Hotel California

"So I called up the Captain
"Please bring me my wine"
He said, "We haven't had that spirit here
Since 1969"
And still, those voices are calling
From far away
Wake you up in the middle of the night
Just to hear them say..."

Chapter 4: A stranger rolls into town

"Hey Aca-bitches!" Stacie's energetic voice disrupted the not-so-tranquil afternoon as she arrived, rocking cut-off jean shorts, a bikini top, and black platform heels. As always when Stacie arrives everyone notices. She was pool-ready and ready to rock with her aca-sisters.

"Stacie! What are you doing here!" Chloe jumped up excitedly and automatically went to hug the former Bella.

"Well, duh, I saw your post in Insta so I knew I had to drop by to hand out with my Bella sisters! It's been too long!" She tightened her hug with Chloe.

"Aww, no Baby Bella?" Chloe asked looking around.

"Nah, she's spending the holidays with her gran grans, it's cool Mama needed a break anyway."

Stacie pushed Chloe back to get a good look at her. "And you are just looking like a snack, Chloe! Nice pull Beca!" She gave the short brunette the fingers.

Beca returned them as awkwardly as she could and said, "How I do boo." Realizing how ridiculous that had sounded her grabbed her hair and said "Oh no, I'm buzzed." She set her mimosa down.

Aubrey had to laugh and moved the champagne flute away from a pouting Beca.

"Stacie, sweetie," Aubrey said as she stood up, her face had her usual stoic smile but there was something else there.

Chloe and Beca gave each other a look and Beca mouth "Sweetie?" and Chloe just giggled.

Aubrey looked a bit flushed. Other than Beca, Stacie was one of the few people on the planet that could make Aubrey fidget. They were polar opposites and whatever illusion of control Aubrey had in her life, Stacie plowed through it like a tornado. Sometimes she'd sing Wrecking Ball as she did it.

The reality of their relationship was a lot more profound than it seemed. Stacie had been there when Aubrey's life changed forever and ever since then she and her daughter had taken residency in Aubrey's life. And Aubrey was incredibly grateful.

"Baby, I didn't know you were coming today," Aubrey said leaning in close, her tone was intimate and they stood close.

"I know but I was getting bored. Besides, I like keeping you on your toes… Mistress," Stacie replied loudly with a playful wink and stuck out her tongue causing Aubrey's eyes to go wide and blush. Stacie was openly and unashamedly flirting with her in front of everyone.

Stacie made herself comfortable in one of the empty chairs and stole Chloe's mimosa. She downed it in one gulp. Chloe didn't even care, she just kept on smiling because she was just so happy right now. It had been too long since she'd last seen Stacie. This was turning into a Barden Bella reunion, just… kinky. She was also still a bit turned on from their little pool escapade so everything was a little bit heightened.

"Dude… Mistress?" Beca repeated, subtly, be damned. Her words slightly slurred while turning to Aubrey.

Chloe was alternating between exchanges and trying to contain her giggles. Aubrey gave Stacie a look, searching and Stacie responded with a grin. "Tell them, I don't care."

Aubrey sighed and said, "Stacie is… my brat and all-around pain in my ass"

"In more ways than one." Stacie smirked and went to stand up from her seat.

"Stacie!" Aubrey's tone changed and all the girls froze. It reminded them of the dreaded Captain Boss Bitch Aubrey days. Stacie froze in her spot, hovering slightly over the chair. "Aren't you forgetting something, Dear." The tone was sweet and very commanding.

Stacie plunked back down on her seat and very exaggeratedly crossed her arms across her chest. While pouting she mumbled something inaudible.

"What's that dear?" Aubrey's tone now sounded more like a mother chastising her child. "I didn't quite catch that." She cocked, her head, somehow her smile was threatening.

"May I be excused… Mistress?" Stacie said, just dripping with bratty attitude.

Aubrey relaxed in her chair and gave her brat a sweet smile. "Yes, you may dear." But after a second of looking at Stacie she noticed that she was missing something. "Where's your choker Stacie?"

"I took it off cuz it's stupid," responded Stacie and in seconds she stripped naked, giving the girls a very generous show of her bent-over figure, then blew them a kiss before jumping head first into the pool.

Aubrey smirked, amused, and pulled out a little handheld clicker counter and clicked it twice. She said under her breath, "Oh that's two baby." She cleared her throat and shifted her focus back to the other two ladies. "So Stacey has been doing her residency nearby, we've become… close. She's actually been a great help."

Bet she has, Beca thought, but she was too slurred and missed the subtext there. Instead Beca said, "I have so many questions." Beca's nerves were still a bit all over the place from Aubrey's visceral code-switching, her post orgasm glow and the fact that she was buzzed.

"I have answers," Aubrey responded confidently.

