Holding Her Heart by Melissa Tereze

20

Eden grippedher gym bag in one hand, a hold-all slung over her shoulder. She peered up at the building in front of her. Was this the right idea? She wouldn’t know until she went inside. But how exactly did she get inside? She cleared her throat, eyeing the intercom at the side of the door. Flat 7 - Bennett.

She pressed the buzzer, praying Aster wouldn’t turn her away. She may need space, time to be alone. Eden didn’t know. But she needed to see her. To know that Aster wasn’t beside herself with worry. She’d sent Eden a message around an hour ago to say that she’d gone home from the hospital tonight and hoped they’d landed safely abroad, but Eden decided to simply show up instead. The last thing she needed was for Aster to demand she stay away and go back to the airport.

The intercom crackled to life. “Hello?”

“Hi, it’s me,” Eden said, stepping closer. “Eden.”

“Eden?” Aster sniffled. “Y-you’re supposed to be in another country.”

“Yeah, well, I’m here…for you.”

“Come up.”

Aster unlocked the door, the sound of the receiver dying out as Eden stepped inside the building. She tugged her hold-all higher up on her shoulder, the lift doors opening as she pressed the call button. Of course she’d love to be lying in the sun, who wouldn’t, but Aster was here, and Eden needed to be close by. Okay, Aster may not want that, Eden wouldn’t expect her to always be around while her dad was in hospital, but she could still be around for anything Aster needed. Whether that was a friendly face, a shoulder to cry on, or someone to vent to…Eden was here for it all.

As she reached Aster’s floor, stepping out of the lift, she found the object of her desire waiting out in the hallway. “Hi.”

“You’re not coming inside,” Aster said, folding her arms across her chest. “You’re going to turn around, go back to the airport, and get the next flight out.”

“Yeah, that’s not going to happen.” Eden approached Aster, her shoulder dead from carrying a stupid weight around. “I’ve taken a coach, a train, and a cab to get back to you. I want a cuppa and maybe a shower if you could stretch to that.”

Aster’s bottom lip trembled. “Eden, why didn’t you get on that flight?”

“I thought about it. I was actually at the boarding gate when I decided to turn around and come back. I just…you can ask me to go home, that’s fine, but I’m not going to Spain without you.”

“Y-you stayed for me?”

Eden knew deep down that she should have left the airport at the exact moment Aster did. She’d kicked herself once that realisation sank in, but she was here now, and that was what mattered. She smiled. “Came straight here.”

Aster held out a hand, taking Eden’s hold-all from her shoulder. As she dragged it inside, taking Eden’s hand, Aster kicked the door shut, turning the lock. “Eden, I feel awful. You shouldn’t be here. You’ve been looking forward to this holiday for months.”

“Because I was going to be with you.” Eden dropped her gym bag to the floor, taking Aster in her arms. “You probably don’t need or want me here, I’m not that important, but I didn’t know if you’d need an ear, you know?”

Aster sobbed into Eden’s chest, her arms tightening around her waist. It was a hard time for her, but God, Eden couldn’t think of anything better than holding Aster. It was all she wanted to be doing. “How is he?”

“He has to stay in until they’re happy he’s stable enough to be at home.” Aster pulled back, smiling weakly when Eden wiped tears from her face. “He’s not been taking his medication. He told me he doesn’t want to be here anymore because he’s holding us all back.”

“Oh, Aster.”

“But he’s not. He’s our dad. And we love him. He’s never been a burden to us. I don’t understand.”

“I’m sure he knows how much you love him.”

“I told him before I left the hospital that he’s not allowed to die on me. That he has to meet you and get to know you and…I need him to stay alive, Eden.”

Eden rested a hand against Aster’s cheek, remaining when she leaned into Eden’s touch. “I don’t think he’s going anywhere. He wouldn’t want to leave you behind.”

And then the realisation that Aster had told her dad about them hit her. Aster clearly had no plans to walk away from Eden if she’d told someone so important in her life. Eden didn’t know how to feel about that; her own parents had no idea she was even embracing another woman right now.

“He can come home once he’s back on his meds and stable. They don’t know if stopping them has caused any more damage. He’s on IV antibiotics at the minute.”

“He’s in the best place.” Eden pressed a kiss to Aster’s forehead. “I’m glad he’s okay. I saw how upset you were when you rushed from the airport.”

