I wouldn’t mind being the housewife of a billionaire.Alicia wanted more, of course, but there were plenty of new challenges to face in life to last her a while. Then she could tackle other things. Doubtlessly, she would make connections and garner some ideas while married to Danica Moreau. What she wantedto do now, career-wise, would be very different a few years from now. Who knew? Maybe she would learn some things about her business.
First, though, she would arrange breakfast.
Second, she would reenter the bedroom and begin laying out her girlfriend’s clothes, already picked out the night before. Usually, Ms. Clayborn did this for her, but that woman was still asleep, or so Alicia assumed. That was one less thing for both of them to do. Besides, Alicia liked the feel of Danica’s clothes between her fingers.
She placed Danica’s shoes by the bed. She went into the bathroom and lined up her grooming materials. Danica may have been meticulous, but she was used to having other people do things for her. Alicia didn’t mind being that person.
By the time she went back to bed, sleep hanging from her, she felt good about herself.
“Thank you for arranging things for me,”the text Alicia read three hours later said.“Ms. Clayborn thanks you as well. Because of your foresight, I will have plenty of time to rehearse for my presentation this morning.”
Another text waited for her after that.“I will be out very late tonight. You will need to have dinner on your own. I am sorry. There are no plans for us today. Take this time to do as you please, and to think about us. We’ll resume your training tomorrow.”
Was this another punishment? Was Danica removing herself from Alicia’s life (for one whole day, the poor dear) because she disobeyed? Or was this always the plan?I really should startlearning her schedule.If she had to be out late, then it was probably for work. What the hell did she do, exactly?
Dee was the only other person in the apartment. At least this time, Alicia expected her.
“You all right?” the bodyguard asked, as Alicia glumly sat at the table. “Who do I gotta punch? Just don’t say Ms. Moreau. I know a gal who could punch her for you, though.”
Alicia laughed for the first time all day. “Nothing’s really wrong. Personal stuff.”
“With the girlfriend, hm? Like I said. Know a girl.”
“Are you supposed to say that kind of stuff about her?”
“About who? Your girlfriend or the girl I know?”
Alicia shrugged. “Either one, I guess.”
“Don’t think you heard me say anything, ma’am.”
“You’re right. I didn’t.”
Alicia had no idea what to do with her day. A million things were waiting for her in Chicago, but all she could think about was Danica and their relationship. So, while Dee sighed in boredom, Alicia sat at the table with coffee and a plaintive expression on her face. The morning turned into the afternoon, and Alicia still had no answers.
“Think it’s time to go out,” she finally announced. “Mind coming with me?”
“Whatever you want. Ms. Moreau should have a car for you on hand.”
Alicia didn’t want to drive around Chicago. She wanted to walk, damnit. Put on some comfortable flats and take in a new city. Maybe shop a little. Take pictures on her phone. Pretend that she and Dee were BFFs instead of bodyguard and charge.Think about my girlfriend.Every time Alicia encountered a businesswoman in a smart outfit, she thought of the woman she was falling in love with – or at least was already in love with.
She wore a blouse with a high neck, but she had slipped the collar on beneath it. The silver loop rubbed against the fabric of her blouse, reminding her that Danica could put whatever she wanted there. Like a leash.
Alicia stopped in the middle of the sidewalk and stared at the concrete in front of her. She imagined Danica leading her through downtown Chicago on a leash, of all things.I don’t know how I feel about that. No, not in public. That would not be allowed in public.
Well, notdowntown Chicagopublic, anyway.
She didn’t know if it was dinner or not, but she had a meal in a sweet-looking café sporting sandwiches and soups from around the world. A true northeastern girl at heart, she ordered the clam chowder and internally declared it passable but nothing like the real thing.
“I’m gonna duck into the bathroom real quick,” Dee said. “Gotta see a man about a horse. You be okay for five minutes?”
“Sure.”
“All right. Don’t tell the boss, ‘kay?”
“You take care of what you need to.” Alicia wasn’t going to tell a woman she couldn’t go to the damn bathroom.
Dee wasn’t in the ladies’ room for five seconds before the reason for her existence became stupidly apparent.
