The Hotel Meeting

Chapter 1 

Ellen's POV

"I need you to send me over the copies of the brief for tomorrow meeting. This deal needs to go through in the next 48 hours Andy. I'm relying on you to feed me information from base as we get it."

"Course Ell. Sending it over right now." 

"Thanks. I'm just on the way to the hotel now so i'll check in with you once i'm all checked in and have looked over the brief." 

"Sure thing." 

"Chat soon." 

"Bye." I hear him say before the phone clicks off and I place it back into my briefcase. Being a high-powered CEO of a multi-national company leaves little room for silence so I like to take it in whenever I can. Tomorrow's meeting will secure the company for at least the next ten years so I have come to London personally to ensure the job is done right. As we pull up to the 5* Claridges hotel I start to gather my things before allowing the chauffeur to escort me out of the car and into the reception area. I walk over towards the line of guests waiting to be checked in but the butler pulls me straight towards the desk.

"Nooo I am going to wait in line like everyone else." I say in my thick american accent causing some of the guests in line to look around at me. 

"No m'am I am under strict instructions to ensure that you receive the best treatment starting with no waiting around." he says forcefully. I reluctantly allow him to pull me towards the desk. As I pass the other guests I nod my apologies before being greeted by an overly enthusiastic receptionist. 

"Good afternoon Mrs DeGeneres." she says in a high-pitched British accent. 

"Miss." I say sharply at her name slip. 

"Oh I am Sorry Miss DeGeneres." 

"No problem." 

"Here's your two room key's. As requested you are in our penthouse suite on the top floor. Our butler will escort you to your room with your cases. Please enjoy your stay with us." 

I thank her and take the key's from her before returning a half smile. As I follow the butler to the elevator I try to put my purse and keys into my briefcase. In doing so I completely miss the small step separating the reception area from the elevators. I feel my feet tangle beneath me and brace myself for impact with the floor but I am stopped before I reach the hard ground by two hands underneath my arms. The two arms help me back into a standing position and then turn to picking up my bags as I compose myself. When I finally lay eyes on the woman who has broken my fall my breath hitches and as hard as I try to close my mouth I cannot. 

"Erm-erm thank you." I manage to stutter out. 

"Are you okay?" the lady asks and I immediately detect her Australian accent. 

"Er - yes." I reply lost for words for once. I then look to floor as she picks up the broom at her feet and I notice the uniform she is wearing. I immediately reach for my purse looking for a tip. When I manage to pull it out I am interrupted before I can start searching for a note.

"No please I cannot accept money. I'm not a charity, just looking to do my good deed for the day." she says smiling at me before turning around with her broom and pushing her trolley into the waiting staff elevator. I stand there for a while not really knowing what to do before I notice the butler coughing. I quickly stuff my purse back into my briefcase and follow him into the elevator.

I finally finishing unpacking and relax on the sofa looking out of the window to the view of London. Usually I would be sitting here admiring the view, feeling relieved that the monster of files I have brought with me is finally in place, but today I have something entirely different on my mind. Something I haven't entertained for a long long time. Since I became CEO sex and certainly relationships have kinda been off limit. Don't get me wrong there have been a few one night things but nothing serious. However, today I felt an attraction that I've only felt once in my life. When I was younger I had a girlfriend called Anne. We were happy. She was the girl I saw myself falling in love with, marrying and starting a family with. However, three years into our relationship she suddenly dropped me like a piece of dirt on her shoe. Within weeks she was shacked up with some man and eventually moved away. I won't lie and tell you she didn't break my heart because she did. She shattered into so many pieces I've given up on ever loving anyone again. Since then I've found my one true love that I know can never break me; my career. I control everything my company does and to me that's exhilarating. People always ask if I miss having a bond with someone or having someone to go home to at the end of the day but I don't. I am startled from my thoughts by a loud knock at the door.

"Room service!" a rough voice shouts from outside the door.

"Come in!" I shout back a little confused but assuming they have a key. I stand from the sofa as a man in a tuxedo pulls a food cart into my room. As he starts to remove the cover from the food I interject before he can continue. "I don't mean to be rude but I haven't ordered any food."

"No worries Madam this one is on us as a goodwill welcome gesture. You will have food automatically delivered at this time of day. Your staff have assured us of a menu that you will like. We also have your schedule so know when you will be needing food and when not. If something arises meaning you will not be here do not worry we can simply offer your food onto our buffet cart downstairs."

"Oh please no don't worry about bringing my food to me. I am perfectly happy to-"

"We insist" the man replies firmly.

"Oh-erm-well thank you."

"No problem. One more thing though. When would you like the cleaner to come in?"

"I guess first thing in the morning would be a convenient time. I prefer to be around when people are in my room." I reply secretly hoping that my cleaner is the mysterious lady I met earlier and that I would get to spend a little more time with her.

"No problem Madam. I believe you have already met her earlier today. I shall inform her of the agreed time. Please enjoy your food." he replies before turning and heading towards the door.

"Thank you and one more thing."

"Yes." he says sharply turning around.

"Please it's Ellen." I say giving him a smile.

"Okay. Thanks Ellen." he says returning the smile and heading out of the hotel door.

Chapter 2

One is the number of hours sleep I got last night or this morning to be more accurate. I have been lying here for half an hour now trying to decide whether it's the jet lag or the beautiful woman I can't get out of my head. In the end I decide it's pretty much a combination of both and throw myself out of bed, hopping in for a quick shower before suiting myself up ready for the day ahead. As I am reading through the files for the first meeting I hear a quiet knock at the door. I make my way through the room and unlatch the door. My heart starts beating that little bit faster with every movement and when the door swings open to reveal a man it sinks like a brick would to the bottom of the sea. I know he has noticed the look of disappointment on my face as he passes into my room pulling his cart with him.

"Morning Miss DeGeneres. Now I know I'm not the prettiest of people but you really don't look too happy to see me. Pardon me if i'm being too abrupt." he says quickly adding the last sentence at the end. I smile slightly at his politeness before shutting the door behind him and walking further into the room.

"Erm...well I just. I guess I met the other cleaner yesterday and room service assured me it would be her cleaning my room today. I guess i'm just a little disappointed."

"Oh you mean Portia. Yeah she got rota'd onto another room first thing this morning because it was a bit of a state. Hope you don't mind."

"Oh" I say a little disheartened. "No of course not. I just I guess I wanted to chat a little to her. She kinda stopped me from falling over and I wanted to thank her is all."

"Oh no problem. Rest assured i'll pass it on."

"Look I don't mean to be rude but i'd prefer if she was cleaning this room."

"Of course. I'll see if I can do anything. If you put in a request yourself then i'm sure it will be sorted as soon as possible. I shall go and see now."

"Thank you." I reply before heading off early to my meeting in the hope I can get a few more minutes preparation time. I stop by the reception on the way to put the formal request in.

10 hours later...

"I can assure you Sir that this figure is a guaranteed amount based on profits from our previous years and the profits of companies offering the more complicated product." I say to the director, trying my hardest, but by now I am starting to get a little weary from being in the same room for so long.

