'My family don't like my tattoos. But I decided life was too short not to have them.'

Moiraine traced her gaze to follow the lines of ink on Siuan's skin, following the pattern with the tip of a finger. It was the witching hour and they had spent a glorious time discovering each other's bodies. The underground bar had been dimly lit and sensual, the people quiet but friendly. Siuan had introduced her to her best friend, Lan. His name sounded like a wooden block, propped up against a wall. A sturdy name for a study man. He was quiet and observant, a popular driver for the company. Moiraine felt an almost immediate ease with him and managed to talk a lot more than she normally would have. She felt cocooned in the soft pink walls and mahogany squishy sofas. Time suspended, she felt like she was in a dream. The delight did not end when they left.

'I have an afternoon shift so I won't be going anywhere until later.'

Moiraine did not like presumptuousness. It felt like a violation. She knew it was borne of people around her arrogantly taking decisions on her behalf and she struggled when someone was genuinely suggesting to make plans. Siuan was cheeky but throughout the evening had asked permission to move closer, to rest her hand on her arm, get her another drink. Moiraine appreciated the consideration and for that, she allowed the suggestion. She stopped after two drinks, her need for control evident to the others. No matter that she was enjoying herself, she was still on her guard, still wary of her surroundings. The others did the same and didn't question it. Lan engaged her in conversation, took a sincere interest in her interests and let her speak freely. She felt an unaccustomed warmth towards him.

'Shall we go?'

The night was colder now and Moiraine shivered. Siuan leaned in and wrapped her scarf closer. Moiraine liked how full of care it felt. They drove back slowly, time spinning around again. They lingered outside the flat.

'I think this is the bit where you might ask me in for coffee' Siuan teased.

'I don't think there is any in the cupboard' Moiraine replied. It took her a minute to understand what the other woman was suggesting. Her smile was a giveaway. It wasn't a condescending sneer at her obliviousness. Moiraine tended to realise that too late. The answering smile was gentle.

'Oh.'

'I could be wrong and you'd like it to end here. And please say so. If not, also say so. We could have tea. Or we could chat. Or I could sleep on the sofa. Your choice.'

Moiraine wanted to say yes. Her words were stuck in her heart. She blinked. Siuan waited, rested her hands on the handles of the bike.

'I won't move until you let me know. We could be out here all night.'

The thought of the two of them cosily ensconced on the sofa or better, entwined on the mattress under the soft duvet, appealed to Moiraine very much. She'd never had the chance to have anyone in her bed before. The thought of it always made her feel cold. But she didn't want to resist Siuan. She didn't know if there would be another opportunity to feel attracted to someone.

'I did enjoy the bar' Moiraine confessed 'but I liked it best when I was just with you.'

Siuan took the tentative wandering fingers and kissed them.

'I like this communication thing. You should try it more often.'

She drew her in close and resumed another half an hour of slow kissing, Siuan guiding Moiraine's hands to stroke up and down her back, ever so slightly digging her nails in. It made her press her hips against Moiraine, made her shiver with delight, her nipples harden, made Moiraine happy to know what she liked. It felt good to reciprocate. They'd taken a bath together, laughing and playfully scrubbing each other's backs and as Moiraine had stepped out of the tub, had been dried off by Siuan, gently but hungrily, her gaze unabashedly observing the curve of her hip, the dimples on her skin. The feeling of being noticed with appreciation, tingled up and down Moiraine's spine and knew that this was the thing that everyone else spoke of, this attraction, a dangerous indulgence. They retired to bed clad in their towels and talked a little bit more. Siuan had kissed her temple fondly and Moiraine had moved so fast to meet her lips, she'd taken the other woman's breath away. She intended to make it clear that she wanted it. When Siuan's fingers roved over her skin, lower down, teasing her mercilessly, Moiraine made sure to test out her new communication skills, crying out quietly at first, encouraged by Siuan's kisses on her neck, around her nipples, as she slowly started to build up to a crescendo. Siuan made her come twice more in those hours, making sure that she unashamedly screamed by the end. They had to stop when she became numb. Exhausted, Moiraine fell back, gasping for air, her body singing a pleasurable ache. She'd heard of someone using their tongue to pleasure someone but she'd never been able to picture it. She hadn't thought she was capable of raising her hips up so high and pushing someone's head down to beg for something rough but by the time she'd let go, Siuan had not complained as she expected, only stroked the sides of the other woman's thighs with her nails and sucked her clit harder with noises of appreciation. She laughed as she came up for air, wiping her face with the edge of the pillow. Moiraine hadn't even realised that could happen. She had only heard of this kind of thing with men.

She'd hesitated at the thought of being fingered, not sure she would want something inside her but she was soaking wet and yearning for more, permitting Siuan to stray a little way in, gasping at the initial flash of pain. Siuan withdrew immediately, dipping her mouth to kiss the sensation away. Soothed by the assurance, Moiraine nodded her consent to try again, only to freeze up. Siuan circled her thumb around her cunt slowly until Moiraine started begging for more. She was beginning to tire of her virginity, now knowing that there was someone in this world who could make her mind and body respond, could make her feel normal. She wanted everything, even if it hurt at first. Third time lucky and she didn't even flinch, clenching her muscles around Siuan's finger swiftly and instinctively. It felt peculiar. Siuan slowly dipped in and out keeping the tip of her finger well positioned. She thought that the initial angle was what had caused Moiraine discomfort. She kept it slow and steady, lightly sucking on the willing clit. Before long, Moiraine was experiencing the full effect and was gasping and panting, clutching onto the pillows. Siuan didn't think she was going to come that way so she gently slid her finger out and palmed her cunt instead, drawing her legs together while Moiraine started shaking, ending with a satisfied sigh.

Siuan lay down and pulled the other woman onto her chest. Moiraine nestled in and sleepily ran her fingers down the other woman's waist, her hips and below. She was surprised to find her soaking wet. She had heard that women did not experience pleasure while servicing another. Perhaps it was true when dealing with men? She didn't know. She had heard of it but no woman had ever spoken to her of coupling with another woman.

'I can take of myself tonight' Siuan assured her.

'Will you do it now?'

Siuan shifted, wrapped her legs around Moiraine and did as asked, rubbing herself to a soft climax. Moiraine continued stroking the available skin and wondered aloud if that had been good enough. It certainly hadn't been explosive. She had felt a thrill as she had traced her fingers along Siuan's apex, not sure how much further to go.

'Not something you need to worry about tonight, time to sleep.'

Siuan kissed her head while Moiraine dozed off. The morning light crept in readily enough, a thin layer of mist encircled the rose bushes and cloaked the birds. Moiraine slept on until 10 o'clock. There was a cup of tea and a note on the floor next to her. She turned her head to watch Siuan lace her boots on. Siuan looked up and smiled. Moiraine reached out for the cup.

'When can I see you again?'