Page 83 of Holding Her Heart

“Aster, I-I…” Eden trailed off, her head falling back as her mouth gaped. Aster only lavished her neck even more, sucking on a spot below her ear. “Oh, shit…” Eden’s breath hitched, her fingers moving inside Aster matching her rhythm.

Aster shook when Eden pressed her thumb to her clit. A deep moan rumbled in her throat. “I’m gonna come, babe.”

Those words tipped them both over the edge, a strangled cry erupting in Eden’s throat. But Aster continued to work her magic between her thighs, curling her fingers as they convulsed against one another.

So this is what it feels like when the person in bed with you knows what they’re doing?

Incredible.

Eden shook, her thighs closing around Aster’s hand. She didn’t want this to end, but she did need a moment to breathe. To gather her thoughts and her emotions. As Aster slowed, placing soft kisses to her collarbone, a tear slipped from Eden’s eye. She couldn’t help it. That had to have been the most intense orgasm she’d ever had.

“Hey,” Aster whispered, noting how Eden’s eyes were squeezed shut. “Look at me, beautiful.”

Oh, when she calls me that… Eden’s emotions were close to exploding.

“Eden?”

Eden’s eyes opened, an overwhelming sense of love sitting in her chest.

“Checking in with you.” Aster smiled, stroking her skin. “You good?”

Eden lifted her head, craving Aster’s lips. “Oh, you’ve no idea.”

24

Eden leant against the window frame, looking down onto the city. Considering she should have been soaking up the sun in Spain this morning, she couldn’t think of anywhere else she’d rather be. Because she’d woken up in Aster’s arms, enveloped by her scent, their legs tangled. If she had to rate this on a scale of her greatest experiences, it was up there at number one.

She sipped her coffee, smiling as Aster turned on the shower. Not only was this morning entirely different to anything she’d ever known, but Eden couldn’t quite believe that it was a woman she’d curled up against last night. Over the years, she’d wondered if her life would ever feel complete without someone by her side. She knew in her heart that she longed for something more, a love so intense that it left her breathless, but as the years passed, it didn’t seem possible. As she aged, she considered whether she’d always be alone. But this morning, here and now, her chest swelled.

Eden settled on the window seat, pulling her knees up to her chest. As she closed her eyes, her mind cast back to last night. How Aster had been patient as they explored one another. The way in which she made Eden feel at ease with every stroke of her fingertips. One moment, her heart was almost beating out of her chest, but the next, calmness washed over her. It was incredible how things could feel so different with another woman.

And then the thought of sneaking into the shower with Aster suddenly flashed in Eden’s mind. Was it possible to be at such a place yet? Eden smirked. She was about to find out. She got to her feet, rolling her head on her shoulders as a little courage built in her chest. From last night, Eden knew Aster wasn’t shy. And as luck would have it, Eden didn’t appear to be either.

As she placed her cup on the kitchen island, Eden curled her fingers beneath the hem of her T-shirt.

And then a knock on the door had her frozen in place. Who the hell had bypassed the buzzer on the main entrance? She snuck towards the door, peering through the peephole. Fuck! It was her mother.

Eden didn’t need this right now. Of course the time would come to have a conversation with her mum about her newfound sexuality, but did it have to be this morning? Aster was here, and Eden really needed her to not be. Angela would frighten her away within a second.

There was another knock.

“Eden, I know you’re home. Your car is parked in its spot.”

Eden clenched her jaw, fisting her hands. If she didn’t answer, Angela would let herself in with the spare key. It hadn’t occurred to Eden that giving her mum a key would ever be a problem, but now the realisation was beginning to dawn on her.

“Eden!”

“Alright! I’m coming!” Eden unlocked the door and swung it open, gritting her teeth as she stared back at her mother. “What?”

“We need to talk.”

“No, Mum. Not right now.”

Angela frowned as she disregarded Eden’s wishes, her heels clicking on the floor when she slipped inside. “Yes. Now. I’ve been going out of my mind all night.”

Eden snorted as she slammed her front door shut. “Why? Because you’re so distraught by the fact your daughter is dating a woman?”

Angela spun on her heel; her eyes narrowed. “You’re not alone, are you?”

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