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“You’re distracting me,” Andi scolded.

“I have a strategy,” Billie countered, helping Andi slide her shorts off.

Andi stepped free. She pulled Billie close, fumbling slightly with the clasp of her bra.

“I told you,” Billie said. “Conspiracies.”

“Good thing I’m a trained operative,” Andi teased, spinning them toward the bed. “Ouch!” she yelped as her heel caught on Billie’s discarded shoe. She grabbed Billie’s arm, but momentumhad other ideas. They tumbled to the floor in a heap, landing on top of their scattered clothes.

“Are you okay?” Billie asked, trying unsuccessfully not to laugh.

Andi’s uninhibited laughter filled the room. “Good thing my mother’s small investment in ballet lessons paid off,” she quipped. “I’m fine. Just…” she dissolved into giggles again, “just not as graceful as I hoped.”

“I don’t know,” Billie said, shifting to hover over Andi. “You certainly stuck the landing.”

Andi’s laughter softened as Billie lowered herself, their bodies fitting together on the floor. “Ever the optimist,” Andi said.

“With you? Always.” Billie’s hand slid along Andi’s side, tracing the curve of her hip. “We can just practice your floor routine.”

Andi flipped Billie beneath her and grinned. “It has potential.”

“I’d say it has more thanpotential,” Billie whispered. She narrowed her gaze when Andi pinned her wrists gently above her head.

Andi’s smile turned from playful to something more intense as her gaze traveled slowly down Billie’s body. “Perfect,” she whispered. She reached for Billie’s shirt, crumpling it slightly and sliding it beneath Billie’s head.

“Always taking care of me,” Billie said.

“Always,” Andi promised, trailing her fingers down Billie’s sides. “You are beautiful,” Andi observed as her mouth found the curve of Billie’s breast.

Billie instinctively threaded her hands in the soft waves of Andi’s hair. She happily surrendered to the sensation of Andi’s lips and hands mapping her body. Each touch felt both familiarand new—the security of knowing exactly how they fit together, combined with the thrill of discovery that never seemed to fade.

Andi took her time, savoring each gasp and subtle arch of Billie’s body and delighting in Billie’s urgent moan when her fingers finally slid between Billie’s thighs.

“I love how you feel,” Andi said. “I love the way you tremble when I touch you.”

Billie’s eyes fluttered open, finding Andi’s face above her. Andi’s eyes were dark with desire, but her touch spoke of something deeper—something Billie still found difficult to believe. Andi loved her. Completely.

“No one has ever made me feel like this,” Billie managed between shallow breaths. “You always…” Her words dissolved into a moan as Andi’s rhythm changed, and her touch became more insistent.

Andi lowered herself and pressed them together, her lips brushing Billie’s ear. “I’ve got you,” she whispered. “Let go.”

Billie clutched Andi’s shoulders as pleasure coursed through her. Andi held her through it.

“Shh,” Andi cooed.

“How do you do that?” Billie asked.

“What did I do?”

“Make me feel safe and out of control at the same time—every time.”

Andi smiled gently. “I love you, Billie.”

“Mom! Are you home?”

Billie groaned.

“Don’t worry, honey,” Andi said, pulling herself up from the floor. “I’ll let you tackle the balance beam later—unless, of course, you prefer the high bar?”