“I do.” Luciana deepened the kiss, feeling something normal for the first time since she left Sam yesterday. “Can I shower before we spend some time together?”
“Do whatever you need to do.” Sam released Luciana, her mind and heart settling knowing that this wasn’t ending. “I just need to make a few calls to the office.”
“I’ll let you be then…”
“If you need anything,” Sam said. “I’ll be right out here.”
“Thank you.”
Sam released a deep breath as Luciana disappeared down the hallway. Hearing the bathroom door close, she took her phone from the coffee table and dialled Cheryl’s personal number.
“Mrs Phillips?”
“Sam.”
“Right, yeah. Is, uh…is everything okay?” Cheryl asked.
“Can you send me the contact details for Janet Mason, please? If she’s working out of an office in the city, find it.”
“Do you want me to call her and schedule an appointment? What project is this for?”
“Just…” Sam pinched the bridge of her nose. “Send over anything you can find.” Cheryl worked harder than anyone Sam had employed, but sometimes she was too much.
“Yes, right away.” Cheryl sighed. “To your personal number or business number?”
“Business.”
“Okay. Bye.” Cheryl ended the call as Sam sat back in her seat, a smirk forming on her mouth. If Janet Mason thought she could hurt someone Sam cared about, she was sadly mistaken. She couldn’t help by seeking out the police, so Sam would use her business mind to lure Janet to her.
***
Sam stood outside a familiar restaurant deep inside the city centre. In a few short moments, she would come face to face with the woman who had hurt Luciana, her anger rising faster than she had anticipated. She didn’t want to go inside all guns blazing, but she also wasn’t sure how long she could make small talk, business talk, or any other kind of talk with this woman. Sam knew Janet when she had nothing, and in an instant, could take it all away again. She would make sure by the end of the night that Janet understood that exactly. Whatever it took, she wouldn’t leave this restaurant without her knowing it.
Sam glanced down at her phone in her hands.
S: Meeting should only last an hour or so. Everything okay? X
Sam smiled when a little bubble instantly appeared beneath her read message.
L: Perfect. Just preparing the film so it’s ready for when you get home. X
S: Sorry I had to go back on my promise of no business today. My client is leaving the city tomorrow and I wanted to finalise some things with them before they did. X
L: Go and be amazing. X
S: See you soon. X
L: Right here waiting…
Sam squared her shoulders and pushed the heavy glass door open. Finding Janet already waiting at their table, she smiled and waved at her as she weaved through the tables.
“Sam, I’m so happy you contacted me.”
“Thought we could catch up.” Sam chose to ignore the hand that had been offered to her, instead sitting down and taking a menu. “Have you ordered drinks?”
“I ordered a bottle of red.”
“Perfect.” Sam smiled. “So, what brings you back to the city?”
“Personal things.” Janet tapped her nails on the drinks menu in front of her. “My girlfriend is here, so I wanted to check in with her.”
“Oh.” Sam’s eyebrows rose. “Have you been together long?”
“I kind of disappeared on her.” Janet sighed. “I had to come back for her.”
“You’re lucky she hung around for you,” Sam said. “Not many would in this city.”
“I know. Thankfully, I got to spend the night with her last night. We had some making up to do.”
Sam fell silent, the playful nature of the woman sitting in front of her too much to take. Janet didn’t have any idea just what Sam knew, but she would soon. Sam was already done listening to her.
“Do you plan on disappearing again?” Sam smiled as the waiter filled their glasses.
“I have to.” Janet took her wine and sipped. “I have a huge project in London.”
“With who?”
“Wright-Peterson.”
“Ahh, both good friends of mine.” Sam nodded. “Say hi to them for me, won't you?”
“Of course.” Janet relaxed back into her seat. “So, what’s new with you?”
“Working. As always.”
“And life at home? I hope it’s beginning to get better.” Sam noted the false tone in Janet’s voice. In all honesty, this woman couldn’t care less about Sam, but she knew that.
“Actually, it is.” Sam beamed. “That’s why this will only be a short meeting. I have to get back.”
“Oh?” Janet smirked. “You have plans?”
“Big plans.”
“I’m so happy for you, Sam.” Janet reached across the table, squeezing Sam’s hand. “It’s about time you put yourself out there.”
“Just had to wait for the right moment.” Sam drained her glass and refilled it.
“Wow, you really are in a hurry.” Janet watched Sam take a long sip of her fresh wine. “If you couldn’t make it, you shouldn’t have offered.”
“No, she doesn’t mind. I explained that I was catching up with an old friend I hadn’t seen in far too long.”
“It has been a while.” Janet nodded. “So, do you have any projects on at the moment?”
“A lot, actually. You?”
“Just the one in London. Work has been…quiet.”
“Really? Not here it hasn’t.”
“Perhaps I should come back full-time once I'm done with this one?”
“Oh, I don’t know.” Sam shook her head. “My current designer is more than doing his job.”
“Do I recall you saying that you would always put the women before the men in your business ventures?”
“You would be correct.” Sam checked her watch. “But Joseph is as gay as I am, so I class him as one of our own.”
“That’s very sweet of you.”
