Covert Affairs chapter 7
i'm really tired, so i didn't proofread this really. so, sorry. but, yeah...enjoy. most interesting chapter i do believe.
Leena was the first to return from the warehouse. She went upstairs. The door to Wells' room was still open. The light was off in Myka's. Leena smiled to herself as she pulled HG's door closed. Something occurred to her. She went down the hall to a linen closet and pulled out a stack of signs. She went back to HG's door and hung a do not disturb sign on the handle. Laughing, she placed one on Myka's door.
Helena woke early. Myka still lie as she had when she fell asleep. It was certainly nice waking up with a beautiful woman wrapped around you. She smiled and kissed the top of Myka's head. Carefully, Helena slipped from the bed. She didn't want to wake her companion. Clothes were scattered haphazardly around the floor. She picked hers out and collected Myka's together. Helena put her shirt on, only buttoning the center button. Slowly she cracked open Myka's door and peaked her head out. It didn't sound as if anyone else was awake yet. She pulled the door open to slip into the hall and noticed a small piece of plastic hanging from the doorknob. She read it and looked across at her door. There was one on hers as well. Helena smiled and closed the door. No need to rush, no one would come knocking, putting Myka in an awkward situation.
She planned on getting back into bed with Myka, but when she turned around and looked at the sleeping woman she was overtaken. The morning sun filtered through the window and fell gently across her face. Her pale skin glowed and the red highlights in her hair shone. Myka's soft lips were ever so slightly parted. She was absolutely gorgeous wrapped up in her sheets. Helena looked around the room. She found a pencil and some blank paper. Slowly, so as not to wake Myka, she sat on the foot of the bed and began sketching what she saw.
She smiled when she'd finished. It was just a quick sketch, but it was beautiful. Helena placed the paper on the pillow next to Myka's sleeping form. She smiled at the lovely girl before deciding to shower.
Myka woke slowly. Her arms were empty and the bed next to her cold. Sadness gripped her. The water was running in the bathroom. She opened her eyes. The bathroom door was most of the way closed. Myka clearly recognized the sound of the shower and smiled; Helena hadn't left her. She stretched her lithe body and saw the present HG had left her. Myka picked up the sketch of her sleeping and looked at it. Helena was a very good artist. Her smile broadened as she thought of Helena watching over her as she slept. Myka felt safe with her. She sat up, holding the sheet against her chest and looked over the picture, pouring over every detail Helena had put into it. She had drawn a small curl stuck in the corner of her lip. Myka reached up and pulled the lock free of her mouth.
Helena came back into the room, wrapped up in Myka's robe. She sat on the love seat opposite the bed. Myka looked up at her. "Is there anything you can't do with your hands?"
HG raised an eyebrow and flashed a wicked smile. "You would be a better judge of that than I."
Myka blushed and sucked in her bottom lip. She would have to remember to be more careful with her words around this one. "Then I would have to say no." She put the sketch on the bedside table and looked at Helena adoringly.
HG stared at her. Myka was so gorgeous. And right now, with sleep-mussed hair, holding the sheet against her body, and that look in her eye, that smile on her face-it was the purest sentiment; even Wells couldn't find the words to fittingly describe how beautiful Myka was in this moment. She got from her seat and joined Myka on the bed. Helena kissed her, a fiery kiss. She slid her hand across Myka's knee, along her thigh and up her side. HG took hold of the sheet and yanked it down. Myka jumped. Helena smiled as she grabbed Myka's freshly exposed breast. She rolled her nipple between her fingers. Myka slipped her tongue past Helena's lips. She savored that wonderful tingle, running her tongue over Myka's. Myka held HG's face in her hands. She pulled Helena down onto the mattress. HG wrapped her arms around Myka as the taller woman lounged her length over her. She laid her head down on Helena's shoulder. The soft fabric of her robe made an excellent pillow. Myka rested her hand on the bare skin between Helena's breasts. HG lie there, still and calm, content with Myka's body recumbent on her. Her breath tickled Helena's neck. Myka moved her hand to touch the dark bruise her teeth had left. "Does it hurt?"
"A little. Only when you touch it." Helena smirked. Myka retracted her finger. "Sorry. I don't know what it's like. I've never been bitten."
"Never apologize for your curiosity, Myka. It's a glorious trait and even more wonderful when given to someone unafraid of indulging it."
Myka smiled. She ran her finger over the mark again. A silent laugh shook Helena's chest. Myka studied her face. She really was stunningly beautiful. What is she doing with me? The thought fleeted across her mind only briefly before she chased it away. What did it matter why, or whether Myka felt she deserved her-she had her. And that was all that mattered. Myka ran a finger over Helena's lips. HG kissed her fingertip. Myka traced a small scar on Helena's cheekbone. "What's this from?"
She smiled. "It's rather embarrassing actually. I fell off a bicycle."
"As a kid?" Myka remembered more than a few scraped knees from when she had taught herself to ride without training wheels.
"No. I was twenty-three." Helena replied flatly. Myka laughed. HG opened her eyes and looked at her. "Bicycles then were not the wonderfully balanced machines you have now. I fell from two meters over the handlebars of a penny-farthing onto a cobblestone street. One of the stones cut my cheek."
Myka leaned over and kissed the small blemish. Her eyes shone as she looked into Helena's. HG smiled at her and Myka returned her head to her robe-covered shoulder. Her mind seized hold of Helena's statement and ran. A hundred and twenty years ago she was five years younger than herself. And now, she was only six years older. Her body was. Myka glanced down Helena's length, at her beautiful bare legs. What a spectacular body it was. But her mind was...a hundred and forty-four years old. She had lived nearly two lifetimes. Wells' intellect had been formidable before; what would a century of thinking glean? Myka felt inadequate again. Helena turned her head and kissed Myka's forehead. The thought fled utterly with the touch of her soft lips.
"I should tell you," HG began, her voice thick with comfort. "I believe our dear proprietor is aware of our little adventure."
"Adventure?"
Helena smiled and laughed gently. "Yes, dear Myka, you are an adventure. A fine adventure of the grandest quality."
Myka smiled and traced lines between the freckles on Helena's chest. "Why do you think Leena knows?"
