Tw; explicit scenes
"Ooh hello you, long time no see!" Sean greeted as Michelle stepped through into the factory, the familiar whirl of machines humming in the background. She could have said the same. It did seem like ages since she'd been able to drop by. Now that Carla was working full time and Michelle's own haphazard diary meant she could be dotting in and out of Weatherfield at any given moment, the only time they'd properly seen one another over the last week was when they'd fallen into bed, completely exhausted. She'd already warned the older brunette on several occasions about diving in head first when her body was no longer used to that, but Carla was relentless.
"Well, I thought I'd come and make sure madam in there had a decent lunch." She nodded towards the office, where Carla was hunched over her desk, nose practically rubbing against the surface as she scribbled something down, chatting animatedly into the phone her other hand was pressing against her ear. "Has she had a break?"
"I took her a coffee about an hour ago," Sean shrugged, peering nosily into the carrier bag that was loosely swinging from Michelle's hand.
"I made her one this morning, too." Beth chipped in, inviting herself into their conversation, any excuse to down tools for a second.
"She asked me for one as well when I went to tell her my machine was playing up." Fizz added to the discussion without even glancing up, still continuing the smooth, fluid motion of running the garment she was working on against the needle.
Michelle rolled her eyes, letting out a quiet wince. Three coffee's, no break and no lunch by the looks of things. No wonder she was collapsing into bed every evening. "Honestly, it's like having another child to take care of sometimes."
"Oh, you thrive on it really. You don't fool me." Sean teased, before suddenly clapping his hands together, looking excited. "Can I see your ring, then?"
Unable to stop a grin spreading across her lips, Michelle held up her hand, splaying her fingers as she flaunted the dazzling diamond on her finger. He admired it appreciatively, prompting Beth to slope over for a gawp.
"That must have cost a bob or two, flippin' 'eck." She murmured, eyeing it up impressively.
"Not half," Michelle laughed, clocking their confused faces before adding. "I got Carla the same one."
"I can't believe we missed it. All those lunchtimes I spend in the Rovers and the one time we nip to the cafe instead, we miss out on one hell of a ding dong and a proposal." Beth tapped Sean moodily on the shoulder, causing him to let out a tut of annoyance. "That's your flipping fault! You're obsessed now he's started serving that Manchester tart."
Michelle bit her lip, trying hard not to think about the exact memory she associated with that particular dessert. She had to fight to keep the blush from her face. Realising she hadn't been as inconspicuous as she'd hoped, she cleared her throat awkwardly, opening in her mouth to try and divert the topic of conversation. Before she had chance to even grasp a subject, the office door squeaked open and Carla's unimpressed tone filled the air.
"Oi, what's going on here? I pay you to sit and stitch not stand and-" She broke off, realising the cause of Beth and Sean's distraction. Pursuing her lips, she folded her arms across her chest, leaning against the doorframe. She had one eyebrow raised cockily and Michelle had the strongest urge to march up to her and kiss the arrogance from her face. "Oh, I see. I hope you've got a good reason for striding in here and distracting my staff, girl." She turned to Beth pointedly, prompting her to slope off sulking to her seat.
"Girl?" Michelle's own brows flew towards her hairline, unable to resist teasing the other woman further. "I think you'll find I'm all woman, darlin'."
Carla opened her mouth, about to respond when Sean's sarcastic tone cut through the air.
"Now, now, Mrs C, we rely on you to sit at your desk keeping those contracts rolling in for us all, not to stand there and flirt."
If it had been anyone else, they might not have got away with it, but she merely snatched a pair of underwear from the reject bin and scrunched the material up, hurling them in his direction for his cheek. She'd tried, and failed, to look annoyed, an amused cackle leaving her lips as the red lace and cotton managed to catch him in the face. Happy Carla made for a certainly more tolerable boss. He unfolded the garment and inspected them, a frown marring his features.
"Hey these aren't bad, how comes they're in the bin?" He frowned, stretching them out and holding the lace band up against Michelle's waist, a wry smile forming across his features. "Does she get you to model all the designs, now?"
"Sean!"
Michelle laughed loudly, taking the rejected underwear from him and walking over to place them back into the bin, throwing him a smug glance over her shoulder.
"She wishes."
A sheepish grin spread across her face as she caught Carla's frown, her eyes narrowed disapprovingly. The older brunette beckoned her over with one ominous finger and, though she rolled her eyes, obediently followed Carla through into the office.
"I feel like I'm back at school, about to be told off by the headteacher for leading my friends astray." She grinned, closing the door behind her.
"What, like you did me?" Carla smirked, placing her hands either side of the other woman, resting them against the door and effectively hemming her in.
Michelle swallowed, her gaze falling momentarily the slim gap between them, before flickering up to meet the wired green hues before her. Having been fully expecting Carla to tell her off, she was pleasantly surprised at this outcome. "Yes, well, you grassed me up. You told the headmistress that skipping class to smoke behind the bike sheds was all my idea."
"It was!" Carla insisted, giving her shoulder a firm poke. "They automatically assumed it was me and I just corrected them, that's all."
