VS Ch. 01

After talking to Brent, Karla stretched out on top of her bed. Still too warm to think about getting under the covers, even though it was dark. They had talked for an hour and a half, about his new promotion, and her discovery in the grotto. Yet in all that time, she had not told him about kissing the statue and her surprising orgasm. She had not told him about being stripped and raped by Christos. And she had not told him about letting Bernie make love to her, or even that she spent most of her time around him naked.

The sex with Bernie had been fun; as time passed, she seemed to remember it more fondly. Maybe because it had been so naughty, cheating on Brent with a fellow grad student, basically a coworker. Maybe because there had been so much sexual tension, however one-sided, that had been released all at once. If she had been more resourceful, she would have had Bernie do something to make her come.

So when was she going to tell Brent all this? If not tonight, when?

Karla realized the answer was "never." At least she was being honest with herself. Today's events had infused her with a greater sense of... id, she guessed. One the way out, Christos had violated her. On the way back, she was able to stay his hand. She knew that she loved being naked. She also knew she didn't want other people telling her what to do. No more submitting to lecherous boat pilots, distant boyfriends, officious department heads, or anyone else. From now on, she resolved to do what she wanted.


She turned out the lights, checked the doors and windows, and walked into Bernie's room, which was still lit. He had fallen asleep, a book still in his limp hand. She nudged him awake.

"Huh?" he said groggily, his eyes adjusting.

"Time to go to sleep," she said, smiling. "Scoot over."

"S-Sure!" He dropped the book on the floor and made room for her.

She climbed in beside him, leaning on one side, facing him. "No fooling around tonight. Just go to sleep." She kissed him on the lips, just once, but enough to make him feel as wired as if he had downed a thermos of coffee. "Good night," she said, and quickly fell asleep. Her gentle breath caressed his neck as she nestled next to him.

Bernard lay motionless, but wide awake, for a few hours.