A Pattern Develops

Fall continued. I rarely knew the plan, got better at improvisation. Some weeks everyone was around working but no overnight guests. Other weeks, I was very busy, and exhausted, providing stress relief.

Katie was the most frequent guest, Olivia least. No complaints on my part, other than the over-budget grocery bill.

Thanksgiving was a full house. Izzy stuck around, all were back by Saturday. I cooked a turkey dinner, they stayed the night, talking, laughing. I went to sleep alone, woke up with Alex curled up next to me. December was differently busy, lots of caretaking, feeding, making sure they at least spent some time on something other than work. I really was a sorority mother.

One snowy night, there was a knock at the door. It opened, Katie came in, laid her head on my shoulder, arms hanging down. No greeting, no words, overwhelmed, tired. I took her coat, made a warm cup of tea, listened. When she went to the bathroom, I set up the guest room figuring she needed a good night's sleep.

Finished, I turned, found her, beautiful as ever, in the doorway down to bra, panties.

I pulled the covers back, ready to tuck her in. She shook her head. "Remember that manga? Tonight, I'm Nana - I need Karu."

"You sure?"

"No questions. Please...."

I'd been there, took her in my arms, held her, nodded. "Sit. I'll be right back."

I turned the heat up, lights off, locked up. I thought about how to help, collected what we'd need.

I started with ankle and wrists cuffs. Lightly caressed her sides, face, helped her put on the a blue leather harness we'd had made for her. With a collar, front and back straps attached to a belt, thin straps that wrapped under the legs. Perfect for tonight.

I clipped wrists to a ring on her back - she visibly relaxed, looked thankful. Ankles clicked together then to wrists, breathe deepening enticingly. I wrapped her ponytail with rope, gently pulled back, attached her head to the harness. Eyes closed, I leaned down, kissed her upturned face.

She sank into herself as I stroked her face, hair, back. Unhooking cuffs from the belt, I placed a short bar between her back and hands, forcing her into a curved hogtie. I knew how far to push, how long she'd withstand the strain, that she needed more than usual. I pulled wrists upward eliciting a guttural groan, released to let her relax.

Her skin was moist from exertion. I leaned in, kissed behind ears, across cheeks, back to her mouth. I knew it was time to change positions as her breathing became shallow, fast. I moved the wrist cuffs to the collar's front, attached ankles to the belt so her legs were open.

She was wet, relaxed. Lightly running a finger up, down, across her stomach, back down, she squirmed, moaned, pleaded, "please, please, oh fuck, please....."

"In time my dear, in time." I kneeled, pressed the heel of my hand against her mons venus. The rattling of rings, clips accompanied her pushing back, a deep "aaahhhh". Continuing to press with one hand, I pushed two fingers against her, opening which were slowly pulled in by her excitement. She arched, strained, as I pushed hard, fast, the heel of my other hand still on her mound. She whipped her head back and forth as much as the rope holding her ponytail would allow. When she was close, I withdrew.

"Please, fuck, don't stop. Oh, god, please, I need this."

"You know the game...."

"Why - please, don' t make me wait?"

I grabbed the straps between her legs, pulled her up, into my face, practically diving in to taste her. I pulled on the straps, I ground my mouth onto her. She didn't wait, came, hard, long, pulling against my hold.

I lowered her back onto the bed. She begged. "I need you inside me. God, fuck, please..."

"I'm not rewarding you yet."

Releasing ankles from the harness, I moved Katie off the bed, onto her knees, ankles now tied to the bedframe. I pulled arms up, over her head, attached them to blue harness's back strap, then to the bed. She tottered, balanced on kneecaps, held up only by rope and my legs on either side of her.

"Open." I pushed into her waiting mouth, eyes open, watering, surprised by the roughness as I was usually so gentle. She used her lips, tongue, resisting as I pulled out, enjoying the look on her face.

"More."

I clipped her belt to the bedframe, the ponytail rope to the other side of the bed. Still on her knees, head pulled back, she looked at me, pleading, wavering back and forth. Katie's expression wavered when I tied a rope between her legs, pulled up, pressing the knot against her. Sweating, swaying, groaning, I pulled up, waiting to see how much she could endure. When it was no more, I threw her on the bed, ass up, head down, pushed in deep.

"Oh, god, you're so deep. Oh fuck, please, I need to cum...." I pushed, held my place, moved slowly, withdrew, released the ponytail, let her hair loose wanting it in my hands. I ran fingers up the back of her neck, slick with sweat, pulled in time with my thrusts.

