Author's Note: The chapter is dedicated to anybody who asked, "Lemon, for the love of all that is holy, when are Charlie and Bass finally gonna do the deed?" The answer, my friends, is NOW. Enjoy.

Charlie isn't sure how long she's been asleep when she hears a knock on the door. She gets up and groggily grabs a robe. She's putting it on as she heads to the front of her apartment. Looking out the peephole, she is surprised to see Bass is here. She opens the door. He's leaning against the door jam, casual and yet somehow predatory. Charlie shivers. "What are you doing here?" she asks him breathlessly.

"Oh I think you know." His eyes are so blue and they churn with need. It's like looking into the ocean right before a storm. Her breath catches as he kicks the door shut behind him. "Come here." His voice is low and incredibly sexy.

Charlie couldn't say no if she wanted to and the truth is she doesn't want to. Falling into his arms, she melts into the kiss. His mouth slants against hers, pressing for entrance. Her lips part for him with a low moan, allowing Bass to delve deeper into the kiss. Her tongue tangles with his as they explore each other. The kiss intensifies. Her robe falls away and his hands move. One finds the small of her back, pulling her closer. The other gently cups Charlie's breast, tweaking softly at the nipple as his mouth moves to her pulse…

Charlie jolts awake from the now familiar dream. The morning sunlight shines through her bedroom window and she stretches lazily; smiling as she remembers her choice to sleep in the buff. She glances at the clock and then gets out of bed. She wants to visit the museum before work. At the thought of work, she grins. Never has she had a job she enjoys as much as this one.

Charlie showers and then dresses in worn jeans and a black tank. She's out the door within thirty minutes of waking. She is excited for the day ahead and can't wait to get it started.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Bass rouses early, very glad to note that the building's air conditioning is working again. He showers and dresses before going out for his daily caffeine fix. Returning to the studio he sets everything up for the day's work. He stares at the painting for a long time. He's very pleased. Bass is convinced this is the best portrait he's ever done. It's almost complete. He'll definitely be able to finish it today. He takes another sip of coffee, gazing at her image on the canvas. Bass remembers the first day they met in the gallery. Charlie had felt his heart wasn't in the paintings she'd seen hanging there. She'd been right. His heart hasn't been in this for a while… until now. Until he started painting her.

Still sipping his coffee, Bass wanders to his stereo. He glances over the stacks of cd's and pulls out a few. He wants to set the mood today, not just for the painting session, but for what he knows in his heart will follow it. He remembers yesterday and how truly amazing it had been to spend quality time with Charlie. Bass smiles to himself. He has a feeling today will be even more memorable.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

After making her usual pit stop at the museum, Charlie arrives at The Clayton. She says hi to Nora before heading to the stairs. She hesitates before taking that first step. With every upward movement she knows she's getting closer to him. It's as if she can sense his nearness. Her pulse quickens. Her knees are a little shaky. When she reaches the top of the staircase, Charlie scans the studio for Bass. He's not here, and she is surprised at just how disappointed this makes her.

"Why the frown?" Bass asks quietly as he emerges from what Charlie assumes are his living quarters. Her heartbeat pounds and she feels a fluttering deep in her belly at the mere sight of him.

Her frown quickly morphs into a wide smile. "Hi." She says simply.

Bass can't help but return Charlie's smile. He walks to her and leans in close, pressing his lips to hers in a soft kiss. "Hi yourself." His hands move to the small of her back as the kiss deepens. Inching up the hem of her tank with his fingertips, he leisurely strokes the base of her spine. Charlie shivers at his touch. Then Bass moves his hands from her back, stroking softly up and down her arms before taking her hands in his. He smiles and squeezes her fingers lightly before taking a step back. Bass inhales deeply, steadying his own emotions before pointing to the part of the studio where he paints. "Let's get started. I think I can finish this morning."

She nods, and heads to the privacy screen. Charlie comes back out minutes later wearing the familiar robe. As she walks to the couch she glances his way. He's sitting on his bar stool behind the easel, watching her with unveiled interest.

