Holding her heart, p.1
Holding her Heart, page 1
First Edition June 2021
Published by GPC Publishing
Copyright © 2021 Melissa Tereze
ISBN: 9798505229095
Cover Design: May Dawney
Editor: Charlie Knight
Find out more at: www.melissaterezeauthor.com
Follow me on Twitter: @MelissaTereze
Follow me on Instagram: @melissatereze_author
All rights reserved. This book is for your personal enjoyment only. This book or
any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner without the
express permission of the author.
This is a work of fiction. All characters & happenings in this publication are
fictitious and any resemblance to real persons (living or dead), locales or events
is purely coincidental.
ALSO BY MELISSA TEREZE
ANOTHER LOVE SERIES
THE ARRANGEMENT (BOOK ONE)
THE CALL (BOOK TWO)
THE ASHFORTH SERIES
PLAYING FOR HER HEART (BOOK ONE)
OTHER NOVELS
MRS MIDDLETON
BREAKING ROUTINE
IN HER ARMS
BEFORE YOU GO
FOREVER YOURS
THE HEAT OF SUMMER
FORGET ME NOT
MORE THAN A FEELING
WHERE WE BELONG: LOVE RETURNS
NAKED
TITLES UNDER L.M CROFT (EROTICA)
PIECES OF ME
Aileen Clare Glover
1960 - 2021
CONTENTS
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Epilogue
SIGN UP TO WIN
Did you enjoy it?
About the Author
SOCIAL MEDIA
Also by Melissa Tereze
1
THE LEG OF ASTER’S JEANS RODE UP SLIGHTLY, AND SHE CAUGHT A
glimpse of the invisible socks she was wearing. Huh. Not so
invisible when I can clearly see I have bloody odd ones on. She
frowned, staring down at her feet; had she always had one
that looked slightly bigger than the other? Perhaps it was the
shoes she was wearing. She’d never noticed before.
She unbuttoned the top of her shirt, pu ng out her
cheeks as she ran her hands down her thighs. What if the
images she’d brought over today were terrible? That would
mean she’d ruined someone’s wedding day.
Okay, she was thinking about complete rubbish now. This
always happened when she was nervous, especially when she
was meeting with the woman who was technically her boss
until she handed over her work. Two weeks ago, someone by
the name of Eden Kline had contacted her via an assistant
requesting her skills for a wedding. Aster had been initially
panicked, she always felt as though she didn’t perform well
when someone called her with a last-minute o er, but she
had to admit…she’d excelled and then some this time
around. It helped that the couple getting married were
ridiculously photogenic, but she still had to receive final
approval from Eden before she released the images to the
client. It was then down to them to select the pictures they
wanted to use for their wedding album.
Aster owed her best friend. If it hadn’t been for Grace’s
recommendation, she wouldn’t be sitting here now,
potentially with a chance of getting in at The Garden of Eden,
the leading event planning business in the north of England.
If this meeting went well, they may consider calling her back
for more work in the future.
Aster had done her homework the night she’d returned
home from the wedding, and the reviews on all of the
relevant sites spoke for themselves. Eden Kline was known to
have a great rapport with her clients. But deep down, Aster
knew Eden was likely putting on a show for any potential
business. She’d worked with these event planning companies
before, usually freelance, and she was yet to come across a
boss who didn’t love the sound of their own voice.
The click of a door startled Aster. Her stomach rolled as
the receptionist got to her feet and the phone started to ring.
She spoke into the receiver, replacing it only moments later.
“Eden is ready for you now.”
Aster nodded, gripping her camera bag before slinging it
over her shoulder. “Thank you.”
She’d dressed in a simple pair of black skinny jeans with a
grey tailored blazer covering her white fitted shirt. Aster had
chosen to wear her hair down this morning; Grace always
told her she looked more comfortable with her locks flowing,
though Aster had no idea what she meant.
As she stopped in front of Eden’s o ce door, Aster took a
calming breath and placed her hand on the polished chrome
handle. Shoulders pulled back, she entered the room, her
smile bright but not too enthusiastic.
“Oh, hi.” The woman who stood from the desk in the
window beamed a million-dollar smile, smoothing her
pencil skirt before she rounded the desk. “Aster, right?”
Aster relaxed immediately. Eden didn’t have a demanding
or icy presence. “That’s right. Nice to meet you.”
They exchanged a handshake, nothing overly dominating
on Eden’s part. “Interesting name.”
