Page 94 of Beyond Her Manner
“Absolutely. An unbreakable pact to be our truest selves with each other. To be honest, raw, and open, no matter what.”
Gillian nodded, a smile spreading across her face as Viola’s leg pressed against hers. “I think I can manage that. Be warned — it might not always be pretty.”
“I’m counting on it,” Viola replied, her voice steady and her gaze unwavering. “Because I know that with you, every part of it will be real. And that’s all I’ve ever wanted. Someone real in this superficial world.”
“And how do we seal this ‘deal’ of ours?” Gillian replied, her lips curving into a mischievous smile.
“I can think of one way,” Viola said, closing the gap between them.
As Viola leaned in, Gillian closed her eyes, her heart pounding. She’d pictured this so many times since the last time they’d been this close, no matter how hard she’d tried not to.
Viola’s lips were tentative at first, their coolness barely brushing against Gillian’s, yet it was enough to send a ripple of heat through her. Her breath caught, and instinctively, her mouth parted. She needed more of Viola.
As their lips met again, this time with certainty, a rush of emotions made her moan. It seemed to encourage Viola as Gillian felt her hands on her waist, tugging their bodies closer together. She slid her fingers into Viola’s hair, savouring what softness she could feel between her cool, numb fingertips.
As their kiss deepened, she allowed herself to relax into it, focusing on the feel of Viola’s mouth and her inquisitive tongue. Even though there would be other moments like this, at least she hoped there would, this one she was going to savour. She may have been anxious about all the other aspects of being physical with Viola, but kissing wasn’t one of them. It felt safe kissing; it was what she and Hen had done, but that was all.
Her stomach tingled with nervousness as she realised there was no going back. She couldn’t allow herself to hide again; as much as the future scared her, there was no closing the lid onthese feelings. She would need to find a way to let them breathe, to let them define and shape her. Meeting someone in life was hard enough; to have those feelings reciprocated was even more unlikely. For two worlds to collide at that same time felt like an impossibility, yet it had happened, on this very bench.
Feeling Viola’s hands move from her waist, Gillian found them cradling her face, where her cool fingers grazed her cheeks, and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. Her touch was gentle yet possessive, anchoring them as their lips met again, this time with a raw, undeniable urgency. Gillian leaned in, wrapping her arms tightly around Viola’s back, pulling her closer, as if the space between them was too much to bear.
The sound of counting down echoed in the distance. “Five… four… three… two… one…” was followed by cheering.
“Happy New Year!” Viola said, pulling back from their embrace.
“Happy New Year!” Gillian replied, looking at the horizon as it lit up with fireworks launching into the sky.
They leaned back against the bench, Viola resting against Gillian’s shoulder as they held hands. “I’m so happy you could get Kingsford back,” she said. “It always suited you more.”
“It did.” She knew it suited her even more now than it ever had done. Turning it into an events business had given her some direction when she felt lost. The manor now fulfilled a purpose, and so did she.
“What do we do now?” she asked slowly.
“I’m hoping you might have a room for me.”
“You can have your old one upstairs,” Gillian offered.
“Great, thanks.”
The flat response from Viola told her that it might not have been exactly what she was hoping for.
“Although it doesn’t sound like you’ll get much peace,” Gillian said, hearing the music start up again. “I’m not sure whattime they will keep partying until. You could join them… I’m a little tired myself.”
“I think we both know I didn’t come here for a party.”
“Oh?” Gillian said, keeping her tone casual.
“No.” Viola looked up at Gillian. “I came for you… all of you.”
Gillian’s heart quickened at the intensity in Viola’s eyes. There was something about the way she looked at her, as if she could see straight through all the carefully constructed walls, right into her core.
For so long, Gillian had kept everyone at arm’s length, convinced that no one could truly see or understand her, but here was Viola, looking at her with a sincerity that stirred something deep within. The noise of the distant party faded into the background, leaving Gillian feeling like they were the only two people in the world, and that was all she needed.
“Why don’t you come to the lodge for a nightcap?” The widening of Viola’s eyes suggested to Gillian she’d hit the right mark. “Until it quietens down. We could talk some more.”
“Of course.” Viola nodded.
Gillian shivered, the cold air finally penetrating through to her skin.
