~ Where the Road Meets the Sky ~
by Alex Tryst
copyright July 2004

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Feedback?? Write Alex: alextryst@hotmail.com

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The music blared as the two blondes zipped down the interstate in the black convertible Mercedes. The wind was whipping wildly through their fair locks as the friends chatted. "I still can't believe your dad let you take the Benz, Caroline," the passenger commented.

Caroline giggled. "What he doesn't know won't hurt him, Wendy," she replied. "Besides, ever since he started boinking Michelle, he's much more agreeable to things. She must be better than his last secretary," she joked crudely.

"Well, I've even noticed the change. You think he might actually love this one?"

"Who cares? As long as it keeps him out of my business, that's all I care about. It makes it much easier to do what I want. I don't get so much shit about spending money. Although he must be into her, because he keeps buying her stuff. Normally he's so stingy."

"He has to be. You're in the habit of spending enough for the both of you," her friend teased.

"Why have all that money if you can't play with it? That's my philosophy, and boy do I intend to do just that when we get to San Diego. I'm so ready for some beach time."

"Yeah, the beach and the boys, it's going to be great," Wendy agreed. A moment passed in silence as the two of them took in the Colorado scenery. On the horizon they saw a figure on the side of the road. As they neared, the brunette stuck out a thumb indicating they wanted a ride, but the blondes raced passed. However, Wendy turned around to take a look at the dark-haired person. "Speaking of boys, did you just see that hottie? We should have picked him up."

"Wendy, he could be a murderer for all we know."

"Oh come on, Caroline, let's pick him up. He's too cute to be a murderer."

"They usually are," the blue-eyed blonde mentioned, perfectly content to just keep going.

However, the other blonde pressed, "Come on, Caroline. Where's your sense of adventure? There's two of us. It's not like he could hurt us."

"What if he has a gun, Wendy? I might be blonde, but I'm not stupid."

"Trust me. Just go back and take a second look at him. You can decide after that."

Going against her instincts, Caroline gave in to her friend's wishes. Taking the next exit off the highway, she got back on going the opposite direction. Then when they spotted him, they turned again, so they could pull up along side of him slowly. This time when they passed, Caroline got a chance to see him fully. The figure stood in a pair of jeans, a white t-shirt, and a leather jacket. Sunglasses hid his eyes, and on his back he wore a hiking backpack. Caroline conceded to herself, that the brunette stranger was a sexy sight to behold. Going against her better judgment she pulled the car over to the side of the road and waited. She looked into her side mirror and watched as the tall brunette approached the car.

When the stranger reached the driver's side door, Wendy flirted lightly, "Where are you going, handsome?"

A rich laugh bellowed from the tall figure as a brilliant white smile graced brunette's face. "Where are you headed?" the stranger inquired.

As soon as Caroline heard the voice, her heart sank a little, but relief set in as she realized her friend had made her pull over for a woman. Deciding to torture Wendy for her error though, she answered, "San Diego."

"I guess that's where I'm going then if you'll give me a lift," she answered, raising her sunglasses to reveal bright blue eyes.

Caroline felt her breath catch a moment at the sight of the most attractive woman she had ever seen. "Sure. Put your bag in the trunk," the driver responded, hitting the button so the trunk popped open.

When the brunette went to stow her things, Wendy growled, "What are you doing?"

"It's a woman, Wendy. How much harm can she cause? Besides, you're the one that wanted to pick her up, because you thought she was cute," she jibed.

The hazel-eyed blonde rolled her eyes as the tall brunette stepped over the side of the car and into the backseat. It was a cramped space for her height, but she was just glad to have been picked up by two people who seemed intriguing. Things were going better than she thought.

"So, what's your name?" Caroline inquired.

"Everybody calls me Perry."

"Well, I'm Caroline, and this is Wendy."

"Nice to meet you. Thanks for picking me up," she stated as the blonde slowly moved the car back out into traffic.

Since there was too much wind to talk with the top down, Perry just made herself as comfortable as she could given the restricted seating. Propping her long legs up along the frame of the car just behind Wendy's seat, she stretched out a bit, one arm resting along the cloth top of the Mercedes, the other along Caroline's door. With sunglasses on, she lifted her head skyward to take in the sun and closed her eyes.

Caroline and Wendy were both quiet as they stared at the road ahead. Every few minutes though Caroline peeked at Perry through her side mirror and wondered what she had gotten herself into by listening to Wendy's advice. She now had a complete stranger in her car. Her father had warned her about hitch hikers, never to offer anyone a ride, but she had listened to her best friend instead of his advice. Fortunately it seemed fate was watching out over them for their poor decision, and Perry seemed indifferently harmless. However, Caroline still couldn't keep her eyes from straying to the beautiful woman who was now lounging in the backseat of her car.

Over the next hour music and racing wind were the only sounds in the vehicle. Wendy sulked in her seat and pretended to read a magazine while Caroline drove. Feeling hungry though, she suggested to the group, "How about we get something to eat? I'm starving."

"Whatever you ladies want," Perry answered.

"Fine," Wendy mumbled.

Pulling off at the next exit that was marked for food, they quickly decided on the best looking place they could find. Going inside the three of them were seated. The blondes sat together on one side of the booth while Perry on the other. "So, why are you going to San Diego?" the brunette questioned casually.

"Vacation. We're going to the beach. Why are you?" Wendy answered.

"Why not? I wanted to get out of Colorado for awhile. The beach sounds good. Probably a lot of hot people there with which to commiserate for the tough life they lead, spending time at the beach while some people work for a living," she mentioned not looking up from her menu.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Caroline inquired shortly. "Are you making fun of us?"

Perry shrugged. "No. I don't even know you. How could I make fun of people I don't even know? I don't even know your weaknesses yet. All I do know is that you're two cute women in their early twenties driving to San Diego in a Benz convertible. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that you two are well-provided for by someone, mom, dad, boyfriend. Somebody takes good care of you."

"Oh you think we can't take care of ourselves?" Caroline bantered. "I don't see you working, only hitch hiking. Don't you know that's dangerous?"

"Like picking me up wasn't?" the brunette countered. "Why did you pick me up anyway? I saw you blow passed me. Why did you come back?"

Wendy shrugged, not really wanting to answer the question. "It doesn't matter. You're here now."

"It does matter. I'd like to know what possessed the two of you to come all the way back for me."

"Fine. To be honest, Wendy thought you were a cute guy and wanted a second look at you," Caroline confessed much to her friend's horror.

"You thought so too," Wendy pointed out quickly.

Perry laughed lightly. "And now?" she asked, taking a sip of her water. Caroline saw the brunette smiling behind her glass. The blonde shrugged. "Come on, ladies, tell me the truth."

Looking into the amazing blue eyes, the blue-eyed blonde answered, "Neither of us are into women."

"Are you?" Wendy inquired with interest in their company. She hadn't thought about that possibility when they picked the woman up in the first place.

"What do you think?" Perry challenged.

"Well, you certainly dress like one," Wendy mentioned.

Appalled at her friend's comment, Caroline admonished her. "Wendy, that wasn't nice."

"Since when do you care about being nice, Caroline?"

Looking back at the brunette, Caroline said, "Sorry for her behavior. I just can't take her anywhere."

"It's okay. And just how would you know if I'm dressed like a dyke, Wendy? Been watching a lot of made for TV movies? You're in for a reality check one of these days. We're all around, and you don't even know it. Some of us even look like you," she stated.

"So it's true then? You are a lesbian? Which one of us do you think is prettier?" Wendy asked, still interested in the conversation even though it had taken an odd turn. She was sure the brunette would pick her. After all, the guys always did.

"Wouldn't you like to know? I don't want to offended either of my hostesses. You're both quite attractive. Let's just leave it at that," she responded, smiling at the blue-eyed woman.

Caroline felt something strange happen to her as Perry smiled that had never happened to her in her entire life. Her heart started to palpitate for an unexplainable reason. Uncomfortably she shifted her gaze to her menu. After a moment though she felt a socked foot run across the top of hers. Since she and Wendy were both wearing sandals, she knew it had to have been the brunette's. Casting a gaze over at her, she noted that Perry was deeply involved in reading the menu. However, the caress continued for several moments, the gym-socked foot running a path along the side of her bare foot before playing with her toes. For an inexplicable reason, the small gesture gave Caroline confidence. She somehow knew it was Perry's way of answering Wendy's question about their attractiveness. The brunette found her the more alluring of the two. Knowing that it was usually Wendy that garnered more of the attention when they were around men, she felt a strange assurance that there was someone that thought her better looking than her friend. Even though she and Wendy had been close for several years, she secretly envied the blonde's ability to seduce just about any man she wanted. It intrigued her to think she might have that same power over the woman sitting across from her. It made her nervous and excited at the same time. Wondering what might happen, she allowed the touch to continue until Perry eventually withdrew on her own accord as the waitress came to their table.

Lunch passed without any other advances from the brunette. Caroline wasn't sure if she was upset or relieved by that. She knew one thing though. She was interested to see what was going to occur next. When the meal drew to a close, Perry excused herself to the restroom. Both blondes just sat there a moment watching her go.

"You know, if we wanted to ditch her, this would be the perfect opportunity," Wendy stated, taking the last sip of her Diet Coke.

"I'm not going to ditch her, Wendy. I'm actually enjoying her company."

"Oh? Why? You have a crush on the butch?"

"That's not nice. Don't say stuff like that about her."

"Coming to her defense already? Caroline, this is a side of you I've never seen."

Sighing with exasperation at her friend, the blonde rose from the table. "Excuse me while I go to the restroom," she said, grabbing her purse.

