A New Beginning Part 2
Leah woke up slow, blinking against the sunlight streaking across the sheets. She rolled over, fingers curling into the empty space where Julie should've been. The pillow still smelled like her—that herbal shampoo Leah could pick out anywhere.
The smell of coffee dragged her out of bed. She stumbled a little, grabbing Julie's Ramones shirt off the floor and yanking it on. It was soft from being washed a hundred times, hanging just long enough to brush her thighs. Julie's sketchbook lay open on the floor, pages ruffling in the AC breeze.
In the kitchen doorway, Leah stopped dead. Julie was leaning against the counter in that damn see-through robe, sunlight turning the whole room gold. Dust motes floated around her like she was some kind of mirage. Steam curled up from two mugs as Julie stirred honey into one, her hips swaying just a little to some song in her head. When she turned, Leah could see right through the robe—every freckle, every curve, the dark shadows of her nipples making Leah's mouth go dry.
"Like what you see?" Julie smirked, holding out the mug. Her fingers brushed Leah's wrist, slow and purposeful, and Leah felt that familiar heat coil low in her stomach.
Leah tugged at the too-big shirt, suddenly aware of how much of her skin it showed. The coffee cup warmed her hands—just how she liked it, strong and a little sweet. She took a quick sip to hide the heat in her cheeks. The shirt smelled like Julie—that rosemary shampoo she used mixed with last night's sweat.
Julie's eyes followed the movement of Leah's throat, then dropped lower, smirking when Leah's knees pressed together under the stare. "You sleep alright?" Julie asked, brushing her thumb across Leah's bottom lip where a drop of coffee had escaped. The touch stayed there, dragging slow until Leah's lips tingled.
"Best sleep I've had in forever, " Leah said, voice rough from last night. Julie's dark eyes got even darker at the sound. When Julie leaned in, her robe fell open just enough to show the bite mark Leah had left on her collarbone. Leah's heart thumped hard against her ribs.
Julie traced the edge of her own coffee cup. "You still coming to Texas with me?" The question sat between them, heavy and electric.
Leah didn't even think. "Try stopping me." The words came out easy, no fear behind them this time. Julie kissed her then—soft and sure, her hands holding Leah's face so gently it made last night's scratches seem like a dream. When they pulled back, Leah laughed, breathless, her forehead resting against Julie's. "We're crazy."
"Absolutely, " Julie murmured, catching Leah's lower lip between her teeth, playful but sharp. Her thumbs brushed Leah's cheeks like she was memorizing them—because this was happening, really happening, and they both knew it in that giddy, terrifying way when your life tilts sideways.
Between kisses, practicalities bubbled up in fragments. Julie's old farmhouse (her grandma's place) had a leaky roof. Leah's apartment needed sixty days to break the lease. "Screw the fee, " Leah mumbled into Julie's neck, breathing in last night's sweat and morning coffee. Julie twisted a hand in her hair, pulling just enough to make her hum. "I've got money for movers, " she said, and Leah tensed—until Julie grinned. "But you're stuck with my cooking while you haul boxes. Deal?" Leah snorted, forehead knocking against hers, and just like that, it was easy again.
Then David's name wedged between them, unavoidable. Leah fiddled with Julie's earring, stalling. "I'll call him today, " she muttered, mostly to convince herself. Imagining his hurt made her nauseous. Julie grabbed her wrist, kissing the spot where her pulse jumped. "Don't coddle him, " she said, not mean, just firm. Leah froze—she'd never realized her guilt was just leftover people-pleasing. Julie dragged a thumb over her mouth, smirked. "Or tell him I brainwashed you with my weird obsession with 12th-century ditch-digging techniques."
Leah sat on the park bench, arms wrapped around her knees. The phone pressed to her ear hissed with static before David finally spoke—first confused, then hurt, then nothing. She'd braced for yelling, for desperate pleas, but all she got was a quiet "Oh." That one word carried everything—their stiff dinners, their going-through-the-motions sex. The silence dragged until David cleared his throat. Leah stared at a sparrow pecking near her feet. Then David gave a shaky laugh, and the call cut off like a door slamming shut.
Julie slid her resignation letter across the counter to her pissed-off boss like she was handing him a napkin. "Effective immediately, " she said, already turning toward Leah by the door, her fingers brushing Leah's hip. The coffee shop exploded—gasps, someone crying, the barista dropping a mug. Julie leaned in, her lips brushing Leah's temple. "For the Texas sunsets, " she whispered as they pushed outside.
