Kiss 2: A small, fleeting kiss - which is immediately followed by a passionate, hungry kiss

It had been a horrific day on the job; the kind of day Jackie would rather forget.

Robbie's reaction was to go to the pub, she had almost gone with him, if only to make sure he'd be okay. However, he'd made it clear he was in no mood for company, so he went alone.

Stuart was quiet but he seemed to be fine. All he wanted to do was go home and have a night to himself.

As for Michael, she had no idea where he was. His office was empty, and he wasn't on the roof. Clearly, he wanted to be alone too.

She had tried his phone, but there had been no reply.

Jackie tried not to be concerned over that.

Unlike the others, she wouldn't have minded the company, anything that would have taken her mind off today would have been welcome. But she just settled for some hot chocolate instead.

A few to be precise.

She was just deciding how to further pass the time when the doorbell rang. Grateful for the interruption, a relieved smile appeared on her face when she opened the door to find Michael.

"Can I come in?"

"Of course," she widened the door for him to enter. He silently followed her into the living room. "I looked for you before I left. Are you okay?"

"I've been better," he replied honestly. "I needed to think about some things."

Jackie was just about to sit on the couch, but his words and tone stopped her. "What kind of things?"

"With everything that happened today…" he faltered, unsure of how to word his feelings. "I don't…" He took a breath, "Today's just reminded me of how life can change in an instant."

This was getting heavy, she thought, her concern for him increasing. "I know today was rough..."

"That's an understatement." He put a hand through his hair. "It's the kind of day that makes me understand why people turn to drink."

They both knew he already understood that perfectly. Thoughts of his father began to surface, a man who had died before his time. But this wasn't the time to reflect on that.

"What did you want to tell me?" she asked after a moment.

He stared at her intently, not in a way that made Jackie uncomfortable, but not in a way that she was used to either.

"I'm not sure, to be honest," he finally answered.

As he continued to stare at her, Jackie tried not to get lost in his eyes.

That was easier said than done.

It always was.

"I don't know how to tell you…but maybe I could show you," he said almost shyly.

"What…" she began, until his eyes went to her lips, and she understood his meaning completely. Nerves – and excitement washed over her as she nodded.

Slowly, he moved closer to her and met his lips with hers. It was sweet, but over before Jackie had a chance to respond.

They stared at each other. The anticipation was almost unbearable as she waited. Would he make another move? Or would he push her away?

All her thoughts vanished as Michael leaned forward again and their lips met in an open mouth kiss. Unlike the first one, this kiss was full of heat as the intensity sprang up, and any fears or doubts melted away as Michael pulled her towards him.

Her hands went to his hair, as she stroked it, she admitted to herself that she'd always wondered what it would feel like to rake her fingers through his hair. But his own caresses made her lose her train of thought. Which didn't matter a bit when his kiss felt so good.

Eventually, the need for air was too great and they parted. The silence lingered as they waited to get their breaths back.

That had been the last thing Jackie had expected, but she wasn't complaining.

Far from it.

"I hope that wasn't supposed to be a one-off," Jackie finally said.

He chuckled, "No, I was hoping that would be the first of many."

"Good," she smiled.

"I may have gotten carried away," he said sheepishly.

"No complaints from me," her smile turned into a grin.

Michael smiled at her before he sobered. "We should talk."

"We should," she agreed. "But we don't have to do that right now. It's been a tough day for everyone. I understand if you don't want to talk about something too heavy tonight."

"Thank you," he said softly.

He drew her into his arms as he smiled at her. This was a decision he knew he would never regret.