Chapter 21
The morning on set was yet again alive with movement—lights being adjusted, crew members rushing to their places, last-minute touch-ups to hair and makeup.
Carina DeLuca, or rather Dr. Russo, stood by the hospital bed, flipping through the prop chart in her hands. She adjusted her white coat, but her usual composure was slightly off. Maya could see it in the way she shifted her weight, the way her fingers tapped lightly against the clipboard.
Maya—Dr. Greene—wasn’t faring much better.
They’d done kissing scenes before. Hell, it was part of the job. But this? This felt different.
The script called for a moment of tension, a heated exchange of words, and then a desperate, unexpected kiss. But when the director, Andy Herrera, called “Action,” something in the air shifted.
They fell into their roles seamlessly. Carina’s eyes burned into hers, her Italian accent wrapping around the words like a slow caress.
“You drive me insane,” Dr. Russo muttered, stepping closer.
Maya swallowed, her heartbeat pounding in her ears. “Then why are you still here?”
And then Carina kissed her.
It was supposed to be just for the scene, but the moment their lips met, the heat between them reignited. It wasn’t just acting. There was real history behind it now—real touches, real whispers, real nights spent tangled in the sheets together.
The kiss deepened instinctively, bodies pressing closer than strictly necessary. Maya’s hand found Carina’s waist, pulling her in like she meant it. Because she did.
A sharp voice cut through the charged moment.
“Cut!”
The silence that followed was deafening.
Miranda Bailey, the producer, crossed her arms, watching them with a knowing look. Next to her, Andy Herrera raised an eyebrow, a slow smirk creeping onto her lips.
“Well, that was new,” Andy commented, exchanging a glance with Bailey.
Maya and Carina stepped back, breathing hard, eyes flickering toward each other like two people who had been caught red-handed.
Bailey let out a sigh, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Tell me I don’t need to have an HR meeting about this.”
Carina, ever the picture of confidence, smirked slightly, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear. “We’re professionals,” she said smoothly, though the slight flush on her cheeks said otherwise.
Maya cleared her throat. “Yeah. Just…really in the moment.”
Andy’s smirk widened. “Right. And I’m guessing that ‘moment’ started off set?”
Neither of them answered, but the look on their faces said enough.
Bailey groaned. “Actors,” she muttered, shaking her head as she walked off.
Andy clapped her hands together, grinning. “Well, I love it. Whatever’s going on between you two? Keep it up. That was gold.”
As the crew reset for another take, Carina leaned in, her breath warm against Maya’s ear.
“Told you our chemistry was undeniable,” she whispered.
Maya smirked, trying to ignore the way her pulse jumped.
Yeah. They were so screwed.
-----------
Carina had barely stepped off set when she heard Miranda Bailey’s voice behind her.
“Carina,” Bailey called, her tone light but laced with something that made Carina pause.
Carina turned, hands in the pockets of her white coat. “Miranda,” she greeted smoothly.
Bailey gave her a long, knowing look. “Walk with me.”
Carina fell into step beside her as they moved toward Bailey’s office. The second the door shut behind them, Bailey turned to her with an unimpressed stare.
“So,” she said, arms crossed. “You and Dr. Greene, huh?”
Carina arched an eyebrow, playing innocent. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Bailey let out a sharp laugh. “Oh, please. I’ve been in this industry too long to fall for that. That kissing scene? That wasn’t just acting. That was personal.”
Carina smirked but said nothing.
Bailey narrowed her eyes. “I swear, you always think you’re subtle. Like I wouldn’t notice the extra—what do you call it? —‘spice’ in that scene?” She made air quotes around the word. “Let me guess, you two finally hooked up and now you think no one can tell?”
Carina tilted her head. “Is it that obvious?”
Bailey scoffed. “Obvious? Obvious?” She threw up her hands. “Honey, if it were any more obvious, it’d have its own headline.” She mimed reading an imaginary newspaper. “‘Carina DeLuca And Maya Bishop: Art Imitates Life, and Life is Steamy as Hell!’”
Carina chuckled. “Well, that’s a bit dramatic.”
Bailey shot her a look. “I’m dramatic? Me?” She shook her head. “I mean, come on. I was expecting a kissing scene, not a declaration of undying love.”
