“Isn’t that the damn truth?” Carly said. “Come here, please. Let’s see if some of that reason will rub off.” She leaned in, her gaze dipping to Lauren’s lips. Lauren, as if pulled by that ever-present magnet, met her halfway. “Hi,” Carly whispered, just before kissing her softly. Lauren drank in every sensation that kiss brought with it. She’d learned to revel in each shiver, flutter, and hit of pleasure that came her way from being near Carly. If those things worried or scared her before, she’d now embraced the power that Carly had over her body. Touching her only intensified the effect times ten. Lauren joined Carly on the couch, first sitting alongside her as they kissed like lust-starved teenagers, then welcoming Carly into her lap as she straddled Lauren and cradled her face as their mouths battled and explored. With her hands on Carly’s ass, she wanted nothing more than her out of those pants. She imagined Carly naked in the same position and had to pause their kissing to ensure she received enough oxygen for basic survival.

Carly waited while she took several necessary breaths. There was the air, slowly returning. “You okay?” Carly asked.

Lauren nodded. “Sometimes it feels like we combust.”

“So I’m not the only one, then?”

“I don’t know if you experience what I do, but I can tell you it’s more than a little intense.”

Carly nodded and traced the line of Lauren’s collarbone. “You know something else?”

“Tell me.”

Carly shook her head but held her gaze on the progress her finger made, not meeting Lauren’s eyes. “I really like you. It’s not just the attraction. It’s…everything.”

Lauren took a minute to absorb Carly’s words because it was apparent how closely she held them. They heard voices of their castmates passing Lauren’s dressing room and for a moment, she thought they’d lose this important exchange.

“I like you a lot, too. Maybe that’s part of what makes this all so scary. We’re in the midst of one of the biggest things that’s ever happened to me, but I’m confident it wouldn’t be nearly as gratifying if I wasn’t experiencing it with you.”

Carly’s smile began small and then took over her entire face. “Do you really mean that?”

“Of course, I do.” A kiss. Another one. Lauren laughed. “Did I mention I like you back?”

“You just did. Your lips are so fucking kissable,” Carly murmured. “And when you wear autumn colors, I’m done. Everything about you makes my head spin in the best way. When you wear fall boots? I want to invest in a catalog company that specializes in them.” Lauren laughed again. Carly touched her chest and eased herself off Lauren until they were sitting side by side on even ground. “Thank you for talking me off the ledge. Even temporarily.”

“Anytime, slugger.”