Leah's resignation email took three tries—mostly because Julie kept biting her neck between drafts. "Just type 'I quit, ' chérie, " Julie murmured, her hand slipping under Leah's shirt. The final version was one line. Her boss called instantly; Leah let it ring while Julie backed her into the fridge, kissing her deep and slow like she was trying to memorize the taste.
Their last evening in New York found them sprawled on Julie’s mattress—no bedframe left, already taken apart for the move—surrounded by half-packed boxes with Julie’s messy handwriting. Leah ran her fingers over the freckles on Julie’s shoulder like she was connecting dots. "You packed my etymology dictionary, " she said, trying to sound annoyed but failing as she felt Julie laugh under her touch. "Obviously, " Julie whispered, bringing Leah’s hand to her lips, kissing each finger. "What would we do at 3am if you couldn’t correct how I say ‘chaparral’?" The kiss that came next tasted like leftover Chinese food and something deeper, something inevitable.
The sound of packing tape being ripped filled their final days. Leah folded clothes like she was in the army, while Julie threw paintbrushes into jars without a care—their different ways of doing things leading to arguments that always ended with them laughing against stacks of boxes. At night, they tested every cleared-out spot: Leah pinned to the fridge as Julie’s mouth found her neck, the kitchen floor cold under her feet; Julie gasping into Leah’s hand on top of a box marked FRAGILE in thick black letters. Mornings were for coffee and tired eyes over moving plans, Julie’s foot sneaking under the table to hook around Leah’s ankle.
The airport line crawled forward, suitcase wheels tapping impatiently. Julie adjusted Leah’s overstuffed carry-on strap—letting her win the argument about bringing three dictionaries. "Last chance to change your mind, " Julie said softly, her fingers brushing the bare skin at the small of Leah’s back where her dress had slipped up. The touch burned even through the fabric. Leah leaned into it without thinking, then caught herself, cheeks warming at how easily Julie could undo her in public now. "You’re stuck with me, " she whispered, quiet enough that the family ahead wouldn’t hear. Julie grinned, all sharp mischief. "Mon dieu, what have I done?" she sighed, dragging Leah forward.
The boarding passes appeared in their hands like magic—thin slips of paper that felt like a get-out-of-jail-free card. Julie slipped Leah's into her own passport with way too much care, her lips brushing Leah's knuckles when she handed it back. The gate agent's smile flickered when she saw their fingers tangled together; Julie just stared her down until the woman looked away. Leah's heart raced—not from nerves, but from the electric buzz of Julie claiming her so openly.
Their seats were tiny, knees knocking together as Julie shoved their bags into the overhead bin with zero grace. When the bin snapped shut, Julie grabbed Leah's restless wrist and pressed her hand flat against the scratchy blanket covering their laps. "Breathe, " Julie whispered, her thumb tracing the creases of Leah's palm. The plane's engines groaned to life beneath them, the rumble traveling up through Leah's sneakers. She focused on the warmth of Julie's skin, the rough spot on her finger from sketching for hours—little things that kept her grounded while her whole life tipped sideways.
Leah woke up somewhere over Texas, her face mashed into Julie's shoulder, drool soaking the sleeve of her shirt. Outside the window, clouds floated like pulled-apart cotton balls over endless flat land. Julie flipped through a magazine with one hand while the other idly played with Leah's messy hair, fingers occasionally drifting down to squeeze her thigh. When the pilot crackled over the speakers, announcing their descent, Julie folded the corner of a perfume ad—Leah winced—then leaned over to buckle Leah's seatbelt with ridiculous precision. "Can't have my favorite asset painting the runway, " Julie said, grinning as Leah elbowed her weakly.
The Dallas heat punched them in the face the second they stepped off the plane. Leah was already peeling off her sweater, the wool clinging to her sweaty arms like a second skin. Julie took a deep breath, nostrils flaring like she could smell something Leah couldn't. "You smell that?" Julie asked, guiding her toward baggage claim with a warm hand on her lower back. Leah sniffed—jet fuel, stale pretzels, industrial cleaner—but Julie just grinned. "Freedom." Their bags showed up fast—Leah's neat little suitcase next to Julie's busted-up duffle that looked like it was about to vomit paintbrushes all over the conveyor belt.