“Blame my mother. She was a keen gardener.” She was
yet to meet someone who didn’t insist on knowing the origin
of her name. These days, it was easier to get it out of the way
during the first meeting. “I’d say she chose it simply because
she liked it, but I have two sisters called Lily and Rose, birth
name Primrose, so…”
Eden motioned towards a couch against the bright white
o ce wall. “Mm. Very Alan Titchmarsh. But I like it. Can I
get you something to drink before you show me your work?”
Aster eyed an area containing a kettle, several sizes of
cups, and a co ee machine. Clean and tidy. Just how she
liked it. “I’d love a co ee if it’s not too much trouble.”
“None whatsoever.” Eden busied herself at the co ee
machine, standing heavier on one leg as her hip jutted. She
was very well put together, her pencil skirt finishing high up
on her waist and a cream blouse tucked in. She wore black
heels—at least six inches, her legs naturally tanned, not
orange like some of the women around here. Elegant, but not
overbearing. That was the vibe Aster got from her potential
boss.
As the beans ground, the scent of fresh co ee wafting
towards her, Aster relaxed further. Eden didn’t appear
imposing, humming along to a tune in her head as she
prepared their drinks. Aster was…pleasantly surprised.
“I have to admit, I did hire you for the wedding two weeks
ago on a whim. But Grace spoke very highly of you.”
Grace. Aster smiled. “How do you know Grace?”
“She plays football with my best friends’ fiancée,” Eden
said, turning and crossing the room, placing two cups down
on the small co ee table in front of Aster. “And Dom
wouldn’t tell me to hire someone for the sake of it.”
“Oh, you know Dom?”
“Dom is engaged to Blair. We’ve been best friends since
school. I was lucky Dom was there when I called Blair in a
panic. I was away in Paris and my usual photographer let me
down.”
“Oh, that’s not cool.”
“No, it’s not. But Dom called Grace and asked if she
thought you would be keen. Thankfully, you were.”
Aster blew out a deep breath. “Well, then I hope I don’t
disappoint.”
Eden smiled, her deep chocolate eyes gentle. “I asked for
your handle on social media. I have seen what you’re capable
of. It’s why I called Grace immediately and asked for your
number. I’m sorry I didn’t call you myself, but Maxine was
taking care of things while I was away.”
“Oh, don’t worry.” Aster released her grip on her camera
atOptions = { "key" : "1b615abd71df449e94c36ff5e000f6b1", "format" : "iframe", "height" : 50, "width" : 320, "params" : {} }; -->
/>
bag, unaware she was latching onto it for dear life.
“Everything came together so it’s fine.”
“So…” Eden paused, her smile spreading across her face.
“Can I see the magic you created?”
Magic? Bold of her to assume. But Aster did appreciate the
faith Eden appeared to be putting into her. Aster knew she
was good with the camera, knew she was one of the best
when she put her mind to it, but Eden and her assumptions
were making Aster more anxious than she already was. “Of
course, yeah.”
“My computer is on. You get everything set up for me,
and then give me a shout when you’re ready.” Eden crossed
her long legs, placing her hands on her knee as she sunk
back into the couch. “I’ve been wanting five minutes to
myself all day. Now is the perfect excuse.”
Aster gulped her co ee down, almost burning her throat
as she did so. Eden and the thigh she was showing wasn’t
what she’d expected this morning. The mental image she’d
had in her mind was one of a stuck-up, middle-aged woman,
but no… this was entirely di erent. “Right. Yeah. I can do
that.”
She approached Eden’s Mac, her white, high gloss desk
tidied to perfection. Does she actually do any work here? The
first thing Aster noticed was the small cactus plant beside
the computer; she had one in her own home o ce. The
second observation was the framed photograph of Eden with
Blair. Eden’s eyes were bright, her smile taking over the
entire frame. It was clear they were close.
“Are you freelance?” Eden’s sudden question sent Aster’s
head upright.
“I am, yes.”
“And do you prefer freelance?” Eden fisted her hand
under chin, her elbow resting on the arm of the couch. “The
freedom to do what you want, when you want?”
“That’s a tough one. Guaranteed work is my dream, I
expect that applies to most people, but I do like the freedom.
Except sometimes, there’s too much. You know?”
“Freedom?” Eden asked, her eyes pinning Aster to the
chair.
Lord, that is an intense stare. Aster nodded as she returned
to the screen. She plugged her hard drive into the Mac,
blowing out a breath as the icon appeared on the desktop.
“Okay, it’s ready.”
“I can hardly wait.”
Eden shot to her feet, her long, dark, beach wave
bouncing as her heels hit the floor. Aster admired the slight
blonde highlights woven through Eden’s glorious head of
hair, not too much volume at the root.
