He glanced at his sketchbooks and noticed one missing. He must have left it in Kelly’s room the other night. The sooner he started putting the sketches together, the sooner he would be finished.
Sloan didn’t feel right going into Kelly’s room while she wasn’t there, but he told himself he would hurry. When he opened the door, her scent hit him first. His gut tightened painfully, and he forced himself to exhale.
Kelly’s room was tidy, and he had no problem finding his sketchbook behind the rocker on the shelf. His hand brushed up against another book that was pushed back farther, and he picked it up.
“My Journal” was written across the top in big, red letters. Sloan stroked the cover and debated with himself for at least five minutes. Kelly’s privacy was important to her. And he held a side of her that most had never seen in his hands.
Sloan opened the cover slowly and read the first page.
School was okay today. Someone mentioned the little theatre is going to do “Snow White” in the spring. Maybe I’ll tryout.
And a couple of days later.
The girls at school are calling me names behind my back. Sandy called me a “slut” and told me I better stay away from her boyfriend. I hate Jack. I don’t know why she would think I didn’t.
The next entry was ten days later, written with a shaky hand.
I don’t know what happened. I didn’t hurt anybody, but everyone wants to hurt me. I can’t tell Mama and Daddy because they might lose the farm. But Jack tried to rape me.
Sloan’s nerveless fingers dropped the book before he had a chance to grab it. The ramifications of what Kelly wrote slammed through him. He snatched the book back up and read more.
He cornered me after school and said he had something to show me. He was smiling when he said it. I didn’t feel right about it, but I followed him around the side of the old gym. His dad owns the bank. His mother runs the library. I thought I could trust him.
But then he threw me down and ripped my shirt. He called me all sorts of awful names and tried to kiss me. When he stopped to unzip his pants, I kneed him and ran as fast as I could. I called Mama to tell her I’d be late. And then I changed my shirt with my gym clothes.
I will never go anywhere near him again. And if he tries to get me alone again, I’m telling Daddy. I know Jack’s dad owns the farm, but I don’t want him anywhere near me.
Sloan shut the book slowly and stood on shaking knees. No wonder Kelly didn’t want to see Jack. And Jack’s insinuation of having Kelly on her back was true. But he left out the part about trying to rape her.
His gut tightened and rage flowed through his body. If he ever laid eyes on that piece of shit again, he would kill the bastard with his bare hands. Sloan’s eyes narrowed into slits at the thought of Kelly being helpless against the bastard.
Sloan put the journal back and left Kelly’s room quickly. All the harsh words he said to her were ringing in his ears. He had been quick to judge, also. And now he had to try and reverse the damage.
* * * *
When Sloan joined everyone Friday morning for breakfast, he found Christine and George planning their evening. Kelly was silently eating her pancakes and reading the morning paper. He pulled out his chair beside her and sat down. She didn’t even look up.
“Morning, boy.” George’s voice boomed throughout the kitchen.
Sloan grinned at him. “Morning, sir.”
“Me and the Missus are planning our date for this evening. Any suggestions?”
Sloan blinked slowly. “Um…no. I don’t think so, sir.”
“You two kids will have the house to yourself this evening,” Christine added. “George and I always go out on Friday evening and return Saturday morning. The neighbor will take care of feeding the livestock.”
“You have fun, Mama.” Kelly’s voice was muffled behind the newspaper.
“We will, hon.” Christine kissed George square on the mouth. “And your father better have one big surprise for me.”
George winked at his wife. “You’ll just have to wait and see.”
Christine rolled her eyes and grinned. “What can I get for you this morning, Sloan?” She loaded down his plate with hotcakes and sausages before he could reply.
“What about you two? What are your plans for this evening?” George glanced from his daughter to Sloan.
Sloan almost choked on his bite of pancake.
Kelly folded the newspaper and lay it down. “I thought we’d rent movies and watch them in the living room, Daddy. That all right by you?”
