The Bucket List

Cecilia Lion and Harmony Wonder walk through the door still dusty from the trail. Their thighs burn. Their calves throb. Both of them grin anyway—another hike crossed off the list. They’re heading to different colleges next fall, so they’re racing to finish every plan they made together before the distance hits. Cecilia, content, reaches for her friend’s folded bucket list and asks what the final wish is. Harmony stuffs the paper away, cheeks hot, and offers a shoulder rub instead. Cecilia groans an okay and drops the subject. Harmony begins at the tight traps, works her palms across shoulder blades and spine. Soon she suggests they move to the bedroom so she can really dig in. Once the door closes, Cecilia peels off her shirt; Harmony stares at the soft swing of bare breasts before Cecilia lies face-down. Harmony climbs over her hips and starts again, fingers pressing, heart slamming. Eventually she pulls the list from her pocket and hands it over. Cecilia reads the last line out loud: “Tell her how I really feel about her?” The words hang between them. Harmony swallows and confesses she’s been in love with Cecilia for months. Cecilia’s fingers rise to cup Harmony’s face; they lean in, mouths meeting softly at first. Need sharpens. Cecilia’s tongue strokes Harmony’s lower lip. Hands tug at zippers. Clothing falls. They sink onto the sheets, kissing each other’s nipples until the nubs are stiff and wet. Harmony slides lower, licking a slow stripe between Cecilia’s lips, tasting salt and heat. Cecilia returns the favor, tongue flicking, fingers easing inside. When neither can stand the wait any longer, Harmony swings a thigh across Cecilia’s and lowers herself until their slick folds meet. They rock—clit against clit—faster, harder, breath chopping into moans. Pleasure coils and breaks. They ride the tremors down, foreheads pressed, come cooling on their skin. Outside the window the day is ending; inside, a new promise has just begun.