Hi everyone. Jeez ... the seaside trip seems to have done me good. I sat up to the wee small hours of the morning writing this one. It's a bit longer than usual chapters. I was on a roll. When I eventually switched the laptop off I noticed the Sun was coming up already! Hope you enjoy and thanks for your commitment to the Moonlight Shadow series ... and also ... thank you again for your very kind comments - FirstCenturyBC

Chapter 4

It was 5:05 p.m. Charlie was almost finished her shift and she was glad it was nearly over. The paperwork had been piled much higher than she expected. When she looked at the reports stacked on the side of her desk, she became convinced that the local criminals must have known she had gone away for a few days, and they took that as an opportunity to carry out as many wrongdoings as they possibly could.

She thought about how and where she would arrange to see Joey. She didn't know if Leah and VJ would be out that night. If so, they could spend some time together at home. Even if Ruby were there, they wouldn't have to completely hide their intimacy from her, or maybe they would. She wasn't sure. That one would have to be played by ear.

If Leah were home all evening, then they'd have to go out somewhere, but Charlie didn't really care. As long as she got to spend some time with Joey, she wouldn't mind where. She tidied her desk and put on her jacket to leave.

"Have a good night, boss", Watson called to her as she headed towards the exit.

"Err ... you too", replied Charlie. Damn, she knows! After a few moments she realised what was happening - ever since she got back from the beach house and any time anyone spoke to her, she took a double meaning from their words, even though they were completely innocent. She made a mental note to stop being so paranoid.

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Joey had returned to the bay from her visit to Steve Corbett. When she had got back, she asked Brett if she could borrow his car again the following Wednesday – the day of Charlie's birthday surprise. He had agreed again. Two acts of kindness in one day for Brett was almost a new world record!

She sat in her bedroom reading. She wanted to be prepared for Charlie's gift so she had decided to try and read up on the subject as much as possible. Steve had given her the loan of a book, and she found it very interesting.

Her phone vibrated. She picked it up. It was a text from Charlie.

'Missed u all day. Can we meet up soon, plz? - C'

Joey beamed as she started her reply...

'Can't wait to see u. Where and when? I'll come running :P - J' She pressed 'SEND.'

A few moments later a reply arrived...

'Come to our house 6:30. Leah and VJ will be out. Ruby will be there for a bit. It'll be nice for us to talk to her together – C xxx'

Joey felt her heart racing with excitement. In less than an hour she would be back with Charlie. She jumped up and hurried to the bathroom to freshen up and change into her favourite outfit. Tonight she was going to tell Charlie a little about her plans for her birthday.

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Charlie heard a knock at the back door. She walked quickly from the living room the the kitchen to answer it but Ruby beat her to it. Uh oh, thought Charlie.

Ruby opened the door, grinning. "Hey you ... girl who is doing my sister", she said, unable to change her expression even the slightest bit.

"Ruby!" exclaimed Charlie, "behave!" She was a little shocked even though she found it very amusing, and comforting, in a way. Ruby was taking the whole thing really well.

Joey giggled as she entered the kitchen. "Hey Rubes."

Ruby looked at Charlie – then back at Joey – then across to Charlie again, her expression still the same. "Wow. Now that I see you two together ... it makes perfect sense. How could I not have seen it before?" It was as if she were verbally chastising herself for missing something that she now felt was blatantly obvious.

Charlie and Joey looked at each other, slightly embarrassed, but happy.

Ruby hugged Joey tight and said "I'm so glad Charlie has finally found someone who will take good care of her and treat her the way she deserves to be treated."

"I promise to", Joey said, crossing her heart.

Ruby let her go and walked to Charlie, hugging her too. "You better take care of her too, Charlz ... or you'll have me to deal with."

Charlie smiled at her in acknowledgement.

"I ...", Ruby chirped, "will see both of you later! Don't do anything I wouldn't do." She winked at them.

Charlie and Joey laughed out loud.

"No wait...", Ruby changed her mind, realising what she had said. "on second thoughts ... please do ... just not in my room ... okay?"

She pranced out of the kitchen. They waited until they heard her leave the house, then turned their attentions to each other, gazing at one another from across the room. They had longed all day to be in each others arms again – and now was their chance. Charlie glanced behind Joey and saw the large uncovered window. She motioned to Joey to follow her into the living room. It was a little more private.