"Guys, can I just say I'm just having the best day," Chloe said in all earnest as she melted into her chair, she was buzzed. "Oh! I think I'll join Stacie." She let her robe fall of her shoulder giving them a very generous look of her figure as she did the smoothest dive Beca had ever seen. Swim team huh, I wonder if she has her old swimsuit somewhere, gotta remember to ask.

"So are you like a Dom or something?" Beca asked innocently.

"Something like that, Domme actually," Aubrey replied sweetly.

"So Stacie and that guy from last night are like what your litter?" Beca asked connecting the dots. She didn't know the terminology so she just took a shot in the dark.

Aubrey laughed out loud, her hand to her mouth trying to contain herself, she hadn't looked at it that way. "That's a word for it, sure, kind of though stable is more commonly used.. I'm their Mistress or Goddess but let's say I also wear different hats. For Stacie I'm also her tamer."

"Tamer? What is she a wild animal? You know what, don't answer that." Having lived with Stacie for three years during their college years she knew for a fact that Stacie was kind of a wild animal. "So what does a tamer do exactly? Do you use like chair and a whip?"

Aubrey laughed again at the mental image of a lion tamer and she too was feeling a pleasant buzz. She made a mental note to commission a similar outfit later, might look cute. "I'm not a lion tamer, Becs. But now that I think about it, yeah, sometimes I do use a chair and a whip." She loved how Beca tried to contain her continuously bashful reactions. "And for Robert, I'm more like his owner. It's part of our Pet Play dynamic." Her hands reached for a small necklace with what looks like a very small key. Beca hadn't noticed that before.

"Pet Play?"

In the pool, Stacie and Chloe swam together. They got caught up on each other's lives because they hadn't seen each other in a while. Chloe couldn't remember the last time she actually sat down with Stacie. Life gets in the way she supposed and it made Chloe a little sad.

Stacie and Chloe had a lot more in common than most would think. They both loved with sincere intensity. Chloe had little boxes of love with different names. She kept her love for Beca in a little box labeled "soul mate love" and for Aubrey she had a box labeled "Oldest best-est friend love" and so on and so forth. Stacie didn't have boxes, she loved and that was it. And that love took whatever shape it needed in that moment, and if sex was in the cards, then so be it.

Chloe never judged her in any way. If anything she saw Stacie as a kindred soul, and she was the embodiment of Hotel California.

"So you and Aubrey huh?" she teased with song in her voice.

"Oh, that? Yeah, we are kinda just having some fun. We've kinda learned a lot about each other these last few months. Kinda of a random chance we found each other out here to be honest. Like a million in one shot."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, my hospital is nearby and I take this road almost every day. Kinda just saw each other one day by chance and we've been having lunch together almost every day. Well, almost, you know how it is."

"Oh yeah, totes." Chloe nodded but she wasn't convinced. She was doing her own thing at the Animal Hospital and it was chaotic, stressful, and she loved it but she couldn't imagine doing what she did with humans. She barely kept it together when she lost one of her little four-legged patients.

Stacie turned to look at Chloe and there was just a small gleam of sadness somewhere inside her blue eyes. "It's been kinda great honestly. I think these last few months have been tough, you know, for her. But you know Aubrey"

Chloe had no idea what she meant. The sad reality was that she'd been engrossed in their own life, and Aubrey hadn't mentioned anything the last time they spoke. She vaguely remembered complaining a little bit because that night Beca had to leave their bed at 2am to go to the studio. Then Chloe had to leave at 3am to go to the animal hospital. She didn't make a habit of complaining about her relationship to Aubrey but she had been especially vulnerable after having palpated a cow for the very first time in her life.

And Aubrey of course had been a fantastic supportive listener.

Friendships are supposed to be a two-way street right? How did she miss that her best friend was also going through a tough time? She knew that Aubrey always wanted to portray strength, and Chloe loved her for it but she'd known better. After all, Chloe had been there every time Aubrey broke down during their first years as Barden Bellas.

For the first time in her life Chloe felt like a terrible friend. "I had no idea," she said softly, her tone unfamiliar even to herself. She saw Aubrey and Beca talking and laughing. That made her feel a little better. It made her heart feel full to see them like this but she still couldn't shake the feeling of being a crummy friend. She made a mental note to make it up to her.

Stacie picked up on this. "Hey Chloe, don't beat yourself up over this, she doesn't really like to talk about… you know the whole Jesse whatever mess."

"Right." She didn't know, no one did. Aubrey kept this one close to her chest. So close that Chloe hadn't even caught a glimpse. And she knew Jesse had been the same way with Beca. Both were kept in the dark.

"Anyway, what about you and Beca, how are things?"

