That's enough for now

Jenna sat on the washing machine as it continued its cycle, trying to think through her actions for once as she realized her wants and desires truly mattered to someone. And as much as the lusty lizard brain inside her wanted to ravish him, to feel him against her and inside her, she knew she wasn't ready to go that far. Not yet, at least.

So she kissed him again, a little more hesitantly, and felt him smile and step back so she could come down. Eric held the side of her face and kept eye contact with her as she asked, "Is it okay if we stop?"

"Of course," he reassured her, and despite her usual waffling and anxiety, she believed him. "I'd rather stop while you're comfortable than push you into something you aren't ready for." That relaxed her more than she'd felt in a long time, the comfort of knowing that she wanted to stop and could stop without making things worse. Jenna affectionately nuzzled his hand against her cheek, her face aching from all the smiling she'd done that night.

He zipped her hoodie back up for her, carefully so the zipper didn't catch anywhere unfortunate, and helped her steady herself. They stepped out of the laundry room and Eric helped her pack up her things. "I'll dry your shirt once that cycle finishes, if you get here a little early next session you can slip it in your bag without anyone noticing, or I can drop it off the next time I'm down there if you'd prefer. I hope you'll come back, but remember-"

Jenna kissed him one last time to cut him off, feeling oddly in control of the situation for the first time in her life. "Don't worry," she reassured him in return, "I'll see you next week. And I'll bring snacks. Early." She beamed a smile at him, happy beyond her wildest expectations at how things had gone.