Billie laughed and slouched into the couch. “Yeah, I much prefer being a part of the conversation instead oftheconversation.”
As Billie allowed the silence to envelop her, Debra’s heat pressed to her side, she realised with a strange sense of peace that nothing with Debra was scary. If anything, she felt more alive now that someone else had witnessed what they were beginning to share.
I’m so going to fall hard for this woman.
Billie hadn’t realised justhow much she’d been holding herself together until Maeve had left. The second the door had clicked shut behind her, Debra’s flat seemed to exhale and calm in an instant. That noise of another presence and the awareness of another pair of eyes on her had evaporated, leaving only the sound of rush hour London beyond the window and the low, steady rhythm of Debra’s breathing as she’d moved back into Billie’s space and curled up beside her on the couch.
Debra hadn’t said anything since she’d seen Maeve out. She’d simply strolled back into the room, kicked off her shoes, then turned and offered Billie a look that made everything within her relax. It was one of those looks that reminded Billie she was doing everything right at the moment.
Billie had simply held out a hand, encouraged Debra closer, and pulled her down onto the couch beside her. That pleased little sigh Debra had exhaled melted Billie, a confirmation that she was more than welcome here this afternoon.
“Comfy?” Debra murmured as she placed her hand over Billie’s, where it rested around her waist.
“Mm. Very.”
Debra shifted until she was lying partially on top of Billie, her cheek against Billie’s chest and one knee thrown over Billie’s legs. She reached out and took the string of Billie’s hoodie, toying with it as she closed her eyes. She twisted it around her fingertip, then tugged it gently, absent-mindedly intimate, as though she was soothing herself with the contact.
Billie stared down at her in disbelief. Debra Allen, casually draped across her body, in the middle of the day…as though it was nothing. As though Billie wasn’t the kind of woman who used to only exist in a particular light. But with each moment that passed, Billie felt herself losing that side of herself more and more.
Debra shifted again, then tipped her face up. “Thanks for not running when you got here.”
“For the first time in my life, running didn’t even cross my mind.” Billie pulled Debra against her and leaned down, kissing her temple. “And it went better than I thought it would. So, that’s a bonus.”
“Maeve is…Maeve. She wants me to be happy.”
Billie smiled against Debra. “I’m surprised she approved of me. I’m sure she knows all about the beginning with us.”
“It was actually her who suggested I book in for The Full Service.” Debra’s gaze shifted to Billie’s lips, then back up to her eyes. “She didn’t tell me what I was in for, though.”
Billie cast her mind back to previous clients. She kneweveryonewho walked through her door. “I’ve never met her before. I certainly haven’t fitted a suit for her. I swear.”
“No, I know. She said her cousin recommended you.”
“Right.” Billie chewed her lip, wondering if that would ever become an issue for them. Billie’s past experiences with women in London. “Does it bother you that I used to offer The Full Service?”
“I think I’d be a bit of a hypocrite if I said yes, don’t you?”
“I…don’t know. People are entitled to feel how they feel about it.” Billie couldn’t change any of it, but she could take on board Debra’s feelings. “Does it bother you?”
“Not at all. I wouldn’t have met you if I hadn’t booked in with you.” Debra snuggled into Billie’s chest and sighed. “Anyway, how was your day?”
“It was fine. I wasn’t there long.” Billie’s brows drew together suddenly. “Though I will admit that it felt strange.”
“Strange how?”
Billie paused. She wanted to be honest, but she didn’t want to be too honest and ultimately scare Debra away.Fuck it. Tell her how you’re feeling. “Because I kept thinking about you.”
A smile spread on Debra’s mouth as she looked back at Billie. “Oh?”
Billie’s cheeks heated. Which was ridiculous, considering everything they’d already done together. Still, there was something about admitting it out loud that made Billie feel bare. “I kept thinking about last night, and this morning…and then you leaving.”
Debra’s fingers paused on Billie’s hoodie string. Then she tugged at it again, slow and teasing. “I didn’twantto leave.”
“I know.”
Debra propped herself up on her elbow, her hair falling forward. “You’re different here.”
“Different good or different bad?”