'Because when I went to steal my way across the hall into my room this morning, I found a small placard reading 'do not disturb' had been placed on both our doors. And mine had been open when we," she paused. "Retired for the evening." Her fingers started to draw little circles on Myka's hip. "I was rather pleased about it. I did not fancy the idea of you having to wake up alone. And what you might have thought."
Myka kissed the skin closest to her mouth. The lied in silence. Myka's hand fell still against Helena's chest. She sighed against HG's neck. Wells smiled, Myka was falling asleep. She hugged Myka tightly and kissed her forehead again. "Come on, darling. Time to wake."
"Mmm."
"Come. We'll get you some breakfast. I suspect you're famished." Myka's stomach growled loudly. Helena eyed her. "Uh huh. Hurry in the shower." Myka rolled grudgingly out of bed. Helena watched as the sheet fell away and she stood naked. She took pleasure in studying each muscle of Myka's toned form flex as she walked across the room into the bathroom. An idea occurred to her. A very good idea.
Pete raised his fist to knock on Myka's door. She'd missed breakfast. HG had as well, but her presence was not yet part of the routine and had gone unnoticed. Or at least unmentioned.
"Pete." Claudia stopped him.
"What?"
"Don't."
"Why not?"
Claudia pointed to the doorknob. "It says 'do not disturb.'"
Pete looked down. "When did Myka get all private?"
"She had a rough day yesterday, Pete. Just leave her alone."
Pete checked each doorknob he saw. "There's one on her room too. What is going on with this place?" Claudia turned and looked at HG's door. A sign hung from her doorknob as well. She smirked. Pete went back downstairs. Claudia looked at Myka's door. "You're welcome."
Leena was in the dining room cleaning up from breakfast when Myka and HG came in. She looked over her shoulder. The two of them standing together produced such a brilliant rainbow of color and light, it washed out everything in Leena's vision. "Good morning."
Myka smiled. "Good morning."
"Sleep well?"
Myka looked sideways at Helena. "Yes." She answered simply. "Did we miss breakfast?"
"Yes. I can fix something if you like."
"Oh, that's not necessary. I can cobble something together." HG headed off into the kitchen.
Myka lingered, wanting to say something to Leena, but not sure what. Leena looked at her while she waited. Myka was complete now. She smiled; Myka deserved it. She finally found her voice. "Thank you." She said quietly. Leena nodded. Myka left to join HG in the kitchen.
She stopped in the doorway. HG was trying to get something from the top shelf her body was stretched as long as she could, but the item was just out of reach. Myka enjoyed the sight before coming to her rescue. She came up behind HG and put her hand in the small of Helena's back, HG relaxed into her touch instantly. She reached up to retrieve the teapot for her, Myka's extra two inches being just enough. "Thank you, Myka."
Myka looked at her. "You're welcome, Helena."
Her name sounded lovely on Myka's lips. Her gaze fell from Myka's eyes to her lips. Her smiling lips. HG leaned forward and kissed her. Myka slowly set the teapot down on the counter. Helena teasingly slid her tongue over Myka's lips. She felt Myka's hand on her back pull her ever so slightly closer.
"Is this gonna happen every time I come into a room?"
Myka shot away from HG, not remembering she was in the corner and had nowhere to go. She snapped back and bounced off the counter. "Ow."
"Sorry. Should I wear a little bell? Make it easy to hear me coming?"
"No, Claudia."
"You should be alright dear, but that isn't a bad idea for Pete." HG smirked.
"Which Pete?" Claudia asked.
HG furrowed her brow. Myka told her sheepishly, "I named my ferret Pete." She was met with a stare awaiting explanation. Myka flushed. "Cute, but really annoying."
HG smiled. "Quite fitting then."
"You guys missed breakfast."
"Yeah. Helena was about to 'cobble something together.'"
"Cool. I just came to get a soda." She retrieved a bottle from the fridge. "Then I'm off to the warehouse." Claudia stopped as she was backing away. Myka was glancing at HG. She saw the look on Myka's face. Even if Myka didn't know it yet, there was no 'maybe' about it. Claudia ran over and hugged Myka. "You so totally do, dude." And she was off.
"You do what?" HG asked her with curious eyes.
Myka became embarrassed, she couldn't say it. "Nothing you need to worry about. It's good. I promise."
"Well, as long as it's good, I suppose a secret or two is permissible."
HG's 'cobbled together' breakfast consisted of crepes with marmalade and fresh strawberries with cream served with an English breakfast tea blend sweetened to perfection with milk and sugar. Myka had offered to help, but HG refused to let her. She finally just sat down and watched, informing her of the location of items when asked.
"Helena...this is amazing."
She smiled. "A good day begins with a good breakfast. I intend for this to be a very good day." there was that twinkle in her eye that, try as she might to hide it, Myka was always able to see. She hid her smirk behind her mug.
"You head to the warehouse, I'll clean up."
"Myka."
"You cooked. I will clean up. And the only was you'll let me is if you aren't here. Go. I'll be there in a minute."
HG walked into Artie's office. Claudia sat at the computer. She looked over her shoulder. "Hey."
"Hello." HG looked around. She didn't see anyone else. "Is Artie..."
"Just me, HG." HG crossed the room to stand by Claudia. "Whoa. You half ninja?"
"No." HG looked at her oddly.
"Nevermind." Claudia turned back to the computer.
"I'm sorry about earlier, in the kitchen."
Claudia smirked up at her. "No sweat. It's cool. Better me than Pete or Artie. And," she paused. "You make her happy."
HG smiled down at Claudia. "It's mutual, I assure you." She leaned down. "Would you be able to do something for me?"
Claudia swallowed. "Uh..."
"Would you mind showing me hot to look up an artifact? I don't know how to use this contraption." She indicated the computer.
"Oh. It's really easy actually." She pulled up the default window. "You click here, and then you type whatever and you can search by creator, effect, time period, name, type of item."
"Can you look up my inventions?"
"Your..."
"There's nothing dangerous, no ulterior motive. They're my things, I'd like to know where they're kept."