George grinned. “This girl.” He motioned to Kelly. “She paid our subscription to the satellite company, and now we have almost three hundred channels. And she wants to rent movies.” He grinned at Kelly and winked.
She chuckled and shook her head. “I have cable, too. And sometimes it’s just best to rent the movies.” She turned to Sloan.
His breath caught in his throat with a glance of her green eyes.
“Sloan can go to town and pick up whatever he wants. I have my movie card.” She paused to study him. “Is that okay with you?”
“Perfect.” He nodded and stuck another bite of pancake in his mouth so he wouldn’t have to speak again.
“Well then.” George pushed himself back from the table. “I have some boys coming in today to see about helping around here. I’ll be in the red barn for most of the day.” He gave Christine a peck on the cheek and a pat on the butt.
Kelly chuckled and picked up the newspaper again.
“Are you sure you two wouldn’t rather go into town to the movies?”
Sloan watched Kelly’s hand tighten on the newspaper.
“No, ma’am.” He grinned at Christine. “We’ll be perfectly fine at home. I only hope Kelly doesn’t mind my taste in movies.”
She glanced at him thankfully. “I’m sure I’ll like whatever you choose.”
* * * *
Sloan ran to town late in the afternoon and picked up five movies. He hoped at least a few of them would appeal to Kelly. He would try and do his best to make her comfortable and relaxed.
When he returned to the farm, Christine and George were just about to leave. George was wearing dress slacks and a button-up shirt. His hair was slicked back, and he was wearing cologne. Christine had a stunning blue dress on with a shawl covering her shoulders. Her red hair fell around her shoulders in waves, and Sloan could see where Kelly’s beauty came from. Christine could have passed for Kelly’s older sister.
Sloan whistled as he stepped through the doorway. He stepped forward and took Christine’s hand in his. He bent low and kissed the back of it.
“You look absolutely stunning, Mrs. Marshall.”
Christine blushed and grinned. “Thank you, Sloan.”
“Boy. You best quit flirting with my wife.” George’s voice rumbled through the room, but his voice held pride and love.
“Yes, sir.” Sloan nodded respectfully and then winked at Christine.
George took his keys out of his pocket. “That’s it. We’re leaving.” He gave Kelly a kiss on her cheek and waggled his finger at Sloan. “You better watch that flirting, son.” George winked and chuckled as he helped his wife out the door.
Sloan shut the door behind him and held out the movie bag to Kelly. She took it slowly and studied him.
“They like you.”
He grinned and winked. “There’s a lot to like.”
Kelly rolled her eyes and turned to walk into the living room. “I’m going to change. Start some popcorn, and I’ll be back in a minute.” She hurried up the stairs, and Sloan looked around.
He never spent a lot of time in this room. Most times he was passing through on his way to the kitchen. He took his time and walked around the room. There were lots of family pictures. And there were some of Kelly growing up through the years.
His hand reached out to grab one that was taken at high school graduation. She was smiling, but he could see relief below the surface. Her ticket out of town
had finally arrived.
“That popcorn done yet?”
Sloan jumped at Kelly’s voice. She stood in the doorway in green silk pajama pants and tank top. Her hair was bound in a loose ponytail, and she wore cow slippers on her feet.
“Not yet.” He grinned apologetically. “I was looking at the pictures in here. I hadn’t noticed them before.”
“You stay and look. I’ll make the popcorn.”
He watched her leave and placed the picture back on the shelf slowly. He could hear Kelly moving around in the kitchen and raked his fingers through his hair. Frustration gnawed at him. There had to be something he could do to get through to her.
For all the times he thought she was someone else, he finally realized she was as unsure as he was. The thought did little to comfort him. Sloan glanced back toward the kitchen and then went upstairs to change into his sleeping pants and a T-shirt.
* * * *
Kelly heard Sloan take the stairs up to the second floor and sighed. Her stomach was in knots all the time now. She knew she wanted Sloan, but she didn’t have any idea of how to go about getting him. Her behavior by the rocks embarrassed the hell out of her.
