TDWP: The Devil's Mistress Ch. 7
Andrea let go of Miranda's hand once everyone else had left again. Then she said, "4289, Permission parameters reset. Restore network vocal privileges. You are free to move as you will until such time as commanded otherwise by me."
Andrea fully expected an eruption of some sort, something blistering and searingly painful. After all, she had invoked silence on her lover, had made her endure protocol discovery in front of someone who she already had disliked intensely, and basically restricted movement. It wasn't that she thought she deserved that kind of response, nor even did she hope for it. It was that Miranda Priestly was a woman who usually shot with both barrels and did not miss.
So, Andrea turned in her seat, wanting to, if she was going to receive the shot, at least observe the shooter.
Miranda's hands bunched into fists on the table, and she closed her eyes. Her lips straightened and compressed into a hard line that did not quite make into a frown and was not, oddly, pursed. She inhaled deeply through her nostrils and Andrea worried, as she saw the knuckles of her lover's hands turn white.
"Miranda?" She said the woman's name quietly and did not hide the worry in her timbre.
"In the nineties," Miranda said, without opening her eyes or unclenching her fists, "Stress balls became part of the arsenal of stress-relief. My therapist recommended that I have one in my office at home and at work. I prided myself on the fact that I rarely utilized the stupid things, as I had my own means of stress control. Though I did get them made for the Runway personnel, in suitable colors and styles. It seemed the thing to do at the time. I wonder if anyone ever used them." The editor's lips curled slightly. Andrea managed a breath. "Very few persons have caused me to seek out the tool and actually attempt to mash it into pulp. Jacqueline Follet is one of them. I will own that those things are ingenious. But, Jacqueline's and my professional relationship has had many... sparks and many unfortunate encounters along the way. Our management styles are completely incompatible and I find her aesthetic sense unequal to mine. Still, I tried for the sake of Runway to at least appreciate what she brought to the table. I had thought, with her success with James Holt International, our little feud was over. It seems, I was sorely mistaken." Miranda opened her eyes, pushed back in her seat, causing it to slide back. Then she stood up. She turned and stared down at Andrea, blue eyes intent and searching.
The brunette leaned back and forced her expression to become impassive.
Miranda finally said, expression stern. "I have a limit, however. I will not have my girls sacrificed on the altar of her destruction, Andrea."
"Our girls." Andrea corrected. "And the most they would have to do is stand in court, if that much. I am not interested in sacrificing anyone, Miranda. Especially not you or the girls. It's not even a question."
Miranda nodded then, accepting Andrea's word as sufficient. "If you have time, would you consider walking with me to the courtyard?"
The brunette blinked and then stood up from her seat. "I would love to. Did you have something in mind?"
"No. I just don't have a stress ball, and it seems... you have a soothing effect upon me." Miranda turned and started toward the door. She opened it.
Andrea's lips curled into a smile of affection and she started forward.
Miranda held the door open. "After you. Mistress."
The brunette paused and cupped Miranda's cheek. She stroked her thumb along the soft surface. "We will make it right."
-TDWP-
"I keep hearing this name. Jason. What is it, exactly, that Jason does?" Miranda addressed the question to Jayden, later, after a most pleasant perambulation with their mistress. She had felt that, because of the woman's help, she'd been able to overcome some hurdles she might not have otherwise. She also wanted to get to know her a little better. She was, after all, on the list and there had to be a reason. Miranda had arrived at the conclusion that, despite her original misconceptions, Andrea was actually very circumspect and picky about her partner selection and even more so in regards to those whom she "owned."
Her mistress tailored relationships like a designer might. That intrigued the editor very much.
"Like all of us, he has several duties, but his main calling is discipline. He's a top. A very good one. I'd check your list first, before contacting him though. He's very busy." Jayden smiled to take any possible sting out of the comment. She looped her arm through Miranda's enjoying the time away from her lab and the walk. If she notice the other woman slow a little before resuming their original pace, she did not comment.
"Are there that many disciplinary problems for Andrea?"
