Moonbathing

Meaghan blinked at her chronometer. Good gods, it was gone midnight! She'd been working in the 'restricted access' section of the library for hours. There were no windows in this lower level and engrossed as she'd been in cleaning an old, brittle parchment she'd managed to lose track of the time. The librarian vaguely remembered someone - Tahnia, she thought – calling through earlier on the intercom about something. Dinner, perhaps? On cue, Meaghan's stomach grumbled and the brunette chuckled. She stood and stretched luxuriously, slowly working the kinks out of her joints: it was probably a good idea to stop work for the day, get something to eat then go to bed. Food sounded appealing but Meaghan wasn't quite ready to go to sleep yet. A short walk, perhaps? Get some fresh air – she hadn't set foot out of the castle all day.

The large kitchen was deserted and dark but in the cool-store Meaghan found a covered plate, with an attached note on which her name was written in large letters.
      Hi, honey – it was from Tahnia – you've forgotten to eat again. Saved you some things from dinner.
       Meaghan lifted the cover and grinned at the selection of cold meats, salads and vegetables piled high. Tahnia knew her too well, the junior chef had chosen food that didn't need to be reheated. The librarian took the plate and scooped up a bottle of chilled fruit juice, tempted for a moment to head up to Tahnia's room... Meaghan smiled to herself, the chef had been on the early shift for a week, she'd be fast asleep by now and wouldn't appreciate being woken up on the flimsy pretext of sharing Meaghan's meal. No, healthier by far to let Tahnia sleep.

The librarian spread the towel out on the cool, fine sand, several feet above the high-tide mark. It was a beautiful night - as it frequently was on Verbank – warm and a little humid but the sea breeze was brisk enough to keep it comfortable. Meaghan chewed contentedly on a piece of rare roast meat, appreciating the food and the magnificent view of the moonlit ocean. There were no clouds tonight, nothing to diffuse the moon's light; the slow-lapping water seemed to sparkle.

Meaghan had been on Verbank for close to half a year now and she was very happy. First and foremost she loved her work, maintaining the collection was completely enthralling and there was so much to do she couldn't ever imagine getting bored. Between them, she and Simaeon had got the library up and functioning within a few weeks of her arrival. It'd been hard work, with long hours, but so rewarding when it was done. The library 'traffic' wasn't very heavy at the moment, other than the island's staff only a few of Mr Monk's associates had access, but the plan was to eventually open the Foundation to students and researchers. Meaghan intended to have any and all bugs in the system found and eliminated before that happened.

The librarian put aside the empty plate, finished the juice, then stood and quickly shrugged out of her clothing, stretching deliciously to her fingertips. Such a beautiful night, and the sea was always warm...
       Meaghan waded out from the beach until the water was just splashing the tops of her thighs. Much further than this, she knew, and she'd risk stumbling into the drop-off and much deeper water. Which was fun in the daylight surrounded by friends, but alone at night probably wasn't a smart option. She sank slowly down into the water until it covered her shoulders, then stretched out face-up, tipping her head back until the water covered her ears. Meaghan let her arms drift down behind her, fingers brushing over the coarse sand. As long as she could feel the sand she knew she was still in the shallows.
      Feeling cocooned within the water's muffled sounds Meaghan breathed deeply, consciously relaxing, and let her gaze wander over the glittering band stretching across the night sky. Sometimes she missed the second moon but its loss was more than made up for by the rings its remains had formed around the planet. Images taken from space showed three distinct, if not particularly solid, structures. From the ground, though, they appeared as one, and were never more beautiful than when the full moon's light was shining through them.
      Meaghan stayed submerged for a little while then languidly rolled over onto her stomach, scissoring her legs slowly open and shut, open and shut, enjoying the play of water over her groin. Tahnia laughingly called her a shameful hedonist but there was something about Verbank, about its people, that invited a freedom of sensuality. In the past few months Meaghan had discovered – or rediscovered, rather – a profound joy in her body and its responses.
      It was lovely drifting here in the water but time was moving on and Meaghan was beginning to feel the effects of a long, long day. She pulled herself to her feet, laughing as the sand shifted beneath her and she almost lost her balance. Still grinning, Meaghan waded out of the water and up onto the finer, dry sand. She half-stooped, preparing to retrieve her towel then stopped. The temperature was still balmy, the moon was full and beautiful, she didn't have to go back straight away...
      Meaghan stretched out on the towel, sighing with satisfaction. She crossed her arms underneath her head and gazed up at the stars: there'd be no harm in staying on the beach a little longer.

