Obsidiana
It only takes a moment
Betas: Special thanks to my fantastic and so talented Betas Peetsden, Firebird93 and Lennonandstreep.
AN: Sorry about the delay and thanks for the lovely comments. I hope you like this chapter!
Chapter 2
Andy rolled her eyes when Nigel called her for the hundredth time since the beginning of the shoot. She smiled, thinking that as incredible as it may seem, he was twice as demanding a boss as Miranda, not because of his temper, or requirements, but because of his tendency to realize his needs during the work process and never before.
They were both brilliant, but so different at the same time.
The editor and the art director were two faces of the same artistic view. Miranda, the great visionary, was like an eagle, always able to see the entire picture from a high position, while Nigel, the executor, developed his creations while working. Among the outfits and the production, he almost never was aware of his needs before the shoot, which turned him into a yelling art director, who, apparently, had two favorite words in his vocabulary: Emily and Six. The latter shouted with a particular enthusiasm.
She approached the group silently from behind, surreptitiously finding a spot between Nigel and Miranda, who were discussing perspectives and the best angles to capture the beautiful surroundings. Nigel waved his hands, giving orders to a couple of models, while Emily tried to keep up with his many suggestions. Oblivious to Andy's presence by her side, Miranda was exchanging ideas with a photographer, and the young woman used the rare opportunity to observe her beloved boss in action, displaying all her competence and talent to translate her brilliant ideas into images. Andy was so entranced by the older woman that she wasn't aware she was needed until she heard Nigel's upset voice just a few inches from her.
"I need to discuss a few things with Andy. Where is she?"
Moving her head forward between Nigel's and Miranda's shoulders, she whispered playfully in his ear, "Right behind you."
Putting his hand on his chest in an exaggerated gesture, he rolled his eyes in annoyance. "Good lord, are you trying to kill me? You've been spending too much time with Miranda and acquiring her bad habits."
Andy patted his back, nodding. "Don't be irritated, it's nothing personal. I'm just exercising the privileged position of observing without being observed. You should try it sometime; it can be very enlightening." She shared a secret smile with Miranda, who raised an eyebrow and glanced with amusement at Nigel and Andy.
The junior editor listened carefully while they gave directions regarding the essays that would complete the artwork, taking notes about the main ideas. The crowd of people around them meant the space between the two women was minimal, and to Andy's surprise, the editor came even closer, casually resting her hand on the young woman's lower back when another photographer asked their opinion about a picture.
The habit of watching Miranda, a matter of survival when Andy was second assistant, was now a small pleasure, a strange way of feeling closer in real life to the object of her most secret dreams. Recently, considering the many changes in their work relationship, Andy had been more attuned to any signs that might indicate the older woman had the slightest interest in a romantic relationship. Andy thought that many of Miranda's actions, if they had come from anyone else, especially a man, could be interpreted as a discreet flirtation. The way she looked at Andy, how she smiled or touched her arm or hand briefly. The gestures were subtle, but real. Still, Andy could only hope that a woman like Miranda, who could certainly have anyone she wanted, would give a second thought to someone half her age and so distant from her glamorous world.
Andy smiled briefly, remembering a discussion with Nigel during which the art director vehemently defended the strange idea of Miranda being mesmerized by Andy because of the many differences between the two of them. According to him, they were a perfect match because they were a counterpoint to each other.
Despite that, Andy thought with longing about their similarities. It was true that they couldn't be more different if one considered their temperaments, but they were definitely very alike if one considered their single-minded determination to achieve their goals, no matter what obstacles stood in the way. The two women were stubborn to the point of obstinacy, which made them driven to succeed and incredibly good at their jobs.
It had taken Andy almost a week to realize the real meaning of Miranda's words in Paris. On that fateful day, seconds before Andy left her, Miranda had offered Andy a huge compliment; the young woman could still remember her serious expression when she said, "I see a lot of myself in you." At the moment it was voiced, Andy felt terrified, thinking about the many difficult decisions the editor in chief had to make to keep her position at the magazine. She was afraid of becoming someone she wouldn't recognize in the future, of losing herself in the process. A couple of days later, back in New York, she cried for hours thinking about the meaning of Miranda's comment and the undeniable fact that nothing made her prouder than being compared to such an amazing and determined woman.
The Runway team worked hard until the light was too poor to continue. During a brief moment between shoots, Emily left Nigel's side and approached Andy, bumping shoulders playfully and pointing her chin toward the group where Susan was.
