The sunlight was brutal—no mercy at all as it cut through the cheap curtains. Julie groaned and slapped a hand over her face. Her head throbbed with every heartbeat, her mouth tasting like something died in it. Next to her, Leah whimpered and grabbed at the pillow like it could stop the room from tilting. "Jesus Christ, " Leah rasped, her voice wrecked. "I'm dead. Officially." Julie pried one eye open just enough to glare. "Welcome to the afterlife, " she croaked back.
Leah flopped onto her back with a miserable sigh, the sheets clinging to her sweaty skin. She stared at the ceiling—there was a weird water stain up there that looked kinda like a duck—while blurry pieces of last night flashed in her head. Julie’s nails scraping down her back, the bite of whiskey on her tongue, the way Julie had— "Hold up." Leah’s eyes went wide. She turned her head way too fast and immediately regretted it. Julie was watching her with that stupid smirk, even though she looked like death warmed over. "The hell got into you?" Julie asked, her voice scratchy. "Never seen you go down on someone like that before. Like you were *starving*."
Leah’s stomach did a nosedive. "I *what*?" Her voice cracked. She pressed her palms into her eye sockets like that’d erase the last 24 hours. "Shit. I don’t—I don’t remember any of that." Julie barked out a laugh and instantly clutched her head, groaning. "Oh, you remember, " she muttered, rolling onto her side to face Leah. Her fingers doodled nonsense on Leah’s shoulder. "You were *determined*. Like a—" she snorted, "—like a goddamn scientist writing a thesis."
Leah's face was on fire. Bits and pieces came back—Julie's thighs tight around her head, the salty taste of her skin, the way she'd arched off the bed—but the rest was lost in a boozy haze. She groaned into the pillow, equal parts embarrassed and queasy. Julie's fingers slid through her messy hair, giving a little tug until Leah peeked up. "Chill, " Julie whispered, her thumb dragging across Leah's bottom lip. "You were hot." Leah's breath caught. Julie's thumb was rough from years of ranch work, and before she could stop herself, Leah flicked her tongue against it—just a quick tease. Julie's eyes went dark. "There she is."
Somewhere outside, a truck backfired loud enough to rattle the cheap motel windows. Leah jumped, her stomach rolling again. Julie flopped onto her back with a groan, arm thrown over her face. "Screw this rental, " she muttered. "We're buying a real truck today." Leah stared at the water-stained ceiling. Their own truck. The idea sat heavy in her chest—real, solid. She picked at a loose thread in the sheet. "Yeah, " she said quietly. "But let's... just lie here awhile. I feel like I ate a tumbleweed."
Julie barked a laugh, then clutched her head. "Fuckin' tequila, " she moaned. The sheets shifted as she turned to look at Leah—her shaky hands, the blush crawling up her neck. Julie smirked. "You're adorable when you're dying." Leah squinted at her. "I'm *suffering*." Julie scooted closer until their legs touched, warm under the thin blanket. "Yeah, adorable *and* suffering. My favorite." Her fingertips brushed Leah's hip, feather-light. Leah shuddered, her whole body still buzzing from last night's whiskey-soaked mistakes.
The shower water was barely warm—just enough to take the edge off. Leah leaned her forehead against the tile, letting the spray wash away last night's sticky booze-sweat. The motel soap reeked of fake lemon and bad decisions. Behind her, Julie was humming some off-key tune while scrubbing her freckled arms like she actually gave a shit. "Turn around, " Julie said, nudging her shoulder. Leah did, shutting her eyes as Julie's hands slid soap down her back. The touch stayed a second too long—like she was marking territory—before Julie spun her back and kissed her, slow and deep even though their mouths tasted like cheap toothpaste. Leah melted into it, hands finding Julie's hips. "We're gonna get hit with a late checkout fee, " Julie mumbled against her lips. Leah groaned. "They'll charge us extra."
