She kissed Maddie then, simply to appease her own hunger, and while Maddie didn’t immediately react, freezing in place, in fact, her lips were warm and soft and everything she’d hoped they’d be. That scent of vanilla was nearly overwhelming this close to her, filling her nose and making her mouth water, and she opened her lips slightly against Maddie’s to inhale fully. Maddie responded then, surging against her and pushing her back into the door even harder, her kiss so searing and hot, she groaned into it. Their tongues touched, and her whole body leapt forward to meet Maddie’s. Maddie’s hands were buried in her hair now, dragging her impossibly closer, and she pulled against the lapels of Maddie’s coat.

Maddie leaned back first, breathing heavily, her hands on Ryann’s shoulders. “Shit,” Maddie said.

She laughed. “What?”

“I’m going to be thinking about that kiss every time I see you now.”

The comment left her nearly breathless. “Is that a bad thing?”

“It is if we want to get any wedding stuff done.”

“And if we’re not busy?”

“Well, then, I guess we can do whatever we want in our free time.”

They released each other, still breathing heavily and grinning stupidly. Maddie indicated with her head that they should start walking, and they began the route to the hotel, only a few blocks away. It was snowing heavily now, the flakes big and wet and starting to stick to the roads. Their hands were linked, and she slipped only a couple of times, despite her boneless-seeming legs. Maybe she was drunker than she thought, or maybe the kiss had undone her. She warmed again at the thought, throwing a quick glance up at Maddie, who immediately smiled down at her, squeezing her hand a little tighter.

Outside of the hotel, Maddie stopped in the parking lot.

“Do you want to come in?” she asked, tugging Maddie toward the front stairs.

“More than anything. But I’m not going to.” Her chuckle sounded a little bitter. “I’m not sure you’re going to even want to talk to me after what we did, let alone…”

“Hey!” she said, pulling her hand to get her attention. “You didn’t do anything wrong. I promise I’m not that drunk. Tipsy, yes, but in complete control of myself. And anyway, I kissed you first. I won’t be mad at you, I swear.”

“Okay.”

Maddie still seemed unsure, and she moved in front of her, standing on her tiptoes to plant a light, relatively chaste kiss on her lips. She took Maddie’s hands in hers and met her eyes.

“Just so you know, I wanted to kiss you since the first time I saw you, too. You were seriously hot, even in that silly uniform you were wearing.”

Maddie chuckled. “Really?”

“Yes. Now please get home safe. Call a cab.”

“Okay. I will.”