undeniably queen

SERENA

Serena took a deep breath as she pulled up to Morgan’s ranch, the tires crunching against the gravel driveway. The sun was setting, casting a golden hue over the landscape, and while the beauty of it should have calmed her, she felt nothing but a tangle of emotions. She’d been ignoring the butterflies he stirred in her and the way her heart ached around him for too long. Pretending she didn’t know what it all meant was easier than facing the truth. But now, standing here, she couldn’t help but question whether she was making a fool of herself. Was she just clinging to the idea of friendship to hide her attraction? Maybe Eva was right, maybe she was just being "thirsty", and worse, getting rejected. When the door swung open, Morgan stood there in a casual shirt that framed his physique perfectly. His smile was warm, familiar, and for a brief second, her doubts quieted. “Hey,” she greeted, her voice steady, though her stomach churned with nerves. He stepped aside, letting her into the house, and the scent of his home surrounded her, offering a sense of comfort she didn't know she needed. “I know I said I’d bring wine, so I grabbed this,” she said, handing him a bottle of Château Margaux, one of the most exquisite wines money could buy. “But,” she added, lifting a bottle of Macallan 18 whiskey with a smirk, “I’ve had one of those days.” She stepped aside then and gestured toward a box on the steps, containing the Nardi Classic steering wheel they’d admired together at a vintage car show. “And I brought you a gift,” she said, watching his face. She loved gifting people for no reason at all, but not everyone thought it was a normal thing to do. In the kitchen, the air was thick with the unsaid. They traded small talk, but Serena couldn’t stop analyzing every glance, every pause, trying to read Morgan’s feelings. Was he mad at her? Did he regret inviting her? She had come here still feeling a little upset yet now she found herself worrying that maybe she'd been too emotional, too needy. The tension inside her kept building, her mind racing even as she tried to act casual. “So,” she began, her voice lighter as she tried to break the ice, “I really hope you don’t turn out to be a terrible cook, because I’ve had a busy day and haven’t eaten since breakfast.” She laughed softly, trying to ease the storm inside her.

MORGAN

Morgan was stood in the kitchen, washing his hands as he watched a car pull up into his courtyard. He knew it was Serena, as he watched that familiar car of hers ease to a stop in the gravel driveway, the fading sun casting an orange glow across the land. His pulse quickened a little, seeing her step out. Even though he’d told himself this was just a dinner between friends, the butterflies in his gut were louder than his calm, easy exterior would ever admit. He dried his hands, took off his apron, and moved through the rooms so he could open the front door and greet her properly. "Hey there," he said, his voice gentle, and a small smile resting on his lips. When she handed him the wine and whiskey, he raised a brow, his signature grin tugging at the corners of his lips. “You know how to spoil a man, don’t you?” he teased lightly, his eyes flicking over the bottles before settling back on her. “This is a fancy one, huh?” He teased and caught her gaze. There was something else in her eyes, though. He wasn’t sure if it was tiredness or tension, but it had him wanting to make sure this dinner was perfect - not just because he was trying to apologize for leaving her hanging during the lockdown, but because he didn’t want to let her down. Not again. As she gestured to the box on the steps, Morgan’s face softened, a genuine warmth spreading through him. “The Nardi Classic?” he asked, stepping forward to take a closer look. “Damn, Serena, you didn’t have to do that. I love it!" He glanced up at her, catching a fleeting moment of uncertainty on her face, like she was waiting for something. He wasn’t sure what, but it made him want to reassure her, to let her know he appreciated her - whether it was the gift or just showing up. So he moved to wrap his arms around, giving her a thankful hug. He could smell her perfume, her shampoo. God, she really was enticing, wasn't she? "Thank you." He whispered, his lips hovering just above her ear. He invited her in, setting the box in the hallway, before going into the kitchen, where he found two wine glasses. "If it's been a long day, then I suggest we don't wait," he said cheekily, and opened the bottle of wine and poured the red liquid. He couldn't help but chuckle at her comment, and he shook his head. "If the food is terrible, ya gotta take it up with my grandma - she's the one who taught me everything," he said with a smirk, and effortlessly moved through the kitchen to stir the sauce, and flip the vegetables in the pan. He could feel her eyes on him every so often, like she was trying to figure out what was going through his head, and truth be told, he wasn’t entirely sure either. He knew he liked being around her - he liked the way she could make him laugh, the way she knew her way around cars, and how she wasn’t afraid to call him out when needed. But there was something more, and it lingered in the air between them, thick and complicated. “Don’t worry,” he said, flashing her a quick smile as he plated the chicken, “I promise, I won’t let you starve tonight.” He sprinkled a little garnish over the potatoes and added, “I’m a pretty decent cook, I swear. I’ve had enough time to practice living out here by myself.” The lightheartedness in his tone was meant to ease things, but as he moved to set the plates on the table and glanced at Serena, he couldn’t ignore the way her gaze lingered on him, like she was waiting for something more than just dinner. “So,” he said, leaning against the counter for a moment, handing her the glass of wine that had had time to breathe. “I know we didn’t exactly leave things great the last time we talked.” His eyes met hers, and for a moment, the air felt heavier. “I just wanted to say I’m sorry for that; for leaving you to deal with everything during the lockdown. That wasn’t fair.”

SERENA

Serena’s fingers tightened slightly around the bottle as she handed it to him, a quick flicker of warmth crossing her face when he teased her about spoiling him. She managed a smirk, her usual sharp edge dulled by something quieter tonight. When he mentioned the Nardi, her lips parted slightly as if she were about to say something, but then, without warning, Morgan’s arms were around her. Her body froze instantly, caught completely off guard. She stood there, stiff as a board, arms still at her sides, not even able to lift them in return. The hug had happened so fast, she hadn’t had time to process it. The sudden closeness felt foreign, disarming. She could smell the warmth of him, feel his breath near her ear and for a split second, everything around her just stilled. Every defensive layer she’d built over the years seemed to waver under the weight of his embrace. But just as quickly as it happened, it was over and he was already talking to her as if nothing had changed. Serena stayed there for a moment longer, her arms still awkwardly hanging at her sides, trying to catch her breath. She had imagined being in his arms before, but now that it had happened unexpectedly, she hadn’t even known how to react. Following him into the kitchen, her heart was still racing. She grabbed her glass of wine, grateful for the distraction, though she really preferred whiskey now. But after that, she couldn’t trust her voice not to betray her, so she took a sip and watched him move around the kitchen like this was just another normal night. Maybe for him it was, but for her, everything about tonight was new. Like, she had a friend who cooked her dinner. And now they did hugs too apparently. When he brought up the lockdown, she looked away briefly, tension pulling at her jawline. "You owed me nothing, Morgan," she said, her voice softer but quieter than usual. “It wasn’t your job to stay by my side the entire time. Things just shifted so quickly, and yeah, that threw me off, but you're fine, really. You didn’t do anything wrong.” She pressed her lips into a thin line, struggling to contain her emotions. “I just didn’t expect us to have something in common," she murmured, her eyes on the wine glass as she swirled the liquid. Finally, she glanced up at him, her gaze steady. "I isolate myself whenever I feel bad too. I should’ve known better.”

MORGAN

As Serena spoke, Morgan instantly picked up on how much quieter her was, and something about the softness in it made him stop what he was doing. He leaned against the counter, set the glass down, and folded his arms over his chest, listening carefully. Serena had always been hard to read, but right now, she seemed more open, more vulnerable than she usually let herself be. “You owed me nothing, Morgan.” Her words hit him square in the chest. He hadn’t realized she’d been carrying that weight, that she’d felt like he owed her something. He opened his mouth to say something, but stopped when she continued, talking about how quickly everything had shifted and how she hadn’t expected them to have something in common. The way she said it - like isolating herself was some deep, personal flaw - made his heart ache a little. He set the spatula down and turned to face her fully, leaning one hip against the counter, arms still crossed but his posture more relaxed. “I didn’t leave you because I didn’t care, Serena,” he said, his voice soft but steady. “I was dealing with my own mess, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t think about you. Hell, you’re one of the few people I trust, and I should’ve been there. I wanted to be.” He let out a quiet sigh, rubbing the back of his neck. “Truth is, I didn’t know how to handle it. Everything went sideways, and I just shut down.” His eyes met hers, and for a moment, he let his guard down too. “I’m sorry if I hurt you by pulling away.” He could see how much she was struggling with her own emotions, how hard it was for her to admit that she, too, isolated herself when things got tough. It wasn’t easy to open up about that, and the fact that she’d said it to him, of all people, meant more than she probably realized. “Listen,” he said, taking a step closer, his voice gentle but firm. “You don’t have to explain yourself to me. I get it. You’re not the only one who hides when things get rough.” He smiled, just a hint of warmth touching his lips. “But you don’t have to do that with me. I won’t push, but I’m here if you need me. I’m just also the type of person ya need to tell, if you need me.” He chuckled, hoping it would offer some sort of reassurance, by using self-deprecating humor. He watched her carefully, trying to read her reaction, though he knew Serena was a puzzle he wasn’t likely to solve anytime soon. Still, he wasn’t going to leave her hanging again. The food was ready, so he grabbed the plates and set them on the table, making sure everything looked perfect, even though the food was just an excuse to keep them both occupied. He glanced at her, trying to lighten the mood just a little. “Alright, now I’ve gone and made dinner,” he said, his tone playful. “The least you can do is let me know if it’s any good, or if I should stick to whiskey and burgers.” But even as he joked, his eyes stayed on her, a quiet question lingering there. Were they still friends? Or had everything between them shifted too far to go back?

