The penthouse atop Zenith Tower was a sanctuary of heat and shadow as dawn bled coral and gold across Bangkok's skyline. The storm from the gala had faded, but its aftershocks lingered, charging the air with a raw, unspoken hunger.
Lingling and Orm stood on the balcony, the city's pulse thrumming below, their bodies inches apart, the tension between them a live wire.
The morning breeze carried frangipani and the faint musk of last night's rain, teasing the loose silk of Orm's robe against her skin, the fabric clinging to her curves in a way that made Lingling's breath catch.
Lingling, in a fitted black tank and loose linen pants, leaned against the railing, her sharp jawline gilded by the light, her dark eyes tracing Orm with a desire she no longer tried to veil.
The gala had been a crucible, forging their bond through chaos and whispered confessions.
Mint's doctored media and Krit's fabricated leaks had been dismantled, Lookmhee's betrayal silenced, and Meks's warnings about Macau debts handed to their legal team.
Yet, the anonymous photo of Urassaya Sperbund, slipped under the door at dawn, weighed heavy in Lingling's pocket-a specter she ignored for now, her focus consumed by the woman before her.
Orm's fingers grazed the jasmine pendant at her throat, Lingling's gift, its weight anchoring her. She turned, catching Lingling's gaze, and the air crackled, electric and heavy.
"Last night," Orm said, her voice soft but resolute, "you said we deserve each other. Did you mean it?" Her almond eyes searched Lingling's, vulnerable yet daring, a woman claiming her desire.
Lingling's lips curled into a slow, predatory smile, her body shifting closer until their breaths tangled. "Every word," she murmured, her voice a low, husky growl that sent a shiver racing down Orm's spine.
She reached out, her fingers brushing Orm's wrist, tracing the delicate pulse point with a deliberate, teasing slowness that made Orm's skin flush.
"I've spent years dodging anything real. But you... you make me want to burn it all down and stay."
Orm's breath hitched, her body leaning into Lingling's warmth, drawn by an invisible thread.
"Then burn it," she whispered, her voice trembling with need and defiance. She closed the distance, her hands finding Lingling's waist, fingers digging into the taut fabric of her tank.
"I'm tired of pretending I don't want this. I want you."
The contact was a spark, a jolt that unraveled their restraint. Lingling's hands slid to Orm's hips, pulling her flush against her, their bodies aligning in a way that felt both inevitable and intoxicating.
"You have no idea how long I've wanted to touch you like this," Lingling confessed, her voice rough with restraint. "Every time you looked at me, I imagined this."
"Tell me," Orm breathed, her lips brushing Lingling's ear, sending a tremor through her. "Tell me what you imagined."
Lingling's eyes darkened, her grip tightening. "Your skin under my hands. Your mouth on mine. You begging for more." She nipped at Orm's earlobe, drawing a soft gasp. "And now I'm not holding back."
Their lips crashed together, a fierce collision of hunger and surrender. Lingling's mouth was hot, demanding, tasting of coffee and something darker, her tongue teasing Orm's with a boldness that made her knees buckle.
Orm matched her intensity, her fingers threading through Lingling's jet-black hair, tugging to deepen the kiss. A soft moan escaped her, swallowed by Lingling's lips, as the world shrank to the searing heat of their entwined bodies.
Lingling broke the kiss, her breath ragged, pressing her forehead against Orm's, their noses brushing.
"You have no idea what you're doing to me," she growled, her voice thick with want. "I'm losing my mind here."
"Then lose it," Orm challenged, her hands sliding under Lingling's tank, nails grazing the taut skin of her abdomen. "I want all of you, Lingling. No games."
Lingling's hands roamed, tracing the curve of Orm's spine through the thin silk, fingertips igniting sparks across her skin.
She guided Orm backward through the glass doors, into the penthouse where morning light spilled over marble, casting their shadows in a primal dance.
"You're sure?" Lingling asked, her voice a low rumble as they stumbled toward the plush sectional. "Because once we start, I'm not stopping until you're screaming my name."
Orm's laugh was breathless, defiant. "Promise?" She yanked Lingling closer, their lips meeting again in a kiss that was all teeth and tongue, urgent and unyielding.
Lingling's hands slipped beneath Orm's robe, grazing the soft skin of her waist, then higher, teasing the lace edge of her bra. "This robe," she murmured against Orm's lips, "has been driving me insane all morning."
She untied it slowly, letting the silk pool at Orm's feet, revealing the delicate black lace lingerie that hugged her curves like a second skin.
Orm gasped, her head tilting back as Lingling's lips found her throat, trailing hot, open-mouthed kisses along her collarbone, nipping lightly at the sensitive skin.
"Lingling," she breathed, her voice a desperate plea, her hands clutching Lingling's shoulders as if to anchor herself against the tide of sensation.
"Say it again," Lingling demanded, her teeth grazing Orm's pulse point.
