The Story Of Us

Chapter 5 ◇ Day 1 ◇

Lerato slowly opened her eyes, the first rays of sunlight filtering through the curtains.

She blinked, disoriented for a moment before realizing where she was. Soft, warm sheets, and a comfortable weight around her waist.

Memories of the previous night came rushing back, and she couldn't help the warm flutter in her chest as she remembered falling asleep in Catherine's arms.

Unable to help herself, Lerato reached out, running a gentle finger along Catherine's jawline. It was smooth, the skin warm to the touch.

She had the urge to touch more, to explore the sleeping woman's face. She looked so different in sleep, so vulnerable. A blush creeped up her cheeks, the thought both thrilling and terrifying.

"Stop it," she chided herself in a whisper. "She's sleeping. You can't just... do that."

She forcibly pulled her hand away, wrapping her arms around herself in an almost defensive gesture. She sat there, watching Catherine sleep for a few more moments. After a while, Catherine stirred, her eyes fluttering open.

She looked at Lerato, who was still sitting up, her hands gripping the sheets.

"Good morning," Catherine mumbled, her voice low and rough with sleep. "How long have you been awake?" Lerato smiled at the sleepy, raspy sound of Catherine's voice.

"Not long," she said softly, watching as the older woman sat up and ran a hand through her hair, trying to tame the messy locks.

"You sleep heavily," she teased gently.

Catherine chuckled, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. "Sorry. I've always been a deep sleeper." She said, her voice still a little groggy. She looked at Lerato, a hint of a grin tugging at her lips. "How did you sleep?"

"I slept well," Lerato responded, a slight blush creeping up her cheekbones.

She remembered falling asleep in Catherine's arms. The memory made her heart flutter. "I, uh..." She hesitated for a moment, unsure how to phrase her next words. "I was warm."

Catherine smirked at the girl's blush, her eyes sparkling with amusement and something else that Lerato couldn't quite place.

"You were freezing your ass off when I put you to bed," she teased, the huskiness in her voice sending a shiver down Lerato's spine.

"I was not," Lerato protested, her blush deepening. Catherine just chuckled, a mischievous edge to her smile. "You were," she said, reaching out to poke the blushing girl on the nose. "You were shivering like a little bunny."

"Shut up," Lerato huffed, trying to sound annoyed but failing miserably.

She tried to swat Catherine's hand away, but the woman was quicker. Catherine caught her hand easily, her fingers wrapping around the younger woman's wrist. "You're so grumpy in the morning," Catherine teased, her tone light but her grip on the girl's wrist firm.

She shifted closer, her free hand coming up to cup Lerato's face, her thumb brushing over the girl's flushed cheek. Catherine watched the girl's reaction, a soft smile on her lips.

"See?" She said, her voice a soothing murmur. "Much better when you're calm."

Her thumb continued its slow, soft path along Lerato's cheek, skimming over her skin like a whisper. Lerato's eyes fluttered closed, a small sigh escaping her mouth.

The gentle touch was incredibly soothing, the firm but gentle grip on her wrist adding to the sensation.

She found herself leaning further into the touch, her body craving more contact with the older woman. She moved closer still, their bodies now barely a breath apart.