Withdrawing her hand from the water, and from between Willow's legs, Mara stood from the side of the tub. "I'll put a fresh towel out for you, for when you're ready."
Willow nodded, her body glowing, her mind completely lost. She sat in silence, candles flicking to her left and right, the water turning now from warm to lukewarm. She leaned back one last time, her knees emerging from the water as she ran her hands over them, gazing down at her nipples, red from Mara's handling but no longer aching.
When she exited the bathroom she found Mara again at her desk, laptop open, busying herself in a spread sheet. Wearing the robe and the towel Mara had left for her, she stood briefly in the small living room of the tiny two-bedroom apartment.
"You'll have to bring clothes to leave here next time you come, dear." Mara said, not lifting her head from the computer screen. "Why don't you go straighten up Owen's room, and get dressed. I left your clothes in there, I'm afraid I don't really have anything much in your size you could borrow from me."
Willow was long past questioning any direction received from Mara and moved into Owen's room, straightening up, and practically remaking the bed. On Owen's beanbag she saw her jeans and top, her hoodie and bra neatly folded as Mara promised. As she draped her robe and towel over the bed, she paused, only then seeing for the first time panties that Mara had left.
"They're probably the smallest pair I have," Mara said, standing at the door, looking in on the naked Willow. "I thought you'd wear them." Willow turned wordlessly, facing Mara, who looked toward the younger girl with raised eyebrows. In Willow's hand, the panties Mara picked out, a deep burgundy satin cheeky, with lace in the front.
"Now, not sure I can tell you the last time I wore them." Mara laughed. "I definitely was going out whatever night that was," she continued. After a moment, Willow spoke in the quiet, almost whispered tone she had used all night.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome, love." Mara said again from the door, not breaking eye contact with the young girl. Almost as a cue, she again raised her eyebrows to the young girl. Willow saw it, blushed and looked down, then again meeting the older women with her eyes, stepped one leg, then the other the panties.