I'm Roh/26 yrs @pinkthrone445 - Tumblr Blog

miss pinkthrone445 i need to say i am so invested in practical magic i have a request about this story if you’re willing to. i’d love to see melissa as a bottom if there is a smut, in my mind melissa would be perfect for the reader and i’d love to see gaia calling melissa mother too, can be in a few years if you think it’s too soon but it would be adorable

~The Practical Thing~ Part 4

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

Pairing:Melissa Schemmenti x Reader

Gender:Fluff, Smut

Warnings:⚠️ALL OF THEM⚠️ strap on, insults, detailed sex, degradation, praise kink, oral(Mel receiving), nudity, all of that.

Summary:your push the redhead until the point where she can't hide her feelings for you anymore.

AU:Thanks for the request! I hope you love it! I couldn't add the Gaia part but I will put it on the next part because this one became too long 😅 and I want to add a sweet long scene on the next one.

And by the way my name is Roh 😅 Miss remind me when I had to teach and made me feel old hahaha.

If you want amazing Melisa's gifs like this one, go to @babytakeittothehead!

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After all the mess that happened in the morning, Melissa went to school with Gaia and you got ready for your first day at work.

After a few hours of work and getting used to the new kitchen in the hospital, you went to have lunch, you were sitting on the dining table when your screen light up with the name "Lisa ❤️" on it. You pick it up smiling

-"Hello gorgeous" - you said and hear a little strangled noise on the other side, she cleared her throat

-"Hey..."-she was nervous, you could tell even on the phone

-"Hey..."-you repeated smiling more

-"Hey..."-she said again and you laughed

-"Is everything okey Lisa?" - you asked

-"Yes... I just wanted to know how is your first day going?" - she asked and you leaned back in your chair, smile curling wider as you balanced the phone between your ear and shoulder.

Around you, the hospital cafeteria buzzed with the usual lunchtime chaos. Trays clattered. Someone laughed too loudly near the vending machines. A tired-looking nurse was aggressively negotiating custody of the last blueberry muffin. And somehow, with Melissa’s voice in your ear, all of it blurred into harmless background static

-“It’s good”- you said softly- “Busy. The kitchen’s bigger than I expected. Everyone moves like they’re in some kind of culinary military operation"- That earned a quiet laugh from her. The sound did ridiculous things to your insides.

-“I imagine you’re adapting suspiciously well"-she said and you smiled.

-“I’m charming them through fear"-you joked

-“I’m sure"-There was a pause. Not awkward. Just full. You could picture her perfectly. Probably sitting at her desk after lunch break, one hand tucked under her chin, cheeks pink for absolutely no reason except that she was talking to you. The thought warmed you.

Then her voice came again, gentler this time-“And… are you okay?”-That made you blink.

The question was so simple. So Melissa. Not How’s work? Not Did you make a good impression? Just: Are you okay? Like what mattered was whether the day had been kind to you.

You smiled slowly-“Yeah, Lisa"-A tiny exhale of relief crackled through the speaker. Good. Then, because you were constitutionally incapable of letting her stay comfortable for too long, your grin sharpened-“You miss me already?”-The line went very, very quiet.

-“…No.”-Too fast. You laughed immediately.

-“That was the least convincing lie I’ve ever heard"-you teased

-“I do not lie"-she replied

-“You absolutely just did"-

-“I was pausing thoughtfully"-

-“You panicked"-

-“I did not panic"-she sounded offended

-“Lisa, I could hear your blush"-That got her. A soft, strangled little noise came through the phone, followed by silence that absolutely reeked of red cheeks and internal screaming. You were grinning so hard your face hurt.

Finally, Melissa spoke again, voice smaller now-“…Maybe a little"-The words landed warm in your chest. For a second, you forgot to tease. Forgot the cafeteria, forgot your lunch, forgot everything except the quiet honesty of her voice.

Your smile softened.

-“Well"- you said gently-“that’s good...-You looked down at the hospital badge hanging around your neck. At the half-eaten lunch in front of you.

At your phone, where her name glowed with that ridiculous little heart you’d shamelessly added this morning while she’d been upstairs getting dressed. And your chest tightened with something sweet and terrifying-“Because I miss you too..."-Silence. Not empty silence. The kind that happens when something true lands and both people feel it.

When Melissa finally spoke, her voice was so soft you almost missed it-“You do?”-You smiled helplessly.

-“Lisa" -That was all it took. You heard her sharp little inhale. The one she always made when you said her name like that.

Then, very quietly, like she was confessing something to herself as much as to you, she said-“I’ve checked my phone six times hoping you’d text.”-Your heart did an undignified little somersault. You laughed under your breath.

-“That’s deeply adorable"-you bit your lip playing with your badge

-“Please never say that out loud"-she said embarrassed and you laughed-"You know... They invited me for a few drinks tonight" - she said and you nodded even if she couldn't see you

-"Gaia is staying at her friend tonight, she has a pijama party" - you coment - "Can I sleep on your bed tonight while you are out?" - you teased, you loved her bed way more than yours and it smell like her-"So I can catch up with the rookie on your tv" - you lied about the reason

-"No" - she said sharp and for a moment you thought your forwardness made her upset-"Because you are coming with us" - she said surprising you

-"Lisa... They are your coworkers and friends, I don't think they want to go with a student's mom" - you said softly

-"They are all going with their dates, and you are not a student's mom, you are my date tonight"-she said before she could realize the way that she had said it. For a second, you forgot how words worked. The hospital hallway blurred around you. Nurses passed. Phones rang somewhere down the corridor. Someone rolled a rattling supply cart by. And all of it faded beneath the quiet, impossible weight of what she’d just said.

"You will be my date tonight". Not come along if you want. Not it’d be easier if you were there. Not even they said I could bring someone. Your date. Your heart kicked hard enough to hurt.

On the other end of the line, Melissa had gone very still. Like now that the words were out there, she was bracing for them to land badly.

You could picture her perfectly. Standing in her classroom, one hand tight around her phone, cheeks burning, trying to look composed while internally preparing for death. The thought made your smile bloom helplessly across your face.

-“Lisa"-That sharp inhale again. The one you were rapidly becoming addicted to. When she answered, her voice had gone smaller.

-“Yeah?”-You leaned against the chair, grinning like an idiot.

-“That was painfully smooth"-Silence for a moment.

-“What?”-she asked

-“You asking me out"-A strangled little noise. Then the immediate panic.

-“I wasn’t trying to be smooth"-she said nervously

-“Which somehow makes it smoother"-you replied

-“I hate talking to you"-You laughed.

-“No, you don’t"-Her silence said everything. Warmth unfurled through your chest. Then, softer, because teasing only got you so far before honesty demanded its turn-“You really want me there?”-The question lingered. Melissa didn’t answer immediately. And when she finally did, her voice was quiet enough that you almost missed it

-“Yes"-Just that. Simple. Certain. And somehow more intimate than any flirting. You closed your eyes for half a second, letting that settle somewhere deep. Then your smile sharpened.

-“Well..."-You said, Melissa audibly braced herself.

-“What?"-

You lowered your voice, letting a little trouble curl through it-“If I’m your date tonight…”-The line went completely silent. You could practically hear her blushing-“…then I’m wearing that black dress"-The sound she made belonged in a museum archive under Catastrophic Nervous System Failure. You bit your lip to keep from laughing. When she finally managed words, they came out embarrassingly high-pitched.

-“The one with the slit?”-You froze. Then grinned wickedly.

-“You remember the slit?”-Absolute silence.And then, very faintly:

-“…I have eyes"-she murmured. That did it. You laughed so hard you had to brace yourself against the table.

-“Lisa"-you whispered between laughs

-“Stop saying my name like that"-she said between her teeth.

-“Like what?”-you said flirting softly.

-“You know exactly what"-You absolutely did. And apparently she knew you knew, which somehow made everything hotter. You let her suffer for exactly two seconds before softening again.

-“I’ll wear it"-you said and hear another sharp inhale. You could practically see her grip tightening on the phone.

Then, because Melissa apparently had decided courage was a renewable resource today, her voice dropped low and careful-“Good"-The single word hit like a hand at your waist. Your smile vanished. Replaced by something warmer. Hungrier. Interesting. Melissa must have realized what she’d done because she immediately rushed on, flustered again-“I mean, not because of the slit. Obviously. You just look very nice in black. Professionally speaking"-You burst out laughing again.

-“Professionally?"-you teased

-“Yes"-she replied quickly

-“That’s fascinating, because the way you’re breathing right now sounds wildly unprofessional"-The tiny gasp she gave you was criminally satisfying. And then, to your delight, you heard Gaia in the background.

-“Mel! Are you talking to Mama?”-Melissa immediately panicked.

-“No"-she replied, too quickly, Gaia’s voice sharpened with six-year-old suspicion.

-“You’re doing the voice"-she pointed at the redhead. You nearly choked trying not to laugh.

-“What voice?”-Melissa hissed.

-“The one where you sound all weird and smiley"-

-“I do not have a weird smiley voice"-she answered back

-“You do when Mama flirts with you"-There was the unmistakable sound of frantic scrambling. Probably Melissa trying to cover the phone while Gaia pursued the truth like an investigative journalist. Then Melissa came back breathless and mortified.

-“She’s impossible"-You smiled so hard your cheeks hurt.

-“She gets that from me"-you replied

-“Yes"- Melissa said dryly-“That’s exactly what terrifies me"-You laughed again, warm and helpless. Then your lunch break alarm buzzed from your phone. Reality. Cruel, inconvenient reality. You sighed.

-“Duty calls"-you informed, Melissa’s voice softened immediately.

-“Go. Don’t let me distract you"-Too late for that. Still, you stood and gathered your tray. Then paused. A reckless little smile tugged at your mouth.

-“Hey, Lisa?”-

-“Yes?”-You lowered your voice just enough to make it intimate. The kind of voice that always ruined her

-“Try not to miss me too much. I need you functional enough to kiss later"- The sound she made could have powered small cities-“Lisa...?”-you asked again

-“Goodbye"-she said sharply

-“Wait, sweetheart, I still need details"-you laughed

-“Seven o’clock. Be ready"-she was nervous and replying fast and dry now

-“Will there be kissing?”-you teased. The line disconnected instantly. You stared at your phone for half a second. Then burst out laughing right there in the middle of the hospital cafeteria.

And somewhere across town, you knew with absolute certainty that Melissa was blushing so hard she was probably visible from space.

After your day at work, you picked Gaia up from school while Melissa was trapped in one of those endless teacher-principal conferences that always could have been an email.

You got your daughter ready for the pajama party, double-checked the overnight bag, listened to an extremely serious explanation about which stuffed animal was emotionally qualified to attend, and finally dropped her off at her friend’s house.

By the time you got home, your stomach was fizzing with nerves. The house was quiet. Too quiet. No Gaia singing nonsense songs from upstairs. No Melissa moving around in the kitchen. Just stillness and the low hum of anticipation hanging in the air like static before a storm.

You showered longer than necessary, letting the hot water beat against your skin while your thoughts spun in useless circles. This was ridiculous.

You were a grown woman, you had dates before. Obviusly, you didn't got pregnant by the holy spirit.

Besides it was Melissa. Melissa who corrected people’s grammar under her breath. Melissa who color-coded grocery lists. Melissa who got flustered if you looked at her too long while she was making coffee.

And somehow the thought of her taking you out tonight had your pulse behaving like it had recently escaped prison.

When you finally stepped out, wrapped in a towel, your eyes landed on the black dress hanging from your closet. The dress. The one with the slit. The one she’d remembered. Your face heated instantly.

-“Dangerous woman"-you muttered, getting dressed.

The fabric slid over your skin like ink. Smooth and cool and sharp in all the right ways. You styled your hair, kept your makeup soft but deliberate, then stood in front of the mirror for a long second just looking at yourself.

You looked good. Confident. Beautiful, even.

The realization settled warm in your chest.

And then you heard the door at Melissa’s room open. She had arrived while you showered. Your stomach dropped. Melissa was home.

You heard her heels click softly across the floor.

A pause. Then silence. Probably her realizing your room door was closed and that if she knocked, this would officially become real.

You smiled to yourself. Cute. Very cute. Right on cue, your phone buzzed. "Lisa ❤️" You answered immediately.

-“Chicken"-you murmured. A strangled sound came through the speaker.

-“I am not a chicken"-You grinned.

-“You’re standing outside my door calling me instead of knocking like a Victorian suitor"-Silence.

-“How did you know I was outside your door?”-she asked mortified.

-“You breathe louder when you’re nervous"-The indignant gasp she gave you was deeply satisfying.

-“Open the door"-she said softly. A beat. Then a knock. You crossed the room, pulse racing, and opened it. And forgot every coherent thought you’d ever had. Melissa stood there, hand half-raised from knocking.

God.

She was wearing deep green, it matched her eyes. Simple, elegant, devastating.

The fitted blouse traced every graceful line of her body. Her leather jacket on, matching her eyeliner. Her hair was down in soft waves, her lipstick darker than usual, her cheeks already faintly pink.

And she was staring at you. Not politely. Not academically. Staring. Her eyes dragged helplessly down the length of your body, catching on the slit of the dress before rising again. Her breath caught. Neither of you spoke. You leaned lightly against the doorframe, smiling slow.

-“Well?”-Melissa blinked. Opened her mouth. Closed it.

-“The slit"-she finally said and you laughed. That seemed to restart her brain enough for mortification to flood her face-“Oh my God, that is not what I meant to say"-Your grin widened.

