12. Addie
ADDIE
“ Y ou think the storm will stop anytime soon?” Addie asked.
She stood in front of Josephine and Ember in the living room. The sight of them cuddling up to each other and exchanging kisses reminded her that it had been ages since she’d experienced anything like that.
Josephine looked up. “Stop? I doubt that.”
“I’m sorry, Addie,” Ember said. “But you have to spend the night here.”
“I’m sure Sophie won’t mind,” Josephine added. “She’d be ecstatic to have a sleepover. ”
Addie couldn’t decide how to react. She stared back at the couple that had just ambushed her with an unplanned sleepover.
“Besides, I doubt Giselle would be willing to drive back during a storm.”
Addie sighed. She’d completely forgotten that she’d have to go home with Giselle. If Giselle wouldn’t drive, then she was stuck here for the night.
“I guess it’s not a big deal,” Addie said.
It wasn’t a completely bad idea. Sophie would love the idea of a sleepover here, just as Josephine had said.
“Perfect,” Ember said. “We’ll just set up a room for you both.”
“You both?” Addie blinked furiously. “Sophie won’t be?—”
“Sophie?” Ember cut in. “She’ll be with Natalie, honey. The room is for you and Giselle.”
Giselle? Addie’s head spun. Spending the night with Giselle wasn’t part of the deal. She looked at Josephine, then back at Ember. Both women had matching grins on their faces.
“Is that a good idea?” Addie said. She racked her brain for an excuse. Even though she couldn’t quite define the reason why, she was certain that spending the night with Giselle wasn’t a great idea, especially since her belly fluttered at the thought.
“Giselle doesn’t seem like she’d like company while she sleeps,” Addie said, and immediately regretted it. It made no sense, since she’d never spent a night with Giselle before.
“Oh, I’m sure Giselle won’t mind,” Josephine said.
“Besides, it’s got a king bed. Plenty of space to share,” Ember added.
Addie gave a quick nod, not sure what to say. If there was anything she was certain of, it was that there wasn’t any use trying to change their minds.
“I guess I don’t mind,” Addie said. “After you.”
Ember led the way down the hall, her arm linked with Josephine’s. They laughed quietly together at some joke Addie didn’t hear. Her mind was too preoccupied with the fact that she’d be with Giselle until dawn.
If she was lucky—or unlucky—the bed would be large enough for two people to sleep on without bumping into each other. That was a big if .
She shook her head from side to side, then slowed down, silently reprimanding herself. There was absolutely no need to have the thoughts she was having. It was just a room. Just Giselle.
Where was Giselle? Addie looked around.
Addie hadn’t seen her since she’d walked upstairs with the girls.
“Here you are. The best guest room in the house.” Josephine opened the door with a flourish.
“You mean the only guest room in the house,” Ember said.
They both laughed. Addie merely flashed a smile and stepped inside, taking in the spacious room.
A king-sized bed dominated the center, a wide, low platform covered with white linens that looked soft under the dimmed lighting. Heavy curtains framed the large window, which opened up to a view of the beach, now cloaked in darkness.
There was a quiet luxury about it, the kind that made it easy to forget about the world outside. She could imagine the morning light streaming in, the sounds of the waves, everything bathed in a warm glow…and Giselle lying in a corner.
Footsteps echoed down the hallway. She turned to find Giselle walking in.
“Just in time,” Ember said.
Giselle scowled. “What for?”
“Your room,” Josephine said. “At least, for the night. The storm should abate by morning.”
“It should be spacious enough for you and Addie,” Josephine said.
Addie watched as Giselle’s eyes bulged at Josephine’s words.
“Oh,” was all Giselle said.
She moved to the other side of the room, her gaze shifting to the window as if weighing the view. Even standing at the far end, she commanded attention.
Addie sucked in more air.
“It does have quite the view,” Addie said to no one in particular.
“To nothing that’s visible right now,” Giselle replied. “It’s still so dark outside.”
“It’ll be morning before you know it,” Ember said .
“Plus, you have good company,” Josephine added.
“There’s a novel in the drawer beside the bed,” Ember added. “It’s either that or some medical journal; I can’t remember anymore.”
Josephine grinned, her arm wrapped around Ember’s waist as she leaned against her. “I hope you both enjoy your stay. We’ll be right down the hall if you need anything.”
