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She didn’t know how long they’d been kissing but neither of them pulled away and Vi didn’t want it to end. Yet Vi knew this wasn’t a good idea and finally she pulled back. But when she saw those now dark blue eyes that reminded her of a summer storm, she pressed her lips to Cory’s once again.

One more kiss couldn’t hurt, could it? She’d regain her strength and her sense after the luxury of Cory’s lips against hers subsided. But, oh my, they were so, so soft and perfect. This kiss was even better than the first and both of them were trading soft moans as their lips caressed, nipped, tantalized, and pleasured in perfect harmony.

Vi reluctantly pulled away again. “This isn’t a good idea.”

“Why not?”

Vi tilted her head. “You know why.”

“What if we were on the same side?” Cory asked softly.

Didn’t my mom say that earlier? Violet shook her head. “What did you say?”

“We don’t have to be against each other, Violet.”

“How?”

“I have an idea. Will you give me a few days? Please?”

Vi stared into those blue eyes once again and found it hard to say no to Cory. “I don’t understand what you’re talking about.”

“Trust me, Violet,” Cory said for the third time that night.

“You keep saying that!”

“I haven’t let you down yet and I won’t.”

Vi sighed and felt Cory’s hands squeeze her upper arms. She didn’t know what was happening and why she felt such a connection to this woman. It had been like that from the first time they’d locked eyes. Vi wanted to find out what it all meant and where this might go. Why did Cory have to own a liquor store?

“Violet?”

Vi smiled and nodded. “Okay. I don’t know what I’m agreeing to, but okay.”

“There’s one thing you know for sure,” Cory said with a smile. “It’s not the alcohol talking.”

Violet chuckled. “Thank you for the delicious drinks. I’d better be going before…”

Cory nodded then they started towards the front door. Vi felt Cory slip her hand in hers and intertwine their fingers. There was such a sense of contentment that came over Vi and she felt her doubts pushing away.

From the first time she’d walked into this store her life had felt off balance, out of sync in some way. Vi had attributed the feeling to the anticipation of her promotion. She was so close and wanted to finish strong in her current job. But when she gave in and kissed Cory, she felt herself begin to feel balanced once again.

“I’ll see you soon.”

Vi started through the door but not before Cory caught her by the arm and turned her around.

“You talked about my blue eyes, but your brown eyes wrap me in a blanket of softness that’s so hard for me to escape,” Cory said as she leaned in and softly pressed her lips to Vi’s.

“Such a bad idea,” Vi murmured against Cory’s lips.

Cory gave her a smile and Vi felt her heart lurch in her chest. She stepped back slowly, got in her car, and could see Cory still standing in the doorway as she drove away.

* * *

Cory watched Vi drive away. She took a deep breath and tried to steady her heart. The moment Vi grabbed and kissed her, she was surprised, but now that she thought about it, she’d known this was going to happen. They had been on this path, their lives careening towards one another until they’d finally crashed into each other. Cory was so glad that the collision had ended in the hottest kisses she’d ever shared instead of Vi stomping away, never to speak to her again.

Cory knew Vi was trying to keep her at arm’s length, but that only made Cory try harder to make her smile or give her a look. Sometimes those looks were menacing, but usually ended in a smile or a laugh. When Vi loaned Cory her shoes that day and they finally had a conversation, she had an idea Vi felt the same flutters she did.

She couldn’t get those kisses out of her mind. As she walked to the back door to lock it, Cory smiled and gently touched her lips with her finger. Not long ago Vi’s pillowy lips were kissing hers with such fervor then softness. It made Cory lose her breath. CeCe was always talking about swooning and this must be what it felt like.