Is it
good?” Amber asked jokingly.

  “Absolutely, you taste amazing.” Kalinda smiled at her. “I have plans for you tonight. You need to return the favor.”

  “I can manage that,” Amber told her and then tilted her head. “As soon as I can move.”

  “Well, while you recover, answer me this, do you think whatever we have between us is something you want to grow, because I’m willing to go all in here if you are.” Kalinda leaned back, watching Amber carefully. She didn’t realize that she was feeling insecure about putting herself out there like this, but when it came to Amber, she wanted her. She wanted her bad enough to risk being hurt.

  “I think I am,” Amber told her and reached out to grab her hand in hers. Curling her fingers around Kalinda’s, she smiled at her. “Whatever this is, I am willing to be brave and face it together. Going public, going to your family holiday, hell, even telling my family. You’re worth the risk, Kalinda.”

  “I don’t know if we’ll still be together by the end of college, but I hope we will be. I’m willing to fight to make this work.” Kalinda smiled at her and pressed a kiss to her lips and realized she was purring in contentedness. Amber could accept her. All of her.

  Her cat was happy, and she was happy.

  “Then we will make it,” Amber told her simply, then her lips curved in a wicked grin as she pushed Kalinda back onto the couch. “Now, I believe I owe you an orgasm, or five.”

  THE END

  Bonus Book: Biomechanical Hearts

  Stella was restless, though she'd committed to wrapping herself up in a blanket, curling up with a cup of coffee, and spending a good hour with a nice book and the stars floating past. Without stress. A window to the outside in Space Station Orcus was a luxury, but one that she could well afford. She liked to gaze at the stars while she pondered the truths of the Universe, the meaning of life, and the ever-present human desire for companionship – and why she couldn't escape that companionship. A strange thought for a bot seller such as herself, but anything was useful to pass the time while she waited for the delivery man, who, as usual, was late.

  As if hearing her musings from the cargo bay, a loud buzzing noise resounded. Stella stood up, stretching, thankful for the interruption from her meditations. She took her sweet time sipping her coffee as she made her way to the door and laid her hand over the unlocking mechanism to find her usual delivery man. He was waiting with a box that she'd guess was nearly twice his height. The delivery man, Carl, had always seemed to Stella like he must have been the result of a short tryst between a human and a bear – in both intellect and appearance. But no matter, four hours late or not, her goods had arrived.

  “Evening, Miss Stella, this is the fourteenth delivery this month alone. I take it business is booming?” He motioned to the large stack of crates in the back of his truck.

  Stella looked at him flatly. She thought by that point he would have given up with pleasantries, but most people seemed to think her irritability was charming. “I believe a 'good morning' is more apt now, Carl. The goods were due by twenty-two hundred hours yesterday. It is now two in the morning. I don't know if you’re trying to beat your own record for tardiness, but if this continues I’ll ask for a different delivery man next time.”

  Carl managed the grace – or sense – to at least look a bit chastised.

  “Aww shucks, Miss Stella. Don't be so mean! There was some trouble at customs. None of my fault, they just looked real interested in checking all bot cargo.”

  “I’ll wave it one last time. Do me the favor of unloading the crates in the back. I happen to have no staff left for the night, seeing you took so long.” She rolled her eyes as she stepped aside to allow him into her apartment.

  It was nearly four in the morning when the two finished wheeling the bots into Stella's cargo port, but she wouldn't sleep until the shipment was finally unloaded and documented.

  She waved Carl out of her apartment and even gave him a tip for all his help with the unloading. He might not have been punctual, but at least he had the muscles to help with carting the bots around. Once he was gone, she turned to admire her new stock.

  Thirty-five new bots in all. Some of her clients’ favorite models had made a return, and some were entirely new products fresh off the production line. It would now just be a matter of testing them. Stella wasn't one to let her toys go without ensuring quality. She was tired, but she figured she may as well use one to relieve her stress and help her get a night’s rest. Now to see which would catch her eye.

  The box she settled on was nearly twice her size, but that didn't matter to her. She managed to wheel it into her bedroom on her own.

  Stella's dealings had mostly to do with pleasure bots, modern marvels of robotics that looked and behaved identically to human beings with none of the extra human baggage. Like emotion or morals. Pleasure bots were made for one purpose, and that was to be entirely non-metaphorical sex machines. Stella found the bots infinitely more desirable for companionship than dealing with another person. And apparently, so did plenty of other people because, as Carl has mentioned earlier, business was booming.

