"Cheers!"
Glasses clinked together as laughter echoed through the bar. The celebration was in full swing. Zoe's team—the champions of this year's team-building games—were surrounded by other departments, all basking in the afterglow of a day well-played.
"Congrats, Zoe. You beat us this year," Tessa the head of Marketing said with a playful grin.
"This year is all yours, Zoe. Cheers!" added the head of Accounting, raising her drink.
Zoe laughed, cheeks flushed from both pride and alcohol. "Thank you, but it was all teamwork. I owe it to them—we worked like a real unit out there."
Truth was, Zoe felt like she was on top of the world.
They'd just closed the biggest deal in company history. Her team had won the games. And through it all, one truth burned brighter than the rest:
She already had the CEO's heart—and she was hers, completely.
"Congrats, team!" said Alexandra as she joined their table with a new round of drinks.
"Thank you, Ms. Brand! You helped us win!" Steven chimed in.
"And to you too, Ms. Holloway," Jenny added, raising her glass toward where the CEO sat across from them.
Stacy gave a subtle smile, eyes flicking to Zoe. "It was all on you. You earned it."
"Thank you, Ms. Stacy. And thank you, Ms. Alex," Zoe said with sincerity.
Both women smiled at her.
-
The hours passed in a blur of music, laughter, and drinks. Some employees danced. Some slipped away as the night wore on. Others sank into hushed conversations. The celebration slowly dissolved into smaller, more intimate pockets of people.
Zoe slid onto the barstool with a sigh and tapped the counter lightly.
"One margarita, please."
Before the bartender could turn away, a familiar voice chimed in beside her.
"Make it two."
Zoe didn't even glance sideways. She just sipped her water and kept her gaze fixed on the bottles behind the bar.
Stacy settled into the seat next to her, nudging her knee lightly. "Hey. Something wrong?"
Zoe didn't flinch. "Nope."
Stacy raised a brow. "Pretty sure there is. You've been dodging me since I arrived here."
Zoe finally turned to her, but her smile didn't quite reach her eyes.
"Why don't you go drink with Ms. Alex? You two seem pretty inseparable anyway."
Stacy blinked, then let out a low chuckle. "Ohh... okay. I knew I smelled something strong, and it's not just tequila. That's jealousy."
Zoe scoffed, looking away. "Jealous? Me? Please. In your dreams, Ms. Holloway."
"Every night, actually," Stacy said with a playful smirk, leaning closer. "And most mornings, too. But seriously, Alex? That's what this is about?"
Zoe didn't answer.
Stacy sighed softly, her voice dipping into something gentler. "She's my childhood friend, Zoe. Our dads co-founded the company together. We practically grew up in the same house." She hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "She's... like a sister to me. Truly. That's all it's ever been."
Her gaze held Zoe's, steady and sincere. "We grew up side by side, yes. But that doesn't mean she's the person I want to grow old with."
Zoe narrowed her eyes, her voice edged with teasing suspicion. "Yeah, well... you two looked awfully cozy. Laughing. Whispering on that bench while the rest of us were trying to play a decent game."
Stacy sighed, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "We've been apart for years. We had a lot to catch up on. And I needed to bring her up to speed on a few company things. That's all it was."
Zoe took a slow sip of her margarita as it arrived, then set the glass down with a soft clink. "Fine. Just know—next time I catch you getting cozy with another woman, I'm burning your entire shoe collection."
Stacy's eyes went wide, clutching her chest in mock horror. "Okay, now that's just cruel and unusual punishment."
Zoe smirked. "Should've thought about that before whispering sweet nothings next to someone."
Stacy chuckled, then leaned in a little. "Not the shoes, please. Anything but the shoes. But yeah... I get it. I'll be more mindful."
Stacy picked up her glass and held it out, a sly smile tugging at her lips.
"Truce?"
Zoe raised her glass; eyes narrowed with mock suspicion.
"For now. But don't think I'm not keeping an eye on you."
Stacy smirked. "Wouldn't have it any other way."
They clinked glasses, a small smile passing between them, and stood up to rejoin the rest of the team—the tension between them not entirely gone, but softened by something warmer underneath.
-
"I have to go," Alexandra said, standing up and grabbing her coat. "It's late, and I've got to head to the family villa early tomorrow."
"Okay. Goodnight" Stacy said warmly.
"Goodnight, Ms. Brand!" several employees called out.
Alex threw a playful wink at Zoe. "Keep winning, champ."
Zoe smiled. "Sweet dreams."
As the door closed behind Alexandra, the energy in the bar dimmed slightly. There were only a few people left now.
"Guys, I'll be back. Just going to the comfort room," Zoe said, standing and adjusting her blazer.
She made her way toward the hallway that led to the restrooms, heels clicking softly against the wooden floor.
She didn't hear the soft footsteps behind her.
Zoe pushed open the bathroom door, stepping into the quiet space. The air was cooler here, tiled and sterile, lit by the dim overhead bulbs. She walked a few steps in, her heels clicking softly against the floor.
Suddenly—click.
The sound of the door locking behind her made her pause. She turned slightly, not yet facing the source.
Then she heard footsteps. Familiar. Controlled.
Before she could fully turn around—arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her back.
Zoe gasped, surprised—then melted.
Stacy.
Her scent. Her presence. The weight of her body behind Zoe's. And then—
Lips met hers.
Desperate. Starved. Possessive.
Stacy kissed her like she had been holding it back for far too long.