For one moment, she was somewhere in the past. And that one moment utterly screwed the present. Kelly poured the popcorn into a huge, green bowl and then fixed two drinks. She carefully balanced the tray and took it into the living room.
Five minutes later, Sloan came back downstairs and grinned at her. Kelly’s smile was shy as she looked at him. He was gorgeous. Utterly gorgeous. Even his green, flannel pajama bottoms looked sexy on him.
“Are you ready to start?” His voice was low in the room.
“Sure.” Kelly tried to smile as she looked around for someplace to sit. Her options were a recliner, a loveseat, and a sofa. She sat on the edge of the sofa and waited for Sloan to sit.
He walked over and sat in the middle of the couch, on her left. He picked up the popcorn and put it on his lap.
“You pick the first movie.”
Kelly licked her lips and tried not to think about Sloan’s thigh pressing up against hers. His body heat was already making her warm. She pressed play and sat back against the couch cushion.
* * * *
They watched two movies in a row, and then Kelly yawned. “Maybe a little bit of television now. I don’t know if I can stay awake for another movie.”
Sloan nodded and switched the television to cable. When the picture came into focus, there was a couple making love onscreen. Kelly caught her breath at the image before her.
The woman was on her back while the man kissed his way down her body. They were both nude, and Kelly could catch flashes of the woman’s breast, and the man’s mouth on her.
Sloan watched Kelly out of the corner of his eye. He had no idea the program was on television, but it appeared to be affecting Kelly. Her left hand was balled into a fist, and he could hear her breathing intensify.
He reached out and touched her cheek gently. When she turned to him, he could see desire light in her eyes. Kelly leaned forward and brought Sloan’s mouth to hers.
At her first touch, Sloan’s body tightened in pleasure at the feel of Kelly. She moved her mouth against his and licked and sucked on his lips. Her hands grabbed the back of his head and brought him closer.
She moaned in pleasure as he grabbed her by the waist and swung her onto his lap. Kelly’s legs wrapped around him, and she strained to get closer.
Their mouths never parted, and Sloan slid his hands up Kelly’s waist and under her silky tank top. His hands cupped her breasts while she arched into him.
Sloan moved his right hand up and ran his thumb across her hardened nipple, and she groaned low in her throat. Kelly pulled away from him a second and lifted her shirt over her head.
He immediately brought his mouth down to her breasts and loved them both. His tongue flickered against their hardness, and Kelly shuddered in ecstasy. Then those talented hands cupped her soft mounds and stroked them.
Kelly pulled back and looked at Sloan with unfathomable eyes. “Take me upstairs.”
Sloan swept her up into his arms and carried her to her room. When they stepped inside, he laid her softly on the bed. He sank down next to her and fitted her body to his.
A fire raged in his blood at the feel of Kelly’s soft body next to his. Her soft curves begged to be touched, and he was happy to comply.
He started at her mouth and moved his way slowly down to her throat. Sloan nibbled at her pulse point and groaned as Kelly arched her body into his. She grasped at his hair and moaned his name.
Sloan moved farther downwards and licked and sucked on her breasts while Kelly writhed beneath him. When he looked up at her face, she was looking down at him with desire in her eyes. He kept eye contact as he sat up on his knees and eased her pajama pants off of her body.
He removed his next and felt his blood boil as Kelly looked at every inch of him. Sloan sank back down on the bed but didn’t move to kiss her. He brought his face down against her belly and rubbed his soft whiskers against her.
Kelly moaned at the sensation and then cried out as Sloan nipped at the delicate skin below her belly button. She tried to grab his shoulder with her right hand, but he moved her hand to the top of his head as he moved his mouth down further.
She cried out at the feel of Sloan’s tongue tasting her. His arms wrapped around her thighs while he took his time pleasuring her body. Kelly sobbed with each new sensation, and her body began to tighten.