"Hey, Sachs, look at her. She is stunning today, don't you think? I mean, she is always gorgeous, but that outfit looks particularly beautiful on her. We were discussing the possibility of taking a boat for a sail and she asked about you—again. We could go together if you prefer, the four of us. It will be fun and you'll have time to be alone with Susan away from work. What do you say?"
Andy looked around before answering, embarrassed by Emily's words and Miranda's silent scrutiny. The older woman had been engrossed in conversation with Nigel, but Andy saw the small tilt of the silver head at the mention of Susan's name.
Emily was oblivious, trusting that the editor's attention was engaged in the discussion of the shoot. Lowering her voice, Emily added, "I don't know what you are waiting for; the woman is fantastic. You know, it's not everyday that you find someone so special who is absolutely crazy about you! C'mon, Sachs, she is as sexy as hell!"
Andy tried to control her frustration and inhaled deeply, reminding herself that Emily was just trying to help her forget her feelings for Miranda. Susan was certainly very special, but no one could control who to fall in love with. Her heart was screaming that Miranda was its master and Andy felt impotent under the power of her feelings.
"Em, I really appreciate your help and I totally agree with you about Susan's many lovely qualities, but you know, I'm not feeling ready to take this step. Maybe I will be in a while, but right now, all I want is some time to myself, to understand my emotions. The last thing I want to do is hurt her feelings, or, by the way, anyone else's. I'd love to sail with you and Serena and thank you for inviting me, but please, let's keep it simple and friendly for a while, okay?"
The redhead snorted, irritated at Andy's reluctance. "Andy, I really don't understand what you are waiting for. The woman is gorgeous and in love with you! Don't you realize that your waiting is pointless, that the person you really want doesn't even know you exist? Give happiness a try, for God's sake! And please, I beg you for your own sake, stop listening to Nigel's delusional ideas!"
Andy shuddered, not because of the wind or the chill in the air, but because of Emily's last words. She prayed in vain that Miranda hadn't heard them. The silver-haired woman gave a last order to the photographer before approaching, offering Emily a menacing glare. Andy was certainly mortified at having her personal life discussed during a shoot, but her brain was more concerned with understanding Miranda's interest in her conversation and her obvious distress at the mention of Susan's name.
For the second time that day, the editor seemed not just bothered, but also angry at Emily's insistence about the issue. It was pretty obvious that she had been listening to the entire conversation and Andy wondered if that could mean that Miranda cared about her. More likely it was just her annoyance at being disturbed in her workplace.
Emily, sensing Miranda's approach, widened her eyes, looking at Andy with a plea in her eyes. After two years working directly with the editor, she prepared herself to receive a stern lecture.
Miranda smiled ironically, enjoying the effect she had on the redhead.
"Emily, I'm wondering if Nigel is not keeping you busy enough, that you have time to act like a frivolous nineteenth century maiden who has nothing better to do than discuss her co-workers' lives." Miranda's eyes were pools of disdain as she directed her comment at the terrified ex-assistant. "Andrea is obviously embarrassed by your insistence, even if her politeness prevents her from admonishing you for your indiscretion."
Andy, paying close attention in order to try to decipher any hidden meaning behind the scathing remarks, managed not to flinch, but inhaled sharply.
Miranda kept her icy gaze trained on Emily. "I'm trying to imagine what is so extraordinary about a model who keeps her appearance according to industry expectations. We are surrounded by beauty every single day, so it escapes me why you are wasting Andrea's time stating the obvious when she is so clearly trying to do her job. Don't you think you should do the same?"
Emily looked at Miranda, obviously surprised by the unusual display of something very close to possessiveness. She took a few seconds to find her voice and stuttered, "I'm sorry, Miranda, I didn't mean to be intrusive. I'll make myself useful somewhere else."
"Yes, do that." Miranda narrowed her eyes and added, "I don't think Andrea would have any problem finding suitable company if that is her wish; after all, who wouldn't be delighted to have the attention of such remarkable woman?"
To Emily's surprise, the editor looked directly at the brunette, emphasizing the last words. Jaw clenched, the redhead gripped her pad tightly to hide her trembling hands. For the first time, she caught a glimpse of what Nigel so insistently pointed out over the last six months. Maybe he was right to believe that Miranda harbored feelings for her young brunette friend.
Casting a last glance over her shoulder as she moved away, Emily realized how odd the entire situation was. Of one thing she was sure: she had never seen that look of pure rage in Miranda's eyes, even on her worst days at Runway and that alone must mean something.