"But you're older. You should have known better. You shouldn't have encouraged me." Michelle reiterated her old form tutor's comment almost word for word; the man had had somewhat of a soft spot for Michelle, apparently he thought she could do no wrong and on hearing that the young girl had been disgraced, he'd jumped to her defence, trying to save her a detention by pointing out Carla's reputation was hardly one that was glowing and hinting that Michelle had been a model pupil until she'd started hanging around with the other girl. "My mum went absolutely ballistic, she said I couldn't be around with you anymore. She said you were a bad influence."
Carla let out a snort of laughter, rolling her eyes at the recollection of Helen's complete overreaction to finding out exactly why Michelle Connor and Carla Donovan were required to serve a late Friday afternoon detention. "Nothing much has changed, ey? She still thinks I'm a bad influence even though, technically, this," she paused to wave a finger between the two of them, "was also something you started."
Michelle's nose wrinkled, hazel eyes scrunching as an impish giggle sounded from between her lips. She reached out, pulling Carla's small frame flush against her own, their faces a hairsbreadth apart. "And, very much like back then, you didn't exactly take a lot of persuading, did you?" Raising a presumptuous brow, she reached up and tipped the other woman's chin, her voice dropping to a low murmur. "Have you always struggled to resist me?"
Tilting her head, Carla inched closer, as though about to seal the gap between them, though retracted at the last second, a cocky smirk of her own forming across her lips which were now a very safe distance from Michelle's.
"Full of yourself, aren't you?" She tittered, though it had taken an embarrassingly large amount of restraint for the older brunette to spin around and sit back down in her chair, pulling herself under the desk as she settled in front of the computer screen.
With her heart beating slightly faster than it had been, Michelle sauntered over to where she was sat and perched herself on the desk, finally dropping the bag she'd brought with her next to the keyboard that Carla's hands were hovering over. "And you're full of caffeine, according to that lot out there. What this about you not having proper breaks and skipping lunch?"
Casting a furtive glance over her shoulder towards her workforce, she let out a huff of annoyance. "Have you had them spying on me?"
"No, but thank you for the idea. I'll have them keep an eye on you." She nudged the bag further towards Carla, silently prompting her to stop typing and open it. Shooting her a look, her fingers left the keyboard and she peered into the white plastic, letting out a bark of laughter.
"Have you made me a packed lunch? Thanks, mum."
Looking unimpressed, Michelle reached into the bag and pulled out the plastic container, pulling the lid off and pushing the keyboard even further away from Carla.
"You're so annoying." The older woman murmured, glancing unenthusiastically at her lunch, it seemed Michelle was trying to give her a bit of a health kick. "What's in this?" She pointed to the sandwich, inspecting it meticulously. Truth be told, she didn't feel particularly hungry, although that was probably because her lack of keeping up with meals had suppressed her urge for them.
Michelle had lightly poked her shoulder at her first comment, rolling her eyes at Carla's stubborn defiance. "Chicken salad and it's that expensive bread so you're eating it." She shrugged, leaving room for no argument. Curiously, she picked up the smaller tub inside the box and peeled the lid back, before letting out an unamused sigh. Michelle had chopped apple into neat little wedges, thrown in a handful of blueberries and scattered almonds into the second container; she was grinning to herself, looking impressed.
"What am I, five years old?"
"No, you're a coffee addicted workaholic, who had life changing transplant surgery earlier in the year and a brain injury not long after that. So stop kicking up such a fuss like the child you're insisting you aren't, take half an hour and have your lunch."
Carla glared at her and Michelle stared right back, unblinkingly, standing her ground. It took around three seconds of silence before the older woman's lips twitched, a wry smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. The younger woman's tone had been firm, it was definitely her 'mum voice'; Carla remembered similar arguments taking place when she used to try and get Ryan to come off his games console, stop shovelling in crisps and eat something bordering on nutritious.
"Good girl." Michelle teased, purposely patronising the older woman as she finally relented and picked up one of the sandwich triangles, using her other hand to bat the younger woman's away when she'd reached out to ruffle her hair. "Oh, I almost forgot this too."
Carla paused around her first mournful, watching Michelle dip into the handbag on her shoulder and produce a bottle of still, spring water from it. It was cloudy with condensation, droplets of moisture starting to run down the plastic and pool on her desk when she set it down there. Before the older woman could even react, Michelle plucked a couple of tissues from the dispenser by her computer and used them as a make shift coaster. Like she was going to give Carla anymore leeway to complain. Of course, she did anyway.
"That's a big bottle." She murmured, one side of her cheek bulging as she chewed.
"It's only a litre, I want you to start drinking at least one of these throughout office hours, okay?"
Carla swallowed painfully, letting out a groan. "You're pushing it now, lady. God, you sound like Ali."
"If you can drink that much coffee, you can get down a bottle of water."
"And if I do, you'll promise to get off my case?"
With a satisfied nod, Michelle reached out to place a hand on her shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Scouts honour."
