Chapter 57

"You were there the entire time and you didn't mention your past once?" Krissi smiled. "I think that's marvelous." It was three days after Devlin had returned from Florida. They were in downtown Bloomington walking toward campus. The wind was blowing, snow was falling, and they were both bundled up against the cold.

"There never seemed to be that right moment for it," Devlin said. She stopped in the lee of a building and took a breath. "Bad one out today."

"It's supposed to get worse," Krissi said. "There was a Winter Storm Warning on the radio this morning. You could come over and spend it with me. It's been a while."

"I'd love to," Devlin said with a sigh. "But I didn't do any studying when I was gone. I've got two papers and a ton of homework to get through."

"Damn it, you're setting a good example again," Krissi laughed, her breath puffing out before whipping around her face and vanishing. "I have a ton of work to get through, too. I have galley proofs to finish revising, and I'm nearly done with a chapter in my latest."

"We could get together next weekend," Devlin said. "Emma's not hosting a party."

"I know. She wants to make sure the New Years Dance is on a party weekend." Krissi nodded. "Let's do that. Like I said, it's been a while."

"We'll have to schedule the whole day," Devlin said. "How are you getting home? It's nearly a mile, and I think the busses have stopped running."

"I'll just have to walk," Krissi said.

Devlin looked up at the clouds. Was it her imagination, or was the snow coming down even harder? "No, don't. You could stay at the Athletic Club."

Krissi shook her head. "I'm not a member."

Devlin shifted her book bag so it was more comfortable. "I was going to go back to the dorms. I've got two papers due on Monday, but I've also have to get my monthly inventory done. We can stay at the Athletic Club."

"No," Krissi said, "we both have things to do, and..."

"Do you have your laptop in your bag?"

"Of course, but..."

Devlin linked her arm through her friend's and headed for the Athletic Club. "We'll get a room. I'm a member, after all, and you can write while I'll be doing my inventory. Afterwards I can go on back to the dorm. I'll tell them you're my guest so they won't throw you out."

Krissi looked dubious. "All right," she said, but only after a gust made her flinch. "It's too cold out here to argue with you. I won't be interrupted, will I? You know, like almost happened to you and Danny."

"No, you won't. They've assured me of that, and I'm inclined to believe them."

Devlin got her friend checked into a room, ironically the one she and Danny had used so many times, and then went downstairs. Two hours later, her inventory complete, she was headed for the front door when the porter stopped her.

"Don't go out there, Ms. McCabe," he said. "It's turned into a blizzard, and the police are telling people to stay indoors."

Devlin glanced out the front door. She couldn't even see the cars parked in front of the building, just vague hints of white mounds. A couple of people pushed through the revolving door, stamping snow off their boots. A wave of cold air swept across the floor, making her shiver.

"Not even back to the dorms?" she asked the porter.

He shook his head. "They don't want anybody out there, ma'am. And quite frankly, I can see their point. Reminds me of when I was in the Air Force and was stationed in Alaska. We had storms like that up there and if it wasn't for the ropes they tied in place you could get lost just walking between two buildings."

Devlin slumped a little. "I suppose they're right."

"Yes, ma'am. In this case I think they are."

When she got back to the room Krissi was staring at her laptop, typing away, oblivious to the world. She'd peeled down to her jeans and a heavy sweater, though she still had her boots on. She'd seen Krissi like this before, and it would take a major earthquake to break her concentration.

Devlin gave her a smile and called the dorm on her cell phone. "Sarah? It's Devlin."

"Where are you? I was starting to worry."

"I'm at the Athletic Club. I was about to head back, but the police are telling everyone to stay indoors."

"Yeah, classes have been cancelled for the day, and very likely for tomorrow, too. Some of the girls are talking about having a party here on the floor, a blizzard party or something. We can still get to Linkins, so a couple of gals have gone off to get some stuff to eat."

"I'm sorry I'll miss it. Look, I'll be all right here. I'll get back when I can."

"Take care and talk to you later."

Devlin hung up, staring at the world outside the window. The room was warm, but the closer she got to the windows the colder she felt. She tried to decide what to do. She could do her paper on the computer downstairs off the Women's Locker Room, though she wasn't sure where she could print it. She closed the curtains, turned up the heat, and settled in to the chair with a textbook.

Three hours later, and more than a little bored, she began rubbing her arms. Krissi was still concentrating on her story, but the typing seemed to be slowing. The room was warm, but the cold air seemed to be seeping around the drapes. Devlin took a look outside--nothing but white--and then pulled a blanket out of the closet and bundled herself even tighter in it. That didn't seem to help.

"Cold?" she asked Krissi.

"Not really," Krissi replied. "I'm just out-running my notes. The rest of them are in my apartment." She leaned back and stretched. "I could probably use a break."