Heading off to the bathroom, Caroline went into one of the stalls to use the facilities. When she was finished, she went to the sink to wash her hands. Perry was standing there washing hers as well when she approached. Neither one of them said anything for a moment. However, when the shorter woman dug into her purse for a tube of mascara, the brunette watched through the mirror. Finally Perry asked, "Why do you do that?"

"Do what? Put on mascara?"

"Yeah. Why? A woman like you doesn't need makeup."

The blonde smiled and caught the taller woman's eyes through the mirror's reflection. "Well, if I had lashes as naturally thick and dark as yours then maybe I wouldn't have to do this, but my lashes are so fair." Finishing with her eyes, she pulled lip liner from her bag and proceeded with her next task.

"And why do you do that?" pressed Perry.

"To keep my lipstick from smudging," she answered, pulling out a tube of lipstick.

Perry shook her head as she started to move from the sink. However, at the last moment, she turned to Caroline again. The sight of the blonde leaning slightly over the sink, her firm posterior on impeccable display in her linen pants made the brunette's body smolder. She knew the moment she had laid eyes on Caroline that she wanted the girl. It was all too tempting for her to pass up a chance to make that known. Stepping toward the smaller woman, Perry placed her hands on the blonde's hips as her body brushed into the blonde's perfect backside. She instantly felt those muscles clench as they touched even though Caroline didn't say a word.

"It's a real shame, Caroline, that you choose to hide behind all that stuff. You have lovely eyes and a luscious mouth. In fact, you're one of the most ravishing beauties I've ever seen. You need to learn to just let your natural beauty shine instead of hiding behind the facade you've created," she whispered as her hands wandered on their own accord over the blonde's stomach, brushing over the apex of her thighs before finally coming to rest on her ass. The blonde said nothing, only whimpered slightly at the feelings coursing through her. "I'll be in the car," Perry stated after a moment before withdrawing from the restroom.

When she was alone, Caroline let out a loud sigh. Never in her life had she felt the way she was at that moment. Her whole body was trembling at the caress Perry had just bestowed upon her. She ached, and she had never yearned for anything in her life. Before she had time to contemplate the meaning, though, Wendy came in. Neither woman said anything. When Caroline was finished reapplying her makeup, she went back to the table for the check, however, she was informed that the brunette had already paid the bill in full.

Heading out to the car, she saw Perry leaning against it on her cell phone, which seemed a little odd to the blonde. Even though she had no real experience with hitch hikers, the image of one with such a technological advancement puzzled her. It made her wonder if there was more to the taller woman that she didn't know about yet. Determined to find out though, she came up to her. She noted that the brunette anxiously ended the call quickly.

Wondering about that, Caroline asked, "Calling home?"

"Checking in at work," the taller woman answered vaguely.

"Work? You have a job? Doing what?"

"Wouldn't you like to know?" Perry teased, trying to avoid answering.

"Tell me," the blonde pressed, leaning into the brunette in a test of her own wiles.

She saw Perry gulp, but the woman shook her head. "That's not going to work. I'll tell, just not now. All right?"

"Fine."

Looking at the car and then back at the blonde, Perry threw a winning smile at her as she inquired, "What can I say to get you to let me drive this fine piece of machinery?"

"Asking me nicely would be enough," Caroline answered, opening her purse to pull out the keys. She dangled them in front of the brunette. Although when Perry tried to take them, she jerked them out of the brunette's grasp. "Ask nicely," she demanded.

Putting on a sickeningly pathetic pout, the taller woman asked, "My I please drive your car, beautiful?"

"Oh, what a face," Caroline stated with a laugh as she handed over the keys. Immediately Perry jumped over the car door into the driver's seat while Caroline made her way around to the passenger's side. A moment later Wendy came out of the restaurant and glared at the turn of events. Caroline just shrugged. "She called shotgun," she joked.

Irritably Wendy got into the backseat. Perry drove for the next several hours. It was obvious to her that she was annoying the hazel-eyed woman, but she didn't care. Her only thoughts were on Caroline. She was too involved now to back out even if she had wanted to. The blonde was a quest, and she was determined to conquer her. Besides, riding with them was good research, which was why she had set out on the journey in the first place.

Much of the rest of the day was spent with the three of them rotating the driving until it got dark. Since Caroline and Wendy had already made reservations to stay at their favorite hotel in Las Vegas, Caroline decided to call ahead and see if they could get a room for Perry as well, so they wouldn't have to separate when they arrived. Luckily the concierge was able to accommodate the request when he realized to whom he was speaking.

That night when they pulled up to the hotel bellhops immediately came for their luggage as a valet came for the car. Perry was impressed by the posh place the blondes were staying, making her wonder who they really were. So far she had only gathered that they were two young girls in search of a good time. Now she wondered if there was more to their story as she entered the establishment behind them.

She continued to think on that as the three of them went to the check-in desk. "Caroline Mason," the blonde announced. That was all the words it took before a flurry of people descended upon them, but it still left Perry at a loss. Nevertheless, she went with the flow of things and was soon being shown toward the elevator. The blondes and more people got on with her, but she noticed they were staying on separate floors. They came to Perry's first, and the woman started to step out of the elevator when a hand to her arm stopped her. "What room are you in?" Caroline inquired.

Looking at the jacket that held her key, she remarked, "1025."

"We'll call you in the morning. We want to leave kind of early," the blonde stated.

"Fine. Talk to you then." The brunette watched as the elevator doors closed before proceeding to her room with a bellhop carrying her backpack. After settling in and sending him on his way with a tip, she sighed as she looked around. This was a strange turn of events. She hadn't expected to be staying in a place like this, but she figured she could just charge it to her company, and no one would even care. Taking off her jacket, she draped it over a chair before going to open to the backpack. Unceremoniously she dumped it all over one of the two queen beds in the room in an effort to locate her notebook and pen. Taking a seat at the table, she began to write of her day before she forgot any of the details.

Up in the blondes' room, Wendy and Caroline were bickering over the brunette. "She's a stranger, Caroline! I can't believe you let her drive the car! She could have killed us!"

"Oh, you never worried about that fact when you thought she was a man! Wendy, you're just mad that we get along so well! For once someone finds me more interesting than you, and you can't handle it!" Caroline screamed, her doubts rising to the surface.

"Oh, please! I could have her if I wanted her! I'm not jealous!"

"Yes, you are! You can't stand it! That's why you asked her which of us she thought was prettier! You wanted confirmation that you really are God's gift! Well, let me tell you something, Wendy! The woman has been flirting with me the entire day! She finds me more attractive!"

"Like that's something to be proud of!" Wendy yelled sarcastically, even though Caroline could tell it irked her friend.

"You know what? Maybe we just need a little time away from each other! I'm going down to the casino!"

"Fine! I'm going to the bar!" Wendy shouted in response as both of them retreated to their bedrooms in the suite and slammed their doors.

Once alone in her room, Caroline started to shake as tears came to her eyes. It wasn't often that she and Wendy fought, but when they did, it was always a major war that took time to heal. She hated the fact that they had begun their vacation this way, because it would be several days before things would seem normal again, and she loathed the idea of the awkwardness that would ensue between them in the car the following day. However, then she thought of the one saving grace. Perry would be with them, which made the blonde smile.

She didn't know what it was about the engaging woman. Something about Perry just called to her in a way she had never known in her life. Caroline shook her head at the thought of what had happened between them in just the few hours they had known each other. The taller woman had flirted with her and groped her in a most sexual fashion that Caroline would not normally have allowed, but the hunger in those blue eyes mesmerized her into willing submission. Just the brush of the brunette's hand against her womanhood sent sparks spiraling through her body, and for a fleeting moment, she felt like a wanton tramp, wanting to be pawed over by the stranger she had met only hours before. Suddenly she realized she was in Wendy's shoes for once in her life and that she wasn't sure she envied the position so much any longer.

Collecting herself and her purse, Caroline left the hotel suite and headed downstairs for the casino and window shopping at the stores located in the hotel. Whenever her mood was foul, spending her father's money always seemed to ease her tension. After shopping and spending several hours at the roulette table blowing some money, she had a few drinks and a snack at the casino bar. Fortunately, it appeared as if Wendy had gone elsewhere to conduct her own activities.

Around 10:00 that night, Caroline decided she had to go back to the room. It was getting late, and there was a long day ahead of them in the morning. Besides, she had consumed more alcohol than she normally did, which she knew made her more vulnerable to the attentions of men. Knowing that she headed back to the elevator, but as she got in, she stared at the buttons for a moment. Something in her urged her to go to the tenth floor instead of her own, so she pressed that button instead. Stepping out when the elevator came to a halt, she walked down the hall to room 1025. Her heart started beating loudly in her ears that corresponded with each step she took toward the room of the woman who had a strange hold on her. Getting to the door, she stared at it for a long time in contemplation. She had no idea what she was doing, only that she needed to see Perry at that moment, which lead her to knock on the door.

Perry was sitting naked on her bed reading what she had written about her adventure thus far when she heard the knock. Wondering who it could be, she cautiously went to the door and looked through the peephole. Seeing that it was Caroline, she stated, "Just a minute." Searching for something to wear, she threw on the first thing she could find, her t-shirt from earlier that day and a pair of light blue boxer shorts she often wore to bed. Quickly closing her notebook, she shoved it in her bag and then went to open the door. "Caroline, hi."

"Hi," the blonde answered shyly. After a pause she asked, "May I come in?"

"Yeah. Sure." Perry opened the door enough to allow her in before locking it once again. "So, to what do I owe this visit? Is there something you wanted?"

Caroline shrugged as she surveyed the taller woman's outfit. Perry had incredibly toned legs. "I just thought I'd stop by and say hi," feebly she mentioned.

