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Following the night of possibly one of Baran’s worst shifts of her life at work, instead of going straight home to her warm bed, somehow she finds herself in a small club just a few minutes away from the ER. The overhead lights were dimmed low, hues of purple and red lights washing over the room in slow pulses. Music rattled through the floor beneath her shoes. People laughed. Danced. Shouted over one another.
Baran sat at the bar, occupying the seat farthest from everyone else. She wasn’t even sure why she’d come. The first drink had been an excuse to sit somewhere that wasn’t her apartment. The second had been an attempt to stop replaying the shift in her head.
Neither had worked. Every time she blinked, she was back in that ER. Back in the noise, the disappointment. Back in the feeling that she’d somehow managed to fail everyone all at once.
Her fingers tightened around the sweating glass. The ice clinked softly. Pathetic.
The word surfaced before she could stop it. Baran let out a humorless laugh and looked down at the amber liquid. She knew better than this. She knew exactly what alcohol did to grief. To guilt. To exhaustion. It didn’t solve anything. It just made you sit with it longer.
Around her, strangers moved in clusters. Friends with their arms around one another. Couples leaning close enough to hear each other speak. Baran had spent fifteen hours surrounded by people and somehow had never felt more alone.
The realization stung. She swallowed hard and stared at the bottles lining the shelves behind the bar. For a moment, she considered calling someone.
Her ex-husband even. Anyone.
But the thought alone made embarrassment curl hot in her stomach. What would she even say? Hi, it’s me. I’m sitting alone in a nightclub after crying in the hospital parking lot.
She could practically hear how ridiculous it sounded. So instead she ordered another drink. The bartender slid it toward her without question. Baran accepted it with a small nod. Maybe she’d stay another ten minutes. Maybe twenty. Then she’d go home. Sleep. Pretend tomorrow would somehow feel different.
The entrance door opened. A gust of cool air slipped inside. Baran didn’t look up at first. She barely registered another person entering the club. Then she heard a familiar voice.
“Baran?”
Her entire body went rigid. No. Slowly, reluctantly, she turned.
Of all people.
Cassie McKay stood a few feet away, wearing a black tank top and a pair of baggy pants. Her red hair was messier than usual, dark circles shadowing her eyes after the shift. She looked equally exhausted.
And equally surprised. For a second, neither of them spoke. Baran wished the floor would open beneath her. Because this wasn’t just anyone finding her here. It was Cassie. Cassie, who had spent the entire shift watching everyone unravel. Cassie, who somehow always noticed when people were struggling, no matter how hard they tried to hide it.
Cassie’s gaze flickers to the drink in front of Baran. Then to the empty glass beside it. Then back to Baran. Not judgmental. Just concerned. Which somehow felt worse. Baran immediately looked away.
“Cassie.” Her voice came out quieter than intended. “What are you doing here?”
Cassie let out a tired laugh. “I was gonna ask you the same thing.”
Baran stared stubbornly at her glass. “ I wanted a drink.”
“Hmm.” The response was so unmistakably Cassie that Baran almost rolled her eyes. A beat of silence passed. Then, without asking, Cassie slid into the empty seat beside her. Baran felt heat crawl up the back of her neck.
“You don’t have to do that,” she muttered.
“Do what?”
“Sit here.”
Cassie leaned one arm against the bar. “You look like you’ve been having a pretty terrible night.”
Baran let out a short laugh. “Observant.”
“I’m serious.” “I know.”
The gentleness in her own voice surprised her. Another silence settled between them. Not awkward. Not exactly comfortable either. Just…there.
Cassie glanced at the drink in front of her. “How many have you had?”
Baran immediately narrowed her eyes. “You’re a cop now?”
“That’s not an answer.” “It’s enough.”
Casie groaned dramatically. “Baran.” The resident finally looked over. Cassie was already staring at her. Tired. Concerned. Annoyingly persistent. Baran sighed. “Three.” Cassie’s eyebrows lifted. “Three?” “They weren’t very strong.” “Still.” Baran rolled her eyes and reached for her glass.
