Madison held her even tighter and hoped not to hurt her in the process. Maybe a part of her was afraid Sherry would leave if she didn’t hold her close enough. “I’m not good at this.”

“I remember you telling me that before, but what exactly is this?”

Madison hid her face in Sherry’s neck. “Feelings,” she mumbled.

Goose bumps formed under Madison’s lips, and she forced herself to withdraw. It hadn’t been her intention to make Sherry uncomfortable.

“What are you feeling?” Sherry asked so quietly that Madison had to strain to hear her.

Their faces were so close they were breathing the same air.

Even if she had wanted to, she was unable to hold herself back. She closed the distance between them and gave Sherry a featherlight kiss on her lips.

Sherry didn’t move for a few heartbeats, then curved her hands around the back of Madison’s head to pull her even closer.

What did it mean? Madison gave up on trying to find an answer to the question, preferring to focus on the gentle contact.

She could have continued this almost-chaste kiss forever, but then Sherry flicked her tongue across Madison’s lips.

Moaning, Madison opened her mouth willingly and was rewarded with Sherry’s hesitant tongue flickering past her lips. Her whole body prickled in the most pleasant way, and her heart warmed from the inside out.

Sherry’s kiss was neither possessive nor overly passionate; it was full of exploration.

She’s kissing me! And this time, it was no dream.

Eventually, they broke the kiss. Madison leaned her forehead against Sherry’s. Both were breathing heavily.

Madison couldn’t stop the words tumbling out of her. “I don’t want you to go. You and Jake… I want you to stay.”

“But your grandmother—?”

“I don’t care what she wants. I don’t care about anything as long as you don’t leave me.”

Sherry was quiet. She didn’t even seem to breathe.

“Tell me you’ll stay. Please.” Never in her life had she spoken in such a pleading tone. But never had she been so desperate for something—for someone.

It seemed to take forever until Sherry nodded and kissed her again.

This kiss had nothing in common with the other one. It was passionate. Wild. Sherry pushed Madison back until she lay flat on her back with Sherry on top of her.

To feel Sherry pressing her down while they kissed was like nothing else. Madison was electrified, and she felt a surge between her legs. Heterosexual? Ha, I don’t think so! Sherry seemed to know exactly what she was doing.

“I’ll stay,” Sherry whispered against her lips and then stood.

Madison missed her warmth instantly and wanted to pull her back, but Sherry picked up her pillow and took Madison’s hand.