“If you want it cooked.”
Gloria pulled a face. “I’m starving.”
“You are not starving,” Sloan said. “But fine, I’ll see what’s in the freezer.”
“You should get her to move in. Would be a lot easier.”
“For you, I’m sure. Having your own little minion to boss about and fetch snacks at all hours? Don’t think I don’t know your game.” Sloan grinned at her.
“I can’t help it if she likes me.” Gloria chuckled at herself.
“It is kind of amazing, isn’t it?”
Gloria shrugged. “I tried my best, she’s just… poor, apparently.”
Sloan laughed. “Poor?”
“Yep. First thing she said to me when I tried to annoy her. She said, ‘You can do whatever you want, but I’m poor, so this job is essential,’ and that I could be as rude as I liked but she wasn’t going anywhere.”
“Ballsy.”
“I know. First one to ever stand up to me and still let me keep my dignity.”
“So, she’s a keeper then?”
“As long as you don’t mess it up.” Gloria’s brow arched. “Think you can manage that?”
“I’ll do my best.”
Chapter fifty-two
The heat lingered, even after dark, and Sloan lay on top of the sheets with the window cracked, listening to the house settle. For once, she didn’t feel apprehensive about anything.
It was the end of the month. Work was settled, bills were paid, and Matty and Gloria had found a rhythm that didn’t need managing.
Sloan and Matty had, too.
Sunday mornings became predictable in the best way. Matty came straight from Art, let herself in, came up the stairs, and Sloan waited—because waiting was its own kind of control.
She’d prepared slowly. Deliberately. Harness first, straps pulled snug and straight—no twists, no fuss, the toy in place.
Footsteps crossed the landing.
Matty appeared in the doorway and stopped.
Sloan was already waiting on the bed, propped against the headboard, sheets pushed low. The harness sat tight on her hips, straps lying neat against her skin, the toy jutting up.
Matty’s gaze shifted down Sloan’s torso to the toy then snapped back up, breath catching like she’d walked in and seen something she wasn’t meant to have.
Sloan smiled at Matty’s reaction. “You’re staring.”
“I’m appreciating,” Matty said, voice rough with the day. She came closer, moving slowly on purpose, like she was trying to make Sloan wait for her.
Sloan let her. She’d been waiting all evening. Ten seconds more wouldn’t kill her.
Matty reached the bed and put a hand on Sloan’s knee. “You put it on without me.”
“I did.” Sloan’s eyes flicked down, then back to Matty’s face. “I thought you’d like the welcome.”
