Breaking Boundaries

CHAPTER EIGHT

Charlotte stirred awake to the soft glow of morning filtering through heavy black curtains, the warmth of the bed cocooning her in a way that made her reluctant to move. For a moment, she didn't remember where she was, only that she felt warm, safe, and content in a way she hadn't in a long time.

Then, she felt the slow, deliberate stroke of fingers against her arm.

Her eyes fluttered open to the sight of Janice lying beside her, propped up on one elbow, watching her with an expression that was both amused and something softer, something unreadable. The burgundy silk of her robe had slipped slightly, revealing smooth skin and the faintest hint of collarbone.

"Morning, Sleeping Beauty," Janice murmured, voice thick with sleep.

Charlotte blinked, still a little dazed, but Janice's teasing tone pulled a quiet smile from her. "Morning," she whispered, stretching slightly under the sheets.

"Did you sleep well?" Janice asked, fingers still tracing idly over Charlotte's skin, the slow, casual affection making her stomach flip.

Charlotte hesitated, taking a moment to actually check in with herself. She'd expected to feel awkward or self-conscious the morning after, especially given everything happening in her life. But here, wrapped in the remnants of last night's warmth, she only felt good.

"Yeah," she admitted, glancing up at Janice. "I did."

Janice smirked, satisfied. "Good."

For a moment, neither of them moved, the silence between them stretching but it wasn't uncomfortable. Charlotte studied Janice's face, the way the usual sharpness in her expression was softened by the quiet of the morning. It made her wonder, how many people had actually seen Janice like this?

The thought was cut short by the vibrating of Charlotte's phone on the nightstand. She tensed instinctively, the reminder of the real world creeping back in. Janice sighed dramatically, rolling onto her back.

"Of course," she muttered. "Reality had to show up eventually."

Charlotte chuckled, but as she reached for her phone and saw the time, a wave of urgency hit her. "Shit," she breathed, sitting up quickly. "I need to get ready."

Janice didn't seem particularly rushed, stretching lazily against the sheets. "You could just call in sick," she suggested, tone half-playful, half-serious.

Charlotte shot her a look. "And leave you to deal with Marjorie alone? Tempting, but no."

Janice smirked. "So, you are worried about me."

Charlotte rolled her eyes but didn't deny it as she slipped out of bed, grabbing her clothes. She felt Janice's gaze on her as she dressed, but there was something different about it, not just hunger, but something deeper, like she was committing Charlotte to memory.

"Will you be okay today?" Janice's voice was softer now, more serious.

Charlotte paused, her fingers lingering on the buttons of her blouse. "I don't know," she admitted. "I'm still trying to figure out how I feel about everything."

Janice nodded, sitting up and pushing the hair out of her face. "Well," she said, standing and moving closer, "if Marjorie tries anything, just remember, I have very creative ways of dealing with difficult people."

Charlotte gave a half-laugh, shaking her head. "That's not exactly comforting, Janice."

Janice only smirked before leaning down, pressing a lingering kiss to Charlotte's cheek.

Charlotte and Janice arrived at the nursery separately. It was an unspoken agreement, walking in together would only make things worse. They both knew that. Charlotte had barely managed to keep things civil with Marjorie the day before, and the last thing she needed was another confrontation before she even had her morning coffee.