Page 60 of Becoming

Cassidy was constantly telling her she didn’t have to cook or clean or do things for her. But it was another thing ingrained in Rebecca’s head. Only now, she loved doing things for Cassidy. Almost as much as she loved it when Cassidy made the effort to do things for her.

“You’re welcome. As usual.” She watched Cassidy take another huge bite. “Rand?”

“Hmm? Oh, yeah.” Cass swallowed and wiped her mouth. “She wanted to know if we were free for lunch this weekend. You, me, her, and Connor. I told her I’d ask you and let her know.”

“Well, I have to be at the club at 4 pm both Saturday and Sunday, but we can meet up before that.”

“Hmm.” Cass took another bite in order to keep her mouth from getting her in trouble.

“What?”

“What what?” Cass asked as innocently as she could with a mouth full of food and a brain full of words she should say.

“What was the ‘hmm’ for? And the look?”

“I didn’t—I’m not…” The look on Rebecca’s face told Cass she was having none of it. “Okay. I’m just wondering about the club.”

“What about it?”

“Look, baby. I have no problem with you working at or owning a sex club. It’s that club. That club is your last tie to her, Rebecca. Maybe it would be good for you to cut that tie? Start a new club? One that’s just yours.”

“We’ve discussed this, Cassidy.”

“Yeah. You owe her. But I think that’s bullshit. You’re keeping that fucking club to torture yourself.”

“Enough.” Rebecca’s voice was dangerously low. “Just because I’ve let you dominate me in the bedroom does not mean I will allow you to speak to me that way.”

Cass tried to hold her own anger in check. How in the hell did this conversation go downhill so fast? Two seconds ago, they were happily eating lunch together.

“No, being your girlfriend, someone who loves you means that I should be allowed to express my feelings about what you’re doing to yourself.” She met Rebecca’s stony stare. “Or not. Maybe you need a piece of her to stay in your life, so you don’t have to give yourself fully to anyone else.” Cass pushed away from the table. “Thank you for lunch. I need to get back to painting. Deadlines.”

“Cassidy.” Rebecca sighed as the woman she truly loved walked out without another word. “Damn it.”

She cleaned up the kitchen before locking herself in her office that Cassidy had so graciously set up for her. She was always doing something sweet for Rebecca. And, Cassidy rarely got upset enough to walk out. Perhaps it was time for Rebecca to do something sweet for Cassidy. But, could she give up the club? Shit, was Cassidy right about her?

CASS HATED HOSPITALS. She was always afraid that she’d take a wrong turn and end up seeing something she really shouldn’t be seeing. Or worse, get lost and end up in the morgue. She checked her phone again.

“Damn creepy hospitals,” she muttered. Somehow her quiet words seemed to echo through the empty halls. “Where the hell is everyone?”

“Can I help you?”

“Shit!” Cass nearly jumped out of her own skin. “Sorry, um, yeah, I’m looking for Dr. Hunter, uh, something.” Why in the hell don’t I know her last name? “Tall, dark-haired woman? Blue eyes.”

“Dr. Vale,” the lady said almost dreamily. “You’re on the wrong floor. Take the elevator down two floors and visit the nurses’ station in the ER. They’ll page her for you.”

“Great, thanks!”

“Is there anything else I can help you with? Maybe we could go somewhere a little more private?”

Cass blinked in confusion. Did she just proposition me? “I, uh, have a girlfriend.” Of course, that girlfriend was currently mad at her, and they hadn’t had sex in three days. But Cass would never do something as stupid as to cheat on Rebecca. She started this mess, now she was going to fix things with her beautiful Mistress.

“She wouldn’t have to know.” The auburn-haired woman leaned into Cass and was immediately pushed away.

“I would know. Excuse me.”

“If you change your mind,” the woman called after a retreating Cass. “Just ask for nurse Iris!”

“Not likely,” Cass said to herself as the elevator door closed. People like that Iris chick made Cass happier than ever to be with someone like Rebecca. That’s why it hurt so much to be at odds with her.