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Her heated leather seats wrapped me up in a warm hug that set my nerves at ease.

‘Sunshine, I want to make this clear. I have no fucking idea what we are doing. I don’t know where it’s going or how it will work. What I do know is I want to explore this, I want to know you and my God, I want to fuck you. So fuck every excuse you can think of for us not to work. There are a million more reasons we will. As for your concerns about us living in different worlds, they’re unfounded. I live in the same reality you do. We may live a little differently, but that doesn’t mean we can’t live this life together. What are you so scared of? Tell me. Because I won’t leave you alone for reasons as flimsy as those.’

I didn’t even realise I was smiling until her thumb traced my jaw, pulling me in and holding me until we were just millimeters apart from each other’s lips. I breathed in her scent, tinged with jasmine tea and the double shot long black she had been drinking, mixed with the dark aroma of tobacco.

‘Tell me,’ she whispered, holding my jaw in place so I couldn’t push forward, leaning into that kiss I so desperately wanted to feel again. It took a moment to unscramble my brain and remember what she had asked.

‘I can’t be hurt again. My ex, he hurt me. He broke me, and the moment he finds out I may be happy with someone, he’ll hurt you. I can’t be with anyone, not seriously, anyway. I can’t risk his wrath again.’

‘Oh, sweet girl, a man acting like a petulant child and treating people like toys is not something I have ever feared. You don’t know this about me yet, but there is no safer place for you than by my side. I think it’s time you metmy brothers.’ She smirked, radiating a confidence that made me relax a little.

‘Don’t you think that’s a bit rushed? I don’t even know your real name.’

‘It’s Valentina, sweet girl, but you can call me whatever you please. Anything that comes out of those lips will be my favourite thing to be called.’ Leaning into me, she kissed me deeply, slowly, exploring the corners of my mouth. My concerns faded—that was what I had felt from the first moment I was in her presence; it was peace, it was safety and I was desperate for it.

‘There’s that smile again,’ she breathed against my lips. ‘Let’s get you to work.’

This car ride felt more comfortable than the last, but instead of relaxing I was overwhelmed with need as V’s fingers made their way up my thigh, searing my skin. I wore skinny jeans, and I could feel everything as though my legs were bare. This time she drew her fingers higher, grazing her knuckles over my slit. I sucked in a breath which drew V’s gaze to mine. She had a wicked grin and her eyes were aflame with a desire that I’m sure matched my own.

‘Tell me what you want.’ Her voice caressed my ears as her fingers lightly trailed over me.

‘You. I want you,’ I breathed, struggling for control until she pulled back slightly. Our surroundings faded back into light, and we were sitting out front the art supply store. ‘Fuck!’ I huffed, slamming the back of my head against the seat and closing my eyes, trying to calm my mind. I had work. V laughed at my frustration and that sound was entrancing.

‘When will I see you next?’ I asked. I was falling—hard and fast—and I wanted to spend more time with her. I was infatuated with this woman, and minute by minute, Istopped caring about the things that had held me back with her. I wanted something good in my life, and my God, was she a slice of heaven.

‘Tonight. I’ll pick you up at the end of your shift. Now go, before I lose my grip on the little restraint I have to let you go.’ It did things to me, to know I wasn’t the only one so affected right now.

Kissing her on the cheek and flashing her a smile, I left, stealing one last glance as I stepped into the store. She didn’t leave until I was safely inside. That gesture alone gave me hope. I felt safe, which was something rare for me.

A folded piece of paper lay on the floor as though it had been slid under there. Picking it up, I placed it next to the register to give to the owner.

The day was a blur, I kept thinking about the feel of V’s tongue, lips and fingers on me. I wanted to feel more. I decided tonight that I would, so when she picked me up, I bounced over to her, leaned against her car, and flung my arms around her, kissing her cheek. I would no longer be afraid to grab hold of what I wanted. I had done that for so long that I was tired of it. I hadn’t heard from Jason in months. Surely he had moved on after Z threatened him at the club when I first started. Even Jason wasn’t stupid enough to cross my new boss.

V wasn’t surprised by my sudden change in demeanor; instead, her arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me in closer as she nuzzled into my neck, breathing in the scent of me.

‘V, can we grab some takeaway and go back to mine? Maybe snuggle up and watch a movie?’ I asked coyly.

V nodded but laughed, knowing there would likely not be much eating of food or movie-watching given the way I was plastered against her body, all but grinding on her. Shenever felt close enough. I needed her under my skin and inside of me.

My apartment was a rundown shoebox, probably nothing like the luxury she lived in given the price of her car. But she had started where I had been, so I knew there was no judgement as she took in the mismatched furniture, most of which I had bought from garage sales or found on the street and cleaned up. It was a small studio where everything, except for the bathroom, was in one big room. The only saving grace were the high ceilings and large windows behind my bed.

She placed our pizzas on the table and went to the kitchen, rummaging for plates and cups while I got changed. My body buzzed with anticipation, so when I walked back in wearing my PJs, instead of taking the seat next to hers, I sat in her lap, straddling her. Naturally her hands gripped my arse as I let out a breathy moan.

‘I’m only hungry for one thing, V. Give it to me, please,’ I pleaded.

‘Oh, Sunshine, you never need to beg with me. Whatever, whenever. It’s yours. I’m yours.’ Those words had me clenching my thighs around her, dragging her lips to mine, tangling my fingers in that soft hair of hers. It felt like water running through my fingers; I wanted her but felt like I couldn’t fully grasp her.

Suddenly, we were up and moving across my apartment until I felt the plush blankets of my bed as I was thrown onto my back. I laughed at the sudden, playful jolt.

V took a step back, taking me in and licking her lips as she took off her red satin blazer and dropped it on the floor. This woman must be rich if she could treat satin like that. Slowly she undid her matching slacks, stepping out of them so sensuallyshe gave my dancing a run for its money. The only thing left was a white camisole and as she raised it I realised she wore nothing underneath. No underwear: she was bare and suddenly I couldn’t breathe. V’s body was unlike any woman’s I had ever seen, and I had seen many in my line of work.

Where my hips were narrow, hers were wider but they tapered into thin legs that rivalled my own. Her stomach was real, not the taut concave nonsense that us dancers slaved away at the gym to create. No, there was something for me to grip and hold as petite as she was. And those breasts were perfection; the way they lightly moved as her body did had me salivating, wanting a touch and a taste.

Though the most breathtaking part about her was the tattoos. Under her clothes, you would never know that nearly every part of her skin that she could hide was covered in a patchwork of black ink. I had never liked tattoos much, but here and now, they were the most attractive things I had ever seen on any person.

Climbing on top of me, she held herself there absorbing this minute in time, then she dived down, tasting my lips. I could never get used to the feeling of her tongue exploring my mouth—it was warm and sensual in all of the best ways.

Her hands found their way to my hips, gripping them on the edge of pain that was still pleasure, but so close to something more that it stirred something within me. I wanted to be claimed by this woman. I had been with possessive men before, but this was different. I felt wanted by V, not like my body was just a means to an end to satisfy some dark, twisted need for control.