Rhea's hands drifted lower, fingers brushing the buckle of Ling's belt.
She tugged at it, the metal clinking as she unfastened it with shaky hands. "I want all of you," Rhea said, her eyes locking onto Ling's, a mix of shyness and boldness in her gaze.
Ling helped, sliding the belt free and letting it drop to the floor beside the bed.
But as Rhea's fingers reached for the waistband of her briefs, Ling caught her wrists gently, pulling her hands up and over her head, pinning them lightly against the headboard.
She dove back in for another kiss, fierce and distracting, her body pressing down to cover Rhea's, breasts brushing against each other in a way that sent sparks through them both.
Rhea melted into it for a moment, moaning softly into Ling's mouth, but then pulled back, her cheeks flushed.
"Your briefs... they're the only thing left," she said, her voice a mix of curiosity and impatience, glancing down at the last barrier.
Ling's expression flickered—hesitation, a shadow of fear crossing her features. She shook her head, releasing Rhea's hands but keeping her close.
"Not now, Rhea. Just... let's take it slow, okay? We've got time."
Rhea frowned, pushing lightly at Ling's shoulders, creating a sliver of space between them.
"Slow? You've been pushing me all night, Ling. Touching me, making me... making me cum like that. What are you doing? What do you even want?"
"I want you," Ling replied quickly, her voice earnest, cupping Rhea's cheek. "All of you, but slow. I don't want to rush—"
But Rhea wasn't listening fully. Her hand slipped down again, bold now, fingers grazing the edge of Ling's briefs, tugging insistently. "Then let me see. Let me touch you like you touched me."
Ling's hand shot out, grabbing Rhea's wrist to stop her, her grip firm but not painful.
"Rhea, stop. Please." She leaned in, kissing Rhea's neck, trailing her lips along the column of her throat, trying to redirect the heat.
"Just kiss me. Feel me like this." Her free hand roamed Rhea's side, thumb brushing the underside of her breast, eliciting a soft gasp.
Rhea twisted away slightly, frustration building. "No, Ling. You're hiding something. Every time I get close, you pull back. What's wrong with you?"
"Nothing's wrong," Ling murmured, pulling Rhea into another embrace, her lips finding Rhea's earlobe, nipping gently.
"I just... I love you like this. Let me hold you." She kissed her shoulder, then her collarbone, hands stroking Rhea's back in soothing circles.
But Rhea pushed harder this time, her hand breaking free and landing on Ling's briefs again, fingers hooking into the fabric. "Let me. I want to make you feel good too."
Ling caught her hand once more, her breath quickening.
"Rhea, I said not now." The distraction attempt faltered as Rhea's eyes narrowed.
"This happened three times already," Rhea snapped, yanking her hand back. "You kiss me, you touch me, but when it's my turn? Nothing. Are you not attracted to me?"
"No, baby, it's not—" Ling started, reaching out to calm her, but Rhea interrupted.
"Then what? Tell me! You've seen me naked, vulnerable, crying from how you made me feel. And you won't even let me undress you fully? What do you want, Ling? My body but not yours?"
Ling's face tightened, her voice dropping to a plea.
"I want everything with you. But trust me, please. Just a little more time." She tried one last kiss, soft and coaxing, on Rhea's lips.
Rhea turned her head away, anger flashing in her eyes. "Time for what? You're driving me crazy. If you don't want this—"
"I do!" Ling insisted, her hands on Rhea's arms, trying to pull her back down. "More than anything. Rhea, listen—"
But Rhea's temper flared fully now, her voice rising. "No, you listen! You've been teasing me all night, acting like you care, but you're holding back. What are you so afraid of? Let me in, or let me go!"
Her hand darted forward again, determined, fingers gripping the waistband of Ling's briefs. "Let me see you. Let me touch you. Stop this!"
Ling's reaction was sharper—she grabbed Rhea's wrist aggressively, pinning it to the mattress, her body tensing. "Enough, Rhea! I said no!" Her voice was a growl, eyes flashing with a mix of frustration and panic.
Rhea froze, the force of it startling her. Her eyes filled with tears, the anger crumbling into hurt. "Get off me," she whispered, voice breaking.
When Ling didn't move immediately, Rhea shoved at her chest with her free hand, hard enough to create space. Tears spilled over as she scrambled up from the bed, grabbing her robe from the nearby chair and wrapping it around her naked body.
"Rhea, wait—" Ling called, sitting up, reaching out.
But Rhea didn't look back, her shoulders shaking as she stormed toward the bathroom door, slamming it behind her with a resounding thud.
The sound echoed in the quiet room, leaving Ling alone on the rumpled sheets, her heart pounding.