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The next morning, Sloane and I are the only ones in bed. I peel my arm away to glance at the time. Thank God, today is my day off. I roll Sloane to her back and watch while she sleeps, enamored with everything I see. Her thin lashes that are too short to give butterfly kisses. Her full mouth, slack in her sleep with a hint of dried drool on the corner. Her adorably wide nose that begs for kisses even if she doesn’t know that’s what it’s doing.
I lean over her to answer the call and press my lips softly against the tip.
She flutters her eyes open and graces me with a smile that starts with her mouth and reaches the warm burnt umber of her eyes. “Good morning.”
“Morning.” I follow up my greeting by succumbing to more temptation and kissing her inviting lips.
She pushes away and covers her mouth.
I interpret her head shaking and finger pointing toward her mouth as morning breath being the reason she took away my treat. In the grand scheme of things, morning breath is a weak foe when compared to all the other shit that has stopped me from enjoying the intimacy that comes from kissing Sloane. I shrug and replace the hands covering her mouth with my lips. Slowly, I explore the cavern, sliding my tongue against hers and feeling her pleasurable moans vibrate in my chest.
Ever since our first kiss, I can’t get enough of Sloane. I don’t know how long this kiss lasts, but when we part, my lips are almost numb and probably as swollen as hers, my breathing is erratic, and I have to fight the arousal coursing through my body. Oh, how I want to peel her out of Valentino’s shirt and memorize her taste and texture with my hands and mouth while she claims my body, the only thing I have yet to give her.
With regret, I edge toward the side of the bed. Valentino and I promised not to go too far with Sloane before she becomes ours officially. Although my desire pushes me to continue and finish what I started, I only have a couple more weeks of waiting before I begin my new life.
I rise from the bed and ask, “What plan did Valentino and I agree to?”
A frown crinkles her brow but clears almost immediately. “You mean what got me out of my restraints and in Valentino’s room?”
I nod but don’t correct her on whose room this is. The master suite is our room, for the three of us. She must not have looked in the closet or bathroom yet. Valentino privately bought and renovated the property to ensure we would always own the place where we cemented our relationship.
Sloane reveals the details of their discussion from last night as we get ready. Five years, carajo! What the hell was Valentino thinking? I hold all my questions. No way am I going to give Sloane cause to rethink anything.
In the kitchen, I make us breakfast while Sloane keeps me company.
“Is there an event happening here?” She points to the massive tents being set up outside.
“This is the mayor’s mansion. Events happen all the time.” I won’t snitch on Valentino and tell her the wedding plans are already set. I plate our breakfast and settle in the chair across from her. “Can I leave you here without worrying you will run?”
“What is it with you and Valentino always accusing me of trying to run?”
I raise my brow.
“Once does not a runner make.” She jabs at her eggs before eating them.
“Sloane, your entire life has been of you running from one thing or the other. I’m just asking you not to run today. When I get back, I’d like to spend the day with you when you aren’t on strong meds and not tied to a bed.” I cut into my tamales.
“Like a date?” Sloane’s eyes widen in shock.
“If that’s what you want to call it.”
“Do I need to dress up? Are you taking me somewhere? What—”
I enclose her hands in mine, stopping her nervous list of questions. “You’ll be perfect in whatever you wear. I don’t have any plans other than being with you, but if you want a date, I’ll make it happen. I’ll lay the world at your feet if you ask.”
She gently removes her hands from mine and hugs herself. “I…I think you need to lay off on the big gestures. I’m not used to you going all out.”
“Now’s the time to acclimate to your new reality. I won’t curb my tongue any longer.”
“No…that wouldn’t be fair to you, I guess.” Sloane rubs small circles into her chest, an inscrutable expression on her face. “When do you think you’ll return? I want to make sure I don’t keep you waiting.”
“Give me two hours. I’ll call if I finish earlier.”
She nods. We finish our breakfast in companionable silence with the occasional peek from Sloane. I can’t help but hope that she is taking my words to heart and not rejecting them out of habit. I’ll know more after my much-needed conversation with Valentino.
* * *
At city hall my determination dims. The atmosphere is heavy with apprehension. The few times I’ve come here there were at least a few joking workers or visitors. Today, everyone walks with their heads down. Serves them right. I’m sure everyone here wasn’t complicit with yesterday’s shit show, but I don’t have the patience to vet every Harry and Sally. If they aren’t loyal to Valentino, they don’t deserve to live carefree.
