“Okay, fine.” Debra steadied her toneandher heart. “What are you doing for the rest of the day?”
The line remained silent, but Debra could feel the shift in Billie. Calculating her next move and eyeing the exits even though she was beginning to lean towards her. “Why?”
“Because I was thinking that if you wanted to see me again…I wouldn’t say no.”
Debra was almost certain Billie’s breath had just hitched a little. “You should be careful with invitations like that.”
“Why?”
“Because I might take you up on them.”
Debra grinned. “I was hoping you would.”
Billie exhaled, slow and resigned in the most delicious of ways. “Where am I meeting you, Ms Allen?”
Debra’s brows rose. She hadn’t expected Billie to agree to meet her. Not at all. Not only because she was one hell of a woman to figure out, but because she was working, too. “I’ll…text you the details.”
“Okay. I’ll look forward to receiving them.”
Billie may have been playing it cool, but Debra caught the faint tremor in that usually unshakeable tone. One that said Billie was stepping towards something she wasn’t used to wanting.
“Billie?”
“Yes?”
“I’m glad you were waiting for me to call,” Debra said. “I’m not usually that brave.”
“You’re braver than you think.”
Debra’s eyes fluttered closed. “And you’re softer than you pretend to be.”
Billie laughed, most certainly shaking her head or rolling her eyes at Debra. “I’m hanging up now.”
“No, you’re not.”
“You’re right,” Billie muttered. “I’m not.”
They stayed on the line, neither one moving. Debra didn’t want to end the call for fear of Billie hanging up and immediately regretting her decision to meet her later today.
What will be, will be…
“Text me where to meet you, okay?” Billie said. “I have a fitting in an hour, and then I’m free for the rest of the day. I’ll make sure Nina doesn’t accept any more bookings for the afternoon.”
“I will. I’ll text you.” Debra couldn’t believe Billie was turning down fittings to be with her. Still, she was grateful for her doing so.
“And Debra?”
Debra frowned. “Mm?”
“Don’t keep me waiting.”
The shiver that ran up Debra’s spine as Billie’s low, husky voice reached her ears had wetness pooling between her thighs. She squeezed them together, took a breath, and gave nothing away. “I’ll be in touch. Don’t worry.”
Chapter Fifteen
The museum was quieterthan usual for a Saturday, with just the occasional echoing footsteps and distant conversations drifting throughout the expansive space. Debra usually visited museums and galleries alone, but not today. Today, she had Billie walking beside her, as put together as every other time they’d shared the same air. Well, except for last night when Debra had thoroughly undone her on the couch, and then in the kitchen…then against her flat door when Billie was supposed to be leaving.
But right now, in this moment, even her silence seemed curated.
