Chapter Text
When I look ahead I understand that I am in some kind of indoor garage. Concrete walls and tinkling lights all around me.
My heart is in my mouth. I can't tell if it's from anticipatory nerves, unfamiliarity with the area I'm in or if it's from the feeling of knowing for a fact that I'll be alone with Calliope, which always puts me at a disadvantage.
Calliope wraps her arm around my waist, pulling me tightly against her.
-Let's go -she leads me to a dark wooden door and after tapping a number on the keypad, the door opens. Inside is warm and full of mirrors. Calliope enters another code on the keypad and the door closes. Oh my god, where are we?
Moments later, we are in a light-toned gray hallway. In the center is a dark round wooden table and on it, a statuette of a feline. On the walls, there are pictures everywhere. She opens a double door and the light-toned gray continues down the hallway, straight into a large room. It is the living room that dissects into three more hallways that apparently lead to different rooms. To the right is a well-selected brown leather sofa, on which four people can sit comfortably. In front of it, a modern stainless steel fireplace. The fire glows and burns with care. To our left, down the entry way is the kitchen, again in gray tones, with dark wood countertops and a long breakfast bar for about four people.
Near the kitchen area, facing the glass wall. Oh wow, a glass wall facing a small indoor garden, there is a brown leather punching bag, a piece of exercise furniture and dumbbells.
I'm standing in this huge house, feeling out of place and Calliope is just watching me warily.
-You're very quiet. -murmurs
-Where are we Calliope? - I finally dare to ask.
-We are in a safe house. We have one of these near every place we've ever lived. You know... in case it's needed.
-I guess you know this isn't one of the situations your parents have listed as a need. -I say looking around.
-Mmm... I've always differed a bit with my parents. - she says and her eyes sparkle with amusement.
-Do you realize you've brought me to a house full of artifacts made to kill me? - Even I can hear the disappointment in my voice. Her mouth tightens into a hard line.
-I would never hurt you Jules and the artifacts are hidden. It's like any other house.
-It's not what you said last time.
She frowns.
-Jules... that was just a moment of anger, I was confused.
-What's to stop you from being confused again?
I look at her in disbelief. I see the desperation in her eyes.
-Oh come on, do you really want to talk about this? Right now?
I stop. I don't want to argue anymore, right now I need a shower.
-No, honestly no. And tell me, does Burns Fortress have a bathroom? I'd like to take a shower.
-So you're staying?
-Calliope I'm four hours away from anywhere I know... it's not like I have a choice.
-There's always a choice... free will Jules... you could have gotten out of the car.
Calliope jokes and she's right which makes me want to punch her.
-You're obnoxious Calliope. -I roll my eyes.
-We don't want to make you mad. I'll be right back, I'll take your bag downstairs, the bathroom is in the bedroom, straight ahead on the left. While you shower and get some rest, I'll do my exercise for the day.
My mouth opens a little. "Exercise of the day", fuck that sounds so... hot. But why do you want to exercise now, too much discipline. I'm baffled.
I walk to the room and enter. The first thing I notice is the smell, leather, wood and waxing with a certain vanilla scent. The Burns take this minimalist urban style very seriously. It's very nice, the lighting is soft and subtle and the bedroom has an extra large bed, it feels like a comfortable place. When I enter the bathroom everything fits, it's spacious and the shower area is framed by glass walls. Another touch of minimalism. It's to be expected.
I look at myself in the giant mirror above the sink. I'm like a teenager, nervous, euphoric. And all the angst of the previous days begins to fade. As I wash my hair, I try to think about what we could talk about and what I want to say to him. Surely it is better to talk face to face about these issues. Talk and nothing else. I blush at the thought which I try to suppress.