The rental car lady—name tag screaming "TAMMY" in aggressively perky font—blinked at Julie's New York license. "Y'all goin' far?" Tammy asked, fake nails clacking on the keyboard. Julie leaned into Leah behind the counter, thigh pressing close—a silent challenge. "Commerce, " Leah said, proud her voice didn't shake. Tammy's drawn-on eyebrows shot up. "Ain't nothin' in Commerce 'cept that college and—" Her eyes dropped to their linked hands—"well, bless your hearts." She practically threw the keys at Julie.
The SUV reeked of pine-scented cleaner and old coffee spills. Julie yanked the seat forward with angry jerks, cursing at the GPS in French. Leah ran her fingers over the dashboard cracks—little lightning strikes frozen in time. When Julie backed out too fast, Leah grabbed the "oh shit" handle; Julie grinned but eased up. The highway stretched out like a sunburnt ribbon, heat making the horizon wobble. Billboards flipped between Jesus and gas station ads. Julie blasted the AC until Leah's nipples showed through her shirt. "Watch the road, " Leah said, face burning when Julie's fingers crept up her bare thigh in answer.
Commerce made itself known with a water tower painted to look like a massive pecan. They had to loop Main Street twice before finally spotting Dos Laredos—a low-slung building with turquoise trim and a neon cactus sputtering in the window. The hostess—a kid with braces and a "Proud Christian" pin—hesitated when she saw Julie's arm draped over Leah's shoulders. "Y'all sisters?" she asked, leading them past a taxidermied javelina. Julie's fingers dug in a little. "Something like that, " Leah said, smoother than she expected. The booth vinyl clung to their legs as they slid in. Julie snatched the plastic-covered menu from Leah's hands. "Just trust me, " she said, tapping the enchiladas listing with a chipped nail.
Their waitress dropped off two sweaty sweet tea glasses. "Special's pork verde, " she said, gum snapping between her teeth. Julie rattled off their order in quick Spanish—Leah caught "sin cebolla" and felt her face heat up, remembering yesterday's shaky confession about onion allergies. The kitchen hissed behind swinging doors; somebody cackled, voice rough from cigarettes. Leah picked at her tea label, tearing it into wet little scraps. Under the table, Julie's boot hooked around her ankle—a silent check-in. Leah pressed back. Yeah. Still good.
The enchiladas came out piping hot, red sauce oozing across Julie's plate like molten cheese. Leah watched her take a deep breath before biting in, eyes closing—same look she'd had last night with Leah's hands twisted in her hair. The first bite hit Leah's tongue—smoky, spicy, with a kick of lime underneath. Her fork slipped when Julie dragged her thumb across her lips, slow, cleaning off sauce. "Good?" Julie murmured. Leah just nodded, mouth full of cheese and bad ideas. Around them, families bickered over queso while scratchy mariachi music buzzed through old speakers.
They left the cash under a napkin—Leah's crisp twenties stacked neatly beside Julie's handful of crumpled ones—and stepped into the humid evening air so thick it felt like walking through soup. Cicadas screamed from somewhere in the dark as Julie unlocked the rental with a beep. Leah's legs unstuck from the vinyl seat with a gross peeling sound that made Julie grin. "Twenty more minutes, " Julie said, cranking the AC until it roared, "and we're home." That word—home, ours—settled warm in Leah's chest as Julie's fingers laced through hers over the gearshift.
Headlights cut through the growing dark, catching fence posts and the occasional rabbit bolting across the road. Julie half-hummed, half-mouthed the words to some crackly country song, her thumb absently rubbing circles on Leah's knuckles. Leah counted mailboxes to keep from holding her breath—three, five, seven—until tires hit gravel. The road got skinny, weeds scraping the car's belly, then suddenly opened up to their place, lit up golden by the porch light. Two stories of old cedar siding, windows catching the light like they were winking. The wraparound porch dipped a little on one side, like it was tired.
The engine clicked as they dragged their bags across the damp grass. Leah's suitcase wheels got caught in tractor ruts; Julie just hoisted it up without breaking a sweat, her rolled sleeves showing off arms that made Leah's throat go dry. They stopped at the bottom of the porch steps—paint curling up like old ribbon—and shared this stupid, giddy smile. "Home, " Julie whispered, her mouth brushing Leah's temple before she shouldered the front door open. The smell hit them first: that good wood-and-sunshine smell underneath something musty, dust floating in the air as they stepped inside. Leah's sneakers squeaked on the hardwood. She ran a finger along the wallpaper seam—tiny faded flowers trapped under yellowed varnish, waiting decades just for them.
