Pleasure of Business

by TheWillOfMythal

Dared by her best friend to visit what turns out being a famous, high-class sex club, Piper Chapman, a young, stressed out businesswoman, finds out that Alex Vause, the intriguing, charming owner of the club, and the kind of entertainment that she offers, might be exactly what she needs in order to loosen up. Vauseman AU.

12. Chapter 12

Hey there!

So, apparently even the previous chapter and that "post-coital" moment of connection has soothed those of you that were getting itchy for a more tender Vauseman scenes, didn't it? :D You guys don't have to worry over such things. You are well aware, I guess (considering all of my other Vauseman stories) that I tend to "go there" with these two sooner or later :)

With this kind of story though, given its particular plot and all the circumstances and boundaries, it's going to require some patience.

And speaking of... you have all been very patient indeed while waiting for this chapter :D I immensely appreciate that, and just so you know - if I'm taking more time than usual, it is because the chapter is coming out longer, that's all. So don't fret :P

Anyway, I have noticed that some of you asked if I could do a Q&A here, and... I'm not sure how that would work. Either way, my answer is: if you have questions about the story you can PM me, or you can just let my story answer all of your questions as it slowly unfolds :P Also there are readers who probably want to get their doubts/question answered in this same way (through the story) and I respect that.

So nope :P No Q&A here, but you can PM and ask me whatever you want (within reason ;) At the exception of making requests (since I'm not taking any at the moment) or talk about the show since no, I haven't finished the fifth season yet.

I know, but that pool looks quite cozy, what can I say? :P And I thank you, by the way, for not mentioning anything about season six, especially for not leaving spoilers and/or personal opinions about it. I like to take my time with certain things, and find out by myself and in my own time how the new episodes are.

Now, back to the story. As anticipated it is a long chapter, and although there might be some... action, that's not the main development in here ;) But I'll leave you guys to find out :)

Enjoy

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Piper should have noticed the signs.

They have been as clear and unequivocal as always.

Starting from her nervousness and snapping. Even though such behavior could have easily been triggered for having to deal with a particularly incompetent estate agent that doesn't seem to understand the simple-enough concept of "store for sale outside the city."

Luckily, she's been taught to always be prepared for such... occurrence. Aware of the remote possibility that she could receive that periodic visit unexpectedly.

Still, the oddly-out-of-phase visit is not what annoys her to no end. Infinitely more than usual.

But it's the fact that it happens when she has an appointment at the club with Alex.

Resigned, defeated, but mostly endlessly frustrated, Piper heaves a silent sigh when she reaches the right room down the long, now quite familiar-looking hallway. The door is still slightly ajar, just like she left it a few minutes ago when she exited to go check the situation after having had an... intuition along the way - and when she pushes it open even Alex is still there.

Sitting on the same spot on the edge of the bed.

Her head tilts up instantly at the clicking of her high heels on the floorboards and... the look that Piper finds on her face, creasing those gorgeous features, the sincerity in those softer emerald eyes is enough to help soothing the mix of annoyance and frustration that has started gnawing inside her. Quite literally, too.

"Is everything okay?" Alex asks her, promptly, standing up and taking a step towards her.

The same sincere worry showing so openly on her face is also there, laced in her deep voice, too, and despite everything, Piper truly can't help but smile in front of such an honest concern that makes her chest swell with another wave of comforting, soothing warmth.

"Yeah..." She answers, shuffling closer to the raven-haired woman, feeling a bit self-conscious though, but knowing that she owns Alex an explanation and also an apology for this... occurrence... that has taken her by surprise.

"I'm just..." She pauses, briefly chewing at the inner corner of her bottom lip, thinking about how to phrase this only to realize that, unfortunately, there aren't many ways to put it.

"I've got a... hunch, while I was coming here. And, well..." Still, admitting such thing out loud, no matter the words she carefully decides to choose, is still source of a bit of embarrassment. "I'm afraid that I'm... indisposed, for today's session."

Getting to see the way Alex's eyebrows furrow, head tilting slightly to the side, watching the crease of confusion shaping those features, makes it pretty much close to impossible not to find that look kind of... endearing on her. Especially considering how incredibly intuitive she is.

Piper might even revel at the sight of such expression, even if it lasts for only a moment though, because in an instant, those features smooth out from any lingering trace of confusion, and those green eyes widen with striking realization.

"Oh..." Alex breathes, gaze dropping lower to her belly, and Piper - barely resisting that nonsense urge that almost makes her squirm and wrap an arm around her lower belly, as if to shield herself from that scrutiny - just nods, blushing.

"Yeah... I know." She answers, lamely, at last. Tilting her head down and adjusting a lock of hair behind her ear in a poor attempt to hide some of that self-consciousness. "I'm sorry."

In the moment she glances up again though, to properly convey her apology, the only thing she is met with, is an unexpected spark of amusement slowly flickering to life onto deep emerald pools and stretching onto one of the faintest, most tentative little smirks that Piper has ever seen gracing Alex's soft, rosy lips.

"I guess that's not one of the things you are used to writing down and keep track of in your agenda, is it?" Alex asks her, quirking a playful eyebrow at her, and for how simple, even that light note of teasing helps Piper a great deal from feeling even more mortified by this entire, awkward situation.

"Actually it is," She still answers though, truthfully, but not as defensively as she would have answered to anyone else in her current, quite irritable condition. "And according to it, I'm an abundant week early."

"It's okay, Piper." The raven-haired woman assures her, shaking her head, sounding so very understanding as she dismisses her earlier (apparently unnecessary) apologies with a casual shrug and a comforting, easy, softer smile. "It happens."

But such consideration (or maybe it is the cocktail of hormones winding through her system) makes her all the more annoyed by the whole situation, especially knowing - or rather not knowing but having no problem imagining - what today's session could have involved.

What Alex and that intriguing mind of hers had been planning, specifically for her. Since she might have noticed the way Alex's gaze had shifted, earlier, when she first arrived, to the glass case containing the whole assortment of ordinately displayed whips and... riding crops.

Piper sighs, but inwardly groans. She was really looking forward to this evening and to the chance of releasing some of the tension gathered in the past few days and that she now knows what had originated it.

"I should have been watching the signs more closely," She points out in self-reprimand.

"Like my mood swing and-"

Suddenly, her voice stutters to a halt and she stiffens up, blushing ever so slightly at the thought of what she was about to reveal in her rant.

But, of course, this time she is not so lucky to have Alex ignore the way she has so hastily stopped herself, like the raven-haired woman has done a minute ago when dismissing her worries and unnecessary apologies.

"...And?" Comes the curious incitement, adorned (as expected) with that smirk already twitching on those lips in anticipation to whatever revelation might come, knowing - given the abrupt halt - that it's definitely going to be source of some bashfulness.

Piper chews briefly on the inside of her cheek, taking in consideration her very limited options and...

Oh, what the hell...

It's not like she should feel embarrassed over such a thing, she tells herself. Even though, by the time she feels like she has summoned enough confidence to speak again, that faint blush is still there, tinging her cheeks, and proving her wrong.

She heaves a sigh before finally revealing, with a quiet mumble, "...sugar cravings."

There. But then, as if the revelation, paired with the hotter flush that is now reaching the tip of her ears isn't already enough to endure, she also has to watch as the smirk that was already there teasing at the corner of Alex's mouth, blossoms onto a grin that is just barely contained from spreading all over her gorgeous face upon hearing such confession.

"I see..." The raven-haired woman nods, doing an excellent job in keeping all of her humor contained. But it's only a matter of seconds before she gives in.

"So..." Here it comes, Piper thinks, already bracing herself for the dose of teasing.

"You got a sweet tooth, co-CEO Chapman?"

Piper knew it was coming. She wasn't expecting anything less from Alex than some of her wit. And that's probably what has made Piper a bit hesitant a few moments ago before deciding to reveal that detail about herself. She was just trying to avoid tickling the raven-haired woman's playful side, knowing how it would affect her, although... that thing that she can feel fluttering in her belly and inching higher up into her chest in front of Alex's amused smile, doesn't feel exactly like the itch of embarrassment that she expected.

It's... entirely different.

But she doesn't dwell too much on it. Focusing instead on her defense, because... It's not like she has a sweet tooth per se, but her job keeps her very busy during the day. Enough so to make her even skip lunch occasionally, and so, consequently...

"I... may keep a few protein candy bars stocked in my desk drawer for emergencies."

The justification, however, does very little to help her.

In fact, if the previous confession wasn't already enough to tickle the raven-haired woman's amusement, that added information seems to absolutely delight her. Or at least that's what Piper gets when she sees that grin blossoms onto its full, irresistible, and oh so gorgeous beauty.

