�Morning sleepy-head.� Tara joined her girlfriend on the bed and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.
�Mmm, good morning. What time is it?�
�Nine-ish, thought you could do with a lie-in.�
�You been up long?�
�Not really, just long enough to have a shower.�
�You showered without me?� The redhead pouted playfully.
�Well you looked so peaceful, my sleeping beauty waiting for her prince.�
�Princess.� Willow corrected.
�Princess, of course.� Tara giggled and blushed slightly at being called a princess. �But you woke up before I could do it like in the story.�
�I'm sorry princess Tara.� The blonde's blush deepened. �You got to kiss me after I woke up though. In fact, you get to kiss me whenever you want.�
�That sounds good.�
�Better than good.� Willow smiled mischievously and took Tara in her arms.
The kiss was deep and full of passion. Tara knew exactly what it was leading to and her heart raced in anticipation.
�Love you princess.� Willow's breathing was heavy and laboured and she had a glint in her eyes. Her hands rubbed Tara's neck and ran through her still damp silky hair.
�Do you know how beautiful you are?�
No matter how much Willow complimented Tara she'd never get used to hearing the kind words. Her chin dropped to her chest, causing her blonde locks to fall forwards, hiding her shy, embarrassed smile and now scarlet cheeks.
�I, I'm, erm, I. Thank you.�
Willow smiled tenderly at her lover, she was half way between endeared by Tara's shy reaction and upset that she was so un-used to receiving compliments.
�You must know that? I refuse to believe that nobody's ever told you that you're beautiful.�
�W-why would they?� This response bothered Willow, almost bringing tears to her eyes.
At that moment the young hacker made a silent vow to do whatever it took to build up Tara's confidence.
�Because it's true. You are the most beautiful, amazing, sexy woman I've ever met in my whole life.�
While she spoke, Willow had placed her finger under Tara's chin and gently lifted her head in order to look directly into the deep blue of her eyes.
�And I'm gonna keep telling you that until you believe me and know that it's true.�
The finger under her chin had prevented Tara from looking away and her ocean blue eyes gleamed with unshed, overwhelmed tears.
�You're all teary.� Willow smiled warmly.
�H-happy tears. It's just that, I'm, well, erm, y-you�� The shy wiccan stopped, trying to think of how best to express how she felt. �M-my whole life, people have, have put me down, made me feel b-bad. Y- you're the only person who, who has ever m-made me, um, feel special.�
The petite wiccan sat silently for a brief moment in order to absorb her girlfriend's word and decide on the best way to respond to them.
�Tara, you are special. It makes me feel so sad and angry that people have knocked your confidence and stopped you from seeing how special you are. But I'm never gonna stop telling you, how special you are, how much and why I love you. I love you Tara Maclay, more than anyone else in the world. I love everything about you, there is nothing about you to not love.�
Tara knew that doing anything other than accepting Willow's kind words would only upset her further, so she reacted in the only way she knew would make Willow happy. Without breaking eye contact she took a deep breath, smiled a heart-melting smile and spoke clearly from the depth of her heart.
�Thank you Willow. I'm not sure exactly what I did to deserve to have you in my life, but it must have been something amazing. I love you with my whole heart and I am so grateful for everything you do and everything you are.�
Willow smiled, touched by the words, her eyes overflowing with love for the incredible woman sat in front of her.
�Now, where where we?�
The mischievous grin returned to her face.
And the kissage continued.