Max
“What was that?” Sloane breathes, her thick eyelashes fluttering over her green eyes as if she’s still trying to make sense of what just happened between us.
Kind of the way I am.
I graze the top of her breasts with my fingertips, and she gasps, biting her lower lip. “I don’t know, but I think we need to do it at least another five times to figure it out.”
She lets out a soft giggle, shivering against me. I wiggle an arm underneath her and pull her into my chest. Her hair is a beautiful mess of long, dark waves that tickle my skin. I take a deep breath, inhaling the scent of coconuts.
Makes me think of suntan lotion…blue skies…a secluded beach…sex on said beach…
“Sloane, I didn’t expect this to happen tonight. It’s not why I came over.”
“I know,” she whispers, her fingernails tracing the outline of my pecs, and fuck, it feels amazing.
“I was serious when I said you make me feel different. Better, I guess.” I press a finger to my forehead. Is my mouth ever going to stay shut, for Christ’s sake?
“You’re doing a lot of talking tonight.” Sloane rolls over and leans forward on her elbows, a teasing smile on her lips. “I’m not used to all the exposition.”
“I guess I just needed to let some things out.” I tug at my hair, willing my mind to shut down before my mouth starts spewing things I can’t control.
“Do you feel any better?”
My eyes meet hers. “Yeah,” I say.
“Does this have to do with what happened to Mr. Salesi? And the guy who broke into Nico’s house?” She looks down to the thread on the comforter her fingers are occupied with, her hair shielding the expression on her face.
I don’t need to see her face to know that there are a hell of a lot of questions written all over it. Questions she’s never asked. Questions I’ve been lucky to avoid.
It’s been weeks since that night, and I know the story hasn’t quite come to an end. And when it does, I doubt it’ll be a pleasant one. “Sloane, I…" I what? I’m in love with you, but I can’t actually tell you anything about my life because it may get both of us killed? Or worse? So that’s why I try and keep my distance but fail miserably most of the time?
I mean, we’re talking the mafia here. A bunch of crazy motherfuckers who plot shit that make death seem like a welcome alternative.
“I’m just concerned, Max. My best friend was attacked and shot an intruder in cold blood, on the same day her boyfriend’s father was railroaded by a Mack truck no less. She hasn’t been herself at all lately, and she won’t talk to me. Do you know how helpless that makes me feel?”
“Shaye’s really lucky to have a friend like you.”
“There was a time she used to tell me everything. I feel like we’re drifting apart. When she got together with Nico, she just shut down. I feel like she doesn’t talk to me anymore. She’s been sucked into Nico’s world, whatever that is, and I’m left standing on the outside.” She shrugs. “I guess it makes me a little sad. I figured when she moved back up here from Miami that things would be the way they were before she left.” A sad smile lifts her lips. “But I guess she’s on a new chapter now. It was bound to happen, right? That’s life.”
“Hey, you know she loves you. I just think she’s been under a lot of stress lately and wants to be there for Nico.”
“Yeah, I get it.” Sloane collapses onto the bed and covers her face with her hands. “Everyone is moving on, and I’m still in the same place, living with my dad, working twelve hours a day.” She peeks at me through her fingers. “I feel like we’re playing one long game of therapist and patient tonight, just alternating roles.”
“Do you feel better?”
“To be honest, yes, but only because you’re here right now. I guess I needed to let some things out, too.” She giggles and pulls the comforter over us.
“Cold?”
She nods, snuggling into me. I want to stay here forever, wrapped up in a blanket with this beautiful, naked woman plastered on top of me. I don’t think that’s asking for too much. It’s safe, it’s warm, and nobody is going to attack me with an ice pick while I’m lying here.
“Tell me something good,” I murmur. “I need to hear you talk some more.”
“Okay. Well, the hospital administrator asked me to give a speech at an upcoming benefit about my charity organization, The Buddy System. I’m really excited about it.”
“More, please.”
“There are going to be a lot of donors present, and I have a chance to get people really excited about it.” She peers up at me and bites her fist. “I’m so nervous about it. I don’t want to mess up and risk losing donations. We really need the money.”