Charlie waits for a beat, making sure she holds his gaze before shrugging slowly from the robe. As it pools at her feet, she says softly, "Just for you Bass. Just for you."

Hearing those words and being reminded of their perfect day together yesterday; he almost loses his resolve. He doesn't say anything, but uses his eyes to convey his appreciation. In moments like these, they can communicate silently. The tension hangs heavy in the air between them; ripe with promise.

As she settles into the pose, she smiles, "I liked it better when the AC was off. At least then you were kind of naked too."

"Oh don't worry. We'll have plenty of time for that later." He's smiling but his eyes tell her that he's very serious about this. Charlie feels a shiver of anticipation. Their eyes lock.

"Later then." She agrees with a flirty grin.

Bass is close enough to being done with this painting that he could finish it without her even being here, but he thinks the outcome will be better this way. He picks up a brush and looks at Charlie, lounging seductively on the couch. He notices that her hair is wrong, and sets his brush down again. He walks to her slowly, taking in the swift rise and fall of her chest. Knowing that she is as impacted by these moments as he is drives him crazy. He wants nothing more than to touch her. Kneeling at her side, he arranges the long strands into the halo he's been painting. When her hair is right, his eyes meet hers. He knows he shouldn't touch her, but he can't resist reaching out and stroking the flesh covering her collar bone with the lightest brush of skin on skin. Leaning down, he gently kisses the notch there before re-gaining his self-control. He lifts her hand to his lips, kissing her knuckles before saying, "Later" with a promising look. Bass stands then, looking her over once more before returning to his easel.

As he walks away from her, Charlie watches his retreat hungrily, taking in a deep ragged breath. She feels desire pooling between her legs for him. She wonders – not for the first time – how she'll handle having all of him, when a mere touch of his fingers sets her on fire.

Bass sits again, picks up his brush and – in spite of the subtle tremor in his hand – he starts to work. As he begins to paint, the voice of Otis Redding fills the space around them.

These arms of mine
They are lonely, lonely and feeling blue
These arms of mine
They are yearning, yearning from wanting you

Charlie watches Bass as he works. She loves watching him. He's focused on painting and she lets her eyes wander over his form. He's wearing old jeans and a faded tee shirt. He looks comfortable but is still incredibly sexy. His piercing blue eyes caress her every curve. When they meet hers, she is reminded of last night and the way he gazed at her after kissing her goodnight. The thought of his kiss shifts her focus to his lips and Charlie remembers how they brushed against her ear when he sang along with the band. His fingers hold the paint brush easily, and she marvels at those fingers, recalling the way he had stroked her after the last sitting – pressing them between her slick folds. Charlie shudders silently; very aware that soon she'll have even more of his touch to remember.

And if you would let them hold you
Oh, how grateful I will be
These arms of mine
They are burning, burning from wanting you
These arms of mine
They are wanting, wanting to hold you

Bass had thought this would be easier, but he's struggling to focus. When he scans Charlie's long tan legs stretched out before him, he can think of nothing except how it felt when she straddled him on the park bench. Every time his gaze is drawn to her breasts, he remembers how soft and supple they felt when he stroked her curves under that halter top yesterday. Even her hands drive him to distraction, small and perfect – he can't stop reliving the feel of them wrapped around his engorged cock as they huddled under the tree, touching in the dark.

He'd thought he could paint and not think about later. It's not going as well as he'd hoped. Yes, he's making some progress but not enough. Not enough to warrant being over here when he could be over there. He really wants to be over there. Over there with her.

And if you would let them hold you
Oh, how grateful I will be
Come on, come on baby
Just be my little woman, just be my lover

Charlie notices that his brush isn't moving as much as it was. She glances at his face and her heart lurches. He's staring at her. Not at her body, but at her face. It's like he wants to know what she's thinking. She stares back. The gaze is full of tension and need and anticipation. She takes a deep shuddery breath and lets it out slowly, never losing eye contact.

