“Good to know,” I tell her.
What I don’t tell her is that I bought this car after my cyber stalking revealed that she’d been looking at this model last year. I knew her finances wouldn’t let her get the one she wanted. Hence, the reason she’s still driving the same Charger she had in college. I shopped for one similar to the ones in her search history, but this baby has all the bells and whistles. Instead of the basic Challenger, I went with the SRT Hellcat Redeye.
I whip into the parking lot behind my new club and kill the engine before turning to Sloan as she pants and fans her face dramatically.
“That was almost better than…” She looks at me and grins. “Nevermind.”
“I’ve got to admit,” I say as I lean across the center console to get in her space. “I like this playful side of you, Sly.”
“My name is…” she starts as she reaches for the door handle.
“Sloan!” I shout, cutting her off and successfully stopping her from getting out of the car. “You don’t get out of the car alone here…ever.”
“Okay.” She drops her hand to her lap and waits for me to get out and scan the area as I walk around to open her door. As soon as she steps out, she asks, “What about when I drive myself to work? Am I supposed to call you to escort me inside?” She’s aiming for her snarky tone, but I can tell her question is genuine.
“Yes,” I tell her as I place my hand at the small of her back to guide her to the employee entrance.
“What if you aren’t here?” she asks as I hold my thumb to the keypad to unlock the door.
“If I’m not here…” I pull her inside and close the door before turning to face her. “Then, you’re not here. No exceptions.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
Sloan
I’m shocked at the level of security Dean has installed. But after the stories my sister has told me about this side of town, I guess I should have expected it. So, I nod earnestly at his order not to come here without him. As much as I want to take a stroll on the dangerous side, I’m not willing to tempt fate quite that much.
“Good girl,” he says before pulling me forward to kiss me on the forehead.
I close my eyes as I relish the feeling of such a gentle gesture coming from someone I once thought hated me, while I couldn’t stop myself from wanting him. I don’t know where we stand after what happened at my house, but apparently, Dean has taken it to mean he has blanket permission to touch me. As faras I’m concerned, he does…As long as his touch is for pleasure or protection.
“I keep expecting you to punch me every time I touch you,” Dean admits as he turns toward the door on our right.
“I could.” I grin up at him when he turns back to face me. “If you’re into that.”
The truth is, I think I’ve always craved his attention, no matter how I got it. His torment in college, and my responding banter, was like the best foreplay with no big finish. Finding out that he’s the one who’s been stalking me for weeks feels like winning a dance competition with no rehearsal. It’s the outcome I wanted, but I refused to let myself expect it.
He just shakes his head with a chuckle as he unlocks the door. I notice that he uses his index finger on this keypad instead of his thumb, like the exterior door. He guides me up a flight of stairs and down a hallway to a door marked ‘Office’ before using his middle finger to unlock it and wave me inside.
“You use a different finger for each lock,” I state, letting him know that I’m paying attention and taking his security seriously. “Will I be able to get around here without you escorting me?”
“Yes,” he says as soon as the door closes. “My security guy will be here at two to collect your fingerprints and enter you into the system. But there are a few things we need to go over before then.”
“What if I’d turned down the job?” I scoff.
“I’d have found a way to convince you.” He shrugs. “I may have even let you punch me, even though—for the record—I’mnotinto that.”
I laugh as I ball my fist up and feign a punch at his face, not at all surprised when my fist lands in the palm of his hand.
“To be honest,” he says as he uses his grip on my hand to pull me into him. “I should let you hit me. I deserve it for everything…”
I raise on my toes to stop his words with my lips. If he can touch and kiss me at will, then I can do the same to him. I whimper when he drops his hands to my ass and lifts me to deepen the kiss before pulling back.
“Fuck, Sloan.” He drops me back to my feet.
“I’m sorry,” I say. “I just wanted…”
“No,” he cuts me off. “Don’teverapologize for kissing me…or touching me…or hell, punching me if that’s what you feel the need to do.” He grips my chin to make sure he has my full attention. “You have carte blanche. Do you know what that means?”
