Sister Laurel & the Atheist Read online

  Laurel shook her head in earnest, then shrugged. "No, I don't think so. I don't remember last night."

  They carried their coffee cups to one of three tables and sat. "Well at least you didn't have sex with him."

  She sensed the heat building in her face. Sarah must have noticed. "Did you?"

  Involuntarily, she shrugged again. "I don't remember. Last night is a blur. All I know is I woke up in his bed naked and there was blood on the sheets."

  "Oh, my God. You're a virgin. I mean you were a virgin and did it. And you don't remember having sex?"

  "I don't remember anything that happened last night."

  "He must have slipped you some Rohypnol. I can't believe he'd do that, but that's the only explanation."

  "What's the only explanation." Came a voice from the doorway.

  "Oh, hi Jessie." Laurel said.

  She nodded her greeting.

  Sarah explained, "For the strange situation Laurel found herself in this morning."

  "What was that, Laurel?"

  This was so mortifying. She wanted to crawl under the table as heat coursed through her yet again. "I woke up in bed with Julian and we were both naked."

  A smile formed on Jessie's face. "Well congratulations, you lucky girl."

  "That isn't what's strange." Sarah piped in.

  "What do you mean?" Jessie responded, defensively.

  "She doesn't remember any of it. The date, the sex, nothing. The only explanation is the date drug."

  Jessie inhaled deeply, a scowl forming on her face. "My brother would never do anything like that. He doesn't need to. You of all people, should know that."

  Now, Sarah turned red.

  "Yes, I know of your little fling with my brother. You didn't really think telling the other operators what you and Julian did would not get back to me, did you?"

  Sarah, apparently indignant, elevated her chin, narrowed her eyes and through pinched lips said, "Nevertheless, she woke up naked and there was blood on the sheets."

  "Well she could be on her period. Are you, honey? Are you on your period?"

  She shook her head.

  "There was blood on the sheets because she's… she was a virgin."

  Jessie's intense eyes glared at her. "Since you don't remember, how do you know you had sex with Julian?"

  "He said I was wonderful."

  Jessie smiled and threw her head back. "There you go Sarah. If she'd been given the date rape drug, she'd have been like a zombie. She loved it. She just had too much to drink."

  She glanced at her watch. Eleven-oh-three. She jumped up. "I hate to leave you ladies like this, but I'm late for my appointment. If it'll make you feel any better let me tell you; I haven't been raped and I'm sure Julian would never do anything like that."

  She hugged Sarah and Jessie. "Goodbye."

  Tess frowned at her as she walked through the spa portal into the waiting area. Sitting in one of the chairs, she glanced at her watch, then sporting an annoyed look on her face, she patted the chair next to her.

  Gathering her thoughts, she glanced around the room she'd passed through briefly traveling to and from the boutique, yesterday. There were autographed photos of what must have been a hundred, mostly female celebrities lining the walls. And there was the doorway with a sign that said Loving Touch Designer Boutique.

  The receptionist was taking care of another customer so she headed over to her sister. As she started to sit, Tess spoke sharply, "Ten after eleven. And I busted ass to find a babysitter and get here on time."

  "I really wish you wouldn't talk like that."

  Her nostrils flared from her obvious annoyance. "Yah, yah, I know. I'm a regular garbage mouth. I forgot you get offended so easily."

  "It's not me. I've heard you say similar things in front of your children."

  Tess pursed her lips. "Okay, Sister sis. Point taken."

  She didn't like it when she called her that. "Please don't call me that."

  Tess frowned deeply. "Boy you're really on edge this morning. What's wrong? What was so important that it couldn't wait until tomorrow?"

  She started to answer when, in an impatient businesslike manner, a lightly accented voice rang out, "May I help you ladies?"

  ShLaurel gazed toward the counter. The receptionist, a middle aged, curly-haired blonde, leaned against it, and drummed long artificial fingernails on the laminate top.

  "Yes, sorry, we'll be right there." She rose, then bent down and whispered to Tess, "I slept with him."

