Petal Kisses

It was past 7 PM when the soft hum of computers and the distant rustle of papers finally quieted down in the office. The sky outside the tall windows was washed with the deep oranges and purples of twilight. Yukari glanced at her phone, the screen lighting up her tired face. Another day, another late night, and still, she hadn't mustered up the courage to tell her how she felt.

Across from her, Maya was still typing furiously, her brow furrowed in concentration. Her long black hair cascaded over one shoulder, a few strands framing her face, as she was lost in her work. Yukari felt that familiar tightening in her chest. God, she was so beautiful. It was unfair how Maya always managed to look so composed, even when everyone else had packed up and gone home. Yukari, on the other hand, felt like a nervous wreck every time they were alone together like this.

She wished she could say it. Just… say something. She'd spent countless hours rehearsing what she'd say to Maya, but every time, her throat would close up, and she'd chicken out.

Maya stretched, her arms lifting above her head, and Yukari's eyes involuntarily followed the motion. The hem of Maya's blouse lifted slightly, exposing a hint of her slim waist, and Yukari's cheeks flushed instantly.

Stop staring, she mentally scolded herself, tearing her gaze away and pretending to focus on her own work. But her mind wasn't on spreadsheets or reports. It was on Maya, and the fact that her stupid heart wouldn't let her act normal around her anymore.

"Yukari, you alright?" Maya's voice was casual, but there was a hint of curiosity in it. Yukari stiffened, not expecting Maya to suddenly speak to her.

"Uh, yeah, just finishing up this report," she replied quickly, keeping her eyes glued to the screen in front of her.

Maya stood up, slowly making her way to Yukari's desk, the heels of her shoes clicking softly against the floor. Yukari's breath hitched as she approached, her scent—something light and floral—filling her senses. She was close now, close enough for Yukari to feel the heat radiating off her body.

"You've been working so hard lately," Maya said softly, leaning over Yukari's shoulder to glance at her screen. Her hand brushed Yukari's arm, a feather-light touch that sent shivers down her spine. "Don't you ever take a break?"

Yukari swallowed hard, trying to focus, trying not to think about how Maya's lips were so close to her ear or how her breath tickled her skin. "I-I'm almost done," she stammered, her heart hammering in her chest.

Maya's fingers lingered on the back of her chair for a moment before she straightened up, letting out a soft laugh. "You're always so dedicated." She moved to sit on the edge of Yukari's desk, crossing one leg over the other, her skirt riding up slightly, exposing more of her smooth thighs. Yukari's eyes darted down, and then she immediately scolded herself for looking.

"You, on the other hand…" Yukari dared to say, her voice quieter than she intended, "you always stay late too."

Maya tilted her head, her eyes catching Yukari's in that knowing way that always made her knees weak. "Maybe I'm not the only one who's dedicated," she teased lightly, her lips curving into a smile that was equal parts playful and… was that flirtation?

The air between them grew heavy, and Yukari found herself trapped under Maya's gaze, unable to break free. Her mind raced. Was she imagining things? Or was Maya… flirting with her?

"I-I guess," Yukari murmured, her voice betraying the frantic beating of her heart.

Maya's hand drifted across the desk, her fingers lightly brushing against Yukari's. The touch was barely there, but it was enough to make Yukari's skin tingle with electricity. Her mouth went dry, and for a moment, it felt like the entire office disappeared, leaving just the two of them in their own little bubble of uncertainty and tension.

Yukari's fingers twitched beneath Maya's, but she didn't pull away. Part of her didn't want to. The warmth of Maya's skin against hers felt like the thing she'd been craving for so long but had been too afraid to reach for.

"Yukari," Maya said her name in that soft, low voice, and Yukari's heart skipped a beat.

She looked up, and their eyes met again. Maya's gaze had changed—it was deeper now, more intense, and it sent a rush of heat straight through Yukari's body. There was something in that look, something Yukari had only dared to dream about.

Maya's lips parted, as if she was about to say something, but instead, she slowly leaned forward, her eyes never leaving Yukari's. Yukari's breath caught in her throat, her mind screaming at her to move, to say something, to do something.

