In Bed with the Ice Queen (The Ice Queen #4)

10. Sloane

10

SLOANE

T he sun was already climbing high in the sky, painting the landscape with blues and golden rays. Sloane ran a hand through her wavy brown hair as she finished off the last bite of her tropical fruit salad. The sweet taste of pineapple lingered on her tongue. She glanced across the conference room table, catching a glimpse of the stunning view of the beach outside. Today was important for Thompson Industries. They were trying to merge with Wolfe Enterprises, and Sloane was here to make sure everything went smoothly.

As she stood up from the table, she couldn't help but remember the night before. It had been a mix-up that led her to share a bed with Helena Wolfe, the powerful CEO of Wolfe Enterprises. They were just acquaintances, but now it was way more complicated. Sloane shook her head to dismiss the thought.

The memory of the taste of Helena, of her body opening up to Sloane like a flower, was overpowering her at every turn.

Every time she saw a flash of Helena’s red hair, she couldn’t stop thinking about the vibrant damp red curls between her legs.

She grabbed her notes to try to distract herself.

Sloane stepped out into the bright sunshine and headed toward the beach where the luau was being set up. Bright flowers hung between the tiki torches, and the sounds of laughter mixed with the bubbling of a nearby bonfire. People from both companies were mingling, and she could see the excitement building.

“Hey, everyone!” Sloane called out, trying to keep her own spirits high. “The luau is going to be amazing. Just look at those dancers!” She pointed to a group of performers practicing hula. The bright patterns of their skirts swayed, bringing vibrant color to the event.

“Still feeling like this is a good idea?” asked Jake. He rubbed the back of his neck, looking unsure. “Wolfe Enterprises has a strong reputation. What if they try to take over?”

Sloane leaned in closer, lowering her voice. “Listen, Jake, I understand your concerns. But Helena is not just some icy CEO. We had a chance to talk last night, and she cares about this merger. It’s about collaboration, not competition.”

“Yeah, but what if she gets the upper hand?” another team member asked after overhearing their conversation. “What if she wants to make all the decisions?”

“I promise you everything is going to be okay,” Sloane reassured them both, hoping her confidence would ease their anxieties. “Let’s see how things go today. Enjoy the luau, and trust in the process.”

They all nodded, though some still looked skeptical. Sloane couldn’t blame them. The stakes were high, and changes like this could be scary. She spotted Helena on the other side, chatting with some of the people on the Thompson Industries team. Helena was radiant, her short red hair floating in the breeze, her brown eyes lighter under the sun. Despite her usually icy demeanor, Sloane saw a warmth radiating from her today.

As the performers began to dance, the excitement grew, and soon Sloane found herself moving closer to the crowd. She could hear the beating drums and the soft sound of ukuleles. When the dancers began to perform, Sloane felt the energy around her shift. Laughter echoed as people clapped and cheered.

“Wow, look at that!” Sloane exclaimed to the group around her, pointing to a group of hula dancers swirling gracefully. The bright flowers in their hair swayed as they moved. “They make it look so easy.”

“Yeah, I could never do that,” Jake replied, chuckling nervously.

Just then, she felt a familiar presence beside her. It was Helena, standing tall and confident, watching the dancers.

“I hope you don't mind me joining,” Helena said, her voice wavering just the slightest as she put on an act. “I’m sure enjoying the festivities.”

Sloane turned, feeling her heart skip a beat. “Of course not! I was just telling them how amazing the dancers are.”

Helena smiled, and for a moment, all the worries about the merger faded. “Perhaps you should get your own dance lesson?” Helena teased, raising an eyebrow playfully.

Sloane laughed, trying not to let her nerves show. “I think I’ll stick to legal contracts rather than hula. But your leadership will make a big difference during this merger.”

“I appreciate that. I believe in what we’re building together,” Helena replied with a sincere smile.

As the ceremony continued, Sloane found herself watching Helena more than the performance. She admired how Helena engaged with the Thompson team, her cold exterior melting under the sun. People laughed around her, and they looked at her with respect.

“I’ll be back in just a moment,” Helena said, breaking Sloane from her thoughts. “I want to speak with a few of the executives.”

Sloane nodded and watched her go, feeling a mix of admiration and nerves in her stomach. What if the hotel had a cancellation and Helena found a reason to get her own room tonight? The thought tugged at her mind. Would it change anything between them? Sloane shook her head again, focusing on the present.

“Here’s to new beginnings!” Sloane raised her glass of pineapple juice high, and her colleagues joined her.