"They're good, we're just having the best time." Chloe did her thing where she snapped herself out of whatever she was thinking and automatically went into her best default setting, friendly and beaming. She wasn't as convincing as she thought she was.

"Right and that's what brings y'all here?" Stacie was brilliant and her instincts were always right on the money.

"We've just been super busy and needed to get away to uh- reconnect," Chloe admitted.

"That'll happen… or so I hear. I've never really been in a long-term relationship." Stacie had an instant realization that whatever she and Aubrey had right now might actually qualify as her longest relationship.

"Anyway, this is the place for it all right," Stacie continued. "You should see it on a normal weekend. There's people boning everywhere." They both snorted and laughed out loud.

"Too bad we missed it," Chloe added only half joking.

"Is it just me or are those too getting a little chummy over there?" Stacie asked with mock outrage.

"You should have seen them last night." Chloe gave Stacie a run-down of what happened last night and she omitted nothing. Not even how Robert's hands felt soft and strong. How her skin came alive when they touched on the dance floor. Or even how he reminded her of the last man she'd been with a million years ago.

"So she cockblocked you?"

Chloe laughed out loud "I don't know if that's the word I'd use. Beca was uncomfortable and, well, you know me."

"Did you want- um, more?"

"I mean, maybe? I know my body was responding to it for sure. I think I've even been having dreams about it."

"You're allowed to want things too, babe."

Chloe's eyes widened. She's allowed to want things, too? Well, of course, but had she really been holding back? No, she'd been in a very loving committed relationship for 7 years now. Her needs were being met, weren't they? Maybe she had other needs she'd long forgotten about. And there was definitely a reason why she'd insisted they come here. Was it possible that she has been placing her needs in the back burner to accommodate Beca's? Wasn't that just normal though? Making small compromises and/or sacrifices for the sake of the relationship.

"Come back, babe," said Stacie.

"Yeah, I'm here." Chloe snapped back to reality and bit her lip. That was a lot to process in a few minutes and it was terrifying. Chloe didn't like to feel scared, it brought back bad memories and that was the last thing she needed right now.

"Look at these too, they are totally vibing. Hey you two! Kiss already!" Stacie joked in an effort to lighten the mood.

Aubrey had been explaining the dynamics of pet play and brat taming to Beca. How Aubrey used a clicker to mark Stacie's infractions and how each click meant on spank or use of a gentle riding crop. She also explained how pet play worked. It was all making Beca blush furiously but she was fascinated.

When they heard Stacie taunting them to kiss, Beca laughed and looked down. She was being bashful. It's not that she hadn't thought about it, it was more like it worried her that she hadn't stopped thinking about it since last night. Beca could hear Chloe excitedly joining Stacie as they both shouted, "Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!"

"These weirdos," Beca commented slightly annoyed and embarrassed. This was OK, right?

"Oh, don't listen to her, it's just Stacie being Stacie." Aubrey smirked as she grabbed the clicker and added another click.

"Oh, she's going to get it huh? Again don't answer that." Beca was feeling playful and she blamed the mimosas as she gave her friend a gentle playful push with her leg.

Aubrey looked over to the girls at the pool and said offhandedly, "As if, right?"

"Why not?" Beca asked but the why not, echoed in her head. She was feeling bolder and bolder by the second. This was OK, they'd talked about it and it was OK. She had freaked out last night because she had wanted to taste Aubrey's red lipstick. And that sudden intense desire had scared her. But now things felt relatively clearer. It's OK to be attracted to Aubrey and more importantly Chloe approved. This is OK.

"Beca?" Aubrey's chest was visibly heaving. She wasn't sure when it happened but she had leaned over and her face was close to Beca's.

"You don't- you don't want to? I mean it's cool I'm just…" Beca rambled nervously, her face felt like a furnace.

"Oh that's not it at all, I'm totally OK with it, it's just I don't want you to feel pressured, you know."

Maybe it was the mimosas, maybe it was the fact that Chloe said it was OK, maybe it was the stupid image of her bright red lipstick from last night creeping back, or maybe she really just fucking wanted to and that was OK. Beca closed the distance in a second and caught Aubrey off guard. Beca's stomach felt like it was break-dancing. The kiss itself was relatively chaste, Beca had just wanted their lips to connect, badly.

When their lips met, Aubrey forgot how to breathe. A million images of the brunette flashed in her mind. But one in particular stuck out, when she leaned forward during auditions and grabbed a cup and dumped out their pens right on the table, the act was almost cat-like, and no matter how subtlety awkward Beca had been, there was power and defiance there. It made her heart skip a beat.

Maybe Aubrey had been wanting to kiss Beca all this time. She placed her fingers on Beca's face. And Beca could feel the sharpness of her carefully manicured nails. It sent shivers down her spine. And Aubrey deepened the kiss, her tongue tentatively parting Beca's lips softly pushing them apart, gently nipping with her tongue and grazing her lower lip with her teeth. Beca whimpered and melted into her seat. Aubrey whispered into their kiss, "You are a great kisser."

