Deliverance

Chapter Thirteen

Bridgette

That golden sunlight shines like a veil. A thin layer between this day and the next. It’s bright and warm and represents everything good before being overshadowed. It’s cast to the side like it’s nothing, useless. A means to an end for the day, this one and the next. Then comes the darkness; it starts off slow, carefully swallowing the light so you don’t even notice the change. Then, second by second, minute by minute, the safe and warm embrace of the light vanishes, and you’re left in the dark cold, vulnerable, and alone.

A shadowy figure blocks the light currently bathing down on me as I lay by the pool. Quickly, I cover my journal, flipping it face down before I stare up at my intruder. Maggie stares down at me with a smile, her thick red hair pulled over one shoulder in a messy braid that has my OCD desperate to smooth out. That’s not who Maggie is, though. She is messy and artsy and kinda foul at times. She’s also crazy beautiful and creative and unfailingly kind. Even when she doesn’t have to be. Even when others don’t deserve her kindness.

“Hey.” She smiles.

“Hey,” I respond, unable to fight off the upturn of my mouth as I look at her.

She takes a seat on my chair before pulling my legs into her lap. I hesitate for a moment before she begins rubbing my feet. Then, I melt. Literally sink into the chair, my swimsuit coverup slipping off my shoulder slightly as I do.

Maggie’s eyes don’t miss a thing as they snap to my newly exposed skin. She shakes her head and laughs as she stares out at the pool.

“What?” I ask.

“Nothing, it’s just, I can’t look at you right now.”

I frown at that. “Why not?”

“Because it’s already hard enough not to practically maul you every second of the day and to see you all sun kissed in your tiniest bathing suit is doing things to me, baby,” Maggie says, her voice somewhere between being tortured and loving every second of it.

I can’t ignore the way my stomach dips when she calls me baby. Just like it does every time. I don’t know how I’ve found myself in this…situation. We’re not a couple, obviously. I’m not gay. Or lesbian or whatever. I like cock. Tons of it. I can have it whenever I want it and I love it. This last month has just been…I don’t know what to call it. I don’t know how to explain it. It just has been. Period.

And I hate how much I’m loving it. Loving my time with her. In and out of the bedroom. I hate how often I find myself watching her. How many times I think about sneaking into her bed at night or her into mine, just so she can hold me. I mean, I wouldn’t be opposed to more happening. The girl knows how to make me cum like no one before, but I just…it’s more than that. We’re…friends, I guess. Friends that enjoy touching and kissing. Like friends with benefits, kinda.

Shit.

The further I go down this spiral, the more it sounds like I’m into Maggie, and I’m not. Not like that. I mean, I can’t be.

Right?

“Why is that a bad thing?” I ask, a soft teasing tone to my voice as I attempt to push away all the insane thoughts warring through my mind.

“Hm?” Maggie asks, still refusing to look in my direction.

“Maybe I like making you feel a certain kind of way,” I say as I lean forward.

Slowly, she turns to face me, a mischievous grin on her face as her eyes dart around before closing the distance between us. I can’t help but smile into the kiss. Her soft lips wrap around mine, moving slowly before cupping my face. I dart my tongue out to tangle with hers when she breaks away with a ragged breath, resting her forehead against my own.

“What’s wrong?” I ask.

“Nothing,” She laughs as she keeps her forehead pressed against mine. “You’re just so beautiful…I can’t seem to help myself around you, which is a first for me.”

“Yeah?” I ask, liking her words far more than I should.

She nods before swallowing and licking her lips. Slowly, she exhales a heavy breath before her eyes come to mine.

“Can I take you out tonight?”

I pause at her words.

“Like…a date?” I ask, my brows pulling together as I do.

“Well, yeah. I want to spend time with you somewhere other than these four walls. I want to take my girl out.”

“Your girl?” I echo.

Slowly, I start to pull away when Maggie’s hold on me tightens, and she presses her lips against mine. That has my movements stilling as she speaks against my mouth.

“Don’t run from me, baby B. Stay. Just…stay.”

I close my eyes, anxiety and nerves running through me as I think over her proposition. I mean, I’m not even considering it. At all. A date? With a woman? Not likely.

Maybe we could go to dinner, as friends, but it’s not going to be romantic or anything. I don’t have romantic feelings for Maggie, I couldn’t possibly. She’s just…

My inner thoughts die away when my eyes lock with hers. Her gaze is so full of hope, practically pleading with me. I don’t know how she does it or why it happens, but just like that, one look into her hypnotic green eyes and I find myself nodding my head.

