Chapter 7 Sloan
CHAPTER SEVEN
Sloan
I’m shocked at the level of security Dean has installed.
But after the stories my sister has told me about this side of town, I guess I should have expected it.
So, I nod earnestly at his order not to come here without him.
As much as I want to take a stroll on the dangerous side, I’m not willing to tempt fate quite that much.
“Good girl,” he says before pulling me forward to kiss me on the forehead.
I close my eyes as I relish the feeling of such a gentle gesture coming from someone I once thought hated me, while I couldn’t stop myself from wanting him.
I don’t know where we stand after what happened at my house, but apparently, Dean has taken it to mean he has blanket permission to touch me.
As far as I’m concerned, he does…As long as his touch is for pleasure or protection.
“I keep expecting you to punch me every time I touch you,” Dean admits as he turns toward the door on our right.
“I could.” I grin up at him when he turns back to face me. “If you’re into that.”
The truth is, I think I’ve always craved his attention, no matter how I got it.
His torment in college, and my responding banter, was like the best foreplay with no big finish.
Finding out that he’s the one who’s been stalking me for weeks feels like winning a dance competition with no rehearsal.
It’s the outcome I wanted, but I refused to let myself expect it.
He just shakes his head with a chuckle as he unlocks the door.
I notice that he uses his index finger on this keypad instead of his thumb, like the exterior door.
He guides me up a flight of stairs and down a hallway to a door marked ‘Office’ before using his middle finger to unlock it and wave me inside.
“You use a different finger for each lock,” I state, letting him know that I’m paying attention and taking his security seriously. “Will I be able to get around here without you escorting me?”
“Yes,” he says as soon as the door closes. “My security guy will be here at two to collect your fingerprints and enter you into the system. But there are a few things we need to go over before then.”
“What if I’d turned down the job?” I scoff.
“I’d have found a way to convince you.” He shrugs. “I may have even let you punch me, even though—for the record—I’m not into that.”
I laugh as I ball my fist up and feign a punch at his face, not at all surprised when my fist lands in the palm of his hand.
“To be honest,” he says as he uses his grip on my hand to pull me into him. “I should let you hit me. I deserve it for everything…”
I raise on my toes to stop his words with my lips. If he can touch and kiss me at will, then I can do the same to him. I whimper when he drops his hands to my ass and lifts me to deepen the kiss before pulling back.
“Fuck, Sloan.” He drops me back to my feet.
“I’m sorry,” I say. “I just wanted…”
“No,” he cuts me off. “Don’t ever apologize for kissing me…or touching me…or hell, punching me if that’s what you feel the need to do.” He grips my chin to make sure he has my full attention. “You have carte blanche. Do you know what that means?”
“Blank check,” I say. “Free rein?”
“Yes.” He uses his grip on my chin to urge me onto my toes until his lips are against mine when he whispers, “I’m yours.”
Then, his lips take mine in the most powerful kiss I’ve ever experienced. It’s not just a kiss. It’s a declaration. One I’m not sure I’m ready for, but it ends before I have to figure it out.
“I didn’t plan to do this so soon,” he says as he guides me to a plush sofa under a wall of windows overlooking the main floor of the club. “But if you’re going to be in this, you deserve to know…”
Before he can finish what he was about to say, a bell rings from the hidden speakers in the corners of the office.
He tells me it’s the doorbell as he pulls his phone out to check the security camera at the main entrance before he lets out a curse as he turns the screen toward me.
My sister and her partner, Tyler, are standing there like they’re waiting to question a suspect.
“What are they doing here?” I ask, confused about why they would jeopardize their investigation by outing the top UC they have.
“It’s staged,” he says. “They are here to confront the owner of the new establishment.”
“But my sister doesn’t know I’m here?” I’m not sure if it’s a question, but it comes out sounding that way.
“No.” He shakes his head before a wicked grin crosses his lips. “But the battle between the cops and me will be so much more believable when she hands me my ass for pulling her sister to the dark side.”
He jumps up and holds out his hand to help me stand, but I just stare at it. Did he plan this? Is he just using me to orchestrate a more believable conflict with the cops?
“I didn’t plan for you to be part of this confrontation,” he answers my unspoken questions.
“I knew they were coming, but I didn’t know when they were coming.
They must have seen my car in the lot and decided to do it now.
If you don’t want to be part of this yet, you can stay here and your sister will be none the wiser.
” His assurance makes me sigh in relief until he reminds me, “But if you’re going to be dancing here, she’ll find out eventually. ”
“May as well face the music,” I tell him as I take his hand. As he leads me back down the stairs, I mumble, “It serves her ass right for not telling me you were here.”
“That’s my tiny dancer,” he chuckles as we walk down the hallway toward the back of the club.
When he unlocks the door and we walk out behind the bar, he says, “Just remember, outside of that office…” He points to the blacked-out windows above us.
“I’m not a cop. I’m not a good guy. I’m the worst of the worst.” He waits for me to nod before he asks, “Can you handle that?”
“You know I can,” I scoff. “I’ve never known you to be a good guy.”
“Good girl,” he whispers as he pulls his phone from his pocket and taps a speaker button. “How can I help you?”
Dean leads me through the club to the main entrance as we watch the screen. Becky and Tyler look up at the camera above the door. I know it’s not just an act when my sister glares into the camera. At least I know she’s still got my back.
“We’re here to see Dean Lancaster,” she says as she flashes her shield at the camera.
“You used your real name under cover?” I whisper as we stop at the door.
“My real name is my cover,” he says in a normal volume, letting me know that the door we’re standing beside must be soundproof. Then, he raises a brow, silently asking if I’m ready for the shit show that’s going to go down as soon as he opens the door.
“Game time,” I say with a nod.