"Hey, Dad, what's up?" Andrea answered the call as she put the finishing touches on a presentation for the Fall issue.

"Your mother talked to someone."

"Wh-what?" She closed her eyes, the tension between them suddenly throbbing.

"And we're divorcing." Her father paused.

Andrea held her breath.

"I've been in love with another woman for the last ten years. I know it's not an ideal time but I couldn't keep living a lie."

"You're fucking kidding me right now!" Jumping up from behind her desk, she glared at the person awkwardly standing and in her doorway. Without another thought, she shut closed the door. "So, what, you've been shacked up with some woman in your Cincinnati apartment since I left college, Dad?"

"I should have known your mother..."

"My mother? She hasn't told me shit except for championing that CHEATER I married." Andrea ignored the knock at her door.

"You are technically still married, Andy. Let's not start pointing fingers."

When the door opened Andrea glared at the intrusion.

Miranda quietly said something to someone behind her but Andrea ignored her.

"Who did she talk to?"

"A reporter, obviously."

"I need to know the details because my life and career are on the line because of you." Andrea hissed as she paced, barely taking notice of Miranda occupying the visitor's chair. When the silence lengthened over the phone, she ground her teeth as she palmed her forehead, tempted to hang up.

"Your mother and I provided and cared for you until you graduated from college. You're not entitled to know what went on, what is going on, and what will go on between us, Andrea."

Andrea met Miranda's intensely blue gaze. A tiny click sounded in her head. "You promised you would make sure my mother wouldn't do anything rash. I trusted you to protect me. Enjoy your private life. I only wish you allowed me the same consideration."

Andrea hung up. She wouldn't cry.

"My mother went to the press about us."

Miranda rose from her seat and walked across the room to stand next to her.

"Look at me, Andrea." she murmured, firmly holding Andrea's head.

"I'm fine."

Soft fingers rested below Andrea's ears while two thumbs brushed the concaves of her cheeks.

"Look at me, darling."

Andrea held Miranda's wrists but didn't pull her hands away. She nodded then lifted her chin.

"He cheated on her. Ever since I left college, Miranda." Hating the quiver in her voice, she broke out of Miranda's hold and put distance between them. "He promised me and I trusted him. Oh, god, what are we going to do?"

"We have nothing to be ashamed of, Andrea." Miranda said, leaning against the door with her arms crossed. "I'm so sorry he hurt you."

"I mean, what's the matter with me, really, Miranda? First Nate fucks a waitress then knocks up my best friend and now my father..." Andrea ground the heel of her hand into one eye. "Now, our careers...I should resign. Right now. Before it hits the papers."

"Come with me." Miranda ordered quietly, snapping her fingers to urge Andrea to follow. "We're leaving. Get your things."

"I can't. I have meetings..."

"Cancel the rest of the day." Miranda opened the door. "Get your coat and meet me at the elevators."

"Don't handle me." Andrea snapped, snatching her coat and bag. "I can take care of myself."

"Trust me."

Andrea's head snapped up and her progress across the room slowed. Her fingers curled tightly into the soft fabric of her coat then relaxed. With the slightest of nods, she stroked Miranda's hip on the way out.

Not meeting anyone's gaze, Andrea cleaved her way through the bullpen wearing sunglasses. Forced to turn around when someone called out for her, she slid the glasses back over her head. Someone from the Art department needed prop approval for the Eddie Borgo jewelry shoot scheduled for later in the day. Plans had been finalized weeks ago, however, the designer requested a last minute change. Andrea slashed her signature across the paper on the clipboard. She arrived at the elevator bay, pulling out her phone to keep passersby at a distance. To fortify the illusion, Andrea held the phone to her ear and paced a little.

Finally Miranda joined her, pressing the elevator button. Andrea put her phone away but Miranda remained silent, Chanel glasses and bored expression in place. About to break the silence, Andrea swallowed back her questions when the elevator stopped to take on passengers, one of which, backed off.

"You look familiar."

Watching the thirty-something appraise Miranda, Andrea settled back against the wall and waited.

Out of the formidable library of Miranda's expressions, the closed-mouth narrow smile came out, a tried and true deterrent.

"You're very beautiful."

Andrea bit back a groan unsuccessfully.

Miranda turned her head away and stared at the mirrored wall.

"What, you don't agree?" he challenged, turning more toward Andrea.

"Oh, but I do." she answered and tried not to laugh. "I think she's a bit out of your league though."

He frowned then unveiled a lecherous grin. "Jealous?"