SERENA

Serena stared at him, feeling the weight of his words settle between them. She knew they'd probably talk about the content of their last messages, but she had expected more charm and sweetness. This was too sincere, too personal, too raw. For a moment, she wasn’t sure how to respond. In fact, for a few seconds, all she could think about was how she’d never had a conversation like this before. Of course he'd be the one to change that. "Hey, it's ok," she said softly, her tone betraying the ache she felt to get closer to him, to touch him, to comfort him. But... She sighed. "It’s not your fault I assumed that just because you're kind and sweet, you don’t have your own struggles like the rest of us mere mortals," she laughed lightly, and then her voice softened when she added, "I'm not hurt, I promise,” she whispered, her eyes locking with his. "Listen, you know I’m not exactly the easiest person to deal with, so we’ll figure this out as we go, yeah?" She watched as he moved to the table, setting everything up like it was some grand dinner they were about to share. It almost made her laugh. Trust him to try and diffuse the tension. She remembered their first date, how he'd made her feel so secure that she’d opened up to him, only for him to immediately drag her to the dance floor when it got too real. A man after her own heart. "Let’s get one thing straight, though" she said, standing and folding her arms as she walked over. "You’re not off the hook just because you made dinner. I expect to be spoiled with daily texts for at least a month." Her gaze slowly softened, turning into a grin. "I’m sure it'll be good. I don’t think there’s a single grandma in this world who isn’t the best cook ever, so if she taught you, I’m sure it’ll be delicious." Serena sat down and took a bite, savoring the taste. She had to admit, it was even better than she expected. For the first time since she'd arrived, things felt... A bit light, easy. She looked into his eyes, a small smile tugging at her lips as she said, simply, "Thank you."

MORGAN

Morgan felt a strange kind of relief when Serena spoke, like he’d been holding his breath without realizing it. He’d expected her to brush off his apology or turn it into a joke, but she hadn’t. Her words were careful, honest - more vulnerable than he’d seen her before. It wasn’t lost on him, the way she was trying to keep things light, even as she let her guard down enough to admit they were figuring this out together. He appreciated that more than he could put into words. When she demanded daily texts for at least a month, his lips tugged into a grin. That was more like the Serena he knew - bold, direct, and teasing all at once. But even underneath her playful tone, he could sense the sincerity. It felt like a small peace offering, a way of telling him they were okay, without needing to say it outright. “Daily texts, huh?” he chuckled, pretending to mull it over. “How about those videos that the kids do, these days? What’re they called, ‘fit checks’? Like, where you show off what you’re wearin’?” Morgan asked, trying to keep the mood light, but he couldn’t help the warmth that spread through him knowing she wasn’t pushing him away. “I’ll do those, just for you, Serena.” When she complimented his cooking and mentioned his grandma, he felt a surge of pride. “She taught me everythin’ I know,” he admitted with a fond smile. “You don’t grow up in a ranch household without learnin’ a few things in the kitchen. Plus, she always said a man should know how to cook for the people he cares about.” When she looked up at him and thanked him, so simply, Morgan’s heart did a funny little flip. It wasn’t a grand declaration, but it was real, and that meant more to him than anything. “You’re welcome,” he replied, his voice low but steady. He held her gaze for a moment, trying to convey everything he couldn’t say out loud. Morgan took a sip of his wine, letting the warmth settle over him as he tried to find the right words. He didn’t want to push her, but there were things he needed to know, things that had been eating away at him since the lockdown. “You know,” he began, his tone casual, “I wasn’t sure if you’d actually come tonight. Figured maybe you’d had enough of me after everything.” He chuckled softly, though his eyes stayed on hers, searching for some sign of what she was really feeling. He leaned back in his chair, his expression thoughtful but open. “I’m glad you did, though. Feels like… we’re back on track, a little bit,” he said, his voice trailing off, almost like he was testing the waters. He didn’t want to assume too much, but he needed to know if they were moving forward or if this was just a temporary truce.

SERENA

"I don’t know if I’m ready to witness your cowboy fashion on the regular," she smirked, leaning into her usual teasing banter, though her eyes softened slightly. Truth be told, this situation with Morgan kept her mind so busy she never thought about his fashion choices, which was funny because she did that with everyone. As he spoke more about his grandma, Serena found herself reflecting on family. It was strange, hearing him talk so warmly about someone he loved. She always envied people who had that. Family to her had always been distant, more about reputation and duty than real emotional bonds. There was no warm, guiding presence in her life after she was sent to boarding school, no memories she could talk about with such fondness. Maybe that was why she found Morgan’s sincerity so disarming. It made her feel things she wasn’t used to, things she didn’t quite know how to handle. His intense gaze locked with hers and she felt a familiar knot tighten in her chest. She almost laughed when he said that because actually she had this feeling, this constant sense of not having enough of him. And having him look at her like that wasn't helping at all so she looked away, taking a slow sip of her drink. "I'm not known for giving up so easily," she finally said, her voice quiet but steady. "But I guess I’m a sucker for good food and stubborn cowboys who make things complicated." She added a playful wink to soften the words, but there was a flicker of truth behind them that she couldn’t hide. When Morgan opened up again, sharing his concerns, she felt that familiar urge to comfort him. "Hey," she said softly, trying to reassure him, "We were never not on track, Morgan." If it was someone else, it wouldn’t even bother her so much. She sighed, finishing her wine. Talking to him was easier than with anyone else, yet certain things still felt impossible to put into words. "Look, you've seen how my life is..." she paused, searching for the right words so she wouldn't turn the moment into something too heavy. "Let's just say this is nothing compared to what people have done to me or compared to what I have done to people," she confessed, her gaze dropping as she avoided his eyes. "So really, Morgan, don’t beat yourself up. You did nothing wrong and nothing that could possibly ruin what we have here. Everything is ok."

MORGAN

Morgan leaned back in his chair, the warm glow of the dining room casting a soft light on Serena's features. He chuckled lightly at her teasing, grateful for the banter that felt like a bridge between them. “I guess I’ll just have to make cowboy fashion the next big trend,” he replied, a playful smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. But her eyes softened, and he sensed the weight beneath her playful words. It struck him how much he wanted to peel back those layers, to see the real Serena - the one who hid behind her teasing and tough exterior. As he spoke about his grandma, he caught glimpses of a different side of her, one that lingered on the edges of vulnerability. He shifted slightly, leaning in closer. “You know, family isn’t just blood. It’s about those moments that make you feel at home,” he said, trying to connect with her. He could feel the tension in the air, a mix of longing and unspoken words. When she looked away, taking a sip of her drink, it felt like a small loss. He wanted her to stay locked in that gaze, where the world outside faded, leaving just the two of them and the connection that sparked between them. “I’m glad you’re a sucker for stubborn cowboys,” he replied, a teasing lilt to his voice. “I’ll make sure to cook more than just good food then.” There was an honesty in his words, a hint of hope that they were building something together, however complicated it might seem. But then her expression shifted. He reached across the table, his fingers brushing against hers. “You’re stronger than you think,” he added, his voice low, the intimacy of the moment lingering in the air. “And I’ll be right here, whether we’re talking about earth-shattering moments or just cowboy boots.” Morgan searched for her eyes again, he felt the flicker of something deeper - a connection that went beyond their teasing. It was a promise, a chance to explore whatever this was, however complicated it might be. “Just remember, I’m not going anywhere,” he said, a hint of warmth in his smile. “And I’ll keep serving up that good food as long as you keep coming back.”

SERENA

Serena leaned back slightly, her fork hovering over her plate as she processed the shift in the atmosphere. The way he was treating her tonight was stirring something inside her and for a couple of days now, she’d felt uneasy with just how much attention she’d sought from him back in the cafeteria. She’d meant it when she said he hadn’t done anything wrong because if it had been Tina, for example, she wouldn't have cared that much. And realizing she craved something from him, something she didn’t even want from the people she was casually sleeping with... yeah, that definitely gave her pause. But she wasn’t about to deal with it tonight. Box it up, file it away: that was her way of handling things. She chuckled softly, rolling her eyes playfully to keep things light. "Actually, I just thought that might be redundant. Or are there cowboys who aren’t stubborn? Did I really draw the short straw here?" Her smirk returned, aiming to keep the mood playful. But then his fingers brushed against hers and she looked down at his hand for a second before instinctively pulling away. And then immediately regretted it. Why had she done that? She wanted him to touch her, hell, she’d been thinking about it more than she was willing to admit. Granted, holding hands wasn’t part of her usual fantasies, but still. She hesitated briefly, then chose not to dwell on it, and placed her hand back down, cautiously. As the conversation shifted back to lighter topics Serena felt a small wave of relief. But her mind kept circling back to their hands. God, she didn’t need more complications in her life but... Right now it'd be so good to be her old self again who sure as hell wouldn't have been overthinking none of it. Unfortunately this Serena had some decorum, so she'd just need to keep pushing through this, focus on the friendship and hope this pull she felt would fade. Eventually. She smirked then, throwing out a quip to keep things easy. “I’m only sticking around for the food. You’re just the bonus.” She gestured toward the plate. “So, what’s the deal? Does this recipe have a name? Is it one of those family heirloom recipes passed down through generations?”