A smile in front of which Piper feels that same foreign little thing stir in the cavity of her chest. The same one which smoother edges doesn't remind her one bit of the unmistakable, spikier ones of embarrassment scraping uncomfortably from the inside.

She is ready to blame that smile for it.

Because, before meeting her, Piper would have never thought possible that a smile could look so beautiful and also so infuriating at the same time.

She's had to deals with a few arrogant persons along the way to get to the position she is today, but this feeling is... different. Elicited by nothing else than the authentic, lightly teasing nature that the woman herself possesses, which makes the resulting annoyance for that drop of cockiness, nothing but a charming sprinkle that adds brightness and uniqueness to her whole persona.

"Candy bars, huh?" Alex repeats, and even her perfectly sculpted eyebrow seems to quirk with a personality and intrigue of its own.

"Protein granola bars." Piper corrects, feeling the need to stress that part, because she is as careful in her nutrition as Alex most likely is herself, given her... lean, toned appearance. Which (as Piper got the chance to find out by herself) also happens to be particularly sculpted in a few, very specific places...

And that's really all it takes for her mind to drift - even if for just a few seconds - to the memory of solid, firm, rippling muscles covered by a layer of impossibly soft skin. All perfectly balanced by sinuous, mouth-watering feminine curves.

"So..." Alex's voice rings out from those... exquisite thoughts and Piper promptly regains her balance, bracing herself once more for whatever it is to come next.

A quip, most likely. Or at least that's what the delightful smirk that she can still see there, perched firmly (yet subtly) on the corner of Alex's mouth seems to suggest.

"If I would ever peek into said drawer, I won't find any chocolates or ding dongs rolling around?"

Despite her slightly unfocused state, Piper gets the reference immediately. And she has the confirmation of being right about it when those green eyes rippling with amusement drift lower, appraising once more with that same infinite, boldly-open appreciation her best assets, which - Piper must admit - she might have started to show off a bit more often lately given the... attention that she has started receiving there.

"The legs are there," Alex states and Piper doesn't miss the way the tip of a pink tongue darts out, briefly, to wet those lips. "The position of authority, too. Stubbornness- or rather, determination," Alex corrects, respectfully. "I have a feeling you don't lack a healthy dose of that either. Although..." And here, she pauses. Smile widening further. Slowly. "I'm not sure I can imagine how your voice would sound with a southern drawl."

When it comes, the instinct to swat her is simply irrepressible.

And it is only after Piper has succumbed to it - so naturally and spontaneously - that she realizes what she has done. When the back of her hand has already collided with a muted smack against one of those strong, broad shoulders, but by then, before the sense of inappropriateness for the gesture can settle in, it gets instantly taken away by the sound of the humorous laugh that tumbles from Alex's lips as the raven-haired woman cradles her arm.

It's that same, slightly-husky chuckle that Piper has already heard rumbling with a certain raspiness in her chest, but that when it slips past those rosy lips with that breathed, unexpectedly soft, velvet-like quality, it just sounds so... uniquely melodic to her ears.

"You are hilarious." Piper states, going for dry, but utterly incapable to fight against the pull of the smile tugging far-too-insistently at her lips - and left just as powerless against the new tinge of pink that colors her cheeks.

"Yeah," Alex shrugs, dropping her hand from the arm Piper has barely brushed with her knuckles. "I've been told before." The grin on her face, however, collides and invalidates the fake modesty that she just put in her reply.

A few moments pass, but despite the silence, there is none of that heaviness of awkwardness.

The silence is light and surprisingly pleasant, and the carefree moment of innocent teasing, in its simplicity, is something Piper actually needed, even if the surrounding makes the interaction...considerably different from the one she is quickly getting used to inside this room.

"So..." Once again, after diverting her gaze first and softly clearing her throat, Alex is the first one to speak. "Besides sweet treats..." She summarizes, with that same amused little smirk that makes Piper roll her eyes in response, with a bit of exasperation smudged with a smile of her own though, because now it's too late to backtrack and take that information back.

"Yes...?" She asks, indulgingly.

"Are there... any other things you have been craving these past few days?"

The question strikes her as a bit odd at first. But then... Alex takes that little step forward, and suddenly, those emerald eyes that have been rippling with playfulness till a moment ago, are no longer appraising her with that spark of humor.

They have turned a shade darker. Even the smirk adorning those lips has dimmed.

Now it's just barely hinted, with a certain allusion that is not so subtle in her expression, but made all the more clear and indisputable by that question - and the meaning behind it - that Piper catches almost immediately after that brief, split second of confusion.

Other hormone-induced cravings...

Of course.

Now she knows exactly what the raven-haired woman is most definitely asking her. And with good reason.

Because in between all of those clear, premonitory signs that Piper feels so naive now for not having recognized them for what they have been, there is also that specific... aspect.

Maybe, if she had paid more attention to the changes in her body and mood she wouldn't be here in this situation; left at the mercy of Alex's amusement. And there is no way she is going to wriggle herself out of that teasing grasp with some more humor this time.

"I think you can imagine." It's what Piper offers in answer eventually, after a careful consideration of her words. But, unsurprisingly, it's hardly enough of a proper response for Alex, who might get a kick out of explicitness.

"Indulge me." The raven-haired woman encourages her, and in front of that charming, little, sly smile stretching that tiny bit further, Piper is really left with no choice.

"Yes..." She confirms with a nod, feeling her cheeks scald in that familiar way that, strangely enough, does not feel as uncomfortable at the revelation as she expected it would feel.

"I may have experienced some..." She pauses, swallows, barely refraining from squirming on the spot, but despite her efforts, there is simply no containing the way that blush spreads like a fire down her neck. "...sexual arousal."

Horny as hell would be a more adequate description of what she has indeed been experiencing during this past couple of days, but she doesn't even dare to think how Alex would react if she were that explicit.

She stops herself there, because she has no intention to reveal that the reason why she might have overlooked that very specific... feeling as one of those unmistakable signs of her approaching period, was because the memories of her latest session have lingered with a certain persistence in her mind - therefore, woke up the rest of her body as well, stirring that need much deeper, and in more than just one separate occasion during the past week.

The glint of that sharp white result of the huge grin that Piper already expected to see, however, much to her immense surprise, doesn't show up.

Alex licks that smile away, oh so subtly, with the tip of her tongue.

It darts out from between her smooth lips, leaving them glistening so seductively, and the gesture, even in its simplicity, still catches Piper off guard, making the breath stutter in her chest as her heart, too, gets tangled up over its own strings at the next beat when the raven-haired woman takes another little step closer.

And only she, and no one else, can manage to do something so simple with both confidence and that contrasting hint of tentativeness.

With just that small step in her direction, their bodies get that tiny bit closer. Enough for Piper to be able to actually feel the warmth emanating from the woman.

As compelling as the whiff of that scent that teases her nose with all of its now familiar notes of fresh orange blossoms and mature blackberries, which juicy essence, so perfectly balanced between that fruity sweetness and that refreshing, moderate tartness, gets the mouth watering.

"Anything specific?" It's what Alex asks her then, as if she already knows. And, in all honesty, it wouldn't surprise Piper in the slightest if she actually does.

She can read minds, after all. Or rather - more logically - has an incredible, vast knowledge and an intimidating natural talent in catching even the most minimal, unconscious reaction from the body and interpret its subtle language, which leaves Piper wondering what hers might be giving away so plainly right now despite her (apparently futile) attempts to maintain a cool demeanor.

There are many answers she could provide to that question. Being fully explicit and admit the entire truth about having maybe fantasized about her latest session, would be a little too much for her right now, but...

Perhaps, after all, adding a note of humor to the conversation would help her (or at least give her the impression) in lightening the air around, already charging - also because of the proximity - with that kind of electricity that is making her body... react, in an extremely familiar way.

It is worth a try if it even means distract herself from that well-known sensation stirring in her lower regions...

"If you are trying to get me all worked up knowing that there is nothing you can do about it, then I'm pretty sure there is a part in the contract you made me sign that prohibits this kind of extensive teasing with a client."

Her attempt at humor, however, gets delivered only partially, because even though she manages to elicit that soft, breathed little chuckle from Alex, it's hardly enough to discourage the raven-haired woman, and... now that she thinks better about it, Piper should have guessed as much.

"I think I would remember inserting such clause," Alex replies. "But, in any case, who said I can't do anything about it?" She asks then, looking sincerely confused. Eyebrows furrowed, head tipped ever so slightly on the side, even if the smile is still there, tugging at those impossibly soft lips with a secrecy behind it that annoys Piper as much as it intrigues her, to no end.