Andy found herself alone with Miranda again and their eyes met in silent communication. Miranda's gaze was so intense that Andy couldn't resist the urge to say something to break the silence. "I'm sorry about that, Miranda. It was inappropriate to discuss personal matters in the work place. It won't happen again."
Miranda waved her hand dismissively. Casting an ironic glance in the direction of Emily and Nigel, she smirked. "Nonsense! You certainly don't need to apologize for something for which you're hardly responsible. In fact, I believe you have more urgent concerns when it comes to your co-workers' behavior."
Andy frowned, confused, and Miranda snorted, amused. "Seriously, Andrea, given their insistence about the direction of your personal life, I wouldn't be surprised to discover that my employees are making bets on you. Maybe I should put my money in too, don't you think? Perhaps I could venture a guess about your future."
Offering Andy a rare smile, she turned in the direction of the shoot and said, "You can call me when you need to disperse this inconvenient crowd. As you already know, I'm very talented in the art of reminding people exactly what their places are."
Andy's heart beat faster as the older woman moved away, wondering if the provocative sway of her hips could be deliberate.
….
In a superficial analysis, Miranda would certainly appear to any observer to be a woman always in control of her surroundings and she intended to maintain that illusion as long as it served her purposes. The ability to remain assertive, no matter how hard the day or how difficult the professional challenge, was crucial to keeping her position at Runway and was one of the key to explaining her successful career.
What no one could imagine was that the editor admired chaos instead of control. That statement, which could be puzzling to anyone with an appreciation for the absence of order, was in fact, the result of years of experience dealing with the erratic, but always fascinating, rhythm of life. To Miranda, chaos was the ultimate fact of life, the undeniable certainty that in any situation one could always envision and should always be prepared for the unexpected.
Life could yield some pleasant surprises, if people could control their fear about what they couldn't predict. Miranda's feelings for her junior editor were definitely one of those incredible revelations, engendering hope in a personal life that had become not just controlled and predictable, but more than anything, disappointing. Her feelings for Andrea, which were terrifying in the beginning, were a sweet slap in the face of her arrogance and stupid certainty that no one would or could ever breach the strong barriers she erected around her heart. That annoying, gorgeous, sweet girl had unknowingly invaded a virgin, wild territory. The weirdest thing was that Miranda was feeling nothing more than a warm anticipation. Not fear, just a sweet hope about the future.
Oblivious to her inner ruminations, Runway's team was sitting around a wood table in Miranda's cabin, working hard on the visual material from the shoot. She was very satisfied with the pictures as well as her first team's work, and hoped to finish the job the next morning. If that were the case, she would suggest the Runway staff take the rest of the weekend off in the Catskill Mountains as a reward for their dedication. She also anticipated the opportunity to spend more quality time around Andrea without having to use work as an excuse to keep her close. Miranda's eyes traveled around the table, only to be captured by Andrea's soft gaze and that lovely smile that lately had the power to melt the older woman's heart.
The meeting was almost finished, which prompted Nigel to dismiss Serena, Jocelyn, and Emily, keeping Andy to discuss the essays. Before leaving, Serena reminded Andy the entire team would be gathering in the main hall, partaking of pizza and wine offered by the hosts. The beautiful blonde winked at Andy, implying that Susan would be waiting for her.
Miranda cleared her throat and, using the cold tone that left no doubt who was still in command, said,
"Andrea will have to stay a little longer with Nigel and me, so you can leave for your little gathering. Unfortunately, for some of us, the work is not done yet."
Serena turned pale, while Emily looked embarrassed. Nigel's romantic spirit was enjoying the moment and he just smiled, amused. Seeing Miranda so out of sorts about his young friend was priceless and he was glad to see that she could act so vehemently about the brunette. Nigel really loved the girl - her bright, sweet attitude and her easy smiles. Nothing would make him happier than to see her content and well loved. Lately, she had been suffering over Miranda and in every single conversation he tried to convince her to listen to her feelings and pursue happiness.
The same could be said about Miranda. He was absolutely sure that nothing would be better for his boss than a fresh relationship with a dedicated and passionate person. He was eager to see the old light back in Miranda's eyes. As the editor's best friend of almost twenty years, Nigel was well-versed in her moods and personal difficulties. In the last years he had witnessed her vitality fade, replaced by a progressively worsening demeanor that, to him, was nothing more than the result of personal unhappiness. She had certainly achieved great professional success and he had no doubt about her love for her children, but her heart, unfortunately, had been terribly neglected over the years.
Before leaving, Nigel placed a soft kiss on Andy's head and winked at Miranda. "Good night to you both. If you feel inclined, join us later; if not, enjoy your time together."
