One of the nicer parts of my bedroom was the large expanse of windows overlooking the pool and then beyond that, the lake behind the house. There was a comfy chaise lounge in front of it where I could relax and read or work while enjoying the view, which I did quite often. As I sat in it that evening though, I wasn't relaxed at all, but mildly terrified. We were at the point where I needed to get changed out of the robe that I'd put on after my shower, and into my Halloween costume, and while I knew that I had it all picked out, I was still nervous to wear it. The funny thing was, it had nothing to do with the fact that Zee would see me in it anymore, but more that I wanted to make sure that I could control myself around her.

I still didn't know what Zee would be wearing, but I had no doubt she'd look good in it because she would look good in just about anything. Or even better, nothing. With a sigh, I levered myself up from the lounge chair and went over to my immense walk in closet. When I'd bought the house, I'd already given up on Elliot living here, but I always hoped there would be someone here, and maybe I had already found her. Yeah, I know, it was way too early to think about that.

I hung the robe up, keeping my eyes away from the full length mirror that would give me doubts about what I was about to do, and then stepped into a silky black thong and matching bra. I hurriedly slid on the garter belt, and then the thigh high stockings that would give a hint of skin if I sat the right way. The skirt was easy, and I put that on next, making sure it still fell at mid-thigh, right where I wanted it.

I padded into the bathroom, and threw my hair up in a messy bun, making sure several tendrils of my hair were hanging loose, then started to do my makeup. I didn't use a lot, just a little concealer and blush before I did some smoky eyes and a layer of bright red lipstick that would pop. I didn't need to get any of the makeup on the white dress shirt I was going to wear, but when it was done, it was time to finish getting ready.

The shirt I'd picked out wasn't too hard to dress up in, as I just threw it on, then rolled up the sleeves a little, before I buttoned two of the middle buttons. You could clearly see the black bra through the sheer shirt, just as intended. The last thing I did was take the partially knotted red tie and leave it loose under the collar of the shirt, I took a deep breath, then looked in the mirror. With the clothes on, I thought I looked pretty good. I would let the expression on Zee's face tell me for sure though, as to me that would give me the little boost to my ego that I'd need to make it through the party.

I grabbed the glossy black heels I had chosen and walked back to the chaise. I perched at the end and slipped them on, and I was ready. I just hoped that Zee liked the outfit, because I'd wear it over and over for her if that was the case. There was a knock at the door soon afterwards, just to make my heart race in anticipation.

To my surprise, it was Hollie who stuck her head in. "Wow!" she exclaimed, "I didn't know you were getting all dressed up! Looking good, mom!"

I gave her a tentative smile, then did a little spin. "Your sisters decided I needed to dress up since I'm single now. You don't think it's too much?"

"No way, you look amazing! Are you going to bring anyone home tonight?" She gave me a little wink, and I felt a wave of guilt for hiding what was happening with Zee. But if things went well, that would change in under a month when they were back for their Thanksgiving break.

"No, I don't think I'll be looking for anyone new tonight. But I don't mind dressing up and making a change to things." I gave her a shrug, and then walked closer. "Did you need some help?"

"Yes please. Can you please help me with the straps on this?" She had a fake straight jacket on and was definitely going for the escaped asylum patient look. She had a dusting of white powder on her face and wild looking hair to go with it.

"Of course." I started lacing her up, but not too tightly. I didn't want her to get hurt. "Are you going to have someone feeding you snacks all night?"

"Zee said she would. I should be all set." I smiled at the thought of Zee doing that, and I knew she was already doing her best to get on Hollie's good side so we could make things official.

"She seems like a good person," I pointed out. "Did she tell you I'm bringing her on as an intern?"

"Yes! She told me. You're the best mom in the world. I knew you'd help her out. She's been a good friend since I got there. Do you think she could come back for Thanksgiving too?"

I nodded quickly. "I already invited her. Christmas too since she didn't seem to have anywhere else to go. I didn't ask anything about her family, but she's welcome here any time. I'm not sure about Raquel though."

Hollie looked out my door to make sure nobody was about. "No, not Raquel. She's way too mean, and nobody likes her. If we didn't need her car to get here this weekend, she wouldn't have been here, but Denique was headed back to Jacksonville, so we were desperate."

"I was thinking, if you wanted, Zee could drive your car back to campus with you, then the two of you would have a way to get around up there. I know Tallahassee is pretty sprawling." This would be a good test to see how much Hollie liked Zee, so I hoped she'd say yes.

Indeed, she went stock still, looking at me with her jaw slack for a moment before she started nodding. "That would be perfect! Oh man, right now we have to beg for rides any time we go somewhere that needs more than Zee's motorcycle, and it would give us so much more freedom!"

"Then that is precisely what we'll do," I assured her. "Has everything else been good up there?"

"Yeah, it really has. Denique is a sweetie, and so is Zee. Classes have been good, no asshole professors, just some strict ones. I have a new sister, my mom has smiled more this weekend than I can remember, and I'm going to a fun party tonight!"