Perry gave her a lopsided grin as she stepped to the blonde. Moving into her personal space, she whispered sexily, "Why are you really here?"

"What do you mean?" Caroline questioned. She could already feel her body tingling, and the brunette hadn't even touched her. Just the magnetism around Perry set her body into frenzy.

"Tell me why you're here, Caroline."

There was an awkward moment of silence. "I don't know," she finally confessed flustered.

Perry smiled again as her hands moved to the blonde's waist. "Yes, you do. You're just too afraid to admit it," she uttered as her hands trailed slowly over the smaller woman's sides and around her back, pulling her closer. Caroline exhaled quickly at the feeling of their bodies pressed together. "I know why you're here," Perry mumbled into her ear as her right hand removed the blonde's purse from her body and dropped it on the floor. Letting her mouth close over the blonde's earlobe, she murmured, "You're here, because you want me. You want me to touch you."

"No," weakly Caroline replied, even though she knew it was the truth the moment Perry opened the door. "I'm not like that. I'm not some slut."

"I never said you were. You've been hiding a long time, Caroline, from everyone, even yourself. It's time you learn what it's really all about. I can show you," Perry persisted as her hands started on the buttons on the blonde's blouse, and her lips moved to Caroline's neck. The blonde moaned despite of herself. Things were getting out of control quickly, but the brunette felt so good to her. "Let me free you, Caroline. I can make you feel more alive than you have ever been." The blonde's head started to spin as the woman she had known for less than a day began to kiss down over the slope of her left breast as strong hands pulled the blouse from her body. Hands then went to the clasp of her bra and flicked it open easily, leaving her exposed from the waist up. As soon as Perry's mouth enclosed the crest of her breast, Caroline cried out and clutched the dark head. She knew she was losing this battle quickly.

"Perry," she muttered with desperate need lining her voice. In all the times she had allowed men to get this close, none of them had ever managed to scorch her the way the brunette did. Fire shot through her veins, and she frantically needed a way to extinguish the blaze starting to burn out of control in her body.

"That's it, Caroline. Just let go," coached the brunette as her hands went to the zipper on the blonde's pants. Quickly they were open, and she maneuvered them off slim hips until they fell on their own accord. Breaking away slightly Perry looked at the woman in her arms. She had never seen someone so vulnerably lovely in her life. "You're so beautiful," she mumbled in sincerity as she met blue eyes. Her right hand traced down between the blonde's legs and cupped her lace-covered mass of blonde curls. She could feel how wet the blonde was. Pressing with two of her fingers, she began to lazily run along the shorter woman's slick folds, allowing the friction of the lace to fuel Caroline's desire. Keeping her gaze on blue eyes, she vowed, "I'm not going to force you, Caroline. I never would. You can ask me to stop at any time, and I will."

So far gone in the feelings of the brunette's fingers, Caroline never comprehended the statement. All she could think about was what would happen next. For the first time in her life, she wanted someone this way. She wanted to surrender to Perry. "Please," she begged, thrusting her hips forward to get more contact with the woman holding her.

Taking that as consent, the brunette kissed Caroline deeply, probing her mouth with her tongue. She groaned at the taste of the blonde. Slowly backing the smaller woman over to the bed, she laid her back against it. Lifting up off the blonde's frame, Perry took only a moment to slip off the blonde's sandals and pants before kissing her again. She wanted to be inside of Caroline in that moment, but she knew it would be better to wait, hence leaving the last barrier between them in place. Kissing Caroline on the mouth again, the taller woman quickly pulled her own shirt over her head and rid herself of her shorts, leaving her naked.

In a daze of ecstasy Caroline reached for the brunette's body yanking it to her own, so they were meshed firmly together. Her hips were rocking wildly against Perry's, needing more contact as they kissed passionately. However, suddenly the taller woman pulled away for a moment and stared deeply into her eyes. "What?" she breathlessly asked in confusion at the sudden halt.

"Have you been tested?"

"What?"

"Have you had an HIV test? Are you negative?" Perry questioned, allowing her sensibilities to surface for just a moment.

"Yeah. I'm clean."

"No STDs?"

"No. What about you?" Caroline asked, hoping she hadn't gotten herself into a situation that would turn out poorly.

"I'm very healthy," Perry muttered with a grin. "I'm glad there is nothing in the way, because I want to give you something that you'll never get with a man," she whispered as she began to descend down the blonde's body. Not knowing exactly what that meant, Caroline merely waited with anxious anticipation as Perry's mouth moved over her breasts down her stomach to the sexy lace bikinis she had on. Caroline cried out lightly as she felt the brunette's teeth take hold of the hem and start to lower them. She lifted her hips to aid the process. When they were finally gone, Perry took one last look into blue eyes. Caroline looked possessed with longing, so she dipped her head to taste the woman she had been thinking about all day.

Surprised by the touch, Caroline's hips bucked hard against Perry's soft tongue, but it was futile. The intimate caress felt too good to ignore, and soon the blonde was clutching at the dark head between her legs, begging for something she had never had at the hands of anyone. She needed release. "Oh, God, Perry," she whined, griping tightly to the short dark hair. The brunette just growled in response. She was hungry for this woman lying beneath her, and her thirst would not be quenched with a quick exploration. She needed to take her time with Caroline. That's what the blonde deserved, and it was what they both desired.

Staying on task, Perry brought the shorter woman close to peak several times with her mouth but always back off at the last moment, slowly driving Caroline to the brink of sexual delirium. Finally though when she thought she needed to give her talented tongue a break, she kissed her way back up the Caroline's body and kissed her passionately on the lips. The blonde could taste herself all over the brunette's mouth and even that drove her further. Replacing her mouth with her hand in the blonde's wetness, Perry began a methodical stroking as she once again ravaged the fair breasts before her. She could feel Caroline straining on the edge of fulfillment once again, but this time she would let her go. Locking onto the blonde's mouth roughly, Perry plunged deeply into her core, setting off a ricochet of spasms throughout Caroline.

Caroline screamed her release into the kiss Perry had locked her in as her whole body shook. In a few moments though the contracting of her body's muscles started to subside, and that's when she truly felt Perry inside of her for the first time. Instinctively her muscles constricted around the foreign entity within her. The brunette felt good to her, like she belonged there. Neither said anything as they both panted for air. Finally Caroline turned her head and sweetly kissed the brunette on the temple.

The gesture took Perry by surprise. Raising up off the blonde's body, she looked into Caroline's eyes. "Are you okay?" she inquired softly. The blonde nodded her head. Slowly pulling out of her, the brunette's actions sent another set of shudders through her bedmate. They were quiet as the dark-haired woman curved her arms around the blonde. Silence surrounded them.

Caroline just lied there thinking about what had taken place. She had never imagined something like that would happen to her. She had always been a conservative girl when it came to intimacy. Unlike Wendy who freely loved any man that was available, Caroline was much more choosy in whom she allowed to get close to her. She never thought she had it in her to sleep with someone she had just met. She wondered what people might think if they ever found out that she had slept with a woman. The thought scared her. She wasn't ready to deal with those consequences, but Perry's touch had felt too wonderful to ignore.

Hearing the brunette's breathing become deeper, Caroline turned over to Perry. The taller woman had obviously fallen asleep. Taking the opportunity to go to the bathroom, the blonde did so. She caught a glance of herself in the mirror. Her hair was wild and skin marred with spots where Perry had been rough with her. Taking a seat on the commode, the blonde took some toilet paper to wipe the excess fluids from her thighs. Just as she suspected, when she was finished, the paper was spotted with blood. Caroline trembled as the reality of what she had just done crashed upon her. She had just lost her innocence to a stranger. She knew nothing about the brunette that had just claimed her, not even her last name.

With tears streaming down her face, Caroline tried to remain calm, but it was useless. She sat there for several minutes crying softly as to not wake the woman in bed in the next room. She didn't know if she would be able to explain herself if Perry happened to find her. Wondering what she should do, the blonde did her best to collect herself. Going back into the bedroom, she just stood at the foot of the bed, gazing at the brunette fast asleep. Scanning the room, her eyes saw the tall woman's wallet resting on the dresser. Going over to it, Caroline picked it up and opened it. There was a driver's license tucked away in the first plastic sleeve. The blonde removed it. The name printed on it was Angelina Perry, and she was twenty-six years old. The blonde couldn't help smiling at that as she realized why the brunette preferred Perry to her given name. Her first name didn't suit her in the least. Flipping through the rest of the wallet with a careful gaze on the bed, she found several business cards. Pulling one out, she read it carefully. The mysterious brunette was a columnist for the Denver Post. That puzzled Caroline, because it made her wonder why Perry had been hitch hiking that day.

Keeping one card for herself, Caroline put the wallet back on the dresser. The next item she picked up was the brunette's cell phone. Curiously she scrolled through the numbers stored there before deciding to play with the brunette by adding her own number to the list and saving it. Then she found Perry's number in the phone. Seeing a pen on the dresser, she took the number down, which then prompted her to go back to the wallet and get the woman's address as well. Deciding to pry more, she then went over to Perry's backpack and peeked into it. She saw the notebook sitting on top of clothes. Inquisitively she opened it to see if there was anything of interest. Quickly she realized it was several pages full of the brunette's travels, including that day. Caroline sat there on the floor reading its contents, lost in the pages of the woman's writing. When she got to the end, she looked at the clock. It read 1:15 AM. Knowing she had to get some sleep, so she could drive the rest of the way to California, she tried to decide what she should do. Part of her wanted to stay with Perry and see what might happen if they awoke together in the morning. However, she knew if Wendy woke and found her missing, she would have a lot of explaining to do, which she wasn't ready for, so she figured it was best if she left. Reluctantly putting the notebook back into the backpack, she stood and began to dress, but she decided to leave Perry a small memento and take one herself. Placing her undergarments on the pillow next to the brunette's head, she put on the rest of her clothes. She picked up the blue boxer shorts and stuffed them in her purse that had been discarded hours ago before looking at the bed again. Sighing she knew she had to get back to her own room, so she turned and quietly slipped out the door.

