“She said there was nothing wrong with a little jealousy…”
“I wasn’t jealous.” Sam stepped back. “I was hurt. I am hurt.”
“Babe, you have nothing to worry about.” Luciana moved closer once again. “Janet is nothing. You… You are who I care about.”
“I want to believe you…”
“But?”
“Seeing you with her…it really hurt me.”
“If I could go back and refuse to meet her, I would,” Luciana said. “I only met with her so I could end it all officially. After the morning I’d shared with you, I didn’t see anyone else in my future, Sam. God, I want so much to continue this with you.”
Luciana slid her hand to the back of Sam’s neck, gripping a fistful of hair as her breath tickled her lips.
“I know you don’t think I'm all in, and I know you don’t think I'm good enough for you, but I'm going to prove myself, Sam. I’m going to sweep you off your fucking feet.” Luciana’s lips crushed against Sam’s, a moan rumbling in her throat. “I’m not here to hurt you. I’m here to make you happy.”
“Luciana…” Sam’s tears fell hard and fast. “I-I don’t know if I can do this.”
“Do what?” Luciana’s voice broke. “Sam?”
“Let you go…” Sam gripped her body, pulling her closer. “I don’t know what happened today, and I'm not done discussing it, but I can't let you go tonight.”
“I don’t want you to let me go,” Luciana said, her forehead pressing against Sam’s. “Please, don’t.”
“S-Stay,” Sam whispered, her lips ghosting across Luciana’s. “Stay with me tonight.”
“Yes.”
“And not out here. Not in the spare room.” Sam took Luciana’s bottom lip between her teeth. “With me. Really with me.” Sam’s heart pounded at the prospect of spending the night with this woman, but it wasn’t fear. It wasn’t apprehension. It was excitement.
Luciana’s hands trailed up and under Sam’s shirt, smoothing over her soft, taut stomach. “Lead the way…”
“Oh, God.” Sam whimpered as Luciana’s hand trailed higher. “This is happening…”
“If it’s what you want, yes…it’s happening.” Luciana smiled against Sam’s lips. “Whatever you want, babe.”
When Luciana said things like that, it was a no-brainer. Her relationship with Janet still needed to be explained, there was no doubt about that, but it could wait until the morning. Right now, she needed to feel this woman against her. Her hands. Her lips. Her breath. Luciana was the woman she knew, but it took this moment for her to realise it. Instead of disappearing, Luciana fought. That meant the world to Sam.
Sam tugged Luciana’s hand, guiding her towards the bedroom. Nothing about this was nerve-racking as she thought it would be; instead, Sam’s entire body felt calm. Aroused, but calm. With one final glance, Sam pulled Luciana through her bedroom door, kicking it shut with her foot.
Fourteen
Luciana stood frozen, unable to take her eyes off the beauty standing before her. Sam, in this moment, had an incredible sense of vulnerability about her, one that only encouraged Luciana to move closer. To place her fingertips on the body she’d craved to touch since the moment they’d met. Reaching forward, she took Sam’s hand in hers, a gentle smile forming on her lips.
“May I?” Luciana asked, her voice thick with desire as her fingers slowly made their way to the buttons on Sam’s white, silk blouse, still tucked into her navy-blue, form-fitting pants. “Sam?”
Sam stared, her heart slamming against her ribcage. She needed this, the connection, but she was struggling to let go. Her past flashed before her eyes, memories of her wife passing by fleetingly, before her pulse settled and her heart slowed. “Yes.” Her deep brown eyes darkened as she focused fully on Luciana. “Please.” Sam knew it was time to move forward. This woman, her touch, it sent her every emotion wild. Nothing had made sense over the last few weeks, but this? This made perfect sense.
Luciana took the lead, her hands steady and sure. Each button popped, leaving Sam standing in front of her with the silk material hanging from the olive skin of her shoulders. A vision. Heaven. “Wow,” she breathed out, her eyes closing momentarily. She slipped the blouse from Sam’s body, her heart skipping a beat as ample breasts sat perfectly in white lace. The image alone sent Luciana’s mind into a frenzy. So close, yet so far.
