Billie narrowed her eyes, a hint of a smirk playing on her lips. “Are you alright?”
Debra managed a small nod. “I’m fine.”
“Mm. You’re not.”
“I am.” Debra’s cheeks warmed. “I’m just thinking.”
“About what?”
Debra’s lips parted. She could lie. She could offer some polite answer that kept everything at a safe distance. Perhaps mention how lovely tonight had been, or ask about Billie’s work plans tomorrow, but her honesty was bubbling away just beneath the surface…an honesty she couldn’t hold back.
“About you,” Debra admitted, her voice low. “And the things you’re going to do to me tonight.”
Billie didn’t flinch. Not a single millimetre. But there was a shift in her expression, so subtle that Debra almost missed it. A flare of satisfaction, a hungry approval.
Billie lowered her gaze to Debra’s mouth and smiled. “Stand up.”
It wasn’t loud, and it wasn’t harsh. No, it was worse than that. It was a control that didn’t need to raise its voice because itexpectedto be obeyed.
Debra’s breath caught. “What?”
Billie didn’t repeat herself. She just held Debra’s gaze, steady and unflinching, and Debra’s body moved before her brain could catch up. Her chair scraped softly across the floor as she rose, all while Billie watched her as though she’d been waiting for itall night. Debra barely had time to steady herself before Billie’s hand closed around her wrist.
Billie tugged her forward, and Debra stumbled a step closer, her stomach flipping as Billie guided her around the edge of the table until her hips bumped into it and she stopped short. Billie stepped into her space, and then her other hand rose, cupping Debra’s jaw. Debra’s whole body melted at the touch as her world narrowed. “B-Billie…”
Billie’s thumb brushed over her cheekbone, then her bottom lip, and Debra’s knees weakened immediately. She leaned closer, her mouth barely an inch from Debra’s. “You’ve been in your head all night, haven’t you?”
Debra swallowed. “I’ve been trying not to be.”
Billie’s breath ghosted over her lips, making Debra’s skin prickle. “I’ve been thinking about this moment all day.”
Debra exhaled a shaky breath, and that was all it took. One breath, one crack in her composure…and Billie kissed her hard, as though she’d been holding herself back for months. Debra’s hands reached Billie’s waist, clinging on and anchoring herself. Billie’s shirt was warm under her palms, the fabric stretched taut across her chest as Billie pressed in closer. And then Billie kissed her like she wanted to rewrite something. Like she wanted to erase every moment of doubt, every inch of distance, and every day they’d spent apart.
Debra’s body responded exactly as she’d imagined it would. Heat pooled low in her stomach, her breath stuttering and her heart hammering so hard that she was sure Billie could feel it.
Billie drew back and pressed her forehead to Debra’s. “You’re shaking.”
Debra laughed breathlessly. “Because you’re…”
“Well?” Billie smirked. “Because I’m what?”
Debra’s fingers clenched at Billie’s waist. “Because you’re not holding back.”
“Would you prefer it if I did?”
Oh, God.Debra prayed Billie wasn’t about to step away. “N-no. Please, don’t hold back.”
Billie kissed her again, slower and deeper this time, dragging it out until Debra moaned softly into her mouth. She shifted her grip to Debra’s waist and guided her back against the table a little more firmly. Debra’s hips pressed against the edge, and Billie stepped between her legs, her body slotting into Debra’s space seamlessly as she leaned in and trailed kisses down her throat. “Tell me to stop.”
Debra’s eyelids fluttered closed, every nerve ending pulsing with a need she’d never experienced before. “You and I both know I’m not going to.”
Billie paused against her neck, but Debra felt her smiling. “Good.”
Billie’s hand rose again, cradling Debra’s jaw as she kissed her with a fervour that had the wind knocked right out of her. Debra melted into it, her fingers gliding up Billie’s forearm and feeling the muscle beneath her rolled sleeves.
One of Debra’s palms flattened against the wood behind her as anticipation curled in her belly.
“I really have thought about this,” Billie whispered. “All day.”
