Chapter 15
Chapter Fifteen
The museum was quieter than 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.
Billie walked a step ahead, slowing when something caught her eye, and Debra drifted closer when Billie spoke. They weren’t filling the space with random conversation. Instead, they let their thoughts gather while their bodies breathed alongside one another. It felt…unexpectedly comfortable.
“This one is beautiful,” Debra said as she stopped before a portrait of a woman half-turned from the viewer, her expression unreadable and intimate all at once.
Billie stepped up beside her and angled her head. “Hmm. She looks like she’s keeping a secret.”
“Perhaps she is,” Debra whispered, her hand brushing Billie’s as they gravitated closer to one another.
“What kind?” Billie turned her head and pinned Debra with her stare. “A filthy one?”
“I hope so. Those are often the best kind.”
Billie dipped her gaze and smiled, shaking her head. “You’re terrible.”
The air changed around them, but Debra batted any thoughts of a naked Billie from her mind. She couldn’t focus on those ideas while she was strolling around a museum. Her mother would turn in her grave.
They drifted together through the different areas, each new painting or sculpture sparking small, revealing conversations.
Debra learned the way Billie’s mind tilted towards detail and symbolism, to those parts of a story most people walked past without noticing.
And Billie? Well, she listened when Debra spoke.
Really listened. As though every word she offered mattered.
It had been years since anyone had made her feel that way.
When they reached a narrow corridor of sculptures, dimly lit and almost forgotten, Debra felt Billie’s presence shift. Not outwardly—Billie was far too disciplined for that—but her focus honed in, concentrating entirely on Debra.
“This area is quieter,” Debra said. “Let’s take our time around here.”
“Almost private,” Billie replied.
Those words settled deep inside Debra as she turned towards Billie. “You always look so composed.”
“It’s a habit,” Billie said.
“Do you think it’s one you’ll ever break?”
A faint laugh slipped from Billie. “If you don’t stop tempting me, I’ll break it far sooner than I plan to.”
Debra looked up at her. “That wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world. Not after what I experienced with you last night.”
A mixture of surprise, yearning, and unchecked emotion flickered across Billie's face. She stepped closer, her hand brushing Debra’s wrist, those gentle fingers grazing the inside where her pulse beat too quickly to hide.
And then her voice dipped lower as she said, “You really shouldn’t look at me like that in public, Debra. ”
“You only have yourself to blame.”
Billie leaned in, her breath brushing Debra’s cheek. “Debra…”
“Y-yes?”
“If we stay here much longer.” Billie dipped her mouth towards her ear. “I’m going to forget where we are, and I’m going to forget it fast.”
A thrill rushed through Debra, but she didn’t believe a word Billie was saying. “You wouldn’t. Even I know that.”
Billie’s control slipped another inch when she lifted her hand and traced the line of Debra’s jaw with a soft stroke that made her knees weaken. Her eyes narrowed as her grip tightened ever so slightly. “You want to try me?”
Debra’s breath caught, her body leaning into that touch despite the distant sound of voices coming from the main gallery.
Billie’s fingers lingered at her jaw, her thumb grazing the edge of her lower lip in a way that sent heat pooling low in her belly.
The corridor felt even smaller now, the sculptures standing sentinel in the shadows, their marble forms blurring as Debra’s focus narrowed to the woman before her.
“Billie,” she whispered, her voice laced with a plea she hadn’t meant to say out loud. “W-we shouldn’t. Not here.”
Billie’s eyes darkened, that composed facade cracking enough to reveal the hunger beneath.
“You have no idea what you’re doing to me right now.
” Her hand slid down, trailing fire along Debra’s neck and over her collarbone, before settling at her waist. Her touch was light, almost innocent, but the intent behind it made Debra’s pulse thunder.
They were alone here, the soft footfalls from afar the only reminder of the world beyond the hidden nook they’d found themselves in. Her skirt suddenly shifted as Billie’s fingers toyed with the hem, brushing the bare skin of her thigh.
“What if someone comes?” Debra asked, even as her body arched towards the contact.
A filthy smile settled on Billie’s lips.
“Then they’ll see just how much I want you.
” Her hand slipped higher, inching beneath the fabric slowly, her fingertips dancing along her sensitive inner thigh.
