CHARACTER DISCLAIMER:
The characters herein are mine. Any resemblance to real or fictional people are strictly part of your imagination. Some places in the story are real and some are fictional.

LOVE/SEX WARNING/DISCLAIMER:
This story depicts an explicit love/sexual relationship between two consenting adult women. If you are under 18 years of age or if this type of story is illegal in the state or country in which you live, please do not read it. If depictions of this nature disturb you, you may wish to read something other than this story.

Authors note: I want to take a second to thank those of you who poked and prodded me to write this sequel. I wasn't nearly done with these ladies. My list buds, who let me use their names in vain. :-)

Author's other note: Thank you's, applause and lotsa double fudge brownies to Stacia, Complx and Geebs for helping the girls to speak with proper grammar and punctuation. And to Rachel for her endless inspiration.

Reece's Faith

Chapters 35 - 54

Faith jumped up, startled. Not knowing why she was awake or what woke her, she rubbed her face and snuggled back down into the bed. Then it hit her. "Reece?" The bed was empty. She looked at the clock and became worried.

She quickly threw on Reece's shirt, managing to button it halfway before hurrying out of bed. "Reece?" she glanced at the darkened bathroom. With her heart pounding, she hurried down the stairs. Coming to the living room, she heard the television and then saw Reece. She was in her underwear and a tank top, sitting in the recliner drinking a beer and, by the empties on the side of the chair, she'd been at it a while. The blue glow of the TV, combined with the twinkling of the Christmas tree, allowed the actress to drink in the tension of Reece's features.

Faith slipped into the room and stood there, not knowing what to do. Still slightly disoriented, she struggled to figure out what had gone wrong between going to bed and now. We had such fun last night, she remembered, but it really has been a wild ride these last two days. Poor Reece hasn't had a moment to herself. Maybe she needs some time. She's been acting so different all day. I wish she would talk to me. Faith jumped when the television was shut off.

"What's it like to have parents?" Reece barely spoke. It was more like a whisper.

"What did it feel like?" she pulled the recliner upright and twisted around to look at the actress.

"Reece, I don't understand what you're asking. That's a very complex question," Faith sat on the armrest and stroked her lover's cheek.

"Your mom, she hugged you, right?" the tall woman said cryptically, then stood up and left the room.

Faith stood as well and scrubbed her face with both hands. She was not at all prepared for this. What exactly happened with mom today?

Reece appeared with another beer. She sat down again and stared at the tree. "Did you get ice cream if you got an 'A'?"

Reece's attitude made Faith nervous and it relieved her to see her lover take a deep breath, releasing it as a heavy sigh. She knows she's being a bitch. Thank you for trying, baby.

"I was watching this show on PAX... Don't ask. It was oh, so goddamned perfect I wanted to puke. But all of a sudden, I felt... Never mind, it's stupid. Go back to bed," Reece reclined the chair and guzzled her beer.

The actress sat on the floor in front of the chair and chewed on the many things she wanted to say. Reece was upset, that was apparent, but she was brooding over something that couldn't be changed. She has to deal with this. As fucked up as that sounds... it's the truth. Yet Faith knew she couldn't tell her in those words. She looked at the woman she loved. Reece was feeling quite pitiful, her face was so sad that it broke Faith's heart to see her like his. Reece had just experienced her first family Christmas... as a grown adult. The tall woman was never exposed to something like that before and it really got to her. I can't even begin to imagine what this must have brought up for her, the horrible childhood memories she probably struggles with to hide every day.

Faith wanted her lover to get this anger out of her system. She'd happily bear the brunt of the tirade, if it made her feel better. Judging by he glassy shine in those troubled blue eyes, she was quite high and on her way to becoming totally drunk. In Reece's case, drunk and pity made for a very unmanageable team.

"Vanilla with sprinkles. It was my favorite," Faith answered the long forgotten question.

"We had cookouts on July fourth and huge family gatherings on most every holiday."

The club owner finished her beer and put the empty bottle on the floor with the others.

"I had it pretty good compared to some. Sure, my parents weren't perfect, but they did the best they knew how. I certainly wasn't easy," she smiled at her many childhood memories.

"Mom wasn't as cool as she is now. She used to make me cry when she brushed my hair. She always made my pigtails too tight and I hated Mary Janes."

Reece turned her full attention to Faith. She imagined how her lover must have looked as a five-year-old with pigtails and shiny shoes.

Faith turned towards the tree. "Christmas morning wasn't like you think, though. Yeah, there were lots of presents, but mom was too anal to allow me to go wild with the wrapping paper. She saved it, you know. I don't know what for, I personally never saw the same paper again."

"When I was in the second grade, I played a tube of toothpaste in my class play -- Tammy Toothpaste. My costume was nothing more than two giant pieces of cardboard stapled together and a plastic cap on my head. I couldn't walk for fear of tipping over and all I had was one line. 'Use me twice daily.'"

"I thought you'd like that. My dad must have taken a thousand pictures of me that morning. He was so proud of his little girl. He bragged about it for weeks." Seeing a bit of tooth appear between Reece's lips Faith got up and moved to the armrest again.

"Mom never told me she was proud of me when I was a kid, but Dad made up for it. I certainly was Daddy's little girl."

"I don't think I can blame him," the tall woman whispered. She grinned when Faith blushed.

"Every Saturday morning, I used to jump on their bed, to Mother's dismay, and lay on top of his belly. Flat across it, like he wasn't even there. It had to be uncomfortable, I mean he must have had to pee."

"We'd watch cartoons until Mother's yammering forced us to go downstairs. He'd then make some sorry excuse for waffles or an omelet, but I loved that time with my daddy."

"Sunday mornings, we went out for breakfast. My favorite was the pancake house. I always wanted to order the chocolate chip pancakes with the powdered sugar. Mom was dead set against it, so I always wound up with some sort of blander stack and when they weren't looking, I'd pour all three syrups on them."

"I'm sure your dad was on to you," Reece wrapped her arm around Faith's waist and pulled her onto her lap.

Faith snuggled into her lover's chest and leaned her head back onto her shoulder. She paused to let the comforting feeling wash over her as it always did when she was surrounded by Reece. "He was. One time, Mother was out of town at some function and it was just the two of us. The waiter asked me what I was having and Dad said, 'Chocolate chip pancakes with extra powdered sugar for my little girl.' When it got there, he pushed the syrup holder at me and told me to go to town."

The actress breathed a contented sound. "All over the car, but it was worth it. Eventually though, I grew up and my father wasn't so cool to me anymore."

The club owner rubbed her face against Faith's hair, closing her eyes. The sound of her voice and the buzz of the alcohol soothed Reece immensely, but she was still uneasy, her foot shaking a mile a minute. She knew that she'd have to get this out of her system sooner or later; she opted for later and let the warmth of Faith's body seep into her.

"I guess it was a mutual thing. I wasn't such a little girl anymore. I think it hurt him when I told him I really don't want to spend weekends farting around with my folks. I had better things to do."

"I guess, but he busied himself with work and spent much more time at the country club. I was busy with my friends, studying for a college I wanted no part of plus the acting program took up all my spare time."

"Oh, she was always running somewhere with the girls. The only quality time I spent with her was when we went to the stables. Mom loved to ride the horses. We did that once a week, but we never talked much about anything."

"She really was good. She even won some ribbons when she was younger. She also had a crush on her female instructor."

After some quiet nuzzling, Reece kissed her lover's ear and smiled. "Thank you Faith."

"Anytime, baby," she turned in her lover's arms, surprised at how strongly Reece was clutching her. "Are you ok?" she asked, feeling the tall woman's grip loosen slightly.

"Now I am. I was feeling pretty sorry for myself for a while there," Reece admitted.

"And that's understandable. You missed out, Reece, and it must be hard to deal with it. I couldn't imagine living your life. I'm just glad that you survived it."

"Sometimes I don't think I did. Sometimes I feel like I'm so empty, like I have nothing left to give. Nothing to draw from when I need to... and it makes me so angry to feel so useless."

"I have you, why should I feel so useless?" Reece wondered, a touch of anger seeped through her frustration.

Faith kissed her eyelids and then her lips. "I can't make everything go away, Reece. God, how I wish I could. Some things you have to do by yourself and sometimes they never get better, but you'll never be alone anymore."

"Promise me, Faith. I need to hear that you aren't going away. Please tell me," Reece's voice was so urgent and her eyes so full of fear.

The actress knew that this was the most important thing in Reece's world right now. She was more than happy to oblige. "I promise, Reece. I promise you that I'll never go away."

Reece was so relieved, so overwhelmed with emotion that she felt like screaming. She held onto her lover until she successfully fought the urge. Suddenly aware of the warm flesh under her hands, her eyes narrowed. Staring into Faith's deep green eyes, a completely different urge thrummed through her body.

Uh oh. Reece breathed in deeply, trying to fight the shaking in her hands. Seeing Faith's lips part and a short gasp escape them, she knew the actress had read her expression and she regretted her unguarded moment. A nervous sheen of sweat appeared above her upper lip and she swiped it away with her tongue.

You had a feeling this was gonna happen, Faith thought nervously, but it was brief. Once that tongue came out, her body reacted on its own accord. "Yes, Reece... I'm all yours," Faith shivered, tilting her head up and closing her eyes in acceptance.

Reece blinked a few times in disbelief. Faith was offering herself. YES! she shouted in her head.

Reece kissed Faith so hard and with so much emotion, the red head's heart felt like it may explode.

Good god! Faith felt all the hairs on her body stand on end. Reece's whole body trembled with restraint; her long fingers clutched her shoulders tightly. Ohh, this is soo good, the actress wrapped her arms around Reece's neck and struggled to keep up with her starving lover.

The kiss was endless and hungry, sloppy and forceful. Faith felt her lips swelling, bruising and welcomed it with gusto. It felt as if Reece was feeding off of her, and it was setting her whole body on fire.

Faith instantly wrapped her legs around her waist and her arms tightened around Reece's neck. She dug her fingers into the long black tresses and groaned deeply into her lover's mouth.

Reece slid off the chair to her knees on the floor. She wrapped her arms around Faith's back and squeezed her impossibly close. She felt like she'd die if she let go. She whimpered uncontrollably, deep within her throat.

The actress heard the barely audible sound and she braced herself. Her lover needed to release all the emotions raging through her. The energy had been building all day, from the club to her father and finally the triumph of knowing that she was hers to possess. Faith knew Reece was only capable of two such releases: fury and sex. The thought of her lover taking her with this much pent-up energy made her head swim and her sex throb.

Reece needed Faith; she needed to give her the only thing she was confident she had. However, she was past the point of control and giving Faith what she had to offer was not a choice the actress could make anymore. It was a necessity on Reece's part. She couldn't speak, so she grunted helplessly into Faith's mouth.

The actress nodded, she wanted this as much as Reece did. Sucking the thrusting tongue into her mouth and holding it with her teeth, she released Reece's hair and pushed her shoulders. The tall woman arched back enough for Faith to tear off her shirt, while Reece ripped her own right down the middle.