….
Miranda was nervous about being alone with Andrea, not knowing exactly what to do to make the girl feel comfortable around her. The last thing she wanted was to force her presence on Andrea, so she rose from the table and, hoping to change the formal atmosphere that separated them, invited the young woman to sit in front of the fireplace.
"Andrea, we can discuss this on the couch. We are both very tired, so I think we could benefit from the comfort and the heat. It's freezing tonight."
Andrea just smiled and stood, gathering up her little notepad. To Miranda's surprise, she didn't sit on the couch, but on the comfortable carpet in front of the fireplace. Taking off her shoes, she stretched her long, toned legs, yawning languidly. "Sitting in front of the fire is a good idea, but I'm afraid of becoming too relaxed. I'd better write down everything you have to say before I fall asleep. "
A delicious shiver crossed Miranda's body at the sensual display as she followed the young woman toward the small living room. Retrieving a wine bottle and two glasses from the bar, she approached. "Well, in the spirit of tiredness, I'll add one more item of relaxation. Would you like a glass of wine? "
Andrea looked up at Miranda, her eyes expressing slight surprise. "Yes, that would be great, thank you."
Miranda, counter to Andy's expectations, took off her heels and sat on the floor by her side. Andy smiled, taking the proffered glass of wine. "Do you mind if I take a picture of you sitting on the floor? I could seriously disrupt pizza night with this image."
The editor snorted and rolled her eyes, but kept her tone soft. "Well, do as you wish, but I wonder if you really want to share what is offered exclusively to you."
The young woman cleared her throat, taking her pad again in an attempt to hide her shyness and Miranda smiled, enjoying Andrea's adorable expression. The older woman felt a little embarrassed at knowing that maybe she was just playing the fool, imagining an attraction that wasn't there. Andrea was a nice person, very nice indeed, and she treated everyone with endless care and respect. What if Miranda had misunderstood her actions?
The editor weighed the possibilities for a brief moment, but decided to act independently of the result. Miranda Priestly was not a coward and if her attraction was one-sided and her attempt to get closer to Andrea failed, she would accept defeat with grace.
Andy looked up into bright blue eyes and shivered. "Only for me?"
Miranda swallowed hard, but didn't break eye contact, trying to decipher what she was seeing in Andrea's features. The young woman still seemed shy, but not exactly embarrassed as she looked intently into Miranda's blue orbs. She licked her dry lips before answering, "Well, with exception of the twins… yes, only for you… only you for a while…"
They shared a moment of silence and Andy shivered again. The older woman was confident for the first time that something palpable was happening between them and decided to act upon her feelings. Taking one of the blankets from the couch, she came closer, tenderly placing the soft material around Andrea's shoulders, before draping the rest over her own shoulders.
"Are you cold, Andrea?"
Andy swallowed hard and nodded, breaking their eye contact and looking down at her notepad. Before Andrea could open it in a nervous gesture, Miranda stopped her with a light touch on her hands.
"Enjoy the fire, Andrea. We don't have to work now. The shoot was very successful and we are almost done here. You worked very hard today and deserve a few moments of peace."
Seeing Andrea's obvious confusion, she added, "I must confess that I used work as an excuse to keep you here. I wish to have your company for a while, if you don't mind, but I didn't want to embarrass you in front of your co-workers and friends by asking you to stay a little longer. Would you prefer to be in the main house, celebrating with the others?"
Looking at the fire, Andy was silent for such long time that Miranda feared the young woman wouldn't answer. Then, she looked deeply into Miranda's eyes again, offering one of her bright smiles. "I want to be exactly where I am now. I can't think of a better way to spend the evening than relaxing in front of a fire in very good company."
Not for the first time that night, Miranda felt the urge to touch the young woman, but she still hesitated about taking this step, not wanting to rush things or put any pressure on Andrea. "May I record that statement? I could seriously disrupt pizza night with the assertion that I am, in fact, very good company." She tilted an elegant eyebrow playfully, happy to see the obvious surprise on Andrea's face.
They shared a warm smile and Andy nodded, sipping from her glass. "You are, indeed, very good company. I wouldn't at all mind spending more time with you."
Tentatively and slowly, giving Andrea time to avoid her touch, Miranda extended a trembling hand to soft locks. The young woman's eyes went darker and she tilted her head toward Miranda's fingers.
"The feeling is mutual, Andrea, but sometimes lately you seem so quiet and sad. I'm worried and I'm sorry if I'm intruding by asking, but are you having problems? Can I offer any help?"
