Skyclad

by Max Ellendale

  "I'm Harley Quinn." She gawked at me like I'd lost my mind. "You know, the Joker's girlfriend?"

  "Ah, is there a reason she slices her face up?"

  "Eternal smile, Ella. You need to read more."

  "I'll get on that right away." I laughed as Liz approached us.

  "Oy, Ella. Mae's got you looking like a goddess tonight, ay?" She patted my shoulder. "And she says it's time for you to get on with it, Jax. It's almost ten."

  "It's Halloween." She whined a bit.

  "Opal's takin' us, get going." Liz grabbed Jax by the elbow and tugged her toward the door.

  "You're leaving, too?" Jax asked her.

  "I got kids to raise, ya know!"

  "Liz, you're kids are older than me." Jax laughed and waved at us. Mae handed her a bag of candy on the way out.

  With the kids long gone, tourists and shoppers continued to rotate through the store. Mae stopped me on my way back from the storeroom where I grabbed some more trick-or-treat bags.

  "I like you in that dress," she said, cornering me against the wall. "It's adult time now so I need to make an alteration."

  "What are you talking about, fairy? I don't speak pixie." I smirked as her hand slid up my thigh. Half a dozen people could see us from the storefront. Andromeda nodded in our direction and muttered something to Demetri. He turned to watch as well. I lifted a brow at her and she grinned at me.

  "Just one little adjustment." Mae slid a single finger along the leg of my panties, gripped them, and tugged them slowly down until they tumbled to the floor.

  "Mae," I scolded, glancing to the others then back to her. She laughed, picked up my panties, and tossed them in the trash beside us. "I'm going to kill you."

  "Are not. No more panties after ten. That's the Halloween rule in my store." She kissed my cheek then pranced back out to the others, her fake wings bobbed behind her.

  Normally, I wouldn't care too much about being garmentless. But in this dress, one wrong move and I was done for. I knew she had an ulterior motive in choosing my costume.

  After a deep breath and a glare in her direction, I returned to the register. Customers decreased as the hour passed. Demetri set up an altar in the center of the room where a few of the others gathered to make offerings. Sarai finished her last reading of the night and joined the others by the altar. She carried a bowl of water and a crystal on a string. I hadn't a clue what she was doing but I watched regardless.

  Mae cleaned up a few candy wrappers while I locked the money and receipts in the safe. Opal returned sometime after eleven and she, too, joined the others. Mae hopped up to sit on the counter beside the register, a wicked smile on her lips as she used her foot to push up my dress. I swatted her knee and she snickered.

  "You're super evil to me tonight, witch." I leaned on the counter beside her and she flicked my chin.

  "It's fun."

  "I bet." Again I swatted her and she laughed more. "Aren't you going to join the casting?" I nodded toward the others.

  "Nah."

  "Why not?"

  "My head is spinning too much to concentrate on it. And besides, there are other things I want more," she said, caressing my cheek with the back of her hand.

  "You were great today." I turned my head, leaning into her touch.

  "So were you. We make a good team."

  "Yeah, we do." I smiled at her and she moved so that her legs fell at my sides. She crossed her ankles behind me, holding me to her. Mae's lips met mine and she led me through a full on make out session. The store and everyone in it faded the moment she parted my lips with her tongue. Heat rose up my body, dampening my core and stoking the desire inside me that always ached for her. She broke the kiss, pressing her forehead to mine again; our new favorite way of connecting, it seemed.

  "Are there any customers in here?" she whispered her question and I glanced behind her.

  "No. Just the others by the altar."

  "Good. You need to stay really quiet." Her hushed tone continued.

  "What do—?" I didn't get a chance to finish my question as she reached between us, subtly stroking the top of my mound. I tensed, gripping her thighs to steady myself. "Mae."

  "Shh. Very quiet, remember?" The grin that curved her lips was more sinister than the Joker. Her fingers brushed my clit causing my stomach to flutter. Excitement mixed with fear, a combination just toxic enough to egg me on. "My gods, you're soaked." Her breathy whisper in my ear nearly killed me.

