Guilty as Sin - 21 (Patreon)

Alas, we're back! A little later in the day than I'd hoped, but I'm on a bit of a hectic schedule right now :)

Chapter Twenty-One

“Sutton! Sutton Spencer, some questions, if you have the time?” Regan asked, pushing the bathroom door all of the way open from where Sutton had it cracked.

Sutton glanced up from where she was leaning in over the sink, applying her mascara. She snorted, returning her attention to applying her makeup. Her parents were going to be here imminently, stopping by on their way to dinner to pick her up, given that their hotel was so close to her apartment.

Regan held up a hairbrush, waving it in front of her. “Sutton, you can’t ignore all of your fans across the world. Please, just a word!”

“A word about what?” She gave in to Regan’s shenanigans.

A part of her couldn’t help but feel absolutely giddy. Relieved.

Because it was finally her final day of employment with Charlotte.

Sure, it had “only” been two weeks – twelve days, since that conversation in Charlotte’s apartment to be exact – but it she’d never experienced a longer twelve days in her life.

If Sutton had thought work had been trying before she and Charlotte had sex, the last two weeks had been downright torturous.

After this dinner… well, she’d be done. Her employment with Charlotte was, actually, officially terminated as of today. As of the moment she’d left the office an hour ago. She’d be fulfilling this dinner as an “obligation” and then – then…

Her entire body had been pulsing with that awareness all day.

And… on the other hand, there was the tangle of nerves inside of her that had grown over the last couple of weeks.

“A word about how you survived, obviously. Sapphics are all wondering how you’ve done it. You’ve survived the Orwellian task of pushing that rock up the mountain–”

Sutton capped her mascara, turning around to speak into the hairbrush. “Sisyphean. Sisyphus is the man with the boulder and the mountain.”

Regan was undeterred, her eyes bright. “Thank you, literature nerd. We’ll cut that in the final edit of this, don’t worry. I was deliberately mixing my literary references, you see. First, Sisy – that’s what we, his close friends, call him – because you’ve been going to work day after day, being in such close quarters to Charlotte but she’s been just out of your grasp. Must have been difficult. Terrible. Painful. Arousing.”

Regan wiggled her eyebrows up and down.

Sutton groaned even as she laughed, and pushed the hairbrush out of her face. “Okay, enough.”

The hairbrush returned. “Do you deny that you were aroused?”

“Regan.”

“We will scratch it from the record if you agree to continue the interview.”

“Fine, agreed. The Apartment Associated Press will be hearing about this, however.”

Regan winced. “You drive a hard bargain. But because we’re short on time, I’ll continue: I also meant Orwellian, because you’ve been under a close watch, the two of you. Wouldn’t you say?”

Sutton’s stomach twisted slightly. “I… guess.”

No one had really been looking at them. Logically, she knew that. No one at work knew anything that had happened between them over Charlotte’s birthday weekend.

But the reality was that Sutton was terrified over the last two weeks that they’d find out somehow. She and Charlotte really had kept everything appropriate. They hadn’t ever shut Charlotte’s office door when it was just the two of them. They hadn’t even touched beyond light brushing of their fingers.

It was all very… Victorian.

Because even those light, easy touches set Sutton on fire, like she hadn’t had her hands and mouth all over Charlotte’s entire body.

No matter how torturous it had been, though, she’d been good. She’d been very principled, in a way she’d never had to be, before.

But this was Charlotte’s career. And Sutton knew how much it meant to her, even if Charlotte hadn’t gotten so vulnerable with her that weekend, Sutton knew.

She wouldn’t jeopardize that by doing something foolish at work. She’d even made sure to keep her gaze steadily controlled.

If Charlotte was being particularly sexy and being all in-control and knowledgeable and doing the thing she always did in meetings where she led the people – usually men – she was talking to right to the conclusion she’d intended for them to get to all along, without making it obvious that was what she was doing…

Sutton kept her eyes on her tablet, taking notes. She didn’t gaze in awe and amazement at Charlotte at all.

If Charlotte was looking particularly attractive – in fairness, she was always gorgeous, but sometimes the power was magnified. Like, when her lips were pursed in thought. Or when she had her hair down, those long, voluminous waves falling over her shoulders. Or when she wore particularly well-fitting suits… okay, it was a lot that this happened, admittedly – Sutton looked elsewhere.

Anywhere else. Sometimes, she’d make a point to strike up conversation with someone else in the office just to make sure she didn’t possibly give in and stare at Charlotte.

It had been hard – Sisyphean-level hard, to Regan’s apt comparison – but she’d done it.

“It hasn’t been easy,” she acknowledged into the hairbrush. “But I want it to be a lesson out there for everyone that what’s worth having isn’t always easy.”

