(Check end for notes)

Carol locked the door behind them and turned to look into waiting green eyes full of wonder. She brushed Therese's face with the back of her hand and Therese melted at the touch. She took a strand of short hair and twirled it between her fingers as she spoke.

"I'm going to take a shower." she whispered as she released the strand of hair. "You can go after."

Therese watched Carol enter the bathroom and her heart started racing. She was going to sleep with Carol; unless one of them slept on the floor that is. Would they just sleep? Would Carol hold her close and kiss her neck or would they lay on different sides of the bed, an invisible barrier between them. Would it be the same as with Richard; painful and unpleasant or would it be everything she'd hoped love felt like? Therese's thoughts were interrupted by the bathroom door opening. Carol exited, wearing a white bathrobe with her hair wrapped in a towel. Therese was overwhelmed by how beautiful the woman looked, even without make up and polished hair.

"There's another robe in there for you, darling." Carol said as she walked by Therese; a scent of vanilla shampoo following her.

Carol sat on the bed; waiting. What was she waiting for? Were they going to sleep together? Well obviously, there was only one bed in the room; something Therese had prompted at her surprise. But, would they just sleep? Would Therese hold her close and kiss her neck or would they lay on different sides of the bed, an invisible barrier between them. Would it be the same as with Harge; something she had to do out of obligation? Would it be the same as with Abby; a whim that hadn't lasted longer than a month or would it be everything she had been waiting for? Carol's thoughts were interrupted by the bathroom door opening. Therese exited, wearing an identical bathrobe and with wet hair still dripping to the floor. Carol thought back to the moment she first saw the girl at the airport; how overwhelmed she was by her beauty. Now, with a bare face and wet hair; nothing but a bathrobe, Carol was once again blown away. This time not only by Therese's appearance but also by the girl's courage that she hadn't suspected.

"You didn't dry your hair, silly, you're going to catch a cold." Carol said as she stood up and patted the chair in front of the dressing table.

A smile formed on Therese's lips, as the woman's genuine concern made her feel more loved than she'd ever felt before. Carol grabbed the blow dryer and put it on the lowest setting as to not bother the other residents with the noise. Therese sat down in front of the mirror, a soft smile still visible on her face. Carol's fingers swam in her hair and Therese wished it wasn't so short; Carol only needed five minutes to dry it. Carol saw the brush laying on the dresser and didn't hesitate to ask.

"May i?"

Therese nodded gently and Carol leaned over her to grab the brush. A tingling feeling made its way to her lower abdomen. As Carol softly brushed her hair; her hand following the movement of the brush, Therese closed her eyes. She felt content.

"One of the great joys in life is having one's hair brushed." Carol whispered and when she looked into the mirror she saw a shy smile appear on the younger woman's face.

It was so silent they could hear the sound of the waves from the ocean. Besides it was almost an hour past midnight on a Monday evening. Carol put the brush back on the dresser and rested her hands on Therese's shoulders. The girl opened her eyes slowly and met the reflection of Carol's serene grey eyes. Her heart suddenly started beating faster; she was sure Carol could hear it because she smiled a knowing smile at her. Therese turned around confidently.

"Carol?"

"Hm."

"I've never…" her confidence faded away in a fraction of a second. "I don't know how to do this."

Carol gently took her hand and pushed her up from the chair. She trailed up Therese's arm, brushed a strand of hair behind the girl's ear and finally cupped her face with both hands. She leaned in and took Therese's lips into hers. They'd kissed once before -twice before- but every time felt new and different and special in every way. She looked lovingly into familiar green eyes and whispered softly.

"Let me show you, Therese."

Therese felt a shiver run down her spine. The way Carol pronounced her name was enough to undo her.

Carol interlaced her fingers with Therese's and moved them to the bed. She lay on top of the sheets and patted the space next to her softly. Therese blushed and lay facing the older woman with amazement. She cursed herself internally for shivering; nothing had ever felt as right as being with Carol. Carol noticed and whispered softly.

"C'mere" Therese leaned into Carol's outstretched arms and lay there for what felt like eternity. Carol's embrace was warm and safe and everything that equaled love. She softly pressed a kiss on her neck and Carol let out a small whimper. She turned Therese on her back and searched her eyes as if to ask if this were truly what she wanted.

"Are you sure, darling? What about Richard?" Carol whispered as she brushed Therese's robe softly.

"I've never been more certain about anything, Carol. I'm going to break up with him as soon as we're back." She didn't want to talk about Richard at all so she grabbed Carol's bathrobe and pushed her down. "I want you, Carol." She dared to say.