I need me somebody, somebody to treat me right
I need your loving arms,
Loving arms to hold me tight
And I need your tender lips

Bass looks down at the hand holding the brush. His fingers tremble. If he can't finish the painting later he doesn't even care anymore. He can't focus. He sure as hell can't paint.

Charlie wants Bass so badly that she can't get enough air into her lungs. She closes her eyes and begs her body to relax. Her body is unwilling to comply. Need swirls within her and she knows something has got to change.

Bass is done. He can't do anything except imagine how it's going to feel when –

"Is it 'later' yet, Bass?" Charlie's quiet question cuts off his train of thought.

He doesn't answer with words, but carefully sets his brush aside before walking to the couch where she lies. Bass holds out a hand and Charlie takes it, sitting and then standing up. He pulls her into his arms.

"I think it's 'later' enough." He says, his voice so low it's almost a whisper.

And then his lips are on hers and the waiting is over. This kiss takes up where they left off last night. It is tender and searching. He runs his hands up and down her bare back slowly. His mouth angles over hers, his tongue slips through when she opens her lips for him. He explores and reacquaints himself with her taste and her texture. She gives back, running her tongue along his as her fingers move under the hem of his shirt.

Her body hums with his every touch. When Charlie feels him tense under her fingers; she marvels at the fact that she affects him as well.

Bass moves his mouth to her throat, sucking lightly at the flesh under her ear. Charlie's hands caress his tightly muscled arms, pulling him closer. He groans and pulls back. "Not here." He says with a smile, taking her hand and leading her through the studio to his apartment. She follows him, and watches as he shuts and locks the door behind them. "No interruptions are allowed today." He says before pulling her into his embrace once more.

"Good." Charlie bites gently on his ear lobe. "Hate interruptions."

Bass picks her up and carries her to his bed. He lays her there and stares. This is where he's wanted her to be and now that she's here, he has to assure himself it's not a dream. "You are beautiful Charlie."

She smiles up at him and becomes flustered at the intensity of his gaze. "You've been looking at me all week. Surely this is no different."

Bass approaches, pulling off his shirt before crawling into the bed beside her. "This is different." He touches his lips to her forehead and then trails down her cheekbone. "This is very different." Bass continues to work his way down, nipping at her collar bone before settling at a breast. He licks around the peak before sucking her nipple into his mouth. With the fingers of his other hand, he squeezes its twin. Charlie runs her fingers into his curls, in an attempt to pull him closer. "This is very different… because you are in my bed." Soon he is on the move again. He swirls his tongue into her navel, before sitting back on his haunches. "My bed." He watches her. Her eyes are hooded, her breathing heavy. She is watching him too, and her eyes grow wide as he carefully presses her thighs apart, moving in between them.

"No Bass, come back up here and kiss me." Charlie's voice is unsteady. She sounds nervous.

Bass just grins, "No." he shakes his head, "I've got a whole lot of kissing I want to do down here." And then he lowers his mouth to her inner thigh, pressing soft kisses against the tender flesh there. Slowly he works his way inward. Finally he finds her center. She is wet and ready and he licks her slit up and down before pushing his tongue into her heat. He loves the taste of her. He revels in the rich muskiness that is Charlie. He licks and sucks and teases her until he feels the muscles tense under the delicate flesh of her thighs.

Charlie bucks against his mouth involuntarily. She is overwhelmed by the feel of his lips and tongue on her. He continues, unfazed by her movement and focusing only on his task with a fierce gentleness that consumes her. Seeking out her clit, Bass rolls the knot of nerves with his tongue before sucking it gently between his teeth. Without thought, she reaches down and drags desperate fingers through his unruly curls, holding him in place – urging him closer.

Charlie isn't at all prepared for the sudden intensity of the orgasm that pulses through her body. She tenses and arches her back and shakes her way through it. He never lets go, sucking her nub until the sensation becomes too much and she pushes him away from the over sensitized spot.