MORGAN

Morgan couldn’t help but grin at her stubborn cowboy remark. “Hey now, stubborn’s just code for knowing what we want,” he said, voice easy and teasing. “But I’ll let you decide if you drew the short straw.” He watched her carefully, noticing the way she pulled her hand back and then hesitated before setting it down again. He felt a brief pang of disappointment but tried to brush it off, not wanting to make her uncomfortable. The smallest things seemed to be carrying more weight tonight, and he didn’t want to ruin the fragile balance between them by pushing too hard. She was teasing him again, and that was familiar, comfortable. He welcomed it like a warm fire on a chilly evening. He took a breath, focusing on her question about the recipe, grateful for the reprieve. “Well, if you ask me, calling it a family heirloom’s a bit dramatic,” he drawled, leaning back in his chair. “But yeah, you could say this one’s been around a while. My grandma started making it back when my grandpa had just bought the ranch. Money was tight, and they had to make do with what they had. Y’know, it’s a wonder what a few good vegetables and plenty of herbs and spices can do.” He paused, a fond smile lingering on his lips. “She called it ‘Rancher’s Chicken,’ though I always joked it should’ve been called ‘Magic Chicken’ considering how it seemed to fix just about anything.” He was glad she liked the food, and hearing her talk about sticking around - even if it was just for the meal - settled some of the nerves he hadn’t realized he’d been carrying. This dinner felt like a test of sorts, a chance to see if they could rebuild what had been shaken during the lockdown. But there was something else lingering beneath the surface, a connection he wasn’t sure either of them knew how to address. He took a sip of his wine, letting the warmth spread through him before speaking again. “And for the record,” he added, voice softer but steady, “I’m real glad you’re sticking around, even if it’s just for the food.” His eyes met hers, holding her gaze for a heartbeat longer than necessary, before he reached for the wine bottle and poured more into Serena’s and his glass. He wanted her to know he meant it, that her presence wasn’t something he took lightly. “But I also gotta know one thing.” Morgan started, his gaze coming up to meet hers slowly. He wasn’t sure how she’d react to this, but he couldn’t go on without an answer. Morgan leaned forward slightly, resting his forearms on the table as he continued. “D’ya have feelings for me?” Morgan knew he was treading dangerous territory, but he wasn’t willing to pretend there wasn’t more going on between them. He’d rather have them be honest and risk the awkwardness than keep dancing around what was clearly (at least to Eva and Puck) growing between them.

SERENA

Serena’s eyes widened, her heart racing as Morgan’s question lingered in the air. She tightened her grip on her wine glass, instinctively wanting to lie, deflect, avoid. But then there was him, sitting there, so open, so real and she didn’t want to ruin that with a lie. Not with him. She took a long sip and sighed. If he was planning to go there, the least he could've done was give her something stronger. And then a more troubling thought crossed her mind. Her stomach twisted as she pieced it together. Tonight he was so worried he had hurt her. This wasn’t about the cafeteria at all, was it? Eva must have gotten to him. She’d convinced him that he was leading Serena on, that Serena might feel rejected. And now he was here, ready to end their friendship to spare her from that. The idea of Morgan pitying her made her stomach turn. She stood up abruptly, angry tears threatening to fall, but she would be damned if she cried in front of him. Crossing the room, she leaned back against the kitchen counter, her chest aching. "You don’t have to worry about it, Morgan. I don’t do feelings,” she snapped, her tone sharper than she intended, before taking another sip of wine. She thought of Tina. The last time she tried to “do” feelings, it had ended in disaster. It was raw, it hurt too much and so she decided she was done with it. Even with Dani, that she dated, it hadn’t been about feelings. She was thirty, she had a daughter, she was supposed to settle down, right? So when it ended, she was relieved she had handled it like any other business deal. Morgan was a friend she didn’t want to lose. So, yes, she noticed she was starting to care, but obviously she wasn’t going to let it go further than that. Romance always ruined things and if they crossed that line, their friendship would be done. That’s how it always went. Now, her attraction was undeniable. She knew she couldn’t pretend otherwise because he probably already knew that. With the way they flirted. So she might as well be honest about that since there was no use in denying it. Her throat tightened as she forced herself to meet his gaze, her voice low but steady. “You’re handsome, hot and charming. Of course I’m attracted to you. As any woman who knows you probably is. But that’s all it is.” And she didn’t bother asking him the same question, because she already knew who he had feelings for. And yeah, she wasn’t in love with him or anything, but she didn’t want to hear about that either.

MORGAN

Morgan felt like he’d just been blindsided by a runaway stallion. He watched Serena, able to see her emotions bubbling under the surface, even if she was trying to keep them from spilling over. For a moment, he was tempted to drop everything, stride over to her, and pull her into a tight hug just to remind her she wasn’t in this alone - but he knew better. Serena was fierce, proud, and stubborn in her own right, and the last thing she needed was him crowding her. He stayed where he was, his eyes following her as she moved to the counter. The distance between them felt like a chasm, and Morgan hated it. He’d never wanted to hurt her, but it seemed that trying to make things right had only made it worse. She didn’t do feelings - Morgan had sensed that. Every time he’d gotten somewhat close to getting through to Serena, she’d pulled up a wall, blocked him from entering. And those rare moments where he was allowed, he was quickly pulled back outside with her self-deprecating humor. He swallowed hard, regretting having asked her. She didn’t do feelings - and now he looked like an arrogant, selfish asshole who thought too highly of himself. But then she continued. What she said afterwards, every meaning behind the words she told him, he took in, and listened to, nodding as he did so. They echoed in his head. He was happy get some sort of confirmation that there had at least been an attraction, and that it wasn’t just him. “Serena,” he began softly, standing up slowly, taking his time to approach her. He didn’t crowd her; he stopped a couple of feet away, giving her space to breathe. “Why are you saying ‘of course’, like it’s a given that you’re attracted to me?” he asked quietly, his voice steady despite the tightness in his chest. “There’s no ‘of course’, because I certainly didn’t know. I’ve felt things, but I never thought you felt the same way.” He saw the way she gripped her wine glass, her fingers tense. He wished he could erase whatever doubts had taken root in her mind, but he knew that was something only she could do. Still, he wasn’t about to let her walk away from this conversation thinking he didn’t care. “You said you don’t do feelings,” he continued, his voice gentle but firm. “And I respect that, if that’s how you need to handle things. But if I’m being honest, I do.” He let out a small, humorless chuckle, running a hand through his hair. Even if he took 5-6 business days to process his emotions, he still wore his heart on sleeve. “I know it might sound real foolish comin’ from me, the guy who barely knows what he’s feeling half the time, but… well, here we are.” Morgan took a step closer, lowering his voice as if sharing a secret. “You’re not just some pretty face I flirt with, Serena,” he said, sincerity lacing his words. “You’re smart, strong, you know how to make a man smile. I’m grateful for that, and I never want you to feel like you’re less important than anyone else in my life. There’s an attraction - I can’t deny that. But I also don’t want to lead you on.”

SERENA

Serena raised an eyebrow, her expression shifting into a confused, half irritated look, like she couldn't quite believe what she was hearing. She scoffed softly, shaking her head as if trying to clear the fog of confusion Morgan had just created. “Wait, hold up. What?” she asked, her tone incredulous, as she left the glass on the counter and stared at him. “So, let me get this straight,” she began, her voice calm but with an edge of disbelief. “So you think you're starting to feel something for me. But... you don’t want to lead me on? Morgan, what exactly are you trying to say here? Because right now, you’re sounding like a walking contradiction.” She gave him a look that said seriously? Her frustration simmering just beneath the surface. “I'm not less important than them?" Serena shook her head again, this time with more exasperation than confusion, her gaze sharp as it locked onto his. "What, are you saying you want to sleep with the three of us or are you just that bad at expressing what you actually mean?” She took a deep breath and looked away, one of her hands was in her waist and the other on the kitchen counter. He was a good guy, one of the few people in her life who’d ever seen her beyond the surface. They just needed to talk this out, clear the air, and then everything would go back to normal. She could already feel herself calming down, forcing herself to think this through. It wasn’t about avoiding the conversation, it was about keeping him around. She knew he mattered more than she wanted to admit. And the truth was, she needed him in her life, just not in the way he might be thinking. Romance wasn't in the cards for them. Dating her meant chaos and chaos led to breakups and breakups led to people leaving. But friends? Friends could last forever. She’d never been good at this whole friendship thing, but she knew there were people out there who stayed friends for twenty years or more. If they could just stay friends, then he would never leave her. “Look, Morgan," she started, in a much more controled voice now, "If there’s something you need to say, say it. But don’t stand there and act like I’m supposed to understand what’s going on in your head when you’re throwing mixed signals left and right.”

MORGAN

Morgan had seen Serena irritated before, but this was different - there was a sharp edge in her voice that cut through the air between them, and he found himself scrambling to figure out the right thing to say. He didn’t want to make this worse, but apparently, he already had. Her words, her tone - it all stung, but he knew she deserved better than to be strung along in confusion. He let out a slow breath, leaning back against the kitchen island as he collected his thoughts. “I ain’t tryin’ to send mixed signals, Serena,” he began, his voice steady but careful. “I’m not real good at explainin’ things when it comes to this stuff, but that’s no excuse for makin’ you feel like I’m talkin’ in circles.” Morgan ran a hand through his hair, feeling the weight of the moment pressing down on him. “What I’m tryin’ to say is... I care about you, more than I probably should for just friends,” he admitted, his words coming out slower than usual, as if choosing each one carefully. “And that’s got me worried about crossin’ a line that could mess things up between us.” He looked her in the eyes, wanting her to see he was being sincere. “You were there for me, during a time where I needed it,” he continued, his voice softening, not knowing how to put it into words. “And I ain't sayin' that to make you think I was taking advantage of it! But there was heartbreak involved, and you came in and made me laugh and think 'bout other things, and I don't know how or when or where it started, but that had me feelin' those damn butterflies ya get in your stomach, when feelings start comin' around,” Morgan sighed, feeling the weight of her stare like a physical force. “I’m not good at expressin’ myself the way you probably need me to,” he admitted, “but I’m tryin’ my best to be honest with you, even if it comes out all tangled up.” He saw the way she was gripping the counter, and he took a step back, trying to give her space to breathe. Especially for what was coming next. “But somewhere between the laughs and the butterflies, I was also feelin' that heartbreak - y'know, the one from before,” He sighed, not knowing how to say what he wanted to say. “The kind of heartbreak that you don't move away from; the kind of heartbreak that you want to keep fightin' for.” He swallowed hard. “I don't want to lose you, but I also don't want to lose them. And if that means I gotta push aside any feelings I’m startin’ to have, then that’s what I’ll do. ‘Cause the last thing I want is for this to turn into somethin’ complicated and messy that ends with us not speakin’ to each other.” He ran a hand over his beard, trying to find a way to bring some levity back into the room. “I’m not sure I know what I’m sayin’ half the time when it comes to this kinda stuff,” he admitted with a rueful chuckle. “But I know one thing for sure - I don’t wanna lose you over me bein’ an idiot.” “If there’s somethin’ I need to say, it’s this,” he said, his voice firming up a bit, and his body mirrored that as he stood up straight, taking ownership of his words. “I want you in my life, Serena. However that looks, whatever we call it - I just want you around. Because you make me happy.” He gave her a small, tentative smile, the tension in his shoulders relaxing slightly. “And, y’know, if I start soundin’ like a walkin’ contradiction again, feel free to whack me upside the head and tell me to quit overthinkin’,” he added with a faint chuckle, trying to ease the mood.

