Seeing her this way, vulnerable and needing her, made Scarlett's decision easy. She crossed the small distance between them and kissed her. The kiss was soft and hesitant, both of them wary. But quicker than that, passion flared, their hurt and fear forgotten as they became lost in the other. Scarlett's hands tangled in her hair as she deepened the kiss, savoring her. She gripped her as tightly, kissing her with a ferocity that stole her breath.

They parted gasping, foreheads clashing. The space between them crackled. As much as Scarlett wanted to go further, she knew she couldn't. Scarlett wasn't ready for that, and she wouldn't ruin her own...