As I finish my nice, but too long shower I notice there are no towels nearby. Where are the towels? I check near the dresser under the mirror and nothing. I look around the room and don't see my suitcase, I realize he did it on purpose. She wants me to embarrass myself, to ask her for the towel and my suitcase. I can play this game too. With the resolution there, not to ask her for my things and not to give her the satisfaction, I must find another way to dry myself. I hold the clothes I just took off in my hands and dry myself as best I can, it's not much help but I feel less damp. Back in the bedroom, I rummage through the drawers and find a blue button down shirt long enough to cover me. I slip into it, shake my hair out a bit so my mane fits and hurry to close the buttons on the shirt.
Running back into the bathroom, I look at myself in the mirror: eyes bright, cheeks slightly flushed, look a little smug at my victory and head for the door to leave the room.
Calliope is standing by the panoramic window, she's barefoot, wearing only a dark top, short sport shorts with leg splits and a smoldering look. Her abdomen appears to be damp with sweat. She has finished training. She shouldn't look so pretty after working out.
I look at her, captivated as she slowly, like the hunter she is, stalks me. Calliope catches up to me, she has completely scanned me with her gaze and seems to like it because her eyes are completely dark now. Her intention is clear.
-Calliope, pleas- I whisper.
-Please what?
-Don't do this.
-Do what?
-This.
She stands in front of me, looking down at me.
-You solved your problem in the bathroom... you could have called me. -She exhales and looks at me, even closer. My heart is in my mouth. I don't want this. I do. Badly.
It's so frustrating. It's so hot and desirable. I tear my gaze from his bewitching stare.
-I didn't think it would be a problem.
-I want you, Jules,- she murmurs, -I haven't been able to sleep for days, I need to get this need I have for you out, I can't keep killing my body with exercise.
Fuck, it's not the discipline, it's me. The very idea of having that effect on her produces a world of sensations in my body. But no, it's not that simple. I can't just ignore the situation that brought us here, that keeps me from throwing myself into her arms and letting her lose herself in me. Immerse herself in me. Fuck. This is so hard.
-Why did you bring me here, Calliope? -I whisper
Her proximity is overwhelming, exhilarating. The familiar attraction is there, all my cells urging me towards her, my body is activated in its most primal state. Looking down at her exposed skin above her breasts, I bite my lip, searching for help, driven by desire...I want to taste her there.
She's so close, but she doesn't touch me. Her heat warming my skin.
-among other things...to talk.
I take a step back. I take a deep breath, regaining my willpower.
-Among other things? What other things do you expect to happen Calliope?
I ask sarcastically and a little offended. Calliope looks at me amused, the tense moment has passed.
-Things Jules... eating for example, you know... a nice romantic dinner. Things like that.
- Romantic dinner. If you remember I'm a Calliope vampire?
-Jeez Jules! Do your part... you've eaten normal food before and just because it doesn't nourish you, doesn't mean you can't like it. -Vampires don't have romantic dinners?
-I don't want a romantic dinner with you Calliope. Not now.
-Okay. Just dinner.
-I don't want to talk either.
-Then let's not talk.
-Then why did you bring me all the way out here? -So what did you bring me out here for?
-To make sure I'd have you around when you wanted to.
I'm speechless, she' s really making an effort. She's being adorable. My slayer bent over and ready to please me, I'm two seconds away from completely melting.
Calliope shakes her head and holds her hand out to me.
-Let me fix you something to eat,- she says.
-Can't I go to bed? - I mumble wearily as I place my hand in hers.
I stiffen. She looks at me and her expression softens.
-No, please join me for lunch. Come." The bossy Calliope returns, and it's a relief. I was worried I couldn't resist any longer.
She leads me into the kitchen area and sits me on a stool as she goes to the refrigerator.
-Calliope I'm not really hungry, or well... craving normal food.
Diplomatically she ignores me as she searches through the giant refrigerator that seems to be full of stuff I buy at the gas station and toppers she probably brought from home.
-Cheese? - she asks.
-No, thanks.
-Biscuits?
-In the refrigerator? No - I snort.
She turns and smiles at me.
-Don't you like the taste of cookies?
-Not if they're iced. Calliope I'm going to bed. You can look in the fridge for the rest of the afternoon. I'm tired, and I've had a pretty interesting day thanks to you. - I get off the stool and frown, but right now I don't care. I want to go to bed, I'm exhausted.
