by Carew, Opal
And now, here she was wanting more.
She leaned forward and kissed his neck, then nibbled his raspy chin.
She shifted her hips. The tight grasp of her silken sheath sent his cock twitching.
“Ohhh, yeah.” She sighed. “Sloan, you have one serious piece of equipment there.”
“You like?”
“I love it!” She swirled her hips around one way, then the other, spiraling his cock inside her.
“Baby, that is sensational.” He grasped her hips and followed the movement of her body as she drove him wild.
She squeezed and twirled. His cock swelled close to bursting. He stroked down her belly and tucked his finger at the base of her, then explored her folds until he found her clit. She sucked in a breath as he toyed with it.
She began to move with more purpose. She pulsed against him, pivoting her hips forward and back. He flicked faster against her clit and she moaned. Her head fell back, her long blond hair cascading behind her.
“Oh, yes. Oh, Sloan.”
Oh, God, the sound of his name on her lips at the height of passion …
She moaned, and he felt his groin tighten. He burst inside her again.
“Sloan. Yes. I’m—” She wailed as she joined him in ecstasy.
She dropped down onto his chest, her soft breasts snuggling against him. He wrapped his arms around her waist and breathed in the heavenly herbal scent of her hair.
Then his eyes fell closed and consciousness slipped away.
* * *
Janine snuggled her cheek against Sloan’s broad chest, stroking the solid muscles. She couldn’t stop smiling. Sloan was full of surprises. His huge cock was one. Wowee! But his playfulness was also unexpected. And the way he’d handled last night. Sure, he’d had a few tense moments, a little jealously showing through, but given how much she’d pushed him, he’d done amazingly well. Almost too well. She’d expected him to fail miserably, proving to him that he couldn’t handle dating her. She’d never expected to get to this point with him.
A low rumbling snore startled her. Her eyes widened. The man had fallen asleep?
She lifted her head and stared at him, ready to whap him one. But as she gazed at his handsome, endearing face, relaxed in sleep, she remembered how he had held her all night long, his cock as stiff as a board. He couldn’t have gotten much sleep.
She sighed and sat up, easing away from the warmth and comfort of his broad chest. As she pushed herself onto her knees, his big cock slid from inside her. She sighed at the feeling of emptiness it left.
She walked to the bathroom to shower. She had to be careful she didn’t get too used to Sloan and that addictive cock of his—and, if she were honest with herself, the wonderful feeling of being protected and loved in his arms—because as far as Sloan seemed to have come, she was certain that he would not accept her lifestyle in the long run. Knowing him as she did, she realized he probably hoped to insinuate himself into her life, and her heart, then start insisting on changes she wouldn’t want to make.
And that she couldn’t allow.
* * *
Sloan awoke and immediately missed the softness of Janine’s body next to his, the feel of his cock nestled deep inside her warmth.
He opened his eyes to bright sunshine flooding through the bedroom window. Janine’s bedroom.
He glanced at the clock. Damn, eleven thirty. He’d wasted the whole morning sleeping instead of spending the time with Janine. Having a leisurely breakfast. Talking. Getting closer to her. He tossed aside the covers and headed into the bathroom to shower. When he walked into the living room fifteen minutes later, dressed and clean-shaven, his hair still damp, Janine glanced up from the dining table, turning over the magazine she’d been reading.
“Morning. There’s fresh coffee in the kitchen.” She stood up and stretched. “I’ll make you some breakfast. You still like western omelets?”
He grinned. Janine making him breakfast? Delightful.
“I do.”
“Okay, coming right up.”
He followed her into the kitchen and poured himself a coffee, then watched as she beat eggs in a metal bowl. She walked across the kitchen and pulled a container from the fridge with the ham, peppers and green onions already chopped.
“Aren’t you efficient.”
“I made one for myself a few hours ago, so I cut up extra. I figured you’d like one when you got up.”
He dragged his hand through his damp hair. “Yeah, sorry about falling back to sleep.”
She grinned. “Well, you did expend a lot of energy this morning.” She glanced down at his crotch, causing his cock to swell. “And after almost no sleep last night.”
He wanted to sweep her into his arms again and carry her back to bed, but she turned away and opened the lower cupboard by the oven. She pulled out a frying pan and put it on the stove, turned on the element, then added butter to the pan. Once it was melted, she poured the egg mixture into the pan and added the other ingredients. After a few moments, she turned the omelet.
“Smells good.” Sloan grabbed a plate from another cupboard and retrieved some cutlery from the drawer.
Janine lifted the steaming omelet onto his plate, then sat across the table from him sipping coffee and reading through her magazine while he ate. He couldn’t take his eyes off her, wanting to memorize everything about her. Her long hair cascading over her shoulders, the sunlight glistening from the pale golden strands. Her teeth nibbling on her sweet, full lips, just as he’d love to do right now. Her glossy burgundy polished fingernails catching the light as she flipped the pages to find another article to read.
This was heaven, simply spending time with her … like any couple might do. It was so rare that Janine did anything like anyone else. He admired her uniqueness. Her no-fear attitude to fly in the face of—well, pretty much anything—to just be who she was. But it was exhausting. In some things, he wished she could just be like everyone else. Like when it came to love and relationships.
