“She thinks I belong to her,” Luciana spat, a venom in her voice Sam had never heard before. “That I'm hers.”
“How can you be hers when you're mine?” Sam caressed Luciana’s cheek with her thumb. “There’s nothing going on between you two, right?”
“Nothing. Not that I was aware of anyway.”
“Then I’ll schedule a meeting with her. Explain that it’s time for her to let you be.”
“She won't,” Luciana disagreed. “I know her and I know she is going to hit the roof.”
“Hey!” Sam gripped Luciana’s jaw gently. “Janet Mason may think she has it better, but I can assure you, she does not. She is a bully, and one that I will not stand for in the industry.”
“That’s hot.” Luciana took her bottom lip between her teeth. “Really hot.”
“Focus.” Sam looked pointedly. “I do have to go to the office before the day is over and if you say things like that…it will never happen.”
“You’re gorgeous.” Luciana sighed, tilting her head and smiling. “Really gorgeous.”
“I guess I'm going to lose you to the job tonight?” Sam asked, refraining from partaking in Luciana’s flirtation. “What time?”
“I called in sick, remember?”
“You did, but you can't remain sick forever.”
“God, I wish I could.” Luciana rested her head back, shifting until Sam was lay down beside her. “If it meant I could be here with you every night, I really would.”
Sam remained silent, enjoying this moment.
“I think I’ll take another day or two, though.”
“Yeah?” Sam propped herself up with her elbow. “Really?”
“If you want to spend some time together, why not?”
“I don’t want you to do what she expected of you. I’m not her and I understand you have a job and commitments.”
Luciana laughed. “Fuck! You’re really not her.”
Sam sighed, smiling as she relaxed in her lover’s arms. “Never will be.”
Fifteen
“I’m about to walk into my flat now.” Luciana smiled, the sound of Sam’s voice calming her as she pushed her front door open. “You know, I was thinking maybe you could come over here tonight?”
“Sounds like a nice evening,” Sam said. “What time do you want me there?”
“Whenever you're finished at work?” Luciana suggested. “You should know that my place is nothing like yours, though.”
“I don’t even know what that means…”
“It’s not fancy.” Luciana winced as the words slipped from her mouth. “I mean, it’s not a shithole, but it’s not your kind of place.”
“Will you be there?” Sam asked. “And will there be food?”
“Yes, and yes.”
“Then it is my kind of place.”
“Thanks.” Luciana felt settled by Sam’s reassurance. “So, I’ll see you in a few hours then?”
“You will.” Sam sighed. “Will there be somewhere to park?”
“Yeah, you can use the spot next to mine.” Luciana approached her window and glanced down at the car park. “It’s never usually taken anyway.”
“Okay, then I will see you around six. I have a meeting in ten minutes so I should really prepare for it.”
“Go and be amazing.” Luciana leaned against the window frame. “I’ll try and do something with this place before you get here.”
“Stop worrying. I'm not a monster.”
“No. No, you're not.”
“Goodbye, Luciana.”
“Bye, babe.”
Luciana pushed off the window frame, throwing her phone onto the couch as she made her way into the kitchen. She loved her flat, it was her safety, but being at Sam’s for the last two nights left her feeling different about the space she’d enjoyed for the last four years. Since she moved away from Manchester where her parents still lived, Luciana felt completely free some thirty-five miles down the road in Liverpool. She loved her parents, they meant the world to her, but once she qualified with the brigade, her mother’s panic and worry for her safety made it impossible to return home daily. Her begging to change careers had pushed Luciana away to some degree, but as the years passed, her mum realised that her daughter knew what she was doing…and that she was safe at her job.
Luciana dropped down onto her couch, deciding that a shower could wait another ten minutes. She had so much to do before Sam arrived, but she wouldn’t try too hard. Sam knew her well enough by now to figure out that they were both from completely different worlds, but she hadn’t run or backed off, so Luciana was doing something right. What that was, she had no idea, but after this morning, she wasn’t willing to overthink this. It felt too good, too heavenly. If Sam was happy to have her in her life, then Luciana wouldn’t argue with that.