"Okay." Claudia did a search for Wells. HG noticed that she seemed to be typing a lot on something running in the background. She followed the letters Claudia typed and surmised that she was going around something, avoiding calling attention to her search. HG studied every keystroke and mouse click. A results screen popped up with a series of photos on one side and text on the other. Claudia pointed to the top of the window. "That's the location. 114F." Claudia scrolled down, they were all in the same place. "Seems like somebody's got her own little section."
"Really? Well that's good to know." She stood up. "Might I have a try?"
"Have at it." Claudia stood up giving HG the chair. She went over to tinker with a project.
Helena, satisfied that Claudia was not watching, proceeded to search for an artifact. She dare not try to hide her search as Claudia had, but hoped that Artie-who surely would be watching her actions-would not check Claudia's logs. Her search was successful. She made a note of the location and returned the screen to the default. "Thank you, Claudia. You may have your computer again." HG let Claudia return to her seat. "How easy is it to be left alone in the shelves? I'd like to spend the day in the warehouse with Myka."
"It can be very easy." If HG was with Myka, she couldn't be doing anything wrong. "Just tell me where you'll be and I'll make sure no one bothers you."
"We'll be spending most of the day around aisle 379Y."
"Gotcha. I'll work my magic."
"Thank you."
"No prob."
Myka finally joined them. "Hey, Claud."
"Hey."
"I'm going to show Helena around the warehouse today, if anyone asks."
Claudia nodded. HG left the office to stand on the balcony, studying the shelves. The door closed behind her. Myka came close to Claudia. "Can you do me a favor?"
"Sure."
Myka smiled and her eyes flicked to watch HG through the glass. "Can you book us a flight to London? And arrange for us to have full access to HG's house?"
"That's really more of an Artie thing." Myka stared at her. "Right. Artie not really big on favors for HG. When do you want to leave?"
"Tomorrow if you can."
Claudia laughed. "If I can..."
Myka smiled at her. "Thank you. I appreciate it."
"You're welcome, dude."
Myka joined HG on the balcony. "So I'm to learn the ins and outs of the new warehouse?"
"I'll be doing inventory, might as well show you how things work."
"I'm ever so eager to learn."
Myka showed HG how to work the electronic tags and properly catalog artifacts. She was impressed at how quickly Helena picked it up. It wasn't surprising, HG was the most brilliant mid she'd ever known. Myka marveled at the woman whose beauty matched her intellect. Her cool confidence and easy sex appeal. This dashing rogue was the greatest puzzle the universe could muster. She smiled to herself, Myka was up to the challenge.
HG pushed, ever so subtly, toward aisle 379Y. They finally came to it. Helena strode casually down the row, searching for the artifact. It would not be hard to miss. She spotted it. With a glance, she made sure Myka's attention was on her. She walked in her quick, steady pace to a bed on the warehouse floor. HG sat down delicately on the brightly colored silk sheets. Myka slowed as she approached the bed. She looked at the tag hanging from the corner post, but it was in Chinese. "What is this?"
HG smiled at her. "P'an chin-lien's bed."
"Who is that?"
"Tsk, Myka. Don't you know your mythology?"
"I tended to stick to more Western cultures." She defended.
"Pity. You miss out on some wonderful things." There was that twinkle again.
"Who was P'an chin-lien?"
"A woman." She said simply. "In her death she was deified. She became a goddess," she paused. Her smile turned devilish and her voice dropped. "Of courtesans."
Myka's eyes went wide. She swallowed hard. "So, what does the bed, um, do?"
HG answered with a deep purr from her throat. "It amplifies tactile sensation." She gave Myka just enough time to process that statement before grabbing her hand and pulling her onto the bed. Helena rolled on top of Myka and kissed her.
Myka's head spun. It was as if she'd never been touched before. As if every kiss she'd ever had, even the ones from HG that seared her lips and set her insides on fire, had only been ghostly reflections in a dirty mirror and this was a real kiss. HG's body felt heavy against her; she felt the quickening beat of her lover's heart thunder against her chest, the subtle twitch of Helena's thighs against hers, the soft brush of HG's pelvis as she settled into her curves. HG lowered her body onto Myka's, pressing as much of herself into Myka as she could. She ran her tongue across Myka's lips before tasting her mouth. Myka screamed at the feeling of HG's tongue sliding over hers. Myka pushed at HG's shoulders. "Helena," she choked out. "Please." Her voice was desperate and tears were filling her eyes. Instantly HG's touch was gone. The mattress shifted and Myka felt her lie down beside her.
HG kissed a tear from the corner of Myka's eye. "I'm sorry." She said tenderly.
Myka caught her breath while Helena softly brushed her cheek. "That..." She started, but her voice came out hoarse and inaudible. Myka cleared her throat. "That was...too much, too fast." Her voice was still rough.
"I'm sorry, Myka. Forgive me for forgetting how strong the effect is the first time."
Myka rolled to face HG. She draped her hand across HG's cheek and looked into her eyes. "I could forgive you anything, Helena."
HG looked at Myka; there was nothing but affection in her soft eyes. Could she really? Helena closed her eyes and put her hand on Myka's. She curled her fingers around Myka's and squeezed gently. She pulled Myka's fingertips to her mouth and kissed them. HG smiled at her with a deliciously wicked look in her eyes. "Shall we try again, dear?" She asked in a low voice. Myka, staring at her lips, nodded. "If it gets to be too much, tell me, please." Myka nodded again and kissed her. She tried to quantify the new depth of the sensation, to assign words to the way Helena's lips felt against her own, the way her tongue...there were no words. Words did not exist in a conscious way that could define it. Words like passion and desire...in the mind they were not hollow. To dig deeper though, to reach the pure, guttural heart of the words, to reach the soul of the words-that came close to what this feeling was.
HG pulled at Myka's shirt. Myka sat up as the cotton was lifted over her head. Her fingers undid the buttons of HG's shirt and she ripped it open, desperate for the feeling of flesh on flesh. Helena lied down on top of Myka, kissing her deeply and pressing their bodies together. Myka clumsily pulled HG's shirt away from her. Helena lifted Myka as she sat up. She popped the clasp of Myka's bra and freed it from her body. HG put a hand on Myka's breast and rubbed it gently. Myka's nipple stiffened in her palm. She kissed Myka's neck and spoke softly in her ear. "Does that feel good, Myka?"
