He wasn’t about to admit he had deep feelings for Janine, not even to Liam. If things didn’t work out … if he failed to win her over … Damn, it was none of anyone’s business.
* * *
Liam watched Sloan’s face. Something was going on in that thick head of his. Not something he’d share. Sloan didn’t tend to share. Stuff, sure. And his time. But nothing about what went on in that head of his.
Except that time they were on the training course together. After Liam had spilled his guts about his own relationship problems, Sloan had actually revealed something of himself. And it explained why Sloan was generally pretty guarded. It wasn’t hard to figure out it had a lot to do with the friend he’d lost years ago, a cop who’d died in the line of duty. Sloan had even told Liam that was the reason he’d had joined the police force.
There was something about the friend’s sister that still haunted Sloan. Not that he’d said too much about it, but he’d said enough for Liam to figure out Sloan had been head over heels for the woman. In fact, Liam might be too much of a romantic, but his gut told him she was the one as far as Sloan was concerned. But he’d lost her, and clearly that tore him up inside.
Whatever it was, Liam would do anything to help him sort it out. Sloan deserved some happiness, and the way Liam saw it, he’d never find it if he didn’t learn to loosen up.
Sloan put his paper plate on the counter and leaned back. “Listen, talking about women…”
“Women? I’m all ears, buddy. I’m a single man now. And just so you know, I’m beyond ready to start sowing my wild oats again.”
“Yeah, well, that’s what I wanted to talk to you about. There is this new woman I’m seeing.”
Sloan hesitated. Maybe he was going to open up after all.
“The one who’s nothing serious,” Liam said.
“That’s right. I have … kind of a strange request.”
Liam sipped his root beer and waited, giving Sloan time to figure out what he needed to say.
“This woman … she’s into some wild and crazy things. She likes a lot of excitement.”
Liam raised an eyebrow. “You want to borrow my motorcycle?”
Sloan glanced at him, interest in his eyes. “That’s not a bad idea, but it’s not what I was going to ask.”
“What, then?”
“She’s into … more than one man at a time.”
Liam laughed. “You’re kidding.” This must be some kind of joke. That was not Sloan’s type of scene. Derek’s maybe—no, definitely. But Sloan?
“I’m dead serious. I promised to set her up with a special fantasy. Sex with a stranger. Are you willing to help me out?”
“And I’d be the stranger?”
“She knows me, so … yeah.”
“And you and I”—he flicked his finger back and forth—“would both…? At the same time?”
“That’s right. You in?”
Liam’s groin tightened at the thought. If this hot babe was as wild as Sloan claimed, how far would she go to please a guy? What would she let a guy do to her?
“Are you kidding me? When and where?”
* * *
Janine entered Sloan’s house and glanced around. It suited him, with the strong, robust lines of the furniture, the dark colors, the nature art on the walls.
“A glass of red wine?” Sloan asked.
“A vodka cooler would be nice.”