“Just looking out for the people who matter in my company.”
“I mattered at one time.” Janet sighed. “Work really has been hard, Sam. You’ll call me if you need an extra pair of hands?”
Not your hands, no. Sam held back a laugh she could feel bubbling away inside of her.
“Sure.” She left money on the table and stood. “Walk with me? I do actually have something to discuss with you.”
“Okay.” Janet’s eyes lit up. “Sounds interesting.”
“Oh, it is. Very interesting.”
Sam moved back through the tables and out onto the street, waiting for Janet to fall into step with her. What she had to say wouldn’t take very long, so she decided to cut to the chase.
“Which way?” Janet asked.
“Oh, we’ll take this alley. It’ll get me home quicker.”
“Fine by me.” Janet laughed. “I don’t like a frustrated Sam.”
“And you shouldn’t.” Sam winked. “So, how much is this contract with Wright-Peterson worth to you?”
“A lot. It’s my biggest project to date.”
“Impressive.”
“All the more reason to take me back on when it’s finished.” Janet nudged her shoulder, that playful nature returning and grating on Sam. “Don’t you think?”
“Actually.” Sam stopped dead, turning to face Janet. “How would you feel about it all ending in what…” Sam paused. “The next thirty seconds?”
“What?” Janet’s forehead creased, her lack of Botox recently evident to Sam. “Are you offering me something better? I didn’t even give you the figures.”
“I couldn’t give a fuck about the figures, Janet.” Sam stepped closer, backing Janet up against the stone wall in the alleyway. “I’m not interested in anything you have to say.”
“Sa
m, what the hell is wrong with you?”
“Shut it!” Sam’s body pressed against Janet’s, her hand forced against her chest. “My girlfriend was in pieces last night.”
“Okay…”
“Because of you!”
“What? You've lost your fucking mind.”
“You contact Alexis again…you so much as breathe the same air as her, and I’ll know about it.” Sam smirked. “She’s not your girlfriend, she never was. You were her client and a pretty shit one at that.”
“Alexis?” Janet’s eyes widened. “What has she been telling you?”
“She didn’t have to tell me anything. I saw the damage you did.”
“She fucking loved it.” Janet cackled, sending the hairs on the back of Sam’s neck upright.
“It will take me one call, Janet.” Sam’s hand slid up to her throat. “One. Fucking. Call.”
“Y-You wouldn’t.”
“And you're willing to test that?” Sam’s grip tightened. “You’re willing to play these games with the hope that I don’t end your shitty career right now? I thought you knew me better than that.”
“I don’t know what you're talking about. Alexis has been fucking me since Lucia died.”
“My wife’s name comes out of your mouth again and I’ll end it all for you right now.”
“What would she think about this? Her perfect little wife shacking up with a whore?” Janet’s eyes flickered, anger evident but also fear. “Sam Phillips cannot do any wrong.” Janet rolled her eyes but it only encouraged Sam to grip tighter.
“You forget the people I know. The Mayor. The Chief of Police. Wright-Peterson.”
“So?”
“So, they’re fond of you, no?”
“They are,” Janet agreed. “Very fond.”
“One call is all it would take and I’d air your dirty laundry to every one of them.”
“I don’t think they’d care too much about me booking an escort.”
“No, probably not. They would, however, find it hard to forgive you for abusing her. Beating her. Forcing yourself on her.”
“My word against hers.”
Sam was impressed by the resolve Janet seemed to possess. Anyone else would have crumbled by now, but not Janet. Sam knew this woman all too well, though.
“Maybe so, but in this industry…my word is gospel.”
“W-What do you want?” Janet asked, the realisation of how powerful Sam was settling in. “Just tell me what you want!”
“Leave her alone. No contact. You leave the city first thing tomorrow morning and I don’t see your fucking face again.”
“And if I don’t?”
“I have Peter Wright on speed-dial.” Sam released her grip on Janet’s throat. “I also have his wife on my side, who oversees a lot of projects in London.”
“You really think you can destroy me?” Janet scoffed. “You truly believe you have the power?”
“No.” Sam held up her hand. “I know.”
“Fine.”
“That’s all you have to say? Fine!” Sam couldn’t believe the disgust she held for this woman. “I want you out of here. Alexis may not be willing to go to the police, but I’m contacting my lawyer in the morning and having an order out against you. You touch my girlfriend again and you will be lying dead in this very alleyway.”
“Threats?”
“Promises, Janet.” Sam leaned in and brought her lips to Janet’s ear. “Always promises from me.”
Seventeen
“Good morning.” Sam leaned down behind Luciana, kissing the spot below her ear. “You made breakfast…again.”
“Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” Luciana shrugged as she slathered her toast with butter. “I picked up some of those melon balls you love.”
“You're too good to me.” Sam sat beside Luciana, sipping her coffee as she made herself comfortable. “I never thought I'd get used to this again.”
“Which?”
“Breakfast every morning with another woman.” Sam popped a melon ball into her mouth, moaning as the juice slid down her throat. A week had passed since her encounter with Janet, her sole focus now to enjoy her time with Luciana. It did feel overwhelming at times, but she wanted her girlfriend here. Where she was safe.