And she deeply hoped this was what Charlotte still wanted. Sutton was going to quit no matter what; at this point, given what had happened, she needed to. She couldn’t work with Charlotte even if they never slept together again.

But they’d agreed to fully keep their distance from one another these last two weeks. Their interactions had been painfully appropriate, including Sutton not going to D.C. with Charlotte this past week because –

Yeah.

Charlotte had kept her voice light and professional as she’d made the suggestion to Sutton that she stay at the office and “tie up any loose ends” before leaving her employment.

While Sutton had been holding on my a tether, though, Charlotte didn’t seem to be struggling in the same way she was. At least, not visibly. So… Sutton was more than ready to have this dinner done and over with, so she could finally talk to Charlotte for real.

Finally make sure they were still doing… whatever they’d agreed they were doing.

Regan made a click sound with her tongue, before she pretended to put the hairbrush in her pocket. “And there we have it, folks.”

Sutton couldn’t help but laugh. “You, seriously, are ridiculous.”

“And you really pushed through. No late nights at the office. No lingering in cars. No staying up all night, telling one another to hang up the phone.” Regan listed off all of the ways in which Charlotte had vigilantly maintained their professional distance and left Sutton aching for more. “I’m actually very impressed.”

Sutton frowned. “I can have a strong will.”

Even if Charlotte hadn’t been the one to put those measures in place, Sutton wouldn’t have done anything to tip the scales on this precarious balance.

Regan frowned back. “I mean, sure. But you can’t usually keep a secret. Especially not one as big as your fling with Charlotte.”

“It’s not a fling,” she immediately denied, wrinkling her nose at the term.

Fling? This – it wasn’t a fling.

… was it?

She guessed she didn’t really know. She knew that she and Charlotte were going to resume… whatever they were doing, after this dinner. But they hadn’t officially labeled anything.

Fling implied a short affair, though, and that wasn’t… was it?

Regan held her hands up in self-defense. “I wasn’t trying to offend. You followed her up to the Catskills so you two could fuck like bunnies for the weekend and have plans to continue a presumed sexual affair, so it seemed right in the moment. I don’t know Charlotte well enough to say.”

She arched an expectant look at Sutton.

Because Regan had spent the last two weeks extolling to Sutton multiple times how much she couldn’t wait for Sutton not to work for Charlotte anymore, so she could actually get to know her.

Sutton arched her best friend a look. “And you do realize that kind of comment right there is precisely why you haven’t been allowed to get to know her, right?”

Regan groaned. “Even when you don’t work for her anymore? What kind of bullshit is this?”

At the knock on their apartment door, Sutton scooted past her. “We’ll see.”

“I’ll take that,” Regan agreed, following her to the door. “Hey, what are you going to do about your parents – well, your mom, really – seeing you and Charlotte at the dinner together?”

Sutton stumbled over herself in her short heels, whipping around to stare incredulously. “Regan! Why would you ask me that? Right now, when my parents are literally at the door,” she hissed, gesturing at said door.

“Ohhh,” Regan offered her an apologetic wince. “It really just popped into my head. I wasn’t really thinking. You’ll be great!” She said, her face all sunshine and bright, encouraging smiles.

Sutton glowered. “Gee, thanks.”

Rolling her shoulders back, she closed her eyes.

This was going to be fine.

Even though it felt incredibly weird.

She normally loved when her parents were in town. She normally wanted to spend as much time with them as possible while they were here.

And now, she – well she wasn’t dreading this dinner. Not necessarily. But she certainly wasn’t looking forward to it, either.

Her parents and Charlotte being in the same space with her in the middle didn’t give Sutton any sense of peace. On the one hand, she had this head in the clouds fantasy that her parents could get to know Charlotte and be absolutely blown away by her, the way Sutton was. And somehow, maybe, eventually, if they developed into a more serious relationship over time… perhaps her parents would take it well, because they’d already gotten to know Charlotte a little bit.

On the other hand, she knew very well that her parents would not react well to Sutton engaging in a sexual relationship with her boss. Not reacting well, actually, was an understatement.

So, she was going to be walking a very fine line tonight.

She couldn’t avoid Charlotte; she was going to be there as her assistant. But she had to not look at her as if she was craving her touch, her kiss, her laugh, especially under her mom’s watchful eye.

Regan cleared her throat. “Okay, why don’t I get the door…”

Right, because Sutton had been standing shock-still.

Regan reached out and gave Sutton a comforting pat on the shoulder as she closed the distance to the door and pulled it open. “Hey!”

Sutton fixed a smile to her face that she hoped didn’t look frantic or concerned, as first her dad gave Regan a quick hug, and then her mom pulled her in for a longer one.