  My breath caught in my throat when I fought the sounds that threatened to escape me. No one seemed to notice what was going on. The door to the shop was closed and the others chatted by the altar. Words such as zombie, horror, and movie titles floated around the room. Mae kissed my neck, drawing my gaze back to her with a finger beneath my chin. She touched no other part of me save for my firm nub that responded to the slightest flick of her finger. This had never happened to me before. In front of other people, my arousal grew and I worried Mae would push me over the edge embarrassingly quick.

  "Hey, Mae? What's that movie you liked recently with the aliens?" Demetri called out.

  "Dark Skies," Mae answered, though her movement never stopped. It intensified when she spoke, working me in slow circles. "It was really creepy. You guys should watch it." My knees threatened to give out. I bit down on my bottom lip. She shook her head, still grinning and mouthed, "No noises."

  I couldn't do it, I couldn't hold on to myself. My hips moved toward her, faintly as if by their own accord. No matter what she did to me, she somehow had me under a spell that brought me to climax every time. My fingers dug into her legs and I held my breath. There was nothing I could do except allow the shuddering wave of pleasure to explode from my core. It snaked its way around my body, trapping me in a quivering moment of release. My legs trembled as Mae flattened her hand against me, rubbing in a way that brought me down easier than a sudden disconnect. She kissed me, hard and hungrily, pulling me into a hug. I leaned against her, barely able to stand, and buried my face in her hair as I tried to catch my breath.

  "Now that's what I like to see," she whispered, nibbling my ear and releasing me finally. Her arms wrapped around my torso, supporting me some. "That delicious look silently melting over your face."

  "I'll get you back for this," I promised, though allowed her to hold me.

  "I was hoping so."

  ***

  "Thanksgiving's a week away. Have you decided?" Jed asked while I held the phone pressed against my shoulder.

  "Mae's parents are coming in to town and she's asked me to have dinner with them," I told him.

  "El, don't you think it's a good idea to talk to Mrs. F before the wedding?"

  "No, not really." I sliced the cucumbers carefully while I managed my emotions over the situation.

  "C'mon, it's my first year hosting a holiday. You have to come. I want you to bring Mae." Jed's words hinted on a whine. "Zoie will be happy."

  "I'm not going to ruin another moment for you, Jed. Focus on your life right now and the good things going on."

  "It's not the same without you."

  "It's tainted with me."

  "Stop that, no it isn't." Jed let out an exaggerated sigh. "Have dinner with Mae's family first then stop by for dessert."

  "I'll think about it."

  "No you won't."

  "Jed…"

  "Ella."

  "Jed."

  "Maryruth."

  "Don't even." I chuckled a bit and accidentally slammed the knife into the cutting board.

  "Quit being a jerk." I heard the smile in his voice when he spoke this time.

  "I'll talk to Mae about it later."

  "Fine. Don't make me call her to check up on you."

  "You're terrible."

  "Are you cooking tonight?" He changed the subject though I could tell he continued to grin.

  "Yeah."

  "What are you making?"

  "Salad and lasagna."

  "Bring me some. Work is boring."
/>   "Sure, I'll leave my girlfriend alone in the house to bring my brother dinner. That's super romantic of me."

  "It is! I swear. It's in the sibling handbook in the chapter 'win over your significant other by spoiling your siblings.' You should read it."

  "Go home, Jed. You're delirious." I chuckled.

  "Love you bye." He cracked up and hung up on me. Jed always knew how to make me smile, even when the darkest moods caught me.

  Mae appeared behind me, freshly showered and smelling of shampoo and patchouli.

  "I'm starving," she said, wrapping her arms around me from behind with her lips pressed against my shoulder.

  "Almost ready." I hugged her arms to my chest.

  "Brother called again?"

  "He wants us to go to Thanksgiving at his house next week."

  "We can if you want. My parents are informal. They'll stop by, offer us some pot, want take out and be on their way." Mae laughed softly as she rested her chin on my shoulder. She swayed with me a little as I laced my fingers with hers. "I've already warned Jax."

  "Is she okay staying alone tonight?"

  "Are you kidding? She loves it. Unlimited food, television, and internet. A teenager's dream come true."

  "I worry."

  "I know, kitten. If it's any consolation, Opal is working tonight with Liz."

