New chapter.. What can I say? Having readers and reviewers really does push me to write more. This chapter is hopefully a little more fun than last one. May feel like a filler but it isn't.

Many thanks to all of you..

A hearty thanks to reddawg82 for having a chance to whopper of a review. This story wouldn't exist if it wasn't for your push. So thank you.

As always, mistakes are mine. Characters are not. Review if you can, if not it's cool. Thank you in advance for reading.

Cheers!

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The wax seemed to stop. There was more movement around her but she couldn't tell what was happening. The hand on her lower back had disappeared. She didn't panic as she could sense the continued movement. She knew she hasn't been left bound and alone. The hand was back.

"Lil'red... you've been a very good girl. But I want you to lay very still. I'm going to scrape the wax off and I'm using a knife."

She stopped breathing.

Interlace – Chapter 6

They picked up sushi and some alcohol on the way to the twins' flat. They opted to sit around the coffee table in the living room instead of in the kitchen. They shared some wine and the twins told stories about growing up. While the twins cleaned up, Naomi had a chance to glance around the small flat. Cozy would be a good term for it. There were pictures of the smiling twins at different ages. There was some artwork on the walls but she didn't recognize it. She'd never been to Katie's place. Katie's and Emily's... She'd known Katie had a sister, pretty sure she'd mentioned she was a twin at some point. But she had also mentioned that her life at Stonem House was separate from her home life. It wasn't anything any of them questioned. Work wasn't an easy topic to discuss with people outside the industry. Even her hippie mother wasn't completely in the know. Katie wanting to keep her family in the dark was understood and envied. She had relationships deep enough to warrant protection from the dark of the world.

Being in their home felt sacred. She knew Effy had been here before and often but that was different. The three of them had grown up together. Only a couple of years older, Naomi knew Effy's brother, Tony, from her years with him at Roundview. They hadn't been close. She had run into him in London. That chance meeting changed her future. Tony had no trouble bringing up his mother's London House in complete passing. He was incorrigible, that had never changed from her memory of him. Naomi was attending university on a partial scholarship. While he didn't quite offer her a job with his mother, he did insinuate that she pay her a visit. Naomi's looks and temperance were traits his mother would appreciate. She took down the address and her number. It couldn't hurt to explore her options. London was a big city and she knew nothing was ever black and white or fair. Everyone had to scrape and get by, she wasn't immune.

She met Anthea for coffee. They talked about Naomi's university studies, her hopes for the future and her interest in changing the world. When Anthea was sure that Naomi was as bright as Tony mentioned, she started talking about London House and its need for talent. She didn't mince words about the sex work or what would be expected - within reason. If Naomi was taken aback, she never showed it. She listened and put forth her own proposition on the matter. Anthea laughed at Naomi's boldness but was assuredly impressed. They worked out a deal and Naomi began working as Anthea's apprentice of sorts. Her university studies also took on a different path. Instead of heavily favoring politics, the coursework began including more psychology and sociology. Anthea helped with work at London House and with additional support for her university expenses. She left her shared flat and moved into London House. She began breathing and living the lifestyle.

She was brought out of her memories when Emily came out of the kitchen with another glass of wine. Naomi took it with a smile.

"Are you trying to get me drunk?" Naomi joked as Emily choked on her own drink.

"Umm no. I think I will leave that to Katie, thank you." Emily joked back after wiping her mouth. "Perfectly timed, by the way." Naomi blushed, having forgotten the earlier mention of Katie and hers drunken escapade. Truth be told, she never really thought about it. Katie was.. well, Katie. She wasn't easily explained but one thing she wasn't was gay. It was a moment of loneliness and exploration fueled by drink and years of trust. It wasn't unpleasant. They were both talented kissers. It wasn't enough for either of them. I wonder how Emily kisses. Shit stop that! Naomi looked away to the bookshelf in front of her.

"Are all of these yours?"

"No. Top two shelves are Katie's and the bottom two are mine."

