Page 209 of Solanum

She crawled to me, settling herself between my legs after I urged her shirt from her shoulders. Her body curled up against me, and I wrapped my arms and legs around her. She'd fought the subspace for a few moments, but when she finally slipped under the spell, her entire body relaxed, falling limp in my arms. I cuddled her while she sniffled away the few tears that still managed to tumble, and she stroked my arm up and down in soothing, rhythmic rotations.

"I love you, baby," she whispered, barely audible.

"I love you, too, my sweet Kitten." I closed my eyes and pulled the blanket over us after a few minutes. "Rest in cozy places together, okay?"

She nodded, yawning sweetly before nuzzling her nose against my neck. "Brownies?"

"You know it. Brownies and ice cream when you wake up." I chuckled and nibbled her ear. "Okay?"

"Yes, Mistress," she said, snickering after.

"Back to naughty Kitten you are." I grinned and squeezed her tight.

***

"You look sleepy, Nor," Sali said, the next morning while we gathered in the kitchen.

I poured us each a cup of coffee then set Nora's down in front of her. She leaned back in her chair, her legs crossed, and despite her perfectly primped for work appearance, her expression appeared drawn. Coupled with a heavier palette of makeup than usual, Nora's spot-on look told a deeper story than she spoke. My worry for her remained, particularly because our time last night didn't seem to lift her up the way it normally did.

"I am," she answered, nodding her gratitude for the coffee when she lifted it.

"Did Caroline keep you up with her kinkster demands?" Sali continued to press.

Maggie wandered into the kitchen, clad in saggy pajamas with eyes as sleepy as Nora's, and kissed Sali on the cheek.

Sali wrapped her arm around her middle and squeezed her. "Morning, babe."

"Morning," she said, then wiggled her index finger at Nora and me.

I chuckled when Nora returned the gesture.

"Maybe they were partying without us afterhours, Sal." I ran my fingers through Nora's hair, and she turned to kiss my stomach while I stood beside her.

"Total rager," Maggie said as she accepted the coffee Sali handed to her. "Endless at best."

"Vodka shots off each other's bodies probably did you both in." Sali pointed to the countertop where the mix of pancake batter sat ready to pour. "Plain, blueberry, or chocolate chip?"

"Chocolate chip," answered Nora and Maggie at the same time.

Sali and I laughed.

"Hmm." Sali popped Maggie on the rear. "Go sit with your soul sister before you fall asleep standing up."

"Mmkay." Maggie chuckled and toted her mug over to the table. She slid into a seat beside Nora, and they exchanged quick cheek kisses. "You okay?"

"Just tired." Nora nodded and smoothed down the pleat in her slacks. "Long week."

"It's Tuesday," Sali said, her brows narrowed while she poured the pancake mix onto the griddle.

"Extra long week then," added Nora with a smirk.

I sat down beside her, and Maggie's gaze flickered to mine. She offered me a small smile, but in that gesture, I heard her voice echoing our previous conversation. She glanced at Nora then back to me, and I snaked my hand over Nora's thigh. She ran her knuckle up and down my wrist a few times while staring down at her phone.

"Maya put a blue streak in her hair," she said suddenly, then showed me the picture on the screen.

"Jordan's work, no doubt." I chuckled at the tiny Nora clone. "She looks more like you than ever."

"I know. Especially when we both cut our hair…" She smiled at the screen then texted Maya back. "Luckily it'll wash out fast. Can't have that for work."

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