“When Mum died, I didn’t think he would cope. Not only did he have two teenage girls to raise, but a toddler, too. He stepped up, and I’m so proud of everything he did for us. If I lose him, Eden…”

“Hey, now.” Eden enveloped Aster, running her hands through her hair. As her nails gently grazed the back of Aster’s neck, she sighed lightly. “One day at a time, okay?”

“Okay.”

“I don’t know about you, but I could eat. Should I go out and get some things in? I don’t suppose either of us have anything in the fridge since we were supposed to be on a sunny island right now.”

“Please, you should get another flight out. There’s no use in us both being here and miserable.”

Eden shrugged. “I’m not miserable. I’m with you, and that’s good enough for me.”

Aster stepped back, chewing her lip. “Did you maybe want to stay over?”

Eden’s palms turned clammy. Yes, they would have been sharing a room in Spain, but this was Aster’s home…and as she looked around, she only found two doors off the main space. One had to be a bathroom, the other a bedroom. So, where exactly would she be sleeping? The couch? The bed? Jesus. Eden’s throat dried at that prospect.

“You don’t have to. I thought since you were here, we could snuggle down on the couch and then fall into bed whenever we want to.”

Eden loved that idea. She loved everything about Aster. “Yes. I’d like to stay over.”

“My place isn’t much. And it’s tiny. But it’s cosy and warm.”

Eden reached out a hand, lacing their fingers together. “I love your home. And I can’t wait to spend the evening with you.”

Aster nodded. “I mean, it’s not a fancy hotel in the heat, but you’re welcome to do anything you need. Make yourself at home. I’ll nip out and grab some things for dinner.”

“We could order in…”

“I’d rather make dinner for you, if that’s okay?” Aster’s eyes held Eden in place, their bodies gently pressing against one another. “It’s the least I can do after you turned down a holiday to be with me.”

“I wasn’t sure if you’d appreciate it or not. I’m sure you have a lot to do with your dad and your family, but I’ll be in the background if you need me, okay?”

Aster cupped Eden’s cheek, leaning in for a kiss. When she did, Eden’s body fired up like never before. It could have been the fact that she was spending the night, or it could have been her body’s response to such a genuine, kind soul, but Eden itched to take this further. She shouldn’t, though. Aster wasn’t in the right frame of mind to give her the attention she would expect in such an intimate moment.

“I don’t want you to be in the background. I want you by my side. You being here means so much to me, Eden. I never for one second thought you would ditch the girls and show up here.”

“I want to be here.”

Aster dipped her head, creating a slight space between them. “So, I’m going to leave.” She cleared her throat. “Because if I don’t, I’m going to show you my gratitude in other ways, and well…”

Eden’s blood travelled south, her skin flushed.

“Anything in mind you want?”

“Surprise me.” Her voice hoarse, Eden grabbed her bags and dropped them on the couch. “I’ll get some things out while you’re gone. Maybe take a shower if that’s okay?”

“Do whatever you need to do. Fresh towels are in the cupboard in the bathroom. Put whatever you need in my bedroom, take over my space.” Something changed in Aster’s facial expression, and then she shook her head.

“What is it?”

“Nothing. It’s stupid.” Aster blushed.

Eden took a step forward, gripping Aster’s waist. Her hands had never been so busy before, that desperate need to be touching Aster becoming more noticeable each day. “Tell me.” She dipped her head, capturing Aster’s lips. “I want to know what you’re thinking.”

“Oh, you don’t.” Aster reddened further. “Nothing good can come from you knowing.”

Eden’s insides burst into flames as Aster met her eyes. Dark and filled with want, she’d never noticed anyone looking at her that way before. “I should know. Because we could well be thinking the same thing.”

“I…doubt it.”

Eden quirked an eyebrow. “Try me.”

“I was thinking about how amazing it already feels having you here. I’ve never shared my place with anyone, and…I don’t know. It feels nice. You know, a positive step.”

“I like being here. Because you’re here.”

Aster swallowed, her hands settling on the bare skin beneath Eden’s blouse. “I really like you being here.”

“Yeah? You’re sure?”

Aster gripped the back of Eden’s head, leaning in for a heated kiss. They’d danced around one another since the bar at the airport, and Aster had clearly had enough of that. Eden moaned when Aster slipped her tongue past her lips, hot wet heat pooling between her legs. And then her hands found either side of Eden’s body, her nails grazing Eden’s ribs. A light gasp escaped Eden’s lips. “Oh, God.” She pulled back, breathless. “You shouldn’t do that.”

With their foreheads pressed together, Eden felt consumed by Aster’s eyes. “No?”