Hardly loud but impressively long, Miranda's exhalation nonetheless forestalled Andrea's reply.

Looking back at Miranda, he said, "Don't worry, gorgeous, I'm man enough..."

"How nice for you." she cut in as she took off her glasses. "I'm sure someone somewhere is interested in just how manly you claim to be. I am not one of them."

He looked at Andrea directly. "What about you? Or are you an ice queen, too?"

The elevator car arrived on the ground floor as the ding signaled the immediate opening of the doors. Miranda donned her glasses and swept out but Andrea lingered to answer his proposition.

"She's exactly my type." she replied, tilting her head toward Miranda's retreating, shapely figure. "All cool and controlled but once she gets you in her bed...well, you'd have to be a woman to understand."

Before anyone could board, Andrea walked out, smiling at his confusion.

A severe looking blonde woman, all exact lines and angles, fell into step next to Miranda near the car. After Miranda entered the car, the woman stood aside across from Roy near the back wheel. Quickening her steps, she managed a fleeting smile at Roy before sliding in followed by the blonde.

"Home, Roy, and park around back." Miranda instructed then raised the privacy screen. "Andrea, this is Leslie Bristol and she'll be handling the PR."

The woman inclined her head then rested against the door, apparently eager to watch the scenery.

During the short drive Andrea slumped into Miranda's side but stopped short of using her shoulder for a pillow. She held Andrea's hand between her own in a loose grip, the rhythmic graze of her fingertips a soothing gesture. The engine accelerated then smoothly plateaued as it pulled away from the traffic on Park Avenue. When the car slowed, it suddenly dawned on her that Leslie must have been in the vicinity in order to meet them so quickly. What happened before her father's call that compelled Miranda to seek out Leslie?

She didn't know how to feel or what to do with her father's cavalier admission. Andrea glanced at Miranda's fingers, their swirling now including Andrea's wrist. Tears pricked her eyes. She looked up and found Miranda staring at her with such tenderness, a few tears escaped. The engine turned off and Miranda kissed the corner of her eye. Leslie fluidly exited the vehicle while Roy opened Miranda's door. Andrea wiped the wetness from her cheek and got out of the car.

"We'll need refreshments in the den." Miranda said to Cara who held her hand to her chest as she spun around from the sink.

"Seltzer if you have it. If not, water." Leslie informed her, standing off to the side and holding the handles of a purse in front of her.

Cara's eyebrows disappeared into her bangs. She dried her hands on a towel. "Andy?"

"Uh, iced tea, thanks."

Nodding, she then turned her attention toward her employer, not quite hiding the curiosity in her eyes. "I went to the fish market this morning and got some sea bass if you haven't had lunch."

"Roy is picking up an order from Wollensky's. We'll eat at the dining room table." Miranda replied, striding across the kitchen.

Andrea answered Cara's inquisitive look with a shrug then hurried to catch up to the two other women.

Once everyone assembled in the den, Miranda sat behind her desk and said, "Leslie, thank you for rearranging your schedule and coming so quickly."

"I put out fires, Miranda. That's what I'm here for." she said, crossing her legs and taking a pad and pen from her purse.

Andrea suppressed a dozen questions protesting behind her clenched teeth, most of which she could probably answer herself if she calmed down.

"This morning I had a meeting with some of the Elias-Clarke board members about this photo..." Miranda retrieved a folder from her laptop case. "...Robert Reznick was kind enough to show them."

Andrea leaned over her lap slightly just as Leslie did the same.

Miranda placed two eight-by-tens on the desk and pointed to the first one. "This is the original taken a few months ago of Andrea and I, among several Runway and Elias-Clarke employees, at a fundraiser."

Eyes darting to the other one, Andrea gasped then sank back into her chair.

"I had the original photo altered and hid it in my desk drawer in a folder marked 'private'."

Leslie's head snapped up from her frantic scribbling. "You planted a fake to lure someone out?"

"Precisely." Miranda replied, opening and closing her sun glasses. "It seems my Creative Director is very concerned I've improperly used my position at Runway to coerce Andrea into a relationship."

"How many copies of each are in existence?" Leslie asked and resumed writing. "When did you plant it, who else is involved, and I need the gist of what where do you stand with the board, Miranda?"

"Two originals and two altered. I planted the fake close to quitting time last Friday night. The rest I kept in a safe. You don't need to know all the players, Leslie. Your role is..."