"Look I can understand what you are saying but we need to ensure that the company producing the more complex product are not manufacturing a simpler design as they have majority market share at the moment. If they were to release another product we cannot compete with that and I assure you understand that whilst your company are worldwide market leaders in various markets you are not currently even in this market pool so to branch into this market is precarious."

"I know that and we have undertaken rigorous investigations into whether they are making new products and not found a thing. We are very confident that this is not happening and with your support we feel we can successfully branch into this market. That's why I am here personally. I feel in the next week we can make great strides into helping these people who find the current products too complex. I think we both agree that these patients will benefit majorly from this. As you will appreciate I do intend to push my company to it's limits but I also have the best interests at heart. This is not about profits Sir; this is about helping these patients to walk." I say before releasing the breath I had been holding. I see the director turn to his partners and signal a small nod before they stand up and leave the room.

"Okay. You have yourself a deal." he says smiling and holding his hand out for me to shake. "Now go have yourself a lovely evening experiencing the delights London has to offer and return refreshed for some hard work tomorrow. We still have a long way to go Miss DeGeneres."

"Of course Sir but I know we can do this. Although for the purpose of this week please call me Ellen."

"And me Tom." he says slightly nodding in my direction.

"Thank you Tom. I shall see you in the morning." I say before gathering my things and leaving the office. By the time I reach the hotel I am knackered and all I really want to do is go to bed. I trail all my folders back up to my room but when I get there the door is already open. I panic a little before stepping slowly inside the room.

"HELLO?" I shout through the room.

"Just coming" I hear a female voice shout back. I turn to put my folders on the coffee table before turning back to see who is in my room. Just as my eyes meet the face of the person my mouth goes dry and I feel my heart seize

"Sorry this is the first moment I got to do this. I can come back at a more inconvenient time." Portia say's looking at me waiting for a response.

"Erm..no." I stutter out not able to take my eyes off her. She has changed into her own clothes and is standing in front of me in a pair of skinny jeans and a tight fitting jumper.

"Miss DeGeneres are you okay?" she asks concernedly.

"Erm...yes." I stutter again before shaking myself mentally and calming myself down. "Sorry now is fine. I'm brilliant" I reply a little more enthusiastically than I had hoped.

"Okay" she says a little hesitantly before walking back through to the bathroom to carry on her cleaning. I mentally kick myself for how I am behaving around her but before I can go and make myself look more sane to her I receive a phone call off Andy. I spend the next half an hour reassuring him that the deal has definitely gone through and some of the details from today's meeting. By the time I hang up the phone Portia has finished her cleaning and is heading out of the door.

"Thank you" I shout after her. I see her pop her head back around the door smiling at me.

"No problem Miss DeGeneres."

"Please Portia call me Ellen." I respond which seems to catch her off guard.

"Erm..how do you know my name?" she asks stepping back into the room slightly.

"Oh the cleaner I had yesterday told me. Hope you don't mind me using it."

"Oh okay. No of course not." she replies smiling at me before hesitating a little bit. "Well I'll see you tomorrow Ellen."

"You don't fancy staying for a drink?"

"Your a guest!" she exclaims laughing to herself. "A very important one at that. Now I shall see you tomorrow to clean your room."

"Okay see you tomorrow."

"Bye Ellen."
Chapter 3

The next morning Portia arrives right on time to clean the room but I have to leave right away to make my meeting. I spend a day working hard with the director to come up with a plan for where to take the company. We get so far through by 3pm the director decides to head off for meetings with some of his other clients. I take the opportunity to explore the city a little and buy some gifts for my family and staff back home. I decide to walk back to the hotel from the shops as not many people seem to be recognizing me dressed in my own clothes. As I walk around the block into the road with the hotel I notice a girl slumped over down an alleyway crying hysterically. I look around to see if anyone is with her but don't see any signs of anyone. I walk slowly down the alleyway towards to woman. As I get closer I notice familiar features about the woman. It's only when I get right up close to her that I realise it is Portia.

"Portia!" I exclaim. "Oh my god are you okay?" She looks up from her position on the ground and I see the redness around her eyes. At first I think it's because she is crying but it's only when I look at her properly that I realise she has clearly been punched in the face. I sit down on the floor next to her leaning my back against the brick and pull her into a hug. As she collapses into my lap I smell her lavender shampoo and my heart starts to melt but I mentally kick myself before my brain goes to another place. For a while we sit there in silence as she cries it out into my lap. Eventually she lifts herself up and looks apologetically at me.

"I'm sorry." she says wiping away the remainder of her tears and wincing when she brushes the bruises that have already formed around her eyes.

"What happened?" I ask softly.

"I-I-I can't say." she says suddenly before trying to get up. I reach for her hand to stop her from running away. I look up at her pleading her not to run and eventually she sits back down next too me. To relieve the awkwardness I pull out my packet of the cigarettes, take one out and offer one to her. After a moments hesitation she quietly shakes her head. I shrug my shoulders place them back into my pocket and light up my own. After I have taken a few drags she turns to me.

"You know how bad that is for you right?"

"I am aware yes." I respond a little sharper than intended. "I only smoke casually though so you don't have to worry. Although worrying suggests that you care a little." I continue smirking a little before looking back down the alleyway.

"It was my boyfriend" she whispers barely audible. "Well my now ex-boyfriend." I turn to face her to show her I am listening but remain quiet to encourage her to continue. "I don't want to live this way Ellen but I have to keep up a facade in order to survive."

"What do you mean?" I ask quietly.

"I got into cleaning because my family-" she pauses hesitating about whether she should continue. "We're in a bit of trouble. My father used to own a business in Australia selling products to different people then one day the debts and loans started to catch up on him. So he went to a man he thought he could count on. Turns out that man borrowed the money from some loan sharks who, when the money could not be repaid in the time they wished it too, killed the man and came after my father. We moved to England in the hope that they wouldn't find us or we could re-earn the money before they found us. Then about a week ago my dad received an anonymous letter saying we know where you are. Father wants to move again but I told him we can't keep running from it. Then today my boyfriend got an anonymous letter as well with pictures of me with someone I shouldn't have been so he came to the hotel and summoned me here. I-I thought he wanted to have a quiet word but then he just started punching me and spitting at me shouting in face how disgusting I was. No one can know the truth I just don't know what to do Ellen." she starts ranting now.

"Hey it's okay." I say trying to reassure her. "What were you doing in the photo? Perhaps you could offer another explanation?"

"There is no other explanation." she replies firmly.

"At least tell me what you were doing in the photo."

"I can't." she repeats herself. We sit there for a while longer before I notice her starting to shiver.

"Come up to my room for a bit. Please? You don't have to talk but just sit until you're ready to go home."

"I don't know."

"As a thank you for me sitting here with you?"

"Okay okay" she says as I put out my cigarette before standing up and helping her to her feet.

Chapter 4

"Would you like a drink?" I offer her as we reach my room.

"Erm..okay" she respond quietly before sitting herself down on the couch.

"Wine okay?"

"Sure." I pour us two glasses before sitting myself down next to her on the couch. We sit in silence for a while just sipping on our drinks. To take her mind off things I decide to tell her a little about myself.