"Really?" Naomi took a closer look at the titles directly in front of her. The first shelf was stocked with chick lit titles - all the trend in magazines. Surprisingly there were a number of headier literary choices on the second shelf – Atwood, Austen, Bronte... She even alphabetized the shelf. Impressive. "The second shelf is Katie's too?" Emily smiled and nodded. "Who would have thought.."

"Fuck you Campbell..." came the soft shout from the kitchen. Emily giggled. That has got to be the neatest sound. Naomi closed her eyes for a second, trying to clear her head. The wine.. it's the wine.. it's getting to me. She felt Emily's hand on her arm much like she had touched her earlier in the day.

"You ok?" she almost whispered. Naomi opened her eyes to find herself drowning again in those beautiful chocolate eyes that spoke volumes. "You seemed lost for a second."

"Uh.. yeah.. must be too much wine, too quickly or maybe it's the new found knowledge that your sister is a literary connoisseur." Naomi smiled hoping to sound slightly flippant and not at all immersed in the redhead's energy.

"Keep it up bitch and I'm going to have to hurt you. And not in a happy ending kind of way." Katie took that opportunity to walk back in, causing Emily to withdraw her hand. "We may not all have your brains but some of us do quite well at understanding the finer things."

"I've little doubt Katie dear. You never cease to amaze me." Naomi genuinely content to learn more about both twins. She was about to scan the lower shelves when Emily purposely stepped in the way.

"Let's sit back down, yeah?" Naomi looked at her curiously, wondering why she didn't want her paying attention to her book selections but she shrugged her shoulders and wandered back to one of the two couches.

"More stories then?" Naomi asked taking a small sip from her glass. Katie sat down and tucked her legs under her. Emily sat with her legs crossed. They'd changed from their street clothes to more comfy ones and Naomi felt slightly jealous. She hadn't thought to have extra clothes in the car and from the amount of wine she'd had it wasn't likely she would be driving home any time soon.

"Campbell.. your turn for a story no?" Katie teased.

"Oh no.. I have no stories...none" Naomi shook her head as Katie giggled. She wasn't the only one who had a bit to drink.

"Even I don't believe that." Emily piped up. "How long have you been doing.. you know?" She asked.

"Hmm.. No I don't know.. do you know Katie?" Naomi laughed at the blushing twin. She can't even say the words directly. How innocent.. no.. not innocent.. bad thoughts.. bad Naomi. She turned to look at Katie who laughed.

"I'm pretty sure she means our profession but I think you should make her spell it out." Katie giggled at her sister's expense. Emily glared at her.

"But even if I make her spell it out, it would simply be 4 letters...b..d..s..m." Naomi whispered the last bit which caused Katie to laugh harder. Emily groaned and buried her head in a throw pillow.

"Come on Ems. Show this blonde bitch up.." Katie said between fits of laughter. "Be direct."

"UGH! Fine... how long have you been..." Emily still stumbled over her words. How hard was it for her to speak up, Naomi thought. "Into.. alternative.." Emily cringed when Naomi and Katie started laughing harder. "Fuck you both." Frustrated, she got up to leave when Naomi reached out and grabbed her pulling her down to where she sat.

"Don't go. We're teasing." Naomi pouted at Emily who was practically sitting on top of her. "You make it too easy to tease you lil'Red." Yup, too much wine. I could kiss her. At that moment, Katie's phone rang.

"Fucking Effy... I'm taking this in the other room. Bitch is getting an ear full." Katie grumbled and wandered off to her bedroom, leaving Emily and Naomi alone.

"I don't envy Effy. When your sister is on a tear, nothing scarier." Naomi put one arm on the back of the couch, the other way too close to Emily's legs. "To answer your question, I've been working with Anthea, Eff's mom since I was 19." She looked into Emily's eyes to see her reaction. Emily looked down at her hands on her lap, then back up, curiosity playing in her eyes. God that's a beautiful shade of brown.. her eyes.. I don't think Katie's eyes are the same shade. Not even close. Earth to Campbell, focus.. I'm pretty sure she said something. "I'm sorry.. I spaced out.. what?"