"Yes." She growled. HG kissed her throat, feeling the vibration of Myka's moan on her lips. She moved down, kissing inch by inch. Her kisses felt like lightning strikes on Myka's skin. HG laugh a low, villainous chuckle before taking Myka's nipple into her mouth. "Oh, my God." Myka gasped. Helena grinned. Myka ran her shaking fingers through HG's hair, trying not to grab handfuls of it. She loved Helena's hair; it was always beautiful, falling in cascades around her shoulders. It felt like warm water in her hands now, smooth silky, so soft it was barely felt. HG kept her teeth to herself this time, but her tongue circling Myka's nipple was fastly driving her insane. "Helena." She whimpered.
HG stopped. She looked up at Myka. "Yes?" Myka gripped the hair at the base of her scalp and pulled her up to taste her lips. She pressed against HG, her body aching to be touched. HG's hands slid down to undo Myka's pants. She kissed behind Myka's ear as she pushed her hand inside. Myka jerked her hips against HG's hand. Helena's long, slender fingers slipped between Myka's thighs. Myka wrapped her tongue around the pearl hanging from HG's ear and tugged her earlobe into her mouth. Helena touched Myka's burning clit. Myka moaned, yanked on HG's hair and sunk her teeth violently into her neck. Helena's body was overwhelmed by sensation and she screamed Myka's name as she came. Myka could feel her trembling. Her grasp on Helena's hair became a gentle caress; she let go her teeth and kissed HG's cheek. "Didn't expect that." Myka smiled. Helena let out a laugh amidst her panting. Her hand was still firmly in Myka's crotch, though her fingers were still-except for the trembling. Myka traced a finger over her bite. "That's going to leave a mark."
"Don't touch my neck." HG barked. Myka recoiled, hurt. HG breathed hotly on Myka's shoulder. When the trembling had stopped, she looked at Myka. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be harsh, just the immediacy of the situation."
Myka brushed her lips against Helena's "It's okay."
"Now, I believe I was in the middle of something." HG started rubbing her fingers against Myka. Her body twitched and she let out a moan. "Let's keep that mouth of yours occupied." HG murmured before kissing her.
Myka bit Helena's lip. HG looked down at her. She had a positively fiendish sparkle in her eye as she giggled. "Oh, you're going to pay for that."
Myka sucked in her lips at the prospect of that statement. HG smiled and pushed two fingers deep inside Myka, mouthing a silent moan to match Myka's loud one. She moved her thumb across Myka's clit as she thrust into her repeatedly. Myka grabbed at HG's waist frantically, she needed to feel her. Helena let out a low, slow gasping moan as Myka's fingers glided over her clit.
Myka came, choking out Helena's name in a whisper as her breath failed. Tears filled her eyes and she gripped the silk sheet. HG removed Myka's hand from inside her pants and lied down, rolling Myka against her. Myka clung to her body as a life raft. HG hugged her close as she struggled to compose herself. Helena ran her fingers up and down Myka's side, sending little bolts of electricity through her skin. She wiped the tears from Myka's cheeks and smoothed her hair back away from her face. Her chest felt like a hummingbird.
"That was...intense." Myka finally spoke.
"I know, dear." HG kissed her forehead lightly.
Myka stretched out a little, relaxing in Helena's arms. "I probably should have asked this sooner, but what are the side effects of the bed?"
A smile played at the corners of HG's lips. "Prolonged exposure over time can cause a numbing. Eventually you can feel nothing unless between these sheets. And I don't just mean physically. You become a hollow shell."
Myka shuddered. "How many times have you used it?"
"This is only my third time. But it has been quite a while since the last."
Myka had something that had been rolling around in her head for a while, now seemed as good a time as any to ask. "What was it like, living then? Having to hide your identity, having to lie to everyone? Doing such great work, but getting no recognition for it?"
"I think you know a great deal more about that than you realize. I didn't expect fame. I may not have gotten recognition, but my work did. That's what mattered." She sighed. "It was a great deal slower. And words had more power then."
"Do you miss it?"
HG smiled down at Myka in her arms. "Now seems wholly an unfair time to ask that." Myka laughed to hide her blush. HG sighed. "I miss certain parts, specific things. The air of familiarity. I was never one to shy away from adventure, but there are times I wish I could go home and rest for just a while."
"How do you get through that?" It was a rhetorical question Myka hadn't meant to ask. Though she was glad she had when she received an answer.
"I look at you, Myka. You are my anchor in this world. The thing to which I can cling. You, Myka, make this world slow down. You are the thing most precious to me. I look at you and know that I am precisely where, and when, I am supposed to be."
"Oh." Myka didn't know how to respond.
HG laughed silently. "Let's get dressed and see about lunch. Does Leena prepare anything or shall we fend for ourselves?"
"It depends." Myka gave Helena one last kiss before getting off the bed. She had intended for it to be a quick kiss. But when Myka felt HG's lips against hers, she was compelled to roll on top of her and press her fluttering stomach against Helena's. She slipped her hand inside Helena's bra. Her chest quickened at the touch. Myka pinched her hard nipple gently, knowing gentle was all that was needed. HG moaned and arched her back. Myka moved down and grabbed her nipple between her lips. She ran her tongue around and over it. Such noises issued from Helena that made Myka almost come. She brushed her teeth against the supple skin. HG grabbed her hair, but didn't pull. "Myka, you need to stop." Her voice shook slightly. Myka teased her and gingerly closed her teeth. HG's grip tightened. "You need to stop." Her voice was at once both firmer and more shaky. Myka took her cue and kissed her nipple before kissing her mouth. HG pressed Myka against her and took her mouth by force. She kissed Myka until they were both out of breath. "We need to go."
Myka bit her lip. "Mm hmm."
They wrangled their clothing. Myka came over and began buttoning HG's shirt for her. She left the top two buttons undone as she liked to wear them. HG smiled. Myka leaned in and kissed her. A blinding electricity shot through her body, stemming from her mouth. She licked her lips. "Are there any residual effects of the bed?" She asked cautiously.
"Not that I'm aware. The effect is terminated when contact is severed."
Myka took that in. "Okay. Let's get some food, I'm starving."
