Lexa did drop her phone. As she reached over the side of her bed to retrieve the device, she struggled to slow her heart rate down. Seeing a photo of a sports bra clad Clarke was one thing, but reading that she was currently thinking about wanting to kiss her was a whole different level of desire.

 

Lexa just stared at her phone, completely stunned and entirely at a loss as to how to respond. Should she send another photo? Should she say something back? What would she even say? What was the end goal here? Was this just sexting? Did Clarke want something more? Did she want something more?

 

Lexa laid there in her bed, staring at the ceiling, her body flush with thoughts of more with Clarke. It definitely wasn’t something she was opposed to, but then again, she’d never entered into a casual relationship like this before. And was this even casual with Clarke? Could it be casual when she could quite possibly be in love with her?

 

Lexa’s mind decided to remember that perfect photo again, and she clenched her thighs together at the thought of seeing that in person, so close that she could reach her hands out and feel the smooth skin beneath her fingertips. And yeah, she definitely wasn’t opposed to something more with Clarke.

 

Lexa reached for her phone, ready to respond, and her eyes nearly bugged out of her head. Fifteen minutes had elapsed. Fifteen long minutes she had let Clarke’s message go unanswered. Lexa’s face flushed again, this time with worry and remorse. Had she waited too long to text back? Was Clarke mortified that she’d said the wrong thing? Would she even want to hear from Lexa now?

 

Lexa sat up in bed, her hands slightly clammy, her skin hot, as she quickly typed in a message. Her thumb hovered over the send button, about to press it, when a knock reverberated through her apartment.

 

Lexa took in a steadying breath, stood, smoothed down her soft cotton t-shirt, and slowly made her way to the front door with a sigh.

 

Lexa always looked through the peephole first. Always. But she was so flustered from not responding to Clarke that she just reached for the doorknob and flung it open.

 

Clarke stood before her; hair pulled back in a loose bun, sweatpants hanging perfectly on her hips, a muscle tank showing off an ever so familiar sports bra, and flushed cheeks.

 

“Clarke,” Lexa gaped. She had the door in a white knuckle grip as Clarke stood there and beautifully smirked at her.

 

“Hey, tiger.”

 

Lexa stood to the side just enough for Clarke to walk past, and when she did, Lexa caught a brief scent of her chamomile and honey shampoo wafting in the autumn air, and her eyes fluttered in pleasure.

 

She didn’t have time to think as she closed and locked her door, because Clarke was suddenly inches away from her, pinning her to the door without touching her. Her eyes were dark. Darker than the deep sea. And her skin had the most beautiful pink glow Lexa had ever seen. She inched closer and closer, and Lexa’s body tensed with anticipation.

 

But just before Clarke leaned in, just before their lips were about to brush, Clarke paused.

 

With a voice so raspy and low and arousing Lexa wasn’t sure it was Clarke’s, she whispered, “Can I kiss you?”

 

And with those four words, Lexa nearly moaned because Clarke came over to her apartment, and Clarke wanted to kiss her, and damn, consent was sexy. She nodded her head so fervently that if her longus capitis, longus colli, and trapezius muscles were not in good working order, her head might have fallen right off.

 

The taste of strawberry invaded her senses as Clarke pressed against her, almost tentatively at first, as if she was scared Lexa would change her mind. But Clarke needn’t have worried. Lexa eagerly returned the kiss, pushing herself off the door and farther into her apartment, leading Clarke with each step.

 

Clarke’s hands found Lexa’s hips, digging in as Lexa ran her tongue along her bottom lip, asking that silent question. Clarke’s lips parted instantly, allowing Lexa to explore all that Clarke offered.

 

Things were escalating quickly and deliciously. Clarke’s fingers toyed with the hem of Lexa’s shirt, but Lexa wanted to feel Clarke’s skin first.

 

Lexa should…