Cautiously she follows them upstairs

Looking back like he was afraid she'd be running the opposite way Billy was gratified to see her coming up the stairs behind them, her eyes seemingly fastened on Carl's admittedly sculpted behind. He permitted a small smile to crack his face, but turned before she could see it.

They climbed the several stories to their apartment, spreading out in the main room to sit. Carl chose the couch, while Billy and Tyrone each took a chair, all of them well away from the door and putting a foot on the opposite knee. It was choreographed, in a way, giving her plenty of room in case she wanted to leave and the awkward pose making it obvious they wouldn't be able to surge to their feet.

Rachel hesitated in the doorway for a long time, looking around like she thought someone else might jump out of the shadows at her. Eying the three of them cautiously she eased into the room, slowly letting the door close, unlocked.

The four remained silent for a moment, Rachel not sure just where to go. Finally she took a deep steadying breath, and trying to hide her shaking hands brushed past the chair Billy sat in to sit on the couch a couple of feet from Carl.

Billy eyed her placement with a hint of a frown. He was happy she'd chosen to show them this much trust, her choice of sitting in their midst a sign that she was giving them a chance to prove themselves. It was gutsy, but he'd expected her to sit as far as she could from Carl. It was disturbing to realize that he was a little jealous of her apparent trust of the handsome black man.

"Rachel," he began gently, "I'd like to show you some things to explain. I'd have to go to the other room to get them, if that's okay?"

Rachel nodded, watching intently as he slowly raised himself. She had to know that if they wanted to they could overpower her almost instantly, but maybe her mind was shielding her from that knowledge.

With exagerated care he got to his feet and stepped around the chair on the side farthest from her, walking casually from the room.

He wasn't gone for more than fifteen awkward seconds, during which time her eyes darted from Carl to Tyrone, then back again. Carl's eyes seemed to glitter, his lips smile. She couldn't help but notice he seemed hard again, and gulped at the lusty feelings that rose within her.