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Eden held out her arm, ushering Aster closer. It may be a bold move, but she wasn’t fighting how she felt anymore. She wouldn’t rush into anything, but she wouldn’t hold back either. Aster Bennett made her feel good, so she would enjoy it. And knowing that she was available only stirred everything up inside Eden. “Let’s walk in together, shall we?”

Aster tipped her chin slightly, sliding her arm through Eden’s as though they were about to enter a black-tie event. “Yes, madam.”

Eden couldn’t contain the grin that spread across her mouth. “Did anyone ever tell you how nice it is having you around?”

“N-no.” Though it was dark, Eden caught Aster blushing. “Thanks.”

“And I don’t know about you, but I’m looking forward to this evening. It’ll be nice to get to know one another outside of a work setting. I mean, I know we go out to clubs together, but it’s not really the same thing.” That wasn’t too much, was it?

“Yeah. You’re right. We should get to know one another outside work. But I hope you realise that doing so means we’ll be holiday shopping together for bikinis before we know it.”

“We…could,” Eden chanced, aware that she was likely overstepping. She didn’t do humour and sarcasm as well as Aster did. “Although, I’m sure you have your own friends to do that stuff with.”

“Hey, I’m open to the idea if you are. Maybe you could give me some tips on what’s hot and what’s not.”

“Tips?”

“You know the trends. I don’t.”

Eden side glanced at Aster as she pressed the bell. God, she was striking. “Oh, I don’t know. I’d say you were looking pretty dapper this evening, Miss Bennett.”

“Yeah?” Aster straightened, her smile wide as they waited to be greeted by Blair and Dom. “Maybe I need to find someone who appreciates it then.”

“People don’t appreciate it?” Eden frowned. “Why is that?”

“No idea, but I’ve spent most of my life single, so I’m cocking it all up somewhere along the way.” Aster slid a hand into her pocket, her navy-blue blazer and shirt very appealing this evening. “But at least you like it. That’s something. If nothing else, I have my boss’ approval.”

“Ugh. Can you not call me that when we’re outside the office? Actually, don’t call me it at all.” It had never bothered Eden before, but when Aster said it…very much so.

“No?”

Eden shook her head. “I hate it. It doesn’t have a very pleasant ring to it. Call me Eden, and that’s the end of it.”

“Yes, Eden.” Aster winked, sending Eden’s heart rate through the roof.

God, why is it suddenly really hot out here? And where the hell are they? Eden rang the doorbell again, tapping her heel against the Indian stone floor.

“Think they’re busy?” Aster wiggled her eyebrows.

And then Eden’s blood travelled south, imagining getting busy with Aster. “I…don’t know.”

“Why are you blushing? Us lot are forever having sex.” Aster visibly winced. “Except for me. I’m not having sex as often as half the lesbians around here.” She pushed out her bottom lip, and then burst into laughter. “Which works for me.”

“The team like to…put it around, don’t they?” Perhaps that wasn’t the right thing to say, but Eden had been shocked when Blair told her how many of the players had slept with one another as well as whoever they picked up on a night out.

“Mmhmm. And since I’m only a spectator, I thankfully don’t get tarred with that brush.”

“Good. You don’t look like the kind of woman to sleep around.”

“I have to be honest with you…” Aster paused. “You had me worried last week when you were with Fi. But I get the impression you’re similar to me…”

“How so?” This would be interesting.

“I prefer to connect with the right person. It’s important to me.”

“You’re absolutely right.”

“And if that fails, and I want to get my kicks, I have a box full of toys under the bed.”