Spooning some more Cheerios into her mouth, Erin glanced at Ashley. The girl has been acting odd this morning. Well, odder than usual. Grinning, Erin thought the redhead was always little odd. As she chewed her cereal, Erin tried to put her finger on just what was strange about Ashley\u2019s behavior. It was almost like she was nervous about something.<\/p>\n
Like when Erin was getting dressed earlier, she had caught Ashley sneaking a peek. When she had looked at the girl, she had looked away in a hurry. Erin had frowned, thought they were way past the point of being shy around each other. After the things they did to each other last night, what did they have to be embarrassed about?<\/p>\n
Thinking about last night, Erin had to smile. It had been late when they finally had enough of each other and Erin was a little sore this morning. She had no regrets, though. Last night had been amazing- Ashley had been amazing.<\/p>\n
\u201cLast night was pretty crazy, huh?\u201d Erin said, smiling at the girl.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think we overdid it,\u201d Ashley said.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou are probably right,\u201d Erin said, laughing, \u201care you sore, too?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cA little,\u201d Ashley admitted, grinning sheepishly.<\/p>\n
\u201cI guess you can<\/em> have too much fun,\u201d Erin said, shaking her head.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t regret it, though,\u201d Ashley said.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, neither do I,\u201d Erin said, smiling playfully at her, \u201cI can\u2019t remember ever having so many orgasms.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, you are welcome,\u201d Ashley said, laughing.<\/p>\n Finishing the last of her cereal, Erin asked, \u201cDo you think Mindy and Sarah had as much fun as we did?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI guess it depends if Sarah forgave Mindy,\u201d Ashley said, then laughed, \u201cat least she finally dumped her babysitter.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRight,\u201d Erin said, shaking her head, \u201cShe had me worried.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNow we can stop calling our Sarah by her last name,\u201d Ashley said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt does un-complicate things, doesn\u2019t it?\u201d Erin said, laughing.<\/p>\n \u201cIn more ways than one,\u201d Ashley said.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you think we should call them? Find out how it went?\u201d Erin asked.<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe later,\u201d Ashley said, stretching, \u201cI need a shower, first.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHand me your bowl,\u201d Erin said, holding out her hand, \u201cI\u2019ll run them downstairs while you jump in the shower.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin took her dishes downstairs, rinsed them and put them in the dishwasher. She turned to leave when Loren walked into the kitchen. Loren leaned against the sink and gave Erin an amused, knowing smile.<\/p>\n \u201cDid you all have fun?\u201d Loren asked.<\/p>\n \u201cUm, yeah,\u201d Erin laughed. Her cheeks were a little hot because Loren knew the real reason why she had stayed over.<\/p>\n \u201cGood,\u201d Loren said, winking, \u201cAshley was moping around the house yesterday. She needed to get some.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWow,\u201d Erin said, shaking her head. Frowning, she asked, \u201cWhy was Ashley moping around the house?\u201d<\/p>\n Loren gave her a curious look, then asked, \u201cShe didn\u2019t tell you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTell me what?\u201d Erin asked.<\/p>\n \u201cInteresting,\u201d Loren said.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s interesting?\u201d Erin asked.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t worry about it,\u201d Loren said, pushing away from the sink, \u201cI\u2019m sure she\u2019ll ask you when she\u2019s ready.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAsk me what?\u201d Erin said, but Loren didn\u2019t answer.<\/p>\n Frowning, she watched the girl walk away. Alone, she wondered what the hell Ashley was supposed to ask her. She was still trying to figure it out as she headed upstairs. Finally, she gave up and decided just to ask Ashley when she got out of the shower.<\/p>\n With some free time on her hands, she thought about calling Mindy. She really wanted to know what happened with Sarah, but she thought she should probably wait for Ashley.<\/p>\n Instead, she called Natty\u2019s house phone.<\/p>\n As it started to ring, Erin thought about the cellphone she had given Natty. Did the one in the Place of Locked Doors have the same number as the one in her hand? She wondered if it had rung when Ashley called her yesterday. Frowning, she hoped she hadn\u2019t given the girl something she couldn\u2019t use.<\/p>\n How can I get Natty a new number, if it is the same<\/em>, Erin wondered. She\u2019d have to look into it.<\/p>\n \u201cHi,\u201d Natty said, cheerfully as she came on the line.<\/p>\n \u201cHi,\u201d Erin said, smiling, \u201chave you unpacked, yet?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUm, yeah. Just finished this morning,\u201d Natty said, laughing, \u201cwe had a lot of stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI volunteered to help you unload it,\u201d Erin reminded her.<\/p>\n \u201cI know. I was too tired that night,\u201d Natty said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was a long trip,\u201d Erin said, grinning, \u201cfun, though.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA lot of fun,\u201d Natty agreed.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere are we going next time?\u201d Erin asked.<\/p>\n \u201cI still have to plan a trip with Ashley,\u201d Natty said, laughing.<\/p>\n \u201cI guess it is her turn next,\u201d Erin said, with a theatrical sigh.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll always have the Grand Canyon,\u201d Natty said, laughing.<\/p>\n \u201cSpeaking of which\u2026 The pictures I took there showed up on my SD card over here,\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally?\u201d Natty asked.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah. I have a whole bunch of naked pictures of us\u2026 some at the Grand Canyon\u2026 some on the road…\u201d Erin said.<\/p>\n Laughing, Natty said, \u201cIt was your<\/em> idea to not pack any clothing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know\u2026 Babe,\u201d Erin said, grinning.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t start that, again,\u201d Natty said, the smile on her face clear in her voice.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you prefer \u2018sugar\u2019? Or maybe, \u2018sweetie\u2019?\u201d Erin asked.<\/p>\n \u201cSmartass,\u201d Natty said, laughing.<\/p>\n \u201cSmartass? That\u2019s an odd choice for a pet name,\u201d Erin teased.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, it\u2019s going to be my new pet name for you.\u201d<\/p>\n Laughing, Erin asked, \u201cAre we okay? Things got a little\u2026 weird at that the Grand Canyon.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, we are okay,\u201d Natty said, sounding embarrassed, \u201cI was just feeling lonely, I guess.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think Mindy having a girlfriend has us all thinking some thoughts,\u201d Erin said.<\/p>\n \u201cThat could be it, too,\u201d Natty said.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, speaking of Mindy\u2026 She dumped her old babysitter,\u201d Erin said.<\/p>\n \u201cGood,\u201d Natty said, sighing with relief, \u201cI was hoping she would.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou and me both,\u201d Erin said.<\/p>\n There was a barely audible ding in the background and Natty said, \u201cUm, I have to go. My lunch is ready.\u201d<\/p>\n Grinning, Erin said, \u201cWhatcha got cooking?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLasagna,\u201d Natty said.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ll have to make us something next time I visit,\u201d Erin said.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay. Bye,\u201d Natty said.<\/p>\n Unable to resist, Erin said, \u201cGoodbye, Sweetie.\u201d<\/p>\n Laughing, Natty said, \u201cSmartass.\u201d<\/p>\n The line went dead, and Erin tossed the phone aside. She went to Ashley\u2019s computer, logged into her email account. She saw a new message from Melanie, the girl Erin had met while researching Natty\u2019s predicament. Her girlfriend had overdosed and was stuck in her own version of the Place of Locked Doors. Erin had reached out to Melanie, and they had become friends, brought together by their shared experience.<\/p>\n Clicking on it, she read: I\u2019ll be in town next Saturday. If you\u2019d still like to meet in person, let me know a location. I\u2019d really like to see you, if nothing else to give you a big hug. Love, Melanie.<\/strong><\/p>\n Erin sat back, thinking about it. She wanted to see Melanie, too. They had so much to talk about, but they\u2019d need some privacy to discuss any of it. Somewhere without her parents looking over her shoulder or listening in on her conversation.<\/p>\n The door opened, and Ashley came into the room, a towel wrapped around her and her hair still damp. Erin swiveled on the chair to admire the view. Ashley went to her dresser, dug out some clean panties. She gave Erin a curious look when she caught her watching.<\/p>\n \u201cAre you going to watch me get dressed?\u201d Ashley asked.<\/p>\n \u201cJust waiting for you to drop the towel,\u201d Erin said, playfully.<\/p>\n Ashley made a show of loosening the knot between her breasts, letting the towel fall to the floor. Naked, she said, \u201cHappy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cVery,\u201d Erin said, smiling. Admiring Ashley’s pale body, Erin had to think, How crazy has my life become when I’m checking out Ashley? Still, she really does look sexy as hell standing there, smiling at me like that.