Page 39

"So do you," she said, entering the villa with the easy confidence Serena had come to associate with her. "Though I have to say, I'm also a fan of your island-wilderness look from this morning."

Serena laughed, the sound no longer surprising her when it bubbled up. "You mean the 'drowned CEO with seaweed accessories' look? I'm not sure that one's going to catch on in Manhattan."

"Their loss," Lila replied with a wink that sent an unexpected flutter through Serena's stomach.

Dinner arrived soon after—local seafood prepared with island spices, fresh tropical fruits, and a bottle of wine chilling in an ice bucket. They settled on the terrace, the setting sun painting the sky in swirls of pink and gold and purple.

Their conversation flowed effortlessly, moving from light observations about island life to deeper discussions of how they'd each found their respective paths.

Serena found herself sharing stories of Frost Innovations' early days—the challenges of building something from nothing, the satisfaction of creating security systems that genuinely protected vulnerable data.

"You really care about the work itself, don't you?" Lila observed during a natural pause. "It's not just about success or status for you."

The observation caught Serena off-guard. Most people assumed her drive came from ambition alone, from a desire to dominate rather than create. "Yes," she admitted. "The technology itself matters to me. Protecting people's information, their privacy... it's important work."

"I can hear it in your voice when you talk about it," Lila said. "Your whole energy changes. You light up."

"Do I?" Serena hadn't thought of herself as someone who "lit up" about anything.

"Completely," Lila confirmed. "It's quite captivating, actually. The passion behind the polished exterior."

The observation felt both exposing and affirming—to be seen so clearly, yet appreciated rather than judged for what was revealed.

As darkness fell, they moved closer together on the cushioned lounge. Serena found herself unwinding into the simple pleasure of proximity, of conversation without agenda, of moments strung together by nothing more complicated than mutual interest.

When Lila shivered slightly in the evening breeze, Serena reached for a light throw blanket without thinking, draping it over both their legs. The casual domesticity of the gesture struck her only after she'd done it.

"Thank you," Lila said, shifting closer until their shoulders touched. "For dinner. For today. For all of it."

"I think I'm the one who should be thanking you," Serena replied, turning to face her in the gentle glow of candlelight.

"For what?"

"For showing me things I wouldn't have seen on my own.

" Serena reached out, tucking a strand of hair behind Lila's ear, letting her fingers linger against the soft skin of her neck.

"The underwater world. The way morning light changes the beach.

How to actually be present instead of just physically occupying space. "

Lila's eyes were dark and luminous in the dim light. "You were ready to see those things. I just happened to be here when you were looking."

The modesty in her response only increased Serena's certainty that whatever was growing between them was genuine, not calculated. Lila wasn't trying to claim credit or leverage their connection; she was simply being herself, responding honestly to the moment they shared.

"I'm glad it was you," Serena said softly, closing the remaining distance between them.

The kiss began gently, even if impulsively, a natural extension of their conversation. But unlike their earlier kisses, this one evolved with unhurried exploration. There was no rush, no desperate grabbing, just the gradual building of sensation and connection.

Lila's hands slid up to frame Serena's face, her touch both reverent and sure. Serena found herself melting into the contact, her usual sharp edges softening under that gentle attention.

When they finally separated, both breathing a little faster, Serena felt something shifting inside her—boundaries rearranging, priorities realigning around this new center of gravity between them.

"Stay," she whispered, the invitation encompassing more than just the night. "Stay with me."

The word hung between them, simple yet profound. Lila's answer came not in words but in the way she leaned forward, reconnecting their lips with a kiss that held acceptance and promise in equal measure. Her hands moving to the buttons of Serena's blouse made her intentions clear.

Serena, her eyes flickering with the candlelight, watched as Lila's nimble fingers danced over the buttons of her blouse.

Lila's touch was a balm to Serena's soul, a tender caress that made her feel seen and cherished.

She was a woman who was used to being in control, yet with Lila, she felt a strange urge to surrender.

It was a new sensation, this willingness to let go, to allow herself to be vulnerable. And it was exhilarating.

As the last button slipped free, Lila pushed the blouse off Serena's shoulders, revealing a lacy black bra that barely contained her ample breasts. Lila's eyes darkened with desire as she traced the lace with her fingertips, her touch sending shivers down Serena's spine.

Serena reached out, her hands finding Lila's waist. She pulled her closer, their bodies fitting together like two pieces of a puzzle.

Their lips met in a passionate kiss, their tongues dancing with each other as they darted around.

Lila tasted of wine and desire, a heady combination that made Serena's head spin.

Lila's hands moved lower, finding the zipper of Serena's pants. With a deft flick, she had them undone, her fingers slipping beneath the waistband to cup Serena's ass. Serena moaned into the kiss, her body aching for more.

They broke apart, panting. Lila's eyes were dark with desire as she looked at Serena, her hands still on her ass. "I want you, Serena," she whispered, her voice husky. "I want to taste you, to feel you come undone beneath my touch."

Serena's heart skipped a beat. She nodded, her voice caught in her throat. Lila smiled, a slow, sensual smile that made Serena's body suddenly feel weak.

Lila's hands moved to Serena's bra, unhooking it with a practiced ease.

She tossed it aside, her eyes feasting on Serena's bare breasts.

She lowered her head, capturing a nipple in her mouth.

Serena gasped, her back arching off the bed as Lila's tongue flicked over it before sucking her nipple in deeply.

