Blooming Bare

“So I’m there and… and I just can’t get out of my head, you know? I’m so caught up in whether I look good or that I don’t sound weird when I finish that I just…don’t.”

I’m slicing up one of the bell peppers we got at the farmer’s market today for dinner. The one in the village nearby, I promised to take you to for months now.

“That happens. Sometimes we’re just not in the right headspace, you know? Plus, you were absolutely exhausted with that corporate job, and being tired can affect how things go in the bedroom, so…”

“Yeah, but… it was a nice date, but it just wasn’t… right, you know? Have you ever had that?”

“Oh yeah. Plenty of times.”

“I don’t know… Can we change the subject? I’m not really feeling all this dating talk right now.”

“Since when? I’ve known you for, what, ten years now? And you’re an open book.”

“I don’t know. I guess I’m just not feeling very open right now.”

“I could help with that.”

“I mean it. I just… I’m not feeling like talking about past lovers right now.”

I look back at you over my shoulder, and your brows knit together in confusion. You’re on the couch, watching me in the kitchenette.

The lakeside cottage I inherited is cozy, but it feels even more so with you here. Especially during these three weeks for our annual getaway from the city.

You bring warmth to the place that no amount of my cottagecore interior decorating skills could. It’s not just my little slice of paradise away from the outside world.

It’s ours.

That’s just it. Ours.

“Hey… What’s wrong?”

I can’t blame you for asking. You’ve always been able to tell when I’m not myself, no matter how well I try to mask it.

I haven’t been the same since two days ago. When we were paddleboarding on the lake.

Swimming under the sunshine, and you helped me back onto the board… After splashing me, of course.

Then we had this… this moment. You were just smiling at me, and you tucked a loose strand of my hair behind my ear.

This…realisation hit me. I think deep down, I always knew, but that moment…the way your eyes sparkled, and my heart swelled with warmth when you smiled at me, I knew for sure.

I am in love with you.

Our friends and families have said for years that we act like a couple, and should hurry up and get together. We’ve always said we’re just friends and nothing more.

Now? I know that’s not the case. Not for me, anyway.

And I don’t know what to do about it.

You push the fluffy comforter off your legs, get up off the couch, and make your way over. Fuck. I know you won’t let it go until I tell you. And I’m a terrible liar.

“Hey… Talk to me.”

I don’t move from the counter, my back still to you as I stop mid-chop. I carefully rest the knife on the cutting board, and my breath hitches as you wrap your arms around me from behind.

This is really not helping.

“It’s… It’s fine. It’s nothing.”

“You’re a god-awful liar. Tell me. What’s up?”

What can I say? What if you don’t feel the same, and what we have now is completely ruined?

Do I risk that?

My nerves are on edge, and you can instantly tell by how stiff I am. You run your thumbs over my hips, and my pulse quickens at the intimate touch. It’s… …it’s really not helping.

I turn around and face you, our bodies close together in this new position. Your eyes search my face, trying to find a hint of what’s wrong before I even open my mouth.

Fuck. It wasn’t meant to go like this, and you definitely won’t let it slide now.

Sure, we flirt, but it’s…just banter, right? This isn’t anything more; it can’t be, but I can’t lie to you.

Well. Here goes. My relationship with my best friend is about to go down the drain in 3…2…

“I… I don’t know how to say this…”

“Is this about the other day? On the paddleboard?”

“The… the paddleboard?”

“Yeah. That… moment between us?”

My eyes widen. Was I that obvious?

“How… How did you…?”

A long moment passes between us. I can’t even string a sentence together.

“You thought I couldn’t tell…? That I didn’t feel it too?”

It’s unspoken, but the way you’re looking at me says everything.

I… I don’t know what to say. I wasn’t expecting this.

You’ve been with… Well, a lot more people than me. You’ve always been the free-spirited one. The one with a few no-strings-attached lovers on speed dial.

Relationships have never seemed to suit you. Well, that’s how it seemed until you stopped dating entirely last year.

And you know I’m the complete opposite. I need my routine. I like following the book.

You poke fun and call it ‘boring’; I call it stability. So… how could you feel…?

Unless… No. No, no, please don’t. Don’t let this be one of your jokes. Don’t fuck with my feelings like this.

Please don’t give me hope.

“Don’t joke…”

“I’m not.”

You take my face in your hands and look deep into my eyes.

“I was… I’d been waiting…years…for you to look at me like that. The same way I look at you. All this time, and you didn’t notice?”

Every nerve, every sensation is more heightened as I stare at you, speechless.

Are you saying what I think you’re saying?

“When?”

“Since…since Budapest.”

Budapest? That… that was five years ago.

“Why didn’t you say anything?”

“Didn’t want to ruin what we have…”

I can’t believe this is happening. You feel… after all this time, everyone we know was right?

That the only two people who couldn’t see we were mad for each other…was us?

