“I think it’s you getting all hot and bothered because my room is nicer.”
“That’s not why,” Reese said, and then she kissed her.
It was quick, sure, and unmistakably Reese. Sloane leaned into it without hesitation.
“You taste like strawberries,” Sloane said when they parted, genuinely delighted by the discovery.
“It’s how I get my women.”
Sloane lifted a brow. “Your women?”
“So many,” Reese said solemnly. “ChapStick groupies. They can’t resist the strawberry.”
Sloane laughed. “I genuinely can’t tell if you’re serious.”
“I’m rarely serious,” Reese said. “But the truth is, I’ve never had much time to date. Being on the road for ten months a year isn’t ideal for nurturing a mature, emotionally complex relationship. I have standards, Foster.”
“It’s known to work well for hookups,” Sloane said, then immediately wished she hadn’t. Or maybe she wished Reese wouldn’t agree. The thought of Reese with other women tightened something low and uncomfortable in her chest. “I mean, you’re young. Sought after.”
“Are we going there?” Reese asked with a tentative look in her eyes.
Sloane met her gaze and made a decision. “Why not?”
“Okay. So, here’s the truth. Once in a while, I spend a night with someone.” Reese shrugged. “I’m a bigger flirt than I am anything else. I don’t think I was built for casual as much as I wanted to be.”
“I suppose I’m still figuring that part of you out,” Sloane murmured, brushing her thumb over Reese’s bottom lip.
“That’s fair.” Reese’s expression softened, sincerity dialed all the way up. She hooked a thumb behind her. “But here’s the truth. That version of me you met in the bar in Miami? She’s brave and flashy and has a few smooth moves—but she’s all show. I go home alone most every night. By choice.”
Sloane nodded slowly. “And is that what you still want?”
She hadn’t earned the right to ask that, but she asked it anyway.
“No. I don’t want to be alone,” Reese said simply. “But being with the wrong person is worse. So I guess I want to find the right one—and never let her go.”
She threaded their fingers together and held on.
So maybe this wasn’t just sex to Reese. And if Sloane was honest, it wasn’t feeling that way for her either.
“Suggestion.”
“I’m listening.”
“Why don’t we take this one day at a time,” Sloane said quietly, “and see where we end up?”
“You might have a hard time shaking me,” Reese replied in earnest. “I’m really drawn to impressive door openers. Bonus points if they can also drive fast like you. It’s a whole thing.”
Sloane huffed out a laugh. “You’re impossible.”
A beat.
“But not wrong,” Reese said.
“Well, I can promise consistency ononeof those counts.”
“Time will tell. The audition continues.” Reese moved to Sloane’s bed and plopped down on her stomach, chin in herhands. Oh, Sloane liked her there very much. Not only was the visual sexy as hell, but it felt startlingly natural, like she belonged in Sloane’s space. “How was dinner?”
Sloane came to the bed and sat on the edge near Reese, like a magnet unaware it had no choice. “Longer than I’d planned, but it was nice to catch up with some old friends. Denny was my engineer back in the day, and his wife is currently expecting their second child. A little girl that they’re going to call Theodora. Theo for short. We’ve been through a lot together.”
