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She rode out her high, the haze of release seeping into her. But Charlotte didn’t pull out. Her fingers continued thrusting in and out, curling to hit the ridged patch just inside. Soft lips wrapped around Ali’s clit sending new shudders through her. Legs draped over Charlotte’s shoulders, her ankles pressed into her back, keeping her close.

Ali’s whines pitched higher, drawing out sounds yet unheard when Charlotte’s hot tongue swirled over her clit to accompany a gentle suction.

Something white hot and blinding built in her abdomen, tingling along her inner thighs.

“Charlotte—”

One of her hands twisted her own nipple, the other sought for something, anything to hold onto. Fingers laced between hers and squeezed and fingers curled a little more inside, sending Ali sailing into a world of bliss.

Charlotte helped Ali and her pleasure drenched limbs move further onto the bed. She settled next to her, fingers tracing the lines of her tattoos on her hip, all the way up to the fern over her love handle. Her thumb hit the disruption in the smoothness of her skin and she hesitated, running her thumb over and back, eyes shifting to look.

Ali’s stomach dropped, the afterglow fading as the memory of the dark room loomed.

“What happened here?” Charlotte asked, skimming the cross hatching of scars and gouge marks.

Shame scalded her throat, digging its brutal talons into her heart, sending it plummeting.

“Ashley and I got matching tattoos…” Ali began, the memory of that day played through her mind just as vivid as if it happened only yesterday. “She told me I would see it and remember who I belonged to. I was in a very dark place after she left. And one day it started burning like it was a fresh brand, blistered and agonizing. My mind convinced me if I cut it out, it would feel better.”

A hollow laugh slid out, carrying with it the echoes of her shame.

“It didn’t. Shocking, I know, right?” She tried to laugh, lighten the mood somehow… a choked sound came out instead. “When the scars healed, I got the black work to try and blot it out. But sometimes, I still feel it underneath, burning.”

Surely, this was the moment Charlotte would decide to end things. Her mind raced, playing out every possible scenario.

But Charlotte’s thumb never ceased its motions. Her gaze rested heavy on her. But Ali couldn’t bring herself to meet it. Charlotte shifted, moving to press her lips to the marred skin, peppering each line with a kiss. After trailing kisses up her abdomen, through the valley of her breasts she hovered over her. A hand settled over Ali’s racing heart. It seemed impossible Charlotte couldn’t feel the thunderous beat slamming against her chest.

Charlotte pressed her hand down, the pressure calming her rattling nerves. Ali released a shuddering breath. Charlotte kept her hand there and one by one the destructive oily thoughts screaming in Ali’s mind began to quiet.

Their eyes met and Charlotte’s expression caught Ali by surprise. There was no judgement or pity. Only understanding.

Charlotte kissed her, slow and deep, quieting that destructive voice, teaching her mind to be still again. Ali never felt more cared for. Never more seen and understood.

“I’m amazed by you,” Charlotte murmured, craning her neck to press her lips to her forehead. “You’re so resilient.”

Ali met her gaze, starbright eyes soft and genuine. She meant those things.

Ali cupped one of her cheeks, thumb stroking along her sculpted cheek bone.

“How are you so perfect?” Ali wondered aloud.

But Charlotte’s face fell. “I⁠—”

“You?”

“I’m so tired of trying to be perfect.”

The confession struck Ali, and she wondered if Charlotte ever admitted those words before… even to herself.

“Let’s make a deal,” Ali said, sweeping raven strands back, tucking them behind her ear. “Let’s not worry about being perfect with each other. I’ll give you the space to make mistakes and not always get it right if you do the same for me. No one is perfect. I never want you to feel like you have to be a certain way with me. I want you to be yourself even when you aren’t at your best… I just want you, Charlotte.”

Charlotte’s eyes were shining as she pulled Ali into her.

“I want you, too,” Charlotte whispered against her lips.

Ali grinned into the kiss and rolled to hover over Charlotte, hands trailing down her body, over the outside of her thigh and back up the inside. She was soaked and Ali slid her fingers through drenched folds, with zero resistance as she circled her clit, gathering her moisture.

Charlotte whined, hips rolling down into Ali’s hand in search of friction. Unable to resist, Ali broke their kiss, slipping her glistening fingers into her mouth. Charlotte watched her suck the essence from her fingers, groaning.