“Hi Dad,” she greeted, as her dad walked toward her.

He gave her a warm smile, before tugging her into a hug. “You look absolutely beautiful, honey.”

She wrapped her arms around him and closed her eyes, breathing in his comforting scent. “Thanks. You look very spiffy yourself.”

Her dad pulled back, brushing his hands over the lapels of his dark blue suit. “Your mom advised the color.”

“Good choice,” she affirmed, before she turned her attention to her mom, who’d approached. “Mom, you – wow, you look great, too.”

Her mom’s dress was a sleek high-necked, long-sleeved complementary blue, cutting such an impressive figure, easily reminding Sutton why she’d always wanted to be exactly like her. Even the dress she’d picked out for herself was similar – Sutton’s was a different shade and was a little more form-fitting – but, still.

She found herself wrapped up in a hug twice as long as her dad’s, and she closed her eyes, giving into it. “Sweetheart, you look absolutely lovely.”

“Thanks, Mom,” she murmured before she leaned back.

“I’m starting to think I should have dressed up just for this moment,” Regan commented from behind them with a grin. “Feeling like the sore thumb out or whatever that saying is.”

Sutton snorted.

Her dad checked his watch. “We should head out. We have a car outside.”

“Regan, we will see you in the morning for brunch,” Katherine addressed, stopping in front of Regan on their way out the door, tucking a strand of her hair back behind her ear. “And I would love to hear about this new relationship you’re in?”

Regan flushed, her smile widening. “Oh. Yeah! Sure. Absolutely.”

Katherine smiled. “Good.” She shot Regan a little wink. “If only you hadn’t found a relationship quite so soon; you and Sutton could have gone to those speed dating type activities and supported one another.”

Her mom’s voice was light and teasing, but Sutton’s eyes widened from behind her, locking onto Regan’s eyes over her shoulder in a small panic.

Regan’s eyes flashed at her, just for a split second, before she looked back at Katherine, and Sutton could tell that she was holding back the biggest cackle. “You are sooooo right. It’s, like, a huge shame.”

Katherine tilted her head slightly to the side, and – ugh. Fuck. That small movement was enough for Sutton to know that her mom obviously read into Regan’s response.

“Okay, we have to get going!” Sutton cleared her throat abruptly waving both of her parents on in a shooing motion.

The only thing that could make her more desperate to arrive at the dinner and thus have her parents meet Charlotte was Regan talking about Sutton’s dating life.

As she walked by Regan, the end of the Spencer family train, she narrowed her eyes.

Regan held her hands up, mouthing I didn’t say anything!

She didn’t have to! She held Regan’s eyes with her own the entire way until she’d exited the apartment, turning around to make sure her best friend continued to see her glare as she went.

***

Sutton strategically had brought up first Ethan and how he was doing in his new school year the second they’d settled into the car, staving off her mom bringing up her dating life. And then she’d immediately pivoted into asking about work. First, to her dad, and then to her mom.

Which, blessedly, had lasted them all the way to Senator Armstrong’s home.

“Are you excited?” Her mom asked, warmly, nudging Sutton’s shoulder with her own as they exited the car.

“For… dinner?” She asked, turning to give her mom a quizzical stare.

Her mom’s eyebrows drew down in question, even as she smiled at her. “No, sweetheart, about us meeting Charlotte.”

Sutton’s stomach tied into knots in an instant, her breath freezing in her lungs. Did she look as nervous as she felt?! She hoped not, but she thought she did. “What? What do you mean? Why…?”

She had to make herself stop asking questions like that, or it was going to look even weirder. As it was, she tightly closed her mouth and searched her mom’s gaze with her own. Searching her mirror image blue eyes, wondering what it meant.

Her mom’s eyebrows furrowed, her smile dropping away.

Her dad was the one who supplied, “You’ve been so thrilled about working with her for the last few months. You’ve mentioned multiple times how much you knew we’d like her.”

Damn. She’d done that all before she and Charlotte had slept together. Because she did think her parents would both like Charlotte! But it had all been very earnest and appropriate when she’d said it the last few months.

“Oh,” she coughed, feeling herself blush. “Right. I mean, yeah. I’m… excited for you to meet her. She’s, um, she is really great.”

Did that sound normal?

She aimed a smile at her parents, calling on as much calm and steadiness as she could. What would Charlotte do in this situation? Be a lot chiller than she was, that was for sure.

Thankfully, they weren’t the only guests arriving, so their personal conversation fell away, until they made it inside.

Because – naturally – the first thing that happened when they entered the large sitting room where the home bar was, was running into Charlotte.