Debra bit her lip to stifle a gasp, her hands clutching at Billie’s arms for balance.
“Mm. They’ll also see how you’re already trembling for me. ”
Billie’s touch grew bolder as she pushed Debra’s underwear to one side. She moaned when her fingers found Debra’s soaked clit, one hand now pressed to the wall beside Debra’s head.
“O-oh, Billie…”
“Is this something I should expect if I see more of you?” Billie asked, her head tilted ever so slightly. “You…dripping wet just from the sight of me?”
“I…yes.” Debra’s hips bucked involuntarily when Billie drew languid circles against her clit. “F-fuck!”
“Shh.” Billie cupped Debra’s face and pressed a thumb gently against her lips. “Be good for me. Hold it in until I tell you to let go. Just like last night when you came undone on my fingers.”
Debra’s world zoned purely to that intimate pressure, her orgasm building with every teasing glide.
Her breath came in shallow pants, now muffled against Billie’s palm as she fought to stay silent.
The risk of it all only heightened the ache, turning everything she felt into something exquisite but unbearable.
Billie’s voice dropped to a husky murmur as she brushed her lips against her ear.
“That’s it, let it build. I can feel how close you are, how you’re clenching around nothing but craving more.
” Billie drew back and touched her forehead to Debra’s.
“Imagine if I slipped inside you right here and made you shatter.” She took Debra’s bottom lip between her teeth and bit down gently before releasing it painfully slowly.
“Do you think you can keep quiet while I fuck your aching pussy?”
God, this was so far from Debra’s world. Being fucked in a corner of a museum? A woman threatening to slip inside her…just because she wanted to? Yeah, this wasn’t Debra’s life. But she could quickly get used to it.
“Well?” Billie slowed between Debra’s legs, teasing a little lower. “I usually get what I want, Debra.”
All she could manage was a nod. Right now, she didn’t care where she was or who could walk by. She felt sorry for anyone not experiencing this kind of pleasure with Billie Brown.
Debra’s legs nearly gave out, a soft whimper escaping her when Billie bent her knees a little and slipped right inside her. “O-oh!” Every nerve came alive as Billie fucked her hard and fast. “Yes, right there.”
Billie picked up her pace, smirking when Debra’s eyes started to close. “Eyes on me!”
Debra locked eyes with Billie, her orgasm tearing through her, silent but devastatingly real. She trembled against her, waves of pleasure rippling through her, soaking her thighs as she clung on.
Billie held her, slowing her movements to draw out the aftershocks, her own breath ragged.
When Debra finally sagged against her, spent and dazed, Billie withdrew her hand with a final, teasing caress.
She brought her fingers to her lips, tasting them with a slow lick that made Debra’s body twitch all over again.
“Delicious,” Billie whispered, those eyes still eager for more. “But we’re not done yet. Not by a long shot.”
Debra exhaled a shaky laugh and touched her forehead to Billie’s shoulder. “I’ll never look at a museum in the same way again.”
The cab ride back to Savile Row had been surprisingly good.
Billie hadn’t spent the twenty minutes stuck in traffic worrying about another afternoon out with Debra, she just…
let it settle inside of her. She stared out of the window, pretending to watch the city pass by, but the truth was…
every nerve ending pulsed with the imprint of Debra against the museum wall.
The continuous moans Debra had fought back. The look in her eyes as Billie lifted her skirt. The whimper as she accepted Billie’s fingers, pulsing the moment they eased inside.
None of today had been an accident, and Billie wouldn’t pretend otherwise.
When the cab stopped outside Brown & Co., Billie gathered herself and stepped out onto the pavement. She strolled to the other side and opened the door for Debra, smiling when their eyes met.
“Thank you.” Debra offered her a quick squeeze of the hip as she slipped past her, fixing her handbag on her shoulder and smoothing out her skirt as they stood side by side outside the shop. “Should I just…head off?”
Billie lifted a brow. “That wasn’t the plan I had, but if you have things to do…”
“I don’t. I don’t have anything to do.”
“Then I’ll just pick up some invoices, and we can head to my place. Glass of wine, tea…whatever you want to do.”
