I'm sorry it's taken so long to update this story. I've had a lot going on. First my best friend in the world (my dachshund Elvis) hurt his neck. He had two surgeries but didn't get any better so I had to tell them on Monday to put him to sleep. It broke my heart into a million pieces.

So I wasn't really in the mood to write anything light and fun. This is a short chapter because I haven't been thinking about it much but I wanted to get it put up so you'd know I'm still working on this story. I hope to update again next week after I return from a business trip.

I didn't proof much so I apologize in advance for any errors...grammatical or otherwise. And thank you for all of your comments/reviews. They help me a lot more than you might think. I appreciate all of them.

Thanks

-T

Arm in arm, they walked the short distance to the beach house lost in their own thoughts. The feeling of euphoria embraced their bodies.

"I'm still pissed about those shoes." Victoria announced.

Joy playfully swatted Victoria on the rear-end with her open hand then gently but swiftly shoved her into the glowing swimming pool. After flailing for a few seconds Victoria emerged wide eyed and mouth agape. Sputtering the water that got into her mouth, Victoria slicked her hair back with her hands and stood in the shallow pool speechless while Joy laughed a hearty belly laugh.

"Something just came over me!" Joy tried to explain comically. "But now there's not sand in your ass so it all worked out."

Victoria narrowed her eyes. "You will pay for this, Rejoyla." But she had to admit that the warm water felt great. Leaning back she allowed herself to float on top of the rippling water. Joy crossed her arms over her chest and watched Victoria for several minutes. The weight of the water caused the black dress to cling to Victoria's body even more than it did dry. Joy bit her lip at the sight of Victoria's lithe body being caressed by the flowing water.

Joy pulled her dress up a bit and sat down on the edge of the pool. Stretching her long legs out in front of her, she slowly lowered them into the water. Victoria treaded over to where Joy was and stood in front of her friend. The water was about chest high in that area.

Victoria wrapped her hands around Joy's calves as they dangled under the water.

"So…is this happening?" Victoria asked as she ran her hands up and down Victoria's smooth legs.

Joy smiled and tilted her head to the right. "What would this be?"

Victoria narrowed her eyes and pursed her lips which caused Joy to laugh again. Victoria smiled in response. Oh how she loved hearing that laugh.

"Do you want this to be happening?" Joy asked.

Victoria thought for a moment. First, about how long she had truly loved Joy. And second, about how happy Joy made her even with her sarcasm.

The wet brunette in the water smiled. Really smiled. For the first time from deep within her heart. "Yes," she whispered.

Joy slid over the edge and into the water then. Standing toe to toe with Victoria, she didn't care about her hair or her dress or anything else. The only thing she cared about was that her dream, her one dream, had finally come true.

Joy wrapped her arms around Victoria and pulled her tight against her wet chest. They clung to each other for a long time. All in one moment it was like the world had stopped and it was only them. It felt so natural. So right.

Victoria pulled back a little and looked deep into Joy's chocolate brown eyes before softly planting her lips onto the Joy's. Even their mouths fit perfectly. The kiss deepened. The openly explored, devoured, learned one another. They didn't know how long they stood there like that. Time stood still.

Eventually their wet hair chilled under the darkened night sky and sent shivers down their bodies. Joy stepped back and admired the woman in front of her. She couldn't help but have a goofy grin on her face.

"Wow." Is all she could say.

"You exhaust me, Joy Scroggs. Let's get out of these wet clothes and into a warm bed." Victoria blinked when she saw the spark in Joy's eyes. "I've thought about holding you for so many years. It's all I want to do."

They quickly exited the pool and hurried into the beach house.

"I'll take a shower and meet you in your room?" Joy said as she stood in the doorway of the room she hadn't slept in yet.

Victoria thought for a moment. "Yes."

As the soaking wet red dress pooled at her feet, Joy thought about joining Victoria in her own shower. Her hands ached to touch every inch of Victoria's body. But she…they had to take this slow. There was no rush, no hurry. They'd waited this long to figure out they had mutual deep, burgeoning feelings for one another. Joy dried herself off and pulled the fluffy white robe around her body.

Victoria stepped under the hot spray of the water. Her skin was still all a tingle from the emotions that poured forth. She couldn't wipe the smile from her face. She didn't want to. As she massaged the shampoo into her hair, her body remembered the feeling of Joy's hands gently rubbing the back of her head and neck and shoulders. She instinctively felt her breasts tighten.

Stepping out of the shower, Victoria gingerly dried herself off. Although the plush towel was soft, the material felt rough on her overly aware skin.

As she rounded the corner into the bedroom, she saw Joy already in her bed and under the covers. Her heart skipped a beat. Turning off the light, the room was all at once bathed in total darkness. Gently feeling her way to the bed, nerves engulfed Victoria's body. She had never been nervous to get into bed with anyone ever.

Turning herself over in the bed to face Joy, she felt the bed give as Joy inched across the large mattress. They could see nothing but each other's silhouettes. Victoria used her hands to feel until she found Joy's beautiful face. Cupping the sides, Victoria slowly leaned in and feathered a kiss across Joy's lips.

"Turn over." Victoria ordered in a deep, husky voice. She was exhausted and could barely hold her eyes opened but she couldn't wait fall asleep with Joy wrapped in her arms.