Pulling Shelly into his arms, heedless of the interested onlookers, he dropped a kiss on her smiling mouth. “Good afternoon. I missed you.”
Flushing, a little embarrassed at the public display, Shelly stepped out of his arms. “Good afternoon to you, too. I, uh, missed you, too.”
“Oh, go ahead and kiss him,” Cleo said. “He'll pine and pout all day if you don't.”
“Please do,” said Roman, “and put the poor guy out of his misery.” Brushing past the pair, he walked up to the counter and draped himself attractively on it. Grinning at Cleo, he murmured, “I'm Roman, by the way, her cousin from New Orleans—you must be the incomparable Cleo.”
“My, my, aren't you just the handsomest morsel I've seen in many a year,” Cleo breathed, patting her bright red hair. “And if I were thirty years younger, I'd be tempted to sling you over my shoulder and show you the storage rooms in back.” She glanced back at Sloan and Shelly. “Go ahead. Kiss him.”
Laughing, a little breathless, Shelly did. Aware of her embarrassment, Sloan let her get by with a chaste peck on the cheek, but he kept his arm firmly around her waist.
Cleo beamed at the pair of them. “Some things are just meant to be. And you two are one of them. I can't tell you how happy I am for you. When's the wedding?”
“Uh, we, uh haven't set a date,” Shelly muttered, wishing for once that Cleo wasn't so brash. She was conscious of other people moving around in the store, some of them showing obvious interest in what was going on by the front counter.
Letting Shelly off the hook, Cleo just grinned, and said, “Well, when you decide you make certain you let me know.” She glanced over at Roman, and asked, “How long are you staying? Short visit? Long visit?”
Charmed by Cleo and beginning to understand Shelly's love of the place, Roman said. “Probably a long visit. We'll see.”
The conversation became general, several people came in and out of the store—most to check their Lotto numbers and to banter with Cleo and be introduced to Roman. Shelly and Sloan grabbed a few minutes alone, standing in a quiet corner near the tiny changing rooms at the back of the store.
“I really did miss you,” Sloan said softly, his gaze on Shelly's face. “Leaving you last night was one of the hardest things I've ever done.”
“I know,” she replied, her eyes shining with love as she looked up at him. “My arms felt empty, and my bed was lonely.”
“We can fix that,” he said, drawing her close, his voice deepening. “Come home with me now and let me show you how much I love you.”
“I can't just dump Roman and leave him to drive home by himself.” She kissed the corner of his hard mouth. “But I will come out this afternoon—late, say about four?”
Sloan sighed. “OK. 'Til four.”
Saying good-bye to Cleo, Sloan, Shelly, and Roman exited the store together. Sloan stole another quick kiss, then walked over to where his vehicle was parked at the end of the row.
When Shelly would have slid behind the wheel of the Bronco, Roman said, “Why don't you let me drive? It's easier to remember streets and directions when you're the one driving—figure I might as well start getting familiar with the area.”
Shelly shrugged, gave him the keys, and took the passenger seat. As Roman backed out of the lot, she asked, “How long are you going to stay?”
“Until you drive me away or I get bored.” He slanted her a look. “Haven't been bored yet.”
“You've only been here twenty-four hours. Be kinda hard to get bored.”
“You know me—I get bored so easily.”
They were on the point of passing the rear of Sloan's Suburban, still parked at the end of the row of cars, when Roman stepped on the brake. “And I'll be bored all afternoon watching you flit around trying to entertain me when you really want to be with him.” He smiled gently. “Go. Get out of here. I know the way back to the house.”
Her eyes strayed to Sloan's vehicle. “Are you sure?” she asked. “Isn't it sort of tacky abandoning you when you just arrived?”
“Be tackier hanging around the house when I know that you wish you were with Sloan getting your bones jumped.”
Shelly flushed. “That obvious, huh?”
“No, but in case you haven't noticed I'm a man, and I have some inkling how Sloan feels in a situation like this. Go with him.” When she hesitated, he added, “Listen, I'll be honest with you. I'm beat. It was a long flight, and it's been an eventful twenty-four hours. You go have fun with Sloan and let me go to the house and grab a couple of hours of sleep. Give me the directions to his place and I can pick you up this evening and save him a trip.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “And what you two do during that time is your business.” When she continued to resist, he said, “Why don't we see what Sloan has to say about it?”
