Afterglow Pt. 05

Olivia gave me a shy grin. "Yes. I know. He caught me staring at you. I told you I kept studying people's responses to it. It was my best work, in my opinion. It amused me this little uptight lawyer was staring with a bit of understanding. I didn't know you were a lawyer yet, of course."

"But you knew I was uptight." I tried not to be insulted but it stung a little.

Olivia shrugged. "Wasn't I right?" She swallowed the rest of her wine. "William saw you and mentioned you were an ex-girlfriend. Told me what you did. He laughed at me, telling me I was absolutely crazy to send you the painting. To 'woo' you, I think he put it. He gave me your address anyway. I wanted to see what was under your modest dress. I wanted to muss up your hair. I wanted to make you forget about meetings and have you constantly frazzled. When I went over to talk to you, I wanted to kiss you even more. There was depth to you and I felt an instant attraction." She signaled to the waitress for another glass of wine. "So there you have it. I was in love with you almost right away."

I took her hand. Her anxious eyes met mine, only relaxing when she saw my calm smile. I kissed her palm, and then just to be a bitch about the "uptight" statement, I gave it a little lick. She gasped and I drew back laughing.

"Not so uptight anymore, right?"

"That depends. Are you going to introduce me to your parents?"

Fear rolled through my stomach. She stared at me, waiting for me to unfreeze and answer.

It was a terrifying prospect. While I doubted my parents would start stoning us, I was quite sure they would be extremely upset. It would take them a long time to get used to the idea.

But there was no going back. We met during a crazy time in my life. There was a lot of pressure on me, and with someone else it might not have worked. In fact, I doubt anyone would have been able to bear all of that misery with me.

It didn't matter what our sex was, or that she was older, or that I'd never really enjoy her friends' parties and she'd never understand why I couldn't wave a magic wand and make everything right in the world. We loved each other.

My lips curved into a toothy grin. "Absolutely. I'll call Mom and set something up for this weekend. What do you think?"

Olivia choked on her piece of bread.

OOOOOO

We were both buzzed when we got home. The headiness of being around each other without the dark cloud of anxiety and uncertainty, mixed with the few rounds drinks we had, made us giggly and immature. We took turns smacking the other's ass as we climbed the stairs, chasing the other and nearly falling down every time our heels twisted.

Toronto barely looked up when we came bursting inside the apartment, tearing off each other's clothes.

"I brought something special for us tonight," Olivia breathed.

I ripped her bra off and immediately bent my head to suck one of her breasts. Her entire body was beautiful to me, but the sight of her round breasts with those hard berry nipples drove me wild. Her hands flew up to my head, pushing me closer to her chest.

Eventually she sighed and stepped away. "Take the rest of your clothes off and sit on the couch."

A flare of excitement rose from the tips of my toes all the way to the top of my head. I pushed off my underwear and hopped on the couch. I watched Olivia slowly pull her panties off, bending over so I could see the delicious plumpness of her ass and the barest hint of her pussy below. She spun around and dug into her purse. She pulled out a long dildo with dramatic flair, grinning at me.

"What the hell is that?"

"A dildo, darling. Duh."

"What do you—"

"Shut up." She straddled me. "It's double-sided. We can fuck each other at the same time with it." She took the head of it and pushed it through my slippery lips. She stroked me like that for a few speechless minutes, nudging the head against my clit every now and then. I was humping my hips upward, desperate for more. Olivia merely smiled.

"Please," I heard myself beg.

She adjusted it so that it began vibrating. With a lusty moan, she plunged it inside of me. I tossed my head back, feeling incredibly tight but so wet at the same time. She pushed and pushed until it was deep.

Everything on my body was insanely sensitive. She ran her fingers up my sides that prickled with goosebumps. Then she touched my breasts.

"Olivia," I sighed.

Her eyes moved to meet mine but she didn't answer. Her thumbs occasionally brushed against my nipples. Then she dropped one hand down between us, sliding it against my clit before grasping the dildo and thrusting it inside of me slowly but deeply. It vibrated against my walls; already I thought I might come. Her mouth swallowed one of my tits after a little bit and I nearly cried. My mouth was open in a silent scream, begging her with my wandering hands to give me more. My hand went to her ass and then twisted around her hips to play with her soaked pussy. She gasped into my nipple which sent a tremor of pleasure down my spine.

