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“Fuck,” Miranda swore after she’d hung up the phone. Louder, she called to her assistant in the atrium, “Emily, get Nigel on the phone.” When her phone rang moments later, she answered it with a heavy sigh, “Veronica has cancelled for this afternoon’s shoot.”
“Fuck,” the man on the other end of the phone paused to consider their options. Veronica was one of their best models but was, unfortunately, quite flaky at times. “Did she give a reason?”
“No,” Miranda tapped her pen against her lip as she thought quickly, “the advertisers won’t be happy if we postpone this shoot. Is there anyone else we can find at last minute? I’ll double their normal pay if necessary, just find me an appropriate model.” Andrea entered her office at that moment, holding a stack of papers, “Nigel, I have to let you go. Something just came up. Let me know if you locate someone quickly, otherwise I will contact the photographer.” She hung up the phone without another word and directed her attention to her assistant, “Andrea, what was so important that you interrupted my call?”
“I have the financial reports you requested. Is everything alright? You seem more stressed than usual.” Andrea frowned in concern and Miranda felt a pleasant tingle in her spine at the response.
“I’m fine, Andrea,” she pursed her lips, “a model canceled on us at the last minute. It is always a stressful thing. Unfortunately, her coloring was important for this shoot so finding a replacement will be tricky. I have already directed Nigel to rectify the situation.”
“Is there anything I can do to help?” Her tone was soft, almost gentle, which confused the editor momentarily. Nobody had spoken to her in that tone since before the twins were born!
“Unless you happen to know a tall brunette willing to step in to model at the last minute, I don’t believe so. That’s all.” She directed her attention to the documents she’d been handed and began reading, missing the look that crossed her assistant’s face. Now if only everyone could be so helpful, she thought ruefully as the young woman left quickly.
~*~❣️~*~
Andy rushed into the Art Department cursing herself in her own thoughts, I can’t seriously be doing this right now, she chastised herself. Out loud, she called out, “Nigel, are you in here?”
“What is it, Six?” The man sighed while running his hand over his smooth head, “I’m a bit busy handling a crisis.”
“So I’ve heard.” Andy bit her lip before forcing herself to continue, “I came to help.”
“Miranda sent someone to watch over me?” He frowned at the thought before accepting that it made sense for the editor-in-chief.
“Miranda doesn’t know I’m here,” Andy held up her hands placatingly, “I heard you need a brunette model of around my height. Will the clothes fit me?”
“I’m sorry,” the man blinked, clearly thinking he’d misheard.
“Will whatever you were planning on having the model wear fit me instead? You know my measurements.” Andy pinched the bridge of her nose. She’d done some modeling in college but hadn’t continued it when she moved to New York. Despite being constantly teased for being a size six, she knew how to model clothes.
“It’s a bikini shoot, so the height wasn’t important for the clothes,” he frowned, “it was mostly the coloring that would look best on a dark haired model. I can make the clothing fit, but are you certain? Miranda may not be happy if her assistant is occupied during the photo shoot.”
“I think Miranda will be a lot less happy if she has to cancel the photo shoot altogether because you couldn’t find a model that fit her needs.” Andy pointed out quietly. She’d been at Runway for months, trying daily to get the older woman to notice her. She’d given up hope on that ever happening, but couldn’t stand to see the powerful woman defeated by a model’s whims.
“Very well,” Nigel nodded decisively, “you’re right. I’ll call Miranda and tell her I’m borrowing you for a few hours. By the time she realizes you’re the replacement, it’ll be too late to stop it so hopefully she won’t cause a scene.”
Andy sighed gratefully, “thank you, Nigel.” Pulling out her phone, she sent a text to Emily to let her know she’d be leaving early for the day. Emily wasn’t pleased, but when Andy said it was for a project with Nigel, she backed down.
“Miranda,” Nigel was saying into the phone, “I’ve found a suitable candidate. We will meet you on location this afternoon. I am borrowing your assistant for the day to help me carry the outfits since Jocelyn is out of town on vacation.” He paused, listening to the woman’s quiet words, “understood, Miranda. I will have her text you the details on the way to the photo shoot.” When Miranda had evidently hung up, Nigel followed suit. He turned back to the brunette in his office and grinned at her. “Miranda wants you to officially request the time away for this afternoon so she has it for HR but has agreed to loan you to me for the duration of the crisis. You will be paid out of the Art Department budget for your time spent assisting me. Now help me get things together, we need to be on location in an hour.”