-“No? Sounded important"-you teased

-“It is not important"-she quickly replied

-“Lisa, you brought it up"-Her entire face turned scarlet. You were enjoying this far too much.

Then, to your surprise, something shifted in her expression. The embarrassment remained. But beneath it, there was resolve. Melissa stepped forward.

Close enough that her perfume wrapped around you, soft and expensive and hers. Her fingers rose slowly to your bare shoulder, brushing your skin with featherlight certainty. The touch sent heat spiraling down your spine. When she spoke, her voice was low and steady.

-“I was nervous all day"-That stole your smile. Her eyes held yours-“I kept thinking about tonight. About seeing you in this dress. About taking you out and introducing you as mine"-Your breath caught sharply. Melissa’s own cheeks deepened, but she didn’t look away. Brave girl-“I know this is new"-she whispered-“And I know we’re figuring it out"-Her thumb stroked once over your shoulder-“But I want to do this right"-Something warm and dangerous bloomed in your chest. You reached up, catching her wrist gently.

-“Lisa"-That little inhale. Her favorite weakness. You smiled softly-“You already are"- Her face melted into something helpless and relieved and so tender it nearly ruined you. Then she smiled. Small. Real.

And because apparently she’d decided courage was her personality now, she leaned in and kissed you. Slowly. Deliberately. The kind of kiss that tasted like promise. When she pulled back, her forehead rested lightly against yours.

-“Ready for our date?”-she whispered. You smiled against her mouth.

-“Very"-you kissed her one more time, briefly, trying not to mess her lipstick, a bunch of careful little kisses.

When you arrived at the bar almost everyone else was already there, your hand was tightly grabbing the redhead's, all the teachers and their respective partners where there, sitting together, chatting happily. Melissa’s hand tightened around yours as you stepped inside. Not enough to hurt. Just enough to betray her nerves.

The bar was warm and low-lit, all amber lamps and polished wood and the easy hum of Friday-night conversation. Somewhere near the back, a lazy jazz playlist drifted through the room while glasses clinked and people laughed over each other’s stories.

And there they were. A long booth with many tables near the windows, crowded with teachers and their dates.

Ava spotted you first. Naturally. Her entire face lit up with the unholy delight of a woman who had waited months for this exact moment.

She shot to her feet so fast her chair scraped loudly against the floor.

-“Well, well, well"-she announced to the entire table, loud enough that half the bar probably learned Melissa had a love life. Every head turned. Melissa visibly considered death. You squeezed her hand reassuringly. Ava’s grin widened to dangerous levels-“Look who finally stopped emotionally slow-cooking each other"-Several people laughed.

Melissa made a sound of pure suffering and tried to hide behind your shoulder. You almost laughed at that. The woman had spent all week teaching thirty children and terrifying substitute teachers with a single look, but one mildly feral colleague mentioned you and suddenly she was defenseless. Cute. Very cute.

Ava swept dramatically toward the two of you, eyes sparkling as she took in your black dress and Melissa’s very obvious inability to stop staring at you. Then she gasped theatrically.

-“The slit"-Melissa actually choked. You burst out laughing.

-“Oh good"- you said brightly -“so she’s been talking about it"-

-“She absolutely has"-Barbara said

“BARB! You are supposed to be on our side"-The shriek that escaped Melissa made nearby patrons glance over. Ava looked delighted.

-“You should’ve heard her this afternoon. ‘Do you think black is too much? What if she wears the dress? What if she looks beautiful and I perish in public?’”-Ava imitated the redhead's voice.

You turned slowly to Melissa. The poor woman looked seconds from spontaneous combustion. Your smile softened-“She said that?”-Melissa covered her face with her free hand.

-“I’m transferring schools"-she murmured. You laughed helplessly and tugged her hand, gently pulling her closer until your shoulders brushed.

Then, because she looked so adorably wrecked you couldn’t resist, you leaned up and kissed her cheek. Right there in front of everyone. Melissa froze. Her entire body short-circuited.

The table erupted. Actual cheers. Someone wolf-whistled. Ava clutched her chest like she was witnessing fine art.

And Melissa… God. Her face. Red from throat to hairline, eyes wide, completely stunned by the casual public affection. You smiled against her skin before pulling back.

-“There"-you murmured for only her to hear-“Now they know you’re taken"-The effect was immediate. Melissa blinked at you.

Something shifted behind the embarrassment. A spark. A quiet little straighten of her spine. And then, to your utter delight, she turned her head and kissed you properly. Not your cheek. Not a flustered peck. Your mouth. Slow enough to make your pulse jump. Certain enough to make the whole table lose their collective minds.

Your hands went to her waist pulling her closer and her manicured hand went to the back of your neck.

When she pulled back, her lipstick was slightly smudged and her expression held the faintest edge of triumph. The look she gave you practically purred: two can play this game.

Your stomach dropped pleasantly.

Janine was screaming. Not metaphorically. Actually screaming into her boyfriend’s shoulder-“I HAVE WAITED HALF A YEAR FOR THIS"- Melissa ignored her. Her eyes stayed on yours. And then, still pink-cheeked but suddenly bold in a way that made heat curl low in your stomach, she brushed her thumb over your knuckles and said quietly-“Come sit with me"-Not us. Not the group. With me. Like there had ever been any doubt where you belonged tonight.

You let her lead you to the table, her hand still wrapped securely around yours. And she let you enter the booth, siting by your side on the edge of it, leaning close enough that her knee pressed warm and deliberate against yours under the table, you realized something quietly wonderful.

Melissa might still blush like a Victorian heroine every time you flirted. But apparently, once she decided something was hers, she had absolutely no intention of letting go.

After a few drinks and minutes talking to the others, Jacob arrived with her brother Caleb, you didn't knew them much, but you knew they used to live in Melissa’s house. You liked that, you wanted to be very friendly with them and share funy stories of living with the redhead, that was until Caleb went straight to her, hugged her from her waist tightly, more than necessary, saying-"How are you, baby girl? I missed you so much"-You were not a jealous person without reason, but you were posesive, and that bother you more than it should. The shift in your mood was instant. Sharp as a paper cut.

One second you were half-listening to Ava tell some ridiculous story about a substitute teacher who’d accidentally locked himself in the supply closet, Melissa’s knee warm against yours under the table, your fingers lazily tracing circles against the back of her hand.

The next, Caleb had crossed the room. And wrapped his arms around her. Too familiar. Too easy. Too practiced. “Baby girl, missed you so much."

The words landed wrong. Not because they were obscene. Not because Melissa looked uncomfortable. She didn’t. She laughed softly in surprise, her hands lifting automatically to his shoulders as she hugged him back. Comfortable. Natural. Like this had happened a hundred times before. And that bothered you more than it had any right to.

A hot, ugly little twist coiled low in your stomach. Possessive. You hated that feeling. Hated how quickly it arrived, primitive and irrational and impossible to reason with. Because you knew this wasn’t fair. Melissa wasn’t yours to claim. Not officially. Not yet.

And she had a whole life before you and Gaia burst into it with your chaos and your flirting and your impossible timing.

Still. Watching him touch her like that made something territorial rear its head inside you.

Apparently your face betrayed more than you thought, because Ava’s chatter slowed. She looked from you to Caleb. Then back to you.

And immediately grinned. Oh no. That was the grin of a woman who had just found premium entertainment.

-“Well, this should be fun"- she murmured into her drink. You ignored her.

Across the table, Caleb finally let Melissa go, his hands lingering at her arms as he looked her over with a broad smile.

-“Daam Mel! You look incredible"-he looked her up and down and you squeezed your glass.

Melissa smiled politely-“Thanks, Caleb. You too”-

Then his eyes slid to you. Assessing. Not rude. Just curious.

You offered a pleasant smile. The kind that said I’m perfectly friendly and also fully capable of ending you if necessary.

He smiled back.Then looked at Melissa again.

-“You never answered my texts"-he said. Interesting.

Melissa’s posture shifted almost imperceptible. A little straighter. A little cooler-“I’ve been busy"-That should’ve ended it. Should’ve.

Instead Caleb laughed lightly and rested a hand on the back of her chair. Familiar again. That same easy possession.

-“Too busy for your old roommate?”-he teased. There it was. That twist inside your ribs tightened. You sat very still. Very composed. Because you were not about to make a scene over what could easily be harmless nostalgia. You were an adult. You could handle this.

And then Caleb smiled at her and said-“Still keeping my room warm?”-The table went dead quiet.

Melissa’s face changed instantly. Gone was the polite smile. Gone was the faint social softness she wore with colleagues. Her expression cooled into something sharp enough to cut glass.

-“No"-she said evenly. The single word cracked through the air. Caleb blinked. Apparently he hadn’t expected resistance. He laughed awkwardly.

-“Relax, I’m kidding"-he said nervously, Melissa didn’t smile. Didn’t soften. Didn’t laugh. She simply looked at him with calm, terrifying teacher-face. The kind that probably made entire classrooms rethink their life choices.

-“You moved out eight months ago, Caleb"-she said, voice smooth and perfectly clear-“My tenant lives there"-Her tenant. The words hit your chest like a struck match.

Then Melissa turned her head. And looked directly at you. Not subtly. Not accidentally. Deliberately. Her eyes softened the instant they found yours.

And then, she reached behind you, resting her hand on hour shoulder bringing you closer. Warm. Certain. Claiming. When she looked back at Caleb, her expression was still polite. But her thumb stroked your shoulder once. Deliberate enough that he couldn’t miss it.

-“And"- she added calmly-“she’s here tonight as my date"-Melissa smiled.

The twist in your chest evaporated instantly, replaced by a slow bloom of warmth so bright it nearly made you dizzy. Because there had been no hesitation. No awkward clarification. No softening of language to make things easier. Just simple, public certainty. She’s here as my date.

Caleb recovered quickly enough to force a smile and step back.

-“Well”- he said, awkwardly adjusting his jacket - “good for you, Mel"-he wasn't flirting with Mel, it was his way of being with everyone, but Mel noticed that the interaction made you uncomfortable and that's why she acted that way, and Caleb understood that his behavior wasn't appropriate now that she was dating.

Melissa nodded once.

Conversation slowly restarted around the table, the tension dissolving. Ava looked seconds from exploding with satisfaction. But you barely noticed any of it.

Because Melissa was still holding you close. Still tracing slow little circles over your naked shoulder. And when you leaned closer, lowering your voice so only she could hear, she turned immediately toward you. Your smile was slow and dangerous.

-“Baby girl?”-you murmured. Melissa’s eyes widened. Then narrowed. A flush climbed her cheeks. You leaned just a little closer. Close enough for your breath to ghost over her ear-“That’s unfortunate.”-Her breath hitched.

-“Why?”-You smiled.

-“Because now I’m going to spend the rest of the night finding much better things to call you"-The sound she made was small, scandalized, and utterly wrecked. And judging by the way her grip on your hand tightened, Melissa had absolutely no objections.

By the second drink, you had made a fascinating discovery. Melissa had tells. Tiny, deliciously specific tells. And once you noticed them, the entire night became an experiment. A very fun experiment.

You leaned comfortably against her shoulder while the conversation drifted around the table, one hand curled loosely around your glass, the other resting warm on her thigh beneath the edge of the tablecloth. Not enough to scandalize anyone. Just enough to keep her aware of you. Always aware.

Melissa was trying very hard to focus on Barbara's increasingly dramatic retelling of some school board disaster, nodding politely in all the right places.

But every time you shifted closer, every time your breath brushed her neck as you leaned in to “listen better,” her entire spine would go taut.

The first time you tested a nickname, it happened almost by accident.

Ava had asked if Melissa wanted another drink. Before she could answer, you tilted your head against her shoulder and murmured softly into her ear-“What do you think, beautiful?”-Melissa nearly inhaled her own tongue. Her glass clinked loudly against the table.

Ava stopped mid-sentence. Jacob’s eyebrows shot up. And Melissa turned to stare at you, face instantly pink. Interesting. You smiled innocently.

-“Too much?”-you asked. She opened her mouth. Closed it.

Then managed a strained-“No"-Oh, this was going to be fun.

A few minutes later, while everyone was distracted by Caleb trying and failing to explain craft beer to Ava, you let your fingers drift lazily over Melissa’s knee and leaned in again.

-“How’s your drink, darling?”-The effect was immediate but different. Not the sharp freeze from beautiful. This one made her swallow hard, her lashes lowering for half a second before she answered.

-“…Good"-Softer reaction. Still potent. Noted.

You smiled into the side of her neck. Melissa shivered. Her perfume wrapped around you, warm and expensive and unmistakably hers, and you let yourself breathe her in just long enough to make her realize exactly what you were doing.

Her hand twitched against her glass. You could practically hear her trying not to combust. Then she turned just enough to hiss under her breath:

-“What are you doing?”-You blinked at her with exaggerated innocence.

-“Existing, honey"-That one. That one nearly killed her. Melissa made the tiniest strangled sound and visibly forgot how to sit normally. Her knees pressed together. Her shoulders squared like she was physically bracing against impact. Her cheeks burned crimson all the way to her ears. Bingo. You bit your lip to stop yourself from laughing.

There it was. The winner so far. Honey. You had more ideas in mind but this wasn't a place to taste them.

The realization lit you up with wicked delight. You leaned closer still, your lips nearly brushing the shell of her ear.

-“Well now"- you whispered, voice low enough that only she could hear-“looks like we found your favorite.”-

Melissa’s breath caught so sharply it was practically a gasp.

