Becoming Ready

Chapter 1 - Wait's Over

**Content Warning: This chapter contains mild sexual content. (Right off the bat, I know, lol.) 

Charlie paced around her room, too excited to sit still. She checked the time on her phone, nearly throwing it when she realized only a minute had passed since she last looked.

Her boyfriend Shawn was supposed to arrive soon. He was coming over after his AA meeting. Today marked six months of sobriety for him, which was very special for a couple reasons. The first was that it was a huge accomplishment, one that Charlie was very proud of him for. The second was that his sponsor had told him to wait six months before dating, so he could focus on his recovery. But now that the six months was up? That meant they could pick up where they left off that winter night outside of her school's auditorium, when he came to surprise her after her final performance in the school play.

Charlie thought about the look in his eyes that night, and the way he would stop at nothing until she let him kiss her. It made her stomach do backflips in anticipation.

They had kept in contact over the last four months, of course. She kept him up to date on everything in her life, including her acceptance to the Art Institute of Bridgeport. She had finalized her plans to attend in the fall, despite how nervous she was to go to the same school as her ex, Cassius. Shawn was extremely supportive of her decision, even after she told him everything that had happened with Cassius. One of her favorite things about Shawn was that he didn't seem to share any of the ultra-possessive, jealous characteristics that her ex had.

Charlie's phone buzzed in her hand.

T-Minus 5 minutes till I finally get to see you in person, Shawn texted.

She smiled but didn't text back, because she knew he was going to be driving. Instead, she went outside to wait on the driveway. When she saw his car coming down the hill, she could barely contain herself. Despite the occasional Facetime, they truly hadn't seen each other in months.

He pulled into the driveway and parked, and it took everything Charlie had to keep herself from dragging him out of the car. When he got out, his smile was so big he was practically beaming.

He just stood there for a moment. "Wow, Goldie. I almost forgot how beautiful you are. It's not even fair."

She laughed and ran over to him, jumping up and wrapping her legs around his waist in a hug. He caught her and squeezed her. She loved it when he called her Goldie. He had been doing it since they met, and originally, she thought it was just because of her long blonde hair. He told her it was more than just that, saying she reminded him of the sun.

She untangled herself from him and grabbed his hand, leading him inside her house. Charlie had convinced her parents to go out to dinner that night. She didn't want her reunion with Shawn to be complicated by having to introduce him to them. Aside from them, Shawn had already met Charlie's older sister Courtney at an AA meeting. Courtney, who in Charlie's mind was part big sister, part mom, approved of Shawn. She was glad he and Charlie took time apart for Shawn to focus on his recovery first. Courtney was a recovering addict herself, and she knew how important it was to get through the steps without distraction.

When they got to her room, Charlie turned and looked at him. His piercing green eyes searched her face, trying to figure out what she was thinking. She admired his striking, angular features. His facial hair was only slightly grown in, the perfect complement to his chiseled jaw. He still had his gage earrings in, and his dark hair was cut in a pompadour fade style. It had a slight wave to it, so it always had a somewhat messy look, but that just added to his sexiness.

He was the bad boy she never knew she wanted. Although, at six months sober, she might have to add reformed to that title now.

"What's going on behind those big brown eyes of yours?" he asked her.

"I'm just so happy to see you, that's all," she smiled.

He closed the distance between them, smiling as well. "So, how are you?" he asked, pushing her hair away from her face, his hand coming to rest just under her jaw. He could probably feel her pulse picking up as they spoke.

She bit her lip. "Well, I'm definitely not in the mood to talk."

His eyes darkened as he looked at her mouth. "Me neither," he said, pulling her toward him.

When their lips met for the first time in four months, Charlie immediately felt warmth spread throughout her body. He wove his hand into the hair at the nape of her neck and tightened his grip, taking control of the kiss. She opened her mouth, allowing his tongue to play with hers, slowly. His other hand snaked around her waist, pulling her close to him. Her hands wandered over his chest, which was taut but not overly muscular. His mouth left hers, traveling down to her ear and then her neck, where he found a particularly sensitive spot. She shivered in pleasure as he sucked the skin there, feeling goosebumps rise all over her body.

She pulled back, grabbing his hand so he would follow her to her bed. She made him walk backward until the backs of his knees hit the frame, pushing him slightly so he would sit down. He looked up at her, his breath slightly labored as he watched her climb on top of him. As she lowered herself onto his lap and leaned down to kiss him again, his hands ran up her legs to explore the curves of her body.

They had talked about this in advance. Although she wasn't going to have sex with him tonight, there were certainly other things they could do. And judging by the look on his face, Shawn was more than happy with the compromise.

** Aww these two are pretty cute. Do you think things are going to be smooth sailing for Charlie and Shawn now that they're together?  And if not, will they be able to stay together?