The tension built within her, and she clutched Sloan’s hair as her orgasm slammed through her. Her body arched over and over again in pleasure.
When Kelly opened her eyes, Sloan was looking down at her with a satisfied expression on his face. She laughed and then sat up. Quickly pushing him over, she straddled his lap and guided him inside her.
He groaned at the feel of her tight body surrounding him. Kelly pushed his arms down when he tried to reach for her. She put them on her hips and grinned.
“You just sit there and take it.” She began to move her body back and forth against his.
Sloan’s jaw clenched as he realized his body was more than happy to be on the receiving end of Kelly’s. She moved slowly at first, and then began to quicken as she watched his face.
Kelly gasped as Sloan partially sat up and took her breast into his mouth. She wound her hand through his hair and moved quicker. Sloan threw back his head at the movement and tried to hold on for as long as he could. But the feel of Kelly’s body was his undoing.
He grabbed her hips and thrust deeper inside her, matching her move for move. Kelly’s body found the rhythm, and she felt her body become taut with pleasure again. Sloan moved his hand between them and began to stroke Kelly.
Her hands dug into his shoulders as they peaked together. Kelly’s breath was whistling in and out while Sloan’s breathing was ragged.
They collapsed on the bed. Kelly simply flattened herself against Sloan’s chest.
“I need a drink,” she muttered.
“Me, too.” Sloan blew out a breath. “And when I regain use of my legs. I’d be more than happy to get one for you and me.”
Kelly lifted her head slightly to smile at Sloan. “Well worth the wait.”
He chuckled. “More than.”
They lay there for another five minutes.
“Capable of movement yet?” Kelly laughed.
“Not yet. Though feeling is coming back to my toes.”
Ten minutes later.
“I need a drink, man.” Kelly opened her eyes and peeked up at Sloan. “Don’t wimp out on me now.”
“Woman!” Sloan patted Kelly’s head. “I’ll show you wimping out.”
She rolled off of him and watched as he stood on wobbly legs. “Ha! I’ll be back with drinks in a minute.” Sloan pulled on his pajama bottoms and walked out of the room.
Kelly threw back her arms and grinned. Her body was still highly pleased with its extracurricular activities
. And if she played her cards right, maybe there would be a repeat performance.
Sloan walked back into the room with sandwiches and soda on a tray. He glanced down at Kelly’s nakedness and put the tray on the nearest dresser. “Maybe we’ll eat in a minute.”
She was still laughing as he pounced on her again.
* * * *
Kelly woke Saturday morning with her head on Sloan’s chest and her arm wrapped around his waist. Sun was filtering though her sheer curtains, and she could hear the birds singing. She glanced up at Sloan and grinned. His arm was wrapped around her shoulders, and he snored softly.
She tried to push herself up without waking him. When she twisted to the left, his arm tightened around her.
“And where do you think you’re going?” Sloan’s voice was rough with sleep.
“The folks will be back in another couple of hours. I was going to get up and clean things a bit.”
“Nope.”
Kelly arched an eyebrow. “Nope?” she repeated.
“We still have business, you and I.”
“Ah. Do we now?” Kelly’s tone was light and teasing. “Do tell.” She glanced at her childhood bed and shook her head. “There’s something inherently naughty about playing in your childhood bed. Don’t you think?”
“Yes.” Sloan ran his hand over Kelly’s collarbone and stopped just above her left breast. “But being naughty can be nice.” He wriggled his eyebrows, and she laughed.
“Then by all means. Let’s be naughty.”
Chapter 14
They finally tumbled out of bed about an hour later. They took a shower together and then walked downstairs.
“I’m starving.” Sloan patted his stomach and looked hopefully at Kelly.
She rolled her eyes. “You go clean the living room. I’ll make lunch. Okay?”
He grinned and walked briskly out the door.
Kelly laughed. “Men,” she muttered. She opened the refrigerator and started taking out lunch meat.
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