They engaged in food and luau rituals until the sun dipped low on the horizon, painting the sky in shades of pink and orange. Despite her best efforts, the memories of last night were impossible to forget. The memory of Helena’s body, soft and vulnerable, clung to her thoughts. Sloane recalled the way Helena gasped and moaned as Sloane kissed her, making her feel wild and free. It felt like a dream, but it was real, and the warmth of the sun couldn’t shake off the heat that lingered in her heart.

“Hey, Sloane!” Jake called, snapping her back to the present. “Are you ready for the meeting tomorrow?”

Sloane smiled, nodding, but all she could think about was Helena. “Yes, of course,” she replied, trying to push her feelings away.

They reconvened with the rest of the team, reviewing tomorrow’s agenda. Yet in the back of her mind was the burning question of how tonight would unfold.

As the sun set, Sloane found herself away from the group, drawn to the sound of crackling firewood. There was Helena, seated on a log, gazing at the waves that softly kissed the shore. Her hair danced in the wind, a dark halo around her face. Sloane walked closer and felt a rush of excitement.

“Mind if I join you?” Sloane asked, her voice steady despite the fluttering in her stomach.

“I guess,” Helena replied, her voice holding a hint of playfulness. “Just enjoying the view.”

“You mean the ocean or the person sitting next to you?” Sloane teased with a smirk.

Helena shot her a quick glance, a flicker of something electric passing between them. “Maybe a bit of both. But I think you’re getting ahead of yourself.” They both sat in silence, watching the waves crash against the rocks. The fire crackled beside them, filling the quiet with warmth. Sloane couldn’t help but remember the way Helena had looked last night, naked and beautiful, hair sprawling across the sheets, eyes shining with pleasure. She shook her head slightly, trying to focus.

“Were you able to get your own room tonight?” Sloane asked, trying to keep her tone light.

Helena raised an eyebrow, a smirk touching her lips. “I did,” she said, not offering more.

“Oh. Good,” Sloane replied, feeling a pinch of disappointment. “I’m glad you have your space.”

“Why? You wanted to share again?” Helena’s voice was teasing, but Sloane sensed an edge beneath her words.

“I mean, it’s just…comfortable,” Sloane stammered, unsure of how to navigate this conversation. “Being together, I mean.”

Helena looked at her, the firelight dancing in her deep eyes, making it hard for Sloane to breathe. “It’s a business trip, Sloane,” she said, her tone slightly firmer. “We need to keep things professional.” There was something in her voice—an invitation, a challenge—but it felt just out of reach.

“Right, of course,” Sloane said quickly, pulling her gaze away, stifling her disappointment. “Let's just focus on the merger.” She tried to meet Helena’s gaze again, but it felt heavy and loaded.

Just then, Jake called out from the group. “Hey, you two! Are you coming? We’re taking a picture for the merger!”

“Coming!” Sloane shouted back, standing up and brushing sand off her outfit. She turned to Helena, who was already rising with a sly smile. “Let’s act like the business professionals we are.”

As they approached the group, Sloane felt Helena’s eyes on her. It was as if Helena could see through the carefully erected walls around Sloane’s heart. They joined the circle where everyone was laughing and talking about their plans for the next day.

“Tomorrow, we’re going out on a yacht!” Jake announced, pouring liquor into shot glasses. “It’ll be fun!”

Sloane nodded, her excitement dampened by the absence of Helena next to her in their shared room. She could feel that ache again, the longing to be close to Helena, to see that smile up close and personal.

Helena raised her glass, and Sloane held hers up, too, but the connection felt strained, as if they were on different pages of the same story.

“To the merger!” everyone cheered, and the shots went down, hot and strong.

As laughter erupted around her, Sloane tried to smile and join in on the cheerfulness, but her thoughts drifted back to the fire on the beach, the way Helena had looked at her, and the space that suddenly felt too wide between them.

After the night’s celebration was over, Sloane watched as Helena walked confidently inside the resort.

“I should head up to my room,” Sloane murmured more to herself than anyone else. Even as she turned away, her curiosity lingered. Where was Helena’s new room?

As Sloane made her way back to room 301, she replayed their earlier conversation in her mind. Sloane opened the door to her room, ready to unwind after a long day. To her utter surprise, there was Helena, lounging comfortably in a silk nightgown that shimmered like moonlight. The sight was mesmerizing.

“I thought you found another room,” Sloane exclaimed, her heart racing.

Helena looked up, a sly grin spreading across her face. “Not only lawyers can lie,” she teased, her voice soft yet playful.

Sloane's brow furrowed. “What do you mean by that?”