The following morning the buzzing alarm woke the brunette. She grumbled incoherently as she slapped at the offending noise. She hated mornings. Once the racket had been silenced, she instinctively turned over to seek out her lover. However, when her hand landed on the bed instead of a body, her groggily opened her eyes. She surveyed the room in confusion. "Caroline?" she called out, sitting up in bed. There was no answer. Taking a closer look, the brunette saw the blonde's intimate apparel lying on the pillow. "Caroline?" she questioned again, getting out of bed. There was still no answer. In panic the brunette's eyes went to the dresser. Her wallet and phone were still there. She checked it for money, but nothing seemed to be missing. However, that's when she noticed the blonde's clothes and purse were gone. Perry sighed as she realized the blonde had snuck out on her. Something in her was saddened by that fact, because it forced her to see the night for what it was, a hot one night stand in an outlandishly expensive hotel. Even though it was with the most beautiful woman she had ever met, it still didn't mean anything more than a tumble between the sheets. The only thing that struck her as odd though was the fact that Caroline had left a keepsake behind.

Heading into her bathroom, the brunette showered leisurely before dressing. She figured that since Caroline had left in the middle of the night the blonde probably wasn't going to be interested in seeing her that day. Wanting to spare them both the awkwardness, she decided it would be best to leave alone. Dressing for the day, she packed her bag and then picked up the blonde's lingerie. She could still smell the smaller woman's scent. Stuffing them into her bag, she looked around for her favorite shorts, but they were no where to be found. After doing a thorough search, she figured the blonde must have stolen them. However, that wasn't going to make her face the woman again and risk the uncomfortable small talk of two people who had just done something they shouldn't have. When Perry had finished packing, she looked around the room once again. Images of the night before flooded her mind. She knew it would be a night she would never forget, but it had to remain just a memory now that it was over. Shouldering her backpack, the brunette left the room.

Caroline awoke to the sound of the radio alarm. She had hardly slept the night before. Her mind was too active trying to process what had taken place. She had lost her virginity to the woman she had known for less than a day. A piece of her conscience berated her for such foolhardy behavior. She had always longed for a romantic first encounter, and the night was anything but that. It was sultry and torrid. She had never imagined anything like it in her life. She didn't know that kind of carnal passion could exist between two people. She had just been lost in the waves of burning fervency that she couldn't even think. Her body could only feel the fire that passed from Perry's body and branded hers.

Looking down at body, she smiled as she realized she was still clutching the brunette's shorts in her hands from when she went to bed the night before. She rubbed the light cotton material over her cheek as she thought of the taller woman. She couldn't wait to see her that morning. Even though she had no idea what she was going to say or do, just the thought of gazing into those blue eyes again made her spring from bed. Quickly showering and dressing for the day, she called down to Perry's room as she packed, but there was no answer. Figuring the tall woman had gone to breakfast, she completed her task and then made sure Wendy was awake.

The hazel-eyed blonde was as she expected. She had a cool distant demeanor but cooperated when Caroline urged her to rush. Calling the brunette's room again, there was still no answer. Thinking she may have just gone downstairs to wait, though, she called for a bellhop to come get their bags. When the two blondes went into the main lobby, Caroline went over to the concierge, who greeted her warmly.

"Good morning, Ms. Mason."

"Good morning. I need to check out please."

"Certainly." He went to the desk and pulled up her account. Furrowing his brow, he said, "Just a moment." She saw him confer with someone else for a moment before he nodded and came back to her. "Well, Ms. Mason, it appears that your accommodations have already been taken care of this morning by Ms. Perry."

"What? That can't be."

"Yes, ma'am, she paid for both rooms this morning before she left."

"She left?" Caroline questioned as her heart dropped into her stomach.

"Yes, ma'am. She left about an hour ago in a cab. She asked that we give you this note," he mentioned, handing it to her.

Confused at the development, the blonde opened the single piece of paper that had been folded over once. "Dear Caroline, You are the most beautiful woman I have ever known, and I will always hold the day we had together in my heart. I thought it best that we part ways, so you can continue your journey and I mine. I will think of you whenever I am gazing into the distance to where the road meets the sky. Thank you, loveliest Caroline, for everything. Fondly, Perry. P.S. Enjoy my shorts. They were a gift and my favorite."

"Is that all you need today, Ms. Mason?" the concierge inquired, breaking her reading.

"I just need my car," she answered, absently digging her claim ticket from her purse.

"What's going on?" Wendy asked, coming up to her friend.

Quickly Caroline folded the note and put it in her bag in an effort to hide its contents. "Perry left," she stated as evenly as possibly, even though her heart felt like it had just been run through a shredder.

"Good. It's better that way. She was beginning to annoy me," Wendy grumbled.

Nodding her head, Caroline tried to hold her composure as she mumbled, "Yeah, it's better this way."

*******************************************************************

A week later Perry found herself back in the office having finished her research and her article on the history of hitch hiking and how it had evolved over the last several decades. She tried to keep her feelings out of the work, but the idiocy of two certain young females plagued the essay, turning the fluff piece filling the variety section into a warning for young drivers. The response of parents to the editorial column about her article was unprecedented. However, even the accolades from her peers didn't help smooth over what she felt had been unscrupulous behavior toward the blonde who had remained nameless in the piece. There was just something about Caroline that she couldn't shake. From the moment she laid eyes on her, the blonde held her captive, and a week later it was still reeking havoc on her life.

When she had returned to the office from her excursion, she had stuffed Caroline's lingerie into a large plain envelope and placed it in her filing cabinet, but every day she found herself admiring it, smelling it, fondling the lace as she envisioned the blonde in it. It was a torture that wore on her soul, because she knew she had to forget what had happened, yet she couldn't let it go.

That day she had just put the envelope back into her filing cabinet, because she had to leave for a meeting when the receptionist buzzed her. "Perry?"

"Yeah?"

"You have a call on ten," she announced.

"Do you know who it is? I'm on my way into a meeting."

"No but I'll find out."

"All right. Buzz me in the conference room if it's important."

Locking her filing cabinet, the brunette picked up and pad of paper and a pen before leaving her office. Almost everyone was in the conference room when she arrived. She took a seat but then she heard the receptionist buzz the phone. "Perry, are you in there?"

"Yeah."

"There's a Caroline Mason on the phone for you. She says it's urgent."

Immediately the brunette grabbed the handset and put it to her ear. "Who?" she asked as her heart began to race. Instantly her mind began to ponder how the blonde may have found her.

"Caroline Mason."

As tempted as she was to talk to the blonde, Perry knew what she had to do. Looking around at her colleagues who were waiting on her to begin, she lied, "I don't know a Caroline Mason. It can't be that important if I don't even know the woman. Put her in my voicemail."

"Sure. No problem."

"Thanks."

Throughout her meeting the brunette's heart raced at the thought of the blonde having tracked her. She thought she had been careful and covered herself in the affair. However, the young woman had somehow found her. As soon at the meeting had been adjourned, Perry rushed back to her office and dialed into her voicemail. The voice on the other end sounded so unsure.

"Uh, hi, Perry. This is Caroline Mason. I, uh, I'm sure this message comes as a surprise to you, and you're wondering why I'm calling. I'm not even sure why I'm calling myself. Anyway, I need to talk to you. Please call me back," she said before rambling off a phone number.

The brunette gave a shaky exhale when the call ended. She saved the message to her voicemail before taking a seat at her desk. Things were getting more complicated than she would have liked for a tryst. The fact that Caroline had now taken the effort to trace and call her added apprehension to the brunette's life. As much as her body craved seeing the blonde, she knew she couldn't.

Later that afternoon she was working diligently on her next article when the receptionist buzzed. "Perry, Caroline Mason again," she informed.

"Voicemail please and keep putting her in it if she calls again. I don't have time for her."

"All right."

"Thank you."

By the time Caroline had called three times and been thrown into voicemail every time, she could feel her composure beginning to slip. From the day Perry had walked out of her life, all she could do was obsess over the tall woman. When she and Wendy had gotten to San Diego, she had tried in vain to forget about what had happened in Las Vegas, but no matter how drunk she got or how many men she made out with, every time she closed her eyes, the enthralling brunette was there. Their night was there in her dreams. Caroline couldn't shake the thought of Perry nor could she forget the brunette's touch. She fantasized about it when anyone else touched her and when she was alone in her own bed. Those hands and that gifted mouth moving over her body were visions she couldn't throw away or file in the recesses of her brain. Perry had remained foremost in her thoughts, and she figured the only way to find resolution was to confront the woman who had claimed her body and her soul.

Pacing the study of her father's house in Denver, she contemplated what she should do. If the brunette wouldn't talk to her on the phone, her only other option was to meet with her face to face. Knowing she wouldn't be able to live with herself until then, she decided she would go to Perry's office if she had to in order to get her answers.

The following morning the blonde rose early. She took a long shower and mentally tried to prepare herself for seeing Perry again. Just the thought of it left her body quaking in sexual want. However, she knew she had to set that aside if she would get through a meeting with the taller woman. Going to her closet, she pondered what outfit would be most appropriate to wear. She opted for something conservative, a knee-length baby blue dress with corresponding suit jacket that perfectly matched her eyes. It wasn't something she normally wore, but she wanted to appear older than she truly was in the writer's presence.