After a few minutes she sat up straight and quickly dropped down onto the other side of the dildo. She screamed when she felt it pulsating inside her. I looked down at the image of us completely touching while we fucked ourselves with the vibrating plastic cock.

"I'm going to come," I moaned. "Now."

Olivia sped up which also drove the dildo inside of me more quickly. It was absolutely maddening to hover over that precipice, knowing that you're about to orgasm any minute, craving and dreading that unbearable pleasure.

I looked up at Olivia. Her eyes were shut, her mouth hung open and her long hair clung to her body with sweat. I hugged her around her waist, bringing her closer to me so that our breasts touched. Olivia's eyes opened and I knew it was time. She gave me a sloppy, searching kiss that instantly made all the sensations sharper.

I exploded, feeling my wetness coat the plastic cock and even my couch. Everything felt drenched. It was so divinely dirty.

Olivia apparently wasn't far behind. She kept fucking the dildo, which in turn kept fucking me. The vibrations were almost too much. My orgasm was fading so I focused on getting Olivia off. I squeezed her breasts, pinched her nipples and nibbled her throat. One hand circled her clit, which was finally the last straw.

She orgasmed with unbelievable force, clenching my shoulders and riding the dildo as hard as she could.

Then it was over. She moved off of me, carefully taking the dildo out, and switched it off. She sucked the side that had been inside of me, never taking her eyes off of me. Seeing her pink lips around the head, knowing she was tasting me, was so fucking erotic that I thought I might be able to come again.

Olivia smiled as if she knew what I was thinking. She clutched my sweaty thigh and leaned over to kiss me. When she pulled away, she touched my face.

"No," she panted, "you're not so uptight anymore."

Chapter IX: Your Honor

I felt a bit giddy the next morning. Jacqueline spotted me coming into the office and rushed over to chat with me.

We talked a little about Felicity and Rose. She asked if I had any update, but I hadn't heard from Felicity since the night before.

Then Jackie smiled wickedly at me. "Someone got laid last night."

"You know," I began, pouring milk into my coffee, "I always hated that expression."

"Whatever." She rolled her eyes. "Things are good with the artist?"

I couldn't help the blissful smile that spread across my face. Jackie rolled her eyes but she smiled, too.

Robert came into the kitchen, his gaze moving over us. "Before you ask, Elizabeth, there's nothing fucking new."

I knew he could go with a few options, particular Attempted Murder or Assault. The first would carry a term of no less than fifteen years, so it would probably be fifteen years to life. The other was trickier. He could get as little as 5 years, or possibly 25.

"You have no court date? No plan?"

He put a donut in his mouth with a roll of his eyes and walked out. I followed.

Roger stood talking with Landon Fontaine. My body tightened. Robert pulled the donut out of his mouth and greeted him, shaking his hand. I felt sick.

Landon caught sight of me and gave me one of his asshole smiles. "Liz. How are you, sweetheart? It's been ages."

It really hadn't been. Fucker. I fought the urge to curl my lips. "Fine. Yourself?"

"Oh, I've had better days. Very unfortunate, what's happened to your friend."

"Let's move to my office," Roger cut in. He didn't bother to glance at me, but Robert gave me a smug look.

They were in there for forever. I gnawed at my nails, unable to even pretend like I was working. The three of them eventually came out, laughing with each other. I overheard them talking about lunch. The might as well have been smoking cigars and palming their crotches.

I couldn't stop myself. I jumped over and approached them. "What's the plan of action to keep him off the street?"

Roger shook his head, Robert stared at me and Landon watched with slight amusement.

"That's none of your business at this time, Ms. Quilty," Roger said. Robert wasn't able to stifle his snort.

"I feel terrible for how this turned out," Landon said with his practiced politeness. His eyes peered at me with what I'd almost think was genuine sympathy if I didn't know him better. "No one wanted things to work out like this."

I looked at Roger. "What are you charging him with?"

"Jesus, she doesn't stop," Rob groaned. He shakes his head when I look at him. "We're filing for Aggravated Assault and are considering a plea agreement with Mr. Fontaine due to problems with Mr. Tierney's medications. He has been sick for a while now and we're suspecting the medication issues contributed to his violence. Happy now?"

My mouth dropped. I looked from Roger to Robert. "That can't possibly be the best you can do. You're factoring in his medication... What, did you make a plea for insanity? This is fucking insanity. He isn't crazy, you asshole."