Beca hadn't realized how much she wanted Aubrey's approval. Fuck I'm in trouble.

Chloe and Stacie whooped and hollered. Chloe didn't feel jealousy, instead she felt the opposite. She was happy for Beca and still very much turned on.

"Wow did not think that was actually going to happen! That's hot!" Stacie proclaimed.

"I know right?" Chloe added enthusiastically.

"They look really good, don't they?" She felt legitimately happy for Beca and could almost feel what she felt in that moment.

"Huh, you're really OK with this?"

"What? Oh of course, why wouldn't I?"

"I don't know folks get jealous and stuff."

"Oh right, I don't really get jealous about this stuff though."

"What do you mean?"

"I guess I just feel happy for them, and to be a part of it. I don't know if I can explain it well. I feel like I can feel what they're feeling. I know it doesn't make a lot of sense."

Chloe laughed to herself and added, "I feel more like a kid on Christmas morning, looking at all the presents under the tree and just feeling lucky."

"Chloe… I think monogamy is wasted on you,"

The rest of the afternoon was relatively uneventful. After they ate, Aubrey excused herself to take care of some work, and Stacie followed. Sure, work, Beca joked. Chloe and Beca lounged around for a bit more, they talked and enjoyed each other's company. Letting the mellow buzz wash through them in the warmth of the California Sun. It was relaxing. It was mid-afternoon when they headed back to their villa.

Beca bit her nails absentmindedly. They'd been back in their room for an hour or so. She was still playing the kiss with Aubrey in her head on a continuous loop. It had been exceedingly sensual and it made her heart pound. She remembered how terrifying it felt to break through her fear. She remembered how Aubrey's lips had nipped her tongue. She was getting flushed and her body was getting hot. The old feelings of shame she'd been struggling with were still there, but it wasn't as loud anymore. This place, Hotel California, while terrifyingly inviting to a world of new carnal experiences and desires, also gave her a sense of comfort, that everything would be OK. In here she was safe here. Explore away, it said.

Chloe had just finished taking a bath and she walked into the room wearing a thick, comfortable white robe. She sat down to dry her hair and caught sight of Beca's entranced state. "Penny for your thoughts?"

"What? Oh, um, nothing. It's nothing."

Chloe narrowed her eyes and smiled. Nothing she says, you're adorably transparent. "You know you can talk to me about anything right?"

"Yeah, I know it's just, lots going through my mind." Beca was suddenly on her feet, pacing.

I know exactly what's going through your mind, or should I say who? I should probably help the poor thing. "You know it was super hot when you and Aubrey kissed today."

Beca almost tripped over her own feet. Damn it I can't hide anything from her. "Oh, you thought it was hot?"

"Totes," Chloe answered without missing a beat.

Beca studied her for a second. She knew Chloe would always be honest with her. If she thought it was hot, it's because it turned her on. Chloe finished blow-drying her hair and was now brushing it gently. Beca walked up behind Chloe and buried her face in her neck and gently kissed it. Chloe closed her eyes.

"You thought it was hot when I was kissing Aubrey?" Beca asked as she kissed her neck.

"I, um- Yes" She hesitated because Beca was kissing that spot in her neck that she liked so much. It had the effect of hitting the reset button on her brain. "You know if you wanted to fuck her you'd have my blessings"

"You mean that?" Beca asked between kisses as she exhaled warm air on Chloe's ear.

"Yeah, I think that'd be hot. I think she's in her office right now."

Beca took a step back and looked at her seriously.

"Are you serious right now, Chloe?"

"As a heart attack."

Beca felt like she was about to have one.

Beca was never a smoker, she hated the stuff, it smelled and it grossed her out. But right now, if a cigarette would settle her nerves she'd gladly partake.

Beca stood a few feet from Aubrey's office door. She could hear Aubrey busily working. Now that she was here, and with Chloe's blessing, she was hesitating. This was leaps and bounds harder than just kissing Aubrey.

Fear was making her hesitate. What was she so scared of exactly? She wasn't sure. Chloe gave her unbridled enthusiastic consent. She had also talked to her therapist which helped. Hell, she'd kissed Aubrey just this afternoon. So why was she still scared? Maybe it was because it felt like tempting fate, which she knew was an irrational belief that stemmed from her own insecurity. She knew this. She chose to stop letting her irrational beliefs call the shots.

Beca knocked on the door.

Aubrey was in her office, going through some documents that needed to get done. Her office was big enough for her desk and laptop, some filing cabinets, two other chairs, and a bookcase. It wasn't like her last office which had a massive window that overlooked the city and a fully stocked bar. And she loved it.