Across the table, Ava looked up. Her eyes narrowed. Then slowly widened with delighted understanding. Ava knew. And because the universe hated Melissa specifically, Ava immediately grinned and said loudly:

-“Mel, you’re awfully red. You okay?”- Melissa jerked upright so fast she nearly knocked over her drink.

-“Fine"-The single word came out embarrassingly high-pitched.

The table went silent for exactly one beat. Then Jacob snorted. Then Ava burst into delighted cackling. Even Caleb looked amused.

Melissa looked like she was considering witness protection. And you? You smiled sweetly, reached up to smooth a strand of hair behind her ear, and said in your gentlest voice-“She’s okay. Aren’t you, honey?”-The sound Melissa made this time belonged in a locked archive.

The entire table lost it. Actual tears of laughter from Ava. Jacob wheezing into his drink. Even the bartender looked curious.

Melissa slowly turned to you, face incandescent.

And then, to your absolute delight, something in her expression shifted. A spark. A decision. Without warning, she reached for your chin and turned your face toward her. Then she kissed you. Right there. In front of everyone. Not shy. Not flustered. Not a quick little peck to save face. Slow. Certain. She wanted to dominate the kiss and you let her, giving her a false sense of confidence. You whiperd at her mouth softly, smiling at her lips. That was the kind of kiss designed with very clear educational objectives.

The whole table erupted. You barely heard it. Because Melissa’s fingers were steady against your jaw, and her lipstick was warm against your mouth, and when she finally pulled back, she stayed close enough to steal your breath with what she whispered next-“Careful"-Her voice was low. Smooth. Dangerously composed. And her thumb traced once across your lower lip before she smiled-“If honey does that to me…”-Her eyes dropped deliberately to your mouth. Then rose again. The faintest edge of triumph in them-“Imagine what I’ll do when I figure out yours"-she smiled and you pecked her lips again. You laughed softly, dangerously confident, caressing her jaw with your nails barely scratching, your eyes looked dangerous

-"It's funny that you think you are the one in control here...honey" - your voice was low, seductive. You knew that if anyone saw from the outside, the way of dressing and the way she talked, would make people think she was the top one in the relationship, and you had no problem to let people belive that, but you had to remind the redhead who was truly on charge.

For half a second, Melissa looked almost smug. That tiny victorious spark still glowed in her expression from the kiss she’d just used to flip the entire game on its head. Then your nails skimmed lightly along her jaw. Barely there. Just enough to make her breath catch. And the moment your voice dropped around that soft little honey, her confidence flickered.

There it was. That beautiful crack in her composure. You watched it happen in real time. The slight widening of her eyes. The subtle hitch in her breathing. The way her lips parted just enough to betray surprise before she pressed them together again, trying to recover. Cute.

You smiled slowly, your gaze never leaving hers.

The noise of the bar faded into a distant blur. The laughter at the table. The music drifting lazily overhead. The clink of glasses. None of it mattered.

Not when Melissa was looking at you like that. Flushed and sharp and trying so hard to pretend she wasn’t affected. Her chin lifted. Brave thing.

-“Confident”-she said, her voice impressively steady considering the pulse fluttering wildly in her throat beneath your fingertips. Your thumb traced once across that pulse point. Melissa swallowed.

-“Not confident"- you murmured-“Certain"-That landed. Her breath stuttered.

And for all her elegant posture and poised little jackets and those impossible heels that made her look like she belonged on magazine covers, Melissa had always betrayed herself in the smallest ways. The tension in her shoulders. The pink blooming slowly up her neck. The way her fingers tightened around the stem of her glass when she was trying not to squirm.

And right now?

She was gripping that poor glass for dear life.

You leaned closer. Close enough that your mouth nearly brushed the corner of hers. Not kissing. Just threatening to. Her lashes fluttered.

Waiting.

Wanting.

And you smiled against the anticipation building in her-“Lisa"-you whispered. That sharp inhale. Always. God, you loved that sound-“You really thought one public kiss meant you’d suddenly taken over?”-Her cheeks deepened.

She held your gaze, stubborn even now-“You looked pretty affected"-You laughed softly. Low. Warm. The sound made her shiver.

Then your fingers slipped from her jaw to the side of her neck, your touch feather-light and devastatingly deliberate-“You know what I think?”-

Her voice came out smaller now-“What?”-You leaned in until your lips brushed her ear.

And then, quietly enough that only she could hear-“I think you’re being very brave for someone who’s about an hour away from forgetting her own name"-The effect was immediate. Melissa’s entire body went still. Not relaxed stillness. The kind of stillness people fall into when every nerve suddenly lights up at once. Her breath left her in a tiny, helpless rush. You didn't specify on how, but Melissa's mind filled the blanks. J

Across the table, Ava was very obviously pretending not to watch while absolutely watching. Jacob had gone suspiciously silent. You ignored both of them.

Your attention stayed exactly where it belonged. Melissa turned her face toward yours, just enough that your noses nearly brushed. Her eyes were dark now. Focused.

And when she spoke, her voice had gone quiet in a way that made your pulse jump-“That’s a bold claim"-You smiled.

Then, slowly, you reached for her drink and plucked it from her hand. Effortless. She let you. Interesting. You set it on the table behind you and leaned back just enough to look at her fully. To let her feel the loss of your closeness. Melissa’s expression betrayed the tiniest flash of disappointment before she caught herself. There. Proof.

You let your smile sharpen-“Then come here"-you said softly. No teasing. No challenge. Just calm certainty.

Melissa hesitated for exactly one heartbeat. And then she moved. Leaning in immediately, like she’d been waiting for permission. You met her halfway, catching her mouth in a slow kiss that stole every clever response she might have had.

The kind of kiss that wasn’t hurried or hungry. Worse. Patient. Confident. A kiss that said I know exactly what this does to you.

By the time you pulled back, Melissa looked dazed. Her lipstick slightly smudged. Her breathing uneven. And her eyes? Completely wrecked.

You brushed your thumb lightly over her lower lip, fixing the smear. Then smiled sweetly-“That’s what I thought, honey"-you said.

For a moment she could only stare.Then, very faintly, almost too soft to hear, she whispered-“…rude"-You laughed.

After a few more moments of teasing her, you got up from the table, leaving your empty glass there, you got out from the booth resting lightly your ass on the lap of the redhead since there was "no other way" to get out of the booth. The hands of the redhead shook, fighting against herself not to grab your hips.

Melissa watched you go like a woman witnessing her own destruction in real time. Still flushed from your kiss. Still visibly trying to remember how breathing worked.

And then you had the audacity to settle yourself onto her lap on the way out of the booth, your weight warm and brief and devastatingly deliberate. The contact lasted maybe two seconds. Two seconds too long for her sanity.

Her hands twitched hard at your hips, fingers flexing with visible effort as she fought every instinct screaming at her to grab and keep you there. She didn’t. Barely. And somehow that restraint made it hotter.

When you got out of the booth you extended your hand to her

-"Do you wanna dance?" - you offered smiling but you could see how nervous she was. The invitation alone nearly did her in. She wanted to say yes. But if she stood right then, she was ninety percent sure she’d collapse directly into your arms and provide Ava with enough blackmail material to last until retirement.

She loved to dance, but she was afraid of standing up with how waby her legs were.

So instead, she reached for her drink with what she prayed looked like composure.

-“Let me finish this"-You smiled. That knowing, dangerous smile that said you understood exactly what you’d done to her. And liked it

-“Take your time"-you murmured, leaning in for one more kiss. Deep enough to make her clutch the edge of the table. Soft enough to promise more-"I will wait for you at the dance floor" - you said giving her one more deep needy kiss and a wink, swinging your hips more than necessary while walking away.

You went to the DJ booth and asked for an latin song, one that you knew it was Melissa's favorite since she saw you sing it at home.

On your way back to the dance floor you scanned the crowd and grabbed a guy, who clearly knew how to dance and stayed close enough for the redhead to see and enjoy the show.

Melissa sat there for exactly three stunned heartbeats before downing the rest of her drink in one heroic swallow.

The table erupted-“Oh, she’s gone"- Ava announced gleefully.

Jacob was openly wheezing into his glass.

Even Caleb looked impressed.

Melissa ignored all of them, setting her empty glass down with grave dignity while trying very hard not to think about your mouth.

Then the music changed. The opening notes drifted through the bar. And Melissa froze.

"Yo la quiero a morir". Her favorite.

The song she’d once mentioned offhand while cooking dinner months ago, when the radio had played some terrible remix and she’d sighed dramatically about people ruining classics. You’d remembered.

The realization hit like a blow to the chest. Slowly, she looked toward the dance floor. And nearly stopped functioning entirely.

Because there you were. Laughing softly with your dance partner, moving with effortless confidence as the rhythm picked up around you.

And God. You could dance. Not politely-sway-at-a-wedding dance. Not awkwardly-follow-the-beat dance.

Dance.

Your body moved like the music belonged to you, every turn smooth and deliberate, every shift of your hips perfectly timed. You had the latin "sauce" in your veins as you said, that swing that you were born with.

And your partner was clearly excellent too, matching your rhythm with easy precision.

The whole thing should have been elegant. Instead it was devastatingly sensual. Because every few moments, your eyes lifted.

And found hers. Not your partners. Hers. You were dancing for her. Smiling brightly for her. Teasing her from across the floor with every fluid step.

Melissa forgot every strategy she’d ever had for self-preservation. The jealousy came first. Sharp and irrational and immediate. Watching someone else’s hand settle at your waist. Watching your body move close to his. Watching him grin at something you whispered. It lit something hot and possessive in her chest.

And then came the second realization. You were doing this on purpose. You little menace. The thought should have annoyed her. Instead, it made heat curl low in her stomach. Because this wasn’t casual. This was deliberate. You were calling her out. Inviting her to stop watching and come claim what was hers.

Across the table, Ava noticed the shift instantly.

Her delighted grin widened to dangerous levels-“Oh"- she breathed.

Jacob followed her stare. Then he laughed-“No way"-

Melissa rose to her feet. The table went silent. No shaky legs now. No uncertainty.

The deep green blouse fell perfectly around her as she smoothed one hand over it, calm and precise and suddenly terrifyingly composed.

Ava actually gasped. Because everyone at that table knew that look. That was Melissa’s decision made face. The same one that made twelve-year-olds immediately confess to passing notes in class.

She crossed the bar floor in those impossible heels like she owned every inch of it. And when she reached the edge of the dance floor, she didn’t hesitate. She stepped directly between you and your partner. One hand finding your waist possessive. The other reaching for your hand.

Your partner took one look at her expression and laughed, backing away with a delighted little salute. Smart man.

Melissa’s eyes never left yours. Her mouth curved slowly. Not flustered. Not shy. Dangerously sure.

-“You’ve had your fun"- she said softly. Her hand tightened at your waist. Then she pulled you flush against her. The sudden contact stole your breath.

-"The fun is barely starting now that you are here"- you whispered smiling,. And then Melissa moved. Perfectly. Fluid and confident and devastatingly skilled.

Your eyebrows shot up. Well. That was new. She smiled at your surprise, guiding you effortlessly into the rhythm.

-“You thought I couldn’t dance?"-You laughed, breathless.

-“You let me tease you”-you whispered

-“I let you underestimate me" - God. The confidence in her voice. The quiet heat in her eyes. It hit differently now.

And when she leaned close enough for her lips to brush your ear as she guided you through a turn, her voice dropped low and smooth:

-“You wanted to remind me who’s in charge, honey?-A shiver raced down your spine. Melissa’s smile sharpened. Then her hand slid lower at your back, pulling you impossibly closer as she murmured-“Careful what lessons you start teaching"-she said with a deep voice

-"Fast learner I see, let's see how you follow the lesson" - you raised your leg, bending your knee, letting your leg scape trough the slip of the dress, the open part rising a lot, but without letting see something that it shouldn't be in an open place.

Melissa had exactly half a second to register what you were doing. And then your leg slid free through the slit of the dress. Slowly. Deliberately. The fabric parted like a secret being shared. Smooth skin caught the low amber light as your knee bent, your thigh pressing carefully against the outside of hers as the movement folded naturally into the rhythm of the dance.

Nothing improper. Nothing anyone could reasonably call scandalous. And yet. The effect on Melissa was immediate. Her breath vanished. Her step faltered for exactly one beat before instinct took over and she recovered, guiding you smoothly through the turn like the stumble had never happened. But you felt it. The brief tightening of her hand at your back. The sharp flex of her fingers. The pulse jumping wildly beneath the elegant line of her throat.

You smiled. There you are-“Honey"- you murmured, your lips brushing near her ear as your body settled against hers again. Your teeth gently bit her ear. Melissa swallowed. You could practically hear her trying to reassemble coherent thought.

And then, just enough to test her, your leg shifted higher. Not enough to cross any line. Just enough that the contact became unmistakable. Warm. Intentional. A challenge.

Melissa’s entire body locked for half a heartbeat.

Her eyes lifted to yours. And for the first time all night, they didn’t widen or dart away. They darkened. Steady. Focused. The teacher was adapting.

Her hand at your back flattened, broad and sure, anchoring you closer as she guided you through another turn.

This time when you came back against her, she let the movement carry your body flush to hers for a breath too long. Deliberate.

The song swelled around you, all aching brass and slow devotion, and Melissa guided you across the floor.

When she turned you again, your back brushed against her front, your breath catching as her hand settled firm at your waist to steady the movement. Pulling you close. So close.

Then she bent just enough for her mouth to hover beside your temple, her chest pressing your back-“You’re blushing"-

You laughed softly-“Wishful thinking”-

Melissa hummed. The sound curled low and pleased. Then she drew back just enough to meet your eyes.

