Page 24 of Irish Getaway

“Okay,” Evelyn said softly, coming up behind Claire, her back pressed against Claire’s as she leaned in, brushing Claire’s hair to one side so that she could lightly kiss her neck.

Claire pressed her lips together, feeling that gentle touch everywhere.

“Do I have five minutes to dry my hair?” Evelyn asked.

“Of course.” Claire turned, and Evelyn lifted her hand to Claire’s cheek, guiding their lips together. Claire’s eyes fluttered shut as she kissed her back, her hands resting on Evelyn’s waist.

“Be right back,” Evelyn murmured as she pulled away.

Claire watched Evelyn disappear into her bedroom, dressed in her clothes, and for a few moments, Claire let herself believe that life could be like this, that Evelyn could be hers for more than a few weeks.

19

Just before nine o’clock the following morning, Evelyn stepped out of Claire’s guesthouse, a hint of a smile playing on her lips as a light rain fell. The air was filled with the fresh scent of rain and the gentle chirping of birds, but Evelyn barely noticed, her mind still lost in the memories of the previous night.

As she walked along the path towards the main house, she felt lighter than she had in years. The events of the past forty-eight hours had been nothing short of life-changing, and Evelyn could hardly believe that it was real.

She could still feel the ghost of Claire’s lips on her skin, the tender caress of her fingers as they explored every inch of her body. The two hours they had shared before dinner were unlike anything Evelyn had experienced before, but it had only been the start. Sharing a meal and a glass of wine with Claire had felt so natural, but when they’d fallen back into bed together a few hours later? It had been electrifying. Evelyn hadn’t even known that kind of passion, that raw desire was even possible.

As she walked, Evelyn’s mind replayed every touch, every whisper, every moment of ecstasy that she had shared with Claire. The hunger in Claire’s eyes, the gentleness of her touch, the way their bodies had fit together so perfectly… It was all etched in Evelyn’s mind, and she was too happy to even think about the fact that this was only temporary. That she would have to say goodbye to Claire at some point.

She pulled out her phone when she got back to the house, waiting for her coffee to brew. She hadn’t paid any attention to it since yesterday afternoon, and she’d missed Arianna’s text hours ago.

Just booked my flights. See you Monday!

Evelyn typed a quick response as she leaned against the counter, wondering if she would tell Arianna. It was actually incredibly sad that Evelyn hadn’t confided in her at some point over the years, but that’s how guarded she’d been. She’d really been that afraid that she couldn’t even tell someone as close to her as Arianna had always been.

She set her phone down, taking a deep breath as she poured herself a cup of coffee. Outside, the rain fell harder, and there was a rumble of thunder in the distance as she carried her mug over to the back door, watching the rain bounce off the patio.

Evelyn bit her lip, remembering how she’d woken up this morning, with Claire trailing soft kisses along her shoulder and neck from behind, her arm draped over Evelyn’s stomach as she whispered in her ear that she had to go, that she was already late.

Evelyn exhaled, her head all over the place this morning. She was happy. She was on a high. But there was also this feeling of dread creeping in, because she knew that this wouldn’t last, and she didn’t trust herself to return to Los Angeles with some newfound bravery. While she was thinking about telling Arianna that she was gay, she couldn’t see herself telling anyone else, never mind coming out. That wasn’t even a possibility.

Was this all she’d ever have? These next few months?

She couldn’t help but think about the future, about what would happen when her time here in Ireland came to an end. The thought of leaving Claire, of returning to her old life and hiding who she truly was made her heart ache.

As she stood there, taking a sip of coffee, watching the rain fall, Evelyn made a promise to herself. That she would cherish every single moment she got to spend with Claire, because she wasn’t sure that she would ever feel anything like this again.

20

Claire stood in the stall, methodically brushing the chestnut mare’s coat, her mind wandering more times than she could count today. She’d reluctantly left her bed this morning, as the sun was just coming up, hating that she couldn’t stay with her arm wrapped around Evelyn for a while longer.

Everything about last night still felt like a dream, and the idea of keeping herself from falling for Evelyn was pointless. Claire was already so far gone.

If Claire wasn’t thinking about Evelyn, she was wondering when Trish was going to show up and quiz her about last night.

Claire could still picture the shocked look that Trish had tried to hide when she saw Evelyn come out of her bathroom wearing Claire’s clothes. Surely, Trish wouldn’t care.

Lost in thought, she hadn’t heard the stable door open or the soft footsteps approaching until she turned when Evelyn’s voice drifted through the air.

“I hope I’m not interrupting,” Evelyn said as she approached her.

Claire took her in, dressed in jeans and a button-up white blouse, the sleeves rolled up to her elbows, her hair tumbling over her shoulders. Claire couldn’t help but notice how beautiful Evelyn looked without any makeup on, her features naturally radiant and flawless.

“No, not at all,” Claire said, setting the brush aside. “I was just finishing up.”

“How do you feel about going for a ride?”

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