Pearl kisses back openmouthed; sweet, easy, yearning. It's the most natural thing: Rose leads, and she yields. Her world of sensation narrows to the heat of mouths pressed against each other, the caress of the water, Rose's hand on her neck. Soothing, gentle, but also almost -- proprietary. Pearl tilts her head into it with a whimper.

"I'm sorry," she breathes. "I'll do better."