Before Shelly could object, Roman had pulled in beside Sloan and, talking across Shelly, explained his idea. Of course Sloan came down on Roman's side, and before Shelly knew it, she was speeding down the road with Sloan, and Roman, with instructions on how to find Sloan's place, was heading back to the house.
Their relationship was too new, too fragile to take it for granted, and Shelly found herself oddly shy as the big vehicle ate up the distance to Sloan's home. She made polite conversation, unaware of the tender glances Sloan sent her way.
A snooty greeting from Pandora was just what she needed to snap out of it, and, sitting on the couch inside the cabin, she entered a stare-down with the little bundle of black-and-silver fur on the floor in front of her. Taking the glass of wine Sloan had poured for her, she said, “She doesn't like me.”
“She's just jealous,” Sloan said with a smile, taking a seat next to Shelly on the couch and pulling her against his shoulder. Nuzzling her hair and nipping at her ear, he murmured, “Now this is more like it. Remind me to do something really nice for Roman, will you?”
Making a noise like an outraged kitten, Pandora jumped up into Sloan's lap. She leaned confidingly into his chest and sent a very humanlike glare at Shelly.
“Pet her.”
“I don't know. She looks like she'd like to bite me.”
But at Sloan's urging she gently petted Pandora's head, surprised at how silky the fur felt and the fragility of the small skull. Pandora endured her touch, but after a moment, she got up, turned around several times, then lay down on Sloan's lap, her little butt firmly pointed in Shelly's direction, clearly giving her opinion of the intruder.
Shelly and Sloan laughed. Pandora gave them both an offended look, jumped off Sloan's lap, and trotted smartly to the kitchen. Her actions stated clearly, “Humans! Who needs them!”
Amusement dancing in her eyes. Shelly said, “Oh, dear. I hope I haven't come between the pair of you. She makes me feel like the other woman.”
Sloan's eyes darkened, his mouth hovering above hers. “There is no other woman in the world for me but you. Always remember that, will you?”
Shelly nodded, her throat tight, her heart almost bursting in her chest with love. Warmly, her fingers traced his hard face. “I love you,” she said softly.
His mouth came down on hers and the world spun away. They never made it to the bedroom for that first urgent joining. Clothes, male and female, were scattered around the couch where they had tossed them in the wild drive to become one. They were frantic for each other, as if last night had never been, Sloan wasting little time on foreplay, Shelly already hot and slick when he parted her thighs and plunged deep inside of her. It was a desperate race to ecstasy and it took both of them hard and fast, Shelly's slim body arching up under his as the orgasm exploded through her, Sloan's hands tightening on her hips, his body pumping madly into hers as the same sweet release dragged him under.
Sanity came back slowly. Stretching beneath Sloan, Shelly kissed his mouth. “Wow,” she said huskily, “you sure know how to show a girl a good time.”
He bent his head and nipped her chin. “And if we ever make it to a bed, I'll show you an even better time.”
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Shelly giggled, but discovered he wasn't kidding. Picking her up, he carried her into his very masculine bedroom in the loft and tossed her on the bed, his long body following hers down. They made love again. This time slowly, gently, and with great tenderness, the words, “I love you. I love you. I love you,” fervently repeated.
Eventually they left the bed for a shower, which turned into another passionate interlude. Dragging himself out of the shower, Sloan said, “If we don't stop this I'll be a dead man before the honeymoon.” He shook his head. “Jesus, I haven't been this insatiable since I was a teenager.” His eyes caressed her. “And only with you.”
She smiled back at him, the smile of a woman who is, and knows she is, well loved. For a second Sloan looked tempted to crawl back into the shower, but then, shrugging into a pair of jeans, he left Shelly to finish her shower.