Helena smiled. "As you would be." Myka blushed.
Leena was the first to return from the warehouse. She went upstairs. The door to Wells' room was still open. The light was off in Myka's. Leena smiled to herself as she pulled HG's door closed. Something occurred to her. She went down the hall to a linen closet and pulled out a stack of signs. She went back to HG's door and hung a do not disturb sign on the handle. Laughing, she placed one on Myka's door.
Helena woke early. Myka still lie as she had when she fell asleep. It was certainly nice waking up with a beautiful woman wrapped around you. She smiled and kissed the top of Myka's head. Carefully, Helena slipped from the bed. She didn't want to wake her companion. Clothes were scattered haphazardly around the floor. She picked hers out and collected Myka's together. Helena put her shirt on, only buttoning the center button. Slowly she cracked open Myka's door and peaked her head out. It didn't sound as if anyone else was awake yet. She pulled the door open to slip into the hall and noticed a small piece of plastic hanging from the doorknob. She read it and looked across at her door. There was one on hers as well. Helena smiled and closed the door. No need to rush, no one would come knocking, putting Myka in an awkward situation.
She planned on getting back into bed with Myka, but when she turned around and looked at the sleeping woman she was overtaken. The morning sun filtered through the window and fell gently across her face. Her pale skin glowed and the red highlights in her hair shone. Myka's soft lips were ever so slightly parted. She was absolutely gorgeous wrapped up in her sheets. Helena looked around the room. She found a pencil and some blank paper. Slowly, so as not to wake Myka, she sat on the foot of the bed and began sketching what she saw.
She smiled when she'd finished. It was just a quick sketch, but it was beautiful. Helena placed the paper on the pillow next to Myka's sleeping form. She smiled at the lovely girl before deciding to shower.
Myka woke slowly. Her arms were empty and the bed next to her cold. Sadness gripped her. The water was running in the bathroom. She opened her eyes. The bathroom door was most of the way closed. Myka clearly recognized the sound of the shower and smiled; Helena hadn't left her. She stretched her lithe body and saw the present HG had left her. Myka picked up the sketch of her sleeping and looked at it. Helena was a very good artist. Her smile broadened as she thought of Helena watching over her as she slept. Myka felt safe with her. She sat up, holding the sheet against her chest and looked over the picture, pouring over every detail Helena had put into it. She had drawn a small curl stuck in the corner of her lip. Myka reached up and pulled the lock free of her mouth.
Helena came back into the room, wrapped up in Myka's robe. She sat on the love seat opposite the bed. Myka looked up at her. "Is there anything you can't do with your hands?"
HG raised an eyebrow and flashed a wicked smile. "You would be a better judge of that than I."
Myka blushed and sucked in her bottom lip. She would have to remember to be more careful with her words around this one. "Then I would have to say no." She put the sketch on the bedside table and looked at Helena adoringly.
HG stared at her. Myka was so gorgeous. And right now, with sleep-mussed hair, holding the sheet against her body, and that look in her eye, that smile on her face-it was the purest sentiment; even Wells couldn't find the words to fittingly describe how beautiful Myka was in this moment. She got from her seat and joined Myka on the bed. Helena kissed her, a fiery kiss. She slid her hand across Myka's knee, along her thigh and up her side. HG took hold of the sheet and yanked it down. Myka jumped. Helena smiled as she grabbed Myka's freshly exposed breast. She rolled her nipple between her fingers. Myka slipped her tongue past Helena's lips. She savored that wonderful tingle, running her tongue over Myka's. Myka held HG's face in her hands. She pulled Helena down onto the mattress. HG wrapped her arms around Myka as the taller woman lounged her length over her. She laid her head down on Helena's shoulder. The soft fabric of her robe made an excellent pillow. Myka rested her hand on the bare skin between Helena's breasts. HG lie there, still and calm, content with Myka's body recumbent on her. Her breath tickled Helena's neck. Myka moved her hand to touch the dark bruise her teeth had left. "Does it hurt?"
"A little. Only when you touch it." Helena smirked. Myka retracted her finger. "Sorry. I don't know what it's like. I've never been bitten."
"Never apologize for your curiosity, Myka. It's a glorious trait and even more wonderful when given to someone unafraid of indulging it."
Myka smiled. She ran her finger over the mark again. A silent laugh shook Helena's chest. Myka studied her face. She really was stunningly beautiful. What is she doing with me? The thought fleeted across her mind only briefly before she chased it away. What did it matter why, or whether Myka felt she deserved her-she had her. And that was all that mattered. Myka ran a finger over Helena's lips. HG kissed her fingertip. Myka traced a small scar on Helena's cheekbone. "What's this from?"
She smiled. "It's rather embarrassing actually. I fell off a bicycle."
"As a kid?" Myka remembered more than a few scraped knees from when she had taught herself to ride without training wheels.
"No. I was twenty-three." Helena replied flatly. Myka laughed. HG opened her eyes and looked at her. "Bicycles then were not the wonderfully balanced machines you have now. I fell from two meters over the handlebars of a penny-farthing onto a cobblestone street. One of the stones cut my cheek."
Myka leaned over and kissed the small blemish. Her eyes shone as she looked into Helena's. HG smiled at her and Myka returned her head to her robe-covered shoulder. Her mind seized hold of Helena's statement and ran. A hundred and twenty years ago she was five years younger than herself. And now, she was only six years older. Her body was. Myka glanced down Helena's length, at her beautiful bare legs. What a spectacular body it was. But her mind was...a hundred and forty-four years old. She had lived nearly two lifetimes. Wells' intellect had been formidable before; what would a century of thinking glean? Myka felt inadequate again. Helena turned her head and kissed Myka's forehead. The thought fled utterly with the touch of her soft lips.
"I should tell you," HG began, her voice thick with comfort. "I believe our dear proprietor is aware of our little adventure."
"Adventure?"
Helena smiled and laughed gently. "Yes, dear Myka, you are an adventure. A fine adventure of the grandest quality."
Myka smiled and traced lines between the freckles on Helena's chest. "Why do you think Leena knows?"