The girl's newfound boldness pleasantly surprised Carol; she had never felt so wanted before. She gave in to the inevitable. She pressed kisses on Therese's cheeks, her lips, her jaw. When she got to the girls' collarbones she traced circles on her skin and slowly started undoing the belt of her bathrobe. She took her time to admire the girls' beautiful body for she had the time because it felt as if time had stood still. She slowly took off her own bathrobe and Therese placed her arm around her waist. Therese marveled at the view; she thought she'd never seen anything as magnificent. Carol continued pressing kisses on Therese's body, her breasts, her stomach; slowly making her way lower and lower. Therese's hand swam in Carol's hair as she moaned softly. When Carol sucked on the girls' thigh she felt the grip on her hair tighten. Carol removed Therese's panty, and smiled when she noticed the wet spot knowing she was the sole reason it was there. She took her time teasing Therese's center for she loved hearing the sounds that she extracted from her, the way her name sounded on Therese's lips.

"Carol, please." Therese moaned and Carol wasn't going to make the love of her life wait any longer.

Her delicate fingers entered Therese and finally, finally they became one. Carol was part of Therese and Therese was part of Carol. Carol moved her fingers and Therese's body became paint and Carol's fingers became brushes and together they created a painting of love and lust.

The rest of the night was spent between tangled limbs and a warm embrace. Carol watched Therese's chest rise and fall in peace while she brushed strands of short hair. After Rindy's call the other day she'd thought she had made a mistake by leaving but after tonight after Therese she knew this was the best decision she'd made in her lifetime. She leaned in close and placed a peck on closed eyelids. She then whispered, with a shaky voice.

"I love you, darling." Carol closed her eyes even though she didn't want to look away from Therese for even a second for she might vanish into thin air. She was surprised when she tasted familiar lips on her own and opened her eyes to meet green sleepy eyes.

"I love you too, Carol." Therese smiled and closed her eyes again. Carol felt a tear roll down her cheek but she let it go freely; it was a tear of happiness. She squeezed Therese closer to her body, leaving no space between them and they both fell back to sleep in each other's embrace.

They spent the next morning in bed until lunchtime when Therese's tummy started rumbling.

"Let's catch lunch at the Marina and then we can start heading back to Paphos. I feel filthy in yesterday's clothes." Carol said as she dressed in front of Therese. No need to hide in the bathroom now for they had seen the most intimate parts of each other

They walked hand in hand by the blue waters, watching as boats sailed away from the baths. Therese occasionally stole glances and giggled when she was met with already awaiting eyes. When the wind blew a leaf onto Therese's hair Carol grabbed the chance to brush the girl's hair; the scent of vanilla reminding her of the previous night. They had a lovely lunch; they shared a plate of calamari and fresh salad, probably the tastiest they'd ever had they admitted.

The drive back was calm; the streets were practically empty. Carol switched on the radio and Whitney Huston's "How Will I Know" was playing. Therese's eyes instantly lit up and she started singing along, occasionally stopping to giggle. She changed the gender of the verses a bit to fit her own feelings.

There's a /girl/ I know, /she's/ the one I dream of Looks into my eyes, takes me to the clouds above Ooh I lose control, can't seem to get enough When I wake from dreaming, tell me is it really love?

Carol's laughter echoed in the car. She dared to take her eyes off the empty road to turn her head and press a kiss to Therese's blushed cheek.

"You have a lovely voice, sweetheart." She said and Therese punched her arm softly. When the song was over and a Greek song started Carol lowered the volume. Therese put her hand on top of Carol's on the gear and saw the smile appear on Carol's lips.

"I'm having the best time of my life with you." She said honestly.

"Me too, darling. Me too." Carol replied.

They returned the car and took a cab back to the hotel. They had decided to wind down by going to the indoor swimming pool that was open until 8pm. They entered the lobby hand in hand chatting about what they were going to do the next day. A man was standing by the reception and Therese suddenly felt incredibly uncomfortable. When the man turned around and met Therese's eyes she felt that she was going to throw up.

"Therese?" Richard started walking towards them and Carol instantly dropped Therese's hand.7

(Notes)

*Puts this down and runs away fast.* This is the first time i've written smut and as someone who hasn't been intimate i hope it is at least a bit believable. Exams are over so updates should happen more regularly now. Hope you enjoy this smutty/fluffy chapter, let me know what your thoughts; i love reading them! I occasionally post sneak peaks of new chapters on my Tumblr if anyone is interested it's thereseswan tumblr com ;)