Page 52 of Redemption

As much as I’d tried to deny it, I wanted her. I wanted her, and it was wrong. But I couldn’t help myself.

The more I got to know Sloan, the more she’d burrowed beneath my skin, the easier it was to forget that she was my sister’s best friend who was off-limits.

Sloan nodded, her pupils blown wide with desire. “I want this, Jackson. I want you.”

She locked her hands behind my neck, pulling me down for a kiss. She wrapped her legs around my waist, tugging me closer.

I writhed against her, my cock sliding through her wet heat. “God, hayati. You feel so good.”

“Yes,” she moaned. “Yes, Jackson.” She dug her heels into my back, edging me closer.

I slid inside her, hissing at the tight grip of her pussy. Fuck me, she felt good. So good.

She winced a little but then seemed to relax, taking me in fully.

“You okay?” I asked, brushing her hair away from her face.

“You’re just…really big.”

“You sure know how to stroke a guy’s ego. Here.” I rolled us so she was on top. “You control our pace. You control how deep I am. Take as little or as much of me as you want.”

She placed her palms on my chest. “I want all of you.”

“You have me,” I groaned, watching in awe as she slid all the way down.

“You know,” Sloan said, jolting me from my memory. “At first, I wasn’t happy about giving up my solitude on this trip.” Her expression was contemplative, and then she dipped her head. “But I’m glad you’re here.”

I tried to gauge her expression behind her sunglasses. “I’m glad I’m here too,” I said, surprised by her admission.

I wasn’t sure she’d feel that way if she knew I’d been taking a mental walk down memory lane. But I appreciated her saying it.

“I mean, it’s nice to know I have something to feed the sharks if they decide to circle again,” she joked.

“Ha-ha.” I laughed, though it was without humor. “I’m too tough to be tasty.”

She gripped my bicep, her touch like a brand. “I beg to differ.” She seemed to realize what she’d said belatedly, her eyes going wide.

I shuddered. “Was this your plan all along? Agree to bring me on board only to cast me out as shark bait?”

“You’re only just now realizing that?” Her answering smile was wicked and fucking sexy.

This was the Sloan I knew and loved. The woman I’d fallen in love with all those years ago. I could remember another time she’d smiled at me like that.

“Put this on,” Sloan said, handing me a sleep mask. It was navy and silky, but it was the middle of the day.

“Why?” I asked, immediately suspicious.

Greer was out of town for the week—staying with Logan and his family for spring break. I hated that I was lying to my sister, and I knew Sloan hated it. I didn’t blame her—she was in an impossible situation.

At least we were no longer lying about my job. I’d told my family that I was leaving the Navy, though I hadn’t shared the circumstances that had led to it. I was still so ashamed that I’d been discharged. I couldn’t bear the thought of disappointing my mom.

I was still looking for another job, but for now, the club paid well, even if the hours sucked. Still, it allowed me to spend time with Sloan, especially on days like today, when the club was closed. I was surprised Sloan didn’t have plans. She’d quit working at the restaurant and started a paid internship at a luxury hotel. Between that and a full class load, she was busy.

“Please.” She batted her eyes.

I narrowed my eyes at her. We were standing in the kitchen of her apartment, and I didn’t get the feeling she was trying to blindfold me for sex. Not that I would’ve been opposed, but my heart was fully at her mercy. I didn’t know how much more I could take.

I stepped closer, taking the sleep mask and then turning her so her back was to me. “Maybe you should wear the sleep mask,” I rasped in her ear.

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