  "It is. A bit." I turned around to face her and her hands fell to my waist. She wore nothing save for her usual tunic, though this one was white and nearly sheer.

  "We should go to your brother's." Mae's words coupled with the sincerity in her tone had me sighing. Anxiety rose in my chest as I thought about my arguing parents and the words they tossed as I left the house. I didn't want to subject Mae to that, now or ever.

  "I don't know…" I glanced away from her, focusing on the glare of the sunset in the window behind her.

  "Ella, let me tell you something." Mae drew my attention back to her. "I've dated women my entire life. My parents might've been eternally accepting of me but the world hasn't. I've gotten leered at, called names, treated as less than. It didn't change who I am and it certainly didn't change the fact that I'm happy with myself. And with you." Her gazed lingered on mine as she surveyed me. "Happier than I've ever been, actually."

  "I just…" Her words hit me hard, stirring up emotions that I'd worked hard on squashing lately. "I don't want you to be hurt. To hear those things they said." I turned my eyes to the ceiling, fighting the tears that threatened to fall.

  "What can they say, Ella? That you deserve better? That a woman can't care for you, support you, give you babies? Look at me." Mae cupped my face in her hands and I returned my gaze to her.

  "All of those things aren't true," I said, my tone a pitch higher than usual.

  "I know they aren't. So do you. I've heard all of those things before, El." Mae stroked my hair a bit firmly, gripping it at the base of my neck. "It's the rejection that's bothering you. Rejection of both me and you."

  She was right, on all counts. Mrs. F had never rejected me before nor had she ever rejected someone I loved so completely. I had no words to express Mae's rightness so I hugged her. She rubbed my back while kissing my cheek. I wanted so badly to tell her how I felt about her. The fear of further rejection burned like acid in my veins. What if Mae really had been through all of this before and I was what Raven had implied, just another notch in her really long belt? She squeezed me then leaned back, resting her forehead against mine.

  The oven timer dinged, startling me and Mae chuckled.

  "Jumpy much?" She kissed me softly then stepped away. "C'mon, let's eat."

  "Go sit," I said, nodding toward the table as I sniffled. A quick swipe at my eyes with my sleeve had me slightly more composed.

  "You're going to serve me now?" She lifted a brow but obliged regardless. She perched herself at the island counter where we had places set.

  "Yes, Mistress. I live to serve you," I teased, opening the oven and lifting the lasagna out with two potholders. I set it on the counter and closed the oven with my foot.

  "Don't play with me like that, kitten. I could make you mine anytime," she continued to tease, tapping her lip as she considered me.

  "I'm already yours," I whispered against her cheek as I reached over her to grab a knife from the butcher block. Her grin widened as she watched me slice up the lasagna, serving each of us with the help of a spatula. We sat facing each other, Mae's bare foot rubbing against my calf as she blew on a hot fork full of food.

  "You are mine," she said, sometime later. "And my favorite. And you spoil me with dinner all the time." Her lips wrapped around the heaping bite on her fork as she flicked her brows upward.

  "That's the first thing you told me," I said as I twirled melted cheese around my fork. "That I was your favorite."

  "You are."

  "Why am I your favorite?" I loved watching her eat, knowing that I was pleasing her on such a basic level settled some of the nervousness that pulsed through me. At least I could do that much right for her, knowing I'd fixed her one of her favorite meals.

  "Of everyone. You're my favorite." She slowed her eating as she watched me. I wasn't sure if she pondered the question or me.

  "What makes me your favorite?"

  "You really want to know?" she asked, setting her fork down beside her plate.

  "Yeah." I nodded.

  "When I saw you in my shop that first day, looking so curious and self-assured. The way your energy surged against mine. The luscious blue of your aura and the way it reached out to me when I got closer." She paused as if mitigating her response in some way. "The way you didn't give in to me so easily like everyone else. How you had your own mind, snarky comments, mild resistance." A smile curved her mouth as she spoke. "How you just let me waltz into your house without warning. The way those yoga pants hung on your hips. How much your lips made me want to kiss them." Heat rushed my cheeks as she continued to indulge me. She placed her hand on my forearm, sliding her fingers down until they tangled with mine. "The look on your face when I told you about Wicca in the woods that day. And then seeing you commanding that classroom like…" She shook her head. "I've never met anyone like you."