"I haven't always had this much money you know. I started out much like you. My Mama and father divorced when I was 12 so I had to go out and find a job after school to help support us. I still have contact with my father but I'm much closer my Mama. He has agendas of his own as part of the Scientology religion. I'm not sure whether you've heard of it but when dad left we quit. It wasn't that we didn't like their way of life it just suited us better not to be a part of it anymore. Anyway I started doing job after job from cleaning to working in the local store. Nothing seemed to suit me and I quickly got bored so moved on. Eventually I earned enough money to start up my own little business and I guess it went from there." I look over to Portia who seems to be listening avidly. I am a little hesitant to continue as although I think I can trust her I have to be careful being so well known within the US. I decide to just go for it as she doesn't seem the type to run to the papers.

"When I first started my business my Mama had met someone new. I grew close to him and had even begun to call him a stepfather." I look towards the ground not wanting to relive what happened. "When I was 15 I finally received the certificate to officially start the business. My stepfather came into my room that night to congratulate me. Mama had gone down to the local bingo hall with her friends so we were alone in the house. I thanked him for helping me with the business and then he placed his hand on my leg. I thought it was innocent until it started to move higher and higher." I tear escapes the corner of my eye but before I can reach up to catch it Portia has already brushed it away. I look over at her and see the sympathy in her eyes. "He raped me and told me it was a congratulation present. For a while I believed him until it started to happen more regularly. I told my best friend at the time and she forced me to tell Mama. She left him and he was taken to prison. Since then we've always just had each other and my brother Vance."

"Oh my god. I had no idea." she whispers.

"No one does. It's not something i've ever wanted to openly talk about in the press and still don't. I trust that you'll keep this to yourself."

"Of course." she says and we return to silence once more. After a few minutes though she starts to cry again.

"It was a girl." she whispers.

"Sorry?" I ask her confused.

"It was a girl." she repeats this time a little louder.

"I-I don't understand" I respond looking for some explanation.

"In the picture I was kissing a girl." she explains louder now but looking away from me. I sigh as I realise what she is trying to tell me. I reach out my hand under her chin turning her head to face me. I look deep into her eyes. I lose myself for a moment as my insides collapse around each other. Not really knowing what to do next I release my hand from underneath her chin expecting her to look away again but she doesn't. I continue to stare into her eyes for a few minutes until I kick myself enough to speak.

"Well you won't get any judgement of that sort from me. Portia I'm gay." I say softly to her. I see her physically relax immediately as she lets go of a breath she seems to have been holding almost as if the world has been lifted from her shoulders.

"Really?"

"Yeah last time I checked I have been for a while." I say causing her to giggle a little.

"When did you yaknow know?"

"Erm...well not long after my stepfather left I met this amazing girl. I honestly thought we were meant to be but yeah things didn't work out." I say trying to avoid telling her everything about my life but for some reason I had kinda lost control over my mouth.

"What happened?" she asks genuinely interested in what I have to say.

"She erm...she died in a car crash about a year after I met her."

"Oh Ell I'm sorry." she says placing her hand on my shoulder causing shock waves throughout my body. I can't explain why but her comfort allows me to think about what happened without crying for the first time ever. I look to her to thank her for her understanding and we once again return to our comfortable silence.

"You know you just called me Ell right?" I say musing to myself not realising i said it out loud.

"Oh gosh I'm sorry it just kinda slipped out." she stumbles over her words. I start to laugh eliciting a frown from her.

"I quite liked it." I say still chuckling to myself. "Don't get yourself all worked up over it."

"Oh."

"Look it's getting late I think you should stay here at least for tonight. By the time you get home you're gonna be having to get up to come to work." I say realising the clock now reads 1am.

"No no no I can't impose. I need to get home." she says standing up abruptly.

"Please. It's dangerous to go home now. Just stay take my bed."

"I can't Ell." she says and I slightly smirk at the use of the nickname again.

"Too bad because you're staying" I say getting up and walking into the bedroom to grab some sheets for the bed. I make my bed on the couch before pulling her into the bedroom and throwing some bed clothes at her.

"Thank you. You really are too kind." she responds.

"Goodnight Portia. If you need anything you know where I am." I say before shutting the door behind me, changing into my own bed clothes and settling into my makeshift bed for the night. I slowly drift off to sleep but am awoken not long after by a loud banging noise. I sit up abruptly and look over to where the sound came from to see Portia standing by the fridge in the room with the top half of a broken orange juice carton in her hand and the rest on the floor surrounded by juice. I laugh hysterically on the couch at the sight before me.

"Oh my god i'm sorry I woke you I couldn't sleep and needed a drink" she flusters then realises I am laughing. "HEY not funny, come help me." she says pointing at me. I stand up and walk over to her picking up the broken carton, throwing it into the bin and mopping up the rest of the juice.

"I think you need to get changed" I say pointing at the stains of juice down her pyjamas.

"Oh yeah. Damn do you have any other spares?"

"The only other ones I have I'm wearing" I giggle.

"Oh."

"Come on lets see if I can find a t-shirt for you to wear." I say walking through to the bedroom and rooting through my drawers. Eventually I come across a plain white t-shirt I had packed incase I wanted to visit the gym in the hotel. I pass it to her and start to head back out of the bedroom.

"Ell." she whispers. I turn around waiting for her to continue. "I know this is an odd request but stay with me?" she asks. I am a little taken aback and to be honest a little worried I wouldn't be able to control myself but for some reason my body refuses to let me say no.

"Of course." I say walking back over to the bed and pulling back the covers on the opposite side to her. I watch as she walks into the bathroom to change but I am surprised when she comes back out again with a glass of water instead. She places it down onto the table on her side of the bed and continues to pull of her t-shirt in front of me. I freeze in the bed and as much as I try to divert my eyes I can't. I try to swallow but due to the dryness of my mouth I am unable to do so. To avoid any awkwardness I start to fidget myself around in the bed looking down at the sheets and eventually resting in a position when she has her new top on. I notice the corners of her mouth turn upwards into a smirk as she gets into bed herself and turns off the light. At first I turn away from her not really knowing whether she just wants someone in the bed for security. After a while though I feel her hand snaking its way around my hips and as much as I try to pretend to be asleep my breathing gives the game away.

"Sorry I just like to cuddle with someone." she whispers.

"Erm... no problem." I reply trying not to give away any more clues as to what this woman is doing to my body. I let myself slightly relax into her embrace and before long I hear her deep breaths beside me as she retreats into a deep slumber.

Chapter 5

I wake a little before Portia but decide to pretend to be asleep so I can savor this moment with her arm still around me. I can't help but feel safe in her arms. A safe I don't think i've ever felt before. I feel as if I don't have to look after anyone for the first time since my childhood. Right here and now nothing else matters but me and woman lying next to me. But the saddest thing is I know that it cannot last. There is no way she would like me back in that way and her family are in so deep with this debt it's not safe for her to act on any feelings if she did have them. I wish there was something I could do to take it all away for her. Help her live a normal life. After a while I feel her stirring beside me. I turn over to face her smiling.

"Good Morning." I whisper.

"Morning." she smiles back at me.

"Sleep okay?"

"Yeah once I had you."

