Page 15 of Back Up Plan

Ari, flustered, replied, “I think Kylie is uncomfortable.”

Cass nodded, “Well, I don’t want anyone to be uncomfortable. I’m happy to accommodate.”

“Good,” Ari said, looking down into Cass’ crystal eyes, “I expect to hear zero complaints about your session.”

She didn’t think her heart could beat any faster when Cass added, “Yes, ma’am.”

Ari felt her body crave to make Cass say it again. Instead, she nodded and looked around the room.

Cass leaned closer to Ari.

“What are you doing?” Ari asked, swallowing the lump in her throat as her breathing hitched.

Grabbing the door handle, Cass let a low, grumbled laugh escape her chest, “Letting you out.”

Ari nodded, turning toward the door and incidentally closer to Cass’s face, “Thanks.”

“See you later?” Cass asked.

Ari smiled, a part of her thrilled by their sparring, “If you’re lucky.”

As Ari left the studio, she could feel Cass smile as she watched Ari’s ass leave the room. Ari enjoyed having Cass’s attention, forcing her to see how powerful she was.

Passing reception, Ari flashed a quick wave at the woman who had walked her in. She held her composure until the elevator doors closed behind her and she let the air she had trapped in her lungs finally escape.

She hadn’t felt so in control in months. Although, she was also wildly out of control of her body. Had she said the right things? Would Cass abide by her request?

She couldn’t be sure, but she knew dinner would be interesting. Especially since Ari knew that Cass had a relatively boring day job… not anything nearly as exciting as an unmarked bar with a St. Andrew’s cross inside.

6

CASS

Fuck me.

Cass was starting to see what Ari was hiding. She may have been a little odd and aloof, but underneath it all was a powerful woman trying to break through. And Cass’s body craved seeing more ofthatAri.

She sat back down in her swiveling chair and adjusted her EQ board for a moment before leaning on her hand.

If Elle was any testament, Cass wasn’t very good at judging who she should date. Besides, her sex work in college didn’t always make it easy for Cass to distinguish who she wanted to fuck for herself, who she though would be an interesting project.

But, Ari wasn’t the person to find out with. Sheneededher to come to the party.

Cass went back to work, hitting play on the track she was working on. As she tried to focus, she saw her date outfit out of the corner of her eye. Maybe it was too salacious.

* * *

Cass had to leave work with enough time to change and arrive at the restaurant promptly. She didn’t want to make Ari wait, even though she was certain Ari didn’t have the guts to walk out.

She tapped her Doc Martens on the cement as she crossed her arms, the breeze off of the Hudson cooling the air more than she had anticipated.

She could hear Ari’s heels approaching and lifted her head, just catching Ari’s eyes checking out Cass’s outfit. She wore a satin, emerald skirt that fell below her knees and a Fletcher t-shirt tied in the middle.

Was Ari turned on?

“Hey,” Cass said as she opened her arms for a hug.

Ari smiled, trying to wipe the excitement from her eyes, as she lightly returned the hug, “Good to see you”

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