"What? No. Jason's just popular. A lot of us, gained a few new ... hmmm... sensitivities. He's real good at nailing down what they are."
"Ah. I see." And Miranda was beginning to, each new detail was adding layers to her understanding. She exhaled. "I believe Jason is on the list, but Andrea informed me that she had things she wished to try with me. I think I shall wait, at least until such time as she can be with me, barring an order from her." Her lips quirked at the thought. "It is very odd not being the one in charge."
"Kind of nice as a change though?" Jayden cocked her head a little.
"In some ways. In others..."
"Top dog does have its benefits."
Miranda could hear the humor and glanced at her young new friend. "Yes. It does." They arrived at Jayden's door and paused.
The young woman turned to look at Miranda. Then impulsively leaned forward. The older woman met her in the middle and their lips met and joined softly. The kiss was moist and sweet. "Come inside?"
Miranda considered the time and her mood. "I am not sure I would be pleasant company."
Jayden grinned, "That assumes I want to do a lot of talking with you."
"I am not in the habit of just leaping into bed with just anyone."
Jayden grasped Miranda's hand and squeezed it gently. "I'm not just anyone. I'm on your list."
"And if Andrea should need me?"
"She knows how to find us."
"I am not used to..." So many things she could not even begin to articulate.
"That's the point. No one ever is. Thus..."
"The list."
Jayden cocked a brown and opened the door. "I promise, I'll only bite a little bit."
"I thought you had a toy you were going to ..."
"I did."
"And..."
"Then I met you. Plus toys aren't exactly totally out of the question." Jayden offered a mischievous smile.
"Oh?" An elegant brow rose, her curiosity peaked in spite of herself.
-TDWP-
If Jayden's demeanor sometimes seemed like that of a perky cheerleader, her decor indicated a mature taste. Miranda was unable to resist running her hands along the couch's fabric. It was both texturally soft and visually soothing. Comfortable on several levels. So she settled back and waited for Jayden to finish pouring drinks and deliver them.
Despite earlier teases, the younger woman's attention to the detail was deliberate. The drinks were fixed perfectly and delivered with a solemn demeanor. She sat down by Miranda, turned toward her, and handed the drink over.
The tumbler was filled with an amber liquid. Jayden lifted hers in a small, unspoken toast, before they both sipped. Miranda closed her eyes as the liquid slid over her tongue with familiar tingly heat and flavor. The smoky accent merely added to the textural sensation. She hummed. When she opened her eyes again, her gaze had gone sultry as the heat flowed from sternum to belly, warming what was already there.
"Jayden," Miranda's tongue slid over the younger woman's name, electrified it.
The younger woman shivered visibly in response. Miranda set her tumbler, not empty, on a coaster and reached for Jayden's, who let hers go without a word. Then, the silver-haired woman looped her hand through the cloth of the younger woman's shirt and drew her forward. She kissed her, without hesitation, without lingering over "should I, shouldn't I?"
Their fresh contact of their lips sparked more sweet heat into desire, one layered with more than mere biological impulse. Jayden pressed, then, pushing Miranda back on the couch before straddling her legs. She cupped the older woman's face between her hands just as she was grabbed at the the hips. She pulled back, noticed that Miranda's eyes were closed, and her expression was one of basking in sunlight.
The younger woman took in the profound expression, and measured it in her heart. "Miranda."
"Yes," the response was a sultry purr. She did not open her eyes.
Jayden started to say something, then reconsidered. "Never mind." She leaned forward and kissed her new lover again. This time, as the kiss deepened, she kept her eyes open, despite the increasingly melting pleasure of it. Miranda's fingertips pressed into her hips, pulling her forward, until they were pressing more closely together. Jayden's hands drifted from Miranda's face, drew down her skin. The older woman exhaled in brief bursts, as if that act alone was greatly pleasurable.
"Miranda," Jayden said, "Will you look at me for a moment?"
