Chapter 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."

Claire's heart clenched at the vulnerability in Evelyn's words. She reached out, cupping Evelyn's cheek in her palm. "Are you falling for me?" Claire asked, somehow keeping her voice steady when her heart was ready to jump out of her chest.

Evelyn's eyes fluttered shut as she leaned into Claire's touch. "I already have," she breathed.

Claire closed the distance between them, capturing Evelyn's lips in a searing kiss. Evelyn responded eagerly, her hands sliding into Claire's hair as she deepened the kiss.

Before Claire knew what was happening, Evelyn was straddling her lap, her body pressed flush against Claire's. Claire groaned at the contact, her hands gripping Evelyn's hips as their kisses grew more heated. Their hands roamed, and their tongues danced. Claire ran her hands up Evelyn's sides, and she moaned when Evelyn's fingers slid through her hair.

It would be so easy to get carried away, to let the passion consume them both. But Claire forced herself to slow down, to pull back just enough to catch her breath.

"Evelyn," she panted, looking up at her, lifting a hand to Evelyn's hair, guiding it behind her ear. "Against my better judgment," she said as she inhaled a deep breath, "I think I should go."

Evelyn held her gaze before she slowly nodded. She dipped her head down, capturing Claire's lips with hers once more, her tongue skimming over Claire's as she kissed her deeply.

Claire whimpered when Evelyn eventually pulled away.

"Changing your mind?" Evelyn asked with a smirk as she swept a hand through her hair before she climbed off her. She got to her feet, holding her hand out.

Claire took it, letting Evelyn pull her up. "No," she said with a smile. "As tempting as it would be, I am going to go." She leaned in, one hand on Evelyn's hip, the other on her neck, kissing her softly. "Come by the guest house tomorrow," Claire said, their foreheads still touching. "I'll make you dinner."

Evelyn pull back to meet her eyes. "Okay. I'd like that."

Claire's hand fell to hold Evelyn's, their fingers intertwining, and she couldn't believe she was actually walking away from this, but it didn't matter what she wanted. And god, she wanted Evelyn. But she'd tried to put herself in Evelyn's shoes, remembering the way, only an hour ago, tears had streamed down her face, and it didn't feel right for them to end up in Evelyn's bed. Not tonight.

"I'm going to say goodnight," Claire said, her hand still in Evelyn's. "Or I won't go."

"Thank you for tonight," Evelyn said, her eyes shimmering with emotion. "For all of it." She lifted her hand to Claire's cheek. "I'll never forget it." She looked like she wanted to say more, but her gaze dropped to Claire's lips, and when she leaned in, Claire met her halfway, melting into the kiss.

"I'll see you tomorrow," Claire murmured as she pulled away.

"Tomorrow," Evelyn echoed, her hand sliding away from Claire's.

With one last lingering look, Claire turned and headed for the door, feeling Evelyn's eyes on her the entire way, and it took all of her willpower not to glance back.