'Because when I went to steal my way across the hall into my room this morning, I found a small placard reading 'do not disturb' had been placed on both our doors. And mine had been open when we," she paused. "Retired for the evening." Her fingers started to draw little circles on Myka's hip. "I was rather pleased about it. I did not fancy the idea of you having to wake up alone. And what you might have thought."
Myka kissed the skin closest to her mouth. The lied in silence. Myka's hand fell still against Helena's chest. She sighed against HG's neck. Wells smiled, Myka was falling asleep. She hugged Myka tightly and kissed her forehead again. "Come on, darling. Time to wake."
"Mmm."
"Come. We'll get you some breakfast. I suspect you're famished." Myka's stomach growled loudly. Helena eyed her. "Uh huh. Hurry in the shower." Myka rolled grudgingly out of bed. Helena watched as the sheet fell away and she stood naked. She took pleasure in studying each muscle of Myka's toned form flex as she walked across the room into the bathroom. An idea occurred to her. A very good idea.
Pete raised his fist to knock on Myka's door. She'd missed breakfast. HG had as well, but her presence was not yet part of the routine and had gone unnoticed. Or at least unmentioned.
"Pete." Claudia stopped him.
"What?"
"Don't."
"Why not?"
Claudia pointed to the doorknob. "It says 'do not disturb.'"
Pete looked down. "When did Myka get all private?"
"She had a rough day yesterday, Pete. Just leave her alone."
Pete checked each doorknob he saw. "There's one on her room too. What is going on with this place?" Claudia turned and looked at HG's door. A sign hung from her doorknob as well. She smirked. Pete went back downstairs. Claudia looked at Myka's door. "You're welcome."
Leena was in the dining room cleaning up from breakfast when Myka and HG came in. She looked over her shoulder. The two of them standing together produced such a brilliant rainbow of color and light, it washed out everything in Leena's vision. "Good morning."
Myka smiled. "Good morning."
"Sleep well?"
Myka looked sideways at Helena. "Yes." She answered simply. "Did we miss breakfast?"
"Yes. I can fix something if you like."
"Oh, that's not necessary. I can cobble something together." HG headed off into the kitchen.
Myka lingered, wanting to say something to Leena, but not sure what. Leena looked at her while she waited. Myka was complete now. She smiled; Myka deserved it. She finally found her voice. "Thank you." She said quietly. Leena nodded. Myka left to join HG in the kitchen.
She stopped in the doorway. HG was trying to get something from the top shelf her body was stretched as long as she could, but the item was just out of reach. Myka enjoyed the sight before coming to her rescue. She came up behind HG and put her hand in the small of Helena's back, HG relaxed into her touch instantly. She reached up to retrieve the teapot for her, Myka's extra two inches being just enough. "Thank you, Myka."
Myka looked at her. "You're welcome, Helena."
Her name sounded lovely on Myka's lips. Her gaze fell from Myka's eyes to her lips. Her smiling lips. HG leaned forward and kissed her. Myka slowly set the teapot down on the counter. Helena teasingly slid her tongue over Myka's lips. She felt Myka's hand on her back pull her ever so slightly closer.
"Is this gonna happen every time I come into a room?"
Myka shot away from HG, not remembering she was in the corner and had nowhere to go. She snapped back and bounced off the counter. "Ow."
"Sorry. Should I wear a little bell? Make it easy to hear me coming?"
"No, Claudia."
"You should be alright dear, but that isn't a bad idea for Pete." HG smirked.
"Which Pete?" Claudia asked.
HG furrowed her brow. Myka told her sheepishly, "I named my ferret Pete." She was met with a stare awaiting explanation. Myka flushed. "Cute, but really annoying."
HG smiled. "Quite fitting then."
"You guys missed breakfast."
"Yeah. Helena was about to 'cobble something together.'"
"Cool. I just came to get a soda." She retrieved a bottle from the fridge. "Then I'm off to the warehouse." Claudia stopped as she was backing away. Myka was glancing at HG. She saw the look on Myka's face. Even if Myka didn't know it yet, there was no 'maybe' about it. Claudia ran over and hugged Myka. "You so totally do, dude." And she was off.
"You do what?" HG asked her with curious eyes.
Myka became embarrassed, she couldn't say it. "Nothing you need to worry about. It's good. I promise."
"Well, as long as it's good, I suppose a secret or two is permissible."
HG's 'cobbled together' breakfast consisted of crepes with marmalade and fresh strawberries with cream served with an English breakfast tea blend sweetened to perfection with milk and sugar. Myka had offered to help, but HG refused to let her. She finally just sat down and watched, informing her of the location of items when asked.
"Helena...this is amazing."
She smiled. "A good day begins with a good breakfast. I intend for this to be a very good day." there was that twinkle in her eye that, try as she might to hide it, Myka was always able to see. She hid her smirk behind her mug.
"You head to the warehouse, I'll clean up."
"Myka."
"You cooked. I will clean up. And the only was you'll let me is if you aren't here. Go. I'll be there in a minute."
HG walked into Artie's office. Claudia sat at the computer. She looked over her shoulder. "Hey."
"Hello." HG looked around. She didn't see anyone else. "Is Artie..."
"Just me, HG." HG crossed the room to stand by Claudia. "Whoa. You half ninja?"
"No." HG looked at her oddly.
"Nevermind." Claudia turned back to the computer.
"I'm sorry about earlier, in the kitchen."
Claudia smirked up at her. "No sweat. It's cool. Better me than Pete or Artie. And," she paused. "You make her happy."
HG smiled down at Claudia. "It's mutual, I assure you." She leaned down. "Would you be able to do something for me?"
Claudia swallowed. "Uh..."
"Would you mind showing me hot to look up an artifact? I don't know how to use this contraption." She indicated the computer.
"Oh. It's really easy actually." She pulled up the default window. "You click here, and then you type whatever and you can search by creator, effect, time period, name, type of item."
"Can you look up my inventions?"
"Your..."
"There's nothing dangerous, no ulterior motive. They're my things, I'd like to know where they're kept."
"Okay." Claudia did a search for Wells. HG noticed that she seemed to be typing a lot on something running in the background. She followed the letters Claudia typed and surmised that she was going around something, avoiding calling attention to her search. HG studied every keystroke and mouse click. A results screen popped up with a series of photos on one side and text on the other. Claudia pointed to the top of the window. "That's the location. 114F." Claudia scrolled down, they were all in the same place. "Seems like somebody's got her own little section."