<\/em><\/p>\n Laughing and shaking her head, Ashley said, \u201cDidn\u2019t you get it out of your system last night?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, I just wanted to see you naked,\u201d Erin said, winking.<\/p>\n \u201cGo take a shower,\u201d Ashley said, smiling at Erin.<\/p>\n There was something about Ashley’s smile that made Erin’s heart beat faster, even if she didn’t understand why. Then Ashley looked away, and the spell was broken.<\/p>\n Erin left her friend to get dressed, heading to the bathroom for a shower. The hot water helped loosen up the tension in her thighs and back, and she stood under the sluice of hot water a little while before reaching for Ashley\u2019s body wash. Pouring a little puddle in her palm, Erin smiled, thinking she\u2019d spend the day smelling like Ashley.<\/p>\n Thinking about the redhead, Erin realized her call to Natty and the email from Melanie had distracted her from what Loren had said in the kitchen. As she soaped up, Erin wondered what Ashley had to ask her. They had been friends for so long that Erin couldn\u2019t think of anything Ashley would hesitate to ask her. Frowning, she thought about the other part of what Loren had said. Was Ashley keeping something a secret from her? That was something they never did.<\/p>\n She finished the rest of her shower in a hurry. Wrapping the towel around her and tucking the loose ends between her breasts, Erin went back to Ashley\u2019s room. She found the redhead sitting on her bed, with her notebook on her knees. Ashley closed the tablet a little too quickly, and Erin gave her a curious look.<\/p>\n Is she blushing<\/em>, Erin wondered.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat are you writing? A new story?\u201d Erin asked, putting her backpack on the bed so she could dig out some clean clothes.<\/p>\n \u201cUm, yeah,\u201d Ashley said, then changed her mind, \u201cor trying to. Can\u2019t seem to get started.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin released the knot in her towel, let it fall to the floor. Feeling Ashley\u2019s eyes on her, Erin glanced at her friend, said playfully, \u201cAre you going to watch me get dressed?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI just wanted to see you naked,\u201d Ashley said, grinning.<\/p>\n Erin went to her, giving her a deep, lingering kiss. Even after last night, there was some heat behind it, and she felt Ashley starting to respond. Just when it was getting close to the point of no return, Ashley put her hand on Erin\u2019s shoulder and gently pushed her back.<\/p>\n \u201cI think we need to stop,\u201d Ashley husked.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah,\u201d Erin said, stealing one more kiss.<\/p>\n \u201cPut some clothes on before I change my mind,\u201d Ashley said, smiling at her.<\/p>\n Erin laughed as she started getting dressed. As she shimmied into her jeans, she said, \u201cI ran into Loren downstairs.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah?\u201d Ashley asked.<\/p>\n \u201cShe said you were moping around the house yesterday,\u201d Erin said, pausing to meet Ashley\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cI wasn\u2019t moping,\u201d Ashley said, rolling her eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cYou weren\u2019t?\u201d Erin asked.<\/p>\n Blushing, Ashley said, \u201cFine. Maybe a little.\u201d<\/p>\n Pulling her shirt over her head and pushing her arms through the sleeves, Erin asked, \u201cWhy were you moping around yesterday?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUm…\u201d Ashley said, rubbing the back of her neck, \u201cno reason.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin looked at her for a long moment, then said, \u201cIt has to be something big, if you don\u2019t want to talk about it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s nothing,\u201d Ashley said, dismissively, \u201cI\u2019m over it, now.\u201d<\/p>\n Grinning, Erin said, \u201cLoren said you just needed to get some.\u201d<\/p>\n Ashley snorted in surprise, then laughed, \u201cIt definitely helped.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe also said you have something you wanted to ask me?\u201d Erin said, sitting on the bed.<\/p>\n \u201cI- I\u2026 What?\u201d Ashley said, twitching in surprise. She looked like she had been caught with her hand in the cookie jar.<\/p>\n Erin looked at her oldest friend for a moment, wondering what had Ashley so flustered. She didn\u2019t say anything, just met and held Ashley\u2019s eyes. The girl blushed and looked away. Ashley squirmed when she turned back and Erin was still looking at her.<\/p>\n \u201cShe said I had something to ask you, huh?\u201d Ashley asked, playing with the corner of the notebook on her lap.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah,\u201d Erin said, looking at Ashley’s fingers worrying at the pages.<\/p>\n Taking a deep breath, Ashley nodded, \u201cI guess I do.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is it?\u201d Erin asked.<\/p>\n \u201cGod, why am I so nervous all of a sudden?\u201d Ashley said, with an anxious little laugh.<\/p>\n \u201cYou are nervous?\u201d Erin asked, her eyes widening. Why would Ashley be nervous about asking her something?<\/p>\n Ashley took another breath and straightened her spine. Erin\u2019s eyes widened even more. She knew her friend well, and Ashley always did that when she was about to do something she was scared of doing. Erin\u2019s heart started beating faster, and she wasn\u2019t quite sure why.<\/p>\n \u201cIf I ask you something, do you promise not to freak out?\u201d Ashley said.<\/p>\n Laughing, Erin said, \u201cWhen you say that, it makes me freak out, so no.\u201d<\/p>\n Ashley looked at her for a long moment, and Erin could see her trying to decide to say something or not. Finally, Ashley said, \u201cI asked Trisha out Friday.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou what?\u201d Erin said, her eyes wide, \u201cwait! You mean out out?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah,\u201d Ashley said, blushing.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s\u2026 Wow!\u201d Erin said, laughing, \u201cI didn\u2019t realize you were that serious about\u2026 So that talk on the beach wasn\u2019t just idle musing?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been thinking about it a lot lately,\u201d Ashley admitted, her face red, \u201cit\u2019s just\u2026 Heather and Loren are so cute together\u2026 Mindy and Sarah, too. I-I guess I want what they have, too.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat did Trisha say?\u201d Erin asked.<\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d Ashley said, then laughed, \u201cbecause she\u2019s dating Carrie, now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?!\u201d Erin gasped.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s kind of a secret, so don\u2019t tell anyone,\u201d Ashley said, then added sheepishly, \u201clike I just did.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey are really dating?\u201d Erin said.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah,\u201d Ashley said, then laughed, \u201cit\u2019s not really that surprising. Trisha probably would have hooked up with Carrie the night of the party if you hadn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs this what I\u2019m not supposed to freak out about? Trisha dating Carrie?\u201d Erin asked.<\/p>\n \u201cUm, no,\u201d Ashley said.<\/p>\n \u201cThen what is?\u201d Erin asked.<\/p>\n Ashley looked at her for a long moment, and Erin saw her trying to make up her mind whether or not to answer. Finally, Ashley looked away, without saying anything. Erin thought she had made up her mind not to tell her, but then Ashley said, \u201cRemember on the beach, when I said you are beautiful and funny and smart, that any girl would be lucky to have you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou also said I was as kinky as you, but that\u2019s debatable,\u201d Erin said, grinning at her.<\/p>\n Ashley laughed, \u201cI still think you are just as kinky as me. Anyway\u2026 You could have any girl you wanted.\u201d<\/p>\n Self-consciously, Erin said, \u201cThat\u2019s a bit of an exaggeration.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot really,\u201d Ashley said, then laughed and shook her head, \u201cit took Loren pointing it out to me, but it\u2019s true. You are a catch and any boy or girl would be happy to have you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNow you are making me blush,\u201d Erin said, embarrassed.<\/p>\n \u201cLoren said someone would come along and snatch you up and I…\u201d Ashley said, shyly meeting Erin\u2019s eyes, \u201cI want it to be me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBe you?\u201d Erin said, her eyes narrowing. Then what Ashley was saying sank in, and they got big as saucers, \u201cWait\u2026 Are you serious?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI love you, Erin,\u201d Ashley said, her cheeks red, \u201cand I love being with you. I don\u2019t want to lose you to some other girl.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI- Well…\u201d Erin said, flabbergasted, \u201cyou aren\u2019t going to lose me to another girl.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf you start dating someone, then it\u2019ll just be me,\u201d Ashley said, meeting Erin\u2019s eyes. Erin saw that the girl was serious, that the thought of losing her to some other girl upset her. Both touched and a bit confused, Erin looked away.<\/p>\n “So you want to go out with me?\u201d Erin asked, laughing, \u201cwe\u2019ve been friends forever, Ash. How would it even work?\u201d<\/p>\n Blushing, Ashley said, \u201cI don\u2019t know. I haven\u2019t gotten that far, yet.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow much thought have you put into this?