They stood there, hands clasped, the tension between them slowly shifting into something else. Something softer.
"I didn't hate the kiss," Raven said quietly. "In case you were wondering."
Annabelle felt a smile tug at her lips. "I might have been wondering."
"I liked it," Raven continued, her voice barely above a whisper. "I liked it a lot. That's why I panicked."
"Raven," Annabelle said, stepping closer still, "you're allowed to like things. You're allowed to want things. You're allowed to be happy."
Raven's throat worked as she swallowed. "I don't know if I remember how."
"Then let me remind you."
Annabelle leaned in slowly, giving Raven every chance to pull away. But Raven didn't pull away. Instead, she closed the distance between them, her lips meeting Annabelle's in a kiss that was soft and tentative and achingly sweet.
For a moment, they stayed like that, gentle and careful.
Then Raven's hand came up to cup Annabelle's face, and the kiss deepened. Annabelle sighed into it, her hands sliding to Raven's waist, pulling her closer.
"Annabelle," Raven breathed against her lips.
"Yes?"
"I like you."
Annabelle smiled, pulling back just enough to look at her. "I like you too."
Raven's eyes searched hers, and whatever she saw there seemed to steady her. She leaned in again, kissing Annabelle more urgently this time, her hands tangling in Annabelle's hair.
Annabelle felt the world narrow to this: Raven's lips on hers, Raven's hands pulling her close, the warmth of her body, the soft sound she made when Annabelle's fingers brushed the small of her back.
And suddenly she wanted more. There was no thought of Raven being a rockstar or anything else. There was just Raven her neighbor. Her neighbor that had long fingers and a searching tongue and hands on her waist and… Annabelle groaned, the wanting suddenly consuming her.
"Bedroom?" Raven whispered, her voice rough.
Annabelle nodded, her heart pounding. "Bedroom."
Without another word, Raven took her hand and led her through the cottage. When they reached the doorway,Raven paused, turning back to Annabelle with an almost shy expression.
"You're sure?"
"Sure," Annabelle said, reaching up to cup Raven's face. "Very sure."
Raven's eyes darkened, and then she was lifting Annabelle, carrying her across the threshold. Annabelle let out a surprised laugh, wrapping her arms around Raven's neck.
"Show-off," she murmured.
"Maybe," Raven said, setting Annabelle down gently beside the bed.
They stood there for a beat, the air between them charged and electric. Then Annabelle reached for the hem of Raven's t-shirt, tugging it up slowly.
Raven raised her arms, letting Annabelle pull the shirt over her head. Her skin was pale in the soft lamplight, and Annabelle traced a finger along her collarbone, marveling at the warmth of her.
"Your turn," Raven said, her voice low.
Annabelle lifted her arms, and Raven carefully pulled her jumper off, followed by the shirt underneath. For a moment, they just looked at each other, and Annabelle felt suddenly vulnerable, exposed in a way that had nothing to do with clothing.
"You're beautiful," Raven said softly.
