by Robin Roseau
"What do you mean by test the process?" asked Renee Cooper.
"One of us would volunteer to step through those doors as a potential candidate. We can cut the speeches short and start with the vote. And then she accepts the entire process, or at least enough of it to help us refine what we are doing."
"So you want one of us to become a fresh initiate?"
"If by one of us, you were asking if I would volunteer, then yes."
Claudine groaned, and Kiki said, "I bet the first hazing she asks for is from Opal."
"Hush you," I told her. "You'd get the first one."
"I vote for Blythe as initiate member!" Kiki replied with a laugh.
"Did I answer your question, Renee?"
"Yes. Do we need to test in this fashion?"
"We have to ask ourselves something. We have candidates who don't know they are waiting to be approached. I believe your niece is amongst them. Do you want us to test on her? She is somewhat younger than I was, and, well. Frankly, Renee, you're not my grandmother. Your niece isn't as prepared as I was."
"No," she said with a laugh. "I'm not. I see your point. Although my niece is not running a startup company either. But I don't see your original point. You would go through the steps?"
"I would become a fresh initiate and be expected to act like one."
Conversation went around the room. There were questions. I could tell this was going to take all night. I stood back up. "I do not believe we need come to any conclusions tonight. I believe we should talk over the next few weeks and come to a gradual conclusion what we will do."
Opal stood up. "I do not want to ask Blythe to go through this process. I must put my foot down."
"It's not your choice," I said.
She narrowed her eyes at me and patted her pocket. That damned tongue trap. She had far too much fun with it.
"Ms. Todd, if I told you there was a candidate standing outside the doors right now, what would be your recommendation?"
"Keep the green marbles," I said. "And require any member who is not providing ample opportunity to be paid her service debt to abstain from the voting. We also need to review standards for hazing pranks, but I don't think that way, and my committee wants help."
"I can help," said Sylvia. "I can tell you all the things I would do, and then you come up with rules that keep me from doing them."
I snickered.
"Can you recommend a basic guideline?" Opal asked.
"Yes. Pranks that have a lasting impact should require senior committee approval. Pranks that will last more than two hours also require approval. And you better have a good reason for bothering the committee."
Opal smiled. "I am going to propose we temporarily accept Ms. Todd's recommendations while we review the entire set of proposals, with a small change. The committee will be one led by Ms. Todd. The senior committee has other things to do. If it is Ms. Todd seeking approval herself, she may come to us." She paused. "Voice vote. Aye to accept the conditional changes for additional discussion and review, said review to be no less frequently than twice a year or at the end of each new initiation period."
There was no dissent.
"Excellent. Ms. Todd, would you please go upstairs and find a nervous 17-year-old girl, please?"
"We have a new initiate?"
"We very well may."
* * * *
I found the girl sitting in the parlor, looking both lovely and nervous. "Hi. My name is Blythe Todd. You should call me Ms. Todd. What is your name?"
"I'm Emily Pearce. My aunt told me to be here tonight and texted me to wait here."
"Is your aunt Opal Pearce?"
The girl nodded.
"Your mother is a dear, dear friend of mine," I said, "and so we must greet properly." I got a kiss on my cheek and a short hug. And then I led her downstairs. Outside the doors, I told her, "Emily, you need to make a promise."
* * * *
I sat down in my seat next to Kiki, in with the other full members of the Order of Circe. I whispered into her ear. "Opal has invited the three of us to dinner tomorrow. Dress for a date. Claudine and I will get you at six."
"That's a hell of an invitation," she whispered back. "What if I have plans with my lover."
"Uh huh. Six PM. Look sexy. I think Opal wants you."
"Ha. Funny."
* * * *
I poked my nose into Claudine's bedroom. Hers was about as far from mine as it could be, so we had ample privacy, but I loved having her in the house. She turned to me, and she looked lovely, but nervous.
"Hey."
"I want to ask you something," Claudine said. She looked at me nervously. "I shouldn't, but I'm going to ask you."
"All right."
"Will you kiss me? I mean. Will she mind? Will you mind? Just once. I want it to be you. I know I shouldn't ask."
"Claudine, stop," I said. "She already told me it's okay."
"But-"
I smiled and then began to prowl forward. She retreated, which was perfect, because I pursued her until her back came against the wall. She thudded to a stop, and I trapped her there a moment later.
"I'm going to take my time," I said. "I'm going to enjoy this." I slipped a leg between hers, pinning her further and giving her a little more to think about. Then I grabbed her hands and pinned them to the wall over her head. She was taller than I was, and stronger besides, but she didn't fight me.