The next thirty minutes were spent organizing clothing for the models, including Andy. Nigel frowned in thought before adding a wrap skirt to go with the bikini he’d selected for Veronica, not sure how Andy would look in the revealing clothing. Andy rolled her eyes at this explanation but said nothing. By now, she’d grown accustomed to the mild putdowns about her comparative size. She knew she wasn’t fat, but every time she’d tried to insist she was just muscular she’d been met with scoffs from her coworkers. I guess they’ll find out soon enough, Andy thought with a wry grin.
~*~❣️~*~
Miranda arrived on the set as the models were finishing dressing. “Damn girl,” one of the models was whistling, “you’ve been hiding that from us? Why are you never on site with us with a body like that?” Miranda frowned in confusion. Nigel had said he’d found a replacement. Surely the replacement was a regular model of theirs?
“I haven’t been hiding it,” a familiar voice sounded from the changing area, “you all just never bothered to look.” Miranda couldn’t place the voice but the similarity was nagging at her. When her assistant stepped out of the dressing area wrapped in a towel, her confusion cleared to be replaced with anger.
“Andrea,” she whispered dangerously, “I wasn’t expecting to see you with the models. I thought you were helping Nigel for the day?”
“I am helping Nigel,” Andrea chewed on her bottom lip, showing her worry, “I am helping by modeling for the day in Veronica’s place. You needed a tall brunette, you’ve got one. We can discuss this later, but I need to speak to the photographer about what he wants.”
Miranda watched in shock as her typically timid assistant walked off with the other models. What am I missing here, she wondered to herself. Moving behind the group of women to observe the proceedings, she attempted to fidget with her ring only to remember it was gone. No real loss, she sighed, thinking of the constant arguments with her soon-to-be ex-husband.
As the models arranged themselves in the scene, Miranda kept her eyes glued to her assistant. The young woman was about to be humiliated and Miranda was dreading it. Ever since Andrea had ventured upstairs that night, she’d found herself developing feelings against her will. She’d tried to push her away, insisting on insane tasks that nobody could possibly perform. Andrea had risen to every occasion. When the towel dropped from Andrea’s body, Miranda’s brain froze along with every other observer present.
“Did you know she had those abs?” The photographer’s assistant was mumbling to a coworker, “Or those legs? Damn!”
“I may offer to buy her a drink after this,” his companion whispered back, unknowingly provoking the editor’s ire.
“We are here for a job, gentleman,” her voice was ice as she reprimanded them for their comments, “professionalism is expected. If I hear another word about my assistant's body today I will blacklist the culprit from the industry. You can enjoy working at a studio in JCPenney’s going forward if you’re lucky. Am I clear?”
“Yes Miranda,” the men sheepishly responded before returning to their tasks. Miranda met the grateful eyes of her assistant and waited for the shoot to commence. They weren’t wrong though, she thought, lips twitching, she is the most gorgeous woman here.
“You dress her regularly. Did you know she looked like that?” Miranda whispered the question to Nigel as he moved closer.
“I honestly had no idea. She always insisted on changing behind a screen or in a stall,” he muttered back in awe, “she said she was muscular but I didn't believe her. Is that really a six pack?”
“If I’m not mistaken,” Miranda’s eyes trailed over the exposed skin, “I can see every single muscle on her body. She isn’t a body builder, but it’s clear she exercises frequently. What other secrets is she hiding from us, I wonder.” The last part was said quietly to herself. Nigel chanced a look at his boss and his eyes widened as he recognized the look on her face.
“Miranda,” he hesitated to point out, “keep in mind that she is still your assistant. You can’t do what you’re thinking of doing with your assistant.”
“I’ve been thinking it’s time Andrea move to a department that better suits her,” Miranda commented offhandedly, as if it had nothing to do with his statement. “She wanted to be a journalist, and she is clearly excellent at problem solving. I was thinking we should investigate if she can be placed in our features department. I believe she would be much happier there.”
“So would you,” Nigel muttered under his breath.
