K. Calama:"Only Necker. But we could do Tanzania, for example. There’s a resort there with underwater cabins where you sleep beneath the waves."
I don’t think I plan on sleeping at all on this trip, I thought to myself.
Megan Woods:"Cozumel, then. That way, we can discover it together."I stared at the screen, dazed and smiling.
K. Calama:"Send me the dates; Vanessa will handle the arrangements."I replied with three dots. She makes me so restless, I just want her here.
K. Calama:"Talking to you is nice. I miss the taste of you. I’m dying to help you discover everything you’ve ever wanted to know... about anything."
I found myself smiling like an idiot at my phone. A few months ago, I would have judged myself for being this giddy. I took my time replying, my mind stuck on the memory of her hand tightening around my throat.
K. Calama:"Spend New Year’s with me."
Megan Woods:"I’ll be in D.C. on the 27th to set up my new place."I hit send, attaching a photo taken from behind, a provocative shot of my curves.
K. Calama:"On the 28th, a jet will be waiting for you at midnight. Dulles Airport."I bit my fingertip, a wicked smile spreading across my face. I loved teasing her.
K. Calama:"And I promise you won’t leave the room until next year."
Megan Woods:"And here I thought I’d actually get to see Amsterdam." I followed the text with a photo of my legs, one bent, the other stretched out, the lace of my panties tracing the curve of my thigh.
K. Calama:"I’m going to punish you for teasing me like this."
I smiled, already imagining the weight of that punishment. I decided to push her a little further. I sent one last photo:my fingertips hooked just inside the waistband of my silk underwear. No caption.
K. Calama:"Damn it, Megan. What am I going to do with you? How should I punish you?"
Megan Woods:"You can tie me to the bed... and finish what you started."I followed the text with another photo. This time, I knelt on the floor, arching my body toward the mattress, and captured the shot through the mirror. It was perfect. Truly.
Five minutes passed. No response. I wondered if I’d pushed her too far. Ten minutes, still nothing. I had just started pulling on my clothes to meet Sarki when the screen finally flickered to life.
K. Calama:"I’ll make all the arrangements to do exactly what you want. It took me a while to reply because one more photo like that and I’d be the one boarding a jet right now. You’re a real bitch when you want to be, Kitty."
Megan Woods:"I’m only a bitch for you. No one else."I hit send just as I zipped up my trousers.
K. Calama: "I’ve always had a thing for exclusivity."
Megan Woods:"Sarki is here; I’m heading down to meet her. Have fun, Kels."
I locked my phone and leaned against the bathroom sink, staring at my reflection for a long beat. Outside the window, the snow was beginning to fall in thick, silent blankets. I pulled on a heavy coat and a pair of comfortable joggers, pouring myself a glass of wine to take the edge off the lingering tension while I waited for the lobby to call.
The front desk eventually buzzed to let me know my friend had arrived. A moment later, my doorbell rang with a series of insistent jabs.
Sarki was a whirlwind in a black coat and dark jeans, her hair falling in loose waves over her shoulders. The second our eyes met, not even two seconds in, she smile for me.
"You're actually here!" I laughed, shouting over our shared excitement as we hugged and practically jumped in circles.
"I need to know everything!" she demanded, pulling back just enough to look at me, her eyes wide with anticipation.
"Where is your wife?" I asked, arching an accusatory eyebrow just in case she’d left Elisa behind somewhere.
"She’s already in the room," Sarki replied, waving a hand dismissively. "She said she’s sleeping until tomorrow."
I hugged her again, finally remembering to kick the door shut. The real world had officially arrived.
"She sent her love," Sarki added with a grin. "She said you’d never be the type to get upset just because she chose sleep over a welcoming committee."
"And she’s absolutely right," I replied, shedding my heavy coat. My friend followed suit, tossing hers aside. The moment I collapsed onto the sofa in the living area, she settled in facing me, perched sideways with her arm draped over the back of the furniture, her eyes bright with curiosity.