Bass disengages, satisfied that he has paid her back for her generosity of the night before. Charlie is trying to catch her breath and stop shaking. He stands up and begins to remove his jeans. They fall to the floor in a heap and then he reaches for his boxers. Charlie watches through hooded eyes – transfixed – as his beauty is fully unveiled to her for the first time. He is long and lean. His body is a perfect mixture of hard angles and supple skin. His cock is big and bulging with need. She licks her lips, feeling a new hunger coil in her center. Charlie is reminded of her first impression of Bass – how in her mind she had compared him to Michelangelo's David. It had been a fair comparison. Both bodies are perfection, seemingly cut from the same slab of marble. The difference – and it is a big one – is that Bass is real. He is flesh and bone. He is heat and passion. He is here and he wants her.

Charlie's head is still reeling from the first orgasm, but she feels the need inside her body and knows she's ready for more. He moves finally to the bed, slowly climbing in to lie beside her.

She smiles, "That was…" she's at a loss for how to describe the experience she's just had.

"Okay?" he asks with a chuckle.

She turns to look at him. "I was thinking 'phenomenal' but I guess 'okay' works too." She smiles impishly and he laughs. Charlie sighs happily as he moves closer, cuddling her gently. She feels the hard angles of his body and then he shifts and she feels the hardest one of them all as it juts into her hip.

Curious, she raises on one elbow. He kisses her, but she breaks the kiss to push him back on his back. "You've been looking at me all week. Now it's my turn to look at you."

He arches an eye brow and smirks, "Please be my guest."

Charlie smiles wickedly at him, "Oh I will." Then she begins to touch him. At first her caresses are tentative, but soon she gains confidence as she brushes her fingers along the ridges of muscle that cover his body. Starting with his chest, she travels down to trace the lines of his abdomen before following the cut of his body downward. She can't help but admire his engorged penis. It is thick and long and she wants to touch it, but decides to tease him first instead. Charlie's fingers avoid his erection completely, instead focusing on the flesh that surrounds it. She slides her fingers through the mass of coarse curls before gently touching and cupping his balls.

Bass moves his body against her hand. He wants Charlie to touch his dick. He wants her to do more than touch it, but right now she's doing her best to tease him to death, avoiding it like the plague. He moans as she begins to stroke his thighs, her face hovering close to his cock but still not touching it. "Come on Charlie." He begs.

She smiles. "Come on what?" she asks, feigning innocence. "What do you want me to do?" She crawls up his body, leans close to his ear and whispers, "Whatever you want Bass: just tell me, show me, teach me… and I'll do it."

Bass groans, pulling her into a crushing kiss before he breaks away, "Touch me Charlie. Please."

"Like this?" she asks, teasing one of his nipples with a fingertip.

"Charlie please." He begs.

"Or maybe like this?" she takes her palm and slowly rubs it down over his hard belly, stopping just short of his throbbing cock.

"Shit Charlie." Bass is up on his elbows now, watching her. If she doesn't touch him soon he's going to have to take matters into his own hands. "Touch me."

Her smile fades and she nods. "All you had to do was ask." She reaches for his dick, and hesitates unsure; but then she remembers the night before and begins to stroke him the way he'd shown her. Bass falls back on the pillow and groans. She hasn't spent much time on the task when he stops her, and pulls her up his body. He's kissing her again, and pulls back to look in her eyes. Bass strokes her cheek and pushes a loose strand of hair behind one ear. "I need to ask you a question."

"Yeah, what is it?"

Bass frowns as if not sure how to proceed, "Charlie have you ever… " he pauses before starting again, "Is this going to be your first time?"

Charlie bites her lips and nods, not meeting his gaze. "Yeah." She is clearly embarrassed. "Sorry I didn't tell you before."

He laughs quietly, "Charlie don't be sorry. I just wanted to know, okay?"

"You're not going to change your mind… about this?" she asks quietly, her voice uncertain. "Now that you know I'm completely inexperienced?"

"It doesn't bother me Charlie. If anything it makes you even more appealing to me."

"How so?" she is skeptical.

"You are like a blank canvas. I'm going to really love filling in all the details." he grins suggestively and she can't help but laugh. The nervous tension she'd been feeling fades. Charlie snuggles close.