“Don’t.”
The word came out before Cassie could stop herself. Baran paused. “What?”
Cassie leaned forward slightly. “Don’t drive home.” Baran stared at her. “Cassie.”
“I’m serious.”
“I’m fine.”
“You’ve been drinking.” "I'm not drunk."
"That's not the point.”
Baran let out a long breath through her nose. God. This woman was impossible.
"Cassie, I appreciate the concern, but I am perfectly capable of getting myself home."
"Okay." Cassie nodded. Then immediately added, "No."
Baran blinked. "No?"
"No." A smile tugged at Cassie's mouth despite herself. "You look exhausted, you've been crying—"
"I was not crying." "You absolutely were."
"I wasn't."
"You had mascara on your cheek."
Baran groaned and covered her face with one hand. Cassie looked far too pleased with herself.
"Anyway," Cassie continued, "you've been drinking, and you're exhausted. I'm driving you home."
The statement was so confident that Baran actually laughed. "You?"
"Yes, me."
"You realize you don't have a car." Cassie's confidence vanished. For half a second. Then she pointed a finger at Baran. "That's not important." "It feels pretty important."
"I'll drive your car."
"No." "Why not?"
"Because it's my car." Cassie looked genuinely offended. "You think I'd crash it?" "I think you'd put sticky notes on the dashboard."
"I would not." "You absolutely would."
"I'd only do one.”
Baran couldn't stop the smile threatening at the corner of her mouth. Cassie immediately noticed. Of course, she did.
"There she is."
The smile vanished. Cassie looked even more pleased. "I knew you were in there somewhere."
"You're insufferable."
"I've been told that." By you, mostly. The words remained unspoken. Something shifted in the space between them. Not enough to be dangerous. Just enough for Baran to notice. Cassie's eyes were warm. Steady. Focused entirely on her. And after the day she'd had, after everything that had happened, being looked at with that much uncomplicated care felt almost overwhelming.
Baran looked away first. "Why do you care so much?" The question slipped out before she could stop it. Cassie's expression softened. The teasing disappeared instantly.
Because despite all her stubbornness, Cassie always seemed to know when something mattered.
"Because you're my friend."
Baran swallowed. Friend. Such a simple word. Such a safe one. Cassie continued before she could respond. "And because you looked miserable when you left work."
Baran stared at the bottles behind the bar. "Cassie..."
And because nobody should have to sit alone after a day like today." The sincerity in her voice made Baran's chest ache. She hated that. Hated how easily Cassie could say something kind and make every wall she'd spent years building feel a little less solid. For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Cassie bumped her shoulder lightly. "So."
"No."
"I haven't even said anything yet."
"I know where this is going." "I'm driving you home."
"No."
"Baran."
"Cassie."
"Baran."
The younger woman groaned dramatically and let her head fall back. "You are impossible." "And yet you're still sitting here with me." Baran shot her a look. Cassie's grin widened. Challenge accepted. "Cassie, how exactly are you planning on getting home afterward?"
"I'll Uber."
Baran blinked. "What?"
Cassie shrugged.
"I was taking public transportation home anyway. Didn't bring my car. Trying to save gas."
"You were going to take a bus after a twelve-hour shift?" "It builds character." "It builds resentment." Cassie laughed. The sound caught Baran off guard. Warm. Easy. Entirely too pleasant.
"So I'll drive you home," Cassie continued. "Then I'll call an Uber from your place."
"That's ridiculous."
"It's practical."
"It's not."
"It is."
"Cassie."
"Baran."
The way she said her name made something twist in Baran's stomach.
Not uncomfortable. Just dangerous. Cassie was looking at her again. That same infuriatingly gentle look. Like she wasn't a senior resident. Like she wasn't someone who always had to hold herself together. Like she was simply a person who had a bad day. A person worth taking care of.
