JENNIE

"Sorry I didn't make you breakfast." Lisa shoots me a wink. "You didn't give me time." She slips into a T-shirt and finger-combs her wet hair back.

"Trust me, those extra ten minutes in bed were worth it." I shiver, thinking back to Lisa's mouth between my thighs, devouring me until I couldn't breathe. I'm still in a daze, and I don't want to leave because last night and this morning have made me realize just how much I want this. How much I want to be with her all the time. Even during our quick joint shower we weren't able to keep our hands off each other and now Lisa is late. It's not really a problem she assured me. Lily is with Jackie and Jackie is flexible, but I don't want to take time away from her daughter. Wearing last night's dress, and my long hair wild and uncombed, it's obvious what I've been up to.

"Yeah, it was worth it, all right." Lisa spanks my behind as I slip into my heels. "God, you look hot."

"And you look sexy as hell." I straighten myself and lean into her, fingering the collar of her blue shirt. "So, where do we go from here?"

"We could start by exchanging numbers." Lisa grins and hands me her phone to enter my details.

"Yes, that would probably be a good start." I chuckle and give her my phone to do the same. "Will you call me?"

Lisa's expression turns more serious as she cups my chin. "How about you call me? This is new to you so I think we should take it slow, on your time and on your terms. I'm not going anywhere; I'll be right here."

I nod and swallow hard. "I won't keep you a secret forever."

She doesn't look too convinced, but she smiles and pulls me in for a kiss. "For now, I can come to your house, or you can come here."

Lingering by the door with our lips pressed together, I close my eyes and can't think of a single reason why I should take this slow. If anything, she's the one who needs time, not me. After last night and this morning, I know what I want. Waking up with her, seeing her sweet smile first thing and being able to kiss her whenever I want is something I could get used to. "Will you go out on a date with me? I know I asked you before but I think we're in a better place now."

"Really?" Lisa inches back and arches a brow. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah. We were out in public last night, weren't we? It's not that much different from a date." I smile. "I don't think I'm ready to go to any of my local places, but I'd like to take you somewhere."

"Okay." Lisa seems shocked by my proposal. Perhaps she'd expected me to freak out after waking up with her, or maybe she still thinks this is just a bit of fun to me, even though it's blatantly obvious that it's not. "How about I take you out instead? Next week? We could go for dinner around here?"

"Yeah, I'd like that." Aware of my blush, I feel like a teenager who's just been asked out for the first time. We've done this the wrong way around. We've slept together before we even got to know each other and now there's so much to explore. "I normally go out with Chahee on Thursday, but I can cancel if Thursdays are easier for Jackie."

"Jackie is usually fine, but I'll check with her first and let you know." Lisa opens the door but as soon as I walk through, she takes my wrist, pulls me back and pushes me against the door. "You're so damn cute, I have trouble saying goodbye." Again, she kisses me hard, then lifts me and pushes me against the hallway wall. Her strong hands under my behind hold me up and wrapping my legs around her waist, I embrace her and reciprocate as arousal stirs us both.

"I'll never get home like this," I say through quick breaths when she finally puts me down. I grab my purse and straighten my dress, then shoot her a flirty smile over my shoulder as I descend the stairs.

Hailing a cab from the other side of the street, I jump in and roll down the window when it drives off. Leaning out, I let my hair dance in the wind, enjoying this strange but beautiful morning-after feeling that has me on top of the world. Everything looks enchanting and full of possibility today, the world around me happier and lighter. Sag Harbor is waking up at a leisurely pace, and we pass mothers with strollers, runners and dog walkers while cafés are setting up for the day, their staff bringing out tables and chairs and opening parasols. I smile at a happy couple walking hand in hand. The woman's head is resting on the man's shoulder while he whispers something in her ear that makes her laugh. They look like they're having trouble controlling themselves and I can finally relate to people like them.

My energy levels are buzzing even though my body feels a good kind of tired, the satisfying ache between my thighs and my sensitive nipples reminding me of Lisa's touch. I hope she feels it too, and that she'll think of me today. I suspect I'll do little else than think of her, daydreaming and replaying the past twelve hours over and over in my mind.

The sea breeze welcomes me as we turn into my drive and I take off my heels that are killing my feet to continue into the house barefoot. I flinch when I find Nola in the kitchen; I forgot she'd be here, and I hadn't anticipated staying out all night.

"Hey, Jennie." She looks me over and raises a brow, wiping her hands on her apron. "That's a lovely dress. Did you have a good night?"

"Thanks." I chuckle as I walk over to the stairs and place my heels on the bottom step, then continue to the fridge to grab a bottle of sparkling water. "I did, actually." I take a long drink, feeling seriously thirsty after last night's cocktails.

"Great." Nola pauses. "So, there was a man after all…"

"Not quite, but something like that," I say in a mysterious tone, not wanting to give myself away. Although I trust Nola, I want to keep Lisa to myself for now, and be alone for a while so I can fantasize about her in peace without having to answer a million questions. "I'm going for a walk. I'll be back in an hour if you want to have a coffee with me." I grab an apple from the fruit bowl on the counter, cross the poolside in my black dress and head down to the beach.

Wading in, the sea water feels so nice that I hike up my dress and walk farther out. My apple tastes sweeter, the sun feels warmer, the water calmer and the sand between my toes finer and softer than normal. If it wasn't for the few people on the beach, I'd take off my dress and swim naked, but I can feel their eyes on me, curiously wondering why I'm wading in wearing an evening dress. Three months ago, I wouldn't even have gone into the ocean spontaneously but now, I can't think of anything better than a swim, simply because I feel like it. I lower myself and drift onto my back, my dark hair and the black fabric floating around me as I look up at the sky. I don't care what anyone thinks; I just want to drift and think of Lisa.