Page 9 of Sloane

My arms wove around his neck and his hands moved from my face to slide into my hair. His hold on my tresses locked me in place as his tongue tangled with mine.

“Just a pen pal, my ass,” I heard someone say loudly. Sloane must have heard it, too, because he pulled back with a laugh.

“Hi,” he finally murmured, the dimple in his cheek on full display as he smiled down at me. His right thumb gently stroked my jawline.

I felt drunk as I smiled back and repeated, “Hi.”

“I’m so glad you came.”

Suddenly, it felt like there was nowhere I’d rather be.

“Me too,” I whispered breathlessly.

Reluctantly, I released my hands from his neck. The scent of his soap and aftershave filled my senses, and I wanted to burrow into his side to be surrounded by his warmth.

It seemed like he felt the same because when his hands slid from my hair, he quickly banded an arm around my waist. Pulling me tight against him, he turned to face his friends.

“I’m assuming you’ve met everyone?” he murmured in my ear.

“Not everyone.”

“Come on,” he replied as he ushered me forward. “Let me introduce you.”

****

Sloane

I couldn’t believe after all the time of dreaming about her, Ashley was actually there—in the flesh. She fucking smelled even better than her letters, and I wanted to bury my nose in her neck. But I settled for my arm around her tiny waist. I had no intention of letting her go anytime soon.

We circulated among all the friends who’d come out to welcome me back. I was humbled by the turnout—especially on such short notice—and proud to be able to introduce Ashley to everyone.

One person I was surprised to see though was Nicole.

We’d hooked up a few times before I left on my current tour, but that’s all it had been—a hookup. We’d had a good time, a few orgasms, but the earth hadn’t moved, for either of us. She hadn’t even written to me once, and I hadn’t expected her to.

So, I didn’t understand her salty attitude when I greeted her and the others she was talking with. She glared at me when I made introductions, as if my holding Ashley’s hand was somehow an affront to her.

Maybe she thought we were going to pick up where we left off. Or the more likely scenario was she was horny, and my being in town for the weekend would have been an opportunity to scratch that itch. But even if I hadn’t had my sights set on Ashley, I wouldn’t have been interested in Nicole. At least, not in a hand-holding, take her to dinner, spend the entire time I was here with her kind of way. I suspected the only reason she was mad was because I wanted that with Ashley, not her. She seemed like the kind of chick who only wanted what she couldn’t have.

I didn’t give a shit what Nicole’s problem was and steered my pen pal/hope-to-be girlfriend back to my core group of friends and my dog.

Tank nudged his nose against my free hand, and I reached down to run my fingers along the pup’s head, maintaining physical contact with my dog and my girl as I caught up with my friends’ lives.

The place was clearing out, so Ryan asked, “You still planning on crashing at my place?”

Truth be told, I was hoping to spend my nights in Ashley’s bed, but that would be presumptuous, considering we’d just met for the first time in person twenty minutes ago. So, I replied, “If you don’t mind.”

“Hell no, I don’t mind—that’s what I’ve been planning on. You’re always welcome, you know that.”

At least if I didn’t end up in Ashley’s bed, my dog would keep me company at night. Tank’s soft fur made him an excellent sleeping companion—except when he snored or farted.

Craig picked up my duffel bag then squeezed my shoulder. “Welcome home, man. Wish you were going to be here longer.”

I couldn’t help but steal a glance at the woman next to me. “Me, too.”

“What do you want to do first?”

Make out with my girl.

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