Aster repeated the movement, gaining another low moan for her efforts as Eden’s body tingled.

“N-no.”

And then her right hand moving higher, her thumb smoothing across the underside of Eden’s breast. If Aster continued with her incredible hands, Eden was going to strip bare before her. Fuck the uncertainty. “Then you should stop kissing me like that.”

“A-Aster,” Eden whimpered.

“Mm?” Their lips met again, this time fervently. The passion in each swipe of Aster’s touch almost had Eden on the floor. She couldn’t contain herself any longer. She needed Aster to show her what she’d been missing. Aster’s hand grazed higher, gripping the back of Eden’s neck. “I don’t think you realise how much I want you right now.”

Eden took a step back, Aster’s lips so full and inviting. She pulled Aster with her, almost stumbling back as her foot caught the corner of the couch.

And then Aster grazed her fingertips across Eden’s lace covered nipple, bold but confident. Eden bit down on Aster’s lip as she swiped her fingertips across once more, her eyes fluttering shut with each graze. “O-oh,” Eden murmured. “That…”

Aster pulled back, grinning as her hands fell away from Eden. “Is only the beginning.” Eden’s legs shook, her body quickly following, but Aster was backing off. She threw her thumb over her shoulder. “I’m going to go out and get that stuff for dinner.”

“W-what?” Eden’s eyes narrowed. “You’re seriously going to walk away after that?”

Aster shrugged. “It’s too soon for you. But at least we know when the time comes, it’ll certainly be worth it.”

* * *

Eden took a deep breath as the hot water cascaded over her body. She should have been taking a cold shower with how she was feeling, but she was pushing Aster to the back of her mind. She had to. If she thought about earlier for one more second, she was going to step out of the shower and demand Aster fix the problem she’d created. Aster was back from the supermarket; Eden had heard her rummaging around the kitchen before, her hands probably working their magic.

But those soft hands kept creeping back to the forefront of her every thought. How Aster’s lips reassured her while her fingers were…elsewhere. How the room faded away around them, that touch, the light gasps from Aster as Eden reciprocated every kiss. Nobody had ever caused such an intense arousal throughout her body.

And then it ended. Eden was left standing alone, wet between her legs. The cause…a woman.

She inhaled a shaky breath, lathering the soap over her body. This shower was supposed to calm her racing thoughts, it was meant to quell the throbbing between her legs, but it was only making everything worse. When she was alone, it gave her all the time in the world to imagine rolling around in bed with Aster. Something, for the first time as of today, Eden was really thinking about.

Her hand skimmed her lower stomach, another shudder rippling through her. If she closed her eyes, it was Aster touching her. If she focused on the kiss they’d shared in the living room, her body ached for more. As much as she wished this wasn’t happening, Eden did have to release that pent-up tension she felt. Aster would never take this further tonight—she had too much on her mind—and that was perfectly okay.

One hand dipped lower, the other pressed against the black tiled wall of the shower. A low moan rumbled in her throat when her fingertips touched her clit, the urge to come now overpowering her every sense. All she could smell was Aster, her perfume. As she licked her lips, Aster remained there. And those deep brown eyes…God, they were everywhere.

Eden dug her nails into the wall, widening her stance ever so slightly. She rubbed vigorously at her swollen clit, slipping her fingers inside her. Deep, hard, fast. Eden’s chest heaved as thoughts of Aster flashed through her mind. And then she trembled, overcome with the intense orgasm thrashing her body. “Oh, fuck.” Eden’s fingers slowed, her breath coming in short and sharp. “A-Aster,” she whispered, shockwaves jolting her body as her fingers slowed to a stop. God, I need more than that. Eden’s body was hypersensitive. Her own hands hadn’t doused the flames deep within. It hadn’t even touched the surface.

A sudden knock on the door had Eden’s heart rate rocketing through the roof. “Did you shout me?” Aster asked through the door.

Had she been louder than she first thought? Shit!

Eden cleared the lust from her tone. She knew it would be there. “N-no.”

“Sorry. I must be hearing things.”

Eden stepped fully under the shower, turning the temperature to cold momentarily as she washed the soap from her body. “I’ll be out now. Just finishing up in here.”

“Yeah, no rush.” Aster’s soft voice had Eden smiling as she shut the shower off.

Grabbing a towel, she wrapped herself up in it and pulled the bathroom door open. She needed to see Aster’s face, the sweetness in her smile. That would make everything else feel more…normal. “Hi.”

