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Not kidding. :-)
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Miranda had thought Andrea was joking when she had offered to massage her feet, but now she sat with her laptop propped up on her legs, and her naked feet on top of a towel in Andrea's lap. Andrea had folded the towel over the foot she wasn't working on.

"We can't have you get cold." Andrea had brought some unknown concoction in a plastic bottle from her toiletry bag. It had a familiar, but discreet scent. Lavender, but not overwhelming.

When Andrea had warmed the lavender oil in her hands, and then wrapped them around Miranda's left foot, she had, embarrassingly, not been able to hold back a moan. Closing her eyes, Miranda had allowed herself to enjoy the massage for a full three minutes before she opened her laptop and brought up the digital copy of the Book. Usually, she forgot the world around her when she edited the latest additions to the Book, but now she found she had to actively focus on the sometimes-disappointing efforts.

What didn't disappoint was how Andrea treated her feet. Going back and forth between firm touches, and what could only be described as caresses, Miranda hoped she would be able to keep quiet as she surmised Andrea was soon about to switch over to her right foot. And, oh God, that first touch.

"Switching," Andrea said quietly, as if not to disturb Miranda in her work.

"Mm-hm." Miranda clenched her thighs as she felt her core begin to ache. This was proving too much for her to handle. It was as if her arousal gage was always on when Andrea was near, and when she touched Miranda, it started moving up far too quickly. If Andrea kept this up, Miranda would suffer through more 'messes' before this day was over.

Andrea shifted the towel and covered Miranda's now humming left foot, and poured more oil in her left hand, and rubbed her palms together. She took Miranda's right foot between her hands and pressed her thumbs gently into her arch.

"Oh." Damn! She was prepared and yet she couldn't keep it together.

Andrea used her thumbs intermittently and worked at the ever-present knots, and then she cupped Miranda's heel and worked up her Achilles tendon.

"Oh, God!" Miranda slammed the lid of her laptop closed and tossed her head back.

"Does it hurt?" Andrea stopped moving her hands.

Miranda glared at her. "Yes, but not enough for you to stop."

"Sorry." Grinning, Andrea continued, and now there was no chance Miranda could even think about working on the Book. She moved the laptop over to the coffee table and leaned her head against a decorative pillow, propped against the armrest. Moaning again, as Andrea kept working her tendon, she felt Andrea's hand slip even further up than she had before. Miranda's wide leisure suit pants had ridden up to just below her knee and now Andrea massaged her calf.

"You are playing with fire," Miranda said, as her entire abdomen was tensing up. She was responding to Andrea's touch in such a visceral way, she knew she had to put a stop to this. Andrea was adamant about them taking it slow, and Miranda knew she was right, but if she kept touching her like this, Miranda was going to have to excuse herself and retreat to her bedroom.

"Just relax, Miranda. You need this. I'm finally getting rid of the knots. Your other leg wasn't as bad." Andrea pushed and smoothed against Miranda's muscle tissues, slowly, and sometimes painfully, she worked the sore calf until she was pleased. When she was done, Miranda remained still, one of her lower arms flung across her face.

Andrea covered both her feet with the towel. "There. Much better." Her voice proved she was smiling, but there was no glee. "How does it feel?"

"Hm." Miranda didn't dare speak.

"Miranda?"

"Give me a moment," Miranda whispered.

"But are you all right? Or did I actually hurt you?" Now, Andrea sounded alarmed.

"A moment!" Miranda tried breathing slowly and evenly.

Andrea was quiet for a while, but the mere fact that she was there, still cradling her feet, made it impossible for Miranda to relax, to dial her raging arousal back. She'd had hundreds of massages over the years, and not a single time had she felt even remotely aroused. The opposite, in fact. She often found them a necessary evil as she felt trapped.

"What's wrong, Miranda?" Andrea asked quietly and placed a hand on her leg, just above her knee. If Andrea had kept her hand still, Miranda might have been able to block the sensations—then again who was she trying to fool? Now she pressed her lips together, trying to stifle a whimper, but that meant she couldn't answer Andrea, who in turn moved Miranda's feet off her lap and then moved off the couch.