The actress threw herself at her lover's bare chest and the tall woman fell backwards, reaching an arm behind her for support. Reece's other hand was pawing and groping everywhere, nothing was untouched, Faith's shoulders, her throat, her bucking hips, her backside. Reece's hand was roaming up and down, scratching marks down her twitching back, digging into the sides of her breasts.

Faith whimpered from the nails digging into her and squirmed against her lover's damp body. Reece's breasts crushed her own, the nipples poking rigidly into her flesh. The desperate way Reece was touching her caused great floods of arousal to pour between her legs.

The club owner lurched and arched, following Faith's every move, not wanting to lose contact. The urge to possess was quickly becoming a need. She bit Faith's lips, pulling them, sucking them.

Faith bucked erratically as the sensations from her mouth traveled with lightening speed to her sex. The feel of Reece's skin, slick and hot, combined with the trembling in her barely controlled muscles, drove Faith insane. She ground herself fiercely into Reece's body, leaving trails of arousal on the club owner's already wet skin. She was panting into Reece's mouth; she wanted to feel the weight of the woman on top of her. She wanted to look up into those wild blue eyes as she gave her the ultimate pleasure. Faith groaned loudly and tugged at the strong shoulders until they lowered, pulling the long body on top of her.

Reece reached behind her and held Faith's legs in place as she stretched out her own. She fell heavily onto her lover and growled as strong legs clenched around her waist. She drove her body hard and fast into the smaller woman relentlessly, overwhelmed by her need to hear Faith scream her name. She swallowed a loud cry as Faith's nails broke the skin on her shoulders. Fearing she hurt her lover, Reece pulled her mouth away and breathed heavily, "I'm sorry... Oh god, Faith..." she grunted and clenched her teeth. Sweat dripped down the sides of her face.

"I can't control... I don't think I can..." she panted even as she resumed thrusting into Faith.

The actress was astounded that Reece would apologize for her lack of control. While certainly a nice gesture, now was not the time. Faith grabbed Reece's chin and forcefully pulled her face to hers. "Do it... prove it Reece..." Faith could barely speak as the thrusting against her continued.

Faith squeezed her chin, pulling their lips together, cutting her off. "Make me come..." the actress demanded and bit down on Reece's bottom lip, then sucked it into her mouth.

The club owner attacked Faith's mouth, not surprised when she tasted her own blood. She got up on her knees and leaned over further, her hands braced way over Faith's head. The smaller woman's knees were practically touching her own shoulders as Reece thrust into her.

Faith cried out, half scream, half whimper as her mound ground into the hard muscles of Reece's abdomen. In her current position, she was wide open, her aching need escalating quickly. She reached over her head and grasped Reece's forearms, grounding herself for the explosion.

Reece had her lips curled back, her teeth tightly clenched. Looking down into Faith's face, she reveled in the intensity of her eyes and growled at the rush she received, acknowledging that she made her feel this way.

Reece shivered as a bead of sweat traveled down the side of her breast, tickling her, before falling onto her lover's neck. Faith's lips opened in an attempt to scream, but all that came out was a strangled gasp. Nails dug deeply into her arms as Faith arched her neck and stiffened. The club owner stilled her actions, watching the beautiful woman come because of her.

Faith shuddered and jerked her lower body up into Reece's groaning continuously. "Yours." She breathed out between sounds of pleasure.

Reece groaned deeply and flexed her stomach muscles. She concentrated on the feel of Faith's sex spasming on her skin. She pushed her weight forward once more after her lover stopped gyrating underneath her and grinned wildly at the gasp that she caused.

Faith was highly aware of her lover's state of mind and knew Reece probably had no idea how close she herself was. The tall woman was too wrapped up in Faith's pleasure to think about herself, but the actress knew better. She also knew to give Reece a second to regroup, but not too long, or she would be on the receiving end of another attack and she desperately wanted to see her lover succumb to the pleasure as well. Faith took this opportunity to take in the sight.

Reece hadn't budged from her position. Her breasts hovered tantalizingly close, teasing her as they swayed with Reece's great heaving breaths. Her hair stuck to her neck and face, driving Faith insane. The actress never knew that sweat could look so sexy until she met Reece; the tall woman always shone within seconds of their lovemaking. Her strong muscular arms shook slightly, but were still planted firmly over Faith's head. She looked positively delicious to the actress and although she loathed taking this sight away, but she knew it was time.

Faith slid her legs down and pulled her lover's lower body into hers. Reece's sex met Faith's and her eyes widened. The club owner's knees slid down and she readjusted her upper body, her mouth open and about to feast on a very enticing breast. Faith felt the wet heat soaking through Reece's underwear and grinned sexily up at her, "And that's mine," she whispered and thrust her hips.

Just then, a million firecrackers exploded inside the tall trembling woman. "Oh god..." the club owner's body collapsed and her head dropped onto Faith's breast, her entire body twitched with release.

Faith dug her heels into Reece's backside, groaning in empathy while her lover's weight crushed her. She was almost disappointed when Reece slid her hips down, escaping the grasp of her legs.

"You make me come... just like that," she whispered huskily before attacking the flesh at her lips.

To Faith, it felt as if Reece swallowed her whole breast. Her lips and tongue were everywhere at once; she felt the suction all the way to her toes. Her tall lover was grumbling her pleasure, making the nipple in her mouth vibrate. One strong hand burrowed underneath her, pressing her lower back into an arch, the other draped around and cradled her head, the long fingers tangled in her hair.

Faith's senses were reeling. She licked her dry lips with an equally dry tongue; she hadn't realized how hard she was panting until now.

Reece moved her mouth to Faith's other breast, giving it the same attention as the first. She could hear her lover whimpering behind closed lips, breathing heavily through her nose, thoroughly lost in the renewed pleasure she was receiving. This knowledge drove Reece on, confident that her frantic behavior was accepted, even craved.

Faith's eyes popped open when Reece abruptly sat up. She lifted herself on one shaky elbow and saw her lover struggling to remove her briefs. Faith quickly unwrapped her legs and sat up, yanking the material away from Reece's waist, tugging forcefully, dying to see and touch what was underneath.

The tall woman knelt up and pulled her underwear off. She stayed there, her chest heaving, body tight as a bow. Her eyes narrowed to slits at what lay naked and open before her and how desperately Faith was reaching for her, lips swollen and eyes burning with need. She reached out, took Faith's hands and pulled her up. "I want you," Reece told her as she lifted her up over her shoulder and carried her up the stairs to their bed.

With Faith still in her arm, the club owner reached down and opened the drawer on her nightstand. She dropped Faith on the bed and climbed over her, straddling her. She let one of her breasts fall into her lover's waiting mouth and flinched when her nipple was sucked and nipped roughly. Faith was as hot as she was and that was just perfect.

Reece gathered Faith's hands, held them over her head with one hand and reached beside her with the other.

Faith groaned into Reece's breast as she felt the stiff leather wrap around first one wrist and then the other. She clasped her hands together in anticipation, swallowing hard at the new sound of the metal rings clinking together as she did. She had envisioned using their new toys in a much different, less frantic way, but she had trust in her lover. She whimpered in anticipation.

Reece moved away and Faith's mouth was suddenly empty. She arched her chest up when she felt her lover's nipples brush against hers. She moaned as hot lips covered her mouth and she was kissed hungrily. The actress thrust her tongue deeply inside Reece's mouth when she felt the cool leather straps glide up her arms.

Reece began tying Faith's wrists, securing her to the headboard, never breaking the contact of their mouths. She grinned inwardly as her lover tugged her hands reflexively. Reece detoured her lips to an ear and licked it. She glanced to the side and made sure what she was holding was right and sucked the salty skin of Faith's neck into her mouth, roaming all over, marking her, distracting her.

"Reece!" she pulled at her bound wrists again, desperately wanting to grab Reece's head and hold it in one place.

The club owner maneuvered herself into the harness and when she felt it was securely in place she sat back on her heels, displaying her intentions to her writhing lover.

Faith strained her neck when Reece broke body contact. She gasped when she realized what just happened and what was still to come.

Reece smiled a half smirk, half sneer and leaned over Faith again, capturing her nipple ring in her teeth. The club owner chuckled at the hiss that escaped Faith's lips. Reece leaned over slightly, licked her lover's arm from shoulder to wrist and then sucked her fingers. She repeated her actions on the other arm, watching Faith squirm and writhe made her want to climb up and take full advantage of her lover's open mouth. Later, she shivered at the thought of Faith's tongue.

Nudging Faith's legs apart with her knees, Reece positioned herself appropriately and teased with faint thrusts.

The club owner bit back a growl at the display. She licked a path to Faith's nipple and sucked it deeply into her mouth at the same time she entered her completely.

The actress screamed, yanking on her arms, wanting so badly to grab onto her lover. Reece pulled back and thrust again, putting her grinning lips to her screaming lover's ear, "Merry Christmas, Faith."

Reece stirred and drifted to wakefulness with a smile on her lips. As she became more conscious, she was aware of the goose pimples that covered her body. I'm not cold. In fact...

She shifted her weight and found that she was quite aroused. Before she had time to wonder how she had gotten to this point, a hot breath blew across her nipple and she stifled a groan. How does she always wind up in that position?

Reece grinned as she shivered with even more goose bumps. Lifting her head, she peered down at her lover, sleeping peacefully with her arm thrown across her ribs, her hand cradling the club owner's breast, fingers splayed across the mound and brushing her hard nipple each time the tall woman inhaled. Faith's head was was nestled between Reece's shoulder and left breast, her cheek resting comfortably on the fleshy pillow, her lips barely touching the other painfully hard nipple. Her leg was not really thrown over, but rested on Reece's long one.

Reece shifted again, acutely aware of the tingling in her groin. She very much wanted to wake up her slumbering lover and make love, but Faith had had one hell of a night. Which is probably why I'm in such a condition now, Reece thought with a smirk.

The tall woman looked down at her breast and the sleeping face which rested on it as hot breaths drifted across her sensitive nipple, barely teasing the other. She grimaced as some wetness seeped out, tickling her. God, she's driving me insane! she thought, growing more frustrated. Reece replayed last night in her mind, how Faith had looked underneath her, arms tied, her neck muscles straining as she threw her head back and screamed. The club owner made love to her repeatedly this way, but never quite satisfied her own burning within herself. Every orgasm she'd had, she purposely cut short, waiting for that glorious moment when she'd straddle Faith's face, feeling her exquisite tongue inside. When her exhausted lover begged for mercy, Reece untied her and held her. Within seconds, she was snoring, completely comatose.

Reece groaned at her stupid idea to bring up those images at a time like this. She was really aroused now, painfully so. Unfortunately, Faith was apparently still out cold, breathing deeply, teasingly, driving Reece crazy with need.

Reece shifted her weight again and breathed in sharply as her wet thighs brushed together. No, this will never do. She bit her lip and slid her hand between her legs, all the while watching Faith's lips. Just to take the edge off, just until she wakes up...

The club owner moved her free leg and gave herself more room. She again considered waking Faith the second her fingers fell into her drenched sex. She used a slow, steady movement, clear away from her clit; she swore she was just going to touch herself until Faith woke up.

