“I’d like to visit you, sometime,” Linda said in a voice barely louder than the gentle surf.

“I’d like that very much,” Marissa answered.

She didn’t feel bold. She looked into Linda’s eyes and didn’t feel as if all Linda saw was her breasts. She didn’t feel like she was convenient nor that she was supposed to be grateful.

She felt wonderful.

Linda kissed her and she felt perfect.

Their lips made the same sound as the lazy surf washing over the soft, yielding sand. Linda made a noise, something Marissa could only define as pleased surprise, and Marissa found herself tipping her head so that Linda could pull her close.

The kiss softened in pressure but increased in sensual abandon. Marissa rubbed her lips against Linda’s as their breathing fell into close rhythm. Linda made that noise again and let Marissa go, her lips curving in a full, wide smile.

She said only, “Wow,” before she took Marissa’s hand and led her along the wet sand.

Marissa kicked the water, letting it rush through her toes. Why she felt so innocent when she was having such carnal thoughts she didn’t know but she wasn’t going to explore that conflict right now. Right now, she was going to hold Linda’s hand and let anything and everything happen.

“I might not be able to visit for a while.”

“I still don’t know much about you,” Marissa pointed out. “You’ve never said what it is you do.”

“I don’t have to work.” Linda’s hand tightened around Marissa’s in a rare show of tension.

Marissa wanted to ask more questions but couldn’t bear the thought of endangering the fragile connection that finally seemed to be emerging. “I gave you all my contact information. It’s unlikely I’ll be anywhere else for the next few months.”

Linda’s hand relaxed and Marissa wondered what the secret was. A mob boss’s daughter? Royalty run away from an arranged marriage? You’ve watched too much cable television, she chided herself.

“I won’t lose it,” Linda said quietly. She squeezed Marissa’s fingers, turning them to face each other.

Marissa felt gathered up and completely enfolded in Linda’s arms as she arched into Linda’s embrace. Let the moon be the witness, she thought, as Linda’s mouth found hers again. I love how she makes me feel and I can handle it if tonight is all there ever is.

She hoped she wasn’t lying to herself.

Linda’s fingers moved playfully up Marissa’s ribs. “You’re a good sport, Marissa. Thank you for this week.”

“I don’t want to be a good sport.” A little laugh escaped her. “I want to be Ginger. Just for tonight.”

“Helpless?”

Marissa shook her head. “Irresistible.”

“I’m having a very hard time resisting you,” Linda murmured.

“Why are you even trying?” Up on her tiptoes, Marissa pressed her lips to Linda’s, trying not to moan and failing within moments.

Linda made a low, almost growling noise and the playful hands turned forceful, pulling Marissa’s hips against her even as she tipped Marissa’s head back with the force of her kiss. “I wasn’t sure what you wanted.”