AN: Merci à Weez for her beta'ing and edits.

Unexpected Grace – Chapter Six

Footsteps pounded on the wet pavement as Andy struck out across the city. She was headed to the closest MTA subway station. She sat on the hard seat, thinking, rethinking, fuming, dreaming, and found herself getting off her at old stop in Midtown near 6th Avenue. Without even thinking, she headed toward the Elias-Clarke building as the sun started to break through the clouds. Her anger drove her recklessly toward her destination, Miranda. As she got close, she looked up at the gleaming windows. For a second, she could have sworn she saw a familiar figure in the window of a corner office high above but after a quick blink, when she looked again, there was no one there.

Suddenly, her phone in her bag vibrated indicating she had just gotten a new message. She struggled to fish it out. Finally finding it, she read, C U – 7:30, big news - N. Big news? Andy wondered what that could be about and if it would have anything to do with Miranda, or if she even cared at this point.

She stopped, rethinking her original intentions. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to go in there guns blazing. That would go over so well with Miranda, right? Uh-huh. Yeah, only if she wanted to see her morph into the Snow Queen in a frosty split second. That would certainly close things down fast and she knew that was inviting disaster. Andy wanted to open a door, not have one slammed in her face. She needed some time to think this through, find an approach that would work. Some clarity about what the hell she did want at this point besides telling her off would be a really good place to start.

Damn it, woman, you know what you want. Just one thing…her, you want Miranda. Her inner imp cackled merrily. The real question is how you're going to entice her, pull her in. That's what we have to figure out…. eh, my pretty?

With a huff of annoyance, Andy turned away from the building and headed south. Her stomach let out a loud feed-me-now rumble. She thought hungrily of that muffin she had set aside earlier and knew she had to eat something, and soon. She passed a coffee shop, decidedly not Starbucks, which she avoided like the plague. Ducking in, she grabbed a whole grain bagel and a coffee, and headed on, steps eating up the pavement.

She stopped for a few minutes on a bench in Madison Square to eat and ponder. By now, the sun had pushed aside the clouds. She lifted her face to the warmth for a few minutes, unzipping her jacket. She heard the rustle of leaves overhead in the trees as the light breeze tossed them gently. A few remaining drops of rainwater fell from the trees on her upturned face.

The long walk had dissipated some of the energy of the morning's discoveries. She took a few minutes to distract herself, indulging in one of her favorite pastimes, people watching. She watched a young skateboarder wipe out as he tried a trick he obviously was not ready for. Two older men were playing chess on the bench not far from her. Children were perched on the park swings, their laughter echoing. A young mother pushed twins in a double stroller. She found herself wondering what Miranda was like when the twins were that young and smiled to herself. A second later, she frowned, Damn, I see her everywhere.

She was interrupted by her phone ringing. Knowing the ringtone and exasperated by the interruption but wanting to be polite, she answered, "Good morning, Nate."

"Hey Andy, how's it goin', babe?"

"Not your babe, remember? Little busy here, Nate, what can I do for you?"

"No need to get snarky with me, just being friendly here. So are you seeing her yet? "

"I have no idea what you're talking about. Who?"

"Miranda ….are you seeing her yet", he said slowly, enunciating every word.

"Oh, we're back to that again. First, it's none of your business who I see. And the answer is, no!" Andy could not keep the annoyance out of her voice.

His voice gentled, "Andy, listen to me. Why do you think I got in your face so much about her? I was jealous, like duh. I told you that the person whose calls you took was the one you were in a relationship with. What did you think I meant? And … I've known you were bi from the beginning; we talked about it, camp and all that. "

"I never thought about your comment. Thought it was pretty weird at the time. Should have but… didn't. …or couldn't. Maybe, it was pure denial, I don't know….and I've moved way beyond bi at this point, Nate, just so we're clear."

"Well, I just give a damn, believe it or not. Lil said you were looking tired these days. I thought I would just check in with you….. and hey, I am seeing someone. Remember that sous-chef in the restaurant I'm working in? She's pretty cool. I bet you'd like her.

"Maybe I'll get a chance to meet her some time. I hope this goes well for you."

"You too, Andy. Take good care of yourself."

"Hey Nate, wait…wait...did you ever find… her…anywhere? I know we looked when I visited but I keep hoping she'll turn up."