That was enough-we came together. I lowered us to the rug, still inside, curled up behind her.

I woke up, Katie still asleep. Trying not to distrub her, I grabbed pillows, the comforter, made a nest on the floor. A few hours later, I felt her moving, removed belts, cuffs, harness. She followed me with her eyes, not saying anything.

Done, I leaned down, kissed her forehead. "Better?"

She smiled "Yes - thank you."

"My pleasure."

"Can I stay?"

"Can you? I wouldn't let you leave even if you begged. Floor or bed?"

"Here is nice, if that's ok."

I kissed her, tucked us in, shut off the light.

...

She was gone when I awoke. A handwritten note - not a text for once - was on the table, saying how much better she felt, expressed hope for surviving the semester.

She looked much better when the four gathered the following weekend, kissing me when she came in. Usually there was affection only when alone. The others noticed, Olivia chiming in "You know, he's not just yours", walking over to plant a big, wet one. Made me wonder how this night was going to go. For the time being, we settled into a normal evening of talking, eating, drinking. They stayed in a dog pile on the couch. I slept alone.

With winter break coming, 'Chloe' was going on tour to replenish funds, Katie was going skiing with family, Alex wasn't sure of her plans. Olivia hoped to keep her family visit as short as possible, wondered who'd be around for New Years.

"You?" she asked. I was spending Christmas day with my brother's family but otherwise I'd be around. "If you need a place to crash or hang out, come by. You have keys anyway. I'll make sure there's food and drinks."

The day after the holiday, I was watching bad TV when the door opened, Olivia walked in.

"Damn, it's cold. A fire?"

"Of course. There's a warm pot of tea - I'll get some wood."

She took off her coat, snickered. "Is that a euphemism for taking drugs?"

"It could be, but no - have to go to the pile outside. Should I do the other as well?"

"We'll see. How much notice do you need?"

"Half hour."

"Oh, we can eat up that much time talking." She smiled, a wicked gleam in her eye.

I came back with firewood, built a fire. "How's the family?"

"Man, I'm so glad to see them, and I'm so glad to leave. I wasn't planning on being back yet, but with so many relatives coming and going, it was too much." She sank into the couch, grabbed a throw blanket. "Am I intruding?"

"I gave you a key, didn't I?" The fire had caught. "Anything else?"

"I don't want anything but yogurt for the next few days - I'm stuffed."

I sat down close, but not so close as to be presumptive, picked up the remote, shut off the TV.

"Don't do that - I could use some brainless entertainment. Anything other than cis Christmas romances?"

"I don't know - I was just leaving it on for company while I death scrolled Instagram."

"Sounds about right." She clicked through the channels, found a cooking show, started scrolling. Half hour later I grabbed some milk and cookies, oat for her.

"You remembered!".

"How could I forget." I looked at her. "If I asked a question, would that disturb your scrolling?"

"Nothing but posts about presents and parties. Ask away."

"Why are none of you in relationships? You're young, beautiful, interesting. I know the pickings are slim, but there has to be someone around here."

"There is - you."

"Thanks, but not what I meant."

"I know - sorry." She dipped a cookie, thinking. "It's a bunch of things. Small dating pool. We all teach, making it even smaller. Izzy is the least active, since it's hard to find an understanding beau. Katie has probably had more relationships than the rest of us combined, but you saw how her semester started."

Hard to believe that was only 3 months ago.

"I don't really know Alex's deal. She's definitely extra when it comes to school. There might be a boy at home, but not sure of the facts - soft-launch? Situationship? She hasn't shared."

"And you?"

"Well, there was a girl, but I'm short on bandwidth. You've been a lifesaver." She took a bite, smiled with her dark eyes.

"Aren't you lonely?"

"Nah, not really. We've each other, they'll be plenty of time later for personal lives. This ain't our final destination - something fam would be in the way."

I thought for a bit. "Things really are different for your generation. And before you 'ok boomer' me, I don't mean worse. It's just not how it was when I was in grad school - maybe it's better. - don't know."

She looked shocked. "Who are you? I've never heard a boomer not pick on our life decisions."

"I am in no position to judge anyone. Anyway, your way of life treats me pretty well."

"Indeed." She laid her head on my lap, went back to her phone.

I woke up still on the couch. The fire was down to embers, Olivia was curled up, me as her pillow. I finally had a chance to really look at her. Relaxed, the toughness was gone, replaced by a quiet beauty that would serve her for years to come. I drifted off again.

When she rolled over, we both sorta woke up. "Bedtime?" She nodded, walked with me to the bedroom. I stopped at the door not knowing if I should head to the guest room. She snorted, pulled me in.