Leaving the loft and walking into the living room, he was met by a thoroughly disgusted Pandora, her expression saying clearly that she was not used to being usurped in this manner. And to prove it, she had chewed the toe out of one of Shelly's shoes. Sloan ruffled the fur along her back, and said, “Sorry, kid. You're just going to have get used to having another female around.” He made his hand like a pistol, and, pointing at her, said, “Don't make me choose between you.”
Leaving Pandora to pout in one corner of the couch, he gathered up Shelly's things and took them to her in the bedroom. Presenting the mauled shoe, he said, “Uh, I'll buy you a new pair.”
“She's really taking this hard, isn't she?” she asked, concerned.
“Yeah, but she's normally a friendly little thing. She'll get over it…I hope.” He glanced at her. “Will it be a problem for you?”
Shelly smiled. “Nope. I like dogs, and I think she's adorable. Besides, I can't really blame her—I love you, too.”
He would have taken her into his arms and they'd probably have ended up back in bed, but the sound of a vehicle driving up broke the silence. Sloan glanced at the clock on his tall oak dresser. It was only 3:40.
Frowning, he said, “Didn't we tell Roman seven o'clock?”
Shelly nodded.
Sloan grimaced. “I'll go see who it is. You go ahead and get dressed.”
Still wearing only a pair of Levi's, his feet bare, Sloan left the loft and walked across the living room, taking a peek out the window to see if he recognized the vehicle. He didn't.
There was a knock on the front door, and, frowning, he opened it.
Reba Stanton stood there, wearing a skintight pair of black leggings and a red-and-white patterned silk blouse tied in a knot beneath her voluptuous bosom. She tossed her blond hair back and smiled at his expression.
“Surprised to see me?” she purred.
Sloan nodded. “You could say that,” he said. “What brings you out here?”
She smiled. “Can't I just come out and see an old friend?” Reaching out, she ran a teasing finger across his naked chest. “I thought we could discuss old times.”
Sloan stepped back, away from her touch, and she followed him inside the house. Ill at ease, Sloan didn't quite know what to do. He was aware of Shelly in the loft, and the last thing he wanted was for Shelly to get the wrong idea. He'd already traveled that road once.
“Look,” he said, “this isn't a good time.” Bluntly he added, “And we were never such good friends. You and Nancy were good friends—not you and I.”
Ignoring his lack of welcome, Reba prowled around the room, her eyes assessing to a dime the worth of the furnishings. “Hmm, you're right about that, darling…we were never friends.” She smiled over her shoulder at him. “But as you said, Nancy and I were…and we shared many secrets. Like to hear some of them?”
“Not especially,” he said impatiently. “I'm expecting company, and I'd like to finish getting ready.”
Her face hardened. “Yes, I know. Little Shelly. At four o'clock.”
“How the hell do you know about that?” he demanded.
She smiled a feline smile. “I was in the changing room at Heather-Mary-Marie's and overheard your conversation.”
“If you know that, then why are you here now?”
“Well, you see, I thought I'd take a page out of Nancy's book and arrange a rather damning scene for dear Shelly to see.” At Sloan's startled look, she smiled. “Oh, yes. Nancy explained everything. How Josh phoned her absolutely frantic that Shelly was going to marry you. It took them a while to figure out a plan to divide the pair of you, and it worked beautifully, didn't it? Shelly believed exactly what she saw.” She sent him a droll look. “And you, poor sap, played right into it. What were you trying to do, protect Shelly? Is that why you said there was nothing between you? To put Nancy off the scent and keep her from sinking her claws into your darling?”
His voice thick, Sloan growled, “You guessed it.”
“I always wondered. Anyway, it worked out perfectly, didn't it? Josh timed getting Shelly there down to the second, and when she saw you with Nancy…” She smiled. “Poof! No more engagement. Nancy and Josh were elated. Of course that was before Nancy decided she'd rather be married to Josh than you, but who knew?”
“What's the point of this?” Sloan demanded, his hands clenched into formidable fists. “You think that if you mislead Shelly again that I'll marry you?”
“Well, no,” Reba admitted candidly. “I'm not after marriage. In fact I'm divorcing Bob. There's just one little hitch.” She looked at him. “No money. That's where you come in. How much will you pay me to leave before Shelly gets here?” She put a finger to her lips and sucked on it. “I figure you'd be willing to pay a bundle—you're a very rich man.”
