The Muse

by O'Brien, Meghan

  Chapter Six

  The next ten minutes were a blur.

  Before Kate was able to fully wrap her mind around Olive’s quick acceptance of her proposition, Erato had suggested that they relocate somewhere quieter. Olive looked visibly relieved to leave the club—though clearly nervous about the night ahead—and Kate had sympathized. They’d both tossed back the remnants of their half-full wineglasses, almost in unison, and shared a brief giggle at the awkwardness that had overtaken the evening. Then Erato was ushering them outside into the crisp evening and flagging down a cab while Kate stood next to Olive and did everything she could to avoid making eye contact.

  It wasn’t until she and Olive were settled into the backseat of the cab, Erato riding shotgun and talking the driver’s ear off, that Kate managed to string more than two words together. “Thank you for coming.”

  Olive startled slightly but managed an easy smile. “Well…don’t thank me yet.”

  Blushing, Kate considered her choice of words. She’d walked right into that one. “I still can’t believe I worked up the courage to ask.”

  “Good, because I’m still marveling over the fact that I accepted.”

  Turning in her seat, she searched Olive’s face, which wasn’t easy when she was tipsy and stripes of shadow and light from passing streetlights kept illuminating and then obscuring her features. “You can change your mind, you know. Whenever you want.”

  A warm hand landed on hers where it rested on the seat between them. “I don’t want to change my mind. But I appreciate the sentiment.”

  Kate forgot to breathe. All her senses were focused on the soft skin of Olive’s fingers. She couldn’t help but imagine how they would feel on her breasts.

  Suddenly Olive’s hand was gone. “Unless you’ve changed your mind. I don’t want you to feel like you need to go through with something you’re not feeling on my account. Seriously.”

  Bereft from the loss of contact, Kate reached for Olive and tangled their fingers together, then moved their joined hands onto her lap. “No, I’m feeling this. I promise.”

  Olive exhaled steadily. “I’m glad.”

  They sat in silence for a couple of minutes while Erato regaled their cabbie with tales of her time spent in his native land of Florida. Kate only half listened, but it was clear from the cabbie’s enthusiastic laughter that yet another person had fallen prey to Erato’s irresistible charms. Stealing a sidelong glance at Olive, she stroked a thumb along her slim wrist, delighted by the shiver the small caress elicited. Olive turned her head toward the window and closed her eyes.

  Kate leaned in, not wanting the cabbie to overhear. “So is a threesome on your bucket list somewhere? Are we going to check off more than one item for you tonight?”

  Olive took a breath, then opened her eyes. She turned to Kate, their lips now only inches apart. In just as low a voice, she said, “It’s on there. And we’re definitely going to check off more than just those two items tonight.”

  Intrigued by Olive’s utter certainty and imbued with sudden confidence, Kate lifted Olive’s hand and pressed her lips against the inside of her wrist. The strong pulse thrummed against her kiss, hinting at the same level of arousal currently running through her veins. “What’s the third?”

  “Fucking a white girl.”

  Kate blinked. “Kinky.” She hadn’t expected that but couldn’t deny that being any kind of first for Olive was a very appealing prospect. “It sounds like this’ll be a memorable evening for both of us.”

  Rather than answer, Olive licked her lips and erased the scant distance between them. Her free hand fisted loosely around the front of Kate’s camisole as she brought their mouths together for a tentative first kiss. Her lips were soft and warm and tasted vaguely of gloss, a distinctly feminine flavor that made Kate’s stomach flutter happily. She parted her lips and returned the kiss easily, pleased by how natural it all felt. Olive’s hand smoothed over her chest, at first lying flat, then sliding down to ghost a trail between her breasts. Swept away by the desire that crashed over her, Kate brought her own hand up and brushed her knuckles against the side of Olive’s breast. Her quick intake of breath only made Kate want more.

  “Ladies?” Erato’s amused voice broke through her haze and sent them flying apart. “We’re home.”

  Humiliated to have completely forgotten herself in front of the driver, Kate opened her purse and fumbled for cash. “How much do I owe you?”