“Sure, but if it’s not Italian, I’m not going.”

Maggie grins, a smile so bright it shines more brilliantly than the August sun. She gives me a soft peck before standing to her feet.

“Whatever my baby wants.”

Again, that damn stomach dip.

I don’t even try to pretend I don’t stare at her ass as she walks away in her tight black jean shorts. The bottom of her ass cheeks are barely hanging out and I don’t know why I find it so incredibly sexy, but I do.

Fuck. I think it’s official, there is no denying it, at least in my head. I am full blown attracted to Maggie. Does that mean I’m gay now? Or bi? Or…fuck, I don’t know. I don’t know what to think. For some reason, though, it’s not terrifying or intimidating. Maybe because I don’t have time to spiral or freak out right now. I have a date to get ready for.

* * *

Five hours later, my body is showered, exfoliated, shaved, and moisturized. My hair is straight and my makeup is done to perfection. I smear on a rich pigmented red lipstick to finish my look before standing back in the mirror.

Wow, I’m not even going to pretend to be modest. I’m so fucking pretty.

Honestly, I think everyone should look in the mirror and tell themselves they’re pretty once a day. Would probably cure a lot of people of their physical insecurities.

The white off the shoulder summer dress I chose is absolutely perfect. It’s a flowy dress with a lot of body that falls about mid-thigh, but it snatches my waist like no other. Slipping on a pair of wedge sandals, I grab my bag before stepping out of my bedroom door.

Making my way down the stairs, I find Brad rotting away on the couch in front of some obnoxiously loud show, as Calista strides down the hallway before stopping short. She drags her eyes over me assessingly. Not in a motherly way, but more of a competitive way. Irritation fills her eyes when her gaze meets mine. Guess someone doesn’t like the reminder that she isn’t twenty-one anymore.

I didn’t know what to think of Calista when my father first introduced her to me. Even at the wedding, she seemed decently pleasant. Now, though? After the way I’ve seen her treat Maggie, her own daughter. I hate the gold digging bitch.

“Sweetie, you look beautiful. Special night planned?”

I don’t like the way she asks that. Her tone carries a certain lilt to it. Like she knows something. She couldn’t, though.

“I have a date,” I say, not flinching or cowering to her calculated stare.

I’m not lying.

“Oh really? With who?” she questions.

“Does it matter?” I throw back.

“I think your father would like to know where you’re going and who you’re going with, yes,” she says as she crosses her arms over her chest.

I’m ready to verbally annihilate her when Brad jumps in.

“She’s going out with Jeremy Stroughton. He’s been chasing after her all summer.”

Calista looks at him for a moment before turning to face me.

“Is that true?”

“Why wouldn’t it be?” I say with a shake of my head. “I’m running late. I’ll see you guys later.”

I don’t bother waiting for a response as I slip out the front door. Pulling out my phone, I pull up Maggie’s number and hit call.

“Hello?” she answers.

“Hey, where are you? Your mom is home and asking a million questions.”

“I know. She gave me the third degree before I left. Just get in your car and meet me at the Italian restaurant in Peabody.”

I scrunch my nose up as I make my way to the car.

“Why are we going one town over?”

“So no one we know sees me slip under the table and eat your cunt under that pretty white dress.”

My cheeks instantly flush as I whip my head around.

“How did you know what I was wearing?” I ask as I open my door and climb into the car.

A short pause is followed by a devious chuckle.

“I may or may not have snuck a peek in your room while you were getting ready.”

I fire my car up before my jaw drops.

“Maggie!” I screech.

She laughs more and I can practically see her smile as I begin driving away from the house.

“What? I couldn’t help myself.”

I shake my head, unable to stop the laugh that slips out of me.

“Perv. I’ll be there in ten.”

“Already waiting for you, baby B,” Maggie says before hanging up.

An eagerness fills me and no matter how hard I try to shake it or push it away, it doesn’t move. Instead, it ramps up. By the time I pull into the parking lot, I’m practically vibrating with nerves. Or maybe it’s excitement? Maybe both.

With shaky legs, I step out of my car, locking it as I move across the parking lot and into the restaurant. I can’t help but keep my head on a swivel, looking from left to right for anyone that looks vaguely familiar before the hostess greets me.

“Just one?” she asks.

I open my mouth to answer when a hand raises, catching my attention. My eyes move to see Maggie waving me over to a booth in the back. The hostess glances over before nodding, gesturing me to walk over.

When I get to the booth, Maggie slides out, pulling me in for a hug and a brief kiss on the cheek that looks platonic on the outside but feels like anything but on the inside. Or at least in my insides.