But then Maya's lips brushed against hers, soft and tentative, like the first touch of a petal falling from a cherry blossom tree.

Yukari froze, her mind going blank as her body responded on instinct. Her lips moved against Maya's, slow and unsure at first, but then… more. More desperate. More needing. Her hand reached up, grasping the edge of Maya's blouse, pulling her closer as the kiss deepened, sending waves of heat crashing over her.

Maya's lips were soft, softer than anything Yukari had ever imagined. Her breath tasted sweet, like the tea she'd been drinking earlier, and the closeness between them erased all the space that had been building up for weeks—months, even—since they'd started working together.

Yukari's mind swirled, trying to make sense of what was happening. Maya was kissing her. She's really kissing me. That realization sent a shock through her body, and her heart raced faster, thumping against her ribcage. She didn't know what to do, what to think—except that this was everything she'd wanted, everything she'd been too afraid to admit, and now it was happening.

Maya's fingers slid into Yukari's hair, tangling gently as she tilted her head, deepening the kiss. Yukari felt her knees go weak, her hand reaching up to rest on Maya's thigh, feeling the warmth through the fabric of her skirt. Every part of her screamed that this was right, that this was what she needed, but the little voice in the back of her head whispered doubts.

Is this okay? Are we going too far?

Maya pulled back slightly, her lips brushing Yukari's for a brief second before she finally spoke, her breath hot against her skin. "I've been wanting to do that for so long…"

Yukari blinked, still dazed from the kiss, her pulse pounding in her ears. "You… what?"

Maya smiled, a small, almost shy smile, a side of her Yukari had never seen before. "You really didn't notice? All those late nights… I thought it was obvious."

"I… I didn't," Yukari stammered, her face flushing with embarrassment. "I didn't think you…"

"Felt the same way?" Maya finished for her, still smiling softly.

Yukari nodded, swallowing hard, her mind still trying to catch up with the situation. "I thought it was just me."

Maya's hand slipped down to cup Yukari's cheek, her thumb brushing lightly over her skin. "It's not just you. It's never been just you, Yukari."

Her words felt like a balm, soothing all of Yukari's insecurities, all the uncertainty she'd been carrying for so long. She leaned into Maya's touch, her eyes closing briefly as she let herself feel the moment, the warmth of Maya's skin against hers, the quiet intimacy of the office now their own secret world.

"I've wanted to tell you," Yukari admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "But I didn't know how."

Maya let out a soft laugh, her fingers trailing down Yukari's neck, leaving goosebumps in their wake. "Me neither. I was waiting for the right moment, but… I couldn't wait any longer."

Yukari's heart skipped a beat at that, and before she knew what she was doing, she leaned forward again, pressing her lips to Maya's, the kiss more urgent this time. It was as if all the unspoken words, all the hidden feelings, were pouring out in that moment, in the way their lips moved together, in the way their bodies gravitated toward each other like magnets.

Maya responded eagerly, her hands sliding down to Yukari's waist, pulling her closer. Yukari let out a soft gasp as Maya's fingers grazed the bare skin beneath her blouse, sending a jolt of heat through her body. She had never felt anything like this before—this intense need, this overwhelming desire to be closer, to feel more of Maya.

Without thinking, Yukari's hands wandered, sliding up Maya's sides, feeling the curve of her body beneath the thin fabric of her blouse. Maya's breath hitched slightly, and she pressed harder against Yukari, deepening the kiss even further, their tongues meeting in a heated, desperate dance.

It felt like they were both losing control, like the world outside didn't exist anymore. The office was forgotten, the late hour irrelevant. All that mattered was this—their lips, their bodies, the way Maya's touch sent shivers down Yukari's spine, the way every kiss felt like it was unlocking something deeper, something they had both been holding back for so long.

Yukari's fingers fumbled with the buttons of Maya's blouse, her hands shaking slightly from the adrenaline coursing through her veins. She wasn't thinking clearly, wasn't thinking at all, really. All she could focus on was Maya—her touch, her scent, the way her lips tasted like something forbidden and irresistible.

Maya pulled back for a moment, breathless, her cheeks flushed and her eyes half-lidded with desire. "Are you sure?" she asked softly, her voice filled with both need and concern.

