Standing near the bed, Addison bowed her head, rubbing the back of her neck as she turned to face Luce. “I should never have told you as much as I did, and I’m not in the mood for semantics.”

“Apparently not,” Luce said as she pointed at the vibrator on the nightstand. “Did you start without me?”

Following Luce’s line of sight, Addison shrugged. “I need to relax, Luce. If I don’t, I can’t sleep. You know that.”

It was rare Addison’s tone wasn’t authoritative and demanding, so when her voice dropped almost to a whisper, Luce narrowed her eyes. “Are you okay?”

As if someone had flipped a switch, Addison set her shoulders straight. Reaching into the nightstand drawer, she pulled out an amber-colored medicine container, twisted off the lid and tapped a pill into her hand. Taking a glass of scotch from the nightstand, she downed the tablet with the alcohol that remained.

“I wish you wouldn’t do that,” Luce said, her brow creasing with worry.

“We’ve had this conversation before. I know what I’m doing.”

“Mixing sleeping pills with alcohol isn’t a good idea.”

“Like I said, we’ve had this conversation before!” Addison said as she tossed the pill bottle back into the nightstand and slammed the drawer shut. “A half glass of scotch, a pill, and an orgasm and I’ll sleep until morning. Now, I’ve had the pill, and I’ve had the drink, so it’s time for you to do your bloody job.”

It was indeed a conversation that had been repeated over the years, so knowing there was no point in continuing it, Luce sighed. Walking into the bathroom, she turned on the tap to wash her hands. “So, what would you like tonight?” she called out. “Toys, oral, or just feel you up until you come?”

Not at all surprised that Addison hadn’t felt the need to respond, she grabbed a towel, and returning to the bedroom as she dried her hands, Luce came to a stop in the doorway and grinned. Addison was already lying on the bed, wearing only a white fitted shirt unbuttoned at the collar, and her suit jacket and trousers, along with her knickers and socks, were in a puddle on the floor.

“You know, you should really take better care of your things,” Luce said, picking up the discarded clothes and draping them on a chair.

“When I want your opinion, I’ll ask for it.”

Addison’s gruffness did nothing to erase the grin from Luce’s face. She was used to the woman’s bravado and attitude. Without the occasional rudeness and caustic responses, Addison Kane just wouldn’t be Addison Kane.

“So, what’ll it be?” Luce asked, sitting on the edge of the bed.

Bending her left leg at the knee, Addison said, “Just use your hands. If I need your tongue, I’ll let you know.”