Julie laughed, breath warm on her neck. "Worth every penny." Her palms slid lower, grabbing Leah's ass with purpose. Leah tensed—flashes of last night's hazy memories popping behind her eyelids—but Julie just bit her collarbone and stepped back. The water went ice-cold. Leah yelped, fumbling for the knob while Julie cackled like a goddamn hyena. Payback was quick—Leah shoved her under the spray, soap flying as Julie coughed. Then Julie's fingers were between her legs, pushing in without warning, and Leah gasped, hips jerking. "Jesus—" she choked, hands slipping on Julie's wet shoulders. Julie curled her fingers, smirking when Leah's legs almost gave out. "Told you payback sucks, " she teased.
The tile dug into Leah's back as Julie pinned her there, mouth hot and greedy on her throat. Leah fisted Julie's wet hair, pulling just to hear her moan. Water rushed between them, rinsing away the last of the soap while Julie's thumb worked her clit in fast, steady circles. Leah's thighs shook—she was already close, way too fast—and Julie knew it, her breath ragged against Leah's ear. "Come on, " she whispered, teeth scraping Leah's earlobe. "Let me feel it." That did it. Leah came with a sharp cry, fingers clamping around Julie's wrist as pleasure shot through her like a fucking lightning strike. Julie didn't stop, kept going until Leah was trembling and whining, too sensitive to take anymore.
Julie leaned back just far enough to flash that cocky grin of hers, her freckles standing out against her pink cheeks. Leah's head was still spinning, her lungs burning as she tried to catch her breath—but that smug look on Julie's face lit a fire in her gut. Before Julie could even get a word out, Leah shoved her hard against the shower wall, water splashing everywhere as she dropped to her knees. Julie gasped, her hips jerking forward on instinct. No teasing—Leah dragged her tongue up Julie's slit in one slow, wet stroke before diving in deep like she was starving for it. Julie's hands slapped against the tiles, her moan bouncing off the walls. "Shit—Leah—" Leah just hummed against her, the vibrations making Julie's legs shake as she curled her tongue right where Julie needed it most.
Leah held Julie's thighs apart with a firm grip, not giving her an inch to squirm away. Julie's whole body trembled, her breath coming in short, ragged bursts. Leah could taste her—sharp and sweet—and it only made her press harder, her nose brushing Julie's clit as she fucked her with her tongue. Julie's fingers twisted in Leah's hair, pulling just enough to sting, but Leah didn't slow down. She couldn't. Not when Julie was coming undone above her, moans turning high and desperate, her body tensing like a coiled spring. Leah reached up, pinching Julie's nipple between her fingers—just enough to make Julie yelp. The sound went straight to Leah's core, hot and insistent.
Julie's hips bucked wildly, her thighs clamping around Leah's head as she came—hard and sudden, her whole body jerking. Leah groaned against her, not letting up, working her through it until Julie was squirming and gasping, oversensitive and wrecked. "God, Leah—stop, " Julie begged, her voice rough as she weakly pushed at Leah's shoulders. "Too much." Leah finally pulled back, grinning up at her with wet lips. Julie's legs were still shaking, her chest rising fast. Leah dragged her fingertips lightly up Julie's thigh, loving the way she twitched at the touch. "Alright, " Leah said, her voice low and full of promise. "But you're gonna pay for this later."
The motel clerk didn't even look up from his crossword when they dropped the key on the counter, but that smug little smirk said everything. Julie flipped her damp hair back and stared him down, chin up like she was daring him to say something. Leah, though? She was suddenly real interested in a patch of peeling wallpaper, face burning hot enough to fry an egg. "Twenty minutes late, " the clerk said, tapping his pen like it was some big dramatic reveal. Julie just arched an eyebrow. "Yeah? Fine, charge us extra." Leah made a noise like a deflating balloon and reached for her wallet, but Julie grabbed her wrist—tight—like *hell no we're not paying that*. The clerk rolled his eyes and waved them off. "Whatever, just get out." Julie flashed him a grin that could've sliced through steel and dragged Leah toward the exit.