"You mean that damn guitar? I've apologized a zillion times for that Andy and no, I haven't found the guitar. It disappeared from the pawn shop in the first week. It's long gone."

"Damn, I just kept hoping….. hope someone is giving her a good home. I'm still pissed at you for this. Gotta go."

"Ok. Sorry for the zillionth time plus one. Bye Andy. Talk to you again in a few weeks."

"Bye, Nate."

She hung up with a sigh. Talk about resentments, this one was hard to forgive. An empty guitar stand occupied a corner of her apartment. Andy avoided looking in that lonesome corner as much as she could. The guitar that used to sit there was long gone. It had been a second hand Martin, not worth much but it had meant everything to her. Nate took it when he left, claiming it was his. He had pawned it in Boston. And now it was history.

She had kept her eyes open the last months as she walked the streets of New York, scanning music stores and pawn shops, hoping she could find a guitar she could afford. She hadn't found anything yet and the band had a gig coming up at a local bar in a week and a half. They had just started playing out in the last few weeks after months of just getting together and jamming for the fun of it. She sang the vocals in her trio with her friends Doug on bass, and Michael, playing guitar. They had a rehearsal coming up this evening.

She missed playing guitar. She and Doug had played together during college, hitting coffeehouses, open mics and bar gigs. They were well attuned and their friendship supported their musical partnership. Michael slipped smoothly in the mix like he had been there all along.

Music had been one of those private places, along with writing, that kept her safe and centered. The music and writing had blended together in the creation of a handful of songs. She never played those songs for anyone. They were too…private.

"Well, fuck! I'm going to use this energy to do something for myself. I can figure out this stuff with Miranda later", she said aloud as she got to her feet, throwing her trash in a bin on the edge of the park. She stretched and started walking again, making her way into Greenwich Village. There was a music store on Bleeker Street she had been in before. It was time to check it out again.

The bell on the door tinkled merrily as she entered. The shop was filled to the ceiling with guitars. They lined the walls and sat on the floor in stands. The electric guitars were up front, in all their delicious colors, sparkles and shapes, surrounded by various sizes of amps. A young woman with vivid purple hair was ripping notes up the neck of one flaming red electric guitar while a teenager watched her, a little in awe. Andy listened for a few minutes and then turned to move deeper in the store.

Closer to the back were the acoustic guitars. Her eyes caressed all the beautiful feminine forms, noting mellow woods and steel and nylon strings gleaming from the overhead lights. She smiled a huge grin, closed her eyes and breathed in the scent of music waiting to escape. Her fingers itched to play some of these babies. Her eyes snapped open as she heard a voice greeting her, "Hello, I've seen you here before. Can I help you with anything?"

"I'm just looking, make that drooling. Is it OK if I play a few?"

"Sure, go ahead. If you need help getting something down, just let me know. I'm Tom, the owner."

"Thanks, I'm Andy", she said smiling fully, holding out her hand to shake his.

Andy picked up a guitar that had caught her eye. She sat down on a close by stool putting the guitar over one leg, tuned it and started to play. It was a sweet instrument and handled well as she put it through its paces.

Tom watched and listened, impressed by her skill, and her attention to the instrument. He had been keeping his eyes open for a special someone.

Andy stopped playing. She hadn't looked at the price tag on purpose. It drew a little gasp when she did. Well, at least I got to try it, she said to herself. Reluctantly she put it back with a little caress. Reality check… bye Beautiful.

"Tom, do you have any used guitars I could take a look at? I just can't afford this though I would love to own something like her someday."

"As a matter of fact, Andy, I do. I think I have a something for you. Just a minute, it's in the back. Be right back….."

Andy sat and waited, saying to herself, I guess this was a long shot. I'll have to just keep saving until I can afford one of these beauties or at least their second hand well-loved sisters. Somehow she always thought of guitars as female. Maybe it was all those beautiful curves and temperamental personalities, kind of like Miranda, she thought with a pang.

Tom came out of the back with a case that carried a few nicks and bruises. He clicked upon the catches and pulled out an instrument, passing it to her.

"This guitar belonged to a friend of mine. He was a singer and a songwriter and a beautiful soul. He was also a luthier and built a handful of instruments every year, just a few. This is the one he refused to sell. You don't find instruments like this anymore. Luthiers can't even get these woods. They're endangered and protected."