SERENA

Serena’s hand gripped the counter even tighter, her knuckles going pale as his words struck her, one after the other, each one cutting a little deeper. That heartbreak you want to keep fighting for. Her mind zeroed in on that, clinging to it like a bitter truth. Was that what she was to him? A laugh, a distraction, a distant third behind the pieces of his broken heart? She forced herself to hold steady, though she felt something in her unraveling, an ache blooming in her chest. “So… that’s it, then?” she asked, her voice sharper than she’d intended, laced with a vulnerability she couldn’t quite keep at bay. “You want me in your life… as long as it’s convenient? As long as I’m just—what?—some place you run to when you don’t want to feel that heartbreak?” The question hung between them, her gaze flickering with something almost brittle, and she could feel the burn of tears building behind her eyes. Don’t you dare, she thought to herself. Her mind chanted the words, over and over, each one like a thread she used to stitch herself back together. You don’t care that much, Serena. You do not care that much. But despite the silent mantra, her throat tightened, the words she’d just spoken feeling both like a surrender and a challenge. He looked at her, his face full of some earnest honesty, and the temptation to let him see her raw hurt nearly overwhelmed her. She swallowed hard, pulling in a slow breath to steady herself, her voice barely a whisper as she broke the silence. “You don’t see how unfair that sounds?” She was always that person for people, the one they came to when they wanted something easy, something fleeting, someone to fill the emptiness without demanding too much. But she couldn't be a hypocrite, she’d use them to distract her from whatever she’d been trying to escape at the time too. She didn’t indulge in love, but that didn’t mean she’d never caught feelings here or there. And just like that, she could feel herself slipping back, retreating behind a familiar, cold mask, one she’d worn so many times before. Because yeah, if that's what Morgan wanted from her so be it. "Friendly advice, Morgan? Next time you start by asking for the casual sex and save people's time,” she murmured, her voice low and biting. “You want me to be a distraction? Fine. I can do that. I'm very good at that, in fact.” Before he could react, she leaned in, her lips capturing his in a hard, almost punishing kiss. She moved to his neck, pressing her lips against his skin with a ferocity that spoke of anger more than passion. “This is all ever wanted from you anyway,” she whispered against his skin, her tone dripping with a mixture of scorn and something heartbreakingly vulnerable. "So I'm glad we finally sorted that out."

MORGAN

Morgan felt like he’d just been kicked in the gut. Every word Serena threw at him dug in deeper, and he had to steady himself against the kitchen island to keep from completely losing his footing. The sharpness in her voice, the flash of pain in her eyes - he’d done this, put that look on her face. And now she was angry, hurt, and he couldn’t blame her for it. He opened his mouth to say something, anything to stop this train wreck from getting worse, but before he could find the right words, she was kissing him. It wasn’t soft or sweet; it was angry, almost desperate, and it took him a second to react. When she pulled away just enough to press those biting words into his skin, he felt the sting of them more than the heat of her lips. “Serena-” he started, voice low and rough, his breath catching as her lips moved down his neck. His instincts warred with each other: part of him wanted to hold her, to try and soothe the hurt he’d caused, and another part wanted to give in. “This ain’t what I wanted,” he said softly, almost pleadingly, the words catching in his throat as he reached up to gently cup her face, pulling back just enough to look at her. “You think I see you as a distraction?” he asked, his voice a low rasp, trying and failing to keep the hurt from bleeding through. “Serena, if I wanted something easy, you know damn well I wouldn’t be standin’ here tryin’ to sort this out with you.” He took a deep breath, steadying himself, his thumb brushing against her cheek. “I care about you, and not just for the fun times or when things get rough. I care about you, the person - the way you challenge me, the way you see right through me, the way you make me laugh even when I’m not lookin’ for it,” he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. “You think I’d go through all this trouble if you were just some way to keep myself from feelin’ hurt?” Morgan’s chest ached, the weight of the moment bearing down on him, and as his eyes traced over her face, from her eyes down to her lips, he could feel himself slipping. He had to focus on what he was supposed to say. “Look, I’m not good with words, and I’m probably makin’ this worse, but I want you to know - if I ever made you feel like an afterthought, that ain’t on you. That’s me bein’ an idiot, not seein’ what was right in front of me.” The room felt heavy with the silence that followed, the air thick with all the things left unsaid. His eyes kept trying to search hers; looking for an answer or a reaction. But all he seemed to find, was a want to feel those lips of hers again. His brain kept screaming a thousand different things at him, telling him to say this, or do that, reminding him of Eva and Puck and Andy and Serena and communication and thirst traps and- finally, Morgan crashed his lips onto Serena’s, shutting his brain the hell up.

SERENA

She'd wondered many times now how confident he’d be in bed. She assumed he’d be a good lover, with a body and personality like that, but she'd never thought much about kissing him. Well, what he was doing with his hands and tongue would definitely be added to her fantasies after this moment. She let herself melt into the kiss, the electricity between them that had shimmered for so long surging through her, igniting every nerve in her body. She let out a low, unrestrained moan, her desire spilling over after holding herself back for so long. Her hands slid up his arms, feeling the strength beneath her fingertips, then moved down, tracing his biceps and abs with a fervent grip. She pressed herself impossibly close, her body molding against his, like she was trying to erase every inch of distance between them. This was what she'd wanted for so long, and now that she had it, it was intoxicating. She pulled back just enough to catch her breath, her lips barely an inch from his. "Morgan," she murmured, her voice thick with desire, eyes flickering with amusement. "Quit trying to talk your way through this; your tongue can do it in more efficient ways," she chuckled softly, resting her forehead on his chest and shaking her head slightly. What the hell were they doing? Her hands lingered on his back, feeling his heartbeat pounding just as wildly as hers, and it gave her the smallest, thrilling satisfaction. She looked up then and kissed him again, this time softly. It felt like something she had waited a lifetime to do. She explored his mouth thoroughly, entirely engaged in the act. He was a very good kisser, she thought, unsurprised.

MORGAN

Morgan was reeling from the kiss, heart hammering hard enough to drown out every rational thought he had. When she moaned like that, it took every bit of restraint he had not to press further, to let her set the pace. She had been the one pulling him in, and he didn’t want to scare her off by moving too fast. But the way she gripped his arms, the way she traced his body like she’d been dying to touch him - it made something primal in him stir, and he couldn’t ignore the desire to close every bit of space between them. His hands moved down her body, fingers splayed against her back, steadying her and grounding himself. Every touch sent a ripple through him, and he felt like he was losing himself, bit by bit, in this moment. When she pulled back to catch her breath, he forced himself to stay still, fighting every urge to chase her lips again. Her words, teasing and thick with desire, had him swallow hard. He now knew what she wanted; she’d said it herself, this was the only thing she wanted out of him anyway. It caused a wave of emotions to come rolling through his body, and when she leaned in to kiss him again, softer this time, he could feel something shifting in himself, but also something shifting between them - something almost tender in the way she explored his mouth. It confused the hell out of Morgan because this wasn’t the kiss of someone who just wanted sex. So he deepened it in an attempt to see how she would react, kissing her back with every ounce of feeling he’d been holding onto - the kiss did something to him, something he couldn’t quite put into words. But he let his body act on his behalf, his arms moving down to grab onto her ass, lifting her up and carrying her over to the dining table, his hands swiping plates and glasses down onto the floor. The sound of them breaking and shattering on the floor didn’t phase Morgan. Instead, he removed his lips, not being able to stop himself from moving them to her neck, kissing her skin ferociously.

SERENA

Serena felt a rush of heat at the way Morgan handled her, at his strong hands grabbing her ass like that and then lifting her so effortlessly. The shattering of dishes was nothing compared to the thrill coursing through her. She wrapped a leg around his waist, trying to pull him closer even though there was no space left between them. With one hand on his back, she urged him against her, while the other hand slid beneath his shirt, her fingernails scraping lightly against the skin of his abs. But then the sensation of his tongue on her neck sent a spark of pleasure directly to her core and her hands kind of forgot what they were doing for a minute. She let out a sharp intake of breath as shivers ran down her spine. Her neck has always been incredibly sensitive, almost embarrassingly so at times, but the fact that it was Morgan doing this to her now? His tongue sent waves of pleasure through her body and she could hardly contain herself, letting out another soft moan. "God, this feels so good," she whispered.