She opened her eyes, which were deepened with desire and Jayden pulled back a little so she could see more clearly. The younger woman brushed her fingertips against Miranda's lips, felt the press in return. "I think we need to get undressed, Miranda," Jayden said. "Would you come to my room with me?"
Miranda nodded. "I may lose speech, though."
"I understand. We'll use," Jayden pressed her palm against Miranda's neck and the other woman leaned into the touch, "... signals."
-TDWP-
Naked was much better, Jayden thought. She grinned at Miranda's obvious amusement. Jayden had a well trimmed pink strip of curls. It matched her hair, of course, which was part of why the older woman was amused. Not that Miranda really looked older. The editor's body was just as supple, just as primed, as Jayden's; silver hair above and below not withstanding.
"You're beautiful," the inventor said, as she restraddled Miranda, this time upon the bed. The other woman leaned back on her hands, but as their skin touched she sat up and wrapped her arms around Jayden, drawing her closer.
From the ground, Jayden heard, "It is you, who are beautiful." Then Miranda's lips connected with the underside of her chin, her neck, her collarbone. Small licks and nibbles caused her to grasp the older woman more tightly to her, but it was the way Miranda's hands were touching her that caused Jayden to arc forward.
Miranda twisted around a little, bringing Jayden around and then down until she was flat on her back. Her gaze took in the younger woman's body, evaluating and appreciating as she explored, full bodily, legs, trunk, arms, palm and fingers. She offered no more words, instead focusing that energy on communicating in other ways.
Jayden was an active participant. She grasped one of Miranda's hands and drew it down her body to where she wanted it. She heard the intake of breath as Miranda's fingertips floated over slick curls. Once there, the other woman took over, stirring Jayden's desire until the younger woman was flexing her hips to push the sensitive touch deeper.
By the time Miranda was pressing into her, it was as if she knew exactly where, exactly how, to summon Jayden. The strokes were so sure, so pleasurable. "More?"
One of Jayden's hands slid down Miranda's belly, until it was pressed over that imprinted space. She pushed, gently pressing a fingertip along the seam. She felt Miranda's body flex. The older woman slid back slightly, eyes widening.
Words floated up, mechanical and hesitant, even as the older woman was shaking her head slightly. "Jayden... I haven't... Andrea and I... we didn't..."
The younger woman groaned, disappointed. "I see," she panted. But she stroked the seam again, felt it open slightly to her touch. "Do you want to?"
Instead of answering directly, Miranda gently grasped Jayden's hand and drew it down lower. Then she said, "Soon, yes. But... I... I know it's there, but..."
"... need time to get used to the idea."
"Yes." Miranda nodded. "But also, Andrea has asked me to wait on using any 'additions.' I still have some check ups to go through."
Jayden smiled whimsically, then pressed up and in, causing Miranda to gasp. "Okay. This is good too."
Miranda returned the favor, her own smile turning fierce as she nodded. Then, with her other hand she made a turning motion, indicating herself and Jayden.
The young woman grinned back. "I like the way you think."
In short order they were positioned differently, with Miranda facing one direction and Jayden in the opposite. The older woman was still on top, on knees and forearms. The younger woman only teased the seam once with her tongue, lightly brushing the strong hidden muscle with the tip, just to hear the strangled gasp of her lover. Then she moved her efforts elsewhere and lower, dropping into the sweet slick velvet, with tender urgency.
They tasted each other, tongues gliding erotically in tempo to their other touches. It was achingly good, and Jayden felt the first warning shudders of the oncoming flood, with each new thrust and pull. Then, she felt the scrape of fingertips along her own sensitive seam, it was just enough, to accompany what had gone before, what was happening then. She felt Miranda clasp hard around her fingers, felt the other woman shudder into the erotic flash, knew that the moment was shared, sparked together. Jayden cried out, shook out into the greater abyss, pleasure leaping behind her eyes and skin and everywhere.
Later, they lay on their sides, facing one another. Miranda had pulled the shorter woman closer, holding her gently. She let one hand caress the other woman's back softly. The other just held her close.