Heading downstairs she poked her head into her father's office. "Good morning, Daddy," she greeted with a smile. "Michelle."

"Good morning, sweetie. How are you? Are you feeling better? You didn't look very well yesterday."

The blonde nodded her head. "I'm doing all right."

"You're dressed differently today. Job interview?" hopefully he asked.

"No. I was just going to see a friend. I figured I couldn't show up at her job in my usual outfits."

"You have a friend that actually has a job? That's news. Good to know one of you kids is actually doing something with their life," he chided half-heartedly. "Perhaps you should try it."

Caroline rolled her eyes but smiled at him. "Now why would I want to do a thing like that? I'm going now. Have a good day."

"You too, sweetie. Stay out of trouble and don't spend too much money," he called after her as she closed his office door. She checked her watch as she idly wondered how long it would be before Michelle and her dad would be otherwise engaged. They hadn't normally waited that long, heading straight for the extra-curricular activities as soon as she arrived in the morning. On more than once occasion Caroline had walked in on them sharing intimacy. Although she wasn't a fan of the woman that was only a few years older than her, having Michelle around afforded her more freedom, so she put up with the brunette for that reason alone.

Heading into the kitchen, she made herself a light breakfast. Her stomach was churning nervously at the idea of seeing Perry. She desperately wanted to see her, but part of her was afraid. The fact that the brunette had ditched her left her with doubts, but she was tormented by what had happened between them and needed for it to be put to rest.

That morning Perry was at work by 8:00 AM. She hadn't been sleeping well ever since she had returned from her research trip. It seemed like every time she dreamed, Caroline was the focus of her nightly fantasies. It was as if she had been allowed to touch the finest specimen of femininity and now had to live with the mediocre majority. As much as she tried, Caroline was all she was capable of thinking about in her idle reflections. Sitting at her desk that morning, she had already drained one large cup of coffee in an effort to get the much- needed boost to survive the day. It was getting more difficult to drag herself out of bed everyday, because she never felt rested. Skimming her emails for anything that might actually be relevant, she deleted the rest before starting on her latest article. She was hardly cognizant of the outside world flitting by her glass office. In fact, she was so involved with her work that she was reading a few pages she had printed off as she walked down to a colleague's office and ran squarely into another person as she emerged from her own. "Sorry," she mumbled with a wave of her hand, not even glancing up as she continued on her path.

However, she stopped when she heard her name. "Perry?" The voice sent a shiver through her. Her feet felt planted to the floor unable to turn themselves toward the sound of that voice. When she didn't turn, Caroline went to her and stood in front of her questioningly. She stared at the woman who had been her lover only a week prior. Blue eyes were hiding behind round wire-framed glasses. They had dark circles under them, and there was a slump to the strong shoulders she knew were under the pressed blue shirt.

Perry swallowed hard as she saw her best dream and worst nightmare staring back at her. Her body temperature instantly started to rise as thoughts swarmed her mind, intimate thoughts, carnal thoughts. However, she pushed that aside and put on the strong front she knew was required. "Caroline, what are you doing here?" she gruffly inquired.

"You were ignoring my calls, so I thought you didn't remember who I was," she meekly stated.

"How could I forget you?" she needlessly asked.

"Why didn't you call me back?" the blonde asked, feeling terrified at the cold reception but knowing she had to go through with things. "I wanted to talk to you."

"Listen, kid. You can't just show up here at my place of work. I don't even know how you found me, but you have to leave," bluntly Perry stated. Her eyes drifted around the office. A few people were curiously staring.

Caroline felt her anger rise at the demeaning remark on her age. "You didn't think I was much of a kid a week ago!" she yelled.

"Caroline, you have to go, or I'm going to have to call security," Perry warned, speaking calmly but louder than normal.

"I'm not leaving until you talk to me, Perry! I want answers!"

The brunette looked over to the co-worker whose desk was the closest. "Do me a favor and call security," she requested. Looking back at the blue-eyed woman, she sighed. Raising her left hand to her face, she closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose to ward off a headache.

However, her hand was roughly jerked away by the blonde's. Blue eyes stared at the large diamond ring adorning her left ring finger before turning to her in indignation. Caroline felt her heart spiraling as pain racked her body. "You're married?" she screamed. She had never considered something of that nature would cause the brunette to abandon her.

Pulling her hand away as quickly as possible, Perry growled, "That is none of your business."

Unable to control her emotions, Caroline shoved Perry as hard as she could. "You asshole! I can't believe you!"

Just then the taller woman saw security step off the elevator. She motioned them over to where they were standing. Not responding to the blonde's accusations, she turned to the two men dressed in uniforms. "Please remove this woman from the building and do not allow her in again," firmly she demanded.

Caroline glared at the brunette. "This is not over, Perry! You will tell me the truth!" she shouted.

Perry offered no rebuttal. Instead she merely stated, "If you don't leave, Caroline, they will remove you by force. This is your last chance to go on your own accord."

The blonde just stared at the woman who held her heart. Perry was acting so callous that tears began to trickle from her eyes. It was in that moment all of her bravado slipped from her to be replaced by what she was truly feeling, utterly lost and wounded. Shaking her head, she began to sob. "Perry," she whispered. Feeling a hand on her upper arm, she realized she was about to be evicted from the office. Knowing it would be better to leave on her own will, she shrugged out of the hold and mumbled, "I'm going." She turned to the brunette. "We're not done, Perry," she forewarned before turning around and walking back to the elevator with her escort.

The older woman just stood there watching her go. Her heart hammered wildly as the distance became greater between them. It hurt to watch her fantasy disappear with her heart into the elevator and the doors close on the blonde. However, she knew it was the only way. She had made a mistake in the hotel with the blonde, but she had to try to move on from it. Caroline had no place in her life.

Forgetting why she had left her office in the first place, she returned to it and plopped down into her chair. She took a shaky breath as she tried to stay composed at what had just taken place. The blonde looked so incredibly beautiful to her, but she couldn't say that. She couldn't declare how much she had missed the smaller woman. She couldn't admit that Caroline had never left her thoughts. Instead she had to distance herself from the best lover she had ever had for reasons that didn't seem so important whenever she looked into the blonde's eyes, but she knew they were.

A moment later a knock on her open office door interrupted her thoughts. Looking up Perry nodded at her favorite co-worker. "Ron, what's up?"

The lanky redhead pointed out into the hallway. "What happened?"

"A skeleton in my closet just decided to drop in on me," she admitted.

"And just how old is that skeleton? That girl couldn't be more than twenty."

"You know, I don't even know how old she is."

"So, then tell me how you know her. She was pissed at you! Why was she yelling about your engagement ring?"

Motioning her friend into the room, she said, "Shut the door behind you." He did as he was told before taking a seat across the desk from her. "You know my hitch hiking article?"

"Yeah."

"She was one of the blondes."

"No way. Man, she was hot."

"I know. That fact didn't escape me when I saw her either."

"So why the argument? What did you do?"

"What do you think?"

He pondered it a moment before acknowledgment came over his face. "You didn't fuck her, did you?"

"I don't want to think about that night with that term."

"You slept with her? You're engaged. And you didn't tell her," he guessed.

"I know. I don't know what I was thinking," the brunette admitted.

"Does Michelle know?"

"No. I could never tell her. One more infidelity from me, and I really think she'll kick me to the curb. She can't know about this, ever."

"I won't say anything. Still, it's not surprising. You have never been able to remain faithful to any woman you've ever been with. Michelle's no different."

"Yes, she is. She's the one I'm marrying, Ron."

"Can you keep this a secret?"

"I don't know. I can't stop thinking about her, Ron. There is just something about her."

"That's what you said about Michelle when you met her. Do you see a pattern here?"

"I know I said that about Michelle, and I still feel that way. I love her, Ron. I really do, but ever since I saw Caroline I can't keep her out of my thoughts."

"Listen to me, Perry. You know I like Michelle. I think she's a cool woman and all, but consider how the two of you met. She was a stripper at a club we went to, and you paid her for a lap dance. That's not really the beginning of a lasting relationship."

"She needed the money. It wasn't like she was prostituting herself. It was a strip tease and a mighty good one at that," she laughed, thinking back on the night she had met her fiancée. "What's your point?"

"Just that from the moment you met her you've been taking care of her. You gave her clothes, food, and a roof over her head. Remember she lived in that tiny apartment with other girls from the show? You moved her in with you and gave her everything she needed."

"So?"

"So, why is she still stripping?"

"Because she wants to. She said she likes the freedom."

"You know what I think? I think she's still doing it, because she's looking for a better meal ticket. You're a caring person, Perry, and you're financially able to take care of yourself and her. I hate to think she's looking at your checkbook and weighing how much longer she can wait around for a bigger fish."

"She wouldn't have agreed to marry me, Ron, if she didn't love me."

"She loves you in her own way. She loves you, because you saved her from practical homelessness. Likewise you love her, because you wanted someone you could save. You both feel indebted to the other. Look, I just want you to be happy. I would hate to think you're doing this for the wrong reasons. Maybe all this infidelity is some sick psychological way of trying to break off your engagement without actually having to tell her the truth."

"Which would be?"

"You don't really want to marry her," he informed succinctly.

Perry rolled her eyes at her friend. "God, why do I even listen to you? You write a car advice column," she teased.

"Look, I may not know as much about the ladies as you do, but I know a desperate cry for help when I see one. I mean get real. Do you two even fuck any more?"

"Fucking is what we did when we met. It's different now."

"How?"

