CHAPTER 10

Saturday / "My Ice For Your Ice"

They stood in a cool chamber, looking at a foot-high Eiffel tower miniature. When Andy stumbled upon this local ice show, she knew she found the perfect stage for the Final Act. What's with Miranda, though? She didn't make a sound since breakfast. As they walked the short distance to the exhibition, Andy pretended to take in the lovely spring morning, the scent of the pine trees and all that. But her heart was thumping like crazy. So much to do in so little time! This Eiffel trick has got to work!

"We'll always have Paris," she joked.

Another minute of silence, and she'll murder that woman. Easy, Andy, be cool!

"I'm glad you came with me here, Miranda," she continued. "Not that you had a choice. Does that ring a bell?"

Miranda gave a small sigh, suddenly feeling drained and sad.

"Andrea, we have discussed this. You chose to come with me to Paris, it was your own decis—"

Andy exploded.

"Bullshit!! You blackmailed me into the Paris trip!"

"I did no such thing."

"Oh, give me a fuckin' break! You promised to blow my career if I said no. How could you?!"

Andy's voice trailed off, she had to push back a stream of angry tears. There was so much passion in her voice, Miranda almost wished she could taste her words.

Andy was getting desperate. This woman is just too difficult! (Watching Miranda's eyes moor on her lips, and noticing how hot the lady looked against the ice sculptures, didn't help much.) She was so turned on by her feelings clashing into Miranda's cold shield, she had to touch ice. Literally.

Her hand rested on the Eiffel model. Oops! Off came the slender top. Now she had a weapon.

Miranda's eyebrow twitched. She took a step back, bumping to the wall… Andy opened Miranda's coat and pointed the ice-dagger at that tastefully exposed bosom.

"Hey, are you two okay?"

Well, if it isn't a concerned fellow visitor.

"Get the hell out," Andy growled.

The visitor thought it best to comply. Miranda trembled with pride to see the kid play tough... Their frozen breaths mingled now in a spectacular white cloud.

"Come on, Snow Queen," Andy murmured. "Would you have … screwed me … over for skipping Paris?"

Miranda coughed. For shame, that 'screwed me' part was whispered to her ears and it aroused her! She lowered her eyes.

"I don't know."

The icicle touched her chin correctively, forcing her to look up again.

"Fine!" Miranda went on, now in despair, "I wanted you near me, I still do! I crossed the line. Stab me if you so wish."

The icicle took a closer look at her cleavage. The lady gasped.

"Oh… but remember, I never fired you. I just challenged you. And yes, it was fun!!"

Andy's eyes turned sad.

"So, that's all I am to you? A toy?"

"Everyone is my toy," Miranda admitted, gently pushing the ice tip away. "Anyone without the backbone to walk out on me… Which you did."

There was open love and admiration in her eyes. Andy knew she was almost there! But, so were the Security guards, alerted by the witness. Seeing them approach, the girl pulled Miranda tight in her arms and whispered,

"Freeze."

The Queen was still adamant. She clenched her fists and turned her head, struggling to maintain distance. Security noticed the Eiffel damage, but they decided not to move in. Hang the artist, live girl-girl action doesn't happen everyday!

"Okay, ladies, got two minutes before you have these exhibits meltin'," the older guard said. "Come on, Dennis!"

And so the guardians of the Ice Palace walked away. The Queen stood alone in her losing battle. Miranda felt her lips swell as they demanded intimacy. Her whole body was on fire now in one massive heat wave, Andrea's breath feathered over her neck, what torturous delight! She closed her eyes.

Then, the unthinkable happened. Cool, nimble fingers lifted her blouse, the icicle traveled up the valley of her spine and under her bra strap. Miranda let out a small cry. Hard ice on soft skin… cold power meets hot surrender… This was the incredible, ultimate turn-on for her! This was the root of it all, Andrea had to be the one to carry this power game to bed!

"Feel that chill?" Andy whispered. "That's the Snow Queen. That's what she does to people. Feel it, Miranda?"

Miranda squirmed in sweet misery.

"It hurts," she breathed with a half-smile. "It hurts!"

Andy declared the final deal.

"Good! My ice for your ice."

Miranda, formerly known as the Queen, turned to face the girl. The icicle moved just a tiny bit lower. Her arms twitched… but that darn piece of ice still burned her skin.

"Oh, come on," Andy rolled her eyes and laughed. "Just do something to take my breath away!"

Miranda gave in. With an awkward slowness, she raised her hands to cup Andrea's face, caressing her skin in silent apology. The touch was mesmerizing… Andy gulped. Hold on, girl, just hold on for a final tease.

"Try a little harder, lady!"

She kept tilting her head and wobbling the icicle back and forth, until Miranda had enough and pulled her in for a kiss. A tentative, shy kind of a kiss, heading in the French direction. Veeeery slowly.

The icicle made its farewell clinkety-clank on the floor.

"You bad little brat," Miranda whispered as she came up for air. "What is it with you and drenching my clothes?"

Andy didn't go for a frolicky punchline. She bent down and kissed Miranda's hand with true reverence.

"You have fought valiantly, madam," she said.

She was glad to see her lady smile. A glowing new Miranda drew her coat together, ready to go and sure of being followed— but to her surprise, Andy stood like stone. Miranda took the hint. She repeated the routine: seek the girl's eyes, touch her face, kiss her lips.

"Will you come home with me, Andrea? Please?"

Andy nodded, grinning, feeling way too happy to keep up the cold shoulder.

"Okay! Let's go," she decided. "A hot bath is in order for you."

Miranda's smile lit up the place. The girl put an arm around her and she didn't object.

"Thank you, gentlemen," she said as they walked out past the guards. Dennis gave them that textbook male stare, as in, 'can I watch?'. Andy glanced back at him.

"That's all," she winked, planting a kiss on Miranda's silver hair.

Their laughter flickered about the walls as they stepped out into the spring.