Joshua, slapping his butt playfully.

“It's time for breakfast."

"Oh, do we have to?" he said in a mock whine. "I'd rather stay up here.“ His hand curled around one of her buttocks, giving it a firm squeeze.

"Yes, we do," she said. "Maria's moving in today, and you and I are going to help her. Sarah, too, if we can figure out what has her so pissy where Maria is concerned." She felt Josh shift uncomfortably, and a trickle of amusement from Althea.

“Alex is going to be at rehearsal all afternoon, so he won't be able to help."

“Oh, all right," he groused. He got up and went into the bathroom. In a few moments she heard the shower starting. She Lay for a while in bed, savoring the aftermath of her orgasm and the power Althea had gained.

She felt revitalized, electric. She rubbed her thumb across her fingers, faintly surprised the motion didn't cause sparks to leap from her fingertips.

~Up, child. You have a big day today.~

Rachel sprang out of bed, smiling.

Maria arrived in the early afternoon with a pair of male cousins in tow and a rattling truck filled with her worldly goods.

“Is this all you have?" Rachel asked, a little worriedly, as she dropped a box of paperback books to the floor. Maria's furniture seemed to consist wholly of a bed frame with mattress and box-spring, a small table with collapsible leaves, two wooden chairs, and a small Loveseat and easy-chair set. It had been the work of less than an hour to move it all into apartment over the garage.

Maria shrugged.

“I was sharing an apartment with three other girls," she said. "We didn't have much room. Most of this was in storage. When

I have more money I will buy better things." She looked around the apartment. It was one Large room, with no interior walls, dusty with disuse. But there were separate areas for cooking and sleeping, and a small nook where there was a bathroom and shower.

"Yes," she said, a smile showing a flash of white teeth in her dark face.

“This will do very well. Thank you for your help, Mr. Sunderman.

And yours, Mistress." Her brown eyes shared their secret.

A quiver of desire passed through Rachel, remembering her promise of a few days ago.

“Someday soon, I am going to kiss your beautiful breasts and finger your hot pussy until you beg me to make you come. And you will do the same for me."

“That's the last of it," said Sarah, coming in with a box of clothes.