Chapter 6

TÉLYN LEARNED HOW TO SWIM WHEN she was three years old. She was a Cali girl through and through, spending her weekends at the beach house her parents owned. The familiar scent of salt water and sand meant she was home. Télyn had grown up with water. She’d swum through the strongest tides and always found her way back to shore.

But even the strongest swimmers could drown.

She used to be afraid of the tide dragging her under, of getting lost in the depths of the Pacific and not making it back to her parents before the streetlights came on. Télyn feared losing herself in the one place where lost souls were never found.

But in the last few years, Télyn had drowned in a different way. The moment she looked into those ocean eyes she’d fallen in love with as a meek college student, she went overboard. Something wrapped tight around her ankles, pulling her under, deeper and deeper until there was no fighting it. The abyss should have terrified her. Instead, Télyn loved it. There was no saving her. No coming back.

Télyn could survive a lot of things, but she didn’t know if she’d ever survive life without the ocean that had become her safe haven. Without it, there was no world, no point. She would stand in the path of a tsunami if it meant keeping that ocean by her side forever. Because the ocean wasn’t just where she felt alive.

It was the only place she could breathe.

And without it, Télyn would drown anyway.

Télyn propped her head on her fist, watching Paige sleep as if she might disappear if she looked away too long. This was one of the rare days she woke up first. Télyn didn’t mind one bit. She’d wake up at six every morning if it meant watching the slow, tidal rise and fall of Paige’s chest, inhaling her fresh scent while she was at peace.

Dawn broke through their windows, morning birds murmured beyond the glass. Télyn smiled to herself, planting a kiss to the tip of Paige’s nose. Paige stirred slightly, her hand reaching for Télyn.

Télyn took it, rubbing her thumb gently over Paige’s knuckles. Télyn let her sleep. If this were them two years ago, Télyn would’ve shaken her awake so they could walk around the block, something that always helped Télyn fall back asleep.

Télyn shifted closer, her lips brushing softly against Paige’s knuckles. She wished they could stay in this moment forever, without basketball, residencies, or spoiled four year olds pulling them away.

“Stop staring at me, weirdo,” Paige mumbled, her voice thick with sleep. She didn’t open her eyes as she rolled onto her side. “Go to sleep.”

“I can’t,” Télyn said. She climbed over Paige, pressing their cheeks together. “Can we go for a walk?”

“Too tired.”

Télyn rolled her eyes, pressing a quick kiss to Paige’s cheek before slipping back to her side of the bed. “You’re boring,” she muttered.

“I’m tired,” Paige murmured, sleep already pulling her under. “See you in the morning.”

“See you in the morning,” Télyn mocked softly.

She pushed the comforter away and made her way to the bathroom, flipping on the light. The mirror caught her immediately. She lifted her tank top, studying her barely changing body. Turning to the side, she cradled her belly, one hand beneath it, the other resting gently on top.

“So… I’m thirty-four weeks today,” Télyn whispered, her hands moving slowly over her abdomen. She pushed her stomach out slightly, trying to make the bump look bigger. “Divided by two.”

She groaned softly, tugging her shirt back down. At this rate, by the time she started showing, she’d be ready to pop.

Télyn flipped the light off and made her way back to the bedroom. She had two hours before Paige woke up, so she needed something to keep herself busy. She walked two rooms down and pushed the door open.

Juni lay snug in her queen-size bed, and the sight of her sleeping so peacefully made Télyn smile. Télyn closed the door softly before descending the stairs. She went two floors down to the fully-furnished basement.

In their basement was a media room, and it doubled as Télyn’s little refuge from Juni, because, for some inexplicable reason, Juni was absolutely terrified of basements.

Télyn sank into a chair in the back row, reclining slowly. She already knew what she’d watch, even though she’d seen it a thousand times before.

On the projector played a clip of her and Paige from their UConn days. The film traced them over the years, and Télyn returned to it whenever she felt sad, lonely, or just needed to remember. It was a little corny, sure, but one day, she would show it to their kids, and their kids’ kids, so they could see what love was supposed to look like.

Somewhere halfway through the film, Télyn drifted off. When she woke, she was back in the comfort of her own bed. Paige’s side of the bed was empty. Télyn let herself linger for a moment, tracing the faint imprint of Paige’s body with her hand before sighing and sitting up.

“Mommy Bluey!” Juni yelled, bursting through the double doors. She dived into the bed and threw a t-shirt at Télyn. “P said get up and get dressed. She wants you to put this on.”