\u201d Erin asked.<\/p>\n \u201cA couple of hours last night, when I couldn\u2019t get to sleep,\u201d Ashley said, taking a deep breath, \u201cyou had your arm around me and\u2026 I realized I didn\u2019t want to lose you.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin looked at her for a long moment, then had to smile, \u201cI love you, too, Ash\u2026 as a friend. I wouldn\u2019t even know how to be your girlfriend.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh,\u201d Ashley said, looking away.<\/p>\n \u201cBut…\u201d Erin said, making Ashley look back at her, \u201cI don\u2019t want to lose you, either. Not as a friend and definitely not as a lover. I\u2019m not looking for anyone else.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou’re not?\u201d Ashley said, searching Erin\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d Erin said, smiling at her friend.<\/p>\n \u201cWas that a yes?\u201d Ashley asked.<\/p>\n Laughing, Erin said, \u201cWhat are you expecting from a girlfriend?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d Ashley asked, frowning.<\/p>\n \u201cIf I say yes, what are you expecting to be different than it is right now?\u201d Erin asked.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2026 Well…\u201d Ashley said, then sighed, \u201cI don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDo you want to hold hands and make out during a movie?\u201d Erin asked, grinning.<\/p>\n \u201cNot really,\u201d Ashley said, blushing, \u201cwell, maybe a little.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay,\u201d Erin said, laughing, \u201cwhat about not sleeping with anyone else? Natty will be disappointed if you two can\u2019t fool around on your road trip.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI hadn\u2019t thought of that,\u201d Ashley said, frowning.<\/p>\n \u201cSo what\u2019s that leave? Love letters and flowers on your birthday?\u201d Erin asked.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ve made your point, Smartass,\u201d Ashley said.<\/p>\n Snorting in surprise, Erin laughed, \u201cNatty\u2019s started calling me that, too.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt fits,\u201d Ashley said.<\/p>\n \u201cHey,\u201d Erin said, pretending to be offended.<\/p>\n \u201cSo you don\u2019t want to be my girlfriend,\u201d Ashley said. There was genuine disappointment in her eyes when she looked at Erin.<\/p>\n Laughing, Erin went to the girl, gave her a toe-curling kiss. Pulling back, Erin moved the notebook and crawled onto Ashley\u2019s lap. She put her arm around the girl\u2019s neck and smiled at her, asked, \u201cDo you really want to be my girlfriend or are you just afraid to lose me to some other girl?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI- I want to be your girlfriend,\u201d Ashley said, nervously. Erin saw she meant it.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, just because we\u2019ve been friends forever, doesn\u2019t mean it’s going to be that easy,\u201d Erin said, kissing her lightly, \u201cI fully expect to be swept off my feet. You know I\u2019m a sucker for romantic comedies.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh God,\u201d Ashley said, rolling her eyes, \u201chow am I supposed to \u2018sweep you off your feet\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n Stealing one more kiss, Erin hopped off her friend\u2019s lap and said, \u201cThat\u2019s for you to figure out.\u201d<\/p>\n ————————————–<\/p>\n Rolling onto her side, Mindy watched as Sarah added another log to the little potbelly stove. She couldn\u2019t help but smile, thinking the girl was indeed handy. She had made short work of clearing the chimney when they got back from their supply run. Then they had made love bathed in the orange glow of a flickering fire.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s nice having a fire,\u201d Mindy said, smiling when Sarah came back to the bed.<\/p>\n \u201cMm\u2026 I bet I could have kept you warm without it,\u201d Sarah said, playfully.<\/p>\n Laughing, Mindy kissed her, \u201cYou are probably right.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat I could use is a shower. Does the one in the bathroom work?\u201d Sarah asked.<\/p>\n \u201cNothing in the bathroom works,\u201d Mindy said, laughing, \u201cyou\u2019ll have to find a tree if you need to use the bathroom.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHuh,\u201d Sarah said, looking towards the bathroom, \u201cI\u2019d bet this place has a well. It\u2019s too far in the woods to have city water.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou think?\u201d Mindy asked, seeing the wheels turning in the girl\u2019s head.<\/p>\n \u201cIt probably has an electric pump, somewhere,\u201d Sarah said, looking back at Mindy, \u201cis there another building?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s a shed out back,\u201d Mindy said, her eyes narrowing, \u201cwhy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShow me,\u201d Sarah said, getting up.<\/p>\n Shrugging, Mindy got up and reached for her clothes. When she saw Sarah heading for the door naked, she laughed and followed the girl. The morning was chilly and the cool air made Mindy shiver, but it wasn\u2019t cold enough to chase them back inside. She led Sarah behind the house to the smaller structure. The rusted hinges protested as Sarah opened the door and the scent of moldy leaves escaped the place.<\/p>\n Mindy looked past her girlfriend at the curious equipment inside. Some of it she recognized, but the rest of it looked like it had been Frankenstein-ed together. She had found this building shortly after she and her babysitter started coming here. The weird mechanical devices hadn\u2019t interested her and she hasn\u2019t been back since.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s in the tank?\u201d Sarah asked, moving into the shed.<\/p>\n \u201cI have no idea,\u201d Mindy said, following her.<\/p>\n Sarah spotted a cap on the tank, twisted it. She sniffed, frowned. Turning to Mindy, she said, \u201cI thought it was a fuel tank, but it\u2019s not.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen what is it?\u201d Mindy asked.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t know,\u201d Sarah said, shrugging.<\/p>\n Sarah looked around the shed, spotted the one thing that had caught Mindy\u2019s eye last time she was here. It was an old bicycle mounted to the ground with the back tire up in the air. The tire and inner tube had been removed and a rubber belt looped around the rim in their place. The belt was attached to some mechanical device Mindy didn\u2019t recognize. She hadn\u2019t known the purpose of this cobbled together contraption when she first saw it, and she still didn\u2019t know what it was for.<\/p>\n Tilting her head to one side, Sarah studied it. She was smiling when she looked at Mindy, said, \u201cI think this is a generator. You pedal the bike, and it turns\u2026 what looks like a treadmill motor. At least, I think it is. Definitely a motor of some kind.\u201d<\/p>\n Laughing, Mindy asked, \u201cHow could you know that? And don\u2019t tell me because your father is a caretaker.\u201d<\/p>\n Sarah grinned at her, said, \u201cI saw this TV show about tiny houses. One of the owners had a setup like this. He got on the bike and pedaled, and it charged a battery bank\u2026 Like that one.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay,\u201d Mindy said, looking at the dilapidated row of batteries Sarah was pointing at. They looked in rough shape, their terminals rusted and crusted in green.<\/p>\n \u201cOn the show, he used it to light his house, run a little refrigerator,\u201d Sarah said, getting excited.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you think the owner of this cabin did that?\u201d Mindy asked, remembering the light sockets she had spotted in the main house.<\/p>\n \u201cProbably,\u201d Sarah said, looking around. Spotting something else, she moved closer. She was smiling even brighter when she turned back, \u201cBingo. This is an electric pump\u2026 And this is a water tank, not a fuel tank.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAre you sure?\u201d Mindy asked.<\/p>\n \u201cAbout ninety percent,\u201d Sarah said, laughing, \u201cI think at one time, the cabin had running water.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat would be nice to have now,\u201d Mindy said.<\/p>\n Her eyes going around the room, Sarah said, \u201cI think I can get this running\u2026maybe.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally?\u201d Mindy said, raising her eyebrows.<\/p>\n \u201cThe batteries are probably shot, but if I clean up the terminals\u2026 Push comes to shove, I can um\u2026 borrow a couple of new batteries from my Uncle Phillip. He\u2019s a mechanic, has his own garage,\u201d Sarah said, still looking around.<\/p>\n Mindy saw the wheels turning in the girl\u2019s head and had to smile. Her girlfriend had a project.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you think you can fix it today?\u201d Mindy asked.<\/p>\n \u201cUgh, no,\u201d Sarah said, laughing, \u201cthis is going to be a handful.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen come back inside,\u201d Mindy said, taking her hand.<\/p>\n With one more look around, Sarah said, \u201cYeah. There\u2019s not much I can do today.\u201d<\/p>\n As they walked back inside, Mindy asked, \u201cDo you really think you can fix all that stuff?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019ll be fun to try,\u201d Sarah said.<\/p>\n \u201cFun, huh?\u201d Mindy said, amused.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m the daughter of a tinkerer,\u201d Sarah said, putting her arm around Mindy\u2019s waist, \u201cI like taking things apart and figuring out how they work.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, if you figure out how to get the shower working, you\u2019ll be my hero,\u201d Mindy said, smiling at her.