Jo knew then, even if she couldn’t act on it tonight, even if she couldn’t let herself unravel any further in public…that she was in serious trouble.
Because she didn’t just want Amelia. She was starting toneedher.
Chapter Fourteen
Amelia couldn’t rememberthe last time a single look had undone her the way Jo’s had. That moment—those first seconds when their eyes locked across the room—wasstillplaying on a loop behind her calm expression. She sipped her drink slowly, her robe tied tightly around her waist now, her legs crossed with a deliberate composure she wasn’t sure was working. Inside, she was anything other than composed.
Because Jo had looked at her like she was something forbidden.
Something dangerous.
Something…wanted.
Amelia shifted slightly in the booth, trying to relax her shoulders and to keep the ache in her belly from spreading further down. Jo was still sitting beside her, her face a little flushed, her eyes darting to Amelia’s thighs and then away again. She was pretending not to think about it, but Amelia could feel the tension building between them.
God, she wished they would just take the risk.
One date. One night in the real world.
It wouldn’t solve everything, but it would mean something. Amelia had never asked for much, not from anyone, but tonight, she would giveanythingto be with Jo.
For Jo to choose her boldly, regardless of what they’d agreed, like she had done in the dark.
Because that was what haunted her most. The knowing.
Amelia hadn’t been able to stop thinking about the last time they were together in the dark room. The way Jo had kissed her without hesitation and pushed her back against the wall with that desperate hunger that hadn’t needed words. Amelia had felt every tremble and every whispered breath. The way Jo had moaned into her neck when she gripped her hips. The way her mouth had moved lower, slow and teasing. And then the moment Amelia had felt Jo’s tongue between her thighs, so certain of what she was doing and what she wanted, she’d all but come undone.
She could still taste her. She could still feel Jo’s breath on her skin, the hot drag of her lips, and the rhythm of her fingers curling just right. And tonight, sitting here with her, pretending that nothing had ever happened between them, was torture.
Amelia pressed the rim of her glass to her bottom lip, trying to cool the fire that had started to rise again. She needed to think about something else. Something safe. She cleared her throat. “I meant to ask…how busy are you this week?”
Jo’s head shot up, caught off guard a little by Amelia’s questioning. “Why?”
“I wanted you to do a shoot for me.”
Jo’s gaze switched between Amelia’s lips and her cleavage. “Oh, I-I…I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“I have a property near completion,” Amelia said, realising where Jo’s mind had just gone. “Big place. Beautiful character. I think it’ll go fast once it hits the market, but the staging company I usually use is behind on the visuals.”
“O-oh.” Jo laughed. “You want me to shoot it?”
“If you’re interested, then yes. I’d love you to shoot it.”
“Yes, of course. That would be great.” Jo shook her head as she looked down into her glass. “I thought you meant something else at first.”
Amelia’s lips curled into a slow, knowing smile. “No. Not lingerie shots.”
Jo, a little flustered, said, “Right. Of course.”
“But now that you mention it…” Amelia let the tease hang in the air for a second before softening. “I’m kidding. It’s just a house. Five beds. South-facing garden. It’ll be lovely once it’s finished.”
“I’d love to. Really.” Jo relaxed slightly, though the blush hadn’t left her cheeks. “It’s funny. This feels like the first normal conversation we’ve had in a while.”
“It’s not exactly easy to stay on-topic when we’re inthisplace,” Amelia said quietly, gesturing to the low-lit space around them. “I’m sure you agree.”
Jo smiled. “Yeah. I keep forgetting it’s not just a dream.”
“And it never has to be.” Amelia stroked her fingers over the back of Jo’s hand. “Forget everything we’ve said and just remember that.”