  The box had been labeled RAM-69 (Alternatively F.I.S.T.O.); she figured one couldn't really expect a higher level of maturity from the men who engineered her products. At any rate, this model was brand new, and quite impressive as far as specimens went. At over six and a half feet of lean toned muscle, he cut a prominent figure. His hair was an exquisite platinum that begged to have her fingers run through it. And she did, standing on her toes to reach up and tousle the soft locks.

  Resting her hand on his bare chest for balance, she noted that he was quite warm, but he'd likely been tucked next to the engine, or may have been jostled and turned on during shipping. His face was angular and well proportioned, his eyes the green of forests only seen in photographs. Stella reminded herself to keep breathing, it wasn't often that she was so taken aback by her products, but this one was almost akin to a work of art. But the veritable Greek god in front of her was worth nothing if it did not perform its principal task. This was what Stella was so keen to now find out.

  “R.A.M.-69, your Mistress demands that you bring her fulfillment.” Stella sighed. She didn't know who kept coming up with these activation phrases, but they became more and more off-putting with time.

  The pleasure bot turned to her and spoke in a silky whisper which carried a distinctly Mediterranean inflection. These engineers were good. “This is unit R.A.M.-69, operational and ready to serve.”

  Stella could not help but smile at the emphasis placed on the word serve.

  “I am Stella. Until further notice, I am your new mistress. I want you to demonstrate your talents.” She approached the unit, but to her surprise, it did not move. Maybe the command wasn't recognized by this model. There were glitches now and then. Maybe it was a cheesy model.

  “I, Stella, command you to pleasure me,” she said again.

  Nothing. Maybe he needed literal instructions.

  “You are to engage in sexual intercourse with me.”

  Nothing again. This was becoming increasingly frustrating for Stella. Delivered late. And worthless. Her patience was thin on a good day, and at four in the morning, she had no time.

  Stupid machine.

  She plucked up the crowbar she'd used to pry the crate open and took a step toward the bot. “Get over here and fuck me, you piece of shit!”

  And yet the pleasure bot did not move. She lifted the crowbar to swing at his face—

  But the crowbar never connected. Her hand was stopped by his steely grip. She struggled against the hand, yet couldn't break the grip. The force was clearly bruising her arm, and she was forced to drop the crowbar.

  “Let me go, you fucking hunk of junk!”

  He pulled her towards him. While his skin had been warm, his lips were searing hot. She tried to struggle, but the bot held her fast. More than that, she was losing strength.

  She felt his other hand cover the small of her back, pre
ssing her closer to him. She beat at his steely abs with her free hand, but the struggle felt pointless now. He forced her lips apart, intertwined his tongue with hers, and she found she could no longer resist. The sheer force of his kiss and his arm clamping her against him were an incredibly carnal touch to such a beautifully carved bot. More humanoid than any she'd ever had, and entirely satisfactory according to the wetness now soaking her panties.

  The bot pulled back with a wolfish smirk, clearly having detected her arousal. She took a much needed breath before he turned her around. The bot maintained his grip as he pressed her against the edge of her bed and bent her over. Her pants proved little resistance as he tore the fabric away, and she could swear she felt hot breath against her thighs.

  Simulated breathing, that’s new, she managed to think to herself before she felt his tongue inside her. Stella let out a low moan. There it was again, that heat that was so exhilarating and new. She could feel his tongue move inside her, one hand still holding her wrist and the other gently spreading her cheeks. She felt him pull away. No, this couldn't end now; she couldn't be left teetering on the edge of arousal.

  “Fuck no, you aren't done!” She cast a scowl over her shoulder. “Get back to work!”

  The bot laughed, a soft chuckle that made her stomach flutter. He was too realistic. How dare this machine do this to her. He was property!

  Before she had time to snap at him again, he plunged inside of her. There was no gentle touch, just sheer animalistic voracity. She squealed, like she hadn't in so long.

  He was good. Maybe the best she’d ever had. He didn’t feel mechanical at all, moving as if with a desire of his own. She could feel the bot thrust over and over inside of her, pinning her against the bed with a hand on her shoulder and the other bracing her hip. She dug her fingers into the bedsheets, clipped moans escaping with every touch of his hips against her ass. At this rate it was all she could do to keep from losing herself. The bot pulled Stella up by her hair, still riding her but pressing her body close to his. She could feel his oppressive heat, and she was drunk off of it. Every thrust made her legs feel weak. Finally, he let go of her shoulder – only to cup her breasts in his oversized hand.