Page 74 of Minha Dona

“Everyone will stare, Gatinha. Because you’re stunning. Deal with it.”

Caitlin gave her a look that was three parts exasperation and one part pleasure, and they headed for the beach.

***

The morning was exactly what mornings at the beach house were supposed to be like: they laid their towels on the sand and relaxed, nothing more, nothing less. Caitlin, lying next to Helena, gradually relaxed as she realised that Helena had been right… while the beach was far from busy, every woman on it was wearing something not too dissimilar.

They swam when they got too hot. The water was warm and clear. Helena was a good swimmer, the benefit of growing up visiting the beach house often, but Caitlin kept up with her, matching her stroke for stroke.

After, they lay in the sun again.

“Gatinha, I think I need more sunscreen.”

Caitlin turned her head to look at Helena with a smile. “Of course, Minha Dona.”

She started out practical, but it seemed that Caitlin couldn’t resist the temptation to escalate things between them. Her hands moved slowly but firmly, massaging as much as applying, and when she rubbed some of the sunscreen on Helena’s thighs her thumbs brushed somewhere altogether inappropriate that sent a thrill rolling through her body.

“You’re not applying sun cream,” Helena murmured. “You’re seducing me.”

“Didn’t you know I’m good at multitasking?”

“You do seem to be good at it, Gatinha. Careful… two can play that game.”

They walked along the beach to the headland and back. Caitlin asked about the town, the restaurants, and the coast stretching in both directions. Helena pointed out landmarks and told the stories that had accumulated over so many years of coming here.

In the early afternoon, when the beach was quieter as people retreated for their lunch, they went back into the water. They swam out past the gentle surf to where they could just about stand with their heads above water. The blue stretched around them, and at that hour there was nobody within a hundred yards.

Perfeita, Helena thought. Time to surprise my Gatinha.

“I want you to do something for me,” Helena said.

Caitlin tilted her head, lips pursed, reading Helena’s tone instantly. “What is it, Minha Dona?”

“Take off your bikini.”

Caitlin looked at her, then at the beach. Helena could see that she was weighing up how much privacy they really had, but then also weighing up how much she wanted to obey.

“In the water?”

“In the water. Both pieces. Give them to me.”

“We’re… there are people on the beach.”

“Who can’t see anything beneath the surface. We’re two women swimming. That’s all anyone can see.” Helena held her gaze. “Take it off, Gatinha. For me.”

The moment stretched on. Helena could see the thrill of the command competing with her innate caution, the submissive desperate to do as her dominant had ordered versus the force-of-nature assessing the risks.

Caitlin reached behind her neck and untied the top. She held it for a moment in her hand, then she gave it to Helena. Her hands went below the surface and, after a few moments, she handed the bottoms to Helena too.

Helena held her gaze. “Colour?”

“Verde.” Caitlin gave a wry smile. “But if I get arrested, you’re paying any fine, Minha Dona.”

Helena laughed. “That’s fair.” She studied Caitlin, whose expression was an intoxicating mix of vulnerability and exhilaration. “How does it feel?”

“Terrifying. And incredible.” Caitlin’s voice was unsteady. “Incredibly terrifying and terrifyingly incredible. The water feels different on my… on everything.”

“It does.” Helena moved closer, close enough that their legs touched underwater. “Put your arms around my neck.”