Page 79 of Fang Fiction

Zoe: Did you see her get all misty-eyed when she was talking about Eros and how physically passionate love doesn’t necessarily translate to long-term partnership, but you just have to enjoy and accept it for what it is??? You guys it was so CUTE

Rebecca: All I know is if she doesn’t grade our papers soon I’m filing a complaint

——Forwarded Message——

From: Professor Lareina Vázquez

To: Joni Chaudhari

Sent: August 20 11:24 AM

Subject: Interview prep?

Hi, Joni. I heard you have your first interview with the search committee this Friday, and I’m wondering if you’d like to do some prep. I’ve been meaning to catch you around the department, but haven’t seen you at all the past week—have you been sick? I have office hours Wednesday from 2–4 p.m. if you’d like to drop by. Hope to see you there. LV

“Who are you texting?” Octavia rolled over in bed, her fingers grazing Joni’s arm.

Since their kiss at the Met, they’d spent most of the last few days in bed. Joni had picked up some cow’s blood from a butcher for Octavia (not Octavia’s favorite, but it was convenient to keep it in the hotel room’s little fridge), and went out every so often to get food for herself, mostly boxes of cereal and bodega sandwiches. After weeks of being alone and powerless in New York, Octavia relished the constant companionship more than she imagined possible. Joni was overly enthusiastic and a bit of a weirdo, sure—but she was also funny and empathetic and had an endless appetite to talk with Octavia about absolutely any topic Octavia found interesting.

And Joni’s enthusiasm, Octavia found, was a highly useful quality in someone with whom you were having quite a lot of sex.

“Just checking my email.” Joni shoved her phone over on the nightstand and rolled over to face Octavia. “I thought you were asleep.”

“So you’re not texting another woman?” Octavia needled.

“What?” Joni laughed—then peered at Octavia. “Why? Do you, like, not want me to text other people?”

“No, you can talk to anyone you want,” Octavia said quickly. She lightly kissed the spot at the edge of Joni’s jaw, just below her ear. Joni squirmed against her, and the frisson was delicious. “I just want to make sure you’re not distracted when I have so many occupations for you right here.”

“Oh yeah?” Joni’s breath was hot on Octavia’s neck. “What kinds of occupations did you have in mind?”

Octavia raked her fingers through Joni’s hair—it was so thick, so easy to grab in decadent fistfuls. Joni gasped softly, a high-pitched little noise that made Octavia feel deliciously in control.

“You’re going to do exactly what I tell you, do you understand?”

“Yes.” Joni nodded, eager as always.

“Good girl.” Octavia nipped at Joni’s earlobe, and Joni writhed again, wrapping both of her legs around one of Octavia’s.

“Did I say you could do that?” Octavia teased her.

“Do you want me to stop?” Joni slid her body up Octavia’s thigh, so that now Joni’s thigh was pressed against Octavia too—Octavia moaned despite herself.

“You wicked little thing.” Octavia grinned.

Even without her powers, Octavia was still stronger than Joni—much stronger. In an instant, Octavia had Joni on her back, her thigh pressed between the girl’s legs—Joni instantly arched her back, desperate to create more friction.

“You want me, don’t you?” Octavia leaned down, her face close to Joni’s.

“I always want you,” Joni murmured. She tipped her chin upward—she obviously wanted to kiss Octavia, but Octavia leaned back, out of Joni’s reach.

“Good,” Octavia said softly. “Now lie back and close your eyes.”

Joni did as she was told. Octavia slid her hand between Joni’s legs, working her fingers in slow circles, moving firmer and faster until Joni’s hips jerked and bucked and she screamed out Octavia’s name.

There, Octavia thought as Joni fell back against the mattress, breathing hard. Let’s see her think about some other girl now.

It was well and good for Octavia to sleep all day after having sex all night, but Joni had class, and she was fucking exhausted.