  As she walked toward the counter, Tess rose and hurried to catch up. In a loud whisper, she asked, "Wait up. What do you mean, you slept with him? Did you have sex?"

  After raising her eyebrows, the lady smiled knowingly as Laurel arrived at the counter. Wearing a badge pinned to her chest that read Millie Kosyvich, Assistant Manager, she seemed to appraise Laurel, her eyes giving her the once over.

  "Hi. Sorry, we didn't mean to ignore you. I'm Laurel Adams. I made and appointm—"

  "Ah yes, Miss Adams." She smiled. "I thought that might be you. Welcome to Loving Touch Spa and Salon. Ms Ryan asked me to take special care of you and your companion. If you'll come with me, I'll get you started." Millie moved out from behind the counter and led them down a wide hallway.

  She grabbed sis's wrist and whispered in a stern voice, "We'll talk about this when we're alone. All right?"

  Flashing an uncomfortable look, she nodded. "Sorry. You just caught me off guard."

  They caught up to Millie and followed her into a dressing room that held several narrow closets and fixed benches. It reminded her of the locker rooms from her school days.

  "To start, you'll need to get undressed. Each of you take one of the unoccupied closets. Hanging inside will be a terri-cloth robe and disposable slippers. The door has an electronic combination lock, which you program with as many numbers as you want, but no less than three. I suggest at least four or five. You can place your valuables there or I can keep them up front, should you wish."

  She took off her watch and jewelry, placed them in her purse and set it on the shelf above the hanging rod. As she sat on the bench to take her shoes off, she noticed that Millie was still there. "Yes Millie?"

  "When all your clothes are removed, put the robe and slippers on. I'll take you to the therapy room where Marla will give you each a salt scrub and then after you shower, a massage."

  She wasn't used to undressing in front of others, but it didn't look like Millie was budging so she began to remove her garments. Her sister, the physician's assistant, wasn't bashful at all. She stripped down and had her robe on before she got to her bra and panties, which she'd saved for last. When she finally took them off, she turned her back to Millie, who seemed much too interested. As soon as her bra was off, she slipped the robe on and then dragged her panties down.

  After she programmed the combination and locked the door, Millie flashed an artificial smile. "Very good, follow me please."

  Millie led them across the hall into a large room. They were greeted by an attractive, Hispanic woman in a skimpy, white uniform. "That'll be all, Millicent. I'll take over now." She turned her large sparkling cow eyes on us and said, Ooh. You're both so pretty. I'm Marla. What're your names?"

  "I'm Laurel and this is my sister Teresa."

  "Pretty names too. I figured you were sisters. Take your robes off so I can see what you have."

  Tess removed her robe, but I hesitated just enough that Marla figured it out.

  "Shy one huh?" She waved a hand and untied her robe. "Don't worry, I'm not a lesbian like Millicent."

  "So that's why…"

  "She watched you undress. Yes?" She spread the lapels of the robe apart and sighed, "Kiddo, if I had a body like you, I wouldn't be shy about it." She winked at her.

  Heat surged across her face, then down her neck and across her whole body as she pulled the robe over her shoulders and down her arms. "Buck up sweetheart, you're not the only one that gets naked in front of me. Your sis
ter doesn't seem to have a problem."

  "I'm sorry. I'm just not used to this."

  "You'd better get used to it because I will touch almost every inch of your body."

  Marla bent over and laughed. "I'm sorry, if you could have seen the look on your face…it was precious. Have a seat. Both of you. Let's talk a little."

  Tess was already sitting. As she sat on a plastic chair next to her, Marla asked, "You're not a regular. Are you here for a special occasion?"

  She crossed her legs and kind of scrunched her shoulders together in a fruitless effort to cover her breasts. She wanted to cover them with an arm, but that would be even more embarrassing than allowing Marla to see them. "I suppose. I'm having dinner with Jessie's brother tonight."

  "Julian? He's a cutie. First date?'

  "Second."

