“You sure you don't want some whiskey and cinnamon syrup in yours?” Evelyn asked as she handed Helen a mug of hot apple cider.

“I'm sure,” said Helen with a weak smile, taking the mug. “Too much whiskey lately.”

“Okay, fair,” said Evelyn, sitting down beside Helen. Helen took a sip of her cider and leaned against Evelyn's shoulder, eyes closed. Evelyn drank from her whiskey-infused apple cider and draped an arm around Helen, resting her hand on Helen's shoulder. “You okay with this?” she asked, her voice warm and low.

“You don't have to ask every time we cuddle,” Helen murmured.

“Yeah, but I wasn't drinking all those other times. Just wanted to make sure you trusted me to keep my hands to myself.”

Helen thought about the previous night, about Evelyn's arms wrapping cautiously around her as they settled down to sleep in Evelyn's bed for the first time. “I trust you,” she murmured.

Evelyn kissed Helen's hair. “Better make sure that trust isn't misplaced, then.” She picked up a folded blanket that was draped over the arm of the sofa, opened it, and placed it over hers and Helen's shoulders. Helen sighed and snuggled closer.

“I think some cinnamon syrup might be tasty,” Helen mumbled, “but I don't want to stop cuddling with you.”

“I'll get some for you,” said Evelyn, getting up, walking to the kitchen, and returning with the cinnamon syrup and a spoon. She handed the syrup to Helen, who added a small amount of the syrup to her cider, stirred it, and took a sip.

“It is tasty,” Helen concluded, “but not worth stopping cuddling with you.”

Evelyn chuckled as she sat back down beside Helen, who leaned against her again. “You're sappy today.”

Helen managed a smile. “Does that bother you?”

“Nah.” Evelyn kissed Helen's temple. “Just a little surprised by it.”

Helen chewed her lower lip, thinking. “Evelyn, would you mind closing the curtains?”

“Yeah, it's pretty bright in here, isn't it? Sure.”

Evelyn got up to close the curtains. Helen watched Evelyn to make sure her back was turned and quickly unbuttoned her pajama top, then covered herself with the blanket. Evelyn walked back to the couch and sat down beside Helen, reaching to slip an arm around her, and Helen slowly lowered the blanket, hands shaking.

“Whoa.” Evelyn averted her eyes, too surprised to do anything else. “Use your words, Helen.”

Helen took one of Evelyn’s hands between her two. “Do you want to touch me?”

“We’ve been over this.” Evelyn sounded flustered. “Only if it’s your idea, and I don’t mean the ‘I’m going to let Evelyn use me because I don’t care what happens to me anymore’ kind of idea.”

“This is a very different kind of idea,” Helen insisted. “I want you to touch me. Please, Evelyn.”

Evelyn took a deep breath. “Okay. Get comfortable.”

Helen lay back against the sofa cushions and Evelyn leaned over and kissed her soundly. Helen tangled her hands in Evelyn’s soft hair and returned her kisses. Helen tilted her head back when Evelyn left off kissing her mouth to trace her jaw line with her lips, then kiss her way down Helen’s neck to her collarbones, then lower. Evelyn made a low noise that was more whimper than moan as her lips brushed the swell of Helen’s right breast.

“You’re perfect.” Evelyn’s voice was strained.

“Thank you.” Helen pushed her hands through Evelyn’s hair.

Evelyn pressed an open-mouthed kiss to Helen’s delicate skin and Helen gasped aloud. “You okay?” Evelyn mumbled.

“Yes. Don’t stop, sweetie.”

Helen pressed encouragingly on the back of Evelyn’s head. Evelyn moaned as she leaned down to cover Helen’s chest with soft, almost shy kisses. “Goddamn…” Evelyn breathed.

“Enjoying yourself?” Helen teased with a small smile.

“Yeah. Especially if you’re feeling good enough to tease me.” Evelyn took one of Helen’s nipples between her lips. Helen moaned, wrapping her hands around fistfuls of Evelyn’s hair.

“Ohh...just like that, Evelyn…”

Evelyn acceded enthusiastically, pulling Helen’s nipple deeper into her mouth and caressing it with her tongue. She slid one hand up Helen’s ribs to gently cradle and knead her other breast. Helen gasped and slid her hands down to Evelyn’s shoulders, gripping tightly.

“Oh, sweetie, yes…”

Evelyn lifted her head slightly. “You like that?”

Helen nodded. “Yeah.”

Evelyn did, moving her mouth to Helen’s other breast and lifting one hand to caress Helen’s face. Helen took Evelyn’s hand and squeezed it. “Evelyn, sweetie, this feels so good, but I think I need you to stop.”

Evelyn sat up and dropped a tiny kiss on Helen’s nose. “You okay?”

“I’m fine,” Helen assured her. “Can I...can I try doing that for you?”

Evelyn couldn’t hold back her smile. “If you want.”