Piping Her Tune

by Maggie Brown

  Abby studied them both as they conversed. The two women were night and day: Victoria dark, imperious and commanding; Patsy fair, solid and dependable. But Abby couldn’t help getting the vibe that, underneath their geniality, there was a power struggle going on. Clarissa seemed oblivious to it and soon fell under Victoria’s spell. It was beginning to be a bad case of hero worship as the night wore on.

  “Have you seen much of Paris, Patsy?” asked Abby.

  “Some. All the touristy spots and we’ve done the markets as well.” She smiled shyly. “I haven’t walked by the Seine at night though. I hear on the Left Bank there’s a fantastic park at the Quai Saint-Bernard where they dance late into the night. Will you come with me?”

  Abby shot a quick glance at Victoria. Her face remained closed. “What about you, Clarissa?” Abby asked.

  “We’re staying at a hostel around the corner. I’ll see her home before we go,” said Patsy.

  Victoria stretched in her chair, seemingly unconcerned. “You two don’t have to head off yet. We still have a couple of dishes to go. We can have another drink and then what about I shout you all dessert.” She winked at Clarissa. “There’s ice cream.”

  Clarissa’s face lit up. “Awesome.”

  Abby couldn’t pinpoint when she noticed Victoria’s demeanour towards her begin to change, for it was ever-so-subtle. First it was just a fleeting touch on Abby’s shoulder, then a whisper in her ear to pass the salt, an accidental brush with her arm, a secret smile directed solely at her. By the time dessert was on the table, Abby was quite aware of what she was doing. Victoria was staking her claim on her. Patsy knew it too. She looked deflated, though Clarissa didn’t seem to have a clue and kept up her bright chatter.

  After the dishes were cleared away, they stood up. Patsy focused her gaze on Abby, her soft eyes holding the promise of the beginnings of a relationship if Abby wanted it. “What about it, Abby? Would you like to come with me down to the park?”

  Abby turned to Victoria. She looked totally exposed, with a vulnerability that had never been there before. In that moment, Abby knew that she was no longer falling, but totally in love with this frustrating, wonderful woman. She pulled Patsy into a hug. “I’m sorry. I’m going home with Victoria. You and Clarissa have a great holiday.” She gave Clarissa a kiss on the cheek. “You look after your sister, now.”

  She reached over to take Victoria’s hand. “Come on, let’s go home.”

  They didn’t say a word in the taxi on the way home, just sat hands entwined, thighs pressed together. Inside the hotel suite, Abby swung to face Victoria. “Your room or mine?”

  Victoria’s face broke into a grin, her eyes sparkling. “Yours. It’s the furthest away from Fiona’s room. I’ll be back after a quick wash. Put some clothes on after your shower; I want to take them off.”

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Victoria was at the window when Abby came out of the bathroom. “Get into bed, sweetie,” Vic called out.

  Instead, Abby stepped behind her, wrapped her arms around her middle and rested her chin on her shoulder. She kissed Vic’s neck, nibbled and licked the base of her hairline until goose bumps flushed across her skin. Then she ran her hands down her back and slipped her fingers under the elastic and pulled the silk pants down over Vic’s bottom. As she massaged the cheeks and arched against them, Vic’s heart raced. Each pump of Abby’s hips sent her into orbit. As the movement reached fever point, Abby swung her around and pulled her head down until their mouths melted together.

  Their tongues began to entwine while Abby moved her body up and down with a steady rhythm. “Please, on the bed,” Vic said breathlessly. “I want to do it properly.”

  “Hurry, luv. I need you so badly I’m hurting.”

  Vic ripped open her robe and hurried over to the bed. Abby lay on the top sheet, her face glowing with anticipation. Vic crawled onto the bed and slid off Abby’s top. She glided her hand under the lace panties and eased them down over her ankles.

  “Oh, my god, you’re lovely,” she whispered, and feathered kisses over Abby’s face before she claimed her lips.

  Abby ran her hands down Vic’s sides. “Your skin is like silk. Lie on top of me so I can feel all of you, honey.”