Pretending not to hear him, she continued, “go call Nancy, would you? I would like Andrea placed appropriately by tomorrow morning.” Miranda moved away from the man, intent on directing the photo shoot personally.
“Nancy, it’s Nigel…” she heard him say behind her and she smiled at how quickly her friend followed her directions. Now, it was time to see if Andrea had any interest in the new position Miranda had in mind.
~*~❣️~*~
Andy was fully in her element at the beginning of the photo shoot. She’d heard the whispers and seen the reactions, but she wasn’t surprised. She’d known people would be shocked when they saw her for the first time. It was her boss’ reaction that interested her the most, however. The older woman had looked awestruck at the sight of Andy in the blue bikini. Nigel’s jaw had nearly hit the floor, but Miranda’s look had turned borderline obscene. Andy had watched as the editor’s pupils rapidly expanded and felt her own body responding as a result.
When Miranda approached, resembling a tiger stalking its chosen prey, Andy struggled to hold the pose she’d been placed in. “May I?” The editor asked the photographer, uncharacteristically interrupting the shoot.
“Please,” he nodded in excitement, “be my guest!”
Miranda locked eyes with Andy and reached out to gently grip her chin, angling it down slightly. The older woman hummed under her breath, an indicator Andy had learned to listen for that signaled the editor was pleased with what she saw. As Andy’s body was positioned according to the editor’s vision, she focused on her breathing to disguise her mounting arousal.
“Miranda, please,” she whispered so only her boss could hear her. Their eyes locked again and Andy swore she saw the lips twitch at whatever they saw.
“We will be discussing this further after the shoot is over,” the woman promised quietly, leaning slightly closer to avoid being overheard, “for now, I need you to focus on modeling for me. You volunteered for this job, I expect you to behave until the end.”
Andy gave a barely perceptible nod in response and allowed her body to be positioned again and again. The rest of the shoot was hell for the aspiring journalist. She knows what she’s doing to me, she decided towards the end of the day, she has to know.
Andy hurried back to the dressing area with the remaining models and changed back into her work attire. By the time she was finished changing, Miranda was the only person still present. “I thought you would have left by now,” Andy frowned at the woman.
“Must I repeat myself, Andrea?” The woman huffed the words lightly.
“We need to talk?” Andy repeated to her boss, “about what?”
“Your future, among other topics,” the editor waved towards the town car that now sat idling nearby, “Roy will drive us somewhere private where we may discuss details without unwanted ears overhearing.”
Andy nodded silently and followed the woman to the car, mentally spiraling over her words. My future? What does that mean? Is Miranda about to fire me for modeling without permission? In her panic, Andy conveniently forgot the almost erotic touches the editor had bestowed on her all afternoon. When the car pulled up to the townhouse, Andy hesitated to climb out. “Miranda?” Her voice trembled as she said the name as a question.
“Are you coming, Andrea? You know as well as any that I am not a patient woman.”
Andy quickly exited the town car and followed Miranda up the stairs to the door. Behind her, Roy pulled out of the driveway, causing her to take a deep breath. I’m either getting fired and she won’t let him drive me anymore or this is going to be a very long conversation, she decided. Standing awkwardly in the foyer, Andy began twisting her fingers.
“Don’t just stand there, Andrea,” Miranda’s voice was almost teasing to Andy’s ears, “hang up your coat so we can talk.” There was a strange emphasis on the last word that Andy chose not to focus on as she hung her designer coat next to Miranda’s in the closet. Andy made her way to the study where Miranda often worked from home and stood uncomfortably in the doorway, awaiting further instructions. “Have a seat.” Miranda gestured to the sofa along the wall from her position in front of the desk.
Andy sat and clasped her hands together to control her instinct to fidget. After sitting in silence for several minutes, she chanced a glance up at Miranda in confusion. “You wanted to talk about my future?” Her voice was shaky as she whispered the words into the quiet room.
“Yes,” Miranda nodded, “I think it is time we discussed your future at Runway.” Andy felt her heart sink at the words before Miranda could continue. “I feel your talents are being wasted as my assistant and I believe you would be better suited in another department.”
Andy’s eyes widened a fraction as she considered the words, “why now?” She finally asked when Miranda made no attempt to continue.