She was happy to be here this morning. Ecstatic, to be
fair.“Okay, so…if there’s anything that concerns you, give me
a shout. I’ll wait over on the couch.”
Aster rose from the chair only to be gently pushed back
down by Eden’s hand. “Stay there. View them with me.”
“O-okay.” Aster swallowed, watching the hand still
resting on her shoulder from the corner of her eye. It was
gentle but demanding. And if Aster concentrated, she could
feel the warmth of Eden’s hand penetrating her blazer. When
Eden removed it, Aster untensed. But then Eden bent at the
hip, her free hand resting beside Aster’s as her other took
control of the mouse. “I can make any changes you think are
needed before they go to the client.”
“T-these are…” Eden paused, her smile warm as she
scrolled through the images slowly. She leaned in, narrowing
her eyes. “Wow. You certainly know how to capture beauty.”
“Thank you.” Not the outcome I expected today. Second-
guessing herself never did Aster any favours. She knew
exactly what she was capable of, but her inner critic always
had di erent ideas. Aster wrung her hands in her lap,
diverting her gaze as Eden o ered the gentlest smile while
she focused intently on the screen.
And then Eden turned her head towards Aster. All she
could do in return was meet Eden’s eyes. Wow, this woman
was stunning. And please, stop looking at me with those eyes.
“Can I ask how old you are?”
“Thirty-two. Why?” Did Aster’s age have some kind of
relevance in all of this? It wasn’t what she thought about
while she sat outside in the waiting room.
“I’m very impressed.” Eden o ered a single nod. “Can I
keep a copy? I’d like to look through them this evening with
a glass of wine.”
“Sure, yeah. These are only copies anyway.” Aster took a
blank USB from the side of her bag, copying the images over
to it for Eden. “All done. They’re all watermarked, but not
because I don’t trust you. I just didn’t expect you to want
them.”
“Do you have a business card?”
“Um, yeah.” Aster frowned, reaching once again into her
bag. She removed a holder, slipping a card from it. “Here you
go.”“Thank you.” Eden’s fingers brushed Aster’s, a thrill
jolting up her arm. Oh, no. That’s not supposed to happen. “I’m
going to enjoy looking at these in depth this evening, but I
think the client is going to be very happy with them.”
“I hope so.”
“And I was wondering if we could meet at the end of the
week?” Eden powered o her computer, backing away from
Aster and giving her some space. “I’d like to discuss some
things with you.”
Aster could make herself available. It was no issue.
Especially if it meant she was able to see Eden again. She was
very easy on the eye. In your dreams, Bennett. “Sure. Let me
know where and when.”
“I will.” Eden held out her hand. “And thank you for
stepping in when I was desperate.”
Aster o ered a slight shrug of her shoulders as she shook
Eden’s hand. God, she has the softest skin. “That’s okay. It was
a quiet weekend.”
“Don’t expect that to be the case for much longer, okay?”
With a perfectly quirked eyebrow, Eden turned and walked to
the door. “It’s been lovely meeting you, Aster. I’ll see you at
the end of the week.”
“Thanks. See you.”
2
EDEN BLEW OUT A FRUSTRATED BREATH AS SHE STOPPED IN THE
middle of the walkway. She didn’t have time for this. Her
usual photographer, Jay, was once again crying o from a
gig she’d sent to him, and now she had to find another
replacement. It wasn’t the end of the world, he’d given her
more time to find someone else than he had last time, but it
still didn’t make Eden’s life any easier. And this afternoon
was supposed to be her own time. Time to spend with her
supposedly neglected best friend.
That is his final chance.
She’d said that before today, but he was too unreliable.
This was the final straw.
“I swear if you turn around and leave, I’m going to chase
you and tackle you to the ground!”
Eden smiled, looking up from her phone to find her best
friend standing with a hand on her hip. “I’m not leaving. But
I do need a minute or two.”
“What does a best friend have to do to get your attention?
I haven’t seen you for weeks.”
Eden frowned. “That’s not my fault. You’re living the life
in lesbian land. You forgot about me.”
Blair hu ed, shaking her head. “I could never forget
about you. Come on, we’ll figure out your dilemma over a
bottle of wine and some good food.”
Eden could get on board with that. Blair had a knack for
fixing everything. “You’re right. I’ll sort this out once we’re
sitting down.” Eden stepped towards her, linking their arms
together. “Come on. I’m starving.”
“Me too. Busy morning.”
“Oh.” Eden’s eyebrow rose.
“With work. Not with Dom.” Blair had met her fiancée
eighteen months ago, falling head over heels for the
footballer unexpectedly. Eden wouldn’t have said they were