The next day was blissfully quiet. It was really nice to just hang out without ulterior motives. We went to the bar, had some mediocre food, went back to the house.

"Do you need anything from your place?"

"Nah -I packed for a whole week. Nicer being here than alone. I'll head back when my roomie returns, if that's ok."

"Stay as long as you'd like."

By 11 pm, we were dozing off to a bad, non-romantic movie when there was a knock on the door. I opened it to a shivering, upset Alexis. I took her coat, she beelined to the fireplace, warming her hands, then backside.

Olivia went to her. "You ok, girl?"

"Yeah but had to get the fuck out of there. Not a great time - glad there's an alternative." She hugged Olivia, looked at me. "Anything hot and alcoholic?"

"I can whip something up." When I returned, the two of them were sitting in front of the fire under one blanket. I set two cups down, sat on the couch.

"He didn't get my life, didn't care what I wanted. He was a bit jealous of the four of us, but once I mentioned David, he lost it. Much more basic than I thought."

She looked back at me. "Don't take it wrong - you're not the problem. We weren't exclusive, and this just hits better for me right now. You know?"

"To be honest, not really."

Olivia glared at me. "He knows. We all do." Alex looked at the fire, Olivia waved me over. I grabbed a pillow, blanket, sat behind them. Alex leaned into me, her head on Olivia's shoulder.

"I am so glad you dudes are here. My family was not helping." They sipped, I rubbed their backs.

It was now a holiday bubble for three. They took the big bed, I slept in the guest room. It snowed the next day, no one wanted to go anywhere. I made dinner; we watched bad TV.

When I finished the dishes - they'd offered but my house, my mess - they were giggling on the couch. It was good to see Alex feeling better, Olivia relaxed. They looked up, looking guilty, like they'd been caught talking about something bad.

"Should I be afraid?"

"We've decided it's been PG-13 long enough. Time to put you to work."

"I just made you dinner and did the dishes - isn't that work?"

"Stop being obtuse," patting the couch between them.

Alex looked me in the eye. "Last time the three of us were here, I found Olivia's voyeuristic tendencies, well, interesting. I'd like to see if that's repeatable..."

Olivia chimed in "And I want to get in on the restraints fun everyone else is having."

I looked at her. "Wasn't expecting that - you said you weren't interested."

"Changed my mind - I mean, those pictures. So, you'll tie me to that chair, and I'll watch you play with Alex."

"Comfort first, eh?"

"Immobilized is already a push for me."

"First?" I must have looked surprised.

"Never, ever trusted anyone enough to give up the ability to leave." There was some hidden emotion in her voice.

I leaned over, kissed her gently. "I do not take your trust lightly."

She smiled, a little weakly. "You may have noticed I don't do vulnerable." Alex leaned in, hugged her.

"Had you planned more than that - or is the rest up to me?"

They said "yours" at the same time, laughed.

"Anything you ladies want to do while I prepare?"

They went to the bedroom, I could hear them talking, couldn't make out words. I took some pills, turned the heat up, lights down, rebuilt the fire. I turned the armchair so it faced the couch, retrieved gear. As I finished, I heard an "ahem", turned to see the them in the doorway. Alex was wearing the replacement lingerie set owed after I'd destroying her underwear earlier, Olivia a dark blue thong with a matching waist cinch.

"I thought you might like this." She twirled around.

"I'm that predictable?"

"We're in your hands."

"Ok then, you first - sit here," pointing at the chair. Olivia obeyed, fidgeted, not knowing what do.

"Alex, bring me the rope." figuring Olivia would enjoy Alex helping. She held out the rope, I grabbed her by the waist, kissed her, the silk lingerie rustled in the quiet. Olivia watched, rapt.

I unwound a coil of rope. "Alex, be a dear and unwind the rest of the rope." Olivia watched me, Alex watched Olivia, as I placed ankle, wrist cuffs on Olivia that matched her leather cinch. I pulled Olivia's legs over the armrests, securing ankles to chair legs.

"Stand behind the chair, hold Olivia's wrists up above her head - perfect." Olivia tried to look back to see Alex, who was smiling ear to ear, holding Olivia's hands tightly to her chest. With both ankles locked in place, I moved behind Alex, sandwiching her between my front and her friend's back.

"I will take Olivia's left hand from you now". One at a time, I pulled Olivia's arms up, over, behind her neck. I kneeled, reaching between Alex's legs to tie Olivia's hands to the chair as well, making sure to rub up against Alex's privates in the process. I nibbled a bit on Alex's ass, getting a gasp, Olivia looked around, trying to see what was happening.