“Oh, my god…”

A wave of relief crashes through me as we wrap our arms around each other. You feel the same. Oh my god, you feel the same!

We stay like this for a while, your soft body pressed up against mine. Your sleek hair tickles my shoulder, and the mood shifts.

My hands begin to wander, one skimming down your hip, the other up your back. Your hands settle around my ribs, just below my breasts.

When you nuzzle my neck, my cheeks flare with heat. You’ve always been openly affectionate. The ‘hugger’ of us both.

But this time? It’s different.

The air’s thicker, and sparks dance between us.

“Mmm…”

The tip of your nose tickles against my neck.

“Mmm…this is new.”

Offhandedly, I wonder if you mean my new perfume, or holding me like this… Either way, I don’t mind. I don’t mind at all.

“It’s… I thought I’d try something different.”

“Yeah?”

You place a single kiss on my neck and holy…

“There’s never been anyone else for me, you know. Only you.”

Oh…my god. Your lips are soft, and it takes me a second to register that I’m actually kissing you.

Now that we’re doing this, I can’t deny that I’ve wanted you for years. I kiss you back, gently at first, matching your pressure.

Your lips are so soft, and I can taste your coconut lip balm on my lips. The kiss is soft at first, exploratory, like you’re being careful with me.

As if you don’t want to go all in, as if that would scare me off. I’ve always been the planner, while you’re more spontaneous.

“Good?”

“Yeah…”

You lean in a little more, tilting your head slightly, carding your fingers into my hair as you pull me deeper into your kiss.

Fuck, it’s a good thing I’m pressed against the counter, or my knees would buckle. I tighten my arms a little around your waist, my hands slipping down past your hips to cup your ass when I realise…

“Wait, wait, I…”

I pull back, shaking my head, trying to slow my thoughts.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah, yeah, I just… I’ve…never… I’ve never been with another woman before.”

“Okay…?”

“And you’ve been with…with a lot of people and… I don’t want to disappoint you…”

Your eyes soften, and you look…amused. You take my face in your hands, bringing my forehead to yours.

“Babe, you could never disappoint me, okay? Never.”

We stumble into my bedroom, clothes peeling indiscriminately off our bodies. I can’t remember how my shirt came off, or your dress, but all I know is I’ve never wanted anything this badly in my life as I want you now.

“Take these off…”

You push my jeans down my legs, and I hurry to kick them off. Where they end up, I don’t care.

“On the bed…”

We both fall back on the bed, you on top of me. My fingers trace your bare skin against mine, and I let you guide my arms above my head.

Your mouth on me feels incredible as you kiss your way down my neck, then… You suck my nipples into your mouth, flicking your tongue against the hardening flesh.

My toes curl, pleasure pulsing between my legs, through my body. My nipples are sensitive, and you’re being so gentle, responding to every little cue my body makes.

“I’ve wanted you… For so long…”

You slide my underwear down my legs, then your own, and pull your bralette over your head, tossing it to the ground without looking away from me.

The way we move together is soft, sensual…like a dance. Everything about it feels right.

Every touch, every kiss, and caress. I watch you kiss your way down my body, each touch of your lips sending shivers across my skin.

I let you move me how you want me. I trust you…knowing how to guide me through this. With you.

My first time with you. Hopefully, the first of many times.

“I’ll go slow, okay? Tell me if you need to stop, or change anything…”

“Okay…”

Ever so lightly, you flick the tip of your tongue over my clit, then look up from between my legs.

“Is this okay?”

“Yeah…”

With every move of your tongue, I feel my body sinking more into the sheets, relaxing under your touch.

You move slowly, alternating the pressure of your tongue against my clit, and gently sucking it between your lips.

The way you touch me feels so… reverent. Loving. I know this isn’t just another hook-up for you. It’s deeper than just unbridled lust or the ‘forbidden’ thought of sleeping with your best friend.

You want me to feel good. You’re pouring all your feelings into every kiss, every lick, every caress of your fingertips over my hips and down between my legs.

Massaging my lips carefully as you build up the pressure, bit by bit, as you suck on my clit. Making it throb all the more, then easing off with gentle, worshipping licks.

“How’s that feel?”

“Really good… You’re…fuck, you’re really good at this.”

“I remember when you told me what you liked… That night at the tiki bar?”

“Oh my god, really? That feels like a million years ago.”

“I loved you then too…”

I can’t control the smile spreading across my face. But I want more… I feel like I shouldn’t just be lying back and letting you do all the work.

“I want to touch you.”

“Shhh… Don’t worry about me right now. Later… Just feel for me, okay? Empty your mind…just feel…”

You could always calm me down when my head won’t shut up, and now is no exception. Your words have a way of making my mind quiet… Your mouth helps too.

I know you’re right. I am thinking too much. So I do as you say, and I relax completely into the mattress.

Letting the sensations you give me take over.

“Do you want my fingers inside you?”

