Atlanta, GA
A week later, Beca picked Chloe up on Thursday night so they could leave for the airport in the morning. When she saw that the barista had only packed a carry on, she raised a brow. “Are you sure you’ve got what you need? Though we can pick up whatever while we’re there.”
Chloe smiled as they walked back to the car. “It’s only a weekend, and I don’t need much to get by. This will be plenty.” She put the bag in the trunk and they headed back to Beca’s.
As they drove, Beca outlined their itinerary. “The car will be here to pick us up at 8, so let me know how early you need to be up to be ready.”
“A car? We don’t have to drive?”
Beca shook her head. “One, they take pretty good care of me. Two, it’s probably cheaper than paying for my parking for the weekend.” She glanced over with a smile. “Wait till you see the hotel room.” She had given Theo a list of a few extra things she wanted ready for them, and couldn’t wait to share them with Chloe. They stopped for pizza, then ensconced themselves in Beca’s apartment.
They ate quietly, the radio on low in the background. Beca had had things to get ready for her Saturday meeting, and Chloe had worked a double shift to make up for some of the work she’d be missing. The ginger was tired, but still excited about the trip. As they sat back with their drinks, she asked, “What time is your meeting?”
“Supposed to be 10 to 4, but I can’t guarantee we’ll be done on time. Do you have anything planned while I’m out?”
“I brought a couple books. I’ll be plenty occupied.” Chloe reached for Beca’s hand. “Let’s go get comfy in the living room.”
When they sat, Beca drew Chloe down into her lap, snaking an arm around her. “Much better.”
Chloe giggled and kissed her forehead. “Agreed. Closer is better.” She ran her hand through Beca’s silky hair, gently grazing her nails over her scalp. Beca gave a sigh of relief and Chloe could feel her relaxing gradually. “You’re very tense tonight. Is anything going on?”
“No, not really. Just… a long day. I’m looking forward to time away with you, even if some of it is work. I haven’t been anywhere in over a year, so it’s almost like a mini vacation.” Beca closed her eyes as Chloe kept stroking her hair.
“Maybe you should take a real vacation this summer. No work, just fun.”
Beca considered. She had plenty of time off saved up, and she still intended to spend the summer making memories with Chloe. A vacation could be perfect. “I’ll look at my calender next week and see what’s going on. Will you be able to take more time off?”
The redhead chuckled. “It shouldn’t be a problem. Aubrey knows we’re together, I doubt she’ll be surprised if I need time for a vacation with you. I know she seems grumpy all the time, but she’s really a good person. I think she’s lonely, more than anything. She got divorced last year.”
Beca nodded her understanding. “I’d be grumpy, too. But think about where you wanna go. I’ll probably take at least a week. We can go wherever you want.”
Chloe poked her arm gently. “As long as you want to go, too, babe. We’ll decide together.”
Beca held her a bit tighter and opened her eyes to look up at Chloe. “Together. I like that. Us, doing things, together. It’s a dream come true.” She smiled at Chloe’s blush and reached up to caress her cheek.
Leaning into Beca’s hand a moment, the barista leaned down for a long, deep kiss. Beca coasted her hand down Chloe’s bare arm, feeling goosebumps rise in her wake. Chloe shifted to kneel over Beca, the hand in her hair closing on a fistful of hair. “I want you, Beca,” she murmured against her lips. “I want to hear you growl and moan, feel you writhing and shaking under me.”
“Take what you want from me, Chloe. I’m yours.” Beca gazed up into sky blue eyes darkened with desire, feeling the spark in her own gut flaming hotter.
Chloe dragged her teeth over Beca’s lower lip before claiming a hungry, demanding kiss, pulling firmly on her hair. Beca gripped her hips tightly, reminding Chloe that they both needed out of their clothes. She stood, yanking Beca to her feet. Between kisses, they got each other undressed as they stumbled toward the bedroom. Not watching where she was walking, Beca caught her food in a t-shirt on the floor and tripped forward, saved from falling on her face by Chloe’s arms catching her. She muttered a blistering curse, but the redhead quickly distracted her with a breathtaking kiss.
Finally climbing into bed, Chloe wasted no time assailing Beca’s neck and shoulder as her hands roamed freely, delighting in each sound she drew from the brunette. She shivered at Beca’s growl as she grazed her teeth over one taut peak, feeling strong hands on her shoulders, nails digging in deliciously. The growl became a groan as she flicked her tongue against the sensitive flesh and soon, Beca was nearly vibrating with arousal and anticipation.
Lifting her head for a fierce kiss, Chloe trailed her hand between Beca’s thighs to stroke gently. Beca arched with a gasp, gripping Chloe harder. “Jesus Christ, babe… please…” she pleaded hoarsely.
