Ryland was nervous. Holy shit was she nervous. She’d fucked Tess a couple of dozen times before. Hell, she’d even fucked her earlier that night. But this felt different. There was a tension between them that had never been there before—a pretense? Expectation? No, that wasn’t quite right either. It was the overwhelming sense that Ryland didn’t want to disappoint Tess. She wanted this to be the best night she’d ever had. She wanted this to be the beginning of something—of everything.
The doors to the hotel slid open, ushering Ryland into a world of unknown. Her heart pounded harder with every footstep toward the elevator. Without a word, they got on and Mitch hit the buttons for both of their floors. There was only one other person on board—a clearly intoxicated middle-aged man in an unseasonable Vineyard Vines polo shirt and shorts with heavy bags under his eyes. Ryland wasn’t dressed any more appropriately, but she was sober enough to feel the cold. When the bell dinged on the fourth floor, Mitch waved his good nights and got off, the drunk preppy man following several paces behind. Ryland and Tess were alone.
The tension between them thickened like smoke, nearly suffocating Ryland. Tess was smiling at her, her eyes calm, confident. Ryland imagined she didn’t look quite so cool. They only had long enough for a look before the elevator opened again.
“This is us,” Ryland said. What a stupid thing to say. Of course Tess knew this was their floor. Ryland shook her head as she stepped out, trying to clear some of the fog that had made its way into her brain. Tess had been holding the room key in her carryall the entire night, and she easily pulled it out of one of the zippered pockets and waved it in front of the door. An approving “beep” came and Tess turned the handle.
Suddenly, the quiet was deafening. The radiator hummed in the background, blowing off cool air that kept the room as frigid as a Midwest winter. Ryland was grateful for the air conditioner. She was already sweating under the collar of her T-shirt, and she knew it was only about to get worse. Tess slowly walked to the dresser and placed the key card on top, along with her bag. Her back was to Ryland, who couldn’t take her eyes off Tess’s perfect ass. Tess reached up a hand and pulled the clip out of her long hair, shaking it over her shoulders. The only light in the room was the glow of streetlamps and moonlight coming in through the large picture window, casting Tess’s figure in a spectacular silhouette. Without turning around, Tess hooked the ends of her fingers under the hem of her shirt and pulled it over her head so agonizingly slowly Ryland let out an actual groan. Her feet were stuck to the floor, refusing to move but also offering no support for her ever-wavering legs. With her shirt cast on the floor, Tess reached down and unfastened the button on her jeans. Ryland couldn’t actually see her doing it, but the mere idea of it was enough to send her over the edge. She let the pants fall to her feet and kicked them away. Ryland’s entire body was going to fail her if Tess did anything else.
For a long time, Tess just stood there, letting Ryland admire the soft outline of the curves of her lower back and hips and the shape of her thighs. Finally, she turned, her ridiculous body now in full view. Ryland’s nerves melted to the floor with Tess’s clothes and she rushed the few feet toward her, clasping Tess’s face with both hands and kissing her, taking exactly what she wanted. Tess moaned into Ryland’s mouth as Ryland pushed her tongue past Tess’s lips, controlling the tempo with the grip she kept on Tess’s head. Just as Ryland’s breath started to evade her, Tess stepped away, placing her hand on Ryland’s chest.
“I want you to finish,” Tess whispered. It took Ryland a second to figure out what she meant, but when she did, she smiled and leaned down to kiss Tess’s neck and tease her earlobe with the end of her tongue. Ryland reached around and unhooked the clasp on Tess’s bra in one smooth snap.
Tess giggled. “Good to see you’ve still got it,” she said.
Whatever remained of Ryland’s apprehension and insecurity evaporated. She wanted Tess. And Tess wanted her. That’s all there was to it.
Ryland leaned back and looked at Tess’s nearly naked form, not wanting to rush a single second of what was happening between them. When she was satisfied that she would remember that image forever, she placed her hands on Tess’s hips and knelt in front of her. Once she was on her knees, she looked up at Tess, completely at her mercy. Tess grabbed the back of Ryland’s head as Ryland reached up and slid Tess’s panties down with just her thumbs. She ran her tongue down Tess’s flat stomach, dipping it in her navel and nipping gently at the skin of Tess’s thighs. Tess gasped so loudly Ryland wondered if anyone walking by the room would hear. She hoped they would. She tightened her hold on Ryland’s head, trying to guide her higher.
“Please, Ry. I need you.” Her voice was hoarse and staggered and every word sounded like it took tremendous effort. The heat between Ryland’s legs doubled and her body ached for Tess to touch her. But her mind was much stronger than that.
“Say it again,” Ryland rasped, her tongue getting closer with every stroke.
