“You’re doing great,” she murmured into the cotton of Nora’s dress. She got no reply, but she didn’t need one; she knew everything she needed to know by the beating of Nora’s heart. She wasn’t the only one feeling things she shouldn’t.

The last notes of the song faded away, and their bodies stilled. Finally, Mary said, “I think I’ll take that coffee now.”

“Right.” Nora backed away and tucked a strand of loose hair behind her left ear.

Mary noted that her hands were shaking. She memorized the way Nora moved as she walked into the kitchen; her eyes trailed down Nora’s back to her buttocks as she reached for two cups from the cupboard and poured the coffee. Unable to stop herself, she came up behind her and ran her hands along Nora’s sides. When Nora turned, her face was flushed, and her lips were parted.

Mary traced Nora’s lips with her fingers. Her eyes opened wider, but she made no move to stop her. That was all the invitation required. If this is wrong, I don’t want to be right. Mary pushed up on tiptoes, wrapped her fingers in luxurious blond locks, and pulled Nora’s mouth down to meet hers.

“Wait. I’m not sure…”

Mary persisted, and any resistance fell away.

Nora’s lips were soft and tasted sweet, like strawberry pie. She pushed further, wanting more, and Nora responded in kind. When their tongues collided, it was like fireworks on the Fourth of July. They melted together, their mouths moving in perfect, breathless synchrony. How can something so wrong feel this good?

She lost all track of time, for in this moment, in this place, time ceased to exist. Vaguely, she was aware of the two of them gliding across the floor and into the bedroom, their hands and bodies moving of their own volition. “Wait!”

Nora blinked and stepped back. “You’re right. This is… I’m not sure what this is, honestly.”

Mary bit her lip. In the past, when she’d envisioned losing her virginity, it scared her. Now… “I’m not sure what it is, either. I only know that I want this, whatever this is. I really, really want this.” She moved back into Nora’s embrace, and with a shaky hand, ran her fingers over sensitive skin.

Nora gasped and closed her eyes. “God help me, I want this too.”

“I don’t know what to do; I’ve never done this before.”

“I don’t either. Are you certain this is what you want?” Nora’s eyes searched hers.

“I’m more certain of this than my own name.”

“Okay, then. We’ll learn together.” Nora’s fingers trembled as she unzipped Mary’s dress and slid it off her shoulders.