There was a knock on her door.

Beca stood in the doorway. She was wearing a black zip-up hoodie and black jeans. This was the old Beca, she even wore the black eyeliner and shadow that drew you to her captivating steel-blue gaze. She stood in Aubrey's doorway like an apparition from a Poe novel.

"Beca! What are you doing here"

"Honestly, I don't even know anymore." And once again she broke through the fear and kissed Aubrey, catching her by surprise.

"Beca… are you sure?" Aubrey was barely able to say between gasps.

"I don't know," Beca said in a soft voice. It sounded like she was drowning. Her brain was foggy and only working at half capacity.

"Beca… if it's not…" started Aubrey, breaking away from the kiss and gently removing Beca's hands.

Beca snapped. "I know! I know the rules, OK? But that's just not fair! Why does it have to be all-or-nothing! Life is not black or white! Can't I want something and be scared of wanting it?" And once again she closed the distance between them.

"What are you saying Beca?" Aubrey gently pushed her away, her hands firmly in front of her, creating a barrier.

Beca stared at her, eyes defiant. For the first time since they got there, Aubrey saw the bravery she once saw in Beca.

"I'm saying It scares me how much I want you and that's OK," Beca said in a sincere tone.

Aubrey's defenses lowered. She barely got a "fuck it" out before she grabbed Beca by the collar and pulled her in for a deeper passionate kiss.

She always does this. She comes into my life and just turns everything upside down. Once again Beca made her question everything, like she did in college. Just when life had begun to make sense, Beca shook the very foundations of it. And that's just what Aubrey had been wanting all this time. "Do you know how long I've wanted to do this Beca"

"Kiss me?"

"Grab you by your collar and then kiss you."

Aubrey tightened her grip. The kiss was desperate, rushed, passionate, and wet. It made Aubrey's sense of control, of mastery and dominance crumble. My goodness, I really want this, Aubrey thought, letting Beca sweep her the kiss deepened Beca whimpered and moved forward. She made Aubrey unconsciously step back until she bumped against the desk. Holy shit Aubrey is such a good kisser and god she's soft. Aubrey broke the kiss for a second leaving Beca dazed. Aubrey glanced back at her busy workspace bit her lip and thought. Who needs a tidy desk anyway.

Stacie knocked on Chloe and Beca's villa. "Hey boo, wanna go get a drink at the bar?"

Chloe smiled at her friend. Chloe had been lying on the bed pretending to play with her phone, but really she was picturing Beca and Aubrey together. It was turning her on. Aubrey better not wear Beca out too much cuz she was going to have her work cut out for her the second she stepped in that door. So yes, a distraction and a stiff drink would help. "Yes, please."

They settled into the bar and Stacie winced a little bit as she sat down.

"You, OK?" Chloe asked.

Stacie was still sore from Aubrey's punishment for not wearing the choker. She was certainly wearing it now, though. "Oh yes, I am." Stacie shot her a wink.

Robert appeared in minutes and took their drink orders. He was avoiding Chloe's gaze. Chloe had to appreciate how cute he was. Stacie noticed her leering at Robert. "So where's Becs?" Stacie asked to grab her attention. Chloe snapped out of it and told Stacie what just happened with Beca.

"So you sent her off to hook up with Aubrey?"

"Oh yeah."

"And you are totally cool with this?"

"Didn't we just talk about this back at the pool?"

"Yeah but… did you guys lay some ground rules?"

"Oh, I guess I didn't think about it."

Beca was on top of Aubrey and they were making out on the desk. Beca's phone buzzed in her pocket. Not now, she thought. She removed the offending device and was about to put it away but saw Chloe's name. Beca straightened up a bit, straddling the blonde beneath her and checked the message.

Aubrey was breathing heavily and took that second to cover her eyes and regain her breath. Then she realized. How the fuck am I on the bottom?

"Sorry, it's Chlo," said Beca.

"Oh, everything OK?" Aubrey gasped trying to compose herself as much as she could in her position. She still couldn't believe she was beneath Beca, on her desk, with all of her important documents and laptop scattered all over the floor.

Beca read the message out-loud. "We forgot to talk about setting some ground rules, after giving it some thought, my only rule is honesty, please be honest with me and with yourself. I'm with Stacie at the bar, come join us after. Love you."

Aubrey laughed. "We don't deserve her."

Beca smiled and bit her lip. "That's what scares me the most".

Aubrey noticed Beca slipping inside herself getting ready to succumb to the sea of intrusive thoughts. Aubrey grabbed Beca by the collar and pulled her down to eye level. She whispered in her most sultry tone with fire behind her eyes, "Stop thinking and just fucking kiss me, Beca."

