Sloan’s thumb brushed over Matty’s knuckles in a small grounding touch. “I’m not asking for anything complicated,” she said, quieter now. “I’m asking you to come home with me.”
Matty swallowed, throat tight. It was a big deal for Sloan, that much she knew. Whatever was happening between them was messy, yet it still felt like the most natural thing in the world.
The sensible part of her wanted to suggest her own flat, but Brandon’s impromptu rave and the fact the place never felt properly hers, kept her quiet.
“Alright,” Matty said, and tried to make it sound casual, even though they both knew it was anything but. “Except…we’re taking a taxi.”
Sloan’s mouth twitched. “You do like to try and tell me what to do.”
“I’m not telling you what to do. I’m just being practical.” Matty leaned in, just enough to make it feel like both a tease and a warning. “And you’re not driving.”
“Fine.” Sloan reached for her phone. “Taxi.”
Sloan’s hand stayed at the small of Matty’s back as they threaded through the bodies, and Matty had to bite down on a grin.
The cab ride was a blur of shoulder-to-shoulder warmth and stifled conversation, Matty’s knee knocking Sloan’s, and Sloan’s hand drifting to Matty’s thigh and staying there. Matty liked it like that.
By the time they reached the house, they were giggly in that quiet, conspiratorial way—two women trying not to wake a sleeping dragon.
Sloan paid the driver, then fumbled with her keys, swearing under her breath when the ring caught on her sleeve.
Matty leaned in, voice low, “Need any help?”
Sloan shot her a look. “Don’t.”
Matty grinned. “Don’t what?”
“Don’t be so…” Sloan murmured, finally getting the key into the lock. “You’re distracting enough as it is.”
Sloan managed to get the door open on the second try, the lock sticking before it gave with a dull click. They slipped inside and eased it shut behind them as carefully as they could.
Sloan turned, and for a second, she just stood there, breathing. She kicked off her shoes.
Matty didn’t speak. She didn’t need to.
Sloan’s hand found her waist again, fingers firm, guiding her back until Matty’s shoulders brushed the wall.
Sloan’s mouth met hers—no teasing this time, no testing—just a kiss that left no room for thought, until Matty’s hands were in Sloan’s hair and she was making a sound she’d never admit to in daylight.
Sloan broke away just enough to breathe against her lips, “Tell me this was a bad idea.”
Matty smiled, mouth brushing Sloan’s. “Do you want me to lie?”
Then a groan cut through the air.
Not a sexy one. Not a pleased one. Both women went still.
It came again—a low, pained sound that made Matty’s stomach drop and Sloan’s whole body lock.
“Did you hear that?” Matty asked.
Another groan—closer, sharper.
Sloan’s head snapped towards the stairs. “Mum?”
Matty pushed off the wall, the warmth in her body turning cold in an instant. “That didn’t sound like ‘asleep’.”
Sloan was already moving, bare feet silent on the runner as she hurried to the bottom of the stairs. Matty followed, heart thudding, the house suddenly too quiet, too full of corners.
