Matty let out a sound that was half laugh, half plea. “Sloan—”
“I know.” Sloan kissed her shoulder, then her jaw. “I want to watch you touch yourself. That’s all.”
Sloan’s fingers flexed inside her again and Matty’s hips jerked; a sudden little movement she couldn’t stop. The pleasure was building fast now. It was too fast, and it dragged the rest of the night up with it—the cold bite of cuffs, blue walls, a door shutting and locking her in.
Matty’s breath snagged.
Sloan felt it straight away. Her hand didn’t leave, but it changed—slower, steadier.
“Breathe,” Sloan said, voice low. “Look at me.”
Matty blinked, turning her face enough to find Sloan’s eyes in the dim morning light.
“Stay with me,” Sloan said.
Matty dragged in a breath. Then another. The panic eased, leaving her skin too sensitive, too alive.
Sloan’s thumb circled again, patient. “That’s it.”
Matty tightened, then tipped over, pleasure breaking through in waves that left her shaking. She turned into Sloan’s neck to muffle the sound, fingers clenched hard in the sheet.
Sloan stayed close until the tremors eased, her palm eventually settling over Matty’s ribs, feeling her breathe.
Matty swallowed hard. “I’m sorry about everything.”
Sloan kissed her shoulder. “Later,” she said. “Time to sleep.”
Chapter sixty-one
As Matty wandered through from the kitchen into the lounge, there was a sharp knock at the door.
Gloria and Sloan looked at each other. “If that’s Jehovah’s Bloody Witnesses, tell them to piss off.”
“Thank you, Mother.” Sloan stood. “I think I can handle unwanted visitors without resorting to swearing at them.”
She left the room and Gloria said to Matty, “They won’t take no for a bloody answer. Used to have her dad standing there for hours till I’d had enough and shut the door.”
Matty chuckled and sipped her coffee.
They both listened, hearing voices in the hall, then the sound of shoes on the floorboards.
Sloan appeared in the doorway. “Matty, It’s DS Saint.”
The officer came into view and Gloria all but snarled at him. “I hope you’re here to apologise. Had the girl up half the night with worry.”
He smiled tightly at her, then turned to Matty. “Can I have a word?”
Sloan stepped between them. “Are you planning on arresting her again?” Her glare didn’t shift. “Because I think we’ll speak to our solicitor before we speak to you.”
Saint nodded. “I understand that sentiment, but no, I’m not planning on arresting Matty.”
Matty stood and touched Sloan’s shoulder. “It’s okay. I’ll talk to him.” She looked at Saint. “But we can do it here. I’ve got nothing to hide from Sloan or Gloria.”
Gloria lifted her chin. “You’re not getting a cup of tea.”
“So,” Matty said, sitting back down, “what did you want to speak to me about?”
Sloan sat beside her, leaving the armchair opposite free. Saint pointed at it. Sloan gave a short nod.
