It started as a game.
A harmless tradition, they said.
"Rush week initiation," said Amanda with her usual sly smile, holding out a red Solo cup and a glittery dare card. "Pick one."
Natalie's heart pounded as she reached in. The music from the sorority house was a dull thump behind her. Her fingers fumbled over the slips, finally pulling one out. She read it silently, then blinked.
"Kiss the girl you've thought about more than once this week."
Laughter erupted as the other girls crowded around, and someone whistled. "Ooh, Natalie has a secret!"
Natalie tried to laugh it off, but her face was already burning. Her gaze flicked across the room instinctively to her.
Jenna.
Long, dark braids pulled into a loose ponytail, glossy lips sipping from a bottle of lime seltzer, denim shorts that hugged her waist like a whisper. She was lounging on the armrest of the couch, wearing a tank top that looked two sizes too small and a look of mild interest.
Their eyes met.
Natalie's stomach flipped.
No one knew. Not really. She had spent the last four days convincing herself the glances were innocent, that brushing against Jenna in the hallway was nothing. That hearing Jenna giggle in the next room shouldn't be enough to make her thighs press together.
But now... the dare. The spotlight. And Jenna wasn't looking away.
"She's chickening out," one of the other girls teased.
Amanda leaned in. "Unless you want to pick truth instead"
Natalie licked her lips. "I'll do it."
That shut them up.
She crossed the room slowly. Each step stretched the moment until her skin prickled with heat. The music faded under the blood rushing in her ears.
Jenna didn't move. She was watching her. Waiting.
When Natalie reached her, she bent slightly and whispered, "Is this okay?"
Jenna's lips curved. "I was hoping you'd pick me."
And then
Their lips met.
Soft. Hesitant. A testing pressure, as if both were afraid of what would happen next. But Jenna tilted her head, just a little, and deepened it. Natalie felt it. Her breath catch, the shift in rhythm and then warmth bloomed between them like sunlight through fog.
The room exploded with noise behind them. Cheers, claps, a few catcalls. Natalie pulled away, breathless, flushed. But Jenna's hand caught her wrist.
"You're not done," she murmured.
Natalie stared.
Jenna leaned forward, her voice low in her ear. "Come upstairs with me."
It wasn't a command. It was a question wrapped in promise.
Natalie nodded.
The second floor was quieter. Jenna pushed open the door to her room and closed it softly behind them. The moment they were alone, the tension snapped.
Natalie turned. Jenna was already close. Their lips found each other again hotter this time, mouths open, hands searching. Jenna's fingers slid under Natalie's top, dragging along bare skin, pulling a soft gasp from her throat.
"You've been watching me," Jenna whispered between kisses.
Natalie nodded, dazed. "You make it hard not to."
Jenna pushed her gently toward the bed. Natalie sat, knees parting as Jenna stood between them.
"Ever been with a girl?" Jenna asked, cupping her jaw.
Natalie swallowed. "Not yet."
A wicked smile curved Jenna's lips. "Then let me show you slow."
She kissed her again longer, deeper then guided her gently down to the bed.
Clothes came off piece by piece, not rushed but reverent. Each inch of skin revealed became a discovery, a pause, a chance to touch. Jenna trailed her lips down Natalie's collarbone, her breast, her stomach, never rushing, building the anticipation like a tease.
Natalie arched into her, whimpering softly.
Jenna lifted her head, dark eyes gleaming. "You like the wait."
Natalie nodded helplessly.
Then Jenna's mouth moved lower.
Her fingers followed, coaxing open thighs, dipping into slick heat. Natalie moaned, breath ragged, thighs trembling. Every touch was slow, deliberate each movement designed to pull another gasp from her lips, to draw out the desire until Natalie was practically begging.
"Jenna please!"
But Jenna only kissed the inside of her thigh and smiled. "We're just getting started."
The night stretched on.
And by morning, Natalie wasn't sure if it had been a dare or destiny.