"Okay okay enough with the mushy" I joke. "I'm just gonna go grab a shower ready for my meeting today. If you want any food help yourself." I say lifting myself out of bed and heading for a shower. When I leave the shower Portia is already dressed in her work clothes and is waiting to say goodbye ready for her shift. I walk over to where she is waiting by the door.

"Erm..thank you for last night."

"Look you don't have to thank me. Call it a repayment for saving my life the other day." I say giving her a cheeky wink.

"No Ell honestly. I've never talked to anyone about it before and it really helped."

"No problem. You should talk more often and if you have any more problems please come find me whilst i'm here or give me a ring hang on." I say walking over to the coffee table where there is a pen and some paper. I quickly jot down my number before handing it too her.

"Thank you." she says softly. I wait for her to say goodbye but she doesn't. We stand there for a few minutes just staring at each other. Then in one swift movement my senses are completely overtaken and my heart almost bursts out of my chest as her lips close around my own. It takes me a while to respond but once I do our lips move in sync with each other and I am lost. That is until she roughly pulls back. I open my eyes to see her running for the door.

"Portia!" I exclaim loudly running after her.

"I'm sorry Ellen I shouldn't have done that. Thank you for last night." she says before running off down the corridor. I stand there a little deflated at what just happened but thankful that I got to experience her kiss, her taste, everything just once.

The rest of my day passes without much incident. Every waking moment I am trying to think of a way to get Portia and her family out of the mess she is in. So much so that my work suffers and the director is very unimpressed at how unfocused I am. I apologise and blame it on a lack of sleep due to jet lag. We work well into the night and by the time I get back to the hotel it is past 10pm. I check the time difference before calling Andy.

"Hey Ell you're back late today!" he exclaims.

"Hey. Yeah I wasn't particularly focused if i'm honest."

"What's up?"

"Look I can't really say but could you do some digging for me on the De Rossi family. They're from Australia and the father used to own some sort of company which was bankrupted. They left the country pretty swiftly and now have visas over here in England."

"Course I can but can I ask what this is about?"

"Just do it for me please." I say a little harshly.

"Look Ell I'm only worried about you. You're never usually like this."

"I know. This is just-well it's personal. I've met someone who's in a bit of bother that's all."

"You like her don't you."

"I guess. Wait how do you know it's a girl?"

"Because i've never heard you like this before and I know what it's like when you meet someone who has a profound affect on you. Just be careful Ell. Some things are not meant to be and we can't save everyone okay?"

"I know I know I just want to see what she's dealing with. All I can say is theres some loan sharks after her family. I want to find out who they are okay?"

"Sure thing but don't do anything stupid."

"I won't."

"Good. Right I'll get onto it and ring you back later."

"Okay thank's Andy."

"No problem. Bye."

I shut off my phone before collapsing into the sofa. I look around the room and notice that it hasn't been cleaned today. I immediately start to panic and call down to reception.

"Hello?"

"Hello Miss DeGeneres. How can I help?"

"My cleaner. Portia. Is she okay? Only my room hasn't been cleaned today. I'm worried about her."

"Oh don't worry Miss DeGeneres she called in sick today. I do apologise that your room hasn't been cleaned. I can get someone onto that right away."

"Oh no no don't worry I was only concerned about my cleaner as she seemed a little upset yesterday" I lie to the woman on the other end of the phone.

"No it's no trouble i'll send someone up right away."

"No no i'm going to get some sleep so if they could come up tomorrow morning instead. Preferably Portia if that's okay?"

"Of course. If she is not in again tomorrow I will ensure someone comes up to clean it."

"Thank you." I reply before putting down the phone. I retreat to my room realising there's not much I can do without anymore information and try to sleep for the night. Eventually I am stirred from my sleep by my phone ringing crazily on the bedside table. I shoot up and grab it quickly incase it might be Portia. I notice Andy's name on the screen and quickly accept the call.

"Ell" he says worriedly.

"Andy?"

"Oh thank god."

"What's wrong?"

"Ell please don't dig into this mess any further?"

"Andy what's wrong?" I say worriedly.

"You don't want to know."

"No Andy please."

"Her father owes £500,000 Ell and these guys are some of the most dangerous men in Australia. They're wanted with a reward of £2 million."

"Shit."

"Please you can't do anything Ell."

"I have too. Did you find an address for her father in England?"

"No."

"Andy don't lie to me."

"Ell I don't want you going there."

"Andy." I say sternly.

"Jesus Ellen it's 42 John Street." he says and quickly jot it down on a notepad at the side of my bed. "Please don't go there Ell."

"Release £500,000 from my account Andy and call the police."

"ELLEN!" I hear him shout as I cut the phone off and swiftly change into some clothes.

I run downstairs to the reception charging in front of the queue of people waiting at the desk but at this moment I'm not too bothered about my reputation.

"I need you to find a bank I can withdraw £500,000 from." I shout a little too loudly at the receptionist.

"I'm sorry mam." she starts but I interrupt.

"NOW." I demand.

"Okay give me a second." she says before dialing a number on her phone. I turn to the other receptionist who is looking a little confused at my outburst.

"I need you to ring the police and get someone here now."

"Why has there been an emergency?" she inquires panicking.

"Just ring someone." I shout causing everyone in the reception to turn and stare at me. After waiting ten minutes the first lady comes back with the address of a bank that have the funds available to withdraw at this time of night and a policeman arrives.

"Look we don't have much time. I need to you take me to this address and I'll explain on the way." I say to the policeman. He accepts and takes me outside to the waiting police car. Within minutes I have explained the situation, have the case full of money and are waiting at an abandoned car park with the policemen.

"Right maam we have called in squat team they are currently getting themselves in position for you. A car will be here shortly for you to drive in. I just need to attach this mike underneath your clothes so we can record the conversation and know if you are in danger. But remember we need you to be careful these are dangerous men."

"I know" I say sternly as the man attaches the mike securely to my chest and I put my top and jacket back on. Just as I zip my jacket up the car arrives with an undercover policeman.

"Jack will be going with you tonight as we all agree it's not safe to send you alone without prior training."

"Are you sure that's not more dangerous?" I ask.

"No Jack will be unarmed like you and is there purely in case they need to be talked down."

"Okay" I respond before jumping into the passenger seat. Within minutes we pull up around the corner from the address and hope out of the car. As we turn the corner I notice a man stood outside who I presume to be the "guard". 'Shit' I think to myself realising that we may already be too late.

"Right no sudden movements okay?" Jack whispers to me and I nod in response before slowly making my way over to the house with Jack right behind me. I see the man at the door looking me up and down.

"Can I help you?" the man says in a deep Australian accent.

"I'm here with your money." I reply trying to keep calm. In response I get roaring laughter from the man. "Look buddy it might be funny to you but it certainly isn't too me. I have the money in this case." I say holding up the case I am holding whilst Jack does the same with his case.

"Sure you do." he replies still smirking at me. By this point I am losing my patience so I unhook the catches of the case and pull up the lid showing the money inside. I watch as the mans face turns from a smirk into shock. "Who are you?"

"Doesn't matter. I have your money now let them go."

"No can do i'm afraid. Not my decision."