Her heart caught when he handed her the guitar, turning it in her hands, admiring the beautiful grain of the wood, barely marred. She was a work of art. Her hands caressed the sleek curves, shiny and satin smooth beneath her palms. The front of the guitar was a sunburst with deep blue around the sound hole that bled to jet black at the edges were black purling covered the joints. The most amazing feature was the inlay. Silvery abalone gleamed from the top eight frets where a silvery, stylized dragon had been inlaid into the dark ebony of the keyboard. Its tail roamed all the way up to the top. The sound hole had an answering circle of abalone around it.

How could a guitar be so…sleek, so…. sexy? It reminded her of blue flame, the hottest part of a fire. Her fingertips delicately traced the dragon. She smiled ironically, how beautiful She is there. She placed it across her thigh and began to play. Rich chords and delicately picked notes surrounded her and she closed her eyes in appreciation. The guitar sang to her of whispered wind and rain nurturing the seeds of the trees that birthed her, of the hands and love that had built her and caressed her, and of all the songs and music that lingered and poured from her since her birth. Andy hummed to herself as she listened to the guitar sing its story to her. Quietly she began to sing, her rich tone and that of the guitar blending magically.

As she finished, she sighed and opened her eyes, "Tom, thank you for letting me play it. I think you have spoiled me forever. She's a beautiful, beautiful guitar."

Tom smiled gently at her, "Got a dollar?"

"Uh, yeah? I've got a dollar, why?" She looked at him quizzically.

He said softly, "Let me tell you the rest of the story. My friend died of cancer last year. He'd been in remission for years. But it came back and ….that was that. He kept this guitar until the end. It brought great comfort to him. This was his personal instrument, the ones he wrote his songs with. Just before he died, he made me promise to watch for the right person to give her to. He told me that I would know when I heard them play her. Others have tried her but the fit wasn't there. She sings when she is in your hands."

"He was adamant about three stipulations. One, she costs a dollar. Everything has a price. Two, you have to promise to write songs with her. She's a restless muse that needs to be fed. And three, when it comes time, you pass her on as she came to you, to the next right musician."

He paused, and with the warmest of smiles, looked her deep in the eyes." If you want her… she's yours."

Andy looked at him totally speechless. "Me? I'm the one? She's mine?All mine? This beautiful guitar is mine?"

"Yes, Andy, she is."

Putting the guitar down carefully, she launched herself at Tom, her eyes teary, hugging him hard. "Oh, thank you, thank you. You have no idea what this means to me. I'll treat her so well and change her strings and polish her and …..write songs with her and come back and sing them to you. And …I'm so sorry about your friend." Her voice ended on a wistful note.

He hugged her back, a little awkwardly. "I have one thing I would ask of you. His name is written on the sticker you can see through the sound hole, just under his brand, Dragon Dreams Guitars. Just think of him from time to time. A bit of his spirit is in that guitar. I know he would be happy that you two found each other. Ok?"

He placed the guitar in its case and led her to the cash register where they solemnly exchanged Andy's dollar for a receipt. "There's an extra set of string in the case for you."

Tom escorted her to the door. "Nice meeting you, Andy. Now, you two come back and see me."

Andy found herself on the street, guitar in hand, slightly shell-shocked. Noticing her long shadow on the sidewalk, she realized she had spent hours in the shop and it was late afternoon. She and the guys were practicing at a church not far from here. Doug's apartment was close by and he had managed to get them approval to use a room for free, every week.

She made her way to the church and went down to the basement room where they would be meeting. She was early and had a little time to wait before the guys made it. She flipped the light switch, wincing at the institutional puce green of the walls and blinked in the harsh fluorescent lights. There were just a few chairs in the room. She took off her leather jacket, placing it on the back of one of those chairs, rubbing her arms to warm up.

Andy ran a hand over the case before opening it and just stared at the guitar nestled in the black velveteen interior. I cannot believe this has happened. She peered into the sound hole, reading the name written there. Thank you, John Daniels of Dragon Dreams Guitars. I'll remember you.

Picking up the guitar, she murmured, "Come to Mama, precious." She ran her hands over the curves, caressing the wood, the silky feel of the finish. Again, her fingertips traced the dragon from tail to head. "You are as gorgeous as the one you remind me off. We're going to make beautiful music together. I can't wait to find the songs waiting inside you." She began to play, little phrases from different songs, moving in and out of them, delighted. Finally, she tuned the guitar down to an open tuning and strummed, hearing a rich dark chord echo back to her.