"So not changing your mind?" she asks, kissing lightly at his throat.

He chuckles, "Um, no. I am not changing my mind. The only thing that would stop this now is if you change your mind."

She smiles shyly at Bass, "Yeah, that's not going to happen."

Bass grins back at her, "Then I declare this intermission over."

The voice of Otis Redding is still echoing from the studio…

You can rock me baby, ha
You can rock me all night long
Rock me baby, rock me baby, rock me babe, huh
You girl you can't rock me all night long, now oh now
Just keep on rockin' me little girl, girl
Honey 'till my back ain't got no bone, yeah, huh

The kissing begins again in full force. He strokes her body with the lightest of touches; tantalizing nerve endings and making her want him more. Charlie does her best to reciprocate, running her fingers along his muscles, softly scraping his back with her nails. Their tongues tangle, and breathing becomes labored. Bass knows the time is coming and he works one, then two fingers into her tight heat. She moans against his lips as the fingers slowly move deeper, stroking her shallowly.

Roll me, baby, ha
Roll me like a wagon wheel, now, huh
Keep on rollin', rollin', rollin' me baby
Just like they roll a wagon wheel, now oh my, oh my
Because when you thought you roll little girl, huh
Baby you just don't know how good you make me feel, now oh
Yeah, play the blues

Bass strokes her gently, without breaking the kiss. She is tight and very wet and he feels his own willpower fading. He wants to be inside her, but he hesitates. He doesn't want to hurt Charlie. He can't bear to think that he might. Bass explores her depths carefully, finding the fragile barrier. He removes his fingers slowly, and pulls back from the kiss.

"Are you ready? You still want to…"

She nods, eyes hazy. "Yeah. I still want to."

He sucks lightly at her earlobe. One elbow supports his weight while the other arm is free. With his free hand he massages her breast, rubbing soft circles around the nipple. "Charlie, I want you to be as relaxed as possible, okay? It's probably going to hurt a bit at first, and then it will hurt less." He pauses to snake his tongue into her ear, "and then it won't hurt. It will feel really good."

Keep on rocking me baby, he good rockin'
Baby rock me, rock me so,now
Keep on rockin' me, baby
Keep rocking me
Keep rocking me
Baby you know how to rock me so, now oh my, oh my
I want you to just keep om rocking me babe
Rock me babe, rock me
'till I just can't take it no more, oh my

She writhes under his touch. His hand moves to her sex again, stroking across her clit with smooth and steady motions, dipping inside rhythmically. He feels her body straining against his hand. Finally she speaks, "I think I'm as relaxed as I can be." Her voice is breathless and uncertain, but when he looks in her eyes she nods to say she's ready. He kisses her again slowly and sensually, before moving between her thighs. Using his free hand, Bass strokes the plump head of his cock against her entrance, pressing with slow and steady pressure into her heat.

"Oh God Charlie." Bass moans. "You are so tight."

The pressure is intense. Charlie moves under him, trying to open herself more to make room for his size. When she does he sinks in but only a little way before meeting resistance. He holds his hips perfectly still, watching her. Her eyes are wide, but when she says, "Bass, please." He knows she's asking for more, not less.

I want you to rock, rock, rock, rock me babe
Rock me babe, rock me babe, rock me babe
You don't know what I need
I want you to keep rocking me
You don't know what I want
I want you to keep rocking me
Everything I love
I want you to keep rocking
Give it, give it to me baby...

"You feel so good Charlie. I want to make sure you enjoy this as much as I am, but you still feel tense. It's going to be better if you can relax a little more." He kisses the corner of her mouth and then presses his lips against hers, deepening the kiss. "Think about your happy place. Maybe the museum. Maybe think about the Pollack you liked so much. Think about how soothed you feel when you're there." Bass feels when she lets her body relax a little. He smiles against her lips, "That's it Baby."

Charlie is surprised by the pet name, but loves it. "Hey Bass, the museum isn't my happy place anymore." She arches against him, urging him deeper. He still pauses, unsure. Charlie takes his face in her hands, finding his eyes with her own. When their gaze locks, she whispers, "This is my happy place now."