The final notes of the song melted through the room like warm honey. Slow. Heavy. Lingering. And instead of pulling away, you pressed back against Melissa completely. The reaction behind you was immediate. A sharp inhale. Her entire body tightening for one stunned heartbeat as the curve of your back fit against her front with dangerous perfection. Like something designed specifically to ruin her. Your hand slid backward, fingers finding the soft hair at the nape of her neck, guiding her closer.

Melissa came willingly. Of course she did. Her hand spread across your stomach, warm and possessive now, holding you against her as if she’d forgotten anyone else existed. Maybe she had.

Your head tilted slowly to the side, exposing your neck, eyes drifting shut as you felt her breathing there. Uneven. Nervous. Wanting.

The warmth of her body behind yours sent slow heat curling through every inch of you while your hips kept moving with the dying rhythm of the music. Provocative. Careless. Close. Too close for Melissa’s sanity.

You felt the moment she lost another piece of control. Her fingers flexed against your stomach. Her breath caught again. And then her lips ghosted against your neck. Barely there. Not even a kiss. Just the softest brush of warmth that sent a shiver racing down your spine. A tiny sound escaped her afterward, almost embarrassed. Like she hadn’t meant to get that close.

You smiled slowly without opening your eyes-“There she is"- you murmured softly. Melissa’s grip tightened instinctively. The dance floor around you had blurred into shadow and music and distant movement. Other couples still swayed nearby, but they felt impossibly far away.

Because Melissa was trembling. Not from fear. From restraint. The realization settled warm and thrilling in your chest. You turned your face just enough that your lips nearly brushed her cheek.

-“Still think you’re in control, honey?”-Her breathing faltered again.

Then, after a long second, you felt it. Melissa’s forehead lowering carefully against the curve of your shoulder. Not surrender. Not defeat. Something softer. More dangerous. Trust.

The hand on your stomach slipped a little higher, fingertips barely grazing beneath the edge of the fabric at your ribs before she caught herself. Her breath shivered out against your skin.

-“You are…”- she whispered, voice strained and quiet-“…very hard to survive"-You laughed softly. The sound vibrated between both your bodies.

Then you turned in her arms just enough to finally look at her. Melissa’s lipstick was slightly ruined. Her cheeks burned pink. Her eyes looked dark and overwhelmed and fixed helplessly on your mouth. Beautiful.

You brushed your thumb softly beneath her jaw.

-“And you"-you whispered back- “look like you need another drink”-That finally broke her.

Melissa laughed breathlessly, leaning forward until her forehead dropped against yours, shoulders shaking with helpless amusement.

The walk back to the table after getting drinks had finished whatever remained of Melissa’s composure. You could feel it in the way she stayed close behind you. In the warmth of her hand at the small of your back. In the dangerous silence she’d fallen into after the dance.

And honestly? You were enjoying it immensely.

You settled back into the booth with infuriating calm, crossing one leg slowly over the other as the slit of the dress slipped open again, exposing the smooth line of your leg beneath the warm amber lights. Then you leaned against Melissa’s shoulder with a deeply satisfied smile and took a sip of your drink like you hadn’t just psychologically dismantled a woman on the dance floor.

Melissa sat beside you looking… wrecked. Not messy. Melissa never looked messy. But disheveled for her? Devastating.

Her lipstick slightly faded. A few strands of red hair loose around her face. Her breathing still faintly uneven. And her hand resting possessively on your bare knee like she physically could not convince herself to let go.

Her nails pressed lightly into your skin every few seconds without her seeming to realize she was doing it. Cute.

The whole table had noticed too. Ava looked moments away from ascending to another plane of existence. Jacob was openly staring into his drink like he’d just witnessed a nature documentary narrated by David Attenborough. Even Caleb had gone oddly quiet. Because apparently nobody at that table had ever seen Melissa lose her cool before.

And here you were. Curled against her shoulder while she sat rigid beside you like she was one heartbeat away from either kissing you senseless or passing out.

You smiled into your glass-“What?”-you asked innocently when you noticed everyone staring.

Ava pointed dramatically at Melissa-“You broke her"-

You frowned-“I did not"-Melissa made a tiny sound beside you. The entire table turned toward her. She froze.! You bit your lip hard to stop yourself laughing.

Ava’s eyes widened-“Oh my God, she can’t even speak"-

-“She can speak”- you defended lightly, patting Melissa’s thigh. The redhead inhaled sharply through her nose. That absolutely did not help your case.

Jacob burst into laughter.

Melissa closed her eyes briefly like she was praying for strength.

You tilted your head up toward her, smiling sweetly-“Lisa, honey, they think I traumatized you"- Wrong move. "Lisa" "Honey". The nickname hit her like a physical impact. Her fingers tightened, her nails digging hard enough on your knee to make you suck in a tiny breath.

Melissa’s eyes snapped to yours instantly. Immediate concern replacing the dazed haze-“Sorry"-Soft. Automatic. The apology melted something warm in your chest.

You smiled gently and slid your hand over hers where it rested on your leg, threading your fingers between hers to soothe the instinctive guilt already flickering across her face-“It’s okay"-you murmured.

The look she gave you afterward nearly ruined you completely. Tender. Overwhelmed. Still a little dazed from the dance. God. No wonder you couldn’t stop teasing her.

Across the table, Ava clutched Jacob’s arm dramatically-“Look at her face"-she whispered loudly-“That woman is gone"-Melissa groaned softly and dropped her forehead briefly against your temple.

You laughed under your breath, turning your face just enough that your lips brushed her hairline.

-“There she is"-you whispered. Melissa huffed out a helpless little laugh against your shoulder.

Then, before anyone could recover from that display, Ava leaned forward with dangerous interest-“So"-she announced, eyes glittering-“which one of you made the first move?”-Melissa straightened immediately and you just smiled into your drink.

Mel spend most of the rest of the night with her head in the crook of your neck and her hand on your knee. You were chatting with the rest but her breathing on your neck was doing dangerous things on your system and every second that passed you were paying less and less attention to anything else but her.

-"Lisa..."-you whispered and patted her thigh gaining a low hum in your neck that made you shiver-"Can we go home?... I need to be with you... Alone" - you murmured slowly

Melissa went completely still against you. Not tense. Worse. Attentive. Every inch of her focus narrowed instantly onto your voice, onto the quiet plea tucked beneath the words.

The rest of the table blurred into background noise. Ava was still talking. Someone laughed near the bar. Glasses clinked somewhere behind you. None of it mattered.

Not when you’d whispered that into her ear in that soft, needy voice that went straight through her nervous system like lightning through copper wire. Her hand tightened on your knee. Slowly. Carefully. Like she was restraining about fourteen different impulses at once. You felt her inhale against your neck. Then exhale shakily.

When she lifted her head from the crook of your neck, her cheeks were flushed warm from the drinks and the dancing and you, but her eyes... Her eyes had gone dark. Focused.

You swallowed. Interesting.

Melissa brushed her nose lightly against your jaw before speaking, her voice low enough that only you could hear it-“You have to stop saying things like that in public"-The words should’ve sounded teasing. Instead they sounded strained. Barely controlled.

Your pulse jumped. You turned your head just enough to meet her gaze-“And if I don’t?”-

Her throat moved in a hard swallow. Then, to your delight, honesty won-“…then I’m not responsible for my behavior"-

Heat unfurled through your stomach. Oh. Oh, that was new.

Before you could answer, Melissa straightened slightly and looked toward the table with surprising composure-“We’re leaving"-

Ava blinked. Then her eyes widened with delighted horror-“Already?"-Melissa did not look at her. Smart. Because one glance at Melissa’s face and the entire table would probably burst into flames.

-“We have an early morning" - she said smoothly. You bit your lip hard enough to hurt. Liar.

Jacob looked between the two of you, then wisely lifted his drink in silent support of whatever catastrophic decisions were about to occur.

Ava, meanwhile, looked seconds from levitating-“You two are absolutely not sleeping tonight"-Melissa choked on air. You laughed into your hand.

Then the redhead stood abruptly and reached for your coat before you could recover, helping slide it carefully over your shoulders with hands that lingered just a little too long. Possessive again. You liked that. Very much.

As soon as you stood, Melissa’s hand found your lower back automatically. Not hesitant anymore. Not shy. Like touching you had already become instinct. The realization sent another dangerous wave of warmth through you.

You said your goodbyes in a blur of teasing and dramatic reactions, but Melissa barely spoke through any of it. She just stayed close. Too close. Quiet in a way that told you her thoughts had drifted somewhere deeply distracting.

And honestly? So had yours.

By the time you stepped outside into the cool night air, your nerves felt electric.

The city lights shimmered gold against the pavement, the distant sounds of traffic humming softly around you, but the moment the bar door closed behind you, Melissa turned toward you fully. Her hand slid from your back to your waist. Firm. Intentional. You looked up at her.

And immediately forgot how teasing worked. Because the expression on her face was devastating. Not flustered now. Not overwhelmed. Hungry. The realization sent a sharp pulse through your stomach.

Melissa stepped closer until the cold night air disappeared entirely between your bodies. Then her fingers tilted gently beneath your chin-“You know"-she murmured softly, eyes fixed on your mouth-“you’ve spent all night making me nervous on purpose"-

You smiled slowly-“And?”-

Her thumb brushed your lower lip. The touch was so soft it almost hurt.

-“And now"- she whispered-“I want my turn"- Your breath caught. Melissa’s eyes flicked up to yours. Then, before you could recover enough to answer, she kissed you. Deep. Certain.

The kind of kiss that made the whole world tilt sideways for a second.

Without breaking the kiss, you pushed the redhead backwards until her body reached the hood of her car. Melissa hit the side of the car with a soft thud, breath leaving her in a shaky gasp as your hips pinned her there. Her hands grabbed instinctively at your waist. Hard. Not polite anymore. Not careful.

The cool metal of the car contrasted sharply with the warmth radiating between your bodies, and the kiss had left both of you visibly wrecked.

Her lipstick was ruined now.

Your breathing was uneven.

And Melissa looked at you like she was balancing on the last thread of her self-control.

When you pulled back just enough to speak, her chest rose and fell sharply beneath the deep green fabric of her t-shirt. Your eyes drifted for a second to her cleavage until you forced your eyes up.

-“Are you okay to drive?”-you whispered, still close enough that your mouths brushed when you spoke-“Or too many drinks?”- Melissa stared at you for one dangerous second.Then another. Like the question itself had to fight through static to reach her brain.

You felt her fingers flex against your hips-“…I had two glasses of wine over three hours"-she managed finally, voice rougher than usual.

Your brow lifted teasingly-“So medically functional?”-That earned the smallest breathless laugh. Barely there.

-“Barely"-Cute.

You smiled and brushed your thumb softly beneath her jaw, but before you could tease her again, Melissa’s expression shifted. Focused. Her hands slid slowly from your hips around your waist, pulling you closer until there wasn’t space left between either of you.

-“You know what’s unfair?”-she murmured. You hummed softly. Her eyes dropped briefly to your mouth-“The fact that you still look composed"-

You laughed under your breath-“Oh honey, I’m hanging by a thread"-Melissa visibly enjoyed hearing that. Her cheeks pinkened again, but this time there was confidence threaded through the embarrassment. A dangerous development.

Her fingers traced slowly up your back beneath your coat, sending warmth spiraling down your spine.

-“Good”- she whispered.

The single word hit low in your stomach. You leaned closer again, noses brushing lightly.

-“Drive us home, teacher"-Melissa inhaled sharply at the tone. Then, before opening the passenger door for you, she stole one more kiss. Quick this time. But full of promise.

And as she finally pulled away, forehead resting briefly against yours, she whispered with a shaky little smile-“You are absolutely not sleeping in your own room tonight"-Your heart kicked hard against your ribs.

You smiled slowly-“Good, I wasn't planning on to"-

The whole drive home her hand was in yout bare thigh, not moving just there, she was driving more focused than ever, still under the limit, but going as fast as possible. Your leg was going up and down, no nervous, exited. Like if you never in your live were more awake than this moment. For a moment, you were able to focused on something else, enough to send a message to the mom hosting the pijama party to see if your daughter was okey, receiving a reassuring text that she was already asleep.

-"Our kiddo Okey?" - her voice was rough around the edges but with concern, you smiled,"our kiddo", lifting your head from the phone to look at her

-"Yes, our kiddo is Okey"- you replied. Melissa’s thumb stroked once against your thigh at your answer. Small. Absentminded. But the tenderness in it nearly undid you more than all the kissing had.

"Our kiddo".The words lingered warm in your chest while the city lights slid across the windshield in blurred gold streaks.

Melissa kept one hand on the wheel and the other on you. Like she physically needed the contact. Her fingers rested against your bare skin just beneath the slit of the dress, warm and steady and dangerously grounding. You could feel the restraint in her. The effort it took to keep driving normally instead of pulling over somewhere dark and forgetting civilization existed.

Honestly? You respected the discipline. Barely. Your leg bounced lightly with restless energy, excitement humming through your bloodstream so intensely you felt electrically awake.

Every red light felt personal. Every slow driver ahead of you a direct enemy. Melissa exhaled softly through her nose as if reading your thoughts exactly.

-“Patience"-she murmured, eyes still fixed on the road.

You turned toward her slowly-“Interesting thing to say while speeding"-you teased

-“I am not speeding"-You looked at the dashboard. Then at her. Melissa’s cheeks pinkened faintly-“…I’m efficiently transporting us home"-You laughed softly. God, she was cute.

