She felt the sparks of Sutton’s gaze like they were Sutton’s own hands again. Perfect.
Sutton cleared her throat, and Charlotte watched the elegant line of her neck as she swallowed. Then she spoke, her voice an octave lower, “Mm-hmm, and your life doesn’t afford you that kind of luxury. So often trapped inside, nary an event that would grant you the opportunity to wear such a thing.”
Charlotte didn’t understand it. Maybe she couldn’t. Maybe it was just something cosmic, not meant for her mind to be able to comprehend. When she was with Sutton, she just wanted her so badly that it turned to need.
She didn’t just want her physically, sexually, but in every way. She wanted to be close; she wanted everyone to know they were associated with each other, wanted that soft look Sutton’s eyes seemed to hold only for her.
“Yes, darling, you’ve nailed it. Especially because”—she tilted her chin up, her eyes inches away from Sutton’s as she reached out to touch Sutton’s arm, stroking her thumb softly over the skin there—“as you yourself pointed out, I have a couch in my office that I sleep on from time to time.”
A round of applause came from the event, followed by the sound of someone speaking into a microphone, breaking through whatever spell was here between them.
Sutton dug her teeth into her bottom lip as she took a step back. “I have to get back in there. I’m supposed to be speaking soon.”
“You cannot pretend it didn’t happen. Again.Ican’t,” Charlotte confessed before Sutton could truly back away.
The truth in her words made her feel ridiculous—her behavior this entire evening did. More than that, the bigger feeling that shehadto say them was a tough pill to swallow.
She needed to let Sutton know where she was in this. This time around, things were going to be different.Shewas going to be different. Even if it scared her.
Bit by bit, she would make herself be brave. She would follow the example Sutton had set for her years ago.
Another round of applause erupted.
“I wasn’t pretending it didn’t happen. And I’m not doing so now,” Sutton confirmed. “I don’t think that’s a possibility anymore. I think about the way you look, the way you sound, the way you feel…”
Sutton trailed off, holding Charlotte’s gaze, and Charlotte felt that want spring right back into place before moving through her so intently.
“We’re both adults—real adults—now,” Sutton said, nodding shortly, seemingly to herself. “And we work together, which could make sleeping together… complicated. But we’re also friends, and I think we both are finally on the same page, for this.” She gestured, a little awkward and a lot adorably, back and forth between them with her index finger.
“Right,” Charlotte murmured softly, taking in what Sutton was saying.
“So… we can keep doing this. As friends. And just enjoy ourselves.”
Sleeping together. Friends. On the same page… as in Sutton was onherpage. At least, the page Charlotte used to be on.
As people clapped again, Sutton swore lightly under her breath. “I really have to go. But if you’re going to stick around until later, we can…” She trailed off again, blushing even as she arched her eyebrows and dropped her gaze.
Charlotte’s body answered easily. “Yes.” Her mouth did, too.
Because of course she would stick around.
The grin flashed over Sutton’s face and made nonsensical butterflies act up in Charlotte’s stomach.
“Awesome,” Sutton breathed and leaned in to kiss Charlotte briefly before she turned to head back down the hall.
Charlotte fell back against the wall, blowing out a deep breath.
She was living in unprecedented times, indeed.
CHAPTER TWELVE
“God, it’s crazy out tonight.”Sutton grimaced as she walked into the mall, looking at the several hundred people milling around among the shops.
“I have no idea what you’re evendoingout in stores tonight.” Regan could not have sounded more incredulous, even as her voice came through Sutton’s phone’s speaker. “It’s a Friday night less than two weeks before Christmas. Are you insane?”
“I have to finish shopping for Lucy,” Sutton explained, even though she added, “I thought we already talked about this earlier?”
She maneuvered around a woman holding far too many bags, then moved to hold open a door for her.