“Well, I’m not sure I’m totally convinced. Maybe I’ll need to keep an eye on you for a while. At least for the rest of the day.” He kissed her soundly, loving the feel of her soft lips against his.
“Of course, Officer. Whatever you say.”
* * *
A knock sounded at the door and Janine glanced up from her computer. That was probably Liam. He had called about an hour ago to ask if he’d left his sunglasses behind the other day. She’d found them on the kitchen counter and he’d said he might drop by to pick them up.
A big smile claimed her face as she remembered the wonderful day they’d spent together. He was so easy to be with … and so intensely sexy. She hurried to the door and pulled it open, looking forward to seeing him again.
“Sloan.”
“Don’t look so disappointed.”
“No, I’m not. I just … was expecting a friend to stop by.”
“You have plans?” He held up an aromatic brown paper bag. “I was hoping you were free for dinner. I brought your favorite. Moo Shoo pork.”
“Oh, well, come in.” She stepped back and he stepped past her and walked to the dining room.
She closed the door as he set the bag of food on the dining table. He headed into the kitchen and she heard him gather plates and cutlery. She glanced at the table near the door and noticed Liam’s sunglasses. She snatched them up and stuffed them into the drawer in the front of the table, a pang of guilt slicing through her at seeing Liam behind Sloan’s back.
But it wasn’t behind his back, damn it.
She should talk to Sloan. Letting him go on believing there was a chance for a real relationship—as he defined relationships, anyway—wasn’t fair to him. She’d have a nice dinner with him, and then they’d talk.
She glanced at the door. But what if Liam showed up? It would be awkward and might even cause a big fight, which would totally defocus the real discussion she should be having with Sloan. Maybe she should call Liam.
She heard a clatter and glanced around to see Sloan placing the plates and cutlery on the table. He set them out neatly.
“Do you have a friend coming over?” he asked.
“Friend?”
“Yes. You mentioned that you were expecting a friend.”
“Oh, yes. Well, just someone who might drop by to pick something up but…” She glanced at him. “You really should have called. I do have a life, you know.”
He smiled and stepped toward her. “I know that. But it wouldn’t have been much of a surprise if I announced it ahead of time now, would it?”
He wrapped his arm around her and dragged her against his body, then captured her lips with his firm mouth. His tongue dipped inside her and swirled around. She wrapped her arms around his neck, hanging on for support at the sensual onslaught.
Then their lips parted and he gazed down at her with a smile.
“Anyway, I really wanted to see you. I’ve missed you.”
She glanced at the bag of food on the table, still clinging to him while she caught her breath from the sensational kiss.
“It does smell good, but…”
“But? I don’t like the sound of that.”
The buzzer by the door sounded. Someone at the lobby door for her. Probably Liam.
Oh, God, she did not want to have Liam come up right now. It wasn’t just awkwardness she was avoiding. She didn’t want to hurt Sloan. She’d tell him about Liam—it wasn’t her intention to be dishonest—but she’d do it gently.
“That must be your friend.” Sloan released her, but she tugged him close again and kissed him soundly.
Butterflies fluttered in her stomach as his hand stroked down her back, then cupped her butt as he pulled her tight to him against a very hard bulge in his pants.