Chapter 18

Claire stood in her kitchen, a contented smile playing on her lips as she stirred the bubbling pot of rich marinara sauce. The aroma of garlic and tomatoes wafted through the air mingling with the lingering scent of Evelyn's perfume that seemed to cling to her skin. If she thought she'd been playing a dangerous game by continuing to spend time with Evelyn, she didn't know what she was in for now, because the memories of the past two hours spent tangled in the sheets with Evelyn were still fresh in her mind.

She'd been nervous, but she'd tried her best not to show it, because she wanted Evelyn to trust her. But nothing could have prepared her for the way they'd just seemed to fit together. Everything had been so intense but at the same time, so intimate. Just before they'd gotten out of bed, Evelyn's fingers had lazily traced a pattern over Claire's stomach, her leg draped over Claire's, and there was something about that moment that felt so natural, like they'd been together for months.

Claire had no idea how she was going to go back to her normal life when Evelyn left, and if she felt that way right now, what would she be like three months from now?

Devastated.

There was no other way that she would be.

As she turned the heat down to let the sauce simmer, she could hear the shower running. This morning, Claire had been afraid that Evelyn might change her mind, that she'd say that she'd temporarily gone mad and that starting something was a bad idea, but after this evening, Claire couldn't imagine Evelyn doing anything like that.

She had to wonder what this had meant to Evelyn, how it had felt to finally sleep with another woman. Claire exhaled as she leaned against the counter. She was coming up to her thirtieth birthday. She tried to imagine what it would feel like to never have been with a woman while knowing that that was exactly what she wanted.

And then she tried to fathom doing that for another seventeen years.

Claire's stomach sank as she realized the intense inner conflict Evelyn must have experienced over the years, torn between her ambitions and desires.

A knock at the door startled her. She made her way to the door and pulled it open. "Trish," she said with a smile coming to her lips.

"Hi. I was just up at the main house looking for Evelyn. Have you seen her?"

Claire's heart skipped a beat, her mind scrambling to catch up. "Evelyn?" she asked as she tried to figure out the best way to handle this. Claire really didn't want her boss knowing that she was sleeping with her guest. She wasn't sure that it was a conflict of interest, but she didn't want to find out.

Trish's eyes narrowed. "Yes. Evelyn. I just wanted to see how she was getting on. I thought she'd need something at some point or have a question. I've only spoken to her on the phone to make sure it was okay to have the landscapers stop by." She paused, a knowing look crossing her face. "Please tell me you've figured out how to act normal around her."

Claire opened her mouth to respond, but before she could, Evelyn's voice drifted out of the bathroom as the door opened. Claire turned to say something. She didn't know what, but Evelyn spoke first.

"That smells delicious," Evelyn said, her head lowered as she towel-dried her hair. She was wearing a pair of Claire's running shorts and a tank top, and she had no idea that anyone else was here.

Claire froze in the doorway, her eyes darting between the two women until Evelyn lifted her gaze and caught Trish's.

An awkward silence filled the room.

"Sorry to bother you two," Trish said, her hands on her hips now. "I was just up at the house to see if you needed anything," she said to Evelyn.

"No. The house is perfect. It's exactly what I was looking for, and Claire helped me out with getting food delivered and showing me around."

"Hm," Trish said with a sharp inhale of breath. "I can see that." She turned her attention to Claire. "I'll talk to you later." She looked back to Evelyn. "Enjoy your evening."

When the door closed, Claire exhaled, running a hand through her hair.

"Are you in trouble?" Evelyn asked with a smirk.

"I wouldn't think so, but I don't know."

"Should I be worried about her?" Evelyn asked.

"No." Claire shook her head as she went back into the kitchen to stir the sauce. "No. She barely told me anything about you when you booked the house. She wouldn't even tell me your name. Just that an American actress was arriving and she wanted privacy. She would never say anything to anyone. That you were here, never mind…" She motioned between them. "This."

"Okay," Evelyn said softly, coming up behind Claire, her back pressed against Claire's as she leaned in, brushing Claire's hair to one side so that she could lightly kiss her neck.

Claire pressed her lips together, feeling that gentle touch everywhere.

"Do I have five minutes to dry my hair?" Evelyn asked.

"Of course." Claire turned, and Evelyn lifted her hand to Claire's cheek, guiding their lips together. Claire's eyes fluttered shut as she kissed her back, her hands resting on Evelyn's waist.

"Be right back," Evelyn murmured as she pulled away.

Claire watched Evelyn disappear into her bedroom, dressed in her clothes, and for a few moments, Claire let herself believe that life could be like this, that Evelyn could be hers for more than a few weeks.