A knock at the door triggered a frown; she wasn’t expecting anyone here for at least a few hours. It couldn’t possibly be Sam, as she had work to finish at the office, but whoever was waiting on the other side of the door was knocking again.
“Alright! I’m coming!” Luciana yelled, yanking the door open. “Oh, uh…how did you get in here?”
“It’s nice to see you, too.” Janet slipped past Luciana. “Your neighbour on the fifth floor clearly doesn’t take security seriously.”
“Um…”
“He buzzed me up. I could have been anyone.” Janet smirked. “You’ve been avoiding me.”
“Good observation.” Luciana smiled sarcastically. “I’m busy, so if you could leave, that would be great.”
“You don’t look busy.” Janet’s hand settled on her hip, a green flowing gown covering her body.
“How did you find out where I lived?” Luciana didn’t like knowing that Janet was digging around for her personal information. This woman already made her feel uneasy without creeping her out, too.
“You forget that I know people.” Janet set her purse down on the dining table. “Your friends at the agency will give anything up for a good fuck.”
I don’t need to know about her sex life. I really don’t.
“So, what did you want?” Luciana shoved her hands in the pockets of her jeans.
“You ran out on me yesterday.” Janet approached her, her heels clicking against the laminate flooring. “And you were very rude.”
“No, I was just tired of you dictating my life to me, Janet. There is a difference.”
“I don’t think so.” She curled her finger, motioning for Luciana to come closer. When she chose not to, Janet’s eyebrow rose. “Have I taught you nothing in the years you've known me?”
“I’m not bowing down to you anymore.” Luciana shook her head. “Please, just leave.”
“I’m not going anywhere, sweetheart.” Janet cocked her head, tugging the hem of Luciana’s T-shirt and pulling her closer. “You should change. I have plans for us.”
“I told you I'm busy.” Luciana gritted her teeth as she stepped around Janet. As she reached the kitchen, her ex-client followed behind her, trapping Luciana against the kitchen worktop as she turned around. “Janet, please.”
“What is your problem?” Janet’s hand slid to Luciana’s throat. “Why do you insist on pissing me off?”
“You were a client. You know we’re not supposed to get attached.” Luciana’s eyes filled with tears. “I can put you in touch with one of the girls. Someone I know you’ll love.”
“I’ve had them all.” Janet smirked. “And none compare to you, Alexis.”
“I-It’s not me,” Luciana whispered. “What you expect of me…it’s not me.”
“You seemed to enjoy it enough when I introduced you to that world.” Janet leaned in, taking Luciana’s bottom lip and biting down. “Don’t deny it. You wanted it.”
“You’ve no idea what I want. You never thought about me long enough to care.”
“Baby…” Janet’s tongue trailed Luciana’s bottom lip, sending a shudder down the younger w
oman’s spine. “I had things to take care of. I’m back now and I'm here for you.”
“Let go of me,” Luciana cried as Janet’s hand tightened around her neck. “Please?”
“Right, I forgot.” Janet laughed. “You only like to be choked when I'm fucking you.”
“I didn’t like any of what you did to me.” Luciana released a deep breath as Janet dropped her hand. “Why do you think I avoided you for so long after the first time it happened?”
“You told me you had work commitments.”
“I’d have told you anything to stop you from leaving me bruised night after night.”
“That’s the world, Alexis.”
“No, it’s not.” She shook her head. “I know people in your supposed world and they’re nothing like you.”
“Why do you insist on talking back to me?” Janet’s nostril’s flared. “Why do you think it’s acceptable to speak to me that way?”
“You’re not some powerful mistress.” Luciana laughed. “You’re just a whore who would fuck anything.”