“I. Need. You,” Tess said again, this time stronger, more desperate.
That was enough for Ryland. She stood up abruptly, grabbing Tess’s ass and lifting her until Tess’s legs were wrapped around her. Ryland kissed her hard on the mouth as Tess pulled handfuls of Ryland’s hair. They stumbled backward, falling into the small bed, Ryland’s body now draped on top of Tess’s.
She paused for a moment to look into Tess’s face. Their eyes met with the same intensity they’d found earlier, maybe more so given the context. Still propped over her, Ryland lifted herself to take off her shirt. Tess dug her nails into Ryland’s bare back, pulling them closer until their bodies merged at every possible intersection.
“You feel so good,” Ryland said into the soft crook of Tess’s neck. She once again forced herself to memorize this moment—the feel of Tess’s skin against hers, the cool of the air around them, the starch of the sheets beneath them. Pieces of Tess’s hair tickled Ryland’s nose. Ryland knew even if this was only one night, she’d always remember it if she ever came across the fruity and floral scents of Tess’s shampoo on someone else. She didn’t want there to be anyone else. She didn’t want this to be only one night.
“I wanted you years ago, but I really want you now,” Tess said. “Please touch me, Ry.”
Ryland grinned at her and slowly walked her fingers to Tess’s breasts, taking one of her nipples and squeezing with an increasing amount of pressure. Tess let out a high squeak that was almost inhuman and Ryland knew she was ready. She moved her hand farther down, brushing her fingertips gently over Tess’s skin as she went. When she reached the area between Tess’s legs, she stopped, hovering motionless. Tess bucked her hips, trying to bring Ryland’s hand closer, but Ryland kept it still until Tess began to whimper. She wasn’t sure she had any more self-control than Tess did in this moment. Ryland took her middle finger and stroked softly a couple of times, Tess’s fingernails now digging into Ryland’s back so hard Ryland was sure she’d drawn blood.
“Oh Jesus,” Tess whispered. Her hips were frozen this time, as if she were too overwhelmed to even try to move. She was completely at Ryland’s mercy, and Ryland knew it. It was how Ryland liked it. It was how she knew Tess liked it.
Ryland picked up her pace, stroking faster, feeling Tess harden underneath her. She took in the cadence of Tess’s ragged breathing, the ever-increasing frequency of her whimpers, and the quivering of her thighs underneath Ryland. And when she felt like Tess was about ready to lose all control, she slid two fingers inside her, and just held them there.
Tess screamed. There were no teasing moans this time. This was an actual wallpaper-peeling scream. Ryland knew anyone in a fifteen-foot radius would hear them. And she didn’t mind at all.
Ryland moved her fingers faster, feeling Tess tightening around her. She was close. And Ryland wasn’t far behind. Just touching Tess, hearing the noises she made and the way she writhed her hips underneath Ryland, was enough to nearly make Ryland cum. All Tess would have to do was press her knee between Ryland’s legs and it was all done.
Tess let out one more scream, this one the loudest of all, and wrapped her legs around Ryland’s waist as she shuddered over and over again. The aftershock seemed to just keep coming, but eventually, Ryland felt all of Tess’s muscles relax and melt underneath her.
“I don’t remember it being like that.” Tess panted, her eyes still closed.
Ryland laughed. “I mean, it was always good—”
Tess reached up and put her hand on Ryland’s cheek sweetly. “That’s not what I meant. It was always amazing. But that was like, a whole new level.”
Ryland smoothed Tess’s hair over the pillow and leaned down, kissing her on the forehead before burrowing her head in the curve of Tess’s arm and falling fast asleep.
* * *
“Ry. Psst, Ry.” Tess was wide-awake now, and she was hungry. She glanced at the oversized digital clock on the nightstand: 2:34 a.m.
Ryland didn’t move. Tess remembered she’d always slept like a corpse. She sat up in bed for a second, trying to decide on her next move. What she wanted to do was wake Ryland up by kissing her naked body. But she knew that wouldn’t work. Man, how did this girl ever wake up for a call?
“Ryland!” Tess shouted at full volume.
That one worked. Ryland shot up to attention, her eyes wide and her breathing heavy.
“Are you okay?” Ryland asked, looking at Tess with pure alarm.
“Me? Oh, I’m so fine. But hey, you’re awake.” Tess kissed her quickly on the lips and the distress slowly eased from Ryland’s face.
“Did you yell at me?” Ryland asked, her voice still groggy.
“I don’t know what you mean. You just woke up all on your own. And since you’re up, I’m hungry. And I really want a brownie sundae.”
Ryland erupted in laughter. “A brownie sundae?”