"You excelled in getting that childcare badge, didn't you? I don't think you had to be quite so literal about it." Carla smirked, cackling when the other woman's jaw dropped in offence and she let out a disbelieving little scoff.
"You cheeky mare!"
Despite having bickered incessantly about it, Carla hadn't found lunchtime to be too much of a chore, not when Michelle was chatting with her companionably. It made a nice change that she hadn't had to dash off, it was only just hitting the other brunette how much she'd missed her over the last week. She'd half considered asking Michelle if she'd wanted to come back to the factory, but with the amount of work Michelle had from her wedding planning business, it would be highly unlikely she'd ever have the time to slot in even as a part-time assistant. Besides, maybe living and working together might get intense, as much as she didn't enjoy time away from her, it was definitely making her appreciate the time they did have together so much more.
"So what've you got coming up for the rest of the day?" Michelle asked, reaching over to steal a wedge of apple and placing it daintily between her teeth.
"Hey, they're mine!" Carla protested, snatching the container away from her.
"See, you didn't want them when I was giving them to you. You literally just like to be contradictory, don't you? You get off on it."
Carla's lower lip curled inwards as she sank her teeth into it, her green eyes glittering as she laid them on the other woman, running appreciatively over her frame. It had cooled slightly in the recent days, but not enough so that the sleeveless black wrap dress the younger brunette wore was weather inappropriate. How could she make something so simple look so good? "Oh, you've no idea," she murmured in response, bringing her hand forward to rest on the other woman's knee, the tips of her fingers just pushing beneath where the hem was resting, so subtle that it could have easily been passed off as accidental. She left it there long enough to hear Michelle's breath hitch slightly, before retracting it, finally returning back to her computer.
"Oh..." Carla suddenly winced, glancing up at the clock to check the time, a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. "I, er...I have a meeting. Of sorts. It's with Peter." She spoke slowly, bracing herself for the younger woman's reaction.
"Ugh, what? When?" She groaned, suddenly looking as though she had a bad smell under her nose. "I thought he was going to be a sleeping partner?"
"Well he is, but he thinks it's a good idea for us to have progress meetings every few weeks. Just so he's kept on the loop." Carla shrugged, chewing on her lip. "He's due in twenty minutes."
"I'll make myself scarce, then." Michelle murmured, elegantly sliding off of the deck and beginning to readjust her dress.
"I think he's a bit scared of you now, you know? After you shouted at him like that, I don't think he knew what hit him." Carla chuckled, turning back to her screen with little enthusiasm, her fingers fluttering over the keyboard.
"My fist if he attempts to kiss my fiancée again." The younger woman muttered, peering interestedly over Carla's shoulder at the contract she was trying to negotiate through email. It seemed like a reasonably good deal.
"Calm down, Rocky, you'll be getting yourself a reputation."
"Oh God, I sound all possessive and controlling don't I?" She groaned, looking slightly ashamed before dropping her head into her hands. "I'm not, I'm not even jealous or anything about him kissing you, it's the violation of it, he caught you at a weak moment and it was so wrong of him."
Carla's eyes left the screen and she swivelled around to face the other woman, realising she'd taken her joke to heart. Her expression softened and she patted her denim clad lap invitingly, causing Michelle to frown in confusion; she glanced uncertainly over her shoulder at the workforce, before turning back to make sure the other brunette was being serious. When Carla raised her eyebrows pointedly, she carefully lowered herself into her lap, feeling the other woman's arms slide securely around her waist while she slung hers loosely around her neck.
"You're neither of those things." Carla assured her, her fingertips dancing in light circles over her hip. "Well, maybe just a smidge of a control freak." She teased, gesturing towards the desk where her half eaten food had been abandoned. "But I know it's only because you care."
Carla glanced across at the lunch Michelle had taken time to prepare for her, suddenly feeling a lump forming in her throat. All of her life, she'd been used to people not caring, which is why she supposed she hated people fussing over her now. She'd had to fend for herself for so long that she'd somehow warped the idea that someone actually giving a damn about her was nothing more than pesky meddling- something for their own gain and not hers. It was almost hard to pin point when the longing to be cared for had turned into a longing to be left alone; though she distinctly remembers seeing other mums dropping their kids off at school, sending them on their way with their packed lunches that matched their back packs, which were filled with gel pens and reading books and their correctly completed homework.
No matter how much Carla thought she seemed to do wrong by her mother, the feeling that she was at fault always evaporated whenever she spent time with Michelle. She'd always just accepted her, not expected her to be anything other than who she was and she'd been her friend regardless. It always felt like she was enough. The feeling had never really gone away, there was a reason the younger woman's presence made her feel so at ease.
Smiling to herself, she remembers how she'd long since given up trying to force down the muck they served at school mealtimes and instead had taken to stealing the change that had escaped George's pockets when he'd pass out on the sofa, the coins sliding between the creases of the cushions, which she'd use to buy crisps and cans of pop from the corner shop.
It hadn't been long until Michelle had started bringing extra in her own lunch and they'd spend it sat on the field in their favourite spot, sharing sandwiches and sweets, swigging dandelion and burdock while giggling together about their weekend plans or what reason Carla had been sent out of class for. Her razor sharp tongue had been a trait that she'd developed early and it was almost always the root cause of any trouble she got herself into.
