Brenda thrust her coat and bag at her, shooing her away and towards the door. “Call me through the week. I want to knowallabout it.”
Caroline turned and strode out of the bar, landing behind Hannah on the pavement. She stared at her back, how her dress clung to every curve, and then she cleared her throat.
Hannah glanced over her shoulder, frowning. “Did you need something?”
“I…I’m sorry. About everything.”
Hannah met Caroline’s eyes as she turned slowly. If Caroline concentrated hard enough, she would say Hannah had tears in her eyes. “You know what, it’s absolutely fine. I got myself into this mess by taking on a job at the agency. I saw a beautiful woman, and for the first time, I struggled to separate the job from my personal life. I won’t make that mistake again because, quite frankly, I wouldn’t wish how I feel on anyone. But you’ve done nothing wrong. I started all of this when I crossed the line the night we met.”
The truth was, Caroline was struggling to separate Hannah’s job from her personal life, too.
“Hannah, I was wondering if maybe we could go somewhere else. Just…you and I?”
Hannah gripped her clutch bag against her, shivering as a light drizzle started to fall. “I really don’t have the energy for any more bars tonight. And I think it’s probably a waste of time. But thank you for trying.”
Caroline stepped towards Hannah, placing a hand on her forearm. She had no idea what she was doing, but she knew she wanted to see more of this woman. The rain became heavier, pelting them both as Hannah lifted her bag above her head. “Come on, there’s a shelter at the side of the bar. They rushed towards it, laughing as they found cover. “That came out of nowhere.”
Hannah turned to Caroline. “Kinda like you.”
“I’m sorry. I’m a mess. And I find it hard to believe that someone like you would have an ounce of interest in me. But I do want to see more of you. I-if that offer still stands.”
Hannah seemed to consider Caroline’s words for a moment or two, yet Caroline understood the hesitation. She’d done very little to convince Hannah that she was worth a shot. Caroline hated feeling so unsure about herself, but she had to remember Hannah’s heart was on the line here, too. It wasn’t all about her.
“I’m not sure you know what you want, Caz.”
“I do. I’m…trying. I’m just not very good at this.”
With her eyes narrowed, Hannah chewed the inside of her cheek.
Caroline moved in, her eyes sparkling against the streetlight. “But I know I can do better,bebetter. So, that offer?”
Hannah grinned as she pressed her body to Caroline’s, one hand settling on her hip. Their lips brushed, heat slid to Caroline’s core, all sense of control evaporating as Hannah wrapped an arm around Caroline, her hand resting firmly on her backside.
“The offer definitely still stands.” Hannah spoke low, seductively. “I’m waiting for a cab right now.”
“Any chance I could share it with you?”
“Depends if I’m dropping you off…or coming in with you?”
Caroline took her bottom lip between her teeth, their foreheads touching. She wanted so much to throw her rulebook out the window, to say ‘fuck it’ and live her life, but it was hard to do. Then Hannah pressed her against the wall of the shelter, her lips brushing Caroline’s ear.
“I’d really love to get to know you better, Caz.”
“N-now? T-tonight?” Oh, God. The thought of Hannah touching her had Caroline’s body fired up and trembling.
“Let me take you home and show you just how much I want to see you again…”
Caroline exhaled a shaky breath, her eyes closing when Hannah trailed her lips down her neck. It was now or never…and Caroline, however uncertain she may feel, really wanted to jump in at the deep end. “Okay.”
Hannah squeezed her backside, her breath hot and heavy against her neck. “I want to make you feel good, Caz. I have no ulterior motive here.”
Caroline had no choice but to take Hannah at her word.
This could turn out to be the biggest mistake of her life…or it could blossom into something she’d missed for so long.
Chapter10
Caroline took the stairs slowly,her legs turning to jelly as she reached the landing. Her bedroom door was ahead of her—open with the corner of the bed visible—just the sound of Hannah’s calm breathing keeping her grounded. She turned to face Hannah, swallowing as those tender blue eyes stared back at her. Caroline had no idea what had led her to bring Hannah home with her this evening, but here they were.