A sharp smack to the face brought Luciana out of her anger-filled state, her mouth falling open as her cheek burned. Her eyes closed as she attempted to stem the flow of fresh tears, her lip trembling.
“Get showered. Dressed. And do it quick.”
Think!
“Okay.” Luciana simply nodded her head, stepping out of the kitchen and towards the couch. “Give me twenty minutes. There’s wine in the fridge.” As she passed the couch, she took her phone from the cushion and disappeared into her bedroom. With a shaky hand, she dialled Sam’s number, praying she would pick up.
“Hello?” Sam answered. “Luciana, I'm about to walk into my meeting. I can't talk right now.”
“R-Right, yeah,” she muttered. “Sorry I called.”
“What’s wrong?” Sam’s voice held an element of concern. “Are you hurt?”
“Yes, I mean…uh, no. I’ll be fine.” Luciana sighed. “Maybe I’ll see you tonight. I don’t know what time I’ll be home, or if you’ll want to see me again.”
“What’s going on?”
“S-She’s here. In my home,” Luciana whispered, trying to compose herself. “She showed up, demanding I see her.”
“Janet?”
“Yes, Janet.”
“Tell her to leave,” Sam said. “I can be there in an hour, but I really have to go into this meeting.”
“It’s okay.” Luciana smiled, her heart sinking into her chest at the prospect of spending the night with the woman out in her living room. “I have to get ready.”
“Get ready for what?” Sam lowered her voice. “Where are you going?”
“Wherever she takes me…”
“Tell her to leave!”
“She won't like that.” Luciana laughed pathetically. “You should probably just go home when you finish at the office. I don’t expect to be back before the end of the night.”
“So, that’s it?” Sam scoffed. “You're dropping me, for her?”
“You don’t understand.” Luciana shook her head, Sam’s scent still on her body from the morning they’d shared together. “She isn’t going to leave, Sam. I have to go with her.”
“You said you're hurt?”
Luciana decided it would be easier to backtrack, telling Sam what she needed to hear so she could continue with her day. “No, I'm fine. I hope your meeting goes well. I’ll see you soon, okay?”
“Luciana—”
She cut the call, leaving her alone with Janet once again. Luciana knew she was a coward. After all, she was supposed to be a strong firefighter. When Janet was in the picture, she felt anything but strong around her. She felt at her weakest. Vulnerable. Pathetic. The first few appointments she had with her had been perfect, ideal for what she was looking for, but as time wore on and she booked Luciana at any given opportunity, she saw a side to Janet that she wasn’t so sure about. Though she promised to protect Luciana, or Alexis, as Janet still knew her, she had done anything but protect her. Her idea of protection led to abuse of her body, a body she had never felt the same about since. Sam, though…she made her feel completely different. Her touches were soft, safe and loving. Nothing like the callous hands Janet touched her with.
“Are you nearly ready?” Janet knocked on the bedroom door.
“Y-Yes.” Luciana perked up. “Just be a few minutes.”
“Good. I’d like to get this show on the road.”
***
Sam paced back and forth in her living room, toying with her phone in her hands. All night she had continuously tried to contact Luciana, but so far, she had nothing. She was worried, of course, and now beginning to feel guilty for not cutting her meeting and going straight to her. The more Sam thought about it, the more the fear in Luciana’s voice heightened. Was she in pain? Had Janet hurt her? Surely not. Janet Mason was a woman most didn’t cross, but this? Sam found it hard to comprehend.
For the eleventh time in thirty minutes, Sam unlocked her phone and called Luciana’s number.
Come on, please…
“Sam, hi.” Luciana cleared her throat. “Sorry I've been unable to answer your calls. I left my phone at home.”
“You're home?” Sam released a deep breath, placing her hand over her chest. “Oh, thank God.”
“Yeah, I'm home.” Something about Luciana’s voice sounded off, but Sam wasn’t sure if it was her own mind playing tricks with the worry she’d felt all night. “I was just planning to shower and get some sleep.”