Joey followed her and they embraced as soon as they entered. It felt so good. Their gazes met again. They felt the familiarity of looking so deeply into each others eyes – and it was soothing. Neither spoke a word as their lips drew together, gently brushing against one another. It deepened instantly and they tightened their embrace. Joey slid her hands upwards and rested her fingertips on Charlie's cheeks, caressing them softly with her thumbs. She allowed one hand to slip downwards, brushing against Charlie's breast. She rested it on Charlie's chest. Charlie gasped for air, pulling back. She was out of breath, and Joey could feel her lovers heart beating fast against her fingers. Their lips collided again, and they kissed passionately - their tongues slowly and delicately seeking each other amid the chaos.

Joey pulled back, her breathing was heavy. "Charlie ...", she began.

"Shh ...", whispered Charlie. She was mow almost breathless. "Bedroom ... now ... I don't know how much time we've got."

Joey liked that idea very much. Charlie took her by the hand and led the way.

The room was softly lit by a solitary lamp in the corner. Charlie closed the door behind her and wasted no time in removing Joey's favourite top. She grabbed the hems and slipped it upwards and off. It fell on the floor. Charlie gazed down at Joey's slender figure.

"You look beautiful", Charlie whispered. She kissed her.

Joey reciprocated, unbuttoning Charlie's red blouse as fast as she could. She slipped it off, then slid her arms around Charlie's waist and lifted her up off the ground. Charlie clung to Joey, wrapping her legs around her tightly. Their lips collided as they fell onto the bed together. Joey lay atop her, placing kisses all over her neck and shoulders, tasting her sweet skin with the tip of her tongue. Vanilla!

Charlie reached upwards and undid the clasp of Joey's bra with ease. She slid the straps off her shoulders. The fabric tickled Joey as it fell on top of Charlie's chest. Joey's hand burrowed below Charlie's back and unclasped her bra. She slipped it off swiftly, and allowed both garments to fall on the floor together. She slid her hand downwards to unbutton Charlie's jeans, pulling slowly on the zip. Their mouths locked firmly together as Joey's fingers slipped inside her briefs.

Charlie's tummy tensed at the sensation. She had longed for this all day. She moved her hips forwards to meet Joey's fingertips; they became moistened instantly. Charlie let out a quiet gasp. She slid her hips back and forth; Joey barely had to move her fingers at all, but she timed her movements with Charlie's perfectly.

Their bodies writhed together in unison, their breathing heavy and loud. Charlie could feel her skin becoming hot and she began to perspire quickly. Joey could taste her sweet vanilla sweat and it aroused her even more. She quickened her movements, and could feel her skin tingling with lust for her lover. Beads of sweat gathered on her forehead as she endeavoured to bring Charlie to orgasm. She knew it would not be long before she would once again hear soft moans from the lips of the woman she loved – and it was fast becoming her favourite sound in the whole world.

As the moment approached, Charlie voiced her pleasure with a series of utterances of 'yes's', each one louder than the last – and with a profanity added here and there in the nicest possible way. Joey had never known her to be so vocal before, and it made her grin happily as they kissed ever more fervently. She got such a thrill from listening to her.

Charlie was in bliss. The feel of of her lover's hand inside her tight jeans, rubbing hard against her, sent her into a state of euphoria. It aroused her deeply and she wanted Joey to be naked immediately. Nothing less than total nudity would satisfy her. She slid her hands onto Joey's waist and unbuttoned her jeans, tugging hard on the zip. She wasted no time in sliding them down as far as she could, along with her briefs. Meanwhile, Joey did not lose her pace, nor her concentration, for even a second. She was intent on making Charlie moan the way she had done at the beach house. She wriggled her legs and feet to free herself of the garments that remained around her ankles. Charlie had got her way. Joey was bare at last.

Charlie slid her hands along the length of Joey's back, caressing her all the way down. She grabbed Joey's buttocks, sinking her nails deep into her flesh. Her long nails cut into her skin, and Joey could feel them stinging - but for her it was worth the pain. She loved to feel Charlie's expressions of lust, even if they should make her bleed a little.

Their eyes met again as Charlie approached the moment of release. They could feel the intensity in each others eyes. It was carnal. Charlie continued to vocalise her pleasure with increasing loudness. She didn't care at that point who might have heard her. She was in ecstasy. Every nerve in her body tingled and she arched her back and threw her head backwards as the sensations she felt reached a crescendo. She cried out.