Carina laughed, shaking her head. “It wasn’t that bad.”
Bailey gave her a pointed look. “Andy Herrera had to call ‘Cut’ twice because y’all didn’t hear her the first time. You kept going.”
Carina bit her lip to suppress a smile. “…We were in the moment.”
Bailey threw herself into her chair, shaking her head. “Yeah, yeah. And now I gotta deal with the fallout when half the crew starts placing bets on whether you two will keep it professional.”
Carina leaned forward. “And what’s your bet?”
Bailey smirked. “Oh, I’m not betting. I already know how this ends.”
Carina raised an eyebrow. “Do you?”
Bailey nodded. “Yep. One of you is gonna panic, the other’s gonna pretend to be chill, and you’re both gonna make a mess of things before figuring out you’re already screwed—and not just in the fun way.”
Carina blinked. “That is oddly specific.”
Bailey shrugged. “I’ve seen it before. But hey, what do I know? I’m just the producer.” She leaned back in her chair, looking far too amused. “Now, get outta here before I start charging you for therapy.”
Carina grinned, pushing off the desk. “Grazie, Bailey. Always a pleasure.”
Bailey waved her off. “Yeah, yeah. Go make out with your co-star somewhere else.”
As Carina left the office, she couldn’t help but smile. Bailey wasn’t wrong.
------
Maya was toweling off the last remnants of makeup from her face when she heard a familiar voice behind her.
“Well, well, well…Maya...”
Maya sighed before turning around. “What do you want, Andy?”
Andy Herrera, the director, leaned casually against the dressing room doorframe, arms crossed, a smirk firmly in place. “Oh, nothing much. Just here to admire your… acting skills.”
Maya narrowed her eyes. “That sounds fake.”
Andy feigned offense, placing a hand on her chest. “Me? Fake? Maya, I’m hurt.” Then her expression shifted back to pure mischief. “So… what exactly did you do to get Carina to sleep with you?”
Maya choked on absolutely nothing. “Excuse me?”
Andy grinned. “You heard me.” She pushed off the doorframe and strolled into the room, plopping down dramatically onto the couch. “Because, let me tell you, Carina has turned down everyone. And I mean everyone. Actors, crew members, guest stars—hell, I think even a producer once.” She waggled her eyebrows. “But you? She said yes to you. So now I have questions.”
Maya groaned, rubbing her face. “Oh my God.”
“Exactly,” Andy said, pointing at her. “Is that what you said to convince her? Or was it something else? Did you recite poetry? Promise her free espresso for life?” She gasped theatrically. “Did you rescue a kitten in front of her? Women love that.”
Maya threw her towel at Andy’s face. “Would you stop?”
Andy peeled the towel off, grinning like she was having the time of her life. “Not a chance. This is the best thing to happen to set gossip in years.”
Maya sighed. “Oh my god. What do you want to hear?”
“Details!” Andy said cheerfully. “Which is why you’re coming for drinks with me. It`s long overdue anyways. You have declined my offer way too many times already.”
Maya blinked. “What?”
Andy shrugged. “We’ve never hung out, and frankly, I feel betrayed by that fact. So we’re fixing it. Come on. Drinks, fun, and you can tell me exactly what spell you cast on Carina DeLuca.”
Maya hesitated. “I don’t—”
“Too late, I’ve decided,” Andy said, already standing up. “Let’s go.”
Maya groaned again but grabbed her jacket anyway. This was going to be a long night.
---------------
Maya had made a lot of questionable decisions in her life. Agreeing to drinks with Andy Herrera and her friends? Possibly top five.
The bar was dimly lit, filled with a comfortable hum of music and conversation. Andy led the way, weaving through the crowd like she owned the place, while Maya trailed behind, wondering if she could somehow escape before things got worse.
Spoiler alert: she could not.
“Maya, meet the gang,” Andy announced dramatically as they reached a booth. “This is Barrett Doss—fellow actor, whiskey enthusiast, professional bad influence.”
Barrett raised her glass in greeting. “Sup?”
“And you already met Travis Montgomery—best stylist in town, part-time life coach, full-time troublemaker.”
