Mary held Nora’s gaze as she stepped out of her shoes, slip, and hose. Then she undressed Nora and the two of them tumbled onto the bed.

The cold sheets felt wonderful on her overheated skin. Then other things felt wonderful—otherworldly—and so very, very right.

“Mary?”

“Hmm?”

“Mary?” Long fingers traveled the length of her naked body as she rose back to the surface. Her eyes popped open to be greeted by a marvelously disheveled and equally unclothed Nora. “It’s getting late. We’ve got to get you home before the housemother screams bloody murder.”

“Mmm.” She stretched languorously. “What time is it?”

“Eleven o’clock.”

She sat bolt upright. “Eleven?”

“Yes.”

“Oh, my God.” Hurriedly, and with Nora’s help in finding all her various layers, she dressed and applied new lipstick. “Do I look any different?”

“Any different than what?” Nora, now also fully clothed, leaned against the door frame.

“You know what I mean. I do look like we…” Mary bit her lip and then blurted out, “Do I look like I just lost my virginity?”

“I don’t know how that’s supposed to make someone look, but I can tell you that you look beautiful.”

“Sweet talker.” She shrugged into her coat, snatched up her purse, and ran for the door. Nora hadn’t moved, so she backtracked to her. “I…” She searched Nora’s face. Her eyes still smoldered, and her lips were bruised from their kisses. All she wanted was to take her back to bed. “Thank you for the most amazing Christmas ever.”

“I could say the same.”

Mary took two steps away and came back again. This time she kissed her thoroughly. “That was a first I’ll never, ever forget.”

“Me too.” This time, Nora followed her to the door. “Should I come with you? Make sure you get home all right?”

“Yes. No. If you do, I’ll do something I shouldn’t in public and we’ll both be in the soup. I’ll be fine.”

Nora opened the door for her.

“Will I see you tomorrow?”

“Probably. I’ll be doing my normal walk-throughs.”

“I didn’t mean on the job.”

“I know. You’d better get going.”

“Nora?” Panic made her heart race. “I will see you again like this, won’t I?”

In response, Nora leaned down and kissed her tenderly.

“I wish I didn’t have to go.”

“Me too. But the reality is that you do. Be safe.”

“Dream of me.”

“Of that, I have no doubt.”

CHAPTER SIXTEEN