Chapter Three Hundred and Sixteen

Angelo jerked his head up, having fallen asleep in his car. He'd been outside the farm for most of the night but he still hadn't seen any form of movement from the house. There was a light on in the lounge and in the kitchen but he could only see it through the curtains. He hadn't, as yet, made out any shapes or heard any sounds. His heart was sinking at the thought that this whole thing could be a lost cause.


Charlie and Joey had deposited Jill at the caravan park where they had been met at the house by a distinctly unimpressed Romeo. The poor guy had looked mortified and Jill hadn't even cared. All she'd done was ransack the kitchen cupboards searching for more alcohol. Suddenly, Charlie and Joey could understand why he didn't drink. If Jill was his example then he had done well to go in the opposite direction.

Back in the car, Charlie yawned. Joey pouted.

"You're not too tired for shenanigans, are you?" she worried.

Charlie chuckled and reached out to hold her hand.

"I may need a strong coffee when we get in but I am utterly determined," she assured her.

Joey smiled, leaning across the seat and pressing her lips gently against Charlie's.

"If you really are too tired, it's fine," she said softly. "I won't whinge too much."

Charlie smirked at her, not believing it for a second.

"Well, I mean, I'll try not to," Joey added with a giggle. "I can cope with just cuddles."

She leant in again and pressed her lips more firmly against Charlie's. She invited her into her mouth, overwhelming her with passion and taking her breath away. Drawing back ever so slightly, Joey ran her hands through Charlie's hair and gazed into her eyes.

"However," she half whispered. "If you weren't too tired, then that was just a taster."

Charlie flushed with excitement.

"Let's get home really, really quick!" she said eagerly, starting the engine and pulling back out onto the road.


At her place, Leah was enduring a somewhat awkward evening with Elijah. They had both promised to brush the proposal under the carpet but it was hanging around like the elephant in the room. Neither of them knew what to say. Leah felt guilty for crushing her boyfriend's feelings but she knew she had done the right thing. She had been married twice already and rushing into a third wedding was not the clever thing to do.

"Would you like to watch a movie or something?" she asked awkwardly.

"Um... yeah, sure," Elijah replied blandly. "If you like."

Leah nodded and then began to rummage through her DVD collection, which was now rather smaller since the girls had moved out.


Charlie and Joey arrived back at their apartment to find Ruby already in bed and all the lights off. Kicking the door shut and without pausing for anything, the couple kissed their way to the bedroom. Kicking that door shut also, Charlie nudged Joey back onto the bed.

"I thought you needed coffee," Joey smirked and Charlie kissed her neck and ran her hands along her slender form.

"I just need you," she breathed.

Joey smiled and closed her eyes as Charlie's kisses became more passionate. Her breathing became ragged as Charlie made short work of her clothes.

"Nope," Joey said, when she was completely undressed and Charlie looked ready to set to work.

Charlie drew back a little uncertainly.

"I'm not being naked by myself," Joey said playfully.

Grinning and eager, Charlie stripped herself out of her clothes, dumping them rather unceremoniously on the floor. She then resumed her position in the bed, drawing Joey back into her arms, hungry with desire.


Romeo stood over his mother, who was snoring loudly on the sofa. He folded his arms and sighed heavily. He'd just about coped with Mink being in town but Jill was a thousand times worse. Even with her bad behaviour, Mink's heart had been the right place. But Jill was a nightmare. She was drunk all the time and had rejected and neglected both of them over and over again. She'd been in town for days and she had hardly bothered to even try and make amends with him. And to top it off, Charlie and Joey, two women he respected and admired a great deal, had had to carry her home from the Surf Club. He dreaded to think what she had got up to there.


Charlie lay atop Joey, kissing her passionately but slowly, taking her time so they could enjoy every lingering moment. She settled her hand on Joey's breast, teasing her nipple gently and smiling at the way she moaned. She loved that no matter what was going on around them, they could so easily lose themselves in each other.

Shifting a little, she trailed her kisses down towards Joey's chest, letting her mouth join her fingers in play. Joey moaned louder, her heart racing in response to Charlie's every touch.

"I love you," she whispered, not able to stop her mouth from saying what she was thinking.

Charlie smiled, sucking hard on Joey's peaks. She kissed her way down to her navel, taking her time and savouring the taste of Joey's skin.


At the farm, aware that Angelo was outside but choosing to ignore him, Martha and Hugo had taken their relationship to the next level again. With everything that had transpired over the last few months, they had been on shaky ground to start with. Martha knew with absolutely clarity that she loved him, she had struggled to get her head around what he was capable of. And although she knew people would judge her, and quite rightfully, for remaining in love with a man who had done such terrible things, she couldn't help it. Hugo had apologised a hundred times and he seemed sincere. He'd even expressed regret at not being able to make things right with Charlie. But now, lying in bed in his arms, Martha decided that nothing mattered but them.


Joey scrunched up the bed sheets in her hands as wave after wave of delicious orgasm coursed through her body. She trembled as Charlie traced her lips back up her body, settling on her neck. Hot and out of breath, Joey wrapped her arms around her and held her close.

"I love you," she breathed, over and over again.

Charlie smiled, snuggling in closely and kissed her collarbone.

"I love you too," she replied. "More than I could even tell you."


In the room next door, Ruby groaned at the sounds coming from her parents' bedroom. She wondered if her friends had to put up with such things. While she loved both Charlie and Joey more than life itself, having them being so in love with each other could get a little cringe-worthy sometimes. But really, that was the least of her problems.

She was well aware of just how stressed they were and how hard they were working to track Hugo down. But Ruby knew where he was. She knew she should help them. She knew it was the right thing to do. But she was terrified of losing Xavier. How would he ever forgive her if she betrayed him like that? At the end of the day, it came down to who she loved more – her family or her boyfriend? Did she really want to be with Xavier for the rest of her life? She wasn't sure. For one thing, she was secretly crazy about Liam and often had dreams of leaving Xavier for him if he should ever look her way. But parents were for life, weren't they? Would they even forgive her for keeping quiet? Sighing heavily, Ruby buried her head under the pillow, at a complete loss as to what to do for the best.


Charlie's breath came in quick, shallow gasps as Joey worked her magic on her body. She tingled all over as Joey ran her tongue along her most sensitive parts. Closing her eyes, she gave in to every sensation being offered. She never wanted it to end.


"Why can't you just stay here?" Martha wondered.

"Hide out in the house for the rest of my life while Angelo tries to hunt me down?" Hugo asked.

He shook his head and sighed.

"I can't do that," he said. "It wouldn't be good for any of us."

Martha nodded, sighing heavily, full of despair. She rested her cheek against his broad chest and held his hand.

"I just wish there was a way out of this," she said sadly. "Together."


Finally spent, Charlie and Joey curled up together between the sheets, ready for sleep to claim them. Holding on tightly to each other's warm bodies, they kissed tenderly in the dark.

"We're going to get through all of this, Charlie," Joey said certainly. "I know we are."

"I know," Charlie replied almost dreamily. "I know we can get through anything life throws at us, so long as we're together."


Next time… Charlie and Joey make plans for the restaurant, Romeo finally confronts Jill and Gina and Xavier put pressure on Ruby…