"I feel pretty confident you two are an item for real." Leslie thumped her pen against the pad. "Besides your careers, what else threatens your relationship?"

"I'm in a middle of a divorce with a kid." Andrea blurted out and blushed. "He's a sous chef in Boston and, uh, he...cheated on me with my best friend then knocked her up."

"Is he fighting for anything?"

Andrea rubbed her forehead. "He doesn't have any money, especially with a baby on the way."

Leslie glanced at Miranda. "What does the board think about all this?"

Miranda pursed her lips.

"I can't put out a fire if I don't know where it is."

Sighing, Miranda answered, "There are other aspects at play, Leslie. Trust me in that regard."

After a silent battle of wills, the PR woman leaned back in her chair and started writing again. "Okay. What's your end game?"

Miranda huffed a sound of irritation. "A little misdirection, Leslie, and some time, but it won't work unless he goes to Page Six or some other sensationalist rag. Until then, we're in a holding pattern, I suppose."

Andrea pieced together the details. Obviously Miranda didn't want Leslie to know about the board members loyal to her or the Jacqueline Follet-Robert Reznick dynamic. Her brain churning, it suddenly occurred to her how Miranda was going to assure Reznick leaked the photo.

"Okay. Nothing has come across the wire yet but I'll place a few circumspect inquiries to be safe."

Miranda gave her a look.

"What? I have a tag on all my big clients, Miranda. Aside from divorces, you haven't given me any problems." Leslie looked at Andrea. "Until now, that is."

Andrea nearly allowed the contemptuous smile to overtake her face as she stared back at Leslie. Miranda trusted her but Andrea didn't particularly care for her.

"Really, Leslie, I'm giving you notice which gives you an advantage."

"That's true. I'll let you know if I hear anything. To make absolutely certain, you want me to let it go through, right?"

Miranda nodded.

"We let it go for two news cycles to make sure it gets plastered everywhere." Leslie tapped her pen against the desk then continued, "It's 'no comment' for the entirety of this stunt, understood? Do not engage with them."

"And I can understand simple sentences, too." Andrea retorted with exaggerated sweetness.

Leslie wrote something down, saying, "I'm so relieved."

Miranda got Andrea's attention and slowly shook her head.

Spoiling for a fight, Andrea nevertheless shut her mouth. On some level she realized the woman was a convenient target for her anger and frustration. Without a doubt, Leslie didn't endear herself, but, then, Andrea wasn't her client either.

All three of them looked up when there was a knock at the door. After a several seconds, it opened and Cara poked her head into the room.

"Lunch is ready."

Miranda stood as Cara departed, leaving the door ajar and everyone else followed her.

XxXxXxXxXxXx

Andrea didn't eat, merely pushed her food around until a cab took Leslie away and Cara busied herself in the basement. Miranda's gaze was steady as she leaned against the kitchen counter.

A mass of contradictions, Andrea yearned to crawl out of her own skin, become someone else, or lose herself. When blue eyes darkened and red lips parted, Andrea knew exactly what she wanted, what she needed. It was almost one o'clock in the afternoon, plenty enough time to return to work but, Andrea noticed, neither one of them made a move in that direction.

"You seem...tense, Andrea."

She released a shirt button from its mooring. "I need to unwind."

"Go to our bedroom, take off your clothes and wait for me." Miranda instructed, Andrea's obedience a foregone conclusion.

Body flushing with the heat of embarrassment and arousal, Andrea didn't want to take the time. She eyed the tabletop then stared at Miranda who briefly shook her head. Slipping another button free, she abruptly pivoted. Andrea knew better than to touch Miranda as she walked past. Cara wouldn't stay in the basement nearly long enough. Unhurried, she took each step toward Miranda's bedroom with a deep-seated anticipation.

She figured she had another ten minutes or so until Miranda arrived. Andrea quickly stripped, laying her clothes across a chair but keeping her heels on. Naked, she strode across the room to the walk-in closet and went to the drawers that contained a certain type of lingerie Miranda had given her. The red silk satin camisole with macramé frastaglio caressed her mid-thighs. The thin, black straps and décolleté matched her stilettoes which was yet another reason she chose the set.

Sans panties, she thrilled at the shamelessness of it as she took care to primp. Minimal make-up and hair, she wet her lips with a red gloss then settled onto the bed. Perched on the edge with her legs crossed and arms braced behind her, she watched the door. Each minute that ticked by wound tightly within her. Andrea stared without seeing the room and her mind conjured up what she hoped Miranda would do. The indecent images left her breathless.