“Yeah…”

“I’ll go slow, okay?”

You slowly slip one finger inside me, drawing back before working in another inch…and another. Back and forth, curling slightly, gauging my reaction.

“How’s that?”

“Feels good...”

Fuck…I can’t believe we’re doing this… We’re finally…doing this…

You drag the flat of your tongue along my folds, circling around my clit as you work your finger deeper inside of me.

Moving in an easy rhythm, my hips buck against your finger, rocking up more against your face.

I want more… My pussy’s clenching around you, craving to be filled more.

“I think you want another finger… Do you want it?”

“Please…”

You slip another finger inside, and my pussy squeezes around them. Fuck…

And when they curl up to my g-spot, massaging in small circles, a wave of pleasure rocks through me.

“Ohhh…”

I arch up, gripping the sheets in fistfuls. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever felt.

“Does that make you feel good?”

“Ah…uh-uh…”

“Just let me make you feel good…”

“Oh god! Ohhh…!”

“Don’t hold back… Cum on my tongue…”

I feel…incredible. And when you lower yourself on top of me…bringing your lips to mine so I can taste myself on your tongue? Fuck, I feel like I’m in heaven.

“I want to make you feel good too…”

“You already do…”

“You know what I mean. Can I taste you?”

“Yeah? You want to?”

“Of course I want to.”

We shift so I’m on top of you, and I kiss my way down your body... Burying my face between your breasts as I massage them.

“Mmmm… They’re so soft…”

I flick my tongue over your nipples, lightly grazing my teeth against the sensitive skin.

I love those little noises you make, and I want to hear more. I do it again, then trail my lips down your soft stomach, hooking your knees up.

“Getting confident, are we?”

“Tell me what you like, okay?”

“Okay…”

I brush my lips over your inner thighs, kissing and nipping my way closer. Fuck, you’re wet. You look so good…glistening for me.

I feel nervous… but in a good way. Excitement pulses through my body, and my clit throbs with aftershocks just at the sight of you like this.

“Take your time, okay? There’s no rush…”

“Okay…”

I lose myself in your scent, moving my tongue and softly sucking your clit between my lips. You taste… fuck, you taste sweet and…so completely you.

My fingertips dig into your soft thighs as I pull you closer to me. You rock up your hips against my face, threading your fingers in my hair and guiding me where you need me, while I work my tongue.

I don’t rush, just like you said. Gauging every little response in your body. Every twitch, every roll of your full hips. I’ve fantasised about doing this with you so many times…

So many times I touched myself, wondering how you would taste, the sounds you’d make. My hips grind into the sheets at the memories, even more when you tremble at me flicking my tongue lightly along your clit, switching up the pressure.

“Keep…keep doing that… Right there - oh god…”

“Mm? That feel good?”

“So good… I love you… I love you so fucking much…”

“I love you too…”

Our fingers interlock as I dip my head again and continue to worship your pussy, and my whole body buzzes with a warmth, a fullness, I’ve never felt before. Watching pleasure paint its way over your gorgeous face, sharing our most vulnerable selves with each other.

I keep the featherlight pressure, switching it up between cherishing kisses and using my tongue.

Keeping the same pace as you grip the sheets, your teeth sinking into your full bottom lip as you get closer…

Your hips buck, you turn your face into the pillow, trembling, watching me with eyes glazed over with pleasure…

I want to hear you cum. I want to feel you writhe under my hands, under my mouth. I want to taste your release on my tongue and commit it to memory.

All I want is you. All of you.

Your smile. Your laugh. The cute way you cross your arms and bite your lip when you’re concentrating on something.

Your moans. Your release.

I want it all. I want you.

Your thighs quiver against my cheeks, and I rest my head on your lower belly for a moment.

“Whoa…”

I can’t believe…we just did that…

My head’s a mishmash, my body thrumming from what’s just happened. And when I feel you stroking your fingers in my hair while we lie there…I just melt.

“Come here… I want to kiss you.”

I settle on my side on the bed, and you bring me into your arms, lazily draping your leg over my hip.

“Oh my god…”

“Yeah…”

You smile softly down at me, gently brushing a strand of hair from my face and tucking it behind my ear. Just like you did on the paddleboard, with that same look in your eyes.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I… That was amazing.”

We’re lying side by side, just looking at each other, not saying a word. Everything feels…lighter. Brighter.

You’re practically beaming at me as you tuck your arm under the pillow. A little smile quirks at your kiss-swollen lips, like we’re sharing a secret.

Except it’s not a secret anymore. Everything’s out in the open.

And I feel…so…so happy.

“I don’t know why we didn’t do this sooner.”

“I was…scared that it would ruin our friendship. And I knew you were trying to figure some stuff out. I figured you’d tell me when you were ready.”

A soft smile tugs at the corner of my lips. I trace my fingertips lightly over your jaw, placing a light kiss on your forehead.

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”