Before Sloan's icy gaze, she undid the knot beneath her breasts and casually tossed off her blouse, leaving her upper body naked. Kicking off her shoes, she knelt on one of the cushions of the couch and posed seductively. She either didn't hear or ignored the soft growl that came from Pandora, who was still sulking on the opposite end of the couch behind her. “Well, what do you think?” she asked. “This should put an end to your little romance, don't you think?” Her lids dropped. “Unless, of course, you'd like to pay me oh, say a couple hundred thousand to leave before Shelly arrives.”
Aware of Shelly in the loft, hoping she was hearing this damning conversation, Sloan murmured, “Suppose I agree. Once you leave here, you have no way of keeping me to my word. I could renege.”
“Hmm that's true, but you won't for two reasons; one if you give me your word, you'll keep it, and two…” Her eyes full of malice, she said, “And number two—if you were not to keep your word, I'd find another way to turn Shelly against you. And I could do it. Look how easily this little tableau was arranged.”
And Pandora bit her in the butt.
Chapter Twenty-Two
In the loft, her blouse clutched to her breasts, Shelly listened in amazement to Reba's words. The full significance didn't fully penetrate—at least not immediately—she was too shocked at the woman's gall. And furious!
Scrambling into the rest of her clothes, the light of battle in her eyes, she was preparing to charge downstairs when Reba's shriek rent the air. Curious as well as furious, Shelly stalked out of the loft and into a scene of bedlam.
Reba, naked breasts bouncing like balloons on a windy day, had leaped to her feet and was twisting around, slapping at her rear end. Sloan, his face alight with unholy glee, was attempting to grab Reba, and as Shelly approached, above Reba's screams she heard a noise that she imagined would come from a stuffed toy—a very angry stuffed toy.
“Get it off me! Get it off me!” shrieked Reba, her face contorted with fury.
“Give me a second,” Sloan said, choking back a laugh. “Pandora! Bad dog! Let go.” He said the right words, but his heart wasn't in it and Pandora, hanging by her teeth to Reba's nicely rounded butt, only growled more fiercely.
Shelly's own amusement bubbled up, and, trying to keep her face straight, she grabbed Pandora and tapped her smartly on the nose. Startle
d, Pandora let go of her victim and for one split second looked like she'd latch onto Shelly's hand. They eyed each other, then Pandora, deciding that Shelly was probably the lesser of two evils, turned to glare at Reba, still growling and ready to do battle.
Reba's face flamed as she met Shelly's amused eyes, and, snatching up her blouse, she put it on. Sending a lethal glance at Pandora and taking the offensive, Reba said, “I could sue you for what that vicious animal just did. And if there's any scarring, I will sue.”
Thoroughly enjoying himself now, Sloan grinned. “Of course, that's your right. But if you did, then we'd have to explain how you were half-naked and threatening me with blackmail when the, er, incident occurred. Might make it easier for Bob to get a better divorce settlement, don't you think?”
Eyes hard as diamonds, Reba stared at Sloan. “It would be my word against yours.”
“Ah, no, that's not true,” Shelly broke in. “You're forgetting that I was in the loft…and heard every word. I found the part about how Josh and Nancy parted Sloan and me especially interesting. Oh, and I'm so sorry that you and Bob are getting a divorce, but I don't really think that Sloan should help support you in a lifestyle you'd like to become accustomed to.” She smiled blindingly at Reba. “You see, poor Sloan is about to take on added responsibilities, and he'll need every penny he has.” Shelly walked over to stand next to Sloan, who promptly put his arm around her waist and pulled her tightly to him. With Pandora cuddled against her chest, Shelly looked at Reba, and murmured, “Since you seem to take such a big interest in Sloan's, ah, affairs, you should be the first to know—we're getting married. Soon.”
Aware that she had gambled and lost, only boredom showing on her face, Reba said, “Congratulations.” Brushing past them, she added, “You'll understand if I don't wish you well.”
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