Page 55 of The Beat of her Heart

Addie took a half step forward, close enough that she could see the quick rise and fall of Giselle’s breathing. “You’re allowed to want things, you know,” she said gently, her eyes searching Giselle’s. “More than work. More than just being here, day after day.”

Giselle let out a small, almost reluctant smile, as though she was embarrassed. “I know that,” she said, though her gaze softened as if she didn’t believe it fully.

Addie reached up, rested a hand on Giselle’s shoulder, and felt her tense, then relax. She could feel the warmth of Giselle’s body through the fabric of her shirt.

“Then maybe…maybe you can let this happen,” Addie murmured. Her hand moved slightly, her thumb brushing the side of Giselle’s neck. “Letmehappen.”

Giselle looked down briefly, her lips pressing together before she looked back at Addie, her gaze vulnerable, almost unguarded. “Addie, I…I’m not sure what I can give you,” she whispered. “I don’t know if I’m someone who…who just lets things happen.”

Addie felt something surge within her at the admission. It was the first time Giselle had openly addressed any of the walls between them. “Then don’t think of it as letting something happen,” she replied, her fingers resting against Giselle’s jaw.

“Think of it as…” She trailed off, her smile growing. “Think of it as having something you don’t have to control. Just for once.”

Giselle’s mouth curved as she let out a soft laugh. “And you’d be alright with that?”

Addie nodded slowly, her eyes unwavering. “With you? I think I’d be better than alright.” She leaned in just enough that her forehead rested against Giselle’s, feeling the gentle warmth of her breath.

They stayed close, letting the seconds tick by. Giselle’s hand lifted, resting on Addie’s waist, her touch light and almost tentative, but it spoke volumes. She drew back enough to see Addie’s face. “I think you’re…” She hesitated, words seemingly failing her for a moment. “You’re different from anyone I’ve ever known.”

Addie’s breath caught and she let herhand fall, catching Giselle’s fingers. “I’d say the same about you.”

Her thumb traced over Giselle’s hand, lingering and warm. Giselle’s fingers flexed slightly and she closed her eyes. “I’ve missed things like this,” she admitted, so quietly Addie barely heard her.

“Then don’t stop,” Addie replied, her voice firm yet soft, her grip steady. She looked at Giselle, her smile tender. “I don’t want you to stop.”

Giselle let out a shaky breath as she stepped forward, her other hand resting lightly on Addie’s back. “I’m…I’m not sure what’s happening between us,” she whispered, “but I don’t want it to go away. Not yet.”

Addie’s heart lifted at the words, and she felt herself pulled in even closer than before. “Good,” she murmured, feeling a sense of understanding that didn’t need more words. She looked up at Giselle, their faces just inches apart.

Then she stepped back.

“I should?—”

“Don’t go,” Giselle said.

Addie froze. She wasn’t even certain whatshe’d wanted to say earlier. All that filled her senses was the fact that Giselle’s voice increased the desire bubbling inside her.

She glanced at Giselle’s lips, this time letting her eyes wander as low as her breasts. She could see enough of her cleavage to make her thighs warm.

“Don’t go anywhere,” Giselle repeated in a slightly louder voice as she reached out to touch Addie’s wrist. Addie was stunned. She gently took Giselle’s hand in both of hers and stood looking at it like a bear surprised to have caught a salmon.

“Not even to lock the door?” she asked.

“You could always do that another time,” Giselle said.

Addie took half a step forward and kissed Giselle on the mouth. It was inelegant—their entwined hands were now smooshed between their bodies. But magically, astoundingly, Giselle’s tongue moved against Addie’s, and she kissed her back.

Giselle pulled away this time. “Just give me a second,” she said breathlessly.

Addie waited as Giselle breezed over to the door, smiling when the lock clicked shut. In a flash, Giselle was back in front of her,pressing her lips against Addie’s and caressing her body.

Something in Addie’s brain roared to life, and the desire she’d been fighting every day since she’d met Giselle hit her with so much force it was almost painful. She’d give anything for this moment.

She’d imagined this since that night as Josephine’s.

Addie let go of Giselle’s hand and circled her arms around her to pull her close. Giselle’s body against hers felt better than Addie could have imagined. Giselle moved her hips to press a little harder against Addie, and Addie let out an involuntary groan.

Giselle put her arms around Addie and ran one of her hands up to the back of Addie’s neck. Every movement of Giselle’s electrified Addie. Addie kissed Giselle properly then, both their mouths open, and each movement of Giselle’s tongue against hers created an even more urgent need.

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