“So how’s your job going?” he asked.
She glanced up from the colorful pages. “Good, actually.”
“You still work at The Fitness Place, right?”
She closed the magazine and pushed it aside. “That’s right.” She sipped her coffee.
“Clearly you make good use of the equipment because you look fabulous.”
“Thanks, but I don’t work in the gym anymore.”
In L.A., she’d worked as a fitness trainer while she’d gone to college, then took a job as manager after she graduated. He’d thought she’d had greater career aspirations after studying kinesiology and business, but she seemed to enjoy the work, and that was the important thing.
“So what do you do now?”
“I moved here to take a job as regional manager. There were a couple of locations that had openings, but I chose here because it’s close to headquarters and that means more opportunities for career advancement.” She leaned forward and gazed at him. “Don’t you remember me telling you that? And how excited I was?”
His chest compressed. He remembered her bubbling about her new job and the new town she’d be moving to, but the details of her job had blurred at the emotional punch to his gut.
“I remember how excited you were, but all I heard was that you were leaving.”
Nine
The pain in Sloan’s compelling blue eyes tore at Janine’s heart. All thoughts of her job and hurt that he hadn’t really taken an interest in her new career melted away.
His fingers wrapped tightly around his mug. “My life was so empty after you left. I was a total idiot for not realizing I was driving you away.”
Her heart ached at his strained voice.
She shook her head. “No, you didn’t, I just … I needed to be on my own.”
Sure, going to Kenora offered career advancement, but there were other jobs she could have pursued in L.A.
She drew in a deep breath. “I needed to get away from the memories of
Ben.”
Sometimes the pain had been unbearable. She didn’t want to forget Ben, but she also didn’t want constant reminders of her devastating loss.
Sloan nodded, Janine’s pain reflected in his eyes. She knew how much he missed Ben, too.
“And you needed to get away from me.”
“It was a good career move,” she insisted.
He nodded. “I know. More opportunities for career advancement.” He took her hand. “You don’t have to protect my feelings. I realized after it was too late that I’d been smothering you. I was overprotective and overbearing.”
She squeezed his hand. “You meant well.”
She couldn’t believe she was downplaying what had been such a huge deal to her for such a long time, but seeing his vulnerability, having him open up to her like this, threw her off balance. She didn’t want to hurt him.
She’d never wanted to hurt him.
He had only done what he’d done because he cared about her.
“Sloan, why did you come to Kenora?”
She’d thought it odd he would show up here of all places, and she didn’t want to believe he’d come here because of her, but that was the only thing that made sense. And deep inside, it warmed her heart while at the same time it terrified her.
“I needed a change, too,” he said. “I figured if you loved living in Kenora, it must be a great place to be.”
So there it was. Confirmed. He had come here specifically to pursue her. Her heart clenched. Damn it. How could she deal with that? Him uprooting his whole life and coming here for her? She didn’t need that kind of pressure.
She glanced at his empty plate. “Are you done?”
“I guess I am. It was delicious.”
He rose and placed his mug and plate in the dishwasher. She followed him to the sink and rinsed her own cup, then handed it to him. He put it on the rack and closed the door. Then he gazed at her and smiled. He placed his hands on her shoulders and drew her toward him, then captured her lips. She swore to herself, knowing she should have stepped away before he could lay his hands on her again. When he did that, she lost all reason. And when he kissed her …
His tongue swept into her mouth and a tidal wave of hormones swelled through her. Her arms encircled his neck and she moved her lips with his, swept away in the passion.
He drew back and gazed down at her, his intense blue eyes searing through her.
“This morning was incredible.” He brushed his lips against her temple, sending tingles dancing down her spine. “I’ve dreamed of being with you like that for so long.” He nuzzled her neck. “It was everything I’d hoped for. And more.”
His hands stroked down her back, then cupped her behind and pulled her against his body. An incredible bulge pressed against her pelvis, and her insides quivered as she imagined that big cock of his gliding into her again.
But more than that, her heart melted at the thought of him stroking her with his big masculine hands. Feeling the tenderness of his touch as he explored her body, as his lips and mouth aroused her in sweet and loving ways.
His hands glided away, then found the buttons of her blouse. He unfastened one, then the next. Anxiety warred with excitement. She stilled his hands.
“I … uh … sorry, Sloan, but … I have plans. I really have to get going.”
“Can’t you cancel?” He sent her a devilish grin. “I’ll make it worth your while.”
She had no doubt about that, but she did not want to mislead him by giving him the idea that they could settle into a relationship with just the two of them. It wouldn’t be fair to him.
She drew away. “No, I’m afraid not.”
Disappointment glazed his features, but he released her. Feeling like a total bitch, she walked toward the doorway. “I have to go get ready.”
“Can I give you a lift somewhere?”
She glanced back at him from the doorway. “No, that’s okay. Thanks.” Then she hurried to the bedroom, wondering if he’d still be there once she’d finished changing.
