Oh.

The room suddenly feels a lot smaller. Her knee grazes mine. Have we been sitting this close the whole time, or did we both lean in?

Her perfume is intoxicating. I drop my gaze to her lips, something primal threatening to overtake me.

Beyond the door, a bell chimes and conversation erupts. We both start, like we’ve forgotten where we were.

Marie’s gaze darts to the clock on the wall. It’s rustic and trendy, like everything else about this building. “I have a party to entertain.”

My insides hollow out. “Right. Of course.”

But she definitely made an advance a second ago, right? Is she regretting her words? Did I completely imagine what she said? Maybe she suddenly remembered that this is an interview, and flirting is a terrible idea.

Heat builds in my face. Ugh, was that really an interview? I didn’t even get to tell her about my strengths and weaknesses, or a time I solved a problem at work.

I get up and step toward the door, flustered.

“Let me,” Marie says, hurrying ahead. She stops with a hand on the door. “Kiera, I like your resume. It’s why I called you here. I’m sorry if I…”

We’re standing close together, electricity crackling between us.

“I hope you’re not sorry,” I say, the words barely a whisper. I’m not sorry at all. I’m embarrassed and confused, sure, but I don’t regret letting her know that I never got over her.

Her ruby lips part and her sweet breath tickles my face. Her chest rises and falls more rapidly. There’s a flash of uncertainty behind her eyes, the first glimpse of something other than total confidence. She cups a cool hand to my cheek, leans in…

And our lips meet in the gentlest, most teasing kiss. It’s the kiss I’ve dreamt about since we met, and it’s better than I imagined. Her lips are full, her taste sweet, and it sends a tingle all the way through me.

I feel her pulling back, like she’s ready to gauge my reaction or apologize, but I don’t want the kiss to be over. I slide my hands around her waist, pull her close, and kiss her deeper.

She lets out a breath, softening in my arms. Her fingers move through my hair, sending a rush of pleasure down my back.

Our lips move faster. My breath hitches. I slide my hands beneath her suit jacket, holding her against me.

She walks me back a step, pinning me against the door. The sensation of her body against mine makes me dizzy—her full lips, her playful tongue, her breasts, stomach, and hips. Heat builds inside me as her fingers explore my body.

Since the music festival, whenever I thought of Marie, I tried to convince myself that I liked the idea of her more than anything. I told myself she was a fantasy I built up in my head, making her out to be more than she really was. After all, I never even knew her last name.

But kissing her now, I know my idea of her wasn’t a fantasy. She’s real, and here, and the taste and feel of her are absolute bliss.

We move against each other, breaths coming fast, soft moans escaping. Her fingers dig into me and I grip her shirt, aching to feel her skin against mine.

She trails her soft fingers down my chest and pops open a button of my blouse, making me gasp. She circles a hand over my breast, teasing me with the layers of fabric between us.

Dizzy with need, I tug her shirt up and run my hand over the bare skin at her waist. She lets out a moan.

Beyond the door, the group of guests erupts in laughter, and someone’s footsteps click closer.

Marie and I break apart, panting.

The footsteps stop, and we hold our breaths. Her fingers tighten in my hair.

“Marie will be just a moment,” the man who greeted me calls. He’s inches away, just beyond the closed door. “She’s in a meeting. Can I get you anything in the meantime?”

His footsteps retreat.

With regret in her eyes, Marie steps back.

I let out a breath and wipe my lips, which I’m sure are covered in ruby lipstick.

“I’m sorry. I do have to go,” she says, smoothing her brunette hair with delicate fingers.

I can’t speak. My insides are erupting with the heat of that kiss. I want more.

Buttoning my shirt with trembling fingers, I manage to say, “Sounds like a lot of customers out there. You might not live near a city, Marie, but you still get to meet a lot of people. I’d like to try this life. I think it would suit me.”

Marie says nothing. When I meet her hazel eyes, she’s smiling.

My heart skips.

“Good,” she says. “I think you’ll fit in well at this job, Kiera.”