"You like that, do you?" She improvised moving up and down the fret board in different chord positions, entranced by the depth of tone and voice. She found herself picking out a tune, almost baroque in its melodic line. That sounds so familiar, where have I heard that before? Try as she might, she could not remember and the notes drifted elusively away from her.

"Hey Andy!" Doug called out as he and Michael entered carrying their instruments and amps. "You finally replaced your guitar?"

"Yes! You're never going to believe what just happened to me." She went on to explain how the guitar came to be hers. She handed it to Michael who turned it in his hands looking it over before playing a few chords.

"My God, Andy do you know how much this must be worth? This is a phenomenal instrument. I'm jealous." Michael said with a wink.

"No idea. But to me, she's priceless." She returned the guitar to its case. She'd need some more time playing her before adding her into their mix. "Let's get going, guys. We've got that gig coming up next week and a few things we need to iron out in some of the songs."

They played for the next hour and a half working through their set of light jazz covers, a few classics, easy pop and contemporary folk. Andy's voice sparkled with Doug and Michael adding harmonies. Doug drove the rhythm with the bass. Michael's guitar work was solid, filling in notes and adding some flash here and there. They loved playing together and it showed. They had just finished their last song when they heard applause. Turning, Andy saw Nigel leaning against the door frame applauding, a huge smile on his face. He was a little early meeting Andy and had followed the music to where they were in the building.

"I'm going to have to start calling you Six Strings, instead of just Six." Nigel wrapped her in a quick hug, "I had no idea, you were so good. I mean, I knew you sang but…..I am utterly amazed."

Nigel thought for a moment of his plans to convince Andy to show up at his party. "You know what? You've got to come and play at my party Saturday evening, no excuses. You'd be perfect. They've got a small stage and a sound system, everything you need. Just do some of the songs you just played."

"Uh, well…..I'm not sure we're ready for that. What do you guys think?" Andy's face showed surprise at the invitation. Concern rolled through her as she knew Miranda usually made at least an appearance at Nigel's parties. She'd have to ask him if he knew if she was coming later when they were alone.

"Sure. Let's go for it, small venue, relaxed, just our style. Sounds good." Doug nodded. Michael spoke up saying, "Yeah, sound good to me. Free food and drinks for the band?"

Nigel smirked, "Actually, free food and drinks for everyone. This is not a frat party, dears. I'll email Andy all the info and she can pass it on. Oh, I'm so thrilled. I want you all in black, pants and shirts for the guys. And I'll find something for you, Andy and message it over on Saturday."

Doug pouted teasingly, having met Nigel before and being well aware of his fashion magic, "Why does she get all the goodies?"

Nigel gave him a once over, twirling a finger to make him turn around. "I think I can do something with that. We'll see what we can arrange, Doug ….and Michael."

Minutes later, Andy waved goodbye to the guys, guitar in hand. Nigel waved down a cab and they headed to the bar, within walking distance of his condo.

The bar was half full tonight. Single men and women were scattered around the room, with couples bunched together at the tables. A few heads turned as they came in. Nigel and Andy headed toward a booth in the back, where it was a little quieter and the music did not intrude. As she strode by, a woman sitting at the bar reached out a hand with a whispered, "Hey sugar…looking sweet tonight. And what`s with the guitar?"

Andy laughed. "Mary, you`ve been hitting on me every time I come in here. What's your wife going to think?" she said eyeing the woman sitting next to her.

"She's going to think I'm crazy not to try. Plus, she's hoping for a threesome." She winked, earning a smile from the woman at her side, who said to Andy, "Don't worry. She's harmless. Though mmm mmm" ….scanning Andy head to toe …"maybe she's on to something there."

Blushing, Andy responded with a smile in her voice, "If I'm ever interested, you two will be the first to know. See ya later."

As they sat, Nigel smirked and said, "Popular these days?... eh, Andy?"

"Hey, they've been together forever. They love each other like crazy and flirt with anything that moves, anything female that is."