Chloe slid her fingers inside her, thrusting steadily as she returned to nipping and biting at her neck. With a ragged cry, Beca clawed at Chloe’s back as she came. Chloe slowed her thrusts, but persisted until Beca was writhing and growling with a second orgasm.
Moving to lie beside her, she gathered Beca into her arms where she shook and panted. “Did I… did I hurt you?” she asked as she tried to catch her breath.
Chloe stroked her hair and kissed her forehead. “No, baby, you didn’t hurt me. I’m not quite that fragile.”
“I didn’t mean…”
“Shh. I know. You’re just thoughtful like that. I promise you didn’t hurt me.” She smoothed a hand down Beca’s back, noticing the decrease in tension. Smiling, she pulled the blanket over them. “Set your alarm for six, if that’s early enough for you. We don’t want to miss our flight.”
***
Chloe wandered the hotel suite after Beca left for her meeting. Envision really did take care of her; their suite had a fridge full of beverages, a king-sized canopy bed, and a balcony. Picking up one of her books, she took her coffee out to read on the balcony.
But once she was outside, she set the book aside in favor of standing at the railing and looking out over Atlanta. It was already rather hot at 10:30; she didn’t think she’d stay in the sun very long. She didn’t want to be sunburned when Beca got back. That would put a wrench in their plans.
They hadn’t actually made plans for Sunday yet, as Beca wasn’t sure how she’d feel after the meeting. She was hoping to catch the sunset from the balcony, but other than that, she was up for whatever Beca came up with.
Sipping her coffee, she changed her mind and took her book inside to the sitting room recliner, her legs stretched out over the foot rest as she tried to read. But every few sentences, her mind went back to Beca and the words they had left unsaid so far. Nothing had happened in a week to change her mind about Beca; she never wanted to be with anyone else. Beca Mitchell was it for her, and she knew it. Soon, she thought, soon the right moment would come.
At 4, she got a text from Beca to meet her in the hotel restaurant for dinner. Grinning, Chloe got up and changed out of the pajamas she’d worn all day. Hoping the meeting had gone well, she grabbed her keycard and went downstairs.
Beca must have had something up her sleeve, because a waiter was waiting for her. “Ms. Beale, if you’ll follow me, please.” Chloe raised a brow but nodded and followed him.
The waiter led her to the far back of the restaurant, to a booth beneath a dim light where Beca sat. Two glasses of wine and the rest of the bottle were already on the table as the barista slid into the booth. Beca looked at her with a radiant smile that made her eyes sparkle.
“Hey, beautiful,” Beca said. “I hope you weren’t bored to death all day.”
“Not at all, babe. How did your meeting go?” Chloe sipped her wine and reached for the menu.
Beca put a hand on it before she could pick it up. “The meeting went really well. But I’m done working for the weekend. I want to spend the rest of this trip concentrating on us.” She reached further and covered Chloe’s hand with her own. “I hope it’s okay, but I already ordered.”
Chloe twined their fingers. “You’re up to something,” she said in a suspicious tone belied by a creeping smile.
Beca blushed and ducked her head a bit. “Guilty as charged.” Just then the waiter returned with a wheeled cart carrying their meal. “It’s something I make at home, so I can replicate it for you if you like it,” she said as a covered plate was placed before each of them. The waiter removed the shining domes to reveal beef stir fry over rice meticulously plated in the shape of a heart, garnished with a ring of tiny rosebuds.
Chloe raised a hand to cover her gaping. “Beca, this is so sweet! I don’t even know what to say.”
Beca smiled shyly. “You don’t have to say anything, babe. I intend to fully utilize the rest of our time here romancing you the way you deserve.” She looked down. “I may not always get it right, so…”
“Hey, now,” Chloe interrupted softly. “You put a lot of thought into things and it shows.” Beca lifted her eyes. “You got it right, Becs. Setting up a dinner like this is incredibly romantic.”
Smiling, Beca nodded, and they started eating. As they sat back to finish their wine, Beca suggested, “Why don’t we have dessert upstairs? It’ll be more comfortable.” The gleam in her eyes told Chloe there was more up Beca’s sleeve, so she nodded her agreement, eager to see what was planned.
They returned upstairs, where Beca unlocked the door and gestured Chloe inside first. The lights had been strategically turned on to leave the suite dim, but there was enough light to follow the path of white, pink, and red rose petals on the floor. “Becs, what…”
Beca stepped behind her, hands on the redhead’s hips, and kissed the back of her neck. “Just follow it. Trust me?”
“Always,” Chloe said quietly before walking alongside the path, which led to the bedroom. Inside, a bottle of champagne was chilling in a high hat and more rose petals were scattered over the floor and bed. “Babe…” she breathed, touched by all the thought and planning that had gone into Beca’s surprises. She turned to face Beca, who smiled warmly.
“Champagne on the balcony first?” she asked, taking both of Chloe’s hands in hers.