"Not fair - I want to see."

"Too bad." I stood, leaned over, kissed behind her ear. "You'll see enough later."

Alex, her hands on Olivia's shoulders, smiled. "Don't be too amused at your friend's plight - now it's your turn."

"Sit on the couch - legs open. Wider, yes, very nice. Can you see that, Olivia? Yes?. Don't move or look away." I thought better of the way Olivia was secured, retied one hand to her waist, so she could almost but not quite touch herself. Olivia looked at me, questioningly.

"I want you to see easily, but struggle a little to enjoy yourself." I added a posture collar to be sure she'd be watching.

Back behind the couch, I took Alex's shoulders, leaned down, nestling her neck, whispered "Lovely, isn't she. See how she struggles? The way her skin is starting to glisten? Tell her how she looks."

"Holy fuck, you are so beautiful. Your skin, your hair. I never thought I'd get a chance to see you like this..."

Olivia was looking back, breathing hard. I brought hands down inside Alex's thighs, pushed them as open as they'd go. Alex groaned, Olivia's eyes widened, locked onto Alex's.

I was enjoying myself.

I fisted some hair, pulled Alex's panties aside, pushed two fingers in. She gasped, tried to look at me. I held her head firmly, leaned in, whispered "See how she looks at you? Don't dare look away." I moved my fingers in and out- she was as wet as I thought she'd be. I removed my fingers, brought them up, showed her how wet she was, placed them against her lips. She sucked them eagerly as Olivia watched, strained to touch herself.

I released Alex's hair. "Don't move, " coming around the front of the couch, coating my whole hand with Alex's juices. I turned, walked to Olivia.

"Would you like a taste?"

She nodded.

"You have to say it."

"Fuck you."

"Ok." I started walking away.

"God damn you." I stopped. A pause. "I want to taste her." Even though hadn't said please, I walked back, brought my hand up for her to smell Alex's perfume, ran lubricated fingers across her lips, let her suck them. All the while, Alex and Olivia remained locked in each other's eyes.

"Keep watching." I walked back, lifting Alex by the wrists so her bottom came up, off the couch. Turning her petite, hanging body, I lowered her onto knees, profile to Alex.

"Use your teeth." Alex struggled to open my zipper without hands. I held up until she succeeded, pulled me out. She opened her mouth, looked up as I pushed in. Olivia watched intently as I used her friend's luscious curls to move her head the way I wanted. Oliva unconsciously stuck her tongue out, copying Alex who was running her tongue along the bottom of my cock. It was almost as if I was fucking Olivia's mouth, not Alex's.

I let go of Alex's wrists, pulled her up by the hair. She rose, groaned, arms flailing. I kissed her hard, bit her neck as she grabbed me to steady herself. Being taller, kneeling put my mouth right in front of her nipples. I bit down, demanding Alex tell me what Olivia was doing.

"She's trying to, ouch - oh god....... touch herself."

"Is she touching herself?"

"She's trying but, oh my god - ouch, can't quite reach."

"Are you frustrated, Olivia?"

"Fuck you, you bastard."

Alex and I both laughed, though hers caught in her throat when I bit again. Both of them gasped, Olivia from surprise, Alex from pain. I wrapped a hand around her waist, held her tight as I continued the nipple torture. I pressed the heel of my other hand against her clit, forcing her up, onto her toes. She pushing both up and away from my shoulders, the pain, trying not to topple over.

Using the scruff of her neck, I moved Alex around and bent her over the couch, using a small pile of pillows so she could still see Olivia. I splaying her arms out wide, tied them to the couch. With belts around her ankles, knees, I whispered in her ear "Don't you dare, no matter, what close your eyes or look away?"

"Oh god, yes."

"Yes what?"

"Yes, I won't look away."

I put my face between her legs, ate her hungrily from behind. She groaned, rocked back and forth, never looking away. I pushed my thumb into her, curling my other fingers up to her ass for more leverage. She came immediately, hard, loud. Standing to see Olvia's reaction, I pushed three fingers in, watching Olivia. Both of them were covered in sweat, hair plastered to their faces. Olivia had found a way to get her tied hand between her legs, desperately trying to cum like her friend,

I pulled Alex back by the hair as far as I could, plunged in. "Watch her." Both of them came together, Alex grunting, moaning loudly, Olivia barely making a sound. It was too much for me - I came as well. Olivia stared, unable to lower her head due to the collar, wild, almost angry.