Chapter 26
Aleksander hadn’t lied when he said hearing Harper’s voice would help. After only seconds of her talking, the pull in Maya’s chest had waned into a slight tug. Minutes later, and it was all but gone.
It didn’t even matter what she was talking about. It could be anything, or nothing. If spoken in Harper’s beautiful voice, it became fascinating.
“I just have a bad feeling about her,” Harper said. “I don’t know what it is. Based on a first impression and Nell’s somewhat biased accounts, Casey is a real catch. But something just feels off. I can’t put my finger on it.”
The conversation had wandered through multiple topics before settling here. Apartment decorating, the Lotus being close to opening, Trish micromanaging the lawyer she’d been recently afforded. But this current one was the only time a degree of worry had laced Harper’s words.
“Want me to ask around about her?” Maya said. “People here might know something. Since Casey works on the patrol teams.”
“That won’t tell me anything. What people say doesn’t mean much, anyway. I’m just worried that Nell is jumping into this too fast. She has a habit of doing that, especially if the people around her are being romantic. Evie and I both having partners might have gotten to her head.”
Maya couldn’t help but notice the use of the word ‘partner.’ Especially since it seemed like Harper hadn’t been aware she said it.
Maya didn’t point it out. She’d gotten close to oversharing just before, and venturing near that topic would probably make her slip.
Would make her admit that she didn’t miss Harper, but ached for her.
That Harper’s voice soothed her heart like a balm did a wound.
That her body felt incomplete whenever Harper wasn’t next to her.
It was honest. But it was also a tad intense to say out loud.
“I’m sure Nell will be okay,” Maya said. “If something happens and Casey turns out to be bad news, she’ll tell you. Right?”
“Yeah…” Harper paused. Then sighed. “Or no, actually. She didn’t with her last boyfriend. It took a neighbor hearing them fight and calling the cops before she admitted that he might be a problem. Nell thinks the best of people. A lot of them take advantage.”
Her voice turned weak. “I wasn’t very nice to her when we first met. I wasn’t nice to anybody, actually. That Trish even gave me a chance was a miracle.”
“How did you meet? I don’t think I’ve heard this story.”
“It’s not that interesting. I was in a rough spot. Trish helped me out. That’s all.”
“In what way?” Maya hadn’t really noticed before, but this part of Harper’s life was a void. Anytime it might have been brought up, Harper deflected. Or distracted, which Maya had to admit she was worryingly good at.
“It’s just what Trish does,” Harper said.
“Her whole adult life. Can’t help herself.
She finds girls who’ve been dealt a bad hand and helps them move past it.
She actually got me set up with a waitressing gig at first, but it didn’t take long before I realized the best part of that job was flirting tips out of strangers.
I could do that more lucratively in another line of work. ”
Harper’s voice turned distant. “We were the only ones who stuck around. Evie, Nell, and I. Everyone else took the second chance she gave them and started over elsewhere. But she gets a bunch of Christmas cards every year, so… that’s something.”
Maya almost prodded further. Wanted to hear exactly what hardship she’d been through. To learn how she found the women who had saved her from whatever situation she’d been stuck in.
But she had a feeling that Harper had already shared more than she usually did. Her walls were high. Necessarily so, perhaps. A few glimpses behind them might be all she would allow.
“I’m glad you have a family like that.”
Harper took an uneven breath. “Me too. I don’t know what I’d do without them.” She cleared her throat. “I know I said you should stay out there. But do you know how long it’ll be? Before you come back?”
“I have no idea. Until this matter in St. Louis is resolved, I’m guessing. So maybe weeks. Me being present is an effective defense, as long as it isn’t tested.”
“I think you’re selling yourself short.”
Maya looked at the traces of dried blood on her hand. “I think I’m selling myself above the asking price, actually.”
Harper laughed quietly. A brief reaction, followed by silence.
“Where are you right now?”
Maya looked at the cabins marking the edge of the outpost. She hadn’t wanted to invite either stares or comments, so she’d stayed near its periphery.
“Close to camp. I’ve been wandering between the trees for most of our conversation.”
“Are you alone?”
“Mostly.” Maya’s brows furrowed. “Why?”
Silence. A long silence, broken only by a slight rustling sound on the other end of the call.
“Because I’m feeling bored. And lonely.”
Harper’s voice was low now. Not quiet, exactly, but softer. It was similar to how she’d sounded in the Lotus private room, which Maya was a little embarrassed to admit had spellbound her for several minutes.