As they sat, a waitress sauntered up to the booth. As always, she caught Andy's eye as she took in the tight low cut jeans held up by a thin silver studded black belt. She was obviously braless with full, firm breasts accented by the slight spread of her white tank top that exposed a few inches of midriff, a small gold ring glinting from the rim of an innie belly button. A studded leather bracelet circled her right wrist. Her hair was short, a gleaming, slicked back thick platinum. Her Doc Martens boots were scuffed from long wear and one had a loop of silver chain circling the ankle. Her eyes were a dark blue, and an eyebrow sported a small gold hoop. She leaned casually against the table. "Hey there, Andy. Missed you around here. What can I get you tonight?" A silver flash of a tongue stud showed as she spoke.

"Hi there, Lynn, haven't been a round in a while. Been busy." Andy edged back in her seat just the slightest bit, not wanting to encourage Lynn's obvious interest.

"Am I invisible here or something?" Looking peeved, Nigel spoke up, ordering a white wine for Andy and a scotch on the rocks for himself. Lynn disappeared toward the bar with a slow wink to Andy. As they waited for their drinks, Nigel decided to share his day with her. "I know you wanted to talk and I just have to tell you what's going on. You remember your NDA goes for three years? I can't tell you everything but I can tell you some. There are some big changes on the way…." And he proceeded to catch her up on events at Runway.

"Congratulations, Nigel. No one deserves this more than you. Emily must be frantic and thrilled and just about having kittens by now."

Nigel had decided that he did not feel right betraying Miranda's trust in him concerning her feelings for Andy. But that did not mean that he wasn't going to set the stage and stir the pot. "I'm worried about Miranda, Andy. She seems so adrift, to use her words. She sounds ready for the change but I'm concerned. It's like she's given up somehow at some fundamental level, given up on being happy in this lifetime almost. I've known her a long time and she's never reacted this way. Not the divorces, her mother's death, any of that. I've never seen her like this. She's just not been the same since Paris."

Andy flinched. "I've been having this horrible dream, Nige. It's been so achingly painful and I see her…..almost every night now in that dream. I see her lost and alone and it breaks my heart. I know what she did in Paris. I know she cares. I know I have to do something. And I have to do it soon. I don't know if there is any chance but I have to try. God, I miss her ….so much. "

"She'll be there; I knew you were going to ask. Miranda will be at the party and now, so will you. It's going to be up to you, Andy. Tomorrow's Friday, the party is Saturday, think fast and be ready. I'm sure you'll have a chance…if you take it." Nigel reached across the table and covered Andy's hand. "You can do this, Andy. She is, after all, only human… well, we think she is anyway." he said, with a smirk.

"Human? All woman, every single delicious molecule of her. And I'm working on it, Nige, believe me, I'm working on it. She has to come to me …..that much I know. She was the one who pushed me away. She's got to make the choice and come to me or it will never work." Worried but determined eyes held Nigel's as she gently squeezed his hand before letting go and leaning back. "Thank you, Nigel."

"Don't thank me, this is purely unadulterated self-preservation. The black hole of need and loss that floats around the both of you is starting to engulf all of New York City," he snarked. "Seriously, Andy. I can see you both love each other. Someone has to make a move here and that someone….is you, my dear. I'm just setting the scene."

They were interrupted by the delivery of their drinks. Lynn leaned over to put the drinks down, breasts rubbing against Andy's upper arm as she did, running a wet fingertip over the back of Andy's hand. "I thought you were going to call me?"

Distracted, Andy looked up feeling an unwelcome awakened erotic tingle. "Lost your number and had no way to get it."

Andy had a flashback to two months ago. She'd been coming out of the bathroom, about to head home, and ran right into Lynn who had been balancing two boxes as she headed toward the basement stairs. Andy had gallantly offered to help her and took one of the boxes.

Since leaving Runway and breaking up with Nate, Andy had been out there, restless, dating but not wanting anything too deep, too soon. She'd been hitting the bars, getting picked up and picking up women herself for brief encounters. It satisfied the desire she had, but never for long. She'd seen women disappearing downstairs with Lynn off and on for a few months. Her offer was driven by her curiosity and an uneasy edge of attraction.

At the bottom of the stairs, Lynn unlocked the door from a ring of keys hanging from her belt. She opened the heavy door and flipped the light switch, saying with a low laugh, "Welcome to my dungeon." Andy followed her through the door, hearing it close behind them with a dull thud.

