Chapter Five

Charlie and Joey held each other close as they stood in the centre of their hotel room. Joey tenderly brushed her lips against Charlie's and settled her hands on her hips. Charlie kissed her gently as she lost herself in the moment. It felt so right, so natural and so perfect to be here with Joey tonight. For all the fear she'd held in her heart all this time, it was matched with elation now. Joey drew away ever so slowly and gazed into Charlie's eyes.

"You're amazing," she said.

She smiled at the way Charlie blushed so bashfully. Charlie leant in and kissed her again. She moved her hands to the centre of Joey's back and pulled her in a little closer as their intimacy deepened. She guided them to the mattress, never allowing their lips to part as Joey stretched out on her back and Charlie leant over her. She still couldn't stop herself from marvelling at kissing Joey. It was different than kissing a man. Joey's lips were so soft and warm. There was no stubble and it was strangely inviting to feel their breasts pressed together and to inhale the scent of her perfume.

"I never want this moment to end," Charlie admitted.

Joey reached up and stroked Charlie's face, smiling.

"It doesn't have to," she said.

She pulled her in closer for yet more kisses.


By the early hours of the morning, Charlie and Joey were slowly coming around to the idea of sleeping. They had kissed for hours and eventually it had led to their second love making session in as many days. Charlie still felt nervous that she wasn't any good at it. Everything still felt so new and she was anxious about not being able to please a woman. But Joey certainly seemed to have enjoyed herself and Charlie found her responses encouraging. And as for being on the receiving end, Charlie didn't think she'd ever enjoyed sex so much. Joey had provided her with wave after delicious wave of pleasure. Charlie felt like she was losing her virginity all over again but this time, she was doing it properly. Everything she'd always thought she'd enjoyed from a man seemed redundant now. Joey knew her so well and wanted to please her so much that she had succeeded in taking her to heights Charlie hadn't realised existed until now.

"What do you think it's going to be like when we get home?" Charlie asked.

She stroked her fingertips up and down Joey's arm.

"It's up to you, I guess," Joey said. "You know... whether you want to tell people or not."

"Do you want me to?"

Joey studied her face and considered her options. She did want people to know. She didn't want to hide anything. She was thrilled and proud that Charlie had chosen to be with her and if she had the choice then she would shout it from the rooftops. Anxiously, she nodded. Charlie leant in to kiss her.

"I think we should talk to Leah first," she said. "I mean, it's her house and I doubt Brett would let me stay over with you so you'd have to come to me!"

Joey couldn't help but grin at the thought of sleeping over at her girlfriend's house. It made Charlie giggle.

"How do you think Brett will cope?" she asked more seriously. "Will you tell him?"

"He'll hate it," Joey said certainly. "He hates me being gay by myself, let alone having a partner but that's his problem, not ours."

"Well um... you know, maybe if he gives you hassle, you could spend lots of time at my place?" Charlie suggested. "You could be there permanently if you like."

The words were out before she'd really thought about them and they surprised her. She didn't do commitment and she had certainly never contemplated living with anyone before but being here in Joey's arms felt more perfect than anything she'd ever experienced before and it was very easy to get carried away.

"Are you serious?" Joey asked, staring at her.

Charlie panicked.

"It's probably too soon," she said quickly. "I'm sorry. I'm rushing things. I mean, it's only our second night together and I... I'm sorry, I shouldn't..."

Joey silenced her with a searing kiss that took her breath away.

"I love the idea of living with you, Charlie," she said honestly.

Charlie smiled and began to relax a little. She kissed Joey again, letting her lips trace their way along her jaw, down her neck and to her collarbone.

"Well, maybe when we get back, we can pack you back up again and... well, we'd definitely need to tell Leah in that case because there is no way I'm sharing with Ruby when you're in the house! Now that I've got you, I'm not spending any longer away from you than I have to," Charlie said.

Joey reached up and wrapped her arms around Charlie's neck, pulling her in for another kiss.

"Have I mentioned that I love you?" Joey asked.

"Maybe a couple of times but if you want to tell me again..." Charlie replied.

"I am so in love with you that I can hardly breathe," Joey said honestly. "You make my world complete and I don't think I could live without you."

They kissed again. Charlie continued to lean over her, pressing their bodies together.

"I love you too," Charlie said. "And neither of us will ever have to discover what life is like without each other. I've messed up a lot of things and a lot of relationships in my life but I am never going to let you go."