“I’m sure you did.” Billie crossed the floor to the counter and straightened a stack of order forms. “You’re excellent at your job. That’s why I hired you.”
“Right.”
The bite in her voice didn’t go unnoticed, but Billie didn’t rise to it.
“I appreciate your dedication,” Billie said as she fixed the cuff of her shirt. “But let’s be clear about boundaries. The view may well look similar from where you’re standing, but our positions are not. I hired an assistant, and that’s precisely what you are.”
Nina’s nostrils flared. “Understood.”
“Good.” Billie lifted the coffee cup from the counter, the one she’d spotted the moment she’d walked through the door. Thankfully, it was still warm. Nina may have been upset with her, but she hadn’t forgotten how Billie liked her coffee. “If anyone asks for me, I’m in my office.”
Without waiting for an answer, Billie turned and walked down the corridor, her boots beating steadily against the polished floor. She didn’t glance back, but she could still feel Nina’s glare—a mixture of resentment and something Billie had no interest in deciphering anymore—as she slipped inside her office and closed the door.The moment she sat down, she welcomed the silence.
And then she reached for her phone inside her pocket. Perhaps she could send Debra a message. It had been years since she’d texted a woman for anything other than business, but if she’d learned anything last night, it was that she could be this person around Debra. Actually, Debra encouraged it.
Only as she unlocked her phone, Debra had already texted her.
Good morning. Should I apologise for keeping you up so late?
The smile that worked its way to Billie’s lips was new, but she welcomed it.
I wasn’t kept up. I stayed willingly.
Billie closed her eyes and tugged her bottom lip between her teeth.
Mm. I guess I wasn’t so bad after all.
Bad? God, if Debra only knew just how good she was. Still, Billie could tease her a little. Shewantedto tease her a little.
Ms Allen, you’re awfully confident this morning.
Three dots quickly appeared. Billie hated to admit it, but she loved the idea of Debra hanging on her every word.
You didn’t seem to mind last night.
Billie smirked. This woman had her right where she wanted her.
I didn’t mind at all.
Billie looked up at her closed office door. Could she stay in here for the next few hours, uninterrupted, while she texted back and forth with Debra? She couldn’t, but she wished she could.
Good because I can still feel your hands on me. Which is very distracting while I’m trying to drink my coffee.
Fuck. Billie was in trouble here.
You’re going to make me think about things I shouldn’t be thinking about at this hour.
The phone on Billie’s desk started to ring, dragging her away from her highly enjoyable exchange. She pressed the speaker with a huff.
“Yes?”
Nina cleared her throat. “Mrs Rothwell has booked a full service at three today. Should I confirm, or would you like to do that yourself?”
Billie swallowed. “I’ll handle it. Thank you.”
The call disconnected, something Nina wouldn’t usually do, but Billie wouldn’t dwell on it right now. She had much more pressing things to take care of. She brought up her message thread again and smiled at Debra’s response.
That’sa shame. I was hoping you would be thinking about them.