The two walked away, laughing softly, their voices a gentle murmur. The door closed behind them, leaving Addie and Giselle in the stillness of the room.
Addie turned back to the bed. The entire room suddenly felt smaller now that Josephine and Ember were gone. Giselle still had her eyes fixed on the darkness outside the window.
“Well,” Addie said, breaking the silence, “looks like it’s just us.”
Giselle gave a slight nod, her gaze returning to Addie. “Seems that way.”
There was a pause. Addie felt her cheeks warm, suddenly aware of the bed taking up most of the room, the reality of sharing it setting in. She crossed her arms, trying to keep her composure .
“I hope you don’t mind sharing the bed,” she said, her voice light, even though her heart was racing.
Giselle shrugged, stepping closer. “It’s big enough.”
Addie took a breath, focusing on keeping herself grounded. “Right. Just…if you’re a blanket hog, now’s the time to confess.”
Giselle’s lips curved into a small smile, a rare expression on her typically stoic face. “Noted.”
The quiet stretched on again. Addie’s eyes drifted over Giselle, taking in the way her hair framed her face. Her eyes drifted to Giselle’s lips. They were full and undeniably magnetic.
Addie tried to focus on the room again, but her heart was beating too fast. When she looked up at Giselle, their eyes locked with an odd sense of familiarity.
Was Giselle staring at her lips, too? It sure looked like it. Giselle’s eyes drifted down Addie’s body. Her skin immediately burned with desire. A sigh unconsciously escaped her lips.
The door creaked open, interrupting the moment. Addie couldn’t decide if she was elated or disappointed at the distraction.
Sophie and Natalie poked their heads in, eyes wide with excitement. Both girls had their hair wildly tousled.
“Mom, Natalie says she has an extra blanket,” Sophie said. “Can we have a sleepover please, please, pretty please?” Sophie’s voice was a loud whisper, and she glanced over at Giselle, giggling softly.
Addie smiled. “Yes, you two go settle down. I’ll come to kiss you goodnight in a bit, okay?”
Sophie nodded, grabbing Natalie’s hand as they whispered and laughed, disappearing back out the door. The door clicked shut again, leaving Addie and Giselle alone once more.
When Addie turned back, Giselle had moved toward the window and was staring into the darkness again. Addie watched her, unable to ignore the pull, the subtle way her presence filled the room. She looked strong and self-assured, her figure casting a soft shadow in the dim light.
“What are you looking at?” Addie asked.
Giselle turned to her, her eyes meeting Addie’s with a calm intensity. “Just taking it in.”
Taking it in . Addie was sure to take in the sight before her.
Giselle’s hips were curved so sensually that Addie shut her eyes repeatedly to keep from staring. Not that it helped when Giselle’s legs were screaming to be kissed.
Addie could picture herself kissing those calves and teasing her thighs as she made her way up Giselle’s legs.
Addie nodded, her eyes following Giselle’s every move as she settled onto the edge of the bed, crossing one leg over the other. Addie’s breath hitched. She shut her eyes again.
Stop ogling her, Addie , she scolded herself.
It had been ages since she’d felt this drawn to someone.
“I should go kiss Sophie goodnight,” Addie said.
Giselle gave a small nod, her gaze unwavering. “Of course.”
Addie lingered for a moment before she turned and left the room, her mind buzzing with everything unsaid.
She walked so fast that she was almost sprinting by the time she got to the girls’ room. Right outside the door, she took a deep breath and exhaled heavily.
She placed her hands on her cheeks, hoping the girls would be too excited with their sleepover to notice her blushing over her colleague.
Addie stepped quietly into Sophie and Natalie’s room, the soft glow of a nightlight casting a warm light over the small space. Sophie looked up as Addie approached, her eyes bright despite her sleepiness.
“Mom,” she whispered, her face breaking into a smile as she glanced at Natalie. “Told you she’d come. Mommy always kisses me goodnight.”
“That’s right, pumpkin,” Addie said.
“Would you kiss me goodnight too, Addie?” Natalie asked.
“Sure thing, Natalie,” Addie said.
This was it. This was how a sleepover should be—two friends enjoying each other’s company and preparing for a good night’s sleep. If only it could be this simple with Giselle.
“Are you with Dr. Giselle?” Sophie asked.
Addie chuckled, leaning down to kiss her daughter’s forehead. “Yes, honey. It’s a double sleepover, isn’t it?”