Reece sucked her bottom lip into her mouth and tried not to move. She was so very wet and so turned on as a result of denying herself total pleasure earlier that morning.

Blue eyes, focused on the parted lips, as long as they could before drifting shut. The feeling of Faith's fingers and her moist breath were killing her little by little. She worked slowly, methodically. Her fingers circled and teased the most sensitive part of her sex, although it begged to be touched. She warred with herself that if she just rubbed it a little and stopped, she'd be okay. She got closer to it, hovered over it for a few seconds and it twitched in anticipation; so, she touched it. Immersed in a moment of bliss, Reece unknowingly groaned in pleasure.

The deep rumbling sound under her ear caused the actress to stir. She became aware of the heart beating loudly beneath her cheek and lay silently, still somewhat foggy from sleep. She waited. Her head rose and fell a bit too rapidly for her lover to be sleeping and the way her hair ruffled from her breaths, she was obviously upset. Faith was about to jump up in distress when she heard another very restrained and satisfied groan vibrate under her ear and she froze. Suddenly aware of her position, she immediately realized her lover's dilemma and she struggled to keep herself in check. Poor baby, she got left out this morning and here I am, slobbering all over her tits.

Faith wondered how Reece could have gotten this far without waking her. Her lover wasn't known for her control. Why didn't she wake me? the actress questioned momentarily before she figured out that Reece had probably felt sorry for her. The hair on her head ceased to ruffle and she felt the muscles shift under her arm, head and leg. Knowing that her lover had turned her head, Faith opened her eyes. The first thing she saw was a tasty nipple standing rigidly before her lips. Stifling the urge to suck it into her mouth, she glanced down. Reece's fingers were buried between her legs. The sight was breathtaking. Her tall lover's body was at the edge of release and Faith wanted to see the result. She stuck her tongue out and swiped the hard flesh at her mouth.

"For some time now, Sexy," Faith sat up and covered the nipple entirely with her lips.

Reece wrapped her hand around Faith's head and pressed her closer. "God, Faith, I'm so fucking horny," she groaned again, even as she spoke.

Faith nodded and slid her hand from the other breast down under her lover's, between her legs. She smiled against the flesh surrounding her face at the eager way Reece's pelvis lifted at the contact. The hand at the back of her neck tightened its grip.

"I need your mouth," Reece put pressure on the back of Faith's neck. "Please," she pled.

"What do you want my mouth to do, Sexy?" Faith drawled huskily, bringing their wet fingers to her lips and treating Reece's exactly like she would be treating something else in a second.

"Shit, baby... God! That... with your tongue." Reece pushed Faith's head down and the actress wasted no time burying her face.

Faith was amazed at how her stomach clenched upon tasting her lover. Reece's scent was strong after their early morning's activities. The tangy wetness was abundant, it tasted different and made the smaller woman drool for more.

Reece held on to Faith's head with both hands. While she wanted this feeling to go on forever, the fire in her sex told her it was not to be.

Faith knit her eyebrows together in disappointment when she felt her tall lover's hips begin to move erratically. I just got here! she complained to herself.

Of course, that was the furthest thing from the redhead's mind and to prove her point, she suddenly buried three fingers up inside her lover.

Reece made a barrage of noises, none of which Faith could define, not that she had the chance, since her head was captured tightly between Reece's thighs, while her lover was bucking powerfully up into her mouth. Her fingers were in a vice grip of suction, held deeply inside. Faith grunted excitedly as she sucked Reece's clit strongly into her mouth, thrusting her fingers mightily into her, setting off another loud yelling fit from her quaking lover.

Faith stopped thrusting and pulled out her fingers, but never took her mouth away from lapping up all the fruits of her labors. Reece tugged at her head, but Faith held her ground until she felt the strong thighs slacken and Reece's legs splayed open bonelessly. She lay there a while, letting Reece come back to earth and then rested her head on her lover's abdomen.

Reece felt rejuvenated, even after such a mind blowing orgasm. She lay there, catching her breath and thought about how easily she could find comfort in this extremely vulnerable position with Faith. She smiled at her luck.

Faith smiled back at the look of love on Reece's face. "All better now?" she grinned.

Reece pretended to think about it. "I guess so, but hold that thought, okay?" she joked.

"I could think of much better things to hold," Faith swiped at Reece's overheated sex with her tongue.Chapter

The club owner reached her hand down and ran her fingers through Faith's messy red hair, trying to smooth down all the twisted alfalfa's and cowlicks. "I don't understand how it looks like this every morning. You don't sleep like a maniac," she chuckled.

"And that's nice?" the tall woman teased before clasping the headboard with both hands and stretching.

Faith's head lifted with her lover's arch and she sat up quickly to admire the long naked body in a lengthy stretch.

The actress drank in the sight with a look of pure delight. When the tall woman relaxed, she fell back down with a deep happy sigh. "Reece, you have no idea what you do to me."

The club owner's lips pulled back with a silent chuckle. Faith looked terribly adorable with her mouth hanging open and her hair sticking up all over the place.

Faith was sitting cross legged her knees touching Reece's left thigh. Reece was leaning up against the headboard, her long legs stretched out in front of her, crossed at the ankle. The club owner laughed to herself when Faith's arm came up to scratch her nose and her hand was completely lost in the long sleeve.

"How'd you wind up in my shirt again?" she asked Faith, running her hand up underneath the front of the too large garment. She let her fingertips tickle Faith's ribs for awhile, and then circled around her belly button, teasingly dipping her pinky down to ruffle the light blonde hair.

The club owner smiled playfully. "Oh, and that's really going to stop me?" she pursed her lips.

"Who said anything about stopping?" Faith smirked and brought Reece's hand up to cover her breast. "I'm just offering some assistance." she closed her eyes and dipped her head back as the large hand closed over and molded her flesh.

"I see," the club owner grinned. Reece continued to massage the pliant flesh. When Faith groaned and relocated her hand to the other breast, her own eyes drifted closed.

The actress let go of her lover's wrist with one hand and lifted the shirt up over her neck, draped across her shoulders. She looked up to see Reece's eyes closed, her mouth half open in an expression of pleasure. It thrilled the actress to know Reece was receiving that much pleasure from touching her.

Reece began moving her fingers, lightly pinching and caressing Faith's nipple, jiggling the silver hoop ever so slightly. She opened her eyes slowly, focusing on her lover's half-lidded eyes as they watched her hand intently. Reece pulled the hoop a little harder. Faith moaned. Inspired, the club owner reached over with her other hand and laid it on Faith's hip. She glanced from her own hand to her lover's idle hand and then to the green eyes watching her.

Faith followed the unspoken instructions and wrapped her fingers around Reece's wrist, guiding that hand to her other breast.

Reece was a little more enthusiastic by now and worked that breast with more determination. Both of her hands massaged firmly, her fingers occasionally tweaking and rubbing the pebble-hard nipples. Faith's soft moans and arching back were driving her crazy. Realizing that she was squeezing her legs together, she uncrossed her ankles and bent one knee up. She wanted her full attention to be focused on Faith's pleasure.

"You have such beautiful breasts, Faith. I don't think I took the time to tell you how much I love them. They fit so perfectly in my hands."

Reece twisted the ring and Faith yelped, digging her nails into the muscled forearm.

"Reece, yes," she breathed again. The actress didn't want it to end, but she was in desperate need of attention much lower.

The club owner narrowed her eyes as ten fingers closed around her right forearm and her hand began to slide down. She made eye contact with her lover and clenched her jaw at the need she encountered in those green eyes. When her fingertips encountered Faith's most sensitive flesh, the actress sat upon her knees and thrust her hips forward, simultaneously throwing her head back. The sight of that alone made Reece gasp. The feel of Faith's slick, hot skin and the sound of her long, low groan had her squirming.

Faith held Reece's hand between her legs up against her tightly and didn't move. She relished the feeling of the muscles twitching under her fingers, longing to delve inside and explore. She groaned in anticipation and swore she felt more arousal slide out between her lover's long fingers.

"God, Faith," Reece swallowed hard. "This is... you are so hot. Are you sure? I mean, is it okay?"

"I don't know, Reece, just don't move," Faith strained to talk from her position.

"Ok, but, please, I don't want to hurt you." The club owner let her eyes wander over her lover's body. Faith was arched so dramatically that the only thing keeping her from falling backwards was the death grip she had on her arm. Her nipples incredibly hard, pointing straight up to the ceiling, her thigh muscles completely taut, Reece desperately wanted to throw herself on top of Faith and ravish her, but the sight of her lover in this position was breathtaking.

Faith wiggled on Reece's hand carefully, testing her tolerance. It felt sore, but not too bad. She did it again and this time rubbed her oversensitive clit into contact with her lover's fingers.

"Just go slow," Faith breathed and thrust a little more forcefully before realizing she'd probably break her neck, should she let go. Using Reece's arm as an anchor, she pulled slowly until she righted herself.

Faith's face was red and she was breathing heavily. She walked on her knees, holding Reece's hand in place and straddled her thighs, nodding at her stunned lover. "Touch me, Reece... gently."

Reece sat up quickly and wrapped her arm around Faith's waist. She leaned her cheek against Faith's abdomen and groaned as her fingers slipped effortlessly around. Tilting her face up she watched as the ecstasy played on the beautiful face above her. She circled her fingers around, then slid them back and forth. Gently moving her other hand up, she grasped the back of Faith's neck, making her look down.

"Yes, just go easy, okay?" Faith whimpered as Reece stroked her clit gently. "Yessss slow... oh... like that..."

Reece groaned as Faith's muscles surrounded her tongue. She kept up the slow stroking with her thumb, spreading Faith's lips open with her fingers. Glancing up, she saw her lover's hooded eyes watching her every move. Reece groaned.

Faith rocked her hips in time to Reece's slow motions. Her tongue felt like velvet sliding slowly inside and just as slowly out again.

Reece's own sex was alive again, begging to be touched. She was so aroused by this whole scene that she was convinced she'd come by simply tasting her lover.

Faith rocked back and forth against Reece's tongue and torturously slow thumb. She wasn't sure that she could take it but she wanted more. "Reece, suck on it... gently," she whispered to her unusually patient lover.

Reece whimpered and then those glorious lips wrapped around her universe. Faith cried out and her knees threatened to give. She looked down to see the long body unfold and lay flat on her stomach, her long legs bent, resting against the headboard. Faith allowed herself to be pulled down onto her back by an insistent hand on her hip.

"Mmm," Reece mumbled as strong legs wrapped around her head. She fought to keep control as she waited for Faith to tell her what to do.

Reece pressed into the bed with her hips; Faith's husky voice groaning her instructions turned her on so much. She bent her index finger and used the knuckle to tease Faith's opening.

Reece was getting so aroused by all this that she felt the moisture pooling beneath her.

Reece obeyed and moved into a kneeling position. She slid her hand from Faith's stomach to between her own legs. She groaned as her fingers delved into her own wetness.

Faith knew that sound and forced herself up onto her elbows. Blue eyes peered back at her from between her legs, then rolled back and closed. "Oh, god," Faith whined.