"Really? Well that's good to know." She stood up. "Might I have a try?"
"Have at it." Claudia stood up giving HG the chair. She went over to tinker with a project.
Helena, satisfied that Claudia was not watching, proceeded to search for an artifact. She dare not try to hide her search as Claudia had, but hoped that Artie-who surely would be watching her actions-would not check Claudia's logs. Her search was successful. She made a note of the location and returned the screen to the default. "Thank you, Claudia. You may have your computer again." HG let Claudia return to her seat. "How easy is it to be left alone in the shelves? I'd like to spend the day in the warehouse with Myka."
"It can be very easy." If HG was with Myka, she couldn't be doing anything wrong. "Just tell me where you'll be and I'll make sure no one bothers you."
"We'll be spending most of the day around aisle 379Y."
"Gotcha. I'll work my magic."
"Thank you."
"No prob."
Myka finally joined them. "Hey, Claud."
"Hey."
"I'm going to show Helena around the warehouse today, if anyone asks."
Claudia nodded. HG left the office to stand on the balcony, studying the shelves. The door closed behind her. Myka came close to Claudia. "Can you do me a favor?"
"Sure."
Myka smiled and her eyes flicked to watch HG through the glass. "Can you book us a flight to London? And arrange for us to have full access to HG's house?"
"That's really more of an Artie thing." Myka stared at her. "Right. Artie not really big on favors for HG. When do you want to leave?"
"Tomorrow if you can."
Claudia laughed. "If I can..."
Myka smiled at her. "Thank you. I appreciate it."
"You're welcome, dude."
Myka joined HG on the balcony. "So I'm to learn the ins and outs of the new warehouse?"
"I'll be doing inventory, might as well show you how things work."
"I'm ever so eager to learn."
Myka showed HG how to work the electronic tags and properly catalog artifacts. She was impressed at how quickly Helena picked it up. It wasn't surprising, HG was the most brilliant mid she'd ever known. Myka marveled at the woman whose beauty matched her intellect. Her cool confidence and easy sex appeal. This dashing rogue was the greatest puzzle the universe could muster. She smiled to herself, Myka was up to the challenge.
HG pushed, ever so subtly, toward aisle 379Y. They finally came to it. Helena strode casually down the row, searching for the artifact. It would not be hard to miss. She spotted it. With a glance, she made sure Myka's attention was on her. She walked in her quick, steady pace to a bed on the warehouse floor. HG sat down delicately on the brightly colored silk sheets. Myka slowed as she approached the bed. She looked at the tag hanging from the corner post, but it was in Chinese. "What is this?"
HG smiled at her. "P'an chin-lien's bed."
"Who is that?"
"Tsk, Myka. Don't you know your mythology?"
"I tended to stick to more Western cultures." She defended.
"Pity. You miss out on some wonderful things." There was that twinkle again.
"Who was P'an chin-lien?"
"A woman." She said simply. "In her death she was deified. She became a goddess," she paused. Her smile turned devilish and her voice dropped. "Of courtesans."
Myka's eyes went wide. She swallowed hard. "So, what does the bed, um, do?"
HG answered with a deep purr from her throat. "It amplifies tactile sensation." She gave Myka just enough time to process that statement before grabbing her hand and pulling her onto the bed. Helena rolled on top of Myka and kissed her.
Myka's head spun. It was as if she'd never been touched before. As if every kiss she'd ever had, even the ones from HG that seared her lips and set her insides on fire, had only been ghostly reflections in a dirty mirror and this was a real kiss. HG's body felt heavy against her; she felt the quickening beat of her lover's heart thunder against her chest, the subtle twitch of Helena's thighs against hers, the soft brush of HG's pelvis as she settled into her curves. HG lowered her body onto Myka's, pressing as much of herself into Myka as she could. She ran her tongue across Myka's lips before tasting her mouth. Myka screamed at the feeling of HG's tongue sliding over hers. Myka pushed at HG's shoulders. "Helena," she choked out. "Please." Her voice was desperate and tears were filling her eyes. Instantly HG's touch was gone. The mattress shifted and Myka felt her lie down beside her.
HG kissed a tear from the corner of Myka's eye. "I'm sorry." She said tenderly.
Myka caught her breath while Helena softly brushed her cheek. "That..." She started, but her voice came out hoarse and inaudible. Myka cleared her throat. "That was...too much, too fast." Her voice was still rough.
"I'm sorry, Myka. Forgive me for forgetting how strong the effect is the first time."
Myka rolled to face HG. She draped her hand across HG's cheek and looked into her eyes. "I could forgive you anything, Helena."
HG looked at Myka; there was nothing but affection in her soft eyes. Could she really? Helena closed her eyes and put her hand on Myka's. She curled her fingers around Myka's and squeezed gently. She pulled Myka's fingertips to her mouth and kissed them. HG smiled at her with a deliciously wicked look in her eyes. "Shall we try again, dear?" She asked in a low voice. Myka, staring at her lips, nodded. "If it gets to be too much, tell me, please." Myka nodded again and kissed her. She tried to quantify the new depth of the sensation, to assign words to the way Helena's lips felt against her own, the way her tongue...there were no words. Words did not exist in a conscious way that could define it. Words like passion and desire...in the mind they were not hollow. To dig deeper though, to reach the pure, guttural heart of the words, to reach the soul of the words-that came close to what this feeling was.
HG pulled at Myka's shirt. Myka sat up as the cotton was lifted over her head. Her fingers undid the buttons of HG's shirt and she ripped it open, desperate for the feeling of flesh on flesh. Helena lied down on top of Myka, kissing her deeply and pressing their bodies together. Myka clumsily pulled HG's shirt away from her. Helena lifted Myka as she sat up. She popped the clasp of Myka's bra and freed it from her body. HG put a hand on Myka's breast and rubbed it gently. Myka's nipple stiffened in her palm. She kissed Myka's neck and spoke softly in her ear. "Does that feel good, Myka?"