"My name. I want to hear it."
"Lingling," Orm moaned, louder this time, her body arching into the touch. "Please..."
Lingling paused, her eyes dark and molten, searching for Orm's face.
"Tell me you want this," she said, her voice raw, a crack in her casanova armor revealing a hunger that was almost vulnerable.
"I need to hear it, Orm. All of it."
Orm's fingers tightened, her gaze unwavering.
"I want you," she said, her voice steady despite the flush creeping up her chest.
"I want your hands, your mouth, your everything. I want you inside me, Lingling. No holding back."
The words were a match to gasoline, igniting something feral in Lingling. With a low groan, she captured Orm's lips again, the kiss deeper, more possessive, as she eased Orm onto the couch, her body hovering above, a predator savoring her claim.
"You're going to ruin me," Lingling whispered, her hands reverent yet hungry as they traced Orm's body, mapping every dip and curve with a tenderness laced with urgency.
The robe was gone, the lace bra unclasped and tossed aside, exposing Orm's breasts to the cool air.
Lingling's breath caught, her eyes drinking in the sight.
"Fuck, you're stunning," she murmured, her lips descending to capture a nipple, her tongue swirling with deliberate slowness, teeth grazing just enough to make Orm writhe beneath her.
"Oh, God," Orm moaned, her hands gripping Lingling's hair, urging her closer as waves of pleasure rippled through her.
"Don't stop... please, don't stop."
"Never,"
Lingling promised, her voice muffled against Orm's skin. She switched to the other breast, lavishing it with the same attention, her hand sliding lower, teasing the edge of Orm's lace panties.
"You're so responsive," she said, her fingers brushing the sensitive skin of Orm's inner thigh. "I can feel how much you want this."
Orm's hips bucked, seeking more. "Touch me," she begged, her voice breaking. "Lingling, I need you."
Lingling's fingers slipped beneath the lace, finding the slick heat that made her groan.
"You're so wet for me," she whispered, her voice a dark promise as she circled Orm's clit slowly, drawing out soft whimpers that filled the room.
"Tell me how it feels."
"Amazing," Orm gasped, her body trembling. "Like... like I'm on fire. More, please."
Lingling's fingers moved with expert precision, sliding deeper, curling inside Orm with a rhythm that made her cry out. "You're mine," she growled, her lips brushing Orm's ear, the words a vow. "Say it."
"Yours," Orm managed, her voice raw as she tugged at Lingling's belt, fumbling with the buckle until it gave way.
"All yours." She shoved Lingling's pants down, her hands greedy as they explored the newly exposed skin, nails scraping lightly over Lingling's hips, then lower, teasing through the thin fabric of her underwear.
Lingling's control frayed as Orm's fingers found her, stroking with a boldness that drew a low moan from her throat. "Fuck, Orm," she gasped, her hips grinding against Orm's hand.
"You're going to make me come just like this."
"Then do it," Orm challenged, her fingers slipping beneath the fabric, finding Lingling's wetness. "I want to feel you lose it."
Clothes fell away entirely, a trail of silk, linen, and lace scattered across the floor, until there was nothing but skin against skin, their bodies slick with sweat and desire.
Lingling shifted, pinning Orm beneath her, their legs tangling as she pressed herself closer, their cores brushing in a way that made them both shudder.
"God, you feel so good," Lingling groaned, her hips rocking against Orm's, the friction sending sparks through them both.
She kissed Orm fiercely, swallowing her moans as their bodies found a rhythm, grinding together with a desperate, primal need.
Orm's nails raked down Lingling's back, leaving faint red lines, her cries growing louder.
"Lingling-faster," she begged, her voice a broken sob as her body tensed, teetering on the brink.
Lingling's fingers worked faster, deeper, her thumb circling Orm's clit as she thrust inside her. "Come for me," she commanded, her voice rough. "Let me hear you."
Orm shattered, her body convulsing with the force of her climax, a raw scream of Lingling's name tearing from her throat.
The sight pushed Lingling over the edge, her own release crashing through her as she clung to Orm, their bodies trembling in unison.
They collapsed together, breathless and spent, the morning light bathing their entwined forms in gold.
Lingling pressed a soft kiss to Orm's temple, her voice barely a whisper.
"I didn't know it could feel like this."
Orm nestled closer, her fingers tracing lazy patterns on Lingling's chest.
"Neither did I," she murmured, her lips brushing Lingling's jaw.
"But I meant what I said. I want this-us-every day. The fights, the chaos, the mornings like this."
Lingling's arms tightened around her. "You're stuck with me now," she teased, her voice soft but serious.
"No running."
"Good," Orm said, her eyes glinting with mischief.
"Because I'm not done with you yet."
They lingered on the couch, trading lazy kisses and whispered confessions.