-Macaroni and cheese? - She holds up a blue flask with a cover. It looks so hopeful and lovely.
-Do you like macaroni and cheese? - I ask.
She nods enthusiastically and my heart melts. She suddenly looks so tender. Who would have thought? That Calliope Burns likes kid food.
-Do you want some? -she asks, hopeful. I can't resist her and find myself slightly craving the taste. Which is confusing considering I should be fed soon. But I don't think I can find the kind of food I need in that refrigerator.
I nod and give her a weak smile. Her answering wink steals my breath. She removes the foil from the bowl and puts it in the microwave. I climb back on the stool and observe the beauty that is Calliope Burns. She moves gracefully and easily around the kitchen. Her abs contracting with each step, her legs marked, her shoulders exposed and firm.
-So you know how to use the microwave? - I tease her a little.
-If it's in a package, I can usually do something with it.
I can't believe this woman is the one who was just a few months ago completely indifferent to me. She gets out the plates, silverware, and placemats for the breakfast bar.
-We should be at camp with the others. -I mumble
-I don't think they've even noticed.
-I'm pretty sure your friend Tess noticed.
Calliope frowns.
-She didn't go to camp, and it's not something I'm worried about right now.
The beep of the microwave announces that our dinner is ready.
Calliope puts the bowl between us and sits down next to me. She seems out of it. Distracted. I ladle the macaroni onto our plates. It smells delicious.
-I'm sorry about Tess and everything that happened before. -she mumbles.
I pop some macaroni into her mouth. Mmm it tastes as good as it smells. I try to ignore how tense this conversation makes me.
-I told you I didn't want to talk right now Calliope.
-And you're not talking... I just need to explain.
-Explain what?
-That it wasn't easy Jules. I regretted what I said the moment I saw you get in the car. It's just that it's about my family, you know. We have always been close and I have never doubted anything that was instilled in me, never questioned a single word... until I met you.
I am breathless with recognition. You have been just like me. She looks lost and vulnerable, completely overwhelmed.
-I shouldn't have put the stake in your chest, I shouldn't have blamed you for what happened to my brother, you brought him back... I shouldn't have waited so long to tell you all this. I know that not everyone in my family thinks the same and I know how difficult it is to make them change their minds and how drastic they are in their decisions... that's the only reason why I've been so afraid that Tess will tell them something again and... they will take me away from you for good," she murmurs with evident sincerity in her voice. I sigh deeply to reassure myself.
-It wasn't easy for me, either....
-I know. - she says and turns pale. - I know I hurt you and I'm sorry.
-Apology accepted.
-I've missed you Jules... I really have.
I swallow, and the lump in my throat swells and I remember my desperate anguish since I left her standing on the sidewalk at her house. I've missed her too. Her gaze is intense and expectant. While her candor is utterly disarming. What the hell should I say to that.
The last few months have been the worst of my life, the pain has been indescribable. Nothing has come close. But the reality hits me right back, sweeping me away.
-Nothing has changed Cal, I can't be what you want me to be... Or rather I can't stop being what I am. -I say, the words passing from the lump in my throat.
-You are what I want you to be," she says, her voice soft and emphatic.
-No, Calliope, I am not. You said it yourself, your parents... your tribe, your family.
-You're upset about what happened last time. I was being stupid. I didn't know how to handle the situation. I didn't know how to do it the day you left, I didn't know how to do it when I couldn't sleep at night and I didn't know how to do it when I pulled you out the window to let Tess in.
Deep down I know I want to tell her that I understand, that I want to be with her and that none of the above matters anymore. But I don't know how to do it. I don't know what to say. My body is frozen and my mind moves very slowly.
I pick up the fork again and take a bite.
-Eat... you're getting cold, you must be starving. -I try to bring this to a more normal conversation.
She doesn't smile, but continues to look at me. Reluctantly she picks up her fork and places some macaroni on it and puts it in her mouth. I can see the disappointment in his eyes, I know he was expecting something different. She chews and visibly relaxes.