Andy looked away, not knowing what to say. She certainly couldn't admit to Miranda that the editor herself was the reason behind her deep sighs and silent tears. Miranda's touch felt so right, warm and familiar like a homecoming. "You shouldn't be so worried about me."
Miranda continued her light caress. "You're asking too much of me. I am worried, all the time, more than you can even imagine. So, could you please tell me what's wrong? You appear be out of sorts and that troubles me deeply. Andrea, you can trust me, you must know that by now."
Sitting so close to Miranda in front of a fireplace made it difficult to pretend to be unaffected by her attention and their newfound closeness. Of its own volition, her body leaned closer to Miranda as she tried to put her feelings into words.
"My personal life has been confusing lately. I don't know what to do with my feelings toward someone and it's disturbing. I'm trying hard not to let it show, but sometimes it's difficult to pretend I'm fine. I'm sorry if it's affecting my work; I'll be more careful."
Miranda interrupted her. "Don't ridiculous, Andrea! I noticed because I pay attention, not because you let it show. I'm not questioning your competence at work. You are, like always, the best at your job. That's not why I asked."
Miranda hesitated for a moment, then pushed on. "These confusing feelings you mentioned. Are they about that annoying and not at all discreet model, maybe?"
Surprised, Andy frowned. "You mean Susan? Oh, no, that's not it. The girls, Em and Serena, have been insistent about her because they believe I should move on with my personal life, but I don't want to rush things. I mean, Susan is a fantastic person, but…"
Andy noted Miranda's intense glare and blushed. "And you're probably not interested in any of that."
Miranda sat upright, resting her back against the couch, but turning her body fully toward Andrea. Resting one of her arms behind Andy's shoulders in order to keep their physical connection, she murmured, "You're wrong. I wouldn't be asking if I were not interested in the answer. I can see you're very embarrassed about it, so, if you're not comfortable discussing it… I'm sorry I asked. I have no right to intrude."
Andy leaned into Miranda's outstretched arm, enjoying the closeness of the half embrace. "Well, I appreciate your concern, but I'm not used to having you so close and it's just very difficult to talk about my feelings with you."
A brief shadow of hurt crossed Miranda's countenance. "I know I'm not the easiest person to deal with, but—"
It was Andy's turn to interrupt the misplaced apology. "Shh… That's not what I'm saying. You're very easy around me and I feel so privileged to have your attention. It means everything to me."
Miranda threw her a questioning glance, sincerely doubting that anyone could be comfortable around her. Even her husbands, in the best years of her previous relationships, always made it clear that she was a difficult person, which made dealing with her a challenge, sometimes a burden. The young woman seemed so happy taking whatever Miranda gave her and Miranda thought with longing that she was indeed the privileged one, to have found such a sweet angel.
Andy smiled again, dismissing her worries.
"You know what I mean, Miranda. We've become much closer lately, even if we have never before talked about our relationship. I cherish every single gesture you make, every moment we spend together. You are very important to me. You know that, don't you?"
Tears threatened to fall from Miranda's eyes and she felt slightly embarrassed. She looked away, but kept their closeness. "And you are very important to me, Andrea."
They sat quietly for a long moment, until Andy broke the silence. "You see, Susan is certainly a great woman and I feel flattered by her attention. I also know the girls just wish me happiness, so I'm not exactly annoyed about this situation, but… I'm not comfortable with it either. I don't want to hurt Susan's feelings, but… I don't know… It's complicated."
Miranda tilted her head and sipped from her glass before she asked the question that was tormenting her. "Complicated? Is there someone else? The boyfriend, maybe? You mentioned they believed you should move on…"
Surprise covered Andrea's face at the last words and she almost choked on her wine. "Who, Nate? Oh, no, no! Nate has been out of the picture for a while now. He left after Paris, without much care about my feelings or my financial ability to keep our apartment once he left."
Looking away, she offered a self-depreciating laugh. "It's ironic, in fact. I abandoned you in Paris and instead of punishing me, you offered me the opportunity to stay in New York. Nate, who's supposed to love me and take care of me, didn't give me a second thought. It hurt, but I'm glad he's gone. I don't need that kind of relationship; I'm better than that!"
Inhaling deeply, Andrea closed her eyes. "This is not about him. My personal problems are not about him, or Susan. They're about…"
The young woman stopped abruptly as if regretting her words and Miranda leaned closer, whispering softly, "They're about…?"