Julie's bags hit the floor with a heavy thump that echoed through the empty house. "Living room, " she declared, gesturing at the big, open space where sunlight streamed between old wooden beams. The couch looked like it had been through a war, facing a fireplace full of cold ashes. Leah crouched down to touch the stone hearth—still holding some warmth from the day—while Julie's footsteps creaked toward the big windows. "Come here, " she said softly, and Leah joined her. Outside, tall grass swayed in the wind. Julie's hand settled on the small of Leah's back, warm and possessive. "Dining room next, " Julie decided, guiding her past a hanging light to a beat-up wooden table.
The kitchen smelled like lemon cleaner and old gas. Julie turned each stove knob dramatically, whooping when one finally sparked to life. Leah traced her fingers along the chipped tile wall—counting each nick like it mattered—until Julie backed her up against the fridge. "See something you like?" Julie teased, brushing flour dust off Leah's collarbone. The refrigerator vibrated against Leah's back as she grabbed Julie's wrist. "The floor's coming up, " Leah pointed out, breath catching. Julie nipped her earlobe. "We'll rip it out." Their laughter bounced off the empty walls.
Then Julie kissed her—not the playful little kisses from the car ride, but deep and hungry, pressing Leah into the fridge until the tiles dug into her shoulders. Julie's tongue slid against hers until Leah gasped, fists twisting in Julie's tank top. A quiet moan escaped when Julie bit her lip just hard enough. The kiss tasted like leftover lunch and gum, Julie's hips keeping Leah pinned against the shuddering appliance. "Let's go check out the bedrooms, " Julie growled against her mouth, eyes dark with want. That smirk said everything.
They bolted up the stairs—Julie's boots hammering against the bare wood, Leah's socked feet almost eating shit on the fourth step. Julie caught her wrist, yanking her up with a laugh that melted into another kiss against the shitty old wallpaper. First door: bathroom. Avocado-green sink, rust stains, cracked mirror. Leah dragged her fingers over the glass. "Place is a dump, " she admitted, then gasped as Julie's teeth found her neck. "But it'll—oh fuck—work for now—" Julie's hand slid under her jeans before she could finish.
Next room: tiny. Twin bed shoved under a slanted ceiling. Julie spun her into the doorway, pinning her against the frame. "Office, " Julie muttered between kisses, knee nudging Leah's legs apart. Smelled like cedar and mothballs, mixed with Julie's sweat as she bit Leah's lip. Somewhere below, the pipes groaned like an old man getting out of bed.
Third room—bigger, four-poster bed missing its stupid canopy. Leah gasped when Julie's fingers hooked into her jeans. "Guest bedroom, " she choked out, back hitting ugly-ass floral wallpaper. "For when we—" Julie shut her up with a kiss that curled her toes. The bedframe squeaked as Julie shoved her onto the bare mattress, swallowing her moan with a laugh that tasted like Texas and bad decisions.
Julie jerked back suddenly, wrinkling her nose. "Hang on—" She sniffed the quilt still wrapped around Leah's ankle—"Smells like Grandma's old attic." With one quick tug, she flung the musty blanket into the corner. Dust floated in the afternoon light streaming through the blinds, sticking to Julie's eyelashes as she straddled Leah. "That's better, " Julie said, rolling her shoulders until her tank top straps slid down her freckled arms. Her thumbs slipped under Leah's bra straps—slow, teasing—but stopped when Leah bit her lip. "Not yet, " Leah laughed, wiggling out from under her. "We still gotta check out the last room."
Julie fake-pouted, bottom lip sticking out, but let Leah pull her up. They shuffled across the dusty floor in their socks toward the final closed door, Julie's fingers tracing up Leah's spine under her shirt. The doorknob turned with a solid click. Leah's breath hitched—the master bedroom stretched out before them, high ceiling draped with cobwebs like leftover party decorations. A huge bed took up most of the space, its bare mattress striped with sunlight filtering through the jacaranda tree outside. But it was the bathroom that made Julie whistle—a massive glass shower behind a frosted barn door, the tiles still shiny despite years of nobody using them.
Julie kicked the door shut with her boot, the bang echoing through the empty walls. She ripped the dusty blanket off in one smooth pull, sending up a cloud of dust that stuck to their lashes. "God, that smells like mothballs, " Julie coughed, shaking out her hair before crowding into Leah's space. Her thumbs hooked into Leah's belt loops, pulling their hips together. "We should christen the place, " she murmured against Leah's jaw, teeth scraping skin. "You know—get naked, do dirty shit." The crude words, so unlike Julie's usual smooth talk, sent a spark straight to Leah's thighs.