Jayden exhaled. "She wouldn't mind, you know. It's... not like it is on the outside. There are some first times that... they just don't matter the same, because, as long as it's with someone she trusts..." She didn't expect an answer.
Miranda drew back and looked Jayden in the eyes. "I am aware. I meant only what I said. You needn't worry." She smiled slightly. "I still respect you. After all. You are my naughty tailor."
The younger woman blinked, then grinned back. "Yes. Yes, I am."
-TDWP-
Miranda could have stayed with Jayden that night and she was tempted, but she realized there was just something she needed to do. Leaving was more difficult than she expected, and while she made sure her young lover was aware of her plans, she also stayed long enough to hold her until she slept and a little longer. Someone observing might have noted that her posture was quite different leaving than it was upon arrival. Miranda was in a much better mental space.
She checked in on the girls. Andrea was away from her home, but the girls were there, still under the protective watch of guards. Miranda was glad to see the stalwarts by the door. They let her past without question and she entered with a confidence based on the schematics that her Mistress had provided.
The girls, as she expected, were asleep, but they mumbled as they always did when she kissed them goodnight. It was a ritual restored, and added yet another element of comfort to all of them.
Miranda considered staying and waiting for Andrea to come home, but she did not know her lover's schedule and she didn't want to intrude. Even with plans made, it did not do to assume too much. Andrea would know she had been there, because of the guards and possibly some other means. She did not need to leave a message.
She did anyway, sending a brief stream through the network, leaving it open for Andrea to pursue lines of questions if she so desired.
It was only after she'd managed these details that she finally paid real attention to where she was at and she let curiosity be her guide for a few minutes, drifting from the girls room to explore Andrea's home.
It made her think of her own home in many ways, though it was a bit more modern. Still, there was a core sense of lived in warmth, that bent what could have been austerity into something much more receptive. She liked it.
She was in the living room when she heard the entryway door open, and decided to stay right where she was. It would only be someone who was allowed in the house and thus no threat. She wanted to finish looking at a picture that had drawn her attention.
It wasn't large, but it was framed and the holographic image depicted a woman, arm casually looped around Andrea's shoulder, laughing in genuine merriment. Andrea was looking at her with amused tolerance.
"That was a good day," Andrea said.
Miranda turned enough to look at the younger woman. "Is this her?"
Andrea drew closer and wrapped her arm around Miranda's waist. "Yes." She did not elaborate, might never do so.
Miranda looked up and examined her Andrea's face. "You look tired."
"I'm glad you spent time with Jayden."
"Yes." Miranda offered a slightly teasing glance at the younger woman. "It was... unexpectedly lovely."
"Would you call her soothing?" Andrea's lips quirked in humor.
"If you had asked me that earlier today I would have said no." Miranda pulled Andrea closer, "But now... Yes."
"Kiss me?"
Miranda leaned forward suddenly and touched her lips to Andrea's and it caught.
The kiss was breathtakingly sweet and just long enough. After they reluctantly parted, Andrea closed her eyes and leaned against Miranda, absorbing strength through the contact. The younger woman realized she couldn't bear the thought of Miranda leaving, but she also didn't want to make it a command. "Stay?"
"Have you eaten?" Miranda drew back only enough to watch Andrea's face.
"Yes."
"Then perhaps we should call it a night, shower and sleep?"
"I would really like that."
-TDWP-
Awakening in Miranda's arms was a revelation, partly because she had never thought of the older woman as one who would hold someone all the way through the night and partly because Andrea had slept so utterly well. And finally, because it had been something longed for and never expected. Morning light peeked through the shade and curtains, casting light and dark over the bedspread in parallel lines. Andrea was highly aware of Miranda's warmth at her back and around her, even through the silk of her pajama top.
As if somehow alerted to the change in Andrea's state, the arm that had been clasped around her waist started withdraw. The younger woman halted the movement, not wanting to give up nearness just yet. She pressed Miranda's hand against her belly, felt the other woman gently knead her fingers against the silky cloth. It made her smile, because she was beginning to truly understand that the other woman could not help it.