Andy could feel Miranda's breath caressing her cheek and she was so overcome by the beauty in front of her that she lost track of her thoughts. The wine released a few restraints from both sides as they kept the intense gaze upon each other's features. It was Andy's turn to express her feelings through a caress, extending her cold fingers to the flawless cheek so sensually offered to her. In Andy's eyes, Miranda had never been more beautiful, flushed with the wine and excitement of being so close to the young woman.
Miranda closed her eyes when Andy's hand touched her face and her unguarded expression swept away Andy's last inhibition. Miranda took a deep breath when she felt the light touch of smooth lips on her own. Her body was immediately assaulted by a warm, sweet sensation and Miranda reveled in the tender touch. Her chest burned at the flood of foreign emotions as her mind exploded with a torrent of images of Andrea. She kept her eyes closed, but in a matter of seconds her body reciprocated as if guided by instinct, her arms tightening around the young woman, pulling her close.
Andy moans of pleasure were like fire touching her cold veins as they kept the slow and sensual pace. It was not the first time Miranda had kissed a woman's lips, so she was familiar with the softness, but never in her life had a kiss overwhelmed her so completely, engulfing her senses. They parted briefly to regain their breath, looking deeply into each other's eyes.
"Miranda…"
"Darling…"
"What are we doing, Miranda?"
"I have no idea, but it feels too good to stop."
As if magnetically attracted, their lips found each other's again and the kiss deepened. When Andy's tongue deliciously invaded Miranda's warm mouth, it was her turn to moan at the feeling of her body melting under the young woman's touch. With surprising force, Andrea pulled her closer and Miranda found herself sitting in the young woman's lap. She sucked Andrea's tongue with fervor and grabbed her dark locks in her hands. She could feel the flood of moisture ruining her underwear as Andrea's hands traveled along her back, keeping her close.
Andy brain was in a fog, but even as a little voice screamed that she should be more careful before ravishing her boss's mouth, her body seemed to ignore any rational attempts at regaining her composure. The woman of her dreams was moaning and sensually undulating under her touch as that sweet first kiss was replaced by this undoubtedly sexual closeness. Using all her strength, Andrea broke the kiss, but kept her arms tight around Miranda's hips.
"Oh God, Miranda. What you do to me..."
Breathing heavily, Miranda held Andrea close, hiding her face in the crook of the young woman's neck. Inhaling Andrea's sweet smell, she kissed the smooth skin behind the young woman's ear.
"I believe, my dear, we both just discovered what we do to each other…"
Andy smiled, tightening her hold as if she could somehow bring Miranda to a place inside her body and hold her there, very close. "Should I apologize for kissing my boss? I believe I just crossed some serious boundaries here."
The older woman moved away from her secure shelter, but kept her hands behind Andy's neck. "Don't you dare apologize. Do you regret it?"
In a swift move, Andy brought Miranda's head closer again and kissed her fiercely. This kiss was shorter, but full of meaning. She moved away, savoring the taste of Miranda on her lips, before speaking. She looked into Miranda's eyes so intently the older woman knew something important was coming. She feared that maybe this would be the moment when Andrea would apologize and say their kiss had been a mistake, so her heart almost burst upon hearing the young woman's next words.
"You are the reason I've been so sad lately. Not Nate, not Susan, you… just you."
Miranda caressed Andrea's smooth face. "I never want to be the reason for your tears, darling, but if you give me the opportunity, I will do everything in my power to be the reason for your smiles. Do you want that as much as I do?"
"Yes, I do, but I'm unsure about so many things. Don't get me wrong, I want you, this, more than anything in my life, but at the same time, I feel we should take it slow, so we can figure how to make it work for both of us. I need some time to get used to this, to put my feelings for you in the right place. Can you understand that?"
Miranda nodded and gave her a brief kiss. "I agree with you. There are, indeed, so many things we should consider: our job positions, our personal lives… All I need to know is that you want this as much as I do, and we will figure out the rest. You certainly can have all the time you need. You're not the only one overwhelmed by this."
Resting her forehead against Miranda's, the young woman closed her eyes in relief. "Thank you."
"You don't need to thank me, darling. I'm so tired of power games and lack of respect in relationships. I had resigned myself to no longer wishing or waiting for someone. And then, out of nowhere, you came to me, so unguarded and with no hidden agendas, that I doubted that anything could happen between us. Now that I know you feel the same way as I do, I'll fight for it. I want this, more than anything."
A silent tear escaped from Andrea's eye and Miranda kissed it away. "This is different, Andrea. "You're sure you want this?"
"Yes."
TBC
….