  Victoria moved her body carefully on top, supporting herself with her elbows while she slid their bodies together with a steady rhythm. When Abby moaned, she silenced her with a long kiss. As she sucked in Abby’s tongue, Vic threaded her fingers through her hair. She tightened her grip and moved downwards to kiss her throat. By the time she reached her breasts, Abby was fighting for dominance.

  “Oh, no you don’t. Lie still. I’m in charge tonight,” Vic reminded her.

  She turned Abby onto her stomach and lavished kisses on her feet, slowly moving up her legs to nibble at her inner thighs. Ignoring the heated protest when she left that area, she straddled Abby’s back and tilted her head forward to nip the skin under the hair. When Abby displayed impatience, Victoria turned her over and nestled her half under her body. With her securely cradled in her arms, she bent again to give her a long, hard kiss. Finally, with a slow, sensual movement, she trailed kisses down her neck and nuzzled her face between her breasts.

  After a moment, she pulled back to gaze in awe at them. They were creamy and soft, the pink areola puckered and the long nipples stiff with passion. She cupped them, feeling the weight in her hands, and squeezed them together, then took them in her mouth. By the time she’d finished sucking and licking, Abby was beseeching her to go lower. “Please, luv, I feel on fire between my legs. I need you there.”

  With a rocking motion, Vic gently pushed open her legs with her thigh and slid her fingers up and down the slick sides. Abby was arching into her now, trying to get the fingers where she most needed them. Carefully Vic searched and touched the small bundle of nerves with slow, deliberate strokes, then harder and faster. Abby began to stiffen. With a swift movement, Vic slipped two fingers inside and pumped as she firmly massaged the clit with her thumb. Abby exploded with a low “ahhhhh” as her orgasm peaked. She then lay gasping in waves of pleasure. It took a moment to catch her breath before she murmured, “I…I didn’t dream it would be so wonderful.”

  “Oh, sweetie,” Vic whispered as she pulled her close. “Haven’t you ever had an orgasm?”

  Abby ran her fingers lightly down Vic’s arm, a tear trickled down her cheek. “I’ve only been with boyfriends. Sure I’ve had orgasms, but they were nothing like that one.”

  Vic stroked her hair. “I wish I’d known I was the first. I would…”

  “Don’t be so silly. That was the best experience of my life.”

  “Is that so? Well I haven’t finished with you yet.” She slid down, pushed open Abby’s legs and buried her head between them. Minutes later, Abby climaxed again under the Vic’s insistent tongue, this time longer and harder. She feel back and panted, “No more—I’m too sensitive. It’s your turn.”

  Victoria propped herself on an elbow and trailed her finger down over a nipple. “It was your night. You must be tired, so I can wait.”

  “You’ve got to be kidding me. I’ve wanted you for ages. I hope I can do what you like, so tell me if I’m not doing it properly. I…I really want to be good for you.”

  Victoria planted a soft kiss on her lips. “Oh, sweetie, I’m just enjoying being here with you. I know you’re inexperienced so don’t worry, anything you do will be fine. I’m not far off.”

  “Okay. I want to kiss you first.” Abby began with soft feathery kisses on Vic’s palms, then up and down her arms, her earlobes and neck, paying particular attention to all the sensitive hollows. By the time she took a nipple in her mouth, Vic was moaning frantically, “Please…please. I’m nearly there.”

  “Not yet, darling. This is the first time I’ve touched a woman like this. Let me love you.”

  As Abby leisurely suckled and stretched out her nipples, Victoria reached fever point. If Abby didn’t touch her soon, she’d burst. It was the
sweetest agony she’d ever experienced. “Now, sweetie, please…”

  Abby ignored her pleas as she trailed a tongue around her navel then dipped it in and out. Then she nibbed over her stomach until Vic took her hand and pushed it downwards. Abby gave a little laugh and slipped in two fingers until she felt the clitoris. When she began to firmly stroke, Victoria’s orgasm rose immediately. She convulsed into waves of blinding pleasure. Then as Abby continued to rub, another climax followed. A cry wrenched out, as the second hit with more force. Vic flopped back like a rag doll and felt Abby climb on top of her. She opened her eyes to see Abby grinning. “You liked?”

  Victoria could only nod dumbly.

