by Donna Jay
Nadia grabbed a towel and draped it over Blake’s head, knowing from experience the cool air would make his breathing worse.
Hayley and Caleb stood in the middle of the living room, eyes wide. Just as she made it to the door, Helen burst inside, medics right behind her.
“What the hell’s going on?”
Nadia handed over Blake. One look at him and all the colour drained from Helen’s face. Blake started wailing, then coughing, then nothing. His eyes went wide, pleading for air.
“Ma’am, we need to go.” One of the medics snapped an oxygen mask over Blake’s face, and the other led them to the door.
Nadia stood on the doorstep, watching helplessly as the ambulance sped away.
“Come on, kids.” She hustled everyone back inside.
Mandy hesitated, looking like she wanted to bolt.
Hayley clung to Simone like a lifeline, and when Simone kissed the top of Hayley’s springy red hair, Nadia’s heart expanded in her chest.
“Sorry for ruining your night.” Mandy chewed her lip.
Feeling an immense sense of gratitude that Mandy had the foresight to call her, Nadia pulled her into a hug. “You have nothing to be sorry for, you did the right thing.”
“Did I?” She swiped at her eyes. “What if his lungs are damaged or something because I waited too long?”
“He’s a strong wee boy, you can’t think like that.” Nadia held her by the shoulders, trying to make her see sense. “Okay?”
She received a weak nod.
A tug on her dress drew Nadia’s gaze downward. Caleb looked up at her, eyes brimming with tears. “Is Blake going to die?”
“No!” Nadia picked him up, balancing him on her hip. “He’s going to come home and tell you all about his exciting ride in the ambulance, all those flashing lights. What noise does a siren make?”
“Whirr, whoo, whirr, whoo.”
Hayley started giggling, and that’s all it took. Smiling, Simone set her on her feet, and the kids were off, Hayley following behind Caleb, making siren sounds at the top of his lungs.
Oh to be so young and carefree.
“Did you need me to stay?” Mandy asked, back plastered to the door, short hair dishevelled, brown eyes bloodshot and glassy.
“No, I can take it from here, but you’re welcome to stick around until we hear from Helen.”
“Can you text me?”
“Sure.” Nadia nodded, her heart going out to Mandy.
It was a hell of an ordeal for anyone to go through let alone a teenager. Nadia only prayed it hadn’t put her off babysitting for Helen in the future.
When she turned, Simone was shoving books and toys into one corner of the sofa before she sat.
“Who wants Milo?” Nadia called out.
“Me.” Hayley and Caleb chorused, hands flying into the air.
“Me.” Simone waved her fingers, her gorgeous smile a bright spot amongst the gloom.
“I’d offer you something stronger, but all Helen’s money goes into these ratbags.” Nadia mussed up Caleb’s hair when he raced into the kitchen.
He pulled open a cupboard, retrieved a mug, and tore out again. “This is my cup.” Beaming, he held it up for Simone’s inspection. Nadia had bought it for his fifth birthday. It was blue with each letter of his name in different colours.
“Oh, what does it say?” Simone played along.
“Caleb. That’s me.” He stabbed himself in the chest.
“Nice to meet you, Caleb.” She held out a hand. “Can I have a closer look?”
After a minute’s contemplation, he handed it over, watching her closely. Hayley, sitting next to Simone on the sofa, clutching her blankie, watched with rapt attention.
Simone pointed to the first letter on the cup. “What’s this letter?”
“C,” Caleb said proudly, and his pride seeped into Nadia. She’d taught him to spell his name long before he started school.
While the kids were occupied, Nadia put some milk on to boil and heaped Milo into two kiddie cups. The chocolaty aroma teased her senses.
She probably should eat something, but the knot in her stomach wasn’t about to let up until she heard from Helen.
Chapter 17
Nadia
Hours later, exhausted and emotionally drained, Nadia turned the key in the lock, never happier to be home. Dead on her feet, she stumbled inside.
