William had been having a hard time concentrating since the arrival of his new partner. She was tall, and she was intelligent, with painted lips and wrists that smelt like strawberries. She liked to listen to Morrissey, and unironically enjoyed his work, a little too much. She would sit next to him, tucking his hair behind his ears for him, handing him pens, rushing off to bring him tea, and occasionally mouthing the lyrics of her favorite song when she looked at him. 'Let me kiss you. Oh.' He wanted to let her, of course. He had since they had met. It's how she got away with her cheeky remarks, her playful tone, and playing with his hair. She was so lovely, he couldn't bare to tell her no, but he couldn't bare to kiss her either. It would fill him with disappointment when it turned out she was only joking. Yet she continued. Her hand in his under the table, she leaned a little closer and whispered into his ear with her sultry southern accent. 'Let me kiss you, oh.' And this time, he did.