The orange sunset light sliced through the blinds, streaking Julie’s freckled shoulders like jail bars as she stepped back. She took her time peeling off the tank top—it clung to her skin for a second before she tossed it on the floor. Leah’s mouth went dry watching Julie’s hands—those steady artist fingers—unbutton her shorts with one quick flick. The zipper sound made Leah’s heart thump hard. Julie wiggled out of them, kicking the shorts away with this little move that sent her messy red hair flying over bare tits. Then her thumbs hooked into her plain black underwear, and Leah damn near choked. The underwear dropped soft on the wood. Julie just stood there, naked as the day she was born, golden light catching the sweat between her boobs and the red hair between her legs. "Your turn, " she said, voice rough.
Leah’s hands shook pulling at her own shirt. The damn thing stuck to her as she yanked it off, showing pale skin inch by embarrassing inch. Julie’s stare burned hotter than Texas asphalt. Leah fumbled with her bra clasp—Julie reached over and unhooked it with one smooth pull. Cold air hit her nipples and she shuddered. The jeans were next, shimmying down her hips until she was left standing there in stupid daisy-print panties. Julie laughed right against her neck. "Adorable, " she whispered, thumbs already slipping under the elastic. Leah’s face burned as Julie peeled them down, leaving her bare in the dying sunlight.
Julie licked a slow line across Leah’s collarbone like she had all the time in the world. Leah gasped when teeth scraped her nipple—Julie’s hands slid down her ribs to grab her hips. "You’re trembling, " Julie muttered against her chest, warm breath ghosting over sweaty skin. Leah just nodded, fingers twisting in Julie’s hair as that mouth moved lower. She whimpered when Julie bit the soft inside of her thigh. "Hold still, " Julie commanded, pushing Leah’s legs apart with both hands. The first lick almost made Leah collapse—Julie caught her, arm hooked under her ass, holding her up while she ate her out with this slow, dirty focus.
Leah's head hit the doorframe with a thud as Julie's tongue worked inside her. "Fuck, you're—" Julie cut herself off to nip at Leah's clit, grinning when Leah's hips bucked in response. The old wood paneling pressed into Leah's back as Julie kept at it—lips, tongue, then three fingers curling just right—until Leah's legs started shaking. "Come on, " Julie murmured against her, the vibration sending Leah over the edge.
She came hard, Julie's name tearing from her throat, hands fisting in red hair. Julie slowed down then, kisses turning lazy as Leah caught her breath. Boneless against the doorframe, Leah barely stayed upright. Julie stood in one smooth move, wiping her mouth with a cocky smirk. "Bed, " Leah managed between gulps of air. Julie's grin widened as she scooped her up—show-off—and dumped her onto the mattress.
Leah rolled onto her stomach before Julie could pounce, the bed springs complaining under them. She arched her back on purpose, putting herself on display. That familiar heat built low in her gut. "Your turn, " Leah said, voice rougher than she meant it to be. Julie raised an eyebrow but flipped over onto all fours anyway. The sight knocked the wind out of Leah—Julie's shoulders tensed, that freckled back leading down to an ass she wanted to bite. Kneeling behind her, Leah pushed Julie's thighs apart. Julie gasped when Leah spread her open with her thumbs, all wet and pink and smelling so good Leah's mouth went dry.
Leah didn't waste time—one second Julie was lying there, the next Leah's tongue was dragging up her in one long, wet stroke that made Julie gasp. The sound turned into this broken moan halfway through, her fingers twisting the sheets beside her hips. Leah loved the taste of her, that mix of sweat and skin and something just *Julie*, and she couldn't get enough, licking faster now, greedy. Julie arched up against her mouth with a whimper when Leah sucked her clit between her lips, and god, every noise she made went straight to Leah's gut. She teased her way down Julie's thighs with little nips, then circled her entrance with the tip of her tongue before pushing inside deep. Julie's legs shook around her head, the bed creaking under them. "Fuck, Leah—" Julie choked out, her hips jerking. Leah slid two fingers into her, curling them just right, and Julie's back bowed off the bed, swearing turning into this wordless, shaky noise.