A hand is extended to her then and Piper has to blink away from that piercing, enchanting emerald gaze in order to see it.

"Come," Alex invites her, tilting her head in the general direction of the bed behind her without diverting her gaze from her rather stunned one.

"Alex..." The name is barely a whisper when it falls from her lips (almost without her even realizing it) and flits into the light, comfortable silence surrounding them.

Whether it is a warning or a plea, Piper truly doesn't know.

Alex's intoxicating scent is already lifting that same haze around her that makes it harder for her to reason properly. The only certainty she has about the way that name slips from her lips, is that it's not a protest to whatever thing Alex might be suggesting, even though a great part of her also wants to tell the woman to not torment her in these conditions.

Making her frustrated would be more than a bit cruel. To an extreme that not even Alex, with all her teasing and curious probing, seems to be capable of.

But she doesn't even need actual words to voice and express the contrast that she is experiencing.

Her body is already speaking loudly on its own as it inches - almost instinctively - closer to Alex. Succumbing to the irresistible, magnetic pull of that warmth and that enigmatic invitation.

And when she happens to show a bit of indecision, catching her bottom lip between her teeth, Alex tells her something that takes that flimsy hesitation away for good.

"Trust me." The raven-haired woman asks her. So softly. Oh so quietly. But the impact of those words, of that request, hits Piper hard and square in the chest, knocking the breath out of her lungs only to feel her ribcage expand and something else inside there swell with the stuttered inhale that slips through her slightly parted lips in front of the look that she's met with on Alex's face.

That... softer smile. Which is actually more visible in her eyes than her lips. But even in its subtlety it still seems to leave a side of her exposed; showing the hint of that same tenderness, the same one that Piper has caught a few glimpses of during her previous sessions, and that has contrasted so beautifully with that sharper, brighter spark of roughness that Alex possesses and has unleashed to render the experience so wonderfully unique for her. So complete with those two elements that have been so expertly, perfectly balanced between themselves.

And now... now the raven-haired woman is asking her to lend a bit of trust that Piper has already handed to her fully.

Because Alex has given ample proof, over and over, that she can be trusted with anything in this room, in any circumstance, with the couple of the fantasies they have gotten the chance to explore so far. And so, nervousness of the unknown aside, with those two words still lingering in whatever space is left between them, as light as air itself, stretched by the hand extended towards her, in front of that softer, mischief-free, more sincere smile bringing up a whole new shade of green into those enchanting, rippling green pools, whatever trace of tentativeness and uncertainty was sticking in her mind, is instantly taken away, and she doesn't hesitate for more than a flimsy second before reaching out and slipping her hand into Alex's soft, warm one, feeling the thrill- the hot shiver that, this time, sparks from that spot between her stomach and chest, spreading all over her body from the inside out when Alex grins back at her before tugging her gently towards the bed.

She takes a seat right on the edge, on the same spot Piper saw her sitting not even five minutes ago when she returned into the room and Alex was there.

Waiting for her.

More than a bit concerned.

She gets pulled closer until the only obvious option left, is for her to straddle the raven-haired woman's waist.

...just like she has done last time she has been invited to do so during her previous session.

Those memories, still scorchingly hot in her mind, flare once more and ignite the rest of her body, forcing her to suck in a sharp breath of air when she feels her heart slam against her ribcage at the flow of feelings that get once again triggered by those images that start replaying in her head.

She is only brought back from them by the soothing feeling of Alex's dexterous, soft hands caressing her thighs, following the curve of her waist until, finally, the gesture and its vague travel up her body triggers the only logical question regarding this whole... position.

"What are you doing?" Piper asks, and it's half a breathed nervous little laugh (because those soft hands may tickle a little bit against her sides) and half a question, but it definitely doesn't hold the slightest note of a protest or apprehension. Just pure curiosity enhanced by no small amount of anticipation.

The answer, when it comes, is simple and honest, but mostly serious. Because Alex has indeed a colorful sense of humor spiced with all of her refreshing cleverness and that attractive dash of sassiness and sarcasm but - as Piper has instantly noticed - during these... particularly delicate moments, there is only space for the monochromaticity of seriousness.

"Nothing you don't want to," Alex replies, plain and simple. An answer that doesn't leave space for arguments, because consent is the number one rule in here, and the one the raven-haired woman takes with all the earnestness it rightfully demands.

"But something I think you might need," She also adds, a bit pensively. "Unless of course, I am mistaken and there is something you would like to tell me before going any further."

There.

It was bound to pop up at any moment now.

That subtly direct search for confirmation.

It's not something that Alex has done often, but in cases like this very particular one Piper not only understands, but is actually immensely thankful and comforted by all of that assurance and deep consideration that Alex possesses along with her supernatural intuition in catching even the most subtle signs of what could possibly be hesitation.

Even just hearing that non-question is enough to soothe some of the nerves that Piper feels fluttering in her stomach.

Her lips get pulled into a smile, unable to contain it as she shakes her head. "No... I'm just..." She pauses, considering her words, only to realize once again that there is still no other way to put this any more subtly than "It's just that I'm not exactly in the conditions to be... touched, directly, after all." She points out as an unnecessary reminder, blushing and cringing ever so slightly.

"Don't worry," Alex promptly reassures her with that easy, unconcerned smile that is just as comforting as the feeling of those hands circling her waist and settling on the small of her back, thumbs rubbing soothing little circles against those two spots barely a couple of inches above her kidneys that always manage to gather tension during these days of the month. The motion itself isn't exactly precise either, and the casualness of it only makes Piper wonder how conscious the gesture might even be.

"I never said I was going to touch you," Alex points out. "But... from what you told me, and from what I can also see for myself," She adds, glancing at her up and down, smile shifting into that same old smirk, looking oh so pleased by what she sees before her, as if reading those very same subtle reactions that Piper isn't aware she is giving away with such obviousness. "It seems like you could still use some... relief."

Whatever Alex might be suggesting makes little to no sense at all.

If relief is what she truly intends to bring her, then touching must be somehow involved, and for how indisposed Piper might be right now, for how embarrassing it is to admit such a thing - even if just to herself - hearing that possibility makes her desiring those attentions even more, especially knowing how tremendously rewarding they tend to be.

And even if what Alex just said might have erased its own meaning within that same puzzling phrase, going against any logic, Piper knows that the woman is indeed full of surprises and can bend logic itself. And she is once again reminded of that capability when Alex's hands abandon that sweet spot on her back and sneak on her front again, reaching for the lapel of her blouse and... popping the first button open with expert fingers. Providing her with the first piece of the puzzle representing her wicked intentions when those hands, once all the buttons of her shirt have been opened, revealing her naked torso and abdomen, that piercing emerald gaze fixes on her small, slightly swollen breasts, clad in the black lace bra underneath, with such intensity, and so... hungrily that even just that look alone is enough to send a shiver up her back and make her breath hitch a little in her throat; a first reaction triggered by instant realization. In response to which Alex just hums in confirmation.

"You are so delightfully responsive here," She says, shaking her head and releasing a long breath through her nose with that unequivocal look of infinite approval.

"And even if this is definitely not what I had planned for your session this evening, I'll admit that I might have taken in consideration the idea of... exploring your sensitivity here a little further, sooner or later."

The admission doesn't surprise Piper in the slightest. Alex has given ample proof and shown to be as enthusiastic about exploring her as Piper herself is in receiving whatever kind of attention (and in going through whatever kind of sweet - eventually rewarding - torture) that the raven-haired woman has planned for her. And this one is no exception, even if she might not have a clear picture of what exactly it is that Alex has in mind, yet...

That piercing green gaze returns to her naked chest. The tip of that pink tongue darts out again to wet what Piper has found out (by... mistake) being a pair of impossibly, sinfully soft lips. Which sweetness she still remembers, vividly, and might have craved on more than just a couple of occasions...

"I'm glad you haven't followed my suggestion to wear less refined undergarments," Alex tells her, once more openly voicing her appreciation with a quite flattering comment. "You have excellent taste. And wear it always so elegantly."

And Piper would even thank her for such compliment if her voice hadn't been taken hostage and replaced by the excited beats of her heart, which she can feel bouncing right at the base of in her throat, pulsing with a rush of blood in her ears, just like the rest of the nerves all over her body keep thrumming, shaking with the same thrilling anticipation that is making her skin tingle.