MORGAN

Morgan felt a rush of adrenaline as he held Serena close, and felt her body molding perfectly to his. As she wrapped her leg around his waist, instinct took over, and he pulled her tighter against him, his strong hands gripping her like he was afraid to let her go. Her fingers on his chest and her nails digging into his skin didn't help either, and he couldn't help the quiet, husky growl that escaped his lips. Serena was usually so composed, so quick-witted, and in control, but right now she was all passion and heat, and it made his pulse quicken, realizing just how much she wanted this - but was it really all she wanted? It sent another frustrated wave of emotions through him, and his hand moved to her legs spreading them open, so he could step in closer, his clothed crotch meeting hers, automatically pushing her dress further up. Nibbling and licking and kissing at Serena's neck, Morgan was breathing heavily, his hand running up her thigh, and in between her legs. Impulses and primal insticts completely took over, and his brain stopped working. He allowed his body to take full control, and his growing erection in his jeans were showing of that. The sounds she was making, the way she pulled him tighter and touched him did that to him, despite the fact that he was confused and frustrated. His fingers reached her hot clothed center, and even through her panties, he could feel the effects of this whole ordeal. "You're so wet," he stated in a low growl, and lifted his neck after having worked on a mark on her collarbone. Instead, he crashed his lips against hers again, as his thumb started toying with her clit through her underwear. Her moans only spurred him on, and he wanted- no, needed more.

SERENA

She threw her head back, eyes squeezed shut, breathing heavily as he spread her legs. She’d had her fair share of experiences, but somehow, just what they’d done so far had her trembling like never before. And he hadn’t even get in— As if on cue, his arousal pressed against her hip, drawing her head to the side, where a smirk played on her lips just as he leaned in, and they shared another one of those kisses that were driving her crazy. She let out a quick, hot exhale, threading her fingers through his hair as he mentioned something she was very self conscious about, and his tone made it sound like he was entirely pleased with himself. Usually, she’d have a witty retort ready, but the clever part of her brain seemed to have taken a vacation, and all she managed was a nod, whispering, “Yeah, I’ve been ready for weeks.” Her fingers clenched reflexively on his shirt as she rocked her hips to meet his touch. “This needs to go,” she breathed, and at his nod, she slipped his shirt off, immediately pressing her lips to the skin at his collarbone, savoring the taste.

MORGAN

The air hit Morgan's now bare upper body, and he sucked in a deep breath at the feeling of Serena's lips on his skin. Goosebumps slowly but surely started to appear, and his growing member twitched in his jeans. He could feel the restrictions of being behind the zipper, and her rocking against him definitely didn't help calm it down. "Serena," he hissed, and gripped onto her leg tighter, needing something to hold onto. The fact that he could feel the effects he had on her through her underwear, feeling how drenched she was, was definitely feeding Morgan's ego. A part of him felt victorious for being able to do that to Serena - someone who didn't let people in, and kept up a front. Another part of him thought about the fact the she was only in this for the sex, and it humbled him. She had no idea what she was constantly doing to him, and it caused the cowboy to grab a hold of the garment of her panties, pulling it to the side and ripping it at the same time. The noise of the tear caused Morgan to pull back slightly to look at the damage done. Bringing his hand up, he licked two fingers, wetting them before they quickly found their way back to Serena's now exposed cunt. He leaned his head down, lips pressed gently against Serena's ear as he kissed it softly. "D'ya want me to fuck you?" He whispered, his fingers teasing her clit, barely ghosting over it with circular motions. "Hm?" He breathed out, a finger pressing through her folds to gently get her used to him.

SERENA

Serena drew in a sharp breath, her body responding to the way his fingers teased her. Every sensation set her nerves alight and when he tore through the lace, her eyes snapped open, a thrill shooting through her at the sheer audacity. She almost laughed, feeling her heart race as he held her. She stared at him for a second, raising a brow as she tried to keep her voice steady despite her own unsteady breaths. "Ok, I really like this dress," she murmured, a smirk tugging at her lips as she took it off, tossing it aside without a second thought. Then her hands drifted down and she paused, waiting for his consent before unzipping his jeans with deliberate slowness. Her gaze locked onto his as her palm closed around him and he licked his fingers. He was so hard a low growl escaped her lips and echoed between them, her grip firm yet teasing. Her hips pressed eagerly against his hand teasing her then, oh yeah, she wanted to touch him but that was very distracting. Her body practically demanded more by rocking against his hand even before any words left her lips. "Please," she whispered, gasping at the touch of his fingers on her clit, each brush sending another schockwave through her. She pulled herself closer, wrapping her arms around his neck so she could kiss him deeply (she couldn't believe this was her favorite part about sex with him) and only then leaned back, giving him a better angle and spreading her legs more. "Please, fuck me Morgan, please." When he slid his fingers inside her slowly, her body tightened and pulsed around him in response. A soft gasp slipped from her lips and her hands gripped the table as a shiver coursed through her. Each gentle, precise movement of his fingers drew a soft moan, her body responding with instinctive, subtle movements that pulled him in deeper. She glanced up, her eyes catching his. For a heartbeat, she tried to keep eye contact, but something in the weight of his gaze was too much so she looked away.

MORGAN

Morgan felt a rush of heat and something primal ignite in his chest as Serena responded to him, the sharp breath she took and the thrill in her eyes making him grin despite himself. There was something about her - the way she carried herself, the way she pushed and pulled at him with her words and her touch - that set him on fire. And the fact that she wasn’t backing down, wasn’t holding back, made it impossible to resist her. When she stared at him, voice steady but breath unsteady, he raised an eyebrow, a half-smirk tugging at his lips. She already knew what this side of Morgan was capable of, and they’d barely gotten into it. "It's a nice dress," He breathed out, watching her remove it from her body, and wanting to sink hands, lips, teeth into her bare body that was only covered with a few inches of lace, but then her hands moved to his jeans, and the deliberate slowness of her movements made his pulse race. His breath hitched as her hand wrapped around him, firm yet teasing, and his fingers dug into her hips reflexively, trying to steady himself against the wave of pleasure that shot through him. He let out a low groan, his head dropping for a moment as he fought for control, trying to remember that this wasn’t just about him. But the way her hips pressed against his hand and the breathless way she whispered ‘please’ in his ear had him swallowing hard, focusing all his attention on her. He watched her closely, his rough fingers tracing over her clit with deliberate softness, savoring the way her body reacted to every gentle brush. When she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him deeply, Morgan felt something shift inside him. It wasn’t just the physical connection - although that was electric - it was something deeper, something he hadn’t let himself acknowledge until now. She kissed like she was giving a piece of herself, and he couldn’t help but wonder why when she’d said what she’d said. Her plea pulled him out of his thoughts, and the way she said his name - desperate, raw - made it impossible to hold back any longer. “I got you, baby,” he murmured, voice rough with want, slipping his fingers inside her slowly, feeling the way her body tightened and pulsed around him. He took in a sharp breath, watching her as she responded to every gentle, precise movement of his fingers, her soft moans making his heart pound in his chest. When she glanced up and met his eyes, it was like a jolt, something heavy and unspoken passing between them. But then she looked away, and he understood without words that this was more than just the heat of the moment. There was vulnerability here, something neither of them had been willing to face until now. And he wasn’t about to let her run from it - not this time. Morgan’s fingers quickened, finding a rhythm that matched the soft, instinctive movements of her hips, and he felt a rush of satisfaction at the way she responded, her body pulling him in deeper. He let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding, resting his forehead against hers, voice barely a whisper as he said, “You feel so damn good, Serena. Let go for me.”

SERENA

The word baby fell from his lips so effortlessly, yet it struck something deep within her she hadn’t prepared for. It was so unexpected that for a heartbeat it nearly broke through her defenses. A warmth spread through her that had nothing to do with what they were doing and, without thinking, she slowed and instinctively reached for his hand. It was just for a moment though and then she caught herself, quickly pulling her hand away and forcing her focus back. She buried her head against his neck, moaning louder now and right into his ears, as though hiding would shield her from the vulnerability creeping into her chest. This was supposed to be just another night, just two people caught up in a thrill they’d never acknowledge out loud. Yet here they were and the consequences... No, she couldn't go there. Not now. Her breath shuddered against his skin as she tried to steady herself. But something about the way he was holding her and they were moving slowly, like they were makin— The thought made her hips quicken, wanting the release that would pull him away. Plus she'd finally be able to touch him because the angle right now wasn't helping at all. When he said her name in that low, breathless tone, it sent a chill down her spine, shaking any last resistance she had. She sucked on his neck and ear lobe, closing her eyes as she let herself drown in the warmth of him surrounding her. "I'm so close," she moaned, voice low and breathless. "Just... like this." She pulled back a little and reached for his hand, guiding it to follow the rhythm her body craved. She pressed his thumb gently against her clit, moving it in slow, deliberate strokes that sent a shiver through her, each motion pulling her closer. Her legs tensed, instinctively wanting to close as the intensity built, anticipation winding tight in every nerve.