The sound made the corner of her mouth twitch upward despite herself. Then her hand tightened slightly on your thigh. Not possessive. Needy. And that was somehow worse.

You watched the motion of her throat as she swallowed. Her voice came quieter this time-“I really like hearing you say that"-

Your brow lifted-“Say what?”-

Melissa glanced at you briefly before looking back at the road immediately, like holding eye contact right now was too dangerous-“Our kiddo"-The words landed deep. Warm enough to ache.

Your expression softened instantly.

Outside, the city kept moving around you in soft neon smears and passing headlights, but inside the car the moment became strangely quiet.

Intimate in a completely different way. Not heated. Not teasing. Just real.

You shifted closer in your seat, your hand sliding gently over hers where it rested on your thigh.

-“She already thinks of you that way"-you murmured. Melissa’s breathing caught softly. You smiled a little-“She talks about you constantly everywhere, you know"-That finally made Melissa glance toward you fully for a second.

-“Really?”-You laughed quietly.

-“Lisa, yesterday she told an entire nurse station that your grilled cheese should legally be considered medicine"-The redhead snorted softly before she could stop herself. You melted a little at the sound-“And last week"-you continued, smiling now-“she informed one of my friends that you’re ‘the prettiest teacher in the world but also kind of dramatic"-Melissa gasped in mock offense.

-“I am not dramatic"-

You stared at her. Melissa stared back with astonishing sincerity for someone who had nearly died earlier because you called her honey in public. Then both of you burst into laughter. The tension loosened for a moment after that. Not gone. Never gone.

Still simmering hot beneath the surface every time her hand flexed on your thigh or your eyes drifted to her mouth. But softer now too. Warmer.

And when the car finally turned onto your street, Melissa exhaled quietly, almost like she’d been holding her breath the entire drive. Her house came into view. Home.

The porch light glowed softly against the night. Melissa parked a little crookedly. You noticed immediately. So did she.

-“I’m distracted"- she admitted before you could tease her.

You smiled slowly-“I know, honey"- The nickname hit just as hard as before.

Melissa closed her eyes briefly and dropped her forehead against the steering wheel with a helpless little groan. You laughed softly beside her, your hand traveled to the nape of her neck, scratching lightly her scalp with your nails for a few seconds, earning a relaxed hum from her.

Then she turned toward you again. And the look on her face stole the breath from your lungs. No audience now. No coworkers. No teasing table full of teachers. Just her. Flushed and tired and wanting you with an honesty so open it almost hurt to look at. Her fingers curled around yours tightly.

-“We’re home"- she whispered. The words sounded less like information. More like an invitation.

When you got out of the car, you let her open the door even if you had your key on your pocket.

While she was trying to fit the key on the keyhold you hugged her from behind, fully pressing you front to her back, your arms hugging her waist completely. Your mouth went to her neck, leaving slow wet kisses there.

Melissa missed the keyhole entirely. Twice. The soft curse she muttered under her breath made you smile against her neck as your body pressed fully to her back, your arms wrapping around her waist with slow, deliberate affection. Or torture. Probably both.

The second your mouth touched her skin, Melissa’s entire body reacted. A sharp inhale.

Her head tipping back instinctively against your shoulder. The hand holding the keys tightened hard enough to make them jingle.

You kissed her neck slowly, unhurried, warm and wet and lingering just enough to make her breathing lose rhythm completely.

The night air was cool around you, but her skin beneath your lips felt burning hot.

-“You’re making this very difficult"- she whispered breathlessly.

You smiled against her throat-“I know"-Another kiss. Slower this time. Melissa shivered visibly in your arms. The keys slipped slightly in her fingers. You laughed softly-“Teacher"- you murmured, voice low against her skin-“focus"-That earned a tiny, scandalized sound.

-“You are literally kissing my neck while I’m trying to unlock the door"-she complained

-“And yet I believe in you"-Melissa let out a helpless laugh that dissolved into a shaky breath when your lips brushed just beneath her ear.

God. You could feel her pulse racing there. Fast. Wild. Your hands tightened lightly around her waist as you pressed one last kiss beneath her jaw-“Come on, honey"-you whispered teasingly. - “Use your critical thinking skills, or I will have to fuck you out here against the door"-the idea was a threat, but it sounded so yummy. Melissa finally got the key into the lock with the determination of a woman defusing a bomb. The door clicked open.

And before she could even fully push it inward, she turned in your arms. Fast. Almost desperate. Her hands found your face immediately, kissing you the second your back hit the door behind you. The keys dropped somewhere onto the floor. Neither of you cared. The kiss was hungry in a way the others hadn’t been.

Weeks and months of restraint unraveling all at once in the dark quiet of your shared home. You could taste wine and mint and Melissa herself as she pressed closer, her hands sliding into your hair while your own gripped her waist instinctively. The door slammed shut behind you with your ass pressing against it.

Somewhere upstairs, the house creaked softly in the silence. Empty tonight. No tiny footsteps. No interruptions. Just her mouth on yours and her breathing already uneven as she kissed you again and again like she was trying to make up for every moment she’d spent holding herself back.

When you finally broke apart for air, Melissa stayed close, forehead against yours, both of you breathing hard. Her lipstick was completely ruined now. You were pretty sure yours was too. She laughed softly at the sight of you, still a little breathless.

-“You are dangerous"- You smiled slowly, brushing your nose lightly against hers.

-“And you invited me on a date anyway"-Melissa’s cheeks flushed warm again, but this time she didn’t look away. Instead, her hands slid down your arms until her fingers intertwined with yours. Then she kissed the corner of your mouth once, soft compared to before.

-“Come upstairs"-she whispered. You laughed against her lips.

-"We are not going to the room, not yet" - you pulled her hand to the kitchen, she looked at you confused. The dark hallway light caught the surprise on her face first. Then the realization. Then a slow wave of pink climbing all the way up her throat when your voice dropped low and needy like that. God. You were going to end her.

-“I’ve been watching you cook for months"-you murmured, tugging her gently closer across the kitchen tiles-“looking perfect without even trying…”-Melissa laughed softly in disbelief, already blushing hard enough to make the freckles across her nose stand out warmer beneath the light.

-“You have fantasies about me making soup?”-You stepped closer until her lower back brushed the kitchen counter.

-“Yes"-The immediate answer stole the amusement from her face completely. Your hands slid slowly up her arms-“You have no idea what you look like in this kitchen"-you whispered-“Hair tied up. Half asleep. Stealing bites while you cook. Calling me sweetheart without realizing it…”-your thumb brushed her lower lip. Melissa swallowed hard. You let your hands drop, your fingertips slipped beneath the hem of her shirt, warm against her waist-“And every morning I’ve had to stand there pretending I wasn’t thinking about kissing you against this counter"-her skin was soft under your hands, the soft rolls of her stomach against your warm palms.

Her breathing turned visibly uneven. The kitchen suddenly felt much smaller. Quieter. The only sound was the soft hum of the refrigerator and Melissa trying unsuccessfully to act unaffected while you looked at her like that.

-“You’re very unfair"-she whispered.

You smiled slowly-“And yet you’re still here"-Melissa’s hands found your hips instinctively, thumbs brushing lightly against the fabric of your dress as she looked at you with that same overwhelmed tenderness that kept undoing you tonight.

-“Because I’m apparently obsessed with you"- she admitted softly. The honesty in her voice hit harder than flirting ever could.

Your expression softened instantly. Then you leaned in and kissed her again. Slow at first. Warm. Your mouths moving together lazily while your hands curled against her waist and hers tightened at your hips.

Melissa kissed like someone savoring something she’d wanted for a very long time. Careful at first. Then less careful every time you made that soft pleased sound against her mouth. You felt her smile briefly into the kiss when your fingers tangled in the fabric of her shirt.

-“See?”- you murmured against her lips-"Exactly this"-Melissa laughed breathlessly.

-"What?”-

-“This kitchen"-You kissed the corner of her mouth-“You standing here looking beautiful"-Another kiss beneath her jaw-“You getting all shy when I flirt with you"-Melissa made a tiny protesting sound while blushing even harder-“And this"- you whispered, smiling against her skin as her hands instinctively pulled you closer again-"You pretending you don’t secretly love when I distract you" - That finally earned you a playful little glare.

-“You are distracting on purpose"-

-“Obviously"-Melissa shook her head helplessly, smiling despite herself. Then she leaned forward until her forehead rested lightly against yours, eyes soft and impossibly fond.

-“Well"-she murmured, fingers tracing slowly along your waist-"good thing this is your kitchen too now"-your kitchen, of curse it was, it was since the first say you moved in and made that whole house seem like without you the place had no heart at all.

-"I will make you feel so good, that every time you cook here and think of us, you will squeeze those pretty thick thighs together"-her face blushed under your intense gaze

-"I... I haven't done it with a women before" - she confessed nervously blushed-"but I want to learn..."-you smiled and caressed her face

-"Let me be your teacher then... You just have to do what I say and not to think of anything else, am I clear Honey?" - you asked and she nodded looking helpless into your eyes-"First lesson, use your voice" - your thumb caressing carefully her bottom lip-"use it, tell me if you understand" - you grabbed her jaw softly looking at her eyes

-"I-I understand" - she said barely audible-"I have to do what you say and not to think on anything else" - you pecked her lips smiling

-"Good girl" - you replied and she whimpered with needy eyes, you lifted your eyebrow finding interesting that she had a praise kink-"Use that pretty mouth, I wanna hear you, tell me if you like or not what I'm doing..."-you kissed her neck while you spoke-"or if you need me to stop or need more..."-your kisses traveled to her cleavage, the redhead let her head fall backwards, whimpering, arching her back so her chest was on full display to you, holding herself against the counter-"I want to hear you all night long" - your hands slipped under her t-shirt, pressing her breast with both hands on top of her bra. You were squeezing a bit rough, moaning just like her, enjoying the soft flesh under your hands-"Fuck Lisa you have an amazing body"-you were practically drooling, leaving wet kissed on her neck.

The redhead was moaning, pressing her thighs together but not being able to form not a single coherent thought.

You bit the neck a few times, soothing the bite with your tongue

-"Arms up" - you commanded and she opened her eyes to look at you a bit lost- "don't tell me that I already fucked you dumb when I just started" - you joked lightly, kissing her lips softly and pulling her lip into your mouth

-"I swear I'm trying to think something but I'm... Not working" - she said blushed as you lifted her arms carefully and took her t-shirt off, her hair a bit messy and her eyes shiny

-"It's Okey, I'm here..."-you opened her bra and toss it on the floor, taking a step back, licking your lips and moaning at the sing, her full breasts, her perky rosy nipples, her messy breathing making them go up and down, her arched back, her soft pale rolls, her rosy cheeks, her messy hair cascading on her shoulders, her thick thighs pressed together... God... You could come just looking at her.

-"Stop looking at me like that" - she said embarrassed trying to cover her body with her hands, feeling more naked beside the lack of clothes. You stepped a little closer, slow enough for her to retreat if she wanted, but she didn’t. Her hands trembled where they tried to hide pieces of herself, like fragile curtains against a storm already inside her chest. Her cheeks burned crimson, every inch of her suddenly too exposed under your attention.

You smiled softly this time, none of the teasing sharpness from before.

-"What face?"-She swallowed hard.

-"Like I’m..." - her voice faltered -"like I’m something pretty" - The room went quiet for half a heartbeat. Just breathing. Just tension humming between both bodies like a violin string pulled too tight.

You reached for her wrists carefully, giving her enough time to pull away. Instead, her fingers loosened under yours, carefully you moved her hands away so she didn't cover her body anymore.

-"You are pretty" - you whispered -"You are stunning, that’s the problem, hard not to stare"-Her breath hitched instantly. And somehow that look in your eyes became worse for her than being completely naked-"You are a piece of art that deserves all the admiration and adoration Lisa, please never doubt that" - you said seriously, wanting her to belive you.

Melissa's exeses never talked to her that way, never looked at her that way, never hold her and kiss her that way. Never made her feel this way. She knew she had an attractive body, but one thing is attractive and other beautiful, deserving of admiration and adoration.

Melissa felt her chest tighten so suddenly it almost hurt. Not because of desire this time. Not entirely. Because she believed you. The words settled inside her carefully, slipping through cracks that had been left open for years by careless hands and half-hearted love. Beautiful. Admired. Adored. Nobody had ever spoken about her like she was something precious instead of merely wanted. Her eyes searched yours as if trying to catch the lie before it could wound her later.

But there wasn’t one.

You looked at her like people look at cathedrals in silence. Like moonlight spilling across stained glass. Like something capable of stealing breath from a room without even trying.

Melissa laughed softly then, nervous and overwhelmed all at once, her gaze dropping again.

-"You say things like that so easily..." - she whispered.

-"No," - you replied gently, brushing your thumb against her cheek -"I say them because they're true" - That almost undid her.

She leaned into your touch instinctively, like her body already knew safety before her mind could accept it. Her shoulders relaxed little by little beneath your hands, the tension melting away in fragile pieces.

-"Nobody ever..." - she stopped, embarrassed by how emotional she suddenly sounded. You didn’t rush her. Melissa inhaled shakily.-"Nobody ever made me feel beautiful before" - The confession barely existed above a breath, you kissed her forehead.

-"Let me treat you as you deserve, my beautiful lady" - you whispered. "My", the word, the soft possession, the true behind it, Melissa was yours completely even if you didn't touched her fully yet.

You kissed her lips, her neck, biting licking, going down slowly leaving a wet trail. Her hands tangled gently at your hair, forming a ponytail with her hand.