There was no denying she was happy here on Verbank and it wasn't just because of the work. Given the island's isolation its inhabitants were forced to interact with each other far more than they would in a 'normal' work situation and relationships developed quickly under the glasshouse conditions. Meaghan had rapidly found herself forming strong bonds with those around her and it was comforting, satisfying, to be so readily accepted into such a tight-knit group. They weren't all equal bonds though. Generally she was friendly with everyone but only really close so far to Tahnia and Jhon.
      She'd also become aware of a distinct... difference between those she'd come to think of as her group - the staff - and the other people living on Verbank. Perry Monk and Simaeon were part of this group, as was Jimain, Meren and a vibrant little bronze-haired woman called Jadrel. Meaghan had become friendly with another of them, the castle's chatelaine - for want of a better word – a lovely woman named Sanjariel whose beautiful, wavy, deeply rich red hair would be the envy of several of her friends back home. There were others Meaghan had glimpsed about the castle but she didn't have much to do with them. There was something strange about these others that Meaghan couldn't define. They were all striking in appearance and so quiet! They didn't chatter like everyone else tended to, in fact the librarian hardly ever heard them speak amongst themselves – it was kind of spooky...

Meaghan grinned and took a deep breath; even the briefest thought of Jimain, as always, was raising a slow heat in her groin. The security chief intrigued her, quite frankly, but so far she'd not had the opportunity to pursue that interest. The brunette sighed ruefully: that wasn't true, there'd easily been a dozen times she could've approached Jimain, and she would've... if she hadn't been so intimidated by her reaction to him. Being a coward hadn't stopped her from thinking about it though, or trying to find out as much about him as possible.
      Tahnia had, literally, fallen over laughing when Meaghan casually dropped the question into one of their conversations.
      "Have Ah ever had sex wit' Jimain?" large, ebony eyes twinkled. "Why?"
      "Research." Meaghan strove for nonchalance knowing full well her friend wasn't fooled.
      "Yeah, a few times. When Ah first started on Verbank."
      The librarian waited.
      "...And?"
      "An' what?" Tahnia was smirking. Meaghan glared at her.
      "You're going to make me say it, aren't you?"
      "Yup. You want information, honey, you gotta work for it."
      The brunette chuckled, shaking her head at her embarrassment.
      "Yeah, all right." She looked the chef straight in the eye and said, deadpan: "So what was he like? Does he carry through on the visual promise of 'sex god'?"
      Tahnia managed to smirk and giggle at the same time.
      "Oh yeah..." She drawled. "Indeedy."
      Meaghan found herself waiting, again. She snatched up a cushion and thwacked the chef across her stomach.
      "... And?"
      Tahnia squeaked, then laughed as she disarmed the librarian, pushing the unprepared woman down onto the couch and scrambling to straddle her hips.
      "An' it – he – was fantastic."
      Meaghan didn't bother to struggle; Tahnia was a lot stronger than she looked.
      "Better than Jhon?" She grinned up at the dusky woman, teasing now. "Better than me?"
      "Not better." Tahnia leant forwards to nuzzle Meaghan's throat. "Different. Very intense."
      The brunette sighed happily and tipped her head back, encouraging Tahnia to explore further with her lips.
      "What happened? You said 'when you first started'."
      The chef was silent for a moment, then she shrugged.
      "Ah knew his heart wasn't in it – it was jest a bit o' fun." She planted a gentle, nibbling kiss between Meaghan's breasts. "An' then Ah started up with Jhon and Ah got great sex an' a loving relationship. That's what Ah really wanted."
      The librarian nodded, grinning as agile, slender fingers started unbuttoning her shirt.
      "So." Tahnia smirked. "Y'all still interested in tumblin' Jimain?"
      Meaghan sighed melodramatically.
      "Painfully so."
      "Well, Ah can't give you the full experience," the chef glanced down at herself. "Ah don't have the proper equipment, but Ah can give you edited highlights."
      "Gosh, thanks if it's not too much trouble." The sarcasm was diluted in Meaghan's breathless rush of anticipation. Tahnia laughed.
      "That's what friends are for..."