"Carla, are you okay?"
She was snapped out of her trance at Michelle's concerned tone, blinking as she brought her focus back to the younger woman's face. Her eyes felt slightly wetter than usual and judging from the way the younger woman's expression had softened, it must have been more noticeable than she'd hoped. Lifting her hands, she brought them to Michelle's face, cupping her cheeks and allowing her thumbs to brush against the other woman's skin; she felt so warm, soft, she was beautiful in the way that radiated from the inside, made her glow on the outside. "Sometimes it just hits me... How much I love you, how insanely lucky I am." Carla murmured, leaning closer until her forehead was resting lightly against Michelle's. "Thank you, for looking after me. For nagging at me to eat, making sure I don't collapse from a caffeine overdose and always having my back. I know I'm a bit difficult, but I appreciate it so much. I appreciate you, so much."
Bringing her hand towards her face, the younger woman allowed her fingertips to trail affectionately down Carla's cheek, resting them there as she tilted her head, connecting their lips together. It was such a sweet and meaningful kiss, Michelle's lips were gentle and loving as they worked softly against the older brunette's, her other hand sliding beneath her hair to hold the back of her head. Carla's response was just as gentle, her own hand resting against the side of the younger woman's neck, the other still against her hip where she squeezed her fingers affectionately. When they finally pulled back, Michelle took her face on her hands and Carla's eyes flickered up to meet hers. The way the younger brunette looked at her, with those deep eyes and that smile, caused a warmth to spread over her chest, the butterflies to return.
"I love you, too." Michelle whispered, leaning in once more and this time touching a tender kiss against her forehead, lingering there as Carla's arms wrapped themselves around her frame.
The moment didn't last nearly as long as either of them wished it would. They were disrupted quite abruptly by three sharp wraps on the office door, which squeaked open to reveal one of their least favourite people, despite his appearance having been inevitable.
"Oh, sorry. Am I interrupting? You did say half past."
Michelle couldn't quite contain her disappointed sigh as she attempted to wriggle from Carla's lap, though the other woman did wrap a gentle hand around her arm, tugging her back down to deliver a final kiss to her lips. "I'll see you later, okay?" She reassured Michelle, a regretful smile on her face.
"Don't overdo it tonight, yeah?" Michelle reminded her fiancée, squeezing her fingers before heading towards the door. Carla hadn't let go of her hand until Michelle's distance from her chair had made it physically impossible to keep hold. Neither of them acknowledged the way Peter shuffled awkwardly, in fact Michelle had ignored his presence completely, as if she could see straight through him, she hadn't even greeted the man. She stopped at the door and turned back around, blowing Carla a kiss. "See you soon, baby."
The older woman watched her leave with a sickeningly smitten smile on her face, ignoring the Peter's obvious impatient sigh. Though at her warning glance, he rearranged his face into an warmer smile.
"I'm still getting used to that," he attempted to joke, nodding towards the exit that Michelle had just vacated through, before turning back to Carla, his smile faltering at the expression on her face.
"Bit of an odd thing to say about a relationship that has absolutely naff all to do with you."
"Sorry, I just meant, well, I never realised you and her had that kind of...you never made any notion..." he trailed off, shrugging, stuffing his hands awkwardly into his pocket. "When did you-?"
"Nope, stop right there." Carla held up her hand, effectively silencing him as she cut across his rambling. "We're here to discuss the progression of this business, not the progression of my relationship with Michelle. So park your busybody backside down and let's just get this over with."
Looking somewhat like a sulky teenager, not dissimilar to the scowl she often saw painted across Simon's face, he flopped into the chair situated on the other side of the desk, clasping his hands in front of him.
"Speaking of progression, I did hear." He nodded towards the ring on her finger, his expression completely neutral. "Congratulations."
"Yeah, thanks." Carla dismissed, digging around in her drawer to find the report she'd drawn up earlier in the week. "Right, pin your ears back because I'm not repeating any of this to you."
IXIXIXI
Of course it was inevitable that after a relatively easy morning, Michelle had managed to get herself caught up in a very long and tedious 'emergency meeting' with a client who'd had a complete meltdown. Having decided last minute that her decorations just 'weren't right', Michelle had been at her wits end trying to find another provider for ones that the bride-to-be deemed more suitable.
It had taken all of her restraint not to snap at her client who, after all that, had decided that the old decorations wouldn't be so bad providing they changed the colour of the satin bows that were to be tied around the chairs and added a few matching flowers into the centrepieces. Although having been ready for tearing her hair out, Michelle had smiled through gritted teeth, shook her hand at the end of a long trek around what seemed to be every florist in possibly Greater Manchester. If she ever stepped foot into another flower shop again, it would be a lifetime too soon.
Carla had listened to her advice about finishing before her eyes had dried up from staring at a screen all day and they were both disappointed that they'd still had a good chunk of their evening cut into. Dumping her keys unceremoniously onto the decorative ceramic bowl that rested on the closest counter, Michelle let out a heavy sigh, gratefully stepping out of her shoes.
