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“Sex for money. You stopped paying me, so I moved out.”

Humming, Abagail nodded slowly. “That’s my fault then.”

“What’s your fault?”

“For letting you think that’s all I wanted you for, and for letting you think that’s all you deserved.”

A weight lifted from Nicola’s chest that she hadn’t even known was there. She struggled to grasp it and keep it in place, but it was gone before she could manage to do that. What had that even been? Shame? That word settled into place as rightand truthful. Nicola breathed deeply through it. She hadn’t even realized it was there.

“When I ended our arrangement, it was because none of this felt right anymore.” Abagail stepped closer, reaching up and cupping Nicola’s cheek. “I never want you to think that you don’t deserve everything that you want.”

“What I want…” Nicola trailed off. She’d never thought about it before. Ever since she was a teenager, her entire life had been focused on trying to figure out what everyone else wanted and attempting to find some way to provide that to them. And she failed miserably at that time and time again.

“I ended our arrangement because you deserve better than what I was giving you.” Abagail’s eyes crinkled in the corners as her lips turned up slightly. “And I’m here because I don’t think I made that very clear to you.”

“You didn’t,” Nicola agreed, softening instantly, “I didn’t get fired tonight, for the record. But I’m pretty sure I will be tomorrow.”

“Because you were sleeping here?” Abagail asked, but it didn’t seem like a question that needed answered.

Nicola nodded anyway.

“Come home,” Abagail whispered.

Nicola’s heart leaped. That was something she was looking for. She’d always wanted that.Home.And staying with Abagail, despite the oddities of their relationship, had always felt like that. She was comfortable there, independent, free, and able to be exactly who she wanted and needed to be in every moment.

“I’ll come home,” Nicola murmured.

She stepped toward Abagail, finding herself pulled as much as she moved willingly. Their mouths connected. Abagail slid her hand behind Nicola’s neck, holding her tightly as she turned and pressed Nicola into the side of the car, covering her. The backpack dug into Nicola’s shoulder, and she dropped it loudlyto the ground, reaching up and wrapping her arms around Abagail’s neck and tugging her in even tighter.

Their lips touched.

Nicola sighed and closed her eyes, Abagail against her and in complete and total control of the situation. She parted her lips and slid her tongue out to meet Abagail’s, moaning as she pulled herself tightly against Abagail’s warmth and passion and command. She wanted nothing more than to be touched by Abagail, to be fucked by her, to be loved by her.

Because Nicola was in love.

She’d avoided that thought for weeks now, but it was impossible to ignore right now, with Abagail’s mouth and body against hers, with the heat of their passion blending together and getting ready to combust. She was in love. Not with what Abagail could give her and be for her, but who she was and how she allowed Nicola to be authentically herself in so many ways even when Nicola didn’t know who that person was.

Abagail trailed her hand down Nicola’s side and back up over her stomach and her breasts. She moved her hand to capture Nicola’s neck, holding her firmly—tight enough that Nicola felt possessed, but not so tight as to make her lose herself entirely. Nicola groaned, digging her fingers into Abagail’s jacket and holding on as tight as she possibly could.

She rocked her hips, her knees going weak. Abagail stepped in closer, making completely sure that Nicola wasn’t going anywhere—by her own choice or if her body gave out. Nicola hummed and moved one hand around to the front of Abagail’s jacket, trying desperately to pull the buttons so she could weasel her hands inside and just touch.

She wanted nothing more than touch right now—passionate, pure, loving touch. Abagail could give that to her. She’d done it so many times already. Nicola nipped Abagail’s lip and whispered, “I could come just from this.”

Abagail chuckled, then tightened her grip on Nicola’s neck, lifting her chin a little higher before pulling it down so that they were looking at each other eye to eye. “Don’t come yet.”

“Fuck,” Nicola murmured.

Abagail mischievously winked as she dove back in for another kiss, this time holding absolutely nothing back. Their mouths melded together, and Nicola had to press her thighs together to keep the tension and arousal confined as best as she could. Finally, Abagail pulled away, putting enough space between them that Nicola could breathe, but she was still locked between the car and Abagail.

“Get in.”

“Are we going home?” Nicola asked, a smile curving onto her lips at just the thought.

“Yes.” Abagail stepped back and put enough space between them that Nicola could move again. Abagail opened the back door and held the handle while Nicola scrambled for her backpack and crawled inside the back seat.

“Hey, Cal,” Nicola said, cheerfully.

“Ms. Bolsinger,” he said, a smile in his tone. “Good to see you again.”