I can’t help but run my eyes over her body. As I live and breathe, Maggie Bartlett is willingly wearing a dress. Granted, it’s black and very simple, but she looks beautiful, nonetheless.

“Thanks for meeting me!” She smiles as the hostess sets down our menus and silverware.

“Yeah,” I say slowly, unsure how to play along until the hostess leaves.

Then Maggie instantly reaches across the table, intertwining our fingers together.

“Hi,” she says, her black lipstick lips spreading into a smirk.

I smile back. “Hi,” I say, before doing another cursory scan of the room.

“We’re fine, B. We’re friends. Friends can’t hold hands?” Maggie asks.

I lift an eyebrow at her.

“With your reputation and that lovesick look in your eyes, you really think everyone would believe we are just friends?”

She makes a face at my words and I pause before realizing that I basically just accused her of being in love with me. I open my mouth to apologize when she waves me off, shaking her head with a smile.

“You have a point, but everyone knows what a stick up your ass, cock loving bitch you are, so…” She shrugs with that smile still in place.

My mouth drops a little because I’ll never get used to how Maggie Bartlett completely calls me out; not an ounce of regret to be found. I can’t lie, a fucked up part of me kind of likes it. I’ve always been the queen bee. The shot caller. At least mostly, but I don’t feel like that with Maggie. She seems to be the one running the show, and I don’t know why I’m oddly okay with it.

The waiter comes over, bringing us a glass bottle of water and some olive oil with bread before leaving once more. I stare at the bread for a moment before turning to look at the salads portion of the menu. I’m only two pounds away from my goal weight and nothing will get in the way of that.

“I swear to god, baby B, if you do not have a piece of bread I’m going to stab you with my fork,” Maggie says with a shake of her head as she dips a piece of bread into olive oil and takes a bite.

“I’m fine,” I say.

“Liar,” she snarks. “Here, just close your eyes.”

“What? Why?”

“Just do it,” she says, like I’m the exhausting one. Can you believe it?

“Fine,” I huff as I close my eyes, awaiting what? I’m not sure.

I feel Maggie shift against the table before she presses something to my lips.

“Open,” she says.

“Maggie, I?—”

“Now,” she says in an authoritative tone that has a shiver running down my back and my mouth parting.

A small piece of bread is slipped into my mouth, and I can’t help but moan at the delicious flavor. God, I love bread. Why does it have to make you fat? Bread is so fucking good.

“Good girl,” Maggie says softly. “I’d love to see you feed yourself,” she says as she grabs another piece of bread and places it in my hand.

I happily accept this piece, but notice Maggie hasn’t taken her fingers out of my mouth. My eyes open. I watch as Maggie slowly pulls her fingers out of my mouth, sucking them into her own as she watches me. That seductive look is heavy in her gaze as she pulls her fingers free, resting her hand on her lap just in time for the waiter to come over.

I almost jolt when he does before Maggie orders for the both of us.

“I’ll have the seafood fettuccine, and my friend will have the chicken parmesan.”

My mouth opens in protest, but the waiter is already grabbing our menus and moving to his next guest.

“That wasn’t what I was going to order!” I argue.

“I know. You were probably going to order a dry salad and then your stomach would groan and complain in hunger the rest of the day.”

I frown at that. “I don’t have an eating disorder, you know? I just like to stay healthy.”

Maggie nods as she rests her hand on my knee under the table.

“I know, but you’re plenty healthy. Let yourself have a little pleasure once in a while. Just because you haven’t had it before, doesn’t mean you don’t deserve it.”

I’m having a hard time understanding if we are still talking about food or not. Maybe it applies to more than one thing here, or maybe I’m reading too much into her words. Either way, it doesn’t really matter. The next hour and a half is easily the most fun I’ve had in I don’t know how long.

For several consecutive minutes, we just laughed. Laughed so hard I thought I was going to pee my pants; then Maggie made me laugh again. She’s so witty and charming, and her nonexistent filter makes for hilarious dinner conversation. Or any conversation, really.

I also feel more relaxed than I thought I would. I thought there would be all this pressure and expectations to be…in the moment, I guess? Romantic? I don’t know. I didn’t know what to expect going on a date with Maggie, but it’s better than I could have ever imagined. We talked and listened and laughed. It was like getting dinner with a really good friend. A really good friend that I am desperate to get naked with.

Maggie follows me as we drive home and when we reach our street, she parks to the side and calls me to tell me she’s waiting a few minutes so it doesn’t look like we are coming home together. Especially if her mom is suspicious of…whatever it is she must be thinking. I know that Maggie doesn’t hide who she is, but I appreciate her discretion with me. My father would definitely not be disapprovingly tolerant like her mother. No, if he knew, he would be volatile, to the both of us. Discretion is our best and safest choice.