Debra gazed back at her with surprise written all over her face. “That’s…yes. That would be a lovely end to the day.”
Billie tipped her head towards the door and smiled. “Come on. Let’s get out of the cold before we brave the walk against the wind.”
Billie would usually hail a cab, but the traffic was not playing ball today. She didn’t have the sanity to sit in it any longer. And truthfully, the walk in the fresh air would do her good. It would give her a chance to clear her mind.
She pushed through the door and stepped into a world she no longer wanted to be the centre of. Just a few short hours with Debra over two days had shown Billie there was more to life.
Nina straightened behind the front counter as soon as they entered. “Miss Brown.”
“Nina.” Billie regarded her with a single nod. “Did the courier collect the Holland order?”
“He did.” Nina’s eyes flicked to Debra, then back to Billie. “And the measurements for the Kingsley suit, I updated those as well.”
“Good.” Billie crossed the floor to the counter. “I just need to pick up some invoices.”
Nina nodded, and then her voice dropped lower, pitched only for Billie as she said, “I’m wearing it today. Just for you. I chose the diamond plug because I know it’s your favourite.”
Billie froze.
She didn’t look at Debra. She didn’t dare.
She simply turned her head and said in a tone quiet enough to cut, “That comment is inappropriate.”
Nina blinked, clearly thrown. “I thought you’d—”
“You thought wrong.” Billie faced her fully and searched her eyes. “We discussed boundaries yesterday, Nina. I expect them to be respected.”
Nina’s cheeks flushed, but her jaw visibly tightened. Confusion, jealousy, and hurt rippled through her expression before she smoothed it out.
Billie didn’t give her the chance to reply. She turned towards Debra with a much softer smile than she’d ever given Nina. “I’ll be just a moment.”
Debra returned a smile of her own without hesitation. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Of course she wasn’t. God, that was becoming a problem.
Billie slipped into her office and closed the door, pressing her palms flat to the desk. Her pulse thudded in her throat, while rage and shame burned low in the pit of her stomach.
Nina had crossed a line. Not because of what she’d said, but because of who could have potentially heard it.
Billie quickly gathered the invoices she needed, aware that Debra had been left on the floor with Nina, then composed her face into calm neutrality and returned to the front of the shop.
Debra looked up, and everything inside Billie settled.
“Ready?”
“Whenever you are.” Debra’s gorgeous smile had the hairs on Billie’s arms standing upright. “Nice seeing you again, Nina.”
“Yeah, bye.”
Billie eyed Nina, something unspoken passing between them in terms of her attitude towards Debra. Regardless of what was going on between her and Debra, she was still a client. “You can head home. I’m done for the day.”
Nina frowned. “Are you sure?”
“I’m sure.” Billie’s tone left no room for argument.
Nina collected her things and paused on her way out, her eyes landing on Debra once more. This time, the message was loud and clear.
I was here first.
Billie’s nostrils flared. She would deal with that the next time she was alone with her assistant. Billie wasn’t anyone’s possession, least of all Nina’s.
They both watched Nina leave, the stillness that followed a relief.
Debra stepped closer and leaned against the counter. “She seems…very attentive.”
Billie kept her expression smooth. “She’s competent.”
“That wasn’t the word I was going to use.” Debra tilted her head and studied Billie. “Should I be worried about anything?”
Billie met her gaze fully, offering the truth she could give. “No.”
Debra didn’t say anything, but the look she was giving Billie said enough.
“Debra, my assistant is my assistant. What she feels or thinks she feels isn’t my concern. And it definitely shouldn’t be yours.”
Debra’s shoulders relaxed. “Okay.”
And then it dawned on Billie. She’d stupidly suggested heading over to her place this evening. She didn’t know why she’d done that, perhaps it was the trust she felt with Debra, but now the idea didn’t seem so good. “Do you mind if we head to your place instead of mine?”
Debra lifted a brow, surprised but smiling. “I don’t mind at all.”
“Good. Then let’s get out of here.”
She opened the door for Debra, and as they stepped back out into the late evening, Billie allowed herself one private thought. She wouldn’t let the past bleed into whatever this was becoming. Not when Debra felt like the first real thing in years that she didn’t want to hide from.