Page 2 of Holding Her Heart

“My computer is on. You get everything set up for me, and then give me a shout when you’re ready.” Eden crossed her long legs, placing her hands on her knee as she sunk back into the couch. “I’ve been wanting five minutes to myself all day. Now is the perfect excuse.”

Aster gulped her coffee down, almost burning her throat as she did so. Eden and the thigh she was showing wasn’t what she’d expected this morning. The mental image she’d had in her mind was one of a stuck-up, middle-aged woman, but no…this was entirely different. “Right. Yeah. I can do that.”

She approached Eden’s Mac, her white, high gloss desk tidied to perfection. Does she actually do any work here? The first thing Aster noticed was the small cactus plant beside the computer; she had one in her own home office. The second observation was the framed photograph of Eden with Blair. Eden’s eyes were bright, her smile taking over the entire frame. It was clear they were close.

“Are you freelance?” Eden’s sudden question sent Aster’s head upright.

“I am, yes.”

“And do you prefer freelance?” Eden fisted her hand under chin, her elbow resting on the arm of the couch. “The freedom to do what you want, when you want?”

“That’s a tough one. Guaranteed work is my dream, I expect that applies to most people, but I do like the freedom. Except sometimes, there’s too much. You know?”

“Freedom?” Eden asked, her eyes pinning Aster to the chair.

Lord, that is an intense stare. Aster nodded as she returned to the screen. She plugged her hard drive into the Mac, blowing out a breath as the icon appeared on the desktop. “Okay, it’s ready.”

“I can hardly wait.”

Eden shot to her feet, her long, dark, beach wave bouncing as her heels hit the floor. Aster admired the slight blonde highlights woven through Eden’s glorious head of hair, not too much volume at the root.

She was happy to be here this morning. Ecstatic, to be fair.

“Okay, so…if there’s anything that concerns you, give me a shout. I’ll wait over on the couch.”

Aster rose from the chair only to be gently pushed back down by Eden’s hand. “Stay there. View them with me.”

“O-okay.” Aster swallowed, watching the hand still resting on her shoulder from the corner of her eye. It was gentle but demanding. And if Aster concentrated, she could feel the warmth of Eden’s hand penetrating her blazer. When Eden removed it, Aster untensed. But then Eden bent at the hip, her free hand resting beside Aster’s as her other took control of the mouse. “I can make any changes you think are needed before they go to the client.”

“T-these are…” Eden paused, her smile warm as she scrolled through the images slowly. She leaned in, narrowing her eyes. “Wow. You certainly know how to capture beauty.”

“Thank you.” Not the outcome I expected today. Second-guessing herself never did Aster any favours. She knew exactly what she was capable of, but her inner critic always had different ideas. Aster wrung her hands in her lap, diverting her gaze as Eden offered the gentlest smile while she focused intently on the screen.

And then Eden turned her head towards Aster. All she could do in return was meet Eden’s eyes. Wow, this woman was stunning. And please, stop looking at me with those eyes.

“Can I ask how old you are?”

“Thirty-two. Why?” Did Aster’s age have some kind of relevance in all of this? It wasn’t what she thought about while she sat outside in the waiting room.

“I’m very impressed.” Eden offered a single nod. “Can I keep a copy? I’d like to look through them this evening with a glass of wine.”

“Sure, yeah. These are only copies anyway.” Aster took a blank USB from the side of her bag, copying the images over to it for Eden. “All done. They’re all watermarked, but not because I don’t trust you. I just didn’t expect you to want them.”

“Do you have a business card?”

“Um, yeah.” Aster frowned, reaching once again into her bag. She removed a holder, slipping a card from it. “Here you go.”

“Thank you.” Eden’s fingers brushed Aster’s, a thrill jolting up her arm. Oh, no. That’s not supposed to happen. “I’m going to enjoy looking at these in depth this evening, but I think the client is going to be very happy with them.”

“I hope so.”

“And I was wondering if we could meet at the end of the week?” Eden powered off her computer, backing away from Aster and giving her some space. “I’d like to discuss some things with you.”

Aster could make herself available. It was no issue. Especially if it meant she was able to see Eden again. She was very easy on the eye. In your dreams, Bennett. “Sure. Let me know where and when.”

“I will.” Eden held out her hand. “And thank you for stepping in when I was desperate.”

Aster offered a slight shrug of her shoulders as she shook Eden’s hand. God, she has the softest skin. “That’s okay. It was a quiet weekend.”

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