The second Simone closed the door behind them, Nadia pulled her into her arms, inhaling her scent, absorbing her warmth, her strength. “Sorry about tonight.”
“Don’t you dare apologise.”
“Hell of a way to learn how I came to be at KB Incorporated, huh?”
A huff snorted out of Simone. “A tad dramatic, yes. I would’ve settled for ‘My friend’s kid was unwell, so I filled in for her.’” She paused. “What I don’t get is why Helen didn’t just call in sick.”
That was easy to explain. “Blake hasn’t been well for months. Winter hit him hard, spring hasn’t been much better. Croup,” she said by way of explanation. “Helen’s boss told her if she called in sick again, she could start looking for another job.”
“He can’t just do that.”
“I know that,” Nadia said. “And you know that. But she’s on a rostered contract.”
“Let me guess,” Simone said, pulling up a stool at the breakfast bar. “He would change her shifts around until they didn’t suit her, and she’d be forced to find another job.”
“Something like that.”
“It was big of you to cover for her…and brave. You took a hell of a risk. Both of you.”
“But the risk paid off.” Nadia tucked a strand of hair behind Simone’s ear. “We’re together.”
“Only because you acted like a bitch in heat, marking your territory when you should’ve been scrubbing toilets.”
Amused, Nadia tried to come up with a witty retort, but she couldn’t. Her mind was still on Helen and Blake; the relief she’d felt when she’d picked them up from the hospital.
“I wish I could say something in my defence, but I’m beyond tired.”
It hadn’t exactly been the night Nadia intended to treat Simone too, but at least the pizza they’d ordered while waiting for Helen and Blake to be discharged had been tasty.
“I probably should get home,” Simone said. “You know, with work tomorrow and all.” She tugged on her dress as if in explanation. It was covered in Milo stains, thanks to Hayley taking the lid off her Disney Princess Sippy cup.
“You should start leaving some of your clothes here.” And there Nadia went again, saying stupid things when she was tired.
Simone smiled warmly. “Do you always do things arse about face?”
“What do you mean?” Nadia asked, too tired to hazard a guess.
“You ask if I want kids, then suggest I move my stuff in. Tell me, when does the marriage proposal come?”
Nadia opened her mouth, but Simone cut her off.
“Wait, let me guess. You’re opposed to marriage?”
“No, I’m not,” Nadia said, feeling defensive. She wasn’t against marriage, she just hadn’t met anyone she cared enough about to spend the rest of her life with. Until now.
“I was kidding.” Simone pecked her on the lips. “But I didn’t believe you when you said you don’t own any nighties.”
“Guilty as charged.”
“If I’m staying, I want one.”
“I want one,” Nadia mocked her. “You sound like Hayley.”
Affection shimmered in Simone’s eyes. “Oh my God, she’s the cutest wee thing. And her hair, all those red curls…” She pulled on the ends of her auburn hair. “I’d killed for hair like that.”
“And you know what?” Nadia flicked out the kitchen light. “By the time she’s a teenager, she’ll probably straighten it to within an inch of its life.”
“No! Say it isn’t so.” Simone held the back of her hand to her forehead, acting like a prima donna.
“Clown.”
Nadia towed her toward the bathroom. She couldn’t do much about Simone’s dress but she could offer her a spare toothbrush.
After they brushed their teeth and freshened up, Nadia headed straight to the middle drawer of her dresser.
“Here.” She tossed a light purple negligee to Simone.
“Nice.” Simone put it on the bed and raced out of the room. She was back within seconds, digging round in her handbag. “Ta-da! Reunited.”
“Wow.” Nadia blinked hard. How had she forgotten?
“They’re unworn,” she lied, staring at the panties she’d slipped off and brazenly left on Simone’s office chair.
“Really? I could smell you on them.”
Unable to picture Simone as a panty sniffer, Nadia played along. “Really?”
“Of course.”
“Why don’t I believe you?” Nadia snatched them out of her hand and inhaled deeply.