She stood only a couple of feet inside the large double doors, already wrapping up her conversation with one of the other guests.

Though Sutton had only seen her a couple of hours ago, it was different. Charlotte wasn’t any less attractive at work than she was dressed up at events – or dressed down, she now knew – but seeing her here, her hair swept into a gorgeous bun that was so well styled Sutton had to wonder if Charlotte had somehow gone somewhere to get it done. She’d been with Charlotte to a lot of events at this point, and Charlotte’s hair was always well-styled, but this specific look was the extra mile.

And her dress…

Sutton had anticipated Charlotte wearing one of her suits here. Not one of her work suits, but one of the other ones she had. She’d told Sutton once that she often liked to wear her suits to dinners, especially when hosted by men, because she felt that they took her more seriously.

But she was wearing a sleeveless green dress that was definitely appropriate for the event; it didn’t reveal any skin that shouldn’t be revealed, especially as she had a wrap to go with it.

Only… Sutton couldn’t stop staring.

Charlotte didn’t look out of place here; everyone was dressed up.

But she also wouldn’t have looked out of place if this was some sort of celebrity red carpet, either.

And Sutton’s brain was frying.

Especially when Charlotte turned to face her, eyebrows lifting ever-so-slightly, as she focused her smile on Sutton, rather than the woman she’d just been speaking to.

She knew it wasn’t her imagination, of course, that Charlotte’s smile was a little warmer. Was everything in here a little warmer, or was that just Sutton?

“Charlotte,” she breathed out, before her eyes widened, and she snapped her spine straight. That – she could recover. Clearing her throat, she acted as though she’d had something stuck there. “Sorry. Uh, Charlotte, these are my parents, Jack and Katherine Spencer. Mom, Dad, this is Charlotte Thompson.”

There, she did it. Proper introductions complete.

Charlotte, for her part, didn’t blink. Not when Sutton stumbled slightly over the intro, not when she made solid eye contact with both of Sutton’s parents. Nope, she looked…

Well, god, she looked absolutely incredible.

But, also, she looked unfazed. She smiled, genuinely, offering her hand to Katherine, first. “It’s so great to meet you. Not only because of both of your accomplishments, which goes without saying. But also because,” Charlotte flicked her gaze to Sutton, and her smile warmed even more. “Sutton has been so incredible.”

Her stomach fluttered, and she did everything she could to make sure she wasn’t blushing. She still wasn’t sure if it was enough. She clasped her hands tightly together in front of her, hoping it would help her get rid of some of this buzzing energy.

Katherine shook her hand, tilting her head to the side as she returned Charlotte’s smile. “Lovely to meet you as well, Charlotte. Sutton has had such glowing things to say about you; I’m not sure anyone has ever been so effusive about their employer.”

“Mom,” Sutton bit out, choking on the air.

She’d never been embarrassed by her mom before, not really. Why – why would she say that?!

Her mom returned her look, before glancing back at Charlotte, looking – for her part – entirely genuine. “I want to be clear: I meant that as the highest compliment. If your employees talk highly of you, I think it says quite a bit about your character.”

Oh goddddddddddd.

Sutton reached up, rubbing her fingertips at her temple. Her mom talking to Charlotte about what a great employer she was?!

Charlotte didn’t give away any obvious cues, but Sutton was attuned to her enough by now to see the subtle stiffening in her smile.

Sutton very much needed her parents not to get into Charlotte’s head. She’d been convinced two weeks ago that this – that they, whatever that meant – were going to be over before anything could happen in the real world. The world beyond Charlotte’s birthday at the cabin.

And Charlotte had shocked her, elated her, by wanting to move forward with this. Wanting to explore what they had, even though Sutton knew she was scared.

That was a big reason why Sutton had done everything to make sure she’d kept all of their interactions above board. She couldn’t give Charlotte any reason to possibly doubt this. To give Charlotte a concern that Sutton couldn’t do this with her, be low-key with her.

They hadn’t even had time to reaffirm that, yet. So, she definitely needed this dinner not to be the thing that could make her turn back.

“I, too, take that as a very good sign,” Charlotte effused with a nod. She then turned her attention to Jack. “Absolutely a pleasure. I hope we have some time to talk tonight.”

Her dad shook Charlotte’s hand, firmly. “I’d like that.”

Good. Great. That had gone much better.

Sutton cleared her throat. “Mom, Dad, I do want to clarify, you know, that I’m here as Charlotte’s assistant, so at dinner–”

Her dad shook his head, giving her such an incredulous look. Like he couldn’t believe she was being so silly. “Sutton, come on. I sent a note to Martin last week, regarding the seating arrangements.”