"Yes." She growled. HG kissed her throat, feeling the vibration of Myka's moan on her lips. She moved down, kissing inch by inch. Her kisses felt like lightning strikes on Myka's skin. HG laugh a low, villainous chuckle before taking Myka's nipple into her mouth. "Oh, my God." Myka gasped. Helena grinned. Myka ran her shaking fingers through HG's hair, trying not to grab handfuls of it. She loved Helena's hair; it was always beautiful, falling in cascades around her shoulders. It felt like warm water in her hands now, smooth silky, so soft it was barely felt. HG kept her teeth to herself this time, but her tongue circling Myka's nipple was fastly driving her insane. "Helena." She whimpered.
HG stopped. She looked up at Myka. "Yes?" Myka gripped the hair at the base of her scalp and pulled her up to taste her lips. She pressed against HG, her body aching to be touched. HG's hands slid down to undo Myka's pants. She kissed behind Myka's ear as she pushed her hand inside. Myka jerked her hips against HG's hand. Helena's long, slender fingers slipped between Myka's thighs. Myka wrapped her tongue around the pearl hanging from HG's ear and tugged her earlobe into her mouth. Helena touched Myka's burning clit. Myka moaned, yanked on HG's hair and sunk her teeth violently into her neck. Helena's body was overwhelmed by sensation and she screamed Myka's name as she came. Myka could feel her trembling. Her grasp on Helena's hair became a gentle caress; she let go her teeth and kissed HG's cheek. "Didn't expect that." Myka smiled. Helena let out a laugh amidst her panting. Her hand was still firmly in Myka's crotch, though her fingers were still-except for the trembling. Myka traced a finger over her bite. "That's going to leave a mark."
"Don't touch my neck." HG barked. Myka recoiled, hurt. HG breathed hotly on Myka's shoulder. When the trembling had stopped, she looked at Myka. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be harsh, just the immediacy of the situation."
Myka brushed her lips against Helena's "It's okay."
"Now, I believe I was in the middle of something." HG started rubbing her fingers against Myka. Her body twitched and she let out a moan. "Let's keep that mouth of yours occupied." HG murmured before kissing her.
Myka bit Helena's lip. HG looked down at her. She had a positively fiendish sparkle in her eye as she giggled. "Oh, you're going to pay for that."
Myka sucked in her lips at the prospect of that statement. HG smiled and pushed two fingers deep inside Myka, mouthing a silent moan to match Myka's loud one. She moved her thumb across Myka's clit as she thrust into her repeatedly. Myka grabbed at HG's waist frantically, she needed to feel her. Helena let out a low, slow gasping moan as Myka's fingers glided over her clit.
Myka came, choking out Helena's name in a whisper as her breath failed. Tears filled her eyes and she gripped the silk sheet. HG removed Myka's hand from inside her pants and lied down, rolling Myka against her. Myka clung to her body as a life raft. HG hugged her close as she struggled to compose herself. Helena ran her fingers up and down Myka's side, sending little bolts of electricity through her skin. She wiped the tears from Myka's cheeks and smoothed her hair back away from her face. Her chest felt like a hummingbird.
"That was...intense." Myka finally spoke.
"I know, dear." HG kissed her forehead lightly.
Myka stretched out a little, relaxing in Helena's arms. "I probably should have asked this sooner, but what are the side effects of the bed?"
A smile played at the corners of HG's lips. "Prolonged exposure over time can cause a numbing. Eventually you can feel nothing unless between these sheets. And I don't just mean physically. You become a hollow shell."
Myka shuddered. "How many times have you used it?"
"This is only my third time. But it has been quite a while since the last."
Myka had something that had been rolling around in her head for a while, now seemed as good a time as any to ask. "What was it like, living then? Having to hide your identity, having to lie to everyone? Doing such great work, but getting no recognition for it?"
"I think you know a great deal more about that than you realize. I didn't expect fame. I may not have gotten recognition, but my work did. That's what mattered." She sighed. "It was a great deal slower. And words had more power then."
"Do you miss it?"
HG smiled down at Myka in her arms. "Now seems wholly an unfair time to ask that." Myka laughed to hide her blush. HG sighed. "I miss certain parts, specific things. The air of familiarity. I was never one to shy away from adventure, but there are times I wish I could go home and rest for just a while."
"How do you get through that?" It was a rhetorical question Myka hadn't meant to ask. Though she was glad she had when she received an answer.
"I look at you, Myka. You are my anchor in this world. The thing to which I can cling. You, Myka, make this world slow down. You are the thing most precious to me. I look at you and know that I am precisely where, and when, I am supposed to be."
"Oh." Myka didn't know how to respond.
HG laughed silently. "Let's get dressed and see about lunch. Does Leena prepare anything or shall we fend for ourselves?"
"It depends." Myka gave Helena one last kiss before getting off the bed. She had intended for it to be a quick kiss. But when Myka felt HG's lips against hers, she was compelled to roll on top of her and press her fluttering stomach against Helena's. She slipped her hand inside Helena's bra. Her chest quickened at the touch. Myka pinched her hard nipple gently, knowing gentle was all that was needed. HG moaned and arched her back. Myka moved down and grabbed her nipple between her lips. She ran her tongue around and over it. Such noises issued from Helena that made Myka almost come. She brushed her teeth against the supple skin. HG grabbed her hair, but didn't pull. "Myka, you need to stop." Her voice shook slightly. Myka teased her and gingerly closed her teeth. HG's grip tightened. "You need to stop." Her voice was at once both firmer and more shaky. Myka took her cue and kissed her nipple before kissing her mouth. HG pressed Myka against her and took her mouth by force. She kissed Myka until they were both out of breath. "We need to go."
Myka bit her lip. "Mm hmm."
They wrangled their clothing. Myka came over and began buttoning HG's shirt for her. She left the top two buttons undone as she liked to wear them. HG smiled. Myka leaned in and kissed her. A blinding electricity shot through her body, stemming from her mouth. She licked her lips. "Are there any residual effects of the bed?" She asked cautiously.
"Not that I'm aware. The effect is terminated when contact is severed."
Myka took that in. "Okay. Let's get some food, I'm starving."
Helena smiled. "As you would be." Myka blushed.