"Mmm hmm," Reece agreed, slowing the motions of her hand on herself. She knew how Faith hated it when she wasted a perfectly good come when she could herself could have it. She gave her wet fingers to her lover as a peace offering.

Faith licked Reece's fingers, sucking on the fingertips until Reece was whimpering with need.

"It's okay..." the actress grabbed Reece's hand. "I want you to," she released the large hand and almost laughed at how fast it flew back between the tall woman's legs.

Faith saw the controlled movement of her lover's arm and moaned. "No, really do it, Reece," she said a little louder than she intended.

Reece gazed hesitantly up from between Faith's legs, but never stopped moving her mouth.

Faith nearly swooned from the knowledge and the sensation. "Work them... just let it go."

Reece tried to pump her fingers but since that elbow was pretty much holding her up, she pumped her hips instead, causing a huge moan from her lover.

"Oh yeah, that is so hot..." the actress wished she were on the other side so she could watch her lover's ass in motion.

The club owner adjusted her legs so she could make contact with her clit. When she did, she accidentally forced her knuckle into her lover.

Reece whined; she was so close. She doubled her attentions to Faith and was very pleased to hear the loud groan and feel her clit twitch in her mouth.

Reece felt her own sex begin to ignite. Please be now, please be now... oh fuck! Reece started to come and there was nothing she could do about it.

The club owner grunted with her release, mashing her clit into her hand. Faith jerked around like she was electrocuted and her legs squeezed Reece's head so hard, the tall woman thought she'd suffocate. Reece stopped her own erratic grinding in order to concentrate on Faith's orgasm, continuing to work her tongue over her lover's clit.

The tall woman tore her mouth away from Faith and she instantly curled into a twitching, groaning ball.

Concerned, Reece immediately tried to wrap her arms around Faith, who pushed her away with a sob. "Oh, god, don't touch me," she moaned as she twitched violently.

Somewhat relieved, the club owner sat on her heels and leaned over her lover. She touched her back and pulled away as Faith twitched again.

"I don't know, but it was absolutely wonderful," Faith breathed and turned over. "I'm sorry, Reece, but it felt like my entire body was my clit."

"I think I was just too hypersensitive. Everywhere you touched me felt as if you were touching it and it was too much."

Faith chuckled at her lover's wide-eyed look. "Yes, and you better do it quick," she smiled.

Reece tested with a hand to Faith's arm and, satisfied when she didn't flinch, she wrapped herself around her smaller lover and sighed. "You scared me for a bit, Faith. I never did that to anyone before."

"You got scared? Imagine what it would feel like to be one big, giant oversensitive clit for a second, will you?"

"Make you feel like a giant clit? No way. I don't think I know how I did that to begin with."

Mrs. Ashford was coming up the street as Reece was leaving for the gym. The tall woman waved and held the door open, bowing gallantly as the older woman passed. "Happy New Years Eve." She said with a smile.

"Oh, you too dear. You're so charming when you want to be, Theresa," Mrs. Ashford gushed delightedly, then both eyes widened upon falling on the grinning woman's lips.

"Thank you kindly, ma'am." Noticing that Marsha's gaze had fallen on her very bruised lips, Reece bowed her head and tipped an imaginary hat with a shy grin.

"Maybe one of these days you can remind Quinn how to be a gentleman," Marsha smiled and kissed the grinning club owner on the cheek.

"Well, you're certainly in a good mood!" she laughed, then raised an eyebrow at the obvious signs of her daughter's ardor peppering the tall woman's neck.

"Gift? You mean there was more? I really liked the shirt, by the way. Thanks," Reece smiled genuinely, unzipping her coat to show off her gift.

"I'm glad you like it. It's that newfangled workout material. Faith tells me you are prone to sweating, this wicks it away," she pointed at the shirt and then winked. "Oh, you bet there was more, just not something I thought should be opened in mixed company," the older woman leaned over, "if you know what I mean," she added as she gestured towards her husband who just turned the corner.

Reece's smile sat there, but her demeanor must have visibly changed because Marsha rubbed her back and whispered. "He means well, dear, please give him a chance."

"For you, Mrs. A, I'll try," she grinned halfheartedly and sprinted down the street, wondering what exactly Faith's mother bought them that was so secretive. Deciding that her lover would tell her if it was important, she continued her run to the gym.

"Oh, Dad, you didn't have to get so much food!" Faith was emptying bags from Zabar's.

"Well, honey, they're world famous for their bagels and lox, let's test that theory, shall we?" Quinn joked.

"What makes you say that?" the actress asked innocently while her face turned red.

"I said nothing of the sort. You just pretty much confessed to that yourself," Marsha harrumphed and sat down to eat.

Faith's ears burned brightly as she watched her mother smear cream cheese on half of a bagel. She snagged a Raisin bagel and began to cut it.

"I'd break off small pieces, Faith honey, unless you want to open up that bite mark on your lip," the older woman stated around a mouthful.

Quinn had the good sense to blush. His daughter's sex life was none of his business. However, he was a wee bit concerned about that bite mark.

Noticing her Father staring at her mouth, Faith dropped her bagel and glared between her parents.

"Quinn dear, pay it no mind, you should have seen Theresa," Marsha wagged a chastising finger at her daughter.

"Okay, would you like details, Mother, because I'd be glad to give you a play by play," Faith pursed her lips and tapped her fingers in irritation.

"Faith, don't be fresh to your mother," Marsha continued to wag her finger. "If you weren't wearing all your hickeys like medals, no one would give you a second look."

"Marsha, please, I'm trying to eat," Quinn mumbled, his body language showing his acute embarrassment from�this conversation.

"Well, if you can even remember what it was like to give a hickey, dear, it wouldn't mortify you so," Marsha replied with a hint of frustration.

"You're jealous of your daughter's... nookie frequency?" he asked incredulously, sitting up straight in his chair, ready to defend his manhood.

Dear god, this isn't happening...The actress put her fingers in her ears and hummed loudly.

"Don't you find me attractive anymore? I can't remember the last time you touched me."

"Well, maybe if you dressed more like your daughter, I could behave more like her girlfriend," Quinn fought back.

Marsha wanted to be shocked but her daughter's dancing and wing flapping were terribly distracting. Quinn was staring at Faith in much the same way his wife was.

"Now look at what you've done. Your daughter's gone insane," Marsha pursed her lips at her husband.

"I drove her insane? Madness runs on your side, Marsha, or did you forget your crazy Aunt Gertrude?"

Opening her eyes, the actress saw her parents staring slack-jawed in shock at her. Faith groaned pathetically. Now she was the one mortified. "Um... I'm going to take this up to my room, if you don't mind." Not waiting for an answer, the actress grabbed her breakfast and ran as fast as she could up the stairs and shut the door.

Reece felt refreshed after her workout; she showered at the gym and headed over towards the club. Feeling pretty good with herself, she stopped at the florist to send Faith some of her favorite flowers. Afterwards, she hailed a cab and even managed to keep her good mood over the din of the foreign music blasting in her ears. Well at least it smells like curry. I like curry, she mused.

Unlocking the gates to her club, the tall woman wondered what was in store for her on New Year's. I hope it's not going to be a repeat of Christmas. Which reminds me... What was Michele's last name again?

Reece closed the gates behind her and flipped on the house lights, surveying her club for the first time with an owner's eye. "I really own this," she smiled. "I bet I could do more with this place." The club owner walked around, examining the angles. "If I were a perverted old horndog, what would I want to see?" she thought out loud, moving over to the stage area. "Hell, two out of three and I'm asking myself," she laughed at her own question.

Reece came up with some great ideas on improving her asset and, most of all, utilizing space. She strolled into her office with a determined air. Settling in her chair she flipped through Frankie's rolodex and located his contractor. Reaching out for the phone, she was surprised to hear it ring. "Lounge."

Reece barked a laugh at the plea, and settled back comfortably. "Whassamatter, sweetie?"

"Mother and Father are discussing their sex life over breakfast. I'm afraid that I'm helplessly traumatized now."

"But I'm taking little bites. Mother would hate to see me suffer due to my sexually induced injuries."

"Oh," she relaxed, "I guess I should have warned you," the club owner said guiltily.

"Don't feel bad, Reece, I love it when you get... you know... forceful... territorial."

"Absolutely. However, certain areas will be off limits for quite some time, hon."

"First I couldn't beat those words out of you, now you say them at the most inappropriate times," Faith teased.

"Well, for your information, this capacity is very well received and worth every flinch," the red head thought about it some more and added, "very worth it. You are the most wonderful lover in the world," she smiled.

"You've surpassed any wild fantasies and dreams I ever had on the subject by miles," Faith said sincerely.

Reece chuckled at her lover's reaction. "Go see if your parents are making up on our kitchen table. If so, there's an Ikea catalog under the coffee table."

"After that little spectacle you caused in the grocery store, I'd be surprised if she comes down at all."

Marsha, on a quest to make her husband more receptive to their daughter's lover, lifted the recently delivered flowers to his face. "Aren't these roses beautiful?" The older woman inhaled deeply, "They smell so good!"

"They're making my nose itch, take them away. FAITH? Will you go up there and tell your daughter that I haven't got all day? I'm hungry," Quinn sat heavily on the couch and picked up the Ikea catalog. "Where'd this come from?"

"I have no idea. You know, she is taking awfully long. It's not like she's making herself up, she never does anymore."

Faith descended the stairs and shook her head at her parents constant chattering.Chapter

"Marsha, you know she said that she hates anything on her face now that she has to wear so much at work."

"Hiding, Dad. Let's go guys, I promised her that I'd be there early, before the customers start pouring in."

"Would you?�That would be great. We shouldn't be too long, anyway. Just going to pick up Reece and head out to dinner."

"Ms. Ashford, if I may, I don't think she's going to be able to go anywhere tonight."

"Well, let's just get there first." Faith became worried. He was probably right, now that she thought about it. After all that publicity... A lesbian who owns a gentleman's club should be novelty enough. Faith bit her fingernail. However, if that lesbian happens to be a gorgeous hunk of woman like Reece, who's also living in sin with a famous actress, then it was going�to blow the roof off her club.

Suddenly, Faith was having serious second thoughts about taking her father there tonight. She was about to voice her feelings when her cell phone rang.

"What the hell is that?" Quinn questioned the muffled sounds of Beethoven's Fifth.

"It's the phone, Dad," Faith shook her head in exasperation, rooting around in her purse.

"About five minutes, why?" Faith furrowed her brows at Reece's frustrated breath.

Love you? How odd of her to say that now, Faith stared at the phone in confusion. Maybe this wasn't a good idea. Her lover sounded very strange.

There was a line of people an entire block long, five deep, behind police barricades, all waiting to get into "The Lounge".

"Here's fine, Barry. Dad, Mom, stay here a moment, will you? I shouldn't be long."

Faith slammed the door and stood in the middle of the street in awe. She hadn't seen this many people waiting in line since that time Barbra Streisand was at Madison Square Garden... and it wasn't even freezing then, either. She suddenly realized what Reece's phone call was all about; she didn't want her to come to the club and witness this mess. God, Reece! What are you thinking in that club right now? Faith panicked for her lover and�hurried past the mob, towards the front door.