"You will never believe the amount of utter shi-"
"Shh!" Ryan hissed from where he was sprawled out in an armchair, submersed in some sort of gaming magazine. He'd raised his finger to his mouth, nodding towards the sofa. Following his line of sight, Michelle peered over the back of it. Stretched out across all three cushions, Carla was laid with her eyes closed, her shoulders rising and falling evenly. Her hair was fanned out over the back of the pillow she had her head on, her hand tucked under her face. The rest of her was covered in a soft, grey throw, one that Ryan had covered her with when he'd realised she was fast asleep. "She dropped off about ten minutes ago in front of that crock of crap show about all those housewives," he shrugged, as Michelle made her way around to the front of the sofa, crouching down beside Carla's sleeping form.
"Did she seem okay?" She asked, raising her hand and pressing the back of it against her forehead; her temperature felt normal.
"Yeah, she was just knackered."
"I'm not surprised, she's running herself ragged already over at Underworld." Michelle murmured, reaching out to carefully brush her hair back from her face, her expression softening when the other woman let out a gentle hum. She knew why, of course. Carla was determined not to let Aidan down, she wanted to make the place as successful and lively as it had been when he'd taken over. But he'd be proud of her regardless and she knew for a fact he wouldn't want her health to suffer for it.
"Your tea's in the oven, still." Ryan grunted from behind his phone, having abandoned the magazine he'd been reading, his thumbs working furiously against the screen as he typed.
"She cooked?"
"Well, she put one of those massive ready made lasagnes in the oven and made this weird salad thing. I stayed clear of that, it looked a bit like garden foliage."
Michelle gazed back down at the peaceful woman, smiling to herself as she brushed a gentle fingertip over her cheek, her touch barely there for fear of waking her. Glancing at the clock, she saw it was only just after eight, though was determined to let Carla have her early night if that's what she needed. Bringing herself up to her feet, she made her way into the kitchen, suddenly realising just how hungry she was. It was like some of these clients of hers had no idea that she had a life and a routine outside of planning their weddings. Though she supposed, that's exactly the kind of thing she'd taken on when deciding to go into events planning; she knew if the tables were turned and she was suddenly panicking about a Big Day disaster, she wouldn't have much of an appetite either and all consideration would go out if the window. Glancing at the ring on her finger, she felt her stomach flip with excitement, it wouldn't be long until planning began for a wedding much more closer to home...
She was just finishing washing up her plate and moving to place it on the draining rack when her mobile phone went off. The sudden shrill tone caused Carla to jump awake, a quiet grumble of shock escaping from her lips.
"Oh, god, sorry darling." Michelle looked guilty as she dashed into the living area, plucking the device from the coffee table and letting out a groan of annoyance.
Carla watched the other woman through bleary eyes, blinking them into focus as Michelle took the call. Pushing her hand through hair that was messed up from sleep out of her face, she listened to Michelle speaking to whoever had called her, it seemed they were thanking her profusely, and she was assuring them it was no trouble. She still felt completely exhausted, bringing her hand up to cover her mouth as she yawned hugely, tugging the blanket further around her shoulders. It was only to be expected, jumping back full force into work so quickly after everything she'd been through and she'd not had nearly half as much coffee as she usually would have, thanks to Michelle's meddling. That said, her late afternoon headache hadn't made its usual appearance, so she supposed that it had done her some amount of good. She shot the younger woman a sleepy smile when she finally hung up the phone, walking over to the sofa and flopping down beside her, automatically sliding an arm around her bundled up form.
"Sorry, baby," she repeated her apology once more, giving the older brunette a gentle squeeze. "I thought it was on silent. Are you okay?"
Carla gave a small nod of reassurance, nuzzling further into her, breathing in her familiar scent. It was comforting, pressed up against the soft warmth of her, strands of silky hair tickling her cheeks. "I'm fine, I'm just shattered," she murmured, reaching up to brush Michelle's hair back from her face, tucking it behind her ear. "Who was that?"
"Denise, she's a client. She just told me I was welcome to bring a plus one to the night do," Michelle hinted, flashing Carla a grin before adding. "It's in a really posh hotel in Chester. Rooms still available if we want to stay over..."
"Oh, really?" That had spiked the other brunette's interest, perking her up from her sluggish state almost instantly. "When is it?"
"This Saturday," Michelle opened the internet browser page on her phone, typing in the name of the hotel and handing it over to Carla, who started scroll through the images eagerly.
"Oh, wow, that is fancy isn't it?" She bit her lip, a mischievous grin forming across her features as she tapped the screen to access the booking page. "This Saturday, you say?"
IXIXIXI
"Oh, I think I'm going to like this place." Carla glanced up at the hotel impressively, reaching out for Michelle's hand once she had exited the car, leading her through the revolving door and into the spacious lobby. The light marble floor gleamed in the light from the chandeliers that hung gracefully from the ceiling. There were plush red sofas adorning either side of the reception desk, just to the side of a wide stairway with a deep, polished oak banister.
