Debra didn’t knowwhat she was doing outside Brown & Co., but something had compelled her to come here. When she’d bumped into Billie back at the restaurant, watching her walk away had been difficult. Of course Debra had put on a brave face, insinuating that all was well in her world, but watching Billie leave had been harder than she thought it would be.
So now, here she stood, telling herself it was just to talk, to understand what had been going through Billie’s mind as she’d so confidently walked up to Debra…only to retreat with her shoulders low and a falter in her step. If nothing else, she was here to put a full stop where one clearly hadn’t been placed. The ache had grown too loud for her to ignore now, pressing down on her whenever she was alone, so yes…it was time to put an end to this once and for all. Debra knew she would never gain the answers she’d spent weeks mulling over in her head, and she accepted that.
The lights inside the shop were on, and a part of Debra instantly worried. She’d come here hoping Billie would bearound—she had a feeling this was where Billie felt most comfortable—but what if she wasn’t here and someone had broken in?
Don’t be ridiculous!
She tried the door handle, surprised when the wood gave way and opened. Her heart stuttered at the mere thought of seeing Billie again. As she inhaled a deep breath and steadied herself, she caught a hint of Billie’s perfume. God, she’d give anything to be wrapped up in it again. But it wasn’t to be, and that was okay.
“Billie? Are you here?”
Nothing. No response.
She squinted towards the corridor. Light spilled out from a partially open door. A door she assumed would take her into Billie’s office. As she approached, a sound drifted towards her.
Low. Breathless.Intimate.
A…woman’s voice, but not Billie’s.
Her heart free-fell into her stomach. Debra knew she shouldn’t take another step closer, but her body betrayed her and carried her forward on instinct alone. Perhaps this was what she needed to let go once and for all. Still, each step she took felt wrong. She knew whatever she was about to walk into would hurt her.
When she reached the doorway, her world narrowed to a single,unbearableframe.
Billie stood between Nina’s spread legs, one hand braced against the desk, her body angled forward as she gripped her jaw. Her collar was open, her sleeves were rolled back, and her hair was mussed in a way Debra had only ever seen after she’d kissed her breathless. A leather harness sat around Billie’s hips, the metal buckles catching the low light with a cruel gleam.
Nina lay beneath her, her hair fanned across the paperwork that had been pushed aside in haste. Her fingers clutched Billie’s shoulders, the room pulsing with heat and proximity.
Billie’s voice was low and rough, stripped of its usual control as she said, “Keep your eyes on me. Watch me while I fucking ruin you!”
Nina obeyed instantly, and something inside Debra shattered.
It wasn’t rage that hit first. It was understanding. A sudden,awfulclarity that made everything fall into place. The looks and the tension on the shop floor, the distance Billie had insisted meant nothing. Debra had wanted to believe her and had stupidly chosen to.
A small, wounded sound slipped from her throat before she could stop it, andeverythingfroze around her.
Billie went rigid as her head snapped towards the doorway, while Nina lay there breathless. Billie’s face shifted rapidly to shock, then horror, then something raw and panicked that felt like a physical blow to Debra.
“Debra, I?—”
“I should have knocked,” Debra said, her voice shaking. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—” She stopped herself. There were no excuses and no apologies to make. Not really.
Billie stared back at her like she’d just been caught committing something unforgivable…and maybe she had.
“So this is it.” Debra nodded slowly, saddened beyond belief. “This is what you meant when you said I should forget you.”
Billie took a step forward, her hands lifting instinctively. “Debra, please. This isn’t?—”
“Isn’t what?” Debra cut in and frowned. “Isn’t exactly what it looks like?” Nina shifted awkwardly, fumbling with her blouse, suddenly very aware of the fact that she wasn’t invisible. But Debra barely spared her a glance. She focused solely on Billie and the harness still strapped around her waist. This woman had once kissed her like she mattered. “You told me nothing was going on.” Debra’s voice trembled as anger and hurt bledtogether. “You stood in front of me and looked me in the eye, seemingly offended that I’ddaredto wonder.”
Billie shook her head and Debra noted the desperation creeping into her expression. “I didn’t lie to you. Not like that. Nina and I… This is work. This is?—”
“This iswhat, Billie?” Debra demanded. “Control? Habit? Something easy you can fall back into the second you decide I’m too complicated?” Billie flinched, and Debra knew that one had landed exactly as it was supposed to. Still, she felt the vicious twist of guilt as the words poured out of her. “You made me feel special, but all this time…” She gestured between Billie and Nina. “Well, you already had this waiting in the wings.”
“That’s not fair,” Billie said, her voice hoarse. “You don’t understand?—”
“You’re right, I don’t. I thought I was getting to know you, I thought we had a connection, but apparently, I was just a break from this.”
“Debra, we need to talk.”
