Annabelle felt heat rise in her cheeks. "So are you."
Raven leaned in, kissing her again, slower this time, more deliberate. Her hands skimmed down Annabelle's sides, thumbs brushing the edge of her bra, and Annabelle shivered.
"Cold?" Raven murmured against her lips.
"No," Annabelle breathed. "Definitely not cold."
Raven smiled, a real, genuine smile, and guided Annabelle backward until her knees hit the edge of the bed. They tumbledonto it together, limbs tangling, laughter bubbling up between kisses.
"This is ridiculous," Annabelle said, giggling as Raven's elbow nearly caught her in the ribs.
"Completely ridiculous," Raven agreed, but she was smiling too, and when she kissed Annabelle again, it was with a tenderness that made Annabelle's chest ache.
They took their time, unhurried and careful, learning the shape of each other. Raven's hands were gentle as they traced the curve of Annabelle's waist, the line of her hip. Annabelle's fingers threaded through Raven's hair, tugging softly, drawing out a quiet moan that sent heat pooling low in her belly.
"Okay?" Raven asked, her hand pausing at the button of Annabelle's jeans.
"More than okay," Annabelle whispered.
Raven unfastened the button, sliding the jeans down slowly, her touch reverent. When they were both finally bare, skin against skin, Annabelle felt herself relax into it, into Raven, into this moment, into the quiet certainty that this was exactly where she was meant to be.
Raven kissed her way down Annabelle's neck, across her collarbone, down to the soft swell of her breast. Annabelle's breath hitched, her hands gripping Raven's shoulders as her mouth found a nipple, tongue circling gently before closing around it.
"God," Annabelle gasped.
Raven hummed against her skin, moving to the other breast, taking her time, and Annabelle felt herself arching into the touch, desperate for more.
"Raven," she managed, her voice shaky. "Please."
"Please what?" Raven looked up at her, eyes dark and teasing.
"Touch me."
Raven's expression softened, and she slid a hand down Annabelle's stomach, between her thighs. The first touch was feather-light, almost tentative, and Annabelle bit her lip to keep from whimpering.
"Like this?" Raven asked, her fingers brushing against her center.
"Yes," Annabelle breathed. "Just like that."
Raven's touch grew firmer, more confident, fingers sliding through wetness, finding a rhythm that made Annabelle's toes curl. She kissed Annabelle deeply, swallowing her gasps and sighs, her own breathing quickening as Annabelle's hips began to move against her hand.
"You're so beautiful like this," Raven whispered against her mouth. "I could watch you forever."
Annabelle couldn't form words anymore. There was only sensation, Raven's fingers, Raven's mouth, the heat building inside her, tightening, coiling, until she couldn't hold it back any longer.
"Raven," she gasped, clinging to her. "I'm—"
"I've got you," Raven murmured, her fingers never faltering. "Let go. I've got you."
And Annabelle did. She let go, crying out as the pleasure crashed over her, wave after wave, Raven's name on her lips and Raven's arms wrapped around her, holding her as she shook and trembled and finally, slowly, came back to herself.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Raven woke to sunlight streaming through the bedroom window and the distinct sensation that the universe had tilted slightly on its axis.
Annabelle was already gone. She'd left early for school, pressing a kiss to Raven's forehead and whispering something about Year Three and a science experiment involving vinegar that Raven was fairly certain she'd dreamed. But the pillow still smelled like her shampoo, floral and sweet, and the sheets were warm where she'd been sleeping.
Raven lay there for a moment, staring at the ceiling, trying to catalog the feeling in her chest.
