Page 115 of Scorned Beauty

The little she-devil knew what she was doing. She wasn’t blatant about it, but she was giving me a chance not to fuck up and to show Sloane I wasn’t simply a ruthless crime boss.

Just don’t mess with my family, or my woman.

“Okay, enough with the flirting.” Lucy took over the coveted chaise seating of the sectional. Sloane sat in the middle, tucking her legs under her. Ginger jumped up on her side.

Sloane glanced at me. “You can sit beside us if you want.”

I raised a brow.

“I trust you enough not to try anything with your sister around unless…” She eyed Lucy. “Do you have a habit of falling asleep while watching television?”

“I slept all day, which means I’ll be awake all night, so you’re safe.”

It seemed like a courtship, complete with a chaperone.

I moved to Sloane’s side, just enough distance to feel her warmth, but not too close I was crowding her.

Ginger transferred from her lap to mine.

“Traitor,” Sloane muttered.

“I’m warmer, that’s all.” I shot Sloane a heated look. “If you’re feeling cold…”

Her cheeks pinkened.

“Stop flirting!” Lucy yelled. “Show is starting.”

“How many episodes is this?” Sloane asked.

“Eight.”

“We can binge it all tonight!” the woman beside me said.

I kept quiet, just enjoying the camaraderie between my sister and Sloane. The first episode started rolling and I could already tell that this wasn’t a show Sloane liked to watch. Before the endof the first episode, Sloane had already fallen across the couch, fast asleep. She tucked her cold feet under my thighs.

Normally when we were watching TV, she’d have them on my lap, and I would massage the soles of her feet. Ginger didn’t seem amenable to that and resisted my attempts to push her off my lap.

After the first episode ended, I rose to my feet. Ginger gave an annoyed meow.

“I’m taking Sloane to bed,” I told Lucy.

“No funny business,” my sister said. “Five minutes, or I’m coming to check on you.”

“What do you take me for?” I asked, half offended.

Lucy laughed. “Go! You’re no fun when you’re in love.”

I didn’t deny it. I watched Sloane sleep for two heartbeats and an ache stabbed me in the chest. I missed this. Missed watching her sleep. Missed admiring the freckles on her face. How they added to the unique beauty that was all her. Ma said Sloane’s face was exquisite, but what my mother hadn’t seen yet was the strength beneath that beauty.

I gently lifted Sloane from the couch and started walking. A few seconds in my arms and she started stirring. “Show’s over?”

“You fell asleep, baby.”

“It’s boring.” She snuggled into my chest.

Fuck. I didn’t want to put her down. I slowed my ascent on the stairs, my eyes drinking in the woman in my arms. Entering her room, I didn’t turn on the light and let the hallway lighting illuminate my path to her bed.

Laying her carefully on the mattress, I wanted to crawl in beside her. It wasn’t even about fucking her. Her body was soft and warm in my arms and I just wanted to wrap my whole body around her and sleep.