Lalisa,Mine.

Chapter Three

      Lisa jogged down the busy sidewalk, upbeat music blasting through her earbuds. As she narrowly dodged a woman on a bicycle, she wished she could afford a gym membership and avoid the crowded city streets. But for now, she had to make do. Running was her only outlet. She loved the feeling of pushing her body to its limit. The burning muscles. The aching lungs. The high. It was satisfying in a raw, visceral way.

      In truth, she preferred the freedom of running outdoors. The heat of the sun on her skin and the wind in her face added to the rush she felt.

      Her apartment building came into view. Lisa slowed her pace and checked her watch. She didn't have long until she had to leave for work. She'd barely been able to squeeze in a run at all. Wiping the sweat from her brow, Lisa jogged the last half mile to her building and made her way up to her apartment. Calling it an 'apartment' was generous. The one-room studio had room for a bed, a table, and little else. But it was the only place that Lisa could afford by herself.

      She stripped off her sweaty clothes and threw them into the hamper. She'd tried as hard as she could to make her apartment look inviting, adding some color and personal touches. A few throw pillows in a bright, cheerful blue. Posters to cover the marks on the walls. A bookshelf salvaged from the curb that Lisa had filled with books she didn't have time to read. It did little to improve the ambiance of the space. But Lisa liked it. It was more of a home to her than any other place she had lived in.

      Lisa made her way to the bathroom and stepped into the shower. She tipped back her head and let the warm water trickle down her body, washing the sweat from her skin and revitalizing her tired muscles. She wished that she had a bathtub. It had been a long day. Six hours of classes, followed by a quick run, and now a shift at The Lounge. She wouldn't get home until well after midnight.

      Lisa let out a long breath. She was used to it. The long hours. The late nights. The never-ending pile of school work. She'd been working hard since high school: first to get into college and escape her middle of nowhere hometown, and then to get into law school, all while working to support herself.

      But as she scrubbed the dirt of the day off her body, Lisa felt the weight of it all creep back onto her shoulders. Running provided a brief escape. It didn't last.

      She sighed and tried to push it all aside. For what felt like the hundredth time this week, her thoughts drifted back to the other night at The Lounge. To Jennie. When Lisa closed her eyes, she could see Jennie's smoldering eyes staring back at her. She could feel Jennie's fingers wrapped around her wrist. She could hear Jennie's voice, somehow gentle and commanding at the same time.

      I've seen the way you look at me.

      Lisa stepped out of the shower. How had Jennie managed to get inside her head so easily? It didn't matter. Even if Jennie was interested in her, which seemed crazy, Lisa didn't want to go down that road. Not with Jennie, or with anyone.

      As she toweled herself off, an image of the riding crop hanging from Jennie's bedpost flashed across Lisa's mind. And then, Jennie holding the crimson handle...

      No. Lisa refused to let her imagination go there. She left the bathroom and started to get dressed for work.

       
                                   * * *
     
       As soon as Lisa arrived at work, Simon pulled her aside.

      "Hey, Lisa." His usually cheerful expression had been replaced by one of concern. "How are you doing?"

      "I'm fine. What's going on?"