  In the morning, Victoria’s body still ached with desire despite the immensely fulfilling lovemaking of the previous evening. She looked at Abby nestled against her, so naked and desirable that it was hard to resist the temptation to fan the flames of arousal again. For the first time in her life, she felt consumed by the need to possess and be possessed. Reluctantly, she slipped out of bed and into her robe. Fiona wouldn’t be back from her walk for at least another three quarters of an hour. She padded out to the kitchen to make breakfast.

  Victoria was beating eggs when Abby, clad in only bra and panties, entered. She raised the fork in the air. “You hungry?”

  Abby pressed her body against Vic’s back and grasped her waist. A husky laugh tickled her ear. “I’m famished, but not for food.”

  She turned Vic toward her, and the fork clattered into the sink. With a swift movement, Abby opened the robe and took a nipple in her mouth. Vic drew in a breath, heat radiating in a flush of desire as fingers tickled the top of her pelvis. She spread her legs quickly to allow entry and shivered as they slid downwards.

  “Is this good? You’re so wet,” murmured Abby.

  Victoria nodded.

  “And this?”

  She moaned her assent.

  “What about this?”

  “Ohhhh. Yes…yes.”

  As her fingers stroked, Abby hummed to accompany her groans. When Vic felt her body change, ready to climax, the door opened. Fiona entered and bent to take off her walking shoes at the door. Alarmed, Victoria gaped at her over the top of the blonde head buried between her breasts. Stifling a moan, she hit down sharply with both hands on Abby’s shoulders to gain her attention.

  A muffled whisper came. “You want harder, do you, honey?” With a sharp thrust Abby drove a knuckle into the quivering little pearl. Vic flew over the edge and her orgasm slammed into her. Her body arched backwards. An involuntary cry of pleasure rose from deep inside and she frantically clamped her lips together; it wasn’t enough to stop a grunt escaping.

  At the sound, the Scot turned to look. Her face contorted into horror at the sight of the two of them pressed together and her boss in the throes of orgasm.

  “Good lord in heaven, lassies. What have they put in the water?” she screeched and fled to her bedroom.

  * * *

  Once they were dressed, Abby muttered, “You go out first. Why the hell did she have to come back early?”

  Victoria stopped pacing round the room and frowned. “Why me? You go.”

  Abby placed her hands on her hips and stared her down. “Don’t be a squib. You’re the one going out with Fiona this morning. You told me you were taking her with you to negotiate the sale of the chalet. What time are you meeting the owner?”

  “In three quarters of an hour.”

  “Good. You’ll have to go soon.”

  “Now who’s the coward?”

  Abby grinned. “Too right! I am. I’ll come out and say hello but I’ll leave you do the explaining. You’re the boss.”

  “Oh, very well,” she muttered and when Abby chuckled, she couldn’t stop the laugh. “I hope she’s over the shock. I wonder what she’s going to say.”

  “I bet she won’t say anything—not for a while anyway. She’ll have to have time to digest it.” Abby hesitated and took her face in her hands. “That…that was the best night of my life. I…I love you, Victoria Myers, with all my heart.”

  Victoria became flustered. She wanted to say she loved Abby too, but the words stuck in her throat. Instead, she gave her a quick kiss and walked out.

  Fiona stood at the front door and curtly nodded. Victoria avoided her eyes. “I’ve rung for the taxi. It should be here in a minute,” she said in a strained voice.

  Abby gave a wave as they went out the door and they walked in silence to the lift. While they waited for it to reach their floor, Fiona asked, “Do you think he’ll sell?”

  “Of course. I’ll offer him a price he can’t refuse. If Abby can be bought, anyone can.”

  A hiss behind her echoed in the corridor. Victoria turned to see Abby standing in the doorway of their apartment. After a moment, she wheeled back inside. The door slammed behind her.

  Vic felt the blood drain from her face. Oh, hell. What have I just done? She started toward the apartment, desperate to explain her comment to Abby. It wasn’t about the money at all. She wanted to tell Abby she admired her and loved her with all her heart. But the lift door opened and Fiona stepped inside. Victoria had no choice but to follow.