"Well who's fucking decision is it then?" I reply angrily.

"Calm down." I hear Jack mutter under his breath behind me.

"And who might you be?" the man questions Jack.

"Just a friend who wouldn't let her come alone is all."

"Right. Either of you armed?" he says clearly not believing our story.

"No sir." I reply before being thoroughly frisked.

"Okay wait here whilst I fill the boss in." he says walking into the house. Within a few minutes he returns with another man in tow.

"I hear you have my money." the slightly taller man with balding hair states.

"Sure do." I reply once again opening the case to show the man. I see him reach forward to take the case off me but before he has chance I take a step backwards shutting the case.

"No I want them freed first."

"No can do. I need the money and you could do a runner with it."

"Well we need to reach a compromise then don't we." I state confidently.

"How about you bring them out with their wrists tied to show us they're still alive then we'll put the case on the floor at the same time you let go?" Jack pipes up from behind me. By now I can feel my heart beating out of my chest. I really don't understand why i'm putting my life on the line for a girl I met day's ago but for some reason it just feels right.

"How about you hand over some cash then we'll see where we can go from there?" the man replies clearly getting frustrated. I turn and give Jack a pleading look.

"Okay, £50,000 enough?" Jack responds trying to make a deal.

"Half."

"What £250,000 you must be joking!" Jack scoffs. "Call it £175,000 and you have a deal."

I watch as the man turns and whispers into the ear of the man stood behind him before the man disappears.
"You gotcha self a deal. Now show me the money" he says holding his hands out waiting. I hand over the case I am holding knowing full well there is more than the agreed deal as there is roughly half in each case but at this point I'm more focused on freeing Portia. I watch as the man slowly opens the case and inspects the money. At this point the man from earlier returns dragging something behind him on the floor. My heart stops when I realise the object he is dragging is a body.

"AAH" I scream and jump back starting to cry hysterically. Jack grabs a firm hold of my arms and whispers into my ear.

"Ell keep calm. We don't know who that body is and if you're not careful we're gonna get killed as well." he says shaking me slightly making me snap out of the shock. I wipe my eyes and shake myself off before turning back around to face the man.

"What's up darling? Not a fan of dead bodies?" the man who was dragging body torments me.

"Don't worry it's not your precious girlfriend." the man counting the money joins in before slamming shut the case and standing up. I watch as he walks over towards the body pulling off the black bag. I try to make out who the figure is in the dark but all I can see is a slightly plump body covered in blood. Inside I mentally sigh in relief but also the fact that the person on the floor could be a relative of Portia's makes me feel sick.

"So what's happening now? Wheres our end of the deal?" Jack shouts.

"Oh that's on it's way don't worry." the taller man responds just as another man exits the house pulling something behind him. This time though the person is walking behind in cuffs and a black cloth over their head. I look down to the shoes and physically sigh with relief realising it is Portia. From then on though I am useless; routed to the spot. I watch as everything seems to happen in a blur. Jack throws the case he is holding towards the man as the other man pushes Portia towards me. Not knowing what else to do I open my arms for her to fall into. Enveloping her into a hug I watch as the men run off towards their waiting car.

"W-what?" I hear a faint voice from underneath the cloth. I smile to myself realising that she is safe but this quickly diminishes when I realise the scene she is going to see when I take the cloth off. I take a deep breath before slowly untying the knot at the back of the cloth and removing it over her head.

"Ell?" she questions confused.

"It's okay Portia you're safe." I say pulling her back into my arms.

"B-but how did you find me?"

"Look that doesn't matter now okay? I-I theres something you need to see." I say gently turning her body around so it faces the body lying on the floor. At that moment I hear the sound of sirens at the end of the road as the police close in on the men. Portia immediately runs towards the body collapsing into tears on the ground next to it. I walk slowly after her not really knowing if she wants some alone time or not. Watching her kneeling on the ground sobbing makes my mind up for me and I grab her from behind turning her to face me. I watch as she disintegrates in my arms bawling her eyes out. We sit there in the same position for what feels like eternity before I feel a hand on my shoulder. I turn to see Jack and the detective from earlier standing behind us.

"We got them." Jack says simply looking down at Portia sympathetically.

"How about we get you both somewhere dry and warm. Portia I think we need to get you checked out just to be sure okay? We'll get your father cleaned up a bit and you can go and see him tomorrow yeah?" the detective asks. My heart sinks when I hear the word father knowing the pain Portia must be going through. I look to Portia but she does not respond.

"Come on. I'm going to be with you until you tell me to fuck off okay?" I whisper to her causing her to giggle very slightly and nod lifting her face up a little. I help her to her feet wrapping my arm around her shoulder and guiding her towards the car.

Chapter 6

2 weeks later...

Today is the day i've rescheduled my flight back to the US. I have cancelled work for long enough and I need to get back and see how things are going on the new project. I have spent most of the last few weeks being a shoulder for Portia to cry on. I'm not really sure how she is going to cope when I leave as she doesn't really have anyone in England. I have found out a lot more about her in the last few weeks. Her Mom died when she was 9 and her brother moved to the US when her and her father moved to England. I finish up packing before checking out of the hotel and heading over to the house Portia is temporarily living in until she decides where she is going to go next. I knock on the door and wait for her reply.

"It's open come in!" I hear faintly from the other side of the door. I turn the handle and walk through the house until I find Portia sat in the kitchen reading today's paper with a piece of Vegemite toast in front of her.

"Eww not that stuff again." I joke pointing at the horrible stuff on top of her toast.

"Hey it's not that bad. Plus it's kinda well was a family tradition. Every morning we would start our day with a piece of Vegemite toast." she says smiling before looking down to the table as the smile fades from her face.

"It's okay you know?"

"Sorry" she replies meekly looking up at me.

"To remember the good times."

"I dunno I just I keep scolding myself thinking it's too early."

"Portia never thinks it's too early. The more you remember the good times the better and more importantly never think you have to get over it. You will never fully get over it. We all just learn to live without them." I say walking around the island placing my arms on her shoulders pulling her into a hug. I savor the feelings she still provokes inside of me anytime we touch as I know this i probably the last time I will get to feel it.

"Thank you." she says as I pull back and take a seat on the stool next to her.

"For what?"

"For the last few weeks. I don't know what i'd have done without you. I mean you didn't even know me for god's sake and you saved my life."

"You honestly never have to thank me for that. I'd do it for anyone. I just wish I'd have got there earlier." I whisper the last bit.

"Oi" she says a little loudly causing my head to shoot up. "You never and I repeat never blame yourself for that okay?" she says sternly. I nod in response. "Ellen?" she questions.

"Okay." I respond looking at her. "Anyway I came to say goodbye. My flight leaves in a few hours so I'd really better get going."

"Of course and honestly I can't thank you enough."

"You don't have to but thank you and look after yourself okay? If you need me this is my US number you know how to call me."

"Okay. Thank you." she says before we stand there awkwardly for a while. I can't believe how much an impact this stranger has made upon my life and now i'm about to say goodbye. I open my arms and she gladly accepts standing from her stool. I squeeze tightly around her shoulders before pulling back and walking back towards the front door. When I open the door and turn to see her right behind me I hesitate a little but decide against kissing her.