She froze, blinking widely at him. Did that – did that mean they’d be sitting next to her parents the entire time? Like, through all of dinner? “I – Dad, that’s… I mean, you’re here for work, too. You can network and talk policy; you don’t have to feel hamstrung sitting with me.”

Sutton already knew, though, how her dad would feel about that.

He wrinkled his nose. “Hamstrung? You being here tonight is the best part of the dinner.”

Okay, how could she argue against that? Her lips pulled into a small, appreciative smile even as she was still reeling a bit about how to make it through the dinner.

She saw Charlotte smile, one of her genuinely warm smiles, out of the corner of her eye, before Senator Armstrong’s wife came into the doorway, and started urging everyone toward the massive dining room.

The seating arrangement wasn’t terrible. They were in a line: Charlotte on her left, her mother to her right, and her father on the other side of her mom. There was enough distance to allow Sutton to breathe.

At least, until Charlotte leaned in slightly, and murmured, “I’d texted you to let you know I was already here when I arrived, in case you want to… strategize.”

Sutton shivered, feeling her breath against her ear. Her hand tightened against the glass of water she’d just reached for. “I couldn’t look at my phone while I was in the car with them. I mean. I could have, but I – if you’d texted me and I had any sort of reaction…”

She trailed off, shaking her head. She quickly darted a glance over her shoulder at her parents, but they were both making introductory conversation with the couple to their right.

Her mom had yet to bring it up, but she knew she was still thinking about Regan’s comment and laughter. It would only be a matter of time.

And, to be entirely honest, Sutton really didn’t like this. She didn’t like having to hide something from her mom. She didn’t like feeling like she was doing something wrong. Something her parents would disapprove of.

Especially when it had to do with Charlotte, who was so… lovely.

She wanted to be able to confide in her mom about starting something, but – but she knew she had to be smart. She didn’t like it, bit she had to do it.

“It wouldn’t have been good,” she finished, turning back to Charlotte.

And… all right, she gazed at her.

Sutton jumped, then, when she heard her mother clear her throat right behind her.

“So, Charlotte,” Katherine started, “I know so much about you when it comes to your work. But I’d love to get to know you a bit more, as a person.”

Sutton could feel the way Charlotte stiffened slightly, but her expression, impressively, gave nothing away.

“Ah, into the interesting stuff,” Charlotte quipped.

Her mom chuckled, leaning forward a bit to be able to better look at Charlotte. “Well, I know that you are, of course, Sutton’s boss. But you’ve also become friendly. I’d love to know more about the woman behind the politician.”

“Honestly, Katherine, the woman is very much the politician with me, in many ways,” Charlotte said. With most people, it would sound… self-deprecating? But with Charlotte, it sounded like it simply was.

Sutton couldn’t help but frown, the disagreement filtering through her. Charlotte’s career was a lot to her, she knew that. But Charlotte was bigger than that, too.

She could see her mom frown slightly as well, but her expression was tinged with curiosity. “Why do you say that?”

“Ah, truly, because I’ve spent my whole life in this world, as you know. I’ve always wanted it for myself, too, so I’ve… well, I’ve structured everything around it.” Charlotte’s response was perfunctory and honest, but…

Sutton tilted her head, mirroring her mom’s expression now, as she studied Charlotte carefully.

She’d heard variations of that kind of comment from Charlotte before. But now, she swore there was something else in her tone. Something – deeper? Like she was second guessing about what she was saying as she was saying it.

“Well, ambition is certainly nothing to be ashamed of,” Katherine gave Charlotte a small smile.

Sutton could see and hear that her mom meant that, but… she could see in the look in her eyes that she wanted to dig in with Charlotte. That her interest had been piqued.

“When it comes to your personal life, how do you juggle that with your busy schedule?” She asked. “I know, given Sutton’s schedule with you, it must be incredibly difficult to maintain.”

Sutton’s cheeks burned. Admittedly, she knew the truth was that if she hadn’t slept with Charlotte, she wouldn’t be nearly as sensitive to anything her mom had said. Nothing she’d brought up was deeply personal or intrusive. But, she couldn’t – she just… “Mom, Charlotte’s personal life isn’t–”

Charlotte’s hand fell to her thigh under the table, and she nearly swallowed her own tongue.

Katherine winced. “I apologize, Charlotte, if that was far too personal. I really am curious as to how you juggle everything; it can’t be simple. I wasn’t trying to dig into your personal life, truly it was not my intention.”

“No, I understand. And the truth is that I don’t have much of a personal life.” Charlotte’s hand on her thigh squeezed and Sutton’s blood rushed through her body.

“Sutton,” her dad cut in, leaning around her mom. “Did you… what ever happened to that woman you were seeing?”

