by Renee Porter
“Maybe,” B drew out, getting a response from the audience. Maddie placed her hand over her heart as she feigned being hurt. B lightly laughed as she turned back to Jimmy. “I think it’s safe to say, that yes, I just so happen to be dating a very talented and beautiful actress.” The staff had to quiet down the audience members at B’s proclamation as if they already weren’t aware of why they were holding hands on set. Jimmy shook his head.
“And did Maddie happen to tell you that she was going to proclaim her love for you tonight, and subsequently out you both to the entire world?” Jimmy held out a hand, “Not that the collective minds thinking of you two together, mind you…” the band played a little jazzy number as the audience hooted. Maddie shook her head as she laughed.
“She didn’t tell me and believe me I was surprised. We had spoken about when the right time to come out was but we just couldn’t pin anything down. I think she just decided to take matters into her own hands.”
“Well yeah, why wouldn’t she ? , ” Jimmy became serious at this moment, his eyes sparkling with the truth in his words. “I think it’s safe to say that although it was a shock to find out that Maddie has broken millions of men’s hearts tonight, the fact is that everyone should be allowed to love who they want. Am I right?” Ryan sucked in a breath as Jimmy said the words out loud. For the whole time she had found out that Charlie would be on the show she had wondered why. And then she caught her breath , her breath caught . Something in the back of her mind tickled her and she knew, in that moment, just why Charlie had chosen to do the show.
“So let’s get a summary going shall we?” Jimmy stated, now going back to his comedic flare. “Maddie, you managed to come out during the Oscars, not only just stating you’re a lesbian but actually announcing to the world that you’re dating none other than B Montgomery, and you took the Oscar from none other than Charlotte Baker,” the audience whooped as Maddie held up her hands in surrender.
“Look, I know. I told Charlotte the same thing. I didn’t think she would mind me taking the Oscar just this once,” Maddie smiled as the audience again hollered. Charlie took that moment to come out on stage, giving a little dramatic flair of acting for the audience.
“I thought no such thing, Madeline Fields! I deserve a recount,” she placed her foot down as the band played and Jimmy stood to announce Charlie to the audience. She turned and waved as she made her way toward Maddie, giving her hug and then doing the same to B. Maddie and B had moved down, allowing her to sit next to Jimmy.
“Wow, okay. This is an all-star cast tonight, isn’t it?” Jimmy looked out into the audience as he quickly glanced over at Charlie. She knew he knew what she was about to do and she gave him a wink letting him know she was ready.
“So, Charlotte. Getting serious now, how do you feel about losing tonight?” Charlie chuckled and shook her head.
“Honestly, Jimmy. Maddie deserved the Oscar, and it really is just a privilege to be nominated. I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way,” Charlie squeezed Maddie’s hand and smiled at her. Ryan sat watching the scene unfold in front of her and released a breath she didn’t even know she was holding.
“And what do you think of her speech? Was that the craziest thing you’ve seen so far?” Again Charlie chuckled and shook her head.
“We’re in Hollywood, Jimmy. If that’s the craziest thing I’ve seen I obviously haven’t been living my life right.” The audience laughed with her and then she adjusted her seating. “You know, the movie I was nominated for tonight highlights just how hard it is for the LGBTQ community, even to this day. Maddie coming out and standing up there and showing her true self and showing that she’s not afraid to show her love for someone who just happens to be a woman, well, I think it’s an amazing show of support. More people should take a page from her book,” Charlie quirked her lips up in a quick smirk, “No pun intended, B.” The group on the set laughed.
“So, if you would have won tonight then, how would your speech have gone?” Jimmy asked. This was it, this was Charlie’s moment and she cleared her throat as her cheeks warmed. She shifted her gaze over to the two women sitting beside her and they nodded their heads in silent support.
“Well, I think it would have gone something like, ‘Wow, thank you to the Academy but this award should belong to Madeline Fields…” she waited for the audience to stop laughing and applauding. Then she took in a deep breath, “and then I would’ve thanked everyone who worked on the movie of course. But I think the most important part is that I would have let everyone know that it’s important to see how much support the LGBTQ community has. Not just with their friends and family but in the glitz and glamour of Hollywood as well. People like Madeline and B show that and are willing to lend their support by showing people that they aren’t afraid of being open about who they are. That talented actors and actresses and authors and directors can lead an openly gay lifestyle and still be considered the best in the business.” Charlie furrowed her brows as she looked at Jimmy. “You know, when I was filming the movie I was afraid to come out and say that I was falling in love with a woman, but now I don’t care. Because why should anyone be afraid? It’s just love.” Charlie smiled shyly as the audience erupted in a deafening applause. Maddie and B applauded with them as everyone in the studio stood. Jimmy sat back down and waved to the audience to quiet them.
