Page 145 of Sloane

He improvised, using the edge of the tub and the railing and hopped up without any assistance. With a grin, he sat on the edge, spun his legs around, and slipped into the water.

As he disappeared under the bubbles, I noticed the Marine eagle, globe, and anchor tattoo on his left arm had not fared well with his injuries. Perhaps that was fitting.

“You getting in?” he called from one of the seats.

Even as I climbed the steps, I knew this was a bad idea. Sloane Davidson was my kryptonite.

Why couldn’t Jeff have been more demanding? Made me feel guilty? He’d gotten me this job; didn’t I owe him something?

Instead, he’d kissed my cheek after walking me to my car and said, “I think you and Sloane have some things to work out.”

“No, we don’t,” I’d insisted. “Once he’s able to live independently, we’ll work out a custody arrangement with Millie, but he and I are ancient history.”

“Maybe you want to believe that,” he’d said with a sad smile. “But I saw how he looked at you tonight. And how you looked at him.”

“There’s nothing going on. We’re over.”

“Ash, if I discovered I had a daughter with you, I’d move heaven and earth to get you back. I have no doubt Sloane’s going to do the same.”

“I don’t want to be with him just because we have a baby together. He didn’t want me before, why should Millie change that?”

“If it were just Millie, it shouldn’t. But it’s obvious it’s more than that. I’ve dealt with a lot of injured vets, and I can probably count on one hand the ones who didn’t have some major psychological trauma they had to deal with along with their physical wounds. I read his file. It sounds like he’s made marked improvements in both areas.”

“He still broke my heart,” I said softly.

“So, promise me you’ll make him work to get you back.”

“Why do you have to be such a good guy?”

He gave me a wink when he opened the driver’s door for me.

“I’m not as good as you think…”

As I slipped into the warm water with the half-naked Marine, I realized I wasn’t as good as people thought either. Maybe Tam was on to something with her friends with benefits arrangement.

****

Sloane

My cock was hard the second she pulled off the towel that she’d wrapped around her.

Her boobs were bigger than I remembered, but it wasn’t like I was complaining about that. And her curves were softer. My fingers itched to touch her, but I’d given her my word I’d behave. And yeah, I’d crossed my fingers when I had, but I wasn’t seven. I was a Marine, and my word meant something.

But just because I said I’d keep my hands and lips to myself, didn’t mean I wasn’t going to still try to seduce her some other way.

“You’re even more beautiful than I remembered,” I murmured as she sank into the water.

Her response surprised me.

“You’re just as sexy as I remembered.”

I snorted. “Yeah, I’m Mr. GQ.”

Her face was serious when she replied. “You are. Your battle wounds mean you’re a warrior. And that’s sexy. Give me a warrior any day of the week.”

I pushed off the seat and glided to where she was sitting.

“Over a doctor?”

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