Roger took an imposing step towards me. "I think we will have to continue this discussion when I come back from lunch."

There was a heavy silence. All of the work I'd done, the years I put in under Roger, the respect I'd had for him...and yet now we were strangers. He was a little man in my eyes. That I ever idolized him ashamed me, and made me feel terribly for my father. They'd once been good friends. I dreaded telling Dad that Roger had lost his decency somewhere along the lines, if he'd ever been respectable.

This wasn't just about him being an asshole. It wasn't even just about Rose and Felicity anymore. This had become incredibly personal. Dan Tierney had messed up my life, too. He threatened me, terrified me, hurt people who had become important to me. To see these people whose job it was to seek vengeance so cavalierly dismiss our suffering made me nearly blind with rage.

"That won't be necessary," I said. I swallowed and straightened my spine. "I'm resigning."

I began walking away, ignoring all the eyes on me, but then I paused. It was petty, but it was the only weapon I had. And I felt like doing something petty, even if it would only take the edge off for a little bit.

I looked back and met Roger's eyes. "By the way, Roger. Something you should know that's been eating at me. Robert fucked your wife. Almost all of us know about it. Thought you might like to know, sir."

I didn't bother waiting for his reaction. Instead I went to my desk and gathered a few of my personal things. I stalked out of the office, tying desperately not to cry.

OOOOOO

Olivia ran the soaked cloth up my back. "Are you sure you have to go back there for another two weeks?"

"No. It might be easier to say he fired me. He was going to, anyway."

"Will you tell them—Felicity—about the deal?"

The thought killed me. "I don't know. No."

She kissed the corner of my mouth. Then she went on, bathing me as she knelt beside the tub. She ran the washcloth against my nipples. I felt a detached sort of arousal. I asked her to join me a few times but she kept saying she wanted it to be about me.

"I went to visit Rose today."

I gathered my knees to my chest and rested my chin on top. "You did?"

"Felicity says it might take longer to revive her than anticipated. She was fighting with one of the nurses when I got there. I invited her over here but she doesn't leave Rose's side." She massaged my back.

My eyes shut. "Hmm."

"I love you, Elizabeth."

I opened my eyes and looked at Olivia. Her eyes were dark and filled with tenderness. "I love you, too."

OOOOOO

It snowed that Saturday. The stoop to my parents' apartment was very icy. I took Olivia's hand and gingerly helped her up the steps. I rang their bell and smiled when I caught Olivia plucking the skirt of her dress nervously.

The door buzzed and I opened it, letting her walk inside first. I never saw her so nervous before. She'd left her long dark hair down and she had gone easy on the makeup. I told her she looked the prettiest I'd ever seen her. She tried to smile.

We were quiet on the elevator—she didn't want to hear any more of my assurances that my parents would love her because she didn't believe me and she said I was getting annoying—but I took her hand and squeezed.

I'd already told my parents I was bringing a woman with me. It had been an interesting conversation with my mother.

"You're telling me over the phone?"

I felt bad. "Yes. I'm sorry. I didn't really think."

"No, you didn't. Are you sure this isn't just a phase?"

"No," I'd said firmly. "Why is it that when guys turn gay, it's like, 'Oh, he's definitely gay' but when a girl says she's a lesbian people are like, 'It's just a phase!'"

"I don't know, Elizabeth, and I certainly didn't mean it in an anti-feminism way so spare me. I barely hear from you, hardly see you in months, and you call me to tell me you have a girlfriend. I apologize I'm not reacting the way you wanted me to. I never knew my daughter was a lesbian so give me a fucking break."

Then I'd felt really shitty. "I'm sorry, Mom. I just didn't know what to do. But I know that I really want you to meet her."

So lunch was set up. I figured my mother told my dad, so that would be interesting. Also, in a morbid and selfish way, I wanted to take my mind off Dan Tierney pacing his jail cell and Rose Sherman lying in bed with a machine breathing for her.

I still didn't know if the deal between Robert and Landon was officially struck. Jackie couldn't tell me one way or the other because of course she went on fucking vacation that week.

Mom was standing outside their apartment, holding open the door. She put on a brave smile when she saw us step off the elevator. One arm waved us forward while the other held the door open.

Olivia nodded and smiled. "It's nice to meet you, Mrs. Quilty."

"Call me Anne," Mom said automatically. She tried to hold on to the bright smile she must've practiced, but it began to slip. "Please come in."

