Skyclad

by Max Ellendale

  "Wake me up like that every day." I stretched a bit beneath her and her body moved fluidly with mine.

  "If you put me to bed the way you did last night every night, I'll wake you up like this every morning." She wrapped her lips around my nipple and tugged a bit with her teeth. Shudders raced through me and I grabbed a handful of her hair.

  "Kneel over me," the demanding tone that left me shocked me a bit. Mae's brows flicked upward but she obliged and moved to straddle my stomach. I gripped her hips and urged her forward as I slid down. Mae's hands fell to the headboard once she understood my gesture. I wasted no time devouring her as soon as her folds met my lips. Her soft moans told me how badly she needed, or wanted it. I gripped her rear, fingers digging into her flesh as I probed her dampness and rotated between sucking and flicking. Mae's hips rolled against me when I took her clit between my lips. Bucking followed and I knew I'd have her quickly. From beneath her, I watched as she tossed her head back, perky breasts bobbing with our movements.

  "Fuck, El." She sucked in her breath and her body quaked with release. I lapped at her sweet nectar and didn't let up until I had her crying out a second time. She dropped her head down on her arms and gazed down at me through droopy lids. I scooted up a bit and placed a small kiss on her clit. She laughed softly when I smiled at her. "You're really good at that," she panted. "Have I ever told you?"

  "You didn't have to." I licked her once more before she flopped to the bed beside me. Her hands in her hair as she sprawled out. I rolled over to watch her and caressed the soft skin of her abdomen.

  "I love you," she said, in between breaths.

  "I love you, too." I leaned up to kiss her just as one of our phones buzzed on the nightstand. Mae didn't move so I reached across her and grabbed her phone first. "Jax is calling you."

  "Answer."

  "Mae's indisposed at the moment," I said as I picked up. Mae slapped me on the ass for it which, still being slightly sore from my punishment last night, made me shiver.

  "Can you ask her if it's okay that I go to Sonora's tonight? She invited me." Jax's voice sounded fluttery and excited.

  "Did you hear her?" I asked Mae who nodded, her eyes remained closed.

  "She can."

  "How are you getting there?" I asked.

  "I'll take the bus then Sonora will meet me." Jax paused. "I take the bus all the time."

  "I believe you. Text us when you get to my soon-to-be sister-in-law's house," I said and Mae snickered.

  "Oh shit, that's right." Jax got my not-so-subtle hint. "I'll behave."

  "Good ward," Mae mumbled and Jax's laughter echoed through the speaker.

  "Liz said she'd close the shop for me, Mae. You should probably snap out of your sex haze and go to work at some point this year." Jax teased extra loudly which had me cracking up this time.

  "Speaking of which—" I began.

  "And you, too." Jax's lecture ended when she hung up on us, leaving us both hysterical.

  "She's got a point there. I think I've been late to every class this semester," I said as Mae continued to grin, her arm draped over her eyes as she worked to prolong her afterglow.

  "You've had good reasons." She yawned and finally looked at me.

  "On my annual review I can write, 'late due to being caught in the throes of ecstasy.' How's that sound?" I grinned when Mae wagged her brows.

  "Perfect," she said, leaning up to kiss me. "Go to work because I need to spend the day finding a dress to match the fairy pink one Zoie has you wearing."

  "It's a pretty dress." I slid from the bed, grabbing a clean towel from the laundry basket.

  "The dress is. The color I could do without." Mae rolled to her side and watched me. "But it matches your ass at the moment." A proud grin washed over her features.

  "Mae!" I scampered into the bathroom and examined what I could see of myself in the mirror. She was right, of course. Her laughter continued after I shut the door and turned on the shower.

  Chapter Eleven

  "So not long for the wedding, huh?" Delia asked as we shared lunch together on break between lectures.

  "Next week." I nodded and took a bite of my sandwich.

  "Things any better with Mrs. F?" Delia pushed the bag of chips in my direction and I plucked one out.

  "Yes and no. Yes in that, I'm not going to let her opinion deter me and no, because her opinion hasn't changed. What she doesn't know is that Zoie's sister is also gay and there's a high probability that both the maid of honor and best woman have women as dates." A smirk curled my lips around the chip as I considered the irony of the situation. Delia cackled and slapped her hand down on the table.

