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Madison brushed Payton’s hair behind her ear, second-guessing herself, but she knew she’d done the right thing. She couldn’t have Payton thinking that when they got back to New York they were just going to start dating.
“I’ll take this week,” Payton said, looking up at her. “Whether I’ll regret that or not... I don’t know. But I can’t have you standing in front of me, looking like that,” she said with a note of reverence in her voice as she openly let her gaze travel over her and her voice drifted off, like she forgot what she’d even been saying.
Madison swallowed. She was only wearing black slacks and a white silk blouse. It wasn’t a dress that showed off her legs or a low-cut top that revealed some cleavage. It was the most basic business casual she owned. And that turned Payton on?
Madison knew she shouldn’t, but she couldn’t stop herself from lifting her hand to Payton’s cheek and bending to find her lips.
Payton’s arms were on her hips as she kissed her back, parting her lips and deepening the kiss, leaving Madison wanting so much more.
“Do you have any plans for this evening?” Payton murmured between kisses, her hands already moving to the buttons on Madison’s blouse.
“None.” Madison ached for Payton, and it should have scared her how much she wanted this woman.
Payton’s lips quirked into a smile as she pushed the fabric over Madison’s shoulders, her eyes roaming over her white lace bra, her hands warm against Madison’s skin.
“Good,” Payton said as she stood up, reversing their positions, and easing Madison back against the sheets.
39
More than once today Payton had to stop herself from thinking that any of this was real. Well, it might be real, but it wasn’t going to last. Sitting beside Madison at the ceremony earlier, having dinner with people that Madison had known years ago, and being introduced as her girlfriend?
It was surreal.
And that’s because it was. It was nothing more than a dream, and on Monday morning, or maybe even when they boarded the flight, it would all be gone. A memory that Payton would no doubt visit frequently.
Chandeliers bathed the guests in a warm, golden light as the band took the stage in the spacious ballroom. Laughter and chatter mixed with the clinking of glasses while the dance floor filled up, now that the first dance had finished, and Madison caught her eye from where she was standing beside the bar.
Payton made her way over. She’d just gone for a walk around the lobby and out to get some fresh air before stopping in the restroom on the way back to touch up her makeup. In the time she’d been gone, their table had emptied, with most of the guests milling around or dancing.
“Payton,” Madison said with a warm smile that Payton wished was for her. The conversation they’d had was supposed to clear things up, but it’d only left Payton more torn, not quite believing that she was going to torture herself like this for their remaining time in London. “This is Hazel’s best friend, Rory. She plays soccer in New York. Rory, this is Payton. My girlfriend.”
Payton smiled at Rory as she got involved in the conversation, ignoring the way Madison had stumbled over that introduction, throwing in the girlfriend part at the end, almost as if she’d forgotten. It shouldn’t bother her, but it did. Maybe, if they hadn’t admitted that they weren’t pretending anymore then today might have been that bit easier. Maybe Madison wouldn’t be second guessing every word, because that’s what it felt like she was doing.
“You guys should come to a game,” Rory said. “I’m trying to convince Hazel to play for us. I know the management wants her, but so do a lot of other teams. She’s really made a name for herself in the last two or three years.”
They all looked towards the dancefloor where some guests were leaving as an upbeat, classic that everyone seemed to know but Payton had never heard before finished, a much slower song starting now, the brass tones filling the air.
“Oh,” Rory said with a hint of a smile. “Think my girlfriend’s waving me over. It was nice to meet you both. I’m sure I’ll see you later or tomorrow night.”
They said goodbye, and then it was just the two of them. Payton leaned against the bar, aware of how close they were, but not willing to move, because it would look strange if anyone was watching, and well, Payton didn’t want to move. She was in this mess now, and she might as well enjoy it.
“Want to dance?” Madison asked after a moment, finishing what was left in her wine glass.
Payton had not been expecting that. Although Madison had two glasses of wine during dinner and another one now. Maybe, this was just drunk Madison. The version of her boss who actually enjoyed being in Payton’s company and didn’t question it.
“Sure.” As Payton followed Madison out onto the dancefloor, hand in hand as they moved through the tables and people chatting, she realized that this was what she was here for.
This was that moment.
Yes, Madison had introduced her to everyone at their table as her girlfriend, but other than the Rory, no one else here really knew that they were together. Maybe, Jen had mentioned it to her family, that her ex-wife was coming, but that she was bringing her new girlfriend. Payton didn’t know. But this slow dance, this was the thing that would make it obvious to just about everyone in the room that they were together.
Payton sucked in a breath as they found a spot towards the edge of the floor, and it could have been really awkward had Payton not instinctively slid her right hand behind Madison’s back and held out her left, waiting for Madison’s hand. They easily could have fumbled around, not knowing who would lead, which wasn’t something that should happen if they were really together.
But thankfully, Payton didn’t overthink it. She just went for it. And Madison’s left arm was draped over her shoulder, her fingertips brushing the hair at Payton’s neck.
“That updo suits you,” Madison said after a moment, leaning in so that Payton could hear her over the music, her breath warm against Payton’s ear.
“Thanks.” Payton ignored the tingling sensation that erupted over her skin, hoping Madison wouldn’t notice the goosebumps that now appeared on her bare arms. She met Madison’s eyes as she pulled back. “Apparently, we make quite the dashing couple. And that’s a quote. From… Hazel’s uncle? I think.”