  * * *

  Abby leaned against the door, trying to stay calm. Was that how Victoria saw her: something she had bought…a possession? In her heart she knew Victoria had a right to think that. Abby had allowed herself to be bought, lock stock and barrel, and it would always hang over her head. Regardless of her reason, she had prostituted herself by accepting the money. Her mother was right: she wasn’t the one calling the tune and never had been. She was the piper and would never be on equal footing with Victoria, so how would their love ever survive? There was only one way now to regain her self-respect.

  She hastily packed and booked the flight. She scribbled out a note to Fiona and one for Victoria, then rang for a taxi to take her to the airport.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Victoria shuffled through the stack of papers on her desk. It was two and half months since Paris and she still found it hard to concentrate, continually troubled by the same questions. Where the hell was Abby? How could she have disappeared off the face of the earth? Vic had tried to find her; she’d scoured the city, visited every art gallery, every Legal Aid office and haunted the street where she lived. She drove past her mother’s house often enough for her car to know its own way.

  Her anguish turned into anger. Was that what she had become? A common stalker? Stuff Abby! If that was the way she wanted it, so be it. Taking the piece of paper out of her pocket, she read it one last time.

  I’m going away, Vic, for I realize what I have to do. I said I love you and I meant it from the bottom of my heart. You are my life but I shall never be happy knowing you still look upon me as your possession. It was my own fault for accepting the money and I don’t blame you in the slightest. But honey, if I don’t have my self-respect, I have nothing.

  Abby

  Victoria scrunched the note into a ball and tossed it into the wastepaper basket. Time to get on with her life. Fiona looked up in surprise when she walked to her desk. “Are you off early?”

  A stubborn look settled over Victoria’s face. She had at least three hours of work ahead of her but she didn’t give a damn. She wouldn’t put up with the pain in her heart any longer. She was going out to have a good time. Her friend, Irene, had emailed an invitation to a party, so she was going. Plenty of willing women would be there, ready for a fling with no hang-ups and no whining about self-respect. “I’m going out tonight and I won’t be in until ten tomorrow.”

  Concern flitted across the Scot’s face. “Are you all right, Vic? You look angry about something.”

  “And so I should be. I’m sick of working my guts out in the goddamn office. No one appreciates the hours I put in. I’m off to let my hair down for once in my life.”

  Fiona reached over and patted her on the arm. “She’ll come back soon, dear.”

  “I won’t be here when sh
e does,” Victoria roared and marched to the lift.

  By the time she reached Irene’s apartment, Victoria’s anger had settled into a sullen hatred for Abby’s scruples. Any other damn woman would welcome the fact she had plenty of money. What was the point of working nonstop to get it, if she couldn’t spend it how she wanted to? The door opened and she was engulfed in a hug.

  “Vic, it’s great to see you again. You’ve become quite the hermit. Come on—the crew is all here. We’re dying to hear about your overseas venture,” said Irene as she pulled her into the room.

  Victoria smiled, her mood improved by the presence of friends. A drink was thrust into her hand and she took a long sip. She began to relax as she related the events of her time away. It was exhilarating to relive the trip. During the recital though, a moment of fear rolled through her. What if she never saw Abby again? She quelled the thought and went back to being sociable.

  By midnight Victoria was pleasantly primed, ready to throw caution to the wind. Why not enjoy someone? Diane, a pretty accountant from out of town, had paid her particular attention for the last hour. As they nestled on the lounge together, the woman shifted to press her full breasts against Vic’s arm and slid a hand down to knead her thigh. Victoria’s initial arousal quickly faded.

  It felt wrong. Quick, easy, meaningless pleasure couldn’t possibly heal her bleeding heart. She closed her eyes, willing to enjoy Diane’s persistent touch but she couldn’t block out the vision of Abby. The image of Abby’s naked body sent shivers down Victoria’s spine and inspired an acute wave of desire. Rising quickly off the sofa, she muttered a word of apology to Diane and headed home.

  Victoria resigned herself to another night of unrequited longing. After a cold shower, she lay down on her bed and dropped her head on the pillow. A tear dripped down her cheek. It was no use. She knew whose body—and love—she wanted; nobody else would do. Would she ever feel that again?