MORGAN

Morgan felt Serena’s fingers guide his hand, and he didn't need more of a hint. His thumb pressed firmly against her, finding that rhythm she needed, and he felt her body react, hips bucking against him as a low moan escaped her lips. He moved his other arm to wrap around her waist, fingers splayed against her back, holding her close so he could feel every tremor that coursed through her. When she whispered his name again, breathless and wanting, he couldn’t help the devilish grin that pulled at his lips. He leaned in, brushing his mouth against the curve of her ear before trailing down her neck, pressing open-mouthed kisses along her sensitive skin. He could feel the way her pulse raced under his lips, matching his own thundering heartbeat. The taste of her, the scent of her skin - everything about her was intoxicating, pulling him deeper into her. His fingers moved in fast, deliberate circles, each touch designed to draw out another reaction from her. When he felt her tighten beneath his hand, he added just a bit more pressure, a little more intensity, and gave a random curl of his fingers inside of her. He'd feel her body jerking against him, and he relished in the sound of her ragged breaths, each one a sign that she was unraveling in his arms. He felt her nails dig into his back, a sharp bite of pain that only heightened his desire. She pulled him closer, like she couldn’t bear even a sliver of space between them, and he obliged, moving against her in sync. The tension between them was almost palpable, like an electric current that had been building for far too long and was finally ready to snap. As he kept up the rhythm with his fingers, he let his other hand trail down her spine, feeling the way her muscles tensed and released beneath his touch. He wanted to feel every inch of her, to map out the way her body responded to him. His fingers slipped lower, gripping her ass with a firm, possessive hold that made her gasp and arch against him. Morgan leaned back slightly to watch her, captivated by the way she was reacting to his touch. He didn’t want her to hold back - not now. “Don’t hide from me,” he murmured, voice low and rough, coaxing her to stay with him. He quickened his movements just a fraction, enough to push her closer to the edge. He could feel her legs trembling, and he could feel the way she clenched around his fingers, her body instinctively reacting to the building intensity. “Come on, baby,” he urged, voice a husky whisper against her ear, and he felt the way her body tightened at the sound of the endearment. He didn’t stop, didn’t slow down, maintaining that same relentless pace with his fingers until she couldn’t hold back anymore. When he felt her legs tense and then shudder, he knew she’d come undone. But Morgan didn’t allow Serena any time to recover. No, instead, he kept pumping his fingers in and out of her as he knelt down, placing his lips right on her hot, wet and now swollen cunt, tasting her and humming in delight. If she didn’t stop him, he would keep going.

SERENA

She looked at him in awe and just collapsed onto her back. He ate her with such patience and focus that afterward, all she could think was how lucky she was they weren’t doing this on her dinning table because she’d never be able to sit there again without getting turned on. She quivered against Morgan’s mouth, her toes curling almost painfully from the pleasure. He teased her everywhere but the two spots that would take her over the edge, nibbling on her inner thighs, brushing his nose against her clit and gently sucking one of her lips, but not getting any closer than that. The anticipation was maddening. She felt utterly at his mercy, arching and pressing herself against his mouth, desperate to feel more. Desperate for him to fuck her hard and senseless. When he finally sucked long and hard on her clit, grazing it lightly with his teeth, she held on for dear life, one hand gripping the edge of the table, the other tangling in his hair. "God, Morgan, please," she whimpered, breathless. But it was perfect, he was being perfect. Until his voice broke through, a low, “Please, baby, come for me,” as he slid two fingers inside her and it got past perfect. She felt herself go, feeling it building from her toes and knowing she’d absolutely soak his face. Her entire body shook as he held her firmly but gently, his strong hands under her thighs, keeping her in place. And the way he was so caring and gentle... God, she wanted this to last longer but she didn't stand a chance and so stars burst into color behind her eyelids and she moaned so loudly that the people in the city could probably hear it.

MORGAN

Morgan’s lips curved into a small, self-satisfied grin as he felt Serena quiver beneath him, her entire body taut with tension. Her reactions were like a map guiding him through every little moment of pleasure he was creating. He could sense her frustration building every time he pulled back, every teasing graze of his teeth, and he knew he was driving her crazy. For someone who usually tried to be clear-headed, Morgan found himself entirely focused on her - every breath she took, every shudder that ran through her limbs, every desperate arch of her hips against him. He wanted to prolong this, keep her on the edge until she was almost begging, yet something about hearing her say his name that way - whimpering, breathless, raw - was enough to pull him in, driving him to give her exactly what she wanted. With one strong arm wrapped around her thigh, Morgan held her in place, feeling the muscles tremble against his forearm. He pressed his mouth against her again, finally giving in to what she craved. The way she jolted and gasped beneath him sent a rush of satisfaction through him. His free hand slid up, fingers brushing softly against her until he was sure she was right on that edge, ready to fall. He felt the moment it all broke for her - how her entire body tensed before melting into shudders and gasps. He held her firmly through it, listening to every moan coming out of her, and not letting up until she had nothing left to give. When she finally relaxed, sinking back against the table, Morgan let out a long, slow breath. He pressed a lingering kiss against her thigh before moving to stand up so he could get a better look at how she was doing. His lips glistened from her, and he wiped at it with a crooked grin, watching her catch her breath for a few seconds Moving to push his jeans and boxers off, Morgan smirked. “Can ya take more of me?” He drawled, his accent thick. He crawled on top of the table, thankful that it was of amazing quality and could stand the weight, before moving to hover over Serena. He was still hard from her sounds and it showed, when he leaned in, catching her lips in a heated and hungry kiss.

SERENA

She lazily opened her eyes, feeling numb but too worked up to stop. She took off her bra slowly and watched him undress, taking in the sight of his lean, well defined abdomen, strong arms and broad chest in the dim light. Even fully clothed, she could catch glimpses of his toned physique, but now, seeing him completely bare, it was so much better. Her gaze drifted down and lingered. He had been blessed, to say the least. Not that it'd make a real difference to her, but she couldn't help but appreciate what she had got to work with. She would have liked to watch him longer, but he crawled over her and sank down, pressing her close. Her arms wrapped around him immediately, their kiss going from heated and hungry to slower and deeper. She felt her heart rate spike as she sucked on his bottom lip, then traced soft kisses along his jawline, nuzzling his neck for a long moment. "I'll take as much of you as you'll give me," she finally answered him, and she was aware of what she was doing but Serena couldn’t bring herself to stop. Having Morgan like that felt incredibly good, especially now, with him surrounding her in every way. But he needed to be taken care of now, he'd earned it, so allowing her hand to drift between his legs, her fingers traced a slow line from the base of his shaft to the tip before wrapping around him, starting a loose rhythm as she kissed his earlobe, savoring his skin. She teased him for a moment before rolling over, shifting on top of him completely. Trailing kisses down his jawline, one hand tangled in his hair while the other stroked him slowly, she moved down kissing his chest, nipples and stomach, savoring each inch until she finally reached his pubic line. She meet his gaze before wrapping her lips around him, letting her tongue slide down his length slowly. He moaned, his face full of ecstasy as she bobbed her head, gradually taking him deeper until she could feel him pressing against her gag reflex. He arched beneath her as she pulled back, licking him slowly from base to tip. She swirled her tongue around his head before sucking with an audible pop, his loud moan resonating as his body quivered beneath her. Flattening her tongue against the underside of his length, she wiggled it gently against his sensitive flesh, placing her arms on his thighs as her hands continued their soft ministrations. She could feel the sides of her breasts against his inner thighs, sending a shiver up her spine at every touch. Glancing up at him with a proud smile, a thin trail of saliva slipped from her mouth, coating his length. She pulled back to catch her breath, her incisor grazing his shaft in a way that made him shiver. "Sorry," she murmured, wiping the mix of precum and saliva from her face. With one hand, she kept an even tempo, stroking him, while her other hand tucked an errant strand of hair behind her ear. When she leaned forward again, she placed a gentle kiss on the head, causing him to twitch involuntarily in her hand. She smirked.

MORGAN

Morgan’s head was spinning, and for the life of him, he couldn’t piece together how they had gone from cautious conversations to this - yet it felt as inevitable as a summer storm rolling over the plains. He caught those brown eyes of hers beneath the dark lashes, and his chest tightened at the sight. There was something fierce and vulnerable in her gaze, and it struck him harder than he expected. He sucked in a breath, trying to maintain some semblance of composure, but it was near impossible with the way she was looking at him, her touch deliberate and sure. As she moved, tracing her lips and fingers over his skin, Morgan felt like his body was on fire. Her every touch left sparks, igniting places he didn’t know could feel this good. He bit down on his bottom lip, holding back another groan, his chest heaving as he fought to keep some semblance of control. When she finally took him into her mouth, that restraint nearly shattered. He arched his back, a strangled noise escaping him as he buried his hands in her hair, his fingers trembling from the intensity. “Serena,” he breathed, voice rough and ragged. His hand reflexively gripped the edge of the table beneath them, trying to anchor himself. His mind was a haze of heat and need, and he felt so exposed - like she could see right through him in this moment. The urge to close his eyes and let go battled with the desperate need to watch her, to remember every detail of how she was making him feel. He had thought he’d be able to keep his cool, keep some of that smooth cowboy charm intact, but it was slipping through his fingers like sand. He couldn’t hide the way his muscles tensed or the way his breathing quickened with each movement of her mouth. When she pulled back and apologized for grazing him, he laughed breathlessly, a smile breaking through the haze. “S’alright,” he murmured, voice thick with arousal and affection. “Reckon I can handle a little roughness.” As she leaned in again, pressing a gentle kiss to the head of his length, he couldn’t hold back the sharp inhale that accompanied the involuntary twitch of his hips. She was testing his patience, and he was dangerously close to begging her to stop teasing him, to give him more, to not leave him hanging like this. But there was something intoxicating about the way she took her time, drawing out every ounce of pleasure. Morgan’s eyes fluttered shut for a moment, savoring the way she was taking him apart piece by piece. He could feel the warmth of her hands and the softness of her breasts brushing against his thighs, each touch sending jolts of sensation through his entire body. It was almost too much - yet not nearly enough. When he opened his eyes and met her gaze, seeing her proud smile as she pulled back to breathe, something inside him clicked. He reached down, fingers threading through her hair, and gently cupped her cheek. “You’re gonna kill me like this,” he drawled, his voice unsteady but laced with a teasing edge. It was all he could manage to say before he sat up, arms reaching out for Serena to pull her closer and crash his lips onto hers. There was no way in hell that he could take any more, he needed to feel her now, be closer to her. Moving, he rolled them over once again and pushed back Serena down on the table gently, his lips leaving hers to instead embark on a journey from her cheek, down to her neck, his lips ever so slightly ghosting over her skin, and his hand guiding his now-fully erect member through her folds. Every nerve in his body seemed to be tuned to her as he started pushing through, slowly and gently, his eyebrows furrowing as he sank his teeth into the skin of her neck and a hard hot breath escaped his nose. “God, you feel so good!”

