***
It took all the strength in Lisa to separate her lips from Roseanne's and step back, gazing into dark eyes. She swallowed at the sensation the wide blown pupils stirred in her and pressed her short fingernails into her hand to anchor her to the surroundings.
"We should stop." She panted unwillingly, but knew it was for the best. They were still in her office.
Roseanne watched her carefully and Lisa saw the flicker of hurt at the rejection dancing over her face. She quickly closed the small distance once more and placed a lingering, gentle kiss on pursed lips.
"I said I want you too." She whispered. "But we can't do this here." She said gesturing to her office desk and it dawned on Roseanne what the brunette was referring to.
"Oh." She mumbled sheepishly and nodded with a blush creeping up her neck. "Ok."
They looked at each other, marvelling at the feelings awakening inside. Lisa stepped back slightly and moved her hands down Roseanne's arms. "I want to do this the right way." She clasped one hand in hers. "Please go on a date with me? Tomorrow? Dinner?"
"Um…" Roseanne hesitated. "Are you sure?"
"I'm sorry if I made you question my intentions. I really like you Roseanne." Lisa's eyes jumped indecisively over the blonde's face. "I really, really like you." She repeated with a smile.
"Well I really, really, like you too." The blonde grinned helplessly.
"Good. I'm glad." Lisa laughed softly.
"It should have been obvious don't you think?" The blonde teased. She was convinced she couldn't have been any clearer in her interest.
"I don't trust uncertainties and hints. I'd rather hear it from a person, in words."
"Fair enough…" Roseanne smiled. "Also, I didn't question your intentions, I just wasn't sure you wanted to go out and be seen with me in public."
"Why?" Lisa's mouth fell open in surprise. She cleared her throat and tried to reiterate her question. "Why would you think I didn't want to be seen with you?"
"Oh don't get me wrong. I'm not saying this out of self-deprecation or anything." Roseanne laughed out loudly. "I just wanted to make sure you're comfortable with me at your side I guess."
"I still don't understand…" She said baffled. "Anyone should be out of their mind to not be utterly proud to take a woman like you out on a date."
"You're my boss." Roseanne cringed slightly at her words. She hadn't wanted to have the discussion now, but the earlier they shared their stance on the matter the better she figured.
"Oh." Lisa's eyes widened in understanding. "That."
"Yeah that."
"Listen, Rosie." Lisa took the blonde's hands once more in hers. "I talked about this with Jisoo already and Veron doesn't seem to be opposed to the idea, so unless you feel weird about it, I'm absolutely ok with this. I don't care. There are, in fact, a lot of relationships formed between co/workers and bosses I've been informed."
"You've been informed?" Roseanne smirked.
"Well, Jisoo might have had to work on my perception of such relationships." Lisa admitted her hesitance in the beginning. "Don't get me wrong Rosie, this isn't about you. Not at all. This is just about how people observe me, and in extension you and I."
"Are you worried what your employees think about you?"
"I'm not going to lie to you." Lisa sighed. "I was."
"Was?" Roseanne asked hopeful.
"Yes past. After what happened today, I'm more concerned whether I can trust the people who work for me than what they think about my private life."
"Ok." She nodded and smiled shyly. "So a date tomorrow then?"
"Yes please. Can I pick you up? At seven?" Roseanne swallowed at the intensity of the honey-coloured eyes trained on her.
"Ok." She breathed. She would have agreed to anything if Lisa looked at her like that. "I'll text you my address." She added with a smile.
"Perfect." Lisa kissed her hand chivalrously. "I'll see you tomorrow. Hope you have a good day."
"I'll be flying in the morning, but I guess you know that."
"Actually, no. I'm not doing the detailed planning." Lisa laughed. "I've only been directly involved at Christmas."
Roseanne grinned at that. "Very smooth move by the way."
"I did my best." Lisa smiled back and pulled Roseanne by her hand towards her. "It seemed to have worked."
"Oh yeah…." She leaned closer, lips ghosting over plump counterparts. "It definitely worked." She winked and stopped herself from closing the gap, eyes trained at Lisa's mouth.
"Ok." It was all Lisa could manage before she needed to taste her again, their last kiss had been too long ago. It was calm and soft, gently probing and utterly rewarding for all the trouble they had been through to reach this stage. "Mmm, I could get addicted to kissing you." She mumbled after awhile, breaking the kiss, wiping longingly over red lips. "You're breath-taking, Roseanne." She admitted.
"So are you." She kissed her once more, her tongue probing into a welcoming mouth.
"It's late." Lisa panted. "You want me to call you a taxi?" She wanted to keep doing what they were doing, but she felt her resolve crumbling away. She didn't want to rush into anything with Roseanne. She wanted them to have a chance at something real and not just a rushed hormonal satisfaction.
"Yes please." Roseanne answered breathlessly, understanding the need for Lisa to tone it down. Ultimately they were in her office, which although late, still buzzed with people due to the day's events.