Travis gave Maya a once-over, then turned to Andy. “This is the woman who managed to bag Carina DeLuca?”
Maya groaned. “Oh my God.”
Barrett smirked. “Wait, wait, wait. Carina DeLuca? The same Carina who has shut down literally everyone who’s ever made a move on her?”
“The very one,” Andy confirmed, sliding into the booth.
Travis whistled. “Damn, Maya. What’s your secret? Hypnosis? Blackmail? A secret stash of Italian wine?”
Maya buried her face in her hands. “I hate all of you.”
Andy patted her back sympathetically. “Now spill. How’d you do it?”
Maya rolled her eyes. “There’s nothing to spill. We just… clicked.”
Barrett snorted. “Clicked? Girl, please. I’ve seen Carina turn people down before they could finish their sentence.”
Travis gasped dramatically. “Did you save a puppy in front of her? Women love that.”
Andy pointed at him. “I said that exact thing earlier!”
Maya glared. “No puppies were involved.”
Barrett took a sip of her drink, considering. “So, what was it then? You just that charming?”
Maya opened her mouth to argue but hesitated. Because honestly? She didn’t know.
Carina had been different from the start. Teasing, sure. Flirty? Absolutely. But she hadn’t fallen for any of Maya’s usual tricks. If anything, it had been Maya who had fallen first, long before she was ready to admit it.
Andy nudged her. “Uh-oh. Look at that face. She’s thinking about her feelings.”
Maya snapped back to reality. “I am not.”
Travis smirked. “Oh, babe. You so are.”
Maya groaned as the group laughed, clinking their drinks together. Yeah. This was going to be a long night.
-------------
Maya was halfway through her second drink when Barrett leaned forward, eyes glinting with mischief. “Okay, real question,” she said, resting her chin in her hand. “Are you gonna ask Carina to be your girlfriend?”
Maya blinked. “Uh…wait what?”
Andy groaned, already sensing where this was going. “Oh no.”
Travis shook his head. “Please don’t tell me you haven’t thought about this.”
Maya frowned. “I mean… we’re already doing stuff together, right? Do I have to ask? Is that really a thing people still do?”
There was a collective groan around the table.
Andy smacked her forehead. “Jesus, Maya.”
Travis threw his hands up. “Yes! That’s literally how relationships work!”
Barrett sighed dramatically. “What, did you think you’d just keep hooking up forever and then one day someone would send you a certificate in the mail that says Congratulations! You’re Official!?”
Maya squinted. “I mean… kind of?”
Another round of groans.
Andy leaned forward, rubbing her temples like Maya had personally given her a migraine. “Okay. Let’s break this down. You like Carina, yes?”
Maya shifted uncomfortably. “…Yes.”
“You want to keep seeing her?”
“…Yes.”
“You don’t want her seeing other people?”
Maya immediately scowled. “Absolutely not.”
Barrett raised an eyebrow. “Well, congratulations, dumbass. That means you want to date her.”
Maya blinked. “Oh.”
Travis clapped his hands together. “Wow. A breakthrough. Someone get this woman a relationship manual.”
Maya crossed her arms. “Okay, but seriously—do I have to* ask? Like, out loud? With words?”
The entire table groaned again, this time louder.
Andy threw back the rest of her drink. “I can’t believe this is happening.”
Travis shook his head. “Maya. Yes, you have to ask. You can’t just assume things!”
Barrett sighed. “Honestly, the real miracle here isn’t that Maya bagged Carina—it’s that Carina is somehow tolerating this level of emotional incompetence.”
Maya rolled her eyes but couldn’t help smiling. “You guys are so dramatic.”
Andy pointed at her. “We’re dramatic?! Girl, you just realized you have to ask someone to be your girlfriend like this is middle school.”
Maya groaned and downed the rest of her drink.
Maya had barely set her drink down before Travis leaned in, a wicked grin stretching across his face. “Alright, now that we’ve settled the ‘do I have to ask?’ crisis—”
“Barely settled,” Barrett muttered.
“—let’s get to the real topic of interest,” Travis continued smoothly. “How was it?”
Maya blinked. “How was what?”
Andy and Barrett exchanged a look. Then, in perfect sync, they both turned to Maya and deadpanned: “The sex.”