Yeah, I had been smiling a lot, I couldn't deny that. A daily allowance of orgasms and Zee's nipples in my mouth might have something to do with that! "I'm glad, honey. It was scary dropping you off, so seeing you happy there makes me feel better."

"I am, I promise. Now let me go check on Gracie and Jay." Did I smile that she had her own nickname for Jashanna, much like Gracie did? Yeah, maybe. But I guess that Jashanna had been with us as a friend and virtual family member so long that there had been no hesitation in accepting her. We loved her already, so to us she was always family.

Could I get there with someone else? Could it be Zee? Was I still thinking with the wrong part of my body? I really needed to be smart about this, but every time I got near her it seemed harder and harder. But part of that was because I kept finding more good qualities to draw me closer, so maybe that was a good thing?

Another knock sounded with Hollie headed upstairs, and this time it was Zee who stuck her head around the door. My ego flexed a little when her mouth dropped open and her eyes widened, and then I watched those lovely brown orbs run up and down my body in appreciation. Yeah, I didn't need to look at a mirror if Zee was around, she'd tell me all I needed to know.

"Damn, Demi. You really look stunning! Please tell me that is your normal work outfit so I can see you wearing it to the office!" Then she came around the door and it was my turn to have my eyes open wide.

"Holy shit, baby!" I moaned as I drank in the sight of her. She was wearing a volleyball outfit with a bold YMCA logo, one that was much too small for her, with a pair of booty shorts so tight that they could have been another layer of skin and a pair of knee pads that made me want to see her kneeling in front of me. "Fuck, you look so good!"

She blushed and looked down shyly. "I didn't have a real costume, but I've used this for the last few years. I played volleyball in a YMCA summer league down in Fort Lauderdale. I know it's boring, but it was free and I'm on a budget."

And here I had just told her I didn't want there to be a power imbalance, and yet I wanted to spoil the hell out of her now. "Zee, you're gorgeous. You're going to have people all over you at the party, and I won't be able to blame them."

"I won't care about them, mommy. I just want to come back here with you and fall asleep in your arms again." She wrapped her arms around me and then kissed me on the cheek, so she didn't mess up my lipstick. "Plus, nobody will even look at me when they see you. You're going to have everyone on their knees for you."

"You're the only one I want on their knees, sweet girl. You even have the kneepads on." I reached down, giving her ass a little smack over the booty shorts.

She leaned in closer, nipping at my ear. "I could do that for you. Just hike up that skirt and I'll be your willing girl for the night."

"Mmmm, but I thought you were trying to be naughty tonight?" I pointed out.

She giggled, her breasts straining at her little tank top against me. "Can I be both? Maybe after a few spanks I'll be good again."

"You're killing me, you know that, right?" I sighed happily as our bodies stayed pressed together. "I think it's been so long since I felt anything this good, and I can't think clearly around you."

"Good. Don't. My brain is a mess near you too. We can just be hopelessly happy together and then let everything fall into place."

"You think it's that easy?"

"Why not?" she asked. "We're both single, we obviously have amazing sex, we both like each other, and I know I respect the hell out of the job you've done raising your girls. Maybe we keep finding out good things about ourselves, and we just keep being happy. We don't have to overcomplicate things."

I liked that scenario. I had no idea if it was possible, but maybe it could happen. "Let's see how things go. I still think if we feel the same way at Thanksgiving break, and Hollie is on board with it, then we can give us a chance and make it official, okay? I really want to try this."

"Yeah, okay!" She gave me one more kiss before I realized the time.

"Come on. Let's grab everyone and head over to the party. We're already going to be fashionably late." We headed out to the living room where I yelled up the stairs for everyone else, and they all came down in a thundering herd, except for Hollie who walked slowly on the stairs since she was still wrapped up. It was also my first chance to see Raquel's outfit, which was a pretty standard werewolf mask and nothing else. Jashanna and Gracie had gone with a couple's outfit of Adora and Catra from She-Ra and looked adorable together.

"Woo hoo! Let's go!" Hollie cheered. "Zee, you better feed me some of their cupcakes, those are always the best."

We all snickered at her enthusiasm, but it wasn't misplaced. Deb Marshall was a great cook, and the cupcakes were always amazing. The pack of us walked next door, where we could already hear the spooky groans and screams from the soundtrack they were playing over the party. I rang the doorbell with everyone huddled around us, though Zee's hand was under my skirt and on my ass while we waited for it to be opened.

Larry and Deb were empty nesters maybe twenty years older than I was, and they loved these parties to have people over. Larry was balding and had a little paunch but had a very cool zombie outfit going when he opened the door for us.

"Hey Demi! Hey girls!" he said happily. "It looks like you brought the whole gang!"

"Yeah, sorry we were a little late, there were a lot of costumes to get ready," I apologized quickly. I didn't feel the need to mention the embrace that may have delayed me too.

"Oh, no need to worry. You were already well represented. Your husband got here about half an hour ago." Larry wandered into the house, leaving me stopped dead in my tracks.

"My what now?"