When Julie came, she clenched around Leah's fingers so hard it almost hurt, her whole body trembling. Leah kept going, drawing it out until Julie was squirming, oversensitive. She pulled her fingers out slow, watching Julie's hole flutter empty—and shit, that sight went right to Leah's core. Before she could think better of it, she leaned in and pressed her mouth "there" instead. Julie let out this shocked, high noise that vibrated against Leah's lips. At first it was just a hesitant lick, testing, but when Julie bucked against her, Leah did it again, harder. "Jesus *Christ*, " Julie gasped, grabbing fistfuls of Leah's hair. That was all the encouragement Leah needed—she licked in slow circles, tasting her, and fuck, it was so *much*, the way Julie smelled, the way she sounded, that Leah moaned against her skin without meaning to. Julie's thighs were shaking now, her breathing ragged. "Don't stop—fuck—don't you dare stop—"
Leah didn't. She switched between broad strokes and quick little flicks until Julie was wound tight, her whole body tense. When Leah finally pushed her tongue inside, Julie groaned, this deep, rough sound, and Leah went deeper, flattening her tongue against her. Julie arched up, grinding against her face, the scent of her everywhere now. Leah added a finger, slick with spit, and Julie screamed so loud it echoed. "More, " she demanded, voice wrecked. Leah crooked her finger, searching—then hit that spot, and Julie's hips jerked off the bed. "Again, " Julie panted, yanking Leah's hair. "Do it again."
Leah pulled her finger out slow, watching Julie’s hole twitch empty. Before Julie could even catch her breath, Leah’s tongue was already there—pushing inside like she owned the place. Julie’s thighs shook bad, her breath coming in ragged little gasps every time Leah’s tongue worked deeper. Leah gripped her hips hard, keeping her right where she wanted her as she ate her out like a goddamn meal. Julie’s moans turned into these broken little sounds, her fingers clawing at the sheets like she might float away otherwise. The taste—musky, real—made Leah fucking feral. She licked broad stripes over Julie’s asshole before sucking gently at the rim, and Jesus Christ, the way Julie’s whole body jerked off the bed—"Fuck—Leah—I’m close—" Leah didn’t slow down, just drove her harder until Julie came with this shuddering cry that sounded almost pained.
Outside, the last of the daylight had dipped away, leaving the room dark as hell.
Julie reached for the nightstand blindly, knocking something over with a loud clatter. "Shit, " she hissed, patting around until her fingers found that old lamp her grandma gave her. The second she clicked it on, the whole room got washed in this warm yellow glow, lighting up their sweaty skin and the mess they’d made of the sheets. Julie’s hair was everywhere, her lips all red and bitten-looking. Leah knew she probably looked just as wrecked—thighs sticky, mouth still tingling. Julie’s eyes were dark as she dragged a finger down Leah’s collarbone, that smirk playing on her lips. "Not complaining, " she said, voice still wrecked, "but what the hell crawled up your ass and died, huh?"
Leah felt her face heat up, but she couldn’t stop grinning. "Guess you just bring it outta me." The words sat there between them—too honest, too much. Julie’s smile turned smug as she stretched like a cat, all smooth skin and satisfied muscles in the lamplight. Leah wanted to mark her up all over again.
The mattress groaned way too loud when Julie flopped onto her back. "Jesus, Cohen, " Julie muttered, dragging her hands down her face, "you're gonna wreck me for anybody else." The joke landed weirdly heavy, like there was something real under it, and Leah felt her chest squeeze tight. She ran her fingers over the freckles scattered across Julie's ribs, needing something solid to hold onto.
Leah's knees were killing her from the hardwood floor, and her thighs were slick with sweat. She flexed her fingers—still stiff from digging into Julie's hips—and winced at the dull ache in her jaw. "Hate to kill the vibe, " Leah said, pushing a sweaty strand of hair off Julie's forehead, "but we gotta move." Julie groaned like it was the end of the world, but Leah kept going, forcing her voice steady. "Fresh sheets, clean bathroom—" She made a face at the musty quilt balled up in the corner. "—tomorrow we'll deal with the kitchen and fix whatever's broken." Saying it out loud felt weird, like she was pretending to be a responsible adult while her pulse still pounded from Julie's teeth on her neck.
Julie rolled onto her stomach with an exaggerated sigh, stretching until her back cracked. "Christ, Cohen, " she mumbled into the mattress. "First you wreck me, now you're putting me to work?" She glared at Leah, but the effect was ruined by how flushed she still was, how her fingers twitched like they wanted to pull Leah back in. "Total tyrant." But she swung her legs off the bed anyway, standing up naked without a shred of shame. Leah's eyes caught on the dark marks along Julie's inner thigh, the wetness between her legs. Her stomach flipped. Get it together, she told herself, gripping the edge of the bed.