Maya nearly choked on air. “Oh my God.”
Travis cackled. “See? That reaction alone tells me it was good.”
Maya covered her face with her hands. “Really, guys? That`s way to personal.”
“No, it isn`t. You are already kind of drunk.” Andy said cheerfully. “Now spill.”
“There’s nothing to spill!” Maya protested, her voice slightly higher than usual.
Barrett smirked. “Maya, if it were nothing, you wouldn’t be turning bright red right now.”
Maya groaned. “Why are we even talking about this?”
“Because we’re living vicariously through you,” Travis said simply. “And because, again, Carina DeLuca. Do you know how many people have tried?” He shook his head. “And yet, somehow, it’s you she said yes to.”
Maya buried her face in her hands. “Please stop.”
Andy grinned. “Alright, let’s make this easier. Just answer one question.”
Maya peeked at her through her fingers. “…Fine. One.”
Andy leaned in. “On a scale of one to ten, how wrecked were you?”
Maya groaned so loudly that the people at the next table glanced over.
Barrett nearly doubled over laughing. “Oh my God, look at her! That’s an eleven reaction at least.”
Travis gasped dramatically. “Did she break you? Maya Bishop, are you a changed woman?!”
Maya smacked his arm. “Shut up!”
Andy wiped away fake tears. “I’m so proud.”
Maya grabbed her drink, desperate for a distraction. “I should’ve stayed home.”
Barrett nudged her. “But then we wouldn’t be having this much fun.”
Maya scowled, but the heat in her face betrayed her. The truth was, Carina had completely ruined her.
Travis grinned. “So when are you seeing her again?”
Maya sighed. “Tomorrow.”
Barrett gasped. “Oh, so that’s why you don’t want to talk about it. You know you’re about to get wrecked again.”
--------------
Maya sat on her couch, phone in hand, staring at the last message she’d sent.
Maya: Where do you wanna meet tomorrow?
The message had been marked as Read. But no reply.
That was an hour ago.
Maya shifted, drumming her fingers against the side of her phone. She wasn’t nervous. She wasn’t. It was fine. Maybe Carina was busy. Maybe she got distracted. Maybe she—
Maya chewed her lip.
Or maybe this was the part where Carina realized she’d made a mistake.
She exhaled sharply and stood up, pacing her apartment. This wasn’t like her. She didn’t do this—waiting anxiously for a reply, feeling a pit form in her stomach over something as simple as a text.
She sat back down, staring at the message again, resisting the urge to send another. Should she call? No, that would look desperate. Show up at her place? Absolutely not. Play it cool? …Did she even know how to do that?
She groaned, flopping back against the cushions.
This was Carina. Carina, who teased her relentlessly but always with a softness beneath it. Carina, who had been nothing but present in every moment they’d spent together. Carina, who made her feel something she wasn’t sure she had the capacity to feel before.
What if she was about to lose it before she even figured out what it was?
Her phone vibrated, and her heart nearly leapt out of her chest.
Carina: Sorry, bambina, I had an important phone call. Meet at my favorite cafe? 😊
Maya exhaled so hard she actually laughed at herself.
------------
The moment Maya walked into the cafe; she felt a wave of nervousness wash over her.
Carina was sitting by the window, a coffee cup cradled between her hands, looking effortlessly stunning as always. She had that soft smile on her lips, the one that made Maya’s heart skip every single time.
But today? Today, Maya had no idea what to do. What to say.
Maya hesitated for a second before walking over to the table, her heart hammering in her chest. "Hey."
Carina’s smile grew even warmer when she looked up. "Ciao, bella." She stood and gave Maya a quick kiss on the lips. "You look beautiful."
"Thanks," Maya mumbled, still feeling off. She sat down, trying to gather herself. This wasn’t supposed to be hard, right? They were already… doing things together. They were already more than just casual. Why was this so complicated?
Carina leaned back in her chair, eyes glinting mischievously. "Should we order?"
The waiter, an older man with a thick accent, approached them. Carina greeted him in rapid Italian, her words flowing smoothly.
"Si, si," Carina said, smiling at the waiter, "I and my fidanzata will order now."
Maya blinked, her stomach tightening. She hadn’t missed the word. Fidanzata?
