Marissa was rather excited at the prospect of helping Bianca choose her dress for the New York Premier. For starters they were spending some quality alone time together for the first time in almost a week. Something which Bianca seemed equally happy about judging by the way she kept taking her hand and the kisses she kept stealing on the way over in the car.

Bianca had taken Marissa to a little dress boutique she was fond of. The hostess welcomed them into a private room and a rail of clothing was brought in for Bianca to try. The dresses on the rail were all stunning but Marissa was taken by another dress all together. A mannequin was stood in pride of place in the corner of the room. It was dressed in a satin gown, so deep a maroon it was almost purple. It was the most beautiful dress Marissa had ever seen. The cut and the black embroidered details on the bodice were breath-taking. It wasn't an option for Bianca as the train was too long, but it was beautiful.

Bianca must have noticed Marissa staring because nudged her out of her daydream.

"Why don't you ask to try it on?" she suggested.

"Oh, I couldn't." gasped Marissa. "That dress costs more than my car. I just couldn't."

"Go on." said Bianca. "It's just a bit of fun."

And before Marissa could protest further Bianca called over the hostess and asked for the dress to be brought out for Marissa to try.

Marissa still looked reluctant.

"Come on this is a girly day." said Bianca, holding up a power blue gown with a dainty floral print. "What do you think? I want something cheerful and fun."

"Well then." said Marissa plucking another dress off the rail. "This one is very cheerful."

Marissa was holding a golden yellow dress with a flair skirt and a white lace spiral worked around the bodice.

"You don't think it's a bit bright?"

"You wanted something fun." said Marissa, thrusting the dress towards Bianca. "Go on try it on."

The hostess was coming back with the dress for Marissa.

"Okay." said Bianca. "We will both do a bit of living dangerously."

…

Bianca was the first out of the changing room. The dress was a good fit and Bianca was surprised to find that both the style and the colour suited her perfectly. The creamy white lace work that ruffled down the length of the bodice was enough to lift the dresses fairly simple style. It would go perfectly with the pearls her inherited from her grandmother.

"What do you thi…" Bianca began to ask when she heard the door to the other cubical opening. Then she lost all ability to speak. Marissa looked… amazing, beautiful, stunning, there wasn't the right words to describe it.

"Wow." gasped Bianca, when she was finally able to speak, her voice so low it was almost a purr.

Marissa was grinning like anything, fully aware of how incredible she looked.

"It's no good." said Bianca, shaking her head. "I'm going to have to buy you that dress."

"Don't be silly." said Marissa with a laugh.

"I'm sorry, but it would be a crime if I didn't."

Marissa's face grew more serious when she realised her girlfriend wasn't joking.

"I can't let you do that." protested Marissa. "I mean when would I ever wear it?"

"How about this weekend?"

"But you are in New York this weekend."

"I am." said Bianca, stepping closer to take Marissa's hand. "And I would really like you to come with me."

Marissa's eyes widened in realisation.

"You want us to go away together? Are we ready for that?"

"I would just like to have your company. I'm not asking you to do anything you're not comfortable with. I'd just like you to be there with me."

Marissa gazed in Bianca's eyes for the longest moment seeing only hope and love. Why was she so nervous? This was it; this was love! There was no need to be afraid.

"Yes." said Marissa smiling, "Yes, I'll come to New York… But I am going to find a cheaper dress."

"Nope." said Bianca. "You are having that one, no arguing. It's as much a gift for me as it is for you, I promise."

Marissa swatted Bianca.

"Flirt."

Bianca caught her girlfriend's hand and pulled her closer for a kiss.

"But I'm your flirt." she said with a smile, before capturing Marissa's waiting lips with her own.

Marissa surrendered to Bianca's tender kisses but when Bianca moved to pull her closer she held up a restraining hand.

"Watch the dress," she warned with a teasing grin.

"Sorry." said Bianca softly, her face still inches from Marissa's. She moved her hands from her girlfriend's waist to stroke her neck and cup her cheek as she pulled her in for more kisses. This time making sure to keep some distance between their bodies. The only points of contact were Bianca's hands supporting Marissa's jaw and their lips burning into each other.

Marissa sighed into a series of tender tastes that ended with a smouldering kiss.

"So?" asked Bianca, a little breathless as she pulled back to rest her forehead against Marissa's. "Can I buy you this dress, please?"

Marissa laughed at Bianca's begging eyes and mischievous pout and rewarded her with another quick kiss.

"You convinced me."

Both women, still nose to nose, shared a loving smile.

"That settled," said Bianca as her impish smile grew wider. "It does mean I have to find another dress. We will clash horribly otherwise."

She stepped back to admire their reflection in the mirror, side by side. The yellow and the maroon definitely did not go together.

"Maybe something simple in black or maybe grey?" mused Bianca.

"Wait, there was other dress I saw..." said Marissa. "A green velvet…"

"Velvet?" asked Bianca sceptically.

"Oh it's a lot nicer than it sounds." said Marissa as turned to rummage along the clothes rail. "Emerald green and black – it's quite striking."

"Mmm hmm." mumbled Bianca no longer able hear her, she was distracted by the discovery that Marissa's satin gown looked even more amazing from the back.

"Definitely a gift for me." she sighed.

…

Bianca emerged from the changing cubical a second time. This new dress was a little tighter fitting than the last, but not so much that it restricted her movement. The dress was in a black silk damask with a bold, brilliant green velvet design almost jade in colour. As Bianca turned to the mirror and looked down she also noted the cut of the bodice was doing interesting things to her chest.

"That's the one." said Marissa.

She had been sat on the ottoman waiting for Bianca to reappear. She had changed out of the gown back into her striped summer dress.

Bianca tilted her head at her reflection in serious contemplation.

"I'm not sure." she said before glancing sideways to her girlfriend, her impish smile returning.

"I may need some convincing."

Marissa happily closed the gap between them, pulling Bianca down for a kiss. Bianca tilted her head and slipped an arm around Marissa waist; leaning so far into the kiss, Marissa was almost swept off her feet.

"Mmm. I'm convinced." Bianca hummed, straightening up to re-examine her reflection. "This is the dress."

She then grinned at Marissa.

"I am definitely taking you clothes shopping more often!"

…