Page 66

After a few moments, Nat sniffed and pulled away from Ella, then wiped her nose on her sleeve.

Ella discreetly stepped back and grabbed her a tissue.

Nat took it with a hasty thank you, then blew her nose properly. “I’m sorry for interrupting, I just wanted to talk to someone. Like I said, I tried your flat first, Ella. I didn’t know about you two.”

“That’s because there was nothing to tell until two days ago.”

Nat frowned, and Sloane wasn’t sure whether she believed her or not. Right now, it didn’t really matter.

“I’m just going to…” Ella nodded towards the bedroom. “Pull on some jeans so I don’t feel quite as underdressed. Back in two secs.”

Sloane stepped forward and put an arm on Nat’s shoulder. “Sounds like you’ve had an eventful time at home.” She nodded towards the couch. “Take a seat, I’ll make us some coffee and you can chat to Ella when she comes back.”

But Nat pushed her shoulders back and shook her head. “I’ll go. Let you two have some space. If it’s only been going on for two days, I don’t want to be a third wheel.”

Sloane shook her head, but Nat was firm. “I do want to chat, but I can go home, unpack, do a work out and come back later. Give you a little time.”

That would be better. “If you’re sure? I don’t want to throw you out.”

“You’re not.” A half-smile twisted onto her face.

“Okay.” But there was one thing Sloane wanted to clear up before Nat left.

“Can I ask a favour, though? This is very new, and I don’t know where it’s going. It could be something, it could be nothing. I’d appreciate it if you kept it to yourself for now.”

Nat gave Sloane a firm nod. “Of course. I’ll take it to the grave.”

“No need for that, just some discretion for now would be good.” She didn’t want this getting out to the team before she was ready.

Sloane followed Nat down the hallway to the front door. “Go work out and release all that excess energy stored up inside of you. Message me when you’re ready and we’ll arrange a time. I’m here all day.”

Nat nodded as Sloane opened the door. A stab of guilt pierced her. “You sure you’re okay? You don’t want to stay for coffee?”

“Positive. This has taken my mind off it.” She paused. “How’s your ankle, by the way?”

“Better. Nearly ready to start firing in your crosses again.”

Sloane closed the door, pressed her palm flat against it, and exhaled. Fuck. Maybe she should call Lucy, just to let her know the score. But on December 27th? Maybe not. Plus, she and Ella still had to think about where this was going. What they both wanted. She had no idea.

Footsteps behind her made her turn. There was Ella, looking edible in her plum pants and white shirt. The same clothes that had lounged on Sloane’s bedroom armchair since Christmas Day when she took them off. Ever since, Ella had lived in Sloane’s clothes, or none at all.

“That was unexpected.” Sloane moved towards Ella, but stopped when she got close. The bubble had burst, and Ella had a barrier up. The energy had changed. A chill sidled through Sloane. “You okay?”

Ella stared, then shook her head. “I didn’t much like what you said to Nat.”

Sloane’s ankle started to throb. “What did I say?” The way Ella’s features hardened made it clear Sloane had said something bad. She raked her mind but she was at a loss.

“That we might be nothing.”

Sloane chewed on the inside of her cheek. “I didn’t mean it like that. It’s just, we haven’t talked about anything, have we?”

“But I’d have preferred you tell me we might be nothing before you tell Nat.” She paused. “Were you planning to fuck me again before you told me, or after?”

Sloane swallowed down a hard lump of reality. “It’s not what I meant.” She put her hands on Ella’s arms. “You don’t have to go just yet. Stay. Have some coffee. Let’s talk now.”

But Ella shook her head. “I need to go and pack for my family visit anyway. I leave tomorrow. I need to get back to my life. I can’t just stay here and have sex with you forever more.”

That sucked the air out of Sloane’s lungs. She pulled Ella towards her. This time, her resistance was slightly less. “Go and pack, and I’ll speak to Nat later. But let’s see each other after that? Please?”