Your mouth found her breast, you gave a long swipe to her niples with your tongue and then blowed cold air on the wet surface, making them more perky as if it was possible. Melissa's body shiverd under you and she let out a soft moan

-"That sensation is new" - she said to herself laughing softly. You smiled, you let one of your thighs slowly find a space between her legs, resting against her core, and with one hand you grabbed her right breast and with your mouth you sucked the other, introducing the most you could to your mouth. Your tongue danced around her niple, soft wide circles around it, let your theet scrape against the tip of them, sucking them in, bitting them gently, giving small cat licks. You were moaning against her chest with your mouth full.

Melissa let her core grind against your leg at the same pace that you were moving your tongue, insulting low with her eyes closed, her hand still holding your hair.

When you noticed that her breast got too sensitive, you let it go doing suction until it released it from your mouth with a loud pop. To change to her other breast and do the same pattern.

The cold air against her wet breast soon was covered by your hand, massaging softly.

When you finished with both breasts, you kissed between her chest, going down to her stomach, leaving bites and marks all along the way.

You removed your leg from the redhead crotch when you noticed that her rhythm became sloppy, earning a whimper of complain from her lips and a soft pull at your hair that made you laugh softly. Your hands went to her hips, she opened her eyes looking at you with her breathing messy, lips swollen, eyes tearful, the marks along her body were starting to appear against her pale skin

-"Why did you stopped?" - she asked with a whiny voice, protesting, complaining, making her boobs bounce a little bit. She looked at you, how swollen your lips were because you sucked her boobs so much, you had a dumb smile on your face and your hair was messy

-"You are complaining?" - you asked raising your eyebrow amused, this whiny needy side of her was new

-"I was close..."-she whispered giving you puppy eyes and you laughed grabbing her jaw and kissing her pout a bit rough, making her moan on your lips. When you separated she chased your lips but you pushed her back with a hand on her chest, pressing her against the counter

-"I'm not letting that the first time you come is humping my leg Lisa"-you said softly and you dropped to your knees, unzipping her pants, looking up with adoration in your eyes-"The first time I don't want to waist a single drop, you will come on my face" - Melissa's face turn a deeper shade of red, bitting her swollen lip and admiring with dark eyes and heavy breathing how you got rid of her pants, but leaving her high heels on-"This stay on"-you pointed at her shoes looking up, you intended to look face, but her covered sex was in front of you, her panties drenched, the part were the fabric was wet a darker shade than the rest, you could also see a few curly hairs and your mouth started salivating. Her body looked so sexy like that that made your legs press together, you knew your panties were ruined too, but you wanted to focus completely on her first

-"Fuck Schemmenti" - your voice came out deeper, rough with desire. Your carefully grabbed one of her legs, kissing from her calf to her thighs and repeating the same with the other leg. Before she could relax because of your soft kisses, you kissed her pussy on top of her panties, sucking the wet fabric a bit into your mouth, moaning happily and letting your head fall back for a few seconds with your eyes closed and licking your lips like if you just had tasted the first drop of rain after a drought, you looked like if you were high.

Mel blushed laughing softly-"Oh sweetheart, don't exaggerate" - she said shy and you opened your eyes

-"Lisa you taste amazing" - your eyes were dark and your breathing uneven, you were still licking your lips. Before she could protest further, your hands were to her panties, with a sharp pull they snapped falling into the ground, broken. Melissa looked at you with her eyes open big-"Open"-you gave little pats with your hand on her thighs

-"You just snapped my panties" - she said surprised and you pat her leg again, a bit rougher this time lifting an eyebrow

-"Behave and open, I won't repeat again" - you said and she immediately separated her legs-"Good girl" - you said.

She was shaved but not completely, on top of her pussy she had short curls that were drenched with her juices, you moaned for yourself. With two of your longer fingers you followed the shape of her outer lips, gathering her wetness on your fingers, immediately you put your fingers inside your mouth, moaning at her taste.

The redhead let out a whimper at the contact. She was never this sensitive, never this wet, never this pampered, this worshiped.

-"Look at that drenched pussy" - you said bitting your lip. You parted your lips and gave a long swipe inside her pussy, making her moan and bite her lip, her hips moved against your face and your hands went to her ass, digging your nails into the soft flesh.

She was trying to hold herself and hold her moans and you stopped, getting up and looking at her upset

-"You are a brat" - You said, you chin glowing with her wetness. Melissa look at you confused

-"I'm just having difficulty holding myself standing" - she said nervously with shaky legs

-"You are holding back, I want to hear you Lisa... I want you, not a control version of you, you don't have to hold back for me"-you kissed her, making her taste herself on your mouth, your tongue entering her mouth, rough, dizzy, deeply, not letting her breath until she relaxed her body on your arms-"Good girl" - she smiled at your praise-"Now let me eat you properly, and don't dare holding your moans" - Melissa barely had time to register anything before you turned her around and pushed her body against the counter, the cold surface playing a sharp contrast on her hot skin, specially her boobs, and her ass up. Her hands grabbed the edge of the counter and she moaned as she felt your hand come in contact with her ass

-"Fuck!" - she moaned as her body jerked forward with the spanking, your hands massaged the tender skin smiling at the mark of your hand in her ass

-"That's what I want to hear, good job" - you dropped to your knees. Her ass on full display in front of you and her wet pussy dripping, clenching against nothing. Since you made her bend over and her torso was pressed against the top of the counter, Melissa was barely being able to touch the floor with the tip of her feet. She was helpless at your mercy. Your palms grabbed her ass, separating her ass cheeks and digging your nails on the soft flesh, earning more moans and insults from her mouth, but she didn’t told you to be softer.

Your mouth glued to her pussy again, because of the way she was bend over, it was like if she practically was almost sitting on your face.

You tongue was lapping and licking against her pussy, specially paying attention to her clit. Turning the tip of your tongue around it and sucking it relentlessly. Her ass was against the rest of your face, covering your eyes. All you could do was moan and enjoy the perfect meal you had in front of you.

Your hands changed the placement, they moved from her ass, going in front of her legs, your two longer finger found her clit, separating her folds and moving in lazy circles, enjoying how hard it was against your fingers

-"You fucker"-she moaned grasping the counter for dear life, insults were the only thing that her brain was being capable of forming between moans.

Your tongue slipped inside of her entrance and the redhead rocked her hips against your face, faster every time. Your fingers picked up the pace and your tongue entering as much as possible inside her

-"Fuck, don't stop please" - she begged between heavy breathings-"I... Mhhh... You..."-she spoke without knowing what she was saying, her body began to have spasm on top of you. Your neck was getting sore of looking up to eat her pussy, your lungs begging air and your knees were burning against the floor, but you had not intention of stopping now.

You were eating her pussy relentlessly and she was breaking on top of you.

You gave a long swipe in her whole pussy and moved your fingers in fast circles around her clit. Melissa came on your open mouth, dripping like raw thick honey on your lips, her entrance getting tighter which each spasm.

All you could hear was a mix of curses, moans and whimpers plus your name coming from her lips. Her hips moving against your face on automatically while she was still riding her wave.

You drink every drop she gave you until you noticed she got to sensitive at your touch. Careful you got up from the floor, you could see your reflection on one of the pans hanging from the wall. Half your face was red because of her ass against your face, the other half from your nose down was shiny with her juices, you laughed softly, hugging her carefully, covering her naked body with yours completely. Kissing her back, neck and shoulders tenderly, saying soft praises.

-"You taste divine" - you whispered with your breathing messy earning barely a soft hum, her eyes were closed, she was still gripping the counter for dear life, but the rest of her whole body was completely relaxed, limp, only holding up because of the counter, her breathing a mess and her face resting on top of the cold marbel. You kissed her forehead, she was lost, you even dobut if she was still in this earth-"Lisa... Are you Okey?" - you whispered on her shoulder. Melissa barely reacted at first when you said her name.

Her lashes fluttered softly, her lips parted around an uneven breath, and for a second she looked wonderfully dazed, like someone pulled from a beautiful dream far too soon.

The cold marble beneath her cheek contrasted with the warmth of your body covering hers, your kisses still lingering across her skin like fading sparks.

Then slowly, she turned her head just enough to look at you. Her expression melted instantly at the concern in your voice

-"Mhm..." - she answered weakly, though the sound came out closer to a sleepy hum than an actual word. You smiled against her shoulder, brushing another soft kiss there

-"That didn’t sound very convincing, pretty girl" - A tiny laugh escaped her, breathless and embarrassed. She hid her face for a moment against her arm before mumbling:

-"You just... make my brain stop working... I never had an orgasm like that" - The confession was so honest, so unguarded, that it pulled a quiet grin from you immediately.

Melissa finally loosened one hand from the counter and reached back for you blindly, searching for your arm, your hand, anything to stay connected-"Don’t move," - she whispered, eyes closing again -"I like being here" - that soft devastating trust settling heavier and heavier between your bodies, turning the entire kitchen into something warmer than home.

You smiled holding her close, close as possible

-"Let me take you to bed, you are warm because of all of this, but you are completely naked and I don't want you to get sick" - you kissed her back softly

-"No...I still have to return the favor" - she murmured still dizzy

-"This was my pleasure, not a favor. Tasting you was a reward for me as it was for you, so listen to me and move that yummy ass so you don't get sick"-you said patting her ass lightly. Her chest warmed, not because the sex or you, because what you said, what you did. With men she was lucky if they had foreplay that she liked, more lucky if she got to come before her boyfriend did and decided he was too tired to keep going until she came too. If she wanted oral she had to give it first. But you not only teased her until she couldn't handle her desire anymore, but you focused on her needs without waiting for her to do the same immediately after, without wanting anything on return more than being the one to make her feel this way.Melissa’s breath caught at the playful smack, a startled little sound escaping her before she buried her burning face against her arm again.

-"You’re impossible..." - she mumbled weakly, though the smile tugging at her lips betrayed her completely. You laughed softly behind her, arms still wrapped securely around her waist, holding her close enough that she could feel your heartbeat against her back.

But inside Melissa, something much quieter was unfolding. Something dangerous. Because this wasn’t just desire anymore. It wasn’t the dizzy pleasure still lingering through her limbs or the warmth blooming under every kiss you left on her skin. It was care. The kind she had spent years pretending she didn’t need. You touched her like her pleasure mattered. Like her comfort mattered. Like she mattered even after the breathless moments faded away. No score to settle. No silent expectation. No selfish countdown toward your own satisfaction. Just patience. Affection. Tenderness wrapped inside teasing words and wandering hands.

Melissa had dated people who treated intimacy like a transaction dressed in pretty clothing. Give to receive. Perform to deserve softness afterward. But you…You looked almost proud simply because she felt good.

That realization settled into her chest so heavily it nearly made her emotional all over again.

Slowly, she turned in your arms, still boneless and flushed, her fingertips sliding lazily up your shoulders.

-"You know..." - she whispered, eyes glossy and warm -"you make me feel spoiled in the best possible way"-You kissed the corner of her mouth.

-"Good," - you murmured -"That means I’m doing it right" - you kiss her softly. She laughed softly, carefully trying to send up, but when she tried to put weight on her legs, they wabbled a little and you held her tighter against your body. Melissa let out a tiny gasp followed by embarrassed laughter when her knees betrayed her completely.

-"Wait, wait—"- she grabbed your forearms instinctively, still giggling breathlessly -"my legs are protesting"-

-"Protesting?" -you repeated with a grin, tightening your arms around her waist before she could wobble again-"Baby, your legs unionized"-That pulled another helpless laugh out of her, soft and warm against your chest.

She tried once more to stand properly, only for her thighs to tremble again almost immediately. You caught her effortlessly, holding her flush against you while she hid her burning face in your shoulder.

-"This is humiliating..." - she murmured, though her voice carried more amusement than actual shame now. You kissed the top of her head.

-"No, this is adorable... Bambi"- you teased

-"You’re enjoying this too much" - she bit your shoulder, earning a whimper from you

-"I absolutely am"-Melissa groaned dramatically at your teasing, but she melted closer anyway, completely unwilling to leave the safety of your arms. Her body felt heavy with exhaustion and lingering warmth, every muscle loose and languid beneath your touch. You slid your hands carefully under her thighs.

-"Come here"-you whispered

-"What are you doing—"-Before she could finish, you lifted her effortlessly against you. Melissa squeaked softly, arms instantly wrapping around your neck while another surprised laugh escaped her lips.

-"You really weren’t kidding about taking me to bed, huh?"-

-"Not even a little," - you murmured, carrying her away from the kitchen -"I refuse to let my beautiful lady freeze to death dramatically on marble countertops. The obituary would be very embarrassing for both of us" - Melissa laughed so hard she had to bury her face against your shoulder, her heart feeling impossibly full while you carried her like she was something precious.

When you arrived to her room, you let her on the bed carefully. Melissa sank into the mattress with a soft exhausted sigh, her hair spread across the pillows like spilled copper beneath the dim light. You took your time laying her down gently, as though handling something delicate despite the trembling trust she had already placed in your hands.

And there she was. Flushed skin marked by your affection, lips swollen from kisses, breathing still uneven. The poised, carefully composed woman who carried herself so elegantly through the world now looked wonderfully undone beneath you. Not ruined. Revealed.

Your fingertips traced along her thigh with unbearable tenderness before your lips followed, scattering slow kisses across her skin. Her stomach fluttered instantly beneath the attention.

Melissa watched you through heavy eyes, almost shy again under the intensity of your admiration. Because you looked at her like artists look at masterpieces they know they’ll never fully capture. Carefully. Reverently. A little in awe.

