When she could eventually move her head, she lifted it just enough to meet Lou’s gaze.

“Incredible,” she murmured against Lou’s lips. “Just beyond everything I ever imagined.”

And Lou squeezed her close again, her mouth opening against Stephanie’s as their soft kiss became frantic and their desire flared hot again. Stephanie pushed Lou’s arms up above her head, pinned her to the bed, and kissed her hard. Lou groaned and squirmed beneath her, gasping out her need, which Stephanie obliged by slipping a finger slowly into Lou’s cunt. The wet heat that enveloped her left her breathless. She slowly fucked Lou, watching her face intently. Lou’s eyes were barely open, her cheeks flushed, beads of sweat on her brow. Stephanie leaned over to kiss her as she pushed a second finger deep inside.

“Oh God, yes.” Lou threw her head back. “Don’t stop…please…don’t stop.”

Stephanie fucked her harder and deeper and held her tight as she came. Lou slumped back on the bed beneath her, and Stephanie rested her head on Lou’s breasts.

They lay quietly, limbs askew, as Lou softly kissed her hair. Stephanie felt torn open, as if she were somehow starting life all over again with a whole new set of instructions. It was wonderful.

“I can’t believe how that felt,” she whispered eventually, and Lou smiled against her forehead. “You… God, just looking at you, I want to do all of that over and over again.” She reached for Lou’s nipple and stroked gently, almost involuntarily. She smiled as Lou moaned softly.

“So,” began Lou, hesitantly, “you might…um, might be interested in doing this again? I mean…not just a one-night stand?”

“Are you crazy? I could have a hundred nights of you, a thousand…” responded Stephanie without thinking, pressing closer to Lou to emphasise her feelings. And then she wondered if her words might be a bit too much too soon for her shy lover—lover—and raised her head to see if she needed to apologise, only to be met by a stunned but grinning Lou.

“Wow. I never… I couldn’t have imagined this would be possible after that time you shot me down.”

“Well, believe it now, please.” She raised her head a little more to look directly at Lou. “And before you ask, it’s not just about the incredible sex—I’m not just experimenting here, in case that’s what you’re worried about.” She saw the look of relief that quickly flashed across Lou’s face and reached up to kiss her. “Yes, I’ve been struggling with my sexuality for years, but this is all about you. I’ve felt really connected to you since the minute we met. It was part of the problem of coming to terms with this—realising that I could imagine something more with you. Maybe a…relationship. When we talk about music or cooking or any of the other non-work stuff, I just feel…I don’t know, just calm and relaxed and myself. You make me feel like me. The real me.”