“Well, I think it’s safe to say then, you’re off the market as well?” Charlie smiled as she blew out a deep breath.
“Oh yes, Jimmy. Definitely so.”
Chapter 21
Charlie looked over at Jonathan who had a wide, satisfied smile on his face. He had hugged Charlie so tightly after the show that she literally squealed when all the breath rushed out of her lungs. “Do you think she saw it?” Charlie asked as she worried her lip. Jonathan looked over at his cousin with a ‘are you seriously kidding me’ look and shook his head.
“I made sure to let her know you’d be on. Plus, I’m sure if you turned that phone on, you’d see how many missed calls and texts you have.” Jonathan pointed to the phone that Charlie was circling in her palms. She shook her head at the thought of turning that thing on.
“That’s the last thing I want. I mean, I want to talk to Ryan but this thing is going to explode as soon as it powers up. I’m sure Dan is already drafting an email to the media letting them know it was all a joke.”
“And if that’s the case then I hope you’ll also tell him to draft his resignation letter.” Jonathan pointed at Charlie and she gave him a small smirk.
“You can bet on it,” Charlie relaxed into the leather seat and looked out through the window. The familiar homes fluttering by let her know that they were almost at Jonathan’s and her stomach tightened at the thought of seeing Ryan.
“Why are you so nervous anyway? You’re finally out to the public and now you’re heading home to the woman you love. Life doesn’t get any better than that.”
Charlie breathed in trying to settle her anxiety. “She made an exception for me, Jon. She never wanted to be in this life and that’s exactly what I’m offering her. I know she loves me but what if love isn’t enough to want her to stay?” Jonathan turned to his cousin and regarded her carefully. He knew that her self-doubt was weighing heavily on her mind and he didn’t want her to run from the one thing in her life that meant more to her than her career.
“It is enough.” Charlie peeled her eyes from the road and glanced over at Jonathan who held a sincere gaze in familiar blue eyes. “I’ve known Ryan for a long time, Charlie. And if it’s one thing you should know about her it’s that love trumps all in her eyes. She wouldn’t have offered you her heart if she didn’t want to give you her future.” Charlie’s eyes misted over as she felt Jonathan’s hand squeeze her shoulder. The limo finally stopped at Jonathan’s house as he motioned for the door.
“So, Ms. Baker. What do you say?” He smiled and his boyish grin made her chuckle, her nerves easing slightly as she looked a couple of houses down toward
Ryan’s. The lights had been left on at the porch, a signal beckoning her home.
“I say that when it’s time, you’re going to be my best man,” she smiled widely as she stepped out into the open air. Jonathan removed himself from the car as he caught a glimpse of Charlie walking down toward Ryan’s house. He breathed out heavily, his breath forming a soft cloud in front of his upturned lips.
***
Charlie raised her hand to knock on the large oak door. It was late and while she was almost positive that Ryan would be awake, a part of her hadn’t wanted to disturbed her if she had felt too exhausted to wait up. She shook her head as she tried the handle instead, the door giving away and opening as she depressed the metal latch. She scanned the entry way as she softly closed the door. The dim light on the bar was on, allowing light to filter through the dark expanse of Ryan’s home. Everything else on the bottom floor was dark though, so she made her way to the steps that led to Ryan’s room. As she knocked lightly, she didn’t receive an invitation to come in. She took a deep breath as she opened the door slowly, not wanting to wake Ryan if she was indeed asleep. She looked over to the neatly made bed and then around to the en suite bathroom. The only light on was on the nightstand but Ryan was nowhere to be found. She glanced over at the closed door of the deck, wondering if maybe Ryan had stayed at Jonathan’s. A creak sounding outside on the deck, made her reach for the door though and she stepped outside.