There were many more insults to follow. Faith got a sick feeling as she heard all the comments hurled at her from the sea of people.

Cori's voice was like music to her ears. Faith felt relief, even as she was picked up off the ground and lifted over the barricade by unfamiliar hands.

Cori, thank god for you! Faith was being crushed in the throng as she tried to make her way up the steps. She was on the verge of hyperventilating when a strong, very familiar hand reached out to her. "Reece!" she yelled as she struggled to get through the mob.

"Whattya think this is? The Limelight? Back the hell up, jerk off!" Cori pulled Faith's arm hard.

With the help of her best friend and her strong lover, Faith was finally where she needed to be.

Reece held the actress tight. She was more than concerned about the trembling, but not enough to let her go. She really needed this too.

"Christ, Reece! It's a fucking mob scene out there!" Sam threw open the door and pushed it closed with effort.

"You okay, babe?" Reece whispered to her lover, finally taking a good long look at her. Her upper lip curled in approval.

Reece couldn't control the loud laugh that escaped her. Cori always managed to lighten the mood. "Thanks, Freak."

"I called in a few favors. Some off-duty cops are going to work the line. Don't worry, no one will get in that's the least bit iffy."

"Yeah," Reece nodded. "Alright then, Sarge, you wait for the guys. Cori, why don't you and the girls just get ready? I'm counting on you to keep the others under control," the club owner winked at her friend then averted her eyes to Faith; they narrowed hungrily.

The tall woman twirled them around and backed Faith against the wall. She squatted down and lifted her startled lover. "You can start by wrapping those legs around me and throwing your head back."

The club owner leaned hard into the actress, pinning her against the wall with her torso. "Do you know how hot that dress is on you?" she whispered, running her hands up and down the underside of Faith's thighs.

"Stockings are such a turn on." Reece took Faith's hands from her shoulders and placed them around her neck. "Hold on and kiss me," she whispered.

"Now," Reece tilted her head and stared at Faith's lips, all the while running her fingers all over the stocking-covered legs.

She made the mistake of looking into distracted, but very deep blue eyes. "Aye, Captain," Faith whispered back breathlessly before locking her lips onto Reece's.

Reece sighed contentedly and intensified the kiss. She held Faith's head with both hands, pressing her body tightly into all the strategic places, making Faith groan into her mouth.

The actress tore away from the attack, breathing heavily. Reece didn't move. Still staring at Faith's mouth she stroked her thumb across the bottom lip.

"Wow. Reece... as much as I'd love to continue this... god, stop doing that!" she stopped the thumb from entering her mouth by grabbing the larger hand. "My parents are waiting in the car. What should I tell them?" She kissed the sweaty palm, then licked it.

Reece groaned. "Tell them I have an uncontrollable need to ravish you," the club owner captured Faith's lips again.

The actress drowned in the kiss and jumped as she felt her body go limp. "No... baby... please," she whined.

"Faith..." Reece protested, knowing she had to stop before things got out of hand.

"God, I don't know. I was so worried about you and the minute you walked in the club... I needed you," the club owner explained. "I don't know, maybe it was that dress. Isn't that the one you bought that day with your mom?"

"You are so adorable." Faith grinned at her lover's wide-eyed look of denial, "Yes, you are. Now, what to do about my parents?"

"I'm telling you, she's all right, Quinn! Theresa would never let anything happen to her!"

"How do I know that? What the hell is going on inside that club anyway? Why haven't they come out?"

Faith's purse began chirping. Marsha took the liberty of rooting around for the phone.

"Look Mom, you and Daddy go to the restaurant. I'm going to stay here with Reece. She needs me now."

"Reece is going to order some Chinese for all of us tonight. She said to tell the Maitre 'd to put your dinner on her tab. She's treating you both. Okay?"

"Well... if you're sure," Marsha was hesitant to tell her husband the change of plans.

"Yeah, go. Someone's coming to the car to get my purse for me, so wait until then."

The Ashfords were seated at the restaurant and Quinn had been complaining ever since Sarge appeared at the car for Faith's purse. Marsha had tolerated his whining gracefully, but her patience was wearing thin. "She was in the Army. She protected our country."

"Oh, and what if Faith looked like that? Would you say the same terrible things about your own daughter?"

"Quinn, why don't you stop judging and just relax. Faith is happier than she's ever been in her life. If Theresa and her friends can make her feel something that we obviously couldn't, why should you care what they look like? Would you care just the same if that girl had one arm? That's not normal either. You should be thankful, not judgmental. Those people took care of Faith when we didn't."

"Marsha, I know that. I'm just worried about her. She seems to be living in a whole other world."

"So? Thank god she's healthy, happy and hasn't given up on her dreams. She's made loyal friends who support her and has someone who worships the ground she walks on. And, incidentally, I feel pretty secure about Faith's safety with someone like Theresa by her side."

"For Christ sakes! I wonder what you seem like to her," Marsha retorted sarcastically.

"That woman makes her smile so brightly... she can light up a room, Quinn. I haven't seen our daughter smile like that since she was a child. Personally, I am so grateful for this opportunity to be a part of her life again, like any mother should, I wouldn't care if she was living with a farm animal, " Mrs. Ashford finished her rant and sipped her drink ever so daintily.

Quinn toyed with his napkin, seemingly lost deep in thought. He wasn't pleased about being chastised, but he knew, deep down, his wife was right. Faith sparkles when she's with Reece and he should be happy, not angry. Combine with next. "Hon, you are absolutely right. I wasn't being ungrateful, I'm glad they helped my little girl," Quinn sighed heavily and played with a breadstick. "I suppose I'm just jealous."

"Well, you have good reason to be. Faith trusts you less than she trusts her friends."

"You have to accept Faith's choices and support her, not butt heads with Theresa. Faith knows how to handle you, but I'm afraid her partner is a little hasty to react on Faith's behalf. You need to prove to her that you accept Faith and love her. Only then will you earn Theresa's respect. Without her respect, your daughter can't really forgive your previous behavior."

Quinn ran his hand over his face. He knew his wife was right, but could he be as accepting as she is? How did this happen to her anyway? "What changed your mind, Marsha? Why is it so easy for you to accept their relationship? How did you do it? How did you earn her trust?"

"Well, Theresa and I certainly started out differently than you two did, but once you get to know her, she's really very charming."

"Yes, and I still do. Now eat your dinner before it gets cold. I want to be home before the ball drops."

"Well dear, not with what I have planned for dessert," she smiled playfully and wiggled her eyebrows.

"Oh yeah? Heh... well come on, woman, eat! What are you waiting for?" he grinned right back.

Reece stood behind the stage, her eyes searching constantly, her muscles tight. Tonight she was working and it felt great. Already pumped from the excitement of the day, she jumped at the chance to guard the stage. The familiar feeling of guarding the girls was energizing.

Back when she was younger and wilder, her job was much more than guarding the dancers. The club and its occupants were in constant danger. The threat of being raided wasn't as scary as the threat of being robbed. Frankie refused to accept the "protection" that the other clubs did and, more times than not, The Lounge was under attack by the very people that offered the protection in the first place. Reece often found herself fending off flying stools or bottles as these goons came crashing through the building, if not hustling the girls out the back door as the police came busting in through the front. There were no illegal activities that she knew of and she feared no one, but she protected the girls' anonymity fiercely and made sure they weren't publicly humiliated.

Although this was not The Lounge of years ago and there was no real threat to the girls or herself, she still let her old feelings of being the protector take over her persona. She had no choice really, The Animal was so close to the surface already, it needed no more than a nudge.

Faith was seated at the bar and would be, for quite some time. She was hot and sweaty and wished her purse wasn't in the office. She really wanted a mirror about now. Glancing around her, she dismissed the thought of going to the safe, quiet office and staying there.

It was New Years Eve and every single man New York City seemed to be at the club. The crowd was thick and Faith had no desire to hop into it any time soon. Letting her gaze fall on the bartender, she snickered evilly. Christina was up to her ass in work and it thrilled Faith to see her so harried. When Reece told her about what happened with Christina in her office that day, Faith had gone ballistic. The actress had to promise not to maim the bartender in order to be allowed into the club again, but that didn't mean she couldn't think about hurting her. Christina was forced into apologizing to Faith by Reece, of course, and the actress gloated about that for a long time. Having to call Chris up to pinch hit behind the bar tonight annoyed her, but seeing her sweat like this was worth it.

"Well, Christina I see you've learned my name," the actress replied with a bored look.

The actress hoped she would do just that and she leaned towards her ear to explain in a sultry voice. "In your fantasies, I bet you picture her naked, sweaty body, writhing beneath you... begging for release... arching into your touch... The great Reece Corbett whimpering and moaning until she starts trembling in the throes of a killer orgasm... you hear her screaming her pleasures into the night... Faith! Yes! Faith! Faith! OH, God! Faith!"

Christina had a flushed dreamy look about her up until the woman in her fantasy yelled. She looked at the actress who was grinning very smugly. "I hate you," Christina stormed away as Faith snickered cockily and tilted her head towards the TV screen over the bar.

When Faith got tired of looking at the soundless television, she scanned the crowd for any troublemakers and then settled her eyes on Reece. The actress felt a tingle in her belly watching her lover work. She observed the tall woman from her perch.

Reece stood with her legs slightly apart, chin up, shoulders back and her hands held slightly away from her body, casually dangling. Her whole demeanor was different, confident and her lopsided smile was endearing. Each time she winked at one of the performers, Faith felt her heart flutter. The club owner was being used as a prop by every dancer on the stage and the actress loved it. Her flirtatious actions only made Faith proud.

She was nervous at first when the guys told Reece they didn't have enough men to cover the stage, but Reece sprang up and volunteered quickly. She fell into her old skin very easily and Faith was thrilled to be witnessing the old Reece. To the average Joe, her lover appeared to be relaxing, but Faith knew better. Reece was on high alert, watching everything at once. It was exciting for the actress; she was watching the woman she had only heard about. All those stories were true; Reece was positively crackling with power and dripping with sex.

"Amazing, ain't she?" Cori shouted over the pounding music, squeezing her body into Faith's space.

Faith nodded her head. "So different," she shouted back. It is such a turn on to watch her. No wonder she had her pick of the girls.

"Watch this," the dancer yelled. Cori grabbed her friend's hand and dragged her off the stool and into the crowd.

Faith panicked slightly as she was surrounded, until she was suddenly lifted off the floor by a hand around her waist. Disoriented, she found herself in her lover's arms, face to face with the tall woman. How the hell did she get here so fast? Their eyes met and she was surprised by the look of fear and anger in the intense glare.

The actress winced at the tone of Reece's voice. Finding Cori nowhere in sight, she improvised. "I slipped off my stool. Sorry."

Faith's eyes went wide when she felt Reece's forearms trembling. Jesus, she was really scared! Look at her posture... wow. Imagine being taken by this woman? Oh yeah... just look at her eyes! They look silver! "I'm sorry, baby. I'll go back to my stool..."

