Page 17 of Irish Getaway
Evelyn’s eyes fluttered closed as Claire’s warm hand stayed, lightly caressing her jawline with her thumb. “And for the first time I haven’t tried to fight it…” She slowly opened her eyes. “I know I shouldn’t be attracted to you, but ever since I collided with you in the stables…”
Claire’s hand fell away as her eyes searched Evelyn’s. “Why shouldn’t you be attracted to me?”
Evelyn sighed. “Because I’m too old for you. Because I’m here on vacation. Because I doubt you feel the same way?—”
Claire’s lips were on hers before Evelyn could finish her sentence, the sudden contact sending a jolt of electricity through her entire body. For a moment, Evelyn was too stunned to react, her mind struggling to catch up with the reality of what was happening.
But then, as the warmth of Claire’s mouth moved gently against her own, Evelyn melted into the kiss, her hands coming up to tangle in Claire’s soft hair. The world around them seemed to fade away, and all that existed was the feeling of Claire’s body pressed against hers.
Evelyn sighed as Claire’s hands cupped her face, her thumbs gently stroking her cheek, and when Evelyn parted her lips, Claire deepened the kiss. Nothing could have prepared Evelyn for the rush of desire that flooded her body when Claire’s tongue glided over hers. She whimpered, every sense heightened as one of Claire’s hands slid away from cheek, moving down her neck, her fingertips dancing over her collarbone.
When they finally broke apart, both breathless and flushed, Evelyn couldn’t help but stare at Claire.
“You might not have been fighting this,” Claire said with a smile playing on her lips. “But I have. That day when you ran into me at the stables?” She shook her head. “I thought for sure you could see how attracted I was to you. And I’ve been trying to hide it ever since. I’ll admit that I’ve been attracted to you for years. But not like this.” She visibly swallowed. “That wasn’t real. A crush. That’s all it was. But these last weeks? No matter how much I didn’t want it to happen, I can’t say that I haven’t thought about kissing you, about what it’d be like if you felt that same way about me.” Claire smiled. “But I never thought… I had no idea that there was even a chance that you might feel the same way.”
Evelyn smiled back at her as she reached up and placed her hand Claire’s cheek. “I guess, the question is what do we do about this?”
“I think we should take things slow,” Claire said.
“We don’t really have time to take things slow,” Evelyn challenged, a smile coming to her lips as she spoke. “As much as I want to stay here, I can’t hide from my life forever. At best, we’ll have almost four months.”
Claire held her gaze. “I want you, Evelyn. Whatever that means. But we can still take our time. I’m guessing that this is new for you?”
Evelyn nodded. “I was too afraid to take any chances and have something leak to the press.”
Claire leaned in, slowly brushing her lips over Evelyn’s, almost as if she could sense the wave of apprehension that had just come over her. Evelyn had more fantasies than she knew what to do with over the years, but that wouldn’t mean that she’d be any good at this.
Claire broke the kiss, although their foreheads were still touching as she spoke softly. “We’ll take this at whatever pace feels right for you. There’s no rush, no expectations.”
“This doesn’t feel real,” Evelyn murmured as she tilted her head, leaning in to find Claire’s lips. The feeling of Claire’s lips against her own was overwhelming, in the best possible way, and Evelyn had to wonder how she’d lived this long without experiencing what it was like to kiss another woman.
14
Claire glanced at the clock on the mantle as she settled back against the couch cushions, a glass of red wine in her hand. It was after midnight, but she wasn’t the least bit tired. How could she be, after everything that had happened tonight?
She still couldn’t quite believe it. Evelyn Coleman, the woman she’d had a crush on for years, had actually kissed her. And not only that, but she’d confessed to being attracted to Claire, to wanting something more between them.
It was surreal, like something out of a dream. But the taste of Evelyn’s lips, the feel of her body pressed against Claire’s, had been all too real.
They’d been sitting on the couch for the better part of an hour now, talking and kissing, getting lost in each other, a bottle of red wine on the coffee table in front of them. But even as they sipped their drinks, the electricity between them was palpable.
Claire studied Evelyn over the rim of her glass, marveling at how different she seemed from the polished, untouchable actress she’d seen on screen. Here, with her hair mussed from Claire’s fingers and her lips swollen from their kisses, she was simply an incredibly stunning woman.
“What are you thinking about?” Evelyn asked, her voice low as she propped her elbow up against the back of the couch, sliding her fingers through her hair.
Claire set her glass aside, shifting closer. “You,” she said honestly. “How beautiful you are.”
Evelyn’s smile was soft, almost shy. “Really?” she whispered.
“Yes, really.”
“I’m so much older than you,” Evelyn said, her eyebrows furrowing slightly as she tilted her head. “And I don’t even know how much.”
Claire waited for Evelyn to meet her gaze. “I don’t think it matters, but I’m twenty-nine.”
Evelyn’s expression was unreadable, and Claire had to hope that the eighteen years that separated them wouldn’t scare her off. Because, as they’d already established, this would never be more than a holiday fling, and Claire couldn’t think about that right now. She knew that when Evelyn left, she’d have to pick up the pieces, but right now, she wanted Evelyn, despite all the reasons that she shouldn’t.
“I never thought I could have this, Claire. Even if it’s only temporary. I never let myself fall for anyone. Not even close.”