The rest of the flight was smooth, but Pittsburgh was unforgivingly cold upon landing. I grumbled at the sudden chill until I felt the weight of a heavy, warm coat being draped over my shoulders. Once inside the car, the heater was a welcome relief.
“I'll never understand how you survived North Carolina,” she teased, laughing as she pulled me deeper into her side.
“I needed warmer clothes, that’s how,” I muttered.
“I can’t argue with that. I chose this mansion specifically for its heating capacity, Kitty. That... and the fact that it has plenty of discreet exits,” Kelsey noted.
As we turned through a massive set of iron gates, the mansion came into view, looking like something plucked straight from a colonial-era drama. Among the staff, a woman with snow-white hair stood out, her presence radiating a quiet authority.
“Kitty, this is Mrs. Rita,” Kelsey introduced us. “She’s with me in L.A. and handles everything involving... well, food.”
Mrs. Rita laughed, hugging me with maternal warmth. “Hello, sweetie! Kelsey talked about you quite a bit. I manage all of this girl’s housing needs. Please, make yourself at home. I’ve arranged the rooms exactly as you requested, my angel.”
She looked at Kelsey with a knowing glint. “Your rooms are the most isolated in the hallway, connected by an internal door, of course.”
“Has Vanessa shown up yet?” I asked, finally feeling the warmth of the house seep into my bones.
“Tell her you’re coming with your girlfriends,” Kelsey instructed Rita. “Have you met them yet?”
Rita looked between us, catching the heavy, shared look we exchanged.
“They’re Meg’s best friends, though I haven’t met them in person yet. Rita, please have something light brought up for us in about forty minutes,” Kelsey continued.
“I expect the guests will start arriving around 8 p.m. I’ll follow your protocols and alert you once the headcount passes thirty,” Rita replied.
"Rita!" Kelsey called out from the top of the stairs, her voice echoing slightly in the wooden hallway. "Meg needs to go downstairs first, with her friends. Have Vanessa go straight to Meg's room the moment she arrives."
The second we were out of sight, we moved down the hallway with a frantic energy. Kelsey pushed me against the imposing black doors of the suite, stealing a kiss so deep it made my leg instinctively hook around her waist. In the blink of an eye, the doors were open and shut, and I was being hoisted onto a heavy dresser.
“What is wrong with me?” I gasped as her mouth slid down to my neck. “Just watching you take charge like that... it drives me insane.”
“It’s the same thing that happens to me,” she rasped. “Knowing I’m going to have you in that room tonight and won't be able to touch you... I need to have a taste now.”
I felt the sharp slide of my zipper as she undid my pants, dragging them down to my knees.
“Then enjoy it,” I whispered, arching into her. “Enjoy it before, and definitely enjoy it after.”
I caught her by the collar of her dress shirt, popping a few buttons in my haste. In a fluid motion, my panties were swept aside, and she penetrated me without warning. A moan tore from me, only to be swallowed by a kiss. When I felt her fingers withdraw, I caught her hand, bringing it to my lips. I sucked on each of her fingers while her eyes locked onto mine with sharp focus.
“Kitty...” she rasped. Her middle finger slowly slid from my lips. She anchored one hand on my ass while the other claimed a breast. “I really should punish you for being this distracting.”
I couldn't find the words; she pulled me into another kiss. The dresser groaned against the wooden floor, thudding rhythmically against the wall. Then, a sharp knock echoed at the door. I buried my face in her shoulder.
“Shit,” I hissed, biting my lower lip. “Tell them to come back later.”
“Come back later!” she called out, laughing. She didn't stop; if anything, she pushed harder. More knocks followed. “Damn it! I hope someone is dying!”
She gave me a long peck and smoothed her clothes. She walked to the door, opening it just a crack, then glanced back at me.
“For God's sake, can't you two let go of each other for five minutes?” Vanessa’s voice echoed.
I scrambled to pull my pants up, fixing my hair before appearing behind Kelsey. “We’re going to be forced apart all night,” I countered. “Give us a break.”
“You’re only two rooms away,” Vanessa rolled her eyes. “Sarki and Lisa are waiting to talk dress options.”
Kelsey wrapped an arm around my waist, breathing in the scent of my neck with a satisfied smile. "We missed you too, V."
I smiled back, and Vanessa finally softened, returning the gesture.