SERENA

When he bit at her neck as he got inside her, the sensation lifted her higher, sending a shiver through her whole body. She tightened her arms around him, her breath catching at the thought that this bite might mark. The thrill of actually needing to cover up something he had done to her was almost too much to bear. Her fingers pressed into the muscles of his upper back as she began moving purposefully with him, meeting each thrust, losing herself in the rhythm. He picked up the pace, and she matched him, her breath leaving in shallow pants. She glanced down between them, and his gaze followed. Watching as he drove into her, each withdrawal slick and wet, was insane. They were really fucking. As her release built, she just watched him, captivated. When their eyes met, she turned her head to the side, overwhelmed, but he brought her back with his mouth on hers, their lips meeting in a series of urgent, heated kisses. She tilted her hips, pressing down into the table to improve the angle and the swift slide of him against her sensitive clitoris made her gasp into their kiss. “Oh God, yeah, yeah, just like that,” she murmured, gripping him tighter. He slowed his rhythm a moment after that though, each thrust ending with a final, deep push, as he looked into her eyes in a way she couldn't quite read. "What?" she asked, searching his gaze. But then another deep thrust followed and she shut her eyes, moving her hands to his ass and pressing him harder into her because God, this felt so good. He felt so good inside her. With her mouth pressed to his neck, her cries softened, but as she drew closer to release, louder whimpers escaped, her lips brushing over his Adam's apple. “Oh, yes, yes, yes… oh please…” She reached for his hand above her head, her body arching as she shuddered, her climax consuming her like shards of crystal scattering. He watched, entranced, his own eyes wide with lust as he followed her over the edge. With a groan, he thrust deeply one last time, his muscles tensing as he held her close, his face flushed with release.

MORGAN

Morgan felt Serena tighten her hold on him, her breath coming in shallow bursts against his neck. He bit down gently, feeling her body shiver beneath him. It was wild to him that this was happening - that they had gone from uncomfortable, unresolved tension to this intensity. Every little sound she made sent a thrill through him, and he couldn’t deny the satisfaction of seeing her marked by him. A possessive, primal part of him liked the idea more than he’d ever admit. He felt Serena’s nails press into his back as she met his rhythm, moving with purpose, and it took everything he had not to lose it right there. When she glanced down between them, and he followed her gaze, the sight was almost surreal, each deep thrust driving him into her, and they were really doing this. He couldn’t get over it, how close they were, how completely wrapped up in each other they’d become. The thought of her confronting him earlier, of her frustration and the uncertainty in her eyes, clashed with the way she was looking at him now - captivated, almost dazed. Her sharp gasp drew his attention, and he shifted slightly, adjusting his angle to keep giving her that feeling. He watched her face, the way she tilted her head to the side, trying to escape the intensity of their locked gazes. But he wasn’t having it - he wanted her to stay right there with him, so he pressed his lips to hers, kissing her deeply, his thumb brushing over her cheek as they moved together. He couldn’t help the low groan that escaped him, or the way his hands tightened on her hips, pulling her into him with every thrust. He wanted to stay like this forever, lost in the way she felt around him, the way she seemed to completely unravel beneath him. He didn’t have an answer to her question - not in words, anyway. All he could do was drive into her again, burying himself so deep that his breath hitched, and he let out a ragged gasp that turned into a groan. It felt too good to think beyond this moment, to question what any of it meant. When her fingers dug into his backside, urging him deeper, he complied, feeling her body react to every inch of him. He heard her cries soften against his neck, felt the gentle brush of her lips against his skin as she held him close, and something inside him softened too. As he felt her begin to unravel, her body tensing and arching beneath him, he followed, his hands bracing against the table to ground himself. “God, Serena,” he murmured, his voice barely audible over her whimpers. The way she called out his name, pleading and desperate, nearly undid him, and he knew he was done for. He intertwined his fingers with hers above her head, holding on as he felt her start to tremble, her climax washing over her in waves. Watching her come undone was like watching a wildfire burn bright - something mesmerizing and overwhelming that he couldn’t look away from. Her cries, the way she gripped him tighter, the way her body shuddered and arched - it was all too much, and not nearly enough. With one final, deep thrust, Morgan managed to pull out just before he followed her over the edge, groaning as the pleasure crashed over him. He felt the heat radiate through his entire body, his muscles tensing as he held her close. His face flushed, his breath heavy and ragged as he tried to find some semblance of composure, but he knew he’d never forget this. Not just because of the physical connection, but because of the look in her eyes - like maybe, just maybe, there was something more between them than either of them had dared to admit. In the lingering silence, with only the sound of their breathing filling the space, Morgan let his face bury in her neck and slowly let go of her hand, brushing his thumb over her knuckles. He didn’t say anything; he didn’t trust himself to find the right words.

SERENA

She was spent. Her arms and legs ached, and there was an added burn in her lower back from... well, thrusting in a way she’d never done before and on a dining table, no less. Also, she was pretty sure Morgan had left some spectacular bruises on her inner thighs, judging by the slight sting whenever they brushed against anything. But all of it had been worth it, if only for the weightless, drifting pleasure it left her in. They lay there, tangled together on his dining table, silence stretching between them with only the sound of their breaths slowly evening out. Serena kept her eyes on the ceiling, trying to process this—him, the fire that had pulled them together without a single rational thought and the fact that she didn’t exactly want to untangle herself from him just yet. Not at all. She felt him softening inside her, but she still didn’t move, wanting the connection to last just a little longer. This was their first time. It was probably their last. She felt helpless to make sense of it all because she was feeling so much. The last two months with him rushed over her, bringing with them the memories of his kindness, the way he’d been sweet and patient, never annoyed with her even when she’d been difficult in the cafeteria. The anxiety she’d felt when she thought he’d finally had enough of her personality... It all hit her at once, and it was almost cathartic. She couldn’t find words for it. Her eyes started watering without permission and it was a bless that he couldn’t see it with his head buried in her neck. She was fine, she was fine. Just... really, really alive right now. And although she probably wouldn’t be able to sit comfortably for the next few days, she’d never felt so cared for in her life. Not just because of how he’d touched her, but because of everything he’d done in the last two months leading up to this. Those thoughts almost undid her completely and she covered her eyes with her hand, wiping away a tear as quietly as she could. She was not going to cry here, he was not going to see that. Her mind started racing to rebuild her usual armor then, but her whole body felt heavy, like it wanted to rest in this rare, vulnerable moment, grounded by the warmth of his skin. She couldn’t think of anything witty to say and she definitely couldn’t tell him what was really on her mind. So instead, she nuzzled his neck again. She’d only just learned how much she liked that, with the only other person she’d ever connected with emotionally. But it was so much better with him, everything felt so much better with him. She had only recently started cuddling with Tina, but she didn’t know how he’d react to her wanting that. She tried to think of a way to put it as a matter of factly as possible then and only broke the silence when she was sure her voice wouldn’t betray her. “Alright, cowboy,” she started softly, her voice dropping as she added, “this table is fine and all, but what about we take the bed... if you’ll be cuddling me?”

MORGAN

SERENA

Serena woke up to the soft glow of morning light filtering through the curtains, her body comfortably intertwined with Tina's. An arm draped over her waist, a leg tangled with hers... positions Serena had once gone to great lengths to avoid, but now seemed to be second nature. Careful not to wake Tina, she slowly slid out of bed, tiptoeing to the bathroom. After showering, she brushed her teeth and applied her skincare products, her mind wandering to how much things had shifted between her and Tina. Just a few months ago, Serena would have made a hasty exit after a night together, too wary of getting too close. Now, they were on a trip, sharing more than just their bodies. The fear of repeating past mistakes lingered, yet they were discovering an unexpected ease in their casual arrangement. It was refreshing to realize that perhaps being just friends with benefits suited them perfectly after all. She stepped out and glanced back at the bed. Tina hadn’t moved an inch. She smirked, feeling an unfamiliar fondness as she quietly made her way downstairs to the kitchen, where the staff was asked to prepare breakfast for two. Once everything was set, Serena returned upstairs and quietly slipped back into the bedroom. She let herself admire the sight of Tina sleeping for a moment, then climbed onto the bed, gently straddling her, and leaned down. She placed soft, lingering kisses along Tina’s jawline while softly saying “good morning." She felt Tina stir beneath her but made no move to shift away, letting their bodies stay close. Serena’s mind briefly entertained thoughts of continuing where they left off last night, but her stomach grumbled in protest. Yeah, she needed to get more energy first. Come on, I'd love another three hours of sleep too, but we've got a yacht party to catch. If we don’t get up now, we’ll miss the departure and there’s no chance I’m going to have to helicopter us over because someone overslept,” she murmured against Tina’s skin, placing more kisses along her neck and jawline.

TINA

It wasn’t every day that Tina hooked up with her exes or even woke up someplace that wasn’t her own bed. She was a homebody at times, but she was learning to get out more, and not be at home with her cat all the time. She didn’t expect to be in a trip with an ex yesterday, but she was learning to be more spontaneous. She missed things with Serena, the way the other made her want to let loose and have more fun. She felt someone straddle her, and place kisses on her jawline. She wanted more and maybe even wake up with an orgasm but she was starting to get hungry, however she wanted more of the kisses, more of the others body on hers. She looked up at Serena’s words and smiled. “Hi.” She said before, kissing Serena back. “Do you have coffee?” Tina asked, her hands moving towards Serena’s hips. “And good morning.” She sat up to kiss Serena on the lips. “How do you know all these people who throw fancy parties all the time?”

