A/N Prompt #3 for Fictober
Alice dropped her hand and her face crumbled. "I can't do this anymore," she whispered.
Matthew was at her side immediately. "Do what?"
"Pretend I don't care." She shook her head as tears stung her eyes. "I've tried Matthew, Lord knows I've tried, but when I'm near you…" her voice trailed off. She looked away.
"Then stop trying sweetheart." Matthew said gently as he reached out a tentative hand and took hers in his own.
She slowly dragged her eyes back to him. "But Matthew they'll talk. They'll say I slept my way into the job. They'll call me your whore."
Matthew cupped her cheek with his hand. "Let them talk. We know the truth."
"The truth?" She closed her eyes and nuzzled her face into his hand.
"Yes. Truth is, you're an incredibly clever pathologist who just happens to be the bloody love of my life"
She opened her eyes and looked at him in disbelief. "Do you really mean that Matthew?"
"Every word," he whispered.
"Then kiss me?"
Matthew looked around, "Here? Now?"
"Yes." She moved closer to him. "Kiss me, and let's give them something to talk about."
Matthew wrapped his arms around her waist and gently pulled her tight to him. "I've waited for this, for so long."
Alice smiled as her arms snaked around his neck. "Waited for what?"
"For you to be ready."
"Well I'm ready now." She looked into his eyes. "Kiss me."