The sun was just over the horizon as they sat outside, Chloe in Beca’s lap. “I was hoping we could watch a sunset while we’re here,” the barista admitted quietly.
Beca kissed her jaw. “Then we’ll watch the sunset.” They sat and sipped their drinks as the sun sank slowly. When they were down to the last rays of sunlight, Beca caught Chloe’s attention. “You are everything I’ve ever dreamed for and them some. I know it’s only been two weeks, but I know what’s in my heart.” She met Chloe’s eyes with an intense gaze. “Chloe Beale, I… I love you.”
Chloe teared up at the words. “I love you, too, Beca Mitchell. Two weeks, two months, two years, that won’t change.” She leaned down for a lingering kiss full of promise and meaning.
When it was full dark, they carried their glasses back into the bedroom. Beca caught Chloe by the hip to pull her close. “Now that I said it, expect to hear it often. I won’t let you doubt or forget how much I love you.”
She hadn’t had much to drink, but Chloe felt drunk on Beca and her words. The producer was offering her heart, openly and willingly, and Chloe could feel the love and sincerity coming from her. “I’ll never get tired of hearing it,” she whispered before claiming a slow, deep kiss. She felt Beca’s hand slip up the back of her shirt to splay across her lower back, pressing them closer together. Chloe rested one hand on her shoulder, the other laying lightly along Beca’s jaw as the kiss took on a hint of urgency. Beca’s grip tightened, and Chloe fisted her hand in Beca’s shirt as the desire washed over them.
Slowly, carefully, Beca guided her backwards to the edge of the bed. Deliberately taking her time, she worked the buttons down the front of Chloe’s shirt, showering her neck and shoulders with soft kisses until she could push the shirt to the floor. The rest of her clothes followed at the same pace, Beca’s intense attention making Chloe shiver. When Beca was done, she met those expressive deep blue eyes and murmured, “My turn,” before returning the favor at the same speed, thought her hands shook a bit.
Beca caught her hands, looking concerned. “Are you okay, love? Did I go overboard?”
Chloe smiled brightly. “I’m more than okay. And no, it’s perfect. I love it, and I love you.” Reassured, Beca dropped her hands, allowing Chloe to continue. When she finished, Beca pulled her close again for a breathtaking kiss. Chloe could feel the pent up desire and iron-willed restraint that kept Beca moving gradually. “Give me everything, Becs. All that passion, all that desire, all that intensity. I want all of you.”
That request shattered Beca’s restraint, and in a flash, they were in bed, Beca kneeling over Chloe to torment her neck and shoulder with lips and teeth. The ginger moaned quietly, drifting her fingertips up and down Beca’s spine, which only seemed to spur her on. Beca dipped her head to tease one pebbled peak, catching it delicately between her teeth and flicking her tongue to elicit louder moans, Chloe’s nails digging into her skin.
As the producer’s hand coasted down her abs to reach between her thighs, Chloe tensed in anticipation, groaning deep in her chest at the first light stroke. “God, Beca, you feel incredible,” she breathed just as she felt Beca’s fingers inside her. Arching hard, Chloe clutched at her, lifting her hips to meet each slow, strong thrust. Beca captured her lips for a deep kiss, muffling her initial moan.
“Come for me, Chloe,” she whispered against her lips. Soon, Chloe was whimpering and writhing beneath her as she gripped Beca tight.
“Holy fuck,” she panted as Beca gathered her in her arms.
Beca held her close, reaching up to tuck a stray lock of hair behind Chloe’s ear. “You are all I want, babe. Everything, everything, pales in comparison to having you in my life.”
“Becs…”
The brunette shook her head. “No, don’t. Don’t say I can’t love you that much. Don’t say I’m exaggerating. I belong to you, Chloe. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you.”
Chloe bit her lip, tearing up again. She had a feeling that Beca was not normally one to lay her soul bare like this. She reached up to caress Beca’s cheek softly. “I’m yours as much as you are mine. I’ve given myself to you, body, heart, and soul. I will be with you forever. I love you.” Still exchanging quiet words of love and devotion, they fell asleep in short order.
When Chloe woke up Sunday morning, Beca was pressed against her back, one arm holding her snugly, and she smiled. Beca always held her tight, almost as if she were afraid Chloe would disappear overnight. She had no complaints; Beca’s possessive grip made her feel safe, secure, loved. But a corner of her mind wondered if there was something in Beca’s past that explained the tendency.
Half an hour later, she felt Beca shift a bit, then heard a yawn as the producer woke up. There was a gentle kiss on the back of her neck, and she turned over to face Beca, who mumbled something that was probably a greeting.
“You can go back to sleep, love. We have nowhere to be today.” Chloe brushed the back of her hand down Beca’s cheek lightly. “I’ll be right here.”