She took in the dingy, cool basement storage area, a single exposed light bulb swinging from a stark black electrical cord lighting the space. The air was musty. Shelves held various supplies, napkins, drink coasters and sundry supplies. A couple of chairs were heaped in a corner while three small tables ringed them in. Lynn took the boxes and placed them on the shelves.

"Does that door lock behind you when you come in here?" Andy asked, casting a glance behind her.

"Uh-huh, sure does, Darlin'" She felt a slight stirring in the air as Lynn turned and took a step closer. "You look so hot in that leather jacket...and even hotter without it, I bet."

Lynn's hand went to the zipper and slowly pulled it down. Her hands returned and slipped inside, caressing over Andy's shoulders and down as she pushed the jacket open to the sides. Any took a nervous step back, her eyes darkening as she caught a deep breath but Lynn firmly pulled her back closer. She acknowledged the token protest with a growled, "Where ya goin'?" as her arm ran up Andy's back, circling.

Lynn slid the jacket down Andy's arms all the way off, and slipped it on. She turned her head, breathing in the scent of leather and Andy. She hummed, low and throaty, "Mmmmm, nice!" Andy felt a hand on her shoulder circling, turning her slowly, as Lynn scanned her from head to toe. "Very, very nice."

Andy felt a shiver pass through her as she stood in her simple white blouse, opened down three buttons, showing the shadowed, smooth curve of her breasts. Andy lifted her chin, staring at the woman before her, her nipples growing taut at the heat of Lynn's gaze caught her. The music and voices from upstairs barely filtered through the door. Combined with the dim light, it all felt edgy and almost deliciously dangerous.

Lynn stood behind her and slipped her hands around her waist, pulling her in back to front for their first full body contact. Andy melted against her, her head dropping back as Lynn's fingers stroked through her hair, pushing it back, then ran those fingers down the long line of her neck.

Andy knew she wanted this. Her body was screaming at her with need. She found herself pressing back insistently, rubbing her ass against Lynn's front, grabbing her hands and bringing them up to her breasts. Lynn obliged, pinching already hardened nipples through the material, using the friction of the cloth to further inflame, fingers pulsing in bursts of intensity, driving her higher. Small sharp teeth surrounded the muscle of Andy's shoulder, holding firmly, not breaking skin, provoking a shuddering gasp from her prey.

Those hands slid lower to Andy's waistline, unsnapping, unzipping. The bite released as Andy fumbled, helping, dumping her jeans and panties in a single motion, pushing them down around her ankles. She stroked herself impatiently, hungrily needy, spreading wetness across her fingers. Lynn spread her legs with her thigh pushing between Andy's. She ran her hands over Andy's firm ass, petting and cupping the flesh before moving lower and slipping into her suddenly, a single finger slowly circling inner walls. The press of her thigh drove her finger deeper.

Lynn leaned forward, running her tongue around the shell of her ear, whispering, "You are so very wet, soaking my hand. I want to fuck you, want to fuck you hard and so very thoroughly… please let me. Let me know you want it."

Andy pushed her hips back inviting, moaning a soft," Yes, oh yes, fuck me…fuck me now…..Gods, please", as she started to move beyond coherent thought. Lynn, adding a second finger pressing in deeper, rolling as she set a slow, steady rhythm. Those fingers curled, caressing the inner walsl finding that textured ultra-sensitive spot. The press of Lynn's thigh just increased the sensation as she drove into her demandingly. Andy felt the rising rippling tide of an orgasm stirring and breathed deep, holding it, wanting more, wanting it to last.

Suddenly, Lynn withdrew and Andy heard a zipper descend. She tried to turn and face Lynn, wanting to reciprocate, to press her fingers into the wetness of the other woman, to stroke and tease. Instead she felt herself abruptly pushed down across one of the tables. She lost her breath and tried to suck in air, grabbing the table's edge to steady her upper body, her breasts pressed against the flat of the table. She felt her legs kicked further apart, spreading her even more. Her hips lifted, exposing and offering herself fully. Hands glided down her back as a tongue licked its way down the crack of her ass, all the way to her clit. Andy bit her lips hard trying to swallow the moan that wanted out. That tongue circled, teasing, slipping down to her entrance pressing in as deeply as it could before returning, flat and warm, pressing over her clit, then circling, the silver ball of jewelry embedded in it, dancing across the swollen, engorged flesh, teasing the hood back, making her hips jerk and her body open, hips undulating.