Télyn rubbed her eyes, dodging the shirt. “Where is she?”

“She’s downstairs making breakfast,” Juni said casually.

Télyn’s eyes darted from her little sister to the empty hallway. She jumped from the bed and nearly threw herself down the stairs. When she got to the kitchen, Paige was flipping pancakes two at a time.

“You call yourself cooking?” Télyn asked, leaning against the island. “Don’t burn my kitchen down.”

“Our kitchen,” Paige emphasized, pulling out a carton of eggs. “I’m cooking for the two most important ladies of my life. You should appreciate me.”

Télyn slid into the stool at the island. “I do appreciate you. Very much.” Juni came running into the kitchen, baby doll tucked underneath her arm. Télyn lifted her up and sat her on the counter. “Good morning, Potato.”

“Morning,” Juni said, kicking her legs back and forth. “Can I stay home?”

“No, baby.” Télyn pinched her chubby cheeks, making Juni squirm and swat at her hands. Télyn smiled, pecking her forehead. “You have to come with me and P. Saphy will be there, and they’ll have helado. Tu amas helado.”

“Hmm,” Juni hummed, fingers wrapping around her baby doll. It was one of those reborn dolls that Télyn found very creepy. When she was growing up, she had Cabbage Patch Kids and Baby Alive Dolls. Juni pushed her doll into Télyn’s arms. “Can I bring Cameron? She wants to come.”

She named the doll after her beloved TT Cam. Cameron was Juni’s favorite human being in the whole wide world. Partly because Cameron let Juni do whatever she wanted. Things like watching TV, because she got little to no screen time at the Rivera-Bueckers household. But mostly because Cameron poured so much love into her, almost as much as Télyn and Paige did.

“Cameron can come,” Télyn said. “But you have to give her a bath when we get home, okay?”

Juni nodded. “Okay.”

Paige looked over her shoulder, amusement dancing in her eyes. Télyn had convinced Juni that if she was going to be a big sister one day, she needed to learn how to wash babies, and what better way to do that than with her dolls? Whole time, Télyn just couldn’t stand the thought of Juni sleeping in a nice, clean bed with toys that she had dragged through the dirt hours earlier.

The sisters talked amongst themselves while Paige cooked breakfast. Paige wasn’t as good a multitasker as Télyn, so if they wanted a well prepared meal, it would be best to leave her alone. After what seemed like forever, Chef Paige finally finished.

“Bon appetit.” She held out Juni’s Bluey plate, rotating it in her hands to show off the presentation. Juni looked between Paige and the plate before laughing. Paige’s eyes widened. “You like it, Bug? I even made the pancakes little hearts.”

Juni shrugged. “It’s pretty, but do you know how to cook? Mommy Bluey told TT Cam you can’t even make toast.”

Télyn burst out laughing, taking Juni’s plate and setting it on the table.

Paige slid her hands underneath Juni’s armpits, lifting her from the counter and bringing her to the sink so she could wash her hands.

“Well, Mommy Bluey’s wrong,” Paige said. “Breakfast is my specialty, because the only things you need to season are the potatoes and eggs.”

Juni narrowed her eyes, but didn’t say anything. She finished washing her hands and claimed her seat at the table while Télyn finished setting it.

Paige went to grab juice from the fridge. She yelped when she felt a smack to her butt. Télyn smiled against her, reaching over her shoulder to grab a gallon of milk.

“Gay,” Paige murmured.

“And don’t you know it,” Télyn teased, pouring milk into a cup. “Juni drinks milk with her breakfast.”

Paige grabbed two water glasses from the cabinet. “Well, good thing this ain’t for her.” She poured herself a glass of apple juice and filled Télyn’s with water.

They joined Juni at the table, taking a seat on either side of her, because Juni always sat at the head. Sitting in between them made her feel safe. Paige and Télyn didn’t seem to mind; they would never pass up a chance to make googly eyes at one another.

“It’s your turn to pray, Bug,” Paige reminded Juni.

They joined hands. Télyn held her head down, one eye open as she peeked at Juni. Paige had the same idea as her, and they made eye contact from across the table. Télyn bit back a laugh, shaking her head.

“God is good, God is great. Let us thank Him for our food,” Juni said. “Amen.”

“Amen,” Télyn and Paige echoed.

After breakfast, Télyn cleaned up while everyone got ready for the day. Getting two children ready by herself was hard. Only one of them listened. The other made it her life’s mission to annoy her, stealing kisses every chance she got.