"You don't have to do this," Baran said quietly. Cassie's expression softened further. "I know."
The answer landed harder than Baran expected. No obligation. Not pity. Choice. Cassie was choosing to do this for Baran.
Baran suddenly found the condensation on her glass very interesting. "You know," she muttered, "you're incredibly stubborn."
"I've heard that too."
"It's not a compliment."
"I know."
_________________________________
The drive across the city had been surprisingly easy. Maybe because neither of them had the energy left to argue. Maybe because every time the silence threatened to become awkward, Cassie filled it with some ridiculous story from work. By the time they pulled into Baran's apartment complex, the knot in Baran's chest had loosened enough for her to notice. Cassie parked carefully between the lines and immediately reached for her phone.
"Alright."
Baran glanced over. Cassie was already opening her Uber app.
"What are you doing?"
"What does it look like I'm doing?"
"Calling an Uber."
"Correct.”
Baran stared at her. Cassie stared back. The streetlights illuminated the tiredness in her face. The dark circles beneath her eyes. The way she was clearly running on fumes. And yet she'd spent the last hour making sure Baran got home safely. Before she could think better of it, the words slipped out.
"You could come upstairs." Cassie froze. Baran froze. For one horrifying second, neither of them moved.
"...What?"
Baran immediately regretted opening her mouth.
"I just mean—" Wonderful. Great start. "You don't have to leave immediately."
Cassie's expression softened.
"Oh."
"It would be stupid to spend money on an Uber right now."
"Right."
"And it's late." "Very late."
"And..." Baran trailed off. God. Why was this so difficult? Cassie watched her struggle for another second before a small smile appeared.
"You want to hang out with me."
Baran narrowed her eyes. "Don't make this weird." "You invited me into your apartment."
"Because you're exhausted."
"You like me." "I tolerate you."
Cassie's grin widened. "There she is."
Baran rolled her eyes and opened the car door. The ride up in the elevator was somehow worse.
Not because anything happened. Because nothing happened. Cassie stood beside her with her hands in her pockets, occasionally glancing over with a smile she was clearly trying—and failing—to suppress. Baran could practically feel it. The second they stepped into her apartment, Cassie stopped. The space was clean. Organized. Almost aggressively so. Everything had a place. Everything except, apparently, Baran herself.
"Huh."
Baran dropped her keys onto the counter.
"What?"
"This is exactly what I imagined."
"What does that mean?" Cassie shrugged. "It means if I open one of those cabinets, I'm probably going to find labels."
"There are labels."
"I knew it." Baran groaned. Cassie's laughter filled the apartment. Warm. Comfortable. Dangerously easy. For a moment, Baran simply watched her. The way her shoulders relaxed.
The way she looked completely at home despite having never been here before. Most people made Baran feel like she had to perform. Like she had to be impressive.
Cassie never seemed interested in any of that. She just wanted Baran. Messy parts included.
The realization was unsettling. "So." Cassie flopped onto the couch without invitation.
"How many people have actually been in this apartment?" Baran crossed her arms. "A normal amount."
"That's not a number."
"It's enough."
"So three." Baran fought the urge to smile. "You're incredibly annoying."
"And yet you invited me upstairs." Cassie looked entirely too pleased with herself.
Baran shook her head. "You know, for someone who spent the whole night worrying about me, you're awfully smug." "Because I won."
"You didn't win anything."
"I got invited into the secret Baran apartment."
"That's not a thing."
"It absolutely is." Cassie stretched out on the couch. Like she belonged there. Like she wasn't intimidated by Baran in the slightest. It should have irritated her. Instead, Baran found herself smiling despite herself. The sight clearly caught Cassie off guard. Her teasing faltered.
Just for a second. And suddenly the air felt different. Quieter.
More intimate. Cassie looked at her for a moment longer than necessary.
"So..."
Her voice was softer now. "Feeling any better?" The question caught Baran off guard.
