94
The living room was bathed in the soft glow of string lights draped along the windows.
A half-finished bottle of tequila sat on the coffee table surrounded by lime wedges, salt, and a small mess of empty shot glasses.
Music played low and sultry from the speaker—slow RB tracks that felt warm against the night air.
Amanda lay sprawled across the couch in a tank and shorts, her legs resting across Ericka's lap.
Ericka nursed a drink in one hand, the other absentmindedly tracing along Amanda's calf.
Ava was curled up on the floor beside the coffee table, barefoot, with a fresh shot balanced between her fingers and a mischievous smile curving her lips.
"Okay, okay," Ava said, lifting the shot. "One more, and I'm done for the night."
Amanda laughed, tipsy and loose, her head falling back on a throw pillow. "You said that two shots ago."
Ericka smirked. "She's lying. She always says that when she's about to ask something bold."
Ava winked, threw back the shot, and winced before grinning. "Maybe."
They all giggled, the air light and full of that soft, playful energy that only came after hours of good vibes and no judgment.
Then Ava sat up a little straighter, her voice soft but serious.
"Can I ask something?"
Amanda lifted her head. "Here it comes..."
Ava looked between them, her gaze flicking from Amanda to Ericka. "Would it be okay... if I kissed Amanda?"
The laughter quieted.
Amanda blinked, surprised—but not uncomfortable. She looked to Ericka first, instinctively.
Ericka's eyes didn't waver. She looked at Amanda, then at Ava. Calm. Open. "Do you want to?"
Ava nodded slowly. "Yeah. But only if you both say yes."
Amanda felt Ericka's fingers still on her leg, then slowly curl around her knee—steady, grounding.
Ericka gave Amanda a soft, knowing look. "Do you want her to?"
Amanda bit her lip, eyes flicking toward Ava. There was no pressure. Just heat. Curiosity. A little thrill.
"...Yeah," she whispered. "If you're okay with it."
Ericka gave a small nod. "Then yes. I'm okay with it."
Ava's breath caught for a second, like she hadn't expected them to actually agree.
She moved slowly, rising up onto her knees and leaning toward Amanda—giving her every chance to pull away.
Amanda didn't.
Their lips met in a soft, deliberate kiss—nothing rushed, nothing messy. Just warm, inviting, and curious. Amanda let her hand rest lightly on Ava's hip, feeling the subtle electricity pass between them.
When Ava finally pulled back, she let out a small breath. "Damn."
Amanda smiled, cheeks flushed. "Yeah..."
Ericka just chuckled, her hand sliding up Amanda's thigh. "Okay. That was kind of hot."
Ava turned toward her next, playful. "Don't worry. I'm not trying to steal her. Just... tasting the frosting."
Amanda snorted. "You're ridiculous."
Ericka laughed too, shaking her head. "But she's honest."
Ava looked at Ericka, her playful energy shifting—less teasing, more curious, almost shy. "Okay... so... would it be too bold to ask if I could kiss you too?"
Ericka paused, her eyes flicking to Amanda's.
Amanda gave her a small smile, then nodded. "If you want to. If she wants to."
Ericka leaned back a little, thoughtful. Then she looked at Ava. "One kiss," she said with a gentle smirk. "Let's see what you do with it."
Ava grinned, but her approach was slower this time—more reverent. She moved in, her hand brushing Ericka's cheek as she leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to her lips. It wasn't rushed or hungry. It was... gentle.
Ericka let it happen.
When they parted, it was quiet for a beat.
Ericka tilted her head slightly. "Not bad."
Ava laughed softly, settling back down. "So... how many kisses do you think I can get away with before it's too much?"
Amanda raised an eyebrow, grinning. "Are you asking for a limit or a challenge?"
"Depends on who's setting the rules," Ava said, looking at both of them.
Ericka tilted her head. "For tonight? You're good with one. Maybe two."
Ava put a hand to her chest dramatically. "One and a maybe? Harsh."
Amanda laughed. "Earn the second."
They all giggled again, the tension light, delicious, and easy.
Then Ava softened, the sparkle in her voice still there but quieter. "Would it be okay... if I cuddled up with you guys?"
Amanda and Ericka looked at each other.
Amanda nodded first, shifting just enough to make space. "Yeah. Come here."
Ericka smiled. "Get in, trouble."
Ava climbed up onto the couch, tucking herself in beside Amanda, her head resting lightly on her shoulder while Amanda's hand found hers. Ericka wrapped an arm behind both of them, her fingers tracing light patterns along Amanda's side.
Ava yawned, stretched her arms overhead, and looked between them. "Alright, troublemakers. I think I'm gonna knock out in the guest room before I accidentally kiss someone again."
Amanda snorted. "We gave you a limit, remember?"
"Yeah, yeah," Ava said with a wink as she stood, gathering her phone and a throw blanket. "I'll behave... for now."
She padded off down the hallway barefoot, glancing over her shoulder once with a playful smirk before disappearing into the guest room and closing the door with a soft click.
Amanda leaned into Ericka with a quiet sigh. "That went... better than I expected."
Ericka kissed the top of her head. "Because we're in sync."
They sat there a moment longer, soaking in the silence.
Then Amanda shifted. "Wanna go to bed?"
Ericka nodded, her hand sliding into Amanda's. "Only if you come with me."
Their bedroom was already dim, moonlight stretching across the sheets.
Amanda peeled off her tank and slipped into one of Ericka's oversized t-shirts—no bra, skin warm and flushed.
Ericka undressed slower, deliberate in her movements, letting the silk of her sleep shorts slip down her legs before sliding under the covers.
When they finally curled into each other, Amanda nestled against Ericka's chest, legs tangled, their skin warm and bare beneath the sheets.
Amanda looked up, eyes soft. "You okay?"
Ericka nodded, brushing a curl from Amanda's cheek. "More than okay. I'm just... thinking about how much I love you."
Amanda leaned in, lips brushing her jaw. "Good. Because I'm not sharing that part."
"I know," Ericka whispered, voice husky. "You're mine."
Amanda kissed her then—slow and deep, a sigh catching in her throat as their mouths moved together with more need than before. Amanda rolled onto her back, pulling Ericka above her, her thighs parting slightly as Ericka settled between them.
Their kisses deepened—soft lips becoming hungrier, Amanda's fingers sliding up the back of Ericka's neck, into her hair. Ericka's hand glided along Amanda's bare thigh, up under the hem of the shirt, her touch delicate, exploratory.
Amanda gasped against her mouth, arching slightly. "I missed this..."
"I never want to go without it," Ericka murmured, her lips brushing down Amanda's neck, over her collarbone.
Amanda's hands gripped her waist, nails grazing skin. "Then don't."
They kissed like the world had faded away—moans swallowed between them, hands roaming slowly but reverently. Ericka rocked against her just enough to make Amanda's breath hitch, her thighs tightening around her hips.
But it wasn't just lust—it was worship. Connection. A need to remind each other: we're still us.
Eventually, Amanda cupped Ericka's face, pulling her back up to meet her eyes.
"No matter what we explore... this right here is mine."
Ericka touched their foreheads together, breath shaky. "Always."