  "I've never met anyone like you either." That was probably the most truthful statement to ever leave my lips.

  "You're my favorite," she said with an air of finality that hung heavy between us.

  "I'm glad." I leaned across the table and kissed her quickly. "I like being your favorite."

  "I meant to ask you…" Mae's soft smile turned into a wicked grin. "What did you find that was so interesting in the loft when you cleaned it out?"

  I laughed right away. "Go in the hall closet and look in the green grocery bag."

  Mae hopped up from her stool and pranced through the living room. The closet door opened and Mae rustled around for a moment. A snicker erupted from her as she hurried back.

  "You took all of these home?" She placed the bag on the stool between us.

  "I couldn't exactly leave those all over the place for the social worker to see. I have no idea what some of them are," I said, continuing to laugh at her surprise.

  "I needed these the other night, you know," she said, waving a slender purple vibrator at me.

  "Uh huh, I'm sure you did." I swatted her hand when she tried to wave it in my face. "They were all over the place in that loft."

  "Liar." She jabbed me in the side with it. "Most of these are new. I got one of those sex toy party kits once thinking I would host a girly sex party and never did."

  "And yet, here you are. What's that thing on a string?" I pointed to a black thing, still in a wrapper, that had a dial at one end of the string and an egg-shaped something at the other.

  "Oh honey, you didn't really think I was going to just tell you what this is, did you?" She lifted it from the bag and moved around behind me, brushing my hair aside so that she spoke against my ear. "You're in trouble for stealing my toys." Her deep tone and hot breath against my neck was enoug
h to send a shudder through my body. I gulped a bit when she took my hand, tugging me off the stool. How I loved when she went from cool to hot in barely a second.

  Mae led me into the dark bedroom, stopping beside the bed to click on the lamp. The dim lighting darkened her features and made it difficult to tell when she was kidding or being serious.

  "Get undressed for me," she said, taking a few steps back. "Do it slow."

  "Is being bossy part of my punishment?" As always, I heeded her. Not because I thought I should, but because something deep inside me wanted to more than anything else. I tugged my t-shirt over my head, dropping it to the floor. Mae's eyes fell on my breasts as the chilly air hardened my nipples.

  "It's only the very beginning, kitten," she said, my pet name tumbling from her lips in a heavy breath.

  "You take off your shirt then, too." I tucked my thumbs behind the waistband of my pants, hesitating to remove them until she obliged.

  "Not nice, how you play. That's one demerit," Mae warned though she pulled her shirt off, her hair fluttering around her when it left her body. She tossed it on the floor beside mine. "Turn around." She'd never told me to turn my back to her before. I hesitated a step then turned. Mae left me standing there longer than expected until the heat of her pressed against my rear. Hands grazed my temples as a band of purple silk covered my eyes. My hands met Mae's, following her movements while she tied the blindfold in the back of my head. Anticipation rose in my throat and I gulped it down. We'd played many games but blindfolds never made it into any. Mae's fingers tickled down my sides, falling on my hips and urging me to turn around.

  "It's still pineapple," she whispered, startling me some. The realization that I had no idea what she was doing tightened my shoulders with newfound suspense. I bit my lip, nodding at the confirmation of our safe word.

  Mae's warm flesh brushed against me as she nudged me, then guided me to lay back on the bed. She crawled with me, forcing me upward until my head hit the pillows.

  "Now, kitten. You've been very bad. I should tie you up tight," her threat tumbled from her lips, an inch from mine so that I could almost taste her breath. My heart thundered, my center throbbed with the excitement, and I could barely catch my breath. Fingers clasped my wrists, tugging my arms above my head. In my mind's eye, I saw her above me. Words purring, hair tumbling. Firm breasts and eager lips. I gripped the cold brass of the headboard and the heat of Mae moved above me, shifting the weight of the bed. Silk tickled my arms as she bound my wrists, more loosely than usual. Her thighs, trembling and excited on either side of my torso, tensed when the bindings brought her middle closer to my face. Blindly, I stuck out my tongue only to make contact with her flesh somewhere around her navel. Or so I assumed.