A sensation that seems to grow tenfolds when Alex proceeds to unclasp her bra with expert fingers and then, slowly, carefully, slide the two thin pieces of soft, delicate garments off her shoulders in one smooth motion. Leaving her there, in her lap, naked from the waist up. Shivering, even though Piper feels like she might be combusting from the inside out under the piercing green gaze caressing every single one of the newly revealed curves with an intensity hot enough to scorch.

But simply looking (thankfully) is not the only thing that Alex limits herself to do.

Despite the warmth of those hands, and the way it envelops her when they cup her breasts, Piper still shivers, violently, at that first touch, much to the raven-haired woman's obvious delight, who smirks knowingly up at her, in that "Oh this is nothing, you better brace yourself" kind of way, which is as promising as it is threatening, because, besides the main rules that have now sunk into Piper as a second instinct, during these few sessions she also happens to have learned (in the hard way) how much of an insufferable tease Alex can be.

But even that harsh shiver- that shock, that travels through every single inch of her and raises goosebumps in its wake, is still nothing compared to the full, harsh twitch that her body does, and the deep, breathless moan that falls from her lips when Alex - after flashing her one of those little smirks that already speaks for itself in its plain mischievousness - just leans in and, without warning, without preambles, ducks her head, sucking one of her nipples in the inviting, moist, scorchingly-hot, heavenly chamber of her mouth.

. . .

Alex's had a... let's call it a hunch, about the young woman's sensibility in this very particular area.

She has noticed it both the times she has played with those hard little peaks. Either rolling them between her fingers or simply flicking her thumb over them to test an initial response -or taking them alternately into her mouth to gather some more data to put on comparison, but... she can't say that in all her data-gathering and research she hasn't taken a certain, very specific kind of pleasure in testing the young woman in such a way. In watching how intensely she reacted.

And now that she is actually starting to suspect that Piper might be even more sensitive than what she has first assumed, and so much more responsive than she had actually hoped, it only makes the whole thing even more appealing than it already was.

The confirmation of such discovery delights her, but, of course, it's also not to forget that the blonde's sensibility here might also be... slightly enhanced today by her current conditions, which Alex makes sure to keep well in mind when her teeth start getting a bit restless with the itching impulse to nibble and scrape against the little bud she has sucked between her lips and is now circling with the tip of her tongue; lapping at it gently, almost lazily, while her other hand plays a similar game with its twin, pinching and rolling, swiping the pad of her thumb across it.

It sure would be even more wonderful finding out if Piper actually receives pleasure here in a similar way she does... down there. It would expose an whole new branch of infinite options, all worthy to be further explored. And, so far, Alex can confidently say that she definitely seems to be on the right path considering the long shuddering breaths, the sharper intake of air that she hears coming from the young woman, who has already started to quiver in her lap - just another reaction that speaks for itself (and quite loudly, too) about how much she must have been... craving these kinds of attention during these past few days - probably even more than what she has admitted out loud.

And Alex, hit by a surge of sympathy, has every intention to take care of those needs, as much as she physically can - considering Piper's currently indisposed state - and, while she is at it, also try to discover if her suspicions are founded after all.

She starts by sucking a bit harder at the stiffened bud captured between her lips; just barely toeing that thin line between pleasure and pain that brings the enjoyable sting she is aiming for. The same one that she knows that she's successfully hit when Piper jolts on top of her, releasing an exquisite sound that is in between a hiss and a breathless moan as her back arches and her hips roll forward, harshly. With an instinct and that not-completely-conscious demand that instantly makes Alex's currently occupied lips curl into a smile against that small, oh so deliciously responsive, hardened little bud.

Encouraged by such reaction, she continues, enthusiastically, but it becomes quite evident, pretty soon too, that she doesn't even have to try very hard, or experiment for too long to realize that things look incredibly promising indeed.

"Please..."

Just like it appears that she doesn't have to wait long to hear the first plea.

It slips from Piper's lips in between a needy moan and a breathless gasp. And it surprises Alex for the timing, making her realize that she might have either gotten a bit carried away if she has already pushed the young woman to beg her, or perhaps Piper is actually more desperate for release than she herself didn't know.

Either way, even if none of this is about her, Alex truly couldn't help but overindulge. Because the young blonde is just so exquisitely responsive, so eager and-

And so ready for so much more, too...

Because even though such request isn't immediately specified by words, there is barely any need for it to be. The clear note of hesitation that Alex easily catches, along with the burning embarrassment that she can ear just as clearly under the lust coating Piper's voice, speaks loudly (and obviously enough) by itself.

But alone, that's not enough. Even if she is gifted with a great intuition, giving things for granted in this profession, in these delicate situations, is not something Alex would ever feel comfortable in doing or even dare to, and so, it is with extreme reluctance, but guided by the much more demanding need to know, that she releases that stiff little peak from between her lips with a soft, wet, popping-like sound and pulls back (much to Piper's disapproval, who half-whimpers and half-groans at the loss of the warmth of her mouth) and if there was any shadow of ambiguity in Alex's certainty, it is completely erased once she takes a first look at the expression those young features are shaped onto.

The desperation that she finds there, is unmistakable.

It shines onto the reflecting rippling surface of those deep blue lakes, now so dark and lustful that it would be tremendously easy just drowning in them.

Still, for a moment, even in front of all that plain desperation, Alex finds it hard to suppress her teasing side, and she is almost tempted to ask Piper to be more specific, even if she already knows (from that look, but mostly from the way those hips keep rolling with a will of their own, rocking onto her lap, seeking for friction) what, precisely, the young businesswoman needs right now.

But being in front of that obvious need doesn't make the whole situation less delicate. And even though there are no concerns on her part, the last thing that Alex wants is risk making her client- making Piper feel uncomfortable and reconsider this whole improvisation idea she's had. And so, for this time, she refrains from asking the obvious. Even though...

"Please..." The young woman repeats, with an urgency in that request that demands to be heard, and Alex is not only left surprised, but absolutely delighted when, without hinting at anything, Piper, out of her own volition, looks at her, and with those deep half-lidded blue eyes, and those cheeks flaring into the most lovely shade of pink - result of both arousal and that shade of self-consciousness that she stubbornly keeps fighting with such bravery - asks her, explicitly, to...

"Please," And this time that sweet, smooth voice actually breaks in a needy sob. "Please touch me..."

Pride is the first thing that Alex recognizes and can clearly, physically feel expanding her ribcage with her next breath. Because even if she knows that she has done a good job in installing that basic concept into the young businesswoman, about asking, politely, for whatever she needs, Piper truly is the fast learned that Alex knew she would be. Although... She can't help but notice that there seems to be something else mingled with that emotion that also takes residence in her chest upon hearing that plea.

Something that has a bit less to do with the request itself and more with the desperate need dripping from that strained voice.

The same thing that makes her contain the smile (the proud grin) that is there, itching to stretch on her lips and take over her entire face.

It's hard to hold it back, but Alex makes sure to keep her own expression neutral, no matter the effort it takes her, because now she needs to, in order to convey all of her reassurance and make sure that such request isn't met with the obvious drop of... disgust that Piper clearly expects from her given her hesitation.

She simply decides to meet that request with just one question of her own, even though her hand is already making its way lower, climbing down the ladder of that jutting ribcage before she asks if "Are you wearing...?"

For the same reason of not wanting to risk embarrassing Piper further over her own request, she still deliberately chooses not to specify though.

In its subtlety and deliberate incompleteness, the question is already clear enough anyway. Even for Piper, who is quite lost in her lust-hazed state as she is, still catches the obvious hint with ease.

Alex can tell so in the instant she sees those rosy cheeks gain some more color, turning onto a slightly brighter, absolutely flattering shade of pink before the young flustered woman shakes her head in negative.

"N-no, I..." She stutters, caught in the grasp of an exquisite shiver elicited by the fingers Alex is still using to play absently with the other extremely responsive nipple; trapping it lightly and pulling just as gently to keep her balanced over that thin edge.

She watches as that elegant throat bobs when Piper swallows, hard, in an attempt to get a hold on her nerves and shaky voice before speaking again. "It's... internal." She informs, and the confirmation of what she herself had suspected, it is truly all Alex needs to hear in order to proceed.

Direct touching is, unfortunately, obviously, still not an option, and she can see the same mournful knowledge creasing Piper's young features, even turning the light onto those eyes a bit dimmer. But nothing holds back Alex from letting one hand wander lower, deliberately slowly, caressing with her fingertips the expanse of smooth, soft, tantalizingly warm skin and contrasting lightly toned muscles that she can feel underneath that first layer, reveling in each little shiver that her feather-light touch - holding the promise of fulfillment - elicits in the blonde. Feeding that sense of anticipation that is already consuming her, before finally, sneaking that hand under the hem of her skirt, hiking up the inside of one of those wonderous stocking-clad thighs until she reaches the apex and the invitingly warm confines between those exquisitely long, toned legs. And in the moment she does, in the moment her hand molds to cup Piper's sex through the layer of stockings- pantyhose today, Alex immediately notices - and lace underwear, she truly can't contain the groan that rumbles deep down in her chest when she first feels how unbearably hot the young businesswoman is right there.