“Fidanzata?” Maya repeated quietly, trying to act casual, though the word had immediately caught her attention.
Carina’s eyes twinkled. “What? You don’t know what that means?” She leaned in, her voice low but playful. “Come on, bambina, look it up.”
Maya’s heart skipped. She frowned, raising an eyebrow. “You’re not going to just tell me?”
Carina smirked, holding Maya’s gaze for a beat longer than necessary. “Nope. I’m giving you the opportunity to learn.”
Maya’s mind raced. Fidanzata. Was it…?
Her curiosity gnawed at her as Carina turned her attention back to the waiter, casually continuing to chat in Italian. Maya couldn’t help but feel both confused and… hopeful.
She grabbed her phone and quickly typed fidanzata into the search bar. Her heart jumped when she saw the translation: girlfriend.
Her breath caught.
Carina had called her her girlfriend.
Maya set her phone down slowly, her mind racing as the implications of what Carina had said finally sank in. Was that… Was Carina really asking her to be her girlfriend?
Carina caught her looking and grinned knowingly. "I see you figured it out."
Maya swallowed, unsure whether to laugh or panic. "You really can’t make anything easy, can you?"
Carina shrugged, still smiling. “Where’s the fun in easy?”
Maya was caught between the urge to smile and the urge to run straight out of the cafe. What if she was just reading too much into this?
But Carina had said it. She had called her fidanzata. Her girlfriend.
Maya took a deep breath, her heart racing. She needed to ask. She needed to say it, to stop pretending like she didn’t know what was happening between them.
“Carina,” she started, her voice quiet but steady, “what do you mean by that?”
Carina’s smile softened, the playful gleam in her eyes turning a little more tender. “You’re my girlfriend, Maya,” she said simply. “Didn’t you know that?”
Maya froze, her thoughts spinning. This was it. This was the moment where everything would either fall into place—or completely fall apart.
Carina raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corners of her lips. “Unless you’re not interested.”
Maya opened her mouth to say something, but the words caught in her throat. She was interested. More than she had ever been in anyone. But she was terrified.
She finally managed to say, “I… I think I am.”
Carina’s smile deepened. “Good.”
And just like that, everything felt a little lighter.
-------------------
Maya sat back in her chair, her mind still racing after Carina's confession. Her words echoed in Maya's head. You’re my girlfriend.
Carina reached across the table, her fingers brushing against Maya's. “You okay?” she asked, her voice soft, filled with concern.
Maya nodded, though she wasn’t entirely sure what she was feeling anymore. “Yeah. I think I just… need a minute.”
Carina smiled warmly, her thumb tracing small circles on Maya’s hand. “Take all the time you need.”
Maya exhaled slowly, trying to find her words. "I didn’t expect… this. I mean, I didn’t expect you to call me your girlfriend. It’s just… I’ve never done relationships before. I don’t even know what I’m supposed to do with this.”
Carina’s eyes softened, and she leaned back in her chair, considering Maya carefully. “Maya, you don’t have to know everything. We can figure it out together.”
Maya blinked, surprised by how easy that sounded. She wasn’t used to people being so… patient with her. “But what if I mess it up?”
Carina chuckled softly. “If you mess it up, then we’ll just talk about it and fix it. No pressure. Relationships are just about two people figuring out what works for them, right?”
Maya stared at her, still processing the simplicity of it. “I guess…” She cleared her throat. “It’s just that I’ve never really done this before. I’ve always been more into... casual stuff, you know?”
Carina nodded, her smile never fading. “I know. But that’s the thing. This doesn’t have to be like anything else you’ve done. It doesn’t have to follow any rules except for the ones we create together.”
Maya’s heart skipped again. She wanted that. More than she was ready to admit. “So... you’re not expecting anything from me? I mean, I’m still figuring out how to be in a relationship, Carina. I’m not—”
Carina placed a finger gently against Maya’s lips, quieting her. “I’m not expecting anything, Maya. All I want is you. To figure this out with you. To see where this goes. No rush.”
Maya swallowed, her chest tightening. “What if I’m not good at it?”