  "Get the hell out of here. Really?"

  "Yeah." I nodded as I crumpled up the sandwich wrapper and tossed it in the trash beside us.

  "It makes sense. Being gay isn't a phenomenon like the northern lights or anything. It's common. People need to stop frowning on everything that makes them uncomfortable. So tell me something…" Delia paused to sip her soda. "What's sex like with a woman?"

  "Better than any sex I've had with a man, that I can tell you."

  "Really?" Delia leaned forward. "Why?"

  "Mae knows everything I want and need. At first, I didn't think I could give her what she wanted. I learned her as she learned me. Maybe that's what's different than with men. I don't know." I shrugged but the heat of just thinking about it rose to my cheeks.

  "Don't you miss the penis? I think I'd die without it." Delia fanned herself.

  "I don't." I laughed at her. "I don't miss it at all."

  "How in love with her are you, El?" Delia's eyes seemed to twinkle, as if my story was the most interesting fairytale around.

  "So in love, Delia. I've never felt like this before. With anyone. Ever." The admission set off a flutter in my stomach.

  "Have you moved in together yet?" Delia's sincere smile radiated from her, brightening her features beneath the blue streak in her bangs.

  "No. We're together almost always, though. Sometimes at my place, sometimes hers. She's guardian to Jax now so we spend more time in Salem lately. It's nice to see the two of them interact. They're like sisters."

  "A few months ago, El, you were all alone in the world. Or so it seemed. I could barely convince you to go to dinner let alone anything else. I like the change Mae's brought to you." Delia stood with me as I gathered my belongings.

  "Me too. I better shove off. I've got another class then office hours until nine tonight. Whose dumb idea was that?" I groaned.

  "Yours, of course." Delia giggled and kissed my cheek. "Later tater."

  ***

  No student in his or her right mind comes to office hours this late. I sat alone in the dimly lit room, surrounded by books and stacks of paper. I rarely used my office at the school and some of the adjuncts shared it with me on occasion. I've kept this same slot free for years and only a few students ever used it. In the digital age, email replaced most in-person interactions. With an hour to go, I pulled out my phone and called Mae.

  "Do you miss me already?" Mae answered and I could hear the grin in her voice.

  "Terribly. What are you doing?"

  "Sitting in the store by myself waiting to close. Who let that brat employee off the hook on her closing night?" She let out an exaggerated sigh.

  "You own the store. Close early." I laughed at her and toyed with a pen on the desk.

  "The girls still have readings going on. Where are you?"

  "In my office staring at the computer screen while talking to you."

  "Is the door shut?"

  "Yes."

  "Are you alone?"

  "Of course. Why?"

  "What if I walked in there right now?"

  "You'd be pretty bored, too."

  "What if I walked in there right now and threatened you with a set of silk bindings?" Her voice dropped an octave. Instinctively, I glanced to the door, half expecting her to waltz through it.

  "Threaten me how?" My brow f
urrowed as she took our conversation in an entirely different direction.

  "Threaten to clear off that desk you're leaning on and tie you to it. Strip you down to nothing and wrap you in four points. Exposed and naked for anyone to see." Her words rolled through the phone like a silky promise. I leaned back in my chair as the familiar ache swirled in my belly, traveling down toward my core. I bit my lip, listening to her as she continued. "Can you imagine that, kitten? Bound to the table as I sat in your chair, rolling between your legs. I'd have you in front of me to dine on. To take my time with."

  "Mae—"

  "Unbutton your pants."

  "Mae, I—"

  "Yes you may." She laughed softly. "Do it." I scanned the empty room, my eyes lingering on the door in front of me. I leaned back in my chair and released the button of my jeans. "Did you?"

  "Yes." I bit my lip.

  "You know what I'd do to you while you were tied to that desk?" Mae continued. I shook my head as if she could see me. "First, I'd kiss your thighs. The way you like it, making a slow trail toward you…" She paused. "Put your hand down your panties, kitten." How she knew I was even listening to her was beyond me. I scanned the room again but heeded her, slipping my hand down like she told me to. The second my fingers met my core I hesitated. "How wet are you?" She whispered.