Simone’s eyes bugged out, a look of horror draining the colour from her cheeks.
“They smell fine.”
“I washed them.”
“So why lie?”
“It was a joke.” Simone’s face fell. “You looked so sad, I just wanted to make you smile.”
Appreciating the gesture, Nadia wrapped her arms around Simone. “Just having you here makes me smile. And, right now, I am sad. Those kids mean the world to me. I was thinking about them when I blurted out if you wanted kids.”
Nadia pulled her dress over her head and dumped it on the floor.
Following her cue, Simone slipped out of her stained red dress and slid into the negligee. If she thought wearing a negligee would make it easier for Nadia to keep her hands to herself, she was sorely mistaken. Firm, round breasts strained against the material, puckered nipples taunting her.
With a gleam in her eye, Simone slipped out of her underwear and into the panties. The contrast of pale flesh and light purple lace was striking, and that was without her sparkling blue eyes looking for approval.
“If you plan on getting any sleep tonight, you better get under these covers before I ravish you.” Nadia patted the bed beside her.
Simone jumped in, and Nadia flicked the covers over them.
“You’re a temptress, you know that?”
“Whatever do you mean?” Simone batted her eyelashes.
Snaking an arm across her waist, Nadia grabbed her backside and squeezed, hard.
Simone let out a noise between a squeal and a whimper.
“Tell me what else you like?” Nadia released her grip, searching Simone’s eyes. She already knew she liked a playful spanking but what else?
“I like chocolate ice cream, summer days, trips to the beach, and walks in the park.”
“Brat.” Nadia chuckled despite herself. “You know what I meant.”
“I do, but I have a question.”
“Shoot.” Nadia entwined her legs with Simone’s, the hem of the negligee tickling her thighs.
“Have you ever had your heart broken, or are you a love ‘em and leave ‘em kind of gal?”
“You make it sound like I’ve had a slew of women.”
“You make it sound like you don’t want to answer the question.”
“Fine.” Nadia rolled onto her back, and Simone flung an arm across her chest. It felt natural, like they fit. When one of them moved, the other moved into place.
“I didn’t really date much in school.” Nadia stared at the ceiling, her mind flicking back twenty years. “I had a couple of girlfriends, but nothing serious. The sex was average at best. For a while, I wondered if perhaps I wasn’t a lesbian or if maybe I was ace. Then I went to university.”
“Which one?”
“Massey in Palmerston North. You?”
“Waikato.”
Ah, that explained why she was so far away from home. Hamilton and Dunedin were miles apart and on separate islands.
“I liked Palmy, student life was crazy, but I never wanted to lay down roots there.”
Simone snuggled closer. “Lucky for me.”
“And me.” Nadia nuzzled Simone’s neck. “I guess you loved the Waikato so much you never left.”
“Correct, now stop deflecting.”
It would be easier to have this conversation when she wasn’t so tired, but Simone would only accuse her of sidestepping the question again.
“The first year, I stayed in the dorms. I met Dana. We hit it off, became an item. The second year, we found a flat and moved in together. She was submissive, begged me to tie her up, spank her, torture her nipples…and I loved it.”
The more power Nadia was afforded, the hotter the sex. They’d experimented together. “There wasn’t much Dana wouldn’t try. She put the ‘S’ in submissive. I could put her in the corner and use her as a footstool while I did an assignment. Once I was done, I would part my legs and let her eat me out.”
“Okay.” Simone chuckled. “Spare me the details.”
“No prob. Let’s get some sleep.”
“No! Tell me the rest, how’d it end?”
“Well, I’d cry out my release, and then Dana would…”
Simone thumped her arm. “To quote your words, you know what I meant.”
“I passed my papers, she moved home. She was studying to be a vet and had a year to go. We did the long-distance thing, and the visits grew farther apart. You could say our relationship died a natural death.”
“And you’ve been single ever since?”
“No. I dated a woman who wanted me to be her mistress 24/7. To start with, it was great, having her at my beck and call. Then it became tiresome.” Nadia sighed. “A bit like your Renee, I guess. At times, I felt like I was parenting a child.”