<\/p>\n As they stepped onto the porch, Mindy heard her phone ringing. She made it inside just in time to miss the call. She smiled when she saw Erin\u2019s number, said to Sarah, \u201cIt was Erin. Probably calling to see how we are doing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCall her back,\u201d Sarah said.<\/p>\n Shrugging, Mindy called Erin back. When the girl came on the line, she said, \u201cHey. What\u2019s up?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s up with you? You and Sarah okay?\u201d Erin asked.<\/p>\n \u201cMore than okay,\u201d Mindy said, smiling at her girlfriend, \u201cwe spent the night together at the cabin.\u201d<\/p>\n Laughing, Erin said, \u201cSounds like she forgave you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m working on it,\u201d Mindy said, shaking her head, \u201cshe says I have to get back on her good side.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think you two are going to be okay,\u201d Erin said.<\/p>\n \u201cI think you are right,\u201d Mindy said, then laughed, \u201cUm\u2026 Sarah wants me to ask if we can have some more lingerie.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin was laughing as she said, \u201cI take it she liked the set I gave you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh yeah,\u201d Mindy said.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, tell her to come by and pick something out. You, too,\u201d Erin said.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat did she say?\u201d Sarah asked, coming over to where Mindy stood.<\/p>\n \u201cShe said to come by and pick something out,\u201d Mindy said.<\/p>\n \u201cSay hi to Sarah for me,\u201d Erin said, in Mindy\u2019s ear.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll put you on speaker; you can tell her yourself,\u201d Mindy said.<\/p>\n \u201cSarah?\u201d Erin said, her voice tinny over the speaker.<\/p>\n \u201cHey,\u201d Sarah said, stepping closer, \u201cwhat the hell, Erin? I had to find out from Mindy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou disappeared for a while, remember,\u201d Erin said, laughing, \u201cI take it Mindy told you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah,\u201d Sarah said, shaking her head, \u201cstill trying to wrap my head around it, but she told me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI was just as surprised when I found out about you,\u201d Erin said.<\/p>\n \u201cI- I guess I did clam up a bit,\u201d Sarah said.<\/p>\n \u201cShame on you for that,\u201d Erin said, then laughed, \u201cyou might have been right in the middle of all the craziness if had just told Ashley and me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe craziness?\u201d Sarah asked, glancing at Mindy.<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t give her all the details,\u201d Mindy said, talking to Erin but looking at Sarah.<\/p>\n \u201cOh,\u201d Erin said, sheepishly, \u201csorry.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s okay,\u201d Mindy said, laughing, \u201cI was going to tell her, anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAll of it?\u201d Erin asked, dubiously.<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t say she\u2019d believe me,\u201d Mindy said, laughing.<\/p>\n \u201cYou could always borrow the black lingerie,\u201d Erin said.<\/p>\n \u201cIf it comes to that,\u201d Mindy said, glancing at Sarah. The girl was frowning, her eyes full of questions.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sure Natty would love to meet you, Sarah,\u201d Erin said.<\/p>\n \u201cWho\u2019s Natty?\u201d Sarah asked.<\/p>\n \u201cThe very center of the crazy,\u201d Erin said.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat does that mean?\u201d Sarah asked, meeting Mindy\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cUm, Erin\u2026 Can I end this call?\u201d Mindy asked.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah. Love you both, bye,\u201d Erin said.<\/p>\n \u201cBye,\u201d Sarah and Mindy said as one.<\/p>\n Sarah was looking at Mindy expectantly, and she rubbed the back of her neck nervously, said, \u201cWhere to begin?\u201d<\/p>\n ————————————————<\/p>\n Ashley knocked on Loren\u2019s door, waited in the hallway for the girl to open up. Loren finally did, giving Ashley a curious look. Ashley looked up and down the hall, then asked, \u201cHow do I sweep a girl off her feet?\u201d<\/p>\n Loren broke out in a smile, asked, \u201cErin making you work for it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah,\u201d Ashley said, sighing.<\/p>\n \u201cShe didn\u2019t say no, though,\u201d Loren said, stepping aside to let Ashley into her room.<\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d Ashley said.<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t think she would,\u201d Loren said, sitting on her bed. Patting the mattress beside her, Loren said, \u201cTell me what happened.\u201d<\/p>\n Ashley sat beside Loren and told her about asking Erin out. Finishing up, Ashley said, \u201cYou have to help. You\u2019re the one who made me realize I wanted this.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo it\u2019s my fault?\u201d Loren said, amused.<\/p>\n \u201cYes,\u201d Ashley said, shaking her head and laughing.<\/p>\n \u201cI wonder if Cupid gets this sort of grief?\u201d Loren teased.<\/p>\n \u201cYou make a half-assed Cupid,\u201d Ashley said, giving her stepsister a look.<\/p>\n Snorting in surprise, Loren laughed, \u201cRelax, Ashley. I\u2019m going to help you get the girl.\u201d<\/p>\n ————————————-<\/p>\n Erin opened her eyes in Natty\u2019s old bedroom. She left her body in her bedroom, a bit of a risk, considering it was in the middle of the afternoon. She had just gotten home from Ashley\u2019s about an hour ago.<\/p>\n She headed downstairs, found Natty in the living room. The girl heard her coming down the stairs, looked up. Erin smiled and waved. Natty met her at the bottom of the stairs, gave her a big hug. Erin hugged her back.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat are you doing here?\u201d Natty asked, pulling back to arm\u2019s length.<\/p>\n \u201cI need some advice,\u201d Erin said.<\/p>\n \u201cAbout what?\u201d Natty asked, raising her eyebrows.<\/p>\n \u201cYou and Alison were a couple, right?\u201d Erin asked.<\/p>\n \u201cUm\u2026 Yeah, I guess we were,\u201d Natty said, frowning, \u201cwhy?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin rubbed the back of her neck, said, \u201cUm\u2026 Someone sort of\u2026 asked me out.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally?\u201d Natty asked, her eyes wide.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah,\u201d Erin said, laughing at the girl\u2019s reaction, \u201cIs it so hard to imagine?\u201d<\/p>\n Sheepishly, Natty said, \u201cI didn\u2019t mean it like that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know. I\u2019m teasing,\u201d Erin said, smiling at her.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, someone asked you out,\u201d Natty said, taking her hand and leading her to the couch, \u201cdid you say yes?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2026 I stalled, I guess,\u201d Erin said.<\/p>\n \u201cYou stalled?\u201d Natty asked.<\/p>\n \u201cI told her I needed to be swept off my feet,\u201d Erin said, shaking her head, \u201cI just needed some time to think.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHer?\u201d Natty asked, her eyes narrowing.<\/p>\n Laughing, Erin said, \u201cCaught that, did you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA girl asked you out?\u201d Natty asked.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah,\u201d Erin said, nodding, \u201ccaught me off guard, too.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDo you like her?\u201d Natty asked.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s beautiful\u2026 Funny\u2026 Smart\u2026\u201d Erin said, then laughed nervously, \u201cyeah, I guess I do like her.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow did she know you would be interested?\u201d Natty asked, then thought about something, \u201cyou are interested, aren\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2026 What was it like having a girlfriend?\u201d Erin asked, meeting Natty\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cUm\u2026 It was nice,\u201d Natty said, then laughed when Erin gave her a sour look, \u201cwhat do you want me to say?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Erin said, sighing, \u201csomething more than \u2018it was nice\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI guess it\u2019s like\u2026 It\u2019s like having a close friend you sleep with,\u201d Natty said, then laughed, \u201cKind of like you and Ashley.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin twitched in surprise, and Natty saw it. Meeting her eyes, Erin saw Natty realize who had asked her out. Erin blushed as Natty\u2019s eyes got huge.<\/p>\n \u201cAshley?\u201d Natty asked.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah,\u201d Erin said, rubbing the back of her neck.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, that\u2019s\u2026 new, I guess,\u201d Natty laughed.<\/p>\n \u201cNot really,\u201d Erin said, grinning, \u201cI\u2019m actually the second girl she asked.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally?\u201d Natty asked, surprised.<\/p>\n \u201cRemember us telling you about Carrie and Trisha from the party?\u201d Erin asked.<\/p>\n \u201cThe older girls, yeah,\u201d Natty said, nodding.<\/p>\n \u201cShe asked Trisha, the girl she had slept with at the party, out. Trisha would have said yes, if she wasn\u2019t already dating Carrie,\u201d Erin said.<\/p>\n \u201cLucky for you she said no,\u201d Natty said, smiling.<\/p>\n Curious, Erin said, \u201cYou think I\u2019m lucky Trisha said no?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou and Ashley are perfect for each other,\u201d Natty said, meeting Erin\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n Erin saw she meant it and she had to ask, \u201cWhat about us?