Because beneath all the teasing, that had always been the point. Cassie cared. Simple as that.
Baran looked away first.
"A little."
Cassie's smile returned. Smaller this time. More genuine. "Good."
The apartment fell quiet after that. Not awkward. Just... still. Cassie remained curled into the corner of the couch, one arm draped across the back cushion. For once, she wasn't filling every silence with a joke. She simply watched Baran. Baran hated how aware she was of it. Of Cassie.
Of the way she always seemed to take up space without demanding it. Of the way she'd spent the entire evening refusing to leave Baran alone with her thoughts.
Nobody had asked her to do that. She'd just stayed.
Baran leaned against the kitchen counter, crossing her arms.
"You know," she said after a moment, "most people would've gone home already.”
Cassie smiled. "Probably."
"You should have."
"Probably."
Baran narrowed her eyes. Cassie only looked more amused.
"You always this stubborn?”
"Only when I care about something." The answer came easily.
The smile slipped from Baran's face. For a moment, neither of them looked away. Cassie seemed to realize what she'd said at the same time Baran did. The teasing disappeared.
Leaving behind something quieter. More honest.The city lights filtered through the apartment windows, painting soft shadows across the room. Baran suddenly became aware of how close they actually were. Not physically. Just... emotionally. Closer than she'd intended. Closer than was probably smart.
She should've ended the night. Told Cassie to call her an Uber. Thanked her for the ride. That would've been the responsible thing to do. Instead, she found herself walking toward the couch.
Cassie's attention followed her immediately. Always attentive. Always watching. Baran stopped in front of her. Close enough now that she could see the faint freckles across Cassie's nose. The exhaustion in her eyes. The concern that still hadn't fully left.
"You worry too much."
Cassie's lips twitched. "So I've been told."
"You're impossible."
"Also been told."
A reluctant smile tugged at the corner of Baran's mouth. Cassie's expression softened immediately at the sight of it. Like she'd accomplished something. Like getting Baran to smile mattered. The realization made something warm settle in Baran's chest. Something she wasn't entirely prepared to examine. For once, Cassie didn't make a joke.
Didn't tease. Didn't push. She just looked at her.
And somehow that felt more dangerous than anything else. Baran's gaze dropped briefly to her mouth before she could stop herself. When she looked back up, Cassie's expression had changed.
Not dramatically. Just enough. Enough for Baran to know she'd noticed. The air between them seemed to tighten. Neither moved. Neither spoke.
"Baran," Cassie said quietly.
The sound of her name in Cassie's voice did something unfortunate to her ability to think. Baran let out a slow breath. This was a bad idea. A complicated idea. An idea she should absolutely walk away from.
Instead, she stepped closer.
Cassie's eyes widened slightly. Giving Baran every opportunity to stop. Every opportunity to change her mind.
She didn't. Cassie met her halfway. The kiss was soft. Tentative. Brief. More a question than an answer.
When they finally pulled apart, neither of them moved very far. Baran could still feel the warmth of her. Could still see the surprise lingering in Cassie's expression. For the first time all night, Cassie seemed completely speechless. Which, honestly, was impressive. Baran swallowed. Cassie blinked
once. Twice. Then a slow smile began to appear.
“Fuck you.” Baran breathed out before crashing her lips into Cassie’s again. This time, they could practically feel the need and hunger dripping off of each other.
The kiss was messy. Desperate. All teeth and breath and no grace at all.
Cassie made a soft, surprised noise against Baran’s mouth before melting into it, hands flying up to tangle in her hair like she’d been waiting forever for this exact moment.
She kissed Baran like she wanted to devour her whole; one hand gripping tight at the base of her neck while the other slid down to pull their bodies flush together.
A quiet whimper escaped Cassie when Baran bit gently on her lower lip before soothing it with a slow drag of tongue over skin.