Charlotte’s hand slid inward slightly, then gripped a little tighter, and Sutton nearly swallowed her fucking tongue.

“Wh-what? What woman?” She barely managed to get out, her voice sounding far higher pitched than she’d have preferred.

But how was she supposed to act normally when Charlotte was touching her like this? How? It was under the table, the linen tablecloth covering everything so not another soul could see. But this was the only touch she’d had from Charlotte in two weeks.

And it was in front of her parents.

A tight grip.

On her inner thigh.

Her dad reached up, rubbing his hand over his jaw in thought. “You saw her a month or two ago?”

Katherine also swung her gaze toward him, eyes narrowed in thought. “Who are you talking about?”

Charlotte leaned back toward her in a flash, her hot breath washing over Sutton’s neck. “Yes, who is he talking about?”

Sutton rolled her lips together, about to absolutely combust, rapidly shaking her head. She was this close to dropping her face into her hands right here at the table.

She wanted Charlotte to drop her hand away, but also would give anything to make sure she didn’t.

“The woman from the dating app? That you’d met before?” Jack said, nodding at Katherine, then at Sutton.

“Alia?” She asked, breathlessly. She’d challenge anyone to breathe normally when Charlotte Thompson was touching their thigh like this. Only inches from…

“They weren’t dating, love,” Katherine succinctly corrected him, gently shaking her head.

“No. We weren’t,” Sutton agreed, haltingly.

She could hear Charlotte’s very low hum, the sound alone making her shudder. She knew the sound was for her and only her.

Her dad leaned back in his chair, frowning. “Huh. Have you had any time to date, lately? I thought you said the last time we saw you that you’d probably want to dip your toes back into that.”

Charlotte’s hand inched up…

“Have you, Sutton?” She asked, resting her chin in her hand as she fixed such a sincere stare at Sutton.

Sutton threw the rest of her ice water back like it was a shot. “Uh – no. Ha. Not really. I’ve been super busy with Charlotte.”

She didn’t look at Charlotte. Didn’t even glance her way. Couldn’t.

Katherine reached out and gently rubbed her shoulder, and the two touches she was feeling couldn’t be more incongruous and incompatible if she tried. “You haven’t seen anyone at all?”

There it was, the curiosity because of Regan.

She cleared her throat, roughly. Where was more water?

“No. Nope. Not… right now.”

She silently rejoiced then dinner started being brought out, stealing everyone’s attention as Senator Armstrong started speaking in his booming voice about the meal, and what inspired it for this particular dinner.

She let out a long, deep sigh, reaching out and rubbing her hand over her face. No way could she possibly listen to him right now.

Charlotte didn’t move her hand.

***

The remainder of dinner, miraculously, brought Sutton a little less suffering.

Conversation flowed from every side; Charlotte was swept up with the people to her left and across from her, Sutton’s parents as well. She often leaned into Charlotte’s, making mental notes for what she should be tracking for the future, for – well. She wouldn’t be working with Charlotte anymore, after this. Which, admittedly, made her feel very bittersweet.  

And by the time the appetizers were over, Charlotte had slid her hand from Sutton, so she could use both of her hands to cut the food on her plate. So even though her entire body strained to feel Charlotte against her, she had to be relieved that she could breathe again.

She’d gotten a glass of wine, and hoped it could excuse the flush on her cheeks that she could tell was still present, even after they’d wrapped up dessert.

She was standing again with her mother and Charlotte in the sitting room at the front of the house, and Sutton was stuck between celebrating her success of keeping things… relatively managed, and barely managing to hold herself still with how badly she wanted to bring an end to this part of the evening.

Her mom turned to Charlotte, asking, “So, Charlotte, what is on your docket this weekend? Work?”

Her voice was a little lighthearted, teasing after Charlotte’s work-focused responses earlier. Internally, Sutton celebrated that. It meant her mom wasn’t leaving here having a bad impression of Charlotte.

“Oh, no.” A small, coy little smile played on Charlotte’s mouth, “I’ll be taking a little… personal time.”

Sutton’s heart skipped a beat. That had to mean her, right? Had to.

“That’s lovely.” Katherine nodded, approvingly.

Oh, boy.

“Well, given that we didn’t get to chat with you nearly as much as we’d have liked – we would love if you’d be able to join us tomorrow for brunch,” her mom invited.

A few beats of silence washed over them, Sutton feeling frozen to the spot. Yes, she would love if Charlotte had brunch with her parents. She wanted her parents to really get to know Charlotte, to like her enough that once they eventually found out – if she and Charlotte truly became a thing – that they would understand who she was, at the core, as a person.