“Paige,” Télyn warned, twisting away from wandering hands as she tried to braid Juni’s hair. “If you don’t go find something productive to do—”

“What? I’m helping,” Paige said, entirely unconvincing as she leaned over Télyn’s shoulder and pressed a kiss just below her ear.

Télyn shivered, her fingers faltering in Juni’s curls. “You’re distracting me.”

“I think you mean motivating.”

“I think I mean go away.”

Juni sighed dramatically from her spot on the stool. “P, you’re messing it up.”

“I am not,” Paige said, offended. “I’m adding love.”

“You’re adding bumps,” Juni shot back, craning her neck to look at the half-finished braid. “Mommy Bluey, make it pretty.”

“I am making it pretty,” Télyn muttered, gently turning Juni’s head back forward. “But I can’t do that if someone keeps—”

Paige planted a kiss to the corner of Télyn’s mouth, cutting her off mid sentence.

“—doing that,” Télyn finished flatly.

Paige grinned, completely unbothered. “You love me.”

“Debatable.”

Juni gasped. “Mommy Bluey!”

“I’m kidding,” Télyn said quickly, planting a kiss on the top of Juni’s head. “I love Paigey. Even when she acts like she’s four.

“I do not act like I’m four,” Paige argued, reaching for Télyn again.

Télyn grabbed her wrist, not looking away from her work. “Zapatos.”

Paige leaned in anyway, undeterred, her voice dropping just enough to make Télyn’s stomach flip. “You didn’t say stop.”

Télyn’s grip on her wrist tightened for a second before she let go, exhaling slowly. “Go put your shoes on.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Paige said, but she stole one more kiss, quick and triumphant, before finally backing away.

“Paige!”

“I love you!”

Juni shook her head, far too judgmental for a four year old. “She’s not listening.”

“I know, baby,” Télyn said, finishing the braid and tying it off neatly. “She never does.”

Juni turned to look at her, eyes wide with quiet curiosity. “Are you gonna put her in time out?”

Télyn huffed a laugh, helping her down from the stool. “I think it’s a little late for that.”

Juni considered this seriously, then nodded. “Okay. But if she’s bad again, we can take her iPad.”

“That sounds fair.”

“Hey!” Paige’s voice echoed from the bedroom. “I heard that!”

Télyn smiled, reaching for Juni’s hand. “Let’s go get your shoes.”

Télyn got herself ready last. Juni was usually difficult in the mornings, but she didn’t give her any problems today. Probably because Télyn didn’t let her pick her own outfit. They were going to a Juneteenth fair hosted by the Wings, so Paige set out a dark blue Wings t-shirt and called it a day. She let Juni pick out her own shoes, and even that hadn’t been hard. Juni wanted to wear her Gamma Blue Jordans because Télyn wore hers.

By the time Télyn finished getting dressed, Paige and Juni were sitting in the living room, playing with Juni’s babydoll.

“Cameron is allergic to shellfish like Mommy Bluey… and peanuts. I told her you make the best PB&J, and she got sad. But then I told her Mommy Bluey doesn’t make them good, and she got happy again.”

Paige couldn’t control her burst of laughter. Juni was so nonchalant about everything, and it just made everything funnier than it should’ve been.

“You talking about me, little girl?” Télyn picked her up, tickling her underarms. Juni giggled, her feet kicking everywhere as she squirmed in her sister’s arms. “Now you have to deal with the tickle monster.”

“No, no!” Juni breathed. “P, help me!”

Paige stood up, joining Télyn. She tickled Juni’s stomach. “I’m on Té’s side, Bug. You can’t talk about my wife.”

Juni shrieked, her laughter bouncing off the walls as she twisted between them, trying to escape.

“Traitor!” she squealed, reaching for Paige with grabby hands that immediately betrayed her.

Paige grinned, leaning in just enough for Juni to think she was being rescued, only to switch sides again and blow a raspberry against her cheek.

Juni gasped. “P!”

“That’s what you get,” Paige said.

“Okay, okay.” Télyn laughed, easing up before Juni toppled out of her arms. She pressed a quick kiss to her temple and set her back on the couch. “Go put your shoes on before we’re late.”

Juni narrowed her eyes at both of them, still catching her breath. “You guys are mean.”

“And you love us,” Paige shot back.

Juni slid off the couch with a huff, grabbing her shoes and plopping down on the floor to put them on. “Only a little.”

“That’s all we need,” Télyn said softly.

