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There were no doubts in Haylee’s eyes as they roamed up and down Tori’s body.

Warmth flooded Tori, and she bit her lip, laughing a little. She hoped it came out as a flirty chuckle and not the wash of relief that filled her. She’d be lying if she said she hadn’t been worried she might be just a little too broken so soon after everything with Miranda had happened.

They linked fingers until they got to the front door, and Tori dug out her keys.

Fissures of tension that had opened earlier mended themselves, and she wouldn’t let the unexpected encounter change the trajectory this date had been on before Rebel called out to her.

“You first.”

Haylee smiled and stepped over the threshold. Tori followed, closing the door quickly with a sharp turn of the lock.

A flash of fear lit up Haylee’s eyes, but whatever she saw on Tori’s face turned that fear quickly into desire.

“And here I was worrying you might actually be a serial killer and do something bad to me.” Haylee stepped forward.

“Oh I plan to do many bad things to you.” Tori smiled, took a step forward and met Haylee halfway.

“I sure hope so.” Haylee’s voice had taken on a roughness that Tori found all levels of arousing.

Their lips met, and for a moment, Tori’s mouth remained still. She was with Haylee, why had her body still expected the gentleness of Miranda’s familiar lips?

“Tori?” Haylee pulled back enough for her breath to tickle Tori’s lips.

“Sorry.” She lifted her hand that carried the groceries for a dessert she never really intended to make. Or maybe make for breakfast instead. “I should probably put this up.”

“Oh,” Haylee nodded and stepped back. “Yeah, of course.”

Tori wanted to reassure Haylee, as she ran palms over her hips and upper thighs as though trying to rid them of sweat and nerves. But her tongue, usually so free with words and joy, remained still.

Tori gave her a smile and headed toward the kitchen. “Come on, I’ll give you the tour as well.”

“Okay.” Haylee smiled a little wider, her thumbs hooking into the belt loops of her pants.

“So, this is the kitchen.” Tori laughed and threw a look over her shoulder. She really did like Haylee. They had talked about so many things during their date. Things that went beyond just the mundane favorite colors, movies, and songs. They talked about their lives and their worlds. Just like old friends catching up.

Tori opened the fridge door, hand poised to start pulling out the cold items from the bag one by one.

Fuck off with the friends thing. That’s not what this is about. Miranda already broke your heart. She isn’t going to ruin your chance to find your real happily ever after.

Tori nodded, a firm hard thrust of her head down as she pushed everything but Haylee from her mind. She threw the bag of groceries into the fridge and turned toward Haylee, grabbing her hand with more determination.

“And that’s the rest of the house.”

Haylee laughed, and Tori looked back and smiled, no need for false happiness or enjoyment. Her body was more than ready to explore the curves and skin of this gorgeous woman.

Tori had cleaned up the bedroom, just in case. She used to worry about rushing into bed with women, but she had never taken a woman home who didn’t have the potential in her heart to be the one.

“You have a nice room,” Haylee said when Tori stopped at the end of her bed. But Haylee’s eyes remained glued to Tori’s lips.

Tori laughed and lifted her hand to Haylee’s cheek on the side where the hair was longer, and brushed the back of her fingers against her soft skin. Haylee looked up, and Tori smiled, shoulders relaxing. Because there it was, the connection she had felt before they had left the restaurant.

“Hi,” she whispered.

“Hi yourself,” Haylee whispered, and this time when they kissed, Tori knew what to expect and let her body relax into the taste and feel of Haylee’s body pressing against her own. Haylee was gentle, almost as though she knew Tori needed to be handled with care, eased into the entire evening.

The kissing grew hotter, and while Tori’s body seemed to have no problem with the way things progressed, her mind apparently had other ideas.

Miranda’s eyes flashed through her mind. The gasps she would make when Tori’s fingers were buried deep inside her. The way she would cry out when Tori’s mouth was against her, sucking, tasting. Her scent as she came hard, every single time.