Puff Puff - Finally got this finished. I've been suffering with fatigue from my FMS this week so sleeping 12 hours and trying to study meant finding time to write hasn't been so easy. Still I succeeded, just. Yay!

Thank you so much for all the wonderful reviews. They really do encourage me to keep writing. I need all the encouragement I can get at the moment, sometimes it's too easy to give in to the pain and tiredness.

It's been beta-ed by Peet :D but I have also gone over it since and re-written parts so fingers crossed it's all good.

Hope you like it!

Flitt x

Chapter Three

It was almost like old times. She'd spent the evening circling the rich and famous. An unknown entity in a party of players and she'd filled her role with ease. 'The second assistant', it was a persona she'd never forget and one she'd vowed never to return to. Unfortunately a promise she'd been unable to keep.

A failure also faulted by the first assistant. Miranda had employed a new model. A different girl clearly cast from an old mould. As the brunette had taken up her previous post at Miranda's right hand side Andy had felt a feeling of nostalgia. The girl's expression of scathing curiosity had clearly been cultivated from her red headed predecessor. In the face of it Andy had fought her desire to smile.

As the eyes of everyone they met roved over her with limited interest Andy had kept her eyes focused and forward. Her external calm covered the nerves beneath. She'd desperately tuned into the crowds conversation fighting to drown out her fear as she waited for the woman to strike. Andy was under no illusion that the older woman would let her escape unscathed. This was just a temporary cease fire, a moment for Miranda to reload.

After an hour she'd finally been granted a glass of champagne. She'd tried to restrain herself and sip it slowly. Barely ten minutes passed before she'd caved. In the face of her internal fight the beverage was swiftly sacrificed. It was a futile effort. Even under the alcoholic tsunami she was unable to drown out the voices.

Now all that remained was an empty glass tightly clasped in the curl of her fingers and the niggling memory of her outburst demanding her attention. She had a lot of time and little to do except assess it from every angle. Why had she been so concerned? Why had she been so protective of a woman who hated her? There was no doubt Miranda did. She winced at the memory; unable to ignore the gentle throb from the marks embedded in her upper arms. Five little lines were the only lingering evidence of the older woman's talons carving into her skin. She'd held her in her grasp like a lifeline. Almost the antithesis to her words which had been fuelled from anger and resentment. Andy couldn't forget the hatred that had seemed to bubble up beneath an icy visage. Even in the face of it all Andy's head was swimming with thoughts and images that weren't welcome. The emotions that plagued her in the dark recess of her soul were determined to whirl up. Images of smooth skin and soft silken hair slowly floated to the surface.

She'd denied this for so long. Had almost convinced herself that the subtle seconds where her heart sang to a different tune was just the drink talking or exhaustion blurring the edges of her senses.

It wasn't.

After so much time had passed Andy was finally forced to be back by Miranda's side and face up all that had gone before. Right now she just wanted to run. She was tempted to toss the money aside and hold her head high as she stormed from the event. Her mounting bills denied her that option. Her work was temporary and inconsistent and the money was minimal. So she remained, silent and stoic, eyes focused forcefully ahead as her mind continued to delve deeper into thoughts she wished she could ignore.

Her eyes darted to the side when the older woman laughed. It was tingly and fake. Andy had only heard a genuine sound of joy echo from her lips when she'd been talking to the twins. Even Stephen had only ever forced a frown onto her face. It seemed the man had been met with distain long before the divorce proceedings began. After tonight Andy could understand why. She hated him. He'd forced her onto a battle field she'd never intended to enter. He'd left her blind. As a casualty of war, he'd been unconcerned about the irreparable damaged he could have caused to her career. She'd been torn between two warring spouses and used as a trophy more than any man had before. He'd made her feel dirty and cheap. No ounce of her pride had been spared as she'd melted before a blazing gaze. She'd never forget that look. Miranda's eyes had bored into her exhibiting no emotion other than distaste.

Miranda knowing about her escort activities would have been high on her list of living nightmares. She tried to ignore why it mattered so much but she failed to justify it. Miranda was Miranda. Her ex-boss and an icon but she shouldn't matter more than that.

She did.

Everything did. She went over every minute detail. The outlines were vivid and perfect like a picture. How Miranda had felt pressed against her, her anger had emanating from every pore and barely an inch between them. She remembered every subtle twitch of her lips and every flick of her eyes. The emotion that had coiled beneath her skin had flared along Andy's senses. After it all her edges had been left raw and exposed, wide open for the editor to see. So she'd pushed her. A desperate escape attempt that bordered on physical assault had been driven by her desire to flee. Andy would have expected immediate retribution for her behaviour but it never came.