"Remember keep in touch" I say winking at her as I walk back down the driveway to the car waiting to take me back to the airport.


Portia's POV....

I watch as she walks down the driveway remembering exactly how her lips felt on mine the day I ran from her. My heart so badly wants to run after her and make her mine, that's if she'd want me that is, but my head just won't allow me too. I keep telling myself she doesn't feel that way or it's too soon after my fathers death. I wave her off before heading back into the kitchen. I sit back onto the stool looking over at the stool Ellen occupied just mere minutes ago and now she is heading to catch a 12 hour flight to somewhere I probably won't ever see her again. I sit like this for little over an hour. The more I think about never seeing her again the more my heart breaks. Not knowing what to do I grab my phone and dial my little brother. I'd only seen him last week for our fathers funeral but he had to go back to the US for work. I hear the dial tone ringing out before the phone clicks as he answers.

"Portia!" he exclaims down the phone. "How are you?! I was starting to get really worried. You haven't phoned since I left."

"Yeah yeah i'm fine I guess. I'm just I dunno lonely." I respond realising the truth of just how alone I am in England.

"Aww hey it'll get better okay? If you ever need a cry just ring me up or skype me yeah?"

"Of course. That's not really why I was ringing though."

"Oh."

"Ellen just left."

"Ah I see and your feeling alone?"

"No. Erm...Mike theres something I need to tell you."

"Go ahead Sis."

"I-I"

"Your gay and you fancy the pants off Ellen?"

"W-what?" I stutter in response disbelieving how he guessed.

"Oh come on a blind man could have guessed that."

"How long have you know?" I reply after a minute or so silence.

"Honestly, since as long as I can remember. I knew you were trying to cover for it with that dick boyfriend you had."

"Wow." I say heaving a sigh of relief that maybe me being gay isn't so much of a problem.

"So Ellen's left and now you don't know what to do?"

"Something like that"

"Look you know i'm not one for soppy love stories but Portia if you like this woman she needs to know before she gets on a 12 hour flight back to the US."

"It's too late for that." I say as I look over at the clock noticing that her flight will have already taken off. We sit in silence for a bit before I hear Mike sigh at the other end of the phone.

"Look I don't want to pry into your life Portia but what do you really have left for you in England?"

"Father."

"Oh Portia I know the remains of his body might be in England but they will die too over time. The remains of his soul will be with you forever wherever you are so don't tie yourself to his body okay?" I don't reply for a while trying to take it all in. Maybe he is right. But where would I go?

"I guess. But where would I go?"

"Look all i'm going to say is I'm out here and so is Ellen. Now knowing how much of an amazing brother I am I think you'll make the right decision." he says laughing down the phone.

"Oh i'm sure you are." I reply laughing myself.

"Look anyway Port I have to go I have a meeting but have a think about it okay? I can get you sorted out here if I need to."

"Okay. Thanks Mike" I reply before we say our goodbyes and the phone clicks off.

Chapter 7

3 Months later...

*DING DONG* Flight 1876 to Los Angeles now boarding from Gate 10 *DING DONG*

I smile to myself before picking up my hand luggage and heading towards the gate with my boarding pass. Two months ago I started the slow process of moving my life to the US. Mike has set me up with a house, car and even a job working at his company. It took me a while to really process my fathers death and how he will always be with me wherever I go and I'm far from through the worst of my grief but it's time I got on with my own life now. I can't let those men destroy my life as well. I have no idea how to get in contact with Ellen besides the number she gave me and I'm guessing that might not even work any more. I know though that I have to at least try. I can't let this woman slip me by without fighting for her. I feel bad for not contacting her since she left and not responding to her social networking requests but I needed time to separate her from my fathers death.

Eventually the plane touches down in LA after what feels like forever. I pick up my luggage and make my way to the arrivals lounge looking for my brother.

"PORTIA!" I hear him shouting from the other end of the hall. I run down towards him and he picks me up spinning me around in the air like our father used to do when we were kids. I laugh screaming at him to put me down.

"Jesus you're such a kid Mike."

"Well what can I say. My sister has finally decided to come to the best place in the world."

"Oh stop bragging" I scoff picking up my case and lifting it onto the trolley Mike has brought through. "Come on then wheres the car?"

2 weeks later...

The last two weeks I have spent pretty much getting myself settled living in LA. I haven't had much time to think about contacting Ellen. The new job has proved very demanding but rewarding and has taken up a lot of time but today is my day off so I am going to start tracking her down. I try doing a google search and immediately find the name of her company. I wasn't quite aware of just how famous she is in the US so this comes as a little bit of a shock. Unfortunately I cannot find the address for the head office but I do manage to find a phone number. I walk over to the cabinet the phone sits on before taking a deep breath and dialing the number I have found.

"Good Morning, you are through to DeGeneres Solutions this is Jess speaking how may I help."

"Good Morning. Look this is probably a really strange question. My name is Portia-"

"OH MY GOD" I hear the woman screaming down the phone.

"Excuse me are you okay?" I say starting to panic that something has happened to the poor woman.

"No sorry it's just you're a little bit famous around here."

"Sorry?"

"Well Ellen likes to talk about you a lot you see. Would you like me to let her know you are on the phone?"

"NO" I yell down the phone. "Sorry it's just I feel a bit bad having not spoken to her in a few months and would like to maybe talk to her in person?"

"Oh of course. Would you like me to keep it a surprise that you are coming?"

"Yes please."

"No problem. So when is your flight over here?"

"Well I'm actually living over here now and today is my day off so I was wondering if I could pop by this afternoon?"

"Oh gosh of course wow. Ellen is going to thrilled" I hear the woman's excitement down the phone and imagine her jumping up and down on her chair.

"Thank you. What time is convenient?"

"Well she's pretty much free all afternoon actually she had an important meeting this morning so she's left time to catch up on paperwork and that."

"Okay well i'll just finish up my lunch and head on over if that's okay?"

"Of course. Looking forward to meet you."

"Thanks you too."

"Bye."

"Bye."

Ellens POV...

"Thank you i'll get them to you before tomorrow." I reply before shutting off the phone and loading up my laptop to get on with some paperwork I have left. After a while the office phone starts to ring.

"Hello?"

"Ellen there's someone here to see you."

"Oh who? There's no one in my diary."

"They'd erm..they'd rather remain anonymous if that's okay?"

"Oh right" I say a little confused. "Send them up then." I sign putting the phone down hoping it's not going to be another stupid salesman touting for business or a job. I turn to put the paperwork away in my desk as I hear a knock at the door.

"COME IN!" I shout as I file the paperwork away. I hear the door open and click shut but the person seems to hesitate by the door. I turn the chair around to see who it is and my heart stops. I am rooted into my chair unable to speak or move.

"Ellen." Portia say's softly. "I am so sorry I haven't been in contact. It's been a hard few-" she says but I zone out as I watch her newly short-cut hair sway as she talks. I am entranced by her and I can't believe that after this long I still feel this way.

"Ellen?" Portia questions me.

"Oh erm..erm..sorry it's just a bit of a shock." I stutter out before standing from my chair and walking over to her. I mentally kick myself and I cross the room to meet her. "Can we do that again?" I ask.