Ryan’s telescope was set looking upward to the black, cloudless sky. She scanned the small deck as she finally made out the silhouette of Ryan’s body leaning against the wood railing. She was facing her and the light from the neighboring house caught the dark green of her eyes. Charlie took another step toward her as she finally saw Ryan’s lips turn upwards.
“Busy night, huh?” Ryan whispered through the chilled night air. Charlie chuckled as she closed the remaining distance between them. Almost immediately, Ryan’s arms encircled Charlie’s waist and she brought the woman in closer to her, successfully removing any lingering space between them.
Charlie breathed in deeply as Ryan’s scent and warmth enveloped her. She nuzzled into the soft dark hair and placed a kiss on the soft skin below Ryan’s ear. “I love you,” Charlie whispered almost inaudibly. Ryan squeezed harder as she drew in her own deep breath, just enjoying the comfort that the taller woman provided. Ryan didn’t respond with words and Charlie felt like she didn’t even need to. The amount of emotion flowing through Ryan’s embrace was more than any words could ever describe.
She finally felt Ryan pull from her slightly and although she had immediately missed the tight embrace, she was soon finding that Ryan’s lips were a nice substitute. As she slid her tongue against Ryan’s, the familiar liquid heat stirred in Charlie’s veins. She grabbed onto Ryan’s back bringing her closer into the warmth, her stomach clenching as her nerves set on fire. Ryan moaned as Charlie tried to consume everything she was and finally, Charlie broke away to try and breathe the remainder of Ryan into her.
“Can you stay tonight?” Ryan asked as she licked her lips. Charlie furrowed her brow in confusion, wondering why Ryan would even ask such a question. Then, as she thought about it, the night fell upon her and a soft smile splayed on already bruised lips. “I know that you’re probably going to be dealing with a lot tomorrow morning, but I really want you to stay tonight.” Charlie laced her fingers with Ryan’s as she pulled her from the railing. Leading Ryan back inside, Charlie finally addressed her concern.
“I want to spend every night with you, Ryan.” Ryan breathed out a sigh of relief as Charlie sat her down on the bed. She bent down as she took off Ryan’s left shoe, and then the right. She looked up as she removed Ryan’s socks next and placed them next to her shoes under the bed. Ryan quirked an eyebrow up at Charlie who ran her hands over Ryan’s jean clad legs. The brunette let out a shuddering breath as Charlie undid the button and slowly moved down the zipper and then silently asked Ryan to lift her hips so that her jeans could be removed. When she placed the now folded jeans on the lounge in front of Ryan’s bed, she stood as she placed a hand on Ryan’s cheek. She bent down and lightly kissed soft lips, a sigh of content immediately escaping her own. “I’ve wanted to be with you like this all night. So much of me just wanted to come home to you.” Ryan turned her head as she kissed Charlie’s palm, green eyes peering back into a sea of blue.
“I was so worried that you were upset you didn’t win.” Ryan closed her eyes as Charlie placed another kiss on her lips. Lingering longer than the last, Charlie finally pulled away as she lifted Ryan’s arms up.
“I didn’t care about the award, Ryan.” Charlie bit her lip as she discarded Ryan’s t-shirt. The sight of her red bra encasing the breasts that Charlie wanted to taste was more than enough to send a wave of arousal through her. She wanted to take Ryan then and there but forced herself to be slow in the moment. Charlie brought her hand to Ryan’s chest, outlining the swell of her breasts. Ryan sucked in deeply as Charlie’s hand moved over her heart. It was beating so deeply and wildly that she had to close her eyes to tame her own thudding heart. “All I could think about was you saying you loved me. Everything after that was just moments until I could get home to you and tell you that I feel the same.” Charlie smiled as she lightly pushed on Ryan’s chest to lay down on her back. Ryan scooted up the bed slightly to allow Charlie room to join her. Charlie took in the sight of Ryan clad only in her bra and tight black boy shorts. She breathed in as she finally undid the zipper on her own dress, allowing it to pool on the floor around her ankles. Ryan’s green eyes darkened almost immediately as she digested the sight in front of her.