Beca kissed her. Their kisses were deep and heavy, they carried the weight of their history behind them. Neither knew exactly when it all started, but now they couldn't deny that there was a nuclear level of attraction here. They say there's a fine line between hate and love, not that either hated the other, just profoundly disliked at first.

Beca started to undo Aubrey's white blouse, her fingers fumbled, she was nervous. Aubrey was starting to become exasperated and breathed into her ear, "Just rip it off." Beca did and sent the buttons flying everywhere and what was underneath was unexpected to say the least. Aubrey was wearing a strapless leather bustier. It shone and smelled of rich leather.

"Holy shit." Beca had seen outfits like these before when watching porn or rummaging through the sex shop with Chloe but never up front and center like this. While Chloe enjoyed a bit of exhibitionism, her undergarments leaned more towards lacy, colorful, and playful and Beca loved them all. But this was something else, something she felt inexplicably attracted to. Still, she froze and just took it in.

Aubrey was so accustomed these outfits that she almost forgot she was wearing it and the impact it could have. "I was going to do maintenance training on my pup later." She laughed a little bit. "Too much for you Beca?"

"Dude this is like insanely hot," Beca said as she gulped. She was entranced.

"Please don't call me dude."

"I, uh, sorry I don't know- what should I…"

"Doesn't matter just not dude." Aubrey gently pushed Beca off.

Beca dismounted and as she stepped backward, she fell into Aubrey's chair. Aubrey laughed at Beca's astonished expression. Oh darling, you are in for a ride and seductively and slowly removed the clip out of her hair allowing her golden wavy locks to cascade over her face. The goddess was coming out. Next Aubrey unfastened the buttons on her pencil length skirt, letting them fall to her high-heeled zip-up boots. Beneath her skirt was a leather thong with a zipper running from front back. Fishnet stockings adorned her long legs.

Aubrey lowered herself to Beca's level, gently gripping her chin, and with an intense gaze said, "Or if you prefer you can address me as Mistress."

One eyebrow raised in anticipation, Beca laughed a little and shifted her gaze. She ran her fingers through her hair, torn by conflicting feelings. The allure of leather, fishnets, and boots intrigued her, but she sought more than mere submission. She desired Aubrey, the person beneath the leather, the vulnerable goddess within. "I, um, don't think I want to call you Mistress."

"Oh?" The rejection felt like ice running down Aubrey's back. Once again the petite brunette before her had taken a hammer to her reality and she just froze. "What?"

"I'm sorry I- I guess I just want you? I don't know if that makes sense?" Beca rambled a little anxiously

Aubrey closed her eyes and took a moment then smiled. She really does just know how to shake me to my core, Aubrey thought to herself. "Then I guess just call me Aubrey."

"Uh-huh."

Aubrey noted Beca's smile, wide and devious. Her beautiful pearly whites were on full display.

Beca swallowed hard and her breathing immediately intensified, her heart pounded so hard she could hear it, it was deafening. "Aubrey."

"Good girl."

Those two words drove her insane, she hated/loved it with a passion. "Just call me Beca."

Aubrey smiled to herself. Of course, just us. She sat on the desk and placed her right foot just shy of Beca's crotch. Beca yelped and tried to scoot back but there was nowhere to go. Aubrey realized what she was doing. Some habits were hard to break.

Beca jumped up and kissed Aubrey before working her way downwards towards her chest. Beca was enthralled kissing each section of her neck, her collarbone, the top of the leather bustier. She was so turned on right now, she ached. She kissed the top of Aubrey's breasts, they were pushed up and generous. Beca wanted to free them.

Aubrey could feel the mounting excitement. She instinctively felt like she had to stay in control, had to stay collected. Truthfully it was all bullshit anyway, and she wasn't sure how long she could restrain herself. She grabbed a fistful of Beca's hair and pushed her towards her neck, where she loved being kissed.

Beca whimpered with the sudden feel of her hair being jerked and then being pressed against Aubrey's neck. Aubrey smelled like Coco Chanel and perspiration. Beca kissed her neck gently, not trusting herself not to bite her hard.

"That's good Beca," Aubrey gasped.

Beca began to suck and gently scraped her teeth against her skin. Aubrey needed some distance before she melted. She once again grabbed a fistful of Beca's hair and pulled her back. Beca's eyes were hooded, drunk with lust.

Beca noticed Aubrey's lips were bright red, her lipstick smudged. She wanted it. Beca started to lean forward to kiss her only to be met with the resistance of Aubrey holding her hair in place. It elicited a surge through her and she smiled with her mouth open. She still came forward much to her strength surprising Aubrey. "I don't care if you rip my hair off Aubrey."

