“I’m unbelievably happy with you.”
“Promise me?” Talia wasn’t often needy, she’d learnt how to live alone a long time ago, but she did need Faye’s reassurance with this one. Because if she’d discovered anything today, it was that she was falling in love with Faye Holmes. “I know anything can happen, but promise me that we’lltryto make this work for us.”
“Thisdoeswork for us, Talia.”
“Then…thank you.” Talia ghosted a fingertip across Faye’s collarbone. “For seeing me as a human being before everything else. For giving me the opportunity to work through my own stuff before I brought you into my life. Just…for being you. Because no matter how much I wanted to see more of you, I couldn’t bring myself to do it. All I saw in my mind was a time when you’d walk away from me when things got to be too much. But you know me better than I know myself sometimes, and I’ll never forget that.”
Faye stared up at the ceiling, a gentle smile on her lips. “I think you forget that I’m the one who pushed to see more of you. Knowing who you are, what you do…it was an issue for me for a minute. But that was all. You mean a lot to me, Talia, and I’d be a fool to walk away from you when I feel how I do about you inside. Nobody has ever caught my eye the way you did. Nobody has caused me sleepless nights without a touch or a kiss. Nobody…could compare to you in my eyes.”
Talia sniffled as she buried her face in Faye’s naked chest. She wasn’t moving from this position until someone physically dragged her away. “I’ve never meant that much to anyone in the past.”
“Well, you do now.” Faye squeezed Talia against her. “And I can’t wait to spend every moment I can with you.”
“Can I stay over tonight?”
Faye laughed. “I’d be offended if you didn’t.”
CHAPTEREIGHTEEN
One month later…
The thrum of the beat moved through Talia like never before. In all her years dancing, she’d never felt so whole. Faye had completed her entirely over the last month or so. She didn’t question, she wasn’t untrusting, she just told Talia to be safe and that she would see her the following morning. Life…couldn’t be any better.
She scanned the room, heading towards the bar where some of her regulars stood. Talia only had to give them the eyes and they were putty in her hands. At least, most of the time it went that way. But as she stepped towards the group, someone stopped her with a hand on the wrist.
She turned around to find Phoebe watching her. “Can I help you?”
“I hope so. I’ve paid for you.”
Talia shuddered. Did Phoebe have to be so blunt when she was in here? Of all the people Talia had come across in her dancing days, Phoebe had to be the least respectful. “I don’t have anyone booked in for another hour.”
“I just got here and took your final slot of the night.” Phoebe grinned, tilting her head towards the private room. “You ready or what?”
As much as Talia hated this, Phoebewasa paying customer. “For someone who can’t stand me, you spenda lotof time in my room.”
“I didn’t say I couldn’t stand you. You’re just no good for certain aspects of my life.”
Talia rolled her eyes, holding out an arm towards the private room. Phoebe was all talk. Talia had come across women like her before. “After you.”
Phoebe strolled through the club, one hand in her pocket and the other holding a whiskey. When she stepped behind the curtain, she turned and shed her jacket, hanging it up on one of the hooks. Talia would rather Faye’s friend wasn’t in her room, but this was her job, and she didn’t get to pick and choose who paid for her time. If Phoebe was her next client, then so be it.
She guided Phoebe towards the couch, just as she preferred it on previous occasions, and motioned for her to sit. Talia selected a song from the playlist she kept in the room, blowing out a breath and straddling Phoebe. But Phoebe had an unfamiliar look in her eyes. A look kind of…predatory? Huh. Talia wasn’t fond of it.
Knowing what Phoebe liked—she’d danced for her enough since she arrived in Liverpool—Talia focused on her routine and blocked out the knowledge that it was Phoebe in her room this evening. It didn’t sit well in her gut when she thought about seeing Faye tomorrow or the fact that she’d woken up with Phoebe’s friend this morning. Talia didn’t think Phoebe would come back here to pay for a dance anymore, not now that she knew she was dating Faye. It was kinda shitty, considering. Throw in the harsh words they’d repeatedly shared, and Phoebe really did have some balls turning up here and playing the innocent card. This woman had no conscience at all.
Phoebe placed her hands on Talia’s thighs, grinning up at her.
“No touching,” Talia said, peeling Phoebe’s hands from her. “You know the rules. Don’t take the piss.”
“Oh, come on. What’s a little touching between friends? You weren’t complaining when I had you in my lap out there the other month.”
“In here, no. During a private dance, it’s against the rules. No touching or I stop dancing.”
Phoebe rolled her eyes and scoffed. “With the money I’ve paid, I should be allowed to do whatever I want to you.” She leaned forward, pressing her lips to Talia’s cleavage. “See, it’s not so bad, is it? Let go a little.”
Talia shot from Phoebe’s lap, stumbling back against the wall. “Leave.” She pinched the bridge of her nose, disappointed that Phoebe would go to such lengths to piss her or Faye off. Did she really hate Talia that much? “Get your coat and leave.”
“Relax,” Phoebe said, getting to her feet. “If you say no touching, then I won’t touch again. I’m sorry.”