We eat our dinner in silence. Finally, Calliope puts the last bite of her pasta in her mouth and looks at her watch.
-Well, I think we should rest.
We get up from our stools and she takes my hand. She kisses my knuckle tenderly and the touch of her lips on my skin resonates throughout my body. She' s been extremely patient with me today and I admit it, I have not been an easy person.
She leads me to the room where I took my shower earlier, it looks so much better at night. It is warm and cozy, the warm light from the bedside lamp bathes the bed. It's lovely.
-You can sleep well here, I have put your suitcase in the closet. Anything you need, just call me.
-You're not going to sleep here?
-I didn't think you'd want me to.
-Well, the bed is pretty big and I'm in a new space for me, it would be nice to have company.
-In that case, I'll sleep here.
Calliope leaves the room for a moment and when she returns she has her suitcase in her hands, places it on the couch in the room and opens it taking out a change of clothes and what appears to be a clean towel. I walk over to the closet and open its doors to find my suitcase. I pull some black panties out of the bottom pocket and bend down to pull them down my legs until they are where they need to be. It's not until I hear a sound coming from Calliope's throat that I realize she's looking at me. When I think about it I understand that I would have reacted exactly the same way. Her dark eyes on me provoke feelings I've been trying to avoid all day.
-I thought you were going to take a shower.
-Yeah... uh, I'll see you in a moment - Calliope comes out of the frozen state she was in and goes into the bathroom.
I smile, I rarely have the joy of having a nervous Calliope in front of me. I don't know if it's because of what she told me minutes before or it's the hours shared with her that numbs my mind, but I feel better and better.
It is very quiet now. The light is very dim. I feel comfortable and warm in this bed. Hmm... I close my eyes and take a deep breath, then open them again and for a moment I am calm and serene, enjoying the strange and unfamiliar surroundings. I have no idea where I am and at this point I can admit that I don't really care.
Minutes later I'm already under the covers, my body directed towards the nightstand, ready for sleep. I can hear Calliope come out of the bathroom, put her things down and get under the covers as well. I can smell the aroma of the delicious shower gel and the weight of her body on the bed. The muscles inside the deepest, darkest part of me clench in the most delicious way. The pain is so sweet and sharp I want to close my eyes, but I'm trying to control myself.
I stir a little and settle down to start sleeping. Calliope lets out a sigh and suddenly she's shifting under the covers until I can feel her proximity on my back. Oh, she knows very well what she is doing... I am helpless, I can't resist or stop the reaction of my body pushing back to feel her closer. I can hear a raw gasp from Calliope that only gets me excited. She grabs my hips and pulls me even closer, I gasp and our bodies join. She stands very still and leans down to tuck my hair behind my ear and place her face so close that I feel her breath on my neck. She doesn't kiss me, she just stands there, I can her lips grazing my skin. She wraps her arm around me from behind and pulls me again until she adjusts my ass and fits it into the arch generated by her legs and pelvis. Fuck, this is so hot. Feeling her like this behind me, her breath in my ear is so unexpected, so intense. My hands remain gripping the pillow as I try to calm my breathing too hard. Her hands move under the long button-down shirt and begin to pull it up to my waist.
-Cal...
-Please... don't say anything...
-I don't...
-Shhh... I beg of you.
And it's like her words are orders because I keep quiet and start to let my body feel whatever it has to feel and my mind shut down.
I think he's going to go up my waist under my shirt to my breasts, but he doesn't. Releasing me, suddenly his hands reach for my black panties I just put on and he starts to pull them down without peeling off my body, I can feel her I am so wet, I can feel all the desire building up in my core. When she has pulled my panties halfway down my legs she lets out a growl and opens her mouth to kiss my neck, her breathing is labored, I can feel all the restraint of her body behind me, Calliope is so turned on and somehow that has me crazy. Her hands slowly slide from my thighs to my ass and squeeze hard, I moan at the action and calliope bites my neck. She leans forward, running her nose up to the apex of my chin. I feel her.