Aubrey gasped, she wanted things to go at her own pace but Beca wasn't having it, and in seconds she broke through Aubrey's resistance. They kissed again, Aubrey's red lipstick smearing Beca's lips. She was water and Beca was dehydrated, she wanted to drink her in. Fireworks exploded in her head, and the room spun. Aubrey broke the kiss and pulled Beca's head back again.

"Can you undress for me?" Aubrey tried not to make it sound like a demand.

Beca considered it for a second and decided to do it. She wobbled back and unzipped her hoodie and slowly lifted off her black Prince T-shirt, revealing pale skin and a black bra that barely contained her breasts. She made to undo the top button of her skinny jeans while slipping off her thick Doc Martin boots.

Aubrey watched her closely, taking in every inch of her. To Aubrey, Beca was always attractive. She found herself drawn to her darkness, the subtle tasteful tattoos, the black eyeliner, the dark shade of her lipstick, even the spiky ear monstrosities she gave her such a hard time for. Beca's pants came off completely, underneath them she was wearing black boy shorts. Aubrey's gaze went from admiration to predatory and she stood up and pushed Beca against the bookcase behind her. Her hand wrapped gently around her neck.

Aubrey couldn't maintain her composure any longer, she just wanted to go wild on Beca. She kissed her neck, alternating between breathing hot air against her skin and licking it. The myriad of sensations made Beca's eyes roll back and she moaned loudly. Aubrey used her tongue to carefully navigate the multiple earrings in Beca's ears. She could hear her breathe out, "Shit!" Aubrey's hands explored each inch of Beca's body, settling between her legs. She slipped her hands underneath Beca's underwear, and could feel how wet she was. She removed her hands for a second much to Beca's protest.

Aubrey grabbed a pair of scissors from her desk. "Can I?" Who are you right now Aubrey?

Beca, still drunk with lust, nodded. Aubrey carefully cut off her boy shorts with the scissors. The coldness of the metal stung Beca's skin and made her jump and yelped. It felt like ice falling on lava.

Aubrey thought about giving her bra the same treatment but decided against it. "This is cute," she said and expertly unclasped the back letting the bra fall. Beca stood on full display in front of Aubrey. Her pale skin was covered in a light sheen of perspiration. Her breasts visibly heaving with desire. Aubrey had to admit that she looked damned delicious. "Let's see if we can get a repeat of this morning."

Beca knew exactly what she was talking about. She had no idea how it happened but she remembered how it felt. Aubrey's lips kissed her breast, leaving red lip marks around them. Beca loved how they looked on her skin, she made a note of maybe considering making it a new tattoo. While Aubrey's lips teased Beca's nipples her right hand went back down to explore her uncovered pussy. Her left hand was still gently placed on Beca's neck, there was no pressure involved which Beca was grateful for.

"I want you to try and keep your hands above your head."

"I make no promises," Beca said defiantly.

Aubrey raised an eyebrow there's that defiance again. Aubrey'sfingers began working their magic, they were gentle but rough, they circled and inserted expertly. Inside her fingers searched and gently pushed. And Beca almost bit off her tongue with delight. The pushing and pulling intensified. Beca could feel her knees weaken and begin to buckle. She was starting to leak, much more than before. A warning sign of things to come.

Beca could feel the familiar pressure build once more, it was like a tsunami smashing against a crumbling dam. It rose and surged and threatened. Beca's gasp became hurried and panicked. Her knees buckled and her hips thrust against Aubrey's hand.

"That's it Beca, let go and come for me." Then Aubrey moved her hand to stimulate her clit hard. The time to be delicate long gone.

Beca smacked her head against the wall. Her arms came down around Aubrey's neck, she never made any promises anyway. To Aubrey's surprise she welcomed it and it spurred her on. And when she came she screamed a melodic "fuck" and the floodgates opened. It was in torrents. That was all she had left and lost all strength in her legs and crumbled. Aubrey caught her and embraced her. She was immensely happy, she made Beca orgasm so hard she almost fainted.

"Oh baby you did so good!"

Beca barely had the strength to embrace her, all she could do was let her weight fall on the tall blonde. They both slowly sat on the floor and Beca rested her head on Aubrey's lap. Aubrey gently caressed her hair and her face, her fingers running circles, it felt heavenly. She leaned forward and gave Beca a gentle kiss on her forehead, once again leaving her mark.

"Did I… die?"

"No baby, you are just coming down, it's OK take your time."

Aubrey loved to perform aftercare, it was one of the most important parts of her Dominatrix experience. It strengthened her bond between her and her subs. She knew that those dynamics weren't at play here but she just wanted to stay here in this moment, gently caressing Beca's hair, strengthening their bond.