"Not after everyone saw you in that dress, you won't," the tall woman pressed herself into Faith's back and wrapped one arm securely around her middle. She seemed to cut a pathway through the crowd with a mere look. "You'll come with me."

Faith was getting turned on by Reece's attitude, she really liked this Reece. She silently wished the tall woman could play bouncer every night.

Christina frowned furiously when she saw Reece burst into the crowd and retrieve Faith. What does she have that I don't have?

"Here," Reece let go of her captive and gestured to the stage. "You'll sit here where I can see you."

While the fear was gone from Reece's eyes, the anger wasn't and Faith obeyed. She sat on the stage with her back to the dancers and frowned when her feet didn't touch the floor. She tried to bring her short dress down over her thighs, wiggling around and trying to cross her legs. This only managed to show her entire thigh and she quickly uncrossed them.

Reece watched her lover fidget around for a while, smirking at her dilemma. Sidetracked for the moment, she jumped when a g-string hit her in the face. She tossed it away and growled only to see Cori's big head in her face laughing hysterically.

Reece immediately assumed her role as protector again while Faith thought of a way to ruffle her.

The club owner saw her lover inching closer to her out of the corner of her eye. What is she up to? she wondered. A man leaned his body on the stage and Reece was ready to pounce, but he caught her eye and backed off quickly. She jumped as something chose that second to crawl up her leg.

Faith giggled as the tall woman flinched. She ran her stockinged foot up the inside of her lover's thigh and smiled sexily up at her when Reece gave her a glare.

Cori danced over and wrapped her bra around Reece's neck, raising both eyebrows at the leg that was growing out of her crotch. She leaned over and kissed the tall woman on the lips, enjoyed the look of shock on her face, then danced away again.

Faith had to cover her mouth so she wouldn't laugh out loud. She received another less threatening glare, so she continued her game. She snuck a hand under her dress and slid her underwear down to mid thigh, clearly visible to Reece, but not to the crowd.

Reece swallowed and bit her bottom lip; grateful at least, that she took her foot away.

Faith cocked her head and gave Reece a coy look, lowering the tall woman's resistance a bit more.

Blue eyes narrowed as the actress slid the panties down to her ankles and lifted her foot between the tall woman's legs again, the flimsy material dangling from her stockinged toe. Reece resisted the urge to lean into her foot. God, she has no idea! the club owner thought. With her head and body comfortably playing the role of The Animal, Faith was skating on very thin ice.

The actress was well aware of her lover's state of mind and was wondering herself why she was playing with her. She knew how Reece would react and Faith was nowhere near ready for The Animal, especially sexually. She just couldn't seem to control herself.

Reece took the panties, put them in her pocket and held Faith's ankle tightly. She leaned over to the actress's ear. "You have exactly one minute to get your foot out of my crotch. If you don't, I will have you and we both know that isn't wise."

Faith shuddered as Reece spoke into her ear. Her threat excited her and she blushed. Knowing that her lover meant what she said, Faith eased her foot away from Reece's crotch and leaned back on her hands, spreading her legs wider.

"I'm warning you, Faith, if I see one hair of that pussy when I stand up, you will regret this."

The actress shivered involuntarily. Oooh, she never said that word before... Finding herself completely aroused and soaking wet, Faith shook herself back to reality. What is wrong with me!? Quickly closing her thighs, she nodded so that Reece could feel it and closed her eyes when she felt the tall woman straighten up. The last thing she needed to see was The Animal aroused.

It was ten minutes before midnight and Reece ordered the music off. She motioned for Christina to turn up the volume of the television and all eyes were on Dick Clark.

Faith was standing on the stage in front of Reece. The tall woman had her arms draped around Faith's waist, her chin resting on her shoulder. There was no one behind them and Reece was able to relax a bit. All the dancers were out on stage and at the five-minute mark, Sam turned on the house lights.

Faith rested her hands behind her on Reece's hips and leaned her head against hers. Long fingers unlaced and caressed her hips and thighs teasingly. "I love you, baby," Faith smiled as Reece nodded in agreement. She closed her eyes and leaned back into Reece, making her stand up straight to accommodate. The tall woman rested her chin on Faith's head, and continued to journey up and down Faith's legs.

Faith felt a sense of peace in the middle of the madness. The two women sighed contentedly and watched as the Mayor of New York and Muhammad Ali started the ball on its journey.

The dancers began counting at thirty, so Reece figured it would be pretty loud and obnoxious by the time they got to ten. She turned Faith's head towards her. "Happy New Year, sweetheart."

Faith felt her knees weaken as Reece's lips met hers and kissed her senseless. She vaguely heard the ruckus over her heart beating and knew this year was off to a mighty fine start.

"Happy New Year, Reece," she turned completely around in her lover's strong, protective arms and snuggled into her. She knew that the chaos of the club would intrude on their moment any second, but however brief this moment would be, Faith wouldn't change anything about it for the world. No regrets.

Reece had to move. As much as she loathed it, she had to break their embrace. The real world came crashing back loudly and The Animal was back on duty. With a final kiss, she released Faith and motioned for Sam.

Faith watched the mayhem explode around her with wide-open eyes. The house lights went dark, replaced by the pulsating multicolored spotlights. There were dancers and people all over the stage, the music was suddenly blaring and the crowd seemed to have doubled, all within a heartbeat. She was stunned at the anarchy that seemed to have occurred. Before she had time to react, she was being lifted up off the stage by her lover and handed over to Sarge.

Faith wanted to protest but the look on Reece's face was all business. Her tall lover was sneering evilly and her eyes were full of excitement. Faith watched in awe as Reece laughed wildly, grabbed two men by their jacket collars and banged their heads together, then jumped off the stage, dragging them towards the back door.

"Don't you worry about her, she'll be just fine," Sarge said with a confident smile. "This is merely playtime for The Animal."

Christina stood on top of the bar and silently observed the goings on below her. She saw the way Reece reveled in her duties and groaned at her strength. The sight of the tall woman throwing her jacket to the stage and tossing a grown man over her shoulder made the bartender shudder. God, I want her.

When Reece returned, she stood on the stage, proud and tall, flexing her hands. Chris wanted those strong hands touching her with their power. The bartender came down from the bar and began trying to clean the mess that was her station.

Finally, the last of the customers was gone and The Lounge was closed to business. Reece surveyed the place and groaned. "What a fucking mess!" she complained. She had no desire to be here any longer. Her body twitched with energy and she needed to get home. Even though she knew she couldn't expend the overflow with Faith, the thought of wrapping herself around the actress was calming her slightly. The real thing was certain to tame her to a more manageable state.

The tall woman felt slightly relieved when she spotted the off duty cops picking their way through the debris. She knew she could go home now. Scanning the club for Sarge, she did a head count of the remaining staff, frowning when she didn't spot Chris. "Figures she'd cut out on me," she frowned.

Sam was approaching with a huge garbage bag in one hand and a distasteful look on her face. "Boss, this is disgusting."

"Yeah, but I'm paying for it now. I'll never get any sleep in this condition," she sighed, frustrated.

Reece entered her office and stared at her couch. Many nights she used this office to release the energy she felt now. Shaking that thought from her mind she reached for the bag on her desk and frowned. Someone was behind her. Chapter

She reacted purely on instinct. Spinning on her heel she grabbed the silent intruder by the throat and slammed the body into the wall. Breathing heavily with the urge to strike, she cocked back her fist to see Christina, smirking despite the grip on her airway. "Fuck!" Reece yelled and let go. "I could have fucking killed you!" The tall woman stepped away and put her back to the wall. She breathed deeply trying to control herself. "What are you doing sneaking around on me? Don't you realize..."

"Oh, yeah, I realize. You're so full of pent up energy, you're practically vibrating," the bartender stepped in front of the tense woman and placed both hands on Reece's tight abdomen.

Reece blinked rapidly, trying to figure out what to do. "Christina, just back off and walk away," she growled, eyes flashing.

"You're panting; I feel your stomach clenching... give it to me," she pressed her body against Reece's and shuddered at the trembling she felt.

Reece groaned loudly and banged her head back against the wall. She was powerless against her urges. "Please... I'm begging... go away," the club owner rasped.

Christina boldly ran her hands up and covered Reece's breasts, latching onto the tall woman's throat with her lips.

Reece hissed loudly and her body responded by sliding lower on the wall. She couldn't will her arms to move. "Oh, god... stop Christina... stop..." her voice was little more than a whimper.

The bartender moaned and licked Reece's chin, trailing her tongue across the shaking woman's lips. Reece's hips bucked and she knew if she didn't do something quickly, she'd have the bartender on her back in seconds, but her hands wouldn't do anything but claw at the wall.

Reece felt the hands stop their assault on her breasts and slide back down to her belt buckle. Oh, god... I'm fucking toast...

"That's right... there you go." Christina soothed, silently cheering her victory.

Reece squeezed her eyes closed so hard she saw spots. She had to make it stop. She rooted around inside her cloudy mind until she found what she needed, just as Christina was opening her pants.

"I want Faith..." Reece's hands moved and grasped the bartender's wrists painfully.

The club owner sneered wildly, baring all her teeth. "But I thought you knew what I wanted? You know what I need," she taunted wickedly. "Right, Christina?" she snarled.

Reece turned them around and slammed Christina against the wall. She pressed her body into the bartender and lowered her head to her mouth. "Am I hurting you?" she sucked Chris's bottom lip into her mouth, then bit. Hard. Reece chuckled at her gasp.

"Yeah, baby, scream my name..." Reece snickered and shoved her knee between Chris's legs forcefully. "But I thought you wanted this. Isn't that right?" Reece lifted her hand and toyed with the blood that dripped from the bartender's mouth. Chris flinched hard.

"You're pathetic," she laughed. The club owner roughly threw the bartender at the open door. "Get the fuck out of my club. If I ever see you again, Christina... I'll let Faith have at ya."

After the woman left, Reece sat down bonelessly on the floor. She needed to get home now more than ever. She needed Faith... NOW.

Faith navigated through the dark living room and threw herself on the couch. The actress was a bit taken aback with the events of the last few hours. The last thing she thought she'd be doing at this moment was sitting alone on the couch in the shadowy empty house.

Well, so much for celebrations, Faith sighed heavily and shrugged off her coat. What now?

Green eyes quickly adjusted to the darkness and spotted the blinking alert on the answering machine. Sliding closer to the device, she paused with her finger over the play button. Do I even want to know? Sighing again, she kicked off her shoes and wiggled her toes, then pressed the button.

"Oh, you too, Butch. Are you listening to Johnny, you big scary hunk of muscly woman flesh? Oh, no... more therapy for me. Aaaanyway, try not to get too caught up in the festivities... K? I don't think Cover Girl has enough flesh tone. Tootles!"

Faith hit the fast forward button with a frown. Yeah, festivities... She threw herself back against the cushions as her mother's voice filled the room.

"Hello, sweetheart... you too, Theresa! Wee! Happy New Year to the both of you! I love you! Kiss, kiss...."

Faith shook her head in embarrassment. Mom sounded pretty schnockered too. Looks like I'm the only one who's not enjoying the evening.