Even if he had wanted to hold back longer, he wouldn't be able to now. Bass growls under his breath. He pulls out until only the head of his cock remains inside, then he takes a deep breath before plunging deep with one firm thrust. She cries out, but at the same time wraps her long legs around him, assuring him without words that she's okay.

Bass once again uses every ounce of self-control he has to stay still. Pressing his forehead against hers, feeling her heavy breathing match his own, he asks, "You all right?"

Charlie licks her lips, and then says, "oh yeah. I'm all right."

"Good" Bass breathes, "But I need to move… Can you handle more? Are you ready for more? I need to…" he's rambling and he knows it, but every fiber of his being is begging him to kick this up a notch. He doesn't want to hurt her. He doesn't want her to be uncomfortable. But he can't possibly stay still for much longer.

"I can handle more Bass. I want more." She wiggles just a little under him. "I want more of you."

Bass is done. There is no more holding back. He begins to move and nothing has ever felt as right as burying himself in Charlie feels right now. He advances and retreats with deep and steady movements.

He whispers into her ear, "God you are so beautiful… Baby this is so perfect…. You are so perfect."

Charlie feels a sting at first and then the added pressure of Bass going deeper, filling her with his length and his girth. She tries to relax and mostly succeeds as the initial discomfort fades. Charlie concentrates on the feel of him - so hard, so deep, and so big. Bass fills her repeatedly and she loves how he stretches her with each deep push.

Bass kisses her throat and covers her mouth with his, He doesn't let up. He can't. The thrusting and pulling back – the building tension – it all consumes him. He rocks into her body over and over. He tells her again and again – both with his body and with his words – that there is no other place he'd rather be.

Soon Charlie is lifting her hips to meet him thrust for thrust. He's talking to her as he plunges into her body; his words are sweet and comforting. She's starting to lose control again when he reaches down and gently rubs her clit with his thumb. Charlie comes with a cry, quaking and grasping at his cock like her body is refusing to ever let him go.

Bass pumps into her with a few last frantic motions before pulling out and spilling on the bed next to Charlie's hip. He falls into an exhausted heap, reaching out to pull her close. Both of them are breathing heavily. Charlie's legs are shaking. Bass isn't sure he can speak. Finally he does. "Charlie, that was…"

"Yeah, it was." She agrees with a smile.

"Are you okay?" he asks stroking her cheek.

"I'm better than okay." She kisses him lingeringly. "I probably won't be able to walk tomorrow, but otherwise…"

Bass laughs, snuggling into her side, completely content. "I could lie here with you all day, every day."

"You wouldn't get much work done."

"I would not care." He nuzzles her neck, nibbling at her pulse point.

Charlie runs her fingers through his curls, and then traces the line of his jaw – feeling the brush of his beard under her palm. She runs a fingertip over his lips before leaning in to replace the touch with a soft kiss.

This sweetness between them is almost more than Charlie can bear. He returns the kiss and does so gently. He touches her like she's fragile, like she is delicate and might break. Her heart lurches at this softness coming from such a strong man. She melts into him. Slowly his lips move from hers to her cheek and up to her temple, leaving a trail of tiny kisses in his wake.

He buries his face in her hair, breathing in the essence of her. She rubs small circles into his chest until he reaches down and takes her hand. Fingers intertwined, their eyes meet. Charlie loves how they can talk without words. She loves how looking into his eyes feels like home.

Time passes. Minutes, hours… she doesn't know. Charlie pulls away from him regretfully.

"Hey Bass?"

"Yeah."

"I could just lie here with you forever, and I hate to ruin the mood, but I uh… feel a little gross. I want to go home and take a shower." She looks embarrassed.

"Why do you feel gross?" he raises an eyebrow, curious.

Charlie blushes hotly, "I kind of…well there's some…" finally she motions downward and he sees the smears of blood on her inner thighs. Not a lot, but he can see why she'd want to clean up.