"I used to think love was a weakness,"
Lingling admitted, her fingers threading through Orm's hair. "But with you, it's like... armor."
Orm smiled, her hand cupping Lingling's cheek.
"You make me brave," she said.
"I was so scared of wanting this, of losing control. But now? I'd burn the world down for you."
Their lips met again, slower this time, a promise in every touch. But the hunger hadn't faded. Orm shifted, straddling Lingling's hips, her hands roaming the planes of her chest.
"I want to taste you," she whispered, her voice bold despite the flush on her cheeks.
Lingling's breath hitched, her hands gripping Orm's thighs. "Do it," she dared, her eyes blazing. "Show me what you've got."
Orm's lips curved into a wicked smile as she slid down Lingling's body, her mouth leaving a trail of hot kisses along her collarbone, her stomach, lower still.
Lingling's hands fisted in the cushions as Orm's tongue found her, teasing with slow, deliberate strokes that made her hips buck.
"Orm-fuck," Lingling groaned, her voice breaking as Orm's mouth worked her with devastating precision, her fingers joining to curl inside her.
"You're too good at this."
Orm hummed against her, the vibration sending Lingling spiraling.
"I've wanted to do this for weeks," she murmured, her breath hot against Lingling's skin.
"Every time you smirked at me, I imagined this."
Lingling's laughter was ragged, cut off by a moan as Orm's tongue flicked faster.
"You're killing me," she gasped, her body arching as she came again, her cries echoing through the penthouse.
They weren't done. Hours later, they moved to the bedroom, the city's glow filtering through floor-to-ceiling windows.
Lingling pinned Orm against the glass, her hands lifting Orm's thighs as she kissed her deeply, their bodies pressed together.
"Look at the city," Lingling whispered, her lips brushing Orm's ear. "All of it, and I only see you."
Orm's hands clutched Lingling's shoulders, her legs wrapping around her waist. "Take me," she begged, her voice raw. "Right here."
Lingling obliged, her fingers sliding inside Orm again, thrusting in time with their kisses as Orm's moans filled the room.
They came together, bodies shaking, the glass cool against Orm's back, Lingling's warmth grounding her.
Later that evening, the penthouse glowed with candlelight, the city's skyline a glittering backdrop.
They shared a bath in the oversized marble tub, jasmine and ylang-ylang scenting the steam that curled around them.
Lingling sat behind Orm, her arms wrapped around her, lips grazing the nape of Orm's neck.
"I used to dream of a life beyond the empire," Lingling confessed, her voice soft.
"A place where I could just... be. With you, I think I could have that."
Orm turned, straddling Lingling's lap, water sloshing as she cupped Lingling's face.
"You make me feel alive," she said, her voice thick with emotion.
"My textile line, my dreams-they're nothing without you."
Their lips met in a slow, deliberate kiss, the water amplifying every touch.
Lingling's hands slid up Orm's thighs, pulling her closer, her breath hitching as Orm's fingers tangled in her wet hair.
"I love you," Orm gasped, the words raw and unbidden.
Lingling froze, her heart pounding, then pulled Orm closer.
"I love you too," she said, her voice breaking. "So fucking much."
Their lovemaking was slower now, a languid exploration in the warm water.
Lingling's lips found Orm's pulse point, her tongue tracing the sensitive skin as her hands guided Orm's hips in a gentle, teasing rhythm.
Orm's head fell back, a low moan escaping as Lingling's fingers slipped between her thighs again, stroking with a patience that drove her wild.
"Tell me what you want," Lingling murmured, her fingers circling slowly. "I want to hear every filthy thought in your head."
"You," Orm gasped, her hips rocking against Lingling's hand.
"Your mouth, your fingers, all of you. I want to feel you come with me."
Lingling's control snapped. She lifted Orm onto the tub's edge, her mouth replacing her fingers, tongue delving into Orm's heat with a hunger that made her scream.
Orm's hands gripped Lingling's hair, her body trembling as she came again, her cries echoing off the marble.
They dried off, wrapped in plush towels, and Lingling pulled Orm into a slow dance in the bathroom, no music but the rhythm of their heartbeats.
"No more shadows," she murmured, spinning Orm gently, their bodies swaying in the candlelight. "Just us."
But the world wasn't done with them.
The next morning, over mango sticky rice and Thai coffee on the balcony, a new message pinged on Lingling's phone-an image of Urassaya Sperbund at a Bangkok café, her cryptic smile taunting. A note read: "She's back. Ask her why."
Lingling's jaw tightened, but Orm's hand found hers, grounding her.
"We face this together," Orm said, her eyes blazing with resolve. "Whatever she wants, we're stronger."
Lingling nodded, pulling Orm into a fierce kiss, their love a shield against the storm.
"Let them try," she growled against Orm's lips. "They'll have to go through both of us."
The city hummed below, but in their embrace, they were untouchable, ready to confront whatever came next.