-"You are the most beautiful woman I've ever seen" - you whispered. The words hit her harder than all the teasing had. Her breath caught softly, and for a moment she could only stare at you, vulnerable in a way that had nothing to do with nudity anymore.

-"You really mean that..." - she whispered. You looked almost offended by the question.

-"Melissa," - your thumb brushed lovingly over her knee -"I don’t think you understand how impossible it is to look away from you" - A faint broken laugh escaped her lips, emotional and overwhelmed all at once. She reached for you immediately after, fingers curling around your wrist as if she needed grounding. Needed proof.

And when you leaned down again, kissing her slowly this time, Melissa kissed you back with a softness so full of trust it nearly felt sacred.

Between soft kisses, that still tasted as her, and wandering hands, your smile turned teasing again

- "How tired are you? Because I'm not done with you" - you gave wet long kisses to her neck

Melissa shivered beneath the slow trail of kisses, her fingers tangling weakly in your hair while your mouth lingered at her neck.

The teasing in your voice made warmth bloom across her face all over again.

-"You’re cruel..." - she whispered, though the tiny smile pulling at her lips ruined any real complaint. You hummed against her skin, your hands wandering lazily along her waist, memorizing her all over again.

-"That didn’t answer my question"-Melissa let out a breathless laugh when another kiss made her shoulders tense pleasantly.

-"I can barely feel my legs," - she admitted softly.

-"And yet?" - you murmured knowingly. Her eyes fluttered open just enough to look at you. Completely wrecked. Completely affectionate.

-"And yet if you keep kissing me like that" - she said, voice quieter now -"I’m probably going to let you do whatever you want" -

The confession hung warm between you. You smiled then, softer this time beneath the teasing.

Your forehead rested against hers for a moment while your thumb stroked slowly across her hip.

-"Good girl" - you whispered -"all I want is to keep making you feel adored" - you kissed a wet trail from her lips to her stomach, resting your head on the soft flesh, following the patterns of her stretch marks with soft fingertips like if you were pointing at a galaxy -"What do you think of toys?" - you asked and she looked at you a bit blushed

-"I-I love them" - she said a bit nervous and you smiled wicked

-"Wait here" - you gave a quick peck on her lips and ran to your room. The redhead waited a bit confused, now being able to feel the cold of the room that your body wasn't against her. Melissa pulled the sheets halfway over herself instinctively once you disappeared from the room, though the warmth lingering across her skin still made her feel deliciously exposed. Her pulse hadn’t settled yet. Not from the kisses. Not from your hands. Not from the way you looked at her like she was worth worshipping. She could still feel the ghost of your fingertips tracing along her stretch marks with such tenderness it almost made her emotional all over again. Nobody had ever touched those parts of her like they were beautiful. Most people ignored them. Some hid them behind compliments that felt rehearsed. But you traced them like constellations. Like stories written directly onto your favorite sky.

Melissa exhaled shakily, letting her head fall back against the pillows, cheeks still warm from your praise and that dangerous little good girl whispered against her skin.

Then from the other room she heard drawers opening, objects shifting around, and your voice calling-"Don’t fall asleep on me yet!"-She laughed softly despite herself.

-"No promises!"

A second later you returned with that same playful spark dancing in your eyes, carrying something behind your back while Melissa immediately narrowed her gaze suspiciously.

-"Why do you look so pleased with yourself?" - she asked, already laughing a little.

You climbed back onto the bed slowly, leaning down to steal another kiss before answering.

-"Because," - you murmured against her lips -"I have ideas..."-you pulled a double strap from behind your back with shiny eyes, she blushed impossible more, her body went rigid and she couldn't stop looking at it.

-"Where did you got that?" - she asked nervously

-"Don't worry, it's brand new, I bought it this afternoon when I came back after you told me that we would have a date today" - you said exited looking at her, she swallowed hard looking at your eyes

-“You bought a strap-on before our first official date ended?”-You shrugged innocently.

-“I believe in preparation"-That earned a helpless laugh from her. And a deeper blush.God, she blushed beautifully.

-"Confident munch on how the night would end?" - she joked laughing a bit nervously. Melissa looked at the strap like it had personally declared war on her nervous system. Not horrified. Just catastrophically flustered.

The toy rested in your hands while you stood there trying and failing to hide your excited grin, and Melissa, still ruined lipstick and messy hair, looked one heartbeat away from short-circuiting permanently.

-“I wasn’t sure tonight would end like this"- you admitted more softly-“But I was hoping"-Melissa’s expression shifted immediately at the honesty in your voice. Warmth replacing some of the panic. Then her eyes flicked nervously toward the toy again.

-“You really bought that today?”-you nodded-“For me?”-You smiled slowly.

-“For us"-The answer visibly hit her right in the chest. Melissa swallowed hard. Then laughed softly at herself, shaking her head.

-“This is insane"-she murmured

-“You kissed me in public, asked me to dance, then pinned me emotionally against a car with eye contact alone”- you pointed out-"We passed insane hours ago" - Melissa snorted helplessly. Fair.

You let the toy down beside you without pressure, your fingers brushing gently against hers.

-“You don’t have to be nervous"- you murmured. Melissa looked at you with immediate disbelief.

-“You came into the room holding a strap-on like a final boss"-You burst out laughing. The sound made Melissa smile too, some of the tension melting from her shoulders-“I’m not nervous because of that"-Your expression softened.

-“No?”-Melissa shook her head once. Then looked at you in a way that turned your stomach warm.

-“I’m nervous because it’s you"-The confession landed somewhere deep and dangerous in your chest. You stepped closer automatically, your hands sliding softly to her waist beneath the covers. Melissa’s breath caught again.

-“You know what I like about you?”-you whispered. She blinked slowly denying with her head-“You always tell the truth eventually"-Melissa laughed softly through her nerves, forehead falling briefly against yours.

-"That’s because you bully it out of me" - she laughed

-“Correct"-you nodded and kissed her forehead

-“You’re impossible"-she murmured

-“And yet"-you smiled against her mouth-“you’re still looking at me like that"-Melissa tried very hard not to smile. Failed immediately. Then her eyes drifted one more time toward the toy on the bed before snapping back to yours with visible panic.

-“…I can’t believe you just casually own one of those now"-You grinned wickedly.

-“Oh honey"-your eyes went dark. Melissa already looked alarmed-“This is actually the second one I almost bought... But is not the only thing I got from the sex shop"-The sound she made afterward was so strangled you laughed against her lips.

You pulled the blanket off from on top of her and sat between her legs smiling, massaging her thighs with your fingers, close to her crotch but without touching her further. The redhead moved her hips a little against the bed closing her eyes.

-"If you want to, we can leave the toy for other day... Or I can bring some smaller..."- you suggested and she opened her eyes frowning

-"Oh no, you brought it, we are using it"-Your grin widened immediately at her stubborn answer, delighted by the determination behind it despite the blush spreading all the way down her neck.

-"There she is," - you teased softly, thumbs stroking along her thighs, higher-"my brave girl" - Melissa rolled her eyes at the nickname, though the tiny sound she made when your hands squeezed her legs betrayed her completely.

-"Don’t tease me too much or I’ll change my mind" -she tried to say upset but a crack in her voice betrayed her.

-"Liar" -You leaned forward just enough to brush your nose on her neck , your voice dropping conspiratorially-"You’re curious"-That earned a sheepish little smile. Because she was. Not only about the toy resting somewhere beside you on the bed, still hidden from view, but about you. The ease in your confidence. The way you spoke about pleasure without shame wrapped around it. The way every teasing remark still carried care beneath it like silk lining hidden inside velvet.

Melissa had spent so long treating desire like something negotiated carefully, cautiously. With you, it felt playful. Safe. Wanted.

You kissed her again, slower this time, while your fingers continued their lazy path over her skin.

-"We go at your pace," - you murmured against her lips -"always" - you fingers teased her folds softly. Her expression softened instantly at that.

Then, of course, you ruined the tenderness by adding-"But for the record, your ‘we are absolutely using it’ speech was extremely hot" - Melissa buried her face in the pillow with a groan of embarrassment while you laughed warmly above her, the sound filling the room like candlelight.

Your kisses spread against her full face and neck while your fingers worked on lazy patterns on her pussy, following every wet fold with the tip of your fingers, earning soft moans from her full lips. Melissa was wet again, even she was surprised of her own body because she never got this wet, but you were making her feel like a horny teen. Her hips moving slowly against the stroke of your fingers.

You could feel your own wetness against your panties too, they were a mess, completely ruined, uncomfortable.

Your free hand grabbed her jaw making her look at you without stopping your lazy pattern on her sex

-"Be a good girl and take my clothes off" - you said looking at her eyes making sure she understood your words. Melissa’s breath caught softly at the tone in your voice. Not harsh. Demanding. Certain.

She looked up at you for a second longer, cheeks warm beneath your attention, then nodded slowly before shifting closer on the bed, sitting on your hand. The mattress dipped under her weight as she settled carefully against you, still a little shaky, still flushed from every kiss and compliment you’d poured over her tonight.

Her fingers reached your back for the zipper, pulling it down without being able to see it, then her hands reached for the straps of your dress first, hesitant only for a moment, knowing that was the only thing holding the piece of clothing on your body.

You watched her quietly while she pushed the fabric downward, your hands resting lightly on her thighs, grounding her there.

Melissa smiled shyly when she finally pulled the straps down, the dress pooled at your waist, your chest bare in front of her eyes.

The hands of the redhead shook by her sides unsure if she could touch you. She wanted to, but she didn't knew if she could, without being able to look to other side than your perky nipples and full breasts, her mouth drooling.

You stand up on the bed, taking your hand away from her pussy, letting your dress fall all the way down, standing only in panties in front of her-"Take them off" - your voice was deeper. With shaky hands she hooked her fingers on the thin straps of the piece of clothing, looking at you with needy eyes. Her fingers slowly pull them down, her nails scratching your legs on the way down, a strand of your arousal stretched from your pussy to your damped panties. You let out a soft moan closing your eyes breafly resting your hand on top of the redhead that was kneeling in front of you to not fall. The panties had been wet and roughly pressing against your pussy all night and feeling the soft release and the wind against it made you whimper.

-"There," - she murmured, voice soft with accomplishment, looking up to you with adoration, she looked so good on her knees for you. You opened your eyes smiling softly

-"Such a good listener" - you teased gently. She rolled her eyes, though her expression melted the moment your hands brushed comfortingly along her jaw again-"Pass me the strap" - you demanded breathing roughly, bitting your lip, like if you were holding your sanity by a thread.

Mel sat on her knees looking at your pussy with need, her hips were moving against nothing, eager, she was too focused to hear anything you said. Your hand carefully grabbed her hair pulling is softly to make her look at you.

She had her brows together and she was pouting, you smiled

-"What do you want Lisa, talk to me"-her hands twitching at her sides, grabbing the sheets of the bed on a tight fist, just a whimper left her lips as she looked at your body-"Do you want to taste?"-you asked looking at how her pleading eyes looked at your pussy with desire and she licked her lips nodding-"Words Melissa" - her full name sounded rough on your lips and your hand grabbed her hair tighter, she whimper

-"Yes please, let me taste you" - her voice was barely above a whisper, embarrassingly whiny-"look how wet you are" - she said needy, bitting her lip

-"You can taste Lisa...you are a good girl, so pretty waiting for permission" - your voice was roug around the edges. Melissa didn't waist one second, her mouth went straight to your pussy, licking your whole pussy like a starving woman

-"Fuck Lisa" - you moaned pulling her hair tight on your hand, she whimpered against your pussy, giving rough licks with her tongue flat, her nose crashing against your clit. Your feet on the bed were not very stable to handle the rough mouth of the redhead for much time, her hands went to your ass digging her nails there to bring you closer to her mouth.

You moved your hips against her face breathing heavy, riding against her face. One of your hands still holding her hair in a tight fist while with the other you squeezed your breasts roughly. You were very sensitive and Melissa was not being careful at all, you could feel her teeth and nose bump from time to time against your pussy and her tongue circling on your entrance, sucking desperately.

You could feel every nerve of your body running with electricity and your legs starting to shake, you were very close

-"Lisa... Lisa, stop" - you were trying to say between moans, but the redhead didn't wanted to listen-"LISA" - your voice came more sharp this time but she said no moving her head and kept licking your pussy roughly. You pulled her hair backwards making her separate from your pussy, her nails dug deeper in your ass as protest making you hurt-"I told you to stop, it wasn't a question" - your breathing was a mess, and she was licking her lips like if she couldn't get enough of your taste, her chin and nose shiny from your juices, she had blown pupils, her hair still in your hand, and she was smiling, like if she were completely drunk-"Give me the strap" - you asked again, she just looked at you smiling dizzy, you grabbed her jaw with your free hand-"Melissa don't he a brat" - she grabbed the strap and looked at you with pleading eyes

-"Can I put it inside you?"-she begged still licking her lips with heavy breathing, her hands playing with both heads of the double strap-"please..."-her green eyes shining under the light

-"Fine... But behave" - you warned her and she nodded. Carefully she coated the strap with the juices of your pussy before guiding it to your entrance, pushing gently, licking her lips and moaning when she saw it disappear inside you completely. You moaned closing your eyes getting used to the stretching of the thick faux dick inside of you, even if went inside easily because of how wet you were, it was bigger than what you expected.