A gentle hand sat on Sam’s hip as Luciana leaned in, her lips pressing against her lover’s. “If you need to stop…” Her breath washed over Sam’s mouth as her words hung in the air between them.
“No.” Sam lifted her hand, pressing a finger against Luciana’s full lips. “Shush.”
Luciana smiled, Sam’s body trembling as her fingertips trailed up the side of her stomach. The air around them thick and intense with a want they both felt, she guided Sam back towards the plush mattress behind her. Luciana had dreamt of this moment. The moment when their bodies would mould into one, a yearning for one another impossible to deny.
Sam’s knees connected with the edge of the bed, and as she sat down, her fingers curled around the belt Luciana wore. Sam pulled her between her legs, her hand now splayed and travelling up a toned, indulgent stomach. She couldn’t recall the last time she felt this sure about anything, but Sam knew without a shadow of a doubt that she wanted this. The connection she felt was too hard to deny any longer.
Luciana shuddered, a whimper falling from her lips effortlessly. She had no intentions of holding back with this woman…none at all. Sam deserved to know how she felt, those feelings conveyed in the form of Luciana’s touch. Her kiss. Her emotions in this moment. She cupped Sam’s face with one hand, the other pushing her hair from her shoulder and exposing an exquisite neck. “You.” Luciana moaned as Sam’s hand moved higher, squeezing her breast. “Fuck.”
“Me, what?” Sam’s eyes glistened, those deep brown pools begging for something more.
“Just…everything.” Luciana lifted her T-shirt over her head, throwing it to the floor behind her. In a move that surprised but delighted Sam, she found herself on her back with Luciana straddling her hips.
“Luce—”
“I've waited for this moment.” She leaned down, kissing her way up Sam’s neck until she reached her ear. “God, you've no idea how much I want you.”
“Show me.” Sam gasped as Luciana nibbled her earlobe, thrusting her hips up in a desperate attempt for relief. “I really need you to show me.”
“Gladly.” Luciana sat Sam up, reaching behind her and unhooking her bra. “Fuck.” She took her bottom lip between her teeth as Sam’s breasts spilled out, possibly drawing blood if she bit down any harder. Sam’s back connected with the mattress as Luciana dipped her head, rolling her tongue over a hardened nipple. That simple move elicited a guttural moan from Sam, sending a wave of pleasure straight to Luciana’s core.
“O-Oh.” Sam gasped, taking a fistful of Luciana’s hair in her hand and forcing her mouth against her. Sucking and nipping, Luciana released Sam’s nipple with a pop, smiling against the swell of her breast before her tongue expertly lapped at the skin beneath it.
Resting back on her knees, Luciana popped the button on Sam’s pants, the slightest hint of white lace evident. With a steady hand, she lowered the zipper and climbed off Sam, removing her pants in one swift move. She positioned herself at the foot of the bed, sinking to her knees and running her hands up Sam’s smooth legs.
“Luciana…” Sam released a breathy moan, unable to form any other words. Feeling lips press against the skin of her thigh, Sam’s eyes closed and her mouth fell open. “Oh, God.” Her hand gripped the sheet beside her when Luciana’s mouth landed on her lace-covered centre.
“These have to go.” Luciana smiled, her teeth tugging at Sam’s underwear. “Right now.” Slipping them from Sam’s legs, her eyes focused on glistening arousal, an intoxicating scent causing her mouth to salivate. Slowly but surely, she moved closer, licking
her lips as Sam’s legs spread wider. Everything about this woman appealed to her, but to be here with Sam laid bare in front of her, it was bliss. Pure hedonism. Separating velvety folds, an abundance of wetness coating her fingertips, Luciana dipped her head and blew gently.
“Oh.” Sam’s hips lifted, her entire body squirming, urgently requesting more.
“Beautiful,” Luciana whispered, her tongue poking out and seeking to taste Sam. To probe deeper. To pleasure.
“Please,” Sam pleaded, her hand finding Luciana’s on her stomach. Their fingers laced together, Sam inhaled sharply when Luciana’s strong tongue rolled over her clit. “Y-Yes!” She gripped her hand tighter, rocking herself against the mouth that was sending shockwaves of white-hot heat throughout her entire being.
