Page 54 of The Beat of her Heart

That part wasn’t exactly a lie. Only, she wanted more than just a social call right now.

“And?” Addie asked.

Giselle closed the space between them. Her heart thumped in her chest. Addie stepped away from the desk, moving closer to Giselle.

“You do this thing, you know?” she said softly. “You act like you’re half a world away, even when you’re standing right here.”

Giselle didn’t respond. What was she supposed to say to that? Addie was right. She wished she was half a world away, even now. She should be anywhere but here in this office.

She shouldn’t be having such tumultuous thoughts. But there she was, staring into the eyes of the one woman who made her feel mushy inside.

“Giselle,” Addie said, her voice softer now, and Giselle looked up. She couldn’t help it. “I probably sound like a brokenrecord right now, but it’s okay to let people in.”

You mean to let you in?Giselle could’ve said, but she didn’t. Instead, she touched Addie’s cheek as softly as her fingers could muster.

“Addie,” she whispered, like her name was the only thing that made sense.

Giselle stepped even closer without thinking.

“Kiss me,” she said softly.

Addie blinked, surprised. Her eyes searched Giselle’s, but then her gaze shifted to Giselle’s lips. That was all she needed.

Giselle closed the little bit of remaining distance, pressing her lips to Addie’s. The connection was electric. Addie’s hands found Giselle’s waist as Giselle buried her hands in Addie’s hair.

Addie steadied herself against her desk, reaching lower for Giselle’s ass. Then they pulled apart, breathing heavily.

“Giselle,” Addie whispered, her cheeks flushed.

“I couldn’t stop,” Giselle admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Addie tilted her head. “It’s fine.”

“I didn’t come here to kiss you,” Giselle said, running a hand through her hair. “It just happened.”

Addie laughed softly. “If I’m being honest, I wanted to kiss you, too.”

Giselle groaned. Addie’s words made her feel even more attached now. She didn’t want to like that feeling.

“So did I,” Giselle said, a smile tugging at her lips.

Addie stepped closer, her presence soothing. “Sometimes, you need to break the rules.”

Giselle shook her head. “Not sure I agree.”

18

ADDIE

Addie felt the warmth of Giselle’s lips lingering on her own, her heartbeat quickening in the silence between them.

She took a breath, not pulling away, letting the moment stretch as she watched Giselle closely. Giselle’s lips were still parted. Her eyes darted down to Addie’s lips.

Addie kept her gaze steady, speaking softly. “You…surprised me,” was all she could say.

Giselle’s shoulders relaxed slightly, but she didn’t look away.

“I know. I didn’t plan it. I just…” She paused, letting her words hang between them. “It’s impossible not to want you,” she finally admitted, as if the words tasted foreign.

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