But she also knew she’d be walking a fine line, and she couldn’t imagine Charlotte would want to go to the brunch.

“I would hate to intrude,” Charlotte said after a few beats. “I know you only have so much time that you get to spend with Sutton.”

But her mom waved her hand. “It is absolutely not an intrusion; it’s a real invitation. Really, if you’re not busy, I insist. It’ll be small – just us three, Regan, and Emma. You’ve met Regan?”

“Briefly,” Charlotte clarified, lifting her eyebrows. “Not at length.”

“I’m sure you’ll find the brunch quite entertaining if nothing else, then,” Katherine said, chuckling.

Charlotte nodded. “From everything I’ve heard, that seems likely.” She looked down at her watch, wincing. “I’m afraid I do need to wrap this evening up, I’m afraid. It was a pleasure to meet you, Katherine. Please give my best to Jack.”

“Likewise,” her mom returned, reaching out to clasp one of Charlotte’s hands between both of her own.

Charlotte then turned her attention fully to Sutton, her smile becoming softer. She wondered if Charlotte was aware of that. “Sutton, thank you, as always, for being such incredible company at dinners like this.”

Sutton nodded, doing her best to keep her own smile under wraps and not beaming like she was being complimented by a goddess in the flesh. “Of course.”

“I’m just going to make a quick round, say goodbye to Martin. So, I will see you both tomorrow.” With that, Charlotte reached out and laid her hand on Sutton’s elbow, giving her a warm, but very appropriate squeeze, aimed another smile at Katherine, and swept away.

Her mom commented, “She does seem like a wonderful person for you to have ended up working for, sweetheart.”

God, again…

She knew her mom really didn’t mean anything by that. She knew her mom was being serious. And, in fact, that made it feel a lot worse.

But – but her mom wasn’t wrong, either. And Sutton had felt that way for months, long before things being what they were, now. She did feel like she’d benefitted from working for Charlotte, from knowing her.

“She is,” she agreed.

Her dad approached, pressing a kiss to her mom’s cheek. Katherine smiled, turning to him. “How was Justine?”

“She’s great. Her daughter is expecting; I made a note for us to send a gift,” her dad informed them. “She and her husband invited us out for a night cap while we’re in the city, but I let her know that we’re here with Sutton–”

“No, you should go!” She interjected, snapping to attention.

She’d assumed that she’d probably be spending another hour or so with her parents, and that she’d just hope that Charlotte would still be awake and wanting to see one another later tonight.

“Really. Mom, Dad, you should get a drink with Justine and Scott tonight. I mean, you see and talk to me a lot more than you do them. Plus, there are a few things I wanted to discuss with Charlotte tonight that we weren’t able to get into.”

She barely remembered the goodbyes she bid to her parents, before dashing out of the house, her heart racing in her chest. But if she could just catch up to Charlotte, who’d left the house only a minute earlier –

She saw Charlotte duck into her car halfway down the street, and barely managed to control herself not to shout her name or break into a run. She still had to be mindful; they were in public.

But she did hurry, rushing down the sidewalk so she could reach the car before it pulled away from the curb.

She waved at Neil, one of Charlotte’s regular drivers, gesturing that she was going to be getting in. He shot her a thumbs up, pausing before he pulled into the street.

Thank god.

A little out of breath, anticipation rushed through her veins as she tugged the door open.

“Neil, is everything–” Charlotte had been asking, before she cut herself off, snapping her head to the side. Her eyes were wide and alarmed at the door being opened, before she realized it was Sutton, and visible relief slid through her. “Sutton! What are you doing?”

“I have some matters to discuss with you,” she stated, using her professional tone, the one she’d mastered at work. She hesitated before sliding into the car. “Is that all right?”

“Absolutely,” Charlotte agreed, arching an eyebrow up at her in that ridiculously sexy, knowing way.

“Some of the items that came up at dinner,” she pushed, settling into the car and shutting the door. She flicked her eyes to Neil, who was now resuming his edging into traffic. “That were… sensitive.”

“Right,” Charlotte hummed, reaching for the switch that controlled the black, sound-proofed partition. “Excuse us, Neil.”

He simply nodded, likely very used to the high-end clientele he drove for taking advantage of that feature.

“I didn’t expect to see you tonight. And if so, certainly not so soon,” Charlotte murmured, as the partition finally reached the top. “Given your parents being in town. I know how much you’d like to see them more.”

“Normally yes,” she agreed, the excitement and nerves tangling deeply inside of her. She interlocked her fingers, fidgeting slightly, as she turned to look at Charlotte. “But… on the sliding scale of who I wanted to see tonight, there’s no one that could possibly be higher than you.”