"It's not wild like it used to be, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. It's more calculated, less spontaneous, but to answer your question, yes. We do still have sex and up until recently fairly frequently."

"Up until recently? Why? What changed?"

Perry shrugged. "She's been tired and not in the mood. But she throws me a bone now and again. I still get the occasion lap dance and strip tease. Besides, I've been a little tired myself."

"Tired or uninterested?" he pressed.

"Tired," she defended.

"Not so tired that you couldn't sleep with the blonde sex goddess that you had known for less than a day."

"That was different. Caroline energizes me. There is something about her being close that just sets off this explosion of strength and sexual wantonness. I'll tell you, Ron. I've never felt that way with anyone else."

"Are you sure it's not just the newness of a fresh conquest?"

The brunette shrugged. "I don't even know why we're talking about this. It doesn't matter. She's gone from my life forever now. I'm going to manage to keep this from Michelle somehow, and we're going to get married."

Standing up from his chair, the redhead nodded. "All right. I hear you. If that's the case, you know what I think will help?"

"What?"

"Why don't you go visit Michelle at work? It might help put some of the spontaneity back in your relationship."

"Maybe."

"How long has it been since you've been to the club?"

"A long time. Maybe you're right, Ron. I think I will stop in on her. You want to go with me after work? She works an early shift these days and gets off around 9:00 or so."

"Yeah. Sure. Just grab me on your way out."

That evening Perry and Ron went to the strip club where Michelle worked. It wasn't too crowded when they arrived given that it was only 6:00 PM. Going inside Perry quickly scanned the room for her lady, but she was no where to be seen, so they headed to the bar.

"Hey, Perry. Long time no see," the bartender greeted with a smile.

"Mitch, hey. How are you? How's business?"

"It could be better. What are you doing here?"

"I just thought I stop by and surprise Michelle. Where is she?"

Looking at her in confusion Mitch replied, "She only works Saturdays now. She said she got a new gig, something legit."

"What? She didn't tell me that. When did this happen?"

"About a month ago. I sure do miss her around here. Business has been slow without her. She was a fan favorite."

Perry nodded her head absently. "Well, it was good seeing you again, Mitch. Take care of yourself."

"You too, Perry. Hey stop by on Saturday. She'll be here then."

Heading back out to the parking lot, Ron asked, "You don't know anything about this new job?"

"Not at all. Something's not right."

"I'd say. Well, if we're not going to stay and watch the show, I'm going to head home. Are you going to be all right?"

Waving him off, she answered, "Yeah, I'll be fine. I'm just going to go home and wait for her to show up. Maybe I'll get some answers. I'll see you tomorrow."

Once the writer was in her car, she dialed Michelle's cell phone, but there was no answer. Something about the situation wasn't sitting well with her, but she knew there was nothing she could do until she talked to her fiancée, so she headed home.

Caroline had been sitting in her car on the writer's street for the last several hours. From her vantage point, she could clearly see the small home in which Perry lived. The blonde hoped by catching her there they would actually be able to speak. However, as the hours had passed, she was less sure of herself. She desperately wanted to see the brunette, but she didn't know if she could handle the verbal berating she had received last time again. As she waited for Perry to show up, she gathered her courage. However, things suddenly took an interesting turn when a car pulled into the driveway and a brunette driver emerged.

Half an hour later another car pulled in, and this time it was the brunette she had been expecting. Perry looked tired by the slouch of her shoulders and her slow shuffle up the walkway to the door. Caroline looked on as her lover went inside. Her heart pounded wildly at what she had just seen. Not only was Perry engaged, she was intended for a woman Caroline knew and disliked.

When Perry went into her house, she could hear Michelle in the bedroom. Heading in that direction, she found her fiancée standing in new lingerie in the middle of the room regarding herself in the mirror. "Hey," the taller brunette softly said. "You look beautiful."

Michelle jumped at the sound of her voice but then turned and smiled. "Perry, I didn't hear you come in. You look exhausted," she mentioned, coming to her fiancée. She pulled Perry's bag from her shoulder and dropped it on a nearby chair. "Did you have a long day?"

The writer nodded. "Yeah. I thought I would surprise you at work tonight, but I went by the club, and Mitch said you were only working Saturdays now. He said you had gotten another job. Something I should know?"

"Oh that. Honey, I wanted to tell you, but I was nervous about it. I wanted to make sure it was going to work out first before saying anything. I want you to be proud of me for trying to make a living at something else."

"I am proud that you're even trying, babe. I just wish you had told me. I would've tried to help you with it," she said as Michelle started to unbutton her shirt for her. "You going to tell me what it is now?"

The shorter woman shook her head as her mouth moved to Perry's neck. "Not now. There are other things we should do first."

Perry moaned as her fiancée's body brushed into hers. Automatically her arms went around the small bare waist. "You look so sexy in this," she murmured, unclasping the leopard print bra.

Michelle giggled but shrugged away as the writer began to kiss her ear. "We need to eat now, Perry. You're bound to be starving. You probably didn't even eat today. You never do. Let me make you some dinner."

"My dinner is right here," Perry growled, leaning to kiss Michelle's lips. It lasted for several moments, but the shorter woman pulled away when it was over.

"Perry, not now. Okay? Later tonight. I promise. I'll give you something you'll never forget."

"No," the taller woman protested. "Now, Michelle. I want you now."

The smaller dark-haired woman stared at Perry seriously as she removed the writer's hands from her body. "Don't be childish. I'm going to make you dinner. Why don't you sit and relax in front of the TV while I prepare it? After that we'll have all night to ourselves. Come on, Perry. I can't have you stop on me, because you're hungry. I have to give you enough fuel to go all night," she enticed.

Not really sure if it was a ploy or Michelle was serious, Perry reluctantly let her go, following her out of the bedroom. She went into the family room and dropped onto the couch. Kicking her shoes off, she propped her feet up on the coffee table and turned on the TV. She just channel surfed for a few minutes as she listened to the sounds of Michelle in the kitchen. Nothing held her interest on TV, so Perry just sat there thinking about her day. Instantly her thoughts turned to Caroline. When she had seen the blonde in her office, she felt as if her heart had stopped. The younger woman looked so incredibly beautiful. It took all her willpower not to reach out and embrace her. It was what she had desperately wanted, but she had tried to keep her vow to Michelle by keeping her distance.

However, now that she was home, she allowed herself to fantasize about how she had really wanted things to go between them. In her mind she had just gotten Caroline into her office for privacy when the doorbell interrupted her. "I'll get it," she said as she passed Michelle in the kitchen. Going to the door, she opened it and gasped at the visitor standing there.

"Hi," timidly Caroline said.

"What are you doing here? This is where I live. Did you follow me?" Perry asked in a hushed voice, so Michelle couldn't hear her.

"I just need to see you, Perry. I just need to talk to you."

"Are you crazy? Are you some sort of psycho? Stalking is not an attractive quality, Caroline."

"Angel baby, who's at the door?" Michelle yelled out from the kitchen.

Ignoring her, the brunette looked back at the shorter woman. "You have to get out of here."

"Please, Perry. Just five minutes."

"No, Caroline."

Crossing her arms across her chest indignantly the younger woman stated, "Then I'm not leaving."

"Jesus, what am I going to do with you? You can't be here."

Biting the blonde replied, "Funny you ask that now. You certainly knew what to do with me that night in the hotel."

"Caroline, if she catches you here, there will be hell," she whispered, gesturing into the house.

"Angel, who are you talking to?" Michelle questioned again.

Caroline looked at Perry in confusion. "Angel? You're no angel."

"It's a nickname. Now please leave. I don't want to have to call the cops."

Just then Perry felt the door be yanked out of her hand as Michelle peered over her shoulder. "Caroline?" Michelle questioned in confusion.

"You two know each other?" Perry inquired.

The blonde looked between the two women before mumbling, "This really is funked up." She could feel her body starting to shake as she looked at her one-time lover and her father's secretary. "You two so deserve each other!" she screamed, turning and starting down the driveway.

Perry came after her. "Caroline, wait. What's going on? How do you know Michelle?"

"She's been fucking my dad!" she shouted turning angry eyes on the topic of conversation. "And do you want to know what Angel has been doing? She's been fucking women that were kind enough to give her a lift!"

"What?" Michelle asked in anger.

However, she was ignored as Perry raced after Caroline who was making a sprint toward her car. "Caroline, wait," she yelled, reaching her just as the shorter woman got to her convertible.

"Why should I, Perry? You're a liar and a cheater, and I never want to see you again!" she screamed, opening her door.

Perry grabbed her by the arm before she could get in though. "Caroline, I'm sorry. I should have told you. I wasn't thinking. It was wrong of me."

"You think I'll just forgive you, Perry? You were my first, and you used me like a whore," she said as tears came to her eyes. Her heart was in agonizing pain at the thought of what the brunette had done to her.

"I'm sorry, Caroline. That as never my intention. Look, I know I was your first woman and that I've probably damaged this beyond repair, but I'd still like to think that night meant something to both of us. It did to me."

Caroline shook her head as her eyes drifted over to where Michelle was still standing in the driveway. "You're not listening, Perry. I didn't say you were my first woman. I said you were my first," she clarified.

The taller woman just stood there stunned as she let the words sink in to her mind. "My God," she uttered. "I didn't know. Why me? Why that night?"

Closing her eyes to try to keep her composure, Caroline admitted, "I don't know. No one has ever made me feel that way before. I didn't know how to stop you. I didn't know how to stop myself. I just wanted you to know that. You can go back to Michelle now."

"How long has she been seeing your dad?"

"She's worked for him for about a month now."

"She works for him?"

"Yeah. She's his personal assistant."