"You're in your element, aren't you?" Michelle laughed, eyeing the other woman appreciatively. She fit in so well, a sleek black cocktail dress clinging to her body, her hair twisted into an elegant updo, diamond teardrop earrings glittering either side of her face, a matching necklace fastened around her neck. Striding confidentially to the reception desk, her motions were fluid and practiced, heels clicking against the expensive, mottled flooring.
Michelle hung back slightly as Carla checked them in, quickly firing off a text to the client whose wedding she was attending to let her know that they had arrived, and even though she was technically there as a guest, added that she shouldn't hesitate to ask if she needed any help. She tugged her blazer further around her body, biting her lip as she watched Carla saunter back over to her, their key card clutched firmly in her hand.
"There's no way you're mine, you look like you belong on a red carpet in Hollywood." Michelle whispered, unable to resist reaching out and pulling her in for a kiss.
"You scrub up extremely well yourself." Carla smirked, her eyes falling to the sculpted skirt suit Michelle was dressed in, admiring the way it carved out her figure. "Come on, lets dump our things and then we can go and crash this party. I'm dying for a gin and tonic."
It had to be said that, when a wedding wasn't either your own or someone you were close to, the night do was definitely the better half of the event. The hotel's function room was just as grand as the rest of it, tables scattered over the deep red carpet and cushioned, high-backed chairs with swirling wooden arms and solid legs situated at every one of them. Even the 'dance floor' was polished and immaculate, reflecting the blue and white of flashing dance lights overhead. The music had already started to increase in volume and liveliness, there was already a group of worse for wear women, all in bridesmaids dresses, throwing themselves around to the beat.
"No way, Carla Connor? Well I never!"
The two women flipped around from where they stood at the bar, Carla letting out a noise of recognition as they turned to face an ageing man in a grey, tailored suit. It was a former client of Underworld's, one who she'd done business with even before Michelle had worked with her.
"Oh, Mr Renald's!" She greeted, holding out her hand for him to shake. He clasped hers in both of his, offering her a warm smile.
"Oh, call me Grant. How have you been keeping? It's been years!"
Carla nodded politely, exchanging pleasantries with him. He hadn't been a bad man to work with at all, a bit of a tendency to be a little overbearing and the odd few times the brunette businesswoman had wondered whether his friendliness was bordering on flirtation, but he'd never been outright inappropriate. Before Carla could even introduce Michelle, his eyes had already fallen on the younger woman.
"Ah, and I know who you are, of course. Let me tell you, you deserve a medal Michelle. I love her to bits, but our Denise can be so highly strung. I bet it was a hard feat putting together this wedding." He chuckled, reaching out for her hand, frowning slightly as he glanced between the pair. "Do you two know each other?"
"You could say that," Carla smiled across at Michelle, wrapping an arm around her waist. "She's my better half. My fiancee, actually." The way she'd just said it, so outright, so certain, her chest pushed out, the dazzling smile across her lips, her entire being glowing with pride; it made the younger woman's heart swell, an adoring smile forming across her own lips.
The suited man in front of them clapped his hands together delightedly, congratulating them both. "Well, this is a small world isn't it? Come on, you'll have to let me buy you both a drink."
Carla had to admit, she was having fun. A change of scenery had done her the world of good and attending such a positive event where she wasn't the main focus, where she could just sit at the table with Michelle, charring and drinking, occasionally being introduced to the Bride's family who had come up to compliment the younger woman on her efforts, had definitely helped to ease the stress of the last few weeks. She was just finishing a conversation with one of the other wedding guests, whose relation to the family she hadn't gotten, about the spa facilities the place offered when the music was suddenly turned down drastically, allowing for the DJ to request everyone took a seat while the Bride and Groom participated in their first dance.
The two women watched the happy couple walk into the middle of the dance floor. A sympathetic smile crossed Carla's lips as she clocked how nervous the groom looked. She felt Michelle shuffle closer to her from behind as the music started and the two figures began to sway tentatively, the younger woman's chin resting on her shoulder as she wrapped her arms around her, pressing her lips to the side of her head.
They were both thinking it, their gazes fixed firmly on the dance floor, Michelle lacing her fingers through Carla's, who'd brought her own hands up to rest over where the younger woman's were holding her, giving them a gentle squeeze. Carla swallowed, blinking in the darkened room, only the whisper of subtle conversation could be heard over the slow notes of the song that was playing, not one she recognised but it seemed an entirely appropriate wedding song. The groom had grown steadily more confident, now gazing down as his new wife with a smile that mirrored the bride's; they looked completely smitten. Michelle's warm cheek was now pressed against her own, soft lips grazing the corner of her mouth, prompting Carla to turn her head just enough so that their lips met lovingly. Yeah, they were both thinking it. Their turn was coming.
