“Oh, for God’s sake… See? This is why I don’t—”
“I’m kidding.” Gloria grinned at Sloan’s reaction. “Honestly, Joan, where did your sense of humour go?”
“It’s Sloan.” Sloan glared, then turned. “I’ll see you at home.”
Matty followed Sloan as they left the store. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw Gloria frown as she watched them go.
“Maybe it’s not such a good idea to let her go on her own—”
Sloan came to a halt. “You said she needed her independence.”
“Yes, I think she does, but…” She glanced back at the store, the doors now closed behind them, Gloria inside. “Maybe I was wrong.”
“No, you’re right,” Sloan said. “She needs to understand, that without me, without you, without carers, she is on her own. And she cannot manage like that.”
“It’s a balance the two of you still haven’t found.” Matty reached for Sloan’s hand. “You’re right to stand up to her, just don’t let anger be the reason you make a decision.”
“Let’s get the car.” Sloan sighed. “Then we’ll follow her.”
Matty grinned. “Let’s do that.”
Chapter thirty-seven
Ten minutes passed before Matty spotted Gloria zipping past the car park entrance. Her light pink jacket made her impossible to miss.
Matty pointed. “There she is.”
Sloan’s hand went to the key. She started the engine, dropped the window a fraction, and put the car into gear, ready to pull out of the spot.
“Give her a minute. She’s enjoying herself,” Matty said.
“Not a chance,” Sloan replied. “If she takes a wrong turn, we’ll never find her.”
Matty rested her palm on Sloan’s thigh. “She’s not a dog. She can ask for directions.”
Instead of moving her hand away, Sloan eased back into the seat.
Matty’s mouth curved. “And we can…” Her fingers moved higher, slowly and deliberately.
Sloan’s breath caught. “Is that your plan?”
“I mean…it’s an option.” Matty leant in closer, voice warm. “If you want to.”
Sloan licked her bottom lip as she considered it. Gloria was out of sight already. Public place. Close to work. Matty’s fingers edged closer to the apex of her thighs.
“I do want to,” Sloan admitted.
Matty moved in, kissing her properly—no hesitation, no teasing. Sloan made a soft sound into her mouth, then pulled back, eyes bright.
“Mmph, but…” Sloan’s gaze flicked towards the windscreen. “I thought we were going to follow her.”
“We will.” Matty shrugged, like it was obvious. “She’s doing eight miles an hour, maximum. We’ll literally be creeping alongside her.”
Sloan huffed a quiet laugh. “Right. We don’t want to get pulled over for kerb crawling.”
She checked the handbrake, then switched the engine off. “So…” Sloan swivelled in her seat. “Is this what you like?”
“Kissing hot women in cars?” Matty grinned, enjoying the way Sloan blushed.
