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Sloane plunged deep inside of her with little warning, forcing Ari’s head back and a moan roaring from her chest.

“You think you can do it as good as me?” Her question was punctuated with a curl of her fingers against a spot inside Ari that made her nearly lose consciousness.

Ari couldn’t respond. All she could do was grind against each thrust, rocking against her fingers. Willing them deeper.

“Answer me,” Sloane demanded.

“No, I can’t,” Ari confessed.

Sloane rewarded her by adding her mouth to the onslaught. The attack was targeted and unrelenting, as if to prove to Ari that she’d had her where she wanted her all

along. Ari wanted to hold back, to deny Sloane the satisfaction even if it meant denying herself. But it was already too late. With a breathless moan on her lips, Ari rocked against Sloane as she reached a new orgasmic high.

“I hate you,” Ari moaned when Sloane slid back up her body.

She kissed her hard, making Ari savor herself on Sloane’s lips. “I know.”

FOR TWO DAYS Sloane and Ari didn’t leave the guest house.

They only parted briefly when Sloane would go into the main house to check on her mother. Each time she returned, it took a little time before she was back to herself. Despite some deep conversations, it was hard for Ari to understand their dynamic, but she tried her best. She hoped that over time she might be able to help.

By Sunday night, Ari was dreading going back home. As they lay in bed, tangled in each other’s bare limbs, Ari wanted to make their time together last.

“How did you know I had a crush on you? Like for real.

Did Jasmine tell you?” Ari asked, running her fingertips over Sloane’s soft abdomen.

When Sloane chuckled, her chest vibrated against Ari’s cheek. “I told you. You are so easy to read.”

“Did you know that I was a little jealous of you too?”

“What do you mean?” Sloane asked, shifting to look Ari in the face as they spoke.

Ari moved up to lay on the pillow. She ran her hands through Sloane’s hair. “You just always seemed to have everything I wanted, you know? Nice clothes, money, you made friends so easily. Everything you did always looked so e ortless.”

Sloane smirked. “And there you were.” She cupped her face. “Having everything I didn’t. Loving parents that would have been proud of you no matter what you decided to do with your life.” She took a deep breath. “The grass really is always greener, huh?”

“I’m sorry I was unfair to you,” Ari said, stretching her neck to kiss the corner of Sloane’s lips.

“Yeah, well, I can be pretty heinous,” she admitted as she nestled against Ari’s touch. “I’ve competed for everything my entire life and I forget to turn it o .”

“You know Jasmine was always telling me we were the same and I never saw it,” Ari admitted.

Sloane laughed before flipping Ari on top of her. “We are kind of extra, aren’t we?”

Ari dove into her kiss, her chest tightening as she reveled in the sound of her happiness. She’d never get enough. “I kind of love that about you,” she blurted against Sloane’s lips.

The admission echoed in Ari’s mind as Sloane’s body became motionless. Oh my God. What did I say?

“I didn’t mean it that way.” Ari shot up, scrambling o the mattress.

Sloane caught her by the wrist and pulled her back to the bed. Her hazel eyes were intent on her, but her face was unreadable. Always unreadable.

“It slipped—” Ari started, wanting to explain that she hadn’t meant to drop the L bomb on her.

“Stop assuming, Arwyn.” She grinned before kissing her deeply. “I love everything about you,” she whispered as she held her face. “I love you.”

Ari’s heart stopped beating then jumped forward in triple time to catch up. She wrapped her arms around Sloane, holding her close. “I love you, Sloane,” she whispered before claiming her lips with new intensity.