They finally separated their bodies from one another and Lisa opened the door for Roseanne and followed her with her mobile in her hand calling for transportation.
"When will you be able to leave?" Roseanne asked quietly once the phone was stored away.
"I don't know." Lisa looked around, seeing Veron and Jackson talking animatedly with each other.
"That looks interesting." She gestured to the two.
"Let me know if you need help smoothing the waters. People listen to me."
"That's a generous offer. Maybe we can talk about that later? Your cab is here."
Roseanne looked over her shoulder to confirm.
"So…" She drawled, when she turned back to face
Lisa. "I don't think you're a big fan of PDA, right?"
"For now." Lisa smiled in relief. She had worried how to approach the topic.
"Alright." Roseanne nodded with a smile. She had expected this. At the end of the day, Lisa was the boss, and an overly physical expression of their feelings for each other seemed inappropriate.
"Thanks for giving us a try." She grinned cheekily and touched Lisa's shoulder, before running her hand down the length of her arm to shortly squeeze her hand.
"Thank you for everything you've done for me."
"Any time if need be. Bye Lisa."
"Sleep well, Rosie."
Lisa's gaze followed the car until she couldn't see it anymore and she finally turned back around and walked into her office building. She joined the two still arguing and cleared her throat.
"Mind telling me what this is about?"
"Ms. Manoban… I mean Lisa." Jackson started and corrected himself immediately at Lisa's glare. "We have received notification that Michelle has been released from custody."
"I hadn't thought they were able to hold her much longer than a couple of hours." Lisa answered in surprise at the serious tone of her advisor's voice.
"Why is this worrisome?"
"It's not per se, Jackson here just thought of assembling a little army to keep you safe."
"That won't be needed. I doubt she'll hurt me."
"You can never be too careful." Jackson interrupted.
"I don't want to draw more attention to myself than I already have. Jackson, I appreciate your concern, but I'll handle my own security if needed."
"As you wish. Let me know if I can be of help."
"Retire for the night. We'll meet up tomorrow morning and discuss the changes."
"Very well. Good night."
Veron watched him leave with a tight-lipped smile.
"I'm not sure his unease is uncalled for. Ms. Lee is dangerous."
"She won't hurt me." Lisa repeated and huffed in disbelief.
"Just take no risks." Veron pleaded.
"Have you booked your own hotel or will you stay with me at the penthouse?" She changed the subject unwilling to discuss the matter any longer.
"I don't have a room."
"Ok, well then let's go." Lisa pushed her godmother towards the exit and stopped at the security guard. "Henry, thank you for your work tonight." She said and smiled at him.
"No problem Lisa. Have a good night after everything that's happened today. Please trust me to keep your premises safe."
"Thanks. It's greatly appreciated." Lisa answered thankfully and waved him goodbye.
"I think…" Veron started when they reached Lisa's car and personal chauffeur. "You can start to look for apartments soon." She climbed into the back of the car.
"Um, why do you say that?" Lisa looked at her sceptically when she settled next to her.
"Really?" Veron raised an eyebrow in amusement. "I don't think you and Roseanne want to start a long-distance relationship if you can easily move to her town."
"No one said anything about moving or a relationship…" Lisa drawled uncomfortably. "To the hotel please."
"Of course not, but I'm sure that's where it's heading. You two look gorgeous together and after today I'm sure you know you can trust her 100 percent to not play with you." She watched her goddaughter for a moment, before adding. "Besides, it's obvious she really likes you. Maybe more than just likes." She winked at her implication.
"I don't think you should assume anything."
"I don't, I just have eyes. So anyway, how are you going to proceed?"
"I'm taking her out on a date tomorrow."
"Tomorrow? Wow you're moving quickly."
Lisa blushed. "It's not about that. I just want to see her again. I miss her already." She admitted. Instead of an answer, Veron shared a touching look, but remained quiet. It wasn't typical for Lisa to share so much emotional stuff.
They changed the topic back to the business and discussed further steps to secure Lisa's position.
......
When Roseanne woke up the next morning, she was beyond giddy and nervous, but a look at her watch told her she had to survive ten hours before she would see Lisa again. The only reason for her excitement.
She made her way over to the airport and went through the motions hoping for the miracle of Jennie and Irene suffering from spontaneous forgetfulness, but wasn't granted the wish.
"Rosie!" Jennie exclaimed when she saw the blonde in the opening of the airplane.
"Jennie…" She answered carefully.
"Tell me everything." The brunette quickly ran down the gangway and entered the plane, following her superior to the back of it.
"I'm not telling you anything besides what you need to know." Roseanne answered nonchalantly.
"We're flying with minimal staff, it's only short distance to San Francisco. Where's Irene?" She proceeded as if she wasn't expected to talk about something else.
"Yadda, yadda, I don't care. What else happened yesterday with the boss?"
"You should care. It's your job."