The actress peeled off her stockings and crumpled them into a ball, tossing them at nothing in particular. She retrieved the bottle of champagne she had in the fridge and, after cocking her head in thought, shook the bottle a little. As an afterthought, she shook it again. "Why the hell not?" she mused as she let the cork fly. She squealed as the cold liquid poured down her forearms, and backed up a bit as it spilled onto her bare toes.

"Cheers!" Faith attempted to drink from the bottle and the foam poured out of the sides of her mouth and down her neck. "Yikes that's cold!" she shivered.

Looking down at herself she laughed. Her arms were sticky, her dress was pretty wet and her nipples were telling her just how chilled that champagne was. "Oh, Reece... you have no idea what you're missing," she smirked and then tilted the bottle up to her lips again as she headed into the living room. The red head wandered to the recliner and sat. She began replaying the events of tonight in her head. "God I was bad tonight," she giggled, "but who could blame me? With my big, scary hunk of muscly woman flesh... oooo... yep," she nodded. "She's mine alright."

Faith started thinking about how it must have been to be with Reece when she was working at The Lounge. She wondered what would have happened if she had met her then, whether she would have felt the same when facing the woman she saw tonight. Could I have been as attracted to her then as I am now, if I didn't know her like I do? Would I have been frightened by her larger-than-life attitude? God, she was so fucking casual... yet so irritatingly cocky. The actress knit her brows in thought.

Her head filled with her own perception of a younger Reece, every inch The Animal... and all sorts of "what if" scenarios. She replayed that scene by the stage tonight with different ending; one where Reece didn't control herself and took what Faith was offering, regardless of everyone around them. Though blushing at her vivid imagination, a violent shudder ran through the actress's body. She shook her head to dispel the arousing images that played through her mind. This action created a pleasant sort of vertigo and Faith grabbed the armrest for support.

"Whoo... now THAT'S champagne!" she snickered as she tried to refocus her eyes. However, it didn't stop her from slugging back another gulp. Green eyes fell on the video cabinet. A small yet evil smile graced Faith's lips. "Well, if I can't have the real thing..." She struggled out of the chair and opened the cabinet doors.

"Hmmm... decisions... decisions..." she giggled, fingering the cassettes. "This calls for extreme measures."

Faith closed her eyes and dragged her finger back and forth over the edge of the tapes. "Eenie, meanie, miney... mo! Okay!" she pulled out the winning tape. "Tag, you're it," she told it and pushed it into the VCR.

Reclining once again, the drunken actress fumbled with the remote control before finally hitting Play. "Now, this is my kind of celebration!" she smirked as the object of her undying lust appeared on the screen naked, except for her boxer briefs. "A toast! To the guy who invented big screen TV's!" she tossed back another mouthful.

Faith watched the television with narrowed eyes, concentrating on her lover's image. Reece was so different, all snarl and bravado. "I want that Reece, too. Why does she have to come with a price?" The actress frowned in thought, That Reece is gone, Faith. You should be pleased. Look at her. Do you think she knows that woman's name? Do you think she even cares?

Faith watched the video with a sad eye now. She felt bad for Reece. This woman she was watching was not the one who she knew at all. "Yeah, I rather do like my Reece," she smiled to herself.

Faith sat there glued to the screen a while longer, only getting up when she finished the bottle. "Maybe that wasn't so smart, after all. I'm lonely, drunk and horny as all hell," she groaned.

The small woman flipped off the television and tottered up the stairs. Once in the bedroom, she grabbed Reece's pillow and smelled it. With a huge smile, Faith fell backwards on the bed, hugging the pillow to her face. "I miss you, baby," she mumbled, willing herself to not cry.

After getting her fill of the pillow, Faith stripped out of her rumpled dress and decided a shower was necessary. She felt dirty and sweaty from the club and sticky from the champagne. She didn't want to get into bed like that.

Pretty tipsy, she had to sit on the floor to peel off her bra. Though fuzzy, she knew that something was under her side of the bed that hadn't been there before. Dropping down to all fours, she pulled out the brightly wrapped box and stared at it in confusion. "Where did you come from?" After receiving no answer from the package, Faith shook it. Various things shifted around. "Stuff," she concluded proudly and brought it up to the bed. "Whoa! Heavy stuff."

Finding no card, she opened the paper carefully, looking at it suspiciously as if it were going to jump open by itself at any second.

Once it was open, the inebriated actress found it safe to go on and she opened the lid and found a note on top of the tissue paper: Faith, dear, this is your mother. There are some items in here I thought you and Theresa may enjoy, so go on, open it! I'm so excited!

Several small plastic pillows of lubricant fell out onto the bed. The actress jumped back like they were on fire. There was another note: These are not only hypoallergenic, but they are unflavored and clearly marked. I don't know that you should put all that flavored sugary nonsense in your potato.

Faith moaned in mortification. The only thing worse than this was if Reece found the package. Unsure if she should proceed to the other three items, Faith weighed each thing in her hands while humming the theme from Jeopardy.

Deciding that whatever it was, a mother should probably never give it to her daughter and she put it aside for last.

Taking a medium sized item, she unwrapped it cautiously and slumped down against the headboard with a painful groan. You simply must try this, Faith! I'm telling you, it's even more realistic than the one in the guest room! I also made sure it's a one-size-fits-all (you can never be too careful).

Faith felt a little nauseous. The image of her mother and a dildo just didn't sit right. However, further inspection of this particular dildo proved very interesting. This was a sleeve that fit over any existing toy that they had. Faith tore open the package and felt it. Her eyes widened a bit. "Okay, Mom, you're right... I'll give you that, sickening as the thought may be."

Reece left the keys to The Lounge with Sarge and left the club. She stood on the sidewalk for a while; sorting through all the feelings that she was experiencing. She was very uncomfortable. Reece never gave a rat's ass about consequences before Faith. Mere months had changed the tall woman in ways she never knew she was capable.

Hell, Christina would still be screaming my name... That thought made the club owner scrunch up her nose in disgust. Shit.

Reece wandered towards the corner to hail a cab, all the while trying to figure out what just caused her to suddenly feel nauseous.

Realizing this was possibly the worst time of the entire year to find a cab, the tall woman sighed heavily and started walking downtown. Passing by the front of The Lounge once again, Reece paused. Maybe I should have a drink... something has to stop my heart from pounding like this. Again, the club owner stopped to think. I bet Faith's probably pissed at me. Maybe I should go home.

One of the off duty cops burst out of the club with a stuffed trash bag. "Whoa! You scared the piss outta me!" he chuckled. "What the hell are you still standing here for? Go get yourself drunk, woman and bring in the New Year with a bang!" he winked and laughed, hefting the big bag on his shoulder and disappearing into the alley.

A tiny part of Reece shivered with the thought of partaking, wondering if anyone would be the wiser if she did just go and fuck some woman senseless. After all, it would be saving Faith from having to face the Animal... she tried to reason with herself.

Yet, that was only a tiny part, the rest of her felt sick again. What is that? She knit her brows and held her stomach.

"I'm not in the mood, Cor," Reece snapped. "Careful, I need my head," the dancer gave her boss an exaggerated scowl. "What's wrong with you?"

Cori knew exactly what was wrong with Reece. She'd had a little chat with a certain bleeding bartender. She just wanted to know how Reece was working this out. The dancer figured her friend was in need of some safe companionship.

"I don't know. I feel sorta sick... I think," the tall woman started to walk with the dancer right besides her.

"Guilt? Why? I'm not guilty of anything..."The tall woman closed her eyes and stopped walking again. "That's it?" she wondered out loud.

"Reece, I spoke to Chris. I know what happened... nothing. But if I know you, you're beating yourself up over it anyway. When it comes down to it, Reece, you did good. If it means anything, I'm really proud of you," the dancer smiled.

It was true. Immediately assuming the worst upon seeing the bartender stumble out of the office, Cori was stunned to find out Christina was turned down. She felt guilty for not having faith in her friend and was incredibly impressed with her.

Meanwhile, Reece had buried her face in her hands. She had an ache deep in the bottom of her stomach, her heart was beating frantically, her mouth was dry, her head was pounding... and she couldn't stop any of it. This was way outta control. She didn't like it one bit.

Cori jumped out of her skin as Reece suddenly picked up a sidewalk trashcan and threw it. It struck the closed gates of a store and bounced down the street.

"REECE!" The dancer screamed more out of fright than concern. She half expected Reece to flip out sometime tonight, but was caught off guard by this. Cori knew her friend was going to go through one hell of a time understanding her emotions. She was sure it was going to confuse the shit out of her. Reece and confusion usually equaled destruction in one way or another. After Faith voiced her fear of the tall woman hurting herself, Cori had to make sure that she'd be okay. She just wondered if she'd survive.

Cori ran after the tall woman as she went to pick up the empty trashcan again. Unfortunately for her, when she grabbed Reece's arm, the club owner lifted Cori and the can off the ground and over her head. "Reece! Drop it! Please... this area is crawling with cops! It's Times-fucking-Square on New Years!" she panicked.

Reece took a huge gulp of air and dropped both Cori and the garbage can. She felt like she may hyperventilate. She leaned her head on a nearby lamppost. Reece trembled. She was breathing heavily and still felt a need to lash out. Though she physically exerted herself, neither the effort nor the loud noise made her feel any better. "Cor?"

"Home? Faith's there!?" Reece shot up to her full height and her face shone with fear.

"Sure you can. I'll walk with you. You'll go home and you'll tell Faith how much you love her. She must miss you something awful at this moment."

"Cori? You know me... why are you acting like I can walk in there like nothing happened?" Reece was very frustrated with her friend.

"Well, first of all... nothing did happen. If you told Faith about it, she'd be very proud that you didn't act on the temptation. Second of all, you need to talk to your woman, Reece. You can't keep running away anymore. She worries about you too much. You owe it to her."

"Faith doesn't deserve this. I don't now that I can control my stupid fucking self. I'll wind up hurting her... God, I'm such an asshole!"

"She knows you're an asshole. She loves you anyway and the only way you'll hurt her is if you don't go home and talk to her. Don't sell her short, Reece."

The tall woman began walking again, lost in thought. Every so often, she would frown, bite her lip or shake her head. The dancer rooted for her. She wanted Reece to feel secure with Faith. She wanted the tall woman to run to Faith, not away. Cori stayed by her side waiting, hoping what she said was going to sink in, but from the looks passing over the tall woman's face, the dancer was doubtful of the outcome.

Reece's mind was working a mile a minute. Usually one to work off of pure impulse, this was a strange experience. Thoughts crowded in her head, disjointed and loud. Faith worries? About me? Why? I'm a big girl... maybe she's afraid I'll... or maybe she knew I'd... fuck. Why is this so hard? I'm a shit... I almost let Christina... but wait... I didn't let her, did I? Can Faith understand? Will she still love me? What the hell am I saying? You know you're going to take one look at her in that little black dress and... can she handle it? She did say that she loves all of me... she said she loves The Animal didn't she? So? Wait a minute... all I have to do is talk to her. Tell her I need her, but I... what? I'm afraid? Oh yeah, Reece Corbett... The Animal, is afraid of Faith Ashford. It's not like I have to fuck her, is it? I mean, I can control myself. I refuse to hurt her because I'm weak... WEAK? Did I say WEAK? Oh, god... weak, needy and afraid. Shoot me now. I may as well learn to swoon while I'm at it. Jesus... Hmm... I don't have to tell her exactly, I really only have to tell her I love her. After all, there's nothing but truth in that and if I still need to ravage her, well, then I'll go downstairs and hump a pillow or something. Maybe I'll get drunk. There's that bottle of Champagne...