When the door opened, Andrea fought the urge to cross the room and drop to her knees. Miranda didn't look at her as she started to remove articles of clothing. An odd voyeuristic thrill lit down Andrea's spine. The earrings came off first, followed by the rest of the shiny adornments, deposited upon the dresser with a soft clatter. Next Miranda worked on the blouse buttons as she stepped out of the Louboutin's. Venting a sigh of relief, she took off the blouse and tossed it in the hamper. Andrea muffled a curse at the sight of the leopard print Agent Provocateur bra which was definitely a new addition to the lingerie collection. Eyes fastened on the faint center groove between Miranda's abdominals, Andrea's eyes followed it downward until Miranda turned away then disappeared into the bathroom.

Restless, Andrea uncrossed her legs and rubbed the tops of her thighs. It helped dispel some of the tension. She gently drew her nails along the length of her jumpy quadriceps but that only seemed to make them twitch more. Using her knuckles, she pressed hard to massage the muscles. The movement displaced the scant covering of the silk camisole exposing the dark triangle of hair between her legs. Andrea opened her fists then glided her palms along her inner thighs, intent upon a bit of remission.

Emerging from the bathroom covered in a robe, Miranda went directly to the nightstand and opened the drawer. Slightly startled but recovering, Andrea watched her withdraw the Feeldoe and a bottle of lube.

"You won't need that." she whispered, not meeting Miranda's eyes.

One end of Miranda's mouth quirked, the only outward sign she heard Andrea, as she squirted a generous dollop onto her palm then proceeded to cover the entire dildo.

"Open my robe, Andrea."

Despite the jerky motion of her arms, she accomplished the task, skirting her fingertips up Miranda's ribcage. When Andrea reached the underside of a upturned breast, Miranda stepped back.

"Not yet."

The pretense of separation sharpened the need in parts of Andrea's body. She lightly breathed through her nose while watching Miranda insert the dildo into herself. Andrea bit her sweaty upper lip, swallowing back a moan.

Miranda allowed the robe to drop from her shoulders.

"Oh, shit, come here." Andrea entreated huskily.

The ends of Andrea's nipples rubbed against the lacy brassiere of the camisole with such a filthy effect, she fisted the comforter. Her skin tingled and the slickness between her legs grew.

Miranda stood in front of her, ghosting a soft hand up Andrea's thigh until her fingers were met with the hem of lingerie. Rubbing the material between two fingers and a thumb, she murmured, "Lovely."

Parting her thighs, Andrea half-moaned, "There's more."

"Then show it to me, cub." Miranda said with a predatory smile.

Andrea's eyes slammed shut as she toed off her shoes and lied back, digging her heels of her feet into the edge of the mattress. The camisole fluttered then settled in a caress across her stomach. On the brink of fucking air, Andrea bit back a plea and prayed Miranda wouldn't require her to wait much longer.

"Like a ripe peach, just waiting for my mouth." she declared as she nudged the tip of the dildo against Andrea's opening.

"Miranda." The moan left unbidden as her hips rose imprudently.

Miranda thumped the length of the dildo against Andrea's swollen labia, teasing the opening. "Such an eager, tight pussy."

Andrea panted as she spread her legs as far apart as her ligaments allowed. The dildo's tip pressed and pushed and slid everywhere but inside, driving her insane.

"Yes, that's it..." Miranda whispered as she repositioned one of Andrea's legs over her shoulder, holding onto her thigh. "Open for me."

Panting loudly, Andrea yanked on the comforter and chased the dildo with her hips.

"Let me see your breasts."

Andrea quickly pulled up the camisole and arched her back.

"Pinch and pull the nipples."

Her entire body flushed as she obeyed the command. It started at the base of her spine, the frisson of her impending climax. Andrea opened her eyes and locked onto Miranda's. A wanton satisfaction filled her.

"Oh, yes...that's the look I've been waiting for, my love." Miranda groaned then nudged the dildo inside of Andrea.

Crying out, Andrea's back bowed as she tweaked her nipples with one hand and rubbed her clit with the other. "Oh, god, oh, please...inside."

Miranda inched in, holding Andrea's leg steady against her shoulder and keeping the other pressed against the mattress. The orgasm swiftly built, burning and pulsing, and Andrea couldn't stop it. Instinctively she hooked her leg tighter, digging her heel into Miranda's lower back.

Immediately Miranda buried the phallus to the hilt and Andrea lost her god damned mind. Nothing else existed except the insatiable urgency taking over her body and the way Miranda moved her hips.

