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“Because now I know what it actually feels like.”

Ash looked at her with such intensity, Alice thought she might combust.

In the swaying candlelight, Ash’s eyes dropped to Alice’s mouth, and she leaned in. Warmth bloomed in Alice’s chest as their lips pressed together in a heart-stopping kiss that left them breathless.

“So, does this mean we can be more than just friends now?” Alice whispered.

“I think you know we were always more thanjust friends, Alice.”

Alice smiled so hard it hurt her cheeks. “Well, you better kiss me again then.”

Ash didn’t have to be asked twice.

* * *

After the joyof the terrace and their first kiss, Alice and Ash returned to the party.

Nik and Sukhi summoned them to the dance floor, but they managed to escape after a couple of songs. They did the rounds, smiling and making polite conversation, Alice helping Ash to navigate away from intrusive questions about her love life. Even Rani, seemingly overtaken by the joy of the occasion, gushed about how proud she was of her daughter — the doctor.

In truth, since the terrace, Alice was finding it difficult to concentrate on anything but Ash. The smouldering looks passing between them had lit a fire within her. Alice couldn’t wait to kiss her again; butterflies erupted in her stomach at the thought that soon they’d be alone together. Ash must have read her mind, as she leaned in and whispered. “I can’t wait to get you out of that onesie.”

Alice wanted to kiss that delicious grin right off her face.

“Do you think anyone would miss us if we left?” Ash asked.

They stood at the perimeter of the room, so close that no one would have noticed as Ash’s fingers curled between Alice’s.

“Definitely not.” Alice squeezed Ash’s hand.

“That’s what I hoped you’d say.”

It was unlikely that anyone cared when they left, but they’d treated it like a covert mission, slipping out the door, dashing to the car, grabbing their bags, and sneaking back inside when the coast was clear. Behind the closed door of their hotel room their laughter burst out. When Ash caught her breath, she moved in front of Alice, tucked a tendril of loose curls behind her ear and harpooned her with a look of pure want.

If their first kiss was sweet, then their second was spicy, and loaded with passion. Their lips crushed together, Alice opened her mouth to let Ash in and groaned as their tongues slipped together. Alice pushed Ash towards the bed, but as they neared, Ash spun her around and lifted Alice’s legs around her waist.

Alice giggled. “You’re stronger than you look.”

“Oh, thanks. I’ll have you know I go to the gym every day. These are arms of steel. Unlike your silly breakable arms.” Ash lowered her onto the bed, still wrapped between her legs as they collapsed back, lost in another kiss.

“You’ve made a big mistake, Doctor.”

“Huh?”

“The ‘onesie’ zip is at the back.” Alice wrestled Ash around with her thighs until she was straddling her. Ash sat up between Alice’s legs, reaching around to the zip. After freeing her arms from the sleeves, Alice let the jumpsuit drop to her waist. Ash whimpered at the sight of her breasts all wrapped up in their lacy bra, and she buried her face in Alice’s cleavage.

“I’ve wanted to do this since I watched you eat that muffin.” Ash unclipped the bra and pulled it away with her teeth until Alice’s breasts bounced free. “Oh, fuck. You’re so beautiful.”

Alice moaned, rocking herself into Ash’s lap as Ash licked and nibbled at her skin.

“You know that first morning we woke up together?”

“Yeah?”

“I was having the most incredible dream about us.” Ash traced her fingertips up Alice’s bare back. Alice arched with the sensation, thrusting her breasts forward. Ash captured a nipple in her mouth and sucked it hard.

“Yeah, well I was wide awake and enjoying you grinding me.”

Ash looked up with a devilish grin. “I shouldn’t have stopped then?”