Paige’s gaze flickered to her, something warm and quiet settling there. Télyn caught it, held it for just a second longer than necessary, and felt that familiar pull in her chest, the one that always made everything else fade out.

“Alright.” Paige clapped once, breaking the moment before it could stretch too far. “Everybody ready?”

Juni tied her shoes and popped up. “Ready!”

“Ready,” Télyn said, grabbing her bag from the foyer closet.

The turnout at the event was larger than Télyn had expected. She didn’t think it was going to be a lowkey thing, but she didn’t expect it to be jam packed either. She figured she’d be able to let Juni go play for a little while without her getting lost in a sea of people. Boy, was she wrong.

Télyn squeezed Juni’s hand as they followed Paige to the Wings’ booth. The fans were already going feral, and Télyn could feel Juni tense beside her. Her little sister pressed close, nearly stepping on her feet as she nuzzled against her leg.

Télyn scooped her up. “You’re okay, Juniper,” she said. “Sissy won’t let anything happen to you. Neither will Paige. Promise.”

Juni nodded, resting her head on Télyn’s shoulder. Télyn only used her full name for two reasons: when she was in trouble, and when she needed her to know she was serious. This was the second.

Télyn didn’t set Juni down until they got to the booth. Juni made her way to Maddy, sitting in the chair beside her. Maddy smiled at her and waved. Juni waved and turned to Paige.

“Where’s the ice cream?”

Paige shrugged. “I got here at the same time as you. I don’t know.”

“We’ll get ice cream later,” Télyn said, digging through Paige’s backpack. She pulled out a coloring book and a pack of crayons. “You stay here and color, and I’ll be right back.”

Juni nodded. “Okay. Then ice cream?”

“Then ice cream.” Télyn planted a kiss to her forehead and moved to Paige. “Her headphones are in your bag if she needs them. I shouldn’t be gone more than ten minutes.”

Paige nodded, her tongue swiping at her bottom lip as her eyes flicked to Télyn’s lips. Télyn might have missed it, but Paige didn’t miss the changes, her lips fuller, her hips softer, the subtle curve beginning to form beneath her shirt.

It wasn’t just that she noticed. It was the way she couldn’t look away.

“Beso?” Paige asked.

Télyn shook her head and laced their fingers together instead. She was still iffy about that level of PDA. She would climb Mount Everest to profess her love for Paige for the world to hear, but something as simple as a fleeting peck was where she drew the line.

“Later,” Télyn murmured. She pointed to a booth across the lot. “I’ll be right over there.”

Télyn forced a smile onto her face as she approached the booth. She’d been working on looking more approachable; she needed new friends in the city, after all. It didn’t seem to be working, but it was the thought that counted.

The people at the booth chatted among themselves, and Télyn briefly considered turning around. Because once she stepped in, the attention would shift to her, and attention and Télyn Rivera had never quite gotten along.

“Hey, Milah,” she said softly, offering a small, shy wave to the others.

Milah whipped her head around and immediately pulled Télyn into a tight hug. “Té! I haven’t seen you in so long, girl.” She turned to the group. “Everyone, this is Télyn. She’s a neuro resident.”

A chorus of greetings followed, warm, easy, louder than Télyn knew what to do with. She smiled, nodded, and hoped it looked natural.

Milah pulled her gently to the side, gesturing back to the booth. A banner stretched across the front, UTSW Black Physicians. Pamphlets were laid out neatly beside photos, community resources, and sign-up sheets for mentorship programs and outreach events.

“We’re out here trying to recruit, mentor, all that,” Milah said. “Med students, pre-meds, anybody thinking about it.”

Télyn nodded. “I just stopped by to say hi.”

“Mmhm,” Milah hummed. She looked over Télyn’s shoulder, eyes locking on where Juni and Paige were playing cornhole. Télyn followed her gaze and rolled her eyes. Milah smiled. “You wanna get back to them. It’s okay.”

“Well… yes,” Télyn admitted. She glanced at her two, the Dallas sun pressing against her skin. She fanned herself with a pamphlet she’d picked up. “It’s hot out here.”

“It’s not that hot,” Milah said. “Besides, you should be used to it.”

That was true. Ninety degree weather should’ve been nothing to her. But her body had been changing lately, her hormones all out of sync. She couldn’t bear being outside for too long. The heat made her irritable. And she wasn’t exactly pleasant when she felt like that.

“I’ve gotten used to air conditioning.” Télyn shifted slightly to shield herself from the sun. Thank God she remembered to douse Juni in sunscreen. “We won’t stay for too long.”

