She pulls back before I can respond, turning to pour coffee, chatting about nothing and everything at once. Her voice fills the apartment, light and unrestrained, as if yesterday didn't endwith promises we both know carry weight neither of us wants to bear.
I watch her move, memorizing details my mind insists on cataloging. The way she reaches on her toes for a mug. The faint crease between her brows when she concentrates. The fact that she's happy in a way that assumes permanence.
When she hands me a cup, she peers at me over the rim of her mug. "You're quiet."
"I'm listening."
She laughs, nudging my hip with hers. "You always say that."
Because it's safer than saying what I'm actually thinking.
Instead of being honest, I kiss her on the forehead, then sigh. "I have to leave for work soon."
Her face falls. "I know. Our amazing night had to end at some point."
Adrenaline pounds through me. I agree, "It was amazing."
She beams, her wild eyes brewing with happiness. "Good. Let's do it again tonight. You can stay at my place, and I'll make you something special for dinner."
I chuckle. "If you insist."
"I do."
I kiss her until my cock's rock-hard, then groan. "I really do have to get ready."
"Okay."
I release her, we spend the next half hour getting ready, and leave together. That alone is a mistake wrapped in convenience. The elevator ride is too short, the air too close. She leans against me as if the building itself might try to separate us. I keep my gaze on the numbers ticking down, counting seconds instead of consequences.
Outside, the city is already awake with traffic humming by. Someone laughs across the street. Life goes on unbothered, as if nothing special or life-altering happened in the last twelve hours.
Blue steps onto the sidewalk and turns to face me, blocking my path with her body. She gives me a look I've come to learn means she's decided something important is about to happen. "Say goodbye to me."
"I am."
She shakes her head and teases, "No. Properly. Since you own me now." Her hands slide up my chest, fingers curling into my jacket. She rises onto her toes and kisses me before I can stop her. She pins her lips against mine, giving me the kind of kiss people give when they have nothing to hide.
I kiss her back, grabbing her ass cheeks, unable to resist her enthusiasm. I pull back breathless, grinning, then my heart drops.
Shirley stands across the street, her expression shocked, confused, and disapproving. Her gaze flicks from Blue to me and back again.
Fuck.
No. No. No!
Blue pulls back, smiling, unaware. She brushes her thumb along my jaw. "I'll see you later. Don't work too hard."
"I'll try," I answer, then say, "I'll see you tonight."
"Bye!" She waves and goes the opposite way down the street, then turns, and waves again, like this is a beginning instead of the consequences I'll never be able to shake.
I glance back at Shirley, but she's far down the street. So I walk fast and catch up to her right outside our building.
She shakes her head and points at me. "That was bold."
"It wasn't planned."
Her eyes narrow slightly. "That doesn't make it better."