  “I’ve already taken care of it.” Erato opened the passenger-side door with a parting smile to the driver. “Thanks for the ride, Isaac.”

  “My pleasure, Ms. Erato.” Dark, laughter-filled eyes met Kate’s in the rearview mirror. “Ladies.”

  “Thanks.” Olive quickly scrambled out of the car. Kate simply nodded before she followed, head down.

  Once the cab drove away and they were left in front of Kate’s building, the awkwardness she’d felt as they were leaving the bar returned. As though anticipating she would need the help, Erato took her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. Then she offered Olive her other hand, which she accepted. “I’m glad to see you two are hitting it off so well.”

  Blushing, Kate followed Erato inside. She glanced over as they walked, pleased to catch Olive shooting her a conspiratorial smile. “Me, too.”

  Kate unlocked the door to her apartment and let them inside. She stepped behind Olive and took her coat, glad for something to do as she hung it in the closet. She barely paid attention as Erato gave Olive a brief tour of the downstairs, her mind racing as she tried to decide how things would play out once they reached the bedroom.

  Erato clapped her hands. “So. May I get anyone a drink?”

  Not wanting to get any tipsier than she already was, Kate said, “Water?”

  “Yes, water would be good.” Olive stood at the bottom of the staircase, hands clasped in front of her. Kate recognized the mild panic in her eyes—like she was deciding whether she could truly go through with the evening, regardless of her bravado in the taxi.

  “Three waters, coming up.” Erato kissed Kate on the cheek, then captured Olive’s hand and pressed her lips against her knuckles. “Why don’t you two go upstairs and get comfortable? I’ll be right there.”

  Kate checked Olive’s face, relieved when she nodded. They made eye contact for only an instant before Olive glanced away. “Do you want to show me the way?”

  “Sure.” Her fingers twitched with the desire to take Olive’s hand again. Anything that might help reestablish the comfort they’d fallen into more than once already tonight. Too chicken to reach for her, Kate started up the stairs instead. Neither spoke as they walked down the hallway, until Kate stopped in front of her bedroom. “I’m sorry if this is weird.”

  “It’s not weird.”

  “You don’t think so?” Kate pushed open the door. After a brief hesitation, she flipped on the lights. “It feels a little weird.”

  “To be honest, I’m mostly just excited.” Olive’s hand slipped into hers. “Nervous, but excited.”

  The knowledge that Olive was eager to play helped ease her lingering anxiety, but she still needed to ask. “And you’re comfortable with Erato?”

  Olive’s instinctive smile made it clear that not even she was immune to Erato’s considerable charms. “She’s a bit of a character, but she seems very sweet, and I’m not going to pretend I haven’t noticed that she’s downright gorgeous.”

  An unpleasant twinge of jealousy seized Kate before she could talk herself out of the silly reaction. It was ridiculous to want so badly for their one-night stand to like her more, but she couldn’t help it. Something about Olive tickled her imagination—not about her make-believe worlds but the possibilities for her own future.

  Kate suppressed a groan at the direction her thoughts were taking. This was why she wasn’t cut out for one-night stands.

  Affecting as casual an air as possible, Kate said, “She is a character.” She led Olive into the room by the hand, then stopp
ed when they reached the bed. “But you’re right, she’s very sweet. She’s also an amazing lover.” She turned to face Olive, searching her eyes one last time for any sign that she wanted to stop. “I think you’ll be very pleased.”

  “Have you been sleeping with her long?”

  Unless she was mistaken, Kate thought she detected a hint of jealousy in Olive’s question. Or maybe it was just wishful thinking to make her feel better about her own lack of emotional detachment. “This afternoon was the first time.”

  Olive’s eyebrows popped. “Damn, girl. You’re having quite a day.”

  “Tell me about it—and this was after a pretty long dry spell.”

  “So how long has she been your editor?”