Yukari's heart skipped a beat at the question, the weight of what they were doing suddenly crashing down on her. But as she looked into Maya's eyes, she knew—she had never been more sure of anything in her life.

"I'm sure," Yukari whispered, her voice steady, her resolve firm.

Maya's lips curved into a smile, and she leaned in again, capturing Yukari's lips in another searing kiss. This time, there was no hesitation, no doubt. They both knew what they wanted, and they were ready to take that step together.

Their hands moved quickly, almost frantically, as they undressed each other, tossing clothes carelessly onto the floor. The cool air of the office hit Yukari's skin, but she barely noticed, too focused on the heat of Maya's body pressed against hers, the feeling of their bare skin finally touching.

Maya's hands roamed over Yukari's body, exploring every curve, every inch of skin with a hunger that made Yukari's breath come in short, shallow gasps. She arched into Maya's touch, her body responding instinctively, needing more, craving more.

They stumbled back onto the desk, papers scattering to the floor as Yukari's back hit the cool surface. Maya was on top of her, her weight pressing down in the most delicious way, her lips trailing hot, open-mouthed kisses down Yukari's neck, her hands still exploring, still searching for more.

Yukari moaned softly, her fingers tangling in Maya's hair, pulling her closer, needing to feel more of her, to lose herself in the sensation. It was all too much, and yet not enough. She wanted Maya—needed her—in a way she had never felt before.

Yukari's body felt like it was on fire, every touch from Maya setting her nerves alight, the tension that had been building for months finally breaking free in the most overwhelming way. The cool surface of the desk contrasted sharply with the heat between their bodies, and for a moment, it felt like the entire world had shrunk down to just the two of them.

Maya's lips moved with urgency, trailing down Yukari's collarbone, her breath hot against her skin. Yukari's hands fumbled at Maya's waist, pulling her closer, as if she couldn't bear even a second of distance between them. She could feel Maya's heartbeat, rapid and frantic, matching her own.

But just as Yukari was about to fully surrender to the moment, something clicked inside her—something small but insistent. A reminder, a voice in the back of her head pulling her back to reality. This was real, yes, but it was also dangerous. The office, the late night, the impulsiveness of it all. They were crossing a line—no, they'd already crossed it.

Yukari's breathing slowed, her mind finally catching up with her heart. She pulled back, just slightly, enough to break the feverish kiss. Maya's eyes fluttered open, confusion flickering in them as she looked down at Yukari, her lips swollen and her cheeks flushed.

"Yukari…?" Maya's voice was a breathless whisper, concern now clouding the desire in her gaze.

Yukari smiled softly, her hand gently cupping Maya's cheek. "Maya… I want this, I do. But…" She hesitated, struggling to find the right words as her heart raced.

Maya's face softened, understanding dawning in her eyes as she slowly sat up, the heat between them cooling but not disappearing entirely. She ran her fingers through her tousled hair, taking a deep breath before speaking. "You're right… We're here, at work… It's probably not the best idea, is it?"

Yukari let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. "No, probably not."

For a moment, the room was quiet, the only sound the distant hum of the office's air conditioning. They both sat there, breathing heavily, clothes half-discarded, hearts still pounding in their chests. The tension between them hadn't gone away, not entirely. But it had shifted, mellowed into something more manageable, more patient.

Maya reached out, her fingers brushing against Yukari's. "But this doesn't have to end here. We don't have to pretend this didn't happen."

Yukari's smile widened, warmth spreading through her chest at Maya's words. She nodded, feeling a weight lift from her shoulders. "No… we don't."

Maya leaned down one last time, pressing a soft, lingering kiss to Yukari's lips, this one gentle and full of promise. "Let's take our time."

Yukari felt her heart flutter again, but this time, it wasn't from panic or uncertainty. It was from hope. "Yeah… let's take our time."

As they both quietly dressed, the intensity of what had just happened hung in the air, but there was no awkwardness, no regret. Just a mutual understanding that this was only the beginning. As they left the office together, the night air cool on their flushed skin, Yukari couldn't help but glance at Maya, who caught her gaze and smiled.

This wasn't over—not by a long shot. Petal by petal, their feelings had finally begun to bloom.