The closet door creaked open, letting out that old cedar smell Julie always loved. She chucked a stack of linens onto the bed without looking—somehow they'd found a set still sealed in yellowing plastic. "Hell yeah, " Julie muttered, ripping the package open with her teeth. Leah handled the fitted sheet like she was defusing a bomb, corners lined up perfect, while Julie shook out the duvet like she was starring in a detergent commercial. Their hands kept bumping as they worked, Julie's fingers staying just a second too long against Leah's skin. The bed almost looked decent now, though the springs still screamed when Julie belly-flopped onto it. "We need one of those foam things, " she announced, stretching out like she owned the place. Leah chewed her lip, fighting the stupid urge to crawl right on top of her.
Julie rolled off the mattress with all the grace of a drunk giraffe. "Alright soldier, " she deadpanned, pointing at the bathroom like it was Omaha Beach. The tiles were nasty, the faucet looked like it hadn't seen a scrub brush since the 90s, but that old clawfoot tub had potential under all the grime. Julie went at the sink with Leah's last clean t-shirt and a sponge she'd definitely stolen from the gas station, scrubbing like her life depended on it. Leah just watched, mesmerized by the way Julie's back muscles moved under her shirt.
"You missed a spot, " Leah said, leaning in the doorway. Julie shot her a look that was supposed to be pissed but just came out fond. Before Leah could react, Julie flicked soapy water right at her neck. Leah retaliated by dunking the whole sponge in the bucket and whipping it at Julie's chest. It hit with a wet smack, suds dripping down her stolen shirt. They froze for half a second—Leah's throat tight, Julie's hands twitching—then Julie was lunging at her.
The tackle sent them sprawling onto the wet bathroom floor, Julie's elbow bumping the faucet handle by accident. Lukewarm water sprayed over them as they wrestled—Julie using her strength, Leah relying on her quick reflexes. Julie pinned Leah's wrists above her head, hips pressing down with teasing pressure. "Give up yet?" Julie breathed, grinning. Leah arched up, twisting free when Julie's grip slipped, laughing as she rolled them over—now on top, straddling Julie's waist. But her victory didn't last. Julie's fingers found that ticklish spot just under Leah's ribs.
Leah shrieked, the sound bouncing off the tiles as Julie dragged her nails lightly over her stomach. "*Julie—stop!*" she gasped, squirming. Julie smirked, relentless—until Leah's knee bumped her arm, throwing her off. Leah seized the chance, fingers darting to Julie's sides.
Instant revenge.
Julie yelped, back arching as Leah tickled every weak spot she knew—the dip of her waist, behind her knees, that one spot under her ribs that made her wheeze. Julie bucked, nearly throwing Leah off, but Leah recovered fast, pinning Julie's wrists with surprising strength. Julie laughed so hard she hiccuped, tears in her eyes as Leah hovered over her, thumbs tracing feather-light circles under her arms. "*Okayokayyouwin!*" Julie howled, head thumping back against the tile.
Leah finally let up, breathing hard, damp hair sticking to her face. Julie gulped air, chest rising and falling—then flashed her a wicked grin. "Shower next?"
Leah's fingers twitched against Julie's still-pinned wrists before she burst into giggles again. "Fine, " she said, shaking her head. "But no more wrestling."
Leah turned the shower knob slow, wincing as the pipes let out this awful creak—like some dying raccoon stuck in the walls—before coughing up rust-brown water. "Gonna have to flush the pipes tomorrow, " she muttered, watching the nasty water circle the drain. Julie just rolled her eyes and reached past her, bare hip bumping Leah's thigh as she cranked the handle wider. "Live a little, " she breathed against Leah's shoulder, teeth grazing damp skin. The water took its sweet time clearing—first looking like weak tea, then finally turning clear—and Leah sighed when steam finally started rising for real.
Julie stepped in first, gasping as the hot water hit her back. She grabbed Leah's wrist and yanked her under the spray with her, bodies fitting together like they always did. Leah hissed at the sudden heat, her cold skin going pink almost instantly.
The showerhead sputtered like an old car engine—probably full of hard water gunk—but Julie manhandled Leah right under the worst of it, hands firm on her hips. Soap slid down Leah's back, and she shivered when Julie's fingers traced her ribs, suddenly gentle after all their roughness earlier.