Carina smiled tenderly, her eyes full of affection. “You’ll be great at it. Just trust yourself.” She paused, her voice turning playful. “And if you don’t, well… I guess I’ll just have to teach you.”
Maya let out a soft laugh, her nerves starting to ease. “I think you’ll do a much better job than I would.”
Carina’s eyes sparkled with amusement. “You have no idea.” She leaned in closer, her voice dropping a little lower. “But Maya… I do have a question.”
Maya looked at her, eyebrows furrowed. “What?”
Carina’s smile softened. “What do you need from me? I think we should talk about what we both want from this. I want to make sure we’re on the same page.”
Maya hesitated, the vulnerability of the moment making her feel exposed. She had never asked for anything in a relationship before—anything. It had always been about the physical, the easy, the no-strings-attached fun. This was different. This was scary.
She took a deep breath, feeling the weight of it all. “I want to be with you. But I think I need time to figure out how to be the kind of partner you deserve.”
Carina nodded slowly, her gaze never leaving Maya’s face. “I can respect that. We’ll take it slow. No rush. Just… be honest with me. And we’ll be good.”
Maya smiled, the weight in her chest lifting just a little. “I can do that.”
Carina grinned. “Good. Because I like you, Maya. I like you a lot. And I’m not going anywhere.”
Maya's heart swelled, her nerves finally settling into something like excitement. Maybe this could work. Maybe they could make it work.
She reached across the table, her fingers finding Carina’s again. “Okay,” Maya said softly. “Let’s figure this out together.”
------------------
The night had settled in quietly, the hum of the city outside blending into the soft ambiance of Maya's apartment. Maya was sitting on the couch, her legs tucked beneath her, scrolling aimlessly on her phone when Carina appeared in the doorway, her smile easy and inviting.
"Hey," Carina said softly, leaning against the frame of the door. "How about we take a shower together?"
Maya's heart skipped a beat at the suggestion. She blinked up at Carina, unsure if she was hearing things correctly. "A shower?" she asked, her voice a little higher than normal.
Carina nodded, her expression a mix of warmth and mischief. "Yeah. No pressure, just a way to wind down. If you’re not comfortable with it, it’s fine. But we’ve done way more naughty things than just get wet, no?" Her eyes softened, and she stepped closer, a gentle reassurance in her voice. "No expectations, Maya. Just a way to be close."
Maya stared at her for a second, her mind spinning with a thousand thoughts. She wasn’t used to letting people in this way—this close. She had always kept a distance, even in her past relationships, maintaining some level of autonomy, some level of control. But this was different. She could feel the difference in the air when Carina was near.
Taking a deep breath, Maya put her phone down on the coffee table, her eyes meeting Carina's. "Okay. Yeah. Let’s do it."
Carina’s smile widened as she reached out to take Maya’s hand, guiding her gently towards the bathroom. The space was small but cozy, with soft lighting and plush towels. The sound of running water already filled the room, steam swirling up from the shower.
As they stepped inside, the warmth of the water hit them both, and Maya immediately relaxed, the tension she hadn’t even realized she was holding in her shoulders melting away. Carina’s hand was still in hers, guiding her gently, her fingers brushing across Maya’s as they moved beneath the spray.
The intimate proximity wasn’t awkward; it was soothing, calming.
Carina stepped closer, her body brushing against Maya’s. "There’s nothing to be nervous about," she murmured, her voice a soft caress in the steam-filled air. "Just let go."
Maya nodded, letting the warmth from both the shower and Carina’s presence wash over her. She had never felt this at ease with anyone—never had someone make her feel so safe while also making her heart race with just a touch.
Carina reached for the body wash, squeezing a bit into her palm, and then gently started to rub it along Maya’s shoulders, her touch tender and slow. "You’re so tense," Carina said softly, her fingers working in small circles. "Relax for me, bambina."
Maya sighed, leaning into the touch. It felt like every little knot in her body was starting to loosen, her muscles softening under Carina’s hands. She closed her eyes for a moment, letting herself be—no expectations, no pressure, just the feeling of Carina’s hands on her skin and the quiet hum of the shower around them.
Carina’s hands moved lower, down Maya’s back, and she could feel the heat of Carina’s breath against her neck. She had never felt this exposed—this raw—with anyone. And yet, there was no judgment, no rush. Just… warmth.