“About that.” Luciana cleared her throat, dropping her toast onto her plate. “How has it been for you?”
“What do you mean?” Sam faced her girlfriend fully.
“Has it been okay?” Luciana offered her a small smile, unsure of Sam’s response. “I don’t forget that you have a wife, Sam.”
“Lucia would want me to be happy.” Sam placed her hand on Luciana’s. “It just took you coming into my life to realise that.”
“That means a lot.” Luciana upturned her hand. “Really.”
“She would be happy.” Sam lowered her eyes. “She’d like you…”
“You think?” Luciana beamed. “You really mean that?”
“My wife had a beautiful personality. She was friends with everyone. You actually remind me of her at times.”
“I do?”
“Your mannerisms. The little things you do.”
“Like what?”
“You sleep the way she did.” Sam’s lips curled upward. “On your stomach with your left leg bent and your right arm under the pillow.”
Luciana smiled, enjoying this moment with Sam. Over the past week, spending so much time here, she’d wanted to ask about Lucia and how Sam felt, but she wasn’t sure how upsetting it would be for her girlfriend.
“You twirl your hair ‘round your right index finger when you're concentrating, and you watch me at night when we settle down together.”
“Hard not to watch you.” Luciana reached out, tucking Sam’s dark silky hair behind her ear. “Don’t ever think you can't do this with me.”
“Do what?”
“Talk about Lucia. Remember her.”
“You've been keeping me a little busy.” Sam smirked. “It’s been a welcome change.”
“Thank you for being amazing this week.” Luciana could never repay Sam for the kindness she’d shown since Janet arrived at her flat. Of course, it was in Sam’s nature to be that woman, but Luciana hadn’t expected it so soon into their relationship. While she fully expected Sam to run a mile, she hadn’t. Sam had stayed and been everything she needed.
“You mean a lot to me.” Sam plated up her breakfast. “And as your girlfriend, I'm allowed to be here for you.”
“Yeah, I'm still trying to get my head around that.” Luciana laughed. “Can’t quite believe it.”
“I know how you feel.”
“Do you have much on today?” Luciana focused on the back of Sam as she stood and leaned over the table. “You look great, by the way.”
“A few meetings. Some plans I need to take a look at.” Sam returned to her seat. “And this is just my usual work attire. I know you hate it, but it’s the professional look.”
“H-Hate it?”
“You made a comment the first time I invited you to the office.”
“Oh, that wasn’t what I meant.” Luciana pushed her chair back and approached Sam, straddling her legs. “I love a woman in a suit.”
“Okay, that’s hot.” Sam blew out a deep breath, her hands falling to her girlfriend’s thighs. “So, I should wear a suit more often?”
“Only if I'm the one who has the opportunity to remove it from your gorgeous body.”
“Wouldn’t have anyone else.”
Luciana dipped her head, taking Sam’s bottom lip between her teeth. As much as she wanted to continue this, it was her first day back at the station. She wouldn’t be able to focus on the job if she didn’t remove herself from Sam’s lap. That wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.
“I should head off.”
“Wait!” Sam gripped Luciana’s jaw gently. “I’m not finished kissing you yet.”
; Luciana delighted in the feeling of Sam’s tongue rolling against hers. The taste of this woman was enough to send her over the edge, regardless of the minimum contact they would likely have in the next thirty seconds.
“I’m hoping you’ll never be finished kissing me.”
“Tonight,” Sam whispered against her lips. “I’ll be here waiting for you. Suit included.”
“Fuck.” Luciana pressed her forehead against Sam’s. “I’m counting down the hours.”
Sam brushed her thumb against Luciana’s cheek. “You're sure you're ready to go back to work?” She had tried to talk to her girlfriend about how she was feeling, but Luciana insisted she was fine. She hadn’t gone into any more detail about Janet, claiming that she didn’t want to think about her any more than she had to, but Sam was pleased with her progress. Unfortunately, she got the impression that Luciana was used to this type of behaviour. While Sam wanted the police and everyone else involved, her girlfriend had returned to normal life, not a care in the world. It didn’t feel right and it didn’t sit well with Sam, but she couldn’t and wouldn’t force Luciana to talk to the authorities, no matter how much she believed she should. Regardless of how much she hated the fact that Janet would walk away free, it was Luciana’s decision and her decision alone.
“I’m sure. I'm fine. I haven’t heard from her and you've looked after me so well that I'm feeling great.”
“I haven’t done much.” Sam shrugged as Luciana climbed off her.
“Holding me was all I needed.”
Sam smiled as her girlfriend approached the rucksack by the door and pulled it up onto her shoulder. Her usual work outfit hugged her in every right way; something about the black heavy boots she wore sent Sam into a spin. This feeling of waking each morning with Luciana in her home was quickly becoming normal for Sam, whether she once rejected the idea or not. The thought that she once wanted nothing more than a friendship with Luciana now seemed ludicrous, but moments like this…as she glanced back at her and blew her a kiss, these were the moments she was living for.
“Be safe.”
Luciana threw her a wink. “Always.”
The Arrangement Page 18