  "Um…"

  "Check."

  And so I did. I hadn't touched myself like this in months, maybe longer. Slippery dampness met my hand and I bit down on my lip harder than I intended. "Very."

  "Are you glistening for me, kitten?"

  "Yes," my voice seemed to squeak.

  "When I reach your middle, I'd take your clit in my mouth. First, I'd suck on you, to make you squirm. Just how I like to see you move. Then, I'd take you in long, slow circles. Rub your clit, kitten."

  "Mae," I whispered but did as I was told. I cradled the phone against my shoulder and tried to remain as quiet as possible. Touching myself wasn't as exciting as when Mae did it but knowing she was on the phone listening to me made up the difference.

  "Feel good? You taste so yummy, El. I can't get enough of you." Her voice, husky and soft, egged me on.

  A rattling knock struck the glass part of the office door before the handle turned. I dropped the phone and yanked my hand out of my pants just before Duncan stepped in.

  "Hey, Ella. You're the last one here. Want me to wait?" Duncan stepped in and I pulled my chair as close to the desk as possible. I could hear Mae's hysterics from the receiver so I turned the phone face down.

  "Um… no, no it's okay. I'm fine." I forced a smile and he nodded, his brow lifting.

  "Did I spook you? Sorry."

  "Just a bit. It's all right. I'll um, leave in a few."

  "All right. I'm going to wait for you. I'm not comfortable with you leaving alone this late." Duncan, bless his soul, stepped out without another word. I lifted the phone from my desk and found Mae still on the other line.

  "I'm going to kill you," I said, as Mae continued to chuckle.

  "I love you so much." Her hysterics continued so strongly that she hiccupped.

  "You wicked witch." I grumbled as I buttoned my pants. "I love you, too."

  "See you soon."

  "If you're lucky." I huffed and hung up.

  Duncan escorted me to my car, chatting animatedly about the Yule celebration Liz would host in a few weeks. I half listened to him while I plotted revenge on Mae. Part of me wondered if she had sent Duncan in on purpose.

  Half an hour later, I entered Mae's store through the back door and found her chatting with Opal as they escorted the last private client out. She offered me a grin as I flipped her off and bounded up the stairs. Her laughter followed me but she hadn't yet. What if Duncan had caught me right in the middle of…? I couldn't even bear the embarrassing thought.

  A thud sounded in the dark loft and I gripped the countertop in the kitchen when the sound of breaking glass followed a crash. Blueish light flashed from beneath Jax's bedroom door and a lurch of worry dragged me forward. I rushed to her room, fearing the worst. A fire, broken window, intruder. I flung open the door to find a small, unlit candle on the floor surrounded by shards of glass. The curtain billowed in the cold breeze of an open window. A gasp drew my attention to the bed where I found two very naked girls in a very compromising position. Sonora yanked a pillow in front of her but Jax didn't scare as easily. My mouth hung open when she rolled to a sitting position and crossed her arms over her bare chest.

  "Okay. We're even now," she said, and nodded toward the door.

  "Does Mae know you're here?" I asked, keeping my focus on Jax's eyes only.

  "She knows I'm here." Jax glanced to Sonora who covered her face with her hands.

  "Get dressed and come out here, please," I said, and stepped out, closing the door behind me. I took a deep breath and flicked on the lights. Instead of the usual overhead lighting, dim indigo lights illuminated the room. Mood lighting? Nice, Jax.

  The bedroom door opened soon after and out walked Jax in a gray T-shirt and boy shorts. Her lips pursed into a thin line, which reminded me of Mrs. F. I grabbed a dustpan and brush from the kitchen and brought it back to her.

  "I'm old enough," Jax said, defensive right off the bat.

  "I didn't say you weren't. I'm not scolding you, Jax. There's glass on the floor." I handed her the dustpan and she nearly pouted. "I'm sorry I spoiled your moment."

  "Not mine. She was the one about to—"

  "Hey, hey, save the details please." I waved her off as Sonora burst from the room, fully dressed. She looked much more upset than Jax. Her almond eyes squinted with worry.

  "I… we didn't plan it. I just drove her home and—" she began but her emotions cut her off.