“You do remember that we were supposed to spend the evening together, don’t you?”
“Of course, I remember.”
“Yet you spent the evening with someone else,” Sam said pointedly, unsure how to approach this conversation. “I mean, are we still a thing, or…?”
“I don’t think it’s a good idea.” Luciana’s voice broke. “Can I call you tomorrow? Explain myself? I just really need to sleep.”
“Call me tomorrow?” Sam scoffed. “That’s all I deserve? A call tomorrow…”
“No, you deserve so much more than that,” Luciana cried. “But what you deserve… I cannot give to you.”
“What are you talking about, Luciana?”
“I slept with Janet tonight.”
Sam’s heart fell into her stomach, pulling at her like a lead weight.
“I slept with her and I can never take that back, no matter how much I want to.”
“I, uh…” Sam’s forehead creased as tears slid down her face. “I thought you wanted this with me. I asked you repeatedly if you wanted me.”
“I want you more than anything in this world.”
“That’s a lie.” Sam closed her eyes, calming her breathing. “Just answer me one question. When you slept with me last night…was that your way of fulfilling your duty as my escort?”
“I’m sorry you feel that way,” Luciana said with a sob, leading Sam to believe that not everything was as it seemed. “If I could see you now, I just…”
“Do you want to see me now?” Sam glanced at the clock; it was almost ten at night. She was angry that Luciana had gone out with Janet, but something felt off. How she spoke, the tremble in her voice, Sam believed there was more to the story. Rather than end the call, she chose to listen, hoping Luciana wouldn’t shut down on her.
“All I wanted was to be with you tonight. I need you to know that.”
“I have your address…” Sam allowed her words to filter down the line for a moment. “Should I use it or am I wasting my time?”
“I’m not the right person for you, Sam. I thought I was, that I could be, but after tonight…no.”
“At least say that to me in person rather than over the phone?” Sam needed something more. In her heart, she didn’t believe Luciana wanted to say these things to her. In her heart, she felt a desperate need to see her.
Sam heard movement, followed by a groan from Luciana. “I have to go.”
/> “Wait!” Sam pleaded. Thankful when the line didn’t go dead, she heard Luciana weeping on the other end of the phone. “I’m driving over now. Please, let me up.”
“Okay.”
***
Sam cut the engine on her Range Rover, resting her head back and preparing for the worst possible conversation with Luciana. She could deal with whatever she had to say, she knew that, but after last night, everything had changed for Sam. After falling asleep in another woman’s arms, she wanted more of that. With Luciana, only. A single tear slid down her face as her eyes closed. Could she really lose Luciana from her life? Was that an actual possibility? Sam didn’t want to believe that it could be true, but she had to be realistic. Sam, who had been around a lot longer than the younger woman she’d been spending time with, knew exactly how easy it was to lose those close to you. Important to you. Those who make your life brighter. While she had spent her time recently telling herself it would never last with Luciana, the realisation of that potential was terrifying.
Time to face this head on.
She climbed from her car and took the note from her pocket that held the code for the main door of Luciana’s block. She appreciated the trust Luciana put in her by giving away the code, but she wished to be using it for different reasons. Not reasons that could come back to hit her in the face. As she approached the building, she keyed in the code and blew out a deep breath as the door bleeped, the catch releasing and allowing her entry. Sam had never considered herself to be a nervous person, but tonight she was. Tonight, she felt like her heart would leap out of her throat at any given moment. That, to Sam, meant she wasn’t in control of the situation. She didn’t like it.
She took the flight of stairs to Luciana’s address and stopped at the end of the hallway, trying to remain as calm as possible. She’d thought about calling Lindsay before she left her apartment, but Sam had begun to realise that she couldn’t rely on her sister whenever she had an issue. She’d done perfectly fine helping herself over the years, and now was the time to be that woman again. If Luciana no longer wanted to continue this, she would hold her head high and leave. It really was as simple as that.
The Arrangement Page 16