“You’ve impressed me several times during your time as my assistant.” Miranda smiled approvingly. The unexpected smile set off fireworks in the brunette’s stomach. “First, you were brave enough to venture upstairs during an argument with Stephen at the behest of my girls. Then, you located, copied, and bound three copies of an unpublished, highly protected, manuscript in compensation for that decision. You have worked on every assignment given to my girls without fail and have subtly encouraged them to begin working on their own, a feat no previous assistant has attempted. You remembered the names of everyone at the Met Gala despite only having a matter of hours to memorize them when Emily, arguably your superior, had weeks to study and forgot important details, thus saving me from professional embarrassment. That same night, you distracted Irv from my drunk husband’s antics possibly saving my job.” The editor paused to let that sink in.
“Today though,” she continued when Andy’s confusion seemed to be clearing, “today you identified a crisis and intervened without asking for permission first. You didn’t hesitate, you didn’t wait. You just stepped in. I may not say this often, Andrea, but I greatly appreciate everything you have done for me. Today you showed me that you have what it takes to manage a situation, not as an assistant, but as a member of the team. If that weren’t enough reason,” the editor seemed to hesitate before she continued her explanation, “I cannot have you as my assistant with the feelings you provoke in me.”
Andy’s eyes darkened as she processed her boss’ words. “The feelings I provoke?” She asked to clarify the situation.
“Surely you've noticed, Andrea,” Miranda scoffed, “I don’t think I was very subtle at that photo shoot today. I will understand if you do not return those feelings, but I cannot be professional towards you when all I want is to touch you again.”
“I accept,” Andy replied softly, voice barely above a whisper. “I will transfer departments, Miranda. I will leave Runway altogether if that’s what it takes for you to touch me like you were earlier.” Brown eyes followed as Miranda stepped slowly closer to her on the couch. Andy allowed her eyes to flutter shut when a soft hand cupped the side of her face gently, thumb tracing along her cheekbone.
Miranda’s phone vibrated in her pocket, startling the younger woman slightly. Miranda’s eyes remained locked on hers as she answered the call, “Nigel? I see. Tell Nancy I expect the email to be sent within the hour. And Nigel? Thank you.” The editor hung up the phone, leaving Andy to wonder at the conversation she’d heard only half of.
“Everything OK?” She asked in concern as blue eyes scanned over her face.
“That was Nigel,” Miranda rolled her eyes at repeating the conversation, “he spoke to Nancy for me about a position for you. You begin in the features department tomorrow morning. You should be receiving the email shortly. I will let Emily know to begin the search for your replacement. Now that that is out of the way,” Miranda’s eyes locked on Andy’s lips, causing the younger woman to smile teasingly, “we need to discuss the rest of your future.”
“Oh?” Andy’s head tilted to the side, “what else is there to discuss?”
“Andrea,” Miranda whispered the name like a prayer, “I have been very patient but I need to hear it from you. You said you want me to touch you, but is that all you want from me?”
“No,” Andy breathed, “I want it all.” The words seemed to break down the final wall for Miranda, because before Andy could continue, Miranda was pressing their lips together in a frantic kiss.
Before things could become too heated, Miranda pulled away from the tantalizing mouth. “I’m not a cheater, Andrea,” she whispered softly.
“I know,” Andy sighed back, fearing the editor was about to turn her away.
“So I want to be very clear with you right now,” Miranda continued, unaware of Andy’s mental turmoil, “Stephen and I have begun discussing divorce recently. He has already found another girlfriend, though he hasn’t told me about her yet. I need you to know that it is over with him. I predict he will be ‘surprising me’ with the documents soon.”
“Oh,” Andy gasped as the revelation explained the secretive phone calls Miranda had been making behind closed doors recently.
“Indeed,” Miranda pressed their lips together again before continuing, “normally I would insist on a date first, but I don’t want to stop.”
“Dates can come later,” Andy pulled Miranda down to straddle her lap, “please, don’t stop now.”
“As you wish,” Miranda whispered before pressing their bodies together tightly. Finally, Andy thought to herself contentedly as her arms wrapped around Miranda’s waist.
~*~❣️~*~
Andrea’s first slight whimper was music to Miranda’s ears. As their tongues tangled, Miranda allowed herself a moment of smug satisfaction at making the 23-year-old make noise first. That smugness ended when tentative fingers traced along her spine to tangle into her hair and she moaned quietly in encouragement.