IXIXIXI
"You were right, that shower is amaz-" Michelle stopped short, having stepped out of the bathroom with a fluffy white towel tucked firmly around her body, hair slicked back, water still dripping slowly off the ends of it and beading on her shoulders. Carla was stretched luxuriously on top of the bed, leaning against the plush cushions, her leg bent with one arm curled up over her head where her hair was fanned out over the pillow, falling in loose, damp waves which she'd rubbed semi-dry with a towel. Her other hand was lazily twirling the excess piece of silk ribbon from the bow that was attached to the front of the most heart stopping attire. Black lace wound around the top half of her body, encasing her chest, ending just a little below where the black material flowed over the rest of her, the hem finishing just at the top of her thighs, so sheer that she could see straight through it, enabling her to notice that the underwear she had on were made of the same matching black lace.
Michele swallowed, feeling the shiver ripple down her spine, a warmth spreading down over her stomach, coiling in her lower abdomen. It was then she realised she hadn't even spoke, her darkened eyes had just continued to rake slowly over her frame. "Wow, Carla..." She made her way over to the other woman, her knee sinking into the mattress as she crawled over to her, biting her lip now that she was getting an up close view. There was a flicker of uncertainly in the deep green eyes beneath her, Carla's hand subconsciously falling to cover the thin scar that was visible over her stomach, a move that she hadn't even realised she'd done until Michelle reached down to lace their fingers together, gently pulling her hand away.
"You look breathtaking...you do. Look at this," Michelle held out her arm, tilting it towards the subtle lights from the lamp that Carla had purposely dimmed. "I've got goosebumps. You're flawless." She pulled the other woman closer, lightly connecting their lips, daring to graze her teeth over Carla's lower one, a move that caused them both to shiver. "I want you, Carla."
With renewed confidence that had come from the younger woman's desperate words, Carla swiftly pushed Michelle down against the array of pillows, connecting their lips firmly. Michelle responded enthusiastically, her hands brushing down the lace front, catching the other woman around her waist to pull her closer. She hummed her approval when Carla deepened the kiss, the brush of her tongue sending another ripple of pleasure down her back. It wasn't long before Carla's hands fell to where her towel was twisted securely in place, making short work of unravelling it and pulling it apart, letting us fall either side of her, exposing Michelle completely. Her skin was still shining from the shower, water droplets beading against her collarbone, dripping down her chest. Carla had the sudden desire to erase them with her mouth. The ripple of her tongue against her sensitive skin caused Michelle to gasp, the muscles in her stomach tensing when Carla's hand started to trail over her thigh.
"Don't tease me, I need you."
Inching higher, she tormented the younger woman further, her touch featherlight as she brushed them over slick heat, not remotely enough to ease any of the aching pressure that was building.
"I can tell." Carla bit her lip, looking smug as she repeated the action, her green eyes glittering almost cruelly as she continued to deliver the barely-there strokes against her. The younger brunette let out a frustrated groan, pushing her hips up to try and increase the firmness of her touch.
"Carla." Michelle tone was dangerous, serious, the glare in her deepened hazel hues fixated on the arrogant emerald ones above her.
Carla let out a low chuckle, the sound alone causing a fire to erupt in her lower abdomen, intensifying her need for the older woman. Hovering over her, Carla used her other hand to push Michelle's hair back, trailing her fingertips along her jawline and tipping her chin, making sure she couldn't look away when she suddenly deepened her touch, her fingertips instantly engulfed in a squeezing heat. The younger woman's mouth fell open, her hand flying down to grip Carla's wrist, keeping it firmly in place.
"Don't stop."
The only sound in the spacious room was the quiet whisper of the younger woman's heavy breath, the touch of kisses that Carla was scattering against her neck as she worked against her, coaxing out small whimpers which Michelle was trying to bite back.
"'Chelle," Carla murmured, lightly scraping her teeth against her skin, swirling her tongue across the area. "There's no one to be quiet for, here..."
Deciding that Michelle wasn't kicking up nearly enough fuss, she lowered the kisses she was peppering over her neck, moving them down towards her chest, parting her lips to create a tingling suction against her skin.
"Please...please,"The younger brunette started to repeat breathlessly, her brow furrowed in desperation as her hips buckled against the onslaught of pleasure. Relenting, Carla curled her fingertips and Michelle cried out again, louder this time. "Carla, there."
"I know," She whispered, moving her mouth back up to press a succession of quick kisses against Michelle's lips, the younger woman's breathing too frantic to allow for anything longer. "I know exactly where. Tell me what you need."
The heat was now colouring Michelle's tanned skin, deepening her cheeks and spreading across her chest, her body straining as she pushed herself further towards Carla, one of her hands twisting in the bed sheet. Her eyes flickered up go meet the older brunettes once more, almost black with desire. "Harder."
The word left her lips in a husky growl, one that ignited a passion within Carla's own stomach and she couldn't refuse her. She had to give her what she needed. It was almost impossible to keep the rhythm when she complied and gave Michelle exactly what she'd asked her for, the younger woman's writhing jerking and frantic, her head pressed firmly against the pillow as her cries started to climb the walls, bouncing off the ceiling and echoing around the room.