Not only had Miranda not punished her in the presence of her husband. She'd come round the corner to find Andy in an embrace with her ex and she'd attacked Stephen. Sure it had been a relatively controlled confrontation but it didn't excuse the fact that out of two options Miranda had turned on him. Miranda had touched Andy more times tonight than the Editor ever had in her entire employment period and as a consequence Andy's skin was tingling. The memories made her mouth go dry and with an empty glass there was no liquid to alleviate it. Miranda had stolen her from her husband and ever since she hadn't let her out of her sight. Andy shifted as she noticed Miranda eyeing her. She did after every move Andy made. There was no option to run. Miranda had remained coiled all evening, perfectly poised to prevent her prey's escape.

Andy abandoned her glass on a passing tray, quickly grasping some water to wash away her sudden thirst.

Sipping her drink Andy's eyes fell upon a gentleman on the approach. She remembered him from previous parties. His badly cut jacket was slightly too big and bulky. Drawing judgment from his outfit she'd guess he was wealthy but without style. Not a rare combination it seemed as she surveyed the room. Miranda's assistant was at the ready. Andy cast her mind back to Emily. Courtesy of Nigel Andy was kept up to date on the minor details of the magazine. The red head had been promoted a few months ago. She'd been moved out of Miranda's inner circle but still in the immediate vicinity of Runway. Miranda would be silly to remove such dedication and she knew it.

The new girl was a blond and visually the total antithesis of Emily. Nigel had named her Kat, Miranda called her Katia. She had blue eyes and a short sleek bob with a slanted fringe. Her appearance was quite quirky. The ice blue gown she currently wore was a striking combination of silk and lace. It wouldn't have suited many but the girl wore it with style. Andy couldn't deny she was an elegant addition at the editor's side. She was as efficient and attentive as Emily with everyone's names falling from her lips with ease. Andy stomach tensed every time it happened. The girl's proximity to Miranda triggered the ugly clench of envy with every closing inch between them. That used to be her job. A job that had driven her to the extreme but tonight she missed it, missed Miranda. The older woman had cast an invisible noose around her neck and was able to affect her even after all this time. She felt choked whenever the woman came near and now she was tied to her side.

The man was getting closer, slowly zeroing in on the silver haired icon. As always Miranda tilted her head towards her assistant as a subtle indicator to needing a name. It never came. In a sudden state of de-jar-vu Andy watched as Katia stumbled, her mouth flapping like a fish as she fought for a name that never came. She froze as Miranda turned to her. Her eyes narrowed as the blond girl's panic escalated ensuring she couldn't remember her own name let alone anyone else's. She was like a deer in headlights now staring into the eyes of an unavoidable fate. This one mistake could result in her dismissal. Andy knew it and so did she.

On instinct Andy took over. She leant in, her hand reaching out, subconsciously coming to rest on the older woman's hip attracting her attention. Miranda swivelled and her hand snapped over Andy's as she turned to regard her, her eyes wide in surprise. Andy stuttered slightly at the touch, unprepared for the zing up her arm as the heat of Miranda's hand searing into her skin. Her mouth hung open as her voice was silenced by the sudden sensation. Miranda had rendered her mute. Barely a moment passed before the Editor gave her an accusatory stare demanding an answer immediately.

Gulping down the nerves that choked her Andy leant in a little too close. A subtle shiver vibrated through her fingers as she felt Miranda's body tremble ever so slightly as Andy's breath brushed against her cheek. Her free hand lifted slowly as she extended an index finger in the man's direction. It was carefully done. A subtle motion so the indication was only obvious to Miranda. The older woman's eyes flicked to regard the approaching predator before snapping back to Andy, now frowning. 'His name is Alex Carlson, divorced a year ago.' She paused, not knowing whether to continue. She was a writer. Having her nose buried in newspapers was her business and she accumulated a mountain of knowledge on every name that surrounded the spotlight. However her sources were weak and a woman in Miranda's position would turn her nose up at any information in the media. Miranda continued to stare at her impatiently waiting for the other words to follow. Her first assistant watched as she waited limply by her side long forgotten. Her focus was totally on Andy. She knew the young woman was holding out on her. Andy's brief hesitation without withdrawing had given her away. Miranda's head jerked, her eyebrows twitching as her eyes hardened, demanding the last little detail. Andy sighed, 'according to Page Six he is currently dating his ex-wife's sister Joanna Grant.'

Miranda's lips narrowed, 'Page Six?'

'It's the only information available to me, now.'

Miranda paused, the silence hanging between them. She nodded, 'It'll have to do.'

She turned away and her hand fell from Andy's as the young woman retreated. Kat turned to her but no thank you fell from her lips. Unlike Emily this girl wasn't grateful, just suspicious. For an ex-assistant what had passed between Miranda and her would have seemed odd to even her own eyes. This girl assumed Andy was nothing other than the woman that walked away. Honestly, Andy had believed this her-self until today. Now she wasn't so sure. She'd touched her and Miranda had allowed it, even encouraged it slightly.