Their bodies became relaxed. Joey's fingers ceased their movements, but remained where they had been for the past several minutes. Charlie rubbed gently against them as she gazed into Joey's eyes. No-one had ever been able to make her let go of herself this way before. When she was with Joey, anything seemed possible. She made her feel wild – untamed, something she had never ever experienced before – and she was becoming addicted to her.

Although Charlie felt like she was ready to fall into a blissful sleep at any moment, her desire to please Joey kept her from slumber and readied her to respond to her lover's passionate act. She wanted more of her; needed to feel her – touch her, taste her. Her skin still burned hot, and her hair was now matted with perspiration. She slid her hands around Joey's neck and drew her towards her for more. Their mouths collided, hungrily exploring – tongues brushing against upper and lower lips.

Charlie rolled over on top of her, then shifted onto her knees to remove the last of her own clothes. She slid her already unbuttoned and unzipped jeans and briefs downwards as fast as her diminished strength would allow her. She was shaking. Joey slid her fingers on top of Charlie's and helped her take them off completely. Charlie lunged on top of her, her mouth searching for the lips of the woman she loved. Their bodies mirrored one another, as they had done many times over the past few days. Charlie was in ecstasy. She had lain on that very same bed many times over the past few weeks, curled up and afraid of her own love (and lust) for Joey, but at the same time yearning for her – wishing she was naked beside her. When Joey had come into the room to talk to her during those difficult days, she felt as though she could have flung her arms around her and taken her in beside her – and now she had. It felt almost surreal.

She felt the urge to please Joey in the way she knew Joey loved. She kissed her neck, moving downwards slowly and placing baby kisses all over her breasts, licking as she descended. Joey held her breath, gasping occasionally at the sensations coursing through her body. Charlie reached her tummy, kissing it and caressing with her fingers. She moved further down, kissing Joey's inner thigh before moving her attentions a little higher. Joey gasped aloud as Charlie's lips made contact with her. She felt them kissing her, felt her tongue against the softest part of her flesh. She was in bliss. Her senses heightened and she slid her hand down, placing it on the back of Charlie's head. She ran her fingers through Charlie's hair before grabbing it loosely, making sure not to hurt her, but letting her know just how aroused she was.

Charlie became even more excited at the touch of Joey's fingers against the back of her head and she increased the pace of her actions. Joey's body began to writhe, her free arm grasping outwards at anything she could find. She grabbed hold of the edge of the bedside cabinet to stop herself from wriggling off the bed altogether. The base of her spine tingled and the feelings spread throughout her body. She moaned as Charlie brought her closer to orgasm. She gasped repeatedly the moment was about to arrive. Charlie slid her hands upwards over Joey's body, grasping her breasts firmly. That outta do it, she thought.

She was right. Joey came hard and fast - her body stiffened as she did as she cried out. She could feel the strong pulsations between her legs and they continued throbbing inside her for quite some time. Her body relaxed. Charlie lay beside her, pleased with herself. I'm getting pretty good at this, she thought to herself. As soon as Joey regained her composure they embraced. Their bodies were soaking wet with perspiration delicately mixed with the sweet scent of their perfumes.

They lay in each others arms, kissing tenderly – exhausted but sated. Joey decided the time was right to set the birthday plans in motion.

"Charlie?" she whispered.

Charlie was almost asleep but she heard her lover call her back into full consciousness. She raised her head and opened her eyes to look at her.

"I've never been one to make demands in a relationship before ... and I'm sorry Charlie but I have to make one now." Her tone was solemn, almost frightening.

Charlie frowned. This wasn't like Joey at all. Was she serious? "What demand?" she asked, a little apprehensive.

"I have to insist that you be free all day next Wednesday. No work. Cancel it ... by whatever means." Joey grinned. "I won't take no for an answer!"

Charlie smiled at her and giggled. "Okay." She kissed her. "Is there something that you want to do?"

"Well," Joey replied, kissing her again, "... it's a very important day ... " Another kiss. "... for a very important person ... and ... umm ... let's just say I have made some arrangements."

Charlie's eyes lit up. "What arrangements?"

"It's a surprise. That's all you need to know right now." She winked cheekily.

Charlie smiled warmly and wrapped her arms around her tightly. She pulled her close and kissed her tenderly. "That's not fair," she protested in the softest voice.

To be continued ...