This wasn’t careful or sweet anymore. This was hunger unleashed; four months’ worth of tension snapping between them in seconds under flickering hospital lights that did nothing but cast shadows across their feverish faces.
Their breathing mingled together, ragged and uneven. Cassie shifted forward, almost on instinct, seeking more contact without breaking the connection between their lips. It was messy and urgent and desperate, and Cassie had never wanted anything more in her life. The faint press of Baran's body against her own sent chills up Cassie's spine. She pressed back, hands roaming lower, almost possessive. Baran's fingers threaded up through her hair, tugging lightly, pulling her impossibly closer. Cassie made a strangled sound in her mouth.
Baran only parted for a moment so she could easily straddle Cassie's lap, looking down at her, how pathetic Cassie looked, her lips swollen and shiny from shared saliva. "You look so pretty, baby.."
A whimper escaped Cassie’s mouth at Baran’s words. Her condescending tone. It was all too much. Cassie was sure she soaked through her panties at this point.
“Who knew you’d be so whiny.” Baran smirked, tugging her tank top off quickly, throwing it across the room along with her bra.
A strangled sound escaped Cassie’s mouth as she took in the sight. It took every ounce of willpower she had not to touch her instantly. Not yet. God, not yet. Her gaze lingered on the expanse of skin before her. Cassie wanted desperately to reach out. Run her hands over her body. Memorize the planes and shapes. But Baran seemed content to just sit there. Watching her. Taunting her.
"Open your mouth."
Cassie’s lips parted instantly, obedient before she even thought about it. Her pulse pounded in her throat. Baran tangled her free hand in Cassie's messy hair, guiding her mouth to suck on her tit. Baran's head fell back as she felt the warmth of Cassie's mouth around her. Humming as Cassie devoured her.
"Greedy girl.."
Cassie didn't answer. She couldn't. Her mouth stayed busy, worshiping every inch of Baran's skin within reach. The taste of her was intoxicating; warm and salty with the faintest hint of perfume lingering on her collarbone. She switched to the other breast without asking, without hesitation. Just pure need driving each movement, as she lavished attention there, too, with equal fervor.
“You like that, don’t you, baby?”
Cassie moaned around her mouthful, the vibration sending a shiver through Baran’s body. She pulled back just enough to speak, lips glistening.
“Mmm… yeah,” she admitted shamelessly, voice thick with want. Her hands finally moved, sliding up Baran’s bare sides before cupping her breasts again like they were something sacred.
"Can you help me with something, honey?" Baran practically whispered as she brushed Cassie's hair out of her face. Cassie lifted her head with some difficulty, gaze drifting to Baran's. She looked wrecked already.
"Yeah?" She murmured, shifting underneath her, hips rolling against nothing. "Anything."
Baran smiled at that. She crawled off Cassie’s lap, back pressed against the couch cushion. She didn’t hesitate to grasp Cassie's hands and guide them, hooking her fingers into the waistband of her scrub pants, encouraging her to pull them off. Cassie's hands immediately went to the waistband of her scrubs, fumbling with the drawstring. Her fingers were clumsy from nerves and arousal.
She tugged them down Baran’s hips along with whatever she was wearing underneath - not even bothering to be careful about it. The fabric pooled at Baran’s thighs as Cassie stared up at her now fully exposed body, mouth dry.
"Fuck, you're gorgeous," Cassie breathed out. Her hands hovered over Baran's thighs for a second before she finally touched - fingers brushing the soft skin there. Her palms slid upward slowly, mapping every curve like she was memorizing her. She leaned forward then and pressed an open-mouthed kiss to Baran’s stomach.
“You’re helpless.” Cassie didn't even try to deny it.
"I know," she admitted shamelessly, pressing another kiss lower on Baran's stomach.
Her hands squeezed her thighs again before sliding around to grip the cheeks of her ass. Cassie had never been this turned on in her life. Baran could probably do anything right now, and Cassie would let her. Baran guided Cassie down on her knees in front of her on the couch so that her heat was eye level with Cassie, legs spread enough for Cassie to fit perfectly. Cassie didn’t hesitate.