Eyes half-closed under the full moon Meaghan wriggled, pressing her backside down against the towel. Thinking back to that fun afternoon with the chef had got her all hot and bothered - she brushed fingers lightly over her breast, circling and teasing an already taut nipple – she should do something about that before returning to her room. Her hand had strayed as far as her belly before Meaghan experienced the uncomfortable realisation she wasn't alone on the beach. Storm-grey eyes flashed open to see Verbank's security chief standing close by. Wearing only black-leather trousers and with his shining black hair loose around his shoulders, Jimain looked even more delectable by moonlight. Oh gods...

"Good evening, pretty lady." Meaghan knew Jimain addressed all women in that manner but the knowledge didn't temper the feeling that she was still just a little bit special. "It is a gentle night, is it not?"
      "Yes. It is." Given her history of incoherency in the male's presence, Meaghan made a conscious decision to keep things as simple as possible. The essence-of-masculinity smiled and inclined his head, giving her the impression he'd be happy to continue on his way, unless...
      "Would you like join me?" The librarian was surprised at how calm she sounded.
      Jimain's smile fairly smouldered.
      "It would be my pleasure."
      Meaghan grinned shyly and wriggled over, making room on the towel for him. He dropped beside her, feline and graceful, and traced the curve of her cheek with a blunt fingertip.
      "You are lovely."
      "T... thank you."
      Up close the security chief was mesmerising. Bronze skin stretched over power and strength; beautiful, and dangerous in a way Meaghan couldn't wholly comprehend. The fingertip brushed over her lips, a feather touch she could barely feel, before continuing down, over her chin, marking a sensual line down Meaghan's throat to her sternum. Heart thudding heavily, the brunette reached out to begin her own exploration, drawn to the glint of gold on Jimain's chest. Tahnia had told her about the security chief's nipple rings, and how... sensitive they made him. The rings were heavy, set soundly through dense flesh; Meaghan pulled lightly, experimentally on one and was rewarded with a shiver. The librarian smiled and shifted onto her side, the easier to bring her lips to Jimain's broad, smooth chest. He shivered again as she threaded the tip of her tongue through a ring and gently tugged. The hand resting on Meaghan's chest moved to cup a full breast, a strong thumb flicking rhythmically over an erect nipple. Meaghan pressed forward into the male's heat, her own hand sliding down Jimain's flank and over a prominent, leather-clad hip. Jimain smirked, hooking an arm around her waist and pulling her in close and tight. The librarian squirmed, taking pleasure in the sensation of hot skin and warm leather against her nakedness – not to mention the prominent bulge rubbing with delicious ease over her groin. Meaghan wriggled her hand between their bodies to softly palm the developing tumescence. Jimain groaned, rolling smoothly onto his back and dragging Meaghan over to sit astride him. She grinned, flushed and excited, fumbling for the catch at the top of his trousers.
      "Better get you out of these before you strangle."
      Jimain watched with glittering, rich green eyes as the brunette briefly struggled with the fastenings, chuckling at her crow of triumph when she finally got them all undone. Impatient now to have him inside her, Meaghan tugged and pulled at the tight garment, eventually – with Jimain's help – dragging it clear of the muscular body. Eyes wide, unconsciously licking her lips, she stared transfixed at Jimain's other ring, the one threaded through his penis just under the head, the ring Tahnia had neglected to mention. Meaghan fingered the thick loop of gold; it was studded - that was going to feel incredible...
      "All is well?" Jimain's low and amused voice broke into her abstraction.
      "Oh yes." Meaghan whispered, lifting her eyes to his. She clambered to straddle the male's hip, readying herself, squeaking when Jimain wrapped his hands around her waist and unceremoniously hoicked her up his body.
      "What...?"
      "Indulge me, pretty lady." he all but purred, settling her compliant body to his satisfaction, her groin poised over his face. Meaghan trembled as Jimain licked broadly and firmly along her labia, finishing the stroke with a teasing flick of his tongue over her exquisitely sensitised clitoris.
      "Oh..."
      Meaghan felt as if she was melting from the inside out as the security chief lavished a very obvious talent on her. She bit her lip, squirming against the broad hands grasping her hips, holding her securely in place.
      As she came she flung her head back and yelled her pleasure, not giving a damn just at that moment whether anyone else could hear her...
      Panting hard and with a decided weakness in her thighs, Meaghan glanced down to find Jimain grinning broadly at her; the security chief looking very pleased with himself.
      "Ready?" he asked – enigmatically, to Meaghan's fuddled senses.
      The librarian's query slid off into a deep, lush moan as she was effortlessly lifted, shifted back down his body and pushed with excruciating, teasing slowness onto the solid column of flesh ready and waiting for her. Meaghan quivered, breathless, seeming to feel every millimetre the studded ring travelled: she was well on her way to her second climax even before Jimain was fully seated...