"Please don't get all 'boss lady on me'. Tell me about yesterday." Jennie protested and was backed up by Irene who just stumbled onto the airplane.
"Yes, Rosie. What the hell happened?"
"Um, nothing happened."
"No no no. You're not getting away that easily. Start from the beginning after you and Jisoo left to grab Miyeon." The shorter brunette demanded.
"Ok." Roseanne sighed. "But get your stations ready while I give you the summary."
By the time the passengers started boarding their curiosity had been somewhat stilled. Roseanne had not told them anything about her and Lisa, but Jennie knew tiny bits from Jisoo already.
"So, you guys are good now?" She asked for confirmation.
"Jen, I'm sure you know we are."
"Well, Jisoo wasn't too specific about how good we're talking." She grinned.
"That's because your girlfriend has the decency to respect privacy. You should google the word."
"Haha." Jennie pouted.
"Listen, we don't want rumours. If there's something to talk about, I promise you two will know first." Roseanne stated.
"I bloody hope so."
The blonde smiled at her friends. They had been through so much together and she really didn't want to keep anything from them, however this particular situation needed to be handled with the utmost delicacy, because she really didn't want to destroy Lisa's trust in her.
They kept teasing her throughout the flight. It didn't help that Jisoo was the pilot and called Roseanne every few minutes under the ruse of needing a drink or an update. She really just wanted to know what was going on with her friend and the blonde.
"Jisoo, please. If you want to know ask Lisa herself. I won't talk about it."
"You're a spoilsport." She pouted, but smiled a second later. "I'm proud of you. You're good for her."
Roseanne looked at her in surprise and Jisoo went on to explain. "Well you could have bragged about whatever happened and let's be honest, I know what's happened, but you remain quiet. That's awesome."
"Lisa told you?" Roseanne was positively excited. If Lisa had talked about them she really was serious.
"Yes I called her earlier today. You left quite an impression."
"So did she."
"Has she told you where she'll take you tonight?" Jisoo and Roseanne were alone in the cockpit as her co-pilot had left for the toilet.
"No, and it makes me nervous. I don't know what to wear." She admitted.
"Don't be. Lisa is just as nervous, and I'm pretty sure if you go for elegant you'll blow her mind."
Roseanne nodded thankfully. "Alright, that's my mission."
"You can't do anything wrong, believe me. She's head over heels for you."
"Why are you telling me all of this?"
"To equal the playing field." Jisoo grinned naughtily. "I might have told her you are crazy about her."
"Jisoo!" Roseanne blushed profusely.
"What? It's true." The smaller woman raised an eyebrow questioningly.
"That's not what I'm saying." Roseanne evaded. "I just feel stupid her knowing this."
"But it's mutual. That's what I meant to tell you. Don't hesitate because you don't know how she feels about you. I want you guys to have a fair chance."
"Why?"
"Ever since Miyeon, Lisa has been a single fighter. She has been alone and lonely. You're the first girl in a long time that has managed to coax her out of her shell; to make her go out of her way and leave her comfort zone." Jisoo paused, when the other pilot knocked at the door. "I know you Rosie and I know you guys fit well together." She finished quickly and buzzed the cockpit open.
"I know you." Jisoo called out when Roseanne stepped past the other woman with a smile and a nod.
She turned back to Jisoo and winked.
"Yeah, I guess you do. Thanks."
"Any time Park, just don't blow it."
"I'll do my best." She called through the closing door before it fell in its lock.
The flight returned to Los Angeles in the early evening and Roseanne couldn't leave quickly enough. Jennie and Irene generously offered to finish her work, so the blonde left after the last passenger.
"Have a nice evening and don't do anything I wouldn't do." Jennie called after her.
"There's not much you wouldn't do." Jisoo joined her laughingly.
"True that, but Park, seriously, have fun tonight. Get the girl." She winked.
"Consider yourself officially gagged Jennie. No word of this or I'll know whom to advise to fire." Roseanne smiled but her voice was serious. She wouldn't be able to really kick Jennie out, but the brunette needed to know when to shut up.
"Hey, trust me. I'd never jeopardize your potential relationship with Hot Boss."
"Jennie." Roseanne hissed. "These comments are exactly the reason I didn't want you to know. Just keep it to yourself."
"Ok, ok." She lifted her hands in surrender. "I'll be quiet as long as you promise me to be yourself and enjoy the night. Don't question, just go with the flow."
"Right. I'll try."
"Good enough."
Roseanne looked once more at Jisoo who smiled at her and nodded. "She won't bite unless you'd like her to."
"Oh my god." Roseanne blushed once more. "You guys are awful. I'm leaving now." She huffed and quickly turned on her heel, stalking off towards the terminal. Laughter accompanied her all the way to the airport building and Roseanne smiled. She was happy and she looked forward to the evening. She didn't know what to expect, but she was keen on doing as Jennie had suggested.
....