63. Sloan
SIXTY-THREE
SLOAN
“Aareth, can I speak with you a moment?” Sloan asked after the rest of the group had finished breakfast and left the room. “It’ll be quick.”
“Before you start, Edison didn’t find anything yet.” Aareth slouched in his chair. “There was a lot of oohing and awwing, even more ‘Elwood get me this’ and ‘Elwood get me that,’ but no answers.”
“I’m sorry.” Sloan stood, trying to figure out a way to comfort Aareth. Far from the hugging type, Sloan went to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. “I understand you’re going through something unprecedented.”
“Edison did tests until just a few hours ago. He took enough blood samples to fill a small tub.” Aareth leaned over, looking at his hands. “Whatever it is that healed me wants something in return. I can feel a part of me I never knew before, and it’s angry. It wants to get out of its cage.”
Before she could second or third guess herself, Sloan knelt down beside Aareth. She took his defeated face in her hands. The stubble on his cheeks pricked at her palms.
“Edison will find out what’s going on with you.” Sloan looked deep into Aareth’s eyes. “You’re—we’re going to get through this.”
Aareth held her gaze. Their lips inched toward one another as if magnets were drawing them together.
When their lips finally met, a floating sensation filled Sloan’s head.
As fast as the kiss had begun, Aareth broke it off, while the dozens of reasons she couldn’t be kissing him shouted in her mind.
Her rank as an officer, his past as an assassin, and his present condition were all reasons for her to stay away.
“I’m sorry.” Aareth shook his head of dark hair. “This, this isn’t the best time.”
“Don’t be too sorry.” Sloan stood from her kneeling position and headed for the door. Her heart was beating like a war drum. “But you’re right, we’ll revisit this once things have settled.”
If Sloan had known what the future held, she would have never left that kiss.