“You taste…” Luciana’s tongue traced the length of Sam’s centre, drinking up her wetness. “Like a dream.”
“Oh, fuck!” Sam’s eyes slammed shut when a single finger dipped inside her. A second found its way to her entrance and everything within her shattered. This moment with Luciana was everything she imagined, only more. So much more.
Luciana curled her fingers, slipping in and out of Sam with ease. The sound of sex filled the air, Sam’s breathlessness only spurring Luciana on. With every moan, she sank deeper. With every throb of Sam’s walls as they pulsed around her fingers, Luciana applied a perfect pressure to the swollen clit beneath her lips.
“O-Oh, I-I…” Sam gripped Luciana’s head. “Shit, I—”
With a final thrust of her fingers, Sam fell apart beneath Luciana. Writhing, shaking, her name tore from Sam’s throat, sending the younger woman closer to her own release. Slowing, drawing out the pleasure they both felt, Luciana climbed up Sam’s body and found her lips. Smiling into a kiss, Sam cupped her face, gliding her tongue against her lover’s.
“Thank you.” Luciana pulled back, looking directly into Sam’s eyes. “For letting me in. For trusting me.”
Sam was lost for words. How could it be that someone like Luciana was here with her? Wanting her? Deciding that those thoughts could wait for another time, Sam smiled and flipped Luciana onto her back.
“I believe you are wearing too many clothes…”
***
Luciana cracked one eye open, the realisation of where she was hitting her unexpectedly. Sam was sleeping beside her, her bare back displayed like a private show for her eyes only. Naked and feeling incredibly spent, Luciana lifted her head and checked the clock. For the second time this week, she had woken here, but this morning…it felt different. Everything had changed. Last night went on until the early morning and Luciana was thankful she’d called in sick at work. Sam may be older than her, but that woman knew exactly how to rock Luciana’s world. Five times, to be exact.
She turned on her side, peering over Sam’s shoulder and smiling. Gently running her fingertips over her bare skin, she was about to give Sam the wakeup call she deserved but stopped, abruptly. Oh! Her eyes found the picture on the bedside table, Sam’s wife staring back at the naked woman in her bed. Instead of the kiss she had planned for her, Luciana slowly climbed from the bed and grabbed her clothes from the floor. She scurried out of the bedroom and into the corridor, disappearing into the bathroom with her T-shirt and jeans balled in her arms. Was this inappropriate? Luciana knew she shouldn’t second guess what happened last night—it felt too natural—but it was hard not to when Sam’s dead wife glared back at her. She would admit that it felt strange seeing the picture, but it wasn’t enough to make her run out of the apartment. No, Luciana was one-hundred percent in.
Once dressed, Luciana found herself in the kitchen, preparing coffee and worrying that Sam may regret last night. They still had to discuss Janet Mason fully, but that was a conversation Luciana would never be prepared for. As much as she wanted Janet out of her life, the interior designer was persistent. Frightening, too. She filled a coffee cup, sweetening the caffeine relief and moving towards the gigantic windows in the living room. The sun was rising but deep clouds rolled in off the river, mirroring the day Luciana felt she was going to have. While she felt completely satisfied, something uneasy tugged at her. Deep in the pit of her stomach.
“Hey.”
Startled, Luciana turned around. “Hi.”
“I hope you weren’t planning to leave without saying goodbye.”
“Of course not.” Luciana lowered her eyes to the coffee cup in her hands. “Can I get you one?”
“That’s okay.” Sam smiled half-heartedly. “You look like you're about to run, so I won't keep you.”
“No, I wasn’t.” Luciana shook her head. “I just…”
Silence.
Uncertainty.
“You regret last night, don’t you?” Sam chose to break the painful silence, leaning back against the counter, just her silk robe covering her body. Her heart sank when Luciana didn’t respond. “I thought it was what you wanted?”
“It is.” Luciana’s head shot up. “I do. You. Us. It is what I want.”
“I’d like to believe that.” Sam’s fingers trailed her hair. “But I'm not sure even you believe it.”