"Emily's supposed to be in after noon. But today is the day that you are supposed to go in. Do you want to see her before. Or after."
Miranda's voice rose quietly from the speakers. "She is not likely to just generally accept things as they are. It would take convincing. But, if she hears me as I am now, she might argue, but she'll be forced to believe."
Andrea nodded her head slightly. "I think you're right." She moved, turning to face Miranda.
The older woman brushed her fingertips lightly over Andrea's cheek, her ear, her hair. "I try to be, as often as possible." Her lips quirked, "It always seems to go so much better when I am. The times I'm wrong," she exhaled, "can be so disastrous, it is much safer to be, if not right, then at the very least, as close as possible the majority of the time."
Andrea pressed her lips against Miranda's enjoying the soft lush feel of them. She said, wearily, "With so many lives at stake, I understand that so much better now."
"I know you do." Miranda kissed her back, without pressure to continue. "I know." She said, with a sigh, "You do taste very good, Andrea."
"Do I?"
"Mm. Yes."
"And Jayden?"
"She tastes equally as good, only in a different way. As I suspect, will the others. I'd compare you to mint chocolate mocha and her to a berry tart, but don't ask me why."
Andrea considered and she laid her hand on Miranda's hip, "I think I understand."
"Andrea."
"Yes?"
"It does not make what I feel for you, any less. I have ... loved you... for a very long time."
"Oh. Miranda. Me too." Andrea pressed close. "I know." She kissed the side of her Miranda's face. "I knew that. You needn't worry. I haven't... changed the rules on you. "
The older woman exhaled, "I have a request, which you may not understand, but it is something..."
"What do you need, darling?"
"Put Emily on the list."
Andrea did not gasp, did not shrink back, or charge Miranda with false feeling. She did spend moments just observing her lover, taking in the serious cast of her expression and she considered who they were talking about. "I thought she was with Serena."
"I don't know that they aren't, but... when I last saw them," Miranda managed to say that without flinching. "I believe they had taken some time away from one another."
"Did you ... were you lovers?"
Miranda cocked a brow. "No. But it's not because she wasn't interested. It simply wasn't ... realistic at the time, for too many reasons. Not the least of which was professional. Still. Once aware, I made choices. She works ... worked in the art department, so that took her out of my realm. It was necessary and time. She deserved the raise and has quite the eye. But. She is Emily. I already know... she would be ... " She paused, not sure how to phrase things any better. She already felt quite raw saying anything at all.
Andrea laid her hand on her lover's cheek and smiled softly.
-TDWP-
Jayden stood in front of Andrea's desk, one hand on her hip, the other on the piece of paper that she had laid flat in front of the Mistress. "I know you don't need this, and you can take this as only a suggestion, but it's a strong one. Miranda's list needs revising."
Andrea cocked a brow and liberated the paper from Jayden's grip. Before saying anything, she took a moment to read it. Her brows arched more.
Jayden leaned forward, "She's unique, Andrea. You may have noticed."
Andrea looked up, taking in the rare seriousness of the other woman's expression. She kept her tone very neutral, "You've really cut a swath through the options, Jay."
"I know." Jayden scratched the back of her neck. "I just..."
"Jay." Andrea said, as she set the paper on her desk. "Thank you for caring enough to do this. Understand, I will make the choices, but I will also take your suggestions under advisement."
Jayden exhaled and settled a bit. "Okay. Okay. Thank you. It's just... she glows. Andy."
"I know."
-TDWP-
It was difficult for Andrea to anticipate Emily's needs. It had been awhile since they'd even laid eyes on one another and she wasn't entirely sure what type of mood her former partner in misery would be in, other than snarky and angry. She had Lisle prepare both a guest room in her home and a cottage, just in case.
She also had the bulk of Miranda's belongings shifted to her home, much to her assistant's amused happiness. Andrea owned the moment, agreeing at the last that yes, she should have done that in the first place, but there had been no way to know, really, how Miranda would respond and sometimes... Yes, Lisle had been right. And Miranda was not opposed, especially given that she'd be living with Andrea soon anyhow.