Eventually Reece reached over and rested her hand on Cori's shoulder. The dancer let out a sigh of relief to feel that hand. It was steady and strong. "You okay?"

"Yeah, thanks, Cori. I'm gonna go home and tell Faith I love her. Maybe hump a pillow," she added with a sly grin.

The dancer squeezed Reece's hand on her shoulder and smiled knowingly. "Oh, my god... a cab! You okay to go the rest of the way?" Cori hardly waited for an answer before she practically threw herself in front of the vehicle. Reece chuckled and waved.

Reece locked the door behind her and pressed her body against it, breathing a shaky sigh of relief. Home.

The streets were full of drunks and revelers, little packs of out of towners, each one louder and more obnoxious than the rest. She congratulated herself for successfully ignoring any urge to strangle and/or maim these annoyingly festive people. The tall woman kicked off her boots and soaked up the quiet. It calmed her enough to open her eyes and look around. Too quiet. She probably fell asleep waiting for me. "Babe?" Wonder if she's mad? Reece flipped on the lights and peered around. I had to get her out of there... too many assholes. I was protecting her, she's gotta know that.

Looking into the living room, she noticed something odd lying in the middle of the floor and went to investigate. "Faith?" she called out while bending down to retrieve the crumpled stockings. She smirked as she lifted them to her nose. Mmm. Faith. It's what's for dinner.

Yeah, she's out, she thought, somewhat disappointed. Aw, fuck, probably for the better, but how am I going to sleep tonight? Ah, alcohol... The tall woman frowned at the empty bottle of champagne lying on the floor by the recliner. Crap. Looks like Faith already celebrated without me. I don't blame her... I was so stupid tonight.

Wandering into the kitchen, she cursed when her foot landed in a puddle. Peeling off her wet sock, the smell of the expensive bubbly hit her. She's drunk! Reece grinned, suddenly excited. She's probably waiting upstairs for me right now... The club owner peeled off her other sock and headed for the stairs, with visions of her naked girlfriend lying seductively on the bed.

She tore open her pants as she entered the bedroom, only to find Faith sprawled out on the bed in flannel pajamas. Well that serves you right, you think she's always gonna wait for you?

The tall woman dropped her hands to her sides dejectedly and looked at herself in the mirror. Before she had time to beat herself up, the reflection of something colorful caught her eye. Turning to face the bed from a new angle, Reece raised an eyebrow at the wrapping paper, tissue paper and other items surrounding the sleeping woman, who mumbled. "Faith? You up?" she asked quietly.

Climbing onto the bed, the tall woman started investigating the clutter. Interesting... very interesting... she snickered to herself, flipping through the pages of "The Joys Of Lesbian Sex."

She attempted to juggle the little pouches of lube, but failed miserably. Her attention was drawn to some black objects, which, when she grabbed, revealed a note: Don't think I didn't notice those chafe marks, young lady. Doris's daughter, the fashionable lesbian I met at the last P-FLAG get together, told me these were all the rage. You just peel off the back and stick them in your cuffs.

Hmm... not a bad idea... she agreed as she played with the soft, furry inserts. What other goodies did she give us? Reece scanned the bed, her eyes narrowed at the item her snoring lover was clutching in her hand. She carefully extracted it and held it up for inspection. Ooo! I was gonna get this! Cool, Mrs. A!

Faith shifted in her sleep and the club owner's eyes widened. What the hell happened in here? she wondered, half amused, half confused. It seemed every toy they had was in bed with her lover. Reece snickered when she caught herself smelling the newest toy. Nope, not Faith. Musta been seeing if it really did fit them all.

Faith made tasting noises and turned over onto her back. Reece cocked her head at the cute noises and wondered what her lover was tasting in her sleep.

The tall woman bent over to kiss her, smelled the champagne and frowned. She continued, tickling Faith's lips with her tongue and pulled back. Still nothing. "Well, looks like you're gone for the night," she sighed in disappointment.

Reece cleaned up the bed, and read all the notes in the process. She couldn't contain the chuckle reading about Faith's potato and bent over to kiss that, too.

"Oh, that you feel, you horndog," Reece teased her comatose lover and headed for the shower. Standing under the spray, Reece thought about everything and then she rethought it all again. Finally relaxed and feeling much more human, she breathed a sigh of relief. Ahhh... I think I can handle this. Cuddle, and sleep. I could definitely do that.

The tall woman lost track of how long she let the warm water pound at the back of her neck. It felt too good to leave, so she leaned her forearms against the wall and groaned in pleasure.

"Hey, you better not be touching anything that I should be," Faith's sleepy voice broke through her haze.

Reece didn't jump and her heart didn't pound. Instead, a lazy smile slid across her lips. "Mmm... nope. You can't reach this spot, Shorty," she chuckled.

"SHITDAMNFUCK!" the tall, scalded woman threw open the shower curtain and glared at her tormentor, who just happened to look adorable.

Reece simply chuckled. Faith was wearing a pair of her pajamas, which hung at least three inches past her hands. She was standing on the bottom of the pants and they managed to stay up only because Faith was grasping them at the waist.

"I missed you. They smelled like you," Faith began to dry her tall wet lover, leering occasionally.

The wandering eyes didn't go unnoticed and Reece began to feel rejuvenated. "I missed you, too," Reece picked up the smaller woman and brought her to bed.

"Are you going to take advantage of me?" Faith poked her tongue out and wet her lips seductively.

It was very early New Year's Day. Two figures lay snuggled under the comforter, arms and legs tangled together. Dark hair draped over blonde, as Reece rested her cheek on Faith's forehead. The smaller woman snored slightly, her partner breathed evenly and deeply, ruffling the light hair with each exhale.

The dancer arrived home to find a trash bag on her doorstep. At first, Cori was leery of the bag (this was New York) and she sidestepped it, giving it a nudge with her toe. The bag wriggled and yipped. The dancer shrieked and Violet came running outside in her underwear, armed with a teakettle and a fork.

And so, the two new mommies were kept awake by their brood. Each time one nodded off, a pup would whimper and whine, prompting another cuddle and kiss. Both mommies were tired and cranky.

Reece stretched out her legs and curled back up, snuggling closer to Faith. Faith adjusted, backing her rear into the warmth behind her. Reece pulled the actress impossibly closer, burying her face in the back of Faith's neck. Both women smiled contentedly in their sleep.

Violet yawned violently and gathered the three animals inside her coat, following Cori on her mission to spread the joy.

Reece stirred, her subconscious alerting her to something, but not sure what. The club owner sluggishly fought the warning, grunting and throwing a leg over Faith. Her sleeping mind registering her lover intact, she fell back into her dreams.

The dancer tiptoed into the bedroom and carefully placed the three puppies in front of Faith. Then she high-tailed it back into the hallway.

Faith mumbled and laid her arm out on the bed. Something licked her hand. She balled up her fist and stuck it under her head. Something licked her eye. She frowned in her sleep and covered her face with her other hand. Something bit her elbow. Her eyes flew open and she was face to nose with the smallest most adorable puppy she had ever seen. Immediately alarmed she tried to sit up, but realized she was being held rather protectively and stretched her neck to investigate the snicker.

Faith wiped her eyes; only to find she wasn't seeing things, there really were three and one seemed to be trying to climb over her to Reece. Oh, this will never do... Faith worried.

Cori also felt apprehensive. Only now did she realize in all the years she knew the club owner, she never once saw her interact with an animal. She started to step into the room when Violet pointed out that the puppy had wandered around to the foot of the bed, directly to the tall woman's toes.

"NNnnyyyiiiiii!!!!!" Reece was hopping on one foot, holding the other, looking frantically around until she lost her balance and fell on her ass. Chapter

Unable to contain herself, Faith burst out in hysterics. Cori and Violet followed suit and Reece frowned furiously at all of them. Violet sobered slightly at the sight of Reece's naked tits jiggling as she stood up.

The half dazed club owner was a sight in her backwards pajama pants and her hair a wreck. "Something bit me," she whined.

When Reece turned around to look at the bed, the dancer had a good view of her ass through the open fly on her pj's and her laughter renewed. Cori ran to the bathroom in what Faith figured was an emergency pee.

"Hon..." Faith was desperately trying to control herself, but it wasn't working. "Oh, god... look..." she attempted an explanation by holding up a puppy.

Reece stubbornly sat on the bed and wrapped the blanket around her breasts. She was very embarrassed and was glad Cori wasn't in the room to lay into her about her little dance. Puppies... she snorted to herself, still angry at being wakened like that.

"Where'd you get them?" Faith asked as she kissed one puppy and let the others cavort on the bed.

"Hey, those weren't walking around on the sidewalk and now walking on my pillows..."

"Oh, come on, baby... look at..." Faith paused and lifted one up for inspection, "...him! It's a boy!"

"And two girls. We found them on the stoop in a bag last night, or rather this morning." To make her point clear, Cori yawned widely.

"Oh, my god! Who would do something like that? What are you going to do with them?" Faith was growing very attached to this little boy and kissed it on the nose. It licked her in the mouth.

"Reece you can't be serious?" Faith was astonished that her lover didn't share her love of animals.

"We can't keep them in the apartment now, but since we're moving in two weeks... we figured maybe you can..."

Reece had her mouth hanging open and was positive the word "no" was going to spring forth adamantly, but just seeing Faith's expression while she played with the puppies made her hesitate long enough for her lover to answer.

Faith held a puppy up to Reece's face and animated his paws. "Pweese Weece... we have no pwace to go. Sniff sniff... We are so vewy teensy and need wots of cuddles."

"Jesus, Faith!! Okay!" Reece threw her hands up in the air, defeated. "Just don't blame me if I squash one by accident. I have big feet," she snickered.

"Reece Corbett, don't you even joke about hurting these beautiful babies! She didn't mean that. She's just cranky cuz mommy Faith passed out cold and she didn't get any last night."

"It's not like I didn't try, Reece," Faith explained. "I did, after all, drink the whole bottle of champagne."

Cori ran over to Faith for protection, stuck her tongue out at her friend and did the "neener neener" dance.

"Don't push me, Freak." Reece stomped out of the room as threatening as one could be while topless, with their ass poking through the back of their pants.

Reece grumbled around the house all morning. She had every intention of picking up from where Faith fell asleep last night. But nooo... Thank you, Freak. She was irritable and wanted to get laid. She made a few comments, but nobody paid her any mind and when Cori and Violet left, Reece settled for pouting alone in the kitchen.

This was the millionth time Reece had to see something already and she rolled her eyes before sliding her chair back to look in on Faith. One pup was on Faith's head. It