He kisses her again. "Of course you can take a shower Charlie, but you aren't going home yet." He stands takes her hand and pulls her up. "Come with me."

Bass leads her into his large shower, and turns on the water without letting go of her hand.

"So, you're staying with me?" she asks with a shy little smile.

"Oh yeah. I'm staying." The water pours from the shower head in a warm soothing spray. Bass kisses her softly and she responds, enjoying the warmth of the water and the heat of his skin against hers.

When they are both thoroughly wet, Bass gently shampoos her hair. He massages her scalp with strong sure fingers, carefully ensuring each long strand of hair is given the attention it deserves. After her hair is clean, he takes the bar of soap and rubs it through his hands creating a thick lather. Bass lovingly washes her shoulders, breasts and belly then carefully cleans her thighs. He never stops kissing her, trailing his lips across every expanse of freshly washed flesh.

When it's Charlie's turn to wash him she reaches up to soap his curls and run her fingers through his beard. Bass is captivated by the way her breasts move and change shape as she lifts her arms. He strokes and cups them as she rinses the shampoo from his hair. Then she's tracing soapy rivulets as they lazily make their way down the lines of muscle. She follows Bass' lead, washing his body with reverent attention.

Clean, they continue kissing under the shower's warm spray. Charlie feels his cock hard against her belly and she sighs happily, stroking him as their mouths entwine.

"Hey," Bass says against her ear, "Any chance you might be up for another round?"

"Yeah, I think there's a very good chance." She grins, arousal clear in her blue eyes.

Bass turns her to face the wall of the shower, moving the wet ropes of hair over Charlie's shoulder so that he can see and stroke her back unencumbered. The water runs down over her shoulder blades, streaming lower over the small of her back before sliding sexily down the curve of her ass, and finally sluicing between the perfect cheeks. He follows the water with his eyes, and then his fingers. Slowly he pushes a thickly muscled thigh between her legs, rubbing at her center. She moans, grinding her clit against the hairy flesh of his leg. Bass reaches around with his hands, holding her breasts, firmly kneading them and pinching at her nipples while she rides his leg.

Charlie is on fire even as the water pours over her heated flesh. She wants to stay calm. She doesn't want him to see just how undone he has made her, but she can't. Her body is making decisions for her now, and right now rubbing herself against Bass' leg is the only thing on her mind. When he pulls it away from her core she cries out from the loss of it. Then his hands replace the leg and she sighs, loving the feel of his fingers massaging the globes of her ass. He moves both hands higher, pushing Charlie closer to the wall, pressing her face to the cold tile. Bass slides his fingers around her front, rubbing them against the tight knot of her clit until she's begging him for more.

He turns her again. Now face to face he delves into a kiss that is different, more intense, more primal than any that preceded it. His lips and teeth clash with hers. She sucks at his tongue before moving her mouth to his throat, and then bites into the flesh of his shoulder. He growls into her neck, lifting her easily and using one hand to guide his throbbing dick home. Charlie wraps her legs around him. He holds her in place while pounding into her, still kissing her lips hungrily. She returns his fervor and they lurch toward climax very much in tune. The steam churns around their bodies. Their cries echo off the tiles, sounding louder even than the crash of water from the shower's spray.

Charlie's orgasm takes her body by storm. He rocks her through it and is so very close himself, that when he hears her cry out his name, it is more than he can take. He comes, still buried deep in her velvety heat. Bass presses his face into her neck. "I'm so sorry. Damnit Charlie, I'm sorry."

She's still shuddering from her release, and kisses him soundly. "Don't worry. I've been on birth control for three years. Nothing to be sorry about." She chuckles when she sees the raw relief on his face. "You think I'd have let us do this without a condom if I wasn't covered? I was a virgin Bass, not an idiot."

He returns her smile, but looks at Charlie curiously. "Why?"

"I knew I wasn't going to be a virgin forever, and I wanted to be ready when I found the right guy." She smirks a little. "Dad was a boy scout. He always says we should be prepared for anything."