Mom didn't look at me.

We walked inside and there was my father. He held a bottle of wine in his hands.

"Hello. I'm Matt."

"Hello," Olivia whispered. Her palm was sweating.

"Wine?" Dad asked.

I cleared my throat. "Please."

Mom silently brought out some appetizers and sat down. Everyone took a seat. The clock in the room ticked as we desperately tried to think of something to say.

Dad shifted so that he could get a better look at Olivia. "I googled you. I must say I love your work. I'm not really much of an art guy but I liked it."

Olivia held on to her wine glass so tightly I feared it might break. "Thank you."

"Olivia and I met at one of her shows," I said, trying to hide my discomfort and probably failing.

Mom and Dad looked at me for the first time.

"I loved one of her paintings and we started talking. She's very inspiring."

Mom looked away and sipped her wine. Dad cleared his throat and ventured into what he thought was a safe topic.

"How's work, Lizzie?"

Shit. My heart pounded. "I quit. Or was fired. Depends on who you talk to. I was contacted yesterday that I'm getting a package, so whatever."

Dad had to put his glass down. Mom's head spun in my direction, her eyes wide and horrified.

"What the hell is going on?" Dad demanded to know.

"It's a long story."

Dad's eyebrows lifted in that frightening way that used to scare the crap out of me as a kid. It still did.

"I was in charge of a stalking case. The guy was represented by Landon Fontaine, so there was my first problem." Dad rolled his eyes. He knew Landon pretty well, too. "A few minor errors were made, but just enough that Roger could take me off the case. I became friends with the girl—Rose— and her partner. Roger and Robert weren't happy about it. And the guy ended up almost killing Rose, who is still in a coma. He's only getting charged with Aggravated Assault, the lesser charge." I looked down at the carpet because I was a little embarrassed over what I'd done next. "Roger acted so fucking superior and shitty that I couldn't take it anymore and I told him his wife cheated on him with Robert."

Mom gasped. Dad's stare melted through my flesh and bone.

"Roger hadn't wanted me on the case, I don't think. I believe there was a little favoritism going on. And I had the potential to be a pain in the ass over it. He underestimated my friendship with Rose. And her girlfriend, Felicity."

Now Dad's eyes bulged. Mom looked like she might faint.

"You just happened to be working with a lesbian couple?"

I shrugged. "Yeah, weird, right? I take it as a sign."

Mom put down her wine glass. "God, I'm friends with Roger's wife. How will I ever face her again?"

"She's the one who slept with vermin, Mom, not you."

Mom stood up. "We can't all be so righteous, Elizabeth." Then she burst into tears.

My dad got up and gathered her close. I looked over at Olivia who appeared to be near tears, too. This wasn't going well.

"Maybe we should go," I said.

Mom pulled away from Dad and rubbed her eyes, smearing mascara all over. "No. I made duck, damn it."

She rushed to the kitchen and started slamming pots and pans around.

Dad settled down and gazed at Olivia. "I apologize for all of this. We haven't had time to acclimate. And Lizzie called Anne on the phone, from what I've heard, to...explain this. My wife doesn't deal well with such surprises."

"I completely understand," Olivia said in a hushed voice.

I felt terrible. Nothing seemed to be going right for me. Olivia took her hand out of my grasp. If she was pissed at me, too, then I would have to give up.

Mom came out, still crying. "Lunch is fucking served."

Lunch passed as you might've expected it would pass. No one spoke. No one even bothered to try starting a conversation. We were content with our discontentment; talking would only make it worse. That fucking clock continued ticking in the distance, each mark of another silent second driving me closer to losing my temper.

Mom mostly drank, ignoring the generous amount of food Dad had put on her plate. Olivia kept her eyes down, staring at the duck as if it held all of life's answers.

I had enough.

"I'm sorry that none of this is going like you've planned."

Mom looked up and wiped her eyes.

"Maybe we should come back another day."

Mom's body relaxed for the first time since we'd arrived. "No, don't go," Mom sighed, blowing her nose. "It's just... such a big step for me. But please don't leave."

"I think we should. I don't want to keep upsetting you." I took Olivia's hand under the table. "Olivia wanted to meet you guys, and I wanted you to meet her, but I don't want to push you if you're not ready. That wouldn't be right."

Mom glanced at Olivia. "I'm sorry. It's just that Elizabeth wasn't answering her cell for the longest time and—"