All that heat scalds her skin, making her fingers itch, and leaving her even more disappointed over the fact that she can't do anything more than JUST cup that center in her palm and touch the desperately quivering woman on top of her through the thin layers keeping them apart.

But it takes more than just that flimsy barrier to beat Alex's determination.

The circumstances may not be favorable, sure, but they only motivate her more to adjust and find a rhythm and an angulation that will allow Piper to feel as much as possible. Although, she instantly notices that even just the touch alone, that first contact, the pressure on its own, seems to be enough to soothe some of that aching need that had Piper tremble on top of her till just a few moments ago.

Now the young woman, comforted by that something that is going to provide her with some friction, just limits herself to swallow down a series of whimpers, struggling to contain her greedy desire, and in front of that self-restraint, Alex can't help but smile, genuinely impressed, reaching out with her other hand to adjust that same stubborn, lovely lock of golden hair that always manages to slip from behind the shell of her ear and find its way on that young face.

And the gesture, for how soft and simple, appears to have a great effect on Piper, who instantly stops whimpering and... actually lean against her hand, as if taking some kind of comfort even from that innocent touch.

"Don't worry," Alex reassures when those wide blue pools find hers, so deep and dark with lust and so much desire that it must be unbearable, but it also urges her to put even more emphasis in her next words. "This time, I'm not going to make you beg me for it."

Teasing the poor young woman at this point would just be cruel.

And not in that wickedly-playful way. But just purely cruel. In a sadistic way. And that is not only the kind of treatment Piper has definitely not signed up for, but also, to be completely honest, when Alex sees the relief flash and smooth out those young features at that reassurance, and actually feels the blonde relax even further on top of her because of it, there is no way she would be able to delay the promise of release like she usually does and takes a fair amount of pleasure in doing.

The heat scalding her palm is coercing enough on its own. And paired with the knowledge of how Piper is most definitely going to react now that she is temporarily being left unrestrained, with no one there to pull at the reins in case she picked up the pace... well...

It's something Alex looks forward to finding out.

She responds to that sparkling, hopeful gaze by flashing one of her trademark smirks before simply ducking her head and, with no preamble, true to her words, she instantly attacks once again the nipple that she had released but a minute ago. Finding it still hot and slick with her saliva and just as delightfully hard. Growing even stiffer when she sucks it back between her lips. Harshly.

With purpose.

More than enough to earn her a sharp cry of pleasure and the exquisite feeling of long fingers carding through her hair as that chest pushes greedily forward, because Piper, apparently (as expected) seems to have decided to take full advantage of the... generosity of the permission that Alex has just openly granted her; an exception that she is going to need to remind the young eager blonde for what it is once this is over.

But for now, Alex not only allows that gesture, but she might actually revel in the feeling of those blunt, manicured nails dig onto her scalp, cling onto her. With the kind of enthusiasm that makes her groan against that soft, incredibly responsive breast, and that also she herself conveys by urging the young woman on top of her closer as well, until there is nothing between them but slick heat and the intoxicating smell of Piper's arousal mingling with the scent of her skin. Usually a delicate fragrance with flowery notes, but that today is so much stronger.

Richer.

Headier.

Enhanced by that very same cocktail of hormones that have spiked up her arousal. Matching so perfectly all of that fervent passion that is making her hips roll forward with such unrestrained greediness against the hand rubbing full, precise circles over that flimsy barrier of expensive, tasteful lingerie.

Any other day, if the circumstances weren't so... singular, Alex would even tell her- no, she would demand that she slowed down a bit. Force her to do so by relenting herself first, but today... Maybe she doesn't want to put the young woman through any more suffering than the one she is already physiologically enduring, or maybe she simply wants to indulge herself now that such chance has fallen onto her lap so invitingly. Or maybe...

...Maybe the reason is another one altogether.

Which persistence becomes increasingly more difficult to keep backed against that corner in her mind when such sensation starts scraping and itching, so oddly, against that same spot behind her sternum.

She increases her efforts in order to ignore it, focusing on the circling motion of her hand, on moving with Piper for once instead than against her rhythm. Sucking harder on her breast, biting with more purpose instead of just nibbling teasingly at that stiffened nipple; basically granting her whatever her aching body currently needs and... even though this isn't about her, Alex still takes her own undeniable dose of pleasure in every single action.

The heat burning between Piper's legs and tickling her fingers grows incredibly tantalizing. Putting her resolution to a strain and making her waver, leaving her to wish that she could just... tear open those expensive, decorated stockings, and pull the equally tasteful lace underwear (most likely displaying a matching design) that Alex knows she would find underneath, aside.

Any other day there is nothing that would stop her from doing it. Today, however, there is that one obvious reason why she refrains. Barely.

She just limits herself to savor that compelling, sweetly burning warmth as it is. Having no trouble imagining how it would feel directly - how the arousal pooled there would coat her fingers, make them slippery, readying them for more, to get lower and just thrust inside, where she would be welcomed by a whole other kind of heat. So fluttery and clingy.

She could feed that thought to Piper, but she doesn't want to torment the young woman by teasing such images knowing well enough that that's all they are going to remain for tonight. And so, she just focuses on sucking and biting a bit harder, flicking her tongue faster, scraping her teeth against the areola and squeezing that responsive breast, although carefully, mindful of the tenderness of the swollen glands there, until Piper starts quivering all over.

The first tentative brush against her sex already had her breath stutter into that sob that made Alex feel a pang of sympathy for the poor young woman, but now that she is doing her best to apply as much pressure as possible, and is actually able to feel the little bud of Piper's clit, hard and swollen, slip underneath her touch even under those layer of clothes, circling it with all her expertise, Piper's moans have grown louder and deeper. They have taken that guttural quality that is dripping with the same desire that keeps guiding her hips, rocking them forward with greediness, seeking for more friction even though the one that she is already receiving seems to be more than enough.

It really doesn't take Alex any more effort than that.

Worked up as she is, with her hormones running rampant through her entire system, lighting up every nerve ending and, as a result, making every inch of her so delightfully sensitive, there is no way that at this point Alex would ever be able to even ask that she holds back. Demand that she waits for her explicit command, because, in all honesty, she does want to bring the young woman in her lap over that edge and feel her plummet down that precipice - only to watch her shatter with the force of the pleasure she is about to collide with - as much as Piper needs to drown in such relief.

It's right there, so close, almost within her grasp.

And with just a couple of brushes from her fingers against the compelling heat of that throbbing core, paired with a few bites and suckling and squeezes on those exceptionally sensitive nipples and swollen breasts, Alex makes sure to give her that extra push that allows her to reach it.

The hand that she then presses on the small of her back, both to urge her closer and invite her to grind harder, is the last confirmation that she delivers, the wordless permission that the blonde needs.

Because even the stimulation, not so ideal coming through those few, thin - nonetheless hindering - layers of undergarments, has been more than enough to push Piper over that precarious edge she has been so bravely, impressively balancing for all this time.

And Alex is only a bit disappointed that she can't actually see the blonde throw her head back, expose the vulnerable column of her neck, see the veins there bulge, the tendons and muscle strain, just like she has gotten the chance to witness on more than a couple of occasions, as the young businesswoman on top of her goes impossibly rigid for that magnificent, breathless broken second before shattering, convulsing, arching her spine so delightfully and shouting her pleasure to the ceiling.

. . .

In the moment the first wave of pleasure crashes onto her, dragging her adrift, there are as many thoughts and emotions colliding together within Piper as there are stars in the sky.

As it always happens even during the clearest, brisk nights though, a couple still manage to shine with a particular brightness through the smog of lust that is clouding her reason and overwhelming her senses.

The first one is relief.

So welcoming and rewarding in its comforting warmth.

And the other one, is pure, simple, immaculate gratefulness towards the woman that got mercy on her and allowed such relief to flow through her in all its scorchingly gratifying essence.

Disbelief and that same embarrassment that had emerged earlier might even blink in between those two mayor beacons, but with the pleasure winding through her system, they don't seem to be allowed to flash brightly enough to gain more attention. Yet.

Thankfully.