“Where’s Sapphire?”

“Probably somewhere being a big ass kid.”

“Well, when you see her, tell her to come say hi to the queen.”

Télyn snorted. “I’ll make sure to do that. I’ll see you later.”

“See you,” Milah said.

Milah was the first and only real friend Télyn had made in med school. She made the four years at Stanford fly, and for that, Télyn was forever indebted to her. They both matched to UTSW, Télyn for neurology and Milah for obstetrics and gynecology.

Télyn made her way back over to Juni and Paige. They were in the middle of another round of cornhole, with Paige teaming up with Juni to take on Maddy.

Télyn slid into the seat Juni had occupied earlier, crossing one leg over the other. She fanned herself with the pamphlet again, shifting uncomfortably under the Dallas sun.

Paige held a beanbag in her hand and knelt slightly to Juni’s level, explaining the science behind a perfect throw. Juni nodded slowly, eyes wide in confusion. Télyn laughed quietly to herself, amused by her sister’s earnestness.

Paige tossed the bag. It landed on top of the board before sliding into the hole. Juni jumped up and down, letting out a squeal of excitement, and threw her hands up for a high five.

Paige smiled and gave Juni a double high five before turning to Télyn. She blew an air kiss, and Télyn slumped into the plastic of her chair, feeling like a puddle of goo under Paige’s gaze.

Télyn watched Paige play with Juni, her hunger intensifying by the second. She bit her knuckle out of habit, shifting in her chair again. It wasn’t fair, really.

Not when Paige looked like that, sun catching in her hair, skin warm and glowing, laughter easy as she leaned down to Juni again, patient even when Juni clearly did not understand a single thing she was saying.

Télyn swallowed, dragging her gaze away for a second, pressing the heel of her palm into her thigh like that might help her.

It didn’t.

She fanned herself harder, taking a sip from Paige’s water bottle.

Télyn’s libido was at an all time high, and she didn’t know what to do with herself. Sex with Paige was great, but they weren’t as active as they were when Télyn was at Stanford. Juni would wake up in the middle of the night sometimes, wandering into their room with sleepy eyes, climbing right between them like she belonged there.

Which, to be fair, she did.

But it didn’t help.

Télyn exhaled slowly, resting her forehead against the tent pole. The cool plastic pressed against her skin, grounding in a way nothing else had been all morning.

It wasn’t just physical.

Well, no. That was a lie.

It was physical.

But it was deeper than that too. It was the way Paige looked at her like she was still that same girl from UConn, even as everything about Télyn felt like it was shifting, stretching, becoming something new. It was the way Paige’s hands still fit like they were made for her, like nothing had changed, even when everything had.

“What are you doing, weirdo?”

Sapphire’s voice made Télyn groan in frustration. Her eyelids fluttered open and she scooted away from her.

“What do you want?” Télyn muttered.

Sapphire held up a bag of pink cotton candy. “Want some?”

“No.”

Sapphire shrugged, leaning back in her seat as she picked at the sugary treat. Télyn glanced at her, then back at Paige. She reached over, stealing a piece of the cotton candy. She needed her mouth on something, anything.

“Can you watch Juni tonight?” Télyn asked.

Sapphire snorted, watching her from the corner of her eye. “I would, but I have plans,” she said. “What, you tryna get fucked?”

Télyn’s mouth fell open, eyes wide as she turned to her. “Sapphire!”

“What?” Sapphire said, completely unfazed, popping another piece of cotton candy into her mouth. “That’s what it sounds like.”

“I did not say that,” Télyn hissed, glancing around to make sure nobody was listening.

“You didn’t have to,” Sapphire shot back. “I’m a master at reading body language.”

Télyn pressed her lips together, heat rushing to her face for an entirely different reason now. “You’re so—”

“Smart?”

“Annoying.”

Sapphire grinned. “I’ll take that too.”

Paige and Juni walked over just then, Juni holding up a twenty dollar bill. Juni stopped just short of Sapphire.

“Hey, Auntie Saphy! Maddy gave me twenty dollars because I won the game.”

Sapphire leaned forward, pinching her cheek. “Good job, June Bug.”

“P told me not to give it to Té, because she will spend it all on herself,” Juni said seriously.

Télyn narrowed her eyes at Paige. She covered Juni’s ears. “What the fuck Imma do with twenty dollars?”

Paige shrugged. “Buy her ice cream.”

Télyn rolled her eyes. She stood up, taking Juni’s hand. “We’re getting helado, and then we’re leaving. Say bye to Saphy.”