SERENA

“I barely remember half the people at these things. It’s always a blur of ‘that’s some first minister’s son,’ or ‘that's some tech mogul who invented… I don’t know, something with apps.’” She gave a half-hearted shrug. “It’s a small world for us, the one percent,” she continued, casually, “Even if we don’t know each other, we’re bound to cross paths. This time, though, my father knows the parents of the host. They do business together, so I sort of grew up around him. Nice guy, but kind of dumb.” She tapped her finger lightly against Tina’s collarbone, as if considering the thought. “Honestly, I prefer it when our only connection is that we’re all a bunch of bored, wealthy kids trying to find new ways to have fun. Makes it easier to forget who I might’ve insulted the night before.” She laughed slightly and then leaned down, brushing her lips softly against Tina’s in a teasing, featherlight touch. “And yes, there's coffee... and pancakes,” she murmured, a hint of a smile forming as she lingered a moment longer, letting her body gently mold against Tina's while she kissed her deeply. Her body joined the fun soon after and before Serena knew it she was slowly rubbing against Tina. When she finally pulled back, catching her breath a little, her gaze lingered on Tina’s face, the playful edge softening just a touch. “I thought it’d be more fun than spending another weekend at my place, staring at the same old view. But if you’d rather stay in…” She let the words hang in the air.

TINA

Tina chuckled and shaked her head. She didn't know how Serena was so active and friendly all the time. She could never be a social butterfly like Serena. "Us nepo babies do have a small circle." She agrred with a nod of her head. She never liked using her mother's fame to beenfit her, but sometimes it could get in handy, like meeting different kinds of people, and honestly having a private jet at her disposal was better than getting yelled at by TSA. “You need to stop insulting people and be kinder.” She shook her head affectionately. She liked how bold her ex could be. She giggled as her felt Serena’s lips against hers. The other could be such a tease. Het hands went to Serena’s hair as they kissed, her hands moving to Serena’s hair. “Mhm, I guess I could get up.” Tina said. She moved to sit up, feeling her stomach grumble in hunger. “You know me so well.” She kissed Serena again before getting up. “I like your place. Your staff is so nice. All my mom’s assistants do is follow her around.” She rolled her eyes. “Now, where is my bra?” She looked around the room and picked up a shirt, sliding it on. She didn’t seriously need a bra anyways. She went over to her overnight bag and changed into some leggings. “Now you ready to get coffee?”

SERENA

Serena stretched leisurely, a small smile tugging at her lips as she watched Tina get ready. “You say that like I haven’t heard it a million times,” she teased, referencing Tina’s comment about being kinder. “Trust me, I used to be a lot worse. People can’t really complain when I throw something nasty out now and then.” She let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. “Tee, did you forget we flew to Dubai last night?” Her tone held a hint of genuine curiosity given the amount of alcohol consumed during the flight, it wouldn’t have been surprising. “Your bra’s back in L.A. I didn’t even think about asking the staff to pack it for this trip. So, it’s currently enjoying the California sun while we’re stuck here on the other side of the world.” Sliding off the bed, Serena took her time following Tina’s movements, her gaze lingering before she spoke again. “Guess this means we’ll just have to go shopping in Dubai.” A smirk formed on her lips as she turned to grab her phone from the nightstand, still teasing. She stretched once more, still feeling the effects of last night’s late hours and the mere few hours of sleep they’d gotten. Running a hand through her hair, Serena glanced back at Tina with a knowing smile. “And don’t worry about breakfast. The staff’s already got it all laid out for us.” She took Tina’s hand, intertwining their fingers as they started toward the door. “Think of it as a reward for being dragged out of bed so early,” she added, her tone playful yet affectionate.

TINA

“I guess being a mom softened you up.” She teased. She couldn’t imagine being a mom. Yeah, she had her cat to take care of and she called herself a cat mom, but a whole other human? That sounded scary and crazy to her. She rolled her eyes affectionately. “No, but I also did drink a lot.” Tina wasn’t the one to drink a lot, she wasn’t her 20’s anymore and couldn’t drink and not have a hangover the next day. She was older now and her body could not take drinking like a fish anymore. Thankfully she had a little packet of liquid IV in her purse so she wouldn’t be too affected by the hangover. She blushed slightly at the others words. She wasn’t used to someone else packing her bags, she preferred doing it herself, but she as much too busy with Serena to care. It was worth it, though. “Don’t let me leave without getting something for my niece and nephew.” She loved spoiling her niece and nephew, she was that kind of aunt. As they held hands, Tina wanted to ask the question that lingered over her head. What were they? She smiled as they walked to breakfast. “So.” She said once they sat down at breakfast. She took a long sip of her coffee. “What are we?” She asked.

SERENA

As they walked down the opulent marble staircase, the sunlight filtered through the grand floor to ceiling windows, casting golden hues across the villa. The air was laced with the scent of freshly brewed coffee and pastries, a preview of the breakfast waiting for them. They stepped into the elegant dining area, which boasted a stunning view of the Dubai skyline from its expansive terrace. The table was adorned with fine china, gleaming silverware and an array of healthy breakfast options: avocado toast topped with poached eggs, fresh fruit, greek yogurt with honey and organic teas. And of course, Tina's pancakes. Serena settled into her chair, shooting a playful smile at Tina. “So you think being a mom has softened me up? I resent that.” She laughed lightly, her tone teasing. “I prefer to think it’s made me busier so I don't have time to judge the way people choose to live.” She glanced at the meticulously arranged dishes, considering if she wanted to share more while the server poured her herbal tea. “But it’s mostly about therapy I think." At Tina's question, Serena paused, her fork hovering over her plate as she processed the words. Her brow furrowed slightly. “I thought we were casual." And hadn't she double checked it with Tina on that sunday they went to the Ritz? She set her fork down and looked at her ex, searching her face for answers. “Is that not how you see it anymore?” Oh boy.

TINA

The view outside was gorgeous and breathtaking and Tina mentally reminded herself to take a few pictures before she left. Serena had good taste, something she missed about the other. She knew how to break Tina out of her shell, push her out of her comfort zone to have fun and new adventures.Of course Serena had pancakes out for her, she knew her so well. Tina was touched that she remembered. It was the little things like that that made Tina’s heart swell for Serena. Tina chucked. “That’s good. Wish it softened up my mom.” She rolled her eyes, her mother was judgmental and critical of Tina. Serena seemed like an amazing mother and Tina was happy for her. “Therapy does help.” “Going to the Ritz and Dubai doesn’t seem casual to me.” She said. She put her coffee cup down. “I like us, I like spending time with you, but I’m just confused on what we are. I don’t want my heart broken by you again. I know we ended last time on good terms, but break ups suck no matter what, and we need to figure out what we are before I start catching deeper feelings again.” She took another long sip of her coffee. “But we can be casual, date other people, still hang out together and then reassess what we want.”

SERENA

“You know me, no matter what I say I always end up overdoing it.” Serena shrugged, her smile tinged with a bit of self-awareness. “But I’m not trying to whisk you away to luxury hotels or fancy trips to prove a point. I just… missed you. Thought we could use some time out of the chaos.”She leaned back, gaze softening as she held Tina’s. “I’m not here to hurt you, T. I’ve done that before and I won’t lie... I was a coward for running the way I did.” Serena paused, her fingers lightly tracing the rim of her tea cup as if searching for the right words. “I’m trying to figure things out too. But I get why you’d be confused...”Serena let out a small sigh, shaking her head lightly as she continued, her tone gentle yet firm. “Casual is… complicated with us. Because I like to think we've become friends? I like spending time with you. I like seeing you happy. But right now I don’t want more than this.”She gave Tina a wry smile, humor flickering in her eyes. “So if I have to stay in my lane, no Ritz and no fancy flights, I’ll do that."

TINA

“Okay.” She said nodding her head. That sounded reasonable. Maybe Tina had it in her head that there was something more. She nodded as Serena talked, sipping at her coffee. Although she was tired from jetting across the country and having lots and lots of sex with Serena, she wanted to have this talk with her and spend time with her in Dubai. She wanted to be with Serena, but Serena had a kid and Tina’s wasn’t even sure she wanted kids. She loved her niece and nephew, but she didn’t have a yearning to be a mother. “You don’t have to take me to the Ritz or other countries to make me happy. Going to brunch in LA makes me happy. I appreciate you taking me to these places and encouraging me to come out of my shell.” “So, what’s our plan for the day? Shopping and sex?”

SERENA

Serena tilted her head slightly, setting her cup down and letting out a soft, amused breath. “If brunch and a quiet day make you happy, then that’s what we can do next time.” Her gaze softened a bit, a glint of curiosity in her eyes. “If it meant something more though... We would do what, get back together?" Almost ten years had passed, they were adults now and Serena had Sadie. Dating in college was one thing, she could be immature and only accept the commitment because she didn't want to share Tina, but now... She'd need to be sure it was love. She supposes. God, when did she turn into that kind of person? She leaned back in her chair, her expression relaxing as she decided to stop dwelling on it. “As for today? Yeah, we can shop. Take it easy, grab lunch. And then... well, we’ll see where the day leads.” She picked up her tea again, a subtle smile playing on her lips. “Sounds good?”

TINA

A quiet day of having multiple orgasms and brunch with you makes me happy.” She said with a teasing smile. “I don’t know” she admitted. Tina wasn’t even sure she wanted to be a mother and dating someone with a kid seemed like a lot. Her own mother wasn’t an example of a great mother and Tina wasn’t sure what her role would be in Sadie’s life. Could she be ready to date someone with a kid? Was Serena worth it? Maybe. “That sounds fun.” She took a bite of her pancakes and smiled. “You know me so well.” She said shaking her head fondly. “So after shopping we can relax by the pool?”

SERENA