Chapter 10

Charlie awoke first. She could feel the warmth of the morning Sun against her face and it energised her. She needed energy – the night before had drained her. She squinted, raising her hand up to block out the Sun's powerful rays – she wanted to look at her love. Joey was fast asleep beside her – and they were still locked in the same embrace that had sent them both to sleep hours earlier. She looks so beautiful. Her hair was tousled, and was spread out across her pillow. Her breasts were exposed. Charlie watched her, capturing every detail of her naked body. She could watch Joey sleep for hours.

What time is it? She reached for her phone. The display showed '6:05 a.m.'. They had fallen asleep just under two hours ago! She lay her head back on her pillow, and snuggled up closer to Joey until their noses were almost touching. The movement made Joey stir, and she slowly opened her eyes. She smiled at the sight of Charlie lying naked beside her.

"Good morning", she whispered.

"Good morning", replied Charlie in the same whispering tone – she brushed against Joey's cheek with her thumb, "Sorry ... I didn't mean to wake you".

"I'm glad you did", said Joey, as she she cast her eyes down to appreciate Charlie's nakedness. "What time is it?" she asked, groggily.

"It's early ... just past six ... did you sleep okay?", Charlie asked tenderly.

"Better than I ever have", replied Joey with a smile. She leaned in and kissed Charlie softly. They pulled one another closer, their kisses becoming more passionate with each moment that ticked away. They knew they would have to leave that room within a few hours – and they wanted to make the most of the time they had left. Their lovemaking resumed.

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It was now 8:15. Charlie and Joey lay curled up together. Charlie had her back turned to Joey, and Joey lay behind her, her arms wrapped tightly around Charlie's waist. She had spent the last several minutes kissing Charlie's neck and shoulder, and Charlie had laid there in utter bliss, cherishing every moment of it, sighing softly.

Charlie couldn't remember a time when she was happier than this. Joey made her feel whole - she was exactly what Charlie had been waiting for. She just didn't realise it before. I'm in love. The words resounded in her head and she smiled as she repeated them to herself - I'm in love ... with a woman. She had said these words to herself many times over the past few weeks, but where they used to instil fear within her, they now filled her with happiness – with hope.

"We should maybe get up now", Joey whispered into Charlie's ear. Charlie writhed, turning herself around until she was facing Joey. She embraced her, frowning. Joey knew exactly what the sullen expression meant. She didn't want to leave the room either. She would stay there with Charlie forever if she could. She comforted her with a gentle kiss.

Charlie knew Joey was right. She had to go to work this morning but wished she didn't. She wanted to spend the whole day with the woman she loved.

They sat up in bed. Joey looked down at the floor below them and saw the pile of discarded clothes. She reached down, lifting as many as she could. She handed Charlie her clothes and she begun to dress herself. Strangely, Joey felt a little uncomfortable dressing in front of Charlie. She's had no issues undressing! So why was she feeling this way? She couldn't explain it.

Charlie dressed too – and put her phone back in her pocket. They were ready to leave. Joey put the key in the lock and twisted it. Click! She turned around to face Charlie. The two women embraced, kissing tenderly for one last time in the privacy of their room.

"Let's go", Joey whispered.

To be continued ...