Perry shook her head in disbelief. "Look, Caroline. I am truly sorry for my poor judgment. It was wrong for me to take advantage of you. I wish I could take it back, but I can't. I have a fiancée with whom I have to try to work some things out. As much as I'd like to see you again, I know it's not possible. Would you please drive away now and never return?"

The blonde looked at the woman who held her heart captive. She knew there was a part of her that had wanted Perry to take her into her strong arms and tell her everything would be fine, that they would be together, but she now realized that was not going to happen. With tears cascading over her face, she gave a weak nod. "If that's what you want," she cried.

"It's not, Caroline, but I have no choice." The shorter woman just nodded her head. However, before she could get in her car, Perry asked, "Did you get that note I left you at the hotel?"

"Yes," she muttered.

"I meant every word. You are the most beautiful woman I have ever known, and I will always feel lucky to have known you. You've given me a great gift, and even though I won't be able to do anything more with it, I'll hold it close and think of you fondly."

Unable to contrive any sort of reply, Caroline just mumbled as strongly as her heart would let her, "Good bye, Perry."

The taller woman watched until Caroline's car had disappeared down the street before looking at Michelle. Her fiancée was fuming, but Perry growled, "Don't even start with me. You have a lot of explaining to do."

"Me? You're the one who had a one-night stand with a stranger."

"And you've been fucking your boss!" she screamed, grabbing her fiancée by the arm. "How long has it been going on?"

"A couple of weeks. It doesn't mean anything though, Angel. It's just a job."

"Just a job? So you go from stripping to prostituting? That is unacceptable, Michelle! I will not allow you to do that!"

The shorter woman sneered as she yanked herself free from Perry's grasp. "Since when do I need your permission?" she queried as she turned to go back into the house.

The taller woman followed quickly. "Michelle, I can't share you with anyone that way! It was hard enough to see you stripping for men. I will not be married to a woman that sleeps with men for money!" she yelled, slamming the door behind her.

"What are you saying? Are you demanding that I quit my job? Angel, I make more than twice what you do being his secretary."

"But we have plenty of money, Michelle. I've taken care of you all this time. I've gotten you all you've ever wanted. Having more money, all though nice, isn't necessary. It isn't worth this. Please, honey. I don't want you to continue with this."

"Well, you know what I want? I want you to stop fucking around, but that seems utterly impossible."

"I won't do it again. I swear."

"And that's what you said last time. Angel, face it. You're never going to change. After all that I do for you, you still run around. I cook, clean, do your errands and just about anything else you desire. For as long as we've known each other, have I ever told you no to something you wanted?"

"Until recently never," she admitted.

"Exactly. Everything you wanted, I gave you. I did all the dirty kinky things you wanted and never asked for anything in exchange. I let you fuck me in ways I don't even like, because I wanted you to be satisfied, and I did all of that knowing you were cheating on me and lying about it."

"What?" Perry asked in confusion. "What are you talking about? I never would have done something if I knew you didn't like it. What have I done that you didn't like? And why didn't you say anything?"

Michelle sighed as she shook her head. "Sometimes you can be such a guy, Angel. You're so fucking clueless when it comes to women. If you just observed instead of being self-interested, you'd know."

"Michelle, tell me what you don't like."

"Fine. I hate it when you fuck me with that strap-on of yours. It's too big, and it hurts like hell, especially up the ass."

"Are you kidding me? You always come the hardest with that thing. You seem to enjoy it."

"That's because that's what I want you to think. I know you like it, so I let you do it."

"You mean, you've been faking your orgasms?" Perry asked with obvious hurt.

Putting her arms around her fiancée, Michelle answered, "Not always but with that thing I have to or else you'd just keep pounding me with it. I didn't tell you this to hurt your feelings."

"What else don't you like?" the taller woman inquired.

"I don't like to be tied up, and I don't really enjoy rough sex in general, but I let you manhandle me, because I know it turns you on."

"But the way you talk, it seems like you like it."

"It's for you, Angel. Sex is for your pleasure, not mine. After all, it's what whores do," she quietly admitted.

"Michelle, don't say that about yourself."

"Why not? It's what I've become. You just said it of me moments ago, and you're right. I went from being a stripper to a whore when I moved in with you. When I met you at the club that first night, I was so attracted to you. It was the first time in a very long time that I had felt that way. When you asked me for that lap dance, I was all too willing, because you were making me so wet. I wanted you. Do you remember that night?"

"Of course. You let me bring you back here when your shift was over, and we had sex."

"Yeah. That night you were so gentle with me I wanted to cry. I actually felt wanted. You made me feel beautiful, not like the trash I really was. When you started making your advances for more time together, I couldn't resist. I think you thought you were falling in love with me, and when you asked me to move in with you, what was I going to say? No? I was living in a two bedroom apartment with three other women. You were like my salvation, Angel, and I would have given anything to get out of where I was living, so I did. I took your generosity and tried my best to be thankful to you by giving you whatever you wanted. But then I realized you were sleeping around. I didn't know quite what to do. I cared about you so much, but to be honest my first concern was where I was going to go if I confronted you, and you broke things off with me. I had no where, so I chose not to confront you at first. I just carried on, but it started bothering me. I guess I was jealous, so I tried to do those things for you that I thought would keep you faithful. I did all stuff I hated, but you still would stray. However, then you asked me to marry you. I didn't think saying no was an option. After all you'd done for me, I wanted to make you happy, and I thought I could live the rest of my life with you in contentment as long as I was the only one. Even more than that, I wanted you to be proud of me, so I tried to find another job. This thing with Jack Mason was like fortune smiling down on me. He was offering such a high salary that when he offered it to me, I couldn't refuse. I didn't really know at the time what his real agenda was."

"Your boss is Jack Mason? Warren Mason's son? That's Caroline's father? He's the wealthiest man in Denver. His father Warren is one of the wealthiest men in America."

"That would be him. Honestly, Angel, I thought the job would be legit, but I suppose I should have been doubtful when he offered it to me. After all, I don't have that much experience. After about the first week I realized what he really wanted. I've been prostituting myself for so long with you that I figured I may as well just keep going. He pays well, and he's never rough. In all honesty, he rarely wants to fuck me. He's usually satisfied with a blow job or a strip tease while he does his own thing."

Perry shook her head. "Michelle, I don't know what to say. I still don't want you doing it."

"Well, as I already said, I don't you sleeping around, but that will never happen. I mean I saw the way you looked at Caroline. You haven't looked at me that way in years. Furthermore, I saw how she looked at you. She's in love and doesn't even realize it. I'm sure it's only a matter of time before you find yourself in her bed again."

Sighing the taller woman inquired, "Where does that leave us then?"

Pulling Perry's body into her own, Michelle wrapped her in a stronger embrace, placing her head on Perry's shoulder. "Angel, I love and care about you so much, but I'm not in love with you. I know you feel the same way. I would marry you if I thought it would make you happy, but it won't. You deserve a wife that can keep you faithful and happy. I'm just not the one to do it."

"Does that mean you're breaking up with me?"

Michelle shrugged. "What do you want us to become? I'm more than willing to stay if we can set some new ground rules. I don't mind being second to another woman or even third. I just don't want to lose you, because you've my Angel. You're my friend and companion, and even after everything you still have what it takes to make me weak in the knees. When you touch me tenderly I feel myself just opening up for you. I love it when you make love to me, when it's more than sex. When you use your mouth, I just melt."

Not knowing what to do from there, Perry kissed her girlfriend on the forehead. "I still care about you, Michelle. I think we do need new rules. I'm willing to let you stay with Jack as long as we stop pretending to be something we aren't. We won't get married. We won't even be a couple any longer. You can do your thing, and I can do mine. You can stay here as long as you like, and just maybe we can find time once in awhile to remind ourselves of how good it once was."

"So, you want to end our relationship but still be able to sleep with me?" Michelle asked.

"If that's okay."

"It's more than okay, Angel. In fact, I'd like to revisit the past right now," enticingly Michelle whispered.

"You want me to make love to you?" Perry asked softly as she kissed her ex's neck.

"Please."

"Whatever you want," the taller woman answered, scooping the shorter woman up into her arms.

Over the next few weeks, Perry and Michelle were amicable in their new situation. They never fought and actually enjoyed spending time together. Occasionally they would spend the night in each other's company as well, but for the most part Michelle began living in the spare bedroom. She made it clear that she felt it should only be temporary until she could find a place to live, because she felt it would be better for them if they no longer lived together. Perry knew it would be for the best as well and was supportive of whatever Michelle felt was right. A month into their new found friendship, the shorter woman had found a new living arrangement, so Perry helped her move. However, they still managed to find time for each other after work to share dinner and chat.

Through the whole time, even though Perry was enjoying the transformation of her relationship with Michelle, her heart felt empty. She had started to realize that she still wanted to get married and have a serious relationship with someone, but there was no one that came to mind except a certain young blonde. She had been hesitant to ask Michelle anything about Caroline, but she decided she would bring it up in hopes her ex could give her more information about her mysterious lover that would not leave her mind.

The following evening over dinner at Michelle's Perry decided to take the chance. "Michelle, could I ask you something?"

"Of course. What?"

"Have you seen Caroline lately?"

Michelle cracked a grin. "I was wondering how long it would take until you brought her up. I haven't seen her. Jack says she's staying at her apartment in Boulder though. I didn't know she had a place up there, but apparently that's where she goes to school."

"She's in college?"

"Yeah. She has one semester before she graduates. The way Jack tells it she's quite the brainiac."

"No way. That's not the same girl I know."

"Well, this is her father talking."

"Is there any dirt you can give me on her?"