I leaned closer. "Keep your eyes open until our lips meet," I said. "I want you to have no doubts it's a woman kissing you." And then I moved slowly, brushing cheeks first, then the other side. I kissed an ear and then decided the earlobe looked good. I tongued it, playing with the earring.
Claudine giggled. She struggled a little, too, but it was halfhearted.
I kissed her neck, and her shoulder, and then the edge of her jaw before making my way to her mouth.
For that, I was soft and sweet the way I liked to kiss. And I parted for her, and we both moaned. I teased her with my tongue, twice, and when she parted further, I slipped inside.
It was a long kiss, a long, long kiss, but eventually I withdrew.
She was flushed. I was, too, both of us panting.
"God," she said. "No guy has ever kissed me like that." She slowly focused. "God, why did you let her catch you first."
"She's a better fit for me. You're a better fit for someone else. But Claudine, I love you. You know that. I don't think you're going to live here that long, but I'm glad you're here now."
"Yeah. I love you, too, and this totally beats Grandma's."
I laughed. "I bet it does. We should go."
"One more. Please. And let me touch you."
So I released her hands, and she caressed my face while I kissed her deeply, offering all the hunger I could, making sure she understood what it could be like to kiss a woman. But then I parted from her.
"I have to stop," I whispered. "I had permission for this much, but no more, and if you thumb that nipple, she's going to punish me."
Claudine snatched her hands back. "You wouldn't have to tell her."
"She'd make sure you took punishment, too," I said.
"I'm a little scared."
"I know. But you're a lot excited, aren't you?"
"Yes."
"Good."
I hooked her arm and pulled her towards the door.
* * * *
Kiki was waiting, and she looked stunning. We hugged and pecked, and then she climbed into the car. And then she said, "You finally kissed her."
"Oh god, she did," Claudine said. "I-"
"That's good," Kiki said. "She should have been your first kiss."
"Two kisses," I admitted.
Kiki stilled. "You're so in trouble. You didn't have permission for two."
"I know. I think it was important."
Claudine didn't say anything.
* * * *
We played partners, me and Claudine against Opal and Kiki. They beat our pants off, luckily not literal
ly, in spite of both Opal and Kiki trying to make that a rule of our game.
But then it was time to go. I took Claudine's hand, and I led her to Opal. "She needs you," I said.
Opal kissed her hand. "Not quite the same way you used to."
"No. Be kind to her."
And then I turned to Kiki. "Go home with me?" I asked.
"I have to say goodnight!" She rushed to Claudine, and then Opal. Opal whispered something, and Kiki giggled and agreed. Then she took my hand and led me to my car.
* * * *
"What the hell is that?" I asked, staring up at my lover.
"You know what it is," she said. "Stick it out."
I clamped my mouth shut.
"Stick it out," Kiki repeated.
"Why did she give that to you?"
"She said we should come back next weekend. She's going to show me how to tie you up properly. You got loose last time. Now stick out your tongue, Blythe. This is your punishment for a second kiss."
Slowly, I stuck out my tongue. Kiki applied the trap.
About the Author
A writer by avocation, Robin has a renaissance interest in many areas. A bit of a gypsy, Robin has called a few places home and has traveled widely. A love of the outdoors, animals in general and experimenting with world cuisines, Robin and partner share their home with a menagerie of pets and guests, although sometimes it is difficult to discern who is whom.
Robin can be reached via email as [email protected]. Robin's web site is http://www.robin-roseau.com.
Works by Robin Roseau
The Madison Wolves Series
Fox Run
Fox Play
Fox Mate
Fox Afield
Fox Revenge
Fox Dish
Fox Lost
Wolf Watch
Wolf Ways
Wolf Women
Fox Fate
Fox Short Stories
Hunting Pups
Fox in the Water
Fox Rematch (set after Fox Mate and Fox Afield)
Fox Opponent
A Foxy Valentine
Other Books in the Madison Wolves Universe
Familiar
Poor Little Witch Girl
Seer
Seer: Thrall
The Selected Series
Collected
Taken (due December 2015)
Other Novels and Novellas
Blood Slave
A Charming Brew
Emergency Claus
Fitting In
Free to Love
Galatzi Trade
Galatzi World
In Custody
Lost in the Words
Privateer
Stark's Dell
Submission
Surprise
The Interrogation
Tresjolie
The Ski Bindings Shorts
Short stories of love and lust amongst the slopes.
Snow Fox
Short Stories
Cooking for Love
Southern Night
Captured by the Raptor (writing as Rosetta Robins)
Secret Society
Copyright 2015 by Robin Roseau
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in retrieval system, copied in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise transmitted without written permission from the publisher. You must not circulate this book in any format.
This is a work of fiction. Names, places, businesses, characters and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, actual events or locales is purely coincidental.
* * *
License Notes
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