Bass pulls her close with one arm, kissing the top of her head. "You are an amazing woman Charlie." They get out of the shower. He takes a big white towel and carefully dries her body with it. His hands are sure but gentle. He stops now and then to kiss her. When she is dry, he lovingly wraps the towel around her body. She follows his lead, drying him as well. Sometimes she stops like he had, to kiss or to touch. They are tender and sweet in the afterglow of all that has transpired between them.

Eventually Bass pulls on his jeans. Charlie's clothes are still out behind the privacy screen in the studio so when they leave his apartment she is wrapped only in the fluffy white towel. He trails behind her in just his jeans. Bass stops her one more time, kissing her soundly. He looks into Charlie's eyes and her breath catches at the intensity of his gaze. He doesn't ask with words, but he wants to make sure she's all right. She smiles and nods. Bass grins then, pulling her close; his hands are wandering over her towel clad ass, and Charlie is laughing when they hear someone clearing her throat.

Duncan Page, lead singer of War Clan and former girlfriend of Bass Monroe is lounging on the couch. She is smirking at them when she says, "Plucking them awfully young these days, aren't you Sebastian?"

Charlie's heart lurches to a shuddering halt before rushing to beat so loudly she can hear nothing but the way it pounds in her ears.

"Duncan, what the hell are you doing here?" Bass asks, his voice tense.

"So you forgot we had a lunch date? Isn't that precious? Good thing I'm not the jealous type Sebastian." She laughs but it is not a happy sound.

Charlie has heard enough. She ducks behind the screen and dresses quickly. When she emerges Bass and Duncan are talking. Bass is clearly agitated but Duncan looks cool and collected.

Bass sees Charlie and stops her at the head of the stairs. "Charlie, let me explain."

She's fighting back tears, but she will not cry in front on him. "No thanks. You don't owe me an explanation." Charlie tries to brush past him, but stops cold when he puts a hand on her arm.

"Please Charlie, give me a minute." His voice is pained. His eyes suddenly look haunted.

From the couch Duncan laughs, "Yes Sweetheart, by all means – give him a minute." Sarcasm drips from every word. Duncan Page is as bitchy as she is beautiful, and she is a very beautiful woman indeed.

Charlie straightens her spine. "No." She looks at him then – her eyes digging into his soul. "I don't have a minute." Their eyes lock. She tries to understand what he's saying with them, but it feels as if the connection they've had is gone. A single tear falls down one cheek. She pulls her eyes from his, shakes free of his touch and goes down the stairs.

More tears fall with every step she takes. By the time Charlie is walking through the gallery, the tears are streaming hotly down her cheeks. She hears him calling her name, but she doesn't look back. She will not let him see her cry.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Bass turns on Duncan, "What the fuck? Why are you even here?"

Duncan arches a brow as she lights a cigarette, "I guess you really like that one, huh?"

"Yeah Duncan, I really do." He is noticeably upset. "Again, what the hell are you doing here?"

"Well, Sebastian remember that time you told me if I ever needed help with anything – anything at all - you'd be there for me?"

He nods without acknowledging her question with words.

"I'm here to take you up on that promise. Give me a few weeks. You can chase Skipper down when I'm done with you."

Bass glares at Duncan before glancing down the stairs at Charlie's retreating back. He wants to follow her but knows now isn't the right time. In moments she is out of sight and Bass feels a loss he couldn't have imagined possible moments before. He finds his gaze drawn to the painting on the easel. It's nearly perfect, but it isn't quite finished - still very much a work in progress. In a bit of poetic justice he realizes his relationship with Charlie mirrors the portrait - made from the heart, almost perfect, and, as his eyes drift down the stairs one last time, (he silently prays) unfinished.

Author's Note: Never fear. Things are rarely as dire as they might seem. Should have the next chap up by the end of the week. Songs in this chapter are "These Arms of Mine" and "Rock Me Baby", both by Otis Redding. Please review if you have a moment.

Thanks as always to Priya for helping shape this story with her mad creative skills and super beta powers. :)