For a moment, Miranda hoped Andrea was off to wash her hands, but then she felt a gentle hand on her stomach. Miranda snapped her eyes open and stared at Andrea over her arm.

Andrea sat kneeling on the floor next to Miranda and looked at her with genuine concern. "Please. Talk to me."

"No. I can't. Just let me…" Miranda tensed as Andrea moved the hand on her stomach in a gentle circle, no doubt intending to soothe. "You have to stop—touching—me." Miranda crossed her legs, but that was yet another miscalculation. How could she be this aroused that she found it difficult to calm down? Miranda could safely say that nobody had ever had this effect on her.

"Stop touching you? Why…" Andrea's eyes grew wide and then she blushed faintly. "Oh. I see."

To Miranda's utter shock, Andrea moved the arm she used to cover her face and then pressed her lips gently to her temple. "I wasn't aware that the massage had such an effect. Should I apologize?"

Miranda growled. "You should be quiet." Andrea's voice seemed to wrap around Miranda and seep into her veins. There, they traveled with her bloodstream and increased the heat everywhere. "I'm trying…to hold it together and you keep talking."

"Do you want me to leave you alone for a bit?" Andrea straightened, but still kept her hand on Miranda's stomach.

Did she? Miranda's mind whirled. Did she want Andrea to go into her bedroom and leave her there on the couch to cool off all alone? Grow cold, even. "No."

"Then tell me what you need." Andrea leaned in again. "And for God's sake, you're so tense right now, you're undoing all my excellent work."

Miranda glared at Andrea again. "Not. Helping."

"But I could. Help. If you trust me enough." Andrea sighed. "You really can trust me, Miranda."

"I know that." Miranda was pressing her legs firmly together, as she felt how wet she'd become. She knew Andrea must have guessed that, but she hated how vulnerable it made her feel. "Dare I ask what your idea of helping entails?"

Andrea pushed Miranda's bangs out of her eyes with gentle fingers that smelled of lavender. "I'm glad you don't want me to leave you here alone." She caressed Miranda's cheek down to her neck. Miranda thought she wouldn't go beyond where she had stopped so far when they'd been unable to keep their hands off each other. Instead, Andrea hummed under her breath and pushed Miranda's spaghetti strap aside. She bent and kissed her collarbone gently. "We could do what we did last Sunday evening, but without the phones." Andrea regarded Miranda guardedly.

Miranda tried to wrap her brain around Andrea's words. "You want me to touch myself…with you here?" Blinking, Miranda was certain she had misunderstood.

"Yes, but you wouldn't be alone. If you want, I could join you." Running the fingers of her hand that had rested on Miranda's stomach up between her breasts, Andrea let a finger caress the indentation beneath Miranda's throat.

"You are literally trying to kill me," Miranda whispered. "You said we needed to take it slower this time, and I agreed. Do you call this slow?"

"Yes. I do. Considering that we're showing such restraint, and we really are trying to do it differently this time, proves that we are both motivated. Don't you agree?" Andrea looked intently at Miranda, but she didn't remove her hand. "If you want to retire to your room, and, uhm, take care of business by yourself…I would completely understand that. Or if you would rather use my shower and have a cold one." Andrea smiled, but it didn't quite reach her eyes.

"That's not even an option," Miranda said and took a fistful of Andrea's hair. "Kiss me."

Andrea didn't hesitate. She leaned in and pressed her lips to Miranda's and when Miranda parted hers, Andrea slipped her tongue inside. She hummed as she caressed Miranda's tongue with hers.

Arching off the couch, Miranda whimpered into Andrea's mouth, so hot now, she couldn't be bothered with any embarrassment.

Pulling back enough to talk, Andrea whispered, "Do you want to touch yourself, Miranda? I can watch, or I can turn my back. It's up to you."

"What do you want?" Miranda studied Andrea closely. "You talk about me, my arousal, but what about you?"

