Emily paced back and forth, waiting for Paige to get to her apartment. She was twenty minutes late and hadn't called or anything. Twenty minutes may not have seemed like anything to worry about under normal circumstances, but she was terrified something had happened to her. She knew she was overreacting but she was past the point of caring, and she had decided to give Paige another five minutes before she called Toby.
She looked outside again, hoping to see Paige's car coming down the street. Nothing. She checked her phone. Nothing there either. This wasn't like her not to call and she was terrified. She wanted nothing more than to hold Paige in her arms and kiss her, feeling her warmth against her own.
"Please, Paige," she whispered. "Where are you?"
Almost immediately after there was a knock on the door. She ran to it and threw it open, crying out in relief when she saw Paige standing there. She pulled her inside and hugged her so tight she could barely breathe, burying her face in Paige's shoulder.
"Paige, I was so worried," she blurted. "Where the hell were you? Why didn't you call? I was almost ready to send Toby out you scared-."
"I'm sorry," she cut in, her eyes filled with tears. "Please don't yell at me. I've had an absolutely awful day and I just want to sit and cry."
"Hey," she replied gently, her heart rate finally calming down. "What happened?"
"I don't know where to start," she replied sadly. "I did try to text. And call. Something's wrong with my phone and no messages are going through. I knew you were going to be worried, but there was really nothing I could do. I guess I have to go get my phone looked at tomorrow."
"I'm really glad you're here," Emily offered, stroking her arm.
"I am, too," she replied. "How about we get settled in your room and I'll tell you everything?"
"Okay," Emily agreed. "I'll make some tea."
She caught Paige's small smile as she went to Emily's room to change. Her new thing was to make tea whenever Paige was upset, and even though she chuckled about it, she believed it helped.
She carried the two mugs to the bedroom, where Paige was sprawled on the bed in her pajamas. Emily placed the mugs on the table and laid down next to her, brushing her hair back.
"Tell me what happened, baby."
"Remember how you texted me asking how my day was going? And I said busy?"
"Yes."
"Someone completely trashed my lab," she continued, and Emily's mouth dropped open. "I'm talking contents dumped all over the place, ripped paper covering the floor, stools upside down. Oh, and the word 'whore' written over and over on the white board."
"Paige," she whispered, pulling her in close. "Oh, I'm so sorry. Why didn't you tell me? I could have come to help you."
"Em, you're certainly busy with your own things. I just spent the day cleaning up. I have to reorder almost all of my supplies. The university is covering it, at least."
"You don't know who did it?"
"No, but I'm guessing it was a student. Who else would be pissed enough at me to do that?"
"Your stalker?"
"That doesn't seem like a stalker move, though. That seems like an angry student who doesn't like me or their grade."
"I guess," Emily replied, frowning. "Did you call the police?"
"Of course. There wasn't really anything they could do, though. And then I lost track of time and when I tried to get in touch with you my phone wouldn't work. My car was even acting up. It took me three tries to get it started."
"Oh, Paige."
"Today has just been one of those weird days," she replied, shrugging. "I just needed to be with you."
"I'm right here," she assured her, gently kissing her forehead. "I'm really sorry. I had no idea."
"It's okay. It's over and done with now. I got enough done that I can hold my lectures tomorrow." She paused a moment, looking at her girlfriend. There was something that was nagging her, but she didn't know if she wanted to talk about it out loud.
"Is there anything I can do?"
"Just hold me," she replied, burying her face in Emily's sweatshirt. Emily rubbed her back soothingly.
"I was really worried about you. I was overreacting, but with everything that's been happening…."
"I'm really sorry. I'll take my phone to Verizon tomorrow and see what they have to say."
"Maybe you should get mace or something," she suggested, and Paige chuckled. "I wasn't kidding."
"I know you weren't."
"I'm serious, Paige. I talked to Toby today and he didn't have anything useful. They have no idea who killed Alison."
"You know Ezra, right?"
"Yeah. I've seen him at the English department meetings."
"He's being questioned for Alison's murder. Because he has a thing with one of his students."
"What?" Emily asked, her eyes widening.
"Oh, Em. You're so innocent," Paige told her, leaning in to kiss her. "Yup. I have his girlfriend in one of my classes. Anyway, their logic is that if he can have an inappropriate relationship with a student, he could kill a girl, too."
"That's stupid."
"I thought so, too. But when he came to talk to me about it, there was something I said that wasn't worded to his liking. He got kind of weird on me. Today before I found my lab in shambles his girlfriend asked if she could talk to me about him. I never did hear what she had to say."
"So…. are you saying maybe Ezra killed Alison?"
"I don't know what I'm saying," she replied, frustrated. "All I know is I'm really sick of being fucked with and I need to find out who's doing all of this."
"We will," she assured her.
"How? I seriously can't come up with anyone who hates me that much."
"Shana?"
"Shana doesn't hate me. I hate her. Besides, she and Nate are living in Virginia, the last I heard."
"How mad was Ezra at you?"
"I don't think mad enough to destroy my lab. And remember, this all started before Alison was even killed. I don't know who could possibly be interested in stalking me and murdering her."
"The answer is probably right in front of us," Emily replied, and Paige nodded in agreement. "But, stressing about it all night isn't going to do anyone any good. You know what I think you need?"
"What?"