She leaned forward, pressing her lips to the warmth between Baran's legs. Her hands tightened on her thighs as she kissed slowly - testing, tasting.
The first real contact made Cassie shudder with need. She opened her mouth slightly and dragged the flat of her tongue upward in one long stroke. A soft noise escaped Baran. Her hips lifted slightly, pushing against Cassie’s tongue. Her tongue explored properly now - circling, licking, teasing. She didn’t rush. Not yet. One hand slid up to grip Baran’s hip while the other stayed anchored on her thigh. Every flick of Cassie's tongue was deliberate - trying to learn what made Baran twitch or gasp.
Baran's hands tangled in Cassie’s hair again, and her hands gripped the locks hard. There was something so satisfying about seeing Cassie like this. Down on her knees, between her legs, completely desperate for a taste. Baran tugged harshly, forcing Cassie's face against her. "Keep going." She ordered in a low growl. She felt Cassie shiver against her. A small, pitiful whine escaped Cassie in response. The sharp sting of her grip only fueled the heat coiling in her gut. She pressed her face closer, letting her mouth work hungrily - licking and sucking. The taste of Baran was all she could process. She needed more. She wanted more.
Cassie whined again, hips rocking against nothing. She was so close already. Just from this. Just from being at Baran's mercy. Just as Cassie felt herself teetering on the edge, Baran pulled away suddenly, tugging her back by the hair. A frustrated whine left Cassie. She stared up at her, mouth wet, chest heaving, eyes begging. Baran smirked, tugging a little harder until Cassie was forced to look up at her.
"Not yet," she said, tone mocking. "Not until I say you're allowed." Cassie made a small, helpless sound deep in her throat. She hated how much she wanted to obey. How good it felt to listen to the command in Baran's voice.
Cassie didn’t need to be told twice. She dove back in, mouth sealing over Baran with renewed hunger. Her tongue worked faster now; less careful, more desperate. Every flick was meant to draw out a reaction. Her hands gripped tighter as she sucked lightly on her clit before swirling around it again and again.
“Oh fuck Cassie.. I-”
Cassie moaned against her at the words - the confirmation that she was bringing her close. The thought of making her lose all control, just like this.
"Please," she mumbled the word against her skin, like a prayer. Her tongue kept working even as she spoke. "Please. Let me -"
Cassie didn't even know what she was asking for. Just that it was important. She hadn't let up for a second. She could feel Baran tensing under her, the way her thighs trembled around Cassie's head. The sounds she was making - sharp little breaths and whimpers that made Cassie dizzy with power. Her tongue moved faster, more insistent now as she chased that moment of release for Baran.
"Cassie, I'm gonna-"
Baran's warning came out as a broken gasp. Her fingers tightened painfully in Cassie's hair, not pushing her away but holding on like she might drown. The next second, Baran was coming apart, back arching off the couch, thighs clamping around Cassie’s head as wave after wave of pleasure crashed through her. Cassie's world shrank down to the feeling of Baran's legs trembling around her head. The sounds she was making, the soft, needy whimpers that echoed around the room. Cassie was drunk on it. On the taste of her. On the knowledge that she was the cause.
She kept licking through her release, wanting to draw it out as long as she could, until Baran was a trembling, boneless mess underneath her. "Enough," Baran gasped out, finally tugging Cassie's head away. She was breathing heavily, still trembling with aftershocks. Cassie pulled back with a final, long lick, relishing in the shiver it caused before she sat back on her heels, wiping her face on the back of her hand. For a moment, they just looked at each other. Both of them panting, flushed, messy.
Then Baran smirked. Baran grabbed Cassie's chin, tilting her face up.