Andrea ran a finger from one of Miranda's collar bones and over to the other. "I want to watch—if it is okay."

"And you would…join me? How?" Miranda cupped Andrea's chin and slid her thumb along her lips.

Andrea hesitated for the first time. "My bed? Your bed? Here? I don't care. I'm so wet for you."

"Oh!" Miranda crossed her legs again. "Then come with me." She stood once Andrea had moved to the side. Taking Andrea's hand, she pulled her along into her bedroom. Climbing onto the bed, she stacked some pillows against the headboard and sat leaning against them. Spreading her legs, though still dressed, she motioned for Andrea to join her. "If you want, you can sit here." She patted the bed between her legs. "I just want to hold you, for now."

Andrea didn't hesitate this time. She climbed onto the bed and settled in with her back against Miranda. Just wrapping her arms around Andrea made everything begin to settle some within her.

"Don't worry. Just lean against me. Trust me." Miranda nuzzled Andrea's hair behind her ear. "You smell divine."

"Mm." It was Andrea's turn to hum.

"And I've wanted to hold you all day, I just didn't know I was going to be on the verge of an orgasm while doing it." Miranda had to chuckle. "I'm sorry for the drama."

"Don't be." Andrea sighed and turned her head to kiss Miranda's cheek. "It caught you by surprise, that's all."

Miranda smiled. "Really, Andrea? My own catchphrase?"

Andrea smiled against Miranda's skin. "I'm sure you can be persuaded to share."

"I'm sure I can be persuaded to do a lot of things when it comes to you." Miranda pushed Andrea's hair out of her way and kissed her neck. "So smooth."

Andrea's legs were trembling, and it was obvious that she was trying not to rest them against Miranda's.

"Just relax your legs, Andrea. Let them fall open if that's what you need. You can do anything you want, I'll be here just holding you." Miranda didn't think it was lying by omission, that her nipples were caressed indirectly by how Andrea leaned against her. And Andrea should be able to feel it, as Miranda's nipples were rock hard to the point where it nearly hurt.

"But you are so on edge, you said." Andrea tried to meet Miranda's gaze over her shoulder. "You…"

"I will enjoy you no matter what you do. Trust me, I will come. It will not take much." Going from wanting to hide on the couch, to feeling utterly safe in her bedroom with Andrea, could give anyone emotional whiplash, but Miranda took it for the gift it was.

"Just touch yourself, Andrea. I can feel how much you want to. If you could do it over the phone, you can do it now. You said so to me." She pressed her lips against Andrea's neck again. "If you want, I can help you take your pants off. If you're too uncomfortable?"

"Miranda. Yes. Will you do the same?"

Not having thought that far, Miranda still nodded as if she'd never hesitated for a millisecond.

Andrea shifted and pulled off her flannels. She wore white cotton panties, to go with tank top #2, since #1 was drying in her bathroom. Miranda shoved her pants down and tossed them to the foot of the bed. Andrea hurried to resume her position between Miranda's legs, leaning back against her. Again, Miranda wrapped her arms around her.

"I…I feel you against me. I mean, your nipples." Andrea squirmed.

"I thought as much." Miranda smiled into Andrea's hair. "Do you mind?"

"Are you crazy? No." Andrea took a deep breath and then let her legs fall apart.

Miranda made sure they rested against hers. "Like that," she whispered. "Perfect, like that."

Andrea raised her hands and pushed them under her tank top. Cupping her breasts, she squirmed again.

Miranda adjusted Andrea a little to the side, as she didn't want to miss anything. She saw how Andrea rolled her nipples under the fabric and dreamed of the day when she would see Andrea do this without clothes on…or be allowed to do it to her.

Shivering, Andrea whimpered and pressed her head against Miranda's shoulder. "I feel your legs around me. I…I feel safe."

"Good. Miranda felt their legs rub together whenever Andrea shifted or rolled her hips. "You're beautiful."

