Page 33 of Breadwinner

Or she could be honest and use her voice.

“I want...” she started, her pulse fluttering wildly, the words thick and sticky in her throat like the humidity that pressed in around them.

Nell said nothing, only watched her, patient and composed, waiting, like she had all the time in the world.

“I want you to finish what you started last night.” Sarah exhaled shakily, almost relieved to have those words out in the open, even though they made her feel naked and bare and raw in a way sex never had.

To ache like this. To want to know what it would be like just to let go of the authority she gripped so tightly to—that was exhilarating. Hearing herself admit it, to say it out loud? That surprised even her.

Nell’s pleased smile unfurled as she leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees, steely gaze never leaving Sarah’s face.

“Good girl.”

Fuck.Was Nell serious right now? That low tone of her voice sent Sarah’s stomach flipping, heat dancing across her skin. She held Nell’s gaze, steady now, sure of her decision. She had come here wanting to see what Nell’s arrangement was about. No way in hell was she about to back down now. She had always loved a challenge.

Nell rose to her feet, her movements smooth and unhurried as she removed her sunglasses, pulling on her crisp linen button-down over her bikini. The edge of her shirt just skimmed her hips, leaving those long, gorgeous legs completely bare. Her gaze stayed on Sarah the entire time, and Sarah finally understood what it meant to be eye-fucked by someone.

Nell stretched out a hand. Sarah took it without a second thought, the touch lighting a fire under her skin that rapidly spread through her.

“Come with me,” Nell said, her grip tightening, pulling Sarah to her feet.

Sarah followed, her hand anchored in Nell’s, as they moved through the house in silence. Up the grand staircase. Down a hallway lined with abstract paintings she barely registered. Sarah saw none of it, heard nothing except the whooshing of her own pulse in her ears.

Nell stopped at a door near the end of the hall, opened it, and walked through. Sarah hesitated in the doorway, nerves suddenly spreading through her.

This was real. This was happening.

Nell turned, still holding her hand, and at that moment, something shifted in her expression as intensity faded to gentleness. “You can still change your mind.”

The words struck Sarah like a warm breeze.Choice.It was still hers to take or leave. But the moment Nell’s fingertips skimmed the inside of her wrist again—feather-light—Sarah knew she wasn’t going anywhere.

“I don’t want to,” she said, surprised by how strong her voice sounded.

A wicked smile curved across Nell’s mouth. Without another word, she tugged Sarah forward, pulling her into the room, shutting the door behind them with a final click.

Sarah watched as Nell stepped back, raking her gaze over her, leisurely and unhurried, andfuck, fuck, fuck—the way she was looking at her nearly did Sarah’s head in. Like Nell was memorizing every inch of her. Like she wanted toconsumeher.

“You’ve been good,” Nell said, almost to herself, her voice sliding over Sarah like silk. “You waited, and you asked. Now you get your reward.” Her smile was pleasing in a way Sarah hadn’t yet experienced.

Sarah shivered, suddenly aware that she was standing in Nell’s bedroom in a bikini as Nell silently closed the distance between them. Nell’s touch was gentle on her cheek as she brushed a strand of hair back behind Sarah’s ear, the tips of her fingers lingering against her jaw. The simple touch felt impossibly intimate, and she leaned into it before she could overthink.

“Tell me how you feel,” Nell murmured, intense eyes trained on her.

How did she feel? A million sensations rushed through her in a way that felt all-consuming. It was pulling her in too many different directions, and she didn’t know which way to go. She didn’t want to have to decide. She swallowed hard, mouth dry, body buzzing.

“I feel . . .” she whispered, searching for words. “. . . like I’m coming apart.”

A low, approving sound escaped Nell as her lips brushed the shell of Sarah’s ear, so light, so soft, so hard to catch.

Nell pulled her forward, kissing her deeply, with the kind of shattering patience that made Sarah’s knees threaten to buckleas Nellclaimedher.She melted into it, surrendering to the ache she had experienced since stepping off that helicopter the day before. She could finally give in. Finally be consumed by it all. And she let herself. Every thought and feeling disappeared as she let herself get lost in the kiss.

Nell’s mouth moved against hers as she tilted Sarah’s chin, deepening the kiss until Sarah whimpered into it. She clutched at the front of Nell’s shirt, needing something to hold on to as the ground shifted beneath her feet.

When Nell finally pulled back, Sarah’s lips tingled, her skin burning. Her back was pushed up against the wall just inside the door. When did that happen?

Nell’s fingers trailed down her arms until she caught Sarah’s wrists in her hands and lifted them above her head, pinning them there gently. Her body was close but not quite touching her in the way she wanted.

“You like it when I hold you like this,” Nell purred.