Secret Weapon

She grabbed her phone again and dialed Sloan’s cell. It rang, then went to voice mail. She ended the call, then tapped in a text message to him.

Call me. Please.

Her buzzer sounded and she dodged to the intercom.

“Yes?” she said, hoping to hear Sloan’s voice.

“Hi, it’s Liam.”

Disappointment washed through her that it wasn’t Sloan. She pressed the button to let him in. A few moments later, he knocked on the door and she pulled it open.

Before it could even fully register that it was Sloan standing at the door rather than Liam, he scooped her into his strong masculine arms, and his mouth covered hers in a demanding, passionate kiss. Her arms automatically wrapped around him, and her breathing accelerated. The feel of his big, hard body pressed against hers sent shivers through her. She melted against him, her tongue joining his in a dance of passion.

“Oh, my God, why didn’t you answer your cell? I sent you about a million texts,” she said as soon as she pulled her mouth free, but he captured it again, consuming her with the passion of his kiss.

He nuzzled her cheek. “I left my cell phone behind last night. Liam gave it back to me, but I forgot to turn it on.” His hungry mouth merged with hers again.

“But Liam was—” She stopped short, not wanting to agitate a touchy situation.

“Here. I know. I saw his car in the parking lot.”

So that’s where Liam had gone. To see Sloan. Why hadn’t he told her?

“So you had him buzz you up?” She drew back a little, gazing up at him.

“I was afraid you wouldn’t want to see me.”

“I told you, I’ve been calling and texting.”

He shoved his hand in his pocket and pulled out his phone. The device glowed to life and he flicked a couple of buttons, then grinned broadly. “So you have. Did you miss me?”

“I was worried about you. I wanted to make sure you were okay.”

“Is that all? You just wanted to know if I was okay?”

A lump formed in her throat. “Actually, I was afraid you might be dead.”

His teasing grin faded and he wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tight. Then he drew back and gazed at her with his penetrating blue eyes. She was sure thoughts of Ben flickered through his mind, too.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to worry you.”

She nodded, twisting her ring back and forth, afraid to speak because her voice might quiver with emotion.

“Janine, we need to talk.”

She nodded, totally unsure of what she would say to him. He took her hand and led her to the couch, then they sat down.

“Janine, I know you think I won’t be able to fit into your lifestyle—to accept that you’re with other men—but I think I’ve made big steps forward. I was doing well on the weekend.” He stared at her resolutely, intent on convincing her. “I was totally okay with Derek and Jonas. In fact, I actually found it pretty sexy watching you with them. But when I saw you with Liam and realized…” His jaw tensed. “I hadn’t been prepared for you to have genuine feelings for someone else. I’ve been hoping … desperately wanting you to want me as the main man in your life. Although I might want things to be different, the only thing that’s really important to me is that I’m with you. Loving you. And you loving me. And if I have to share you—not just your body, but your heart, too—then I’m willing to do that.”

Before the words could really sink in, he drew her close and captured her mouth again. As his lips moved on hers, her heart swelled. Did he really mean it?

“Sloan, you don’t need to share me anymore. I think I’m finally ready to settle down with just one man—and that man is you.”

The uncertainty in his face tore at her heart.

“I am happy to hear that, but I don’t think it’s fair of me to ask you to change.”

“You’re not asking me. I’m offering. I want to do everything in my power to make this work.”