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere was never going to be an us,\u201d Natty said, regret creeping into her voice.<\/p>\n Putting her arm around the girl\u2019s shoulders, Erin gave her a squeeze, said, \u201cThat\u2019s not exactly what I meant. If I start dating Ashley, we won\u2019t be able to\u2026 you know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh,\u201d Natty laughed, embarrassed, \u201cyou are talking about sex.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf there was a way for the other thing to work…\u201d Erin said, meeting Natty\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cI know,\u201d Natty said, smiling at her affectionately. There was a hint of sadness in her eyes, and Erin squeezed her, again. Laying her head on Erin\u2019s shoulder, Natty said, \u201cIt\u2019s not meant to be for us, but you and Ashley\u2026 I really do think you two would make the perfect couple.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not sure I could give you up,\u201d Erin said, smiling at the girl.<\/p>\n Natty laughed and kissed Erin deeply, said, \u201cI think you are going to have to.\u201d<\/p>\n Sighing, Erin said, \u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou are still going to be my friend,\u201d Natty said, smiling warmly at her, \u201ceven if we can\u2019t fool around. Besides, I\u2019m sure Ashley can more than handle that responsibility.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah,\u201d Erin laughed, thinking about last night. Smiling, she thought, Ashley had \u2018handled that responsibility\u2019 a whole bunch of times.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cNext time she asks,\u201d Natty said, smiling at Erin, \u201csay yes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe whole idea seems\u2026 weird,\u201d Erin said, shaking her head, \u201cdating Ashley.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think its that weird,\u201d Natty said, laughing when Erin gave her a curious look, \u201cI always figured you\u2019d end up with either Mindy or Ashley. After Mindy started dating Sarah…\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou really thought that?\u201d Erin asked, surprised.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah,\u201d Natty said, smiling at her.<\/p>\n \u201cHuh,\u201d Erin said, chewing on that bit of information. If Natty thought she and Ashley belonged together, then maybe it wasn\u2019t such a weird idea, after all.<\/p>\n Ashley really was beautiful, and Erin couldn\u2019t deny that she found the girl hard to resist. Her heart started beating a little faster when she thought about how Ashley had looked earlier when she playfully stripped out of her towel, so pale and lovely.<\/p>\n Natty was looking at her curiously, a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth, \u201cI can see the wheels turning.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll admit I\u2019m attracted to Ashley, but\u2026 how do I be her girlfriend?\u201d Erin asked.<\/p>\n \u201cWho said you had to act any different than you are right now?\u201d Natty said, making Erin blink in surprise, \u201cyou two already spend most of your time together, sleep together, have genuine affection for each other. I think you saying yes to her is just a formality.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou think?\u201d Erin asked, meeting her eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cI do,\u201d Natty said, sincerely.<\/p>\n Erin thought about what Natty had said, then had to laugh. Maybe she and Ashley had been dating all along. Natty gave her a curious look and Erin smiled at her, said, \u201cI\u2019m going to tell Ashley yes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood,\u201d Natty said, returning the smile with a bright one of her own.<\/p>\n \u201cI wonder what Ashley will come up with to \u2018sweep me off my feet\u2019,\u201d Erin said.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t wait on her,\u201d Natty said, her smile becoming playful, \u201cgo to her, sweep her<\/em> off her feet.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSweep her off her feet, huh?\u201d Erin said, thinking about it, \u201cAny idea how to do that?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d Natty said, then laughed, \u201cwell\u2026 maybe.\u201d<\/p>\n ——————————————-<\/p>\n Ashley looked at the little heart she had drawn on her notebook page, at her initials and the blank spot where there used to be a question mark. Her hand was shaking a little as she wrote an \u2018E\u2019 and a \u2018B\u2019 in that empty spot. Before last night, she hadn\u2019t known whose initials she had wanted in the heart with hers, but she did now. Just how much she wanted them to be Erin\u2019s surprised her. Maybe her feelings for the girl had been there all along, growing just out of sight. All it had taken was for Loren to point them out to her.<\/p>\n Looking lower on the page, she saw the list she had started. Loren had given her a few ideas on how to sweep Erin off her feet. She chewed on her lip as she tried to decide which would be best. Loren had had a few really good ideas, turned out to be a closet romantic at heart. Now, Ashley had to choose one and hope Erin would say yes.<\/p>\n Her phone buzzed and she saw she had a message from Erin. Opening it, she read: Hey Ashley. This is Natty, not Erin. Trying out the phone she left here.<\/strong><\/p>\n Smiling, Ashley sent back: It shows up as Erin\u2019s phone on the caller ID<\/em><\/p>\n The phone buzzed again: Erin thought it might. Guess we know for sure now<\/strong><\/p>\n Before Ashley could send a response back, Natty sent another message: Can you come visit? We can pick out a trip destination.<\/strong><\/p>\n Ashley thought about it, wondering if she could still go on the trip. Smiling, she thought Mindy was right about not being able to behave alone with Natty. Ashley glanced at the heart on her notebook page and decided to visit Natty. If nothing else, the girl would be someone to talk to about Erin.<\/p>\n She sent back: Be there in a minute<\/em><\/p>\n Closing her notebook, she put it in her nightstand. She stretched out on her back, blanked her mind. Flipping over to the Place of Locked Doors was getting easier every time she did it. Her consciousness let go of her body, and she was rocketing forward through the nothingness. She stumbled some when she was suddenly in Natty\u2019s old bedroom. Opening her eyes, she saw something was different- the door was closed.<\/p>\n Ashley frowned at the closed door; there were no closed doors in Natty\u2019s house because the girl couldn\u2019t open them on her own. Her frown deepened when she saw a little black dress hanging on the door with a piece of paper attached to it. Curious, she crossed the room and read the piece of paper: Please put me on<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cWhat the hell,\u201d Ashley said, wondering what Natty was playing at.<\/p>\n Looking at the dress, Ashley had to admit it was cute. She took it off the hook on the back of the door and went to the mirror. Holding it up in front of her, she smiled. She still didn\u2019t know what Natty was up to, but she\u2019d play along. Slipping out of her jeans and shirt, she pulled the dress over her head, smoothing it into place. Still in front of the mirror, she admired how the dress looked. Natty knew her size and the dress fit like a dream.<\/p>\n Ashley wanted to ask the girl about the dress, so she crossed the room to the door. With her hand on the knob, she hesitated. Would the knob turn for her? She knew Erin had opened the doors, but could she do it too? With a deep breath, she twisted. There was some resistance, like someone had their hand on the other side of the knob, but it gave way, and she opened the door.<\/p>\n Just outside the door, Ashley saw a pair of black high heels and another note. Looking around, Ashley didn\u2019t see anyone in upstairs hallway. Just the shoes. Stooping down, she picked up the note and read: Me, too.<\/strong><\/p>\n Laughing, Ashley stepped into the shoes. She was a little unsteady as she started down the stairs. Since meeting Natty, she has had some experience wearing heels but not nearly enough. She was glad for the handrail.<\/p>\n She didn\u2019t make it all the way to the bottom of the stairs, coming to a stop when she noticed the lights were out in the living room and there were candles burning everywhere. That was odd but not what really made her stop. Standing next to the couch was Erin, smiling playfully. Her hair was styled and her makeup on, her lithe figure sheathed in a beautiful white dress. Ashley had to stare, couldn\u2019t look away. Erin looked amazing standing there.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere\u2019s Natty?\u201d Ashley asked, taking the last couple stairs.<\/p>\n \u201cShe went for a drive,\u201d Erin said, smiling at Ashley, \u201cNatty was right; you look so beautiful in that dress.\u201d<\/p>\n Looking down at herself, Ashley said, \u201cUm, thanks. You too. I\u2026 What\u2019s going on?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNatty was kind enough to let us borrow the house,\u201d Erin said, moving closer. She wrapped her arms around Ashley\u2019s neck, met her eyes and said, \u201cFor our first date.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFirst date?\u201d Ashley parroted, her heart beating faster.<\/p>\n \u201cThat is,\u201d Erin said, her smile turning up even more, \u201cif you\u2019ll be my girlfriend.\u201d<\/p>\n Ashley didn\u2019t say anything, just kissed her. Erin had caught her off guard with this, took her completely by surprise. She felt tears in her eyes when she pulled back, and she said, \u201cI thought I was supposed to be the one sweeping you<\/em> off your feet.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAre you mad?\u201d Erin asked.<\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d Ashley said, smiling at Erin, \u201cthis is amazing. I can\u2019t believe you did all of this.