Melissa's hand was on the other end of the strap, she looked at you with dark eyes and she smiled bitting her lip. You knew that look, she was about to do something to tease you, but you slapped her hand away

-"Don't you dare" - you secured the straps on your hips and Melissa whimpered looking at you, her mouth hanging a bit open, you could see her mouth filling with saliva. Her breathing making her boobs move up and down slowly. You sat down on the bed by her side and grabbed her hips, lifting her from the bed gently-"you will be a good girl and ride my strap, you will fuck yourself dumb, right?" - Melissa nodded and stranded your lap without sinking down, just holding herself on her knees, her hands went to your shoulders and you rested yours on the side of her ass.

Your pussy was clenching around the strap inside you and she was a complete masterpiece on front of you

-"Fuck sweetheart you are so hot" - you put two fingers under her jaw bringing her face closer to yours, your lips barely brushing hers. Melissa tried to kiss you but you moved away just an inch-"get that fucking greedy count on my strap" - you whispered on her lips and kissed her, earning a moan on your lips and a bite from her mouth. The redhead kissed you with greediness, sinking down slowly on your strap. Her eyes closed and slipping moans on your lips, your hands tightened at her hips, guiding her until she sinked down completely, taking a second on top of your hips, her face hiding on your neck. The weight of her hips on top of yours made you dizzy, feeling the strap inside you more deeply - "You Okey beautiful?"-you asked softly gasping for air, kissing her temple, she nodded

-"You feel good... So good" - she said with a whiny voice - "You are stretching me so well"-she kissed you slowly. Your tongue got inside her mouth moving slowly against hers and you moved your hips, lifting them and her in the process

-"Do you feel like you can ride me or do need my help?"-you said on her lips-"I can bend you over and fuck you until you can't walk... Again" - Mel whimpered on your lips

-"I wanna make you proud"-she moaned moving her hips slowly on top of you

-"What a good girl you are" - your hands on her hips made her move in longer strokes in and out, each time that she sank down on your hips it made pressure against your clit making you shake-"Fuck Lisa"-now, more adjusted to it, she began to move faster, her boobs bouncing with each stroke and her wet pussy slapping against yours making clapping noises each time that your hips collided.

You started to move your hips against her, trusting deeper inside her, helping on every bounce she took, her boobs bouncing so hard it was causing a yummy pain on her body. You could hear the wet clenching sound of her pussy against yours.

Her hands went to your back, digging her nails on your skin, scratching and breaking the flesh trying to hold herself on top of you

-"Fuck,Fuck,fuck,yes"-she was fucking herself dumb on top of you, her eyes going to the back of her head, her breathing a mess, her movements becoming more sloppily with each stroke, curls and boobs bouncing-"I'm close, I wanna be yours, wreck me" - she mumbled, her legs barely holding her weight

-"You are such a whore" - your words made her clench impossible harder, her legs barely reacting, your hips doing most of the work colliding against her wide open pussy. Her wetness was dripping from her pussy, thick, warm, white, contrasting against the red strap, dripping all the way down to your own cunt.

Her tight pussy trapping your strap inside of her, barely letting you move. Her body started shaking on top of you, moving desperately screaming your name and coming all over you, you were sure your back was bleeding on how her nails scratched your back.

You kept moving with a few strokes more coming with her, your vision went black, you couldn't breath for a moment but you kept moving slowly your hips, helping the orgasm last as much as possible for both of you.

Melissa let go one more sensitive whimper and she hid her face on your neck, her legs clenching against your hip, her breathing a mess, her eyes were full with tears.

When you came back to your senses you hugged her protectively, trying to remember how to breathe properly

-"You Okey?" - you whispered and she nodded against your neck. Melissa melted against you the second your arms wrapped around her.

Not dramatic anymore. Not overwhelmed in the dizzy desperate way from before. Just soft. Completely, beautifully soft.

Her face stayed buried against your neck while both of you tried to catch your breath, the room filled only with uneven breathing and the quiet rustle of tangled sheets.

-"Fucking amazing" - she answered after a minute. That pulled a tired laugh from you immediately.

You kissed her temple tenderly, brushing damp strands of red hair away from her face before carefully shifting her beneath you. Even in the haze afterward, your movements stayed gentle, attentive.

You took the toy out of her carefully, it was coated on thick white strands, Melissa whimpered softly at the sudden emptiness, instinctively clinging tighter to your shoulders for a second before relaxing again when you kissed her forehead.

-"I know, baby," - you whispered soothingly -"I got you" -

The toy hit the floor forgotten a moment later after you pull it out of you, your end as messy as hers.

Right now, holding her mattered more. You pulled the blankets around both of you before gathering her close against your chest, her bare leg slipping automatically between yours while your fingers traced lazy comforting patterns along her back.

Melissa sighed so deeply it sounded like exhaustion finally leaving her body.

-"You cuddle like you’re trying to fuse bones with me" - she mumbled sleepily.

-"Correct" - you replied. That earned a weak little laugh. You smiled into her hair, breathing in the scent of her shampoo mixed with warm skin and the lingering traces of perfume. The room felt calmer now, golden in that quiet aftermath where affection became almost unbearably intimate.

After a few moments, you tilted your head slightly.

-"Need water? Snacks? A doctor? A medal for surviving me?"-you teased, she could barely move, and honestly, you too.

Melissa snorted softly against your chest.

-"Maybe the medal" - she teased back

-"Gold star too" - you kissed the tip of her nose

-"As long as you hold me while I receive it"-Your arms tightened instantly around her.

-"That can be arranged" -you whispered.

Melissa was drifting off, you felt sticky but your legs were tingling of exhaustion now that the adrenaline was melting away, you didn't trusted your extremities to get up

-"Lisa?"-you whispered, earning a low hum from her-"I need you to be mine..."-you whispered and she laughed against your neck

-"You want more? You need to let me catch my breath at least"-she said surprised and you hugged her tighter

-"I can barely move" - you joked-"I'm talking that I need you to be mine, I need to be yours. I can't go to be with someone else after all of this. And I don't mean the sex only, I can't go to be with someone else when you treat your daughter as yours, when your lips have burned into my skin, when all I do is think of you every time we are apart"-your heart was beating against her hand, like if it was trying to escape-“Lisa…”-you started again, your voice quieter now-“I promise I’m not letting myself get carried away by the alcohol or the whole…”-You gestured vaguely between your bodies, both of you still breathing a little unevenly- “…this...I know this is complicated"- you admitted softly-“You’re my landlord and Gaia’s teacher and we live together and technically we’ve been flirting like two idiots for months without actually saying anything—But I also know that when you said our kiddo in the car, it felt so right it scared me a little... And I know I don’t want to keep pretending this is casual when it isn’t"-Your voice shook slightly now-“I don’t want to call you at lunch and wonder if I’m crossing lines. I don’t want to kiss you and then act vague about what we are...I want to be yours"-Melissa had been smiling sleepily against your throat at first, still floating in that soft exhausted haze after everything between you.

But little by little, as your words kept spilling out against her hair, the teasing disappeared from her expression completely. She lifted her head slowly to look at you. Really look at you.

Your flushed cheeks. Your nervous rambling. The way your heartbeat thundered wildly beneath her palm like it genuinely feared her answer.

And suddenly Melissa understood something devastating: You weren’t confessing because of the intimacy. You were confessing because you loved her. The realization hit her so hard her eyes immediately burned.

-"Hey..." - she whispered softly, brushing her fingers against your cheek to calm you a little -"hey, breathe for me, sweetheart" - You laughed nervously at that, but your arms tightened around her waist anyway, as if you physically couldn’t risk letting her drift too far away while waiting for her answer.

Melissa swallowed hard. Then she smiled. Not the teasing smirk she used when she wanted to hide. Not the careful polite smile she gave the rest of the world. This one was unbearably tender.

-"Do you know what the worst part is?" - she murmured.

Your stomach dropped instantly-"What?"-

-"That I’ve been trying not to ask you the exact same thing for weeks."-You stared at her.

Melissa laughed softly through the emotion gathering in her eyes and rested her forehead against yours.

-"You think you’re the only one who hears your voice in their head all day?" - she whispered -"The only one pretending this feels casual when it absolutely doesn’t?"-Her fingers slid gently through your hair while she spoke-"You and Gaia already feel like home to me. Somewhere along the way it stopped being just flirting and became..." - she smiled shakily -"this terrifying wonderful thing where I started wanting permanency" - Your eyes closed briefly at the word. Permanency. God.

Melissa kissed you slowly then, not heated this time, not desperate. Certain. When she pulled back, her nose brushed yours lightly.

-"So yes" - she whispered -"I’ll be yours" - Your breath caught sharply. Melissa’s smile widened immediately at your expression.-"Actually" - she corrected softly, voice thick with affection -"I already was. I think we’re just finally admitting it out loud" - you laughed against her lips. And for the first time all night, the overwhelming feeling blooming in your chest wasn’t desire. It was relief. Warm and enormous and bright enough to make your eyes sting while Melissa pulled you impossibly closer beneath the blankets, like she planned on staying there forever. Melissa’s thumb brushed gently beneath your eye before you even realized tears had gathered there.

-“And Gaia…”-Her voice turned softer somehow-“That little girl already feels like part of my heart walking around outside my body"-That almost ended you completely.

-"Welcome to parenthood" -You buried your face against her neck with a shaky laugh, hugging her tighter. Melissa held you immediately. No hesitation. No fear in it anymore. Just warmth. Home.

After a long quiet moment, she kissed the top of your head and whispered-I’ll be yours... If you’ll still be mine when we’re arguing over groceries and Gaia’s school projects and whose turn it is to kill the spider in the bathroom"-You laughed through the emotion still choking your chest.

-“I’ll be yours when we’re a thousand years old”-Melissa’s entire face melted.

-“That was disgustingly smooth"-she teased you

-“You love it"-you teased back

“I unfortunately do... I love you and your way of being so much”-she said before she could think about it, you looked at her with wide eyes.

For a second, neither of you moved.

The words seemed to linger in the air between your bodies, warm and fragile and terrifying in the way only honest things could be. Melissa’s eyes widened immediately after she said it, like her own mouth had betrayed her. A blush rushed across her cheeks.

-"I..." - she laughed nervously, suddenly hiding part of her face against the pillow -"Well. That slipped out dramatically" - You were still staring at her like she’d just reached into your chest and rearranged entire organs by hand. Because she said it so naturally. Not forced. Not accidental exactly. Just true.

Your voice came out quieter than before-"You love me?"-Melissa peeked at you through red curls, visibly embarrassed now but unable to take it back.

-"I was trying to sound mysterious and emotionally composed" - she mumbled -"but apparently I chose violence instead" - That finally made you laugh properly, wet-eyed and breathless. Then you kissed her. Slowly at first, smiling helplessly against her lips while one of your hands cradled her face like something precious. When you pulled back, your forehead rested against hers.

-"Say it again" - you asked. Melissa groaned immediately.

-"You’re unbelievable" - she rolled her eyes

-"Lisa..."-The way you said her name nearly melted her into the mattress. She looked at you for another long second before her expression softened completely, every last bit of teasing falling away.

-"I love you," - she whispered properly this time.

The room went still. And there it was again. That enormous bright feeling inside your chest, too big for your ribs, too overwhelming to hold quietly.

You kissed her forehead, then her nose, then both cheeks in quick succession until she started laughing again beneath you.

-"You are literally sparkling right now" - she teased softly.

-"I am having a normal reaction to being loved by the hottest woman alive" - Melissa snorted at that, but her eyes turned glassy anyway. You brushed your thumb across her cheek carefully.

-"I love you too" - you whispered -"So much it actually scares me a little" - Her entire expression melted. Then, with the gentlest smile imaginable, she pulled you back down into her arms beneath the blankets, both of you tangled together while the night slowly softened around your shared heartbeat.

-"How we will tell the news to Gaia? That now we are girlfriends?" - she asked worried and you laughed barely able to see her under the blankets

-"Love, she knows that we love each other even before we realized that"-Melissa stared at you for a second after that, somewhere between emotional and offended.

-"Excuse me," - she said, narrowing her eyes playfully -"I thought we were being subtle" - You laughed immediately.

-"Lisa, our daughter literally draws us holding hands in half her pictures" - The redhead covered her face with both hands in horror while you wheezed against the pillow beside her.

-"No she does not" - she complained

-"Then you are not checking her homework properly...last week she asked me if your favorite flowers were still peonies because she wanted to ‘help me when I marry you someday'"-Melissa slowly lowered her hands, looking utterly scandalized.

-"Why are children psychic"-she asked surprised

-"I don’t know. Tiny emotionally omniscient cryptids" - That pulled a helpless laugh out of her despite herself.

Then her expression softened again, quieter now.

-"You really think she’ll be okay with this?"-You looked at her like the answer was obvious.

-"Melissa, Gaia already runs to you first when she scrapes her knee. She asks for you when you work late. She steals your sweaters and calls you when she can’t sleep." - your smile turned impossibly tender -"She adores you" -Melissa’s eyes immediately glossed over again.

-"And you know what’s even more disgusting?" - you added thoughtfully.

-"What?"-

-"That she’s going to be completely insufferable about being right" - Melissa burst out laughing.

-"Oh my God, she is" - You nodded solemnly.

-"We’re never hearing the end of it. She’s going to walk around the house like some tiny relationship prophet" - Melissa curled closer against your chest, still smiling.

-"Honestly?" - she murmured sleepily -"I think I can live with that" - You kissed the top of her head softly.

-"Good. Because you’re stuck with us now" - For the first time in a very long time, Melissa didn’t feel trapped by those words.

She felt chosen.

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