Page 71 of Here in My Heart
Sylvie ground herself into Ade, building to a crest. Ade held her in the palm of her hand, gently edging her to a blissful release. Every part of their bodies, clothed or naked, communicated with each movement. Words weren’t needed right now; Sylvie simply trusted in Ade’s touch.
And when it came, it shook her to the core. A raging explosion of chemistry, and then Sylvie collapsed against Ade’s chest, desperate for breath.
Ade stroked Sylvie’s back. She couldn’t move, her legs paralyzed with ecstasy and affection. “Thank you,” she said into the crook of Ade’s collar.
“You’re beautiful, you know?”
Ade only ever spoke the truth, and Sylvie allowed the compliment to penetrate her armor, before the exposure tipped the scales and she shrank away, hiding her face.
“Don’t do that.” Ade stroked her cheek. “Don’t hide from me.”
She guided Sylvie back to her chest where she lay, counting the beats. How could Ade have stepped into her life and made such a tremendous impact in so short a time? Sylvie’s entire world had been upended by this unquenchable thirst for her. She began to imagine a future she’d never thought could be hers, one where she and Ade were together.
The alternative was starting to become unthinkable.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
“It’sa few shifts at the bar,” said Steph, dragging Ade by the sleeve down the tall, thin alley.
Ade blinked away the glare of the streetlamp. “So you’ll be sticking around for a while?” She’d do just about anything to escape Steph’s clutches and head back to Sylvie’s for a quiet evening in.
“Yeah, for as long as they’ll have me.”
“But you’re supposed to be traveling this year, not working in a bar. What’s Dad going to say?”
“He’ll have to find out first, won’t he?” Steph glared. “It’s just a few weeks to top up my travel fund, and then I’ll be out of here. Maybe less if I can pull in some tips.”
Ade counted the paving slabs until they reached the threshold of the Irish Tavern.
“What’s up? Think I’ll cramp your style with Sylvie?” Steph approached the bar. “Hey, Dermot.”
The oversized bartender’s face lit up. “Hello there, Stephanie.” He looked at Ade. “This must be your twin.”
“It sure is.”
“Two of you? Jesus, what a package.” He extended his chubby hand to Ade. “Nice to meet you. Welcome to our little slice of Ireland.”
“Thank you,” Ade said, enjoying his warm and kind voice.
“So your sister here is joining us for a few weeks. Will we be seeing you too?” Dermot asked and gave a kind smile.
“I’m here now,” Ade said.
“Well, that’s grand.” He chuckled and filled another glass from the large brass pump. “What can I get you both?”
“A diet Coke and a pint of Guinness, please,” Steph said.
“Grab yourselves a booth, and I’ll bring them over.”
Ade followed Steph to the back of the bar, grateful that the evening crowds had not yet gathered. “I’d like to invite Sylvie up to my place, and I’d rather you and I weren’t sharing a bed.”
“Well, that told me.” Steph laughed, brushing off Ade’s concern. “I’ll make myself scarce, I promise. Plus most of the shifts are evenings and weekends, so you’ll have plenty of time to entertain your new friend.”
“She’s not a friend.” The word stuck in Ade’s throat. It wasn’t nearly adequate to describe the depth of the feelings she had for Sylvie.
Steph squinted. “What do you mean?”
“What does love feel like?” Ade asked. “Romantic love, I mean. Not like Dad and Pops.”