"I was going to go down to the Reading Room. They have a fireplace down there, so it should be a lot warmer."

"Works for me." Krissi rummaged around in her bag, finally pulling out a thick stack of bound pages. "Let's go. I have galley proofs to review."

The Reading Room was actually a wood-paneled library. There were several over-stuffed or leather chairs arranged in a circle around the fireplace. Devlin picked a chair moderately close to the fire and resumed reading. The heat from the fire warmed her entire body; the only thing missing was a hot cup of cocoa stuffed with marshmallows. Krissi across from her, took out her pen, and started reading the galley proofs she'd brought.

The outside world was beginning to darken when Devlin finished all of her reading. She was hungry, but it was too soon for dinner. It wasn't too soon to use some of the other amenities, though.

"I know a way to warm up," she said when Krissi looked up from her proofs.

"You're cold? I think it's rather warm in here."

"Florida must have spoiled me. They have a sauna here, a pool, and almost unlimited hot water."

"A sauna?" Krissi marked her place. "You talked me into it. You just appealed to my Scandinavian blood."

Krissi settled in the sauna with a happy sigh. "This will keep me warm. There's no way the cold could get in here."

"I figure a nice swim will just about round out the day," Devlin said after a bit.

"Dinner first," Krissi said. "I haven't eaten yet today, and I'm starving."

"Sometimes I think it's a wonder you don't starve to death."

"Yeah, well, all of the girls in my family can pack on the pounds if we don't watch it."

Devlin sighed. "I'd really love a swim, but I feel an obligation to make sure you're fed."

"I'm not stopping you from a swim."

"Food," Devlin said with a shake of her head. After a while longer she got up and headed for the door. "But at least I'll get a hot shower."

She didn't get the swim, and they only took sandwiches from the food line. And as she'd half-expected, they found something to do that was a lot more interesting than studying or watching TV. Krissi was hot, and her fingers were magical, and both of them were soon lost in a world of almost perpetual pleasure.

She watched sleepily the next morning as Krissi padded over to the window and threw back the curtains.

"Take it all in, Bloomington," her blonde friend called out, spreading her arms. "Here I am in all my naked glory!"

"Nobody'll see you through all the snow," Devlin said.

"I may be a bit of an exhibitionist," Krissi said, closing the curtains, "but I'm not a stupid exhibitionist." She crawled back under the covers.

"Um, your skin is all goose-bumps," Devlin said, brushing her lips along Krissi's body.

"Those aren't my goose-bumps you're kissing," Krissi murmured. She put her hand against the back of Devlin's head to hold her against her breast.

"They're just as bumpy." She teased Krissi's nipples until they were hard. "Maybe even bumpier."

Krissi ran her fingers over Devlin's skin. "I hope you don't mind, but I left a wake-up call at the front desk."

"Oh?" Devlin kissed the valley between her friend's breasts, and then slowly worked her way up to Krissi's lips. "Why?"

"Because as wonderful as this is," Krissi murmured around Devlin's lips, "we have to do something today besides make love."

"If you say so."

"If nothing else we need to recover our strength."

"Okay." Devlin brushed her tongue against Krissi's lips before slipping between them.

Krissi molded her body to Devlin's, slipping her leg between Devlin's, smiling as she felt Devlin do the same to her. The two began moving against each other. One thing led to another, one urgent need was satisfied, only to rise up again and demand more attention. Finally they drifted to sleep, arms and legs entwined, breath warm on each other's skin.

The telephone brought Devlin awake. It was the Front Desk reminding them that it was 8:30 a.m., their requested wake-up time.

"Are you still serving breakfast?" Devlin asked. She pushed at her hair. Her whole body felt heavy, and she could use a hot shower.

"Until 10:30 this morning, ma'am."

"Oh, I'll be down long before then. Thanks."

She got out of bed, tucking the covers up under Krissi's chin. She didn't feel like throwing open the curtains like Krissi had. Instead she dressed enough to be semi-presentable and went downstairs for a swim.

She called Krissi and got her to come down for breakfast. "You're going to need the calories," she said when Krissi joined her. "Especially after last night."

Krissi eyed the food Devlin was stacking on her plate. "You're not planning on eating all of that, are you?"

"Unlike you I've already been up and done my morning work-out."

"Yeah, well, sometimes sleep is more important than exercise." She piled her plate up with fruit and followed Devlin to a corner table. "Is there any place here to do laundry?"

"It's coin-operated." She looked around, but except for a couple across the room, and the woman at the cash register, they were alone. "Don't tell me you actually wore underwear. I didn't think you did."

"I do on cold days or when I wear jeans."

