Page 91 of Igniting Her

“I wasn’t sure I was staying,” Ellie said.

“Are you?”

“Ask me tomorrow.” She caught the hem of Cassie’s sweater. “Tonight, I’m here.”

Cassie took one steadying breath. “What do you want?”

The old question carried new weight. Ellie could have given the familiar answer and placed herself safely inside Cassie’s control. She wanted that current. She also wanted the woman who had finally stepped into it without armor.

“I want all of you,” Ellie said. “Not only the part that knows what to do.”

Cassie’s gaze searched her face. “I don’t know how to do this without some control.”

“I’m not asking you to.” Ellie brushed wet hair from her cheek. “I want you to lead when you want to lead. I want you to let me when I ask. And I want both of us to say what we mean.”

“No rules?”

“Choices.”

The distinction moved through Cassie visibly. Her shoulders lowered. Her hand rose to the back of Ellie’s neck, warm and certain.

“Take off your shirt,” Cassie said. The command sent heat down Ellie’s body with all its old force, but nothing in it was borrowed from the station. Ellie chose it, pulling the T-shirt over her head and letting it fall.

Cassie’s eyes traveled over her, then returned to her face. “Bra too.” Ellie opened the clasp and slipped the straps down her arms. Her nipples tightened in the cool room. Cassie waited without touching them.

“Your turn,” Ellie said. Cassie’s breath caught. “Take off the wet clothes.”

The command hung between them for one beat. Then Cassie stripped away the sweater, camisole, jeans, and soaked socks until she stood in black underwear with her hair loose around her shoulders. “The rest,” Ellie said. Cassie slid the bra and underwear away and stood naked beneath Ellie’s attention without arranging herself into composure.

Ellie crossed to her. She kissed the scar first, once at the wrist and once where it disappeared toward the elbow. Cassie’s fingers touched her hair but did not guide.

Ellie touched her forehead to Cassie’s. “Tell me if you want something different. Promise.”

Cassie touched her cheek. “I will. I promise.”

Ellie lifted her head. “Kiss me.” Cassie did. They reached the bed without breaking apart; Ellie lay back and drew Cassie over her until their breasts met. The full contact pulled a low sound from Cassie’s throat.

“Again,” Ellie murmured.

Cassie lowered her weight and kissed her harder. Ellie opened her legs around Cassie’s thigh. The pressure against her clit made her hips move before either woman directed them.

Cassie felt Ellie move against her thigh. “Do you want my hand? Tell me where.”

Ellie guided Cassie’s wrist between her legs. “Here. Inside me. Two fingers.”

Cassie paused at her opening, eyes on Ellie’s, then slid two fingers inside. The penetration arrived slowly, without the old discipline of making her wait. Her thumb found Ellie’s clit and moved in one firm circle.

“Like that.” Ellie tipped her head back.

“Look at me.” Cassie waited until Ellie obeyed. The command felt different when Cassie’s own face was just as exposed.

Cassie curled deep on every inward stroke. “Faster,” Ellie said. Cassie obeyed, and the change pulled a cry from her. Ellie reached between them and cupped Cassie, feeling how wet she already was. Cassie’s rhythm faltered once.

“Do you want my hand? Tell me where,” Ellie said, echoing Cassie’s phrasing.

Warmth entered Cassie’s eyes. “Inside me. Two fingers.”

Ellie slid them in, curled, and pressed her thumb to Cassie’s clit. “Look at me.” Cassie opened her eyes.