Outside, the Texas sun was brutal. Leah squinted against the glare, her head pounding like she'd spent the night doing tequila shots. Their sad little rental car—a silver piece of junk with AC that wheezed like a dying asthmatic—sat in the lot looking pathetic. Julie chucked their bags into the trunk harder than necessary, muttering something about "nosy dickheads." Leah leaned against the hood and immediately regretted it—the metal scorched right through her thin shirt. "Next time, " she mumbled, "maybe we don't... *broadcast* what we were up to?" Julie barked out a laugh and slammed the trunk. "Sweetheart, if I'd *broadcasted* it, that guy would've needed to hose himself down." Leah buried her face in her hands while Julie just cackled, her fingers brushing the back of Leah's neck as she climbed into the driver's seat.
Dropping off the rental took less time than ordering fast food—some zit-faced kid scanned their paperwork without even looking up, then tossed the keys into a bin labeled "DETAIL HELL." Leah frowned. "Should we—" "Nah, " Julie cut her off, steering her away by the elbow. "That car reeked like bad life choices and stale Doritos." They walked down the cracked sidewalk toward a car lot, Julie's boots kicking up dust while Leah's sandals slapped against the pavement. Her feet were already sweating like they'd signed up for a marathon. Julie pointed ahead at a row of pickup trucks parked under a sun-faded banner: *Big Tex Pre-Owned—Rust Optional!* Leah eyed one truck with a bumper sticker that screamed *GAS, GRASS, OR ASS* in bold letters. "Classy, " she deadpanned.
The salesman swooped in like a vulture spotting fresh roadkill—hair slicked back, stupid lasso-printed tie clinging to his chest. "Ladies!" His grin showed way too much gum. "Lookin' for something *spicy*?" Julie arched an eyebrow. Leah picked at her nail polish. *Bud*, according to his crooked name tag, started yammering about torque and hauling capacity, waving at some ridiculous black truck with tires taller than Leah herself. Julie crossed her arms. "That's a divorce settlement on wheels, " she deadpanned. Bud froze. Leah coughed into her fist to hide a laugh.
Then Julie spotted it—an old red F-150 wedged between two flashy models, its bed scratched up but solid, the odometer sitting pretty under 100K. She walked right past Bud like he was invisible, running her fingers along the driver's side door. No squeak. Good. Leah trailed behind, eyeing the dashboard junk—a petrified coffee cup, a crumpled cattle auction flyer. "This one, " Julie said, leaving no room for argument. Bud's smile twitched. "Now, ma'am, that's an *older*—" Julie popped the hood before he could finish. The engine looked clean, no sludge. She wiped her fingers on her jeans. "How much?"
Bud launched into his salesman spiel—"original owner, " "garage kept, " whatever—while Julie prowled around the truck like it owed her money. Leah watched, amused, as Julie gave a tire a solid kick ("*Christ*, lady—!"), then crouched to inspect the undercarriage. "Rust here, " she announced, jabbing a finger. "And here. Transmission fluid's blacker than my ex's heart." Bud blinked. Leah pressed her lips together to keep from snorting. Julie stood tall, arms crossed. "Thirty-five hundred." Bud sputtered. "Ma'am, the sticker says *eight*—" Julie nodded at the windshield crack. "Thirty-five. Cash."
Leah leaned against the passenger door, thumb rubbing at a scratch in the paint. The truck smelled like hay and oil—real smells, not that new-car bullshit. Julie tapped her boot while Bud waffled, but Leah saw the exact second he caved; his shoulders slumped like a popped balloon. "Fine, " he grumbled. Julie flashed a razor-sharp grin. "There ya go." She pulled a fat stack of hundreds from her back pocket—crisp enough to prove she'd come ready for war. Bud counted it twice, sighing like a man defeated.