“Yes. A fucking brownie sundae. Is that an issue?” Tess asked, smiling.
“It’s almost three in the morning.”
“And?”
Ryland shook her head and laughed resolutely. “Okay. I’ll try room service.”
Tess clapped her hands in delight and Ryland leaned over to the side of the bed to pick up the phone.
“Hello. Is room service still available, by chance? I have a very hungry pilot here. I’m worried about my safety if I don’t find her a brownie sundae ASAP.”
Tess feigned a pout and then smiled, laying her head in Ryland’s lap. Ryland stroked her hair as she waited, presumably on hold. Butterflies were such a cliché. But there was no other way to describe what was happening in Tess’s stomach. Her body felt so light it might take off toward the ceiling. She was firmly fixed in that exact moment in time. Ryland was bad news. Or, at least, she used to be? But none of that mattered. Not that night. Not when there were brownie sundaes to be eaten in bed together. Not when everything felt so right—so safe.
“You’re in luck,” Ryland said after she’d put the phone back on the receiver. “The receptionist saw us come in in uniform and they’re apparently suckers for heroes. The kitchen’s closed, but they’re going to make us one anyway.”
“You are amazing.” Tess sat up and put her hand on the back of Ryland’s neck, pulling her in and kissing her much slower than before. The cliché fluttering in her gut was so strong now it moved all the way into her chest, climbing into her head until she thought she might actually pass out. The loudest voices in Tess’s head told her she was in trouble. Big trouble. But she was able to hush them by thinking about just how good Ryland’s lips felt on hers.
Not even fifteen minutes later, there was a quiet knock at the door. Tess, realizing they were still completely naked in bed, jumped up and ran to the closet, pulling out a terry cloth robe before ushering the hotel attendant in.
A tired-looking younger man who couldn’t have been much older than twenty-five forced a smile and wheeled in a silver cart with a covered dish on top. Next to it was a bottle of champagne on ice.
“We didn’t order the champagne,” Tess said apologetically.
The man waved. “It’s on the house. We really appreciate everything you guys do. My mom’s a nurse. I know how hard it can be.” His smile evolved into a more genuine one and Tess saw a boyishness in his face she hadn’t before. He was probably just some nice kid trying to make a few extra bucks for college by working the overnight shift answering phones. Instead, he got roped into bringing ice cream to a couple of healthcare workers on an impromptu vacation at nearly three a.m.
“Wait here a second.” Tess ran off to her bag, which sat in the corner near the bed.
“What are you doing?” Ryland, who was still covered only by a sheet and thankfully out of view due to the room’s foyer, mouthed to her.
“Tip,” Tess mouthed back. She pulled a twenty-dollar bill out of her wallet, and then thought about how bright the world had looked over the last twenty-four hours, and pulled out another. She returned to the bellhop and handed it to him.
“Thank you,” Tess said. He smiled, looking more awake now, and turned to leave.
“That was very thoughtful of you,” Ryland said, once they were alone.
Tess wheeled the room service cart over to the bed and climbed back in next to Ryland. She pulled the plate over and took the lid off, revealing a brick of a brownie covered with no less than four scoops of vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, whipped cream, and chocolate sprinkles.
“He was a nice kid. And probably makes minimum wage. As bad as I feel that they went out of their way to make this for us. This looks fucking amazing.” Tess picked up a spoon and dug in. Once she was satisfied she had a little bit of everything, she brought it to Ryland. Ryland groaned as she engulfed the desert.
“Shit, that’s good,” she mumbled, her mouth still full.
Tess followed suit and took a big bite. She felt her eyes roll into the back of her head. “Oh my God.”
Ryland was staring at her.
“What?” Tess said.
“You’ve just got a little something.” Ryland reached up and dabbed the corner of Tess’s lips with her thumb. “Oh, and maybe something here.” She kissed the tip of Tess’s nose.
“Huh, that’s funny. I think you’ve got something on your face too,” Tess said, smiling.
“No way.” But before Ryland could continue her protest, Tess dipped her finger in the pile of whip cream and smeared it on Ryland’s cheek, laughing.
Ryland’s face was stone, the dollop of whip cream beginning to run down the side of her chin. Tess was just waiting for her to break. She finally did, the laughter spilling out of her so hard that tears followed.
“You are such a slob, you know that?” Ryland said as she picked up the spoon and traced a smudge of chocolate syrup on Tess’s bottom lip.
“Hey, we better stop. We have to sleep in this bed tonight,” Tess said, still laughing uncontrollably. Eventually, the laughter settled, and Ryland leaned in slowly, kissing the chocolate off Tess’s lips as she ran her fingers through Tess’s hair.