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s more,\u201d Erin said, nodding at the kitchen, \u201chave a seat at the table.\u201d<\/p>\n Ashley sat at the table, watching as Erin opened the oven. Delicious aromas wafted out of the oven, and Ashley\u2019s mouth started watering. Erin glanced back at her, smiling.<\/p>\n \u201cWait\u2026 Is that?\u201d Ashley asked, her eyes wide.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah,\u201d Erin said, using a couple of towels to remove the dish, \u201cchicken enchiladas. Your favorite.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou made me enchiladas?\u201d Ashley asked.<\/p>\n \u201cUm, Natty helped,\u201d Erin said, then laughed, \u201cactually, I\u2019m the one who helped. Natty is becoming an amazing cook.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cStill,\u201d Ashley said, smiling at her.<\/p>\n Sitting the dish on the table, Erin leaned in and kissed Ashley, said, \u201cYou are welcome.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf these taste half as good as they smell…\u201d Ashley said, breathing in the aroma.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll get us some plates,\u201d Erin said.<\/p>\n Ashley watched the girl take a couple of plates from the cabinet above the sink, and she had to smile and shake her head. She couldn\u2019t believe Erin did all of this for her. Her heart beating a little faster, Ashley remembered Erin was her girlfriend now. The little heart with hers and Erin\u2019s initials in her notebook wasn\u2019t just wishful thinking, anymore.<\/p>\n Turning around, Erin caught her looking, asked, \u201cWhat are you smiling about?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou,\u201d Ashley said, affectionately, \u201cyou are so beautiful.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin brought the plates to the table, gave Ashley a kiss, then said, \u201cI\u2019d have to be, to get a girl like you.\u201d<\/p>\n Her heart skipping a beat, Ashley said, \u201cI\u2026 Wow!\u201d<\/p>\n Laughing, Erin said, \u201cI meant it, but it\u2019s still kind of weird saying things like that to you.\u201d<\/p>\n Ashley smiled at her, said, \u201cTake your time.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo rush, huh?\u201d Erin asked, sitting down.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not going anywhere,\u201d Ashley said.<\/p>\n \u201cGood,\u201d Erin said, then inclined her head at the steaming dish between them, \u201clet\u2019s eat.\u201d<\/p>\n Ashley loaded up her plate, her mouth watering. The enchiladas really did smell divine, and she couldn\u2019t wait to try them. One bite and she made a sound usually reserved for the bedroom. When Erin laughed at her, she said, \u201cOh my God.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTold you Natty could cook,\u201d Erin said, trying some of her own food, \u201cwow, that\u2019s good.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo good,\u201d Ashley agreed.<\/p>\n \u201cWant a Coke?\u201d Erin asked.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve got it,\u201d Ashley said, getting up. She got them a couple of Cokes from the fridge, set one in front of Erin, then wrapped her arms around the girl\u2019s neck from behind.<\/p>\n Whispering in her ear, Ashley said, \u201cThank you for this.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou already said that,\u201d Erin said, amused.<\/p>\n \u201cI get the feeling I\u2019m going to say it again, before the date is over,\u201d Ashley said.<\/p>\n Erin was smiling at her, said, \u201cMaybe.\u201d<\/p>\n They ate in silence for a while, comfortable enough with each other that words weren\u2019t necessary. Ashley found herself sneaking little looks at Erin and more than once she caught Erin looking at her. She got a warm and fuzzy feeling every time their eyes met over their enchiladas and Erin smiled at her. Maybe this crazy thing they were trying really could work.<\/p>\n Their plates went into the sink and the leftovers in the fridge. With their Cokes, they retired to the living room, where Erin started some music playing on her laptop. Ashley was surprised when Erin took her bottle from her, set it on the coffee table. Smiling, Erin pulled her into her arms and started dancing. Ashley laughed and put her arms around Erin\u2019s neck. As they danced in slow circles, Ashley had to smile at the girl.<\/p>\n \u201cDinner and dancing, huh?\u201d Ashley asked.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought we might see a movie later,\u201d Erin said, nodding at something.<\/p>\n Turning, Ashley noticed Natty\u2019s living room had sprouted a big screen TV. It looked like the one from Erin\u2019s house. Laughing, Ashley turned back to Erin, kissed her. Already dancing close, Ashley pressed her body against Erin\u2019s, said, \u201cI think I have a better idea. Let\u2019s go upstairs.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOn a first date?\u201d Erin said, playfully, \u201cyou should be ashamed of yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDo you want to go upstairs or not?\u201d Ashley asked, flashing her eyes at Erin.<\/p>\n Erin kissed her deeply, said, \u201cDefinitely.\u201d<\/p>\n Taking Erin\u2019s hand, Ashley led them through the living room and up the stairs. They barely made it through the door to Natty\u2019s old room before they were kissing. Ashley pressed Erin to the wall just to one side of the door, her hands roaming over the silky dress the girl wore. Her heart was racing as she felt desire well up between them.<\/p>\n \u201cHold on,\u201d Erin husked, pushing Ashley away. She slipped from between her and the wall. Stealing one more kiss, she said, \u201cI thought we\u2019d end up in the other bedroom. I need to grab a few things.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay,\u201d Ashley laughed, brushing her hair out of her eyes, \u201cjust hurry.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, I will,\u201d Erin said, grinning as she left the room.<\/p>\n Ashley sat on the bed, wondering what was so important in the other room. She slipped out of her shoes, glad to be out of them. They were cute, but hard on the feet. Looking around the room, Ashley spotted the pile of clothing she had been wearing. She had to smile, still not believing Erin had done all of this for her. It was like something out of a movie.<\/p>\n Still smiling, Ashley said out loud, \u201cErin and her romantic comedies.\u201d<\/p>\n When Ashley had responded to the message she thought was from Natty, she never expected to find herself in romantic movie, but she kind of liked it. She felt a burst of warmth for Erin, happy that the girl had decided to give this a try.<\/p>\n Erin returned with a couple of candles and a green bottle wrapped in a towel. She had a couple of wine glasses in her other hand. Ashley watched as Erin put the candles on the night stand and lit them with a box of matches. Crossing the room, Erin turned out the lights. The flickering candles cast a much more intimate light.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s in the bottle?\u201d Ashley asked as Erin returned to the bed.<\/p>\n \u201cWine,\u201d Erin said, offering Ashley one of the glasses.<\/p>\n \u201cReal wine?\u201d Ashley asked, her eyes wide.<\/p>\n \u201cHave you ever tried it before?\u201d Erin asked, pouring some of the deep red liquid into Ashley\u2019s glass.<\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d Ashley said, breathing in the scent of fermented grapes.<\/p>\n \u201cMe, either,\u201d Erin said, filling her own glass. She sat the bottle on the nightstand and held up her glass, said, \u201cTo trying new things.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTo trying new things,\u201d Ashley said, smiling as she clinked her glass to Erin\u2019s.<\/p>\n The wine was bitter on her tongue and awoke a pleasant warmth in her belly. She saw Erin making a face and laughed as she said, \u201cBitter.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah,\u201d Erin said, taking another drink, \u201cthe second one tasted better.\u201d<\/p>\n Ashley took another sip of the drink, and it went down easier than the first. She thought by the time she got to the bottom of her glass, it would taste just fine.<\/p>\n \u201cAre you trying to get me drunk?\u201d Ashley teased.<\/p>\n \u201cI already have you upstairs,\u201d Erin said, kissing Ashley. The girl tasted like wine and Mexican food.<\/p>\n \u201cSpeaking of which,\u201d Ashley said, smiling, \u201cyou are wearing way too much clothes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI have one more thing, then we\u2019ll get to that,\u201d Erin said, pulling something out of a little pocket on her dress. She looked almost shy as she held something out to Ashley.<\/p>\n Ashley saw a gold chain twinkling in the candlelight, a small charm attached. Taking it from Erin, she saw it was half of a heart pendant. When Ashley looked up, she saw Erin had a necklace of her own. Seeing the other half of the heart in Erin\u2019s hand, Ashley sprang to her feet and into the girl\u2019s arms. She hugged her tightly.<\/p>\n \u201cYou are so cheesy,\u201d Ashley said, affectionately.<\/p>\n \u201cI know,\u201d Erin said, laughing, \u201cbut you knew what you were getting into when you asked me to be your girlfriend.\u201d<\/p>\n Pulling back, Ashley looked at the matching necklaces, and she smiled. Meeting Erin\u2019s eyes, she said, \u201cI love it. Help me put it on.\u201d<\/p>\n Ashley turned around and pulled her hair up so Erin could secure the necklace around her neck. Turning back, she helped Erin with hers. Seeing the pendant on Erin, Ashley had to laugh and shake her head.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d Erin asked, at Ashley\u2019s curious reaction.<\/p>\n \u201cYou are going to make me say it, again,\u201d Ashley said, smiling at her.