  "Well, you two make a damn handsome couple."

  "That's what I'm afraid of."

  "Why's that?"

  "It's a long story. Do you mind if we skip the salt scrub? I'm not up to it." she glanced at Tess. She looked disappointed. "But could you still do Tess."

  "Sure, no problem. Tess would you get on the massage table. We'll start on your backside."

  Tess smiled at her and mounted the massage table lying face down. Marla began applying the scrub solution on her back, arms, derriere and legs. Looking at her, she said, "You, I'd like to see go into the steam shower or if you prefer, the sauna."

  She'd never had either. "What's the difference?"

  She shrugged, "One is damp heat the other is dry. Wrap this towel around you."

  Laurel gladly wrapped the towel around her but stayed where she was. "I'd like to wait for Tess if I may."

  "If you wish." She patted Tess on the rump. "Turn over now, please."

  As Tess turned over Marla gazed at Laurel. "Where was I? Oh yes, I'll only be a couple more minutes on your sister, but she'll need to take a quick shower to wash off the scrub residue."

  Turning back to Tess, her eyes grew wide. "I see you trim yourself."

  "Yeah, it's a little bit of a pain, but I like it and my husband loves it." She winked at Marla, who burst out laughing.

  Laurel could see what she was talking about and she had to admit, it did look better than her overgrown bush.

  "You know Tess, I could wax it for you and with the help of inhibitor, it would last two, maybe three months."

  "Really? What would it cost?"

  "Normally it would be eighty dollars, but if you want it, it's included with your deluxe package."

  "If there's one price I can't refuse it's free," Tess joked, let's do it."

  "Great, I'll do it to you during your massage. Now, I need to ask you. Do you want me to avoid your breasts and lower area?"

  "Just do what you normally do."

  She was shaken by the question Marla had asked her sister. She wasn't sure if she would be able to let anyone touch her in those places, but then again as late as yesterday, she didn't think she'd ever sleep with a man, let alone on the first date.

  * * * *

  After Marla finished the scrub, Tess took a two-minute shower to rinse off. Laurel went with her, but kept her towel wrapped around her and stayed out of the water. "Okay baby sister, we're alone. Fess up. What did you start to tell me?"

  She almost laughed as Laurel got this aw shucks guilty look on her face. "I woke up this morning in Julian's bed, naked as a newborn. Julian too. Apparently, I'd broken my vows and made love, but doggone it, I don't remember any of it. I must have drunk too much."

  "I told Sarah about it this morning. She's the girl who did my hair, and she—"

  "Wait a second. You told her you had sex?"

  "Yes, she used to go out with Julian, mostly for sex and she advised me not to go to bed with him too quickly. I guess I blew it. Anyway, since I don't remember, she thinks he may have slipped me a date rape drug, Rohy…something."

  A chill coursed through her. She'd never expected anything like this would be brought up. "Rohypnol. I doubt that, it's not even legal in the states. What did you say?"

  "Well first of all, I don't think Julian would ever do anything like that."

  Thank God!

  "But before I got a chance to tell Sarah that, Jessie came in and sa—"

  "Ho…hold on. You told two people you had sex last night before you told me. Jumpin' Jesus, my sister is a one-woman gossip machine—about herself no less. Who's Jessie?"

  "She's Julian's sister. I told you about her."

  "The one who gave you the dress and all the nice stuff to go along with it." She nodded.

  She turned off the shower. "You never said her name. Hand me the towel, will ya?"

  She stepped forward and handed her the towel. As She dried, Laurel went on, "Anyway, I didn't tell Jessie, She heard us talking and asked what we were talking about. Sarah told her and about her suspicion and Jessie kind of blew up, saying her brother would never do anything like that."

  Tess put her arm around her. "That's crazy. I don't think he would either. C'mon sis. Let's go in the sauna and work this out."

  While she poured a ladle full of water over the coals, Laurel sat on an upper row of seats in one direction. She sat on the lower row, perpendicular to her. "So Sister sis, what are your plans?"