Shampoo smelled like coconuts. Julie massaged it into Leah's scalp with slow circles, nails scratching just right until Leah's eyes closed on their own. Rinsing it out, Julie tilted Leah's head back with fingers tangled in her dark hair, mouth brushing the droplets on her throat. Leah returned the favor, hands clumsy with sleepiness, but Julie made this approving noise when Leah dug her thumbs into the knots between her shoulders.
Their legs kept bumping under the water, Julie's thigh sliding between Leah's until she stumbled forward, lips finding Julie's collarbone.
The mirror fogged up completely, not that Leah cared. She dragged soapy fingers over Julie's freckles like she was memorizing a map—three clustered by her left hip, that one lonely dot under her right breast. Julie's breath caught when Leah's thumb brushed a nipple, but she just grabbed Leah's wrist, kissed her palm (slippery with soap), then crouched down to scrub Leah's legs like it was some sacred duty.
The contrast killed her—Julie's soft hands dragging that scratchy loofah so carefully over her knees. Leah grabbed Julie's waist for balance, fingers slipping on wet skin as Julie knelt to wash her feet like it mattered. Red hair gone dark with water, shoulders shining under the spray—Leah's throat tightened looking at her.
Julie shut the water off hard, pipes groaning in protest. The quiet made their breathing too loud. She reached past Leah for the single towel hanging on the door—the one with the frayed edges—her breasts brushing Leah's arm as she moved. "For milady, " Julie said, draping it over Leah's shoulders with this ridiculous bow.
Leah laughed, but held the towel tight when Julie pulled her close, blotting water from her collarbones with this weird, gentle focus. Julie's thumbs pressed lightly over Leah's ribs—right where she'd be sore tomorrow—before crouching again to towel off Leah's legs. The rough fabric made this obscene sound against skin, and Leah bit her lip when Julie's fingers skimmed the inside of her thighs.
Julie stood up from the shower still dripping wet, water running down her body. Leah grabbed the towel—still a little damp—and started drying Julie's shoulders in slow, careful motions. She stopped when she noticed a small crescent-shaped scar just above Julie's hip, barely visible against her freckled skin. "Bike crash, " Julie said before Leah could even ask, leaning into her touch. Leah ran her thumb over the mark—then went bright red when Julie suddenly grabbed her wrist and moved her hand lower. "You're skipping the best part, " Julie joked, pressing Leah's fingers into the coarse curls between her thighs. Leah inhaled sharply—but Julie stepped back with a grin before she could do anything else, tossing the towel on the floor.
The hardwood was cold under Leah's bare feet as Julie pulled her toward the steamed-up bathroom mirror. She pinned Leah against the foggy glass—condensation forming where Leah's back met the surface—and dragged her tongue up Leah's neck. "Look at us, " Julie whispered, turning Leah's face toward their reflection. Leah's stomach flipped at the sight—Julie's hand spread low across her stomach, her own nipples hard against Julie's chest. Julie bit gently at the pulse point in Leah's neck, watching them in the mirror as Leah shivered. "God, you're gorgeous, " Julie muttered—half annoyed, half awed—before spinning Leah around to kiss her properly.
They crashed together, Julie's tongue pushing past Leah's lips until she gasped—but Julie broke away suddenly, breathing hard. "I'd love to go another round, " she said, swiping her thumb over Leah's wet lower lip, "but we need sleep." Leah made a pathetic, needy noise—her hips jerking forward without permission. Julie stopped them with a firm grip, laughing under her breath. "Tomorrow, " she promised, biting Leah's ear lightly. "We've got baseboard cleaning to do, remember?" Leah groaned—part frustration, part exhaustion—but let Julie guide her toward the bedroom where clothes were strewn everywhere.
The sheets felt cool against Leah's overheated skin as Julie pulled her down. She automatically curled into Julie's warmth—their legs tangling together—Julie's knee settling between Leah's thighs. It should've been innocent, but Leah's heart raced when Julie's fingers drew lazy patterns on the small of her back. "Sleep, " Julie mumbled against Leah's forehead—her breathing already slowing. Leah focused on the steady beat of Julie's heart under her palm, the faint smell of citrus still clinging to her skin even after the shower. Outside, crickets chirped in the untamed grass—a sound that should've felt strange but didn't. Instead, Leah fell asleep to the sound of Julie's heartbeat.
End of Part 2