She'd made sure that there were spaces for her love, places that were Miranda's own, and she'd opened an account for her lover so she could personalize things to her liking. Andrea was not above letting Miranda be a kept woman for awhile, just to let her recuperate longer, but she knew that the editor would not be content to remain so for very long. They would talk about office and creative space soon and begin planning certain things in earnest. Revenge not being the least of them.
Andrea had already put a few actions into motion. She had several dummy accounts buying stock in a very large company; small knives chipping away at the elephant. Not that she couldn't afford to go in wholesale, but this would lead to a greater long-term satisfaction and it would keep the rats from fleeing too soon. She intended to gift the whole to Miranda when it was time.
She wondered what kind of gift Emily might like, aside from Irv Ravitz's head on a pike.
She recalled that they had not parted on the best of terms, though she imagined the clothing she'd acquired during that last fashion week had arrived in a timely way. It might have soothed or annoyed. Knowing Emily, it most likely ended up some bizarre combination of both. Andrea did regret that they'd not been able to iron away the hurts before her leaving. The closeness that had been growing between them had been harmed by the timing of certain events.
But that was the past and things were much different now.
"Lisle, how soon until Emily's arrival?" She didn't have to shout the query. The office was designed to let her voice carry without the necessity of being overly loud. Andrea was not immune to the irony.
Lisle stepped into the office, tablet in hand. "They are on ground and en-route now. Barring traffic they should be here in twenty four minutes."
"Excellent. That gives me plenty of time to panic."
Lisle grinned at her Mistress.
-TDWP-
It was like atmospheric pressure change. Andrea was almost immediately aware of when Emily stepped into her realm. It wasn't just the fact that her neural interface pinged, but rather the distinct sound of her walk. And her voice, which carried outside of Andrea's office.
"Unhand me! I am perfectly capable of proceeding on my own to wherever it is you are taking me."
Andrea wondered, briefly, who had decided to pick that moment to manhandle Emily, then discarded it. No doubt she would find out soon enough. She glanced around her office to make sure that the breakables were on the far walls, and not anywhere near her or her desk. Then she did a brief scan of herself, making sure all was in order, before deliberately settling back to look as nonchalant as possible.
Miranda, she knew, was on her way. They had both agreed that while it might be useful to have them both there, for Emily's introduction, it would be better for her to see Andrea first. Then the editor. Not that the brunette expected Emily to just take everything at face value.
Though maybe she might surprise her. After all, it had been years since they'd seen one another.
Lisle breezed calmly into the office and offered a wink before saying, "Mistress, your guest has arrived." She offered a delicate grimace of amusement and a bow. "According to Tam, she's been a handful."
"Has she accused anyone of kidnapping?"
"Not yet, but I don't foresee it as out of the picture if things don't go as planned."
"Planned? Plans went out the window as soon as she stepped on the grounds. Just send her in."
"So glad it's you and not me." Lisle chirped in a whisper before moving away to do her duty.
As soon as Lisle opened the door again, a sleek redhead sailed in, powering past Lisle with hardly a glance. The bodyguards who were sent both as protection and as a means of convincing, trailed not far behind and more careful in their entrance. Andrea noted that Emily's taste in clothes had softened over the past five years, but that she still managed to hint at dangerous flair.
Lisle quickly took up position beside the the new arrival and through a fine act of body language, managed to indicate a place to stop. Somehow they arrived parallel, a few feet away from the desk, with the redhead settled between the blonde assistant and one of the bodyguards. The other bodyguard stepped back and turned slightly so they could observe both the entrance and what was going on in the office. "Ms. Emily Charlton, from the States, to see you, Mistress. Ms. Charlton, this is the Mistress of Maison de Sanctuaire. Andrea Six."
It was as if, until that very moment, Emily hadn't processed quite where she'd seen the other woman before. And then, she said, explosively, "You!"