Black Ice 2/4

Miranda had hid in the shower until the water had cooled, goose-bumps spreading over her skin as she stepped out, the cool air whipping in, claiming her body for its own; attempting to evaporate the warmth within minutes.

She was now stood with a towel wrapped around her body facing a current predicament one she hadn't foreseen but could be slightly problematic. She glared down at the sodden pile of clothes still bundled up in a pathetic heap at her feet. No amount of staring had dried them yet, but she was overly determined.

Finally she sighed in defeat, resting her hip against the counter, passing a fleeting thought to whether Andrea wondered if she'd drowned in here. She shook her head pushing her weight back onto two feet. It was time to destroy the hope if she had. Her eyes zeroed in on Andrea's dressing gown, her fingers reaching out tugging it down and around her shoulders, the towel fluttering to the floor long forgotten. She swallowed, for once feeling nervous, her image of perfection having drained away guarded by nothing but the greying gown now tightly wrapped around her. She didn't feel comfortable without her hair done, her skin bright hidden behind her make up, a power suit finishing it all off making her formidable. Now she was just another older woman in nothing but a fraying bath robe and sodden hair, the droplets snaking their way over her back, collar bone and between her breasts.

She spared a glance in the mirror, all steamed up, barely able to discern her image within the condensation. She could see her face her cheeks still flushed from the heat, eyes overly bright, her silver hair sodden curling at the corners. She raked her fingers through it trying to guide it into some sort of order but as always it rebelled against her. Giving up she turned away walking forward her hand reaching out, fingers fumbling with the lock as she clicked it across, stepping out only to stop short.

'Um, I was just…these are for you.'

Andrea blushed scarlet her eyes rapidly roving over her body; a gaze Miranda could have sworn was tainted with warmth. Heat pooled low within her belly as Andrea's eyes darted away, now looking everywhere other than Miranda.

The older woman felt a tingle of humour at her shyness Andrea's embarrassment equalling if not surpassing her own, not that Andrea would ever know. She held her head high strolling over snatching the clothes from Andrea's outstretched fingers.

She examined them, a pair of pants and a black shirt, so obviously last season but luckily enough in her size. She lifted her eyes to regard Andrea, a barb falling from her lips with ease, 'Thank god you were a four at some point; although that time has obviously passed.'

If anything Andrea's blush deepened, eyes dipping to the ground. It was a low blow but Miranda's defences were down and Andrea made her uncomfortable having been unable to piece together the emotions bubbling forth when she'd been tended to earlier. The young woman was burrowing beneath her skin and Miranda didn't welcome it, so her walls had come up harder that ever, using all the ammunition she had within her arson, and yet subconsciously so. She didn't know why she did these things, it was just the way it was, who she was; who she'd become, and there was no point in feeling guilty for it or any remorse for her actions. This was the way she was and it was no one else's fault but her own and until now, apart from a few moments, she'd never gazed upon it in a negative light. Only now it was thrown in her face and she didn't welcome all the shameful emotions that accompanied it.

The young woman suddenly lifted her head, chin tilting up eyes trailing over Miranda all previous warmth banished, Andrea's gaze if anything colder than her own.

'You're welcome.'

With that Andrea turned on her heel, storming from the room without a backward glance leaving a wide eyed Miranda to stare after her for the first time her expression tainted with shame.

……………….

How dare she? Andy slumped onto the couch, arms folded. Andy felt sick with herself; scolding her mind for the thoughts that had plagued her only moments ago. When Miranda had walked from the bathroom Andy had been struck dumb, eyes taking in every inch, Miranda dressed in her dressing gown, the material pressed up against naked skin, flushed, eyes shining, the image of an orgasm. Her hair was mussed up, feet bare, tempting from top to toe, and she'd desired her. For the first time in months 'want' had slammed through her harder than ever. She'd never wanted a woman, sure they were stunning, and she'd felt a certain level of attraction but the image of sex had never entered her head and yet Miranda was like dynamite, the image firing off fireworks within her, the chemicals dancing through her veins making every nerve stand on end.

She'd felt ashamed, unable to look at the older woman not certain over her actions, unnerved by the new emotion not even having felt it with Nate. This wasn't lust, it wasn't love, she had no idea what it was and it confused the hell out of her. And then Miranda had opened her mouth, catching her off guard, open and ready to be wounded. Finally facing the possibility of attraction to this woman only to realise within seconds she was as untouchable as ever. The spite dripping from her words, like daggers determined to score as deep as possible into her heart, and for once she'd succeeded, Andy's barriers faltering if only for a minute but it was enough for the woman to hit her target.

