Free Sex Between, The by Randy Salem

wanted to kill her, to blot out the stupid smirk still in Helga's eyes.
    Helga was laughing, making a harsh sound that rasped in Lee's ears. And she knew that Helga would go on laughing. No matter if Lee killed her, Helga would laugh.
    She rolled away from Helga and lay on her back. She could not hear herself crying, but there were tears in her eyes. The itchy nap of the rug scratched against her behind. Helga had stopped laughing and it was quiet in the big room.
    "So," Helga said close beside her, "how low the mighty have fallen." With a fingertip, she traced the line of Lee's jaw.
    Lee didn't bother to remove the finger. She just lay there, poking her chest out for the thrust of Helga's knife.
    "I thought little Lee could have anything little Lee wanted," Helga's voice teased. "What happened, baby? Grandmother Kate doesn't love little Lee any more?"
    Lee cursed the day she had told Helga her name. Helga had had a rundown made on her, knew everything about her from the size of her shoes to the toothpaste she used. Helga was like that.
    "She's getting married," Lee said flatly. "Not that it's any of your damn business."
    "But I'd find out anyhow," Helga said without shame. "And what is little Lee going to do all by herself in that great, big, empty house?"
    Little Lee might put a bullet through her brain, Lee thought—if you don't shut up.
    Helga was being sweet now, reminding herself of Lee's bank account. She moved in close to Lee, but slowly—making Lee touch her. Offering her ample bosom for consolation.
    And Lee felt tired. So very tired. She put her cheek against Helga's breast and closed her eyes.
    Helga's fingers stroked the back of Lee's head. "You'll be lonely," she murmured.
    "Hmm," Lee mumbled.
    "I wouldn't let you be lonesome, Lee."
    Lee heard it like a fly buzzing inside her ear. But she didn't have to make out the words. She knew them by heart. For months she had kept Helga at arm's length, telling her about Maggie living in her house to explain why she couldn't move anyone else in. Maggie, a member of the family... it wouldn't look right. And now the obstacle had been removed.
    Now Helga had her with her back against the wall. And she was tired, just too tired... "I'll cook for you," Helga murmured. "And clean and take care of you... "
    "Hmm," Lee grunted. And trapped in Helga’s arms, she fell asleep.

CHAPTER SEVEN
    Lee glowered at herself in Helga's bathroom mirror.
    For an independent soul who wanted no part of anybody, she had gotten herself into a hell of a fix. Come the first of the week, with Maggie gone, there would be three women ready to descend on her house like the plague. Trudel, whom she could not turn away for Maggie's sake. Cleo and Helga, whom she would need to help her forget about Trudel. It was a ridiculous situation and one which she hadn't the patience to think about. On the other hand, it would keep her too busy to think about Maggie.
    Lee went quietly into the living room and glanced down at Helga, still asleep on the floor where she had curled up beside Lee. Helga would sleep there, Lee knew, until dark. She was not a creature of daytime habits.
    Without disturbing her, she draped a bathrobe over the sleeping girl, then went out quickly to the foyer. It was nearly three. Cleo would be home now. Probably waiting for her, and angry that she had not at least called last night...
    By the time she reached the sidewalk, Lee knew that she would rather face a firing squad than Cleo. She'd had enough of banter and barter, even enough of sex, to last her a long, long time. Yet facing Maggie wasn't exactly a pleasant prospect either. Maggie had been happy to see her leave and would not welcome her return.
    "The hell with it," she muttered and a little old lady reared back angrily to stare at her.
    She flagged a cab and sent it flying toward Sixty-eighth Street. If she couldn't find a little peace in her own home...
    She threw a bill at the driver and banged out of the cab. A hot shower, some