When I pull up to the house, I notice that the lights are off inside, so everyone is either out or in bed. Perfect. Grabbing my purse, I make my way to the front door before entering the security code and slipping inside. I head straight for my bedroom, and once I’m behind closed doors, I decide to have a little fun.

Stripping off my dress, I settle on leaving my panties on, but since I’m not wearing a bra, it’s really all that is left on me. I kick off my shoes before slipping under my covers. After turning on the bedside lamp, I hold up my phone and snap a picture before sending it to Maggie.

Me: That dress was a little uncomfortable. I’m glad to be out of it.

Her response literally could not come faster.

Maggie: On my way

I grin happily as a minute or so goes by before Maggie sprints into my room, shutting and locking the door behind her. Her chest is heaving like she’s out of breath and a small gift bag is in her hand.

“What’s that?” I ask.

She sets it down on my desk as she shakes her head.

“It doesn’t matter.”

I don’t even get a moment to breathe before she is attacking me. She jumps onto the bed, grabbing my face in her hands before she begins devouring me. My pussy instantly throbs just at her lips on mine before she wiggles down my body, taking the blankets with her. Sitting up on her knees, she yanks the rest of the blankets off me, exposing me completely.

She stares down at me with a look of adoration for a moment before she covers my body with hers, tracing her lips all over my skin.

My eyes flutter shut as I lean into her touch, sighing and whimpering as she makes her way to my inner thigh. I feel her fingers slide beneath the strings of my thong before peeling it down my legs. I’m practically pulsing with need for the next touch. Her lips are so soft as they drag over my sensitive flesh before she pauses. I’m practically shaking in anticipation, and I open my eyes to see her staring at me. She gives me a small smile before flattening her tongue and running it through me.

“Oh my god!” I shudder as I grip the sheets beneath me.

She does it again and again, dragging her tongue through me as she starts playing with my clit. I spread my legs for her and she happily takes advantage of the easier access. Resting my thighs on her shoulders, she quite literally gives a new meaning to the word feasting.

Per usual with Maggie, my orgasm comes fast and out of nowhere. I swear she could just breathe on me and I would fall apart. One more flick of her tongue against me and I lose it. I do my best to muffle my screaming as I hump and grind my release all over her face. She laps it up greedily, like I’m the best thing she’s ever tasted before she comes up from between my legs.

As soon as she sits up, I launch myself into her arms. We fall onto the bed and land with a bounce as I cover my mouth with hers. I feel her lips curve into a smile as my hands move to the hem of her dress and begin pulling it over her head. Maggie raises her arms for me before I toss it to the side. Apparently, she wasn’t wearing a bra either, and I take full advantage by sucking her nipple into my mouth.

She moans at that, cupping the back of my head as she nods.

“Yes, baby. Fuck, you know how much I love it when you play with my tits.”

I release her with a pop before smirking.

“You know how much I love playing with them,” I say as I cup her other breast, running my thumb across her nipple.

“Yeah?” She grins.

“Oh yeah,” I say before giving the other nipple the same treatment.

Maggie moans and squirms against me as I lick and suck her. My legs end up straddling one of hers and she arches it up as she continues praising me.

“That’s my good girl. Grind on my leg, baby. That feel good?”

I nod against her, nipping my teeth against her nipple and causing her to buck in reaction. As she does, her leg grinds against my clit harder than before and a whimper escapes me. Maggie’s eyes come to mine, heat and lust heavy in those green eyes before she speaks.

“Do you want me to make you feel good?”

Curiosity sparks inside me as I nod, and she sits up. I try to sit up as well, but she pushes me back down on the bed until I’m on my side.

“Maggie, what the?—”

“Patience,” she says as she slips her panties off before wedging herself in between my legs.

Understanding dawns on me. Oh my god. Is she trying to…are we going to…

“Scissor?” I ask.

Maggie pauses her movements and smirks as I continue.

“I mean, I just thought that was something that, I don’t know, straight dudes made up or something. Does it actually feel…good?”

Maggie smirks before sliding closer to me until her pussy touches mine. The instant it does, a shudder runs through me.

“I don’t know, does it?” Maggie goads.

“F-fair point.” I gasp as she thrusts her hips slightly, pressing herself right against my clit. “Fuck.”

“Just relax, baby B. Relax and take what you want, what you need.”