Beca wanted to sleep, but she feared if she did she might not wake up. She'd felt like this before, the post-orgasm afterglow where her body felt stuck somewhere between the earthly realm and the ethereal. It was her favorite part. She never imagined she'd be in this position with Aubrey though. Suddenly thoughts of Chloe flooded her mind. She wondered what she was doing now, probably adorably drunk and dancing with Stacie. Interestingly enough she didn't feel any guilt or shame. She just wanted to see her and tell her everything, she felt a deep sense of happiness. She wanted to see Chloe's face light up and to feel her embrace.

Aubrey interrupted her thoughts. "How are you feeling?"

"Dude, I'm not a 100% sure I'm alive right now. But I'm getting there."

"Back to dude huh?" Aubrey paralleled Chloe's sentiment, its always back to dude.

Beca laughed and pressed her hands against her eyes, "Yep" she said half serious half laughing.

"You are unapologetically yourself aren't you?"

"I don't know how to be any other way."

"I think that's why I'm so attracted to you."

Aubrey didn't feel as confident a Domme with Beca, but she was able to maintain some semblance of control for like a second. It had taken a lot of strength and willpower. But she found that she didn't care anymore, not really, not with Beca. Beca had called her by her name, had actually managed to pin her against her desk, had made her forget about all of the work she had on it. And by god had straddled her. Not even Stacie had been able to straddle her and not for lack of trying.

"Beca."

"Aubrey?"

"Now that we have a moment, there's something I've wanted to say. You frustrate me."

Beca was about to protest but Aubrey stopped her.

"Let me finish. My life usually makes sense. Well, at least it used to. Back in college and even these days. You come in like a hurricane and you just change everything. And initially it was really hard Beca, but somewhere along the lines, I realized that's good, you know. I don't know if you even do it on purpose or if you're just being yourself but you really know how to push me out of my comfort zone."

"Do I? I-uh I'm sorry, I'm not like doing it on purpose or anything." Beca's voice was soft and a little sleepy but she was still concerned.

"Don't be sorry Beca, please don't, that's not what this is about. I think I'm trying to explain just how much that means to me, how much you meant to me and how much you've changed me. I think if it wasn't for you I don't think I'd feel… satisfied? Content? Happy? I don't know."

Beca wasn't sure how to process this and she hesitated to ask, "Am I… have I really been that important for you?"

"Yeah, I don't know where or even who I'd be if you hadn't come into my life but- But Beca, I don't…"

"What are you trying to say Aubrey?"

"I'm trying to say, thank you. Thank you so much for being you."

"You're welcome, I guess."

Aubrey smiled inwardly, recognizing that Beca would never fully comprehend how much of an impact she'd made in her life. And that was OK. Along with Chloe, they'd given her a sense of bliss, gratitude, and love. She'd do anything for them, booking out the Hotel California was a mere gesture. For them, Aubrey would climb mountains and move oceans. Aubrey hadn't felt this much love in what felt like a long time and tears started to fall down her cheeks.

A single drop fell on Beca's cheek and she opened her eyes. "You OK, Aubrey?"

"I'm more than OK, Beca. But how about you? How are you feeling?" She wiped away her tears and smiled as she tried to compose herself. It was a very Aubrey thing to do.

"Yeah, I think my legs are slowly coming back to life, but walking is gonna suck."

"I'll take that as a compliment."

"It is."

"Actually, I have something for you"

Without rustling too much she reached into one of her cabinets and pulled out something black. It was a black choker. It had a ring in the front. It was tasteful, thin, and high quality. Beca eyed it and laughed a little.

"A choker, dude? Really?"

"I know how it looks, but… I think I just want you to have it. No strings attached whatsoever. You don't even have to wear it if you don't want to. I just- I just want you to have it. Maybe something to remember tonight by."

"OK, maybe for tonight, but just for the record, I don't need anything to remember tonight," Beca said. She gestured for Aubrey to place it on her.

This small gesture moved Aubrey immensely and she gently placed the choker against Beca's slim neck. She could make out her signature red kisses all over Beca's neck, collarbone, and breast. "It looks good on you, it suits you."

"Thanks, I guess?" Beca raised an eyebrow. She could understand Stacie a little better now.

Aubrey was struggling to understand Beca's role. She decided to leave labels for another day and just enjoy her as much as she could. "Honestly Beca I don't… I just like how it looks on you, matches your aesthetic."

"Cool," Beca said as she relaxed into Aubrey's embrace. She wasn't sure if she was into the whole being submissive thing, but in the heat of the moment, she did enjoy how Aubrey had asked her to undress and how she'd pin her against the wall.

"So, drinks? You should really hydrate."

"I do need to hydrate but my clothes, and oh my god Aubrey your place I'm so sorry!" Beca said her voice laden with guilt as she finally noticed the mess all around them.

"Worth it." She pulled her in for one final tender kiss.

To be continued.