Page 37 of Insolence
“I can hear youbreathing, you know.” Ghisele is directly behind us, only a few shelves away.
The companion titters. And I am only half aware of them as my orgasm bowls through me in waves. We’re seconds away from getting ourselves caught and thrown to the sisters’ mercy, and Sadrie shows no signs of stopping whatever she’s doing to me.
Gods help me, it’s worth it.
I’m ready to drop, sucking and biting my fingers to keep the scream in my throat from erupting when a third voice joins the other two.
“Ghisele?” It’s coming from back near the entrance.
My orgasm slowly winds down. I'mreelingand gulping air as quietly as possible. At least it sounds like the other two are moving further away.Thank the gods.
“Oh, Enid. There you are,” says the third voice. “You’re both needed in the kitchens.”
I’m still bent over, utterly astounded, my hair hanging over my face. Their footsteps recede to the entrance. It’s a matter of minutes before they’ll be wondering where I am, too.
“Someone just left their cloak. Over there, on the card catalogs,” says Ghisele.
“A couple of someones,” says the other girl. Enid, apparently. Suddenly, I can place her. The oldest of the handmaidens—if she isn’t at least eighteen yet, then she’s damn close. She helps in the kitchens full-time, but the humid heat never seems to affect her perfect chestnut curls.
As far as I can tell, she’s Ghisele's only friend.
Sadrie lets go of me, the rustle of fabric and her quiet grunt the only indication that she’s stumbled backward, landing on the rug behind me. I let my hand drop from my mouth and dangle. My fingers smart where I bit them, but I didn’t break the skin.
“Leave them,” comes the third voice. The bossy edge to it reminds me of Ana. “Chores are starting, and Cook’s in a mood. We need you both right now.”
The sounds of grumbling and retreating footsteps bring a wave of relief. I’m sweating, shaking, and strangely exhilarated. When I peek behind me, Sadrie’s on the floor, her back propped against the wall, legs splayed in front of her.
It’s not until the door opens and closes again that my knees finally give way and I collapse. I land across her lap with a squeal and cling to her.
“I don’t think they would’ve approved of our study session,” I garble, still half-dazed.
“I’m not so sure,” Sadrie murmurs, gathering me in her arms and pressing a kiss to my forehead. “Ghisele seems like she could use a study session herself.”
Chapter 11
Itissa
These past few days Sadrie, Cordelia, and I have fallen into an easy routine of meeting each other in the atrium after chores, then walking to the refectory together for dinner.
Cordelia is sitting alone on one of the benches by the fountain when I show up. Which is unfortunate, seeing as I’m deliberately several minutes late so as not to be on my own with her.
“How was the Archive?” she asks mildly. A finch chirrups at me from its perch on her finger. She’s taken to scattering crumbsso often that many of them will hop right onto her hand or let her pick them up.
“Fine,” I say a little too quickly, praying I don’t blush. “It was cozy. Very, ah… educational.”
“Did you end up picking out any books or just taking a look around?”
“Oh, we just looked.” Avoiding eye contact, I drop onto one of the other benches.
I can’t stop tasting Sadrie; the memory of her flavor on my tongue has been a torment since the Archive. The briefest thought of her cheek brushing mine or her husky murmur of what else she wants to do to me resurrects a ruthless hunger I can’t seem to satisfy.
Cordelia’s gaze roves over and around me until I’m half-convinced she’s reading my wicked thoughts. Sadrie walks up, saving me from inventing more poor lies.
“Sorry for the delay. Today was starching and ironing,” she grimaces. “Who’s hungry?”
“I’ve been meaning to ask you.” Sadrie looks at Cordelia, setting her plate on the table next to her before plopping down on the bench. “You didn’t seem upset at all today when we were being briefed on the lottery.”
“That’s true,” I say. “Everyone was so agitated when we found out about the betrothed, but you were calm the whole time. Like none of the information surprised you.”
