They both scrambled out of bed. Whatever was left of their moment vanished as Sloan grabbed for her dressing gown and pulled it on.
“I’ll go check on her. You get dressed.”
Matty stood by the bed, naked, hair tousled, one nipple flushed and tender, lips bruised.
“Jesus, you look...perfect,” Sloan said before she opened the door and left the room.
Matty caught sight of herself in the mirror and grinned, her fingers lifting to touch the sore nipple, startled by the quick, filthy jolt doing that caused, and by how much she liked a little pain with her pleasure.
“Something to explore,” she murmured, before bending to pick up the discarded clothes from the previous night. Then she remembered her bag, and the change of underwear and clean T-shirt she had packed.
She wrapped the towel around herself, ready to dash downstairs and retrieve it, but the door opened and Sloan stood in the hall, face drained of colour.
“What’s wrong?” Matty asked.
“She’s not here… She’s not bloody here.”
“What do you mean?”
Sloan entered the room. “I mean exactly what I said. She’s not here. Her room is empty, and she’s not in the loo or downstairs.”
“Okay, let’s take a breath.” Matty kept her voice steady. “It’s a nice day. Could she have gone into the garden?”
“I didn’t look there.” Sloan turned and left the room, running down the stairs. Matty followed, clutching the towel to herself as she went.
She was only halfway down the stairs when she heard Sloan stomping back inside.
“Is she there?”
“Nope.” Sloan slumped against the wall. Then she straightened, walked quickly towards the front door and yanked it open, going outside. “I don’t bloody believe it.”
She stormed back in and slammed the door shut.
“She’s taken the scooter, hasn’t she?” Matty said, picking up her bag.
“Yes. I can’t believe you talked me into letting her have it.” Sloan barged past and headed up the stairs. “Of all the stupid...”
“Hey, don’t do that,” Matty shouted back, chasing after her. “Sloan?”
“What, Matty? I don’t have time for this right now.”
“Make time,” Matty said, dropping the bag and putting her hands on her hips, forgetting the towel was barely holding on. It dropped to the floor. “She’s fine.”
“You don’t know that.” Sloan bent to pick up the towel and handed it to her. “She could be anywhere.”
Matty took the towel, pulling it around herself again. “She’s taken herself off to the shops or for a coffee. She’s trying to prove a point.” She stepped closer. “And I’m going to make one too.” She gripped the lapels of Sloan’s dressing gown. “Don’t shout at me when you can use your words.”
Sloan swallowed. “Okay, that’s a little bit hot, which is not remotely appropriate right now, because I need to panic.”
Matty smiled. “We’re not going to panic. We’re going to get dressed, and then we’re going to drive into town and look for her, if that’s what you need to do.”
“Or what? Just sit here waiting for her to return?”
“Yep.” Matty walked past her towards the bathroom. “So, I’m going to grab a shower. Joining me?”
Sloan’s arms wrapped around herself. “No, I’m going to make coffee.”
“Okay. I’ll be down in a moment.” She paused with her hand on the bathroom door. “And Sloan?”
