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She sniffs and nods once more, giving me a shaky smile. Maybe she can trust me at least. “Okay. I believe you.”
Some unidentifiable emotion bursts in my chest and I wipe under her eyes again, cradling her jaw afterward, unwilling to let go just yet. She parts her lips and my thumb instinctively sweeps over the bottom one as I step closer, unsure what I’m doing, but wanting to do it all the same.
She leans in, and I meet her halfway, both of us silent as our mouths join, my hand traveling to the back of her neck to hold her more securely, her palm coming up to rest on my chest. This isn’t merely a kiss of comfort, though. Even I can’t convince myself of that.
The only thing is, I’m not sure exactly what it is.
And why it keeps happening.
“Will all bidders please rejoin us in Ballroom A at this time?” a voice announces over an intercom system. “We’re announcing winners in five minutes.”
We break apart, her gaze focused on my lips for a moment before she looks up.
“We should get back in there,” I say, closing my eyes briefly. If she studies them too carefully, she might see something I don’t want her to.
“Maybe you won that trip to Vermont.” She smiles hesitantly at me, sounding more like her normal self.
“Maybe.”
And again, my mind is back to where it shouldn’t be. The single bed, a cozy fireplace, champagne and strawberries. But this time the image goes farther. Me and her up until the wee hours of the morning, talking and connecting. About our families, our jobs, anything and everything. I want to know everything about her.
And I want her to know about me.
I take a step back, holding my arm out to guide her into the ballroom, loosening my tie the slightest bit from where it’s gone too tight, ignoring the strange fluttering sensation in my stomach.
It doesn’t mean anything. It’s just leftover adrenaline from getting her away from her ex, talking about her situation, coming to a better understanding between us.
That’s all it is.