She took her hat off to anyone living in a total power exchange relationship, but Nadia had learned the hard way it wasn’t for her.
“What happened?” Simone asked, stifling a yawn with the back of her hand.
“I broke it off.” It hadn’t been that simple, but Simone didn’t need the nitty-gritty details. The main thing was it worked out for the best in the long run.
“Last I heard, she met someone wonderful…and so have I.” She kissed Simone’s cheek. “Now, answer my question.”
“What was it again?”
“What else do you like? Do I need to buy a ball gag to hush your sassy mouth?” Nadia couldn’t imagine Simone letting anyone silence her, any more than she wanted to impede her ability to speak. Even during a scene…especially during a scene.
Of course, she could use non-verbal cues, but to be honest, she enjoyed the bratty side of Simone. It was an honour to see a completely different side of her than she presented to the outside world.
“Do I really need to answer that?” Simone poked her in the side.
“No.” Nadia laughed, moving away from the offending finger, pleased neither of them were into ball gags. “What about nipple clamps, do you like them?”
“I do,” Simone said around a yawn. “But I need to be in the right mindset to enjoy that kind of play, and right now I’m beat.” A small smile curved her lips. “No pun intended.”
“I would never beat you.” Nadia cupped her cheek and kissed her softly. “Get some sleep.”
“Okay.”
Simone put her glasses on the bedside table, and Nadia flicked out the light, surprised to see it was one in the morning.
Chapter 18
Simone
The next day Simone worked on autopilot. The day before had drained her. With less than five hours’ sleep, her reserves were running on empty. But she wouldn’t change a thing.
She finally knew why Nadia had been at KB Incorporated. She’d hung up her fancy clothes and donned a gawdy smock, all in the name of helping a friend.
The selfless act made Simone love her all the more. Love. Was that the right word? Maybe not, but whatever she felt for Nadia, it had definitely gone beyond lust.
“Hey, boss.” Alex stuck her head in the office door. “Did you see the cleaner last night?”
What the hell? Where did that come from? Having no intentions of discussing her harrowing night, Simone put on her poker face.
“No, I didn’t. Why on earth would you think that?”
Alex eyed her curiously. “Don’t you normally stay late on a Thursday?”
Oh, of course. Simone cleared her throat. “Now that Leisa’s processing wages, I no longer need to.”
“Well, how about you ask the golden girl to empty the rubbish in the staffroom, or is that below her pay grade?”
Even though Alex was smiling, Simone didn’t like her tone. “Come in, and close the door behind you.”
The cocky smile fell from Alex’s face. “I was kidding.”
“Sit.” Simone pointed to the chair. She didn’t play favourites and the sooner Alex got that through her head the better. “Leisa was promoted for doing her job well.”
“I do a good job too,” Alex mumbled under her breath.
“Yes, you do. But you waste a lot of time, too.”
With a huff, Alex opened her mouth then snapped it shut again. Simone let the silence linger, knowing Alex would cave first.
“Everyone checks their social media accounts at work. I’m not the only one, you know?”
“Yes, I know. And some more than others. Prove to me you can meet deadlines, and I’ll give you the extra responsibilities you desire. Just name it.”
Simone bit back a smile, waiting for Alex’s response.
“Accounts payable keeps me pretty busy.”
Just as Simone suspected, Alex was happy plodding along. She didn’t want any extra responsibility.
“You know. I’ve actually been really bush since Leisa stopped filing all the invoices and statements. There are hundreds a day,” she said it like someone trying to dump a co-worker in it.
“I do know.” Simone smiled sweetly. It was a job Alex should’ve been doing all along.
“Oh.” Alex stood. “By the way. The cleaner either didn’t turn up last night or she did a shitty job. If I was you, I’d complain. We pay them enough every month.”
“Perhaps the cleaner had an emergency. Like when you have to leave early because one of your kids are sick.”