Maya turned slightly, looking up at Carina, her eyes meeting hers. "This is… new for me," she admitted, her voice a little softer than usual.
Carina smiled, leaning in close, her lips brushing against Maya’s ear as she whispered, "It’s new for me too. But I’m happy we’re doing this. With you."
Maya’s heart fluttered, a surge of emotion she didn’t quite know how to process rushing through her. She leaned in and kissed Carina softly, a gentle exchange of breath and warmth beneath the water. When they pulled apart, Carina’s smile was both soft and knowing.
"Take your time with me, Maya," Carina said, her fingers threading through Maya’s hair, pulling her into another kiss, deeper this time.
Maya kissed her back, her hands moving to Carina’s waist, pulling her closer. She wasn’t sure what was happening between them, but for the first time, she wasn’t afraid of it. She wasn’t afraid to let herself feel.
They stood there for a long moment, letting the water wash over them both, letting the closeness—this closeness—sink in. The steam from the shower swirled around them, fogging up the mirrors and making the world outside feel distant and irrelevant. It was just Maya and Carina—nothing else, no distractions, no need to rush.
Maya’s pulse still raced in the quiet after the kiss, her body warm from the water and Carina’s touch. She was still coming to terms with how easy it felt to be with Carina like this. Vulnerable, exposed, yet perfectly content.
Carina stepped back just slightly, her hands resting on Maya’s hips. "I’m glad you’re here," Carina murmured, her lips curving into a soft, genuine smile. "I mean it. I never thought I’d find someone who made me feel so... at ease."
Maya blinked, surprised by the honesty in Carina’s voice. "You’re not used to being at ease?" Maya asked softly, her voice quieter than she intended, the question catching her off guard.
Carina shrugged, her fingers gently tracing the line of Maya’s collarbone. "I guess I’ve always been the one who makes everyone else feel at ease. I don’t think anyone’s ever made me feel quite like this." Her smile turned playful, though there was still something more vulnerable beneath it. "I’ve been a bit of a mess in my past relationships."
Maya chuckled, her own nerves slowly dissipating as Carina opened up more. "A mess, huh?" she teased. "I don't believe it."
Carina raised an eyebrow. "Oh, believe it. But you," she said, her voice dropping slightly, "you’re different. You make everything feel easy. Even this," she gestured between them, as though it was some inexplicable, natural thing that just worked.
Maya swallowed, her throat suddenly dry as the realization hit her: she felt the same. "I feel like I’m... just figuring this out. But with you, it doesn’t feel like I need to be perfect. It feels like… like I can just be."
Carina’s eyes softened. "Good. That’s exactly how it’s supposed to feel."
Maya bit her lip, uncertain whether to say what was on her mind. But there was something in Carina’s gaze—something that made Maya feel like she could trust her with this, whatever this was. "I’ve never been this open with anyone. You know that, right?" she said quietly, her voice almost uncertain.
Carina nodded, brushing her thumb across Maya’s cheek. "I know. And I want you to know that I’m not going anywhere. I’m here for all of it—the mess, the learning, the figuring things out together."
Maya took a deep breath, the weight of her own insecurities easing just a little. She didn’t know what this would look like, what it would become, but in that moment, with Carina standing in front of her, it felt like it could be something worth exploring. Something real.
Carina leaned forward, kissing Maya gently on the lips again, her touch soft but lingering. When she pulled away, she smiled, brushing some wet strands of hair from Maya's face. "I’m glad we’re doing this, Maya. Despite of not really following the normal order.”
Maya nodded, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "I’m glad, too."
They stayed under the warm water for a while longer, neither of them in any rush to step out.
Finally, after what felt like hours, they stepped out of the shower together, the chill of the air outside the warm water causing them to shiver slightly. Carina wrapped a towel around Maya, then herself, and they stood there for a moment.
Maya looked up at Carina, her heart still thudding in her chest. "So… now what?" she asked, her voice a little more playful, though the vulnerability was still there.
Carina gave her a smirk, the playful glint in her eyes returning. "Now we have more sesso. Together."
Maya smiled, feeling a rush of warmth in her chest. "Yeah. Okay…"