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"Serious," Rose said. "More than I've been with

anyone else."

"How much more?" Cinnamon pursued. "More," Rose said.

They eyed each other for a moment, and then

Cinnamon folded her lips into a knowing smile and

nodded, after which she turned to me.

"I know Honey's got someone." Cinnamon said.

"She put his picture out pretty quickly. What about

you. Ice?"

She shook her head.

"Looks like you and I will be on the prowl

then," she told her, and Ice smiled. "Not that we need

any commitments," she added. "I don't mind being

compared to a nun in terms of my dedication to my

efforts to develop my talents, but chastity is asking a

little too much."

Rose laughed.

"It's a bit late for it anyway." Cinnamon

revealed. I felt myself blush. Ice's eyes seemed to

illuminate. Cinnamon gazed at all of us.

"I'm not the only one here. am I. girls?" Rose didn't hold her gaze.

"That's what I thought. Rose." She looked at

me. I shook my head and Ice did the same.

"Well, we're evenly matched, virgins against

fallen women," Cinnamon said. "Although," she

continued, her eyes distant. .'when I made love with

my boyfriend, we were in one of those illusions

Madame Senetsky would permit. We were playing the

roles of the spirits in my house."

"Spirits?" Ice asked, her eves narrowing with a