And for how much Piper feels grateful towards the raven-haired woman and the generosity of this occasion - an indulgence that she has a feeling isn't going to re-occur anytime soon - she also wouldn't feel ashamed to openly admit that she has never been more glad for also those couple of tampax that she always keeps rolling around in her purse for emergencies, even though, she would have never imagined considering this kind of occasion an actual emergency.

It just... happened, as Alex oh so understandingly has pointed out herself earlier. And in front of such understanding, in front of her willingness to... provide some relief, whatever awkwardness and embarrassment that had been elicited at first, didn't get the chance to grow into that choking grasp between Piper's chest and throat, that it got soon enough erased by the desire quickly swelling within her, lower in her belly, and consuming anything else in its wake once it started pumping vigorously through her veins.

The memory is fresh and tangent.

It lingers on her body with her - already (unfortunately) - slowly fading orgasm.

Other lights start blinking onto the darkness that greets her once the fireworks begin to die down and she is getting brought back down to earth.

They guide her like little lighthouses. Showing her the way back through the waves of aftershock.

One of them in particular she recognizes with exceptional ease even in her dazed state. The very same one that she is getting quite familiar with.

Because she got the chance to see it and experience its profoundly comforting warmth in a couple of occasions already.

And that would be Alex's attentiveness and infinite consideration, which, as Piper first assumed and actually got the confirmation of, is a trait embedded onto the raven-haired woman's true core.

This is not her "Mistress" role, which, today, has yet to make an appearance actually.

Such thoughtfulness can't be faked or emulated.

The genuineness in the tenderness of the gestures, from the smallest, most subtle ones - speak for themselves, and just as loudly in their subtlety as the offer Alex has presented her with - aware of her current situation and, despite it, showing no sign of revulsion at the thought in the slightest.

Even when she feels as awful as she usually does during her first day, bloated and heavy... just irritable and... well... generally gross, Alex and all the attention that she has paid to her body in the past few minutes have made Piper her feel nothing less than... absolutely beautiful.

So deeply appreciated.

Almost cherished even.

Every inch of her that those nimble hands have been able to reach, along with that just-as-wickedly-talented mouth of hers.

God... That mouth...

So hot and moist and enveloping.

So sweetly welcoming.

The warmth of it still burns on her breasts, pulsing, throbbing, just like the overstimulated bud of her nipple and surrounding, sensitive areola.

But that's not the only part of her that is currently pulsing and lit up, flickering like a short circuit.

Initially, she thought that feeling that hand cup her through her stockings and panties would have made her stiffen up with a sense of... reserve perhaps. Due to her current, less-than-ideal state. But... much to her quickly-fading embarrassment, it has been clear, since that very first touch, that her body knows no reserve at all when it's getting consumed by the passion that clouds everything else that isn't the feeling of Alex's sweet mouth on her nipple, of those warm hands holding her, one kneading the underside of a breast, the other resting on the small of her back, to hold her, to keep her close and prevent her from falling over even though she is still clinging, bracing herself onto the back of Alex's head, fingers laced into that impossibly soft, silky, proud dark mane.

And so, the moment that precedes her impending fall down onto that abyss, she doesn't even realizes if what pushes her over the edge, or rather what makes her trip, so unexpectedly over it, is the relentless feeling of that hot mouth, the teasing nibbles of those sharp teeth, the tongue lapping alternately on the peaks of her breasts, or the hand that has been drawing slow circles from above those two thin layers of her undergarments. Or...

Or even if it is just the sole knowledge that Alex has started all of this, took the initiative, so willingly, despite the less-than-favorable circumstances, and seems to be enjoying herself considering the... voracity that is keeping that talented, smart mouth of hers sealed around one of her breasts.

All Piper knows for sure is that getting her nipple sucked a little harder, and bit-on with less gentleness, and feeling the hand between her legs putting just that tiny bit of pressure on her core (even through those flimsy layers keeping them apart) overpowering the frustrating throb of her clit for the lack of a direct contact - her body, that coil, already put on a strain for entire days, seeking a relief in the quiet cozy confines of her bedroom at night that has never come to her with the same sense of... satisfaction she has experienced under Alex's exquisitely rougher attentions - finally snaps with another lap of that slippery tongue and a firm suckling of those lips laced devotedly around her. A sensation she may or may not feel the echo of how it would feel like experiencing it on her other, little, incredibly responsive bundle of nerves resting between her legs, feeling it throb in sympathy under Alex's touch.

Maybe it's that same image, and the way she feels that echo race straight to her clit in response to it.

Whatever it is, it's enough for Piper to tumble over that edge, throwing her head back, mouth falling open with a shout.

And it feels like that wonderful, glorious time a couple of weeks ago all over again.

When she first experienced pleasure in all its unexpectedly marvelous, crushing force and purest form.

She gets physically dragged down that precipice before she can even get a chance to brace herself for it.

Unexpectedly. And that's probably what makes it all so gloriously, insanely intense.

She honestly can't say whether it is the sucking and nibbling and pinching of Alex's mouth and tongue and teeth and lips and fingers to make her come, or if it is that other hand rubbing slow circle between her legs, or a combination or all of those things, or... even just feeling Alex so devoted in bringing her pleasure despite her current conditions, as no one has ever shown her.

Like she herself has never felt comfortable enough in doing with someone.

It's another one of those aspects about all of this deal that should make her quite despondent. But the euphory of the orgasm winding through her system and sparking every inch of her to life like an electric shock doesn't allow her thoughts to go in any direction yet, least of all that rather depressing direction regarding her personal life and the disappointment that anyone who has ever entered it in even the most remote romantic-like way has always brought.

There is no room for disappointment right now.

The only feeling she is enslaved to at this moment, is pleasure.

Blindingly bright and just as authentic in all its scorching warmth that scorches anything else.

As always, Alex uses all of her expertise and... anatomical knowledge to prolong such bliss with tactical touches and nips and gentler sucks that not only allow Piper to her ride through the entirety of that powerful release, but that also aids her in a smoother descent.

Her head is swimming, her ears ringing, and once those waves turns into quieter ripples, the rest of her body is left tingling, buzzing all over.

She would have never imagined that feeling disoriented could be so wonderful. In between exhilaration and pure blissfulness.

Unable to get her inner compass to work though, as a collateral effect of such dizziness, she just surrenders to gravity. Bonelessly. Shivering. Panting.

Occasionally twitching with those few remnants of aftershock still tickling down her extremities. When she can no longer hold herself up, she slumps forward, burying her face against that space where an elegant neck and a broad, tattooed shoulder meet, greeted by that sweet-tart essence of blackberries and orange blossoms filling her lungs at the first thirsty inhale, soothing even further her descent, taking comfort in it as much as she does with the solid body- with Alex's stable, unyielding frame holding her up, and the enveloping warmth that emanates from her, which successfully dispells that first breeze of cool air that Piper feels brush against her naked back.

She might even hear a chuckle. Deep, velvety-soft despite its unmistakable sweetly husky, slightly raspy quality.

A sound that throws her back to a week ago and makes her stomach twist, erupting in flutters, in that odd way she has experienced before during an airplane travel when taking off, or hitting an air pocket that creates that sense of vacuum in her belly.

...or it could also be the fact that she is just being physically moved.

The solid frame she has crashed against twists on the side. The axis of her body shifting with it, and she only realizes about Alex's intention in laying her down onto the bed only when the cool silky touch of the bedsheets caress her skin.

She instantly misses the warmth of that body, but the contrasting coldness of the sheets serves as some kind of thermal shock that helps her to regain some resemblance of awareness.

More than enough to help her also find her voice and utter a few words. A warning of sorts.

"I don't think I can get into anything more than that for today," It's the first thing that she manages to voice out loud - or rather slur would be a more appropriate term - in between a few gasps of air, followed by an unexpectedly humorous, "And for how incredible it was, I'm not sure I'm willing to pay all the two hundred bucks for this..."

That deep, husky chuckle rumbles again, and whether it got elicited by the weakly mumbled warning or her general state, Piper isn't sure yet. Of what she is sure though, is that she must be a sight like this: laying curled up on her side, half-naked, completely disheveled after a mind-blowing orgasm that she has reached with barely any touching...

Alex might as well be reveling a little in the result of her... work.

"I remind you that my services cost that much by the hour, kid." And it's then that Piper's eyes flutter open, gaining focus and zeroing on that smile.

That teasing, trademark little smirk adorning those soft, rosy lips, but that looks unexpectedly... a bit softer. Just like the light of playfulness rippling onto those stunning aqua-green eyes gazing down at her. "This lasted maybe three minutes," Alex continues, teasingly. "But for this time I guess I could make you that ten dollars discount and say that it was on the house."

And there it is again.