Devlin nodded. "I have spare clothes here, but most of them wouldn't fit you."

"I'll take my chances with the washer and dryer." Krissi looked at a businessman who came in, unshaven and rumpled. "At least jeans and underwear don't need ironing."

"I have an aunt who irons everything, including her bras."

"What on earth for?"

"She said she feels better wearing ironed clothes."

"It takes all kinds. Did you ever get snowed in like this?"

"Once, and I wasn't really snowed in. The school was closed because the heating plant had failed, and the highway south of town was blocked off by the State Patrol for some reason. That aunt I'd mentioned had come down from the northern part of the state for a visit, and she and my Mom went shopping. They wanted to take me, but I persuaded them that they really wanted time alone."

"Let me guess. That was so you could go over to Danny's."

Devlin nodded. "I wanted to see if Sue needed help with anything. It turned out she and the kids were visiting her folks, leaving Danny at home without much to do."

"But the two of you managed to correct that."

Devlin smiled. "We certainly did, and it sort of started like last night. I went upstairs, shedding my clothes. Danny was sitting at his desk reading, and...

She crept up behind him and rubbed her breasts across his back.

"Hi, there," Danny said. He had a smile on his face and turned to kiss her breasts. "I thought you had relatives visiting."

"My aunt and Mom went shopping, leaving me at home."

"And you came over here to see if you could find something to do."

"Oh, I can think of plenty to do," she replied. "The only question is if you are interested." She felt down between his legs. He was already getting hard.

"I think I could be persuaded," he said. She promptly pushed her nipple into his mouth. "All right," he laughed around her soft female flesh, "you talked me into it."

He kissed and sucked her breasts while undressing. As much as she wanted him to continue, she decided to suck him to completion first. After he came he ate her into a writhing climax that left her dazed and gasping for breath.

"How adventurous do you feel?" he asked as he settled in beside her, his hands caressing her body.

"Adventurous?" She felt absolutely marvelous and was having a hard time thinking.

"We don't have to stay in the bedroom."

"You mean... ?"

He took her downstairs. In the next two hours they had sex in the kitchen, the dining room, on the stairs, and finally in the living room with her kneeling on the couch and looking out the window at kids playing in the street while he put it to her from behind. She fantasized about their reactions if they could see in the darkened house. Eventually they returned to the bedroom where he took her to one last throbbing climax that left her throat raw from her passionate cries.

Later, after they'd cuddled in bed, she fixed them a late lunch. She felt absolutely wanton, so wicked and slutty; she was naked as she served the lunch, enjoying every moment of it. There was something about the feel of her body that was a different turn-on than any she'd had before. She was absolutely free, a completely sexual animal, totally desired by this man.

They ended up in the bedroom with the lights off and the covers pulled up. There they shared slow gentle sex until he was too tired to move. They cuddled again, just the two of them away from the rest of the world.

Dusk was washing the sky when they finally stirred. She forced herself out of the bed, knowing her mother was due back soon. She showered so she wouldn't smell like sex, and dressed quietly. Danny was still asleep, so she dropped a kiss on his cheek and then trudged through the snow, the wind wiping out the footprints behind her.

About an hour later her mother and aunt came home. Devlin was sitting on the couch with a bowl of popcorn and watching a movie on television.

"Quiet day?" her mother asked. She still had on her coat and seemed in no hurry to hang it up.

"It was a day of hot throbbing passion and lust run amok," Devlin replied, smiling, her eyes still on the TV screen. She didn't feel like moving. She was enjoying that luscious tiredness that came from being thoroughly and completely laid.

"How about some dinner?" her aunt asked, eyeing the television. It was clear she thought Devlin's reference was to the movie, where a fully-clothed couple grappled in a passionate kiss. "It's got to be better than that popcorn."

"Sure," Devlin said, getting off the couch. "This movie is pretty lame. Let me get my shoes. Do I have to change or anything?"

Her mother shook her head. "We were thinking of going to go to that Mexican restaurant in Varna. No need to dress up for that. With weather like this we figured there wouldn't be many people out tonight."

"Sort of like today," Krissi said, nodding as Devlin completed her story. "I can't believe you didn't get caught."

"We never did. Last summer Danny and I hooked up in Atlanta and did pretty much the same thing the day before we both had to leave. We were both on the same flight out of there, which was kind of funny, though we were in different sections. I don't know about Danny, but I slept most of the way back to Chicago."

"I did something like that on my last book tour," Krissi said, smiling. "Steve met me and we holed up in a hotel room in Denver. I think he had to crawl to the elevator the next day. I know I was so sore I could barely pee."

"Sounds like me a couple of times at Emma's."

"Yeah, well you tend to get wild at Emma's."

"And you don't?"