"A massage," Emily replied, kissing her lips softly. "Take your shirt off."
"Yes, ma'am," Paige replied eagerly, unbuttoning her pajama shirt. Emily chuckled as she got up to get her spice scented lotion from the dresser, settling herself on the bed as Paige laid face down, propping her head on her arms. "You spoil me."
"It's the least I can do," she replied, beginning to rub lotion onto Paige's back. "I feel so bad."
"Don't. Like you said, we should just talk about other things. I've had enough mystery for tonight."
"Fair enough," Emily agreed. "I have some ideas to better occupy your time."
"Oh?" Paige replied innocently, smirking. "What, may I ask?"
"You'll see," Emily replied slyly. Paige turned her head, curious.
"Em, tell me."
"Patience, Paige. Enjoy your massage."
Paige did as she was told, letting herself relax under Emily's touch. She was feeling much better by the time Emily climbed off her, making her way over to her drawer.
"Em?"
"It's a surprise. Stop asking questions," she replied, opening the drawer. Paige's eyes widened.
"Oh," she whispered as she saw the light purple vibrator Emily had pulled out of the drawer. She carried it back to the bed, sitting down.
"Never been used. Hanna got it for me for my birthday," she explained, and Paige laughed.
"Of course she did."
"So, I was hoping we could use it. Unless it's not your thing."
"Don't worry. It's my thing," she replied, eyeing the toy in Emily's hands. She couldn't remember the last time she had gotten to use one, especially since Caleb had gone on one of his "cleaning" sprees and dumped an entire drawer full of her belongings into a garbage bag.
"Good," she replied. "Then, I'm going to ask you to lie back and relax. You more than deserve this night being all about you."
"Uh," Paige replied as Emily pushed her back. She wasn't used to just receiving, but her time with Emily certainly made her far more submissive than she had ever been with Shana. She moaned as Emily rubbed her fingers through her wet center, slipping inside briefly.
"I love you, Paige," she told her, leaning in to kiss her. She rubbed circles on her clit, moving to play with each of her breasts. "I want to make you happy. I want you to feel safe."
"You do," she whispered, running her fingers through Emily's hair. "I love you too, Emily. More than anything."
"Shh," Emily instructed. "Just relax."
She took her time, rubbing Paige's clit lightly but not giving her enough to get her off. She slid her fingers inside of her, giving her something to clench around but refusing to move, much to Paige's frustration.
"How does that feel?" she cooed as she moved her fingers painfully slow. Paige moaned. "Try to relax, baby."
Paige whined in protest when she withdrew her fingers but immediately calmed when she heard the soft whir of the toy. Emily smiled at her gently, settling herself between her girlfriend's legs.
"Have I ever left you unsatisfied?" she asked. Paige shook her head. "Exactly. So I want you to enjoy this, okay?"
"Uh huh," she panted as Emily held the toy close to her entrance. "Em, please."
"Okay, okay," she chuckled, slowly sliding the vibrator inside of her. Paige cried out, falling back against the pillows as her walls clenched hard around it. Emily had done a tortuously good job of teasing her, and every slight movement felt extremely pleasurable.
"Holy shit," she gasped. "Move….. please, move!"
Emily did as she was told, deciding she had made Paige wait long enough. And seeing her reaction was almost as enjoyable as knowing that she was the one giving her such pleasure.
"Faster!" Paige directed loudly, her hips moving frantically. "Oh, God, please don't stop."
"I wouldn't dream of it," Emily whispered in her ear.
Paige's cries filled the room and possibly their whole half of the floor. But Emily never faltered, giving her everything she asked for until she was nearly screaming out in pleasure, trembling as her orgasm exploded inside of her. She grabbed Emily's free hand with her own, clenching it as wave after wave of pleasure washed over her. It felt like minutes to her before she finally began to calm down, her cries becoming slight whimpers. Emily brought her down gently, kissing all over her face as Paige lay under her, panting.
"Holy…. oh… fuck," she gasped, and Emily chuckled as she pulled back to look at her.
"Someone seems satisfied."
"That….." She trailed off, another moan escaping her lips.
"Take your time," she replied, giving her another kiss. "Feel better?"
She nodded. Emily grinned, her hand still on the toy.
"Again?" she asked, and she wasn't surprised when Paige nodded eagerly.
When they were finished Emily helped Paige under the covers and snuggled next to her, stroking her bare chest as Paige looked at her through half closed eyes.
"Em," she murmured. "Your turn."
"Don't be silly," she replied. "You'll fall asleep."
"Will not," Paige tried to insist, followed by a loud yawn. Emily grinned.
"Exactly. Tonight was about you, Paige. Get some sleep. You can pay me back tomorrow."
"Mmm," Paige replied sleepily, burrowing into Emily's side. Emily stroked her head gently, listening as her breathing evened out. She felt terrible about all Paige was going through, and she wanted to do anything she could to help, even if it was just making sure she got a good night's sleep at night. She held her hand as she slept, silently vowing that no matter what, she would help get to the bottom of this and help get Paige's life back to normal.
A/N: Thanks again for all your great feedback. I'm glad you're liking the story so much and I hope it continues to interest you. Definitely don't be afraid to let me know what you think. Classes start back up Tuesday but I think I should still be able to update fairly regularly. I definitely won't forget about the story, so don't worry. Enjoy!