Here You Are by Jo Fletcher

Author:Jo Fletcher [Fletcher, Jo]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Artist, Contemporary, Family Relationships, Friends to Lovers, Lawyer, Lesbian Romance, Loss/Grieving, Love At First Sight
Goodreads: 184731564
Publisher: Butterworth Books
Published: 2023-09-01T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty

Elda woke up with the warmth of Charlie’s body against her. She replayed last night, and a heat rose up through her legs to her cheeks. She had imagined touching Charlie for weeks. She leaned back into the bed and took in what was in front of her. Her fantasy was beneath her hands as she stroked Charlie’s spine and lower back. She swallowed, wrapping her mind around what had happened. She’d lost all control in Charlie’s arms.

Her breath was shallow as she kissed Charlie’s hairline. There would be time to rationalise all of this, but for now, her body was in charge. Elda already knew her way across Charlie’s skin. She traced the contours of her ribs and breasts and pulled her into a close embrace.

Charlie stirred under her fingertips. She sighed and turned to face Elda. In the winter dawn, they looked at each other without speaking, knowing so deeply that no words were needed. Elda gave in. Her body had been holding back so much. Every time she had given herself to someone else, she hadn’t even known that she was only half there.

Here, she let her whole self be seen and touched. She opened her eyes as Charlie kissed her neck and pressed her lips over her chest and stomach. Heat rose inside her, almost too much to bear.

She rested. Safe in Charlie’s arms, allowing her thoughts to drift.

“Are you okay?” Charlie asked.

Elda raised her sleepy eyelids and smiled her affirmation. “I’m more than okay.”

Their bodies merged into each other, and Elda closed her eyes and followed the rise and fall of Charlie’s breathing.

Everything was still. Elda had slept through the afternoon, and dusk was leeching into the house. She rubbed her eyes and parted her lips to speak.

“I’m sorry, did I wake you?” Charlie asked. She sat, fully clothed, at the end of the bed.

“Are you just sitting there, watching me sleep?”

“Maybe.” She crawled across the bed, cupped Elda’s cheeks with both hands, and caressed her lips with her thumb.

Elda’s heart stretched, and she held on tight.

“I’m so glad you’re here,” Charlie said.

“I came back for you. I should never have gone to Paris.”

“Don’t.” Charlie brought her hand to Elda’s lips. “I pushed you. We both thought it was the right thing to do.”

Elda pulled Charlie towards her, kissing her softly at first, then harder, as she caressed her neck.

“Come with me.” Charlie pulled her to her feet. “You’ll need this.” She handed her a dressing gown.

Confused, Elda reached the back door and stepped into the cool evening. She wrapped the fleece around her for protection against the elements. “Where are we going? It’s freezing out here.”

Charlie led her around the back of the house towards a cabin. It was hidden from the main road, with its own uninterrupted view of the villages below. Underneath the cabin’s outdoor canopy sat a steaming hot tub, spitting foamy bubbles into the night.

“Nice touch. Very romantic.” Elda shivered through her grin. It was idyllic. She’d never felt so special.

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