"Of course." she replies.

"Hey Portia." I say opening my arm's to allow her into a hug.

"Hey Ellen." she says responding to my hug. We stand for a while just taking each other in again. I notice the familiar scent that has evaded my nostrils for the past few months.

"What are you doing here?" I ask her hesitantly. I watch as she looks down and starts to fumble with the decorative zip on her shirt. I step back leaning against my desk slowly waiting for her response. She stay's in the same position for a while before giving me a response I never expected. In one swift movement she has strode across the room, thrown her bag to the floor, grabbed my hips roughly and my lips have been assaulted. My brain takes a while to catch up to what is happening but when it does boy do I like it. I place my hand on the small of her back and the other on her arm before responding to the kiss. I finally let all of the feelings I felt, in that short month I had with her, out. Things quickly escalate as I feel her hands roaming all over my body as things are pushed off the desk. I lean back onto the desk allowing her to come with me before I realise what we are doing.

"Wait.Wait." I stop her by sitting back up off the desk taking her with me. I see the look of disappointment on her face as if I have rejected her. "Not because of that Port. Honestly I want this more than you do but I want it to be right." I whisper tucking a piece of hair behind her ear.

"Oh." she says as her gorgeous smile returns to her face.

"Are you free tonight?" I ask her holding my breath for her response.

"What like a date?"

"I mean if your interested you can-" I start to fumble over my words.

"Yes." she shouts excitedly.

"Okay good then." I smirk looking into her eyes.

"I guess I should leave you too it."

"Well I'm only doing paperwork but you are kind of a distraction." I say risking a cheeky wink. To my surprise she laughs before picking her bag off the table and heading for the door but before she walks she stops and turns around.

"Well I can't be the reason none of that paperwork gets done so I shall see you later. What time?"

"I guess not. Around 7 okay?"

"Perfect." she replies before turning to leave again.

"Wait where?"

"Oh yeah that would help. This is my address." she says scribbling something down, handing it too me and with that she has left me alone for the afternoon unable to concentrate

Chapter 8

After receiving 20 questions from all of my colleagues I finally finish up with my paperwork at 5.30. I quickly bomb it home down the highway, shower, pop on my navy suit with a spotty shirt and fix my hair before heading straight out of the door. I tap the zip code Portia wrote down earlier into my satnav and follow the instructions. Within 20 minutes I am pulling up outside what the machine is telling me is her house. I switch off the car and make my way up the drive. Before I have chance to knock on the door she has already answered looking as excited as I feel.

"Hi." she whispers.

"Hey." I smile back at her holding out my hand for her to take. I am a little disappointed when she doesn't but quickly realise she hasn't fully locked up the house. I leave my hand waiting until she has finished. I feel a jolt of electricity as she slowly slides her fingers between mine. The softness of her skin on my own tickles but in a nice way.

"So where are we going?"

"Oh Miss De Rossi you will have to wait and see." I say walking to the passenger door and holding it open for her to get in. When she left the office earlier I quickly asked my receptionist to book us a table at my favorite restaurant. I really like Portia and I want to make a good impression despite her having to go back to England soon. When we reach the restaurant I am taken to my usual secluded spot in the restaurant so people do not fuss over me when I am eating. A few people say hello to me as we make our way through the restaurant and I politely say hello but unlike usual I continue through not stopping to sign anything. I hear a few disappointed sighs as I pass but tonight is too important for me to mess up signing autographs for people I do not know. Once we are settled and have ordered conversation quickly turns to Portia's stay in the US.

"So what are you really doing here? You never answered earlier." I ask her taking a sip of my water. I watch as Portia takes a sip of her wine hesitating over the answer.

"Please don't be mad." she whispers.

"Why would I be mad?"

"I left. I couldn't stay any longer. Everything reminded me of him and I just couldn't move forward with my life. So I rang my brother and told him some things. He suggested I moved here. He found the house for me and got me a job at his company. That's where i've been working for the last few weeks. Today is my day off."

"So your living here?" I ask a little surprised.

"Yeah. I'm sorry I didn't contact you earlier but-"

"Oh i'm not made about that Port. I'm just worried you made a rash decision."

"Oh no I gave myself a few months to decide. We've been planning for at least 3 months now."

"Ah I see." I say smiling at her. I see her reaching her hand across the table so I take it within my own gently stroking the back with my fingertips.

"He kind of persuaded me a little at first after what I told him but I think it was the push I needed to get out of the rut I was in."

"Do you mind me asking the things you told him?" I ask quietly. I see her hesitate so decide to back track. "No sorry that's rude I shouldn't have asked you that-"

"No Ell I need to tell you. I'm just worried how you will react."

"Port you can tell me anything you know that." I say giving her hand a reassuring squeeze.

"Okay. It's just well I kind of told him how I felt about" she pauses looking at my facial expression before continuing. "You. Ell I really like you and it scares me. I've never felt like this about anyone." I sit in shock for a while not knowing what to say until Portia looks embarrassed and starts to stand up. I pull the hand I have been holding towards me forcing her to sit back down.

"I-i'm sorry I just froze. You leave me speechless."

"Wait Ellen DeGeneres the multi-millionare is speechless because of me?" Portia laughs lightly.

"Yes. Honestly from the moment I saw you I've been in some kind of trance around you. Your gorgeous Portia I can't take my eyes off you and every time you touch me I get a rush of something I can't quite explain inside me." I pause looking away to hide the blush that is creeping into my cheeks. "And well quite honestly I've never felt this way about anyone since...well.."

"Since Kathy?" she asks and I nod in response looking back to her. Just then though our food arrives breaking up the deep conversation we were having. For the rest of the evening we engage in more happier conversation. I am constantly surprised at how much Portia can make me laugh. By the time we have got back into the car I am laughing too much to drive. Eventually I compose myself enough to start driving but as I am talking to her I start driving in auto-pilot.


"Erm..Ell where are we going?" Portia asks.

"Oh shit sorry i've just started driving to mine on auto-pilot. I'll just turn the car around." I say looking up ahead for somewhere to turn around when I see her shoulders sigh in disappointment out of the corner of my eye. "Unless you want to come back to mine for a drink that is?"

"Oh no I couldn't impose."

"Course you can." I say adamantly as I keep driving towards my house. Around ten minutes later we pull through the gates with Portia still arguing about how she is imposing on me. I politely ignore her opening up the house, kicking off my shoes and heading towards the kitchen to make us a drink. She is still talking when I hand her a wine glass full of the very best red wine. In the end I decide to take my chances placing my glass down on the stone work surface of the breakfast bar; followed shortly by hers, placing my hands around her waist and pulling her lips towards mine. I savor the mix of her and the remains of the red wine on her tongue in my mouth. My tongue glides in perfect motion with hers as all of my senses are consumed with Portia. Eventually and reluctantly I have to pull away to breath. I look deep into her eyes with a playful smirk on my face.

"Miss DeGeneres I thought you wanted to wait?" she asks playfully.

"That kind of went out of the window the moment I saw you in this dress." I say tugging at the hem of the dress.