"That's it, cub." Miranda grunted, pumping with a series of long strokes broken by short jabs. "All mine. Say it."

Half-wailing, Andrea responded, "Yes, yes, only yours...please don't stop."

Kissing her sloppily, Miranda varied the angle until Andrea sobbed, "That's it, right there. Ohmyfucking godddd..."

XxXxXxXxXxXx

Camisole discarded, Andrea straddled Miranda's hips then sank onto the Feeldoe. She grabbed Miranda's wrists and held them above her head then grounded down, her breasts bobbing with each thrust. A wave of sensitivity pebbled Andrea's skin. She couldn't get enough. Hips aching, knees sore, she disregarded it all as she looked into Miranda's eyes. Skin slick with perspiration, the effortless slide didn't do much to assuage the need building in her. Andrea offered her breast to Miranda's mouth and when firm lips closed over her nipple, she gasped.

"Harder." she demanded.

Miranda complied with a bite and added her nails against the length of Andrea's back.

Stopping all movement, Andrea stared down at Miranda as droplets of sweat fell down on her.

"I want..." Andrea squeezed her eyes shut and dug her nails into Miranda's wrists. "I need some...pain. Can you..."

"Yes." Miranda answered, flipped their positions then pulled out.

She knelt between Andrea's legs and extracted the dildo from her body then tossed it away. Descending, Miranda hooked her arms under Andrea's hips and splayed her palms across her lower stomach.

"You should hold onto the headboard."

Andrea frowned, then realization struck. She grasped the spindles and watched through heavy eyelids.

Miranda bracketed Andrea's pussy with her hands and spread her lips apart. "You are gorgeous. So flushed and wet. A little sting, perhaps?"

A bit unfocused, she found blue eyes then writhed at the devilment in them. "Oh, god, what're you...sting?"

Working an opened hand over Andrea's weeping sex, Miranda licked the wet juncture of her leg and pelvis area.

"You taste so fucking good." Miranda whispered. "Now hold your knees and spread your legs apart."

"B-B-ut..." Andrea's pussy clenched despite the rush of fear down her back. Clumsily she obeyed.

"Trust me, my love." She waited for an acknowledgement. "If it's too much, simply tell me."

"Okay, yes, I can do that. Just...please, I can't take much more."

Miranda removed her hand from between Andrea's legs. Looking at the glistening skin of her fingers and palm, she grinned. "You're ready."

Faster than Andrea's brain discerned, Miranda's slap hit her pussy, and result was electric. Miranda waited a second then flattened her tongue against her swollen labia. As the sting receded, a plume of heat alleviated the discomfort. Incapable of sound, Andrea rode the intense sensation that poppled through her body.

After a succession of slaps, some high and some low, Miranda's tongue turned her angry flesh into an insistent beggar. Two or three landed on her engorged clit and the sting they left behind took Andrea into another place.

XxXxXxXxXxXx

Later, as the chill of the room breached her skin, Andrea stirred, not quite sure whether or not she wanted to even open her eyes.

Miranda hummed against her stomach, the vibration tethering Andrea to the land of mere mortals.

She lightly flexed her fingers which were buried in silken white hair. Weakly, she urged Miranda up and when their faces met, Andrea kissed her and fell into the scent of sex.

"As soon as I'm able, I want to inhale you."

Miranda moaned against her neck, cocking her body into hers. Unsteadily she rose onto her elbows and looked toward the night table.

"Oh, well, it's later than I thought."

Andrea breathed, "Greatest lunch ever."

Tenderly Miranda kissed her forehead then gazed into her eyes. "How do you feel?"

Taking time to form an answer, she played with the long curl of Miranda's forelock. "Sated and loved." She kissed Miranda softly. "It's not something I can handle all the time though. I didn't know...it was a shock to enjoy it as much as I did."

"I love how open you are to trying new things with me." Miranda said, pushing back the serpentine tendrils clinging to sides of Andrea's damp face. "Mmm, I have been thinking of something I want you to do to me."

"Anything." she whispered, her free hand coasting up Miranda's spine. Then she frowned. "Except involve other people."

Miranda chuckled into the skin above Andrea's collarbone. "That's not something I'd want."

"Tell me then." she sighed, softly holding Miranda's beloved face in her hands. "I want to satisfy you."

Miranda smiled, the pink tint of her skin and floppy hair making her look a decade younger. "Well then...I want to straddle your face and have you fill me...back and front."