The engine growled to life, that deep rumble vibrating right up through Leah's legs. Julie messed with the mirrors—quick adjustments, but then she paused, tilting the rearview just enough to catch Leah's reddening face. "What?" Leah muttered, suddenly too aware of herself. Julie didn't answer, just grinned and rolled the window down hard. Hot air rushed in, tearing Leah's messy bun apart instantly, hair whipping her cheeks. Should've pissed her off. Instead, she laughed—a surprised, breathy sound—and Julie's answering smile was brighter than the dashboard baking in the sun.
Inside the truck smelled like worn-out leather and stale cigarettes, the seats cracked and split from years of use. Leah ran a finger along one deep groove, imagining some old cowboy or drunk rodeo rider who'd put it there. Julie jerked the gearshift more than needed, her knee bumping Leah's as they hit the open road. Just an accident. Just nothing. But Leah felt it anyway, skin tingling where they'd touched. Outside, Texas whipped by—scrubland, fences, a vulture or two circling something rotten in the distance. Julie tapped the steering wheel to some song in her head, thumb keeping time. Leah watched her wrist move, remembering those fingers inside her not even an hour ago. Her face went hot. Julie noticed, because of course she did. "Regrets?" she asked, voice teasing. Leah swallowed. "Just thirsty, " she lied.
The farmhouse popped up out of nowhere—white paint peeling, porch sagging like a drunk under those two twisted pecan trees. Julie parked next to a tractor half-eaten by rust, twisting the key to kill the engine. Quiet hit them hard, just the tick of cooling metal and a crow yelling somewhere far off. Leah took in the chipped paint, the busted gutters, the screen door hanging crooked. Looked like the place had been left mid-sentence. Julie stretched, her shirt riding up to show a stripe of sunburned skin. "Home, " she said, like it was something fancy. Leah blew out a breath. "Let's call it a day?" she said, peeling her thighs off the sticky seat. "We could use a break."
Julie grinned like she knew something Leah didn't. "Yeah, you're right, " she said, fingers tugging Leah closer by her belt loop until Leah could smell last night still on her skin. Her thumb rubbed slow circles on Leah's hip through the jeans. "But hear me out—what if we hired some help? Get this place fixed up quicker." Leah blinked. Since when did Julie want hired help? This was the woman who'd spent three hours cussing at a YouTube video about laying tile last week. Julie jerked her chin toward the far fence line where posts tilted sideways like they'd had one too many. "Get someone to fix that mess, we could buy a bull and a few cows by fall." The way she said *bull* made Leah's stomach flip.
Leah leaned against the railing, watching dust float in the golden light. "And chickens, " she added quietly, more to herself than Julie. "Maybe horses too." The image came easy—Julie on a chestnut mare, thighs flexing as she pulled up close to steal a kiss. Heat crept up Leah's neck. Julie's fingers trailed up her spine to tangle in her hair. "Careful, " Julie murmured, breath hot on her ear. "Keep talking like that and we ain't making it inside tonight." Leah shivered, but Julie was already stepping back, boots thumping on the uneven porch.
Kneeling by the weed-choked flowerbed, Julie yanked out a handful of greens. Sunlight caught the sweat on her temples, the freckles scattered across her shoulders. "Horses'd be nice, " she agreed, flicking a dirt clod at Leah's foot. "Make checking the back eighty easier." Then she stood sudden, that devilish smirk back. "But between you and me..." Her hands found Leah's hips again, thumbs hooked in her belt loops. "We still haven't christened that pond in the woods." Leah's breath hitched. Julie's lips grazed her ear. "Perfect day for skinny-dipping, don't you think?"
The path to the pond wasn’t much of a path—just flattened grass weaving between oak trees and scraggly mesquites. Julie led the way, stepping over roots like she’d done it a hundred times before, glancing back now and then to check on Leah. Sunlight cut through the leaves, painting the ground in flickering gold patches. Leah could already feel the pond’s cool water on her skin, her sandals dusty and her toes curling in anticipation. Then Julie spun around, walking backward now, that smirk of hers unmistakable even in the dappled light.
