Page 31 of Breadwinner
Sarah obeyed, carefully balancing her plate on her knees. She felt Nell’s attention like a tangible thing, buzzing beneath her skin, a slow heat spreading through her from their proximity. She stole a glance at Nell, taking in the long line of her legs, the effortless way she lounged there like a queen holding court.
Sarah shifted in her seat, discreetly squeezing her thighs together in an attempt to control the warmth spreading through her, but it was no use. The ache was immediate.
Nell picked up a magazine from the little side table and flipped it open lazily, not noticing—or pretending not to notice—Sarah’s restless fidgeting, and soon, Emory appeared with a second plate, setting it down on the table next to Nell with a mock salute.
“Breakfast is served.”
“Thanks, Emory.” Nell smiled up at her.
“No problemo. I’m going to clean up and head to the store to pick up a few things. Any requests?”
“Those gummy-cluster things you always get, please.”
Sarah blinked. That was the absolute last thing she expected Nell to say.
“You got it, boss.” Emory saluted and retreated, leaving the two of them alone again, the morning settling into a golden hum around them.
“You like Nerds gummy clusters?” Sarah asked in disbelief.
“Only the Very Berry ones,” Nell said matter-of-factly, “but yes, they are one of my guilty pleasures.” Much like with Nell’s rules, Sarah couldn’t help but wonder what some of her other guilty pleasures included.
She forced herself to take another bite of her food, though this time, she barely tasted it. Nell was close enough that Sarah caught the faint scent of her—something expensive and clean,like linen, and underneath that, a hint of something warm and distinctly her.
She glanced at Nell as she idly flipped another magazine page without looking up. “You have questions.”
Sarah wasn’t sure if Nell meant questions about breakfast... or everything else. “I might,” she said, setting her fork down carefully.
Nell’s mouth curved. “It’s okay to have questions, Sarah.”
Sarah swallowed hard at the way Nell said her name. It was melodic. For a moment, neither of them spoke. The crash of the waves filled the silence. Sarah’s pulse drummed in her ears. Last night had beenhot. She didn’t have a more eloquent word for it, because every time she thought about the way Nell had taken her hand and placed it on her body exactly where she had wanted it, it short-circuited Sarah’s mind.
She would be lying if she said she hadn’t walked into this weekend with a healthy amount of skepticism surrounding this little arrangement. She wasn’t sure if she’d enjoy playing by Nell’s rules. But then she remembered how it had felt at the Foxhall Club to take an order from Nell—not having to think or decide; her only job to trust that Nell was in control—which excited her more than she had expected.
Then to see the look in Nell’s eye every time Sarah had followed her directions? Yeah, that look was forever burned into her brain. Nell knew exactly what she wanted from her and what move she would make next.
Clearing her throat, Sarah poked at her avocado toast. “Can I ask you something?”
Nell didn’t look up from her magazine, but that didn’t stop the amused smirk that formed. “I don’t know;canyou?” She flipped the magazine closed and tossed it on the table beside her. “Youmayask. Whether I answer is another matter.”
Sarah huffed, emboldened by the banter. “Last night...” She hesitated, heat rising in her cheeks. “Was that normal?”
“Define normal.”
She assessed Nell, trying to figure out her strategy, to gain an advantage, but she was too good at this game. Sarah would have to lean on the element of surprise. “Do you usually leave your guests wrecked like that?”
Nell’s laugh was lazy. “Only the ones I like.”
Sarah’s stomach flipped, the simple admission knocking the air from her lungs. She shoved another bite of toast into her mouth.
Nell let her squirm for a moment before adding, her tone almost conversational, “You didn’t ask me to stop.” She tilted her head, her eyes pale and glinting in the sun. “You liked it.”
Sarah crossed her legs again, muttering, “I’m not complaining.”
“No.” Nell’s voice dripped with amusement. “You’re processing. That’s perfectly fine.”
Sarah glanced away, suddenly needing a safer topic. She set her plate aside and wrapped her arms around her knees. “How did you get into mentoring? And, NYU? I would have guessed you to be an Ivy League girl. Dartmouth or Harvard.”
Leaning back in her chair, looking out over the water, Nell seemed to accept the shift without comment. “You’re not wrong,” she said finally, her voice quieter but still sure. “I dropped out of Yale after my first year. After my twin brother Charlie outed me to my parents and they cut me off.”