As Charlie slid on top of Ryan a mutual moan escaped both sets of lips. Charlie immediately started to grind her almost naked body against Ryan’s and was rewarded with Ryan’s hands gripping her hips tightly, urging her to already increase the friction between them. Charlie smiled into a heated kiss and pulled away. Clucking her tongue she shook her head. Ryan pouted when she realized that Charlie wanted to stretch this time together as far as possible but when Charlie sucked the pouted bottom lip in her mouth all thought seemed to fade away. She didn’t feel Charlie taking off her bra or underwear. She didn’t feel Charlie removing the last of her own barriers, but what she did feel was all of the passion and emotion that flowed through Charlie’s body. Never in her life could she have known that she would have fallen in love with someone like Charlie. It didn’t matter that she was a Hollywood Starlet. It didn’t matter that she was gorgeous and talented and extremely wealthy. None of it mattered because to Ryan, she was just a woman that managed to take her breath away. She was just a woman that managed to steal her heart.
Ryan groaned when Charlie took an erect nipple in her mouth and started to lavish her tongue around the nub. It was exquisite pain, so achingly beautiful and she felt warmth surround her. Charlie had allowed Ryan a brief release of the ache as she settled her hips within her legs. Their bodies ground into one another and Ryan had to struggle for breath as she felt Charlie’s warmth against her own. Sliding so painfully slow, Charlie moaned herself with almost every thrust upwards of Charlie’s hips. Charlie was moving too slow to tip Ryan over the edge and she knew that the woman was enjoying the light grind of the tease. Ryan bit her lip in ecstasy and suddenly the taste of Charlie on her lips was all she wanted to have.
“Charlie,” Ryan breathed out as Charlie suckled on her other nipple. Still so painfully slow with her mouth, but her hips had increased the rhythm and the wetness started to pool more as Charlie’s arousal heightened with their teasing centers against one another.
“Charlie,” Ryan gasped again. Charlie finally looked up as Ryan grabbed her hips harder into her. Both women closed their eyes as the hard thrust sent shockwaves through both of their bodies. “Please,” Ryan hoped that Charlie knew what she was asking but just in case she didn’t, she grabbed on those hips again and pulled upward, a silent invitation to let Charlie know where Ryan wanted her. Charlie’s eyes darkene
d to a navy blue as she realized what Ryan was asking of her. She licked her lips as she climbed Ryan’s body, settling her knees on either side of her head. Ryan moaned as she clenched her thighs at the sight above her. Charlie was soaked with arousal and as she started to lower herself toward Ryan’s waiting lips, Ryan breathed in, allowing the scent of Charlie to surround her.
Ryan’s hands immediately landed on Charlie’s hips as she took in the woman above her fully into her mouth. Charlie’s head dipped backwards as Ryan traced every inch of her with her tongue. When that same tongue dipped inside and then back out a shuddering whimper escaped Charlie’s lips and then again as Ryan formed a rhythm with her mouth. Ryan watched as Charlie grabbed hold of Ryan’s head and Ryan had to deftly try and not think of what she was doing to Charlie or she would burst at an instant. But as soon as those fingers made their way through her hair all bets were off. Ryan felt the woman on top of her, sliding against her tongue and lips. The start of her orgasm was building and wound so tightly in her lower stomach that she knew all it would take was one touch and she would come undone. But she tried to hold off, because as Charlie shuddered one more time, Ryan felt her thighs tense against her lips, the muscles laying against her mouth quivering with Charlie’s release. And as the Charlie eased off of her, coming to rest against the length of Ryan all of her emotion flowed out. The tears prickled and flowed without abandon and she felt warm thumbs and lips wiping them away.
“Are you okay, honey?” Charlie asked. She was still breathing heavily and her heart still fluttered quickly against her perfect neck. She looked into Ryan’s eyes as the brunette just rolled them. “I really don’t know why I do this with you,” she pointed at the tears and tried to laugh but the laugh just turned into a series of quiet sobs.
Charlie smiled as she took Ryan in her arms, soothing her hair and kissing her temple. “Do you think this is a bad thing?” Her answer came in the form of a self-deprecating groan and Charlie squeezed her tighter. “I love it, you know that? I love that you have so much inside that it comes out like this. It’s beautiful,” Charlie lifted Ryan’s head so that she was now looking into red rimmed eyes. “You’re beautiful.” Charlie ended her point with a soft languid kiss which seemed to dry Ryan’s tears in an instant. As soon as Ryan groaned into Charlie’s mouth the woman knew that it was her turn to finally show Ryan her own emotions.