Helena sat up, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “I knew changing rooms would cause a stir, especially with all the corporate people around. I didn't want to admit that we shared a room.” She paused, her expression turning more serious. “I worry what people might think and don't want to become gossip.”

Sloane felt a rush of warmth on her face. “I understand. It’s a bit tricky in our world, isn’t it?”

Helena stood up gracefully, the silk clinging to her body in an alluring way. “It was kind of fun, wasn’t it?” she said, her voice dropping to a whisper. “Seeing the clear disappointment on your face when I told you I changed rooms. It made me think you actually wanted me here.”

Sloane's heart raced at the implication. “Maybe I do,” she admitted, taking a step closer, the space between them crackling with tension.

“Well…” Sloane moved forward, her lips curling into a teasing smirk. “So, what do we do about that?”

Helena swallowed hard, every muscle in her body on edge. The air felt thick with anticipation. “Maybe we can...talk about it?” she suggested, her voice barely above a whisper.

Sloane realized that Helena needed a moment. Sloane casually organized her things and turned away, giving her space.

"Hey, did you have a good day socializing at the luau?" Sloane asked, her voice a gentle nudge to reconnect as Helena crawled in bed.

Helena sighed and leaned back against the headboard. “It was fun, but it was also a lot of pressure,” she admitted, her tone revealing the weight she carried on her shoulders. “But it’s not like I’m not used to it.”

Sloane smiled softly and reached for her pajamas, the fabric smooth against her fingers. “You wore your best smile, though. You looked amazing.” She pulled on her pajama top and slipped into matching pants.

“Thanks,” Helena replied, a small blush coloring her cheeks. “My parents expect the best from me, especially since I’m the eldest. They’ve trained me to take over the company since I was a kid. It’s been so much pressure these last five years, especially from my dad.”

Sloane’s heart ached for Helena as she listened. She sat close to her on the bed, the space between them reducing. “What do they want you to do exactly? Be perfect?”

“Something like that,” Helena said, twisting a lock of her hair around her finger. “I sometimes feel like I’m just a trophy to them, showcasing success. Everyone always looks at me and expects great things. But I… Sometimes I never feel like people want me around for anything other than my family’s money or for what I can do for them.”

Sloane frowned, her brow furrowing. “That’s not true. I’ve enjoyed you for you, Helena. For who you are, not what your family has.”

Helena turned to Sloane, her eyes narrowing slightly, searching for honesty. “But how do I know? It’s not like I’m exactly nice to you. I mean, if the merger details change, you stand to benefit more from Wolfe Enterprises. What if that’s the only reason you’re being like this?”

Sloane shook her head, feeling her pulse quicken. “This isn’t just about business for me. It’s…it’s about us too right now.” The air between them thickened, filled with something electric and warm.

Helena shifted closer, her body brushing against Sloane’s. “You make it hard to keep my guard up. I’m supposed to be cautious.” She took a long, deep breath, her expression softening. “But honestly, it’s hard to be suspicious when you treat me like a person, not a CEO.”

“Because you are a person,” Sloane said. “And I care about people.”

Helena hesitated, her gaze shifting dramatically from Sloane’s eyes to her lips, lingering for just a moment too long. “It’s just…things are complicated.”

The uncertainty hung in the air like a heavy curtain, making it hard to breathe, yet Sloane felt a rush of boldness ignite inside her. “Then let’s simplify things,” she said, her voice steadier now. “Let’s be honest with each other. Away from the merger, away from the stress. Just you and me.”

Helena swallowed hard and brushed her fingers against Sloane's arm, sending shivers down her spine. “What if I lose the deal?”

Sloane met her gaze, unwavering. “You won’t lose it. I promise. No matter what happens with the merger, I won’t jeopardize your reputation.”

They stayed in a charged silence, both women feeling the undeniable pull toward each other, like magnets drawn close. Sloane’s heart raced, her mind spinning with possibilities.

Then, with a sudden burst of courage, Helena leaned in just a tiny bit, her lips almost touching Sloane’s, their breath mingling. “Sloane...” she started, but the rest of her words evaporated in the space between their lips.

“Helena,” Sloane replied, her voice low. “Sometimes you have to stop worrying about what lies ahead and just…” She slowly leaned in, tasting the warmth of affection and fearlessness wrapped in a kiss that was sweet and tender. It was somewhat hesitant, but still charged with longing.

In the glow of the lamp, wrapped in the warmth of their small world, the complicated business world outside faded away, leaving behind just two women. They were both strong and fierce, yet vulnerable.