Sloan pulled into the parking lot of Foley’s plumbing. He’d been driving her to and from work, even though the cops had had a talk with Alan, and he’d promised to stop delivering the flowers. They’d told Sloan he’d gotten really upset. His mother had agreed to have him talk to a counselor. Poor guy. She felt sorry for him and wished Sloan had let her talk to him. But he wouldn’t hear of it.
However, there was no need for him to drive her everywhere anymore. It was a hassle, although he never complained.
Next week she’d suggest to Sloan that she drive herself to and from work. You just had to work out your timing with these Doms. Not that she’d been with any other Doms. Or would ever be. Sometimes, though, she did imagine having what Sarah had. James and Sloan both.
“He’s probably just busy with work.” He didn’t ask who she was talking about. But there was a tightness to his voice. He placed his hand over hers. “I hadn’t planned on bringing this up just now, but . . .”
&
nbsp; He trailed off and she watched him closely, wondering why he looked so uncomfortable.
“How do you feel about James?” he asked.
“I like him. He’s a good man. I know you two have had problems, but—”
“No, darlin’, you’re misunderstanding me. I wasn’t asking because I need you to defend him to me. James and I have reached an understanding about the past. I’m asking about the future.”
“Future? I thought our future was you and me.”
“So, you don’t think James could be a part of that?”
She held her breath, staring at him in shock. “Y-you . . . I-I . . .” All right she had to do better than that. Shit, she wished she knew what the right thing to say was.
“The right thing to say is the truth, darlin’,” he told her.
She narrowed her gaze. “Are you reading my mind?”
“Just your face. How do you feel about him being part of our future? Of us?”
She needed to really think about that. This was important. And whatever way she answered there might be no way of going back, unless she wanted to hurt someone.
She studied Sloan. He looked serious but not angry or hurt.
“Do you want him to be a part of us?”
“Yes,” he answered simply. “James is my brother in every way except by blood. I love him. I hate that he’s alone. While our relationship is different than it once was, and there would definitely be things to iron out, I want him with us. If that’s what you want.”
“Yes,” she breathed out, her voice barely a whisper. She cleared her throat. “Yes, that’s what I want too. I care about James a lot and I hate that he had to go back to his apartment alone each night. But I don’t want him to come between us.”
He cupped the side of her face with his hand. “Darlin’, ain’t nothing ever coming between us. You better believe that.”
She smiled up at him.
“Are you happy to have him dominate you? Because that’s something he’ll want to do.”
She swallowed heavily. “Yes. But only with you there. I don’t . . . I can’t just . . .”
“It’s okay, darlin’. I get it. Don’t worry, I’ll always be there.” He leaned in and kissed her lightly. “That was the easy part. Now we have to convince James.”
“You think that will be hard?”
Sloan snorted. “One thing hasn’t changed and it’s that that man is as stubborn as hell.”
“Hmm, sounds like someone else I know.”
Kinley walked into the storage room. Gary had called a few minutes ago asking her to search for some supplies for him. Asshole was as lazy as ever.
She rubbed her temples. A migraine was brewing, and she knew she should probably head home before it got any worse, but she felt bad about leaving early when she’d already missed so much work.