Sophie giggled softly. “Double sleepover,” she repeated, sounding thrilled by the idea. She hugged her pillow, her excitement shining through even as her eyelids began to droop.
“Goodnight, sweetheart,” Addie murmured, brushing back Sophie’s hair and placing one last kiss on her forehead. She did the same with Natalie. “Goodnight, Natalie.”
She moved quietly toward the door, looking back at the two girls nestled under their blankets.
“Goodnight, girls.”
“Goodnight, Mom.”
“Goodnight, Ms. Wolfe.”
With a final smile, Addie slipped out of the room and closed the door gently behind her. She turned to head back to the guest room and nearly stumbled as she almost walked right into Giselle.
Giselle stood there, close enough that Addie had to steady herself against the wall. Dressed in simple, fitted pajamas, Giselle looked different, softer in a way that Addie hadn’t seen before.
Her dark hair fell loose around her shoulders, and her eyes had a warmth in them that made Addie’s breath catch. The low light only made the lines of Giselle’s figure more pronounced.
Addie could see the faint outline of Giselle’s nipples pushing through the soft cotton fabric. She swallowed.
“I didn’t mean to surprise you,” Giselle said.
Addie managed a small smile, taking in every detail. “No, it’s…fine. Just didn’t expect anyone in the hallway.”
“I thought I’d come say goodnight to the girls, too,” Giselle said. “But now I don’t think I want to get them all excited again.”
Addie’s gaze dropped for a second, noticing the way the fabric of Giselle’s pajamas traced her frame, highlighting the subtle movement as she shifted slightly.
“So…have you ever spent the night here before?” Addie asked.
“Not exactly,” Giselle replied, her lips curving slightly. “I’ve spent the night at Josephine’s, but I was nine then. ”
Addie nodded. “Sometimes a change of scenery isn’t so bad.”
Giselle’s gaze softened, her shoulders relaxing a bit more. “I can see that.”
They’d reached their room now. Giselle opened the door and they both walked in. Addie stepped in and leaned against the door. Giselle laughed, walked a step ahead of Addie, and then she stopped.
Thunder rumbled outside again. Addie tilted her head slightly, a small smile playing on her lips.
“You know, when I was little, I’d always end up in my moms’ bed during storms. Cuddling with them was the only thing that kept me from worrying about thunder.”
Giselle’s gaze flickered. “I don’t remember the last time I really…cuddled with anyone. Maybe with my ex. It’s been a while.”
Addie squinted momentarily, taken aback by the warmth in Giselle’s tone. She loved it. Giselle’s eyes glinted with a subtle need that seemed to match her own.
Still, it changed nothing. Addie wouldn’t let herself pay too much attention to stuff that shouldn’t even be in her head .
“Cuddles are nice, but not really…essential. I’ve managed this long without them,” Giselle said.
Addie shook her head, smiling. “That’s where you’re wrong. Cuddles are absolutely essential.”
Giselle raised an eyebrow. “Why do you think that?”
Addie’s smile grew. “Well, if you want the scientific explanation, cuddling releases oxytocin. It’s a natural mood booster. And then there’s serotonin, which is also good for stress. And dopamine helps with relaxation.”
Giselle rolled her eyes. “Cuddling also makes people grow attached and creates emotions that are sometimes too strong to be controlled.”
“Exactly.”
Addie’s heart raced as she watched Giselle’s reaction, the way she seemed drawn in despite herself.
“But it’s more than that. There’s comfort in it…something human that just makes everything else feel easier. Like a reminder that you’re not alone.”
Giselle’s gaze held hers, her expression softer now, her lips just barely curved. She didn’t look away, and neither did Addie, the space between them feeling smaller with every passing second.
“I never thought of it like that,” Giselle murmured.
Addie took a quiet breath, unable to resist the pull any longer. She let herself lean in slightly, her gaze dropping briefly to Giselle’s lips, her heart racing as the warmth between them seemed to grow.
Giselle’s eyes lingered on her for a moment, the distance between them closing slowly, and then, almost naturally, their lips met. The kiss was soft. Addie’s hands made their way to Giselle’s cheek, caressing her as their lips entwined.
Giselle’s body pressed softly against hers. Addie quaked with desire as the kiss deepened. Then, out of the blue, Giselle took a step back.
They just stood there, locked in each other’s gaze.