"God, Miranda…" Andrea pushed one hand down into her panties and then just held it there, very still. Mewling, she bit her lower lip and concerned that Andrea might bruise it, Miranda used one hand to turn her face toward hers. Kissing her gently, she made Andrea stop digging her teeth into the softness of her lower lip.

"Don't injure yourself, Andrea. Bite me if you must, but don't bruise your lip."

"Bite you?" A gentle smile and then a soft chuckle from Andrea gave Miranda goosebumps.

"Yes. I give you permission for the future."

"Jesus…" Andrea began moving her fingers in small circles inside her panties, and now she moaned as she increased the speed. "Mi—Miranda…don't let go."

"I won't." The sight of Andrea touching herself nearly made Miranda come. She was so wet, she knew her La Perlas weren't able to contain it. "Can you feel how wet you make me?" she heard herself ask.

"Yes. Oh, yes." Andrea trembled. "Soon, I'm going to ask you to take me, to fill me, and make me come all over you. For now…this…" She moved her fingers faster and then she grew rigid. "Ah! Miranda." A keening sound came in waves as Andrea bucked against her fingers.

Miranda tried to push a hand in between her and Andrea, but there was not enough space. Gasping, she pressed against Andrea, but the angle wasn't right. So close, it hurt, Miranda began to shake.

"Wait…" Andrea was still breathing fast but moved to kneel between Miranda's legs. Miranda looked dazedly at her as she pushed her hand inside her La Perlas. Crying out, she arched her back, moving her hand slowly.

"There. You'll be fine. Just breathe. I'm here." Andrea's voice made Miranda able to relax as she sat back on her knees and supported Miranda's legs.

"Andrea." All Miranda had to do was press the base of her hand against her clitoris and move it in a circle—and then she came so hard, she fell back against the pillows. "Yes!"

She convulsed and then she felt Andrea's arms around her.

"So beautiful," Andrea said huskily. "So trusting and so very beautiful."

Miranda closed her eyes and allowed her body to slump against Andrea's. "I'm not sure…this is us taking it slow." She swallowed against the sudden dryness at the back of her throat. "I think taking it slow means not having sex."

"I know." Andrea smoothed Miranda's hair back. "I think I might have miscalculated a few things."

"I think so too."

Andrea chuckled quietly. "May I stay here tonight?"

"I hoped you would want to." Miranda pulled Andrea down for yet another kiss. "Are you all right with us going a little less slow, even if we need to be careful with each other?" She held her breath.

"I am. It's one thing to be careful—a completely different matter to be ridiculously so. I'm glad you want to be careful, though. The closer we get, the higher the risk. We both have stated very clearly that we won't do well if we screw it up."

"Then let's not do that." Miranda shifted. "She managed to pull her robe close to her. "I'll go switch off the lights." She did so and after returning to the bedroom, she saw that Andrea had readied the bed. Miranda let her lace panties fall to the floor, not able to have them chafe against her any longer. Taking off her robe she slipped into bed. Not about to act like they hadn't just been completely vulnerable with each other, she pulled Andrea close. "I just want to hold you some more."

"That makes two of us."

Miranda smoothed down Andrea's tank top and wasn't surprised when her hand met only skin as she ran it along Andrea's silky buttock. "Mm."

"You feeling me up, Priestly?" Andrea pivoted in Miranda's arms, turning her back, and, of course, those buttocks toward her.

"Yes. Unintentionally. But yes." Miranda tugged Andrea toward her with an arm around her waist. She lay still, listening to Andrea's breaths become even.

Miranda admitted she was still nervous about their past, and what lay ahead, but this was in part why she asked Andrea to join her in Seattle. She had to find out if it felt like it used to between them even out of the bedroom.

So far, it did. The fact that they were so ready for each other just at a mere glance, was not new. It had been the same after that first night in Paris—and still, they had lost each other, and in Miranda's case, all hope of anything even resembling that closeness, that…love.

Miranda closed her eyes, and just before she fell asleep, she felt Andrea search for her hand and tug it firmer around her. "Miranda…"

"Shh. Go back to sleep," Miranda said under her breath just before she dozed off.

Continued in part 12.