<\/p>\n Laughing, Erin said, \u201cYou are welcome. I- I wasn\u2019t sure about the necklace. Like you said, it\u2019s kind of cheesy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI love it. I really do,\u201d Ashley said, then her smile slipped some, \u201ctoo bad I can\u2019t wear it when we get back, though.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll buy you a real one,\u201d Erin said, kissing her.<\/p>\n Ashley melted into Erin\u2019s arms, and the desire was back in a hurry. Their wine was forgotten as they pawed at each other\u2019s dresses, trying to get each other naked. Mostly they were just getting in each other\u2019s way. Laughing, Ashley pulled back, said, \u201cTake off your dress.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin slipped out of her dress, letting it pool around her ankles. She was naked underneath and lovely in the flickering candlelight. Smiling, Erin helped Ashley out of her dress, too. The space between them evaporated, again. Ashley backed up until she bumped into the mattress. She crawled onto the bed, moving back so Erin could join her. Erin was smiling down at her from her hand and knees, and Ashley’s heart skipped a beat. It was a sexy, confident smile that made Ashley want the girl even more. Propping up on her elbows, Ashley kissed Erin heatedly.<\/p>\n Popping the catches on Ashley\u2019s bra, Erin cupped one of Ashley\u2019s breasts. Her straining nipple drug across Erin\u2019s palm, making her moan into the kiss. Erin was smiling when she broke the kiss, and she lowered her mouth to the pink nub. Ashley\u2019s back arched as Erin teased the nipple with her tongue, pushing her breast against Erin\u2019s mouth eagerly. Her hand slipped up Ashley\u2019s stomach to cup her other breast, kneading it. The girl kept it up until Ashley didn\u2019t think she could stand much more.<\/p>\n Ashley\u2019s breath caught in her throat as Erin started moving lower, placing hot kisses on her taut stomach. Her skin tingled everywhere Erin\u2019s lips touched, and she felt herself getting more and more turned on the lower the blonde moved. By the time Erin made it to the elastic waistband of her panties, Ashley was a horny mess. She lifted her backside off the bed so that Erin could remove them. Her eyes flashed at Erin as the girl tossed her panties aside.<\/p>\n Running her hands up the insides of Ashley\u2019s thighs, Erin gently pushed them wide open. Revealed and vulnerable, Ashley held her breath in expectation. Erin\u2019s beautiful gray eyes were hot on her girlhood, a faint smile tugging at her lips. Ashley shivered at the hunger in the girl\u2019s eyes. She shivered again as Erin\u2019s lips found her bud in a tender kiss. Her pent up breath exploded from her in a moan as Erin\u2019s tongue teased her sensitive clit.<\/p>\n \u201cGod, that feels so good,\u201d Ashley said, her hand slipping into the silky hair on the back of Erin\u2019s head. Erin rolled her eyes up to meet Ashley\u2019s as she continued to run her tongue across Ashley\u2019s bud. Drawn in by the intimacy of the moment, Ashley couldn\u2019t look away. Seeming to know just what Ashley needed, Erin kept up her sweet torture until Ashley didn\u2019t think she could take much more. Her cries were getting loud in the quiet of the bedroom, and she couldn\u2019t hold them in if she had to. Her body had reached its limit, and she met Erin\u2019s eyes as she started to lose control. Erin knew what she was doing to her, knew the storm of pleasure she had awakened in Ashley\u2019s young body. Ashley could see it in her eyes, and that was what did her in. Her body succumbed to the storm, and she cried out as she came. The winds of ecstasy shook her like the limbs of a tree.<\/p>\n In the calm after the storm, she drifted down like a feather stirred by a breeze. She wasn\u2019t sure her toes would ever uncurl, and she couldn\u2019t catch her breath. Laughing, Erin stretched out beside her. Ashley rolled onto her side, kissed the girl deeply. She could feel Erin\u2019s excitement behind the kiss. Without breaking it, Ashley ran her hand down Erin\u2019s stomach and onto the cleft of her girlhood. Erin moaned as her fingers teased her bud, the circular pressure of her fingertips making Erin\u2019s hips move with a mind of their own. Ashley kept it up until Erin started having trouble focusing on kissing her back. Moving a little lower, Ashley trapped Erin\u2019s straining nipple with her lips, gently sucking on it. Erin\u2019s hand came up and slipped into her hair. Getting the message, Ashley kept it up, only moving onto her other breast when she thought Erin was ready for it. When she kissed Erin\u2019s lips, again, she could feel the girl\u2019s excitement.<\/p>\n Keeping her fingers moving, Ashley got her knees underneath her. She moved between Erin\u2019s legs so that she could tease her bud with her tongue. Erin\u2019s cries of enjoyment grew louder, her body writhing under the combined torment. Ashley knew how this felt, having just been on the receiving end and she knew Erin\u2019s body had to be alive with pleasure. She didn\u2019t let up, wanting to make the girl feel as amazing as Erin had made her feel.<\/p>\n It didn\u2019t take much longer for Ashley to see the tension building inside Erin\u2019s body. In the tightening of her thighs and abdomen, Ashley could see the orgasm closing in on the girl. Ashley might have realized Erin was about to come even before Erin did. She saw Erin\u2019s eyes widened as it dawned on her what was about to happen to her. She didn\u2019t look away, watched as Erin came undone.<\/p>\n She could feel Erin climaxing around her fingers, kept them moving until she heard the girl cry out as a second orgasm gripped her. Erin jerked liked she had been shocked, pushing Ashley\u2019s hand away. Laughing, she looked wide-eyed at Ashley.<\/p>\n \u201cShit,\u201d Erin said, flopping limply on her back. The slightly dazed look on her face spoke volumes about how she was feeling.<\/p>\n Ashley stretched out beside her and smiled as Erin pulled her closer. She snuggled against the girl, listening to her heartbeat as it slowly returned to normal.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it\u2019s my turn to thank you,\u201d Erin said.<\/p>\n Laughing, Ashley said, \u201cI think I still owe you a couple.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin squeezed her a little tighter, said, \u201cWell, we have time. Give me a couple of minutes to catch my breath.\u201d<\/p>\n Smiling, Ashley kissed her, said, \u201cWhen did Natty say she was coming back?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I give her a call,\u201d Erin said, kissing her, \u201cI told her not to expect it before morning.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPoor Natty,\u201d Ashley said, laughing, \u201cwe kicked her out of her own house.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt was her idea,\u201d Erin said.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I need to thank her when she gets back,\u201d Ashley said.<\/p>\n \u201cYou and me both,\u201d Erin said, smiling at her.<\/p>\n Ashley thought about Natty out in the Place of Locked Doors by herself, and she felt a twinge of sadness. Meeting Erin\u2019s eyes, she said, \u201cI- I think we need to talk about Natty.\u201d<\/p>\n Maybe seeing the sadness in Ashley\u2019s eyes or maybe the girl was already in Erin\u2019s thoughts, she said, \u201cYeah. I think you should still go on the trip with her\u2026 with no restrictions.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo restrictions?\u201d Ashley asked.<\/p>\n \u201cI love you, Ashley, but Natty…\u201d Erin said, then faltered.<\/p>\n Smiling at her, Ashley said, \u201cI know. She has a special spot in all of our hearts.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s here all by herself,\u201d Erin said, sighing, \u201cI have a crazy question to ask you-\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s okay,\u201d Ashley said, kissing her, \u201cwe can make Natty the exception to the rule.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAre you sure?\u201d Erin asked, meeting her eyes, \u201cIt\u2019s okay if you want to say no.\u201d<\/p>\n Laughing, Ashley said, \u201cI\u2019d miss the girl as much as you would.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll have to discuss\u2026 the ground rules, I guess,\u201d Erin said.<\/p>\n \u201cI think Monkey in the Middle is fair game, since it\u2019s both of us,\u201d Ashley said, thinking about it, \u201cone on one\u2026 Yeah, we\u2019ll have to discuss it.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin sighed with relief, said, \u201cI would have accepted it, if it was what you wanted, but just abandoning Natty\u2026 I\u2019m really glad you are okay with it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI am,\u201d Ashley said, then laughed, \u201cdid you mean it\u2026 what you said about our trip?\u201d<\/p>\n Smiling, Erin said, \u201cYeah. You two already had plans.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou aren\u2019t going to be jealous\u2026 Natty and me alone on the road?\u201d Ashley teased.<\/p>\n \u201cA little, maybe,\u201d Erin said, kissing her, \u201cyou\u2019ll just have to make it up to me when you get back.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI can do that,\u201d Ashley said, smiling at her, \u201chave you caught your breath, yet? I\u2019m getting horny, again.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah,\u201d Erin said, rolling atop Ashley.<\/p>\n Sensing her intentions, Ashley wrapped her legs around Erin\u2019s waist to encourage her. Erin dug her knees into the mattress and started pushing her hips forward. Ashley sighed as their bodies ground together, the pressure on her bud sending lovely sensations washing through her young body. She pushed her hips up into Erin, eager for more. It hadn\u2019t even been a full twenty-four hours, but Ashley couldn\u2019t get enough of the girl. Already having climaxed once, she still needed more. Her fingers tightened on Erin\u2019s shoulders as their bodies ground together faster and faster. She was in danger of leaving a bruise.