Your breath hitches and your eyes widen. When did she get so close? You can smell the different nuances between her shampoo and her perfume because she is standing with her nose a mere inch from yours.
You stiffen and tense at her proximity, forcing yourself to remain still even though all you want is to lean forward and lay a kiss on the tip of her cute, little nose. Even though her lips are looking as kissable and inviting as ever.
But you know you're not supposed to; it's not your place, not your privilege. You clamp your jaw tightly shut as her eyes rise from the floor to your face, searching.
"Jane," she whispers softly, the word washing over you, bringing life to the butterflies in your gut. You meet her gaze and a ripple of shock passes through you, making you gasp. You've seen her dressed to the nines for galas and benefits, but you've also seen her in jailhouse orange. She was beautiful in both, but with her eyes shining and focusing on you so intently, with those confident fingers drawing closer to cup your cheek, you don't think she's ever been more gorgeous, more stunning, more unattainable than she is right now.
When the tips of her fingers graze your flushed skin, your eyes close and a weak sigh escapes through your mouth. With just one touch of the softest skin there ever was, your muscles relax and you breathe out a small, "Maura."
The grin that lights up her face at the sound of her name both breaks your heart and gives it wings. Her thumb strokes your cheekbone and you say her name again, just as breathless. Your eyes flutter open at the unmistakeable feeling of her lips on your cheek. It's gentle; a fleeting meeting of warm skin and warmer lips.
"Please." Your voice is small and you don't know if you're asking her to stop or begging her for more.
"Jane?" she murmurs. Her own eyes are closed, but slowly the eyelids lift to reveal those entrancing, hazel pools. "Don't you want this?" The vulnerability in her mesmerizing voice shakes you to your very soul.
You watch as her expression fills with sadness and remorse. You want to cry because angels should never have to weep, as the one in front of you seems on the verge of doing. Without allowing yourself to second-guess, you press your lips against hers for the very first time.
It is better than all of the fantasies you've ever allowed yourself to indulge in. It's chaste and sweet, but it would be hard to ignore the fiery flames of passion, lurking barely beneath the surface. Your heart's been aching, but now those have magically melted away. If you were being girly and cliché, you'd say that the sparks you'd felt would put all of the fireworks in the world to shame.
You draw your mouth from hers and rest your forehead carefully against hers.
"Thank you," she whispers. You smile and pray desperately that this isn't a dream.
Suddenly, you realize that you're allowed to kiss her now, and you chuckle with relief. Then you do what you've been dreaming of doing for ages, almost as long as you've known her. You place your hand under her ear and you kiss that perfect nose.