The shorter brunette shrugged. "She's twenty-one, goes to Boulder, and is majoring in statistics. What else do you want to know?"

"Statistics? Are you kidding me? She really is a brain."

"Yeah. She's in the top ten percent of her class. Jack is a proud father to say the least. He teases her, because she's never had a job, but he told me he'd rather her stay at the top of her class and not work than make her gain real life experience. Of course she does like to party and spend his money as well. She has some wild friends apparently that her father doesn't like. Her roommate is the worst though according to Jack."

"And who is that?"

"Wendy somebody. I've forgotten."

"And just how do you know all this stuff?"

"I've been doing some undercover work for you. I figured you'd want to know eventually. I can't believe it actually took you this long."

"Well, what do you think I should do? Should I call her? Maybe I should just go up there."

"I don't know, Angel. Probably going up there would be best. It would ensure you actually get a chance to say whatever it is you want. She doesn't seem like to type to be able to refuse you either," she joked.

"Could you get me her address?"

"Sure. I don't think that would be a problem. I'll see if I can find it tomorrow."

Taking the smaller woman's hand, Perry caressed it a moment. "Thank you, Michelle, for your help."

The shorter woman smiled at her. "Anything for you, Angel. I just want you to be happy."

The following morning by the time Perry arrived at work Michelle had left Caroline's address on her voicemail. Armed with the information, the brunette contemplated what she should do. She knew she would not be able to rid her mind of the blonde's memory unless she saw her again. The college student was like an amulet, a preoccupation, an obsession that would not be squelched unless she saw that lovely creature once more. With that in mind she knew what she had to do.

Leaving work she took the short drive north to Boulder. The place where Caroline lived wasn't too difficult to find, but when she got there, she realized it was a gated community. Trying to figure out how to get passed the gate, fate smiled upon her as another car opened it with their swipe card. Carefully Perry took the opportunity to sneak in after them before the gate closed again. Once in the complex, she easily found the blonde's building. The student lived on the top floor of the two-story building with a door facing the street. Perry just sat in her car a moment wondering what she was going to say now that she was there. She hadn't planned that far in advance, thinking she would just instinctively know when she saw those blue eyes.

However, now sitting there looking at her one-night stand's house, some doubts surfaced. She didn't necessarily want to get Wendy involved in this, but she was afraid the other blonde might be at home. It would be difficult to explain her presence, but she knew she was willing to take the chance. Getting out of the car, she bound up the flight of stairs and gave a strong knock on the door. Moments passed without an answer, so she tried again. However, there was still no answer, making her think that the girls might not be at home. Pondering her options, she figured she should wait on their return. Taking a seat on the top stair, she just patiently waited.

When the blonde came meandering up the street from her time at the community pool, she noticed a figure sitting on the stairs leading to her apartment. Her heart stopped as she instantly recognized the person. Perry was sitting there slouched over with arms braced on her legs. Dark sunglasses hid her blue eyes, but the sight of the woman she secretly fantasized about waiting on her made Caroline's body temperature instantly rise. Nevertheless, her wounds from the older woman's rejection were still fresh, giving her mixed feelings about this unexpected turn of events.

As soon as Perry saw Caroline making her way up the staircase, she felt her pulse drop between her thighs. The young woman was dressed in a tiny blue bikini top, revealing a large portion of her endowment. Around her waist was her towel, and her feet were adorned with a pair of stylish sandals. Her magnetic eyes were covered by chic sunglasses, but Perry could still read the obvious surprise at her presence.

"Perry, what are you doing here?"

"Showing you what it's like to be unexpectedly visited. In fact, I have my own questions for you. A little unnerving, isn't it?" she quipped, standing as the blonde passed her. Their bodies brushed lightly on accident. She didn't miss the shudder that passed through the young woman.

"I thought you made it clear you had no interest in seeing me," Caroline stated, trying desperately not to get enveloped by the energy around the brunette. Perry was like a black hole, the pull to her so strong, and yet once inside, there was no escaping. Caroline had already lost her innocence and her heart. She didn't want to lose what little she still possessed to this enigmatic woman.

"I changed my mind. In fact, it was wrong of me to say that to you, Caroline. You were right about everything."

"What?" the blonde questioned in astonishment. She couldn't actually believe what she was hearing.

"I treated you horribly. I never should have taken advantage of you. I've always had a bit of a problem with fidelity. It's my one weakness that I have yet to conquer. I treated you and Michelle with such disrespect, and I regret that. I'm really sorry, Caroline. I haven't be able to stop thinking about what happened."

Not sure of what to say at first, the blonde merely unlocked the door to her apartment and walked inside. Perry followed without invitation but hovered closely to the door. Finally at a loss for words, Caroline asked, "What do you expect me to say, Perry? That I forgive you? I don't. You have no idea how you hurt me."

"I know, but I want to know, so I can fix it, Caroline. I want a chance to make things right."

"It never will be right, Perry. You stole my virginity without even a care about how that would make me feel."

"I didn't know. Caroline, had I known...," she started but then stopped. She honestly wasn't sure what she would have done. Thinking back she realized it wouldn't have mattered. She still would have made love to the blonde, maybe differently, but she would have taken to her bed anyway. "Had I known, Caroline, I still would have tried to seduce you, but I probably wouldn't have been so rough when I...," she fumbled. She had never had problems discussing the details of sex before, but there was something about the blonde that made her uneasy. "I'm sure that had to have hurt."

The blonde nodded. "It did but only for a moment. More than anything it was incredible," she confessed.

"It was that," Perry agreed. "I've never been that way with anyone else. There's something about you, Caroline. I can't seem to stay away from you," she whispered, moving across the room. "I've tried. I was so mean to you in any effort to control my own longing, but nothing's worked. I can't stop thinking about you. You're the most beautiful woman I've ever known, and all I want is to be with you. I can't think of anything other than that."

"Well, you have a fiancée, Perry. I'm not a toy. I can't be with anyone that isn't monogamous," Caroline snapped, trying to distance herself, but she suddenly found herself trapped by the brunette's embrace. The touch burned her, and she quivered. "Let me go," she demanded half-heartedly.

"Not until you listen to what I have to say. Michelle and I broke up. She couldn't take my infidelity, and she refused to leave your father as well. We decided it wasn't right to pretend that we still loved each other when it was clear that we didn't. We're still friends, but she moved out and is living her own life. As for me, I'm trying to go on, but I'm finding it impossible. You're in every thought I have, every dream, every moment of my existence. You hurt me too, you know. That morning when I woke up and you were gone I felt as if you had ripped out my heart and taken it with you. It hurt to think you didn't want to see or be with me after what had happened."

"But I did. I was scared, Perry. I didn't know what I was supposed to do. When I was told you had checked out and left the hotel that morning, I felt like just crying, and I did. Whenever I was alone, I just couldn't stop crying. I haven't stopped since," she confessed softly. "You took more than just my virginity, Perry. You took my heart." Unable to control herself, Caroline started to sob.

Wanting to comfort the woman she loved, the brunette wrapped her in a consoling embrace. "And you took mine, Caroline," she admitted.

"Really?"

"Yes. And I don't give my heart to anyone easily but you just swiped it when I wasn't even looking. I guess I should have realized it though. After all, I don't make love to women normally the way we did that night. I don't usually spend much time with my head between a woman's legs, but you tasted so good. I couldn't get enough. I would have wanted more had you stayed with me. I was dreaming about it that night, the feeling of you from the inside against my tongue. You were so soft and wet. I just wanted to drown," she whispered, nuzzling the blonde's hair. She was quickly being overcome by her intimate needs. She wanted this woman in her arms.

Feeling the brunette's breath against her ear, Caroline gasped. Her body was starting to respond to the stimulating words and the journalist's hands as they mapped over her naked back and sides. Her body screamed for Perry's touch, but Caroline tried in vain to keep her senses. Whimpering she whispered, "Perry, I can't."

"Why not? It's obvious you want to."

"I can't be with you unless I know it's only me. There can't be anyone else."

"No one else, Caroline. I swear it. I want only you," she avowed, kissing the blonde's neck.

That was all it took before the blonde's willpower crumbled. Clutching the dark head to her, she said, "I love you, Angelina Perry."

Caught by surprise at the confession, Perry looked into her lover's eyes. She saw the sincerity there. Knowing her heart was already lost to the blonde, she replied, "I love you too, Caroline Mason, and I want this to be the first time of a new beginning. It's just you and me now. Please let me love you the way I desperately need to."

Blue met blue for a moment in an intense gaze. Knowing she was already lost to the women who held her, Caroline didn't answer the request at first. She merely brought Perry's head down for a tender but purposeful kiss. When it ended she surrendered once again to the power of the older woman's love. "Take me, Perry. I've always been yours."

The confession left Perry filled with something she had never experienced in her entire life. As she looked down into the blonde's gaze, she realized right then she would marry this woman. Caroline Mason was the one meant for her. However, there would be time to explore that. For the moment all that mattered was she had been given another chance at the most incredible love she had ever experienced. Taking the blonde's hands in her own, she smiled. "You take me, Caroline. Wherever you lead I will follow."

The blonde giggled lightly at the turn. It made her heart swell even more though at the words Perry had just spoken, for she knew she was in control of their passion. It calmed her and excited her at the same time. "This way," she stated, taking the older woman down the hall towards her bedroom. Opening the door she gave her lover a modest gaze.

Trying to reassure her of her intentions, Perry whispered, "Once we do this, Caroline, I'm never going to leave. I'm yours forever."

"Good because I'll never want you to go," she answered, pulling Perry into the room and shutting the door, leaving the world behind them as they gave themselves over to the love they both wanted.

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