Suddenly, she felt Lynn stand and felt the immediate pressure of more than fingers entering her, something fuller, longer, smoother. A quick thought flashed through Andy's mind, Oh God. She's packing. Andy moaned deep and low as Lynn grasped her hips, moving with her, using long deep strokes driven by her hips. Lynn moved with knowing intent, pulling the dildo out then slowly pressing in, deeper with each stroke, slowly increasing the speed. Her ass slapped against Lynn's thighs. Slippery, wet sounds matched every movement echoing in the closed space. Lynn's hand came around her hip finding her clit, driving her farther over that edge as she murmured, "Come on, take it, all of it, feel me fucking you." Powerhouse ripples of the most intense pleasure rolled through her body, centered on that fierce invasion.

And then she was coming, with a long silent scream as her back arched, heart pounding, knees buckling, held up only by Lynn's firm arm. Deep pulses from her inner walls sucked at the dildo in the aftermath and as Lynn's movement slowed. She did not know how long she stayed on her hands and knees on the basement floor before she could catch her breath and had recovered enough to stand on still shaky legs. She had no idea whether Lynn had come or if just taking her had been enough. Feeling no embarrassment, just a sense of complete sexual satisfaction, she rose to her feet and pulled up her pants, zipping and tucking in her shirt.

Lynn reached out, running a hand down Andy's arm with a satisfied smile, before shrugging back out of the jacket and hanging it over Andy's shoulders."Uh huh, just as I thought, very, very nice." Lynn grabbed a package of coasters. "Time to get upstairs." She turned and opened the door, heading up the stairs. Looking back, she tossed back over her shoulder with a smirk, "Coming?"

She was abruptly brought back to the present with Lynn saying, "And now you walk in here with a guitar? Kill me now. …..gotta get back to work. See you later Andy. Call me this time." Lynn left after dropping a crumpled slip of paper with a scrawled number, blowing a kiss. As soon as she was out of sight, Andy quickly ditched it under the table. "That's not happening", she muttered.

Nigel snickered. "What's with all the lustful looks you are getting tonight, Andy?...And don't sweat it, everyone goes through those …..shall we say, experimental phases? Just some people never move beyond that." He'd picked up on the interaction between the two women and saw Andy's avoidance tactics.

"Yeah, been there done that…got the Slut For a Night t-shirt …not going back there…..and it's the guitar, Nige. Lesbians have a thing for women guitar players. It's the hands and the fingers, sensitive, agile, strong, talented and imagining just what….."

Nigel interrupted her quickly, shaking his head. "Too much information.…enough…..I don't need to know about all the wet, squiggly parts, thank you. I love women, adore women but…not my flavor for more …. intimate encounters."

"I've got to get a picture of this chick magnet you've collected. Open the case for me, please" Nigel snapped a few pictures of the guitar with his smart phone." Might just have to borrow it for a photo shoot. Love the dragon."

Andy closed the case, "She's pretty special, isn't she? Getting late, Nige. I should grab a cab and get home. Walk me to the corner?"

They finished their drinks, grabbed their jacket and coat and wandered out and up the street, arm in arm.

Andy waved down a cab, while Nigel got ready to walk the block to his condo. He gave her a hug saying, "Good night, Six… Strings."

She laughed. "Night, Nigel. See you on Saturday." She jumped into the cab and was off into the night.

Alone in the cab, pensively looking out the window and thinking back to that encounter with Lynn, Andy knew she had reached the right conclusion. That momentary release was not all she wanted. It was hot, smoldering hot, leave you wet and wanting hot. But she wanted emotional connection or it just felt empty, purposeless. She was not a one night stand kind of gal. Or a quick fuck in a bathroom stall or dingy basement kind of gal. Just getting off didn't do much for her. She was not Lynn. There had to be more. And she somehow felt like she was cheating on someone. How the hell do you cheat on someone you've never been with? And dumped you before you even had a chance to be with them? How twisted is that?, she asked herself.

Nigel whistled as he set off for home. The fairy godfather had just a few more things to get into place for Saturday. Time to give a call to a very special designer I know. Miranda won't be able to keep her eyes off you by the time I'm done.

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