But she'd known her feelings were fleeting, silly, nothing to be thought upon. Miranda had funny effects on everyone, the older woman seeming to alter the atmosphere wherever she entered. So Andy had pulled herself back together focusing everything on her anger, the one honest emotion within all of this. She hated the woman before her, all her jibes, her orders, as if everyone should bow before her. This was Andy's home and Miranda would respect her within it. Andy wouldn't let a word pass her own lips unless it was required knowing anything she said would be met with distain. She had nothing to say and she wouldn't let her emotions mess it up for her. She just needed to get Miranda out of here. She'd gone beyond the call of duty now it was someone else's turn to pick up the pieces.

She snatched up her cell, dialling Roy's number from memory. He picked up almost immediately.

'Andy?'

'Hi, Roy how are you?'

'I'm good thanks, you?'

'Could be better.'

'Andy what's going on? I'm guessing you're not calling me to catch up.'

Andy felt a little guilty, having abandoned almost everyone from Runway. Nigel was her only contact left within Elias-Clarke. She'd wanted a clean start, so she'd cut herself off from everyone. She'd wanted to call but every time she'd attempted to she just felt she was stepping on the devils tail, and after escaping unscathed, much to the shock of everyone she didn't want to push her luck so she'd left it.

'I'm sorry Roy, but you're right I'm calling for a reason. I've got Miranda here, she's been in an accident and I was wondering if you could come pick her up. She doesn't need to go to the hospital or anything, but she requires a lift home.'

'Now? Andy, there's been a snow storm; the traffics barely getting anywhere at all especially not down to your apartment. You still live in the same place right?'

'Yeah, you mean you can't get through at all?'

'Not for the next couple of days no.'

'DAYS!? Roy you have to be kidding me!'

'Sorry Andy looks like you're stuck with her ladyship longer than you thought.'

Andy was stumped, numbness setting in knowing the older woman would be here for longer than she'd ever imagined. Why couldn't she have just stayed in bed that morning?

If she had Miranda wouldn't have had anyone to run to. She shook her head, a loud sigh leaking from her lips.

'Ok, wish me luck.'

'Good luck Andy, and give me a call sometime yeah. If I don't hear from you in a couple of days I'll assume the devil has finally finished you off.'

'She just might.'

'Chin up baby girl, you'll be fine.'

His cheery voice made her realise how much she'd missed him, 'Thanks Roy.'

'You're welcome, and Merry Christmas Andy.'

'Merry Christmas to you too.'

They both hung up, Andy staring into space, the shock still setting in unable to believe Miranda was going to be here for a while. The older woman was going to freak.

'Trying get rid of me already?'

Andy jumped, hand flying to her heart. She hadn't known Miranda was in the room, 'Miranda I'm... .' she stopped, she was going to apologise when her previous thoughts flared up once again, what was the point? She wasn't sorry; the older woman was in her home and unintentionally messing with her head. 'How much did you hear?'

'Your shout of the word 'days' attracted my attention.'

Andy fought the blush determined to emanate over her cheeks. 'I was talking to Roy. Transport is unable to get through for the next few days.'

'Days?' unlike Andy Miranda's voice if anything went quieter.

'Yes and there's nothing I can do, believe me if there was I would have done it already.' Andy couldn't have sworn she saw a flicker of hurt at her words, but there was no way. Miranda's lips pursed and Andy braced herself; but no words came, just a short nod and nothing else. Her eyes dance to the clock, the older woman had to be tired after everything that had happened and Andy certainly was.

She sighed rising to her feet, 'you can have the bed.' She didn't know why she was offering it wasn't as if Miranda would sleep on the couch but she would work to keep pretence of politeness between them. She just had to survive for the next few days, she could do this. She slipped past Miranda, ignoring the flutter from where their body brushed together, Miranda unmoving, her eyes on Andy watching her walk by. She grabbed the throw from the end of her bed, picking up her pyjamas. She swallowed as she walked back into the living room; unnerved by having Miranda's eyes on her, why was the woman suddenly so interested?

She threw the throw over the sofa, tossing her pyjamas down, turning to Miranda, 'You're welcome to wear anything for pyjamas, second drawer down.'

Miranda nodded and turned to walk away, vanishing into Andy's bedroom.

Andy sighed, sitting down on the edge of the couch, face falling into her hands. This was a nightmare. She gently tugged of her clothes, getting ready for bed, unaware of ice blue eyes watching just out of sight.

…………………….