"I said that 19 is pretty young. How did you know you liked.." Emily hesitated, took a deep breath. "Bondage... there I said it." She giggled a little, and blushed a tiny bit.

"Atta girl. Very proud of you, you popped your cherry." Naomi burst out laughing when Emily swatted her arm.

"God you're a prick." Emily found herself laughing.

"Nope.. no prick. Totally not sporting one of those.. at least not today." Emily's jaw hit the floor as Naomi howled with laughter. "Oh .. that was... priceless.. you really are too easy."

"I'm going to stop asking questions if you can't stop taking the piss at me, Naoms."

"Naoms huh.. your sister calls me that." Emily looked down at her hands, fidgeting. "I like it when you say it. It sounds nicer... but don't tell Katie. She'll never forgive me."

"Do you like her?" Emily bit her lip. "Do you like Katie?"

"Yeah, I think she's wonderful. I adore her." Naomi stared at Emily, seeing the uncertainty alive under the girl's skin. "But not in a 'I want to sleep with her' kind of way Ems. She's very beautiful. She's a total ball of fire that one. But she's not gay. And she's not my type." Emily looked up and met Naomi's eyes. Oh crap. Naomi felt herself leaning forward, licking her lips, knowing she had lost her mind. It's her damn eyes.. and her lips.. very kissable lips. Emily started leaning into Naomi. Katie walked back into the room just then. Both Naomi and Emily moved away not finishing what had been on both their minds.

"She's still in fucking London, the bitch... but she sends her love. I think I'm going to turn in you two. Naoms, you're not driving home. I'm sure I have some of Danny's old sleep stuff.. or was it Mike's.. crap.. one of those two... I'll go get it for you yeah? Ems can you grab her a pillow and some sheets?" Katie rattled on, not letting either of them know she'd seen what was about to happen. Yeah.. ok.. my plan was utter shit about them getting together.. She smirked as she walked into her bedroom.

Dressed in an oversized t-shirt and shorts, Naomi walked back into the living room to find Emily making up the couch for her. Her heart jumped. She watched her. All of her movements, so delicate. Damn it.. this can't happen. She felt a shiver pass through her. Emily stood up and smiled at her.

"Do you need another pillow? Or another blanket? Don't want you uncomfortable."

"This should be fine. Thank you. Guessing Katie passed out already."

"Probably. All the shopping earlier.." They laughed. Emily walked around the couch and stopped. "Umm.. you're kind of taller than either Katie or I.. are you going to be comfortable on the couch? I've slept on it fine but your legs are longer." She looked at the couch and glanced at Naomi. It wasn't as much a glance as gazing from the bottom up. Naomi met her eyes. The blush was there on her cheeks. She stepped closer to Emily.

"I should be ok I think." Naomi couldn't help it. She invaded Emily's personal space. "Is there another offer on the table Emily?" God, I'm a tit.. a prick.. and I want to kiss her. She heard Emily gasp but the redhead didn't look away. Good for her, Naomi thought.

"If I thought you could behave, I'd say we can share my bed. But I'm pretty sure you can't, so we can switch... you take the bed and I take the couch." Emily smiled, sweetly but not entirely innocently. She's having fun, Naomi marveled. "You'll find I'm more hospitable than Katie even if she did find you her ex's stuff to sleep in."

"Define behave." Naomi smiled and leaned in to whisper in Emily's ear. Evil, you are truly evil.. but I don't know if I'm teasing her or me any more. "You'll find I can be very well behaved depending on the definition."

"You're very cheeky Naoms." Emily whispered back, turning her head a little. She licked her lips. "I'm tempted..."

"Tempted to?" Naomi uttered, feeling herself shaking inside. What is this girl doing to me? Emily smiled then stepped to the side and away from Naomi.

"Wouldn't you like to know..." She walked away and into her room, closing the door slowly. Naomi stood there. She closed her eyes. What the fuck was that?