“When I first met you, I thought you were self-involved and overrated.” Carly’s jaw fell. “No judgment, remember? Your fact?”

“But now, I think you’re the most intriguing, most beautiful woman I’ve ever been involved with.”

Lauren sucked in a breath. Those words settled over her, and she felt like she might float away. She refocused, remembering the game. “I was wrong about you, too, and the sex dream I told you about? Impactful as hell. I still haven’t been able to shake it. Go.”

“Whether it’s days, weeks, months, or years, I will probably think about undressing you until the moment I get the chance.”

God, was her heater on high? Her cheeks were warm and she felt a little drunk on desire. “Kissing you in rehearsal is the best part of my day.”

“Same. Staring into your eyes at the end of act one is everything. I always end that scene with a slight tremble because you affect me so much. That’s not acting. That’s you.”

Lauren let go of the counter and took the two steps that brought her to Carly. With one hand under her jaw, she slowly kissed the woman who’d walked into her life out of nowhere and made her feel so much. Call it lust, infatuation, or even a damn showmance. It didn’t matter. Lauren felt alive, and that meant everything.

“Look at that,” Carly murmured. She smiled as she kissed Lauren back. “We’re at it again.”

Lauren pulled back in Carly’s arms and met her gaze. “It’s like you’re this magnet, pulling me in. I can’t stay away. Plus, these lips are addictive.”

“The best part is you don’t have to stay away.” She caught Lauren’s mouth and melted into the kiss.

That’s how the night ended.

With kissing, more kissing, and a side of wandering hands. She walked Carly to the door, still touching her as much as possible. The small of her back, her hand, her cheek. The kiss at the door was the longest yet, and when Carly stepped back onto her porch, she glowed like an angel under the porch light.

“I’ll see you at work tomorrow.”

“Carly. Thank you for all of this. It was a fantastic night.”

“For me, too. Maybe I can woo you again in the future? Maybe?”

Lauren laughed. “God, yes. The more wooing the better, I always say.”

“Good night, Lauren.”

“That it was. Good night.”

Chapter Nine

Carly was half giddy, half terrified. The key lime yogurt she’d had for breakfast was a nice temporary distraction from the very big day she had ahead at work.