Beca held her tighter. “No, it’s okay, I’m awake. You don’t have to lay here all day.” She kissed her forehead, opening her eyes. “God, you’re stunning first thing in the morning.”
Chloe giggled. “Are you sure you aren’t still dreaming?”
“Hmm.” Beca drew her into a soft kiss. “Nope, not dreaming.” Beca smiled as Chloe giggled again. If she could hear that giggle every morning, she might not mind mornings so much. “Even my best dreams don’t feel as good as holding you close.”
Chloe kissed her again. “Should I go make us coffee? I can bring it in here so we can stay in bed a bit longer.” It took a moment, but Beca finally nodded and released her hold, if a bit reluctantly. The ginger slid out of bed, pulled on a hotel bathrobe, and padded out to the kitchenette, the now-wilting rose petals still lying in a path across the suite, making her smile again as she started the coffee.
Beca had outdone herself the night before, full of romance and heartfelt words. It had been everything Chloe could have asked for and more. She had been looking forward to a weekend away with Beca, but this surpassed all her expectations.
As the coffee maker sputtered, she prepped their mugs and poured before making her way back to the bedroom, where Beca had moved to sit up at the head of the bed, a sheet pulled up to her shoulders. Chloe set the mugs down and found a t-shirt for Beca, letting her pull it on before handing over the fresh coffee. When she climbed in with her own mug, Beca twined the fingers of their free hands and Chloe looked over to meet her gaze.
“I love you,” Beca said, simply and quietly.
Chloe raised their hands to kiss Beca’s. “I love you, too.”
The brunette sipped her coffee. “I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of saying that.”
“I’ll never get tired of hearing it.” Chloe paused. “Can I ask you something you don’t have to answer?”
“You can ask me anything.”
“Is there a specific reason you hold on to me so tightly at night? I’m not complaining,” she rushed to add. “I was just curious.”
Beca was quiet a moment. “The last time I had a girlfriend, I was a senior in college. We often spent the night in each other’s dorms, kept some stuff there. And one morning after she spent the night, I woke up and she and her stuff were gone. Blocked my number and everything.” She sipped her coffee.
Chloe squeezed her hand. “I’m so sorry, love. That was a heartless thing to do. Did you ever find out why?”
Beca shook her head. “She ghosted me thoroughly. So, yeah. I can work on it, if…”
“No,” Chloe cut her off. “I like that you hold me so tight. Babe, you don’t have to change for me, okay?”
Nodding, Beca looked into her mug a moment, then lifted her head. “Are we ready for breakfast?”
Chloe watched her a long moment, but she seemed to be fine in spite of the bad memory that had been dug up. “Yeah, let’s eat.” Together, they moved to the living room to call in their room service order.
Over plates of French toast, Chloe asked, “Did you have plans for today?”
“Well, I thought we could go for a walk after breakfast, before it gets too hot. Pick up lunch to bring back here. And decide where to go from there.” Beca went to the kitchenette and brought the coffee pot to refill their mugs.
“Sounds like a plan to me. It’ll be nice to walk somewhere new.” Chloe finished her French toast and picked up her coffee. “Do you know Atlanta well?”
Beca shook her head. “I came into the city for work, but that’s about it. Never took time to explore.” She picked up her phone. “Want me to see what’s around?”
Chloe smiled but shook her head. “Let’s see what we find when we walk. If we don’t find anything interesting, we can spend the afternoon here relaxing before we fly home tomorrow.” Beca agreed easily, and they finished their coffee before dressing for their walk. They chose a direction at random and strolled along with the other pedestrians.
They started out looking around, pointing out interesting buildings and statues. They found a park and headed in for a quieter time.
Away from the bustling sidewalk, they walked slower, not speaking as much as they concentrated on simply being together. They found a convenient bench and sat for a break, Beca holding Chloe’s hand snugly.
“Babe?” Chloe asked. “Are you okay?”
“I have a crazy notion. And you can totally say no. And it doesn’t have to happen immediately.”
“Okay. Let’s hear it.” Chloe held Beca’s hand in both of hers.
Beca took a deep breath. “We spend the night together whenever possible. We spend our days together as much as we can. Is it insane to think that would all be easier if you moved in with me?” Her voice was quiet, and her nervousness was audible in her question. She didn’t want Chloe to feel overwhelmed, but there was something deep inside her saying this was the right move. “Like I said, it wouldn’t have to be right away, and if you’d rather not, I understand.”
Chloe smiled and kissed her softly. “It’s not insane. I plan on spending my life with you, Beca. I would love to live with you, and the sooner, the better. So, yes, I’ll move in with you, very happily.”
Beca gazed into the sky blue eyes she loved so much. “I love you so much, Chloe. I will never stop showing you that.”
Chloe caressed Beca’s cheek. “I love you, too, Beca. And I will spend my life loving you with all my heart.”