Even though a smile curls on her lips upon hearing that teasing reply (as well as a lightly flustered blush may tinge her cheeks into a soft pink) Piper simply can't repress that... that itching urge to swat her again.

And so she does. Lightly, half-heartedly, but still hard enough to earn her a soft "ow" in between the new round of chuckles that the childish gesture earns her.

"You mock me." Piper accuses, but there is really no bite or defensiveness in her tone.

Maybe it is that calm, quiet post-coital state she is slipping in, wrapped in that lightness, made even more comfortable by the warm humor filling Alex's smooth, deep voice and laugh. But... Piper has noticed it even last time...

There is just this... Thing that seems to be filling the space between them.

Born from that trust that they have already started to build during these first few sessions, and... something else.

Something that makes her still racing heart skip a couple of beats when she finds herself plunging into the depths of those bright, sparkling, smiling emerald lakes.

"I would never." Alex answers in earnest.

The humor dissipates, but that softer smile still lingers. Both on hers and Alex's lips. Easy and light. It almost makes her forget where she is until the moment gets completely ruined when she finally regains the rest of her awareness - or rather, her aching body does so for her - and in the moment it does, her smile twists into a little grimace tinged with the pink of the embarrassment that is finally surfacing at the thought of what she has actually just done...

"You feeling okay there?" Alex, as thoughtful and attentive as ever, asks her out of worry when she notices that abrupt shift in her expression.

Piper nods, and her lips twitch again into a smile - for how flustered - in front of that look of authentic concern.

"Yeah... Just..." She pauses, fruitlessly trying to get a hold of her embarrassment. "...a bit grossed out that I've actually... you know..." It's easy (and quite understandable she believes) to feel more than just a bit self-conscious now, with the haze of lust slowly lifting from her recovering body and no longer there to cloud her thoughts and judgment.

But the look she is met with in front of such admission is not one of agreement.

"I'm not." Alex simply states, shaking her head, not even trying for actual reassurance, but just so honestly, openly, matter-of-factly, that it only renders that simple response all the more comforting for Piper to hear.

"I'll admit that it's not in my favorite scenario," The raven-haired woman admits with obviousness. "Especially since I had one much more appealing already planned for today's session," She also confesses, secretly, tickling Piper's imagination with the flash of that mischievous little smirk, making her all the more mortified for this whole unexpectedly-early period ordeal. "But... if it worked in releasing some of the pressure you had in there," Alex continues, adding that refreshing note of humor to cleanse (for her sake) the air from any trace of awkwardness before it can get a chance to settle. "Then there is no need for you to worry over such nonsense."

In front of all that understanding though, and met with no sign of reluctance, anywhere, in that response, Piper can't help but wonder if...

"Have you ever... I mean... With other clients," She hints, seeking for a confirmation that she wasn't the first one. "While they were...?"

And even this time the answer comes just as easily and with the same honesty as the previous one.

"Occasionally, yes," Alex nods in confirmation, and that is already enough to make Piper release the breath she didn't know she has been holding. "But never directly." She also adds, even if unnecessarily. Because of course not.

All of those safety and hygienic rules established by the club, written in bold in the contract, are there for a reason with no exception, especially if a client is in such conditions.

But the confirmation that the raven-haired woman has actually already... gotten into such situation before, still surprises Piper. And that surprise must be showing on her face too, if Alex promptly reminds her that "As I said, there are many ways to explore someone's fantasies without even getting to the actual physical contact itself."

It's true.

Alex has explained that to her, and Piper is about to ask, curiously, which other methods are there that can be just as... satisfying, when, suddenly, she is caught off guard by a dull stab of pain in her lower belly that makes her hiss a soft groan and twist her face onto a small grimace.

"You in pain?" Alex - knowingly - doesn't hesitate to ask her and... yes, the note of worry is still all there in that voice. And the fact that the raven-haired woman actually shifts instinctively closer to her, looking as if she might reach out, paired with the matching sincere concern in that slightly furrowed look as those eyes scan her up and down, actually makes Piper smile.

"No, it's nothing..." She assures. "Just the same old annoying, first-day dull ache we never get used to." Which has probably already been rendered this numb by the endorphins that her orgasm has gotten in her bloodstream. Although, knowing of their temporary effect... "If I knew it was coming I would have packed some pills though, just in case."

Alex half smiles at her and half grimaces, sympathetically.

"You said you are a week early?" She asks then and, it is undoubtedly concern that thing that briefly knits together her eyebrow a bit tighter, deepening the little crease between them (the same one Piper may feel the urge to reach out and smooth with the pad of her thumb) showing that same authentic worry that she has already seen darkening those gorgeous features during her previous, slightly rougher session. And even if this time it's there just for a short second, it doesn't make it any less meaningful, though.

...and it certainly doesn't stop her heart from doing a weird little flip in her chest.

"Does it happen often?"

Piper has to shake off that... that odd feeling in order to recollect her thought before answering.

"No. It's just... Work stuff." She summarizes, dismissingly. "Stress over a lot of things I'm not going to waste your time and bore you with." She reassures, flashing a small smile that is met with one from Alex which, this time, doesn't lack from that spice of soft mischief and teasing.

"I thought that one of the reasons why you sought my services was to relieve stress." She points out before arching an inquiring eyebrow at her that is as playful as the smile adorning those soft, rosy lips of hers. "Am I to assume that I'm not fulfilling my duties as you expected?"

Piper can't help but laugh.

A real, full, deep laugh. And it is riveting.

The situation should feel a bit absurd.

Laying half naked on this bed, with her "Mistress" and having this back and forth of light bantering and teasing...

But there is no awkwardness, no tension making the air sharper, if anything it feels- Alex makes her feel as comforted as Piper would have never thought it would be possible considering what has happened in the past several minutes.

"Oh believe me," She says once she regains her breath and sees the overly pleased, unabashed, absolutely delighted grin stretched on Alex's face. "You are. And quite distracting, too."

It definitely sounded a bit more playful in her mind, but when those words fall from her lips there is this... flirting tilt in her tone that slips with an incredible ease along with them. And that is only reinforced by the way her gaze locks - maybe a bit more intensely - with Alex's.

But those eyes, God... those enchanting aquamarine eyes are just so magnetic and captivating... Especially when there is that glint of a smile shimmering on their surface and crinkling, so beautifully, the corners, showing those few years of difference that Alex has over her.

The moment of silence that follows is as light and easy and... so pleasantly comfortable.

That's it at least until the light in those green eyes chances, right in the moment Alex blinks.

A flash of something undefined crosses her features, and just like that, that easy smile is gone as she looks away.

And just as suddenly, as soon as the warmth of that gaze leaves hers so abruptly, for how paradoxical, Piper feels left a bit exposed. And even if it's not in a physical sense, that sensation makes her shiver a bit, directly - reminding her of her nakedness and leaving her searching for her shirt, which, Alex (as attentive as always) promptly locates and retrieves.

"Here," The raven-haired woman whispers, laying it over her like a blanket and the gesture itself, for how simple and delicate, brings a new wave of warmth on its own.

Piper thanks her and the smile that inevitably shapes her lips once again in front of such gesture, might even widen a tiny bit when Alex wordlessly replies by flashing a smaller version of one of her own; one that, if Piper didn't know better, she would perhaps even associate such fleeting look with a hint of... shyness.

But even just the thought would be laughable. Utterly ridiculous, considering the confidence that this woman is always oozing with.

Still, she can't quite fully dismiss the look that she has seen crease those features just a few moments ago. Nor the feeling that it has stirred in her once that silent moment got broken and the feeling that was there, beginning to swell in the cavity of Piper's chest in front of that teasing, gorgeous smile, got replaced by something hollow and a bit cold. Like a breeze of disappointment over something she doesn't even know if it's tangent enough to have a name, or if it's just been... nothing at all. Just a trick played by her mind with the cocktail of hormones still buzzing through her body.

Either way, the sensation is a fleeting one. Because in the moment that green gaze returns to meet hers once again, a bit wider and... sparkling in that way Piper is starting to associate with whenever the raven-haired woman comes up with some idea, that colder hollowness in her chest gets eclipsed by a glimmer of hope.

"You know," Alex starts, and yes, the tone, the inflection in her voice, in its deep, husky quality sounds already promising indeed, despite that uncharacteristic, flimsy note of tentativeness. "I actually meant to mention this to you, if not today maybe next time, but..." She pauses seeming to reconsider the thought for a moment before continuing. "The club- Nicky and I, organize this thing, about every couple of months. It's quite a pretty big event around here actually." She anticipates, proudly, before getting to the real, quite thrilling revelation.