"Meaghan..."
      "Mmm?" The brunette smiled sleepily.
      "We must return to the castle."
      "Don't wanna." she mumbled, burrowing closer to the compelling warmth she was sprawled across.
      Jimain chuckled, gently ruffling her wavy hair.
      "You will be more comfortable in your own bed."
      "Don't wanna." A drowsy grumble. "If you want me to go you'll have t' carry me."
      "If that is your wish..."
      Meaghan jerked awake; Jimain was shifting beneath her, preparatory to standing up. She fixed him with a baleful grey eye.
      "You would, wouldn't you?"
      The librarian sighed at her companion's unrepentant smirk but was tempted for a second to let him get away with the threat. But only for a second.
      "No. Thank you. I'll maintain my dignity for now."
      She pushed away from him with a groan, and Jimain took the opportunity to roll smoothly to his feet. Meaghan shook her head: where did he get the energy from? She was exhausted...

The librarian wasn't sure how he'd managed it but Jimain had held back from his own climax until she'd come a second time. Only then, when she was slumped over him, did she feel him pulsing warmly within her body. And before she could recover she found herself on her back, legs curled instinctively around Jimain's waist as he began to thrust again. Meaghan had raked his back with her nails when she'd climaxed for the third time and he'd followed soon after, growling almost soundlessly against her mouth.
      Later, lying limp and boneless and wonderfully relaxed against him, Meaghan had found the energy to grin. Tahnia, it seemed, had not been exaggerating.

Jimain extended his hand, half-helping, half-hauling the librarian to unsteady feet. He shook out the rumpled towel and draped it around her shoulders, then gathered up their clothes and the debris from her meal. With Meaghan yawning nearly every other step, the pair slowly made their way back to the castle in comfortable silence.
      They stood at last in front of Meaghan's rooms. The librarian smiled up at Jimain, thinking how lovely it would be to have him stay with her but knowing she wasn't confident enough yet to ask.
      "Thank you." She had to stand on her tiptoes in order to kiss his cheek.
      "You are welcome." Jimain murmured warmly, stroking her hair with the backs of his fingers.
      "Better go. Early morning and all that."
      The security chief half-smiled.
      "Mr Monk has noticed your diligence, Meaghan, I do not think he would mind if you slept in."
      Meaghan blinked: was he asking to stay? She shook herself and grinned.
      "I'll see how I feel when the alarm goes off."
       Jimain chuckled, brushing a soft kiss to the palm of her hand.
       "Good night, then, pretty lady."
       Tired as she was, Meaghan stood at her door watching until the beautiful male had prowled out of sight...