Juni gave her aunt a small wave. “See you later, Saphy.”

“Bye, June Bug.” She turned to Télyn, a knowing smirk on her lips. “I hope you have the best day ever, Télyn.”

Télyn practically dragged Juni to the ice cream stand. While Juni ate her cone, Télyn sent a very detailed text to Consuela about how stressed she was and how she needed her to watch Juni for the night. She hated throwing her responsibilities onto other people, but she thought she might actually die if she didn’t get a piece of Paige tonight.

Télyn balanced her phone in her lap, eyes on Juni as she licked the melting edge of her cone, one hand hovering just in case it tipped.

“Slow down,” Télyn murmured. “It’s not going anywhere.”

“It’s melting,” Juni said, very serious about it.

“Then lick faster.”

Juni nodded like that made perfect sense and went right back to it.

Télyn’s phone dinged. She glanced up at Paige, a few feet away, talking to someone. One hand rested on her hip, the other gesturing as she spoke. The sun hit her just right, and Télyn felt that same pull all over again, low and insistent. She sent up a short prayer before unlocking her phone.

She can come over at 7!

Télyn could actually cry.

“You’re spending the night at Consuela’s. Be good for her, okay?”

Juni nodded, too preoccupied with her cone to care.

Télyn sat patiently while Juni finished her cone and Paige wrapped up her conversation. Then, they slipped away, pulling off their signature Irish goodbye and disappearing before anyone could stop them. The ride home was quiet. Juni insisted on silence so Cameron could sleep after her long day. In the stillness, Télyn’s fingers drummed softly against her thighs, her gaze fixed on the passing scenery of her new home. Paige glanced over every so often, worry in her eyes. Télyn going mute was never a good thing.

When Paige parked in the garage, Télyn jumped out and swung Juni’s door open.

“Bath time.” She unstrapped Juni from her booster seat and hoisted her from the car. “Vamos.”

“Weird,” Paige mumbled, following shortly behind.

Télyn bathed Juni and gathered everything she might need for her sleepover at Consuela’s. She tucked Juni’s stuffed giraffe neatly into the overnight suitcase, along with a couple of storybooks in case she couldn’t fall asleep. You’d think a change of clothes would be enough, but no. Télyn had always been an overpacker, even for a four year old.

Not to be dramatic, but Télyn swore she shed a tear or two as Consuela’s car reversed out of the driveway.

After that, the house felt quieter than usual. Télyn and Paige had dinner, showered, and settled into doing their own things for a while. Télyn let Paige have her iPad time, knowing the rest of the night would be hers.

When Télyn’s alarm went off, she jumped up from her No-Paige Zone and hurried all the way to the master bedroom.

“Come on,” Télyn said, stopping at the edge of the bed, a little out of breath. She hesitated just long enough to steady herself. “We’re gonna have sex.”

Paige slowly set her iPad aside, one eyebrow lifting in amused disbelief. “What?”

“Me and you.” Télyn climbed onto the bed, moving closer on her knees. She pulled her tank top off, tossing it behind her. “You don’t want to?”

“Of course I do,” Paige said. “But why are you initiating it like that?”

Télyn’s breath hitched as the cool air kissed her skin, her nipples hardening instantly under Paige’s gaze. She didn’t stop there. Her hands moved to the waistband of her shorts, pushing them down her hips along with her panties in one smooth motion, kicking them off the edge of the bed. Naked now, she crawled forward until she was straddling Paige’s lap, palms braced on either side of her head.

Paige’s hands found her waist immediately, thumbs brushing over the subtle swell of her belly like it was the most precious thing she’d ever touched. Her ocean eyes had gone dark, that familiar storm rolling in. “Damn, Té,” she murmured, voice low and rough with sleep and sudden want. “You weren’t playing.”

Télyn leaned down, brushing her lips against Paige’s without fully kissing her yet. “Have I ever played when it comes to you?”

“I guess not.” Paige’s grip tightened, sliding up to cup Télyn’s breasts, thumbs circling the sensitive peaks. Télyn shivered hard, a soft sound escaping her throat. “You’re so perfect.”

“So I’ve been told.” Télyn tugged at the hem of Paige’s t-shirt, yanking it over her head and tossing it somewhere into the growing pile on the floor. Paige’s hands never left her body, sliding up her sides, thumbs brushing the underside of her breasts before cupping them fully, squeezing just enough to pull a shaky breath from Télyn’s lips.

