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“Sounds nice, but first…coffee.” She flung the cover to get up but was stopped by Caz holding her tight.

“I’ll make you coffee—you rest.”

Grace smiled, but said, “I’m not an invalid.”

“Until you are one hundred percent again, you’re going to rest and be waited on like a princess.” She reached for her T-shirt that was on the end of the bed and pulled it on. “Which, let’s face it, is like most days anyway,” Caz joked, and wriggled away before Grace could pinch, poke, or tickle her in retribution.

But she wasn’t quick enough and Grace grabbed her shirt, pulling her back towards her, and like lightning, Grace pinned her down and straddled her.

Staring down at Caz, her hair falling around her face, she said, “Do you want to pay now, or later when I’ve thought about your punishment a little longer?”

“Um…can I think about it?” Caz laughed, as fingers dug into her ribs and began to tickle. “Okay… Later?”

Grace eased up on her assault—a big mistake—because Caz took the opportunity to flip her off her body and over, and landed in the exact same position, now straddling Grace.

“Oh, would you look at that?” Caz teased. “Now, what could I possibly do next—”

Grace didn’t hesitate. “Kiss me.”

“That wouldn’t be a punishment, would it?” Caz answered.

Easing up onto her elbows, Grace said, “You haven’t brushed your teeth. I’d say that was punishment enough.”

“Oh, now you’re going to get it, lady.” Caz laughed and began to tickle her. Grace wriggled and pleaded and laughed, and in that moment, Caz wondered if they might be okay again.

“Okay, you win.” Grace laughed as she grabbed Caz’s hands and tried to pry those strong fingers away from her ticklish ribs.

When Caz relented, Grace still held her hands. Lacing their fingers together, she let them fall to the pillow, making Caz hover above her.

“You know, we should have a conversation.”

Caz cocked her head. “Oh, about what, exactly?”

“Sex.”

Still holding her hands and pressing them into the soft pillow, Caz rose up slightly. “I thought we’d talked about that in the car.”

“I mean, we began the discussion…” Grace smiled up at her. “How will we know if we’re even compatible?”

“How do you mean?”

“Well.” Grace tried to sit up, but Caz held her firmly down. “This, for instance…” She stared into Caz’s eyes. “Holding me down, is that something you like doing?”

Caz went to release her but was stopped when Grace gripped harder.

“No, don’t do that.” Grace shook her head. “Answer the question…”

Licking her lips, Caz looked away for a moment. “I like it if you like it.”

“Oh…okay, that wasn’t what…” This time, Grace let go and did sit up, her pretty face frowning. “For reference, I do like it, but…what do you mean you like it if I like it?”

Caz began to fidget, uncomfortable with the question.

“Caroline Iris Madden—”

“Okay, don’t go down the whole full name route…” Caz said, taking a breath and exhaling. “I’m just…I guess I’m pretty simple in bed. I don’t have…I’m not into…what I like is more about mental stimulation and being wanted and then, the basics. I don’t have fantasies—I’m not kinky.”

Grace touched her cheek. “Why is this making you emotional?”