-You've been driving me crazy for days..." she whispers, her voice husky and producing all kinds of sensations in me.
Her hands run intensely from my thigh to my ass a couple of times before she pushes me forward slightly so she can pull down her pajama pants and panties at the same time and seconds later grab my hips and pull me back against her. I gasp instantly and a low growl escapes Calliope's throat.
-Fuck Jules...
Her hands are still on my hips and she pushes me a las back, she wants to feel me really fit against her pelvis, the feel of her bare skin and her pelvis rubbing against my ass drives me out of control. Calliope slips her other arm underneath me to wrap her arms around me. She has her torso pressed against my back and her hand resting under my chin on my throat. I feel her full of desire and I love it.
-Move," she orders me.
I moan and do as she says. I start to slowly move my ass. She moans and pulls me back with her hand to nibble on my neck. Her other hand slowly moves down my body, from my hip to my sex and then slides down to my clit. I let out a long moan as her fingers close over it and she begins to arouse it.
-Yes, Jules," she says softly in my ear, "move like this, don't stop.
-Yes," I gasp as my body begins to tense, pushing back and Calliope begins to grind into me more intimately.
Calliope strokes my chin, my throat and works her way down to my breasts, where she unbuttons my shirt a little to free my chest from its imprisonment. He purrs hoarsely from the back of his throat without ceasing to grind into me, his other hand now caressing my abdomen, then my leg and pulling my panties down a little more as he pulls down more of his own clothing to continue grinding against my ass. I moan as she strokes my left nipple with her thumb and her lips close over my shoulders, her fingers tugging and caressing my hard, prominent nipple as Calliope's other hand holds my hips to set the rhythm.
-Ah...
She doesn't stop. With exquisite care she increases the intensity on my nipple a little. I throw my head back and pause for a moment as I feel twinges of pleasure shoot from my nipple and travel up my body to my crotch. I try to squirm, but I can barely move, Calliope has me fully pressed against her body.
-Calliope... we shouldn't," I whimper.
-I know," she murmurs hoarsely, "but I need this.
She emits a low, primal sound from her throat and resumes grinding.
-Let me feel how you are
I gasp and spread my legs a little in permission. This is wearing me out. She covers my sex with her hand and rubs my clit with her thumb, which makes me let out a little cry. She slowly slips one of her fingers inside me and then a second finger. I moan and project my hips forward, eager to get close to her fingers and the sole of her hand. I am soaking wet. Calliope lets out a grunt.
-Oh, Jules, you're so ready," she whispers.
She makes circular motions with her fingers inside me, over and over as she grinds harder rubbing her pelvis against my ass and caresses my breast with her other hand, her moans are so loud. She moves even closer so that her body continues to rub against mine. She is still dressed: The fabric of her T-shirt rubs against my lower back and her pajama pants feel on my legs. She's so close to me... She gives me soft, wet kisses on my shoulder and pulls her fingers out of me as she increases her grinding and straining behind me. This is for her, she has left me completely aroused as she masturbates with me. Fuck this is so intimate, so intense... She tightens even more behind me, grips my ass tightly and presses her hips hard against me. That makes me gasp.
-You drive me crazy," he whispers, thrusting her hips into me once, twice, three times, causing my body to spark to the point of burning. Our bodies sweaty, as I moan loudly. Moving, pounding into me, with a fast, intense rhythm against my chafing ass. The sensation is far beyond exquisite, wild and my mind hallucinates. My senses are ravaged, disconnected, concentrating only on what he is doing to me. On the way he's enjoying it, on how he has his arms around me and is panting heavily on my shoulder, how he's making me feel, that familiar deep pull in my belly, tightening, quickening... and my treacherous body explodes.
-Oh, Jules! - she screams loudly as she finds her climax, holding me still as she unloads in torrents behind me. She collapses, panting heavily next to me, burying her face in my hair, holding me close.
We lie there, panting together, slowly waiting to catch our breath.
To be continued.