She glanced towards the cabins. Shadows moved between the buildings.
“Harper, there are people nearby.”
“Then hang up,” she whispered. And chuckled when Maya did not do that.
That chuckle struck her like a flaming arrow. Hot, alluring, and used with devastating precision. A sensual noise that sounded like pure sex.
“I’m all alone in my apartment,” Harper said. “I can do whatever I want. You know, since no one’s around to stop me.”
Maya swallowed, her fingers tightening around the phone. “What are you doing?”
A recognizable whirring came out of the phone speaker.
“I think you have an idea.”
It was so lucky this wasn’t a video call. Keeping your voice under control when Harper was in attack mode was hard enough, but controlling your expression in addition was close to impossible. Maya had failed horribly at it before.
“I do have an idea.” Maya managed to keep her voice composed. “One that’s telling me you want a reaction of some sort. Do you want me to make you ask permission first, is that it?”
That produced another chuckle. One that tilted into a low moan.
“You kind of cut out there. Didn’t hear you very well,” Harper said. “Do you want to know what I’m doing? How I’m touching myself to the sound of your voice?”
Yes, obviously. Maya could picture how this looked so clearly. Harper strewn on her bed—or maybe her couch?—while brushing the vibrator against herself. Slowly and lightly, building up to the point where the only type of stimulation she craved was the relentless kind.
“Describe it to me,” Maya said. She couldn’t help herself.
“I’m in my living room.” Harper’s voice was more strained now. Her breathing more labored. “On the couch. The phone is next to me, on speaker. So I can use both hands. Pinch my nipple with one. And keep the toy in place with the other.”
Maya closed her eyes, the scene coming to life in her mind. Except it wasn’t Harper’s hands touching her body, but Maya’s. She was the one tracing the curve of her breasts, pinching her nipples until they stiffened. She was the one feeling the slick desire forming between Harper’s legs.
“I can send you a picture,” Harper whispered. Chuckling again. “For a price. All you have to do… is ask me nicely.”
Those words were distilled temptation. They pulled at Maya’s focus, even made her mouth fall open. Almost caused the requested question to slip from her tongue.
“That’s not how this is going to go,” Maya said instead. “I won’t need to ask, in fact. You’ll send me that picture unprompted.”
“Why would I do that?”
Maya allowed herself a grin. This part was her favorite. Though sex was closer to a dance than a duel, a bit of sparring could still be involved.
Harper was better at it than anyone else Maya had been with. If you didn’t pay attention, she could take charge with just a few choice words. Just a look, if she willed it. Making her give in… that was so thrilling that nothing else compared.
“Because you want me to take charge,” Maya said. “You want to provoke me into having a reaction. To hear me describe, in detail, how I would punish you if I was in that room with you. How I would make you beg for release. Or for it to stop, depending on my mood.”
Harper took a sharp breath. But didn’t speak.
“I’ll give it to you,” Maya continued. “You just need to be a little good first. Then I’ll tell you just how bad you’re being.”
The silence continued. For a long time, Harper’s panting breathing was the only sound coming through.
The phone vibrated. A text. With a picture attached.
Harper was splayed out on a couch, the camera raised at an angle that showed her body and little else.
Her tight-fitting tank top was pulled up to her chest, showing her breasts, her stomach, and her belly button piercing.
Her underwear had been taken off, and her free hand was pressing a curved vibrator against her clit. The silicone shined slightly.
Maya’s mouth went dry. Fuck.
“Did you get it?” Harper asked, voice breathless.
“I got it.” Maya swallowed, forcing control into her voice. “You’re already close. Aren’t you?”
“I’m trying not to be, but it’s—” A low moan cut her off. “It’s difficult.”
“Difficult, huh?” Maya leaned back against a tree. “Do you want me to make it harder for you?”
A long sigh came through the phone speaker. “Yes.”
“Doesn’t really sound like you want it.”
“I do,” she panted. “I really do. Yes, Sir.”
“There it is. I knew you’d see reason eventually. But it did take you a while. If I were there with you, I’d show you just how unfortunate a decision that was.”
Countless ideas flooded Maya’s mind, none of which could be acted out. Harper was safe at the other end of the phone call.
But Maya could play along. Give herself a taste of what she’d been without for the past week.
“Is there a dining table at your place?”
“Yes,” Harper sighed.