“Hi.” Eden’s first thought was how she could drag Aster inside the bathroom. Stop! Not now.

“I wasn’t rushing you. I thought I heard you call my name.”

Oh, if only you knew… “I’m done.”

“Right.”

Aster’s eyes trailed Eden’s body. The towel she was wearing wasn’t the ideal length, but it was the first thing she’d grabbed. Aster didn’t appear to be concerned, her eyes dark and intense.

“I’m making dinner. Can I get you anything?” Aster leant against the doorframe, her sweet smile making Eden weak at the knees. “I can whack the heating up so it feels like we’re abroad…”

Eden took Aster’s hand, pulling Aster towards her. “Stop trying to make up for it. It’s not the end of the world.”

“Feels like it. I was looking forward to seeing you in a bikini.”

Eden took her lip between her teeth, blushing. Could she tell Aster what had happened in the shower? How she couldn’t hold back from touching herself, making herself come, with only Aster in her mind? God, no. Eden had never done that before. She’d never felt so overcome, so desperate for release. “There are going to be plenty of times when we can go on holiday.”

“And I’m looking forward to every last one.”

“Let me dress, and I’ll be out to help with dinner.” Eden pressed a kiss to Aster’s cheek, stepping back. “If you trust me to help.”

“I’d love your help. Standing around watching would be very helpful.”

“It…would?” Eden’s forehead creased.

“Oh, yeah. A bit of eye candy never hurts while I sweat it out over a stove.”

* * *

Aster had never felt so content. Eden was lying between her legs, her fingertips were settled on her calf, and a romantic film played out in front of them. Aster had no idea what was going on in said film, but this all felt lovely. Different for her, but lovely. In all honesty, Aster couldn’t quite believe Eden was here.

She’d expected lots of calls during her time away, maybe a FaceTime or two, but she never expected Eden to show up at her flat. Blair, Dom, the rest of the team…that’s where she expected Eden to be. Not here, settled on her couch, her hands on her. The intensity was off the scale if she thought about it too much.

“Can I tell you something?” Eden’s voice pierced the silence, her eyes finding Aster’s as she glanced up at her. “I mean, I know we’re watching a film…”

“You can tell me anything you want, any time.” Aster leaned down and pressed a kiss to Eden’s forehead.

Eden’s eyes closed, her lips parting slightly. “First of all, I love it when you do that.”

“Do what?”

“Kiss my forehead.” Eden looked away, but Aster knew she was blushing. “But that’s not what I wanted to say.”

“Hey,” Aster whispered, lowering her lips to Eden’s head once again. “I love that you love that. And honestly, I love all of this. You and me, wine, films…it’s perfect.”

“Dinner,” Eden started. “That casserole, it was amazing.”

“Thank you. I do try.”

“And I know it probably doesn’t seem like much to you, but I’ve never had someone cook me dinner before. That sounds pathetic, I’m very aware of that, but I wanted to say thank you. For doing that for me. It was…special.”

Aster’s heart constricted. Nobody had ever cooked dinner for Eden? Surely not… “Well, whatever company you’ve been keeping…it’s really shitty.”

“Not anymore.” Eden leant up on her elbow, capturing Aster’s lips. “You’ve been more than anyone I’ve known before, and it’s only been a short time since we got together.”

“Got together, huh?” Aster smirked. “I’m totally here for that, by the way.”

“Yeah?” Eden caressed her lips again, her tongue slipping into Aster’s mouth. They both moaned, deepening the kiss. But then Eden pulled back. “I’m sorry. I’m trying to not get carried away. It’s just…hard.”

“Don’t ever think you can’t get carried away. All of this is absolutely what I want. I’m ready for anything with you.”

“But why?” The lines in Eden’s forehead creased. “I mean, I could be terrible at this.”

“The way you kiss me,” Aster said. “Nobody has ever kissed me like that. My body has never responded the way it does around you. I’d say you’re doing pretty damn good at this.”

“I’ll remember that when I’m having a meltdown at home.”

“No reason for a meltdown, baby. I’m not here to put any pressure on you at all. If you want to hide away at my place, I’m fine with that.”

“Y-you are?”

“Only if I’m allowed to touch you in the process.”

Eden’s lips curled. “I’m sure we can figure that out between us.”

“Fancy getting into bed? I’d like to snuggle you if you’re okay with that.”

Eden’s hands ghosted up Aster’s sides, settling on her stomach. Honestly, it was the most incredible touch Aster had ever been subjected to.

“Come on. Let’s snuggle.”