Page 47 of The Beat of her Heart

Addie’s smile didn’t fade, and her gaze was steady. “Agreed.” But she didn’t make a move to leave, staying rooted in place, her eyes lingering on Giselle.

Giselle’s resolve weakened. She let out a soft breath, feeling her usual walls weaken in Addie’s presence.

“Addie.” She hesitated, her gaze meeting Addie’s.

Addie stepped closer, their faces onlyinches apart. Giselle’s heart raced, her hand instinctively reaching out to graze Addie’s arm. She caught her breath, the pull between them undeniable, filling the space like a silent question.

Without another word, she leaned in, her lips finding Addie’s in a slow, deliberate kiss. It was softer than she’d expected, that familiar warmth bringing them back together again.

Addie’s hand rested against her back, pulling her closer and deepening the kiss until nothing else mattered.

The kiss lingered, stretching into something neither of them was willing to break, an unspoken connection that only grew stronger with each passing second. Giselle felt herself give in, savoring their closeness and the way Addie’s breath mingled with hers.

As their kiss deepened, Addie responded, her hands finding Giselle’s waist. Giselle felt a surge of excitement as Addie’s tongue tentatively explored her mouth.

Giselle pulled Addie closer, their bodies pressed together. Addie’s hands moved to Giselle’s hair, tugging gently as Giselle tracedthe curve of Addie’s spine. She felt a shiver run through Addie as her fingers brushed against her skin.

The kiss intensified, their breaths coming in short, ragged gasps. Giselle’s hands moved to Addie’s neck, then down to her collarbone. She traced the delicate curves, her fingers lingering on the soft skin. Addie arched her back, her body pressing into Giselle’s touch.

Giselle’s fingers moved to Addie’s breast, gently caressing it through the fabric of her scrubs. Addie moaned softly, her eyes fluttering closed. Giselle’s heart raced as she felt the heat of Addie’s body against hers.

Giselle pulled away from Addie, her breathing ragged. She realized the intensity of her grip on Addie, her hand still resting on her breast. She loosened her hold, bracing herself for Addie’s reaction. She expected a mumbled apology or an awkward goodbye, but she couldn’t bring herself to let go completely. She was too captivated by Addie.

Finally, Addie looked up at her and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Her eyes met Giselle’s, and at that moment, all ofher self-control vanished. Giselle closed the distance between them, cupping Addie’s face and kissing her passionately.

Addie responded with equal fervor, wrapping her arms around Giselle’s waist. The kiss was everything Giselle had imagined and more. It was intense, electric, and all-consuming.

A moment of hesitation flickered in Giselle’s mind, but Addie quickly dispelled it by pulling her closer. Giselle whispered in Addie’s ear, “Addie, could we...?”

A sudden knock at the door pulled them apart, and Giselle straightened, catching her breath, her gaze leaving Addie’s with a hint of reluctance.

Giselle looked up as Josephine entered, her expression neutral but sharp, taking them both in as if she somehow knew what had just happened. Josephine adjusted her glasses and set her gaze firmly on the clipboard in her hand.

“Everything’s under control with your patients, I hope?” Josephine asked evenly.

“Yes, absolutely,” Giselle replied.

Addie nodded in agreement beside her. “All cases are stable. And the ICU patient isshowing progress. The parents were given an update.”

Josephine nodded, her expression softening a fraction. “Good to hear. I appreciate your attention to detail.”

She looked as though she wanted to say something else, her gaze lingering for a beat longer than necessary, but instead, she shifted her expression into a gentle smile. “Thank you both again for making it to the party the other night.”

Giselle nodded. Josephine’s knowing glance, almost as though she could see right through them, was uncomfortable.

Addie gathered her things as Josephine excused herself. “See you both in rounds.” With a quick nod, she left, her footsteps echoing down the hallway.

Addie took a breath, meeting Giselle’s gaze briefly before she turned to head out herself.

Once alone, Giselle leaned back against her desk and let out a long breath. She pressed her hand to her forehead, trying to shake off the way her thoughts drifted back to Addie.

She wanted to move forward, to focus onthe work, to tell herself that everything between them was temporary.

But as much as she tried, Addie’s smile, her voice, even the way she brushed a hand over her arm, lingered like an anchor, refusing to let her go.

Giselle made her way to the changing room, catching sight of Addie adjusting her scrubs near the lockers. Just seeing her there, calm and focused, brought an unsettling warmth to her chest.

She took a breath, determined to keep her focus on the surgery ahead. But then Madeline stepped in with her usual energy, swinging her bag onto a bench and flashing both of them a mischievous grin.

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