  "I really wish you wouldn't call me that." She put her hand to her chin and stared off thoughtfully. "I guess I'll have to talk with Mother Superior, maybe even Father Brennan. It'll be so embarrassing, but I can't keep it to myself and go on as a sister. However, before telling them, I've got to find out what I missed. I'm going to make love with Julian again, tonight, fully conscious, no wine or anything alcoholic, just sex."

  Naturally, Laurel blushed when she said sex. She paused and then went on. "Having sex and not remembering is driving me crazy. Since I've failed God and sinned anyway—a big one no less—and plan to live the rest of my life chastely, I want to remember it. Does that sound strange?"

  "Of course not. I can't imagine having sex and not remembering how wonderful it is."

  "Wonderful. That's what he said. I was wonderful. I want to know the wonder of it before I give it up."

  Tess never realized how conflicted her sister was until a tear rolled down her cheek. "Laur, you know my opinion. I think you should have sex with Julian tonight and every night, forever. If forever doesn't work out, have sex with someone else until it does work out, then have babies and live a normal life."

  Laurel shook her head, "I couldn't have sex with anyone else after Julian. I'm not that way."

  "Baby sister, you are so naïve. I hope you don't think Seth is the only sex partner I've had?"

  Her brows rose to accommodate her newly expanded eyes. "He isn't?"

  "Not even close. Remember Bobby Carter?"

  Laurel nodded.

  "He was my first, but not my last. I love sex. I'll bet you'll love it too. In college I probably had seven or eight partners, including a college professor I lusted after."

  "You poor thing." Laurel slipped off her seat, slid up to me and hugged me. "Did you report him?"

  She shook her head. "No Laur, I seduced him. I seduced most of my partners and I gloried in the music we made together. Then, when I met Seth, I knew he would be my conductor forever. We are that good together. That was probably a benefit of sleeping around if that's what you want to call it. I knew that no one would ever play my notes the way Seth did and still does."

  Laurel crossed her arms under her breasts. "Well, I'm going to make love to Julian again. And if it's good for me as you make it sound, who knows?" Laurel's normally innocent face suddenly formed a naughty smile. "Now, tell me Big Sis, why does Seth love your pussy shaved?"

  Tess almost fell off the bench at goody-two-shoe's use of the 'P' word—the only time she'd ever heard her use it.

  "Baby, you've never used the 'P' word or any swear word in front of me before."

  She giggled. "If I knew I could get that look on your face, I would have said it before. Stop stalli
ng, why does—"

  Now, it was her turn to laugh. "All right, just don't say the 'P' word again, except in pillow talk with Julian."

  A bemused look crossed sis's pretty face. "Pillow talk?"

  Tess snickered. "Never mind. Seth likes me to shave there because it's better for oral sex."

  Laurel frowned and made a spitting sound. "Yuck, oral sex sounds awful. Do people willingly do that?"

  "Yes. There's nothing wrong with oral sex. You'll see. And if you're still planning on having sex only one time, you should do everything, including oral sex."

  Staring blankly ahead, she didn't answer at first. Then, "I suppose you're right. I did feel Julian's thing this morning. It was hard. Saw it for a few seconds too."

  "Was it big?"

  She lifted gher hands palms up. "I don't know. It seemed big to me, but it was the first time I've seen one in person. There was something mysterious about it. I had this peculiar desire to examine it, to put it in my…never mind. As for him going between my legs, isn't it dirty?"

  "No! Not if you clean up properly."

  "What about my secretions?"

  "If you mean lubricating juices from being excited, he will probably like them. Seth likes mine."

  "Really. What's it like, Seth going down on you?"

  "Mmmm. I'll tell you a secret. Seth is re-eally good at it. I like it as much as intercourse, maybe more. Nothing brings me closer to him. Having someone oralizing your sensitive areas is the most personal form of sex. And since you're planning on doing it with Julian, I'd have Marla trim your pubis. Better yet, have her give you the Brazilian."