And Luisa told Amy everything, visibly relaxing as she did, like a weight off her shoulders that she’d not even known she was carrying.
She talked about how Bel had taken her under her wing, how she’d been the one constant in her whole career and the one person that didn’t want or demand anything from her, how she was a consummate professional and the one fellow model that Luisa respected above everyone else.
And then she talked about the attraction they had, how they always ended up in bed together, how it happened regardless ofif either of them had a boyfriend or girlfriend, how neither of them could ever say no, she told it all. Amy sat and listened, hand in hand, and asked the occasional question but not many. Mainly she let Luisa talk.
Finally, Luisa talked about her love life, the fact that she hadn’t been in a proper relationship for eight years and was terrified she’d screw this up, the occasional times still that for her career she might end up needing to blur professional and personal boundaries with someone, the presence of Julian, her casual ‘not-boyfriend’ in LA, she covered everything.
As Luisa talked Amy realised that she was understanding her better and better, and liking her more and more. There was a raw honesty to her that she respected.
When Luisa had finished, finally, she said, “And that is Bel and, well, everything else.” She paused. “I’m sorry you met her like that, that doesn’t feel right. My life is complicated.”
Amy smiled reassuringly. “That’s ok. I’ve got a question for you… do you want that all to continue? What you and Bel have sounds unique, and I understand the professional challenge you might have from time to time… my world isn’t entirely dissimilar. And it sounds like you value what you have with Julian. It isn’t a loaded question, we can make room in you and me for all of that, so long as we’re open and honest about it with each other.”
Luisa sat looking at Amy for an age, a serious expression on her face. Finally, hesitantly, she said, "Bel was the first person who made me feel like I belonged in the industry, and there's always been this... understanding. We connect physically when we're in the same place but it's never bled into the rest of our lives. I mean she lives in London, we’ve never socialised, neverseen each other outside of work. It's just two professionals with a shared past and a very specific kind of chemistry."
"That's sounds like a yes with Bel..." Amy teased.It sounds pretty hot was the part she didn't say, thinking of the parallels to her and Sarah.
“I think I might, it's maybe a yes. Julian, we can discuss another time. And the other professional things, we can talk about if it ever comes up but first… tell me about Sarah. I think talking about what’s ok and not needs to be two way, so it’s your turn.”
Amy nodded. “That’s fair. So, where to begin with Sarah…”
Luisa
Amalfi
Their food arrived just as Amy got started, and Luisa listened intently while Amy described how she’d met Sarah at work, how what had started as a mentoring relationship quickly evolved into something more, how Amy hadn’t been Sarah’s only one, how Sarah had been the catalyst for Amy getting to work in LA.
“She swapped helping you at work for you sleeping with her?” Luisa asked at one point, recognising the parallels immediately to various points in her own professional life.
Amy’s expression was complex. “There’s much more to it than that. If that was all it had been then that first time she tried to kiss me I’d have run a mile.” She smiled ruefully. “Naomi and Lara weren’t joking when they told you that I was the last person to admit I was into women. Sarah… I wanted it, because she’s good company and she’s beautiful and… I was ready for somebody to make me see what I really wanted.”
Luisa was nodding her agreement. “She’s certainly attractive.”
Amy looked at her sharply. “You know what she looks like?”
Luisa couldn’t help laughing. “Dinner on Monday. I knew that wastheSarah.”
“How could you tell?”
“You’re not the best actress… I could tell from the way you looked at her.”
“And you, it seems, are a very good actress indeed because I did not have a clue that you knew.” Amy paused. “I’m sorry, I should have said.”
“No, don’t apologise. Dinner was much better without us acknowledging that.” Luisa thought for a moment. “I’m glad that your thing with Sarah is based on something mutual. Early in my career I had a few things that… weren’t. Things I did that I’m not proud of in hindsight but also that I refuse to judge the younger me harshly on. Now, if I have a professional entanglement it’s only if I’d want it to happen without the professional angle. Any professional benefit is an added bonus.”
Amy nodded slowly. “With Sarah, it grew to be more.”
As their food was cleared away and Amy talked more and more, Luisa found her jaw dropping open more than once at some of the things that had happened… the way in which Sarah had become more and more dominant, Amy more and more submissive, then their switch to Sarah’s submission and the catalyst for Amy’s split with James when he’d caught the two of them in bed together.
Luisa had been unaware of all of this… she’d had a vague idea that Amy and Sarah had been into some kinky activities judging by Amy’s knowledge of BDSM gear in the sex shop in LA, but the scale and intensity blew Luisa’s mind.
As Amy finished, Luisa flashed her a teasing grin. “So you’re telling me that, really, you’re Sarah’s dominatrix, and you see her sometimes to do dominatrix stuff with her? And she’s your boss at work?” Luisa shook her head. “That’s pretty incredible.”
“Do you think I’m weird now?” Amy asked nervously.
“No,” Luisa laughed. “I think you’ve got some skills you’ve kept secret that you need to use on me!”
“Really?” Amy replied, and Luisa could see that her cheeks were flushed.