Zoe turned in her arms, returning the kiss with just as much hunger. Her hands found Stacy's jaw, her fingers threading into her hair. The day full of stolen glances, careful conversations, and of pretending—all of it exploded in that one kiss.
Their bodies pressed close, breaths tangled, hearts racing like they'd just sprinted through the entire day again.
But they couldn't stay there. Not for long.
Suddenly—a toilet flushed.
Both women froze.
Wide-eyed. Breathless. Lips still close, but unmoving.
A second of silence passed.
Then Stacy whispered, barely audible:
"Let's go."
-
The elevator ride had been silent—tense, thrilling. And when they reached the tenth floor, Zoe swiped her key and led Stacy inside.
The suite was quiet, the only sound the soft crash of ocean waves from beyond the glass doors. The warm, salty breeze drifted through the open curtains. Outside, the moon reflected off the dark, endless sea.
Zoe set her things down and turned toward the balcony.
"Come on," she said quietly, leading Stacy out.
They stepped barefoot onto the balcony. The beach stretched endlessly below, silver under the moonlight. The wind tugged gently at their clothes, brushing hair from their faces.
Zoe leaned against the railing, taking in the view. "It's beautiful out here."
Stacy didn't look at the ocean. She was still looking at her.
"I didn't follow you in there to admire the tile work," she said softly.
Zoe smiled, looking down as a blush crept up her cheeks. "You couldn't wait until we got back?"
Stacy grinned, stepping in closer with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "I've waited all day. You seriously expect me to survive another hour after watching you win every game, look annoyingly good doing it, and then smile like that at everyone except me?"
Zoe laughed softly, shaking her head. "You were literally five feet away from me most of the time."
"And it felt like five miles," Stacy said dramatically, placing a hand on her chest. "Do you know how hard it is pretending I don't want to pin you against a wall every time you laugh?"
Zoe turned toward her, raising a brow, amused. "You think it's easier for me?"
"Oh, I know it's not," Stacy teased, voice dropping slightly. "I caught you staring... twice."
Zoe opened her mouth to deny it but paused, then smirked. "Maybe once."
"Mm-hmm," Stacy hummed, stepping in even closer until their bodies almost touched. She reached up and brushed a strand of hair from Zoe's face, her fingers lingering. "I don't want to keep pretending."
Zoe leaned into her touch, though her tone stayed practical. "We still have to be careful. We can't be obvious."
"I know," Stacy said, lips curving into a soft, teasing smile. "But not tonight."
Then she began peppering gentle kisses along Zoe's cheek—left, right, and just beneath her ear.
Zoe let out a soft laugh, turning a little redder. "Stacy..."
"I missed you," Stacy whispered playfully between kisses. "Your laugh, your face, your everything. You're my favorite distraction."
Zoe grinned, shaking her head. "You always know exactly what to say to get to me."
Stacy's eyes lit up. "It's a gift—and I only use it on you."
Stacy pulled back down Zoe into a kiss—soft, unhurried, full of tenderness. There was no rush, no tension. Just the comfort of knowing they were finally on the same page.
Slowly, their steps faltered, guided by an invisible current towards the bed. Their mouths remained fused, a singular entity of want and release, breaths mingling, soft moans catching in the back of their throats. Fingers, no longer hesitant, began a fervent exploration. Stacy's thumb traced the delicate curve of Zoe's spine, slipping under the silk of her dress, while Zoe's hands found purchase on Stacy's shoulders, then tangled in her hair, pulling her closer still. The world outside the window, the murmur of the waves, faded into a distant hum as the soft give of the mattress welcomed them.
They tumbled onto the sheets, a tangle of limbs and hungry kisses. Fabric became an unnecessary barrier, shed with a quiet urgency that spoke volumes. The cool air brushed against heated skin for a fleeting moment before their bodies pressed together, bare and vulnerable. Every touch was a silent question, every sigh an eager answer. Stacy's lips traveled from Zoe's mouth, down the curve of her jaw, along her throat, eliciting a soft gasp that vibrated through Stacy's own chest. Zoe arched into the touch, her fingers digging gently into Stacy's hips, drawing her nearer still.
The rhythm of their breathing deepened, quickening. A shared heat bloomed between them, a silent language spoken through the press of thighs, the exquisite slide of skin against skin. They moved with an instinctive grace, each touch, each kiss, each soft murmur drawing them deeper into a shared space of pure sensation and profound connection. The world narrowed to the feel of Stacy's hand gliding over Zoe's warm curves, the intoxicating taste of Zoe's kiss, the soft shudder that ran through them both as their bodies converged and surrendered to the overwhelming pull. It was a dance of vulnerability and trust, where every whispered breath, every intimate caress, forged an unbreakable bond.
Outside, the waves continued their timeless roll, a distant counterpoint to the suspended moment within. Time lost all meaning, dissolving into the exquisite now.
And as the night deepened, so did they—not just into each other's physical embrace, but into the very core of their beings, into that sacred, silent space where hearts truly speak without words.
Eventually, Zoe nestled her head against Stacy's chest, the steady rhythm of her heartbeat a soothing lullaby after the tempest. Stacy's fingers drifted gently through Zoe's hair, tracing patterns of comfort and love.
"I love you," Zoe murmured, her voice soft and sleepy against Stacy's skin. "My charming CEO."
Stacy smiled, her lips brushing Zoe's forehead. "I love you more," she whispered back, her voice thick with emotion. "My brilliant designer."
They lay there in quiet warmth, wrapped in each other's presence, where titles faded and only love remained.
And beneath the stars, with the ocean whispering their secret to the shore, they drifted into sleep—entangled in something that finally felt real.