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Vivian shrugged. “Happy employees make for a well-run business.”
“I think it’s more than that. I think you actually care.”
This wasn’t a line of conversation Vivian was comfortable with, so she decided to change the subject. “Do you think Lily will have a better time adjusting at a different school?”
“I think she will. This one just doesn’t seem to be a good fit for her. I hate seeing her unhappy.”
“You’re a good mother, Emma.”
Emma blushed. “Thanks. I just wish Alison was still here to share all this parenting with me. It is tough, on my own.”
“You still love her.” That much was evident in the way Emma said her name.
“I do. Absolutely. I think I will always love her and miss her desperately, but at the same time, I have to be open to a different future than we imagined. She’d want me to be happy, I know that. I haven’t dated- I still am so lost in grief sometimes, but before she went, she made me promise that I wouldn’t give up on love.”
Vivian wished she had Emma’s strength. She couldn’t even imagine loving someone, only to have them die, and still be willing to try again.
Emma’s eyes were thoughtful as she looked at Vivian from over her noodles.
Vivian tried to lighten the atmosphere. “So, have you found anyone your interested in yet? Some beautiful woman to come home to after a long day at work?” She couldn’t help her curiosity into Emma’s personal life. Some of Emma’s curls were escaping from her bun and they looked so beautiful framing her lovely face that Vivian’s heart ached.
“Yes, I’ve found someone. I don’t think she’s interested in me, though.”
Emma glanced up at Vivian from under her thick black eyelashes. The look was intensely loaded and she was suddenly shy and Vivian knew suddenly who she was talking about.
Vivian knew that she should change the subject again. It was the safest path by far. But she found that she couldn’t let Emma keep believing that her interest wasn’t returned, not when it was so untrue.
“I think you’d be surprised.” Her voice came out as little more than a whisper, but she was sure that Emma heard it.
What on earth am I doing?
Emma looked up at her, and her beauty had Vivian’s breath catching in her throat. She moved as though in a daze, coming around the desk. A voice in the back of her head was screaming at her to stop this madness, but it was becoming softer and easier to ignore by the moment.
Emma’s lips were slightly parted as she looked up at Vivian. Vivian took Emma’s soft hands and pulled her to her feet. Emma came willingly, stepping close to Vivian, so that her soft warm breasts pressed almost against Vivian’s body.
“Don’t ever think that the interest is unreturned,” Vivian said softly. “I just… I can’t, Emma. I’m your boss. It’s too messy. I can’t risk my business like that.”
“I think you can,” Emma breathed. She put a hand on Vivian’s cheek and it felt electrifying. “Tell me if you want me to stop,” she whispered.
She started leaning in. Vivian knew that she could end this at any moment. All she needed to say was one little word, and Emma would retreat—hurt, perhaps, but it would be better, for both of them.
Stop. Stop. Stop.
She didn’t want to stop, though. Vivian’s eyes were drawn to Emma’s full lips. As she felt Emma’s breath ghost across her cheek, Vivian’s mind disconnected from her body and her eyes slipped shut.
Emma’s lips pressed against hers, firm and soft at the same time. Vivian’s body reacted without her brain’s permission. Her lips started kissing Emma back, sweet and hot and everything she’d ever wanted.
This was not a good idea… and she didn’t care.
4
Emma
Emma had experienced plenty of kisses before, but nothing like this. Vivian’s kiss was tentative at first but became surer by the moment. Emma moaned softly and linked her hands behind Vivian’s neck, drawing her closer.
She slipped her tongue into Vivian’s mouth. Vivian easily accepted her, exploring with her own tongue in return. She tasted delicious, like coffee and something uniquely Vivian. Vivian entwined herself closely with Emma until Emma was unsure whose arms and whose breath was whose.
Emma pushed Vivian back until she bumped up against the desk.
