Page 57 of The Leaving Road

I took in the scene around me. Apparently, at some point during the night, either Sloan or I—possiblyboth—said fuck itto the pillow wall and we were laying completely intertwined. He had my legs all but pinned in between his thighs, and while we were both facing the same way, he had his one arm completely under my body to pull me close to him. I was finding warmth and smelly goodness because I was laying on his chest.

“Louise, you scared me.”

“Mmm…” She looked at me over her cup of coffee.

I was slowly trying to disengage my body from Sloan’s, but he had what appeared to be a death grip on me, which made me question if he was even still asleep.

“How long have you been here?” I asked while trying not to huff and puff my way out of Sloan’s crazy octopus tentacle-like hands.

“Long enough to make a pot of coffee and a grownwomanblush.”

Even though her voice was stern like usual, I noticed the smile behind her mug. Finally prying myself from Sloan, I wiggled out of the bed. “Pretend you didn’t see this.”

“See what, dear?” She slanted a brow at me, gave me a wink, and walked away.

Turning my attention to Sloan, I walked over and poked him awake. “Sloan, we have to get up now. The clinic is going to open soon.”

No response.

“Sloan.” I jabbed him in the ribs.

Before I knew what was happening, he had reached out and grabbed me, effectively pinning me under him. He held my hands above my head and placedjustenough body weight on me that I could feel his weight as he placed his head in my neck and took a few deep breaths in.

“Uh, Sloan.”

“Shh… Magnolia. This is the best way to wake up; just give me thirty more seconds.”

He continued breathing me in, andgoddamnit,there goes my heart.Flip. Flip. Flip.

“Sloan,” I grunted when it had been at least a minute.

“Okay, okay, you win.” He slowly removed the weight of his body from mine, and I had to stop the whimper that was about to escape.

I quickly popped off the bed, makingdamnsure no one else had made it to the clinic yet. Breathing a sigh of relief knowing we were safe—and knowing that Louise always showed upsignificantlyearlier than the rest of us sometimes.

“What’s on the docket today?” Sloan asked me with a yawn, making it obvious he still wasn’t ready to wake up.

“I don’t know about you, but Jace is supposed to come over today and start on some home repairs.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

“I’m sorry… Did you hallucinate the part where you were invited?”

He advanced on me and grinned. “Did you miss the part where you could be in danger? I thought I made it perfectly clear that I’d be following you around.”

“You can’t be serious.”

“As. A. Heart. Attack.”

I sputtered at him. “Absolutely not.”

“Get used to it, love.”

He turned his back on me and made his way out to the treatment area, and of course, zoned in on Peaches. I felt a presence from behind me and I almost jumped.

“Doc!” I exclaimed.

“Good morning.” He gave me an almost knowing grin.

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