Carla was in awe, watching her come undone completely under her intimate touch. The noise that tore from her throat following her release was feral, completely out of her control and it sent waves of pleasure rippling down the older woman's spine, her eyes glued to Michelle's quaking frame. Stars had burst in front of the younger woman's eyes, she was falling over the edge; she suddenly couldn't remember where she was, but she hadn't cared, because it was so good and all that mattered was that she felt it.
Her throat was raw by the time her back had straightened from the contorted ark her body had forced it into, collapsing back down against the bed, her breaths broken and ragged, curling in on herself as she shook against the lightning bolts of pleasure that were jolting every nerve ending in her body.
"That was intense," Carla smirked, biting her lip as she hovered over the younger woman, lightly trailing her fingertips down a hot, flushed cheek. "You haven't had one like that for a while." Her hand brushed down over her chest, tickling along her stomach, revelling in the way Michelle still tensed beneath her light touch, her body quivering. "It's a good job you were laid on that towel. How awkward would that have been, ringing down to reception asking them to change the sheets already?"
Michelle let out an embarrassed whimper at Carla's words, throwing her arm over her face as the flushed across her skin deepened further. She tried to turn her head so it was nuzzled into the pillow, but the other woman reached down and gently tugged her arm away. "Hey, don't hide from me..." She whispered, pushing her damp hair back from her forehead as she spoke. "I'm beyond flattered that I do that to you, I love making you feel that way." Leaning down, she lightly connected their lips. The kiss was brief, Michelle was still recovering from Carla's previous actions, her breath still hadn't returned to its normal rate and her body continued to tremble. She needed to be close to her. The older brunette seized the hem of the garment that had been the beginning of Michelle's undoing, she pulled the flimsy material over her head, tossing it carelessly over her shoulder.
Lowering herself fully onto the bed, Carla spread out beside the younger woman, shuffling closer so that she could wrap her up in a close embrace. The first touch of Michelle's overheated skin against her own as they lay chest to chest caused her to let out an involuntary hum of contentment, her arms enclosing around the other woman to keep her close.
Maybe Michelle could sense it, but her eyes fluttered open just as Carla had been studying her face, taking in every part of her, all the tiniest details that she'd seen so many times but had never fully taken in; the way her hair dipped slightly in centre of her forehead, emphasising the heart shape of her face. She bushed gentle fingertips over the delicate baby hairs that fell in wisps a little below her hairline. They seemed incredibly cute on her, how she not realised just how endearing they were? They were darker than usual, damp from perspiration and they stayed in place where her hand had slicked them back. Her eyes then fell to the ones that were watching her, a hint of bemusement in hazel hues which were deeper, but just as bright, reflecting even the dimmest of the light from the lamp.
"What're you staring at?" Her voice was gentle, a slight croak to her husky tone, strained from crying out.
Carla traced over her jawline, following the smooth curve down to her chin, hooking two fingers beneath it. "I'm just trying to process how someone can be so beautiful."
"Carla..." The blush was back on her face, the younger woman at a loss for words but her lips had suddenly stretched into a splitting smile, nose wrinkling as she moved forward, pressing a firm kiss against the other brunette's mouth. "I love you. I love you more than the lifetime it would take me to find the words to tell you exactly how much..."
Her words wound themselves around the other brunettes heart, pulling the gap that had lingered from every rejection, everyone who'd ever let her down, closer to sealing completely. Carla knew she meant every word and she wasn't just saying them to the hot headed, feisty factory boss, she was speaking to every part of her; the disgraced business woman who'd got herself arrested for being drunk and disorderly, who'd found herself banned from driving for a year; the selfish friend who'd only ever thought of herself each time she'd ran away or put every other relationship before her; the trouble causing teenager who wouldn't ever amount to much, scrawny and malnourished with straggly hair, who thought the world was always going to be against her and so turned against the world, growing up to hit self destruct so that she was in control of taking away her happiness and stability before life could snatch it from her.
"Hey, baby, come on..." Carla hadn't even realised there were tears on her cheeks until Michelle had brushed them away, engaging her in another loving kiss, her lips careful and comforting.
"Michelle, please marry me," she choked out, tucking her head beneath the younger woman's chin, her arms tightening around her waist.
"I already said yes, didn't I?" Michelle laughed gently, smoothing her hand over Carla's back, the tips of her fingers dipping over the slight ridges of her spine.
"No, I mean marry me...As soon as we can...Before the year's out."
Michelle attempted to contemplate the suggestion, but found she didn't even need to. Despite the suddenness of the way thing has panned out, she couldn't seem to find a cell in her body that screamed out it was 'too soon'. In fact, the most sensible part of her body, the one she usually chose to listen to was throwing the phrase 'about time' to the forefront of her mind. She was so certain that the woman in her arms was the only person she would ever love like she did, no one else could even compare, there was no one like her.
"Okay," she whispered, her chin lightly bumping into the top of Carla's head as she nodded affirmatively. "Okay, I will. We will."
A/n: I hope this was okay, I might have pushed the boundaries a little further with the intimate scenes, definitely felt like it was slightly more explicit than I'm used to writing so that was very nerve wracking! Thank you so much for all the kind reviews, it warms my heart! I'm so happy people are enjoying this story.