"Well I am more than happy to oblige." she replies downing her glass of wine and holding her hand out for me to lead the way. I giggle before downing my own and leading her up towards my room.

I shut the door behind us and turn around to see Portia waiting by the bed. She looks a little nervous so I slowly walk over to her and place my hands on her shoulders.

"It's okay. I'm not pressuring you into anything you can still say no." I whisper to her.

"No it's-it's not that. I just-" she pauses looking away embarrassed.

"Hey you don't have to be like that around me."

"Well I-I've never been with a woman." she whispers just loud enough for me to hear.

"Oh darling. That is not something to be embarrassed about okay?". She nods in response as I pull her into a hug. "I think we might need to take things a little slower then." I reply as I pull away.

"Oh for god's sake Ellen that's not what I want. I've waited for 6 months please don't make me wait any longer." she is almost begging at this point which I have to admit turns me on so much I can feel my wetness starting to seep through my pants. I smirk to myself before taking her by surprise with me down onto the bed. I lean down to her lips capturing them in a soft, reassuring kiss before pulling away.

"As long as your sure?"

"I've never been more sure of anything." she responds between the heavy breaths she is now taking.

"Good. I'll be gentle promise." I whisper into her ear as I begin to suck gently on her earlobe. I feel her hands snaking their way inside my blazer to the top of my waistband. I carefully pull myself up so I am resting over her allowing her to take off my blazer and untuck my shirt. I follow suit removing her cardigan and beginning to undo the zip. As I undo the zip and pull down the top half of the dress I make short kisses down her torso. Returning to her ear, as she begins to undo the buttons on my shirt, I hear Portia emit a low, throaty sound which encourages me to move even faster. We both quickly remove all traces of clothing. I stare down in awe at the body below me. Every curve seems to accentuate the next. A body-length of smooth, glowing skin reflects the light from above me. I slowly run my hand over the very few blemishes and moles; tracing patterns around them.

"You know it's rude to stare." I hear a mutter from below. I look up the bed towards the face the sound came from.

"I can't help it. Portia you're beautiful." I whisper laying myself down onto her slipping my thigh between her legs. I'm fairly sure Portia will now be able to feel the wetness between my legs and this is confirmed when I hear a moan as my leg settles between hers.

"Fuck you're wet Ell."

"You did this to me." I smirk at her before re-closing the gap between our lips and fueling the electricity between us. I begin to nibble on Portia's lip as my left hand find's the lump of tissue on her chest and the bud that seems to be a sensitive area. I run this between my fingers causing several moans into my own mouth. I pull up to watch Portia's face as I continue my assault on her nipple. She opens her eyes for a brief second before closing them again but the short glimpse of heated passion shown in her pupils is enough to drive me crazy. At once I stop teasing her nipple and immediately reach for where she wants my hand most. The surprise I get when I reach between her legs turns me on so incredibly I can barely carry on with what am doing. I let out a soft moan to release the pressure building up inside me before continuing to slowly caress her pussy. Eventually I enter my fingers inside her causing her to gasp in shock at the sudden pleasure. I continue to increase my pace watching Portia writhe in pleasure screaming my name until her muscles begin to spasm around my fingers. I look into her eyes watching them roll back in pleasure before her body begins to calm down and I pull my fingers out bringing them to my mouth to lick the juices off.

I lay down next to Portia cuddling her.

"Excuse me you're not getting away with it that easily." she says suddenly regaining her energy taking me by surprise. I watch as she pulls herself on top of me kneeling between my spread legs. Using her pinky finger she traces around my thighs barely brushing my outer lips. I writhe underneath her touch, trying to press my hips into her hands. Finally she eases my desire, slipping a single finger between my lips. She slides it up and down my slit, coming close to, but not touching, my swollen clit. This slow torture seems to last forever, driving me crazy, before she finally begins to softly rub my aching pearl. She presses her finger into me causing me to give a long, desperate moan my head rolling back and my legs spasming wildly. I feel her rub my clit between the two fingers of one hand while tickling my insides gently with a finger from the other. I have never felt anything like it this is amazing. My breathing becoming more and more ragged I begin to lose control just as her finger curls inside of me in a way that makes my toes curl and my back arch even more against the mattress. My entire body feels as though it is on fire. The desire I have for this beautiful, woman is immense. After what seems simultaneously like hours and seconds of pleasing me she slowly lowers her delicate mouth to my center. She does this slowly and deliberately, as my heart begins to pound harder in my chest. Her tongue and mouth caress and taste every inch of me, her lips covering me in kisses that make me shiver. I feel an immense orgasm beginning to well up inside of me, preparing to rip itself from my body. Moans of pleasure escape my lips. My muscles are trembling and my body aches from want. Portia swirls her tongue around my clit and I begin to feel faint from the wave of ecstasy that rolling through my body.

I gasp with surprise as her tongue enters my vagina. She stays inside me, tasting me, for only a minute before pulling out again and this time inserting three fingers into me, flexing them slightly, stretching me. I cried out sharply, on the brink of orgasm, and Portia responds with her own muffled cry. She is close as well, both of us teetering on the edge of a vast ecstatic drop. Her mouth purses around my clit and her moans vibrate all of the way through me, tingling from my toes to my scalp. I feel her gently suck on my clit, once, which is enough. My thighs press hard against the bed, my back arches, digging my head into the mattress. My stomach flexes and my mouth opens and closes several times before a loud, piercing cry escapes my lips, a wordless shriek of pleasure. The orgasm tears through me like wildfire, and between my legs Portia is trembling and crying from her own orgasm. The sensation is so sexy that it only increases my pleasure, and the two of us yell and groan in tandem for an extraordinarily long time. Every time I feel that I'm done Portia moans into me or nuzzles or licks me in a way that sends me careening off into another spiraling wave of orgasm. It was a long time before we were both done, and we lay breathing heavily onto the bed. 

After a while Portia stirs pulling herself up the bed to lean on my chest. I kiss the top of her head lightly grabbing her hand in mine. 

"You were well worth the wait" she whispers to me. I smile to myself looking down at Portia. 

"And so were you my dear." I watch as Portia closes her eyes and begins to drift off to sleep. When I think she is asleep I reach over to turn out the lamp on the bedside table and try to sleep myself. I lie for half an hour my mind full of the woman currently lying in my arms. This morning I woke up thinking about how lonely my life was and now I can't help but realise how much I really love this woman. I know you are probably rolling your eyes at how quickly I have felt this way but I think I felt this way all those months ago and those feelings never went away. I knew she needed time but to now be in a position where I could possibly spend my life with this woman I am now excited beyond belief. I rub my hand across her back. 

"Yaknow Portia I think I might just be in love with you." I whisper. I immediately regret this though as I see a hint of a smile forming on Portia's face and I realise she wasn't asleep. I watch as she opens her eyes to see a look of pure fear in my eye's. 

"Yaknow what Ellen DeGeneres?" she says waiting for my response. 

"Erm..what?" I ask slowly worried about what her reply might be. 

"I think I love you too." she says as I relax and let out the breath I didn't realise I was holding. I pull her head down towards me placing my lips onto hers. I fall asleep knowing that I have finally found someone I can be completely comfortable around.