I swallow, nodding as I begin moving with Maggie. Both of us are fucking soaked, and for some reason, having her wet cunt rub against mine…fuck, there is no comparison. No words could ever properly capture the feeling. It’s fucking ecstasy.

I don’t even try to muffle my moans at this point. Let anyone come in. I really don’t give a shit. This feels way too good, way too perfect. I’m not stopping for anything.

“Maggie,” I pant, reaching out for her as I grind my pussy against hers.

“I’m here, baby. I’m here.” She breathes choppily.

We follow a sloppy rhythm, both of us desperate to pull more and more out of one another as our pace becomes frantic. Forget dry fucking, we are absolutely drenched fucking and I’ve never felt so much pleasure from anything before.

Her hand intertwines with my own as she tilts her pelvis, grinding down on me.

“C’mon, baby. Come for me. I want to feel you come all over my wet cunt.”

Her words do it for me. I can’t stop the freight train that slams into me. Over and over again, my body shakes as I moan and grind against her, her hand tightening around my own as she does the same.

“Fuck, B. Fuck, baby. Oh my god,” she moans as she falls over the edge, her moans practically shaking the walls.

Together we move, hump, and rub the shit out of each other before our bodies collapse. We lay there for several minutes, just breathing. I’m on a blissful cloud that I’ve never experienced before and I don’t want it to stop.

“Wow,” Maggie rasps.

“What?” I ask breathlessly.

She shakes her head. “I’ve just…I’ve never been able to come from doing that. Make others come, sure, sometimes, but both of us? Together like that?”

“What does that mean?” I ask, hating how na?ve I sound.

She leans towards me a little, her hand cupping my cheek as she tenderly rubs her thumb against me.

“It means you are something fucking special, Bridgette Brenton.”

A smile begins to take over my face that I don’t even try to hide as I lift my hand to hers.

“We are,” I correct.

A smirk crosses her face as she nods.

“We sure are, baby.”

Smiling, I turn my head to the side and see the bag Maggie brought in earlier.

“What is that?” I ask.

Maggie turns to look at it before slowly untangling herself from me. Regretfully, I let her go, and she stands up, grabbing the bag before coming back and handing it to me.

My eyebrows furrow as I pull tissue paper out and reach inside. When I pull it out, though, my entire body freezes. It’s a black candle with twisted wax layered around it and a pair of red lips at the top. My eyes raise to Maggie as she smiles shyly.

“Do you like it?”

Looking down at it again, my fingers trace over the wax before lifting it to my nose. It smells citrusy and fresh, not at all how you’d expect it to smell.

“It’s amazing. I…is this for me?” I ask.

She smiles and shakes her head. “Of course it’s for you. Who else would it be for?”

I shrug my shoulders as I stare back at the candle.

“Thank you,” I whisper softly.

Maggie’s hand reaches out, tipping up my chin as she smiles warmly.

“Of course.”

Setting the candle to the side, I lay down with my head against the pillow and she slips into bed beside me. Our legs wrap up around each other before she slips an arm beneath me to hold me closer. I lay there with my head tucked under her chin, her hands tracing soothing patterns into my bare back.

“What’s going to happen to us, Maggie?”

“What do you mean?” she asks.

“Classes are starting up at Gallows Hill soon. That Brethren party is happening tomorrow at the Putnam’s. I…I’m scared.”

“Scared?” Maggie echoes. “Why?”

I close my eyes, trying to slow my mouth from blurting the thought that has been rattling around in my head for days.

“Scared because I’m falling for you, and I don’t know how to stop it.”

Maggie’s body stills, and for a moment, she doesn’t say anything. That is until she forces me to face her. Her expression is filled with tender curiosity, like a baby deer she doesn’t want to spook.

“Why the hell would you want to stop it?”

I swallow roughly as I shake my head.

“I don’t know, it’s just, this…thing, it can’t last. The Brethren would never approve. My father would never approve. We will both be married off at some point. It’s just how things are done and?—”

“And nothing. Do you want to be with me?” Maggie asks.

I pause for a moment before giving a soft nod.

“And I want to be with you, Bridgette,” she says before pausing with a shake of her head. “Baby B, I’m falling for you, hard and fast. There is no stopping it for me,” Maggie admits vulnerably.

I reach up, brushing a loose piece of her hair behind her ear.

“Me either,” I admit.

“We make our own destiny, baby. Don’t think about the future when we have the present. Let’s enjoy now and handle tomorrow as it comes.”

I nod at that, and she smiles, pressing her lips against mine. I lean into the kiss before she nuzzles into me and we both slip off into a blissful sleep.