"Point taken." Krissi nibbled at her sausage. "The couch in the living room?"

"We started out with me on my back, but it was more fun for him to do me from behind. He was gripping my hips, and my boobs were banging away against the couch. It was kind of funny, you know, watching the people walking by outside while we were doing it."

"Oh?"

"If they could only see what was going on. It was good that they couldn't."

"Yeah, I can see that. It sounds fun."

"Reminded me of one of the times at Emma's. This guy and I were in the backyard, and just a few feet away, on the other side of the hedge, there were these two guys talking over a grill. I think that's the closest I've ever come to getting caught while doing it in public."

"That isn't exactly in public."

"You know what I mean. I can be a little vocal..."

"A little?" Krissi snorted with laughter. "A little?"

"Well... let's just say I like to give voice to my appreciation when things are going well. Anyway, that time in the backyard at Emma's it was everything I could do to keep from moaning, especially when I came."

"That's a real tough problem to have," Krissi said. She glanced at her watch. "I should get back to the salt mines. I want to finish that chapter today, and I need to get those galley proofs in the mail by the end of the week."

"I should probably stay away from you, then," Devlin said. "We get... distracted."

Krissi laughed. "That's one word for it." She pushed herself away from the table. "I'll see you in a couple of hours."

"I've got a paper to write," Devlin said. "If you need me, I'll be in that little room off of the Women's Locker Room. The door will be closed to hold down the humidity, so you'll have to knock."

A few hours later, with her paper completed and saved, she returned to the room. It was still nothing but white outside. Krissi was staring at the screen in front of her, nibbling on her lip. Curious, Devlin stood behind her friend to see what she was working on.

"Just another of my 'Rose' stories," Krissi said when she was aware of Devlin. "It's nothing to get excited about."

"I thought you'd be working on one of your Young Adult stories."

"I was, but I hit a stopping point. My notes are back home, so I decided to see what Rose was doing."

Devlin settled back on the bed. "And what is your favorite slut up to?"

Krissi paged back. "Let's see. Do you want the purple prose? Or the rewrite?"

"Give me the purple prose. I'm curious what that is."

"Don't say I didn't warn you." Krissi cleared her throat. "Okay, here goes."

"Rose moaned as she felt Brad's fleshy love missile slide into her love sheath. He was the new boy in school, and she wanted him before any other girl set her sights on his rugged body. He was tall and broad across the shoulders, with narrow hips. She had seen him coming out of the Councilor's Office and practically dragged him into the first vacant classroom.

"'You've got to fuck me with that thing, ' she whispered when she first saw his rigid member. It was nearly a foot long, and thicker than her wrist. She sucked it, tracing her tongue over every purple vein, lapping repeatedly at the helmet-shaped head until it was slick with her saliva.

"Brad had stripped her clothes away, gripping her pale body with his strong hands. He'd worked her flesh, touching here, touching there, rousing her with his sureness. His fingers had probed her nether lips, opening them, spreading her hot juices, finally pausing to lick her dew from his fingers.

"He bent her back over the teacher's desk, wrapping her legs around his waist, and then sliding his man meat into her with one unstoppable thrust.

"'God, that feels so good, ' she gasped as he scraped every secret nerve inside her. 'Fuck me with that lovely monster.'

"He grinned, backed off, and thrust again. He held her hips in his strong hands, his fingers massaging the white globes of her bottom. Time after time he withdrew, only to plunge back into her fiery furnace, shaking her body each time.

"Rose was lost in the moment. She came once in a writhing, moaning orgasm, and then began to build toward another one. She could feel his balls slapping against her bottom. His face was a mask of lust, his eyes devouring her pale white breasts, her flat tummy, and the flare of her hips.

"He began to speed up, making her body quake. She arched up into him, transported into realms of pure delight. And then, as she peaked, as her whole world shrank to the throbbing heat of her climax, she felt his jets of love cream fill her, spurt after spurt flooding her."

"Love-missile?" Devlin asked. "Love cream? Isn't that a bit much?"

Krissi shrugged. "I didn't say it was good, and I did tell warn you that it was a bit purple."

"You mean you're going to tone that down?"

"Only a bit. I'll stick in some euphemisms, but not many. Remember, this is porn, not erotica."

"What's the difference?"

"Lighting, staging, plot, and word choice." She leaned back, stretching. "Most of the Rose stories, and a lot of pornography, are like this. They see each other, and within a page he's putting it to her. There's an old joke in writing circles that a porn story that started 'Fuck my brains out, ' the woman cried as she walked into the whorehouse while unbuttoning her blouse' was rejected because it 'started slow'."

"Started slow?" Devlin laughed. "That was slow?"

"She still had her clothes on," Krissi said, "and so did he."