  "Sonora, calm down. I'm not asking for an explanation," I said as Jax carried a wastebasket full of glass to the kitchen. "What happened to the candle?"

  "I knocked it over when I flipped her," Jax said.

  "You flipped her? Well, gee." I smirked a bit and Sonora went beet red. Jax sure did take a page out of Mae's book.

  "Well not flipped her but when we rolled over. Where's Mae?" Jax asked, moving beside Sonora and slipping her arm around her waist like the possessive little thing that she was.

  "Downstairs."

  "Are you going to call my parents?" Sonora asked, gripping Jax's hand.

  "Of course not." I shook my head. "You should probably let them know where you are though."

  Mae bounded up the steps humming a singsong tune that I knew meant to provoke me into calling her out on the innocent act. She paused when she saw Sonora and glanced between the three of us.

  "Who wants pizza?" Mae asked and both girls sniggered. "Oh no, you two don't get any for sneaking around. Only adults who let their roommates know when they're having company over get pizza."

  "Hey..." Jax frowned.

  "Hey nothing. You know better." Mae narrowed her eyes and swept into the kitchen. She pulled a pizza box from the warm oven.

  "But—" Jax began but Mae wasn't having any of it.

  "Raise your hand if you've been respectful to your roommate," Mae called out. I glanced at the girls and raised my hand because, well, I didn't have a roommate and what the hell else was I supposed to do? Sonora raised hers as well. Jax shot her a glare.

  "What? I don't have a roommate," she said.

  "Good, you two get pizza." Mae slid into a chair at the island counter and helped herself to a slice. Her eyes never left Jax who seemed to be having some sort of silent tantrum. Sonora followed me to the table and sat. Jax scowled at her. "Sonora, you're welcome to eat with us then I'm going to ask you to head home, all right?"

  "But Mae—" Jax began but when Mae glanced in her direction, she quieted.

  "Yeah. Okay." Sonora nodded though her eyes remained on me more than Mae. She helped herself to a slice and ate it, though I wasn't sure if she indulged out of hunger or fear of Mae.

  "I'm kidding about the pizza," Mae softened some and Jax
joined us. Neither of the girls spoke. Sonora finished her slice and carried her paper plate to the trash.

  "I um… guess I should go then," she said. "Thanks for pizza. And not killing me."

  "It's your girlfriend's life you need to worry about," Mae said. Sonora's eyes widened and she looked to Jax.

  "Can I walk her out?" Jax asked Mae who nodded. The girls headed to the stairs after Sonora grabbed her purse from the landing. Their silent walk of shame ended with the creak of the door.

  "Did you really not know she was here?" I asked Mae under my breath.

  "I knew she was but I was giving her the benefit of the doubt that she'd come down to ask if she could stay." Mae cleaned up her plate and took mine from me as well.

  "Thanks," I said.

  When she returned to the table, she perched herself in my lap. I draped my arms around her middle and knew at that moment that Jax's indiscretion upset her. I kissed her shoulder but she slid from me as soon as Jax's footfalls returned to the stairs. They shared a long gaze and Jax stood frozen, as if torn between heading to her room and joining us.

  "Come sit," Mae said, her tone less sarcastic than before.

  "I'm old enough to be with who I want, Mae," Jax spat, though she returned to the table and dropped into her seat, landing with a disgruntled flop.

  "That's not the issue. We have one rule, Jax. What is it?" Mae's soft voice, instead of sounding upset, came across as defeated in a way.

  "To, um, always tell each other everything." She crossed her arms over her middle. I expected something snarky to follow but it didn't.

  "Right. I have no problem with you and Sonora being together. I take issue with the sneaking around. There's no reason for it. You asked me if you could have dinner with her family, and if she could drive you home. Of course those things are okay. Why do you think so?"

  "Because I asked?"

  "Because you let me know and respected me enough to ask. This..." She gestured toward the bedroom. "Was not respectful to me, Sonora, or Ella."

  "I wasn't thinking like that." Jax lifted her gaze to Mae's.

  "I know. Jax, you're very vested in us seeing you as old enough to make adult choices and decisions about your life. The choice you made tonight wasn't in that arena." Mae leaned back in her chair.