Page 51 of In The Dark

Amelia’s cheeks flushed as her breath caught.

So don’t. I won’t tell if you don’t…

Regret flared in her chest the moment she sent the message, but before she could type out a retraction or something safer, Jo replied.

You’re not playing fair tonight.

“Oh, she’s going to be the very undoing of me.” Amelia shook her head, still playing the game even though she knew she could tame it.

No, I’m not.

There was an unexpectedly long pause. So long that Amelia stood from the couch and paced the floor, and then her phone vibrated again.

But I’m not stopping you either.

A laugh escaped her lips. She returned to her seat, her legs suddenly unsteady. Amelia’s thoughts spiralled in a thousand different directions, butallof them started and ended with Jo.

Tell me, Jo. What would you shoot first? Would I be standing, sitting, or laid out across the bed?

Amelia’s heart was hammering now. This had initially been a hint of flirtation, but now? Oh, now she was practically squirming where she sat, craving friction as her clit throbbed.

Laid out, obviously. You’d be giving me that look that absolutely fucking ruins me time and time again.

Jesus Christ!

Amelia splayed a hand across her chest and steadied herself. This, whatever it was, was a dangerous game. Nobody had ever made Amelia feel this way before, and though she’d dreamt of someone like this for a long time, she hadn’t imagined it would be Jo for a single second.

You’re going to make me dream about you tonight, you know that?

Amelia lay lengthwise on the couch, casting her mind to the potential of this going further. Did she care about Callum and what he’d think? Not particularly. He had no right to criticise anyone after having an affair behind Jo’s back. But she understood that Jo was a little more reserved when it came to that specific issue.

I hope you do. I dream about you most nights lately.

Amelia’s heart ached at that confession. Why couldn’t Jo be here right now, in Amelia’s arms, saying these things to her face?Because that’s not what you share with her…

You’re dangerous, but I appreciate your honesty x

As Amelia considered placing her phone down and cooling this off, her phone lit up.

I fear my honesty is all I can give you. The rest…what I really want…I’m not so sure.

And just like that, Jo reminded Amelia that she couldn’t have what she truly wanted. A life with the only woman she had paid any attention to in as long as she could remember. While they were dancing along the edge of something potentially beautiful, there was a devastating drop waiting at the end.

Just so we’re clear, the photography gig is for the house I’m finishing up.

It was all Amelia could offer. She’d just been on the highest of highs…only to be brought back down to earth with one hell of a thud.

I know. I’ll see you Friday. We’ll discuss the shoot then. Goodnight, Amelia x

Amelia pressed her phone to her chest and closed her eyes. For the briefest of moments, it didn’t matter how complicated, risky, or dangerous this felt. Because it felt equally as good and as real.

Goodnight, Jo x

Chapter Sixteen

Jo hadn’t plannedon seeing Amelia today. Not in the middle of Church Street, and not when she looked like she’d barely slept the night before. Yet here she was, hiding across the street, wondering whether she should slip off down one of the alleyways until the coast was clear.

She tugged the collar of her jacket higher, tucking a flyaway strand of hair behind her ear as she slowed her pace near the entrance to one of the beauty shops, the heavy bag on her shoulder digging into her skin. She needed to pop into the camera shop around the corner, but now all she could do was freeze.