Andrea pulled out of the kiss and trailed hot kisses along her jaw until she discovered the sensitive spot behind her ear. “Oh god,” Miranda breathed as she tilted her head to give better access to her neck. The younger woman nipped lightly on the flesh and Miranda felt the lips quirk into a grin when her breath caught.
“Someone seems to enjoy that,” Andrea whispered hotly against her, “do you enjoy firmer treatment, Miranda?”
“Yes,” Miranda hissed as her hair was pulled forcefully, just shy of painful. “Andrea,” she used one hand to pull the woman’s mouth back to hers before her fingers began working on the buttons of the offending blouse.
Steady hands joined her own, sliding buttons through holes more efficiently than she was capable of at the moment. When Andrea’s fingers eagerly moved to the hem of Miranda’s top and tugged lightly, Miranda broke the kiss to allow it to be removed. She pushed the sleeves down Andrea’s arms, slowly unwrapping her lover like a present. As her abdomen came into view once more, Miranda traced her fingers along the defined muscles. “It should be criminal to keep this from me.” She murmured in fascination.
“Would you have believed me if I told you?” Andrea pressed Miranda’s hand firmly to her stomach as the muscles twitched. Arms wrapped behind Miranda’s back to unclasp her bra, waiting for a slight nod of consent before the straps were pushed out of the way. Miranda’s nipples tightened in the cool air of the study under Andrea’s focused gaze. “Stunning,” the woman muttered, running a finger around one of the peaks.
“Andrea, please,” Miranda dropped her head back and closed her eyes at the sensation so she missed the glint in her soon-to-be-lover’s eyes. When a wet tongue flicked over her pebbled nipple, a sharp contrast to the cool air, Miranda’s eyes flew open in surprise. She looked down just before the lips she’d been previously devouring wrapped themselves around her breast, tongue flicking in a steady rhythm against her. Miranda began subconsciously rocking her hips into her as she sought any kind of friction.
“Are your breasts sensitive Miranda?” Andrea pulled back far enough to ask before continue with her ministrations.
“Very,” Miranda pressed into Andrea’s mouth as fingers began tugging at her other breast. Miranda tangled one hand in Andrea’s hair while her other hand attempted to unclasp her bra. Bumps rose on her skin as the hand was pulled away from her breast to slide down her side. The hot mouth switched to tease over her other breast causing Miranda’s brain to struggle to keep track of sensations. Miranda finally managed to remove Andrea’s bra and eagerly cupped one of the firm breasts in her hand, teasing over a nipple with her thumb.
Andrea released her with a ‘pop’ and pulled her face down into a rough kiss. As their breasts pressed together for the first time, someone let out a low moan. Miranda would later swear it was Andrea but Andrea would smirk and insist it was the editor who made the noise. Andrea’s fingers paused at the zipper of Miranda’s skirt, seeming to wait for permission to undo the garment. Miranda groaned in response and pushed herself more firmly into her lover. Strong arms lifted Miranda bodily from Andrea’s lap and laid her gently on the sofa.
Andrea followed her, pressing her stomach firmly into Miranda’s center. “Oh fuck,” Miranda ground herself into the tight abdomen, feeling the ripples of muscles through her panties.
“Yes Miranda,” Andrea said, enthralled by her, “that’s it. I only ever want to make you happy. Take what you need from me.” Kisses were placed along Miranda’s chest, this time skipping over her needy breasts to trail down over her stomach. The brunette placed open mouthed kisses along her C-Section scar reverently forcing a whine from the older woman. “It’s hard to believe sometimes that this body gave life to those wonderful girls of yours.” When Miranda moved to push Andrea away from the perceived flaw, Andrea resisted and continued worshiping the editor’s stomach instead.
“Please Andrea,” Miranda heard the neediness in her voice as she begged, “please touch me.”
“I am touching you,” Andrea smirked against her, sliding her hands up her legs and under her skirt. The hands stopped at the top of her thighs, just short of where Miranda needed her most. “You’re going to have to be very specific with me, Miranda. I’m afraid I need lots of explicit instruction.”
“on’t tease me,” Miranda complained lightly.
