Right Side Up (GxG)

- Ava -

I was warm. Blissfully, bone-deep warm. Q's skin was soft against mine, her bare leg tangled over mine, one arm still slung loosely around my waist. The sheets were a mess—damp with sweat, twisted beneath us like evidence. My muscles were tired in the best kind of way, sore in all the right places. And for the first time in what felt like days, my brain wasn't screaming at me.

Then the overhead light flipped on.

I groaned, loudly, and buried my face deeper into the crook of Q's neck. She smelled like sleep and sex and something sweet I couldn't name. I wanted to stay there forever. Or at least until noon.

But the light stayed on. Too bright. Too intentional.

I cracked one eye open and squinted toward the source.

Daphne.

Standing in the bedroom doorway like the grim fucking reaper, dressed in a tailored slate-grey suit that probably cost more than Q's car. Her arms were crossed, her mouth tight, her eyes twin ice picks.

"Well," I muttered, groaning again and flopping dramatically onto my back. "Good morning to you too."

Q stirred beside me but didn't open her eyes. I could feel her smile twitching against my collarbone.

"Get dressed," Daphne said coldly.

I stretched, intentionally lazy, letting the sheet slip just low enough to flash a nipple. "Aw, is seeing my naked body tempting you too much, Madame Ice Queen?"

Something flickered in her eyes—disapproval, frustration, something hotter buried deep. She didn't take the bait. Just clenched her jaw.

Q's hand moved. Slid from my stomach to my chest, cupping one breast like it belonged to her—which, at the moment, I guess it kind of did. She kissed my neck without opening her eyes and murmured, "Of course she's tempted. Look at you."

Daphne cleared her throat sharply. "Quintessa, I assume you're aware I'm standing right here."

Q finally cracked an eye open. "Uh-huh," she said, fingers still lazily stroking me. "Join us or shut the door. You're killing the vibe."

My laugh slipped out before I could stop it.

Daphne didn't laugh. Of course she didn't.

Her cold, assessing stare landed on me—and for a second, just a second, I could swear her gaze flicked downward. Just a flicker. A heartbeat. My bare chest. Then back up. It was so fast it might've been nothing. But I saw it. Felt it like a brush of fingertips.

"Get up. You have ten minutes," she said flatly. 

I threw off the covers and stood—completely, unapologetically nude. I didn't flinch. Didn't hide. "You just gonna stand there and watch me get dressed?"

Her gaze swept me again. Slower, this time. Still controlled. Still trying to look bored. But the blush creeping up her neck gave her away.

She didn't answer. Just turned and walked out, the door shutting behind her with a decisive click.

I grinned.

Behind me, Q let out a low whistle. "Damn. I think I saw smoke come out of her ears."

I padded over to where my clothes had been tossed, tugging on underwear first, then pants. "What's that saying about ice queens? Cold on the outside, horny underneath?"

Q laughed. "I swear she short-circuited my gaydar the moment she laid eyes on your tits."

I pulled on my top, then turned back to the bed. Q was sprawled across it, naked, arms tucked behind her head like she was at a spa and not in a drama triangle worthy of a prestige streaming series.