Andy's hand flexed feeling a ghost of Miranda's palm still pressed over her own. This was ridiculous. Standing here surrounded by the glitter and glamour Andy felt like she'd fallen into something surreal.

She turned her attention back to Miranda. The Icon was now in full performance mode. Andy felt she was on a serious charm offensive. Miranda's lips curved in an elegant smile as she leant in slightly listening to him talk. Maybe she liked him. He could be Mr Priestly number? What was it now, three or four? Would he be next? Gifted with the permission to touch, to taste? Her mind was sprinted ahead into a falsified future. The imaginings turned her mouth sour. She hated the idea, she really did. Denial wasn't working. The thought of any man having his hands on her, defiling this beacon of beauty was just distasteful. In her experience men could be clumsy, selfish and often unappreciative. This was a woman who deserved to be worshiped.

Andy's tongue eagerly stroked over her lower lip. She would willingly worship her in every possible way. Blinded by desire Andy's imagination flared. On her knees she'd watch as glistening thighs were prised apart and breathless whispers begged for the tip of her tongue, a form of worship without words. Andy licked her lips again, gulping as her thoughts subconsciously continued down the deadly track. Would she swoon or buck up against her mouth desperate for more? Would she hold back? Try to be resistant and unwilling to surrender to the sensations of pleasure or melt over her mouth and dissolve into a puddle of pure pent up passion? Or would she? Would she…Andy started, feeling like she'd hit something hard. Her eyes cast about as a blush crept over her cheeks. She was thinking about what Miranda would be like in bed. The woman was right before her. She'd gone crazy.

'Shit,' the word was muffled and breathless as the heat blushed over her skin. The sudden pink hue was the only evidence of the lust lingering beneath the surface. The heated fantasies cascaded through her head like water over a shattered dam. Revelations were coming thick and fast. After everything she'd finally given in and it seemed her head was happy to provide all the evidence. The truth was now openly exposed before her eyes, thrumming through her veins and throbbing between her thighs.

She needed a drink.

A waiter was weaving his way through the crowd. Turning to Kat she showed the symbol of a drink, mouthing the words 'want one?' The young girl rejected the offer. Her head snapped in a sharp no before returning her attention back to Miranda. The older woman was still being attentive to Mr Carlson. In the face of Kat's behaviour Andy shrugged as she walked away. As she carelessly passed the conversation between editor and guest she remained unaware of cold blue eyes snapping over his shoulder spying her every move. Her fingers snatched up a single flute. She resisted the temptation to grab a second even though her deviant desires still scrabbled for attention. She sipped, almost groaning as the flavour burst over her tongue. A mouthful of bubbles and fruit slowly caressed her tongue before finishing with a slightly acidic kick.

Miranda laughed and Andy's attention immediately returned to her.

How would she taste? Would she suffer in silence or scream as she crashed over the edge? Andy swallowed nervously as a memory from earlier on flickered into focus, 'Being bad in bed is the least of your problems', Could she? Would she orgasm? It seemed almost undignified. Certainly something many believed Miranda would never subject herself to.Stephen had pretty much accused her of being fridged in front of Andy's eyes. Was she? Or was he just bad at it? Andy wanted to find out. Her thoughts steamed ahead, taking her to places where Miranda was at her mercy and Andy able to make her melt. Tingles crept along her skin. What if she was bad at it? Andy had never gone down on a girl. Sure she'd read about it in books, heard about it from friends and had a guy go down on her a fair few times but that didn't mean she'd be good. Miranda would be one hell of a person to practice on. Not that she'd ever get the chance.

She gulped the champagne, no longer concerned with savouring the flavour.

Andy watched as Miranda's hips swivelled slightly causing her gown to flare out over the floor before silhouetting back against her body. The legs under that dress were amazing. Everything else she could only imagine. Andy had many memories. Each curve covered in a tight pencil skirt with her legs crossed and a four inch heel dangling from her foot. Her lips always caressed the end of her pen when she was lost in thought. Her fingers caressing each page as she assessed every image and article. Sometimes she sat while other times she stood up and leant over. Her image was always reflected in the window behind her. Andy didn't realise how much she'd subconsciously seen. She remembered the image of her skirt as it was pulled taught and the slight dip of her shirt as it sunk to reveal her bra and the creamy skin that enticingly swelled just over the edge. The sight had been so distant and teasing as Miranda had bent over her desk.

Andy followed the flow of the dress. The gentle dip of her waist line before it curved up and came to rest just beneath her breasts. Andy could clearly see the 'V' now. Her hand shook as she took another sip. She was salivating. Her mouth watered as she mentally removed every item of clothing. As the last vestige of resistance gave way her eyes slipped shut.

