eight.

Roxanne collapsed onto her bed, her arms spread out, exhaling deeply. Her body felt like new; almost refreshed and reworked. She laid there for a moment, eyes closed, remembering the incredible sex she'd had only a few hours before.

And as usual, Mandy interrupted her thoughts, "I think we should stop doing this."

Roxy sat up, "Hey. You're the one who said we shouldn't take Petra's shit."

"Yes well I'm having second thoughts," Mandy snapped, beginning to pace, "I saved your ass today. Well, Jordan and me. She was looking for Lander and we distracted her."

"By doing what, exactly?"

"I pretended to hit on him, doesn't matter," Mandy replied hastily, "Look. All I'm saying is you were dangerously close to being caught, and as much as I hate her and would love to spite the bitch, I can't afford to lose this job." She paused. "Or this apartment."

"Guess you're right," Roxy sighed, "Mandy, he was quite amazing."

"Yes, and you're just going to have to remember that," Mandy replied dryly, "As am I, about Taylor." She crossed her arms and leaned against the doorframe. "It just sucks, because earlier today..."

"Mhmm?"

Mandy smirked, "I was touching his abs."

"You're a sucker for a guy with abs!"

"Oh you know it!" Mandy gushed, "Mmm, I was admiring and he mentioned I needed to come over, and I said that I hadn't quite had the time to admire them..."

Roxy laughed, "Oh, you're terrible, Manders."

"I know, I know," Mandy nodded, "I just...ughh. I would love nothing more than to have another go with him. He's got an amazing body, you know, he's tanned all over, and god, his tongue, I just-"

"Whatever happened to playing it safe?"

Mandy's face fell, her fantasy destroyed, "Of course. My own plans turn around and stab me right in the face."

"Maybe just, one more time?" Roxy asked hopefully, "I mean, I never got to to..." she giggled. "Do my famous...move."

Mandy's eyes widened, "You didn't...?"

Roxy sighed, "Well, he was kind of, you know...."

"Small?"

Roxanne shook her head, "No. The other way around."

"How big, then?"

Roxanne made a gesture with her hands and Mandy's mouth dropped open, "You're kidding!"

She shook her head, "Otherwise, I would've given it."

"Geez," Mandy scoffed, "Maybe you should, I don't know, practice on something."

"So you're taking my proposal."

"I'm just saying if you plan on showing him how legendary you are, then you'll need to make sure it won't backfire on you."

Roxanne paused.

"When are you going to get Taylor, then?"

Mandy smirked, "I'll find a way. A perfect spot, to let it all go down. Because, well, if it's the last time I get to do it-"

"-then you'll want it to be perfect."

"One last time."

They shook on it.

---

Anton Lander grimaced at the site of Petra's naked body next to his. He absolutely hated when he had to do this with her, as if kissing wasn't bad enough. No, if he was part of a deal, he had to be part of all of it.

"Mmm, baby, that was fantastic," she purred, snuggling up to him, "Are you in the mood for another round?"

"Oh, well, it'll be at least fifteen minutes before I can-"

"So that's a yes, then." Petra whispered, biting his earlobe painfully, which like all other things he did with her, Lander pretended to like.

"I'll go freshen up a little," she said, hopping out of bed and turning to face him; her badly drawn tattoo above her navel just visible. Lander nodded as she scurried off into the bathroom.

Sex with Petra was like having sex with a sleeping person- he had to do all the work and experienced little to no pleasure. The only way he'd willed himself to come was to watch dirty movies before the event (not to Petra's knowledge, of course). This time, however, he'd imagined he was having sex with Roxanne. Lander pictured the tight feeling of her around him, her breasts in the bustier, the smell of her hair, the sound of her- you get the idea. It was the only way he could make it through.

Sadly, he looked up at the ceiling and wondered what Roxy was doing at that moment. He thought perhaps since it was later in the evening, she'd be taking a shower. Since Lander actually hadn't seen her completely nude, he tried to imagine how she might look. What her body would look like with steamy, hot water rushing down her curves. The slick wetness not only on her skin, but between her legs. How it might feel as it washed down all over her, from her shoulders to her chest, to her-

Petra smirked from the doorway, nodding at his now-ready manhood. Lander sighed. Hopefully this would tire her out so he could sleep- or at least escape to the comfort of his own apartment to drown in thoughts of Roxanne.

---

"Are you bored?"

Magnus blinked, seeing Geraldine's face looking at him blankly. He had hardly touched his food; it just sat there on his plate. It appeared she had done the same.

"Sorry..." he began.

"It's ok, I am too," Geraldine sighed, gazing out the window at the people passing by, "I wonder how long she expects us to go through with this."

"If we break up, she'll assume it's my fault and I'll end up in the minors," Magnus said sadly.

"Or she'll assume it's mine, and despite whatever I say to her, she'll force us back together," Geraldine said with a nod, "Can't win no matter what we try."

"Too true."

They were quiet for a moment. Geraldine tried to read Magnus, but she couldn't. She wasn't completely stupid; it was just how Petra had tried to make her be. To Petra, she had to have everything, and Geraldine had to have what Petra said she could.

"What are you thinking about?" she asked him, "Are you thinking about...a girl?"

Magnus blushed, "Oh, uh, no..."

"Who?" Geraldine smiled.

"If I tell you, you'll report me."

"No I won't," Geraldine replied, "I mean, sometimes I let things slip out. But I won't tell. I promise."

Magnus paused, "No, I can't. I'm sorry." He shook his head, "I just really need to get going. I need some air."

After getting the cheque, Magnus and Geraldine parted ways with a kiss (forced- in case Petra was somehow watching; she had her ways) and went home. As he walked alone in the dark city, passing only lit lamp posts, Magnus thought of how badly he needed to talk to someone. How he wanted to get things off his chest and have things feel better.

But the only person that could do that was gone.