“Last night…” Luciana set her cup down and approached Sam. “It was incredible. You are incredible.”
“But?”
“I guess I'm just processing.”
Processing what? Sam thought. She understood that last night had been a whirlwind for both of them, but even she didn’t feel the need to process what happened. This morning, Sam woke feeling the happiest she’d been in as long as she could remember.
“Do you need some time?” Sam asked nervously. “It’s okay if you've changed your mind about me.”
“No, I don’t need time.” Luciana took her hand, pressing her body against Sam’s. “Not from you and not from this.” She kissed Sam softly. Stop worrying and just go with it. She was out of her mind for ever leaving Sam alone in bed this morning, but she knew she didn’t need time. She was in Sam’s life now and no amount of guilt when she looked at Sam’s wedding picture on the bedside table could change that. “Do you?”
“Do I look like I need time?” Sam’s eyebrow rose as her hand slid beneath Luciana’s T-shirt.
“N-No.” Blue eyes flickered a shade darker. Luciana wrapped her hands around Sam’s thighs and lifted her onto the counter. “We need to talk, but right now… I need to feel you.”
“That can be arranged.” Sam narrowed her eyes as she wrapped her legs around Luciana’s waist. “This talk…” she asked breathlessly, Luciana’s lips trailing her neck. “W-What about?”
“Talking comes later,” Luciana whispered. “First, I need to take care of my lady.”
***
Sam sat comfortably on the couch while Luciana took the opposite end and sprawled out. Their morning had been unexpected for Sam, but she wasn’t complaining. She would never complain when Luciana was in bed with her, saying and doing all the right things. But now the time had come for them to talk and Sam had an anxiety building inside her. It couldn’t be that bad, she knew that, but when someone told her they needed to talk, it didn’t usually end well. This morning, she made it her mission to listen to whatever Luciana had to say…calmly.
“So?” Sam blew out a deep breath.
“What time do you have to be at the office?” Luciana toyed with the hem of her T-shirt.
“I have time.” She settled her hand on Luciana’s foot. “If you need to talk, I have all the time in the world.”
“I don’t want to interrupt your business.”
“One thing you should know about me…is that I don’t make time for just anybody.” Sam smiled. “So, I'm here and I'm listening.”
“About this morning…”
“It was something else.” Sam smirked.
“No, before that.” Luciana cleared her throat, blushing. “I don’t want you to think that I regretted a moment of last night. Having to come here to apologise, yes. But everything that foll
owed…never.”
“Okay.” Sam felt her heart settle a little with Luciana’s words.
“I’m scared. I don’t want to be, but I am, Sam. I’m terrified.”
“About what?” Sam shifted, moving closer to the woman who looked like she was about to break down.
“Janet.” She sighed. “When she finds out about us, she will go fucking crazy.”
“You think I give a single shit about Janet Mason?” Sam laughed. “Without me, she wouldn’t have the career she has today.”
“I appreciate that, but you don’t know how controlling she is over me.”
Okay, she’s really not playing around here. Sam sighed, taking Luciana’s hand. “Leave Janet to me.”
“N-No.” Luciana’s eyes widened. “She can't know.” The idea of Janet knowing that Sam was in Luciana’s life terrified her. She knew what the other woman was capable of, and to an extent, Sam did too, but this wouldn’t just go away overnight. Janet Mason would soon be back, Luciana could feel it.
“You’re hiding us from her?” Sam arched a brow. “That isn’t going to work for me.”
“I don’t want to hide us. I want nothing more than to be seen with you…but the moment she finds out, she is going to ruin it. Us.”
“Baby…” Sam smiled as she climbed into Luciana’s lap, her term of endearment unexpectedly falling from her mouth. “Sorry.”
“No, don’t be.” Luciana wrapped her arm around Sam’s waist. “Don’t ever be sorry.”
“Okay.” Sam nodded. “Do you honestly think I'd let anyone ruin this? When I've waited so long…refused to meet anyone?”
“No, I don’t.”
“Then there are no issues here.” Sam shrugged. “Unless you have something you need to tell me that would require her being pissed off with you.”
The Arrangement Page 15