God this had to stop.

She'd gone gay for Miranda. She'd probably been harbouring hidden desires for some time. Every innocent perusal of a woman was now being assessed in her head trying to determine any lingering desires stirring from somewhere that was locked deep in denial. After all these years wrapped up in the arms of man she'd never once listened to any thread of doubt. She'd locked her heart in a cage woven over time to push anything other than heterosexual emotions out of her mind.

Miranda had torn it apart.

She needed to get out of here. She needed to think and sort this out in her head.

'Andrea' it was nasally and annoying, nothing like the gossamer tones echoing in her head.

Andy's eyes snapped open. Her cheeks blushed as she found Kat looking right at her. Andy spun round before realising Alex had gone and so had Miranda. The editor's absence screamed out to her.

'Miranda's gone you can go.'

Andy panicked, anxious as the sudden absence unsettled her so, 'Gone, gone where?'

'To her room,' the sarcastic tone wasn't lost, 'The evenings over. So she's gone.' Alone? Of course alone, he was with that woman wasn't he? That's what the newspapers said and Miranda would never date someone in a relationship. At least that's what Andy had always assumed. Now she thought about it Andy didn't actually know anything about her. The way she thought or the opinions she held. She knew nothing. She only knew the woman within Runway everything else was a mystery. 'She told me to tell you, you can go but silence is the key to keeping your career.'

Andy nodded, no talking to the newspapers or writing up her own article about her ex. That much was obvious and Andy would never need reminding. Downing the rest of her drink she placed the empty flute on a passing tray and turned to go. Her mind was warring with it all both the disappointment and relief. She might never see Miranda again after this evening. Their paths had no need to cross. Half of her was happy, the other half not so much. She sighed, an anticlimactic end to a dramatic evening. What had started out as normal escort duty had escalated into something she never imagined. Now it was all over and she'd been dismissed, business as usual.

Andy steeled her heart, cursing her self for being so silly. She'd gotten carried away and paid the price. All this was ever about was pride, reputation and money. She was here for the cash so she could cope on her own. She should be happy she'd doubled her earnings. The agencies cut would remain the same and she'd have a bit of a bonus this month.

Miranda had let her go, let her escape without any retribution. A thinly veiled threat and she was free to leave.

Now she could head home and relax. It was time forget all about it. She could lick her wounds and stitch her newly released revelations into some discernable format she could understand and begin to cope with. She wanted Miranda that much was obvious but it wasn't easy to admit. She'd been hit with so much in one whirlwind of an evening. Everything had just welled up leaving her exhausted from the constant onslaught of emotions. She just wanted to curl up in some comfy clothes and figure out a way to cope with wanting a woman she couldn't have. Hell wanting a woman period.

She grabbed her coat from the closet. It was time to escape like she'd long been wishing. This evening had been a total mess all because of Miranda and her abysmal ex. She wondered if Stephen had already called the agency to complain. Tonight could be the end of her sideline career. Right now she didn't care. Miranda's cash would meet her needs for a few months. Now it was time to go. She'd go home and get these silly romantic notions out of her head. Tomorrow it'll be like this night never happened. The agency could call and gather in any outstanding payment and then she could spend her earnings without worry.

She stopped.

'Crap.'

They couldn't. Miranda wasn't the original client. Andy had planned to get the money before the evening had ended but she'd disappeared too soon. Andy hadn't even had the opportunity to ask. The client often paid at the end of the evening in full to avoid any issues and if not the agency dealt with it. Andy thought about her escort agency ringing Runway to demand money for her services. She almost laughed. It was a bad image. Miranda would keep the cash and just crucify her. 'Shit, shit, shit!' The world was out to get her.

She hovered on the step, torn between abandoning the idea all together and just chalking it up as a loss or going back to ask for her money. She knew where Miranda was. The woman was always in the same suite at this hotel. Could she really go back in, crawl all the way to her door and demand payment. Miranda had doubled it, doubled it! That money would support her for months, especially if her ex had put the proverbial boot in her foray into the escorting business.

She had no choice. She needed the money. Going without wasn't an option.

She was so close to escaping, running from everything in her head. It wasn't to be. Turning she dragged her heels over the carpet as she unwillingly walked to her doom. She always swore she wouldn't let the woman get to her but she had and without any effort at all. She'd invaded her head and Andy had caved in willingly. Miranda had no idea. Totally ignorant of the thoughts in Andy's head and the sensations she'd set in motion. Biting her lip Andy ascended the stairs, her heart hammering with every step. She could do this. All she had to do was go in, get her money and get out.

Simple.

Hehehehehe...