Work relation that likely won't kick off because it feels illegal. M28 / F32

Hey everyone!

Feel like such a doughnut for even having to ask advice around here for this issue, but I really need some other people's opinions on things, and a huge thanks in advance for anyone taking the time! I've been working at my job for about a little less than a year now. I'm M28 btw, the counterpart in question is F32. She is also my superior on job. We work in a pretty large , very carreer driven company, and honestly have such a great time when we do. However we're likely starting to cross boundaries of what you would call "normal workplace dynamics". There is a click for sure, time goes by so fast and conversations last hours effortlessly. No judgement at all and just such understanding on both ends. Constant compliments, constant eye contact, trying to be around eachother when we get a chance. But all of this always still happens on the verge of being "sfw" if that makes sense. Like keeping eachother interested hoping the other person shows a first crack.

However I feel like we reached some form of deadlock, where neither of us act upon the feelings we have because it feels "taboo" under our work circumstances. She has a lot going for her, she's a divorced mom for about a year or 2 - 3, a superior to a lot of co-workers that she is responsible for.

I know the type of struggles she could end up in if I were to open up. And both a yes and a no for her answers would bring complications. No bringing the obvious ones, where I would likely have to be placed elsewhere away from being under her lead, if not get a new job altogether. Find it hard to believe I'd get fired for it, but tbf I'd much rather spare us both from the awkward situation that would follow and just move to a new job all together.

If she said yes, it would, ofcourse, make my day, but also bring countless difficulties. I'm obviously against putting your loved ones above others at work. Everyone should always be treated equally at work, no matter what relation you have. But I feel like this is really the kind of company that wouldn't be too accepting of it. And that is just the "on paper" side of things. There are obviously plenty of social barriers too. Co workers on both sides who are likely unaccepting of it.

And I know for a fact she has similar thoughts as in like "wouldn't it be weird as the slightly older superior to ask a lower collegue to go out somewhere?" Or "man, it would bring me in so much trouble if he doesnt reciprocate these feelings and told people". And all those are just work related trains of thought. There are obviously way more thoughts on both ends about non work stuff, but these thoughts are what i would classify as the "normal" thoughts. "Are we compatible?" , "does he care i'm a mom", "does she mind that i'm younger", "is he capable of taking care of both me and my kid" etc. All of these are equally important things, but with the talks, topics and just good times we had I feel like we're pretty lined up in those aspects.

What makes it worse is that I didn't plan for this to happen at all. I had actually been keeping myself from "engaging" in love for a few years. She wouldn't even fall under what I would say my "type" has been, even though I find it hideous to put it that way. I had been shutting feelings down but this time I just couldn't because I fell so hard for someone I never expected to.

My main goal is to not cause any disorder in either of our lives. Like i'd rather lose a chance with her knowing she'll be fine and not lose out on job oppertunities. But part of me feels like i have never fallen like this before and might regret not telling her afterwards. Like she actually feels like someone I could effortlessly spend the rest of my life with, as much as that sounds like generic love talk lol. That finally brings me to these 2 questions.

1 Would any of you, in this situation, actually follow through or back out of the situation and why?

2 If you were to move on, how would you without raising suspicions on work? Bear in mind we haven't seen eachother outside of work because asking for a date or just grabbing a coffee together would raise questions all around, even if friendly.

Again thanks for taking the time, prolly overthinking WAY too much.