after all.”
“You got it, kid.” Crystal turned to gather her trash from the end table. She headed for the kitchen, loosening the rest of the laces as she walked.
Alisa quickly pulled her shirt over her head and shucked her bra. As she stood up, she pushed her black pencil skirt over her hips and stepped out of her pumps. “Last one naked has to make the coffee in the morning,” she called over her shoulder as she streaked down the hall toward her bedroom.
The next morning, Alisa awoke to the sound of her coffee grinder. She heard water running in the kitchen sink. Stretching, she rolled onto her back and hoped Crystal would bring a cup of coffee to her in bed. She glanced at the clock, glad it was only seven and she didn’t have to be at work for two hours.
A few minutes later, she heard Crystal padding down the hall. She sat up and greeted her with a smile. “Good morning. Thank you.” She accepted the steaming cup.
“Fair is fair.” Crystal returned her smile, but the expression in her eyes made Alisa pause before she took her first sip of coffee.
“What?” she asked. “You look awfully serious this morning.”
Crystal motioned toward the mug. “Drink up, sweetie. We need to talk.”
Alisa took an obedient sip, but she was suddenly wide awake.
Crystal set her own mug on the bedside table and joined her on the bed. Her bare thigh was warm against Alisa’s hip as she hooked one long leg over Alisa’s knee and pressed close. Crystal gave her a light squeeze. Whatever it was, it couldn’t be that bad.
Crystal sighed. “I think it’s time to call it quits, sweetie,” she said, patting her gently on the hip. “It isn’t fair of me to monopolize you.”
“Are you kidding me?” Alisa struggled to disentangle herself from Crystal without spilling her coffee. Could getting dumped while naked be habit-forming?
Crystal held on. “I’ve had a wonderful time with you. I love your sense of adventure and your openness to, well…everything.” Her wicked grin coaxed a reluctant smile from Alisa. “I’m honored that you began your journey with me, but I think it’s time for you to look for Prince Charming again.”
“I don’t want Prince Charming. I want you. I like this,” Alisa protested.
“I know, sweetie, I like it too, but I’m holding you back.”
“What about you? Why aren’t you out there finding your handsome prince?”
“One handsome prince was enough for me. Trust me. I’m way more into Cinderella than the ball.” Crystal flicked a dark eyebrow in Alisa’s direction. “But I have an interesting opportunity for you.” Crystal got out of bed and padded naked across the room. She rummaged in the pocket of her leather pants, discarded on the floor yesterday, and extracted a small card before returning to the bed.
Alisa stared at the black business card and raised an eyebrow. “SoloPlay Enterprises?”
“Mark Winters needs testers for his new line of original sex toys. It’s the perfect opportunity for you, sweetie. You can continue to explore your sexuality but you won’t have an excuse not to date.”
She stared at Crystal, remembering their first time together in the shop, thinking about how shy she had felt. She had been frozen by her desire, terrified to ask for what she wanted. That was certainly not the case now, but that was only with Crystal. What if her new confidence didn’t apply to other lovers?
“Exactly,” Crystal agreed. “You need to get back out there or you’ll be afraid forever. It doesn’t have anything to do with you and me. We’ll always be friends, good friends, I promise. In fact, if I see a handsome prince roll in the door of Come Again, I’ll send him straight to you, but until then, why don’t you let SoloPlay Originals pick up where we leave off?” Crystal tossed the business card onto the bedside table and took Alisa’s coffee out of her hands before she sat down next to her and wrapped her arms around her. “It’s