When Andrea removed her hands, Miranda let out a low growl until they began unfastening and removing her skirt. Miranda lifted her hips eagerly and allowed the skirt to be pulled away along with her panties. A surprised gasp came from her partner as her dripping sex came into sight. “You’re so wet,” the awed voice was accompanied by a single finger sliding slowly between her lips.
“I’ve been like this since the shoot,” Miranda admitted as she pushed her center into the questing finger. “Are you going to do something about that for me?”
A single finger circled around her clit, too light to provide any relief but just enough so Miranda could feel it. “Yes Miranda,” the mischievous voice came back just before Andrea lowered her mouth to Miranda’s center. Miranda moaned loudly as her hands flew to the back of Andrea’s head. She wasn’t sure if Andrea had done this before, but she seemed to know what to do.
Her partner slid her tongue from her entrance up to her clit where she circled the pulsing nerves. Miranda tugged insistently on the brunette hair in her hands but Andrea continued avoiding flicking directly over the engorged clitoris. After a few torturous minutes of this, she finally curled her tongue over the pearl. “Yes!” Miranda exclaimed, “just like that.”
As Miranda felt the pressure about to burst in her core, a finger teased around her entrance. She was still trying to figure out how to nudge the finger inside her when it slid easily into her core. Andrea emitted a low groan, the vibrations rippling through Miranda’s body, and an orgasm tore through Miranda unexpectedly.
“That’s it,” Andrea whispered into her sex, “come for me, Miranda. Let me feel you.” Andrea pushed back into her body roughly with two fingers and curled them against her front wall. Miranda felt the pressure build once again and thrust her hips harder into Andrea’s fingers, pulling the woman’s face away from her.
“I need you up here,” she explained to the confused woman as she continued to tug. Andrea shifted her body up, continuing to push into her Miranda’s core as Miranda pulled her into a sloppy kiss. Tasting herself on Andrea’s lips was enough to push Miranda over the edge for the second time of the evening. Miranda reached down and grasped at the hand still inside her to stop its motion as she breathed heavily, “I’m gong to pass out if you continue.”
“Sounds like a compliment to me,” Andrea smirked as she curled her fingers before reluctantly pulling them out to give Miranda a break. Miranda bit into her lip when her lover brought her hand up and slowly sucked them clean, humming in satisfaction. “A girl could get addicted to that,” Andrea sighed.
“Come upstairs with me,” Miranda reached up to cup Andrea’s face, stunning them both with the emotion lacing her voice.
“I will follow you anywhere, Miranda. All you need to do is ask,” Andrea stood from her position and helped Miranda to her feet. “Are the girls home?”
“They’re gone for the weekend,” Miranda smiled, “which is probably for the best because I plan on hearing you scream for me tonight.”
“Promises promises,” Andrea said coyly as she led the way out of the study and up the stairs.
~*~❣️~*~
After Miranda had made good on her promise, the two collapsed in a tangle of limbs on the soft bed. When Andy opened her eyes the next morning, she was being held tightly around the waist by her lover. She smiled and snuggled closer to the welcoming warmth, feeling the older woman’s breath on the back of her neck as she continued to sleep. Feeling pressure in her bladder, she reluctantly untangled herself, slipping a pillow into the editor’s arms when she frowned in her sleep.
“No one would believe me if I told them,” she whispered to herself before rushing off to the bathroom. Business completed, she leaned against the doorway and stared fondly at the woman wrapped in the expensive bed linens. Checking the time, Andy saw that she’d need to leave soon so she could get changed before arriving at work for the day. “Miranda,” she called softly, moving to brush a stray hair from her lover’s face. When the woman grumbled sleepily, she continued, “I need to leave soon. Can I get a kiss before I go?”
Miranda’s eyes flew open at the request and she stared up at Andy, “where are you going?”
“I need to go home to change for the day. I can’t go to work wearing the same clothes from yesterday. I know I’m supposed to be changing departments today,” she bit her lip as she debated her next question, “but will I see you later? We didn’t discuss things -”
Miranda pressed a finger to Andy’s lips to stop the spiral, “someone promised me a date last night, remember? I fully expect you to keep your promise.”
Andy felt her shoulders relax at her words as she nodded happily, “always, Miranda.” That promise was repeated two years later in front of family and friends and sealed, as always, with a kiss.