* * *
As Sloan stood at the door, he drew Janine into his arms and kissed her again, not wanting to leave, but she drew herself from his embrace and stepped back.
“So what are your plans this afternoon?” she asked.
“Well, a buddy is moving this weekend and I told him I’d help him unload the truck. He should be ready in a few hours.”
“That’s great. Maybe I can meet him sometime.”
He didn’t know whether to take that as a hopeful sign that she thought it might work out between them—and she would start meeting his friends—or if she meant that she’d like to add his friend to her harem of men.
“Maybe. I’m more interested in when I can see you again.”
“Well, I can set up something for next Saturday, if that works for you. Jonas won’t be in town, but Derek could probably join us.”
He raised an eyebrow. “That’s not what I had in mind.”
“Oh? And what did you have in mind?”
He smiled and stroked her cheek. “Just the two of us would be nice.”
She sighed and gazed at him like one might a child. “Sloan, I told you right up front that I’m not interested in an exclusive relationship.”
“One date doesn’t mean we’re exclusive.”
“But you’re not talking about one date, are you? You’d like every date to be just the two of us.”
“That’s pretty normal for most people, you know.”
“Yes, but not for me. And not with you. Not when you’re trying to prove that you can handle my dating style.”
He compressed his lips. He had hoped that after last night and this morning, she would realize that her attraction for him could be so much more … that she could fall in love with him … and then she would want to be alone with him.
Of course, maybe his plan had worked. Maybe she had realized exactly that and now wanted to put distance between them because she didn’t want to give up her wild lifestyle.
Either way, his best shot seemed to be to show her he could be just as wild as she could.
“All right, then. I have a proposal.”
She quirked her head. “I’m listening.”
“Derek arranged a stranger fantasy for you, but my appearance ruined it.”
She grinned. “Well, as things turned out, I wouldn’t exactly say it was ruined, since it’s led to such an interesting turn of events.”
He smiled. “Good. But I still feel I owe you one. How about I set up a stranger fantasy for you?”
Her eyebrows arched upward. “You?”
“Sure. Why not? I have friends.”
She pursed her lips and gazed at him. “Okay. Bring it on.”
* * *
Sloan grabbed the last box, labeled KITCHEN, from the rental truck and carried it into Liam’s new house.
“Any more?” Liam asked as Sloan placed the box on the pile in the corner of the kitchen.
“Nope. All done.” Sloan grabbed a cola from the fridge and pulled open the tab, then took a sip. Moving was hot work.
“I’ve ordered pizza. We can take a break and then get to the unpacking.”
Sloan grinned. “What if I told you I have a hot date and can’t stay for the unpacking?”
“I’d say I don’t believe you, because I know you wouldn’t leave me with all this unpacking. Especially after Derek bailed on me.”
When Sloan first moved to Kenora, he and Liam had hit it off immediately. They’d wound up on a weeklong training course together out of town and spent time after hours bonding over beers. At the time, Liam had been going through a rough time in his long-term relationship. He’d needed a friend to talk to, and Sloan had been happy to listen. Sloan had rediscovered how good it could be to have a good buddy to share with, something he hadn’t had since Ben’s death. He’d even told Liam about Ben, touching on his heartache with Ben’s sister but without giving too much away, and definitely without revealing that Janine lived in
Kenora now and that he planned to pursue her. He wasn’t ready to reveal that much of himself to anyone.
After they got back from the course, Liam tried to improve things with his girlfriend but eventually figured out that it was never going to work and broke it off, which led to his moving into the new house.
The doorbell rang and Liam strode down the hall to answer it. He returned a few moments later with a pizza box.
“Talking about hot dates…” Liam opened the pizza box and pulled out a slice, then dropped it onto a paper plate and handed it to Sloan.
“I was just kidding. I’m not going anywhere. I’ll stay until every box is unpacked.”
“I was thinking more of last night. I called your place last night, then again his morning, just to confirm when you were coming over, and I couldn’t get you.”
“Oh, I’ll give you my new cell number.”
“Sure, but … are you seeing someone?”
Sloan shrugged. “There is a woman I’ve been seeing. Nothing serious.”
He wasn’t about to admit he had deep feelings for Janine, not even to Liam. If things didn’t work out … if he failed to win her over … Damn, it was none of anyone’s business.
* * *
Liam watched Sloan’s face. Something was going on in that thick head of his. Not something he’d share. Sloan didn’t tend to share. Stuff, sure. And his time. But nothing about what went on in that head of his.
Except that time they were on the training course together. After Liam had spilled his guts about his own relationship problems, Sloan had actually revealed something of himself. And it explained why Sloan was generally pretty guarded. It wasn’t hard to figure out it had a lot to do with the friend he’d lost years ago, a cop who’d died in the line of duty. Sloan had even told Liam that was the reason he’d had joined the police force.
There was something about the friend’s sister that still haunted Sloan. Not that he’d said too much about it, but he’d said enough for Liam to figure out Sloan had been head over heels for the woman. In fact, Liam might be too much of a romantic, but his gut told him she was the one as far as Sloan was concerned. But he’d lost her, and clearly that tore him up inside.
