Page 27 of Irish Getaway
Evelyn moaned, and she slid her hands up Claire’s sides, tracing the outline of her ribcage before settling on her neck. She pulled Claire closer, their breaths mingling before Evelyn pulled her into a searing kiss.
Claire’s fingers moved faster inside her, and Evelyn gasped at the intensity of the sensations coursing through her body, breaking the kiss before throwing her head back. Claire’s lips found her neck, nipping at her skin.
“Oh fuck, Claire,” she groaned, and her hips rocked faster against Claire’s hand.
Evelyn could feel herself getting closer, her breath coming in ragged gasps. Claire’s lips trailed hot, open-mouthed kisses along her neck, her tongue flicking out to tease her skin.
Evelyn cried out, her body shuddering as she came, clinging onto Claire as she struggled to catch her breath.
Claire withdrew her fingers slowly, moving off of Evelyn to sit beside her, her arm wrapping around Evelyn’s shoulder. They stayed like that for a long moment, just holding each other, until Claire spoke.
“I have to go,” Claire said softly, placing a soft kiss on Evelyn’s head. “I’ll see you later?”
Evelyn nodded as she sat up, leaning in to kiss Claire. “See you later.”
Evelyn watched her go, and as much as she wished she could go back to sleep, suddenly tired again after another intense orgasm, but she had to get in the shower. Arianna would be here before she knew it.
22
The last rays of sunlight filtered through the stable windows, casting a warm glow across the horse’s walnut brown coat. Claire was lost in thought as she brushed the horse down, and she barely registered the sound of footsteps crunching on the gravel path outside until Trish appeared.
“Hi,” Trish said with a half smile as she walked towards her.
Claire had always had a good relationship with Trish, and this was probably the first time she’d ever felt apprehensive about seeing her. “Hey,” she said, setting the brush aside and wiping her hands on her worn jeans.
“Can we talk?”
Claire nodded, knowing this was about the other night, when Trish had found Evelyn in the guesthouse looking very much at home.
“I don’t really know here to start,” Trish said with a sigh as she crossed her arms over her chest, leaning against the stall door. “I would have thought that after the last time, you wouldn’t get involved with someone so… Unavailable.”
Claire pursed her lips. “Yeah.” She pushed a stray piece of hair behind her ear that had fallen from her ponytail. “I would have too.”
“And I know you have a serious crush on this woman.”
“It’s not even like that,” Claire said before Trish could continue. “I forget that she is who she is, if you know what I mean.”
“No. I don’t.”
Claire exhaled. “We’ve been spending a lot of time together these last few weeks, and I forget that she’s Evelyn Coleman, world-famous, Oscar winning actress. She’s just Evelyn now.”
“Claire.” It was impossible to miss the warning in her voice. “Is she even gay?”
“I can’t answer that.” Claire wiped her hand over her face. “Look, I know it can’t last. I know that. I’m not delusional.”
“Okay, well that’s something,” Trish said with a bit of a smile. “So, you’re okay with it ending in October?”
“I have to be.”
“I just don’t want to see you get your heart broken again. I know last time, you were kind of blindsided. This is different though. You know what the story is.”
“Yeah.” Claire swallowed hard. She’d known all of this, but saying it out loud? That made it so much more real.
“Just be careful, Claire. Maybe, it’s best to end it now. Before things get too serious.”
She knew that Trish’s words made sense. That would be the smart thing to do, but the thought of walking away, of knowing that Evelyn was up at the house, but that Claire wouldn’t so much as kiss her again? No, she couldn’t do it.
“I think either way,” Claire said, “It’s going to be hard, so I’m just going to enjoy the time we have together.”