Page 49 of Sloane

The server pointed a finger at Ryan and said, “He did.”

Grace shot a look at Ryan, who simply shrugged and said, “I didn’t want you to be hungry.”

I could tell by her small smile that he was slowly burning her resolve, and it made me happy. They were obviously meant for each other.

Then there was that sexy-as-sin Marine. I wasn’t sure if I was meant for him, but it seemed like he sure as heck was meant for me.

He returned and sat next to me, putting his hand behind my back while he leaned over to kiss me just below my ear. I swear it seemed like he was smelling me.

Apparently I wasn’t the only one who thought that because Maddie loudly exclaimed, “Are you sniffing her?”

He turned his head to look across the table and replied indignantly, “Yeah, what about it? She smells fantastic,” then buried his face against the crook of my neck and took a dramatic deep breath in.

My body broke out in goosebumps, but I was keenly aware that people were staring again—something that always made me uncomfortable. I didn’t have the stomach to have the bar’s attention twice in one night.

“Galán,” I whispered. “People are watching.”

He didn’t move, just murmured against my neck, “So? Let ‘em.”

“Sloane,” I said a little more firmly as I gently pushed him away.

He grinned at me sheepishly.

“Sorry. But you really do smell fantastic.”

With my voice low so only he could hear, I murmured, “I promise you can smell me all you want, in private.”

The corner of his mouth hitched higher, and he growled in my ear, “Oh, baby, when we’re in private, I’m going to do a lot more than just smell you.”

My tummy dipped at his insinuation, and I looked around nervously to see if we were still being watched. It seemed everyone had gone back to their own conversations, so I felt brave enough to reply, “I can’t wait.”

****

Sloane

Her words made me instantly hard, and I practically jumped out of my seat, pulling Ashley up with me in the process.

I looked around the table as I pushed my chair in and announced, “We’re going to go. I’m getting pretty tired.”

Ryan frowned and crossed his arms across his chest while he shook his head and tilted his chair onto its two back legs.

“What? No. You’re not leaving.” His tone was firm.

“What do you mean, no? I’m pretty sure I know when I’m tired.”

Ryan set the chair down with a thud. “You can be tired all you want, but you’re not fucking leaving yet. All these people came out to spend time with you.”

I was a captain in the United States Marine Corps, and I did not appreciate being bossed around by my friend. I didn’t give a shit that he was taking care of my dog, I was about to tell him what for.

But Ashley held my hand tightly in one hand while softly caressing my forearm with the other as she said softly, “He’s right. We should stay a while longer.”

And as quickly as it rose, my ire dissipated.

“Fine,” I grumbled as I sat back down. “But we’re only staying for another hour.”

“Ninety minutes,” Ryan countered.

My forehead shot up as I gazed at him defiantly.

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