“Care for some more?”

Mariam’s contented purr was all the encouragement Andrea required, and with a grin, the redheaded beauty continued massaging her lover’s shoulders, dusky, warm flesh responding eagerly to her touch. Naked as new-laid eggs, flushed with the afterglow and very satisfied, the two women were curled up together on their shared king-sized bed, yet another trademark Canadian snowstorm rattling against the windows of their new townhouse, the last gasp of a bitter winter that stubbornly refused to give way to spring. “You’re so tense, my love,” Andrea continued, thumbs pressing hard against a particularly tight knot. “I guess things aren’t back to normal at the bakery?”

“Two people called in sick today,” the Persian beauty groused. “Better they stay home and get well then spread their germs all over the bread, but it’s still a pain getting all these orders done when we’re short on staff.” The redhead’s ministrations continued, and Mariam let out a satisfied groan as the knot finally released. “You’re really good at this, you know that, babe?”

“I had a great tutor,” said Andrea, kissing her lover on the back of the neck. It was quite commonplace for Mariam to give her a massage after an intense bondage session, for she put a great deal of stock on good aftercare, and despite all the love and care the dark-haired woman employed when tying her up, being left stiff and sore in the aftermath was part of the experience. Always eager to be a caring partner and ease Mariam’s many burdens, Andrea learned from her how to do the same, and she had learned well, if her lover’s sweet sounds of pleasure were any indication. “You feeling any better?” she asked in a husky whisper, feather-light kisses along the Persian woman’s shoulders and back provoking a shudder of delight.

“Much, thank you,” Mariam gasped. “Feels like it’s been forever since we had a moment to ourselves.”

“I know what you mean.” Making the move into the late Great-Aunt Leslie’s townhouse had been a tiring experience, particularly since they were still working full-time in the process, without so much as a day off to recuperate. It had certainly been worth it, of course, but it had been a more stressful process than either cared to admit. “Actually, while I have your attention, would you care to hear my idea for my summer vacation?”

Dark eyes widened in joy. “You finally got some time off scheduled? Andrea, that’s wonderful! So what’s your plan?”

“Well… I was thinking we take the transcontinental train over to Vancouver and stay there for a few days,” suggested the redhead. “We can certainly afford it, and it’s the sort of thing I’ve always wanted to do, but we’ll have to book the tickets soon if we want to snag a premium cabin. If you’re going to be too busy with the bakery, or you don’t care for a long trip, that’s fine, we can do something here instead. So…”

Mariam turned to face the woman she loved, brown eyes gazing deep into blue. “You’d give up a trip you’ve always wanted, just for my sake?”

Smiling, Andrea leaned forward and gave Mariam a gentle kiss. “Yes. Because as much as I want to ride the train through the Rockies, I care about you far more. There’s nothing keeping us from going next year, after all, but you’ll always be my priority. Besides, it’s not like we can’t relax and have fun staying home, right?”

“True,” the Persian beauty admitted, reaching out to caress her lover’s cheek. “Well, since you told me months ahead of time, I think I can arrange for Patrick to cover for me while I’m travelling with you.” Hope blazed to life in Andrea’s beautiful blue eyes, and Mariam gave a small chuckle. “Hey, I could use a nice vacation too, babe, I haven’t had one since opening the bakery and I’m long overdue. And going across the country by train sounds like a pretty neat experience, so let’s do it.”

Tears of joy suddenly welled up in the corners of Andrea’s eyes. “Mariam, I--”

Lips crashed together in a passionate kiss, and gently, carefully, Mariam laid her lover back down onto the bed, laying a trail of kisses down her stomach and towards her apex. “I love you, Andrea Maurer. Now.. care for another round?”