“Baby, please.” Dana smiled into Alice’s neck when she heard her quiet plea, but maintained her pace. “Please,” Al said again as she moved her hips to the rhythm of Dana’s gentle fingers.

Sharing her need, Dana ran her thumb around Alice’s erect clit and entered her. Alice groaned when Dana added a third finger and began stroking with urgency.

“Let go,” she whispered into Alice’s ear as she tapped her thumb directly onto Alice’s pulsating clit.

“Aaahhh,” Alice arched back and froze, suspended another realm as she was swept away by the crashing waves of her orgasm.

Dana stayed with her, extending and intensifying her pleasure before tenderly bringing her back, rolling her off her side and covering Al’s body with her own. They kissed for the first time, rediscovering the passion that had lain dormant for months. It was a kiss that said everything and searched for ways to say more, a kiss that led Alice to want to return Dana’s attentions.

“No,” said Dana as she pinned Alice’s hands to her side. “I need to taste you. Now.” Their eyes met as Dana rose to her knees. Alice saw the change in her as Dana’s lust overtook her.

This time, as she got close, she pulled Dana to her, their centers firmly planted against each other’s thighs.

“Together,” she said hoarsely as they kissed passionately. In seconds they reached their peak, Dana first, followed almost immediately by Alice, who opened her eyes to memorize Dana’s face at the height of her pleasure.

“I love you,” Dana smiled as she rested her forehead against Al’s. “I’m sorry it’s been so long.”

“It was worth the wait,” Alice teased as she ran her hands along Dana’s sides and sensed her tense ever so slightly. “Hey,” she said, moving her hands to Dana’s bald head and bringing them to rest on her cheeks, “It doesn’t matter. I love you.” She brushed her fingers gently across Dana’s lips before kissing her deeply. “I really, truly, love you.”

Late that afternoon, while Dana took her now customary nap, Alice finished the research and outline for her next article and decided to get a jump on getting ready for Bette’s bon voyage dinner at The Planet. Ten days in silent meditation sounded like absolute hell to Alice, but Bette insisted that she was looking forward to it. Tina’s ambivalence made for uncomfortable conversation, so they’d dropped the subject before Alice could find out why. She supposed tonight’s dinner was to be an olive branch from T.