"You’re quiet, " she said.
Leah shrugged, sidestepping a knotted root. "Just thinking."
"About what?"
Leah swallowed. "How pissed you’re gonna be when I shove you in."
Julie laughed—loud, unguarded—scaring off a couple of doves perched nearby. "Oh, *please*, " she drawled, turning back around. "Like you could take me."
Leah bit her lip, watching the way Julie’s shoulders moved under her tank top. Yeah, probably not. Julie was all quick reflexes and unpredictable energy, like trying to wrestle a storm. But the challenge still sent a buzz through Leah’s veins. "Maybe, " she lied.
Julie snorted, kicking a pebble into the bushes. "Liar."
Then the pond was there—smaller than Leah expected, its surface rippling under a light breeze, edged with cattails and dragonflies skimming the water. Julie didn’t hesitate, yanking off her boots and socks in seconds flat. Leah stalled, suddenly second-guessing the murky water.
Julie noticed, because of course she did. "Chickening out?" she teased, pulling her tank top off in one smooth motion. Sunlight caught on her collarbone, the scatter of freckles across her chest. Leah’s throat went tight.
"Nope, " she lied again.
Julie stepped closer, fingers hooking into the hem of Leah’s shirt. "Prove it."
Leah’s heart thudded hard enough to feel it in her ears. Julie’s thumbs slipped under her waistband, breath warm against her cheek. The pause stretched—Julie’s grin widening—before Leah snapped. She shoved Julie hard, maybe too hard, sending her stumbling back with a yelp. They hit the water together, the cold a shock that punched the air from Leah’s lungs. She came up gasping, hair stuck to her face. Julie surfaced a second later, blinking water from her lashes.
"You *asshole*, " she coughed, but she was grinning like she’d won something.
Leah laughed—loud, unhinged—right before Julie launched herself at her.
Leah gasped as the cold pond water hit her square in the face. "You bitch!" she sputtered, blinking away the sting before kicking wildly in Julie's direction. The wave caught Julie right in the chest, her tank top going instantly see-through. Julie didn't even pretend to be mad—just laughed that reckless laugh of hers and charged forward, arms wrapping around Leah's waist like a damn anaconda. Down they went, limbs everywhere, Leah accidentally inhaling half the pond through her nose. She came up coughing, wiping water from her eyes just in time to see Julie push soaked hair out of her face, breathing hard. "Cheater, " Leah accused, shaking her head like a wet dog. Julie's grin turned wicked. "Call it strategy, " she shot back, already cupping another handful of water to fling. Leah tried to duck, but the icy splash still hit her collarbones, dripping down in uncomfortable trails.
Then Julie's fingers were at the hem of Leah's shirt, bunching the soaked fabric in her fist. "We're doing this wrong, " Julie panted, already yanking upwards. The pond water licked at Leah's newly exposed stomach, making her skin prickle with goosebumps. Leah twisted—half-heartedly trying to stop her, half-helping—as Julie wrestled the shirt over her head. It landed on the bank with a wet plop. Julie didn't hesitate before hooking her thumbs into Leah's jeans next, the denim sagging with pond water. Leah's breath caught as Julie tugged them down, the sudden cold air contrasting weirdly with Julie's warm fingers skating over her thighs. The jeans joined the shirt on shore, floating pathetically.
Julie took a step back to admire her work—Leah standing there in just her underwear, arms crossed over herself despite being chest-deep in water. Sunlight broke through the trees overhead, painting gold patches on Leah's shoulders. Then Julie was peeling off her own tank top, freckled skin flushed from their stupid water fight. Her shorts came off with a practiced shimmy before being kicked toward the growing pile of wet clothes. "There, " Julie murmured, wading closer. Her hands found Leah's hips underwater, thumbs rubbing slow circles against that sensitive dip just below her waistband. Leah shivered—could've been the cold, could've been Julie's hands—but she didn't move away.
