Secret Weapon

“Ahem.” Sloan leaned against the railing on the other side of her.

She laughed and stroked his upper arm. “You, too, Sloan.”

Sloan seemed to be handling the situation quite well, but she could sense the seething jealousy just below the surface. On the other hand, she was pretty sure Liam could not. She’d wager Sloan hadn’t told Liam about his feelings for her—in case it didn’t work out between them, no doubt.

And it probably wouldn’t, she thought sadly. She hated the idea of disillusioning Sloan about what might be between them—of dragging him through this emotional roller-coaster ride—but it was the only way to make him see. To convince him to let go of his fantasy about where this relationship might go. She and Sloan were two very different people with very different ideas about dating and sex.

She glanced at his profile as he watched two bears swimming by the glass and her heart ached. A long-term relationship between them simply would not work, and if they fooled themselves into thinking it would, Sloan would get hurt.

And so would she.

On the other hand, Liam seemed like he could handle her lifestyle quite well. And they certainly seemed to be hitting it off. She would definitely have to tread carefully here. Sloan might have introduced Liam into the relationship, probably in an attempt to keep some kind of control over the situation, but when Sloan finally realized that a relationship would not work between them, would he be able to handle her continuing to see his friend?

“You know, speaking of lunch, how about we find somewhere to grab a bite?” Liam suggested.

“Great idea.” Sloan gazed at Janine. “What do you think?”

Janine smiled. “Let’s go.”

* * *

As soon as they opened the door of the restaurant, Sloan felt the cool air on his face. A hostess approached them.

“Three?” she asked.

“That’s right,” Sloan said.

The hostess picked up some menus and led Sloan, Janine, and Liam to a booth.

“Do you think we could have that one?” Janine asked, pointing to a curved booth in the corner.

“Of course.” The hostess set the menus on the table and retreated.

“You guys go ahead,” Janine said. “I’ll be right back.”

Liam watched the sweet sway of her hips as she walked toward the ladies’ room.

“Janine is sensational.” Liam sat on the bench seat. “Thanks for sharing, buddy.”

Sloan simply nodded as he sat down, then studied the menu, gritting his teeth.

Janine returned a moment later and grinned. “How about I sit between you?”

Liam stood up and Janine slid onto the bench seat next to Sloan, her soft hip bumping against him, then her warm thigh pressing the length of his. Liam sat on the other side of her.

Janine leaned toward Liam and pulled something out of her purse and showed it to him. Sloan couldn’t see what it was.

“I got a surprise for Sloan,” she said as she pushed something into Liam’s hand. “Do you think he’ll like it?”

Liam grinned broadly. “Oh, I’m sure he will.”

She turned and grinned at Sloan. “Should have him guess what it is?”

“I think you should give him a hint.”

“I think you’re right.” She grasped Sloan’s hand and guided it under the table.

Resting it on her thigh, his fingertips against the fabric of her dress, she drew her skirt upward. Sloan’s cock swelled in anticipation as he felt the fabric glide away, then silky skin under his fingertips.