Marissa shuddered as Linda’s hand finally slipped between her legs. “Oh, yes, there.”

“That’s right,” Linda said. “There.”

Marissa didn’t think even that magic night in Tahiti she had been as aroused and as aware of her own surrender to Linda’s sensuality. Linda moved inside her so easily at first, but those caresses grew more firm with each stroke. Linda was fully on top of her now, straddling one leg as her palm massaged outside and fingers pleasured inside, deep inside.

Her arms suddenly limp, Marissa felt like the warm surf spreading in the sun over welcoming sand. She was tensing and melting at the same time, her body anchored to the bed by Linda’s while her mind soared and danced, held up by Linda’s whispers of adoration and desire.

“Open your eyes, Marissa, please.”

She managed, somehow, trembling on the edge of a feeling so unknown she feared she would shake apart. She saw those shining brown eyes, full of passion and tenderness. She looked deep and saw herself, the woman she was, captured there.

Linda was flushed and panting. “That’s right. Hold on and we’ll fly together. I’m here and I love you and—yes. God, yes.”

Release was so powerful, so intense, that Marissa burst into tears as her hips convulsed under Linda’s. She let go of the last of her hurt and the empty places it left were filled again with a brimming joy.

There were more tears after that, tears of wonder, of forgiveness and ecstasy. They gave way to laughter cut short by moans. Later, exhausted, Marissa marveled that her own hands could bring so much pleasure to someone else.

In her head she heard her own voice saying, “We believe in love. We believe in romance. We believe in first meetings, second dates, third anniversaries and relationships that can last a lifetime.”

Aloud, she said, “I believe.”

Linda heaved a deep sigh. “In what?”

She managed to rise onto one elbow, which allowed her to gaze into Linda’s face. “No losers, no weepers.”

“Not here,” Linda said. “Not anymore.”

***

“I think we can find the one hundred,” Marissa murmured, spooned close behind Linda.

“Hmm? What’s that?” The curve of Marissa’s arm over her ribs was warm and safe. Sleep beckoned insistently. To call it a full night of meaningful sex was no exaggeration.

“Compatibility score. We don’t know what ours is.”

“Don’t we?” Okay, Linda thought sleepily, she likes to talk after sex. I can get used to that.

After a sigh, Marissa said, “I think my very human computer does know, you’re right.” She snuggled closer. She sighed again, sounding drowsy. “My heart knows our score.”

“So does mine. Thank you.”

“For what?”

Linda rolled over so she could kiss Marissa one more time. The lights were now out but the glow of her hair and body were still palpable. “For tomorrow.”

Marissa kissed her back and burrowed her head into the hollow between Linda’s neck and shoulder. “And the day after that. All yours . . .”