Page 57 of Pushing Daisy
“Some great sex to help let out some tension, which we both clearly need.”
“Ok. And for how long are we going to release this tension?” Daisy asks before settling back into her seat and taking a bite of her pizza.
“However long we feel like keeping it up. When we, or one of us, decide it’s enough, we can call it quits. We can even pretend to hate each other again. It will be as if this,” she says, motioning between them, “never happened.”
What if she doesn’t want to pretend it didn’t happen? Is that what Sloan wants? To get what she can and then forget that Daisy exists?
Daisy pauses.
Sloan leans in, placing a hand on Daisy’s thigh. “There is undeniable chemistry between us. Why not take advantage of it? No feelings, just sex.”
Does Sloan only see her as a good lay? Sloan is the first person to make Daisy feel something in a long time. Sure, they’ve been angry and frustrated at each other, but that heat…it feels like it’s inevitable.
She looks to Sloan, who is watching her carefully, awaiting a response. Her stomach rolls, telling her not to do it. To instead tell Sloan what she’s been thinking. That she may want more. But the look on Sloan’s face makes her hesitate. She looks eager. Like this is the best plan and that it’s what she truly wants.
So Daisy sucks in a deep breath before saying, “Okay.”
A bright smile instantly breaks across Sloan’s face. “Should we shake on it?” she jokes.
“How about cheers?” Daisy suggests holding up her can of ginger ale.
Sloan picks up her drink and raises it before her. “To amazing sex and kicking ass coordinating this event!”
“To being fuck buddies.” May it be enough.
CHAPTER 31
Sloan
Temporary fuck buddies is what they agreed to two days ago, and Sloan had every intention of getting the most out of this arrangement that she could. Was a short fling what Sloan had in mind? Fuck no. But in the moment, she had to do something before Daisy found some reason to kick her out and end this thing between them before it had a chance to begin. So she suggested some flexibility, no strings attached, hoping to both Hades and Hecate that it would satisfy both Daisy’s fear of relationships and Sloan’s insatiable need to have her.
“Have you heard from Taster’s Delight?” Daisy asks, pulling Sloan out of her thoughts.
“They got back to me this morning. They would love to be a sponsor and will provide an in-room package for each attendee and complimentary breakfast all weekend at the inn.”
“Fantastic!” Daisy says, raising her hand and meeting Sloan’s for a high-five. “I need to call back the farm and confirm events with them. Apple picking, hayrides, and maybe we can set up a haunted maze too since it will be close to Halloween!”
“People would love that,” Sloan replies, smiling at Daisy, unable to contain how proud she is of her. Petra made an excellent choice in selecting Daisy for this event. Daisy may not have had a ton of—or any—event planning experience, but her attention to detail and the connections she’s made through working at the Bittersweet Acorn have been invaluable. “How’s the guest list looking?”
“Great! I magically delivered invites last night after you left, and half of them have already responded favorably!” Daisy is so happy right now, she’s practically glowing. Goddess, Sloan wishes she could bottle this moment and keep it forever. Being able to look back at this joy radiating from Daisy would be a gift after their deal is finished.
“That’s wonderful.”
Daisy flicks her wrist, conjuring up a delicious spread of baked goods and coffee. She’s already improved, and her magic is becoming more stable and responsive. She’s been conjuring sex toys and making Sloan’s clothes disappear with ease. “It really is! I wasn’t expecting such a fast response. But the people I’ve reached out to are so hungry to be invited and included in a community event—something that they would normally be excluded from—that they jumped at the chance. I know the council wants this to be about mingling, but I think the golden nugget will be helping our community outsiders feel welcome. The challenge will be continuing that momentum and not allowing it to return to what it was.”
“Have you talked to Petra and Lachlan about that? That this may appear to be for show rather than a true movement forward to correct the collective error?” Sloan asks, picking up and taking a bite of a cheese croissant, watching Daisy’s gaze track her tongue as she slides it slowly across her lips, collecting crumbs.
“I haven’t, no.”
“You should. They would want to know that it’s a potential concern, especially if they haven’t considered it yet. I know they are trying to create a new kind of council and, by extension, a more inclusive community, but they need to recognize that there are still some council and community members who are, shall we say, more set in their ways.”
“True. I’ll shoot her a text later and set something up.”
Sloan smiles and nods. “So, for the movie viewing on Friday and the mingling on Saturday night, I have contacts who can provide the decor, high-top tables, and so on for us. Do you know someone for catering?”
“The Acorn,” Daisy responds as if it should have been obvious.
Sloan laughs. “I guess that makes sense.”