  Belatedly, she realized that the fewer details she disclosed about the nature of her relationship with Erato, the better. Olive could believe Erato was eccentric, but to get the wrong idea about her? “Not long.” She lifted her hand, then carefully placed it on Olive’s forearm. The muscles tensed beneath her fingers. “You know, I really don’t want to talk about Erato right now.”

  “No?” Olive whispered. Her eyes were locked on Kate’s mouth. She licked her lips.

  Kate shook her head. “Nope.” She stepped in to claim her second kiss of the night.

  Olive wrapped her in slim, strong arms and held on tight. Kate groaned at the softness of the breasts pressed against her own. She let her hands roam Olive’s sides and hips, engaging in a reverent topographical study of her body through touch alone. Then she swept her tongue into Olive’s mouth, battling sensuously with its mate in a subtle war for dominance that absolutely set her on fire. Olive was ebullient, light, and possibly a little proper, but she would more than hold her own in the bedroom.

  Which made her mostly just excited, too.

  She smoothed her hand across Olive’s back until she reached the zipper of her dress. Crossing her fingers that she wasn’t being too presumptuous, she took hold of the tab and very slowly pulled it down. Olive broke their kiss with an excited gasp, then buried her face in Kate’s neck.

  “This all right?” Kate murmured. When she reached the bottom of the zip, she slipped her hand inside the silky material and caressed Olive’s bare lower back.

  Olive nodded and scraped her teeth over her throat, tightening her arms around Kate’s waist. “Very all right.”

  The sound of a throat clearing sent them careening apart like nervous teenagers. Kate recovered first, stepping in front of Olive to protect her modesty. She realized how silly that was only when she saw Erato’s amused smile and felt Olive put a hand on her waist as she stepped forward to stand by her side.

  “I love that you’re both so eager.” Erato held up the bottles of water she’d brought with her, then walked to set them on the nightstand. She turned with a coy expression. “Am I still invited to play?”

  “The more, the merrier,” Olive said smoothly. She held out her hand, the strap that had fallen over her shoulder the only indication that she was partially undressed. It appeared she had found her confidence, because all traces of her shyness were gone.

  Kate nodded, only a little surprised to also feel imbued with newfound courage. It was thanks to Erato’s presence, she had no doubt. Whatever the woman was, she had the uncanny ability to lower a person’s inhibitions while making them feel completely safe. That was as valuable a quality in a lover as it was an editor. “We’re happy to have you back.”

  “Not that you weren’t getting along fantastically on your own.” Erato walked to the foot of the bed, standing within touching distance of them. “In fact, please don’t let me interrupt you. Why don’t you keep going?”

  Kate blushed at the idea of making out for an audience. At the same time, she’d enjoyed exactly that kind of exhibitionistic fantasy for as long as she could remember. She checked Olive’s reaction, prepared to go at her pace and within her comfort zone.

  Olive slowly pulled the loose strap of her dress off her shoulder. Enraptured by the smooth skin she revealed, Kate had to remind herself not to stare. From the smile Olive directed at her alone, it was clear she noticed and enjoyed the admiration. “Actually, I’m feeling a little underdressed all of a sudden…”

  “I can fix that.” Erato presented her back and Kate immediately stepped forward to unzip her, too. With a murmur of gratitude, Erato turned to face them as she eased her dress down over her ample chest and past her hips before allowing it to drop to the floor. She wore a lacy lavender bra and nothing else. Olive failed to hide her surprise, which only grew when Erato quickly unhooked her bra and tossed it away.

  “Better?” Now completely nude, Erato moved in front of Kate, whose palms itched to touch her bare skin. The muse winked at Olive, though their guest’s attention had long since drifted southward. “Now Kate is overdressed, don’t you think?”

  Olive dragged her gaze away from Erato and looked at Kate, quickly zeroing in on her chest. Kate’s nipples tightened under the scrutiny and the obvious anticipation in dark, desirous eyes. “Damn right she is.”

  “Would you like to fix that or shall I?” Erato asked.