"Did you like that?" she asked, voice low and rough. Cassie blinked rapidly before nodding eagerly. "So much," she admitted immediately. No filter, no shame. Baran grinned then and kissed her hard. Cassie melted against her, the needy whine in her throat turning into a full moan when Baran nipped at her bottom lip. Her body felt like it was on fire. Cassie's hips rocked forward without conscious thought - seeking friction.
"Please," the word escaped her again before she could stop it. "Please. I need -"
Baran pulled back from the kiss, her lips swollen and wet. She reached down between them, fingers brushing over Cassie’s clothed heat through the thin fabric of her pants.
“You need what?” Baran teased softly - already knowing exactly what she needed but wanting to hear it anyway.
"Fuck, Baran," Cassie whined. Her hips bucked into the touch instinctively. She was so wet already - embarrassingly so. Cassie reached down and grabbed Baran’s wrist desperately, trying to guide her hand under the fabric of her pants. Baran didn’t hesitate. She slid her hand under the waistband of Cassie’s pants, fingers brushing against damp fabric beneath.
“Jesus,” she muttered at how soaked Cassie already was.
Without warning, Baran pushed two fingers inside - firm and deliberate. A strangled cry left Cassie's mouth again as she threw her arms around Baran's neck, burying her face in the crook of her shoulder. She was so worked up, body already thrumming with need after everything. Cassie rocked down against her hand, desperate for the friction. Her heart was hammering inside her chest. She was sure Baran could feel it. Baran curled her fingers up just right - aiming for the spot that made Cassie see stars. Her free hand gripped Cassie's hip, nails digging in just enough to keep her steady.
"Is this what you needed?" she asked, voice low in Cassie's ear.
She moved her fingers in tiny little circles, slow and teasing.
"You're so desperate for it, aren't you?" Cassie’s breathing hitched. She clung to Baran like a lifeline, her body burning with every small movement of those fingers inside her.
“Y-yeah,” she stammered out between panting breaths.
Her hips jerked forward again - chasing the pleasure that was building fast and hot in her stomach. "Good girl," Baran purred against her ear, adding a third finger just to hear Cassie whine again.
Cassie felt like she was unraveling. Every nerve was on fire. Her eyes were fluttering shut as she moved against Baran's hand
"Please. Yes. I -"
Her entire body tensed as that familiar heat coiled tighter and tighter in her stomach. Cassie was right there, on the edge, so so close. And then. Baran’s lips curved into a satisfied smile as she felt Cassie tense under her touch. She could see the exact moment it hit; the way Cassie's breath stuttered, how her muscles locked up. Baran leaned in and kissed her hard just as she tipped over the edge, swallowing every broken moan that escaped from between their pressed lips. Baran kept kissing her through the waves of pleasure, fingers still moving gently inside Cassie as she rode it out.
She could feel every shudder, every tremble that ran through Cassie's body.
When they finally broke apart for air, both gasping, Baran pressed their foreheads together.
“You did so well,” she breathed out with a dazed laugh. Cassie was still catching her breath, chest rising and falling rapidly. Her entire body felt like liquid. She didn't want to move. Didn't want Baran to pull away yet. Instead, she nuzzled closer, pressing lazy kisses along Baran's jawline. Each one soft, slow, tender even. Baran's smile widened at the feeling of those kisses.
She withdrew her hand gently from Cassie's pants, the movement making Cassie shiver again. Baran wrapped her arms around Cassie's waist, pulling her closer. They stayed like that for a few long minutes, Cassie draped across Baran's lap, resting against her shoulder. Baran's fingers traced light patterns across Cassie's spine, drawing invisible lines along her skin.
“So… I’m assuming you’ll be staying the night?” Baran asked lightly. Cassie hummed in response, still feeling like she couldn't quite form words yet. She buried her face in the crook of Baran's neck, breathing in the familiar scent that was slowly becoming comfortingly familiar. It only took her a few more moments to summon up enough energy to actually speak.
"Yeah," she mumbled into soft skin, "Definitely staying."