“Fuck, you’re sensitive already,” Paige murmured, voice dropping low as she watched Télyn’s face, that lazy, knowing smirk tugging at her mouth. She leaned up, lips closing around one nipple, tongue swirling slow and deliberate while her fingers pinched the other just hard enough to make Télyn’s hips twitch.

Télyn let out a soft whimper, grinding down against Paige’s thigh, the friction sending sparks up her spine. “I need you,” she confessed, breath hitching when Paige switched sides, sucking harder. “The baby has me out here acting like I’m in heat or something. It’s embarrassing.”

Paige pulled off her nipple with a wet pop, eyes flicking up. She didn’t laugh or tease. She just grabbed Télyn’s hips tighter and flipped them in one clean motion, mindful of the bump but still pinning her exactly where she wanted. No sweet talk. Just that hungry, focused look she got when she was done playing around.

“Shut up,” Paige muttered, voice rough as she shoved Télyn’s thighs open wider. She slid down fast, mouth latching onto her slit like she’d been waiting all day. No licking around it, just straight to business, tongue dragging hot and flat from entrance to clit before sucking hard.

Télyn’s back bowed off the bed, a sharp gasp ripping out of her. Her hand flew to Paige’s head, fingers twisting in her hair as Paige ate her like she was starving. Wet, messy sounds filled the room immediately, Paige licking and sucking with zero shame, two fingers pushing inside her without warning, curling deep and stroking that spot that always made Télyn’s legs shake.

“Fuck… Paige,” Télyn hissed, hips jerking up into her mouth. She was already soaked, pregnancy hormones making everything ten times more intense. Every flick of Paige’s tongue sent electricity shooting up her spine.

Paige didn’t let up. She pumped her fingers faster, sucking her clit in rhythm, groaning low against her like the taste was driving her crazy. Télyn’s thighs started trembling around Paige’s ears, her free hand fisting the sheets tight.

When Paige added a third finger and sucked harder, Télyn came hard, hips bucking, a choked moan tearing from her throat as she clenched around Paige’s fingers. Paige kept going through it, licking slower but still deep, drawing it out until Télyn was twitching and pushing weakly at her forehead.

“Too much, too much. Shit—”

Paige finally pulled back, lips and chin shiny, breathing hard. She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and looked up at Télyn with dark, blown eyes.

Before she could say anything, Télyn sat up, chest heaving, and shoved Paige onto her back. She climbed over her fast, knees planting on either side of Paige’s head. One hand gripped the headboard tight, the other fisted in Paige’s hair as she lowered herself right onto her waiting mouth.

“Eat,” Télyn ordered, voice husky and demanding. No please. No softness.

Paige groaned loud against her and obeyed instantly, tongue sliding out flat as Télyn started grinding down. She gripped the headboard harder, knuckles white, and rolled her hips in slow circles at first, then faster, using Paige’s face exactly how she needed.

“Fuck, yes… just like that,” Télyn panted, looking down between her legs. Paige’s eyes were locked on hers, watery and desperate, nose buried in her slit while her tongue worked relentlessly, licking, sucking, pushing inside whenever Télyn lifted just enough.

Télyn rode her harder, the headboard creaking under her grip as she rode Paige’s mouth with short, sharp snaps of her hips. The wet sounds were filthy, Paige’s muffled moans vibrating straight through her clit. Every time Télyn ground down particularly hard, Paige’s hands squeezed her thighs tighter, pulling her closer like she couldn’t get enough.

Télyn’s second orgasm hit fast and brutal. She cried out, thighs clamping around Paige’s head as she came all over her tongue, hips stuttering through every pulse. She didn’t lift off right away, kept grinding slow and lazy, dragging it out while Paige licked her clean, desperate little sounds still slipping out.

When the waves finally eased, Télyn stayed hovering just above Paige’s mouth, breathing ragged, still gripping the headboard.

She looked down at her, face flushed and soaked, lips swollen, eyes glassy with pure need.

Télyn smirked, slow and satisfied.

She stayed hovering there for a second longer, letting Paige catch her breath, watching the way her chest heaved and her tongue darted out to lick her swollen lips. Then Télyn swung her leg over, sliding off Paige’s face and crawling back up her body instead of going down.

She straddled Paige’s waist, leaning down to kiss her deep and messy. Paige tasted like her, and Télyn groaned into the kiss, tongue sliding against hers, sucking on her bottom lip before biting it hard enough to make Paige hiss. She didn’t pull away. She kept kissing—slow, filthy, greedy—while her hands roamed, one sliding up to wrap loosely around Paige’s throat again, the other gripping her jaw to tilt her head exactly how she wanted.