Serena couldn’t remember the last time she had been so present during sex. If ever.

The things Lila’s mouth was doing to her nipple made it impossible to be thinking about work or anything else.

Lila's hands moved lower, slipping beneath the waistband of Serena's panties. She found her wet and ready, and her fingers slipped easily between her folds, finding their way inside. Serena moaned, her hips bucking against Lila's hand.

“Oh, fuck. Lila.” Serena barely recognized herself. Her voice was a desperate whisper. Desperate to take from Lila.

Lila's mouth moved lower, her tongue tracing a path down Serena's stomach. She hooked her fingers in the waistband of Serena's panties, pulling them off in one swift motion. Serena was naked before her, her body trembling with desire.

Lila spread Serena's legs, her eyes locking with Serena's as she lowered her head. Her tongue darted out, tasting Serena's wetness. Serena's moans filled the air, her hands fisting in the cushions as Lila's tongue swirled against her clit in rhythmic circles, hitting all the right places.

Serena lay back and closed her eyes, relaxing into the pleasure of feeling Lila’s hot mouth on her. It felt fucking incredible losing herself in the sheer sensation of it.

She felt Lila’s fingers opening her up and pushing inside of her and as she felt them probing deeply and pressing her G spot, she thought she might explode there and then.

The pleasure kept building until it filled her whole body, and Serena squeezed her eyes shut as she craned her neck back and screamed, Lila’s name on her lips, as her orgasm rippled through her body.

After Serena caught her breath, she pulled Lila up, their lips meeting in a desperate kiss. She could taste her own orgasm on Lila’s mouth and it only turned her on more.

“You are incredible,” she said to Lila. “Usually, I struggle to let go enough to orgasm. Apparently that isn’t the case when I am with you.”

Lila smiled, her face never looked more beautiful. “Maybe the mindfulness is paying off.”

“Maybe it is.” Serena said in response.

“Meanwhile. Given that we are all about equality. I need to taste you. I’ve been thinking about tasting you for quite some time now.”

Lila smiled demurely and leant back as though offering herself to Serena.

Serena moved her hands quickly to remove Lila’s clothes. Seeing Lila nude and displayed before her was a memory she knew she would never forget.

“Open your legs,” she whispered and watched as Lila obeyed. Serena’s eyes were fixed between Lila’s legs, watching her pussy opening before her. It was very obvious how turned on Lila was.

“You look so beautifully wet for me,” Serena said smiling.

Lila nodded and blushed.

Serena moved between Lila's legs, her tongue running long slow tasting strokes from bottom to top, enjoying the sweet sexy taste of her that Serena had been wanting for so long before her mouth deftly settled on Lila's clit.

Lila gasped, her hands fisting in Serena's hair as Serena's tongue danced with her clitoris. Serena slipped two fingers inside Lila, enjoying the way her body opened up for her fingers, before her thumb found Lila’s clit. Serena massaged Lila’s clit in lazy circles before tightening them into smaller, more concentrated circles to focus all her attention on that one sensitive spot.

Lila's moans grew louder as Serena’s fingers worked deep inside her, and her body trembled beneath Serena's touch.

Serena dipped her head again to take Lila’s clitoris in her mouth while she inserted a third finger and began to fuck Lila with her fingers while sucking gently on her clitoris. She thought Lila might explode there and then, her whole body began shaking and she moaned loudly.

“Oh, my god…” Lila cried out.

Serena’s only response was to fuck her harder, Lila’s body seemed to be begging for it.

She felt Lila squirt delightfully all over her hand with the intensity of the fucking.

Lila's moans filled the air, her body tensing before she came with a loud cry, her body arching off the bed.

Serena kept her pace until Lila’s body stopped pulsing with pleasure. Afterward, they lay there, panting, their bodies still entwined.

Lila looked at Serena, her eyes shining with affection. "You're incredible, Serena.”

Serena smiled, her heart swelling with emotion. She had never felt so alive, so free as she did in that one blissful moment.

She slid her fingers free from Lila’s body and settled her head between Lila’s legs. It felt perfect there.

Later, tangled in sheets with Lila's head resting against her shoulder, Serena watched the moonlight create patterns across the ceiling of her villa. The woman in her arms breathed evenly, not quite asleep but drifting in that peaceful space between wakefulness and dreams.

"I don't often let people stay," Serena admitted to the quiet room, her voice barely above a whisper.

Lila stirred slightly, her fingers tracing lazy patterns on Serena's skin. "I know."

"How?"

"Because you're holding me like something precious you've just discovered." Lila pressed a soft kiss to Serena's collarbone. "And because you've built your life around keeping people at a safe distance."

The observation should have felt intrusive, but instead came across as simply perceptive. Lila wasn't judging the fortress Serena had constructed; she was merely acknowledging its existence while gently finding her way inside.

"Is that what I do?" Serena asked, genuine curiosity in her voice.

"Mmm," Lila confirmed drowsily. "Not that I blame you. Walls serve a purpose. They protect what matters."

Serena tightened her arm around Lila's shoulders, allowing the unfamiliar intimacy to continue without analysis or agenda. For once, she didn't need to calculate next steps or evaluate outcomes.

It was enough to be here, now, with this woman who saw her clearly yet stayed anyway. Whatever tomorrow would bring—whatever complications awaited them beyond this moment—could wait until morning.

For tonight, at least, Serena was exactly where she wanted to be.