Knowing her job was done, in the wee hours of the morning, Luce got dressed and left the hotel. She didn’t wake Addison to say good-bye. She didn’t leave a note or her phone number or even kiss the woman on the cheek as she slumbered in the bed. Luce didn’t have to. This was business, and business was done, or so she thought.

Two weeks later, Luce received a phone call from Addison Kane. It was short and to the point, and later that same night Luce found herself once again in bed with Addison. Just like the first time, it was fun and definitely lucrative, so when Addison proposed an arrangement whereby she would become Luce’s only client, Luce readily agreed. Luce knew it wasn’t going to be a friends-with-benefits arrangement, but she wasn’t looking for a friend. She was looking for a better life, and Addison Kane could afford her just that. Besides, there was something to be said for being able to give face to one of the wealthiest women in the United Kingdom.

***

“Give me my pills, will you?”

Luce opened her eyes, snickering to herself when she realized she was on the wrong side of the bed. Rolling to her side, she reached for the medicine bottle on the nightstand, wincing as her sore muscles announced themselves.

There wasn’t much she hadn’t done in bed with Addison, but it had been a while since they had had rough sex, and the past several hours had definitely been rough. There were no whips involved or safe words necessary, and no ropes or handcuffs had been used, but instead of their customary give and take, the night had been about Addison taking what she wanted…repeatedly.

Tapping out one of the four pills left in the bottle, Luce rolled back over and handed one to Addison. “So, care to explain what’s going on?”

“I’m taking a pill,” Addison said, popping it into her mouth.

“No, I mean about…well, tonight was a little above and beyond, if you know what I’m saying.”

“I haven’t a clue,” Addison said, grabbing her glass of scotch. “And it’s time for you to leave.”

Luce shook her head and smiled. “I love it when you dismiss me. It’s so you.”

Placing the empty glass on the nightstand, Addison rested back on her pillow and closed her eyes. “Are you still here?”

Laughing out loud, Luce climbed out of bed. “You’re seriously too much sometimes,” she said, stretching toward the ceiling. Waiting as her vertebrae let out a few pops as bones and discs realigned, she moved her head one way and then the other to work out the kinks. Satisfied everything was still in working order, Luce set about gathering the sex toys strewn about and then took them into the bathroom for a much-needed cleaning.