Charlotte’s smile was slow and sly and undeniably pleased. “Is that so?”

She rolled her eyes, because she felt like that was obvious, even as she grinned back. Then, before anything else could happen, she felt the need to get in front of, “You… you don’t have to come to brunch. I’m really sorry, if you felt like you were put on the spot.”

Sutton really should have seen that coming. She blamed being far too wrapped up in Charlotte, in them, for not thinking through every possibility.

Charlotte pursed her lips, nodding slowly. “The truth is that I have excellent skills in setting boundaries, Sutton. When it comes to doing something like a brunch, I know how to get out of it if I truly don’t want to do it.”

Surprised rushed through her, her eyebrows drawing down low on her forehead. “So you want to come to brunch with my parents?”

She – she just couldn’t imagine that. Charlotte?

“I’d say, being honest with you, that wanting to go to brunch with them is a strong word,” the expression that worked over her face was, indeed, honest, and very wry. “There’s a lot on the line. But, realistically, if you and I hadn’t slept together, I’d have definitely wanted to go to brunch with them and talk to them, more.”

Right, because it was a smart move, as far as connections went. Sutton’s parents were a strong, positive network to have, opening a lot of other doors, even to Charlotte.

“And the only reason I’d have been determined to not go, is because of you and I...” She trailed off, before rolling her shoulders back. “But perhaps that’s another reason for me to go, at the end of the day.”

There it was, that quiet vulnerable tone. The one Charlotte let Sutton be privy to, and it surged through her.

“So… you do still want me. Us. This,” she slightly stumbled over her words, unsure of what to call it.

Charlotte reeled back. “Sutton – what?” She blinked at her, searching. “I thought I’d made it very clear that I want…” She trailed off, gesturing between them. “You have literally quit your job. It’s – what do you mean?”

She huffed out a breath, tossing her hands into the air before they fell back to her lap. “I don’t know! You’ve been… I mean, I’ve been doing everything to be a normal person, but you – it’s seemed like you haven’t even had to try? And we haven’t really talked about it or…”

She felt herself blush, as she shook her head. Even though she wanted to drop her eyes because it would be easier, she held Charlotte’s gaze with her own.

“This is a big deal to you. And I’ve wondered – been concerned, really – that having some distance,” all of the twelve nights when Charlotte was by herself in bed, contemplating her life and her future, “Would… make it easier for you to go back to the same mindset.”

After all, Charlotte was steadfast and determined, probably more than anyone else Sutton had ever known. Maybe would ever know.

She definitely wasn’t expecting Charlotte’s incredulous laughter.

“Please, darling, that is the most ludicrous thing I’ve ever heard.”

Sutton’s mouth fell open. “Are you seriously laughing at me?!”

But given how damn happy she was to hear that, to see the smile on Charlotte’s gorgeous face, to be here in this car with her, just the two of them, she couldn’t possibly really be offended.

“Yes,” Charlotte confirmed.

Then she –

Sutton gasped, heat pulsing through her, as Charlotte moved quickly and smoothly. She pushed herself up, swinging one of her legs over Sutton’s so she was straddling her lap here in this car.

She had just enough give in her dress to make feasible, and Charlotte’s warmth, her curves, were against Sutton for the first time in weeks, and she felt lightheaded from the relief and desire of it all.

Without hesitation, she slid her hands up the backs of Charlotte’s thighs, her hands tingling from the connection.

Charlotte cupped her jaw, holding Sutton in place with her thumb right under her chin as they made eye contact. She stayed a few inches back but was close enough that her scent enveloped Sutton completely. “Darling, let me assure you: it would take far longer than a couple of weeks for me to forget about what it’s like to have you. I have thought of very little else.”

Pleasure swiftly worked through Sutton’s entire body, her breath shuddering out. “Me, too,” she whispered back, her voice hoarse. Her lips parted slightly as Charlotte slowly drew in closer.

Before she kissed Sutton, though, she paused and teased, “So you talk about me to your parents a lot, hmm?”

Sutton couldn’t bother with being embarrassed. Not right now, not while her hands were full of Charlotte and finally. “Yes,” she answered, honestly. “I couldn’t stop myself. I’d tell everyone who would listen about you, if I could.” She licked her lips, staring into Charlotte’s intense stare. “Not us, either. Just… you.”

A soft sound, caught between a sigh and a whimper, escaped from the back of Charlotte’s throat. Because of her.

Sutton flexed her hands against the backs of Charlotte’s thighs, dropping her head back against the seat just in time for Charlotte’s mouth to descend to hers.

Hot and hungry, she felt like Charlotte was going to devour here whole, right here in the back of the car.

And Sutton wanted more than anything else in the world to be consumed.

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