What was she doing? She shouldn't be watching, and yet here she was eyes on her ex-assistant watching as she undressed. She felt a thud between her thighs, gasping as the sensation. Andrea's jeans slowly slipped down her hips, long legs, taught thighs, the image of having them wrapped round her waist flashing into her head, finger burrowed between them. She snapped back, shielding the image of Andrea from view, what was wrong with her? She'd never had such thoughts and certainly not over a woman. Gorgeous girls undressed around her everyday and yet she never fantasised about a single one. She'd never been s sexual person, sex had always been more of a duty than an enjoyment, forcing herself into the motions for her husbands, the passion long gone, maybe having never existed. But now her body had flared up, awakening something inside, the slight image of smooth skin, Andrea's breasts encased in lace and her imagination had come alive, the bud of desire blossoming inside her. She couldn't deny it, in a few hours everything she'd known had come tumbling down around her, every little emotion, thought and feeling reassessed. Andrea made her feel more than anyone ever had before and she couldn't decide if she loved it or hated it. The young woman obviously felt nothing for her, so she was doomed, just another heart ache to add to many. She could manipulate many things, but manners of the heart weren't one of them.

She wandered over to the drawers, pulling out the first thing she laid her hands on tugging it on without thought, a big t-shirt swamping her body, falling to the tops of her thighs. She slipped beneath the sheets into Andrea's bed. Groaning as she was surrounded by scent, body recognising it in an instant, sweet, tingling her senses as she breathed it in ignoring the sense of calm that descended over her, the sent psychological, everything was ok. She willed her mind to drift, the stress of the day finally overcoming her for once falling to sleep with ease.

…………………….

Andy drew her pyjamas on settling down on the couch dragging the blanket over her shoulders curling up. The seat was barely long enough for her to stretch out, feet dangling over the edge. She groaned, unable to get comfortable, body alight with everything she wished to ignore. She forced her thoughts away, breathing in deep, relaxing from head to toe slowly trying to ease away the tension lingering in her frame. She couldn't think of the woman in the other room, silver hair spread out over her pillow, buried beneath her bed covers, having been naked in her house only a short while before. She swallowed, twisting to the side, guiding her thoughts away every time they fell on the unsafe subject. Reduced to counting sheep, sleep clouded at the edge of her eyes, falling into a restless slumber. The barriers of her mind slipped away, no longer able to hide, conscious loosing its control, freeing the only honest path within her.

She could feel hands stroking over her body, seeming everywhere and yet not at all, skin tingling from the invisible touch. Shadows lingered in her vision, a faceless figure hovering on the edge of her dreams, worshiping from afar and yet seeming to settle deep inside drawing the desire out from within.

She tossed, her shoulders rippling as her body arched up, the sensation slowly centring, increasing in pressure, tickling like a wind on her skin before burning, flames kissing every erogenous area setting it on fire. She couldn't hear the words whispered against her skin as lips came into view, pale and full, grazing every inch, the rest remaining in the dark. Her eyes were straining, unable to see anyone and yet feeling their eyes on her, sensual, their breath echoing in her ears. She could feel her heart pounding against her chest, blood rushing through her veins as their mouth snaked lower, tongue flicking out against her skin, lips open, warm breaths brushing over her stomach, tensing under the sensation, needing more and yet already pushed to her limit. She could feel the heat between her thighs, the shadow seeming to dance to different areas of her body without a sound, ignoring where she needed it, soaked and craving between her thighs, body begging to be touched. She groaned, her own voice seeming to sound far off in the distance; the void around her holding nothing but the image of her and the ghost within her imagination.

Light shimmered around them, bathing her in gold, eyes flashing at the contrast as a slither of silver flashed out from the darkness. Her eyes clung to the information, brain stuttering, recognition just beyond her reach. Her thighs parted hands slipping between them, unaware of their touch until she felt their nails lightly scrape over the inside of her legs. She gasped, teeth sinking into her lip, unable to feel the pain of such an action, focused on the sensation between her thighs, the woman's breath blowing against her clit, tongue teasing, before abandoning her, vanishing from sight. She cried out in frustration, body for some reason paralysed, unable to move, to reach out and take what she wanted, force the figure to give in. The ache made her muscles flutter, desperate for relief.

Suddenly she felt a weight press into her own, the light slowly spanning out, breasts brushing up against hers, the clothing rough against her over sensitive skin. She remained still, her body ready as though her mind was waiting, the final trigger.

Ice blue eyes stared into her own, before lowering, lips caressing the shell of her ear, before the voice she knew all to well fluttered out into the open.

'You want me Andrea.'

She jolted, the figure vanishing in a wisp of smoke. The movement shattering her dream like shards clearing from her vision. She struggled, feeling invisible binds around her body desperate to break free. She could feel the world toppling, body slipping to the side as consciousness crashed in with a bump. Pain seared through her body as she hit something hard.

Her eyes flickered open, taking the wooden floor boards now firmly pressed against her nose, body throbbing from un-sated sexual pleasure. She gasped, eyes flicking around, shocked mind scrabbling for some sort of sense, some sort of understanding and unable to come to anything other than one answer, an answer she didn't want.

She shifted slipping her hand between her legs before drawing two fingers away now dripping with her juices, her desire caused by one woman. A woman who now slept peacefully only a few meters away.

'Shit!'