<\/p>\n Ashley released Erin, opening her legs. On the same wavelength, Erin straddled one of Ashley\u2019s hips, lowering until their bodies nested together. They fit together perfectly, like two halves of the same puzzle piece. Ashley put her leg on Erin\u2019s shoulder, and it put even more pressure on her bud. Wrapping her arms around Ashley\u2019s leg, Erin used the leverage to really grind their bodies together. Their cries of enjoyment mingled in the still air between them.<\/p>\n With a harmony that made Ashley smile, they moved together, complemented each other completely. There was a rhythm to the movements of their bodies, as if they could hear the beat of the same drum. Or maybe it was their hearts, beating in unison.<\/p>\n Oh God<\/em>, Ashley thought with an inward groan, what has Erin done to me?<\/em><\/p>\n The jiggle of Erin\u2019s breasts caught Ashley\u2019s attention, and she sat up the best she could to trap on of Erin\u2019s straining nipples with her mouth. Erin moaned and arched her back, pushing her breast against Ashley’s mouth eagerly.<\/p>\n \u201cOh God,\u201d Erin said in a breathy moan. She pushed Ashley to her back, leaning in to kiss her deeply. Her hips never stopped moving, kept the lovely sensations washing through both of them.<\/p>\n Kissing her back, Ashley ran her hands over Erin\u2019s thighs, her buttocks. She could feel the muscles tensing in Erin\u2019s body just before the pleasure came, could anticipate the friction of their bodies coming together. It was like being able to see the future, and it was exciting. They fell out, lying side by side on their backs as the fought to catch their breath. Glancing at each other, they started laughing. Erin offered Ashley her hand and Ashley smiled as she took it. Their fingers interlocked and Ashley thought about the symbolism of holding hands- a joining of two to make one.<\/p>\n ———————————————<\/p>\n Standing under the spray of hot water, Erin sighed. The water felt amazing, but not quite as amazing as Ashley\u2019s naked body pressed against her back. Smiling, she turned into the girl, kissed her deeply. Earlier, she had been skeptical about all of this, about dating Ashley, but with the girl in her arms now, she wondered how she could ever have doubted this was what she wanted.<\/p>\n Outside, the sun was up, a new day already begun. They had sat on the front porch, sharing a blanket in the early morning chill, to watch the sun reclaim the sky. It was kind of romantic, and they had kissed as the first rays of light stole over the rooftops. Erin hadn\u2019t planned on doing this in her gambit to sweep Ashley off her feet. It was a happy accident.<\/p>\n Erin had to smile, thinking about their \u2018date\u2019. She owed Natty for its success. Glancing at Ashley, she wondered if the girl realized it took her and Natty almost four days to get ready for it. There was a bunch of burnt and tasteless attempts at enchiladas in the trash on the side of the house.<\/p>\n Maybe someday she\u2019d tell Ashley.<\/p>\n Ashley was playing with the necklace around her neck and Erin had to smile. She and Natty had broken into three different jewelry stores before she found just the right thing to give to Ashley. She had wanted something simple but heartfelt, not gaudy or flashy with no real meaning. While admittedly cheesy, the matching pendants had spoken to her.<\/p>\n I wonder if I can find her something similar in our world<\/em>, Erin wondered.<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe we should get out,\u201d Erin said.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah,\u201d Ashley said, kissing her, \u201cwe need to call Natty, tell her she can come home.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAre we going to tell her the good news?\u201d Erin asked.<\/p>\n \u201cI think we should,\u201d Ashley said, smiling at her, \u201cshe and I can discuss where we are going on our trip.\u201d<\/p>\n Laughing, Erin turned off the water, and they got out to dry off. They got dressed and went downstairs to call Natty. Erin turned the speaker on, so they could both listen.<\/p>\n When she came on the line, Natty said, \u201cHi. How did it go?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAmazing,\u201d Ashley said, taking Erin\u2019s hand, \u201ccome home, and we\u2019ll tell you all about it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHi Ashley,\u201d Natty said, the smile on her face clear in her voice, \u201cdid you like Erin\u2019s surprise?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI loved it. You need to hurry up and get here. I need to hug you,\u201d Ashley said.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll be right over,\u201d Natty said, hanging up.<\/p>\n \u201cRight over?\u201d Ashley asked.<\/p>\n Erin shrugged. She didn’t know what the girl meant, either.<\/p>\n Not even five minutes later, Natty came walking through the blanket hung over the open front door. Seeing her, Erin laughed and said, \u201cWhat the hell?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI was next door,\u201d Natty said, grinning at them.<\/p>\n Ashley went to her, gave her a huge hug. Pulling back, she said, \u201cThank you for this.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou are welcome,\u201d Natty said, smiling warmly at her, \u201cI take it everything went okay.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMore than okay,\u201d Erin said, putting her arm around Ashley\u2019s waist.<\/p>\n \u201cGood,\u201d Natty said, her smile brightening.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah,\u201d Ashley said, smiling at Erin, \u201cit\u2019s just the two of us, now\u2026 With you as an honorary third.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHonorary third?\u201d Natty parroted, raising her eyebrows.<\/p>\n \u201cAshley and I talked about it and\u2026 it just wouldn\u2019t be the same without you,\u201d Erin said.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t understand,\u201d Natty said, looking from Ashley to Erin.<\/p>\n Ashley met Erin\u2019s eyes, smiled and inclined her head toward Natty. Erin smiled and nodded. Slipping out of Erin\u2019s arms, Ashley went to Natty and gave her a deep, lingering kiss. Stunned, Natty looked to Erin for an explanation.<\/p>\n Laughing, Erin said, \u201cAshley has my permission to have some fun on your road trip together.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFun?\u201d Natty asked, glancing at Ashley. Her eyes got big when Ashley gave her a playful smile, and she said, \u201cOh!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI guess we are asking if you\u2019d still want to fool around with us from time to time?\u201d Ashley asked.<\/p>\n \u201cI- Well, yeah,\u201d Natty said, then frowned, \u201cAre you sure?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe are sure,\u201d Ashley said, smiling at her.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah,\u201d Erin said.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, that\u2019s\u2026\u201d Natty said, then laughed, \u201creally good news!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin went to the girl, gave her a hug, said, \u201cWe think so, too.\u201d<\/p>\n ———————————————————<\/p>\n Opening her eyes in her own bedroom, Ashley smiled up at the ceiling. She could barely believe what had just happened. It had almost been a fairy tale, spending the night with Erin. The fact that the hours she had spent in the Place of Locked Doors had been rewound and it was again Saturday afternoon only made it seem that much more magical.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m dating Erin,\u201d Ashley told the empty room, giggling excitedly.<\/p>\n Unable to stay still any longer, Ashley had to get up and do her happy dance. Feeling something brush against the hollow of her breasts, Ashley\u2019s hand came up, and she gasped. Going to her mirror, she saw the half of a heart pendant on its dainty gold chain around her neck. Her hand came up to her mouth and she thought she might cry, she was so happy.<\/p>\n Continue to Part Seventeen<\/a><\/p>\n Spooning some more Cheerios into her mouth, Erin glanced at Ashley. The girl has been acting odd this morning. Well, odder than usual. Grinning, Erin thought the redhead was always little odd. As she chewed her cereal, Erin tried to … Continue reading
\nErin eased her fingers into Ashley, and she was ready for it. The lovely pressure against her g-spot made her back arch, and her hips push against Erin\u2019s hand eagerly. The intense pleasure built upon and added to the caress of Erin\u2019s tongue, blurred together until Ashley couldn\u2019t separate the two sensations. All she knew was that her body wanted more, her nerve endings driven crazy by what Erin was doing to her.<\/p>\n
\nErin crawled up to give her a kiss and Ashley put her hands on the girl\u2019s wet cheeks. She smiled, said, \u201cWow!\u201d<\/p>\n
\nAshley smiled at Erin as her hand moved lower. Erin moaned thickly as Ashley\u2019s fingers slipped inside of her. The girl was more than ready, her hot, slick core drawing Ashley in deep. Erin\u2019s back arched off the bed, and her hands clutched at the sheets as Ashley found that magic spot deep inside. Her little sounds of excitement grew louder, her hips pushing against Ashley\u2019s hand in her need.<\/p>\n
\nWithout breaking stride, Erin leaned in and kissed her. Wrapping her arms around the girl\u2019s neck, Ashley didn\u2019t let her get away. They moaned and sighed as their bodies came together, but they didn\u2019t break the kiss.<\/p>\n
\nWith all these lovely things happening to her, she knew she couldn\u2019t last. Even as she felt her orgasm start to build up deep inside, she heard the change in Erin\u2019s cries. Their eyes met, and they both knew the other was about to come. Even as their bodies started to lose their grace, they managed to hold it together long enough to bring each other to toe-curling, breath-stealing, heart-stopping climaxes.<\/p>\n