Julie leaned in, kissing Leah with the taste of summer on their lips—pond water and sunshine mixed together. Leah melted against her, arms sliding around Julie's neck like they'd done this a thousand times before. The kiss got deeper, slower, like thick syrup pouring between them. Julie's hands wandered—ribs, waist, the perfect curve of Leah's ass—while Leah sighed into her mouth, fingers twisting in Julie's wet hair. When they finally came up for air, Leah was breathing hard. "Can't believe this is us now, " she whispered, forehead pressed to Julie's. Julie bit her lower lip, grinning. "You ain't seen nothing yet. Wait till the hayloft."
Leah pulled back just enough to lock eyes with Julie, that look making her heart skip. No words—just Leah grabbing her hand, dragging her toward shore. The water fought them, clinging to their thighs as they stumbled through the shallows. Julie smirked. "What're you up to, Leah?" No answer. Just that knowing silence as Leah yanked her onto the grass, sun-baked and scratchy against Julie's bare skin. The light turned Julie golden, water droplets catching like tiny diamonds. Leah dropped to her knees, hands firm on Julie's hips, thumbs brushing that sensitive spot that always made her shiver. Julie did now—whether from the breeze or Leah's touch, who could tell?
Leah's mouth found Julie's stomach just above her belly button, warm and lingering against her cooling skin. Julie sucked in a breath as Leah worked lower, teeth grazing her hipbone hard enough to make her twitch. Leah's grip tightened, holding her steady as she moved down, down—Julie's thighs tensed before she even got there. That hot exhale against her skin? Goosebumps everywhere. Then—finally—Leah's lips brushed where Julie needed her most. "Oh god—" Julie's hands fisted in Leah's hair, hips pushing forward like they had a mind of their own.
Leah's first slow lick sent sparks racing up Julie's spine. She bit her lip so hard she tasted blood, her heart pounding wildly. Leah wasn't rushing—every flick of her tongue felt intentional, like she was learning Julie's body by heart. Julie's legs shook so bad she had to lock her knees. When Leah hummed against her, the vibration went straight to Julie's core. Nobody had ever touched her like this—like she was something precious. The thought made her chest tight. Tangling her fingers in Leah's hair, she tugged lightly. "Leah, " she gasped out, voice rough. Leah looked up, lips wet, dark eyes intense. "You good?" Julie nodded fast, too breathless to speak. That quick half-smile from Leah was all she got before Leah went back to work.
Julie was panting now, barely able to catch her breath. Leah switched between slow, deep strokes and quick teasing flicks that made Julie jerk. She arched off the ground, gripping Leah's hair. The pressure between her legs built unbearably—then Julie felt tears rolling down her face out of nowhere. She blinked, confused by her own reaction. Leah paused, frowning. "Don't stop, " Julie begged, voice wrecked. Leah didn't hesitate long—just enough to make Julie whimper—before circling her clit perfectly. Julie sobbed. The pleasure was overwhelming, but under it was something scarier—this warm feeling spreading through her chest while Leah held her thighs firmly. Safe. Wanted. The realization punched Julie in the gut: *Holy shit...nobody's ever loved me like this.*
When Julie came, it hit like a truck—sudden and brutal. She saw stars, her whole body shaking wildly as she screamed Leah's name. Her fingers yanked Leah's hair without meaning to. Pleasure rolled through her in waves, wiping her mind blank. She barely noticed Leah lowering her gently onto the grass, her body still twitching. Leah hovered over her, looking worried. Julie blinked up through tear-blurred vision, Leah's words not registering at all. The truth hit her like lightning. She reached up clumsily, fingers brushing Leah's wet cheek. "Marry me, " she breathed.