When she finally broke the kiss, Télyn moved lower, mouth latching onto the side of Paige’s neck. She sucked hard, teeth grazing skin, determined to leave a dark mark right there where everyone could see it tomorrow if they looked close enough. Paige tilted her head to give her more room, a shaky breath escaping as Télyn worked the spot until it bloomed purple.

“Mine,” Télyn muttered against the fresh hickey, then moved to the other side of her neck, sucking another one into existence. She didn’t stop there. She kissed and sucked her way down Paige’s collarbone, leaving a trail of wet, bruising marks across her chest. Every time Paige arched or moaned, Télyn sucked harder, claiming every inch she could reach.

She spent extra time on Paige’s breasts, kissing, licking, then sucking hard on one nipple while her fingers pinched the other, leaving faint teeth marks around the sensitive skin. Paige’s hands were in her hair, gripping tight, but Télyn kept control, moving lower to suck a line of hickies down her stomach, right above the waistband of her shorts.

Only then did she yank Paige’s shorts and panties down roughly, tossing them aside. She shoved her thighs wide open and settled between them, but she didn’t dive in right away. Instead, she kissed the inside of one thigh, sucking a fat, dark hickey into the soft skin, then did the same to the other, marking her there too, where only they would know.

Paige was trembling by the time Télyn finally dragged her tongue up her soaked slit in one slow, deliberate stroke. She took her time, licking lazy and broad, circling her clit with the flat of her tongue, then sucking it gently between her lips. Every movement was unhurried, teasing, drawing it out on purpose.

When Paige tried to buck up for more friction, Télyn pressed a firm hand on her lower stomach, pinning her down.

“Stay still,” she ordered against her folds, voice low and rough.

She slid two fingers inside slowly, curling them deep, then pulled them almost all the way out before pushing back in at that same maddening pace. Her mouth stayed on Paige’s clit, sucking, licking, then pulling back just when Paige’s thighs started to shake and her breathing turned ragged.

She edged her like that for long minutes. Bringing her right to the edge with slow, steady strokes, then easing off completely, kissing the fresh hickies on her thighs instead, letting the orgasm fade before starting the slow torture again.

Paige was a wreck, whimpering, hips twitching helplessly under Télyn’s hand, fingers twisted tight in the sheets. Every denied orgasm made her wetter, more desperate.

Télyn finally crawled back up, straddling one of Paige’s thighs while she kissed her again, deep and claiming. One hand wrapped around Paige’s throat, squeezing just enough to make her gasp into the kiss. The other hand slid between them, fingers pushing back inside Paige, three this time, pleasuring her with slow, deep thrusts while her thumb rubbed firm circles over her clit.

“You’re gonna come when I say,” Télyn whispered against her lips, tightening the chokehold slightly as she sped up her fingers. “Not before.”

Paige nodded frantically, eyes glassy, mouth open on silent moans.

Télyn kept her right there on the edge—working her harder, kissing her messy, sucking another hickey into the spot just below her ear—until she finally decided to let her have it.

“Come for me,” she growled against Paige’s mouth, fingers curling hard and thumb pressing down.

Paige came with a raw, broken cry, body shaking violently as her walls clenched tight around Télyn’s fingers. Télyn kept working her through it, hand still around her throat, kissing her through every wave until Paige was sobbing with overstimulation, pushing weakly at her shoulder.

Only then did Télyn ease off, pulling her fingers out slowly, loosening the choke, and collapsing beside her. She tugged Paige close, limbs tangled, both of them breathing hard and slick with sweat.

Télyn’s hand rested possessively on Paige’s hip, thumb brushing over one of the fresh hickies she’d left on her stomach. She leaned in and kissed Paige again, slower this time, softer, but still deep and claiming.

They lay like that for a while, hearts racing, skin marked and flushed, the room quiet except for their breathing.

Télyn smiled against Paige’s lips, voice low and smug.

“Round two, or you tapping out?”

Paige let out a shaky laugh, arm draping heavy over Télyn’s waist, legs tangled tight. “Lemme catch my breath, baby.”

Télyn just hummed, already pressing lazy kisses along Paige’s marked-up neck, fingers tracing the bruises she’d left like she was admiring her work.

The night was young, the house was finally empty, and Télyn had every intention of drowning in her ocean until the sun came up.

And Paige was more than happy to let her.