  “Let me.” Olive stepped closer until they stood face-to-face, less than a foot apart. She hesitated briefly, then eased the gray jacket Kate wore down her shoulders, then off, leaving her in a black camisole. Rather than pull the top over her head, Olive raised her hands and skimmed her palms across Kate’s hardened, sensitive nipples.

  Kate whimpered, then fisted her hands at her side in mild embarrassment. So much for playing it cool.

  “She’s so very responsive,” Erato said casually, speaking as though Kate wasn’t right there. “Good with her mouth, her hands…her imagination. You should be very pleasantly surprised by the bad girl lurking beneath Kate’s shy exterior.”

  Olive’s lip quirked, and she made brief eye contact with Kate. “I look forward to finding out.” She lowered her hands to the bottom of the camisole and hesitated. When Kate raised her arms, Olive got onto her tiptoes to pull the top off over her head.

  Left in her bra—the cutest one she owned, black and lacy—Kate battled a mild tug of self-consciousness at being the center of attention. The wetness between her legs made it clear that she was enjoying the way Erato had taken charge, even if it meant all eyes were on her. Erato stepped to Olive’s side and smiled, gazing at Kate with obvious appreciation. She stayed silent, though, probably because it was clear that Olive no longer needed any direction.

  “May I?” Olive asked, tracing her fingers over the strap of Kate’s bra.

  Kate wished she could manage a more clever reply but settled for “Yeah.” Taking advantage of their position, she slipped her hands beneath the loose shoulder straps of the red dress that had been driving her crazy all night. She said nothing as Olive reached around her back to undo the clasp, focused only on the softness of the skin beneath her fingers and her own excitement when the catch on her bra released and Olive pulled the fabric away from her chest. Olive’s gaze locked on to Kate’s breasts and she licked her lips, then shrugged to encourage Kate to undress her.

  Sometime before Olive’s dress hit the ground, but after her quick hands began to work the zipper on Kate’s pants, their mouths found each other again and they fell into another heated kiss. This time Kate reached out blindly in Erato’s direction, smiling into Olive’s mouth when a third warm body pressed against theirs. Erato wrapped an arm around each of their waists, and they broke apart to greet her.

  Erato kissed Kate on the cheek, then Olive. She smirked. “So where should we start?”

  Chapter Seven

  Kate didn’t even hesitate. “With Olive.”

  Erato nodded. “Good idea. She is the guest, after all.”

  They both looked at Olive, who could barely meet their eyes. For the first time, Kate really noticed that Olive wasn’t wearing a bra. She’d vaguely felt bare breasts pressed against her while they were kissing but had been too overwhelmed with everything that was happening to truly appre
ciate what that meant. Now she took a good, long look, aroused by their perfect, delicate shape and saddened by the sight of a fairly major scar that lay in the valley between. Had whatever caused it also made Olive decide to compile a bucket list?

  Olive cleared her throat. “Car accident.”

  Embarrassed to have been caught staring, Kate lifted her gaze. “I’m sorry,” she said simply.

  Olive gave her the sunniest smile she’d ever received. “I’m alive.”

  “Cheers to that.” Erato released Kate and snaked an arm around Olive’s waist. “May I?” She looked first at Olive, then to Kate, for permission.

  Kate nodded, struck by the eroticism of the two of them together. Erato’s skin was two shades lighter than Olive’s, her breasts larger, her hips more generous, while Olive was one hundred percent sleek, strong femininity. Despite her rather delicate frame, she exuded power. The muscles in her arm flexed as she curled her hand around the back of Erato’s neck, bringing their mouths together for a slow, exploratory kiss. Turned on by the way Olive refused to cede control even to Erato, Kate watched as they explored each other for the first time.

  It was like viewing the best porno ever made reenacted live, just for her. In other words, it was everything she’d hoped for and more.

  When Erato gestured her closer with a crooked finger, Kate obeyed as though in a trance. She stepped behind Erato and smoothed her palm over her gently rounded belly, excited by the heat she could feel pouring off Olive’s stomach, only inches from her hand. Breaking the kiss, Erato tipped her head back against her shoulder as Kate dragged her fingers down through slick, hot folds.