"We call it an open-doors night. And I wanted to ask you if you would be interested to come and, you know... take a look." She suggests, shrugging before regaining her cool demeanor back by adding a humorous, "It would be another chance to get you more relaxed, too..."

But Piper is still trying to process the invite that has just been offered to her.

"An open-doors night?" She asks, heart stuttering in her chest for a couple of beats as she elaborates the thought for a few more moments and tries to contain that same mix of trepidation and excitement colliding together and fluttering in the pit of her stomach.

"You mean as an-"

"No..." Alex interjects, having already caught her trail of thoughts pointing towards that specific direction.

"No, it's not some kind of messy, disorganized orgy." She explains even though (under the initial assumption) a great part of Piper already knew as much.

Alex has style.

She likes to plan things thoroughly.

Her club is a sophisticated, refined place. It is, in fact, the number one in the whole city for its women-exclusively policy, and she definitely puts a great deal of effort (as well as all of her exquisite taste) in everything she does.

"And it's not just about voyeurism either," Alex assures her. "But every member of the club, if invited by those already participating, can take part to the... different kind of action taking place in the various rooms, which will all be set into a specific theme, each lead by one of my most experienced entertainers."

Piper swallows, thickly, but there seems to be no way of getting rid of the feeling of her heartbeat thrumming at the base of her throat, making it harder for her to speak. "So the club members would be able to..." Her voice trails off as her confirmation comes with the sight of Alex nodding knowingly at her.

"You can have the chance to interact, or just watch as a silent observant, yes."

A shiver crawls down Piper's spine. It's unexpectedly warm and it leaves a lingering prickling sensation on its path before flaring where it has settled, deep down in her belly.

"It..." She pauses, swallows some more, hoping that the excited beats of her heart aren't as audible on the outside as they are in her head, thrumming in her ears. "It sounds very interesting."

"Exceptionally intriguing" would be a much more appropriate considering the magnitude of such event, but... even though her excitement is there, making her pulse thrumming in her ears, there is still the not-so-dismissable matter of her being kind of an amateur in all of this. And so it's probably because of that electrifying excitement already shifting towards nervousness that she finds herself asking - or rather blurting out "So you'll accompany me then?"

She only realizes that she has actually said that however when she sees the surprise shape Alex's features.

Eyes growing a bit wider, lips parting, and a soft sound of surprise slipping past them.

"Oh... well..." And upon hearing that inflection, the kind that promises disappointment over something she had no reason to fantasize about (and honestly doesn't even know why she did it) Piper barely manages to hold back the internal cringe from showing on her face, even if - as always - there is nothing she can do to hide the treacherous flush tinging her cheeks.

"The thing is that I'm usually handling the situation at the reception, you know," Alex tells her, sounding and looking so deeply apologetic and... quite a bit disappointed herself maybe.

Or perhaps that's just Piper's own projection.

"This kind of nights... It tends to get quite busy." The raven-haired woman informs her.

"Of course," Piper smiles, shaking her head dismissingly.

How silly of her to assume that Alex was to... what exactly?

Be her companion for the night?

She frowns, inwardly. Because why did she expect that kind of offer to come along with the invitation (from the very same club-owner who, obviously, is going to have to deal with other, much more important duties than to babysit her amateur ass during such an important, massive event) she truly doesn't know.

"I'm sorry, Alex." She apologizes, releasing a self-deprecating little chuckle out of the same spike of embarrassment that makes her divert her gaze and duck her head in an attempt to hide her blush, and because of it, missing the soft smile of pure endearment that tugs at Alex's lips in front of her flustered, babbling state.

"It's obvious you are going to be very busy. Please, forget I said anything, I just-" However, she doesn't get a chance to properly apologize, that Alex interrupts her with a very unexpected "But..." which instantly makes Piper's head snap up, and meet the amused, little, gorgeous smile shaping the raven-haired woman's lips, and that, once again, succeeds in filling Piper's chest with that same warm flicker of hope; the kind that is starting to feel a bit dangerous. Especially considering how much close to her heart that little flame keeps flaring up...

"...if you feel uncertain about roaming around on your own," Alex hypnotizes. "I guess there would be no harm if for an hour I'd leave someone else in my staff to take care of the reception and be your tour guide. Show you how things work during this very special event."

Not only the offer is immensely generous, but also just as thoughtful. The fact that Alex is disposed to dismiss some of her duties in order to... introduce her to the whole event...

Honestly, Piper can't even pretend to reconsider and go for all of that usual dance of pretended "Oh you don't have to, really" because Alex not only would spot the lie immediately and, as a result, Piper would only become the target for some well-earned teasing, but also, most importantly, the raven-haired woman wouldn't have told her out of her own volition that she is disposed to change her plans, even if for just an hour or so, if she truly didn't mean it.

And it's that sincerity, the same one that she finds in those green eyes, so clear and open, showing no sign of doubt or guilt - over that sense of duty being pushed (even if just temporarily) aside - to contaminate that pure sentiment, that eventually, after a few more seconds spent willing her heartbeats to return to a more acceptable rhythm, Piper finally speaks, and in front of that willingness the answer that falls from her lips in a quiet murmur can't be anything other than a grateful "I would really like that" which - even if for some miracle she manages to speak clearly despite the insistent, distracting jolts that her heart is currently doing - such response gets still delivered with a flustered little smile.

And if she had any flimsy doubt left about the sincerity of Alex's invite, it is taken away and replaced by that same fluttery-like feeling erupting in that space between her stomach and chest as soon as she sees the grin that stretches on the raven-haired woman's lips, wide enough to show a sharp flash of white teeth.

"Great. It's settled then," Alex states, those stunning green eyes of hers sparkling with the same intensity of that full, gorgeous smile.

"I'll send you an email with all the details about the event." She informs."As you can imagine there is going to be a specific dress code. Although..." And it's right here, as that exquisitely deep voice trails off, that Alex's smile twists, slowly, into one of those smirks, just as that piercing gaze travels further down her body, taking in every little detail of her current appearance (seeming to take a certain amount of... pride in her disheveled look) and general attire, showing all of her appreciation with a subtle, softly hummed sigh.

"I hardly feel the need to inform you about that, since I already know you won't have any problem following those instructions."

A shiver races through Piper's body.

It is something she still hasn't gotten used to.

That piercing, scorching gaze. And the way Alex appraises her with it.

Before meeting the raven-haired woman and seeing the way she looks at her in these moments, with all of that unabashed, raw - but never vulgar - appreciation, she would have never thought that a look could be enough to light up that spark of desire inside of her and leave her tingling so pleasantly all over.

And right now, with that other electric current zipping through her body at the prospect of this... intriguing event, she actually feels lightheaded.

The idea of actually taking part in it, both thrills her and renders her quite jittery.

But with Alex there to guide her, as she has done so far, with patience and all of her thoughtfulness... She knows that she has nothing to feel nervous about.

Maybe she could even take the chance to dress up with exceptional care and start responding back to some of Alex's teasing, knowing how magnificently the raven-haired woman tends to react in front of a pair of high heels and fine stockings.

"Send them to me anyway." Piper requests then, encouraged by that... wicked little thought that makes her heart pump that tiny bit faster. Her voice is barely above a husky breath, dropped onto that foreign deeper tone that she barely recognizes but matches the spark of mischief that has been ignited inside of her and that also feeds that urge to tease with a suggestive "I wouldn't want to get punished for showing up dressed... inappropriately."

It may even have sounded "suggestive", vaguely evocative, in her head. But once it comes out, she almost startles herself, because that note that has seeped in that phrase, sounded definitely like that same drop of flirting that has slipped a minute ago.

And it's too late to backtrack then. She knows as much when the response that she receives from Alex is one of those full, criminally beautiful smirks (tinged with a sprinkle of surprise by such sassiness) that reaches her eyes and make them shine like pure emeralds.

"I think we both know that that's not true." She points out, reaching out with one hand to land a light smack on her backside.

The unexpected gesture makes Piper gasp.

The touch, for how light, still flares in her sensory memory. And as all of those delightful feelings about that specific encounter emerge with all their vivid, colorful details, as bright as the smiling pools of green she has just fallen into, she thinks that Alex couldn't be more right about that.

---

I can imagine that some of you were left cringing a bit over the whole "doing-stuff-while-on-period" thing. I know... It's definitely not an ideal situation, but... when Alex Vause offers to take care of some tension, well... it's not the kind of offer that can be just turned down without a second thought. And definitely not from a particularly horny Piper ;) Also, as I said, even if there was some smut in here, my main attention in this chapter was on these two and that thing it is slowly unfurling between them :)